This Makes Me "Happy."

I've gotten The Fulton Farms Happy Box several times, but this year I actually subscribed to the weekly delivery.  Today was my first delivery and the name rings true.  This box just makes me happy. :)

Crisp, fresh, yumminess.

If the picture makes you smile, you should smell it!

This makes me laugh

I was reading through a boat-ful of magazines that I got from the doctors office and I came across this and it made me laugh and say "duh" all at the same time.  Basically it's an article for new parents and the dos and donts of parenting.  Here is the paragraph on co-sleeping.

"An October 2009 study published in the British Medical Journal found that more than half of SIDS deaths occurred while the infant was sleeping with a parent in bed or on a sofa, particularly  when the parent had used drugs or alcohol."

So, for all of you new parents out there, it's probably not a good idea to co-sleep with your baby after you just consumed too many drugs or drank too much alcohol.  Just a suggestion. :)  I mean, come on.

The New Favorite.

I'm taking advantage of the "extra" time I have to do a bit of updating.  Deacon's new favorite activity is sitting in his chair (bday present from  Grandpa & Grandma Beckner) and watching Praise Baby.  He could do this for hours. (and quite honestly, some days I let him)

Where it's 40* warmer

A couple of weeks ago we were able to get away from the cold, gray weather of Ohio and head south to St. Pete Beach, Florida.  It was wonderful!  I didn't realize I had the winter blues so badly until we were in the car heading to our hotel and the sun was shining, our windows were down and I was smiling. :)  

We did lots of this, until....

He found the kiddie pool.

Sunset on the beach.

I could do this all day.  Unfortunately with a rather active 1 year old, you can't. :)

Shade with a lil' one is a must.

Mi familia.

"Lord I want to be just like you, because he wants to be just like me."

Perfect timing photo.

We did lots of this.

Tampa Aquarium on a chilly, rainy day.

Lowry Park Zoo in Tampa on a "too cold to swim" day.

Mr. Independent.

Feeding the giraffe was my highlight. :)

Too much zoo.

Seriously...don't you just want to squeeze him?
(excuse the snot pouring out of the nose)

Another favorite.


What a vacation!  A week was not near long enough, but we enjoyed our time immensely.  Reality has set back in.  Laundry, cleaning (okay...that's a stretch!) making dinner and all of the fun jobs of a mom & wife.  I would not trade my life for nothing.  I am blessed.  

Reflections of the past and a tiny glimpse into the future.

February 8th came & went, but it didn't go by without some serious reflections.  You see, that day marked the one year anniversary of our move to Minnesota.  It's crazy that it's been that long.  When I think back, I can still feel that same fear and hear those same questions that went through my brain. 

 Some may call this lack of faith. :)

How were we going to handle being12 hours from family with a 3 week old baby?

  How was I going to survive without family close?  

Can we raise this baby, literally, on our own?

Will we survive a Minnesota winter?

Can I handle this much CHANGE?

I wish I could say those were all of my questions that I kept asking the Lord, but I know there were lots, lots, lots more.  We have had an incredible year of lots of changes.  It all started with finding out we were pregnant, then finding a new church and finally the job situation.  God reminded me daily, even among all of my doubts, that He is Faithful and through Him I find courage.

Now for the glimpse into the future.  I'll let Deacon show you.

Yes, that says "Big Bro."  It's true.  Baby #2 will arrive around October 2nd.  This was planned ONLY by the good Lord himself.  We had nothing to do with this decision....absolutely nothing. 

 So now, the questions start again. :)

How am I going to take care of TWO kids?

How do you function from lack of sleep?

Can I get through this pregnancy and still take care of a 1 year old?  

...and on and on and on and on they come.  I'm always reminded that God is Faithful and it is only by His Grace that I survive my everyday anyways.  So, as I look to the future, I can only trust that He will give me the daily dose of Grace that I need.  

Am I the Only One?

Today, as I was doing a mad rush to clean up the house at 5:00, I wondered to myself.  Am I the only one who waits until the very last minute to straighten up the house before my hubby gets home?  I mean, I don't want it to look like I did "nothing" all day. :)

This is only half of the mess...

Yes, that is lunch that has not been cleaned up....at 5:00 :)

Icy Wonderland

I'm not sure if I'm the only one, but when I hear reports of bad weather, I get this antsy, excited feeling in hopes that Brent will get to stay home from work.  Well, my hopes got way too high.  As icy as it is here, it wasn't enough to keep him home.  The beauty of the ice covered trees amazes me.  Yeah, it's probably not the safest to have heavy, ice-covered branches, but it looks so beautiful!  Check out what God's been doing in Covington.