A New Chapter

Wow, where to begin? A little over three years ago our little trio made a cross country move from sunny Florida to a rainy place I knew nothing about Oak Harbor, Washington...

We knew the road ahead would be difficult at times, but we were up for the challenge. We had been preparing for several years for the separations we would face, in a lot of ways we were more than ready to "get the show on the road".

To say the past few years haven't held their share of tears and heartache would be a lie. But, interestingly enough, I also wouldn't trade them. Tonight marks the end of a chapter for us. Nate arrives in San Antonio to stay and I'm happy to report, for the first time in a long time, I don't know when he will be leaving again. I will breathe a huge sigh of relief when he walks through our front door in just a few short hours. In many ways I feel like we have our life back. Time to be a family, get involved in things together, enjoy all that day to day life brings. We are Texans again but what we left behind in Washington were some valuable lessons learned. We learned what it means to love in spite of the distance between you and survive moments that you think you can't make it through. We are stronger people for pushing through when things weren't easy and finding the bright spots when they were doing their best to hide from us.

As I type all this I realize that we aren't really leaving these things behind, they go with us in our hearts, and will always be there to remind us of what it means to be a family.

There is one thing we really did leave in Washington...this sweet little baby face...

We traded her in for a bright eyed, sensitive, sweet, sharp as a tack, not to mention hilarious four year old (we think she's pretty special)...

We're also happy that moving, while it did slightly complicate things, couldn't stop this little bunny from joining our ranks...

Of all the lessons I've learned over the past three years the greatest one may be realizing that the everyday little things should not be taken for granted. When you are left without them you quickly see they are the things you miss the most. So what am I looking most forward to as we step into this new chapter? Well, for starters, I'm just thrilled that at the end of each day this face will be walking through the front door...

"We Heart Kisses" at I Heart Faces

I Heart Faces is gearing up for Valentine's Day with a "We Heart Kisses" photo challenge. I just had to post one of my favorite "kissy" photos....

Monday Carter Edition #59~I've Got Sunshine...

I've got sunshine

On a cloudy day

When it's cold outside

I've got the month of May

I guess you say

What can make me feel this way...

My Girl

29 and Holding!

This past weekend I turned 29. It was sort of overshadowed by the fact that I'm just a little tired, and we are still adjusting to the newest member of our family...but, it was still a very special birthday. Mainly due to the fact that my husband always goes out of his way to make me feel adored. I used to think this was just the norm, but I realize more and more that he is about as special as they come. He also makes me laugh, as in when I opened up the cookie cake he and Carter got me and it looked like this...

When I asked him if he had them write that he said no, he just told them I was turning 29 and would like a lot of icing. He couldn't have been more right. I love that he knows the road to my heart is paved with butter cream icing (a trip the spa and a new ipod are pretty nice too). The cookie made me laugh, but it was also kinda' true. I am 29 and holding. Not in the sense that I never want to be 30 or anything like that...but, in the sense that I am doing my best to hold on to the moments that are right here in front of me. Some of those find me feeling a bit overwhelmed and exhausted, but they also find me feeling like maybe, just maybe this is exactly what life is all about. Two little lives that need you and a man that you are madly in love with, I couldn't ask for anything more...

For the year ahead I'm hoping I can hold on to all the little moments that really matter...let the ones that don't go...and treasure all that I've been given.

*Note to self: This is the year Carter picked out a "barking birthday card" for you. She had to have it and sang along with the dogs as they barked.

Monday Carter Edition #58~Guess Who...

Is spending the week with Monday Carter???

That's right Roxi's in town! We are three very happy girls!!

I can't think of anyone I'd rather...

...share my birthday with than you! Happy Birthday to my very best friend and sister...



The best birthday present is one I've already gotten, getting to live in the same town with you! This is gonna' be fun!! I love you, have a wonderful day!

Calling all members of the Ma-Ma Sisterhood

You may be asking yourself what the heck is the Ma-Ma Sisterhood? Well, I just made it up...and if you have ever uttered the words "I'm breastfeeding my baby" or better yet "That's about as good as a Soothie on a sore nipple" you're in!In other words if you're a guy, this blog posts NOT for you!

I breastfed Carter for a whopping 13 months, but we got off to a really rough start. I was so sure that this time would be different. I just knew that things would go so much smoother. I was wrong. The last 10 days have been painful and I've thought more than once, "sure would be easy to just make a bottle". I think the issue was an improper latch initially (Carter's problem as well) and by the time I corrected it I has some nice sore "ninnies" as Carter likes to call them. Cracks in places there should not be cracks make feeding your baby like entering a torture chamber every few hours.

I think at this point things are looking up. But, being that so many of you are moms I thought what better place to ask for a little advice. What are your thoughts, tips, and pointers for getting through the "early stages" of breastfeeding. I'm determined not to give up, knowing that once you break through it really is an experience that I wouldn't trade for anything. So Ma-Ma's I'm all ears...