To Serve

To serve is such a wonderful thing. It is to put others before yourself. For those who have chosen to serve past, present, and future, today is a day to say thank you (photo of Nate's Grandpa Jack, second from the right top row, during his time in the Air Force)...



I know for some to serve is to make the ultimate sacrifice. For those who have given "all" they have, thank you is simply not enough, but thank you....



And to the man in my life who serves I have seen first hand what choosing this profession means to you, I am so proud to be your wife...

DIY Baby Mobile

When we brought Emme home from the hospital she, like most babies I know, spent the first week sleeping next to me in a bassinet. We quickly had a problem though. While Emme was sleeping, I was not. Apparently she didn't get the memo that you are supposed to be quiet while you sleep. She makes all sorts of funny little noises and sounds more like a little piglet than a baby. So she quickly got upgraded...to the closet. She has been quite happy there. By happy I mean she rarely complains when I put her down to sleep. But lately she's seeming just a bit cramped in her little bed (weighing in yesterday at 15 lbs. 11 ounces our little dumplin' is gaining quite nicely). She has been spending more and more time in her own room, in her own crib, spreading her sweet little wings.

All that to say that I've been on the lookout for a baby mobile. I have found myself checking them out in stores, on ETSY, etc. but just haven't found the one that was "just right" (or if it was the price was NOT right). I wanted something sweet and lovely (just like my little Emme) for her to gaze at. So when I ran across this...

I had an idea. Well, actually the first thing that popped into my head was how much I liked this...

But then I had an idea. I thought to myself "Baby Mobile!" So out came the contents of the box and I got to work...

Easy to follow "flower making" directions...

And soon I had some happy little pieces to work with (I used some of the wire in the kit to bend into shapes)...

I took a bamboo stick and cut it to size...

And then went in search of some fishing line. I knew I had some from a previous project but was pretty bummed when I couldn't find it. Luckily on my way in from the garage I ran across this (thank you Carter for contributing to my project)...

SCORE!! I was in business. I set to work assembling (tying things on was a little tedious but with patience quite simple really). And VOILA, the finished product...

I'm tickled pink at the way the elements seem to float above her crib...

It makes me happy (and even happier that I only spent 4 bucks!)...

But my favorite thing about this project are the little eyes that will be looking at it...

I think these kits (and the others by Martha Stewart) have endless possibilities. Michael's carries them at full price, but I got mine on clearance at TJ Maxx and have also seen them at a major discount at Big Lots. If you need a little craft project grab one and have a little fun!

Happy Birthday Mimi!

Happy Birthday today to our sweet Mimi (just a few days ago with Carter)...


We are so lucky to have such a beautiful woman to look up to and love.

"The Mom"

Being "The Mom" means that you scold, you correct, you discipline. You're the one who enforces a time out, demands a please and a thank you, and puts an end to the fun by announcing, "It's time to go home now." You show up and hear what an angel your child has been only to have them immediately melt down before your very eyes. You wipe bottoms, smell like sour milk, have greasy hair.

Can I be honest and say sometimes I don't like being "The Mom"?

Occasionally I'd love to be the "fun one". I wouldn't change dirty diapers. I'd be the one who doesn't have to say "NO" or worry about how much sugar is in the snack she's about to eat. I'd give up the part of me that feels so very responsible. The part of me that knows this little person won't always be so little. That part of me that is striving daily to shape her into the adult that she will become.

But if I wasn't "The Mom" I'd be giving something else up too. I'd be giving up those last few waking moments of her day. The ones where she snuggles up to me and whispers as she falls asleep, "I love you Mommy". Being "The Mom" isn't always easy, but those four words make it the best job in the world.

I love you too.

My Munchkin's

My munchkin's make me happy.


Happy as in seeing Carter get really excited about trying on the Hula outfit I brought back for her...




Happy as in a little pool time at G.G.'s house...



Happy as in new best friends and cousins (Griffin and Sadie) at the family reunion...




Happy as in munchkin' in a hat (thanks to Aunt Patty)...




Happy.

Beach Baby

Sand in the bottom of my suitcase is all that is left of our week in paradise which makes me immediately grateful for cameras. I love the fact that long after an event you can look back and recall what it meant through the photos. We spent plenty of time soaking up the beautiful Hawaii sun and Emerson met the ocean for the first time...

She was quite a cute little beach baby if you ask me...

She also spent a lot of time here...

Everywhere we went we made friends and met new people because they couldn't resist her charming little grin. She also managed to catch a few winks in the shade...

It was a wonderful vacation. We quickly found that Emme wouldn't make it through a nice restaurant dinner without getting cranky so we adapted. From that point on we enjoyed putting her to bed and having a picnic just the two of us in our room. It wound up being one of my favorite things about the trip. A little alone time with this guy is quite the treat...

But I think the highlight would have to be getting to know our sweet little girl just a little better. We've had four years to focus our undivided attention on Carter and it was nice to get to spend just a small fraction of that doing the same with Emme....

She is sweet beyond words, quick to smile, has the MOST kissable cheeks you've ever seen and loves to reach out and touch your face with both hands. She is also pretty quick to grab a fist full of hair so look out!! It was a trip I won't forget...thanks so all who helped make it possible! My heart is happy.

A Little Piece of My Heart

While this week has been fabulous in every way this morning I'm missing a little piece of my heart. When I hear sweet Carter's voice say "I love you" on the phone it makes me melt. I can't wait to wrap her up in a big hug and smooch her!! So, in case you're needing a little Carter fix too here is just a little bit of what she's been up to.

My mom (bless her heart) has been entertaining Carter all week. I know she can keep a body busy so I appreciate this more than you will ever know! Carter has been a part of "Art Class" at my mom's studio...

they've had a date to the zoo...

she learned to channel her "inner nerd"...

not to mention baking, movie watching, and one of Carter's fave's dog walking (which I might add ended in my mom walking both dogs while carrying Carter home)...

My mom also took Carter to her sweet friends farm. I am going to guess this has probably been the highlight of the week. Carter was able to help gather eggs...

feed the chickens...

and pay a visit to Cookie and her calf Gingersnap...

At this rate she may never want to come home!!

This morning it hits me a little harder what a gift it is to get to be a mom...

"Making the decision to have a child is momentous. It is to decide forever to have your heart go walking around outside your body." ~Elizabeth Stone

Beneath the Banyan Tree

There is a beautiful Banyan Tree that spans the entire courtyard of the Moana Surfrider (the hotel where we are staying)...




It is really magnificent and I love it. We've been spending a lot of time relaxing beneath the Banyan Tree....




It provides the perfect amount of shade for sweet baby cheeks...




And when you need to cool off a bit the pool is just a few steps away...




Emme is loving the water...



And her daddy's arms...





we have been enjoying all the sweet moments with her...


We also enjoyed a drive around the island it is beautiful here...




We made a few of the "tourist stops". First up the Dole Plantation, Hawaii has the BEST pineapple hands down...



Then a cup of shaved ice at Matsumoto's...

Emme missed the whole thing...



Maybe it was for the best she would have wanted a taste...


Enjoying taking it easy...

More soon!

Aloha

Friday my girls and I hit the road and headed north. We had places to go and people to see! The first stop was lunch with Roxi at La Madeleine. It was her 55th (but she doesn't look a day over 25) birthday and we were happy to celebrate with her!

When lunch was over it was time for me to give my sweet Carter a kiss and send her on her way. She is spending the week with Roxi and Pops (yes a WHOLE week, I miss her terribly already!) Why you ask? Well, her daddy and I were headed for a tropical island vacation (well, actually Nate has to work but I'm totally vacationing!) Being that Carter is 4 Roxi and Pops house is paradise too! I know she's in good hands. And I'm going to spoil her with lots of souvenirs!

Emme is spending the week with Nate and I which means she has now experienced the joy of flying! We were just a little nervous about keeping these baby legs busy on our long flight...

But she did absolutely beautifully!

On one of our layovers I got a little snap happy with my sweet girl...

Only for you my darling Emme...

Would I crawl on the dirty airport floor...

Your beauty is that captivating...

I'm pretty crazy about you...

After zooming through a few more clouds (with our little cloud) we were finally there...

We woke up this morning here...

On beautiful...

Aloha from Honolulu!!

We're loving our hotel (The Moana Surfrider, Westin) it's been here since 1904...

Emme was bright eyed and ready to explore...

We had lunch at...

Right on the beach is the perfect place to dine...

We're also enjoying some sweet one on one time with the newest member of our family...

And while I do miss my sweet little Carter I know she is a busy little bee baking, reading, exploring and doing all of her favorite things!

Thank you my love...

For bringing us along...

I'm so happy to be here with you. It's like a second honeymoon...make that a babymoon!