Some GREAT reads. (The Help, One Thousand Gifts, The Meaning of Marriage)

I've been reading some good books this year- nothing is quite like a good book.  It is always a bitter sweet thing to finish one that you've become attached to!

1. The Help - great read.  better than the movie (as all books truly are).  but seriously, if you loved the movie the book had so much more detail and better laid out plot with the boyfriend and the dismissal of Constantine.  I'll loan you mine. haha

2. 1000 Gifts - LOVE LOVE LOVE this book.  I'm reading it in my women's Bible study and the discussion is so full.  (those of you who have read it will appreciate my use of the empty/full, haha).  I would HIGHLY recommend this book to anyone who struggles with grief and/or the messiness of life.  It dissects the normal and has helped me make room to see Christ in the everyday beauty as well as the mess.  What a gift- To learn how to truly be thankful - in anything.  Love the journey of this book.

From a woman who ACTUALLY does hand wash all her dishes.  I liked her soap bubbles bit.

3. The Meaning of Marriage - received this as a gift from my parents.  I've so enjoyed reading it- been so encouraged by the early chapters and how they refute our society's take on why marriage isn't important. There is great chapter about the Biblical origins of marriage and its design, and a nice rebuttal on the misunderstood role of 'submission' of women preached by some. More to come...

Love it when it strikes me in a whole new way.

To be known and loved.  What deep blessing it is.  I hope to know it more and more.

Happy Valentine's Day

I was excited to find an easy, creative way to make Valentines cards this year.  We always make our own for the fun of it, and this year pinterest was my inspiration- toilet paper roll & paint!

Mail for James and Hayden's Grandparents!!

To me, Valentines is about making something sweet for my sweethearts. This year, cupcakes.  James keeps calling them birthday cake. but who could blame him, we had just celebrated his birthday party the weekend before.  haha, he was so excited.

My honey always buys me flowers.  I love them.  I hate spending too much money, so this year he got a gold star for getting BEAUTIFUL roses from Trader Joes. :-)

What a fun day to celebrate those that you love. :-)

March?

Hello March, how'd you get here so fast??  Once again, its time to play catch up with some of my favorite moments of February- just a little belated.  Yes, these days the blog is always behind on the current events, and I'm surprised how quickly the days can pass.

It has felt like I've had my hands 'less' full these days since Hayden is officially crawling and sitting with the boys while they play is so much fun.  We get to read books together, take walks, go to the library, play at the park, and eat together now.  Hayden is having 3 meals a day now of baby food and sleeping much better.  Still up once at night most of the time, but I think his growth patterns and sleep patters are just different than James' were-and we are grateful.  Just grateful for the sleep we do get, and for the extra cuddle time I get with him in the night time.  Who could be grumpy when you're looking at this face?

James has had so much fun getting little gifts from family and friends after his birthday party.  Because we did it about 4 weeks after his actual birthday, he got good and spoiled for over a month. haha.

Hayden and Daddy.  sweet moments.

James making some friends at the Y.  I'm hoping to get myself back in some kind of shape!  I was parking my stroller after dropping him off and spy-ed him trying to share blocks.  Love seeing him be sweet!!