growing up...

"Be strong & courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, 

for the LORD your God will be with your wherever  you go." 

Joshua 1:9

My sweet Liam, My first born. My heart of hearts. My monkey man. You made me a mommy and daily I stand in awe of you. Grateful for every breath that you take. In love with you beyond anything I can describe. I am amazed at the boy you are becoming. You are learning what it means to love God, to love others, and to be thankful. You are too smart for your own good and definitely for my own good. You are a wonderful big brother and Norah Grace thinks you hung the moon. You have a kind and gentle soul and a very tender heart. You can be quiet and thoughtful and loud and precocious. You are whitty and wise and challenging to a fault. You are stubborn and strong-willed and for you, I want to be a better person, to lead by example and ask for your forgiveness when I fail you at this.

I am not ready for you to grow up so quickly but time is something that I can not stop and as each day passes I pray that I may grow with you. My little love, you are my sunshine and you brighten every day. You make my life better just by being in it.  As we move along this journey together, I promise to always walk beside and hold your hand (and carry you when I can). I will always listen to you. Always hug & kiss you goodnight. Always fight for you. Pray for you without failing. And love you unconditionally. I will be proud of you always. I am forever grateful to be your mama and I know that God has an amazing plan for your life.

We love you beyond words. To the moon and back (and back and back and back and back.)  

30 Days of Thankfulness - Day 1

"And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, 

giving thanks to God the Father through Him." 

Colossians 3:17 

It is not often that I actually take time to think about the things that I am thankful for much less share them with someone else but this month I am committing myself and my family to doing that everyday. Our family is so incredibly blessed and I want Liam and Norah Grace to grow to understand that all of the "things" that we have are not our own but a gift from God and for that we should be grateful and show thanksgiving. We started this tonight with Liam during his bedtime routine and my plan to write each of the things he is thankful for down each night and then display them in our house some how...I haven't quite gotten that far yet but I am sure that I will find something cute on Pinterest! 

In the meantime, tonight Liam was thankful for... PJs (because they keep you warm). And I, I am so very thankful for my sweet hubby. He is my best friend, an amazing father, a brilliant doctor, a great son (and son-in-law), a great brother, and so much more. He is hardworking, funny, compassionate, witty, loving, and kind. He does so much to provide for our family and although I am certain I do not tell him enough, I am so very thankful for him.  And I thank God everyday that I am blessed me with such an amazing man for a husband.

Just stay this little...

Your little hands wrapped around my finger
And it's so quiet in the world tonight
Your little eyelids flutter 'cause you're dreaming
So I tuck you in, turn on your favorite night light

To you, everything's funny
You got nothing to regret
I'd give all I have, honey
If you could stay like that

Oh, darling, don't you ever grow up, don't you ever grow up
Just stay this little
Oh, darling, don't you ever grow up, don't you ever grow up
It could stay this simple

~Taylor Swift

My sweet Norah Grace,

You are the light of our lives. Your sweet smile can light up a room and that is a good thing because you are always smiling! You have the most infectious laugh that just captivates anyone that passes by and makes your whole body move and bounce and wiggle. You absolutely love your big brother and he loves you back with his whole heart. He loves to tell you how pretty you look and kiss you goodnight and he has promised me he will still do this when you are older (and I am going to hold him to it.) You have your daddy wrapped around your little fingers and I hope that is right where you keep him. You always greet him with a laugh and a wiggle and your sweet flirty smile when he comes home from work and you snuggle in tight as he picks you up. As much as you love your daddy you are still a mama's girl. I love rocking with you during a middle of the night dates.  If I could have three more of you I would in a heart beat but I know that you are "the one and only ever you" and I promise to treasure each and every moment with you my sweet happy girl. I can not believe you are 6 months old today but I also can not remember a day without you. 

I love you baby girl! 

Mommy 

Liam's First Haircut

It took two and a half years but on Saturday, June 4th, Liam was finally ready for first haircut! We made it a family affair and all ventured out to Cartoon Cuts (ummm...never again) for this major milestone. Liam was a little hesitant at first but did a great job and sat very, very still. All of the ladies were very impressed that he was not only two and just now having his first haircut but also that he was two and so well-behaved. I will have to admit this mommy was not at all excited about my baby boy loosing his sweet little cowlick and its curl but it was definitely time.  

 

Waitin' on a Woman....

God Bless the U.S.A

"And I'm proud to be an American, where at least I know I'm free. And I won't forget the men who died, who gave that right to me." Lee Greenwood

There are few things more American than family, baseball and fireworks, right? So with Aunt Laura in town and in honor and celebration of this great nation we decided to brave the heat and we went to a Washington Nationals game, they just happened to be playing our beloved Bucs (the Pittsburgh Pirates) right here in DC. We are having a great time taking advantage of all the fun things living in a major city has to offer and in my opinion there is no better city in the country to celebrate the birthday of our country than right here in our Nation's Capital. This year we returned to one of our favorite spots overlooking the city to watch the "A Capitol 4th" fireworks with some great friends. 4th of July in DC is definitely something worth experiencing. Let us know if you are every interested in celebrating with us!   

This little boy love the metro!

This does not do the fireworks or our view justice! 

Down South

In June Rolf's work schedule was crazy so the Liam, Norah Grace, & I headed down south to visit both sets of grandparents. We spent a few days in Lumberton with Mimi, Papa, and my nephew, Ian and then moved on to Carolina Beach to spend a few days with Aga and Papa Boom. It was really nice to have the extra help with the kids and a little break from the everyday. 

Our Summer Adventures - The Inner Harbor

This summer we are trying our best to go on at least one "adventure" as Liam likes to call them every weekend. A few weeks ago we ventured up to Baltimore to explore the Inner Harbor. 

When I grown up....

Annapolis (Memorial Day, Part 2)

On Memorial Day, being the ever patriotic family that we are, all decked out in our red, white, & blue we headed to Annapolis to celebrate and remember the men and women serving and giving their all for our country in the Armed Forces. With the exception of the fact that it was 99 degrees that day with a index of what seemed to be 115 we had an awesome time taking a boat ride through the harbor and up the river, eating lunch at a little cafe, feeding the ducks, and getting ice cream. Liam is still talking about the boats and can not wait to go back.  

Great Country Farm (Memorial Day Weekend, Part 1)

Memorial Day weekend we headed out to Great Country Farm in Bluemont, Virginia for what was certain to be an unforgettable day. We went with plans to pick strawberries but we ended up having so much fun doing all of the other stuff we never picked berries. We rode the cow train, rode the tube slide through a hill (over and over and over again), climbed in the castle, fed lots of animals, had a picnic, and best of all went fishing. They had a fully stocked fish pond which meant as soon as you cast your line you had a bite, if only fishing was always that easy and entertaining for a two-year-old. If you live in the DC area or are ever up for a visit be sure to check this place out!

My two boys on the "cow train."

Learning how to feed a horse and not loose a finger.

Catching "a big one"!

Happy Father's Day

"My father didn't tell me how to live; he lived and let me watch him do it."

~Clarence B. Kelland

Although we don't actually have any pictures from Father's Day this year since my sweet hubby was busy working all weekend he still deserves some extra special recognition for being such a great daddy. I knew when I married Rolf that he was going to be an amazing father but I had no idea how amazing! I am so thankful and blessed that when it comes to parenting I can truly say we are a team. Be it bath time, bed time, or any other time he puts being a father first. Thank you my love for being such an amazing father to our children.