A Work of Love (Mother's Day 2011)

I looked on child-rearing not only as a work of love and duty but as a profession that was fully as interesting and challenging as any honorable profession in the world and one that demanded the best that I could bring it.  ~Rose Kennedy

I know it is a little late but I still wanted to post a couple of pics of my cute kiddos and brag on my sweet hubby for the wonderful Mother's Day they gave me this year. Rolf made the entire weekend special and sure did set the bar pretty high for me for this upcoming Father's Day. On Saturday he did our big monthly grocery shopping trip with me (now ladies you know this is a big deal) and then projects around the house while I was out doing a little shopping and then on Sunday we went to church followed by a trip to the farmers market and then a wonderful brunch at a new restaurant I really wanted to try. So in my opinion that was enough and totally over the top but then he surprised me with a homemade dinner with all of the fun things we picked up at the farmers market and a gift certificate for a facial or massage. He seriously knows how a spoil a lady! I hope that each and everyone of you enjoyed a Mother's Day as special as I did.

Norah Grace is 8 Weeks

Norah Grace turned 8 weeks yesterday and I absolutely can not believe how quickly the days are flying by! She is such a sweet girl and as you can see is really starting to give us lots of smiles. 

And although I never got around to posting it I did take a "7 Weeks" picture. 

Fearfully & Wonderfully Made

For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb.

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.

~Psalm 139:13-14

Detailed shots are some of my most favorite to take and I love how just by themselves they can tell a story. I know in the blink of an eye Norah Grace will be all grown up and the only time I will be able to photograph her sweet little feet is when they are running away from me. So while I can I want to be sure to capture each and every detail possible from her cute little "cowlick" to the tiny suck blister on her upper lip to her wrinkled newborn toes.    

You can tell I sure do love those sweet little piggies!

The Strawberry Patch

We are down in Lumberton for the weekend and today Papa took Liam and his cousin Ian to pick strawberries. Liam wasn't the biggest fan of picking the strawberries but sure did enjoy eating them. The girls were out wedding dress shopping for my sister Gabi, so Papa was kind enough to take a few pictures of the adventure. 

Hot, sweaty and covered in strawberry juice!

Oh Glorious Day!

Living, He loved me

Dying, He saved me

Buried, He carried my sins far away

Rising, He justified freely forever

One day He’s coming

Oh glorious day, oh glorious day

~Casting Crowns

I had been hearing the song "Glorious Day" on the radio daily in the weeks leading up to Easter and enjoyed it every time but on Easter morning as we sang it in church and I saw the words printed before I was moved to tears as the song painted the picture of Jesus living and dying for me. I am but a sinner and do nothing to deserve all that Christ endured on the cross for me but through faith and by God's grace I am saved. This song is a beautiful reminder of God's great love for us and that one glorious day he will return again. Throughout the weekend I was surrounded by several wonderful reminders of God's great love for us. We spent most of the weekend with Rolf's family including his Grandfather Farrell, Mom & Dad, and Aunt Rachel & Uncle Harald. 

Here are a few of my favorites from the weekend. Check out the slideshow at the bottom for more!

**Don't forget to pause the music playing on the sidebar!**

A Trip Down Memory Lane

After much deliberation and angst, I have decided that it is finally time to take down the "Watch Me Grow" series on my sidebar from Liam's 1st Year. I know this probably won't be a big deal to anyone but me and most of you that stop by from time to time might not have even noticed it was gone without my mentioning it, however, for me the decision has been quite a struggle. In taking down the pictures I am reminded once again that my baby is not really a baby any longer. I am combining the pictures here in one post for days just like today when I need to look back and remember that he hasn't always been a crazy, mischievous, rambunctious 2-year-old who has decided that he no longer needs a NAP!

1 Day

6 weeks

3 months

4 months

5 months

6 months

7 months

8 months

9 months

10 months

11 months

12 months

TODAY (almost 2.5)

(not the best picture, my subject was extremely uncooperative

but still pretty darn cute!)

Wordless Wednesday

Picture of the Week or Month?

or

It is going to be my goal to either post a Pic of the Week or Pic of the Month for Norah Grace, similar to Liam's Watch Me Grow pictures with the frog. I really want to make this a weekly project, that being said, I am going to need some serious motivation and accountability to do it every week. So if anyone out there is still reading our blog leave us some love in the comments and let us know how much you desperately need to see a weekly picture of Norah Grace on a new piece of crazy cool fabric each time! (Mommy works best under pressure, bring it on!)

Rubba, Dub, Dub....

Norah Grace's First Bath

Big brother wanted to help wash her "piggies"!