All Because Two People Fell In Love...

Caleb and I went out to dinner Friday night with Elliana and Ethan. Caleb and I love going out on dates just the two of us, but going out as a family creates a completely different feel. It's a lot of fun, and a lot stressful. Especially because we have VERY active children that don't like to sit long for ANYTHING. Ha!

While we were focused on containing the chaos and trying to keep the noise level and messes down, a very sweet elderly woman walked up to us. She commented on how cute our little ones were. I just smiled and said "Thank you." She started walking away and then turned around to say "My husband and I have 28 great-grandchildren!" She was beaming with pride. I Congratulated her and told her she was very blessed. She was a beautiful woman, one that had aged very gracefully, and was obviously proud of her family and the life she has lived.

Then I got to thinking. Not many people live to see their great-grandchildren, let alone 28 of them! I looked at Caleb and thought to myself, I wonder how many of our grandchildren or great-grandchildren we'll get to meet. It's hard to imagine now when we're in the thick of growing and raising our own small family. Still, it was fun to think about.

This lead me to think about how my family-the family I grew up with, has already grown so much.

My sisters and I have a tradition of surprising our mom with family photos for Mother's Day every 3-4 years. It's a fun tradition, and this year was extra special because our very talented friend Becky was photographing the family. As always, we had a blast and she did a FANTASTIC job! These are just a few of the favorites she shared on her site, we haven't even seen all of the photos yet.

Over the years my family has grown from this:

To this:

That's 4 sisters, 4 husbands, and 6 little ones all ages 7 and under. And my 2 younger sisters haven't even started having children yet.

I can't help but wonder what this family will look like 10, 20 or 30 years from now.

Or what families will grow from these 6 sweet faces:

Whatever the future holds, I'm so thankful that my parents fell in love, and that they have their own growing family to show for it.

And I'm also thankful for Becky. For taking such beautiful photos that we will cherish for years to come. I can't wait to see the rest!

A Few Of My Favorite Things

Lately, life has just been good for our little family. Sure, a little chaotic and crazy at times, but simply good. I have no complaints. Well, I guess one. I would like to be getting more sleep now that my son is over a year old, but I'm sure we'll figure out this sleep stuff soon enough.

Anyway, I just wanted to share a few (or several) of my favorite things that warm my heart and make me smile these days:

Spring and the flowers that are blooming this time of year.





Speaking of spring, buying and wearing spring and summer clothes. Like this cute top I bought today. I can't wait to show you what I'm planning on wearing this for. :)



This little man and his smile that makes my heart almost burst.



Speaking of this sweet boy, the fact that he's "talking" more and more. He tries to repeat most words we say, and although most of the time it doesn't come out crystal clear, it's fun to hear him try. My absolute FAVORITE word from him right now- "Ma-ma." :)



My Wednesdays. I love getting to spend time with my mom, my sister, and her 4 little ones. Our Wednesdays are crazy, but we all get to enjoy some social family time. Especially the cousins.







These two cousins, their sweet relationship, and their striking blue eyes.





There must be something about Ellie and her blue-eyed cousins. This is Abby, my niece on Caleb's side of the family. She and Ellie always have fun dressing up together.



Ellie and her curious mind. She always has a question. And another question to follow the previous one. And another, and another. :)

I LOVE the way both of my children rock out to this song EVERY.single.time they hear it! They ask me to play it over and over every day. I swear one of these days I will get them dancing to this song on video.



Beth Moore Bible Studies. You've got to love Beth. I'm currently doing James and So Long Insecurity. Not only do I love these studies, but I love who I'm studying these books with. I so enjoy the ladies from my Saturday morning Bible Study at my mom's house and the couples from our Sunday evening Couples Group.





My handsome husband Caleb. He's hot, he is a wonderful husband, friend, father and just a good man and I am so lucky to spend my life with him.



And last, but certainly not least, Ellie's tiny voice and how she's been singing more and more lately. She's getting really good. Sometimes I'll play a song just to listen to her belt it out from behind me. Here she is singing the "Itsy-Bitsy Spider" with Caleb. :)



Yes, life is good and I have so much to be thankful for.

Ethan at 1 YEAR!

Ethan has officially been a year old for 2 weeks now. It's been a crazy two weeks and I'm just now able to sit down and blog about him at 12 months.

This past year went by way too quickly. Definitely faster than even Elliana's first year.

I'm both sad and happy that Ethan is a year old. I'm sad that he's no longer a little infant that I can snuggle with whenever I want. I'm sad that every day that passes now he longs and tries to be more independant. But these things make me happy too. I'm loving learning who Ethan is, and watching him as he discovers the world around him. I'm loving his BIG (still toothless) smile, his giggle, his determination to be active and I'm loving just watching him be a BOY!



Ethan, this is what you were like at 1 year/ 12 months:

~You were weighed twice this last week, and your weights were exactly 1 pound off. Tuesday we took you in for a cough that wouldn't go away, and we were told you weighed 18 pounds and 4 ounces. Friday we took you in (same Dr, just different location) and we were told you weighed 17 pounds and 4 ounces. I don't believe that you really lost a whole pound from Tuesday to Friday. I think the two scales from the two different offices were just off from each other. So, I'm going to say that you weigh somewhere in the middle. We'll say 17 pounds, 12 ounces. :) Either way, 1st percentile.

~You grew a lot in the last few months though. :) You measured at 28.5 Inches. You are now in the 10th percentile for height. :)

~You are wearing size 3 diapers

~You are wearing mostly size 12 months in clothing and some 9 months still

~Except for when you are sick, you have become a pretty good sleeper. Most nights you don't sleep through the night completely. If you are up, you are up just once for a quick bottle and then you go right back to sleep.

~You still take a 3 hour nap in the middle of the day. Mommy loves this break. :)

~We are trying to wean you off of bottles and get you to take sippy cups. So far, it hasn't been easy. You are officially off of formula and are drinking cows milk.

~You are just an okay eater. It's easy for us to know when you don't like something because you'll spit it right out. You like to eat all fruits, yogurt, all kinds of cheese, french toast, macaroni and cheese, chicken, and sometimes hot dogs. We struggle getting you to eat your veggies, especially the green ones. You like potatoes and carrots best. You very much prefer to feed yourself now. If I try to feed you, you get upset and try to grab the spoon.



~You STILL do not have any teeth! However, you still drool quite a bit and often show signs of teething. I asked the Dr. about this and she was not worried at all. She said some babies don't get teeth until they're 18 months old. I hope yours come soon. Even though you don't have any teeth, you are able to mash up food really well with your gums.

~This past month you started clapping. It is your FAVORITE thing to do. All I have to say is "Good job Ethan!", "Yay!", or the word clap and you clap with a huge grin on your face. Sometimes you'll even grab our hands and make us clap with you.







~In just the past two weeks, you started waving goodbye. I love it!



~You are starting to talk some. You can say "Da-da", "Ell"(For Ellie), "Ah-duh" (all done), "Nana", "Bah" (ball or balloon) and I've only heard you say "Ma-ma" a few times. You never say it on command though. :)

~You are a very quick crawler and cruiser. You are so close to walking, but you just don't have the confidence to take that first step though. You practice walking all the time by either holding our hands or by pushing any item you can across the floor. I think you'll be walking by the end of the month.

~You and your sister continue to have a great relationship. I love the way you two get eachother grinning and laughing.



~You're beginning to interact and play more with other kids. Especially your sister and cousins. You love to watch them and mimic them. Everytime your sister starts dancing, you sway back and forth or bop up and down. Sometimes you even crawl in a circle when you see your sister spinning. It's so cute!!



~You are starting to object when we take something from you. You are learning to share. We have seen your first tantrums over the last few weeks. Thankfully, the tantrums don't last long. :)

~You continue to be laid back, easy going and happy.

~Favorite things: Throwing balls around the house and chasing them, balloons, "dancing", watching your sister, being outside, swinging at the park, cruising and walking with help.

~The nickname we use most often is "Buddy" or "Little Buddy". Sometimes we'll call you handsome, EJ, or little man.

~I know I'm biased, but I think you are so adorable and handsome. :)

Ethan, we love you more than words can say. You have been a wonderful addition to this family. We know that God has a plan for you and we are excited to see that plan unfold.