In about a week we are leaving for a trip to Virginia.  I cannot wait!  A whole week with my little family…no computers, no work schedule…no routine.  Just what we need right now!

My cousin Jo just arrived home from a three week vacation with her family of seven.  It got me thinking about all the trips Justin and I have been on since being married.   For our honeymoon we went to New York. The highlights  of that trip were eating delicious food and aimlessly walking…all. day. long.

Of course I cannot forget our helicopter ride!  Seeing Manhattan from the sky was pretty impressive.

In the fall of 2007, We flew to Ottawa for my cousin’s wedding.  I am so glad Justin was able to see this beautiful city that I love.

The summer of 2008 we were able to go to the cottage that my great uncle built.  For 19 years I spent my summers there.  Chaffey’s Lock is very dear to my heart.  I was a gift being able to share with Justin the place that holds most of my childhood memories.

We both agree, that was the best vacation we have had.

In the fall of 2008 we went to Philadelphia for a wedding.  One of the best parts of the trip was driving through beautiful Harper’s Ferry.

In 2009 we flew out to Las Vegas.  Justin had a business trip and I was able to tag along.  I was pregnant and sick with a sinus infection.  I threw up before leaving for the airport…Not much to say about Vegas.  We did get to see the beautiful Red Rocks.  They helped cleanse my mind from all the filth of The Strip.

Another trip while pregnant was a wedding in Baltimore.  We had so much fun.  Too bad the trip was only a couple days…we could have done a lot more exploring!  Unfortunately I cannot find any pictures from that trip.

Of course more recently we went to Houston, TX.  Baby got to come along on that trip.  It was fun but again, not much time to explore.

Thinking about all these trips makes me even more excited to explore Virginia.  I have driven through many times but have never been able to soak in the beauty.  We’ll be staying in a cabin near a lake.  I am counting down the days!

I am never going to pretend I am one of those very self disciplined parents who never puts their kid in front of the TV…because that would be a lie.  Cora watches her share of Baby Einstein.  Baby Einstein is my means of cooking dinner.  Baby Einstein is like organic food…who knows if it’s really all it’s cracked up to be but it makes me feel better as a mother.  I convince myself the classical music cancels out the fact that she is zoned out in front of the TV.  Maybe she is going to be a musical prodigy hearing so much Mozart or possibly she’ll be able to say mama/dada in 4 different languages…maybe, but probably not.

Now that she is always on the go she has lost most of her interest in Baby Einstein unless she can watch it like this:

Oh, and did you know that toes and fingers could be so fat? (In case you were worried, my child does not have hairy limbs…that would be daddy’s arm)

Too bad she’s slimming down with all her movement.

Another random tidbit.  I went thrift store shopping with my sister yesterday.  I found these Pottery Barn plates for Cora.  They were $1.90.  I also bought myself a brand new pair of jeans for $5.  When I looked them up online I found discover they retail for $260.00.

I have taken my expensive jeans snobbery to a whole new level.

My sister and I stopped by my favorite antique store last week.  The first thing I spied was a tiny wicker rocking chair for only $5.  It was sold “as is.”  The only damage is a few wicker pieces sticking out. They can be glued down or snipped off.

See the little pieces?  Nothing that is not fixable.

While shopping at Ikea on Tuesday we found a few things including this tiny cushion for $.99.  It fits perfectly on Cora’s new rocking chair.

We also bought some filmy white curtains.  I have been wanting some for about 2 years to hang on the back porch but could never justify spending the money.  At Ikea they are two panels for $5.

July 1 we are pulling the “For Sale”sign out of our yard.  We have given it time, we have prayed…and we are confident this is the right decision.  God has given Justin and I much peace and contentment in this choice.  But for me there has been some disappointment.  This morning I walked out on the back porch, the morning sun was shining through the trees, its golden rays warming the back porch and I  was once again reminded that I am blessed.  God has given me far more than I deserve.  Yes, I love to put time and energy into my home.  For some reason it brings me joy…it feeds my creative side.  But the only true peace and contentment, the only joy that will overflow…the only lasting fulfillment I have is in my relationship with God.  The sun He causes to rise in the morning.  That is beauty.  It’s another day to live for Him.  Another day to grow.  And I have a lot of growing up to do.

So often I find myself singing the song

“This is the day, this is the day that the Lord has made, that the Lord has made.  We will rejoice, we will rejoice and be glad in it, and be glad in it.  This is the day that the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it….”

I know I am rambling.  I guess it’s just that I feel God is conquering an ugly inner struggle I have been having.  The struggle with contentment and trust.  Trusting him when he opens doors, trusting him when he closes doors.  Making a daily choice to be joyful in all circumstances.  He is good.  He continues to teach me, He continues to mold me.  He continues to make me die to myself.  And the dying to myself is hard…but, I am going to rejoice and be glad in it.  He has made this day, He made yesterday, He will make tomorrow…and you know what?  He made the sun shine down on me this morning…and I am going to choose to rejoice and be glad in it. Because He has given me much to be thankful for.

I was going to post a couple things but realized that the memory card is in Justin’s laptop which is at work.   No pictures today.  Justin has a meeting in Atlanta tomorrow.  Cora and I are going along because after the meeting is over, we are going to Ikea.  I really want to see and possibly buy one of these rugs…if they are available. We all know there is no relying on Ikea inventory to be there.

They are both much bigger than the rug we currently have in our living room.  Now that Cora is busily crawling around we would like a large area rug…one that is soft under her knees.  We have looked at softer, fuller rugs…but they happen to be at least $300.  These rugs are both $149.  In our stage of life with a crawling, drooly baby who leaves a little slime trail…we don’t need to spend much on a rug.  Since Justin works with for the carpet business and knows all that goes into making them he may not be impressed with Ikea’s quality.  So we’ll see whether we actually come back with one!

Oh…and before I forget.  A couple weeks ago I was on one of my favorite blogs and she posted a picture of this cute Norma Kamali dress.

Well, I looked on Walmarts websit (yes Walmart…they must be competing with Target because they are getting really cute clothes) and it was only available online.  I didn’t order it. Last week I was walking through the Walmart near my mom’s house and spied that dress hanging on display.  I snatched it up in black, tried it on…and it fits perfectly!  If you are like me and have wanted a long dress but they are always too short…this dress will work!  It is flattering, it’s long, you can dress it up or down and it only costs $15.

Happy Father’s Day to Justin, Cora’s beloved “dadada.”  She could not have a better daddy.  We are blessed to have him as the head of this household.  I’m so glad I have him as my teammate in raising our child.

Every morning he gets her out of her crib and changes her diaper…amid her “I want my breakfast bottle” shrieks.  Every evening after a long day at work he gives her his undivided attention.  Every night he bathes her and changes her into her p.j.s amid her “I want my bedtime bottle” shrieks.  He is a good, kind, and loving daddy. He is so proud of his little girl.

We love you Dada.  Happy Father’s Day!

“No man can possibly know what life means, what the world means, until he has a child and loves it.  And the whole universe changes and nothing will ever seem exactly the same as it seemed before.”

And, Happy Father’s Day to my own dad.  A man who loved me well.  A man who taught me from a young age my need for my Father in heaven.  A man who read the bible to us and prayed for us every day.   Who entertained us constantly with his humor, who always brought us sweets…who enjoyed shopping.  A man who put up with three emotional and often crying daughters.  A father who is also a wonderful Beba.  We love you!

“Being a parent is a high and holy calling.  There is no more demanding occupation.  The best of parents are utterly dependent on the Holy Spirit to make it “click” with their children.  That is why a parent’s greatest resource is prayer.”

We so rarely get to see my extended family.  What a joy it was to see them this past week. They are blood.  A bond that is deep.  In an instant I feel like I know all 5 of my cousin’s children.  It’s just comfortable.

Johannah, Aiden and their family of seven are going on a three week long camping trip.  Along the way they stopped at the Helms, my mom’s house and will eventually end up in New York with the Roses.  Jo, please come back with your lovely family…oh, and could you bring Katie along to?

Cora played peek-a-boo with Annorah’s dress.

Annorah is such a little beauty.

The boys liked the train.

Adorable Isaiah.

We miss them already.

I was looking at her and she was looking at me.  I was thinking “She is the cutest thing in the world.” I snapped her picture.  Sometimes I capture a look that is perfectly Cora.  I’m thankful for those pictures.  She is growing too fast.  She won’t be a baby much longer.  At least I have this picture.  It is frozen in time.

She turned around, did her funny little crawl and started exploring.

I caught her in the act.

Oh dear, and so it begins.

This is going to be a long post.  I thought I might warn you in advance.  First of all, I thought I might share how I made the cupcake toppers and the banner for Joanna.  It’s not like it takes a genius to figure it out but if you’re like me it’s helpful to see how something is done.

First I took brown card stock paper and punched it out with this handy guy (or girl):

I then punched out the the same shape with scrap book paper.  I took a toothpick and hot glued the two pieces of paper together.

I  stuck on whatever sticker would work…of course they all had to do with a baby girl or her name. After that, they were done. Each one took about a minute.

The banner was also easy to make.  I took a cup and I traced a circle on card stock.

I cut out the circles. Used the same scrap book paper and punched out the same shape as the cupcake toppers and glued it to the card stock.   I then added the lettered sticker.

Next I punched holes on either side of the circle and put a push pin through the ribbon and the paper.

In no time at all the banner was finished!

I also have to give my sister credit for the party favors. It was all her idea. I kept all Cora’s used baby food jars, cleaned them out, peeled the stickers off, filled them with m&ms and tied a ribbon around each one.  Wasn’t that a great idea?

Anyhow, enough about crafts. I also wanted to share some pictures of my baby.  My sweet, sweet baby.  She is crawling around now.  Well, crawling and creeping.  That is the way she is.  She does everything all at once.  I’ve noticed it affects how she sleeps.  Anyone else notice when their child reaches milestones it makes them all hyper?  Maybe I’m just imagining that’s the cause?  But when she learns new things she wants to do them non-stop.  The past couple days her naps have been non-existent.  She will stay in bed for over and hour sitting, crawling and standing.  Silly baby.  She is so wiped out by the end of the day.  She has been sleeping about 13 hours at night…so I really can’t complain.

My church has put me in charge of organizing wedding and baby showers.  We have a small church and this has recently become my responsibility.  Saturday I hosted my very first baby shower…and it was so much fun!  In order to save money I made the decorations, cupcake toppers…and snipped flowers from our garden.  Any extra decorations I found at the Dollar Tree. I decided we should have it at our church fellowship hall…not the prettiest place but the most practical. I ordered cupcakes from a bakery my sister-in-law recommended called Piece-A-Cake.  They make the most beautiful cakes and they have very reasonable prices.

ignore the crooked table cloth…I fixed it after I took this picture.

Party Favors

They are naming their baby Joanna…as you may have guessed. Thus all the J’s on the cupcake toppers.

I still can’t get over how cute these cupcakes were.  Apparently they tasted amazing as well. ( I don’t like cupcakes)

Center pieces.  All the Hydrangea was from our garden.

We all had such a fun time and I realized that I love hosting showers.  I can’t wait for the next one!

I did not realize we had become a family of coneheads.  I saw my blog on another computer and realized that the images were all distorted.  If we ever appear really long and thin with cone shaped heads…just let me know.  It means that I’ve hit the wrong key on WordPress.  Hope you had a good laugh.  I know I did.