InstaFriday

It's that time again! Sharing our little lives through that teeny-tiny camera lens.

Everlee loves bath time, but this week she started eating the bubbles...gross. I had to keep telling her "NO!" when she would face plant into the water and come back up coughing and smiling with a mouth full of bubbles. I'm guessing burts bees baby is natural enough to eat?! And how much does she look like her daddy now with a bubble beard!

I'm a coffee addict in general, but with the warmer weather approaching I starting cold brewing my coffee. I used these 2 recipes originally and now just came up with a version that was good for me. It's scary how much I can drink especially when it's cold!
http://rebekahgough.blogspot.com/2012/03/almond-flavored-cold-brew-coffee.html
http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2011/06/perfect-iced-coffee/

In our back yard we have huge Lilac trees. They don't flower for too long, so I take advantage! Can't you smell the goodness?

Medicine for a wounded heart

I've been thinking a lot about my brother lately. I actually think about him on a daily basis.
My heart aches when I think of not having him around. I'm still healing, it's a long process.
There are a lot of ideas out there on how to go through the grieving process, each person is different and grieves in their own way. I don't believe there is a right or wrong way as long as you grieve in a healthy way.

I've laughed, cried, been angry, denied...etc.

When I think about Josh, I've been trying to think of the fun times I've had with him instead of thinking about the accident. It's not hard to do there were a lot! He was a sweet and loving man. I was so blessed to have him as a brother.

This weekend and into Monday I was just having a rough time, just lots going on that I was frustrated and sad about (cryptic no?!)
She doesn't know this but my good friend Kelly sent me an email literally right when I was at my "emotional break", you know the moment... God is so good, He knew what I needed. I'm not sure what spurred her to send me the email other than the fact that we have the same humor, either way God used her right when I needed it.

If you don't read the Natos blog...you should...she will have you laughing and crying, sometimes both.

Kelly sent me the link to her post from Monday called "Confessions of an older sister". In one word- HILARIOUS. It's a must read for sure (well really her whole blog rocks my socks so subscribe to it). I'm serious, go read it, right now, I'll wait...

Was I right or what?!

I truly believe the Lord gave us the ability to laugh because it's the best medicine for a wounded heart. Who doesn't love to laugh?! No, seriously...I need to know because I think I'd need to check ya for a pulse!

After wiping my tears from laugh-crying and running to the bathroom because I almost peed my pants, I sat down and wrote a few memories I have of Josh and I. Even the "bad" ones are good! Someday I might write my own "confessions of an older sister", my version will not be as colorful as Jami's but I never made my brother poop off of a fort before so she wins this category! :)
Mine would include black eyes, camping trips, almost-broken necks, trampoline dares and above all lots and lots of laughing.

I will probably always have this "Josh-shaped" hole in my heart but I think I'll start filling it up with the fun memories!

Thank you Kelly for being what I need in a friend. Thank you to Jami Nato for just being awesome!

Those were the days...free and easy! :)

InstaFriday!

Why hello friday...we meet again!

I'm linking up with Life Rearranged, you should too!

This week was busy busy busy...is there a week that we don't consider "busy". I'd like to go to that place!

We were in project mode this time of year...gotta love Spring-time projects!

Greg has been wanting to update the lighting in our kitchen for-e-va. We have that weirdo florescent lighting, so we took those out and Greg installed some recessed lighting. It's not done quite yet but I think it's going to come together nicely.

This wall has changed so many times since we moved here, its a weird space between the living room and dining room. I did the ever-popular gallery wall. I like it! 

We are getting a new roof! Wahoo! They are installing it as we speak! So excited! I'll do a before and after later.

Next project to go is raised-garden beds! I now just need to learn how to NOT kill plants.

I haven't cooked as much the last few weeks because Greg is working a lot and isn't home for dinner. I decided this week I would make dinner even if he wasn't going to be home...we had spaghetti, this cheeseburger salad (so yummy), lettuce wraps and I think my fav of all week...

Homemade Chinese!! Seriously good and A LOT better for you!

Usually when Greg works so much I have a rough week with Miss Everlee. This week, not so much, she was so good to her momma!

So snugly...for about 5 minutes.

We took a nap together and I didn't realize that she has been rolling over and sleeping on her tummy! Usually in the morning she is on her back kicking and playing! So sweet to see her like this.

I hope your week was wonderful and your weekend is even better!

Little Chick-a-dee

My mom and dad live on a "farm" of sorts. I actually don't know what qualifies as a farm, ranch...etc. Maybe I should look that up...

Regardless, my parents raise chickens, cows, goats, horses and have an incredible garden. I really need to get out there soon and take some pictures. It's a cool place, I'm excited that Everlee gets to experience it as she grows up!

Every year my mom gets a new group of chickens, they are so cute and fluffy for about 4 days and then they move into those "awkward teenage years". Yesterday afternoon she came by and surprised Everlee with 3 little chicks to play with. We didn't have much time because they have to be in a really warm area, oh and they poop everywhere so the yucky-factor was high!

Not...to...sure

She kind of man-handled them

"Run away, run away"

she started to get really excited towards the end

Don't worry, I am feeding my child. I know she doesn't look like it but she gets plenty of food.

The "Oooh No" Moment

You know the moment you realize something, maybe other people have already realized it, but it's not true unless you accept it right?!

Well I had the "Oooh No" moment this morning.

Everlee is learning to crawl, she can go backwards all day long or at least until she hits her bum against the wall and turns herself around.

Everlee has all the visual qualities of her dad, in a good way. I've said it a lot, I like him, I think he has quite an adorable quality about him, so if Everlee looks like him I'm cool with that (except the hair...she needs some of that).

Although she is the cutest baby ever...Everlee has my personality, which I'm not really that cool with... Oh, yeah, I have good qualities, I like to be goofy, have a good sense of humor, I'm pretty nice most of the time...but I have one quality about me that I've been working on for, oh I'd say...26 years.

Which is where my "Oooh No" moment comes in.

This morning while I was working from home, she was doing her thing next to me...play, play, play.
Then she got stuck underneath my old school desk in our office. This wouldn't normally be an issue, she would roll over or I'd swoop in and rescue her. Well, not today.
She looked right at me, screamed at the top of her little lungs (which I believe is 7 month old for "GET ME OUTTA HERE NNOOOOOOWWWWW"). She didn't cry, just screamed right in my face.

Oooohh Noooo, she has my temper.

Awesome.

Sorry future husband, I'll add this to the list of things I need to pray for you about...

This is something I've been working on for a long time. I just hope that with her we can nip this in the bud ASAP (is it butt or bud, never got that one). 
Luckily I have one amazing husband that doesn't let me get away with it, and I think he will help me out with this one!

seriously...how could these 2 cute girls have a temper? I just don't understand it...

InstaFriday- Bacon and Babies

This week was a little rough, you know, just one of "those weeks".

No pity parties will be thrown though, not one "woe-is-me" cryptic Facebook status updates will be posted, nope, not here because really that doesn't help anyone and it's pretty annoying (to everyone)...I told myself to "suck it up" and have some bacon for breakfast because it could always be worse.

With the week that we had I only took 2 pictures, but I think this sums up our week...

No, I didn't put that on her head. Don't get me wrong, I wanted to...

I'm telling you, this made it better :)

 I hope you had a wonderful week, and here is to a great weekend!

Cheers!

Portland or Bust!

We are planning a trip to Portland for a dear friend's wedding at the end of May. I'm really excited because we haven't had a vacation that wasn't to Young Life camp since our 1st anniversary (not that I'm complaining, I love camp, we just can't go this year). It's good timing because it's also the weekend before our 5 year anniversary, so we are making a longer trip out of it. Everlee will be taking the trip with us and at the time she will be 9 months...hello?! Seriously, does anyone else feel like she was just born? So I'm wanting to do things that will be good for her.

All this to say, I'm searching for things to do. I haven't been to that area in years, and what I know of Portland consists of scenes from Portlandia.

We are probably going to do the touristy things like the zoo, rose garden, downtown Portland...etc but I'm wondering if there is anything non-touristy that we can't miss out on?! What should we make sure we do? We are pretty adventurous and will try anything...well almost anything!

I'm just hoping we run into these two-

Easter 2012

John 11:25-26
"Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die."

I hope you all had a wonderful day celebrating Jesus' Resurrection!

We had beautiful weather, it was a little bright to take pictures but perfect for blowing bubbles, good food and light saber wars...

Looks so proper...

It's much more fun to pull this on my face then watch you when trying to get my picture taken mom.

Chirp, chirp, chirp...

"Jesus has risen!"

7 Months

7 Months

Almost ready to crawl (yikes)

Waves Hi and Bye-Bye

 (really they are the same thing but just don't tell her)

I know all moms say this about their kids, but I just have to say it, Everlee is such a good baby! Don't get me wrong, she is a total spit-fire but she is just a sweet girl. God really did a good job with her!

This is her happy scream. She really is not very lady-like. I'll work on that.

This is how she laughs, all scrunched up, cracks me up every time.

When she is trying to crawl she does this little "growl"...hilarious.

Umm, excuse me...no cameras please.

Insta-Friday! Happy Good Friday!

Here we are again, I'm having a hard time believing that it's April! Anyone else feel like this year is flying by?

 

Here is our week through that tiny, grainy lens-

I had a gift card that was burning a whole in my wallet and I've been really wanting a cute spring watch. This will do the trick!

Speaking of spring-time...saw this at Target for only $8 and I couldn't resist! Summer will be here before we know it!

Look at those rolls...Yum Yum! She has been exhausting me this week, she is really start to become more and more mobile. No crawling yet, but she sure tries hard!

I'm involved in the choir at my church, this year for Easter we are singing through this music. I'm so excited because it just lays out the Gospel so clearly. I have a small part and I'm nervous, but I'm more excited to be a part of the message of Christ's Life, Death and most importantly His Resurrection!

 

Happy Good Friday! If you get a minute, listen to this version of Revelation Song. The words are so perfect!

WIWW with a little peach fuzz

I've been wanting to do WIWW for awhile now. Not because I want to take pictures of myself (because that is super awkward, do you smile, not look at the camera, have your husband take the pictures...) I wanted to really challenge myself to get ready for the day! Sounds like a lame challenge but I'm telling you, it's been harder for me to get in a groove since Everlee was born then I thought it would be!
So here goes...I'm linking up with The Pleated Poppy.

Here is what I look like about 80% of the time. Nice, no?!

shirt: YL camp 2011, workout pants from Costco, shoes: old asics

 Going to get my hair did...

top: Old Navy, jeans and boots: Target, necklace: Lisa Leonard

Friday Date Night! Haven't done this in awhile. Dinner and The Hunger Games (so good!)

top: Kohls, jeans: Citizens of Humanity, necklaces: J.Crew

These are some of my favorite! See the little giraffe, to cute!

Saturday, running errands....etc

tank and cardigan: Target (not so thrilled about the cardigan), jeans: J.Crew, NEW watch: Kohls (Greg calls it my Kardashian watch), necklace: local shop

Tuesday- running errands, easter choir practice (this is what I look like the other 20% of the time)

top: Old Navy, jeans: OLD from American Eagle, shoes: burlap Toms

Another one of my favorites from Andrea, love this!

Now for a little random. The last week or so I've noticed these little wispy hairs growing under my bangs. So random...

Do you see them?! It's making it really hard for my hair to lay right. The sweet gal who does my hair said it happens a lot after having a baby. When you are pregnant your hair gets supposidly thicker, then starts to thin back out after they are born, THEN apparently you get peach fuzz. Whatever, at least it's not falling out anymore!