This has been a busy week but a good week. I have been able to keep on top of things and spend time with a lot of people that I love.

My sister and I have been trying to figure out where to go with our free tickets that we have had saved up for awhile. It has been a little complicated because Evy needs to with me and we want to keep the cost down if we can. We were going to go to Naples which really appeals to me with the hot sun and warm sandy beaches, but instead we are headed to North Carolina to visit my Grandparents. We will have a lot of fun and it should be pretty warm while we are there.

I was getting really anxious about the flight and if anyone has any advice about flying alone with a baby, feel free. I have been asking around and I feel a lot better than I initially did. I decided that I know my child, and she is SUCH a good baby and has really been so easy to be with that I think we will have fun and I really shouldn't worry. Mind over matter, right? So we are going to have FUN and I am looking forward to a little mommy/daughter trip. My sister is going with, but she is taking a different flight, so we are on our own on the plane. We aren't leaving for a couple weeks so I have time to get prepared.

Evy has been so fun lately! She is so happy all the time. One thing that I have noticed about her that I really love is that she always has a smile ready for anyone who smiles at her. She is SO sweet and Alex and have nothing but good to say when we talk about her! I know challenges are coming but she sure has made this first experience fun!

Alex is starting a new job on Monday. We are really excited about the changes, it is a great opportunity and I just know that this will be good for our family.

Yes, there are still challenges that we deal with, but I have SO much to be thankful for right now and I want to make sure that I talk about all that God is doing in our lives. He is at work and we are so thankful!

Things I Like!

So I am SO behind with pictures and writing. I thought I would just highlight what I have been doing and enjoying the last few weeks and share some favorite pictures.

Things I like...

Evy and Cohen sharing a pickle :) Happy Birthday Samantha!

IEvy petting a chicken at the Wild Rumpus bookstore

Evy smiling at the camera like she is 23...

The wacky, crazy bookstore that inspires a love for reading and imagination. I plan on coming here as often as I can!

The little purple door that is just the right size for the little ones...

Finding the bookstore and being excited to find out if all the hype was worth coming down to Lake Calhoun to go to it. It was.

This Ford truck that reminds me of summer.

Dog Park!

Sunshine and happy baby outside on a walk!

Me and Sam with our entourage- you can't see the puppies but there are three...

Daffodils!

That lovely open-mouth smile. Like father like daughter :)

Mara-Mi in Stillwater. Trying to wedding plan. I think I like it...

Coming back to this gorgeous town and seeing the glistening snow melt away!

Riley gets to go back to the dog park. Best. Week. Ever. (Says he)

Sunshine!

Still have Blake and Mels camera... they need it back but I promise it is not getting wasted...

Sunshine and new curtains!

Sunshine!

Goodnight Moon...

Evy's favorite toy...

Sunshine in Evy's room!

There are a lot more things that I like but I will save them for next time. Like Evy's 4 swimsuits that she already has and hasn't even gone swimming yet. Or that we did something to her toes this weekend that she had never gotten done before.... !!

On Motherhood

What does that mean? I am only beginning to understand. Before I was a mother, I thought I understood for the most part what that meant. Ha. Lately I have been thinking about what this means to me and how it is changing my life. I definitely am getting a new identity in some ways.

Last Tuesday I went BY MYSELF to get a haircut. That was something I took for granted before. Not until I was in the car, half way there, did I realize my freedom. I didn't have a baby in the backseat. She wasn't getting hungry, needing a diaper change, needing a nap, or wanting entertainment, or wanting to be held. I didn't have to think about her needs before my own for a few hours. All of a sudden I realized how MUCH I needed this! It's funny how the days go by and you are focusing on what needs to get done and don't spend a lot of time "refocusing" or seeing the "Big Picture" and keeping perspective.

There was a time in my life when I couldn't wait to get married. Wondered who it would be (although that didn't last long since I started dating Alex when I was 17- ha!) (ps please don't ever tell Evy!) When I would get married, where we would live, when we would have a family of our own. Now it's when will we get that bigger house? When is the next baby coming? How many are coming? (I joke 10 but I really don't mean it. Don't take me wrong, children are a blessing but they are also expensive!)

It's so easy to get wrapped up waiting for the next thing. I really want to work on appreciating the here and now, and learn what I am supposed to be learning now. Be 100% with Alex, 100% with Evleyne, and 100% with God. And I want to appreciate the every day. When Evy does something new, when we all get to be together for a whole day without any major things going on.

So so far motherhood is sacrificial in some ways, but it is paying off, making my life so much better than when I was able to take a shower whenever I wanted without having to make sure that everyone else was taken care of first. Make sense? I get to experience life and growth and joy in a very special way.

Staycation!

Sort of, whenever Adam and Kirsten come we have a staycation. Here was dinner on Thursday night, kind of a smaller version on Thanksgiving. I dont know, I was in the mood. In the course of an hour we had 11 people come in and out. I love the craziness!


This is Evy's favorite toy in the whole world and she loves to chew on it and grab it. It's been fun to see here be more interactive. Even right now she is grabbing my hands while I am trying to type!

PRETZEL M&M'S!!! Ever tried 'em? Your life will never be the same again!

Adam and Kirsten :)

Auntie Mary- I love their smiles in this pic.

We went to IKEA...

She wishes she could walk...

I really like this type of picture. I want to keep taking them as she get's bigger.

Thanks Kirsten for the photo! I can't help when I look at this but laugh at how she does not look like me at all. But I know she is my child because when she gets going while she is talking she gets REALLY loud. He he. It's kind of embarassing when we are walking through IKEA and everyone is staring. But I'm not going to stop her- I like it that she is expressing herself- this is the only way she can right now! I will try to get it on video because it is pretty funny how loud she is. :)

Blue eyes.

And that hair! Its so BLONDE

I like those lamps. But I don't think I woiuld ever have them in my house.

I got rain boots! Aren't they cute!! I'm kind of excited about them...

Had to see what they looked like on me... survey says... Love them

And thanks Blake and Mel for letting me use your camera this past week. As you can see, I am having a lot of fun even though I don't really know how to use it.

This is the face that Evy makes while she is talking. I love it!

Tired out from a busy day.

And I love this shot- I think that Jon took it.