Enter this!

   Okay so I usually don't blog about others giveaways... Mostly because I read about them AFTER the fact:) But a friend of mine, who happens to be SO creative and talented, is about to launch her new website this week! In honor of that she's doing a giveaway of the headband above. Beautiful right? I think so! Soo head on over to her blog: Tasteful Tatters Blog and enter the giveaway:) I know I have a few followers so I'd like to see all of you that take the time to read my blog, to hit up her blog! Plus I'd like to see one of you win! Let me know if you enter!

Other ways you can check out Tasteful Tatters:

Etsy.

Facebook page.

Website.

{p.s. I got to shoot all the photos that will be in her new lookbook! I'm so excited about it!}

{p.s.s. Yes, I took the above photo. Beautiful model right?!}

                                      {Blessings}

       My mom called me the other day after I sent her a video of the kids playing together. She sounded  so sad and said she was really missing the kids :( It made me so sad. This is something I struggle with daily. Being apart from the kids grandparents. I'm constantly telling Leif how I hate that they're missing out on the kids growing up. To me it just doesn't seem fair and why must plane tickets be so expensive?! I am grateful for skype and for camera phones. I try to send a few photos and videos to both sets of parents on a daily basis. Hopefully that helps and they can get an idea of how the kids are growing. I've been praying about it a lot, praying that doors would open that would make traveling to grandparents easier... That there would be opportunities for us to visit with grandparents in Oregon and in L.A.  I've been stressing out because we aren't suppose to be visiting Oregon until maybe the spring of next year and I hate the idea of that much time passing before my in-laws see Beck and Riley. Beck will be one and Riley will be going on two and a half! I want them to see Beck before he's a toddler :( He's such a sweet baby and the baby stage only lasts for so long.

  God's good though. If we have to wait until spring we have to wait until spring. He has a plan and I need to remember to trust that. Grandparents, know that your grandchildren love you all so much!

23 months old!

      
    Today dear girl you turn 23 months old! Daddy and I couldn't believe it when we realized the date. Only a few more weeks until you are a 2 year old! AH! I love asking you how old you're going to be because you always say "TWO!".  I hope that I pull my self together to plan out your birthday party. I think you deserve to be celebrated.

   Thank you for waking us up every morning with a "Hi daddy! Hi mommy!". It makes getting up so much more pleasant:) Thank you for doing everything and saying everything with such joy and enthusiasm. I definitely have two of the happiest children. Thank you for that. Thank you for sharing your snacks with your brother and taking such good care of Charlie. You are such a caring and gentle soul. You take it upon yourself to make sure everyone is taken care of. I love that about you. I also love that you are a mini version of your father. Lately you've been reading his art books and getting so excited over the paintings. You flip through, and tell me how pretty the paintings are.

  Somedays I get bummed because your grandparents, aunts and uncles aren't here to watch you grow. You've been changing so much and I hate that they have to miss out on it. I want them to see you wash dishes with me, and listen to you put sentences together. I want them to know how much you love baby Beck and love cuddling with daddy. I think theres only so much a photo and some words can translate. Know that you are so loved, and not just by family. But our friends as well. So many people love you and care so much about you!

  I wish you weren't napping (kind of) so I could give you a hug and kiss, and tell you how much I love you. My favorite is when you say "I love you too!" Or when you hear daddy come home and you rush to the door shouting "Daddy! Daddy!". I know it makes his day:) I think its cute that ever since you were a baby you have looked forward to daddy coming home from work. I hope you always will. He loves it. And he loves you so much.

  We all do. Beck thinks you're the best sister in the world and admires you so much. If he could he'd cuddle with you all day, and share snacks with you. Thank you for being such a great example to him already. I'm happy that he has you to look up to for the rest of his life!

  When you wake up we'll celebrate this day with cookies and apple juice. &lots of hugs and kisses!

    

&I celebrate.

      Here is to text messages that simply read: I love you. To the friends that got married today {congrats!}To husbands that change plans to help out. To knowing a best friend called. To long letters from good friends that no matter how little you talk, you will forever be close. To friends who are in love and moving forward in relationships. Here is to clean houses and dinners with friends. To weekends spent together, be it cooking, cleaning, lounging... together. Here is to skyping and chatting with siblings. To working out with friends, sweating and laughing together. To emails from friends far away. To baking and enjoying. Here is to growing. To staying positive amidst trials and tough places. To those that build you up, and encourage. Here is to my family and my friends. How blessed is a person to have relationships with those that will love them unconditionally.

  I celebrate tonight. Celebrate the little victories (really they're the most important, and big steps. I am thankful for today and excited for tomorrow:)!