Happy Father's Day

A little girl needs a Daddy
For many, many things: 
Like holding her high off the ground
Where the sunlight sings! 

Like being the deep music
That tells her all is right
When she awakens frantic with
The terrors of the night.
 

Like being the great mountain
That rises in her heart
And shows her how she might get home
When all else falls apart.

Like giving her the love

that is her sea and air,

So diving deep or soaring high

She'll always find him there.

What a blessing Aubrey Lane has in her sweet daddy.  Each night no matter how tired from work Christian is, he wants to spend special time with Bre.  I hear her laughing at her daddy and it melts my heart.  I know she will go far in life because she has the love and support of her daddy.

Thank you baby...for being an amazing dad.  Bre Bre is also one blessed chick!

 Happy First Father's Day!  

I know Bre is blessed because I know first hand that having a wonderful daddy makes all the difference in the world.  I am so blessed to have an amazing daddy. My dad has stuck by my side through thick and thin and his support and love has never wavered.  A few of the many things my dad has taught me is to work hard in all aspects of life, enjoy the little things in life, and to remember that family is what it all boils down too.

I love you dad! Happy Father's Day!

And last but not least...I have to say Happy Father's Day to my sweet Father in Law!  What a blessing he is to me.  He loves me like his own daughter and sticks up for me when Christian is mean to me!  Ha! Love you Mr. Steve!

Happy Father's Day to all the wonderful men out there! 

Daddy, I love you
For all that you do. 
I'll kiss you and hug you
'Cause you love me, too. 

You feed me and need me
To teach you to play, 
So smile 'cause I love you
On this Father's Day. 

8 months rocks!

Woop Woop!  Somebody is now 8 months old!  That's right folks...Aubrey Lane is now 8 months old!  Where is the time going?  I swear...time is absolutely flying by.  Months seem like mere days now that Miss Priss is here!  

I'd say 7-8 months has been the month of the most developmental advancements.  It seems like this month has been one of many firsts!  Aubrey Lane is crawling like a champ, I'm talking flying across a room in mere seconds!  Don't dare turn your back on Bre or you will lose her in a heartbeat!

Aubrey has started on little finger foods like bananas, sweet potatoes, avocados and of course we still love those puffs! 

Aubrey has also started throwing little fits.  Yes indeed...that is a first I'd rather not be introduced too.  We are upping our prayers over Aubrey at night.  "Lord, please help Aubrey to be sweet, kind, gentle and OBEDIENT!"  Ha! 

Aubrey Lane, I'm not sure your exact weight this month but I know you are in a size 2 diaper, 6 month clothes, some 6-9 months as well.   (Side note...this white onesie is the same exact onesie I've been putting on her for her monthly pictures since she was 1 month old! It's a newborn size but I keep stretching it to make it work for pictures...Ha...perhaps it's time to invest in a new white onesie!) You just started wearing shoes this month and you are not too sure if you like them.  Half the time those shoes end up off and in your mouth!

We got your ears pierced this month and it wasn't bad at all!  I LOVE your little earrings and I think you look even more adorable!  

You are still a champion nurser and I NEVER in a million years thought we would make it this far with breastfeeding.  I am beyond thankful we have had such a great support system and have made it this far!  What a blessing for both of us!  

You still nurse about 5 times a day and are slowly moving to two solid feedings a day as well.  I don't want to rush the solids, so we are still taking that at your own pace.  You love any solids that I give you, especially cereal and yogurts.  You actually prefer the store brand baby food over what I made homemade (just like daddy...nobody likes my cooking!!!)

You also take a sippy cup, but mostly just enjoy flinging it from one side of the room to the other!

This is the first month in our new home and you are loving your new room and fresh carpet!  You are having a field day with all the space and have only hit your head on the tile floor about 500 times! I never knew how fast a baby can flip and fall over!  Ha! I promise we are learning!  

You are still a great sleeper...from about 8:00 at night until about 5:00 in the morning...then you nurse and go back to sleep until 8:00.  Occasionally you will wake up and need the noonie, but for the most part you sleep through the night!

You still take 2 naps during the day usually for about an hour and a half each. You love your crib and don't usually fight me at nap times. 

You have definitely found your voice this month...you love to squeal at the top of your lungs...conveniently when I try and make a phone call!  

You still don't really say any words just "ba-ba-ba-ba" and occasionally daddy thinks you say "da-da" but I'm not convinced. 

You are sitting up unassisted and love to sit and play with everyday items such as measuring cups, water bottles, spatulas and remote controls.

This is the face I am constantly seeing...one of things being shoved into the mouth quickly before mommy can take it away! Ha Ha!

Oh Bre...what a fun month we have had with you!  You are awesome and continue to amaze us with your growth and development!  We love you so much and adore your little smile.  Hugs and kisses! 

Happy 8 months baby girl!

Giving Grace Take 2

I read somewhere that "grace is getting something for which I’ve done absolutely nothing to deserve and mercy is not getting something negative that I absolutely do deserve." Such true words.


It seems like I am constantly finding myself in predicaments where I am needing mercy and grace.  I remember this post I wrote a few years ago around Christmas time.  A client/friend of mine hired me to do their company Christmas cards.  The cards were directly mailed out to his clients without first coming to me.  Much to my horror, I discovered that all 300 of his clients received cards with the message inside written upside down.  I was absolutely devastated at the mistake. I know he was embarrassed and discouraged at the mistake, but he offered me nothing but mercy and forgiveness.  He was above and beyond kind to me, and showed me just how a person with dignity and character should act. I learned a great lesson from that mistake.  Not to mention I double, triple, quadruple check things before getting them printed....nor do I use that company anymore!


Last week I was headed to meet my sister in law for a little dress shopping with Aubrey Lane.  We were stopped at a red light and the light changed to green, so we began to move forward.  I momentarily glanced down and upon looking up I realized that everyone had stopped.  I slammed on my brakes but it was too late...I crashed into the person in front of me.  I instantly began sobbing hysterically, Aubrey was wailing and I was a complete disaster.  We weren't physically harmed, just stunned and shook up.  I immediately pulled over with the man I hit.  I do have to back up and tell you, I wasn't in the best part of town.  I was in an area of town that is known for being less than desirable.  I'll admit my first thought was, "I'm gonna get sued for everything we have!" 


We pulled over and I was a wreck myself...just sobbing and barely understandable. The man tried to calm me down and he immediately took me over to double check on Aubrey Lane.  He was so concerned about me and Aubrey.  He acted like my own father would have...kind, caring and compassionate.  He calmed me down and told me everything would be okay...his exact words were "ain't nothing to get so upset about...we all good!" 


We checked over both our vehicles and assessed that everything was just fine...not too much damage to either car.  He informed me that he wasn't worried about a thing but just glad we were all safe and sound.  I tried to give him my contact information just in case, but he said he was sure everything was fine.  He said it was just meant to be that we "bumped" into each other on that particular day.  


He showed me an abundance of grace and mercy and I left the side of the road just speechless.  He was a true man of actions...not just words. 


What a way to learn a lesson huh...sometimes it takes God really shaking us up to get our attention and teach us a lesson. It's a fact people... we will mess up...we will make mistakes and those mistakes will affect those around us.  Others will hurt us... we will get our feelings hurt and perhaps even wronged with ill intent, but it is so important that we forgive and supply mercy and grace to those around us. What a blessing to be on the receiving side of mercy, but how much more important is it for me to remember I have to give mercy and grace to others when I am hurt, mistreated or wronged...I hope and pray I can learn from others like this man and be an example of a gracious person. 


Lord...teach me to give mercy abundantly...allow me to show Your love by forgiving and offering grace to others. Thank You for getting in my face daily and opening my eyes to the lessons I need to learn.