Ilah's First Easter!

Every holiday from here on out will be all the more special. Now that we have started our family, beginning with baby Ilah, every day is magnified with sweet moments to be cherished and certainly the holidays will be extra special as we create wonderful memories for/with our child{ren}.

Ilah got her very first Easter basket this week from her grandma {my mom}. Since we will be in Canada over the Easter holiday, Ilah got her Easter basket a few days early....

It was full with all kinds of adorable things!....

This little bunny rattle makes noise when you squeeze it!...

Look at all this stuff!....

Ilah got a "Baby's 1st Easter" bib and cute little hand held toys to play with. See that yellow ducky? Hilarious little sayings come out when you drop it on {or hit} its bottom!....
I showed Ilah one of her little toys that her Grandma got her and she intently stared at it. I bet she was thinking, "Hmm. This is something new"....


Then she reached for it. "Ahh, this is mine!! Let me get a closer look and feel this little thing. I think I'll pat its head too. Stuffed bunny's don't bite do they?".....

Ilah then held onto her little bunny rattle tightly! She just may have found a new favorite toy to play with {sorry Alfred [the stuffed dog]...you're out - little bunny rattle is in. No hurt feelings, ok?}!

Also in Ilah's basket was a "Baby's First Easter" book which tells the story of Jesus' resurrection....

I can't believe how much stuff my mom managed to pack into that little basket!....

Ilah is one blessed little girl!! And so am I, because my mom put together an Easter basket for me too!!

I got all kinds of things....writing pads, candy, make-up, socks, dishtowels, a headband, lotion, and a few things from MAC! {and a very sentimental card too}....

Ilah has a wonderful grandma who loves her more than words can say, and I have an amazing mother who still loves to do special things for me too - like still making an Easter basket for me even when I'm 30 years old.

You're so good to us mom! We love you!!

One Year Ago Today

I became a bride. I remember the moment when I was standing all alone, with my dad in spirit, waiting to walk down the aisle to marry the wonderful man that God had blessed me with.

Today I reflect on the vows that I wrote, and said, to my husband on that day....

I stand before you today, with an overwhelming amount of unconditional love for you, and admiration towards you. You are a dream come true – an answer to prayer. When I met you, my life changed in a beautiful, wonderful way.

As I take you to be my husband, I vow to remain committed to you not only when our love is effortless, but also when we face changes and challenges. I vow to be forever faithful to you with my mind and my heart…to value you, appreciate you, respect you, honor you, and care for you.

As we enter into the joy of our union, I submit myself unto your headship as unto our Lord and look forward to raising our family, and building our marriage, under the care and guidance of God.

I promise to stand beside you in sickness and in health, in times of prosperity and decline - to encourage you in your endeavors and nourish your spirit as you become all that God has called you to be.

Today, as I become your wife, I will strive to give you the best of myself. With respect, gentleness, unselfishness and unending devotion, I will work by your side to create a wonderful life that we can cherish, together.

I look forward to all of the memories that we will create…for in you, I have found the one my soul loves. I thank God for you – for your friendship, and the way you love me.

To you, this day before God, I pledge to uphold these sacred, heartfelt vows all the days of my life.

Today, on our 1 Year Wedding Anniversary, we reflect on where our love brought us, we acknowledge the blessings of the present, and we anticipate all of the wonderful memories that await us in the future.

To my husband, whom I adore....

"My greatest good fortune in a life of brilliant experiences has been to find you, and to lead my life with you." - Winston Churchill

It's Never Too Early To Begin Saving

This week I opened up Ilah's savings account. Aside from the gifts that we received prior to her birth {and following her arrival}, Ilah was also very blessed to receive gifts in the form of cash. Instead of buying more "stuff" for her, we put that money {close to $800 given to us by family and friends} in a savings account for her that we will continue to add to as the years go on....

I love the concept of this little piggy bank {available here in different colors}. What a great way to teach your little one early on about the importance of saving, spending {wisely}, donating, and investing. Even though we probably won't buy one of the below banks, another idea is to empty out whatever piggy bank you have at the end of each month {or every 3 months} and separate the "funds" in this same visual way....

A few week ago I purchased a white ceramic piggy bank with green polkadots, for Ilah {it looks like the below piggy bank but the colors are reversed and it's a bit bigger}. Although it will be a while before Ilah will actually begin to use the bank, and grasp the concept of saving, spending, donating, and investing {and giving small offerings at church} the little piggy bank {which I purchased at Home Goods for just $6.99} was too cute to pass up {and there were only two of them on the shelf}. After I purchased it, I got home and saw that there was a chip in it : ( Thank goodness when I took it back, the only other one that I saw was still there - chip free! I'm not too keen on everything for a little girl being pink {as you can tell by how I designed her nursery} - which is why I chose the white and green color combo for a piggy bank {it will also blend well with the color scheme I used in Ilah's room}.


And just for laughs, check out this "his and her's" piggy bank {that I saw at TJ Maxx some time ago; I took the below picture on my cell phone}...

Is that not funny?!

I remember the piggy bank that I had when I was a child. Did you have one? I got money for doing chores around the house, for making good grades, for goals that I made in soccer, and I also got money on special occasions like a birthday. I can't recall if my parents every monitored how much I put in or took out. But I do remember "unplugging" the bottom of my little piggy and getting quarters out for candy : )

In Need of a Few Good Reads

You know how people take books to beaches, pools, parks and on airplanes? Yeah. I'm not one of those people. I'm not much of a reader. The only thing that I really enjoy reading is a menu! I find reading to be grueling - unless the topic is one that holds my interest, and even then, if it isn't written in a captivating way, I'm "over and out 10-4". I've always been that way. The odd thing is that I've always enjoyed writing. But reading. Not so much. There are very few books over the years that have graced my nightstand.

But I've been thinking lately that I need to have a few good reads.

One to be something light, airy and comical {emphasis on comical}. So last week I ventured to my local Barnes & Noble and picked up Chelsea Handler's second book {which delivers all of the above}. While although Handler is promoting her latest book "Chelsea, Chelsea - Bang, Bang" I looked at the contents - and while no doubt it's full of miles of humor - it was a bit too graphic for my taste. The below book {the second one she wrote} is a compilation of funny, real life stories that Chelsea has lived out from kindergarten into her 20's. It has become my bath time book. And yes, I have laughed out loud. Real loud.

I wanted the other book that I read to be one of spiritual substance. Yes, my nose is in two very different kinds of books. But at the moment, that's what I feel I need.

Michelle McKinney Hammond was the first Christian author whose books held my interest. They are filled with spiritual substance, yet written from a place of authentic realness and in a tone that makes you feel like you are seated with both your best girlfriend and your mentor. I had purchased nearly every book that Michelle McKinney Hammond had written but sadly, when I shipped them from California to Georgia when I moved, they got "lost" in transit. Gotta love the US postal service. I never saw the books again nor did I recoup the cost for them. I wish I had her library of books excessible in my home once again so that I could pick any one of them up and turn to a page that I intentionally highlighted for the purpose of getting spiritually fed by her words all over again.

One book of McKinney's that I never read was The Power of Being a Woman....

The contents include:

• The power of influence
• The pitfalls of manipulation
• The strength of vulnerability
• How to make up for your mate's weaknesses
• How to take advantage of his strengths

I'm looking forward to reading, and discovering, what femininity is according to God's design.

On another note: I just started hearing the name Beth Moore a lot; I'm not aquainted with her ministry and never even heard of her up until a few months ago when it started to swirl that she was having a large conference here in Atlanta. I've read from so many fellow bloggers that she is AWESOME. Are you familiar with her? Based on what I've read about her ministering avenues, she seems like a Godly woman that is planting many seeds in the lives of women everywhere.

Ilah's Days

We seem to have naturally fallen into a routine around here. And a good one at that. Here's what we're doing at 2 1/2 months of age....

Ilah wakes up for her morning feeding between 7:30 a.m. - 8:30 a.m. and after a diaper change we usually always nestle together in bed for a little morning nap that lasts for about 2 hours. I just love this time with her and I know she does too. Then we get up, I dress her for the day, and we go downstairs and play for about an hour until her next feeding. The rest of the morning and afternoon is filled with things like tummy time, swing time, playpen time, and lots and lots of mommy time where I talk to her, laugh with her, sing to her and play with her. She always takes a few afternoon naps that usually lasts around 2 hours a piece and I use that time to make more bottles, eat lunch, go through mail, hop on the computer, and then on any given day tend to laundry {hers and ours}, clean the upstairs rooms and tackle things on my "to do" list. Now that the weather is warming up, I will soon be incorporating afternoon walks into our schedule. Around 4:30 p.m./5:00 p.m., I place Ilah in her swing as I prepare dinner and when Daddy comes home from work he scoops up his little girl and they have fun interacting with each other until we decide to sit down and eat. Sometimes Ilah will take a short nap in the early evening and we can catch up a show or two that we recorded. Later in the evening is when we read to her, give her baths on certain nights, and pray with her - and over her - before putting her down for the night {around 10:30 p.m./11:30 p.m.}. We've never had any trouble getting Ilah to go to sleep; thankfully it has come easy. She falls asleep right after finishing her bottle and stays asleep until about 4:00 a.m. when she wakes up for her next feeding {and then she goes right back to sleep afterwards}. The next day roles around in what seems like 3.5 seconds and we do everything all over again.

This isn't a schedule that I purposely developed, nor is it one that I am strict about adhering to. And I'm sure overtime it will change. I just go with Ilah's flow {and sometimes she goes with mine}.

I mentioned that Ilah plays in her playpen for a little while every afternoon. I put it together a few weeks ago {I spared my husband from adding another thing to his "honey-do list"} and she just loves her time in there, staring up at all the animals. She just coo's and coo's!! I can't get enough of her little sounds! I just love watching her and hearing her have so much fun!

So what exactly was this little girl trying to say when she looked back and stuck her tongue out at me while I was taking pictures of her?! Ha ha!!

I can't get enough of this girl!!!

Ramblings About Reality TV Shows That I Watch

Season 2 of Kendra premiered last week on the E! channel and I loved the first episode. I saw only a few episodes from Season 1 {I think just the first one when she moved into her very own home, and the last episode when they aired her wedding}. Now that Kendra is a new and first time mother, I can relate to her on at least one level. Based on the previews from this season, the episodes look quite entertaining! I've set our dvr to record them.

I think that Hank and Kendra make a such a great couple. They really do seem made for each other. And their little boy is adorable!!

The Oxygen channel has begun promoting the upcoming season of "Tori and Dean". I think Tori is a great wife and mommy and man does she throw great parties!

While watching the promo of their upcoming season, my husband pointed out that Dean....

....looks a lot like Slade Smiley! Ha! I totally agree!

I even think they have very similar ways.

What do you think?

Season 2 of Kimora, Life in the Fab Lane premiered last night. This show is definitely appropriately titled. Everything, and I mean everything, is over the top in her world. Her little girls are so adorable and having them in the show softens it which is why I think I tune in. This is another show set to record on my dvr. The new added element this season is her new man Djimon, and their little boy Kenzo.

Dancing with the Stars premiers tonight. I used to watch this show with my mom but haven't really been into the last few seasons. The buzz is that this season has the best cast yet...including Kate Gosselin. My question: Why is she on this show?

I don't want to be mean but as many people have pointed out, her 15 minutes of fame should have been depleted by now. More than anything {and I'm all about mom's having fun, but...} I can't believe that with eight children to tend to that she has intentionally carved out so much time in her every day life to do this show. When she was on Jay Leno several months back, she dropped a not-so-subtle hint that she really wanted to do DWTS - well, she got her wish. Several members of the cast, including the pro dancers, have said that she is very standoffish. From what has been shown of her personality on her own reality show Jon & Kate plus 8, there's no surprise there. Don't you find it interesting that for someone who says that her children are her #1 priority that she spends more time trying to be a permanent fixture in the entertainment circuit than she does trying to regain a normal life out of the public eye? She used to hate paparazzi, media attention, fans who asked for her autograph, end everything else that being in the spotlight emcompassed. Now she can't get enough of it. One would even say she craves it. As much as she says it, normalcy obviously isn't what she really wants these days. What do you think? She has said she is "going to win" DWTS. We'll see.

Do you watch any of these reality shows? I'm also currently watching The Amazing Race 16, and The Real Housewives of New York City {which I have to watch right when a new episode airs}, and will probably add the upcoming season of Celebrity Apprentice to my dvr list. Geesh, I just realized how much reality tv I watch! And this list doesn't include past shows that I've followed. Many of the shows I listed are filler shows - meaning, I only watch them when nothing else is on tv that appeals to me. That last statement brings me to say...I really need to start watching less tv. More on that in another post.

The Winner of the Giveaway is....

ABBIE!!!!

Congratulations Abbie!

For all others: If you didn't win, but would love one of these beautiful handstampled necklaces, the designer is generously extending 10% off of your purchase. Visit The Rusted Chain's store, find a piece that you love {there are so many unique ones}, and enter code m2m10 at checkout.

I hope you all have a great weekend!!

I Think I'll Go For A Walk Outside

Yesterday after daddy got home from work, we took Ilah out for a little stroll. I think both her and I needed to get outside of the house and get some fresh air and a change of scenery. It felt so nice. The weather is starting to warm up {around 64 F} but I lightly bundled Ilah up anyway since I didn't want to chance her getting cold. She looked so cute and cozy....

There's a long walking/jogging path near our home that goes in a loop. It takes about 45 minutes to go all the way around so it makes for a nice little cardio workout : ) When we were walking yesterday I told my husband, "Remember when I was pregnant and we used to see other couple's walking with their strollers? We're one of them now." : ) We really relished in the moment.

The Things I Remember As a Small Child

I accepted Jesus into my heart at the age of 5. I was led to the Lord by my father. In my parents bedroom. I remember that moment so vividly.

I grew up in church, and I loved Sunday school. Loved it. All the lessons, all the memorization of scriptures, all the Gospel Bill movies, fun crafts and knowing we would get snacks.

Of all the pretty dresses my mother bought for me to wear to church, there was one dress in particular that I loved to wear more than the others, and my mom would let me wear it whenever I wanted. It had short cap sleeves, had lots of maroon roses on it, and ruffles were on the lower half.

Outside of church I was brought up on Psalty, the singing songbook {Psalty was a big blue book that sang praises} - and man, did I wear those tapes out! I recall riding to school with my mom and we would sing children's songs on the way. What a great way to start the day.

I remember coming home from school and putting a "do not disturb, worship in progress" sign on my bedroom door nearly every day. On sheets of paper I would write out the lyrics to the songs that we sang at church and pretend that my lamp was a projector screen since that what was used at our church to lead the congregation in worship. And I also remember lining up all my cabbage patch kids, care bears, and stuffed animals on the floor and pretending that they were the congregation and I would preach to them.

I remember sometimes going into my bathroom {that was inside of my room}, locking the door, putting on worship music and turning off the lights while I worshiped and prayed. I had a great yearning to connect to God. Even at a young age, I felt the presence of the Lord so strongly during those times. Sometimes I would be afraid to open my eyes because I thought I would see an angel.

I remember attending christian kid's camp for a week every summer and growing in the ways of the Lord while there. I remember the ventriloquist Suzy Star. I remember the name of the boy that I fell in "like" with there. I even chose bow-and-arrow shooting for one of my electives so that I could be closer to him. And he took art as his second elective to be closer to me. And I remember that when I would return from that camp, my dad greeted me with a HUGE tub of rainbow sherbert ice-cream.

I remember my parents attending couple's banquets, bible studies, and mid-week and/or evening services. And I remember falling asleep on the floor during some of those services {this was back when church was less formal and more family friendly - that when a child fell asleep on the floor, the person behind you would offer their jacket as a blanket for your little one}.

I remember my father serving as an usher in the church {for years} - he had such a servant’s heart.

I remember when our church would partake in a big retreat at Arrowhead Springs every summer and I thought it was awesome that so many families/friends were together and that we would be spending a lot of days in a pretty hotel. I still remember what the eating lounge looked like and how much I loved the breakfast they served there. It was also the first time that I discovered what a raccoon looked like {they loved leftovers}.

I remember church picnics at parks that include friendly water balloon fights, good bbq and families sharing each others blankets.

I remembering praying at the table with my parents, at every meal.

I remember going to AWANA every Wednesday night. I loved, loved, loved it.

I remember seeing both my father and my mother, on separate occasions, bring food and clothing to homeless people that they would see on the street. They showed me acts of service a very young age.

I count all of the above as beautiful memories of my earlier encounters with the Lord and great testaments of how my parents raised me to know Him. I am so grateful for the things that they exposed me to. I wonder in what ways Ilah {and our future child/ren} will grow close to our Heavenly Father and discover how magnificent He is. I wonder what their early memories will be. My husband and I agree that the most powerful influence that a child has is their parents, therefore we also know how important it is to lead by example. As evidenced above, my parents imparted much into me at a young age and I can only hope and pray that by us doing the same, our children will also come into a great sense of who they are in God's eyes. {Proverbs 22:6 "Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it"}.

Shots Are No Fun!

Ilah got her first sets of shots yesterday. No fun. The poor baby had no idea what was coming and was just smiling away during the beginning of her 2 month exam. Me on the other hand? I was taking deep breathes in the corner. Oh - and taking pictures. Let's start from our arrival....

All bundled up, we headed to the pediatrician's office and didnt have to wait long at all...


This girl is probably thinking, "oh boy. The camera again? Mooooom".

There's my pretty girl!

We got her undressed, and after they measured her height {now 23 inches long} we headed to the scale to find out that Ilah now weighs....11.7 pounds! Everything checked out great during her 2 month exam! And then it was time for the shots....

Cue me with high anxiety when I saw the needles come out...


Daddy was right there by his little girl's side as she was getting her shots administered....

I will spare you from seeing the photos of our sweet girl wailing from getting her shots. It would break your heart.

But here she is after....with sparkling bandaids over her owies....

Ilah handled her shots so well. I really thought it would be worse than it was and that she would ball her eyes out for about an hour afterwards {in fact, I thought we both would be}. But the moment the last needle came out, she stopped crying. I looked at her in shock. Really? That's it? No more tears? What a brave little girl we have!! When the nurse said we could pick Ilah up and love on her I felt that we were giving eachother a reciprocal hug : )

We were really gentle when putting our little cupcake's clothes back on....

She held on to that paci for soothing, putting her fist against it to make sure it didn't leave her mouth! Ha! Do you see the little tear streaming from her right eye? Awww....

I think Ilah was definately ready to get out of there and so was mommy!....


I can't believe how content she was after getting all those shots!....

But she probably felt exhausted from all that poking and couldn't wait to get home! : ( She fell asleep in the car, like she always does....

After she woke up from her afternoon nap, she was a little fussy for about an hour but it passed and she was fine the rest of the day and night. The pediatrican advised us to give her baby Tylenol only if she developed a fever but we didn't need to use it. No fever. Thank God!

In other news....Ilah slept for 8 hours last night! 8 hours straight!! I woke up at 7:30 a.m. this morning and frantically looked at the monitor and then headed to her room to make sure she was breathing!! She has never slept through the night - so I suppose this is any parents first reaction! After she took her morning bottle, she ended up going back to sleep for another 3 hours. Needless to say, mommy got good rest last night and this morning! Now let's see if this sleeping pattern repeats itself! *Wishful thinking!*.