Happy Birthday Pippa!

 

I can't believe my baby has become a little girl in one year. I never imagined how much she would change and develop over 12 months! We are very proud of her recent accomplishments like getting teeth, saying "ut oh" when she drops something and walking before one! 

She is such a big girl. Where has the time gone?  

Josh and I have so enjoyed watching her little personality evolve. 

those lips!

My how she has grown...

In some ways she looks so different and in others she still looks the same to me. Love that little nose!

She did great for her One year photo shoot!

 

We couldn't keep her from walking long enough to snap pictures. She was everywhere!

 

She currently is really into giving the pity laugh when we say something we think is funny. She just looks and laughs "ah haha" as if saying "you think you're so funny mommy and daddy!". 

I love that Pippa can wear my baby shoes!

These letters fascinated her and the rocks below also did...

God has blessed us with an amazing energetic little girl.  I have treasured every moment and will continue to cherish all her moment's in life. She is such a gift!

See Pippa grow...

This time last year I was debating on if the pains I was feeling (which were 5 minutes apart...duh) was really worth driving to the doctor for. After a midnight call to mom and more pleading from Josh, we made our way to Franklin and the doctor was very quick to tell me that I am about to have a baby like in the next couple hours.  Well tomorrow is Pippa's birthday and I am stunned at how fast her first year went.

 It's hard to believe all the changes that take place within a babies first year. I love looking back at these photos and seeing how much she has changed from month to month! (I plan to hang them in my mudroom next to our laundry) Each picture tells a story to me and helps me remember milestones. Even the flooring tells me a story!

The first picture was taken while we were living with my sister during Pippa's first month. The second photo is from staying with a family from our church while we desperately waited for our house to close. The third picture makes me so happy because that is OUR house! :) I guess that's why Pippa started smiling ha!

What a journey it has been and I am once again reminded of how faithful God is.

State Capital Flashcards printable PDF- $15

Yes, Pippa is only one (in 2 days...wowzers!) but Josh and I have already began praying and thinking about what kind of schooling we are going to give Pippa and the more I do research..the more homeschooling appeals to me. No matter what we decide one thing is certain, we will be used in helping her learn what she needs to learn whether I'm teaching it or helping her with homework. 

When I was in elementary school having good flashcards with colors to help me remember things always helped me retain information. I decided to design a much cuter take on the capitals and states to help teach them! 

Hope you enjoy. 

If you would like a custom print with specific city and state to display in your home, I will design one for you in whatever colors you would like for $5.  

Example...

 

50 State Capital Flashcard PDF printable for $15

You will receive a 25 page PDF complete with all colorful 50 states and their capital. Once your payment goes through I will e-mail you the PDF. Enjoy! 

     

Happy Mother's Day !

Happy Mother's Day! My first mother's day with a baby on the outside of me... sure has been a good one. Pippa and Daddy took good care of me today. I am so blessed!

Trusting Him

There are so many reasons I love being a stay at home mom but one of my favorites it the fact that we now can have so much fun exploring together. I love watching her see, feel and touch things for the first time. She lately has started pointing at things and I find it so cute!

 

 

This morning as we were out on our "car riding walk" which is really me pushing her in her little red car from Nana around our yard we spotted a robin using our nest to make her nest. 

 

Seeing things like this really do just make me stop, be still and watch. There's nothing that signifies spring like a mother bird making her nest. Watching her fly away and gather twigs and pieces of grass made me remember a year ago how we were desperately trying to find a place to make our nest before Pippa made her arrival.

Pippa will be a year in a matter of weeks and around this time last year I was feeling very different and so we're my overly-sized swollen feet due to pregnancy. 

Very Ready to pop! 

 Thinking back it was a very stressful time. With an unexpected job change while I could deliver at anytime was enough to make any lady go into labor! :) I remember ladies asking me if the nursery was ready and I would just laugh because I would be happy to just have a room called the nursery! By the way, all you need is diapers, milk and a magical sleeping swing found at target from your grandma and you can make it anywhere! Oh and maybe a onsie...or two or ten and a washing machine...yeah that would be nice to have. :)

God had a plan in all of it and I am so thankful that even then we could trust that His ways were indeed higher than our ways. You see many times in our lives it's not usually until we are in the midst of crazy circumstances do we GET the privilege of learning to trust Him.

I remember many people telling me "bless your heart" during our time of readjustment and I was tempted many many many times to get very down but Josh and I had to choose to put our trust in the one who was greater than what we knew. 

I now tell people that if God could help us find a job, get moved, have a baby all at the same time then well we will never question his provision! Many times when we begin to panic about teeny problems we remind each other that God is in control.

Almost a year later and I never understood the blessing that having Pippa would bring. 

Pippa with her tree we planted last fall.

Girl loves sunshine!

Notice Annie chillin in the back!

I think when she's 16 I should explain to her that driving with your feet isn't safe..

 

God is so good to us and I don't know why we ever doubt His goodness.

How long has it been since you have been forced to trust Him with a situation? I challenge you to see your circumstances from God's perspective and use it to grow! I can testify that not only is He good but that He cares and He loves us. Worship Him through simple trust in His unfailing love. 

Trust in the Lord with all thine heart and lean not on thy own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your path. Proverbs 3:5-6 

Pippa Walks

Last weekend Pawpaw and Nana came to visit us and Pippa took her first real steps! We are so proud of her. I cannot believe she is walking. Where did the time go? She is learning now that walking is faster than crawling and I just love to see the look of pride on her face when she realizes what she is doing. We are so blessed!

Baby Nap time thoughts..

My Bible study gals and I recently finished a study about how we treat others and about handling how others treat us. The main points that I learned through this study is that is all comes down to me. People are going to say and do things that I really don't understand. The only person I can control is myself and the Lord is wanting us to learn true forgiveness and unconditional love through these difficult situations.

Luke 6:32-36 says

"If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even 'sinners' love those who love them. And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even 'sinners' do that. And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even 'sinners' lend to 'sinners' expecting to be repaid in full. But LOVE your enemies, DO GOOD to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, because He is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.: 

Another thing that has been on my mind lately is the impact that our words have. They have potential to either build or tear down people. Many times I have been amazed at how naturally is comes to put other people down even at church! Oh how awful to tear down your own family of believers. I pray that my words would be edifying!

The song "Words" by Hawk Nelson seem to play on a continual loop in my head these last few days and so far I'm not sick of it! As you listen to this song may you consider the words that we will exchange with others today and I hope it gets stuck in your head because it's a constant reminder for me to be very careful what I say and to build others up!

May my words point the world back to you, Lord.