two, too fast.

This weekend, she'll be two, too fast. It's hard to believe. It's hard to imagine what my heart looked like before she moved in, before she softened it like no one else could have. Joseph always like to remind me how much I teach her, encourage her, and show her how to navigate through life all around her, but most times I feel like she's the teacher. She reminds me to love with no expectations, that life is better sung and danced, and that everyone, and I mean everyone, deserves a smile.

I'm overjoyed with growing with her and dreaming of what the next years will look like as she continues to grow and blossom, but it's so bittersweet because I know how much I'll miss these days, of her being my best little companion. Days when my craziness is the coolest thing ever in her eyes, after Barney and Tinkerbell, of course. Days when we pray for giraffes, because giraffes need our prayers, too, and days when we sing songs for absolutely everything. I'll miss 'just because' hugs and kisses, and a little girl who always wants her mama's company. I'll miss it all.

Despite how hard it is, moving on and letting go of baby stages that have come and gone and will never come again, I couldn't imagine life without all these scenes, without all these changes, without all these heartaches. Because as heart wrenching as it is to watch our baby grow and change right before our eyes, we would do it all over again, even if that meant having to let go one more time. That's how much their love is worth it.

Happy two, sweet pea. We love you more each passing day.

::

undeserving.

Two days will mark a month since our baby boy, Jude, has come out to play. So for those of you who were wondering....he's here. And I think big sister has finally figured out, not only is he here, but he's here to stay. ;)

When I think back on this past month, a little part of me is upset I haven't written sooner, but a bigger part of me is extremely glad that I just took it easy and laid low for a while, simply enjoying time together as a family, just the four of us. There's been lots of adjustments and even more time juggling. There's been numerous times when we've figured things out while bravely chugging along. And there's been even more moments, thanks to the Mr., when we just drop everything and we hug it out...yes, we hug it out...never underestimate the power of a hug on an exhausted soul. Never.

When I think back on this past month, I see the differences in myself as a second-time mom. I'll never forget the moment my parents went home after visiting us in Tallahassee when Marabelle was born...we felt so overwhelmed and unqualified - who signed the permission slip certifying we were capable of caring for this precious new baby on our own? And were they out of their mind??? As a new mom, the most important thing to learn is the value of trusting yourself and your own natural, God-given, motherly instincts, but that's not always easy to do when you're anxious, or tired, or too busy worrying about almost everything. But one night, while daddy was working and big sister was sleeping, baby boy and I had a moment to ourselves and I realized how precious the chaos is and just as we got through and survived Marabelle's first few months, we will make it through these long sleepless nights, too, and we will begin to trust ourselves even more as we learn how to tread in these new "family of four" waters. 

But one of the best things about thinking back on this past month, is seeing a young mom looking back at her two babies sitting in their car seats, and thinking to herself, how lucky she is, how blessed she is, and how undeserving she is. Yes, for those of you who were wondering, there have been moments in the past month when I've thought to myself, how am I going to do this when Joseph goes back to work? Am I seriously going to survive? But as I fight the urge to pull out all of my hair when tough moments hit hard, that heavy, emotional, earthshaking feeling sets in and I realize just how undeserving I am because as hard as the hardest days are, this is what we're made for and I wouldn't trade the chaos for anything in the world.

Nothing I've done is deserving of the most loving husband and the gift of caring for these two innocent souls. Nothing. And it's incredibly humbling realizing just how undeserving we are and how even the most challenging times are some of the most beautiful. Thank you, God, for our family and these two beautiful babies...thank you, thank you, Lord.

♡These last two are from Jude's newborn pictures, taken by our good friend, Jackie.

::

seventeen & eighteen.

She's eighteen months.

She's brought us joy, a joy like we've never know, for a year and a half.
After each other, she's the most serious relationship we've both ever had.
She introduced us to a love, 18 months ago, a love we could have never imagined.

Months 17 and 18 of hers have been full, full of activity, full of love.
This mama has been nesting and preparing for our family of 3 to meet its newest member and with end of summer activities and all that comes with preparing for new littles, our days have been full.

These past two months, in particular, have truly been something else for her.
Her vocabulary has almost doubled and she's learning something new every single day. It's the most incredible thing to watch. To witness a tiny person, a small child who has you completely smitten, discover her world for the first time and begin to connect the dots of understanding is like celebrating triumph after triumph, day after day. And watching her experience all of it, leaves you in awe at the beauty and wonder by which we are all created.

For 18 months, she's been our world.
And the three of us have had some pretty sweet adventures.
But sometime soon, within the next two weeks, a new little person will join our crew.
But before he shows up to play, I want this sweet 18 month old to know a few things...

I want her to know she's changed me, forever. I want her to know she's changed her daddy, too. I'm no longer the only woman he's completely captivated by. I want her to know I'll always cherish all of our "new" moments in the past 18 months, when mama was learning the ropes for the first time. I want her to know I've had so much fun being her best little friend and playmate and I will always, always, always remember our days spent alone together.

But I also want this 18 month old to know, she is going to be the best big sister. Yes, her baby brother will be crashing our daily dance parties but he will only add to the fun. He may get under her skin some days, but brothers are one of the best blessings the good Lord could give a sister...trust mama, I know. He will surprise you with the size of his love and he will teach you that your heart has no limits, especially when you love him despite his "little brother" tendencies that are sure to come with time.

Sweet pea,
You came into our world and brought a shimmer and shine that make even the stars jealous.
And soon, very soon, all of our worlds are about to get a little brighter.
Here's to 18 months and all that's yet to come.
Here's to radiating an even greater sparkle.

::

fifteen & sixteen.

 

months fifteen & sixteen, 

you've been colored on with lots of crayons. 

you've had naps in a big girl bed. 

you've met the words please and thank you. 

forks and spoons are finally being put to proper use. 

summer pool days, accompanied with arm floaties, are a favorite of yours. 

stickers, dancing, puzzles, blowing kisses, climbing up and down, mimicking mama, 

and peanut butter & jelly sandwiches 

fill your time.

not to mention, tantrums, sass, and a will like no other. 

I pray, pray, pray you use that will of yours to invoke love whenever you can...

because your strong determination, partnered with your inviting joy, will undoubtedly enlighten this world. 

months fifteen & sixteen, 

you've been great. really, really great. 

::

to my son.

To my son,

This is us now, tonight, 26 weeks along. We're pretty cute together, if I do say so myself.

I don't normally write on the weekends but your big sister is sleeping and your dad's visiting family, and since it's just you and me tonight, I thought I'd write a little letter to you.

I think you should know, I love our date nights. And in case you didn't know, every night is a date night while you're within me and really, you're a perfect date. You make me smile, you make me laugh, and you jump around with excitement whenever I eat ice cream.

I hope you don't mind that I'll be your very first love, as flawed and imperfect as I am, and as fragile and broken as I am. But I pinky promise you, I will always hold your heart in mine, as dependable as the sun is, rising in the morning, so is my love for you, for I love you always, all the days of your life and mine, and for all eternity thereafter.

And for anyone who's ever questioned the validity of your sweet, precious in utero life...feeling you kick, nudge, and wiggle around within me, already knowing your schedule, and recognizing the difference between you and your sister's belly movements and how you each are uniquely different, even in the womb, confirms all the beauty of life at it's earliest stages...and what an honor it is to keep you safe and protected within me.

So, here's to the remaining two and half months of back-to-back ice cream date nights with my littlest man, I can't wait to kiss your sweet face.

 ♥  mama

::

thirteen & fourteen.

And so, her toddler days begin. Days filled with just one nap, lots of running, exploring outside, sorting through piles of books just to get to her favorite, plopping down in laps with a book in hand waiting for a story to be read, holding onto a random item of choice for an extended period of time, mimicking mama with her mini wallet purse while pretending to talk on the phone or clean the floor with a dish towel, using new words like "uh-oh" and "baby" and saying "hi" to everyone who passes by, climbing on anything that will hold her weight, games of "come catch me" and "I see you," conquering stairs and walking up a slide as often as she requests to slide down one, unraveling toilet paper rolls and reorganizing bathroom cabinets, tearing through magazines and ripping up junk mail, attempting to sneak inside the dishwasher every time it's loaded, dragging around laundry baskets after lounging in them, and not to mention...lots of attitude and sass {I guess she's her mother's daughter}.

So much happened after baby girl's first birthday. Months thirteen & fourteen broke ground on uncharted territory. New milestones were hit...back, to back, to back...and new adjustments for mama and dada followed suit, accordingly. I feel like we're constantly adapting and growing, experiencing something new every single day. Whether it's a new word or a new aspect of our daughter's personality we've yet to see, each day seems to include something new.

Watching the wonder of a child, appreciating her excitement in every day things we consider mundane, has helped me cherish things that I, too often, take for granted. Baby girl won't always help me sort through the mail, or come searching for me when I leave the room, nor will she always be eager to help me unload the dishwasher {especially when she's old enough to really help}, but in this moment, right now, today, she's holding my hand, chasing me down the hall, and bringing me books that she wants me to read...and being something so big for someone so small, births a strong sense of purpose, one that is capable of intoxicating every inch of who you think you are and all you hope to be.

Here are some of my favorite pics from months thirteen & fourteen. The last set of three, we're particularly excited to share with you, as they capture a moment that made months thirteen & fourteen extra special for our family as we eagerly wait for baby #2.  

 

::

in bloom. {part 2}

I'm almost embarrassed that I'm one week short of being 5 months pregnant and I'm just now sharing news of my 2nd pregnancy. I could use the excuse that life is crazy (which it is...and I feel like I'm ALWAYS saying that...am I the only one who feels like their life is constantly go, go, go??? Please, someone, for the sake of my sanity say, "no"), or I could use the excuse that I've been really, really sick, pregnancy sick and sick otherwise with a few annoying viruses, or I could say that I just wasn't ready to write about things until now...and well, the truth is probably cuddling with all three of these lovely little conclusions.

My due date for baby #2 is at the end of September, giving Marabelle and her baby brother or sister 18 months between them. As great and wonderful as that will be for both of them growing up, as a parent and farely newer mama, I know enough to know that the first few months will not exactly be the easiest transition as our family of three adjusts to being a family of four. It's been really interesting trying to make sense of all my emotions in these last few months, juggling my mixed feelings while trying to separate hormones from reality...but thank God for Joseph because if you've ever tried to make sense of your own ramblings, then you've also learned to appreciate the listening ear of someone other than yourself and the calming peace they can bring to the chaos in your mind. And can I just say, what a fabulously wonderful peacemaker my husband is, really.

Even with our passion for the littlest among us, it's only natural to have some fear when it comes to baby raising. Marabelle loves her Daddy, but she's a teeny, tiny bit, of a Mama's girl...so with news of baby #2, I instantly thought of Marabelle and what this ultimately means for her. Baby girl and I spend our days together, so she has my attention almost 24/7. And a new baby/first sibling means shared attention between Mama and Daddy. But really, in the grand scheme of things, sharing her life with a little brother or sister is a pretty incredible thing. As a parent, you want the best for your child. So, even as scary as adjusting to two baby's sleep schedules seem, as emotional as knowing my days alone with Marabelle are kind of numbered, and as nerve-wrenching as worrying about effectively being able to teach two young babies how to share, my excitement for this kicking baby within me and being able to watch Marabelle kiss not just my belly, but hug, protect, and love her sibling, makes all these big thoughts in my head seem really quite small.

You know, love can be quite funny. As beautiful as it is, love can also be so intense sometimes and so demanding that doing things for love's sake can be intimidating, uncomfortable, and even scary. But the best thing about love is when you dedicate your lives to love and laying everything down again, and again, and again for those in your life by loving your God, your spouse/family, and your children more than you love yourself, all the challenges, like lack of sleep due to new babies, become secondary and not nearly as important as continuously striving to love and love well.

As baby girl shared our big news in her own sweet way last week, I was reminded of the most important truth of all. My growing belly is most certainly in bloom, but so is love. If we pause long enough to look around, we'll find love spreading despite the suffocating weeds of fear, we'll find love flourishing despite being apathetically overlooked, and we'll find love growing because love is always in bloom. Baby #2, we love you and we are more than thrilled to welcome you into this little family of ours. For every growing day of yours, our love for you grows, too.

p.s. big sister hopes you like the beach just as much as she does. ;)

::

in bloom. {part 1}

I found an egg, oh yes, I did. The big people hid them from us tiny kids.  

Rather than filling my basket, I was happy with a few. Two eggs were perfect for me, just two eggs...who knew?

On my 2nd ever Easter, I loved my 1st hunt. I ran around, touched the ground, examined eggs back to front.

Mama dressed me up real cute with a pretty dress for Mass. I waived to passersby as I played in the grass.

April's been kinda busy, chaotic, and fast. But it's time to share some big news, finally, at last. 

There's someone in Mama's belly, someone's in my old room. Spring's not the only thing that's bursting in bloom.  

                                                                                                                                          <333 baby girl   

                                                                                {baby #2 is due in September!}

::

just one.

Exactly a year ago, tonight, I experienced one of the most emotional nights of my life. I was 41 weeks pregnant and extremely anxious to give birth to our sweet daughter. Just like any good woman would, she made us wait for her. I stayed up all night crying, praying, begging, pleading, "...if I can have just one prayer answered tonight, please God, bring Marabelle into this world safely and if possible, soon and very soon." I just wanted to meet her, hold her, kiss her, protect her, and love her as best I could. I wanted to meet our sweet princess who's sparkle would reflect joy in ways we could never imagine.

Like any emotional mama, this week I've been busy driving down memory lane like a madwoman in denial that our baby girl is actually turning one on Friday. But after driving past all of the sweet hot spots, I realized so much could be said about just one year. Everyone tells you when you're about to become parents how your heart is about to explode with love like you've never imagined, and even if you can wrap your head around that concept, there's nothing like experiencing love's mega blast that happens when you hold your baby for the first time. Dynamite's got nothing on the explosive power of baby love, and when I say nothing, I mean nothing.

I'm filled with gratitude when I think back on all we've experienced in our daughter's first year. Not all moments have been easy, but even the most trying times were filled with grace. As a new mama, there were challenges I could have handled better, times when I let frustration win, times that I'm not proud of, and then there were those magical moments when I pleasantly surprised myself with how much and how strong I could fight for and protect someone, simply by loving them well.

In so many ways, it feels like this past year has sprinted past us but in just as many ways, its hard to imagine our life before her. With just one soft touch, with just one innocent coo, with just one contagious smile, with just one magnetic giggle, with just one sweet kiss, with just one beautiful little life, the world is forever changed. And with her determined spirit, her infectious joy, her piercing eyes, her outspoken nature, and her caring awareness, I trust God has big plans for this beautiful soul He's blessed us with nurturing.

Marabelle, sweet pea, before we ever met you, we knew we'd rock it out with you by our sides. Little did we know, how much just one year with you, would rock our worlds with love. And even though BabyCenter keeps telling us that your baby days are over and your toddler days have begun, you will always be our baby girl. Always.

♡These are some of my favorites from her first birthday shoot, taken by our good friend, Jackie. 

And the adorable flags in the background were made by Pretty Paper Parfait.

How yummy is this little princess? 

::

ten and eleven.

Apparently, my little MacBook from 2006 is getting old and wrinkly. With it's aging status, my hard drive space is significantly diminishing and the few pictures I actually do have {since I'm not the best mama at clicking the camera every 5 minutes or even at every monumental milestone} seem to be frozen in this restricted land, as if they are stuck in time, and my computer is making it almost impossible for me to access any of my pictures...frustrating? Hmm, yeah.

But somehow-someway-thank goodness, I was able to access a few pictures from her tenth and eleventh months and since I haven't written about these sweet months of baby girl's, I thought I should pay them homage before her big 12 month birthday roles around in a few weeks. Here are some of my favorite things about months 10 and 11...

♥ "mama" and "dada" being used on a daily basis, ♥ a first flight and a first snow in our nation's capital, ♥ receiving intentional kissies, when we request them and even sometimes just for fun,  ♥ little baby Indian imitations, ♥ almost, really close, take a few steps and fall walking,  ♥ finally being able to decorate a nursery for baby girl {pics coming soon, hopefully!}, ♥ baby girl consistently sleeping through the night, ♥ giving sushi {cucumber rolls} her small stamp of approval, ♥ lots of high-fives and little clapping hands, ♥ learning that a baby with glow sticks and a smile make an awesome wedding reception accessory, ♥ baby gestures of "hi's" and "bye's,"  ♥ feeding herself and attempting to use the spoon like a big little girl, ♥ and the continued discovery of the personality and soul behind those beautiful brown eyes of hers. 

It's incredible how even at a whopping age of 10 & 11 months, she is fully capable of knowing what she likes and rejecting what she doesn't. Just like her mama, she can be a little stubborn as she enables her free will and chooses to do/not do things in her own little way. But most remarkable, is her ability to show love and joy and sprinkle them to everyone she meets, everywhere she goes. It's really a crazy beautiful thing to witness and be a part of. So, thank you, months ten and eleven, your memories are some of the best yet.

P.S. Marabelle was born on Ash Wednesday of last year and it's Ash Wednesday today, so Happy Liturgical Birthday, baby girl! This year we can make it to Church. +;)

::

the magic of.

The word, magic, may very well refer to acts of illusion or even deceptive tricks, but the magic of something, a moment, a feeling, or a realization, is as real as it gets.

Our little family went to Magic Kingdom last week and it was really nice to have a mini-family-vaca. It's fun going to Disney World as a parent, especially when you realize the excitement, adventure, and stride you once had as a child, eagerly destined to find Mickey Mouse, is still very much alive. Except in it's full-fledged existence, that childhood spunk which lived for so long in the solo quarters of your own happiness, is now craving company in the form of this new little person. My own experience of the magic of Disney is no longer enough because, as a parent, it's all about bottling it up, wrapping it in the biggest box, and anxiously sitting and watching as the magic unfolds, while your little one unsuspectingly unwraps the sparkle.

Granted, as much as baby girl was captivated by all the smells, sounds, and spectacles of the world of Disney, the magic of Cinderella's castle may have barely primed her dream land walls. {Can you tell we're in the middle of re-doing our home?} Anywho, even though Marabelle was unable to run to catch the princesses, or beg us to ride Dumbo one more time, she sure enjoyed strolling around as she took in all the magic of a land of giant stuffed animals, who walk, and talk, and sing celebratory songs.

This week I've been reminded of the magic of certain situations, like the magic of sunglasses on a sunny day, the magic of your head hitting the pillow after a long days work {working with a baby is rewarding, but it can also be oh, so tiring}, the magic of a yummy dessert after dinner, the magic of a clearance sale, the magic of being productive, the magic of a good conversation, the magic of getting organized, the magic of a baby sleeping through the night, the magic of hard work paying off, and the magic of dreams coming true.

The words, dreams come true, always used to ring the perfection gong, shaking all of me, from head to toe. If my dreams come true, then everything will be perfect, right? Insert the obnoxious, hot pink buzzer sound from the game, Taboo...buzzzzzz! Wrong! Wrong! Totally wrong! It's easy to look at other people's lives and make judgments, or come to your own conclusions about what it's like to be them, and how perfect their lives seem to be. But with any dream come true, or happily ever after, there's a whole chunk of story in the middle that plays out, little by little, and that's the beauty of it all. So, even if someone's dreams may look like your own, and it seems they've arrived at their perfect facade, remember...your dreams are yours, and yours alone, and no one's horse-drawn carriage ride is free from bumpy hindrances. The real magic of a dream is fighting to get there, choosing to believe, and regardless of what may come, or what obstacles await, affording your dream with a fighting chance. Because happily ever after's are not perfect, they're not flawless, and they're not ideal, but they are real. And the magic of a dream is like walking into Disney World with a goofy grin on your face and leaving with that same bright smile, even if the lines to all your favorite rides were way too long, or your favorite ice cream was annoyingly missing in action, or your legs felt like they were about to fall off, because that which is imperfect, can still be a dream come true.

lovin her waves.

::

prayers, prayed.

The Christmas season officially ends tomorrow...the end of this week marks the end of Christmas. Why does Christmas always fly by, so fast? If there's any consolation for one of the best Season's coming to an end, it's having a New Year arrive for the grand finale. And for this little family of ours, the new year is bringing lots and lots of new. With moving into our new home that we've been updating for the past month, and mama starting a new job {one where baby girl can come, too!}, we have lots of new adjustments in store.

But with thinking about the past year and all of the blessings the year shared with us, I realized how big of a mark 2011 left on me, and all it taught me about myself, life, and the power of prayer. With baby girl's birth, I learned that there's nothing, absolutely nothing, like the love of a child, and in giving and sacrificing everything for her, day in and day out, I've gotten to know myself in ways that I'm proud of and other ways I'd like to work on and hopefully improve. On the best days, prayers of gratitude couldn't be uttered fast enough, and on the toughest days, prayers for strength were desperately offered. But when you give, and give, and constantly give, putting yourself second while placing another first, it's then when you truly get to know the depths of the heart you carry within you. I've also learned the importance of forgiving yourself and that letting go paves the way for new beginnings. But by far, one of the greatest happenings of 2011, was that I've re-learned how faithfully our prayers are heard and how lovingly they are answered.

I mention prayers often on this blog, and every time the word pray is typed, a prayer is prayed. I'm often subtle with our faith and it's impact on our lives, but trusting in a love, bigger than yourself, and believing in a God whose ways are far greater than anything we could ever conceive or understand, has really made this life of ours everything it is today and we wouldn't be here without prayers, prayed.

Earlier in the year, while packing up our things in Tallahassee to move to Palm Coast, I stumbled upon our wedding program. This last line really symbolizes our hope for all we share our lives with and so, I thought I'd share it with you. This little blog has also been a special gift from 2011, and whether I'm still able to write multiple posts a week in the new year, or only one every week or two, please know this quote of mine remains at the heart of our marriage, this quote of mine is the guiding force behind the heart of our parenthood, and this quote of mine is permanently sewed at the heart of my writing. May 2012 bring more love to your life by way of sweet prayers, prayed.

“...we hope and pray, whatever your beliefs, and however strong your faith, you walk away today knowing how real love is. It does not exist for only a small few, but it is intended as a gift for all humanity. The only catch is to believe you are deserving of it, because love is what we are all created for.” - me

{& here's baby girl in some of her Christmas Season sparkle.}

 ::

a series of smiles.

One of our many stops while traveling these past two weeks was perfectly enough, Disney World, and there were tons of photo worthy moments. While exploring the Magic Kingdom, {which is even more magical at Christmastime}, there was a certain baby girl who decided to delight all passersby with a series of smiles and with a smile like hers, all faces within a five mile radius were suddenly inspired to return the gesture. She's pretty convincing when she smiles, you just can't help but light up the same.

Well, today starts a new year and as incredibly blessed as 2011 was, I'm simply praying for more smiles in 2012. So, is smiling more one of my new years resolutions? Not exactly. Me and new years resolutions seem to clash a little, they're not exactly easy for me to keep, especially when they're based on these crazy ideal and somewhat unrealistic standards I like to set for myself. Instead of making a long list {which is slightly tempting for this list-making gal} of all the things I want to do, change, or complete in 2012, I have a simple hope that I pray is noticed by this heart of mine...I'd love if the year 2012 is pieced together like a jigsaw puzzle, filled with a series of smiles, smiles not only from our little family, but from all those we know, and even those we haven't had the pleasure of meeting. For when smiles are paired together, a strikingly meaningful picture is created, a world and a life worth more than any words, I could ever pair or string together, could say. For when we smile, others are encouraged to do the same, choose the same, dream the same, and impact the same. And whenever we give a smile, we receive one, too.

Happy 2012 everyone, I pray it's all you hope it to be and much, much more.   
::

*Click here for the post I wrote in honor of Jenna's wedding - she's a girl whose friendship always makes me smile. 
*& special thanks to one of baby girl's amazing Auntie's for giggling with her in these pics.  

a sweet second and one brief minute.

With updating our new home and getting ready for Christmas, our days have been packed, our time management skills have been tested, and our lives have been slightly hectic. Needless to say, baby girl's nine month birthday came and went last week. Nine months is a really fun age for her first Christmas, especially since she enjoys ripping up paper. I'm sure she'll love playing with all the tissue and wrapping paper she'll get...{oh wait}...you mean there's more to that gift? ;)

But her ninth month has also been really active for baby girl. She's always a wiggle worm, never wanting to stay still, and constantly wanting to be on the go. Well, with her walking along coffee tables, couches, chairs, and anything else she can get her hands on...she's going somewhere fast - opposite of when she was a newborn, when she was perfectly content with sitting still while resting on me. But with her now being so active, there hasn't been as much cuddle time lately...sad face for mama bear.

Surprisingly though, a couple days ago I was blessed with a sweet second. Baby girl had just woken up from her afternoon nap and her sleepy, calm, still-waking-up self was in the mood for some mama baby cuddle time. The room was quiet, the computer was off, my phone wasn't important, and all that mattered was her resting with me. That little head on my shoulder slowly lifted and wanted to be awake, but rather than abruptly crawling off to conquer the world, she decided to take one brief minute to spend with mommy, playing with mommy, laughing with mommy. Literally, 60 seconds later, her afternoon adventure was calling and she was ready to answer.

It may not seem like much, it may even seem a little silly, and not necessarily noteworthy, but the stillness of that sweet second and one brief minute painted a memory in my heart that I pray will last forever.

Time is a highly desirable entity. Many of us pray for more time, although, there are some instances when we wish away the hours while waiting for someday, something, or someone to arrive. But even while we're waiting, time's desirable quality stays consistent, making time undoubtedly precious. 

The days, feelings, hopes, memories, events, and emotions all leading up to Christmas all seem to quickly come and go. For me and mine, I'm praying for millions of sweet seconds and brief minutes full of peace, laughter, and love this Christmas Season. And because you all mean so much to me, I'm praying the same for you and yours.

::

swing into the Season.

 

There are certain things that help each of us find the Christmas spirit. For me, some of these jolly things have been around for as long as I can remember the colors red and green existing as one. But other spirit welcoming things are newer members of the, 'put me in the Christmas spirit' gang, as their initiation was sometime in the last few years. Well, this year, a few things that have helped me swing into the Season include:  

♥ my chocolate Advent calendar, ♥ reading Christmas books with baby girl, {I am and have always been passionately in love with Christmas books}  ♥ hot chocolate nights, ♥ stocking decorating,  ♥ watching Christmas movie favorites, ♥ Christmas light admiring, and ♥ wreath making with Christmas tree scraps.

So, in the spirit of Christmas, we have a giveaway planned for all of you this Friday! One of our lovely sponsors, Kelly Hardee Photography, is helping us swing into the Season with a sweet giveaway - a free 8x10 of one of her beautiful scenic shots! We'll have a few pics for the winner to choose from and with Christmas quickly approaching, this could be a great gift for someone you love or for that sturdy wall of yours obnoxiously screaming, "throw me a new picture, please, please, please!" Either way, meet us back here Friday for this awesome giveaway...and if you're not already a member of our Tea Room, be sure to join so you can enter the giveaway!

P.S. Mr. Bucket Swing, I am incredibly glad I gave you a chance...I mean, you may very well be baby girl's favorite pastime, or at the very least, you come in close second to making a mess of Grandma & Grandpa's living room floor. Regardless, you're up there - and just so you know, you are the newest addition to all things that help me swing into the Season, for you lighting up that smile of hers, sparks Christmas joy deep in my heart. As always, ♡ Victoria.
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