4th Wedding Anniversary

Our marriage turned 4 today. Aren't we getting old? ;-)

After scanning through our engagement and wedding photos, I didn't think my heart could feel any fuller, but it did. I have never taken the chance to remember what it felt like. What it felt like to be a bride, and to be Aaron's fiance and then wife all on the same day. The indescribable feeling of being sealed forever to my best friend. To be surrounded by an incredible group of people who love and care for us. (Endless sweating courtesy of Houston's humid summer, I'm surprised anyone made the trip.)
Just gotta say it, I love this guy more than I ever could have imagined. There are a few thousand reasons why I love him. And spending this evening remembering what our wedding felt like will only triple that list. Fast forward nearly 50 months later, we're playing pic-a-boo games with our baby girl in our very own home.
You are by far, the most gracious, kind and affectionate-natured man I know. You are the best dish-cleaner, bottle opener of things with too tight of lids, and cooker of yummy dinners when I am too lazy to do it myself. This morning, with my mouth full of retainers and drool smeared on the side of my cheek, you made me feel beautiful. You have not only been a husband to me, but a confident, a friend, and a support system.
Husband, this thing we have going on... i think it's pretty great. And if the next million years are as good as the last four, well I say bring it on. You definitely are my favorite person ever. Happy four years Sweetheart.

Yours truly, Me

Day Old Child

The day I arrived home from the hospital, I opened a present from Nannie - amc's grandma. There were a few darling items for Savannah and she had also included a sweet poem. It touched my heart and gave me an understanding of the miraculous reality of this day old baby girl. 

I've had moments of feeling completely overwhelmed and helpless. And I remember a few times when those feelings were coupled with frustration. And just as quickly as I wanted to vent that frustration, I remembered the miraculous reality that Savannah truly is. A few Sundays ago, we gave our baby girl a name and a blessing. Amc did a beautiful job. He told her that she was dearly loved by her parents. It was sweet and promising. Afterwards, amc leaned over to me and had a solemn, sincere tone in his voice as he whispered, "She isn't ours". My chest and throat tightened as I nodded my head to agree. It's so true. 

I am here to love her. Teach her about her Savior's gospel and His beautiful plan for her life. To help remind her of the love that her Heavenly Father has for her. And how much He absolutely adores her. She is His precious baby girl. And we are so lucky to have her. Being her mother has shaped my life and has set me on a path that will keep me feeling forever grateful. Each day, she gives me the chance to love even greater. Strengthen my patience through serving. And beg for help from the Lord to guide my decisions and bless me with understanding. I have realized that I need her in my life to become the type of woman, wife, and friend that I so desperately want to be.

Savannah's first photo in her new home

My day old child lay in my arms

With my lips pressed against her ear

I whispered softly, "Oh, how I wish--

I wish that you could hear

I've a hundred wonderful things to say

(a tiny cough and nod)

Hurry, hurry, hurry, and grow

So I can tell you about God"

My day old baby's mouth was still

And my words only tickled her ear

But a kind of light passed through her eye

and I saw this thought appear --

"How I wish I had a voice and words

I've a hundred things to say

Before I forget --I'd tell you about God

I left HIM yesterday."

Carol Lynn Pearson

Yours truly, Me

Hearts that Pitter-Patter

As of lately, I've been contemplating my life and how it has changed with having a pretty pair of eyes and chubby toes join my world. 

My thoughts trace back to waking up to mornings that should have begun with a yummy lunch. Exciting evenings made up of spontaneous movies and delicious foodie cravings. Double dates-without the baby sling and Hooter Hider. Sitting in church. 
Yep, that's it... simply sitting in church.
Or life prior to the baby monitor taking its role as my official alarm clark.  When the nursery was a spare room filled with storage boxes and junk. Before I had killer biceps yet regrettably still unnoticeable.
If I rewind to last year when my mom mentioned to me something I'll never forget and still causes my eyes to gloss over and a lump to take over my throat. It was when I was starting a new fertility med.

"Oh, the things we do just to hear the pitter-patter of little feet."

When I was pregnant with Savannah, many friends and strangers would pass out unsolicited thoughts on becoming a  new mom. "Enjoy your life now while you still have it! Forget the malls and shops. Forget the baths and showers. Being perfectly made-up with hair and make-up on? Forget it! Dinner on the table? In your husbands' dreams. Pretty much say goodbye to everything you are because your life is over!"
Yikes! If that isn't encouraging for an expectant mother to hear, I don't know what is!
Life after Savannah has changed alright. But it was anything but those awful and negative predictions.
Don't get me wrong. It's not ALL smiles. It's not easy. I'm definitely busier now with feedings and entertaining and cooking and cleaning all of which while trying to look pretty cute for my Mister. But it's a choice I'm willing to make. And I think it's just that. A choice to make it how we want to see it. I didn't lose my former life. Neither has my relationship with amc taken an extreme backseat to this new babe in our home. 
Rather, she's added to it. 
Savannah has made life more whole. Filling voids that I didn't know were there. Being her mama has caused me to feel more complete. More confident in my purpose on this earth. More grateful for the gospel of Jesus Christ and its beautiful principle that families can really be together forever. Not to mention, an awesome repertoire of primary songs. I have a lame soprano voice but she doesn't seem to mind. 
Motherhood just feels good to me.
I absolutely ADORE Valentines Day! Always have. Always will. There's just something to say about spreading the love and affection with the special ones who hold your heart. I've always told amc that I sorta really don't care for flowers. I mean, I was always taken away from the house by school or work. I never had the chance to really enjoy them, ya know? 
Until yesterday. While I was driving to the store to pick up some canvas prints of Savannah's newborn photos(Eek! They look beautiful!) and a few ingredients for our Valentine's dinner and I noticed the car next to me while I was at a red light. Inside the car was HUGE vase of gorgeous red roses. I'm pretty sure I audibly giggled after which was followed by a loud, "Awwww!" Sitting next the red beauties was sheepishly-excited hubby. I was so excited for that special wife of his. Someone was begging for a sessy kiss! 
And then, in that moment, I thought to myself "Ya know? Flowers are nice. I mean, really nice." I kinda-sorta-wish amc was aware of this sudden change in heart that I was having. Oh well! I was looking forward to my only request from him, a much needed massage! After finishing up my errands, I walk in through the door with armful's of groceries (remember my killer biceps?) and I see my Valentine, home early from school. He was dressed up in the sexiest slacks with a gorgeous bouquet of roses and lilies accompanied by our lovely man, Sinatra. 
He was home to help me make our Valentines Dinner.
He's all mine?! What a stud. I'm seriously in love.

Filet Mignon. Homemade Macaroni and Cheese. Caesar Salad. 

Easiest V-day goodie to whip up!

"Daddy's Sweetheart" 

Her onesie couldn't be more adorably fitting.

Cheers! To my two Valentines...

Yours truly, Me

Summer Photo Wrap-Up

Happy Saturday, Lovelies! I don't even know where to start. Can you believe that I haven't even posted any of our summer adventures or our efforts to dress up our new home? I have been absolutely lazy. And to be honest, it's purely because I really haven't taken the prettiest of pictures to share with y'all. However, I will give our home a walk through and snap photos of it all and post for you a tour next weekend. Secret confession; I have a major infidelity issue with my bedroom. She was the most expensive room with her soft grey walls, floor to ceiling heavy-sheen white curtains, crisp white/grey linens with a gorgeous pin-tuck duvet cover, ivory arched tufted headboard, a dresser and night stands refinished for a vintage flare by lovely amc, with a few crystal pieces to make the room sparkle. Completely drool-worthy. A special note of gratitude to amc for letting me decorate to my hearts content. I don't think I appreciate his total chill-ness in regards to having zero stubborn opinions as much as I should. Except when it comes to blatantly hogging the TV remote. But that's another story for another day.

Weekend in Galveston.

Melissa's Birthday Ball. Bringing in 40 lookin' fabulous!

So long, farewell Mr. Crosssley. His first day of teaching Reg, Pre-AP, and AP Chemistry left him nearly in tears. He felt in over his head! But in no time, he figured out his own method of discipline and rocked his socks at being a fabulous teacher without putting in any hours at home. The faculty, principle, and his students fell in love with him.

...obviously one too many girls ;-) 

4th of July at Nannies. Three years ago, amc bent down on one knee and asked me to spend the rest of my life with him. We were kids trying to grow into adults to prove that we are in fact two ordinary people, who are entirely blessed for finding one another, and promising to blend our futures together forever. And spending vacations with amc's supportive, kind, and crazy-fun family was spelt out in that future. Let the fireworks begin.

Weekend visit from our favs Brian and Becky. 

Famous Babe's BBQ restaurant. Dallas Aquarium.

Road trippin' through Austin, Tx.

San Antonio Temple.

First day of Dental School.

3rd Anniversary. Morning breakfast in bed. Swimsuits and water rides at Hurricane Harbor. Luxury Brazillian Restaurant. Fro-yo.

Yours truly, Me