My FIRST Baby Shower !

As you probably, could have guessed, I am back in Tennessee for a while. Yey! I have had a blast hanging out with close family and friends for the last week. We have participated in exercise classes, enjoyed a mocha or two and visited the baseball parks a couple of times.

We also have been planning a baby shower... my first!

I can't believe this wonderful mix of pink brown green and yellows, laughter friends and fun was given to me.

Ok, more like given to Elyse!

Here are some lovely pictures taken from the event.

Yes, we used skewers to make the food more festive. It worked wonderfully!

(Except I don't know how many people knew they could eat them.. ha!)

The little chinese take-out boxes were for the guests to fill with M&Ms for favors.

Mom handcrafted these by just adding a ribbon.

Here was an idea I really enjoyed using:

These little fabric flowers were perfect for our cupcake toppers. We just added a pearl to give it a more vintage feel and put it on top of a cupcake. We used the cupcakes in the place of flowers or candles, giving our decorations function as food and decor!

The tissue pom-poms were the perfect addition to the party decor since they were super easy to makes, and economical too!

The party!

Eva and I:

And can we say DELICIOUS??

These cakes have always been my favorite-- but this one was absolutely my favorite thus far (with my mother-in-laws lemon Magpie cake as a runner up)!

The gift room:

Aunt Mary and I: 

My sweet Grandpa: 

The baby measuring game

(with our winner, my Aunt Jenny!) 

Game two: Baby bingo!

The girls had to guess what I was going to open on their bingo sheets. Thus, when I opened a gift that had their guesses on there, they could mark that space.

Aunt Mary and my mama:

PS: Aunt Stacie won bingo. Yey!

Some of my girlfriends handmade my gifts, like these bibs Jenn made for Elyse.

I LOVE THEM!

Crazy Aunt Meg ;)

I think she might have started a new trend though!  

My best friend growing up, Lizzy Liz!

I think Lorato just volunteered these talented girls to make my crib sheets too!

Great idea Lo! ;)

\

Here is another handmade item by Lacey!

So amazing what these girls can do... 

Louise Barto, Lacey Jean Thompson and my dear Grandma Sue.

My precious Aunt Jenny and cousin Krissy!!

My lovely roommates (sorry Bonnie, don't kill me, but this was the best one of us all.. plus, you look like a beautiful ballerina!):

Starting from the Left: Jenna, Lorato, Loren, me, Jenn and Bonnie!

This shower was a success for sure...

That's not all!

I have a TON more from my Aunt Meg's 40th, Girls Night Out/Reunion and Matthew's Lacrosse game to post.

I will post those here shortly.

Until then....

Blessings! XOXO



Post Created Jun 3, 2011 9:13:44 AM

Does it get any better than this?

I'm sure it does, haha, but right now this just seems heavenly! I enjoyed an amazing cream cheese bagel, sipping on my chai and watching planes take off in this awesome viewing area in the Seattle airport. I think little baby girl is liking it too (she is kicking up a storm!!).

My stress is also starting to melt away, praise the lord, and I am feeling calmer from yesterday... Or a couple of hours ago really. I had a difficult time just relaxing yesterday since I was leaving for so long and much i would need to do was out of my immediate control. Very nerve racking for this Type A! I thought I was going to put my self into preterm labor with all my worries! Praise the Lord for other plans as I figured out the Eli situation: we decided to leve him behind; the trip seemed too stressful for the little guy to endure (we had wonderful friends op to take him for the night I left too- you all are so sweet! Thank you Matt and Lindsey!) I also had to think through all the ins and outs of our house for Steven, our new house tender/dog sitter for the month. This left me as a total mess... And to further enforce that fact, poor steven got a 10 page packet of EVERYTHING he might think of while staying at our house and tending to our pup. Poor guy! Haha... Yes, I can finally fill in the blank "I knew I was a mommy when..."!

Reflecting back on the trust and peace I would get in my anxious mode when I prayed, I have gauged from yesterday just how overgrown my garden has become in my trust in God. My heart has not been thriving on him, but instead, entangled in a mess of business and control. It grieved me at first to know how far I had gotten, but now i am instead grateful for the gift I have to get before him and making that a priority. I look forward to this month as there are many things I hope to restore, through spiritual diligence and endurance in Christ, to it's original beauty.

And that will come within this month as I go back to Knoxville, visiting much family and many friends along the way. I am very excited and ready for my visit to start!! Tennessee here I come!

(this is my viewing spot in the seattle airport)

There is a light at the end of my project tunnel!!!

Well, as you can observe from this picture, we have not had the most beautiful day...

Very unmotivating really.

However, we got a lot done around here, despite the yuckiness!

And, for Little Eli's sake, we still got our walk in...

even if it didn't end pretty!

My sweet friend Lacy came over last night, cooked me yummy spagetti and helped me clean my house. It was such a treat and we had the best time just being together.

Since all the housework was completed last night, I decided to get back into the woodworking and decorating (well attempted decorating). I threw this look in for our bed instead of the previous one.

It looks more put together in my opinion.

(Eventually I will figure this decorating thing out!)

Oh! And I added some shelves...

They are empty shelves, but I am hoping, upon Andrew's arrival, they will be filled once quickly with books and other wonderful items that he will bring back from his trip ;)

Here is a sneak preview of my hamper system.

I intend to put curtains on the side of it to conceal the ugly hampers and add some style to this functional piece!

 But I am in no hurry at the moment.

I finally finished the daybed! YEY!

(Please pay no attention to the ugly sheets and decor I have going on around it.. I will soon change all of this as well. But hey, its a start at least!

I gave Andrew's Philmont poster a space on the wall.

This made him very happy :)

Ok, and here is where I hit a wall. I have ABSOLUTELY no inspiration for this room.

Everytime I try something new in it, I find I really dont like it.

Luckily, it will be well used by our new dogsitter Steven for the month :)

I will work on it later.

Oh, and I did some things to the guest bath as well..

Like added a new mirror! Yey! No more yucky 3 Panel medicine cabinet mirror!

Ok, well, Eli and I are completely wiped....,

I am very thankful we are wrapping up the projects for the month, even if that means I will be continuing on in July. It's worth the break ;) I will miss my little Alaskan life and sweet puppy going back to the states for a month but I am sure just coming back to it all will make it all the sweeter!

Be praying for my Andrew as we go on day 9 of separation. It's nice to know its going so quickly, but I am already looking forward to the time we will be together again! Well, he is calling in-- gotta run!

Blessings-- XOXO

Memorial Day

Well, not too much to report. Just been hanging in there, awaiting Andrew’s calls when he is able to make them and getting things organized in our home. However, I did have a good friend call me as I finished up washing our vehicles and straightening up our yard asking to go on a walk with the dogs to the river. What a great break! I can’t tell you how much I enjoyed just throwing a stick to the dogs, enjoying the sun, and talking.

Such an amazing way to break up a gorgeous day!

Andrew called while she was here so we said some quick goodbyes as I spoke to him before he departed for missions.

Today is day 7 of Andrew’s 72 days away, and it is almost the end of Memorial Day.

Memorial Day does not really seem very celebrative when someone you love is actually overseas, involved in a battle to support and equip our troops properly. Instead, it puts a more solemn and real meaning to the American holiday. So today I just kept doing what I do and prayed for his safety.

As I went throughout Memorial Day, I remembered what previous members gave, what current military services are giving (thank you!), what our friends and family members in the service are giving/gave and what my husband and I are giving today: he, his life to the service, and me, my service to his calling here in our home. Thus, I carry on in thankfulness as I remember both the ones who gave some and the some that gave all. Thank you, everyone who serves this country, and thank you to the families who have indeed felt the real weight of losing a loved one for the freedoms and safety we enjoy today.

You are not forgotten.

(Ps: new project I completed two days ago-- yey! We are dwindling down with just a few left to go!)

Ohhhhh Saturday!

What a week!

I am sure Eli thinks so too ;)

(he wouldn't come out of bed FOREVER on friday! ha!)

We are very thankful its Saturday.

It's been a productive week and I am thankful to say I celebrated by sleeping in on my Saturday!

It is day five of Andrew's deployment. I have gotten to talk to him via skype quite a bit (so that has been nice) and I believe I have been able to run strong still without him.

(And quite literally too! Here is a picture of Eli and I on our run on base:)

 As you can probably tell, it has been ABSOLUTELY gorgeous here. The day you see pictured above was 72 degrees and sunny! I was sweating, believe it or not! I am not complaining though... its been very delightful!

We have also been back in the swing of building. As I wrote last time, the bed was progressing nicely.. and now it is complete!

Step one:

Step 2: 

Step 3: 

And today, I added a trunk to set. I am still trying to decide if I like the white or not..

BUUUUUTTTT too late now!

I hate painting so that is the color it is going to stay for a while ;)

I even updated our bathroom a little bit to feel more relaxing

(this picture is really just up for Andrew's benefit so he knows everything I have done so far in our home!) 

 Being Saturday, and Memorial Day weekend, I wanted to get Eli and I out of the house and do something adventurous! Sooooo we went to the Turnagain Arm in south Anchorage with plans to bike ride.
However, as we were driving out, we started getting a decent amount of rainfall... then it became overcast and just plain blah. Once we go there, we found NOBODY was really out there either (which gave it an eery feel) and made me uncomfortable...

And then there was this LOVELY little sign that read 'Don't have a Bad Bear Day'!

Every scenerio, good to bad, of bear encounters were listed for your reading digestion was listed on this bulletin board...

Don't get me wrong:

I did end up enjoying a walk with Eli at the Turnagain Arm....

But we only did so for about 10 minutes and then ran back to the car!!!

I am just not to that point of independence and adventure yet here in Alaska.

AND ESPECIALLY NOT BY MYSELF!
.. besides, I really didn't want to end up like that guy who didn't tell anyone when he went hiking and ended up sawing his own arm off.....

NO thank you.

Until I get to know Alaska a little more intimately, I probably won't do anymore of these hikes!

As we drove back, I did get a picture of a passing train:

It was kind of hard to do though since it was coming so fast and I was attempting to maintain safe driving all at the same time!

Pretty cool!

And speaking of cool, the overcast day gave off a good chill...

So yes, guilty as charged: I did stop for a mocha on the way back from that cold trip.

But it was well worth the stop ;)

Ironically enough, we got home, I started building again and it turned out to be a BEAUTIFUL afternoon!

Ha!

So Eli and I went on another short walk

(since I did owe him a much longer walk than he actually got today!)

So pretty! 

Ok, here's the fun part:

Where in the world is Andrew today?

You guessed it!

ITALY!!!

AGHGHHHHHHHHH!

If anyone knew just how much time and energy I put into planning a trip to Italy for us while we were in Oklahoma, only to have it postponed, KNOWS just how much I envy him!

Ha!
Actually, I haven't been that jealous ;) (surprisingly enough!)

AND I have really enjoyed seeing all the pictures from his adventure

(however, he DOES know and WILL acknowledge he now owes me a trip to Italy now. No exceptions!)

Here is a castle he visited in Venice: 

This is the flower garden! Isn't this absolutely gorgeous??? 

Here is one of Duino, Italy:

SOOO PRETTY!

He was pretty spoiled while he was there too: four course meals, italian wine, REAL tiramisu and gelato! A beautiful new hotel to stay in with its own balcony!

AGH!

He did think outside his adventure enough get something for baby girl though (he is not all a bad guy you know-- jk!)

OH!

An update on Eli: He went into his crate today... TWICE!

Yes, I did kind of have to eventually use a 'gentle' shove to actually get him entirely in the cage,

but once he was in, he really took his time getting out!

This is HUGE progress!

PRAISE GOD!

I just want to thank God for that miraculious moment and thank everyone who has been praying for this to happen as well!

YEY!

Tennessee here we come!

Well, I suppose that is all for now. I have two more projects I am trying to complete currently, so I am going to get back at it. I hope to finish it by tomorrow-- but we will see. I can't wait :)

More to come soon!

Blessings--- XOXOXO--

What a Wednesday....

Wow, what a Wednesday. It has been a busy one, but a beautiful one as well! I am glad I was able to enjoy a little bit of it :

 Currently, I am wrapping up the building projects. Getting out of the rhythm of building on a daily basis can really set you back in progress! O well… it’s been worth the pause.
I hope to get these suckers painted and ready for assembly by tomorrow! We will see...

Our farm house bed (will have a canopy addition soon):

Here is the Sawhouse changing table, the entryway bench, the entryway hanging shelf and part of the daybed... Phew! I need to wrap this hobby up:

its wearing me out just LOOKING at it!

This is day 1 of the 72 days that Andrew will be M.I.A. in our home. However, it has been really good to Facetime (got to LOVE new technology!) and talk to him about his trip. He got to visit some of our really good friends that are stationed in Delaware right now too. What fun! I am so thankful for friends that go out of their way really make us feel special—friends like that are a gift from God. So thank you Jake and Ash for being angels and coming to see Andrew! My turn next!! Haha!


Speaking of great friends, I had so many people text/call to check on me yesterday with Andrew’s departure. I am overwhelmed with everyone’s thoughtfulness and genuine care— thank you all! You are blessings from God!


Well, since we are finished with our series I decided I would go over the additional sections today that Sarah includes in the devotional about cleaning and hospitality. I will start with the hospitality chapter, and tomorrow, I will list the tips for keeping a clean home.


Want a clean house? Sarah says make a goal to entertain every weekend. And while you want to have a clean and sanitary place for them to come into, don’t sweat the big stuff. Instead, aim to just make it comfortable. People really desire that over an OVERCLEANED, elaborately decorated house.


Also, here are some tips to help encourage you in balancing a healthy hospitable home:


1. Organized: make it a habit at night for everyone to pick up their “stuff”; also, make a habit to clean the kitchen before bed as well.


2. Cleaning: Aim to do a chore a day (helps maintain a clean feel to the home).


3. Bathrooms: Always have one bathroom clean for people to use.


4. Ambience: Make sure you have one room where company can hang out and mingle; use a room you feel good about. Make it warm and cozy (use candles, blankets, pillows, pictures and fresh flowers to give it life!)


5. The Table: Know where your tablecloths, napkins, extra dishes, candles, etc are located. Make sure it is always ready for entertaining.


Hospitality should be authentic and make others feel welcome. It has nothing to do with the physical state of the home, but everything to do with making others feel cared for.


So there is your cleaning and hospitality encouragement!

My eyelids are currently in the process of closing, so I am going to move towards bed… even though it isn’t anywhere near dark outside (The above picture was taken at 10:00pm)

Oooooooo Alaska!

Blessings-- XOXO