Catching Up With My Mom and Dad

Sorry it has taken me almost two weeks to catch up with the lovely visit of my parents. I got so many pictures of them with Zane and cousin Winston and I was so excited to post them.

My mom holding little Winston.

My Dad Holding Winston for the first time.

Of course Zane loved his Grandpa's Air-Plane rides. I don't know if he could get enough kisses and tickles from Grandpa.

Zane just loved and admired his Grammy's pearl necklace.

He loved it even more when she let him play with it and put it in his mouth to chew.

The visit was so delightful. We got to celebrate my moms Birthday while they were here. Elizabeth and I made her a custom blend liquid foundation, and a custom blend mineral powder foundation. We also had fun making a mineral blush of her choosing. On Friday they took Elizabeth and I to get our nails done. I had forgotten how nice it was to have pretty polished finger nails. Thank you so much Mom and Dad for all your love and care. You spoiled us rotten while you were here. Jon and I miss you and love you so much.

Some little man learned how to stand up in his crib while Grandpa and Grammy were visiting! He was so proud of himself when he found that he could hold himself up and even risk a couple jumps up and down.

I was so glad I was there to get pictures.

These are the roses my dad got us three girls for Valentines day.

I still have to post the pictures of my other flowers Jon got me. So many beautiful flowers in one month. Elizabeth got flowers from the church for the birth, My dad's roses, Jon's flowers, Elizabeth's roses that Benjamin sent her for their Anniversary, ( that she left here because she couldn't possibly take them on the plane with the baby.) I have a house full of lovely flowers. I have come to the conclusion that if ever I could afford it I would have flowers in the windows, and on the mantle, and dinning room table, and piano every day of my life! I'm sure you are thinking, "Wouldn't we all"

Granny and Grandpa also got us CHOCOLATE!!!!!

This is my new "Favorite" now! I love all the different flavors each chocolate has. My favorite flavor is the coffee with cream :))

I had to post some pictures of the Cutie Pie while I was posting. Can't resist his chubby face and chubby sticky hands. And those cheeks are just too cute. Jon and I can't stop kissing him. Jon is always smelling and kissing him every chance he's in his arms and of course while he is asleep. I still thank God for such a wonderful husband, best friend and father to my baby. I couldn't have gotten a better man. I tell him that I struck gold when I married him :)

Baby Shower Fun!!

Saturday morning Elizabeth and I drove over to the church for Elizabeth's baby shower. The church was so good to throw a baby shower for Elizabeth. Our friend Julie made the cake which was an art piece and I wish I could frame it. She used the tea set pattern that Elizabeth and I love so much as her design.

Little baby Winston slept through his baby shower.

Zane had fun playing with Aunty Jodi and also discovering new toys that other babies had brought to play with.

Elizabeth is now in Jacksonville getting settled with Benjamin and the baby, they left Saturday evening.

Zane misses his cousin. He loved touching and kissing baby Winston. I think we need to get him a baby brother :)

We sure are missing Elizabeth, but I am happy that she is with Benjamin and baby. I can't wait to visit their new home and new state.

We miss you cousin Winston and Sister Elizabeth we love you so much.

Many blessings and wishes on your new Journey along side your amazing hubby.

Happy Valentine's Day

I have had such a wonderful Valentines weekend. Jon and I went out on a date Friday night to Mimi's cafe. My parents watched the little lad for us. We had so much fun. We ordered the Valentines special. It was a 3 course meal and it was so yummy! I gave Jon his Valentines card which I made with much love and devotion. He loved it :) Saturday afternoon I found a beautiful bouquet of flowers and a lovely home made card with a box of chocolates and a " I love you" balloon in our bedroom from Jonathan.

I love you Jonathan. Thank you for being such a wonderful Husband and father. There is no one like you, and I am so blessed that you are the one that is mine. I love you Valentine.

I wish everyone a a wonderful Valentine's Day!

The night was dark, The moon was high, He stopped the car, She wondered Why, He moved in close, Her heart went pitter pat, He whispered softly, The tyre's flat.

Homemakers Unite

I was reading my friend Lizzy's Blog at

I'm Carried to the Table

and I just loved what she wrote. It really spoke to me and made me think about my life and it really encouraged me concerning it. Some times being home all day gives me a whole lot of emotions that I struggle with and fight down. I felt exactly as if being a wife and mom just doesn't count in this world. Well, I will let you read her words for yourself and I hope they will bless you like they blessed me. Much Love to all you dear readers :)

Homemakers Unite

By: Lizzy

a few months ago, I was in my ladies' Bible study group and through tears shared with them how transitioning from working full-time for 5 years to being at home was challenging. i would not deny it was. looking back, I can remember feeling almost guilty when we would periodically go around the room and state our name and 'what we did' for newcomers. I would sheepishly say, "I'm Lizzy and right now I'm a stay-at-home wife." not even a mom, yet! "just a stay-at-home wife"...hmm...for months after being newly-married, I really struggled with my identity. "i worked so hard all my life to get to the point of being a teacher and having an educational career. i then worked in my field for five years. now, what am i?? i need to do more, be more involved, be productive, be something..." now, let me preface this whole post by saying that staying active, productive and serving your community and church are all WONDERFUL things! it's just that my own heart's motive was not so wonderful. i felt almost useless at times because I wasn't out 'in the real world' doing something for the 'betterment of society'. although I actually loved being at home doing laundry, cleaning, cooking, having friends over, spending time in God's word on my porch, practicing with my new camera, tending to my plants, etc. i felt guilty at times for taking such delight in these simple aspects of domesticity. we have to grapple with the question: "is it really okay to shout from the rooftops that it's awesome to be a wife, mom, and homemaker??!" of course, if the Lord calls you to work outside the home for a season, He gives us such grace! He is such a big God who is not confined by our sometimes legalistic ideals and rules. and my heart is to not project a tone of condemnation for those of you who either feel a strong calling to work in some capacity outside of the home or need to work to help supplement your family income. but it is so sad to me to see my own sinful heart at times...to see how i can be so easily swayed by the priorities and thinking of this world. namely, that if i am not working outside of the home, i am 'oppressed', 'unfulfilled', bored, or unproductive. these are lies, my dear friends! if you are a young woman who has valiantly gone against the tide of our culture and the feministic mandates it aggressively places upon women, you are a hero! if you are single lady who works full-time (or part-time) and seeks to practice hospitality within your home to bless others, you are a hero! if you are a young wife who delights in cultivating a warm, hospitable home for your husband and for others who cross the threshold of your front door, you are a hero! if you are a woman who works part-time to serve your husband in supplementing his income while striving by God's GRACE to fashion a beautiful, harmonious home, you are a hero! if you are a woman who has children and is submitting to your husband's desires to work outside of the home due to serious economic circumstances while attempting to fill your home with love, order, joy, and peace, you are a hero! if you are a new mommy who has chosen to leave a 'career' behind to embark upon the glorious full-time CAREER of raising your little ones to the glory of God while keeping a home and cheering your husband on in his God-ordained calling, you are a hero! Please shout it from the rooftops! Please be a voice within our culture that so desperately wants to crush the godly ideals of marriage, home life, and the family unit! We can be proud homemakers (proud in the good sense, of course! :) and be a beacon of hope for other women out there who are seeking answers. We, who are blood-bought daughters of the King, hold the answer and it goes far beyond keeping a home, loving one man faithfully, and rearing children...the answer is the Gospel of Jesus Christ!! the Gospel is to permeate every facet of our lives, daily invade our heart and minds, direct our every step, guide our every action. it's not sinful legalistic do's and dont's (ie. you SHOULD stay home, you SHOULD have at least four kids, you SHOULD homeschool, you SHOULD use cloth diapers, you SHOULD make your own baby food, you SHOULD eat only organic, the list goes on and on!!!) it's ultimately about loving Jesus, following Him with humble hearts, being voices in the 'wilderness' of our lost culture with the life-giving message of Jesus' work, and walking in the life and victory of His redeeming, undeserving love for us!! I'm currently reading a book calledPassionate Housewives Desperate for God. it's been so encouraging for my heart as I am learning to better see the beauty of my calling as a woman. here is an excerpt that gripped my heart recently,

Jesus made Himself of no reputation. He did not seek after degrees or recognition.

He was content to stay in a tiny area and minister to a miniscule group of people whom the world viewed as insignificant. Kind of like a homemaker, under the authority of her loving husband, ministering to the children who need her.

wow. that pretty much rocked my world. yet it is filled with hope. washing the dishes, making a simple meal, picking up dirty socks, changing a diaper, kissing a boo-boo, cleaning a toilet, cleaning up other things :) being available to your husband, paying bills, running errands, washing the windows...these are all sacred acts of worship much like Jesus reaching out to touch the twisted limbs of the lame man or the crusted eyes of the blind beggar, gripping the offensive, smelly hands of the leper, washing the filthy feet of His disciples, gently lifting up from the dusty ground the half-naked woman caught in adultery. These acts were looked upon with disdain by the Pharisees...much like how the simple, seemingly mundane acts that you daily perform behind the scenes in your home are treated with disrespect and disgust by our feminist culture. Lift up your gaze and see the bigger picture. You are walking in the footsteps of Jesus Himself as you daily fulfill your calling. it is indeed a noble one. Don't hold back from proclaiming it to be so!! :)

here a link to the blog, Nourishing Days, and she wrote a post about this very topic that was quite encouraging. i pray it encourage you as well!! God bless you in this beautiful journey of pursuing your calling as a 'woman after His own heart'! He loves you!!!

Precious little Winston

ELIZABETH'S BABY'S HERE EVERYONE!!! And he's such a darling baby!

He arrived Early Saturday morning.

Elizabeth and Benjamin are such happy parents.

Zane is just now kissing and he got to kiss his little cousin!

Black and White Living Room

I have been having so much fun adding black and white in our living room.

Jon finished sewing these pillows which I love.

We found the inner - curtain material at Ikea which was 2 dollars a yard. Jon made the curtains at my request and I love them because I can see out but no one can see in.

I found these two picture frames at Hobby Lobby for 5 dollars. I can't wait to put pictures in them.

Of course I can't make a post without posting my little Lad.

He loves tasting his toes.

Grammy and Baby

Baby is having so much fun with his Grammy. He loves hearing her laugh, if he's busy driving his car, Grammy will laugh and he will stop and look up to see what she is laughing about and then smile.

I bring him in Grammy's room in the mornings and its so much fun hearing him laugh with Aunty and Grammy as I'm getting Jon's breakfast and lunch ready.

He is just now starting to kiss, he opens his mouth and sticks his tongue out when you start making the kissing noise. He kissed the phone when his Grandpapa was making kissings sounds through the phone for Zane.

Benjamin is going to be arriving soon when he hears his baby is on the way. My dad will join us also. He is excited to see both of his grand babies .

Florida Fun and More Fun

Well, we all had such a delightful time away. Our stay at the GRAND Westin was glorious. We had so much fun walking up and down all the streets outside our hotel. We had dinner one night at a spanish resteruant with really neat old world chairs and tables. The food was old world looking and tasting too.

The hotel was very grand and luxurious. Luckily Jon found a great deal through price line. We got more than 50 percent off.

We had so much fun at our conference. I was surrounded by girls, makeup, fashion. Motives introduced a whole bunch of new products that I am so excited to try.

Jon and the baby unfortunately got sick while we were gone. So strange that they got a cold in the warm weather and not the cold.

My mom was here to welcome us on our return home. We arrived to a wonderful homemade meal of roast beef with potatoes, roads rolls, gravy and spinach. The spinach wasn't really spinach but beat leaves she cooked up just like you would with spinach leaves. She added mushrooms and butter. I had three helpings of that.

Elizabeth and I have been having so much fun with our mom.

We are trying to get everything ready for the baby.

We went shopping at Walmart today which was so much fun.

We all three had shopping carts and steered our carts together looking and browsing for whatever we needed. Later we went to Hobby Lobby and spent 2 hours going through their 66 percent off aisle and the Valentines aisle ( I am so excited for Valentines Day, its one of my very favorite holidays) and then browsed through all the material. My mom is making Elizabeth a diaper bag. I have been rushing to make and finish Elizabeth's baby present which is a crochet yellowish baby blanket. I will post the pictures when I am finished.

Thank you all for your sweet comments you made on my previous posts. I love hearing from you. You are my dearest friends and I hope you know how much I appreciate your friendships.