Spring

It's official. Spring is here and my heart has butterflies. My favorite time of the year. I remember as a child going on walks with my Mom during spring time. Sometimes I couldn't keep up with her pace so I would sit along side the gravel road and throw skipping stones into a little stream, oh to go back to the simpler days of life.The sun is shining outside today and it's shining in my heart as well. I'm learning to live in the moment because there are no guarantees in life. I'm learning this from the twists and turns my life has recently been on. But that's for another post. My sister suprised me with a bouquet of tulips and it looks beautiful on my table. I think the tulips know it's spring as well, they bloomed last night. I hope this post finds everyone in a happy, "springy" mood as well. Enjoy life - it's beautiful.

Waiting

Something Beautiful
By - Needtobreathe

In your ocean, I'm ankle deep
I feel the waves crashing on my feet
It's like I know where I need to be
But I can't figure out, yeah I can't figure out

Just how much air I will need to breathe
When your tide rushes over me
There's only one way to figure out
Will you let me drown, will you let me drown?

Hey now, this is my desire
Consume me like a fire, 'cause I just want something beautiful
To touch me, I know that I'm in reach
'Cause I am down on my knees
I'm waiting for something beautiful
Oh, something beautiful

And the water is rising quick
And for years I was scared of it
We can't be sure when it will subside
So I won't leave your side, no I can't leave your side

Hey now this is my desire
Consume me like a fire, 'cause I just want something beautiful
To touch me I know I that I'm in reach
Cause I am down on my knees
Waiting for something beautiful
Oh, something beautiful

In a daydream I couldn't live like this
I wouldn't stop until I found something beautiful
When I wake up I know I will have
No, I still won't have what I need

Hey now this is my desire
Consume me like a fire, 'cause I just want something beautiful
To touch me I know that I am in reach
Cause I am down on my knees
I'm waiting for something beautiful
Oh, something beautiful

Stamp Camp

Last evening my Mom, Sister, and I enjoyed a night out at a Stamp Camp put on by Melissa P. For those of you who don't know, it's called Stampin' Up and we make homemade cards. Melissa had so many fun and new ideas that we got to use and these are some of the cards we made. I enjoyed my night so much last night that it made me go downstairs to dig out all of the card stuff I have at home but had put in a box and have barely used. My Mom is the person who got me started on all of this and her "at home" collection of supplies is way bigger than mine, however I hope catch up with her someday :)

I have realized in the past couple of weeks just how thoughtful and touching a card can be. I want to give that feeling to others as I have been blessed by receiving that feeling the past couple weeks following the loss of our baby. Enjoy the cards.This "Thinking of You"card used a watercolor wand which was a new technique that was really neat.

The Happy Birthday whale card is probably my favorite, it is complete with "water" (hair gel) in front of the whale, how fun for a child birthday.

I love the color scheme on this "Let's Celebrate" card, it is complete with glitter and all.

This "Thank You" card used a large stamp which we embossed to give it that rich textured look.

Missing Our Angel...

"I thought of you and closed my eyes,

And prayed to God today.

I asked what makes a Mother,

And I know I heard Him say:

A mother has a baby,

This we know is true.

But, God, can you be a mother,

When your baby's not with you?

Yes, you can he replied,

With confidence in his voice.

I give many women babies,

When they leave is not their choice.

Some I send for a lifetime,

And others for a day.

And some I send to feel you womb,

But there's no need to stay.

I just don't understand this God,

I want my baby here.

He took a breath and cleared his throat,

And then I saw a tear.

I wish thay I could show you,

What you child is doing today,

If you could see your child smile,

With other children who say:

We go to earth and learn our lessons,

Of love and life and fear.

My mommy loved me oh so much,

I got to come straight here.

I feel so lucky to have a mom,

Who had so much love for me.

I learned my lessons very quickly,

My mommy set me free.

I miss my mommy oh so much,

But I visit her each day.

When she goes to sleep,

On her pillow's where I lay.

I stroke her hair and kiss her cheek,

And whisper in her ear.

"Mommy don't be sad today, I'm your baby and I'm here."

So you see my dear sweet one,

Your children are Ok.

Your babies are here in My home,

They'll be at heaven's gate for you.

So now you see what makes a mother.

It's the feeling in your heart.

It's the love you had so much of,

Right from the very start.

Though some on earth may not realize you are a mother,

until their time is done.

They'll be up here with Me one day,

And you'll know that you're the best one!"

We love you and miss you so much our sweet, sweet baby.

Love,

Mommy & Daddy

Master Bedroom Renovation

The master bedroom renovation is COMPLETE :) Well, it still needs some decorations but it's mostly done. We had too many netural browns in our house so we decided to liven it up and paint yellow and accent with red bedding. There was a chair rail and crown molding that we also removed. Things went really smoothly. Neither of us has ever had an actual bedroom set which we now do, it's so nice to have the added storage.

BEFORE:

AND AFTER:

Now we brainstorm on our next renovation - the nursery :)

We're PREGNANT!

Wow - where do I begin?! What a whirlwind of emotions flowing through my pregnant body :) Brady & I are going to be a Daddy and a Mommy. Let me allow that to sink in... I can't believe this day is here and I'm experiencing it with my husband & best friend, what a blessing from God. I will never forget the look on Brady's face after seeing the test that said "pregnant". He was glowing with an ear to ear grin and was so excited to be a daddy. He said that he had to pick my jaw up off the ground but I don't know about that. We have been through so much and have grown up together and now this new chapter in our life begins, a chapter we've dreamed of since so long ago.

We had a positive pregnancy test (okay who am I kidding, I took 4 tests! and threatened to make Brady take one to make sure they were working correctly) and I couldn't believe my eyes. At that moment I fell in love. I fell in love all over again with my high-school sweetheart who was standing next me so proud, supportive and excited and I fell in love with this little one inside of me. We had an early ultrasound on January 11 and were able to see the baby's heart beating at 128-131 beats per minute, what a little miracle. How amazing is our God. This was such a reminder of how precious and fragile life is. I was in awe over the God we serve, He can form a brand new body inside of me and make it's TINY heart beat. The pixels on the ultrasound screen were dancing as we saw our babies heart beating and the "pixels" in my heart were also dancing with joy. At the ultrasound I was 7 weeks along and the baby was the size of a blueberry or peanut. I am 8 weeks along right now and the baby is now the size of a kidney bean.

After having feelings of joy, I had feelings of sadness as my sister-in-law Alissa had a miscarriage in November. We have grown close and live 3 houses apart and would have been due one month apart from each other. Wade, Alissa's husband is Brady's twin brother. I know it's not my place to question God, but I did. I thought of cousins being one month apart and neighbors, how amazing would that be. I also thought of going through our pregnancies together and the support that would have offered. I still feel I am grieving this loss. I need to trust God and know that He is the one in control, we are not and His plan is perfect as well as His timing. Wade & Alissa are going to be a wonderful Daddy & Mommy someday I know they will. What a blessing that our child will get to have an aunt and uncle as perfect and loving as Wade & Alissa. I write this with tears welling up in my eyes. I love you both so much Wade & Alissa.

We told our families yesterday with this poem:

"Roses are red, Violets are Blue,

There's someone anxious to meet all of you

We know you've been hoping, your wish has come true

A new baby is coming, In August we're due!"

My parents were very surprised and my sister immediately started crying - she promised me they were "happy tears" and I know they were. I am so glad to have my family in town with all the support they offer. Brady's parents/family were equally as surprised and excited. I'm so glad to have them in town as well.

We covet prayers right now that everything will continue to go as God plans.

Christmas Blessings

We were truly blessed this Christmas season and were able to make it to almost all of our family gatherings despite the 20+ inches of snow. The only place we didn't make it was to Alcester to see my Dad's side. I am so reminded of how fortunate I am to live this close to family, I think I was especially reminded of this because of hearing how so many people couldn't get to their family with the weather being as it was. I take it forgranted way to often...and I shouldn't!

Our house was bustling on December 26 as we had the Kroeze party at our house. We enjoyed tons of good food and had fun opening presents. I loved how our house felt that day as so many days it's quiet...it reminds me of how I hope our house will be someday :)

Another highlight was the first annual Ugly Christmas Party Sweater we had on my Mom's side. There were even prizes and voting. My cousin Lara won (rightfully so) as her sweater came stocked with a battery pack and all, that's right, it had Christmas lights built in. Second place went to my brother-in-law Lee who even sported a comb-over...probably the funniest I've seen him look in a long time. I took third place with a sweater that had one shoulder pad. My parents even participated as well as my aunt...it was just plain funny to see people dressed like that.

My favorite Christmas party however was on December 19 with my immediate family. I love how close knit of a family we are and how everyone can just be themselves. It's good old fashioned family time that I enjoy so much...it seems like every Christmas I leave with such a stomach ache from all the laughter, what a blessing. As a little girl growing up I can remember Christmas traditions at the Warner house that many are still in affect today. My Mom would always read a book about the Christmas Story, how thankful I am that my parents took the time to teach me the real meaning of the season at such a young age. The older I get, the more appreciative I am of my parents.