mae mae is ONE.

my sweetie. 

honestly....the sweetest little girl in the world. 

love love love you.

you have blessed our family SO much.

and have brought JOY to my every day.

can't get enough of you. 

feel so blessed to be your momma. 

happy birthday to my happy girl. 

is there any more room on this daddy for a baby boy?
shoulders perhaps?
LOVE this daddy!!

I decided ... to lighten things up a bit.

{before}

{after}

I am loving the new light in the kitchen with the creamy addition.
it definitely doesn't hide the dirt as well.
BUT that's ok.  the dirt was still there...i just couldn't see it before.
now i at least know to clean it.

miss mae.
you are growing up so fast. I keep telling everyone who asks - she's almost one - almost like i can't believe it myself.... {but they just take one glance at my belly and are still in disbelief that i have another one on the way}
But i know you will be the best big sister.
you are so sweet and so much fun. You are always happy and go with the flow.
I was trying to snap a picture of you cuddling with me before bed. {because i love this time with you!}
But.... you wanted to party.
You are always trying to walk.  - 6 steps so far....but you will be cruising soon.
you are starting to boogie & babble a lot.
wish i could freeze time and lock this phase in my memory forever.
you are too cute.
lOVE.

All is well. 

thank you all for the kind comments!! I so needed that. 

sometimes it feels so good to just be honest. let it out. & cry. 

I feel so much better today. 

My sweet husband helped to buoy me up & shared with me these two awesome messages!

I am reminded {once again} that i really can't do it alone. no wonder I am not measuring up...

I NEED God's help. every day. And I know i need to be better about seeking that divine help and letting it work beautifully into my life. and that my friends....is happiness. 

i have had so many posts run through my head....but alas... too many projects to get done in the meantime and i have forgotten all of which i wanted to write.

I am struggling. I don't know if it is my protruding belly or my ever expanding behind. my week of potty training. my 4 year old who doesn't listen to a word i say & who has discovered how to be aloof & talk mean to mom. or the varicose veins running/spreading all down my legs and we won't mention other places. uh hem. my TOTAL lack of patience. 100 degree weather. aches & pains. the feeling of inadequacy especially pertaining to motherhood.
is it pregnancy emotions? orneriness? lack of spirituality? or maybe all and everything afore mentioned.

All i know is... i am struggling. and i don't like it.

it's gettin toasty around these parts! Yep. and it's only April. yikes.

i think i might die this summer. lets just say.... compression tights and 115 degrees  {or anything above 90 for that matter} don't mix. 

maxi skirts are my bestest friend!! thank you for being in style. you are SAVING me. 

we went to the splash pad a couple weeks ago. and I had a moment.

I walked aways to throw away some garbage and as I gazed back I saw this scene...

it made me laugh & smile within myself and feel a pure love for these little ones.

The lyrics to a good ole country song came to mind.... 

your gonna miss this...

you're gonna want this back

you're gonna wish these days 

hadn't gone by so fast

these are the good times...

so take a good look around

you may not know this now...

but you're gonna miss this!!

amidst the daily chaos, constant mess, struggle to discipline, lack of patience....there are such sweet moments. how lucky i am to be a mom.

miss Tomi Lou is still a sweetie cuddle bug...
but she is finding her fire as well. 
she has definitely learned how to give Hugh a whack to the face. 
can you blame her?
her favorite thing is to cuddle with mommy. ALL.DAY. 
"can I mommy hold you please?" 
this girl could sit on my lap all day and would have a smile from ear to ear. 
she is now begging to go swimming all the time. we are talking starting at 630am. "can i go water go swimming  in the water please?" we are deep in swimming lessons. after the first couple days of crying through her whole lesson....she loves it now! If only we had a pool in our backyard. that would be dreamy. 

Two babies! double the trouble. AND double the JOY!!
quilts for baby girl & baby boy.
my sister is having twins!
I actually weaseled the names out of her, but i am sworn to secrecy so i can't tell.

I love how these quilts turned out!! I got the idea from a blog of course. Aesthetic Nest
and knew the minute I saw the tutorial I HAD to make it. I bought the material right away and then was in waiting to hear if my sister was having a girl. ONce the verdict was in.... I went to work.
After finishing the first quilt...I was stumped on what to do for the boy.... {boy fabric is just not as cute}
This new grey chevron material became available...and under Devin's constructive criticism I went for matching twin quilts and I am sooooo glad i did. I love love love the grey one and might just have to make one for the baby boy in MY belly.