{ just a few more }

( I extra heart any of the ones that include David's smile )

Note to the Photographer:

Leslie,

Words fail in an attempt to express just how much these pictures mean to me.

Taken in our very first home, with our very first baby.

So much is about to change, forever and for the better.

I am so glad and grateful we have these snapshots to document this sweet, sweet season of life.

Do you how much they mean to me, or how much I cherish, every single one one of them?

It's all I can do to keep from running to Target right now and buying up a frame for each one of them to hang up in every room of our house.

Thank you and I love you.

Chelle

( And one last picture as I try to treasure these last few days of my sweet little Jack being so snuggly and safe, tucked away inside..knowing we won't be a package deal for much longer now. )

Another installment of favorites...

{ More Favorites }

who am I kidding, they are all my favorites...

{ More }

{ Must Share... }

Oh my...what you are about to see
I happen to 100% adore, and then some.

All the credits go to this amazing lady...

who gifted us not only with her sweet, sweet self that weekend,

but also her incredible talent and this family photo session!

{ hero }

He made dinner the other night, while I took a nap on the couch after I had mowed 1/2 the lawn ( in flip flops ) and then later washed my grass stained feet and clipped my toenails...let me tell you, I so can not bend over these days...

Now if that's not true love I don't know what is.

So babe, when you see this, here's a little note for you:

Dear David,

I have a little list of things I love about you.

It says everything on it.

All my forever love,

Chelle

{ a little bit big }

The fact that our sweet little Jack is anticipated to arrival any day now, ( and if not any day, then any week )...just has me desperate to get this half finished post published before the days slip through my finger tips and our family is changed forever with this brand new fresh from the Lord, baby boy love...

I have had a lot of nostalgic, reflective moments in the last couple weeks where I look at Annabelle and think of how our time together, being just the three of us is winding down...I get all teared up the other day thinking of it...it was a sweet, sweet sort of sadness and realization of how fast time has gone by since the day she was born. She caught me smiling at her in the rear view mirror, through my tears and responded with this precious little question " Mommy, are you mine?" After which I really proceeded to lose it and bawled so hard I could hardly see to drive. Which then turned into an explanation of why mommies sometimes cry when were happy...

So now I am just going to jot down a series of things she's said and done in the last few weeks that I have particularly cherished...

Her quoting from Beatrix Potter's the Tale of Peter Rabbit...she totally mumbles but it's still so, so cute!

Her refusing to let us call her a " little girl." Oh it's so not allowed. She is most adamantly, beyond the shadow of all doubt, a "big girl." Or as she heart-meltingly tells David and I, she's...
" a little bit big."

Or in bed at night when she wants an extra snuggle, and she asks..." mommy can you help me hold my hand?"

Or the other day when she didn't want to stay in her room for quiet time....

Annabelle: " but mommy I am scared of my room"

Mommy: " why?"

Annabelle: " because it's messy"

This song that we've been loving...all three of us sing it at the top of our lungs together in the car...it's Anniebelle's favorite and oh so appropriate for us right now.


Her telling my dear friend the other night, when they were here as she beamed at her from ear to ear " this is how a smile goes."

Or her lifting up my shirt to kiss Jack good night and exclaiming horrified..." Oh no Mommy Jack put " scratches" on you, " referring to my stretch marks. Then yesterday she came to me with two cookie monster band aides which of course had go on my "scratches."

And so many, many other dear and funny little things every day, that just give my heart a squeeze. I hope to keep adding to this list for the rest of our pre-Jack days...but goodness are we ever getting ready/excited for him to show up and rock our world for the better.

( the rose is from a very special man in Annabelle's life who's name is Mike, and who is the very lucky fiance of one of my dearest ever since childhood friends )

{ Good Friday }

Go on up to the mountain of mercy
To the crimson perpetual tide
Kneel down on the shore
Be thirsty no more
Go under and be purified

Follow Christ to the holy mountain
Sinner sorry and wrecked by the fall
Cleanse your heart and your soul
In the fountain that flowed
For you and for me and for all

At the wonderful, tragic, mysterious tree
On that beautiful, scandalous night you and me
Were atoned by His blood and forever washed white
On that beautiful, scandalous night

On the hillside, you will be delivered
At the foot of the cross justified
And your spirit restored
By the river that poured
From our blessed Savior's side

( you can hear it here )

Today is:

waking up to birdsong
sunshine and flip flops
pulling weeds out in the front flower beds
eating all meals on the back porch
ponytails and short sleeves
strawberry limeade slushies

our knees are grass stained
and we have dirt underneath our finger nails
we are having this for dinner
both the front and back door are flung wide open
the smiles come easier and more often than usual today
a walk after dinner has been requested
to take in all the pretty blooming yards

and today we are happier than usual
and we aren't taking for granted
this pure sundrenched goodness