day 17: technology

I'm skipping day 16 cause I simply don't know how to take long exposure with my camera :(.  I'm not too tech-savvy with it. 

That said, I do depend on technology A LOT.  So, here is my "technology" pic for day 17:

My desk on this rainy afternoon.  Pretty typical.  And pretty crazy that I almost need my computer, ipad, phone, and baby monitor to get through a normal day at home!

day 15: silhouette

Yeah, I'm a little late again (this may start to be a trend on this challenge!).

This pic is from our honeymoon in Kauai...3 and a half years ago.  It's not a complete silhouette, but it works for me.

If I remember right, we were hiking (can you see our camelbacks on?).  And it was starting to get dark.  I  also remember trying to self-time all our pictures that trip.  We'd find a place to put the camera (on a rock or in a tree) and try to get the best picture possible.  Some turned out and some definitely did not!

Our trip to Kauai was one of my favorite yet.  We were still getting to know each other, experiencing our first week as a married couple.  We did have our first "moment of tension" on that trip.  Yeah, it was basically a fight :).  But I liked to just call it tension...I mean, there were not harsh words or loud voices...just some hurt feelings and pride coming to the surface.  And I can now say, I'm thankful for that tension and all the other tension (or fights) we've had in the last 3 and half years.  We've definitely learned a lot from them and grown closer to God and each other as well.  To God be the glory.  

Okay...onto some fun pics from this afternoon after church.  Pay close attention to the progression here:

Chad taking care of the girls and watching some football...so cute.

Livie mothering Emma, as she does SO well...

Emma putting her mark on the whole situation...whoa!

And about the house.  I'll get some new pics up soon.   A LOT has gotten done lately, which is awesome.  We now have all windows and doors in, the exterior beams are up and half are stained, the fireplaces are in, inside framing is happening...it's coming along!

days 13 & 14

I had a problem with my camera yesterday...so day 13 is a little late.  But here it is, better late than never.

Day 13 - yourself with 13 things:

After thinking about this one for awhile, I decided to do a little experiment.

I currently have two little ones in diapers.  And most days it feels like I'm constantly changing diapers around here.  But it is part of my job.  As a mom, I am called to be diaper changer.  And honestly, I've learned to not mind it at all.  I would rather my girls be living life in clean diapers than dirty ones - and I think that's what God would prefer too, right?  So...I change diapers!

Anyway, my experiment was to see actually how long in a day it would take to change 13 diapers.  Answer?  12 hours!

And here's my proof:

While I'm on the topic of diapers and motherhood, I just have to again recommend the book, Loving the Little Years, by Rachel Jankovic.  This little 100 page book has encouraged me and challenged me more than ever before in my attitude and role as a mom of little ones.  It is SO good and such a fun read.  Addresses the realities of motherhood as well as the hidden sins in the everyday that we don't always think about.  REAL HEART ISSUES.  Also, check out her blog, www.feminagirls.com...some awesome stuff there as well.

Onto Day 14 - Eyes:

Emma.  My brown eyed girl :).  Or so we think...do eyes change after 3 months?

I seriously cannot get enough of her lately.  She continues to be so sweet and so cuddly.  And hardly ever cries.  Sometimes I think, is she for real?  Love you little one...

catching up

Today, both girls took good naps.  I just had to take pictures of them cause they looked so sweet.  Livie's is zoomed in from the doorway, and both their rooms were pretty dark...so please pardon the quality of these pics!

So, during naptime, I found myself catching up on phone calls, emails, bills, budgets, and of course, Tami's 30 day challenge.  To be perfectly honest, I'm taking this challenge one day at a time.  In the morning, I check to see what that day's challenge is and then try to figure something out for it.  Most days, it is most definitely a challenge for me!  But this blog was started to capture a little of our day-to-day...so these pics are just going along with that :).  

Day 11 - Something Blue:

It's a blue mason jar that I got at a garage sale this summer with my mom.  Kinda fun. 

As I was sitting at the dining table working on "stuff", I was admiring the quietness of the afternoon and the $1, green flowers I had just purchased at the grocery store this morning.  It's amazing they made it home actually.  Livie was insistent in holding them during our time at the store (along with the apples, apple juice, taco seasoning, hair clips, parmesan cheese...all in her seat in the front of the cart).  And then on the way home, they were squished between the milk and cherry Coke in the back of my jeep.  But they did make it home...and made it into this fun blue jar...just to brighten my afternoon...and give me a picture for "something blue"!  

Day 12 - Sunset:  I don't have a picture one :(.  But I do have what we were doing at sunset yesterday.  Does that count?

We're not the biggest fans of Halloween.  Would definitely rather celebrate that it's also Reformation Day!  But this year we thought it'd be fun for Livie to carve a pumpkin, get dressed up, and go get a little candy.  At first she was a little unsure about it all...but as soon as she figured out the houses on our street all were giving her candy, she kept saying, "Next house, mom, next house." She's a quick one :). 

Oh, and her costume...she's a cupcake.  Perfect for her because she probably sings "happy birthday" at least 10 times a day right now.  She's just like her dad...always singing!  All day long it's either Happy Birthday, the Lord's Army, the B-I-B-L-E, or Jesus Loves Me.  LOVE IT!

10: childhood memory

My mom just gave me this picture for my 30th birthday (framed in a very cute frame might I add)!

It is my kindergarten picture.  And it brings back several memories of that exciting year :).  

Here's just one: my first day.  I remember being so nervous/anxious/excited the night before, I munched on a whole bowl of carrots my mom had set on the table for supper.  (Ha, I must have been an emotional eater at that time!).  Anyway, the next day went well and good until just after recess.  I remember my class was in a line, walking into the school building.  All of a sudden I felt really queasy.  Just as I was about to step foot inside, everything in me came out.  Yep, I puked EVERYWHERE.  Oh, I was so embarrassed!  And to my surprise (and everyone else around), my puke was completely orange...so gross!  It had to have been all those carrots...

Check out more on the 30 day challenge at Tami's blog!

9: someone you love

What do you say about someone who means SO MUCH to you?  

I've only known Chad for 4 years...and we've been married for 3 of those years.  Let's just say, I would not be who I am without Chad in my life.  

Daily, I am amazed and challenged by how he lives and thinks.  (We are opposites in MANY ways!)  He truly is one of the most gracious and compassionate men I have EVER met.  He extends Christ and His love to all he comes in contact with and does so with joy and and passion.  He is wise beyond his 32 years :)...and he makes the impossible look easy and the tough details of life fade away into the big picture.  To God be the glory...

I am so honored to be his wife.  

Thank you babe for being my leader, provider, protector, father to our girls, and gracious husband.  I love you so much.

8: a bad habit

I know I posted this picture just last month, but I couldn't resist posting it again for today :).  It just makes me laugh every time I look at it!  And, for those wondering, she is doing better about not picking her nose (esp. in public) lately.  

I promise all these pictures are not going to be Livie or about Livie.  I know I have plenty of bad habits of my own - being late, eating lots of sweets, excessively cleaning - just to name a few.  But right now Livie is pretty easy to take cute pictures of and talk about!  Love you little girl.