multitude monday.

56. date night with my husband. the comfort of just being together.
57. pei wei take out.
58. gift cards.
59. farm fresh eggs.
60. moscoto. my new favorite wine. maybe because it tastes like spiked apple juice. yum.
61. sleeping in.
62. sunday morning waffles. with real maple syrup filling all the warm, crispy ridges.
63. bella's chubby cheeks. i'm obsessed with them. especially when she's teething and they're all nice and rosy.
64. having to turn the heat on in the morning. i like to remember it's still winter here in dallas despite what the 70 degree temperature has lead me to believe.
65. warm naan.
66. rubber duckies, bubbles and big girl baths.
67. hulu. we gave up cable and dvr when we had bella. hulu reminds me that god provides sometimes for even our "wants"; like getting watch our favorite tv shows together when we can't during the week. trivial, i know... but i like that god remembers the trivial sometimes. he's good like that.

some blog style.

for your viewing pleasure, my lovely readership.

finally... got some new pics up and revamped my blog a bit. let's face it; it was getting a bit blah and outdated. i love blogging, but i just don't know much about technology. so, during bella's nap time this morning i decided to put on my explore-blogging-technology-thinking-cap and try to manage some sort of a face lift.

voila.

here is the finished product! i am one happy girl. hope you enjoy.

i added some labels to make it easier for you to search for various things, such as recipes or other topics of interest.

i know, i know. i am so talented. (yeah righhhht. way behind the times.)

so, same blog... same recipes, same posts, same craft/decor ideas, same pics... just updated a wee bit and wayyyyy more stylish.

enjoy!

ps. all of my photos on the right hand side (except for our wedding one) are lovely creations by none other than {aka} photography and the talented amanda guevara. look her up on facebook and if you're in the dallas area book her TODAY!

thursday three.

ahhhhh, the thursday three. yes, i'm fully aware that it is--indeed--friday. i know i kept most of you waiting with baited breath. and i apologize.


here we go.


nick
{a disclaimer: i haven't actually asked nick what his highlight was this week, so this is pure speculation on my part. however, i will do my best to name a few so that i will inevitably hit his top moment eventually}
i'd venture to say that one of nick's top highlights of the week was guy time. my poor husband is outnumbered in our household at the moment... and is also in the middle of basketball season, coaching a team full of high school girls. so i'd say any time he can hang out "with the guys" is a good thing. he was able to get away and play basketball with some friends on saturday and on sunday night after church, he had some additional "guy time" with his best buds playing this really-stupid-board-game-where-they-trade-stuff-like-wheat-and-bricks (settlers, anyone??) geesh. anyway, i was really happy for him this weekend to get some good time with friends because i know how hard he works during the week, it's good to have some down time on the weekends. he also got to spend saturday morning with bella while i had some girl time. i know it's always a highlight for him when he gets to hang with his lil girl. he seriously is the *best* dad it makes me want to cry just typing this post. bella loves her daddy! the smile that comes across her face every time she sees him at the end of the day, and how she kicks her little feet in excitement is a top moment of every day for nick. they are so cute together :)


meg
as previously mentioned, i had some lovely "girl time" on saturday morning. one of my sweet friends left this week to start a new nanny job in nyc. so a few of us girls met at one of our apartments for breakfast saturday morning. any time i get to hang out with girls is refreshing to my soul... and as much as i *love* my daughter, it is a wonderful thing to get to go places without lugging half of our apartment with us; or trying to keep her entertained the entire time. it was a nice break for mama! i've also been working hard to incorporate exercise back into my life... and it's been soooo nice. i'm a huge fan of the "30 day shred" with jillian michaels. if you're looking for a good, quick workout to do at home, this is your new bff.


bel
our sweet girl is changing by the minute. this has been my most favorite stage so far... she is just so fun! this week, there are three highlights for little bella grace: first, we have a tooth! nick&i have been on "tooth-watch" lately, as her four front teeth look like they are about to pop through. she has been putting anything and everything in her mouth to chew on... her favorites include our noses and chins. lovely. just on tuesday i put my finger in her mouth and felt along her gums to find a sharp lil tooth that had finally poked through! secondly, our sweet little one has taken a while to develop her leg strength. her auntie gret has lovingly described her as a "rag doll" while trying to get her to stand. she is just such a peanut!!! i have put her in her jumper every morning for the past few months to try to develop those lil legs and it has finally paid off. just this week, while the girls were over one night, bella stood like she had been doing it for years. she grabbed onto our friend, kristin's fingers and stood for a while, looking around at everyone like "what? i'm standing, what?" so cocky-like. love it. and lastly, she took her first big-girl bath this week in the rub-a-dub-tub. can't believe it. she loved it. she chases the bubbles, trying to grab them and kicks and splashes the entire time. our girl is fearless. and she is growing... and we love watching her change, her personality emerge and the sparkle in her eyes while she discovers new things. love her so much!


and there you have it, folks... another thursday three. tune in next week... same time, same place. i will leave you with a few photos of bella's big week.

what's for dinner tonight {feta stuffed chicken}.

feta cheese is one of my favorite things. yum, yum, yum. so i'm not a super huge fan of martha stewart, but this recipe tempts me to become one. it's a super easy recipe that results in a super delish and a-bit-of-a-fancy dish to make for your special someone one night or for yourself if you want a lil treat. my sis and i also made it for our entire family (all six of the adults) when we were all together over christmas. it's really soooo good.

try it tonight. and thank martha, not me (although you can thank me for posting).

feta stuffed chicken

* 4 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves (6 to 8 oz each)

* 3/4 c. crumbled feta cheese

* 1 t. dried oregano (basil works well, too if you like that better)

* salt and pepper to taste

* 2 T. olive oil

* 1/2 c. chicken stock (martha says to use homemade... which might be alot easier if you get paid to spend allllllll day cooking. for the rest of us, i say store bought)

* juice of half a lemon

* 2 T. butter

-in a small bowl, combine feta and oregano.

-hold chicken breast in the palm of your hand and use a knife to cut a pocket: start at the thicker part of the breast and pivot the knife, creating a deep pocket that will keep the other side of the chicken breast intact.

-stuff pockets with the feta mixture; season both sides of each chicken breast generously with salt&pepper.

-heat oil in large skillet over medium-high heat. add chicken and heat for 6-7 minutes on both sides. cover skillet and cook until chicken is opaque and in instant read thermometer reads 160 degrees when inserted into the thickest part of the chicken. remove chicken, keep warm.

-add chicken stock to the skillet and cook, using a wooden spoon to scrape brown bits from the bottom of the pan. allow to reduce slightly. add lemon juice and butter. reduce heat to low and cook until butter is melted and sauce is thickened. serve chicken drizzled with pan sauce.

i serve this dish with grilled asparagus and it is *fabulous*.

enjoy!

multitude monday.

47. breakfast with girlfriends; girl talk + coffee? yes, please.
48. my hazelnut scented candle.
49. the swiffer and clorox wipes... two of my favorite cleaning aids.
50. spider mums from the husband.
51. dressing up my baby girl in cute gap *clearance* dresses.
52. blueberries&cheerios.
53. crockpot dinners.
54. seeing a sweet note written to me on our foggy bathroom mirror from a cute guy i know.
55. striped baby tights. and chubby baby thighs.

thirtieth birthday three.

i'm bringing back the "thursday three" (i know, i know... you've missed it). this week will be a little different. it will be all about my thirtieth birthday celebrations last week. i'm going to try to condense it down into three points... here goes.

so i turned thirty last thursday. those of you that are "bachelor" fans and have been watching this season, you'll appreciate when i say: not twenty nine... not thirty one... but thirty. (thank you, crazy michelle.) nick spoiled me and made it so special. here are the top three moments.

1. our beloved, maggianos.

after i got home from work thursday night, nick had lined up his mom to babysit bel and we headed to our favorite special occassion spot: maggianos. YUM. it works out rather perfectly that it's one of our most loved restaurants and a popular gift card choice for parents to give the teachers for christmas presents at first baptist academy. ahhhh, our favorite foods for free?? even better. we dined on our favorites: bruchetta, chopped salad, chicken&spinach manicotti and creme brulee for dessert. throw in a tasty pomegranate martini and good conversation with a handsome man and you have one happy birthday girl.

2. mall date.

yes please. on saturday we dropped bella off at nick's parents for overnight and when we got back in the car, nick looked at me and said "wanna go shopping?" yes, he knows the way to my heart. we walked around the mall (my favorite mall that is nothing but outlet stores. love it!) for a bit and purchased a couple shirts from jcrew and gap. two of my favorites. it was perfect.

3. surprise!

we left the mall and got in the car to go to dinner. when we were about fifteen minutes away, nick asked me to close my eyes so i would be surprised. when i opened them, we were in one of our favorite areas of dallas: the bishop arts district. those of you that live in dallas... you have to come here if you haven't already. we love it! quaint little shops and restaurants and plenty of hole-in-the-wall places which we are huge fans of. one of our fav restaurant there is a trendy lil pizza place that has oh-so-delish-thin-crust pizza... with toppings like pancetta and goat cheese. YUM. nick lead me upstairs to where all of our good friends were waiting. so. fun. we stayed up that night until almost two oclock in the morning, and since we were bella-free we got to sleep in until almost noon. happy birthday to me.

i am very excited to be thirty... my life has only gotten better and richer and more blessed with each season, so i can only anticipate what the lord has in store for the years to come.

mama confessions.

i feel as though it is a "mom trap"... or let me rephrase... a "human trap" to present our lives as though we have everything together. when i woke up this morning, i was faced with the overwhelmingness that is my life right now. our apartment is a wreck. i haven't exercised since who-knows-when. every day i struggle to fit my time with jesus in. it is the end of january and i still feel like i'm getting back into a routine since the holidays. and in some sense, still feel like i'm adjusting to life as a mom. and bella turns eight months old today. (eight months?! where has time gone).

anyone??? please tell me i am not alone!

so here are my mama confessions. lest you think i have it all together.

1. as previously stated, i haven't exercised in a very long time. this is partially due to the state of extreme discomfort&pain that my body was in for months after having bella. but still, i hate it. trying to figure out where to fit that into my daily routine so i can get this bod toned and in shape before swimsuit season... or before i get pregnant again, whichever comes first (kidding, kidding!).

2. i haven't painted my toenails in probably two months. i partially blame winter. and close-toed shoes.

3. i cry everytime i pack away clothes bella has outgrown.

4. if someone could pay me to be a wife, a mom, decorater of our home, meal planner, professional blogger, cook and crafter, i would be as happy as a clam. all the other responsibilities (ahem... cleaning) i would gladly hire someone else to do.

5. speaking of cleaning, i always make sure our apartment is neat and picked up. but finding the energy to clean each week is a chore for me. i am constantly busy and on the go with my part time jobs throughout the week (i work 20+ hrs a week which i am BEYOND thankful for) our mornings at home all i want to do is snuggle with bella, read to her and play with her. i would be perfectly fine if i spent her naptime only drinking coffee, reading, blogging, eating breakfast and watching morning talk shows.

6. i cried the week i stopped nursing.

7. i *thought* i had lost allllll my pregnancy weight... then i found out a couple weeks ago that the scale i was weighing myself on was wrong. ehhhhh. still only have about six pounds to lose. but still. annoying.

8. i kiss bella's cheeks at least thirty five times a day. at LEAST.

9. i wish that nick could get paid to stay at home and hang out with us. i am always sad on mondays when he goes back to work. we miss him!!

10. i think i am about three months behind on bella's baby book. i have a running list in my mind of everything i need to record and write down. ridiculous! this isn't supposed to happen until at least your second baby... my poor future children...

11. i have all the ingredients to make sugar cookies in my pantry. i was meaning to make them for the girls on nick's basketball team... before christmas break. ooops.

phew. glad i got all of that off my chest. am i alone in all of these things? please, other mamas... help me out here.

what's for dinner tonight {chicken zucchini alfredo}.

well, it's no secret that i l-o-v-e the food network. when we had cable, it's pretty much all i watched (okay, except for "keeping up with the kardashians"...) but anyway. if there was a way we could order cable and only pay for the food network and espn, nick and i would be fully on board.

(hear our pleas, direct tv?)

i love ellie krieger, a food network chef. she is a nutritionist and always has really healthy, low cal recipes that are right. up. my. alley.

this one is great because, well, i love chicken, zucchini and alfredo sauce, so it's perfect. and a way to make healthy pasta alfredo? yes, please.

i think another recipe i have for fettucine alfredo cooking light style is even better, but i liked the fresh zucchini in this one, so give it a try! and i'll post the other one later.

chicken zucchini alfredo

* salt&pepper

* 3 T. olive oil

* 2 cloves garlic, minced

* 2 zucchini, thinly sliced into half moons

* 4 skinless, boneless chicken breasts

* 12 oz. whole wheat fettucine (i used linguine)

* 1 T. flour

* 1 c. cold skim or low fat milk

* 1/2 c. nonfat evaporated milk

* 3/4 freshly grated parmesan cheese

* 1/4 c. fresh parsley, chopped (i used dry parsley and just added alot less)

- bring a large pan of salted water to a boil.

- heat one T. of olive oil over medium heat, add one clove garlic and sautee for 30 seconds. add zucchini, cover and cook until tender. set aside in a bowl.

- in same pan, heat another T. of olive oil. season chicken with salt and pepper and cook until done (approx. 2-3 minutes on both sides). transfer to a plate.

- cook pasta in boiling water, drain, reserving 1/2 c. cooking water. return pasta to cooking pot.

- in a small bowl, whisk milk and flour together. place the remaining one T. of olive oil and one clove of garlic in pan and sautee over medium-high heat for about 30 seconds. add flour-milk mixture and bring to a boil, stirring constantly. reduce heat to low and cook, stirring, for about 2 minutes.

- add evaporated milk, 1/2 t. salt and cheese and stir until melted.

- cut chicken into strips, add to pasta. mix in zucchini, sauce, parsley and pasta water if needed to loosen.

enjoy! your tummy and your waistline will be happy.

crafts are not just for old ladies.

yes, i said it. and i believe it: crafts are not just for old ladies (although i did just turn 30... so maybe some people would consider me to be an old lady...)

when i was little, i always had creative projects going on. always. i cross-stitched. i colored and drew. i loved to bake. and i had multiple notebooks that i would write stories in... i wanted to be an author (which, by the way, is something i've been thinking more about lately. i mean, apparently all you need to do is write a book about vampires falling in love for a bunch of teenaged girls and you are set for life. LIFE.)

over the years, i became guarded and self-conscious. i didn't want to create things unless i knew that i was going to be good at it... ahhhhh, perfectionism. such a kill-joy.

perhaps one of the greatest challanges to me since becoming a stay-at-home mom is finding ways to not lose my identity and sense of who i am. i always want to be growing, creating, and finding new ways to enjoy life and evolve in the woman i am. not just the important ways (growing more in my love for and knowledge of jesus, finding ways to minister to others, becoming a better wife, growing as a mom, etc) but in little ways too.

so... i decided to bite the bullet and, in turn, i got bitten...by the craft bug.

{yes, craft bugs do exist}

when christmas was coming around the corner, nick&i looked over our finances and decided we would need to be real creative with christmas gifts this year. so, i decided to make things. and it was really fun. and i think it was special to those that recieved our handmade gifts (again: i think so).

here are a few of my creations...

- flower hair clips!

some organza ones...



and some felt ones...




- a picture frame (with an organza flower, covered button and some rosettes... don't be fooled: that's NOT bel and me in the frame. just wanted to clear up any confusion.)

- a cake plate stand (i forgot to take a picture of the one i made, but this is what it looked like; minus the crystal knob in the center)

- hand-stitched felt pillows for my nephews

a texas rangers one for wyatt...

and an owl one for jude...

bella's naptimes became very productive for me... although not so productive for my chores around the house. oh well. i'm hoping to perfect these creations soon and add others so i can start an online botique with my sis! we've already made some really *cool* jewelry and we're trying to build up an inventory to "open" in time for christmas shopping next fall. jude&bella coming soon... you will SO want to shop there.

jesus loves me, this i know.

"for god so loved the world, he gave his one and only son that whoever believe in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." (john 3:16)

a couple of months ago, nick and i sat in complete shock and horror as we watched a secular newsreporter interview the people of westboro baptist church for a television documentary. we. were. stunned.

stunned.

even now as i think about this church and what it stands for, my stomach feels sick. we sat, staring at the television, as we watched the church's parishoners excitedly (yes, excitedly) tell someone that they were going to hell because "god hated them." i'm sure you've heard of them by now, but this church is so full of hate and twistedness that they protest fallen soldiers funerals, mocking their grieving families.

how does the gospel and love and grace of jesus become so twisted? and how can people believe such hate and ignorance as truth?

i am embarrassed that these people call themselves a "church".

{note to anyone who is completely turned off to god because of church-goers like these: this is NOT jesus. this is corrupted, sinful man. this is NOT the gospel. this is human ignorance and deception. this is NOT truth. this is absolute-perversion-of-the-truth}

thank goodness jesus is NOT the church. the church is made up of people. sure, people striving to be more like christ. but still, people, nonetheless. and people will always let us down.

now, allow me a few seconds to get my thoughts together and my blood to cool from it's boiling point...

okay. i think i'm ready.

as much as this congregation of people angers me, and as much as i *completely* and wholeheartedly (notice my enthusiasm as i state this!) disagree and abhor what they are saying and what they stand for, i pray that i can have compassion on these people. clearly, they are lost. they have chosen to believe lies instead of truth. and how often do i become prey to the same trap?

the past couple of weeks i have been struggling with fear. thank goodness i now know how to better work through my fear then i did a few years ago so that it doesn't completely overtake me (thanks to god's healing work on my heart and a wonderful counselor)... but i have moments where i slip back into a fearful mindset. it usually happens around the new year, as i anticipate what the next 12 months will hold. i think too much. i try to prepare myself for whatever *may* be around the corner. and sometimes i just need to trust. and trust is where it gets tricky for me. that's where the fear sets in.

{you're thinking to yourself right about now... and this girl used to get paid to counsel other people??! yes i did... and i'm a big believer in knowing your brokenness and allowing god to use you... not in spite of, but sometimes because of}

as i spent some quiet time with god this morning while bella was still sleeping, i talked to him about all the lies that are in my head. because when i believe the lies, i give into my fears. lies that i can't really trust god. lies that he doesn't really have good plans in store for my future. lies that if i trust him with the unknown future, the bottom will somehow fall out.

does this sound like the god of the bible?? the god who "LOVES me with an everlasting love and draws me in with loving-kindness" (jer 31:3). the god who says "you are precious and honored in my sight and i love you" (is. 43:4). the god who delights in me (zeph 3:17), knows every hair that is on my head (luke 12:7), formed me in my mothers womb and ordained all of my days (psalm 139) and satisfies my desires with good things (psalm 103:5)?

no, sometimes my god sounds much more like the god of the westboro baptist church. and i know that's not god at all.

i know i need to continually cling to scripture to remind myself of the TRUTH of who god is. my god does not hate, he loves. he does not destroy, he redeems. today i have been *overwhelmed* with love for my pudgy little daughter. this morning i stood in the kitchen while i was getting her bottle ready, tears in my eyes as i watched her sitting on the floor, playing with her toys and babbling to herself. every few seconds, she'd turn around to gaze at me just to make sure i was still there. laughter would dance in her eyes, and her face broke out in the sweetest smile just to know that i was there... i hadn't left her, i was going to feed her, take care of her, love on her, and provide for her. all day god has been saying to me: "this love you have for your daughter? it's only a fraction of the love i have for you."

if i remember god in that way, it's much easier to trust. of course i would be scared to trust a god who hates, a god who is full of only wrath, a god who doesn't care about me or my fragile heart?

i leave you with the sweetest picture. i just checked on bella, sleeping in her crib and i took this. it's a reminder to me of how peacefully she sleeps, knowing she is loved... trusting that she is being provided for...

...and this is how i can rest in my heavenly father; fully knowing that he is a god who LOVES; for the bible tells me so.

"for i know the plans i have for you, declares the lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future. then you will call upon me, and come and pray to me. you will seek me and find me when you seek me will all your heart." (jer. 29:11-13)

multitude monday.

37. when it snows in dallas. always very exciting.
38. watching snow flurries out the window while i am warm and cozy on my couch, still in my pajamas.
39. peeking in on my sleeping baby all cuddled in her crib and fighting the urge to pick her up and squeeze her because she is just SO CUTE!
40. date nights with nick and restaurant gift cards that he got from his students as christmas gifts.
41. olive garden salad&breadsticks.
42. target up&up brand diapers.
43. watching bella eat puffs! her first finger food.
44. getting in bed at night with nick and watching "friends". it's our nighttime ritual. love. it.
45. first baptist academy for giving nick a snow day today... and us another day to spend as a family.
46. mango martinis.

what's for breakfast this morning {baked oatmeal}.

so i went on this missions trip when i was in high school. it was pretty hard core... they made us go through boot camp training in the jungles of florida. okay, so you think i'm exaggerating and that there really aren't jungles in florida, right? well, you're wrong. there are jungles. and i lived there for over a week. in a tent. with wild boars and snakes. aaaaand took showers from a bucket.

and you thought i was just a girly girl.

when we were on the field, we all took turns with various tasks. one of my favorite ones was known as "kp". yes, this is military lingo for "kitchen patrol". i loved it because we spent the whole day preparing meals for our team. i learned how to make bread dough and cinnamon rolls and how adding ranch dressing mix to chicken salad gives it a pleasant little "zip". it was always a good day, however, when we had baked oatmeal for breakfast. yummy goodness. i've made it a couple times since, but have just got back onto making it this week for breakfast. it makes a large portion, so i have my oatmeal already made for the week. perfect for a busy mom. here is my healthier version.

you're on "kp". enjoy! it's jungle and bucket-shower-free.

baked oatmeal

* 3 c. oats
* 1 c. brown sugar
* 2 t. cinnamon
* 2 t. baking powder
* 1 t. salt
* 1 c. skim milk
* 2 eggs
* 1/2 c. no sugar added applesauce
* 2 t. vanilla extract
* 1/2 c. raisins (optional)

- in a large bowl, mix dry ingredients. add milk, eggs, applesauce, vanilla and raisins and mix well.
- pour into a greased 8x8 pan. bake at 350 for approximately 25 minutes, or until set. serve warm. it's best when you pour warm milk over the top... sounds weird, but trust me. yum.

a year of blessings.

as i reflect on the past year and prepare to welcome the new one, i can think of one word to describe it well: blessed.

in many ways, it was a year of the little things... learning to cultivate a heart of gratitude for the simple blessings that surround us. and in other ways, it was a year of BIG things... many joys, many changes, many moments that i want to hold onto forever.

here are just a few.

january

* starting off the new year in maine, snowed in with my family. my sister, gretchen and i were both with child which made for some really fun photos. despite the new england blizzard, we were able to make it out of boston to fly back to dallas without any major mishaps. amazing.

* we found out at my 20 week ob appt that we were--as EVERYONE suspected--in fact, having a GIRL. bella grace cornwell... we could now call her by name. our home was suddenly flooded by everything pink.

* hot date with the hubs to celebrate my last birthday in my twenties at my fav: maggianos. which is even better, i discovered, when you're eating for two. YUM.

* january 15 my little sis gave birth to my sweet nephew,
jude farrington keezer. i began counting the days until i could hold him!!

february

* snow in dallas. yes, it's true. and it actually didn't melt the second it hit the ground this time! nick&i both got out of work early one afternoon due to the storm, and were snowed in the next day... along with a bunch of our friends who all live in the same apartment complex with us. it felt like we were little kids again. so fun.

march

* flew to maine to spend the weekend with my family, meet jude for the first time, and for bella's first shower! it was a very special visit... i got up early every morning just to soak in getting to hold jude every second i could. bella was showered with so many sweet gifts from close friends and family and we were beginning to collect tiny onesies, dresses, shoes and headbands for this sweet little person that was about to change our lives!

april

* with the help of our amazing friends, we finally got bella's nursery set up. nick worked so hard refinishing furniture and painting and i spent my time organizing clothes, diapers, and all things baby. we were so pleased with our hard work, and we were getting more and more ready for our sweet bella!

* three more baby showers this month... god was so sweet to us. we are truly blessed with some of the most amazing family&friends!! great memories.

may

* i felt like a ticking time bomb. i was in "early labor" for about 2 weeks and we had our hospital bags packed and ready. we spent a couple of weeks soaking in date nights and impromptu trips to get chips&salsa at chilis at 11 pm.

* may 19, 2010 at 1:57 bella grace cornwell entered the world at baylor hospital grapevine, weighing in at 7 lbs, 12 oz and 20.5 inches long. we were instantly in love... and fell in love with each other all over again that day. bella was immediately surrounded by our friends and family and i will never forget how precious those moments were... our new sweet lil family of three feeling so surrounded and loved by people precious to us. some in that hospital room, and others calling, texting and letting us know they were rejoicing with us. god is GOOD.

* my parents flew out to meet bella grace when she was a week old. it was such a special time, and one i was soooo excited for since my family wasn't there for her arrival. so fun to watch my parents as "grammie and grampy"!

* nick&i celebrated our 2nd wedding anniversary a week after bella was born. grammie and grampy babysat as we got away and celebrated over a dinner at maggianos. i think that's the second time i've mentioned that restaurant in this blog. nice. SO blessed by this man!!!! excited for another 50+ years of our life together!

june

* adjusting to life with baby... we loved it!! my mom and aunt came down for a visit at the end of the month and we had so much fun. bella got introduced to shopping right away. and good food. and lots of laughing. i love my family!

july

* bella's first trip to maine! the best trip home ever. bella met her aunt gretchen for the first time and the rest of the family and lots and lots of friends. nick&i got to go to the coast, have a wine and cheese tasting at a quaint little vineyard and nick got to hike mt. katahdin with brian, where the appalachian trail ends. it was such a fun trip... we love our summer vacations to maine!

august

* god, in his perfect sovereignty, allowed all of our post-baby plans to crumble and instead granted me a huge desire of my heart: to get to stay home with sweet bel. i finished up at the counseling practice i was working at... saying goodbye to my clients was very bittersweet, but i was so excited to be a stay at home mommy. it was a huuuuge season of faith and trust for nick&i and our finances, but god provided a couple of amazing babysitting jobs for me with two really sweet families in the month of august. it was so neat to watch god bring everything together and provide for us in ways only he can do.

september

* friday nights at football stadiums began for our family this month! nick was hired as the offensive line coach for the first baptist academy saints football team... and we had a lot of fun! bella and i were able to go to all of his games (i think we missed one) and almost every week we had friends come along to cheer on our favorite coach. bella loved being outside, loved the lights, the band, the cheerleaders and she is a *huge* football fan. or maybe just a *huge* daddy fan :)

* bella and i were blessed with a trip to chicago for a reunion weekend with some of my best girlfriends from college. it was a wonderful time of reconnecting, memories, chatting and laughing. love. those. girls.

october

* took a family trip to a local pumpkin patch and had a great time taking pictures of our little pumpkin. her first halloween; she looked so sweet in her lil flower costume!

november

* as much as we loved the football season, we were also thankful for it to come to an end so we could have our weekends back as a family! thankful for our saturday morning breakfasts, time in pj's, and lazy sunday afternoons with my two favorites.

*bella's first thanksgiving! homemade cinnamon rolls for breakfast, macy's thanksgiving day parade, and lots and lots of family time. we spent it at nick's sister, jessica's and bella was uncharacteristically FUSSY (except for when playing with her cousin, wyatt). it was a bit of a stressful day, but special nonetheless. we spent the next day at nick's aunt ann's out in the country and we had a blast! bella was in a much better mood and we played games and ate all day. perfect.

december

* i. love. this. month. shopping for bella's first christmas gifts. putting up our tree. starbucks holiday drinks. making bella's first christmas ornament. family trip to see the lights and christmas displays on main street in grapevine. games and food with nick's extended family. christmas movies.

* christmas in maine with my family. after some minor travel mishaps, we finally made it there. bella and jude's first christmas! we took them to see santa claus at the mall and took plenty of pictures in their plaid christmas outfits and christmas eve pajamas. it was a great visit... looking at christmas lights, family, making seafood chowder, presents, and lots and lots of memories.

* blizzard! we spent the last few days of two thousand ten the same way we started it... being snowed in at my parent's house in our pj's. perfect.

thank you, jesus for a wonderful year. we are so blessed. we have learned more and more how to trust you. we have been reminded more and more of your faithfulness and your goodness. we have experienced you and your love in more tangible ways over this past year than ever before. and for that, we are so grateful.

"the LORD has done great things for us and we are filled with JOY." (ps. 126:3)