1 year

June 30th of 2010 was a day I won't forget! I woke up having contractions. We had a scheduled doctor appointment at 9am anyway so we decided to go there first. After they confirmed my labor we drove over to Good Shepherd Medical Center where they broke my water and got the process going! At 7pm my baby girl was here! 6lb 8 oz and 19 1/2 inches long.


February 26th of 2010 was a day I won't forget either! It was our sonogram day where we were going to find out the gender. I was convinced I was having another boy. Jeff and Colin were there too. Then they showed us "the part." Right away I could tell what kind of part that was and I said, "That's a girl isn't it?!?" "Yes it is!" said the nurse. But I was suprisingly excited! Part of the reason was because I could use my sister's name for the middle name. That was important to me.


I have always told people that I wanted a house full of rowdy boys. I never disliked girls, but just didn't have a desire to have one like I wanted boys. But it is awesome having a girl!



I do have to say that it is a bit intimidating to me when Carley is around other little girls at church or wherever whose momma's are amazing and know how to dress them perfectly with the perfect matching bow. My poor girl always has food on her face, and boogers hanging out of her nose, and has pulled out her pigtails so that she looks like she has horns on her head. But she's my girl, and she's a happy girl!


I love her personality and sometimes even wish I was like her! ...I know, I know...she's only 1. But she's just so cool. She's usually happy. She's very social and loves people right away. You don't have to do or say anything to her first...she'll just start waving and smiling at you. She loves to be around people, but she's also content playing alone. She knows what she wants and communicates it well. She doesn't make you read her mind! (How's that for a woman? haha) And the one thing I love about her that I am eternally greatful to her for...is that she SLEEPS ALL NIGHT LONG! The girl loves her sleep.


Even though it was just a little over a year ago, I have a hard time remembering what life was like before we had her. The other day Colin found a picture of the 3 of us before we were even thinking about having Carley. He looked puzzled and said, "Where's Carley?" It made me so happy. I remember at one point being so worried about him getting used to not being the only kid, and I was so worried about being a mother of 2 rather than 1. And now, its just the norm of our family. And I love it.

Carley just a few minutes after she was born!

3 months old

Valentines Day 8 months old
11 months old and happy as can be!

I love you Lita Lou! Happy Birthday! I am excited to see you grow up, but just slow down a little, ok?

Be looking for a similar post in about 3 or 4 weeks about her big brother who is about to be 4!

Thank you, God, for children. Thank you for what being a mommy has taught me about your love!

Simple Woman's Daybook

For Today, Monday, June 13th

Outside my window...our grass is getting a much needed trim by my hardworking husband.

I am remembering...piano lessons when I was little. Now that I am teaching piano it has got me thinking of my old teachers, recitals, competitions, and theory tests! My student is SO good and is already at a point where there is not much I can do for him. He is a self-teacher and figures things out before I even have the chance to explain it!

I am thankful for...pay-days....and even bills too. Thats something I can take for granted sometimes.

I am creating...1 wedding and 2 baby name frames this week. I also have a desk/permanent home for the sewing machine now, so hopefully there will be some stitchin goin on!

I am going...to swim lessons with Colin this week, Youth Camp next week, and then our vacation the next week! Let our Summer marathon of week-long events begin!

I am reading...Radical (almost done!), The Velveteen Rabbit (to Colin), and when Radical is finished I will start reading through the Harry Potter books. I inherited Jeff's kindle and I LOVE it!

I am hoping...this summer goes by slowly. Trying really hard to cherish every little moment of rest and moment with my kids.

On my mind... planning Colin and Carley's birthday parties. Going with Garden/growing theme for Carley and going with Disney Pixar Cars for Colin! Going to get a water table for little sister and going to get a bike with training wheels for the man-child. Can't wait!

From the learning rooms...Packed up! Done! Not thinking about it at all until beginning of August!

Noticing that... I am beginning to think that the American culture is WAY too busy. Its all about unrealistically high expectations, demands, deadlines, etc. I don't think it is all bad, but I do think there is a line that is crossed where I believe it becomes an injustice.

Pondering these words... "And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God." -Ephesians 3:17-19

From the kitchen...Tacos for dinner tonight! Tomorrow will be biscuit pizzas!

Around the house...clean and quiet. The kids are at school and Im not used to it being so quiet...or clean! I do feel kind of bad when I take them. I take them for 2 reasons. 1) I don't want to "lose my spot" in the fall and 2) Colin is such a creature of routine/structure. If I don't take him during the summer, then his first month back will be BAD. And he likes going! Its also kind of nice to do things like clean out closets, deep clean tubs, sew, etc. that I can't do as well when they are home.

One of my favorite things...Colin and Carley share a room. Every night they talk/giggle/jump in the beds for about 30 minutes before they go to sleep. It drives me crazy, but its so cute too. Last night I put Carley to bed without Colin in there and she was devastated to be alone in there! Too funny!

From my picture album... Our little Lita getting her tan on!