Summer

I've missed the blog. It's weird, I guess I'm more of a journal keeper than I thought. June has been filled with wonderful things. Having a 9 month old is certainly a blast. You folks aren't kidding when you say how fun 9 month olds are.

Michael and I celebrated 5 years of marriage!

My baby brother graduated from high school!

Some of my beloved aunts and uncles came to VA for the graduation, always a good time!

Knocked out a fabulous, rustic-elegant wedding at a vineyard on Sunday. Confession, I texted Michael after the ceremony, "Why am I so good at what I do?" Humble, I know. But I was pretty proud of the day.  Wedding #30-something was a home run!

Michael is still loving Chick-Fil-A and is more and more excited about the company. I am also more and more excited, as my intake of Combo #1s and chocolate milkshakes have increased.

Carmen's bed time is more well established now, so Michael and I have been able to have some great evenings grilling out with a margarita or a beer on our wonderful patio lately. I need to put up pictures of that!

 

We also have a tradition of family breakfast's when Michael is home in the morning. We have a new favorite spot that we are beginning to frequent. For some reason, breakfast always tastes better when someone else cooks it for you?

Carmen's favorite book these days is, "Charlie the Ranch Dog" by Ree Drummond (the Pioneer Woman) and her favorite toy is her dolly, Dolly. She is also great at playing Michael's keyboard and walking behind her babydoll stroller.

I've started the birthday party planning for Carmen's ....1st  Birthday?! How can this be, it's only 2 months away. I used to be more of a crafty person, but in my recent years I've had better things to do so I'm a bit rusty when it comes to hole punching. The first birthday is totally about the family and what kind of cake you serve. 1 year olds could care less and will only remember pictures. That being said, I'm trying to keep a good balance of catering to my baby girl's celebration and focusing on the rest of the family that will be there.

 

Here's some pics:  

Grandma Fran

My Grandma is awesome and needs prayer. Pray for her healing, strength and peace from the Lord!  

 Four Generations

We love you Grandma Fran and are praying for your healing!!!

5 Year Anniversary

On Saturday Michael and I celebrated our 5th Wedding Anniversary! Typing that number looks so small, but it feels like a greater amount of years. It has flown by but has been so good. It is so comforting, peace bringing, and exciting to know that we will be together for the rest of our lives - celebrating just like this. 

We were busy all weekend with college reunions at UVA but Michael set aside some time for just the two of us on Saturday morning. He booked a couples massage for us and a spa manicure for me at Boars Head.

It was so great! Best part is that Michael might now be hooked on massages which means more for me too. 

We stayed at our friend's beautiful home in Charlottesville - actually the pastor's home of Portico in Cville. Chris and Jenn were wonderful hosts. We had early starts to each day and I desperately wanted coffee each morning. Chris was walking out the door both days as I came into the kitchen but stopped to ask if he could get me a cup of coffee, with cream and sugar? At first I said don't bother, I'll get it myself, but he insisted. BOTH mornings books and bag in hand - heading out on Saturday to teach a class and Sunday to preach (THREE services mind you) he served me coffee. I know it's weird but I felt so blessed and so encouraged at the servant leadership displayed in the smallest of actions and at the most seemingly inconvenient time. It was his joy to serve. Portico is so blessed to serve under Chris's leadership. I hope that I can model that same type of servant's heart. It means a lot. 

Carmen was in little girl heaven because the Atwell's have 3 girls of their own. She was the happiest baby to get to interact and smile and laugh at the girls. I couldn't have planned it better myself! In a weekend full of adult activities and stroller confinement, I was thankful that Carmen had some good laughs first thing in the morning. 

A lot more to catch you all up on later!

Spring

I've planted some flowers for the first time ever. They are still alive too. Our grass is super dead right now, so we needed some color to compliment our pretty little home. I have some more in mind to plant and then mulch needs to be filled in. Oh and Michael planted some azalea bushes for us too! I love beautifying things - that's a natural womanly instinct right? I just really hate bugs. But flowers are so lovely.

Rolls and Water

 Carmen got to experience the kiddie pool for the first time last week. Her buddy, Colston, got a pool for his birthday so on our 90 degree day we walked over for some "summer" fun. She really liked it! I learned that one piece bathing suits are really not practical on the wee ones. SO hard to get on and off and change diapers in. Or maybe that just goes for my baby....with all the rolls. Carmen looked so adorable in her swimming tutu though, I may put up with the fight just to keep the cuteness factor high.

  

I stole this photo from Colston's mommy because our girl is just so precious here:

Squeeze away!

Happy Easter

Easter is so fun with a little girl! Every day is fun with a little girl. If you don't have one, you need one. Here we are in our Sunday best, but really, here's Carmen:

Catch Up

March came and went but so much happened in that gloriously warm month. Our Shnookums turned 6 months old! Here's a photo moments before she turned and snapped the tulips, flung backwards, hit her head on the table, got covered in smelly tulip water from the vase that was laying on top of her. Happy Half Birthday Carmen! 

 We have introduced Carmen to solid foods. She's not the biggest fan as was highly anticipated by my parents and their recount of me gobbling up as much food as I could possibly handle at 6 months. She prefers the finest puree possible, sauce pan heated temperatures and a very clean mouth.

 
We had a whole play day with Aunt Jenny. She makes Carmen smile.

Aunt Heather started her on the ice cold beverages (of course not.) and we celebrated Aunt Bri's birthday and St. Patrick's Day together!

Mommy had a birthday too! She got lots of Starbucks. That ice cream cake was from Cold Stone. Oh yes.

Michael started our patio! It's made a lot of progress since this sand and gravel pit, but boy oh boy do we have a mess on our hands. It's going to be gorgeous and so summery when he's done.

 
Carmen loved the change in weather and continued being the cutest baby girl on the block. (And by block, I mean world.)

And then our Shnookums turned 7 months old!? She loves loves loves her daddy.

 

And one more because her dress and face are so fabulous.

And we're back!