Christmas Decorating

It's finally Christmas and I am so excited about this year because I feel like Raegan is finally old enough to enjoy the decorating part of the holidays and I was totally right! I brought out the boxes and let her go to town decorating the tree. I love that we are getting to make new traditions for our family as the kids get older and understand more.

And the first tradition that I wanted to continue was decorating the tree together. When I was little we helped my mom decorate the tree and when we were older we would reminisce over all the ornaments we had made over the years. I loved when Kyle and I got married and had our own home and our tree, my mom gave us a box of ornaments from her tree to put on ours. I can't wait to pass down ornaments to all my my kids some day.

This plate and cup from Wayfair can't wait to be filled for Santa! I explained to Raegan what they were for and she's ready to do it tonight. I tried to explain we have to wait another month ;)

Hudson's still a little young to understand and when I asked if he wanted to help he said no, but as soon as he saw sister having fun he decided to give it a chance.

 He ended up putting a few on the tree and also taking a few off.

 I love how all the ornaments ended up on the bottom of the tree. Just reminds me how little my babies still are.

Another tradition I'm excited about is our Advent Calendar. I bought this adorable bag set from Wayfair that goes from 1-24. In each bag I plan to write out a part of the Christmas story and have 2 pieces of candy for Raegan and Hudson. We will open a new bag every morning and learn more about how Jesus was born. Gosh I cannot wait!

EDITED: I found these adorable pages on Pinterest that have you read 1 verse a day about the Christmas story until Christmas Day! I plan to use the more simple one when they are younger and the longer verses when they are older.

The rest of the house is decked out with fun festive pillows and I can't wait to teach our children about the real reason for the season. Even though presets are so fun, I want my children to learn that Jesus was born to save us and gave His life for us. I can't wait to see their faith grow over the years through the traditions we have began with them.

Want to win $100 to spend at Wayfair to start making traditions with your own family? Go to the Wayfair upside down Christmas tree page, pick your favorite tree and comment here with the link! Also make sure you leave your email so I can contact you if you win! I will pick a winner on December 5. Good luck!

ALSO I will chose a SECOND winner to win their own Advent Calendar bags. So make sure you enter!

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Oh hey, Friday! {24 week bump update}

And another week has come to a close.

Hallelujah!

Linking up with the farmer's wife and September Farm for today's post!

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First up, Halloween! It had been raining the whole week before and we worried about even getting to go trick-or-treating, but the rain held off for us. Thank goodness!

Raegan was a Cabbage Patch Doll.

Just try and take my candy. I dare ya!

 I whip my hair back and forth, I whip my hair back and forth!

 Couldn't have been any cuter!

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Monday was the anniversary of our first IVF. One of the best and scariest times of my life. Waiting to find out if we were going to be parents was excruciating, but in the end, we have blessed beyond measure by this little one and we can't wait to welcome her baby brother in February.

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Hudson's nursery is in full swing decoration mode! We are going with a vintage baseball theme. I've been working on some prints to hang and I'm completely in LOVE!

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I have decided to get behind the camera and do a fun Christmas photo shoot with Raegan. I am using this picture from Pinterest for inspiration.

My dad is a truck buff and is a part of a truck club in the area. He found a member who had a red truck that we can use. I can't wait to post the pictures and share all the fun outfits!

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24 weeks. Holy moly. I can't believe we are moving right along to the 3rd trimester!

How far along? 24 weeks

Raegan's 24 week bump update

Total weight gain: 20 pounds. Can you see it in my face? Ugh. Was hoping to keep at least my face from blowing up.

Maternity clothes? you betcha.

Stretch marks? nothing yet.

Sleep: I'm sleeping well lately except for getting up to pee.

Best moment this week: Nothing too special this week.

Miss anything? sushi. End of story.

Food cravings: Everything? I want food ALL.THE.TIME! Guess the 20 pound gain shouldn't be so shocking.

Anything making you queasy or sick? not really anymore.

Gender: Sweet baby boy! Our sweet Hudson.

Labor signs: Braxton hicks have began in my lower belly. Not bad, but definitely can feel them. And heart burn has begun. Maybe he will have a lot of hair?

Symptoms: Lots of stretching, peeing all the time, heartburn occasionally, and braxton hicks.

Belly button in or out? In! But it's starting to pop a little.

Wedding rings on or off: On.

Happy or moody most of the time: I'm feeling moody lately. I know I'm growing a baby, but I'm struggling with my weight gain. I'm working out and trying to eat better. I guess I'm just one of the gals who puts on a lot during pregnancy.

Looking forward to: the holidays for sure!

How's Dad doing? He's doing good! We started decorating Hudson's nursery so the financial side of that may be stressing him out a bit ;)

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To All Moms {To Be}

As Mother's Day approaches, I've had this comment said to me numerous times over the past couple days.

"Are you excited for your first Mother's Day?"

Immediately my heart beats quickens and my hands clench, and I want to reply with, "This isn't my first Mother's Day."

But I always kindly respond with a smile, "Of course I am!"

At first look, this is my first Mother's Day. This is the first time that I'm "allowed" to celebrate being a mother because I have a living child.

But what about when I wasn't a mom, but wanted to be?

Does that not count?

Mother's Day 2013 we were waiting. I wanted to be a mom then, badly.

Mother's Day 2014 I was pregnant, but still mourning the loss of our first baby. I was still a mother even though I was told I was only a "mother to be."

To the mom who is still "waiting",
Happy Mother's Day.

To the mom who isn't considered a "mom" yet because you've lost your baby,
Happy Mother's Day.

To the mom who is newly pregnant after years of waiting but isn't considered a "mom" yet,
Happy Mother's Day.

To the mom who has a living baby and an angel baby,
Happy Mother's Day.

The the mom who is still waiting for their child through adoption,
Happy Mother's Day.

You are a mom. It's engraved in your DNA, whether or not your child has been born yet.

I pray that you will feel the peace of God wrapped around you tomorrow as you face one of the toughest holidays in the life of a mom who is still waiting or has lost their child. Even for the moms who have a living baby, but an angel baby in Heaven, I pray God grants you the same peace.

“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” {Psalm 34:18}

a letter given to my by sister for Mother's Day 2013

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Easter 2015

The older Raegan gets the more fun each holiday is. She is smiling, laughing, and interacting so much these days. So Easter was a lot of fun!

We went to church on Saturday {Sunday church interfered with Raegan's nap} and the day was absolutely beautiful!

 Kyle was out of town on a bachelor party. Wah wah. No one realized it was Easter weekend when it was planned. So we stayed with my parents for the weekend.

We ran into a sweet friend of mine at church and we had to grab a picture with our sweet miracle babes.

Sunday was a yucky, cold day and I just couldn't dress Raegan in her Easter dress like I planned, so we wore it on Monday instead!

Kyle came home on Sunday afternoon and we waited until Daddy got home to give Raegan her Easter basket. We put confetti eggs in her basket this year since she wasn't "hunting" them this year!

Of course it goes straight in her mouth!

She's starting to move so fast that I can't get a non-blurry picture!

And we find out that the eggs bleed bad!

Let's put another in my mouth then!

Onto the next toy to get your mind off the eggs.

Daddy reading to Raegan. {be still my heart}

Confetti on the baby!

I found confetti in her diaper till the next day!

I hope you all enjoyed celebrating the resurrection of our Lord!

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Christmas 2014

I can't believe it's been over 1 month since Christmas and I'm just getting around to posting about it! Ahh! I've got to do better! I promise I will!

Raegan had such an amazing Christmas! She was for sure worn out though! We pretty much kept her up past her bedtime for 5 nights. But family is important and when they are in town and haven't met the babe, you keep the babe up!

This was Raegan's favorite gift. She sucked and chewed on that poor snowman's nose all day! We couldn't have asked for a better holiday with our little peanut!

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