Blessed to Love Her

I'd say we're lucky to love this tiny girl but that's not true. We don't believe in luck! :) We know God has knit her together, planned her life, and blessed us to be her Mommy and Daddy! Regardless, she did look pretty cute in this tutu outfit! We love our tiny girl and count ourselves blessed to love her every-single-day. Few things thrill our soul like her tiny smile and precious giggle!

We love you little Macie Jane! 

Just Us Girls for the Week

Last week, in South Carolina, Spring made it's grand appearance. The weather was absolutely gorgeous and we soaked up as much of it as we could! Sadly though, J had a conference out in Nashville and had to leave us on Tuesday for the week. Macie Jane and I were sad to see him go but we decided to make the most of our situation! I figured we could pass the time by soaking up the sunshine and going on adventures around town! We started the week off with dinner downtown and a trip to Edventure, a children's museum. Macie Jane loved getting explore and I loved not having to say, "no." It was a delight to see her excitement and reaction to so many kid sized exhibits. She's such a little smartie and the museum was so, so much fun!

When we had home group Macie Jane loved getting to see all her friends and play with her little buddy Elliana. Needless to say our discussions were a little distracted and it got noisy. It's sweet to see Macie Jane interact with a friend her size. I love that she has such a precious little friend.

Later in the week, we had Bible study in the morning and we experienced a new "first." My little love bug is a morning person, and normally rises around 5:00-6:00am. However, the one time J is away and we have somewhere to be in the morning my tiny alarm clock decides to sleep in! She slept in until 8 and we needed to leave by quarter to 9! Somehow she had a hot breakfast, a quick bath in the sink, I threw myself together and packed her bag. We were only 15 minutes late! That's a miracle and a whole lotta grace! I couldn't be frustrated, we got extra sleep and it sort of makes me laugh thinking about the irony of our situation. I'll mark it down for the baby book- our first time oversleeping! :)

Friday we had a lunch date with Ruth, cupcakes, and playtime at the baby gym! That evening we had a dinner date with Aunt Deb and did a little shopping. We found the perfect little shoes for our go-go baby! It was a full and fun day! We were so excited that J was coming home the next day!

We started the weekend by sleeping in (not as late as Thursday, haha! ) We had a brunch date together, we grocery shopped for all of J's favorite foods and snacks, and did lots of chores! We wanted to give J a king's welcome home! In the afternoon we got to go see Joseph play baseball. It was a gorgeous blue sky day! He played great and we had so much fun cheering him on!

Before we knew it Joshua was home! The week flew by! Macie Jane and I made lots of fun memories together but we missed him terrible and are so, so happy to have him back! We are so glad these trips only come once a year and even more we are thankful for family and friends who take care of us while he was away!

A Perfectly Southern Snow

It's not every year that we get to enjoy a winter wonderland of snow. In the South snow is a delightful novelty we get to look forward to! While it doesn't happen often we take full advantage of it when it does! It started in the evening on Tuesday and came down hard through the night.

With forecasts of 2-4 inches of snow, naturally we were cautioned to stay home. That was more than fine with us! We are unbelievably blessed to live in our little house on the land for so many reasons, but snow days on the land have to be toward the top of that extensive list! After a few "baby's first snow" photo-op's (haha!) Joshua rigged up the sled to the 4-wheeler and off we went!

Macie Jane was adorable! I held her tight on my lap while we rode together. She loved getting pulled on the sled and feeling the cold air as we slid all around. Later, J taught her how to hold on to the side ropes and pulled her by hand around on a larger sled. It was such a fun family day! Rachel Lilly gave J a good ride on the sled! She whipped him around with the 4-wheeler. Macie Jane and I explored a little with Lollie and Grandpa down near the creek. It was fun to see the land covered in snow and how beautiful everything looked down by the water. It really was a beautiful, winter wonderland! However, with only 2 inches of snow and lots of 4-wheeling fun the ground didn't exactly stay pristine. By later in the afternoon the many circle shaped tracks were indication of all the fun that had been had! We took advantage of the little snow that was left. We rode around the back part of the land and gave Macie Jane a few more sled rides. She was clapping and giggling a lot. We're pretty sure she loved it!

To warm up, we came back to Grandpa and Lollie's to enjoy hot cocoa and the fire. It was a very full and fun day!

It's beginning to Look a lot Like....

 Oh! I love this time of year for so many reasons! I love getting to send a little love in the mail. Christmas cards are so fun! We took a few pictures while apple picking back in October to use on our Christmas card. Then, today with a little help from a sweet cousin we were able to get just the right family photo.

I can't wait for the cards to arrive. It'll be a dash to get them all addressed and stamped but I love it! Hopefully, they'll arrive soon and turn around to be sent out right away!

 It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas! 

Apple Picking at Sky Top

Sky Top is probably the most perfect orchard. It's set on top of a picturesque mountain and boasts acre after acre of apple trees. It smells of warm, fresh apple cider donuts and grassy hayrides. We try to plan to visit when the leaves are at their peak for changing colors. We have never been disappointed and this year was no exception. As we were driving up J and I talked about the sweet memories the orchard holds. The first time we went Joshua and I were dating and pretty close to engagement. I was convinced that we were getting engaged, but he didn't propose there. It's a funny story and sweet memory now. The second year we went J and I were newly married and we decided this would be a great Fall tradition. Last year when we went we were anticipating the arrival of our sweet Macie Jane! We picked apples and dreamt about bringing our sweet girl the next year. We smiled at precious families and were thrilled that we were headed in that direction. Somehow this year we picked the coldest day of the season so far! We bundled up in pea coats and Carhart jackets with mittens and scarves. We were not to be deterred. We got there at the perfect time. Macie Jane was precious looking around and babbling at the people and trees and animals. We had the sweetest time picking so many Pink Lady apples! We fed the goats and stood in line for yummy donuts! Not to mention the workout we got climbing up and down the mountainside searching for the perfect grove of apple trees. :)

For a sentimental person this tradition makes my heart swell. I love all the memories Sky Top holds and I love the hope of all the future memories we'll make there as well!

Happy Fall Y'all! 

Fall, Pumpkins, and Cookies

Ok, so we're officially 9 days into September, football season is in full swing, and the lows this week are in the 60's. I think that's sufficient empirical evidence to say Fall is here. Never mind the calendar's claim that we must wait until September 22 nor the fact that the daytime temperatures still soar into the 90's. I made a pact with myself that I wouldn't decorate for Fall until the grocery store started carrying pumpkins and guess what? On my shopping trip today guess what I found?! Not only pumpkins but mums too! I exercised so much restraint not picking up a few of those garnet and golden yellow beauties. Maybe next time. I did snatch up a pumpkin and a can of Puree. This afternoon Macie Jane and I had a ball making up these lovely pumpkin cookies. I mix and cut; she giggles and keeps me smiling. (Seriously, the sweetest baby)

In case you're up for a little taste of Fall, here's the recipe.
(Compliments of Ms. Martha Stewart and her cookie recipe collection.

                                           Ingredients:

         2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour

         1 teaspoon baking powder

         1 teaspoon baking soda

         1 1/4 teaspoons coarse salt

         1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

         1 1/4 teaspoons ground ginger

         3/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

         3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened

         2 1/4 cups packed light-brown sugar

         2 large eggs

         1 1/2 cups canned solid-pack pumpkin (14 ounces)

         3/4 cup evaporated milk

         1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. 

Whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg in a medium bowl; set aside.

Put butter and brown sugar in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Mix on medium speed until pale and fluffy, about 3 minutes.

Mix in eggs. Reduce speed to low. 

Add pumpkin, evaporated milk, and vanilla; mix until well blended, about 2 minutes. Add flour mixture; mix until combined. Scoop batter  in 1 1/2-inch rounds onto baking sheets, spacing 1 inch apart. 

Bake cookies, rotating sheets halfway through, until tops spring back, about 12 minutes. Cool on sheets on wire racks 5 minutes. Transfer cookies to wire racks; let cool completely and enjoy! 

Happy Fall Y'all!

I'm Home!

I still can't believe it. I'm really home. That's my job, stay at home mommy. Last week I officially ended my job at a local elementary school to be home with our Macie Jane. This week has been amazing. In addition to lots of snuggling I've been able to get our house back into working order. :) Kudos, to working Moms! I don't know how you do it! You are amazing! Keeping up with family time, household chores, and a full time job is exhausting to say the least! J and I prayed and worked through our budget to figure out how to make it work. God made it very clear that home is where I am supposed to be and we couldn't be more thrilled. I miss my sweet teacher friends and precious students but it is a gift to enjoy every moment and every day with our tiny girl!

Recently, I read a quote saying that, "the days and nights are long but the years are short." I think I'd have to argue that the days and nights are flying by as well. The decision to stay home couldn't have come at a better time. Macie Jane is almost 7 months old. (I'm choking as I type that!) The time with her is absolutely flying. How is our tiny girl so big! She's scooting and army crawling ever where. She eats baby food like a big girl! And she is so observant, watching everything around her. 

I am soaking in every single day because I know they go faster than I want them to. I know our adventures together are just beginning and I'm thankful. So thankful to be her mama.