Monday, February 27, 2012

Weekend Away According to my Instax Mini

Written by Shannon Leigh

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This weekend Matt and I went up to Galena for a little R&R.  
We really enjoyed our time together AND missed Ruby something fierce!  
We decided we need to do this more often…

As you can see our trip mostly revolved around food.  Go figure.
1.  Eating a chocolate/carmel covered marshmallow- It was AWESOME
2.  Matt being cute
3.  One of the many churches- we climbed the stairs to the top of the town- I believe this was a church on the top of the hill
4.  Me eating quiche at Otto's place
5.  Matt eating french toast at Otto's place
6.  Matt standing downtown
7.  Matt's pizza burger at The Market House
8.  Milkshake and old fashioned soda at the American Old Fashion Ice Cream Parlor
9.  Us

Tuesday, February 14, 2012

The Lovers Holiday Through the Years


Matt and I will soon be celebrating 8 years together! 8 YEARS!
How is that possible? That means we have celebrated 8 Valentine's Days? Man we're old.

I thought I would post a few Valentine's day pictures from the past just for fun.
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Valentines 2006- out with friends at Steak N' Shake (so romantic)
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Valentines 2008- trying on a chocolate diamond at Monticello's Taste of Chocolate
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Valentines 2009- a little v-day party at home
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Valentines 2010 - Just a few weeks before Ru was born. READY TO POP!
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Valentines 2011- spent love day on the beach (probably my favorite so far)!

I hope we have DECADES of v-days to celebrate our love together.
Happy Valentine's Day Matty!

Love you!

Monday, February 13, 2012

Sometimes

Written by Shannon Leigh

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Being a mother is hard.

Being a mother is the hardest thing I have ever done.

I mean I knew it was going to be hard but I just don't think I realized the extent of the madness.

And I only have ONE.

One child who brings me so much joy.  One child that I love so deeply it hurts.  One child who literally changed my whole world.

But
SOMETIMES
She throws a major fit at the grocery store because I won't buy her the little foam ball in the check out line
Sometimes
She whines like it's going out of style
Sometimes 
She arches her back and screams bloody murder when I try and put her in her carseat.  People probably think I am abusing her
Sometimes
She tells me to "Stop it mommy" which really gets under my skin
Sometimes 
She licks the bottom of her shoe
Sometimes 
She pulls out every single item from underneath the bathroom sink while I'm in the shower
Sometimes 
she draws on the furniture
Sometimes
she throws away my small kitchen gadgets never to be seen again
Sometimes 
She plays with the toilet water
Sometimes
I am insecure about the way I am raising her.  Am I doing ok?  Am I going to royally screw her up?
Sometimes
She WON'T eat ANYTHING but fruit and bread
Sometimes
She throws food at restaurants
Sometimes
she gets up too early
Sometimes
she won't nap like I want her to
Sometimes 
She takes off her diaper
Sometimes
she stinks
Sometimes
she's sticky
Sometimes
She just won't SHUT her trap
Sometimes
I am exhausted.


But there is absolutely nothing like having a daughter.  I wouldn't trade it for anything in the whole wide world. I feel blessed and honored and totally undeserving at times. Because...
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Sometimes
She looks at me and says "I love you, mama"
Sometimes 
She kisses my cheeks
Sometimes
I find her rocking in the chair in her room with her bible on her lap
Sometimes 
She reminds me that we need to pray before we eat
Sometimes 
I go in and hold her while she's asleep and love feeling her little heart beating next to mine
Sometimes
She says "Hold you mama?"
Sometimes 
She is the flower girl in your brother-in-laws wedding and she does PERFECT
Sometimes
She looks so cute in pigtails it hurts
Sometimes 
She sings the cutest little songs
Sometimes 
she fist bumps
Sometimes 
She sits on the potty
Sometimes
we bake brownies together
Sometimes 
She has the BIGGEST smile on the planet
Sometimes 
she has the greatest belly laugh ever
Sometimes
She makes me fall more in love with her daddy
Sometimes 
she holds my hand
Sometimes
We go on donut runs
Sometimes
I just don't know what I would do without her

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Honestly she is such a gift.
One that takes lots of work and lots of prayer and lots of advice and lots of help because let's be real, I have NO IDEA what I am doing.
A gift that I thank the Lord for everyday,
NOT just sometimes.



Tuesday, February 7, 2012

The English Adventures

Written by Shannon Leigh

My poor husband.
He's married to a sap.
He's married to a sap who sucks at giving gifts (it just isn't my love language).
I blame it on the fact that I grew up with all sisters.
I have made him lots of sappy books and homemade projects over the years.

He'd rather have Cardinal tickets.
I know this now after 4 1/2 years of marriage.

After our 2nd anniversary trip to England I made him a scrapbook of our adventures.
Let's be real, while he says enjoys the book, I really made it for me.

Poor guy.

Since I am on a roll with sharing books, I thought I'd share this one too.
Please ignore the chub I was 20 weeks prego.

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Monday, February 6, 2012

Ruby's 1 Year Album

Written by Shannon Leigh
I can't sleep.
In fact, lately I've had trouble sleeping.  I've got lots on my mind these days I guess.
Mostly about things that I cannot control. It's silly really.  Who knew I was such a control freak?
I've been memorizing this verse and trusting in the Lord:
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
Philippians 4:6-7
I know the Lord will see me through :)

One perk of not being able to sleep is that I get a lot done.
I've been editing sessions, working on personal projects, making plans.
Blogging. :)
It's great.

I have meant to share Ruby's one year album for months and months and I keep forgetting (you know since she will be 2 NEXT MONTH).
I am a little embarrassed at how ginormous it is.
I JUST COULDN'T narrow the pictures down.
I used Blurb.
I have used Blurb for MANY a book and I have always thoroughly enjoyed the outcome.
That being said I think I'd like to try something else next time just to change things up a bit.

Here's a (not so) little sneak peek.
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She's the most over-photgraphed child on the planet.
Poor thing.