snow day {a video}

{press play}

Cold day.

Sick day.

Snow day!

Picture day.

Playing day.

Can't build a snowman day!

Pajama Day.

Snuggle Day.

Daddy home from work day!

Last year's day in the snow {here}

one year ago today... (part two) {a video}

(read part one here)

By 3am, the thought of sleep was laughable.

So I took a bath, pausing for contractions.

Took a shower, pausing for contractions.

Blow dried and straightened my hair, pausing for contractions.

When 6am rolled around, I was done.

"Hey, Brandon...my contractions are basically 5 minutes a part and I'm over it. 

We're going to the hospital now."

Immediately followed by a mini panic attack.

"I'm not ready. I can't do this. Never mind."

With a healing hug from Husband, I was back in the game.

Being the over-planner I am, the bags were packed weeks before and we were ready!

(With one last stop at McDonalds for my biggest pregnancy craving, hash browns.)

That's when the peace came.

I was scared, sure.

But, I knew what the outcome would be.

I knew I'd be holding Emmerson soon and nothing else mattered.

Once we were settled into the room, we noticed my body wasn't progressing as much as my contractions were leading on.

Talks of sending me home to labor began and my knight in shining armor stepped in and came to my rescue.

"She's been having consistent contractions for over 24 hours. She's miserable. We can't leave."

With a little help, my labor was induced and then we waited.

4 hours after the epidural, it was time to push.

With my husband on one side, my mom on the other, and my good friend/nurse coaching us, the rest was an intense blur.

5 contractions later and Emmerson made her grand entrance.

I remember tears.

I remember baby cries.

I remember saying, "Oh, hi, Emmerson." "Oh, hi!"

She was perfect.

Sweet little fingers.

Sweet black hair.

Sweet scrunched face.

Everything about our labor and delivery was sweet.

Everything worked out perfectly, out of state family and all.

Tears have been my constant companion over the past few days, trying to swallow the fact that I now have a one year old!

This year has been challenging, to say the least, but more rewarding than I ever imagined.

Here's to you, sweet girl.

You will forever be my always.

zoo day (a video)

Friday, Husband surprised me with an afternoon trip to the zoo.

One of my favorite places

with my favorite person(s!)

and then there were 3...

what are you doing new year's... (a video)

NYE weekend getaway with Husband.

Roadtrip.

Cabin in the woods.

Biltmore Estate.

Gatlinburg.

Fireworks.

Perfection.

Happiest of New Year's to you!

christmas party (a video)

Christmastime in Tennessee has been so good to my heart.

weekend with the family (a video)

 (best in full screen.)

How was your Labor Day weekend?

Mine was full of family, puppies, food, and laughter.

Just like I like it.

Happy Labor Day!

wilson county fair (a video)

Saturday, Husband and I went to the Wilson County Fair with my Godparents.

I lovelovelove fairs.

And I lovelovelove my Godparents.

So, pretty perfect Saturday if you ask me!

because I guarantee there's nothing cuter happening on your monday night...

see.

told you.

also,

can I have her?

my thursday nights are... (a video)

crazy. loud. girly. intentional. 

spiritual. beautiful. intimate. 

ridiculous. wonderful.

perfect.

(Video from our big sis lil sis reveal party!)

the 2 most hilariously heartbreaking videos

Husband and I left town Friday for a friend's wedding (woo hoo, Ellie and Jonathan!) 

We dropped our puppies off (in super good hands, thanks, Katie and John!) 

and as soon as we got into the car, we received a call.

Now, we've heard that our little girls have separation anxiety, 

but never have we imagined it being this bad.

Sorry girls, but it's Mom and Dad's anniversary... you've got 2 more days. 

Love you!

couples disc golf (a video)

If you know my husband, you know his love for disc golf.

If you know me, you know my strong dislike for disc golf.

But...

I sure do love this Tennessee weather

and my awesome friends

and my husband.

(full screen for best effect)

yes, we did.

We just had to.

If you must know, I'm in the bright pink sweatshirt on the left.

Husband is standing on the stage on the right.

Never a dull moment in youth ministry.

*aaand, I (think) I successfully made a button for my blog. Check it out and hope it works!

how I'm feeling and why I've been absent...

God bless you.

Amen.

Back into hibernation I go.

Our Saturday (a video)

sleeping in. puppy snuggles. new friends.

mexican food. lazy rides. 

milkshakes. movies.

perfect.

just in case you needed more cuteness in your friday night...

I mean..can you get cuter than that?!

I think I need one.

I know I need one.

Huh, Husband?

just a car ride...

Road trips are the best.

Especially with my little family.

*Please note: Husband is the super-duper-est driver I know.

Therefore, he can dog dance and drive.

Please do not try this at home.

It's officially Autumn because...

...we went to a festival, I wore a scarf, and we carved pumpkins.

Happy Fall, y'all.

to smiles...

It has been a day week time.

You know, the crazy-never-ending-stressful times.

So, here's to Monday night.

And here's to smiles.

things.

Wearing your hair down, while teaching at a preschool, almost always turns out bad. What starts out as cute little girls playing "hair do-ers," quickly turns into a form of Chinese torture. A painful form of torture for sensitive scalped, migraine prone people like me. I went to school Wednesday and learned my lesson. Top knots are my new favorite thing.

Husband got an iPad recently, (thanks, Mom and Dad!) and we put our wedding pictures on there. I  made one of our favorites the lock screen background. The next time I opened it, I was greeted by a picture of "The Avengers." Not sure how I feel about that. 

I've been trying to eat healthier, work out, etc, and part of my "training" is to log what I eat. I downloaded a super nifty app on my phone to help hold me accountable. It tracks how many calories I've eaten, how many I've lost after exercising, and how close I am to reaching my goal. After a week of logging, I hate that stupid thing. Nobody likes being told they aren't doing the right thing. I'm slowly getting there though. I have become more conscious about what I eat and how much exercising I'll need to do to work it off. Tough stuff.

It's raining right now and I want nothing more than to jump into a pool. Swimming is so much cooler in the rain. Unless there's lightning, that's not very cool.

My Husband is actually off tonight and the other house dwellers are gone for the weekend...you know what that means! Frozen pizzas and board games. Can I get a "woohoo" for poor newlyweds?!

I am always trying to convince Husband that I'm funny. After 4 years, he's still not convinced. I think he's the one with the problem. I'm clearly hilarious.

To start the weekend off right, I leave you with some Christmas spirit. Can't go wrong with Chrimma music.

Happy weekend

and

Merry Christmas!