NOVEMBER 2016 | VLOG

It was the BEST of months. I will never forget my time in Texas with Cain, the moment he found out he past his Paramedic test and the face of Emma when she realized Cain had made it home. Those things will only get sweeter with time.

Summer 2016 | Video

This summer was a summer of letting go, surprises, growth, goodbyes, hellos, disappointment but lots and lots of LOVE too. I can't quite explain all the emotions that went through my head in just one summer.

We started the summer out letting go of the house we had come to really love. To me, this house ( in Fort Wayne) was a home of healing for my personal growth. I found balance in this home. I was able to walk Nova every day to a beautiful park where I had some great time to just be at peace. I was happy there, but things just weren't falling into place for us to stay.

With Cain's Flight Medic position he had to get his Paramedic's license within a certain period of time because of the funds the Army was giving. So we decided that I would move home (Bluffton) to my parent's house, while Cain left to get his paramedic's license in an accelerated paramedic course. I was happy to be back "Home" (Bluffton) but the feelings of leaving my own "home" hurt.

Emma + Zoe Swing

This past weekend we had the honor of spending a whole 2 days with these cuties! I love being their aunt "Nonie" :)

Watch the video at the end, it's so funny!

Zoe 5 months...

Zoe is now 5 months old and Emma is getting closer and closer to being 3 years old. Where did the time go? And seriouly my sister (and brother in law) (I guess we need to include him too!!)  have the sweetest, cutiest, most happy kids ever! 

I told Emmie today - "I am happy to be your aunt" when I was laying her down for her nap. She smiles and says "I love you toooo nonie!!" :) then we chatted back and forth on who loved who more.

 Sister photos have offically become my favorite thing to photograph right now, can you see why? 

Sunsets & Aromas

Last night's sunset stopped me in my tracks. No, really it did! After leaving a long filming session I was driving home and once I turned onto my road I just stopped, turned on my blinkers, (but let's face it no one is on my road) and the first thing I did was thank God for this beautiful sunset.

It was about a week ago that I read a wonderful chapter in a book call "Wife After God" that made me do an another **Stop, turn on the blinkers (metaphorically, of course) and Thank God. The author was talking about companionship in marriage, but also our companionship with God. 

Here is what I read: "God desires companionship with you, as well. He wants to cultivate an intimate relationship with you, and He longs for you to join Him. He pursues you as a gentleman pursues a woman He impresses you with creation, magnificent sunsets, brilliant flowers, and powerful seas. He woos you with poetic language, sweet aromas, and courts you with His Holy Spirit. Be still, look around you, see how the Lord is pursuing you!"

This spoke to me so strongly. And since then I have started seeing the ways God is pursuing me in these ways and other ways. I shared this chapter with Cain, as we do every night together and I shared with him how impactful it was and then said: "See, God gave us essential oils for sweet aromas!" ;) This Cain knew already haha We are so thankful for our sweet aromas.

So before taking off again to finish the drive home last night I texted Cain a picture of this sunset and said "God is pursuing me" He knows my heart and I needed this. 

Monkey see, monkey do...

Summer is finally here after a long winter wait. Not only is Summer here with the heat and rays of sunshine but I am "home" with my husband. The past 3 months have been really stressful and life has thrown some curve balls. As I write this I am just thankful to be in good company, in a loving environment with memories being made every day. 

This day last week was one to remember. Sometimes having a day off can really help you focus on what's important and dream about the future (We have a lot of unseen future right now to dream about!)

After a long day of playing with Zoe, Emma, Graci, my mom, and Cain. We ended the day with helping my dad plant the garden. Graci has helped us in the past with planting, she has a green thumb. Emma though, this was her first year being able to help... it took a hot minute to get her in the dirt, but once she was in there, there was no turning back, she loved it! 

Eating the fresh onions.... 

hmmm... didn't taste as good as she thought...

Haha

But she loves the garden and she didn't seem to mind the strong onion haha

She has always been wild and free. The hair marks her free spirit

Yup, still doesn't taste good... haha

Emma wouldn't get in the dirt unless she had shoes on. We all tried to show her that the girls don't wear their shoes in the garden, but she wouldn't have it!

She was slowing starting to warm up to the dirt....

Once Emma got dirt in her shoes, she realized we may have been right about the whole barefoot garden thing ;)

Helping her papa

That's my girl :)

These are memories to remember. Just wait 10-15 years, you'll be glad you ran inside to grab the big camera (saying to myself!) (Or hired a photographer!) just saying ;) -from me!

Dork!

DORK! She wasn't a green thumb until the crack was showing!

And the water started. Summer time, please be long.

Emma was having a ball.

These two are my favorite <3

I can't tell you how many pictures I have of Graci jumping in the air. I love EACH and EVERY ONE of them, though.

Hahaha....

She's that much fun.

We have had Nova on the trampoline with us since she was a puppy. She loves to jump with anyone who is jumping.

Okay, just me? Or is Nova so beautiful?

So a couple of things. First off, thank you, Lana, for letting me be a part of Emma's life! I love being an aunt. Second off, Emma can't say "Lanette" or "Nettie" but now calls me Nonnie and my heart just melts from hearing it!  I can hear her saying it when she needs help or wants something. I love being an aunt to her, and I know already I am in love with Zoe Grace and can't wait until she is this age!

Here she is saying my name holding her hands out for me. Isn't she a doll!

Monkey see...

Monkey do...

Monkey wants to be ....

Like you!! (Aka. Everything Graci does, Emma seems to follow)

Walking out to get in the van to go get come Ice Cream... and Emma is walking like this!! I didn't even check my settings on my camera.  I just snapped!

We asked her to do it again ...

Love this turd.

Driving around making memories. This girl, though... she makes my heart so happy!

The end.