Little Peep has a Teeny Peep

Photo cred: Grace Hill Photography

Yes, we are over-the-moon excited to announce that we have a Teeny Peep on the way.  Details to come, but know that we are just so shocked and in awe of God’s blessings for our family.

Characteristics to Teach

The Mr. and I took a parenting class this past spring and it was awesome; truly a fabulous and engaging class.  One of the first days the teacher asked us what characteristics we wanted to teach our children, and of course we said all the basic ones that every parent says.  But after class we got to really talking about it and we have refined three words that we really want to teach.  These are the three words that we have decided to really invest our time in teaching.  This image is printed out and posted on our fridge to remind us everyday of our commitment to intentional parenting.

Monthly Updates {Dutch}

On Monday I shared the pictures from Dutch’s first birthday party.  I wanted to share with you his official monthly pictures from this past year.  Thank you Aunt Kellyn for the ties!

The monthly pictures I took of Dutch were initially very fun, but as he got more and more mobile I began to dread picture day.  The pictures were so challenging to take, but I’m glad we stuck with it and had them to look back at his growth for the past year at the party.  We actually still have these hanging in the dining room.  It’s still his birthday month, so it’s okay, right?

At 6 months I think I could really start to see his personality coming out, but I think month 9 was my favorite.  That picture always makes me smile!

So much change in 12 months :-)

Our Honey Bee is One!

I know I’ve mentioned it a few times on social media and posted a few pictures, but our baby boy is one!!!! HOW DID THAT HAPPEN??!?!?!?!?! All year I have said that time is going by too fast.  It is. It’s going to fast.  But a year?! Where did the year go?! I promise, sometimes, I still can’t believe we conceived.  I’m still in the mental state of shock: “We’re pregnant?!” Yes we were pregnant, then he was born, and now he is a year old.  I think I’m in complete denial.  No, I’ve taken up residence in denial.  No, I’m becoming a hoarder in denial….. It took me for-ev-er to admit that his birthday was coming and that I really needed to get started planning his first birthday party.  I just wanted something fun but simple, that celebrated Dutch and all of the people that have prayed for him.  I settled on a bee theme and thought a BBQ in the backyard would be great.  The Mr. spent weeks getting the backyard ready (trees removed, new doors installed, shed repainted, etc.)  I ordered tons of lawn games and a huge bouncy castle.  Then Houston had a huge flood…… Back up plan? Get creative, and have the tables and chairs set up in the garage and leave the bouncy house in the rain. lol It wasn’t a Pinterest-worthy party, but we didn’t care.  Our focus remained on our relationships and those that love on Dutch and pray for him.  My sister came to town to celebrate with us and I’m SOOOO glad that she did.  She totally pulled the party off for us.  And thanks to her we have pictures of the party.  She took every single one of these pictures!  Thank you Kellyn!  Tips for mamas…..GIVE YOUR CAMERA TO SOMEONE ELSE  and ask them to capture the party for you so that you can see everything that you missed while you tried to host!  This way you get to enjoy the party and still have pictures for memories. We had about 40 adults and children at the house and the Mr. smoked a brisket, pork shoulder, and some sausage.  I made typical BBQ sides.  It was perfect and easy and a great way to celebrate our special honey bee.    I made this invitation for the party, and clearly had too much fun with the bee theme.   I made my Lemon-Honey Beehive Cake and served it with some summer berries and some cupcakes.  Dutch’s “smash cake” was just a cupcake.We selected a new verse to pray over Dutch this year.  Through pregnancy and his first year it was Pslam 91:4, and this year we will pray Joshua 1:9 over him.  The frame is sitting on his nightstand now, and the previous frame is on the wall.For the polka dot garland, I just used my Silhouette Cameo to cut out black and yellow circles and then I sewed them together (tutorial here) and my sister strung them on the island and from the mantle.  Simple and easy decorations.The monthly pictures I took of Dutch were initially very fun, but as he got more and more mobile I began to dread picture day.  The pictures were so challenging to take, but I’m glad we stuck with it and had them to look back at his growth for the past year at the party.  We actually still have this hanging in the dining room.  It’s still his birthday month, so it’s okay, right?Dutch loved his cupcake, but he really didn’t get very messy.  I was expecting to have to strip him down and hose him off afterwards, but all I had to do was wipe off his hands and mouth.  The party was great but Dutch was so exhausted that presents had to wait until after church the next day.  And boy, was this little boy completely spoiled!   We are still celebrating this little boy’s birthday, since it is still his birthday month.  The party turned out so much better than I could have imagined, despite all of the rain.  I’m glad it was a simple party that focused on the people.  No rushing around and just fun. Happy birthday to my Little Peep :-)

Whipped Grapefruit & Mint Body Scrub

Dutch only goes to school for about 10 hours a week but when it was time for Teacher Appreciation Week we wanted to do something special for his precious teachers.  So we made them a handmade body scrub for the loving hands that work so hard everyday.  Don’t tell, but I made a small jar for myself and it smells delicious, and I want to share the recipe with you. Another super fast and easy DIY :-)

Ingredients:

1/2 cup coconut oil
1/2 cup sugar
1 tbs fresh grapefruit juice
10 drops peppermint essential oil (The oils & resources I recommend)
25 drops grapefruit essential oil

Directions:
1. With coconut oil in its solid consistency, mix with sugar in a mixer on a low speed until a paste has formed.
2. Add in grapefruit juice and all essential oils and whip together until fluffy.
3. Store in an air-tight container (like a mason jar), and enjoy!