Baby Boy Arrives

Little man is here!! Alec Michael was born June 8th at 11:51pm. He weighed 9lbs 8oz and was 22 1/2in long! He was bigger than I expected, that is for sure.

At the Birth Center the night he was born.

 

Car ride home the next morning.

 

Cuddling with Aunt Lys

 

Grumpy face - so cute!

 

 

Inspiration time

 Spring is here! Which means I've hit my inspiration/I really wanna do something kick.

Loving the fresh airy look - too bad I can't redo my entire house!

 

Looking at maternity pictures for ideas for our shoot next weekend.

 

Trying to pick a hair cut for this summer. Getting it cut next Thursday.

 

Bangs or no??

 

And inspiration for little bit's room. These are basically our colors, except our walls are blue.

 

 

 

 

What inspires you this spring time??

 

Just A Day

Listening to classical music really loudly (so the baby can hear too)

Sipping tea

Playing "Words with Friends" with Bre

Wrapped in a quilt trying to stay warm

Getting maternity photo ideas

Hungry but not feeling like eating anything (mouth is sore)

Missing my dear Chad who is at work

Glad not to have anywhere else to go until Saturday

Loving feeling little bit move around

 

30wks pregnant!! (not my bathroom - mine is tiny)



Cake Cutting! (Gender Reveal)

So yesterday we cut the gender reveal cake at church with some of our family and friends. It was great fun! We had everyone split into two groups - right side if you thought it was a girl and left if you thought it was a boy. Most of the people stood on the left, but I kinda think that was because it was the side closer to the door :)

So what is it??

 

Isn't that a pretty little cake? The local bakery did such a good job!

 

Cutting - it's a...

 

Little boy!

 

We're having a precious little boy! Can't you tell we're so excited??

 

 

 

You're very happy mother-to-be,

P.S In case you follow Love. Marriage. Baby, I posted basically the same post there.

Baby, I love you

Baby, I Love You
by Mariah M.
 

I don't know your name yet

Or the color of your eyes

We have never really met

But I love you to the skies

 I don't know what size you'll be

Or how short or how tall

I don't know if you'll look like me

But I love you big or small

 I don't know you very well

Or even if you're a he or a she

But I can already tell

I love you deeper than the sea

 Baby, I love you!

So Much Going On (Exciting News)

Life is taking so many turns for me right now. Not bad ones, just lots of them. It feels like everything has happened so quickly.

December 2009 - Started seeing Chad.
Spring 2010 - Lost my dear Grandfather (who was a really close friend as well and Grandfather).
Summer 2010 - Graduated.
December 2010 - One year with Chad.
Feburary 2011 - Engaged.
Fall 2011 - Started photography school and wedding planning.
December 2011 - Two years with Chad.
February 2012 - One year engaged.
Spring 2012 - Bridal Shower/Uncles Wedding.
Summer 2012 - Married!!!
So far Fall 2012 - Moved to a new house. Almost completed photography school (got my first perfect score on an assignment) and...

 

Little bit - what we're currently calling the baby - is estimated to be due June 3rd (just 13 days before our first anniversary). That would mean I am currently 10 1/2 weeks along! I've not had anything but blood work done though, so the due date could change.

 

Well, as I'm currently feeling a bit sick (I don't have morning sickness, I have all-day-comes-and-goes sickness), I'm gonna run.

Love your new mom-to-be,

Just one of those days

it's a:

 

lowercase day

 

cotton candy day (particulary maple syrup cotton candy).

 

watch movies with Chad day.

 

sonic cherry limade day.

 

This morning honey had to get up at 6am to go to work for a few hours. I slept :) When he got home I made us something to eat and then we went out and ran errands. Now we're home and having a good ol' time!! I love weekends!

 

 

 

My Tray Table of Happiness

"I must learn to be content with being happier than I deserve." Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice.

I keep a tray table by the sofa. I have a coffee table in the living room, but it isn't quite easy enough to reach. So that is why I have the tray table. On this table I keep bits and pieces of what make me happy. Tea sits here, cups that either get swallowed down quickly while still very hot or else get almost ignored until they are cold. Books sit there when not being read. Romance novels, classics, dystopians, histories, biographies and many many more. Lunches sit there, snacks sit there, journal and letters and notes sit there.

My tray table of happiness can have Arazona Green Tea, Peanut M&M's and the Pioneer Woman's novel on it.

 

My tray table can have journals, pens, a book, peach kiss lipstick, my cell phone and blackberry and pomegranate tea.

 

 

Basically it can have anything and everything on it. Chai tea, vitamins, juice, remotes, my ipod, my laptop, toast and lots more :)

 

 



Your happy,

Updates from Ri!

July 18^th 2012

It’s gray and dreary right now. The skies have just let lose what is promising to be quite a severe storm. I am sitting on the sofa drinking chai tea, thankful to have just finished a few thank you notes for belated wedding gifts. I should go bake cinnamon muffins for me and superman to eat for breakfast tomorrow, but that can wait a bit. He won’t be back for hours anyway, so I figured I’d post. Now, we don’t have internet at our house yet, so I’m typing this up and will post it when I have access to internet, be it at the library or at Mom’s Friday.

Being married is wonderful – maybe not perfect – but wonderful. Chad is such a sweetheart and an amazing husband. I hope every one of you girls reading this (who don’t already have an amazing man in their life) find someone as sweet and caring as my husband is.

So since the last time I posted I’ve gotten married, moved into a different house, legally changed my last name, gone to see the Biltmore(yay!), cut my hair, and got blue bands put on my braces J

Today I had my braces tightened, which is an experience that always makes me feel rather torn. I have an awesome orthodontist. He and his wife (who works with him) are so sweet. Such a cute couple! And they are so nice, I love talking to them and catching up. But – and there is always a but – my mouth is always sore after I’ve gone there (that or I’ve gone there because a wire came lose and is jabbing me in the cheek). Today he put on thicker wires (he’s been doing that, but apparently these are really quite thick) and they are going to make my mouth even more sore then the last time he tightened them. I believe it – I already hurt bad enough that chewing bread is very painful. Oh well, they said the thicker the wires the farther along I am in treatment – which is good. It means I’m just one step closer to getting them off, right?? Next time I go he’s gonna put on these rubber band thingys that are all attached and fit over the brackets. Not sure what they are called, but he said it would help close the remaining gaps from where they cruelly ripped pulled out four teeth to make more room.

Yesterday was peach canning day – I’m sure Mom will post about it at some point, probably detailed about how to can them properly and the exact light syrup recipe (which is something like 3c sugar, 9c water), so if you want more detail, her button is on the side bar J Anyway, it was fun, although we only got one canner load done. I think we’re going to do the rest of the peaches Friday along with canning our own Rotel recipe. We’re also going to have dinner with my Pawpaw.

I think Friday Chad and I may go swimming, or rather Chad will swim while I stay in the shallow end and try my best not to drown! I sink like a rock, it’s awful. I don’t have any float in me… He’ll hold me up to try and get me to float and the instant he lets go down, down, down my body goes! He’ll teach me eventually I suppose, he hasn’t let me drown so far anyway J

Well I best go – various household chores await me!

Xoxoxo,

Wedding!

Hey Y'all!
I wanted to share with you that our dear Riah got married this past Saturday. She and Superman were really excited :)
The whole thing was beautiful (even with the few things that got messed up).
I was so happy to be apart of the planning and standing up with her as her Maid of Honor. I couldn't ask for a better best friend :)

I'm sure there will be pictures to post soon - but for now I'm off to work :)
Congrats to Riah and Superman - love y'all!!

I love my BFF!

Dear Everyone,
My best friend is getting married in 2 two weeks from Saturday!!
Feels like just yesterday we were talking about "never" getting married and traveling the world as famous photographers :) 6 years flew by fast since the first time we had that conversation! Heck, 20 years flew by fast!
I can't wait to be apart of Riah's big day! :)
Love ya Ri!

Something about Photography!

There is just something about photography. Something about being behind a camera. Something about hearing that shutter sound or adjusting the Aperture knowing just what DOF you have in mind. There is some about capturing a scene, a moment, an emotion for all time. Making a picture come out exactly how you had in mind. There is something about spur of the moment photo shoots. There is just something about it that is so wonderful, so creative... Just so amazing.

I am a moment catcher...

...a light writer...

...a shutterbug...

...a photographer...

I may not be an amazing one, I may never be one of the best, but it is what I love and what I have a passion for and I'll do it until I'm no longer capable of turning that shutter dial or compressing that oh-so-wonderful button.

I just realized...

... that I never told y'all that Superman and I set a wedding date. Y'all know we're getting married and are planning it, so I thought you might wanna know what day :) I'll also post more interesting stuff about it as I get the chance - and if I actually stop to think about it. Right now we're just scheduling things and a buying decorations and fitting dresses. Mostly getting the details down.

Anyway the date is... **duh duh duhhhhh** 

Yep - of this year too :) Isn't that a cool photo? I didn't take it, but it fit so well ;) I think I'll have one similar done. I like the idea - whose ever idea it was!

xoxo's

Great night!

First off, I wanna say how GREAT it was to see my bestest friend in the world, Riah, yesterday! She is so sweet :) She brought me a pair of new earrings without a reason to! :) Love you Ri!

Anyway, so I've been watching Passion live on my computer for the last 2 days (today being the 3rd) and WOW is it good!!!
Hillsong United played last night at a little after 11:30 and I didn't get to bed until 2:30 :)
God is so good!!!
more later (hopefully) :)

A long day....

It's been a long day... Getting up, getting ready, going on a walk, cleaning, taking my first archery lesson, running errands...

Now I am getting ready to settle in with a book (Torrent), a cup of Chai tea, freshly washed hair and watching a re-run of Downton Abbey. Chai tea is going to become my new addiction, that or Vanilla Almond Milk, but I think it'll probably be Chai tea. And is there anything nicer then freshly washed hair?
- on a side note, the house smells like ginger bread! Yum!

As for details on the archery lesson... I learned how to string my bow. I have to un-string it every time I finish using it, so I learned to do all that. I learned how to anchor it, load the arrow (super easy), aim and shoot. At first I just practiced drawing without an arrow, just getting used to the feel of it. I then practiced drawing with the arrow, then shot. The first shot went rather well... I hit the target (not the bulls eye though) and managed not to hit my arm with the string. The second time I shot I missed and I still didn't hit my arm. The third time I missed and hit my arm but the arm guard protected me, the fourth time my guard slipped and I hit my arm... Boy did that hurt. I hit the same place the fifth time, I thought I had moved my guard to protect my arm properly, but apparently I hadn't. I now have a red, sore spot on my arm, but it only hurts now if I touch it. Lucky for me I was wearing long sleeves or it could have been worse! Tomorrow morning my uncle (who got me the bow, arrows, accessories and target and who taught me today) is taking me to the place where he got my bow and they're going to teach me too. I am also planning on buying more arrows while I'm there. He got me four and I'd like to have some more... I'm hoping to buy three more tomorrow while I'm there. I wish I could get maybe four or five more, but they cost $5 per arrow (yeah, not cheep). Still I'm excited!

Archer-in-training,

Procrastination part deux

Here I am again, listening to Some Kind of Wonderful by Michael Buble on Pandora. Here I am again eating a sour cream donut and drinking coffee (feeling slighting police officer-ish). Here I am again procrastinating. I should be sewing skirts, working on my secret project, uploading music into my computer, cleaning my room, cleaning the main areas, cleaning the bathroom and blog designing. Oh and calling Lys and working on a Christmas wish list (per her request, be it only September). I should be writing my untitled novel, but instead I'm dreaming about this store. I should be cleaning up the extremely messy table beside me, but instead I'm thinking about being here:

Paris at night...

In this dress...

wearing these shoes...

these bracelets...

And this necklace (I love this necklace!!)...

and this hat...

and this purse! Yep, that's a complete ensemble.

And it costs -  $233.94 - yep, that's without the Paris part ;)

Yeah, sometimes I have expensive taste **blushes** I try not to though. And I'd never actually buy those things. It would be a ridiculous waste of money; money I don't have.

Much Love,

Riah

P.S. I started this post way earlier...

P.P.S. It would be preferable if somewhere Fred Astaire music was playing, but since Paris doesn't have a soundtrack, like movies do, I guess I'll have to live without it :(

Some of my favorites - But first...

...may I ask for y'all to pray for a friend of Lyssa's family. Lys just found out that the lady has stage four liver cancer. From what I understand, she's had it for a little while, but Lyssa's family didn't know about it until now. I'm sorry if I have some facts wrong here... Lys was a little rushed when she called me to let me know. She will probably either update this later or inform me of what's going on and I can update it. Please pray!

Here are some of my favorite bloggers, in no particular order by the way. Oh and no offense intended to anyone. I follow a lot of blogs, so if you aren't in my list, I apologize.

Mary or Sue Sue from Sue Sue's Stories!

She never fails to amuse me with stories about her family and I love to just read the day-to-day goings-on at her house. She seems to love vintage-y pink and flowers... I love that she is willing to answer what must seem like endless questions about Mennonites and her beliefs. Thanks bunches Mary!

Hannah from Banana Blog. So she is from Canada, extremely fun! She used to live in Nova Scotia - which is on my bucket list! I love to read about her adventures in house living, boating, writing, cross stitching and so much more. I miss her posts a lot when she isn't able to post... I'm not going to let you get on another boat Hannah! I miss your posts too much when you're gone!

My very dear, dear friend Amber from Joy of Dawn. She is so unbelievably sweet. Besides being an amazing writer - both in letters and books - she is also a extremely loving and giving person. I value her opinion when we're talking about scripture or books or life in general. I enjoy getting her emails and letters and I love reading what she has written! I love you so much Amber!!

Bleah from The Daydreamer's Reverie. She is funny, loves Owl City and Ted Dekker and doesn't like Taylor Swift. She loves camp and photography. She stands up for what she believes in and isn't afriad to. I love reading her posts! Thanks for being so interesting Bleah! :)

Autumn from Storygirl. Well for starters she lives in AUSTRALIA! I know, that is so amazing! She has very cool posts, I love her "A Damsel's Daybook" posts. She comments the most and her comments always brighten my day, whether she knows it or not. Thank you for always giving me a smile!

And last, but certainly not least: Jocee from The Cupcake Dictionary. She loves all sorts of music and is possibly the biggest Narnia fan ever. And she IS the biggest William Moseley ever. She has what sounds like a very interesting little sister and she has very sweetly offered to teach me how to swim - sadly she lives way too far away, states away in fact :) She likes to come up with new trends and yes Jocee TYPING LIKE THIS DOES LOOK LOUD!

-Ri Chelle
*note: I can't figure out why it's spaced so much! Agh!!!
**2nd note: I tried to pick pictures that somehow fit the blog or blogger.
*** 3rd note: Thank you Jocee, I realized I worded that part about the cancer badly. Sorry!!!!! I fixed it!