As my birthday/the holiday season approaches, I love to pull together a few items that I've been wishing for to give (subtle) hints to my husband. ;)

We are planning a Disney World trip for early next year, so I want my "gifts" to be things I'm saving up to buy to make our trip easier.

1. Fawn Design Bag- I'm in LOVE. These bags are gorgeous diaper bags that are so classy looking! I love the black, blush, and gray. I seriously cannot decide which I like most! I love the backpack feature. With two kiddos, I need the room and my arms free. It seems like the perfect bag!

2. Wildbird Slings- So. Dreamy. I've been wanting one of these since we had Kate, but still haven't been able to buy one. They are so, so gorgeous. My "wish lists" these days tend to be child related! :) I would LOVE to have a carrier to throw my cuddly babes in!

3. Nike Shoes- Since becoming a mama, comfy shoes are my jam! I love the look of a classic pair of Nikes.

4. Chip Mug- This mug from the Disney Parks App is SO sweet. Beauty and the Beast is one of my favorite movies ever! How cute would this be for that morning cup of coffee?

Surgery, Giggles, and Sunshine.

Summer has been a wild ride. It started out with our annual trip to Great Wolf Lodge, lots of family time, and scheduling my first ever surgery. In July I had to have a large tumor removed. It was terrifying, but necessary. It took nearly 2 weeks to get the results back that I am cancer free! Such a huge relief! I am so thankful that the results were benign and I can get on with life.

I celebrated my 6 year wedding anniversary and 10 year dating anniversary this summer. So crazy how fast time goes by! <3

In June my little sister (who has lived with us a year) moved out to drive the Bootmobile! It has been SO fun tracking her adventures! Liam is obsessed! He asks every day when he gets to see the boot again. I'm convinced she has the coolest job in the world.

My babies are growing like weeds! It's unbelievable how much they have changed this summer. Liam's vocabulary blows me away every day. He's hilarious and sassy. He's obsessed with superheros and adventure. Kate is just starting to talk and has the sweetest personality you'll ever see. She is so cuddly and happy! 

We are currently planning our first family vacation to Disney World! I can't wait to go through the planning process. I'm absolutely nuts about Disney World and can't wait to be "home" again! Hopefully my kids will love it as much as myself! :) I'm excited to post as we plan! 

This has been an insanely busy summer. I always think summer will be relaxing with my husband home for a few months, but it never fails to be our busiest part of the year. I've spent the last part of the summer trying to be a more present person for my kiddos. It's been a learning experience for sure! I'm so convicted over how much time I spend looking at my phone/computer instead of spending time with my kids. It's been good to step back and make changes! :) 

Ikea Table Hack

The search for a kids table I liked seemed impossible. Everything was either obnoxiously colored, or outrageously expensive. I finally came across THIS blog on Pinterest and decided it was the route to take!

The IKEA Latt table is under $25! So affordable and easy to justify.

I painted our table with white chalk paint from Hobby Lobby. I stopped at Lowe's and grabbed a 18x24 plexiglass sheet. They will cut it down to size for you for free! I had them cut it to 23 3/8" by 17 3/8". Because the table has squared corners We had to make little cuts with wire cutters on the corners when we got home for it to fit flush.

I cut a piece of wrapping paper (from Target!) to size and set it underneath the plexiglass. I plan on changing it out for different holidays. I would recommend spraying the wrapping paper with Mod Podge Spray to help repel water leaks.

I LOVE how it turned out. It's such a fun addition to our house!

Bonnet Lovin'

It's no secret that I LOVE a sweet bonnet on a baby. My go-to brand is usually Beaufort Bonnet company, but I recently branched out and found a sweet etsy seller selling exactly what I wanted. Y'all, it's perfect! Her prices were wonderful and the quality is top-notch!

She puts gorgeous ties on the bonnets which allow you to tie a big beautiful bow, and even embroiders charming monograms on the back. I cannot say enough good about this little shop.

The shipping was much faster than I would have expected. I had the bonnet within days of ordering! She was communicative and more than willing to fix anything with the bonnet I needed. I'm completely hooked!

Check out Boo Bunny Bonnets on Etsy! I promise you won't be disappointed.

Liam is THREE!

Oh my LANTA. I feel like I was just writing my last letter to you, bud! I cannot believe you're turning three! Admittedly, I'm just glad you survived 2. ;) You were a WILD one. You tried to fully embody the term "terrible twos," but somehow still left us charmed with sweetness. You have SO MUCH personality. You love being the center of attention and never fail to make us laugh. You are the hardest kid in the world to punish with a straight face. I always have to turn my face so you don't see my attempts to stifle my laughter.

You've changed tons this year! Physically you look like a little boy now. You're taller than most kids your age and often get mistaken for someone much older! I'm sure you got that from your momma. ;) You finally started talking around 2.5 and have so much to say! You recently started putting together sentences and are constantly making us laugh with the new words you pick up.  You've finally been attempting to say the harder letters like "R" and "L" and even saying the beginning of your words. We always laughed when you would leave off half of a word. (Books were usually "ooks." Kate was "attttteeeeee.") It's so fun watching you learn!

We often catch you flipping quietly through books on your own. I hope you have a love for books as you grow! You LOVE singing and are almost always humming a tune. You know the words to "Jesus Loves Me," and I love hearing you singing it in your bed over the monitor. You've also memorized most of "How Far I'll Go" from Moana.

You potty trained yourself (in true Liam fashion) and even keep your big boy undies dry at night! That's quite a feat for a toddler boy!

Kate is your favorite person ever. You take your big brother role VERY seriously. You have been a great helper for me! She follows you around everywhere and adores you. Every time you (mostly purposely) knock her over you are sure to immediately say "SORRRRY KATIEEEEE!"

You ask almost daily to go on a "date" with me. My favorite newly acquired skill of yours is your ability to know exactly what coins you need as we go in certain stores: "A penny for the horse, please!" as we walk into Meijer; "A quarter for the ball, please!" at Old Navy. It cracks me up! You love Target. A boy after my own heart, for sure.

When you grow up you want to be "a pilot to fly to Mickey's house with Mommy." You also want to be a doctor and wear your doctor coat and carry around your briefcase to help at any of Kate's well-child visits. You always have the office staff laughing!

Liam, I love you SO much. In fact, I literally don't know if I could possibly love you more. You are incredible. You're silly, sweet, and helpful. I'm so proud of you, buddy. I'm so thankful you're my boy. Jesus gave us the perfect child for our family. We praise him for giving us you!

I blinked, and You Turned One!

I'll never forget that moment I first found out you were coming into our lives. I was elated. I remember the wait for your Daddy to wake up seemed like an eternity. The butterflies, the tears, the grin I couldn't wipe off my face. You were instantly loved. And the day that I found out you would be our first daughter? That's a day I will store in my memories forever.

The day you were born felt like a scene from a movie. Everything was perfect. I literally laughed you into this world. I looked up at your Daddy's face as I pushed and could not stop laughing. You came right out! The labor was a dream, and the moment I first held you still makes me swell with pride. You were absolutely beautiful.

You've grown from a tiny little thing to a walking, babbling (dare I say it?) toddler. You have the most easy going personality. You're absolutely sweet as pie. You would follow your brother anywhere, and I don't think you adore anyone more. Your favorite time of day is when your Daddy walks through the door. I'm fairly certain you spend half your night following him around and the other half glued in his arms. You get so excited when you see your Aunt Lindsey in the morning and are sure to snuggle up to her as fast as you can.

You are a cuddler. You always want to be held and would live in our wraps and carriers. You give hugs and kisses and carry your baby doll around all day long. You have a tender heart and a smile that lights up a room.

Simply put, we can't imagine life before you. God blessed us more than we deserve when he gave us you. You're an angel. I love you more than I can say, Kate Elizabeth. I'm so proud to be your momma. Happy first birthday, baby girl!

2017- The New Year

I sit here, sipping my morning coffee, watching as my two little ones play together (somewhat) peacefully. As they race back and forth through their little pop-up tunnel, they giggle fiercely and somehow make it happen with a rare lack of any injuries to each other. I feel blessed. I feel tired. I feel determined.

2016 brought giant blessings and big heartaches. My first daughter was born, and I honestly can’t picture what life was like without her. It doesn’t seem possible that there was a time without our sweet, happy little girl. Liam turned 2 and I learned where the phrase “terrible 2’s” comes from. There were tears when one of my best friends in the world lost her daddy. There was determination to live more knowing that life can disappear at any moment.

Ringing in 2017 gave me home for a clean slate in a year I’m determined to make a beautiful one. I want to love bigger, yell less, live simpler, give selflessly and laugh more. I want to have more dance parties with my kids, spend more time with my husband, and have more “forget to check my phone” moments.

Happy 2017, friends. I hope that you can look back on this coming year as we ring in the next knowing that you grew for the better.

Anna