We spent nearly two weeks at Disney World in June. I can't even begin to say how wonderful it was! Disney was already my favorite place before kids, but add in these two babies of mine and oh. my. soul. The magic was REAL. We didn't tell the kids we were going until right before we left. They were SO excited.

We stayed at Port Orleans Riverside. It was gorgeous! Such a beautiful hotel. The grounds were huge and so stunning. The rooms were quite a trek to get to, but we loved it regardless. Liam keeps asking when we can go back home to our "Disney World home" and it makes my heart burst every time. 

The kids absolutely loved everything about this trip. Liam was in awe that the place he watched nearly daily on youtube was real! He was the bravest four year old around- tackling the biggest roller coasters with ease. He still is begging me to go back to ride Tower of Terror again! 

We got to announce a super special surprise on this trip... We are PREGNANT! Biggest surprise of our lives! We decided to wait until Disney to tell the family, and it was so magical! We waited in line to meet Daisy Duck and had my family come up for a group photo. At the last second we announced the news to catch their reactions on camera. It was hysterical! No one expected this at all. We were done having kids in our minds. Thankfully the Lord's plans were different. We can't wait until this new bundle arrives! The due date? CHRISTMAS DAY! What a present! We've officially called this summer the "Summer of Surprises." 

Our lives are changing in huge ways this year, and we are so excited to see where the future takes us! 

 

Port Orleans Riverside, Here We Come!

Y'all. The Disney trip is HAPPENING. Like really, really happening! The rooms are officially booked. Tickets are bought. Airline points are being earned. I'm ecstatic. Like, I can't even tell you how much. Oh my LANTA. WE ARE GOING TO DISNEY WORLD!

Disney had a great deal for our trip to Port Orleans Riverside resort. It looks gorgeous!

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/resorts/port-orleans-resort-riverside/

We are going for 9 nights/10 days. I'm seriously over the moon. This trip is a dream come true. We are waiting until the morning of to surprise Liam and Kate and hope to make a video of it. Liam is going to flip OUT. I cannot wait to see his reaction! I already know I'm going to be a blubbering mess seeing them experience this for the first time. 

I already get to book our fast pass plus options in a few days. Eeeeek! It's going to be hard to concentrate on anything else for the next few months with this on my mind. I can't believe that this is real life! 

Let's Go To DISNEY WORLD!

This past year has been CRAZY. So much has happened that I haven't had a moment to sit down and absorb it all. Recently my amazing Papa and I decided it was time to start going back to Disney World. Disney World is such a special place to me. It holds more of my happy memories than I can say. We've needed a little boost in happiness, and I'm SO excited to finally be going back to our other home.

Liam asks on a daily basis if we can go to "Disney Wowelllllld" yet. We can't wait to surprise him the day we leave! Kate is going to be in princess heaven. I seriously don't know how I'm going to sleep the next few months with all the excitement! 

Disney with kids is going to be a totally different experience for us. We went to Disney every year as a family for 2 weeks at a time starting as a young teen. I'm excited to see it through the eyes of my babies. 

I just ordered this book and can't wait to read it. We are currently researching hotels for our rather large group. We traditionally stayed at the Contemporary Hotel every year and LOVED it. It's still not ruled out of the cards, but needing two rooms now has definitely made us explore our other options. I'd LOVE to hear from you if you've stayed at other resorts! And especially if you have any advice for traveling with little ones. 

I'm having more fun than anything picking out outfits for Liam and Kate to wear. I'm in LOVE with the costumes from Little Adventures Dress Ups! They are machine washable and not itchy. I want to order Kate everything! It's been a little harder finding outfits for Liam, but we have found some SUPER cute applique shirts with his monogram on resale pages. I am having such a blast! 

If you've traveled with young kiddos, please give me all your tips! From airplane rides to Disney, give me everything! 

Have a magical day! 

-Anna 

My Wish List

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

Sweet Liam

Liam has nearly hit 2.5 years old! We've officially entered the "terrible twos" with a very strong willed little man. ;) I stumbled upon this letter I wrote him before his second birthday and it reminded me of how much I love this child.

Sweet Liam:

Oh, buddy. I'm stuck in an emotional state of disbelief that my baby is turning TWO. One was tough, but two? TWO!? You're officially a full fledged toddler and there's not much "baby" left in you anymore. You've lost that cute baby look and turned into a handsome little boy seemingly overnight. Your smile is every bit mischievous as it is sweet. You are constantly plotting to either give me a head of gray hair or the biggest laugh yet. There is never a dull (or quiet!) moment with you.

I love that you still need your momma, but I slowly see you becoming more independent and doing things all by yourself. You don't need me for many of the daily tasks anymore, and you claim that independence on anything you can. You can use an iPad or iPhone better than me. Your brain is incredible and you won't stop trying until you figure out exactly how to do something. You are persistent and stubborn... something that I'm sure will get you far in life.

Lately you've developed a very tender spirit. I hope you keep it. You are fiercely in love with your family, and so protective of your baby sister. You are constantly soothing her when she is sad, and supporting her through all her baby milestones. Just yesterday I walked into the room while Kate was on her tummy and found you laying next to her rubbing her back the entire time. You are so sensitive to her. The first thing you do as soon as you wake up is RUN to find her. You giggle the entire way!

You have a way of making your momma feel like the most loved person in the world.  You are always seeking me out for a hug or kiss. Your favorite place to be is as close as possible to wherever I am. My favorite feeling ever is when I catch you looking up at me with a sweet smile or feel you grabbing my hand to hold. You've changed my life in 2 years more than it's ever been changed in my 26 on this earth.

My favorite day from this year is when I took you on a date. Daddy was gone at school camp, and I decided to take you on a special day. You probably won't remember it, but I'll hold it close forever. We started off meeting our cousins at the aquarium. We had so much fun looking at all the different sea creatures! You were hilarious. It was so hard to keep up with you as you ran between exhibits! After that I took you to the Disney Store to pick out a Mickey Mouse.

I'm so proud of the little man you are becoming. You are smart, sweet, and kind... AND a whole lot of mischievousness in there too. I love you, Liam Scott. I'm so thankful you're mine.

Love, Mommy

When Your Toddler Refuses to Talk- Encouragement for Mommas

Liam, my sweet 2 year old (27 months,) is incredibly smart, understands literally everything we say, and has met every milestone ahead of time. All except one. He had the hardest time with talking. He would jabber all day long with a small handful of words thrown in, but man was it discouraging when other kids his age were talking circles around him.

After writing down every word he could say, he was at the level a typical two year old needs to be able to say (50 words) but barely used them and flat out refused when we would give him prompts like "Say dog!" Because he was at that 50 word vocab, he didn't qualify for speech therapy; however, I knew in my heart he needed help.

I started looking up videos online for speech at home. It. Worked. Miracles. I found a fantastic lady named Alina Mihai Coaching. Her videos are so simple but helped me learn how to coach him along through play and music. He loved watching the videos with me and really enjoyed her alphabet sound song. Best part? They are free!

We started watching these about a month ago, and randomly over the last two days he started busting out new words like crazy! In the past 48 hours he has said at LEAST 50 new words or more, plus started saying short sentences!

This morning he brought me my shoes from the closet (he wanted to go outside) and said in the sweetest voice "Momma? On!" I've waited SO long for my boy to address me by Momma! It was such a breakthrough for him and such a relief to my heart.

If you're a momma with a slow-to-speak tot, check out these videos. I can't recommend them enough! I hope this brings you a small little piece of comfort. Now that he's started talking we can't get him to stop. ;)

So proud of this boy!

Half a Decade of Marriage

As promised, I wanted to share some pictures from our big day FIVE years ago. I still can't believe it has been that long. We've been together nine years this month. Strange to think that I've been with Joe for 1/3 of my life! A little background for you: We met when I was around 2 years old. We both went to the same little church and went through the Awana program together there. It's so strange to grow up with someone and fall in love with them. I love looking back at our childhood pictures together and seeing how far we've come.

We were married at Castle Farms in Charlevoix, Michigan. If you ever have a chance to visit DO it! It's absolutely beautiful. Our wedding was actually very budget friendly. I was surprised that we were able to get the Castle rented so cheaply during a promotion they were running. The best part? You get to bring your own food! So much saved in just that!

My dress was by Maggie Sottero. Funny enough, I never tried it on before I bought it. I fell in love with it after seeing it on another bride and scoured bridal resale pages to be able to afford it. I found it brand new (a bride had changed her mind!) for less than 1/4 of the original price. It fit like a glove and no alterations were needed. I felt like a princess! The beading was incredible and it was so well made.

I'm so thankful for the man I married! It hasn't always been easy, but it's been so good doing life with him. We've grown up together. I am forever grateful that I'm loved by him.