Matthew & Betsy

It was such a delight to make a trip to Nebraska last month -- not only to spend time with family, but also to photograph an amazingly gorgeous wedding of a sweet friend.

(And I couldn't have done it without the help of sisters who were willing to watch my new baby, as well as Kori, who was my assistant and an immense blessing!)

The couple chose a nearby field for a photo location. What they hadn't counted on was an especially cold morning and bone-chilling wind! Br-rr-r. Yet they braved the elements saying "Oh, the pictures will be worth it!"

Here are a few (and then several more) of my favorites... 

{grin}

 

What a delight and honor to capture the adoring glances they gave each other.

"The bridegroom rejoices over his bride..."

Isaiah 62:5

The reception decorations and details were phenomenal!

Congratulations, Matthew and Betsy!

2:51pm

tousled hair after nap time 

{just one of the little things I love about being a mommy}

Two Months

Two months of running on less sleep (and more coffee).

Two months of snuggles and kissing his chubby cheeks.

Two months with precious Caden James in our lives. 

my chunky monkey

precious baby feet

head full of hair

sweet smiles

oh, I just love this precious lil' person!

#mylittles

Just a few more pictures of what's keeping me busy these days...

My baby missed the 'be a newborn for at least a month' memo.

Sporting three month clothing at three weeks is growing up entirely too fast...

and now Caden is almost two months old!

Ari is my big lil' helper and loves when I pop Caden in bed with her for a story or two. She has all sorts of songs and books memorized, and loves to entertain him (and me!)

 She doesn't quite understand why his attention span doesn't last as long as hers when she reads to him...

{...and he's still getting used to all the kisses}

11:17am

{pulling EVERY.SINGLE.THING out of the basket 

to look for a very specific book she wants to read}

#bookworm #instagram

And the picture is in black and white because her outfit combo today is entirely distracting. My girlie is already old enough to have preferences when it comes to her clothes!

#wheredoestimego 

Impeccable Timing

After all the picture posts of the cute littles at my house, I'm finally sitting down during a quiet moment [as-I-hold-my-breath-cuz'-who-knows-how-long-it-will-last] to think and actually write more than a blog post title!

I know I'm not the first mom of two (two and under) who has wished for an extra pair of hands at some point during the day, or even better yet -- two of me! [grin] I'm also discovering that it is a great endurance and patience building experience to have multiple little ones depend on me SO MUCH within a days time, only heightened when they are both crying and in desperate need of mommy. I'm re-learning how to plan a day, write realistic to-do lists, be more intentional in my relationships, and live more selflessly moment by moment. 

I adore all the sweet snuggles.

and slobbery kisses. 

and the newborn sweetness.

and reading a children's book for the ump-teenth time.

and feeling little arms around my neck. 

Its precious moments like these that I want to savor,

enjoy to the fullest,

and never forget.

Yet to be honest and look at the other side of the coin, there can be some pretty crazy moments and days, too, that have me sighing in relief once they are over!

In the midst of full days in finding our new 'normal', Dan surprised me mid-week with these gorgeous lilies. 

Just because. 

Because he loves me.

And in the midst of these hectic days with some success and some failure (and the opportunity to extend myself grace),

I still find myself counting my blessings.

Yeah, life can be crazy.

But I'm so thankful for the people in my crazy, wonderful life

(especially the one who seems to know me better than I know myself and who surprises me with bright pink flowers, just when I need them the most). 

#ilovemyhusband

4:13pm

{the life of a newborn}

talkin' with daddy

#oneweek

big sister, little brother

Caden James

{he was affectionately dubbed our 'chunky monkey' after weighing in at almost nine pounds!}

{my boys}

{sound asleep}

{Arianna enthralled with his tiny, tiny toes}

{snuggles with Mommy}

{curly hair after bathtime}

{this face melts my heart}