24th love

Yep, I am behind. I makes me so mad I think that next month I will post a picture of something I HATE everyday.

On to the love.....

I went to buy some new flatware. The set we had was in bad shape. I had only two teaspoons, so we were using the big soup spoons for cereal and such. Many of the pieces had a match with the garbage disposal, and a few of them had lost- but were still being used.

I walked in to Macy's with a 20% off coupon, and gazed at the display of Oneida flatware. I immediately grabbed a style that I liked. It would go well with my plates. I still skimmed over the other styles, and read their names. Then I thought, "What is the name of the pattern I am holding?". I looked down at the box in the crook of my arm and saw the name "Lincoln". I stopped looking at flatware and went to pay for my little gem.

Every time I open the drawer to get a small smooth spoon my heart leaps. Wyatt (whose first name is Lincoln) and Lincoln are also very pleased with the choice I made. =)

16th love

one on one.

I love the alone time I get with Simone. We played together so much today. She has mastered pulling up to standing, and is starting to cruise on the couch. We had a fun time laughing and playing while the kids were at school, and we got to sneak up stairs for a little while in the evening. She was being so silly and happy. I love her to bits.

I get a lot of alone time with Talia. I don't get any with Wyatt. The other night Talia fell asleep on the couch and Simone went to bed a little early. I finally had some time to talk with my sweet boy. He is a crackup! I think I will try to put the girls down early more often. We had a good time talking together. He was not happy with the idea of moving. It was affecting his behavior at home and school. I was able to talk to him about how you make friends throughout your WHOLE life. You don't have to lose friends, you just keep adding more. I opened up my facebook page, and read him all the well wishes I got for my birthday. There were SO many...I still can't believe it. I mentioned how I knew each person. It went as far back as my best friend in Texas when I was three years old. He is not worried any longer! I had to fill out his "spotlight" form for church, and there was a question about what he was looking forward to. His answer was, "making millions of new friends."

15th love

I love my baby cradle.

My Dad made it for me when Wyatt was born. It is one of my prized possessions. We put it in storage last week. I hated that. I love seeing it around even if it is empty. The picture is of Simone on her first morning home. Having her home and safe and sound was like a dream, I had to get my camera so I could remember how wonderful it felt to have her in my room.



I took this picture next. I remember thinking, "This is what I wake up to." Simone in her cradle, and Talia in a backwards sundress in March. If you could have heard the giggle that accompanied this picture. Heavenly! We were all so glad to have her home.


I remember how quickly Wyatt grew and filled it up, but also remember how small he looked the first time I put him in it.

I would untie one of the bows on the bumper, and would sleepily hang on to it from my bed and slowly rock Wyatt by pulling the string.

I remember how happy I was with 10 day old Natalia sleeping the cradle, and I could hear Wyatt and Lincoln playing in the front room. We were still new to Maryland, and I felt so homesick and a little lost- but I was so happy!

I remember the first night we moved into this house. We were all in our bed room with boxes piled everywhere. Lincoln was hanging some cheap blinds to give us some privacy. Talia was in her carseat. I buzzed around the room looking for sheets, pillows, and toothbrushes. I looked at my sweet baby and scooped her up to lay her in her cradle. A few minutes later a stack of boxes with two boxes of blinds balanced on the top fell over. The blinds came slamming down (on their ends) into the carseat where Talia's little head was just minutes before. I can't remeber exactly what Lincoln said but he either asked me why or when I had moved her. I don't remember why I moved her...but I remember it so clearly. It was definatly inspired. The feeling in this house afterward was so peacful as we both took turns holding our new little bundle. We thanked our Heavenly Father for her, and for keeping her safe.

I remember when I walked in the room and Natalia was on her knees peeking over the edge. That was the last time she slept in the cradle! (I have a picture of this...I can't find it right now!)

14th love

Just love.

My Valentines Day plans were ruined by the stomach flu. We spent it together, which was still memorable. Lincoln made us filet mignon, and I added some loaded baked potatoes with white cheddar sauce, green salad, and garlic bread. We had a lovely dinner. (Well, some of us!)

13th love

I had to take photos of the house. As I looked at these rooms I was a little teary as I remembered a few of the memories we have made here.

I love good happy memories, and fortunately I have a lot of them!!

12th love

I love when my kids are healthy and happy.

We have had a hard night. I took Wyatt and the kids to Family Math night at the school. Lincoln had to work late. I quickly showered at 6:15. We had painters here all day, and I never had time to before. I fed my kids some yummy homemade soup while I dried my hair, and then we ran out the door. I got home and got them all into bed, and then I heard Simone cry. I went to pick her up and noticed her head was soaking wet. I turned on the light and discovered the worst thing ever. Do I even need to say it? Throw up. She has thrown up ELEVEN times since then. ELEVEN! After a bath, many pajama changes (myself and Simone), dirty sheets and towels, tummy rubs, and rocking the sun came up. A sick baby is the saddest thing. I do love that I can rub her feet and she stops crying, if I set one foot down she lifts the other in the air as a little hint to keep going.

11th love

I love my iphone! I love my husband and his crazy, over-the-top, well thought out gifts!!! This time he put an iphone inside a baskin robins container. (He dumped the icecream out at my neighbors house.) I was completely content with icecream as a present, until he had to hint for me to open it. The first word out of my mouth was, "naughty!". He also made candy parfaits in some of the baskin robbins cups, with balloons instead of straws. So CUTE! Oh, I didn't get the baskin robbins thing.....even though there was a big 31 on it. I wonder why....I am only 29....what is this 31 business?

10th love

I have done one craft. ONE. I made it up, and I love it. I took the sheet music to the song that was playing while Lincoln proposed to me, and aged it. What did I age it with you ask? My make up (Bare minerals at the time) and a little paint too. How clever. I used Mod Podge to glue it on, and I used ribbon to cover the staples on the edges of the canvas. Then I hung them up in a very crooked way above my bed. I always meant to rehang them. The song is From Here to Eternity, by Michael Peterson.

I did everything I could to get you here tonight
Without telling you why
Now girl if you only would, please hold out your hand
Just close your eyes
I've been dying to ask you one burning question
Will you be mine?

From here to eternity
I'm asking you to share your life with me
Now and forever I guarantee, I'll always stay by your side
I promise my love to you
I'm willing and able and ready to
Whatever you need
I am here for you, and I'll always be
From here to eternity

I saved a year for this ring
I can't wait to see
How it looks on your hand
I'll give you everything that one woman needs
From a one woman man
I'll be strong I'll be tender a man of my word
I will be yours.

From here to eternity
I'm asking you to share your life with me
Now and forever I guarantee, I'll always stay by your side
I promise my love to you
I'm willing and able and ready to
Whatever you need
I am here for you, and I'll always be
From here to eternity

9th love

I love Mondays.

I get to take Talia to ballet class. I love to watch her through the windows. She loves it, and is getting better.

We are getting our house ready. We have way too much stuff. We are packing it all up so this house will show well. For those that asked.....I don't know where we are going. Lincoln works everywhere, so we can live anywhere. We are staying in Maryland, but the best house wins. It is so complicated, and my head is starting to spin.

8th Love

I love this carton of eggs! They are the smartest eggs I've ever seen. I smile every time I open the fridge. Yes I agree, Best by Feb 11th. That is a great day!

(I know this needs some explaining. The 11th is my birthday.)

7th love

I love my house. I love it! It is such a charming little place. We have put a lot of work into it. We are going to put it on the market next week. I am so sad to be leaving this home. We have simply outgrown it. We moved in when Natalia was a few weeks old. I need to take a new picture of it, we replaced all the siding last October and it looks so good. (the same but better)

Since this post is about love...I will not comment about the UGLY black truck in the bottom of the photo. WHICH...was purchased WHILE our Simone was in the NICU! I will not mention how much this truck makes my heart ache when I look at it. I will not. =) It is a good thing I love my husband!

6th love

I love the silly things Talia says.

*I got her out of the shower, and as I was wrapping a huge fluffy white towel around her she said, "Oh no Mom! The mirror is so slobbery!"

*On the way home from ballet last week she put her hand on her chest and said, "My heart is beeping. Turn down the radio so can see if it's is. -----Yes, it is beeping!"




*Talia was getting a ride home with Christie when they happened upon a lost dog. There was no phone number or name, just an address on his collar. Later this conversation happened in the back of my van.

Talia- We found a dog.
Wyatt- What kind of dog.
Talia- Gray here (points to her belly), black here (points to her back), with ears.
Wyatt- What was his name?
Me (interrupting)- She doesn't know his name, it wasn't on his collar.
Wyatt- What was his NAME?
Talia- I don't know.
Wyatt-Well, how do you know it was a lost dog? You don't even know if he had an owner. If a dog doesn't have a name then he is, you know, a WILD dog.
Talia- His name was CHEE WAH WAH!

I keep laughing at the thought of a wild dog...in Columbia.

A few days later Talia said, " That lost dog, his name was Black Cherry." I asked Christie if that was the street name on his collar...sure enough it was. What a memory!

*She says, "Give me an X-mo kiss."

5th Love

(Family pictures taken by my friend Whitney.)

I love my family! We are forever. I am so grateful that I had the opportunity to be sealed to my sweetie on our wedding day. What a great and overwhelming blessing. I do not take it for granted.

Where much is given, much is required. Truly, my cup runneth over.

4th love

LOVE!

I love it when Lincoln takes Wyatt to the bus stop. I love to peek out the window and watch them walk. Happily holding hands and talking. Usually Talia goes with them, but when its cold she stays inside and watches with me. The sight of them makes my heart want to burst with joy! I love them so much!

3rd love

I love clean babies!

This is my most favorite dinner! EVER! Thai lettuce wraps...exactly like The Cheesecake Factory. I used to make the sauces from scratch, but the last time I was at the restaurant I bought all three (The chili, peanut, and tamarind) sauces. They put them in kerr jars. I am happy to have these sauces in my fridge! =) Wyatt and Talia loved this dinner too.
Lincoln created a new recipe and he calls it "Kung no-pao chicken". No spice for the kiddos. It is wonderful in the wraps. I'll have to share it.

2nd love

I love watching her grow. She can pull up to standing in her crib now. She smiles and laughs, and thinks she is so big! Cute!

February 1st love

Each day in February I will post a photograph of something I LOVE.

Tonight we started making valentines. I love making Valentines Day cards. I love Valentines day....I love February! Woohoo! I hope you are on our list of people getting a valentine. President Obama....You are on our list. How lucky are you?! (Wyatt's idea!) I said ,"I don't know where to send it." Then Lincoln spouted off the address of the White House. I guess that works, but I just feel like that is like writing "NORTH POLE" on a letter to Santa. =) It doesn't really matter, because Wyatt will be pleased just the same.

Grandma's and Grandpa's
Obama
and our cousins

Yep, that about covers it.