WARM WEAR FOR THE LITTLES

Seeing the winter preview from Scotch R'Belle and Scotch Shrunk , the girl and boy lines from parent company Scotch and Soda in my inbox this morning had me super excited to check out their entire winter look book.  I love, love, love this brand and always find that their look books are more like magazine spreads.  Did you guys click those links? Amazing, right!? Bundle up! 

Items pictured:

1. Navy Pea Coat with Mittens

2. Knitted Headband

3. Polka Dot Coat

4. Knitted Hat

5. Snood

6. Mittens

7. Blue Coat

8. Red Puffa Coat

9. Knitted Hat

10. Mittens

11. Striped Scarf

A FEW THINGS, LATELY

/ Nick looking cute as can be in his holiday scarf at the fountain square tree lighting over the weekend

/ pretty flowers from the baby shower my sister in law and two aunts threw me

/ a little bit excited about my ergo baby carrier. had to try it out with a blabla fox :)

/ busy days make for an exhausted husband.  have I mentioned he's always up to something? such a good man.

GRATITUDE

Thanksgiving day Nick and I (and Clyde) set out for a little exploring.  The weather was enough to feel like all was right in the world and this year especially we could not be more thankful for the many, many blessings in our lives.  We try to remember how abundant our life is throughout the year but it is always nice to have a day devoted to being thankful for what you've got.  The fact that we have a warm place to sleep at night, food on our table, family filled with love, friends we can count on, and a baby growing in my belly, is more than we'd ever need.  We talked a lot about shopping this year too. We decided that we won't ever be participating in Black Friday shopping.  For us, it seems wrong to dedicate a wonderful day to the things we're thankful for, then the next knock people over to buy more.  We're fulfilled and don't need more things to fill this house.  I totally understand wanting to save money for holiday shopping but we believe more in putting small bits of money back into the local economy over the course of the year than a spending spree at major stores the day after thanksgiving.  What are your thoughts on this?

Also thankful this year for:

-These baby movements that have shifted from kicks to entire baby body rolls.  I like to think she's doing somersaults in there, just for fun.  

-Candles burning throughout our house

-Warm apple pie

-Warm tea and Coffee on chilly mornings

-Friends and Family who have already shown this baby girl so much love by showering us with the loveliest little things.

-Our health

How about you?

ADVENT CALENDAR

Okay. I just had to share this handmade advent calendar from The Spotted Goose. I love every single thing about it and the idea of a fun, interactive advent calendar has always been so appealing to me.  When my brother and I were kids we always had that cardboard christmas tree that told the christmas story one that had a chocolate behind each new day - know which one I mean? It was nothing special but oh my gosh did we love it! I can remember wanting to see what was behind each day so badly every day.  I love the idea of creating a fun, beautiful calendar when our daughter becomes old enough to understand.  This one is the perfect inspiration! What do you do for an advent calendar?

PS. Just signed on as an affiliate with some of my favorite companies.  I figured this was a good way to support some of the brands I love while also being able to remain 100% true to my own voice on this blog.  They are not typical advertisers that I have to please on a daily basis.  If you, as a reader see something that strikes your fancy through one of my affiliates, please click over to their sites. I receive a small percentage from purchases made from traffic through my site, so happy shopping! You may hear me, from time to time, talk about super awesome deals or check out codes but again, these are all super rad companies that i'm happy to support. Thanks to you guys for making stuff like this even possible :)

OH, BABY GIRL

You are already so spoiled and you are not even here! You're little room is quickly filling up with the most adorable stuffed animals, art work, snuggly blankets and little shoes for your tiny feet.  Your big brother Clyde loves sneaking in to sniff and, ahem attempt to chew on your new foxes (mama always catches him though.)  You and him are going to be the best of friends.  I can not wait to see that!  I have a feeling the two of you will get into some mischief together. Oh, how fun for the two of you! Every little girl (and boy) needs a pup to cause some trouble with, right? All these wonderful things here were gifts to you from some of the most wonderful people.  We're so blessed that we're brining you into this world surrounded by such great souls.  There is so much positive example around you.  I can't think of a better way for you to experience your first few years of life.  

Fox 1 - gifted from a friend / BlaBla Fox / Chevron Blanket - from target /  Milk Moon Kids Cow Print / Minnetonka Moccasins 

PREGNANCY WOES

I know I shouldn't even be complaining but sometimes you just have to let out some frustrated emotion right? I've yet to have an irrational breakdown (27 1/2 weeks in people- I should get an award or something right?) so I figured writing about a few things on my blog is my given right :) Like i've said a million times before, I feel great for the most part.  This is my first pregnancy so going into it, I didn't know what to expect.  Actually, I was expecting much worse.  I thought i'd be one of those women sick through their entire pregnancy and thank God that I'm not.  I just can't even imagine how terrible that must be.  But the thing is, I'm tired.  I'm not sleeping well AT ALL and my back aches almost 24 hours a day which has become some sort of vicious pregnancy sleep cycle. I want to lay down and sleep because my back aches, yet I can't get comfortable because my back aches.  Real cool. I'm a stomach sleeper as it turns out.  People are constantly telling me how little I am (which, okay I get it and I'm glad i'm not huge at this point as I know I have a lot of growing to do still and I suppose I prefer this over Oh my gosh, you're so big!)  but this belly is big for me which makes all the aches just as valid, right?  I'll also note that I'm measuring right where I should be soooooo......

With that said, SOMEONE PLEASE TELL ME HOW TO GET SOME SLEEP AROUND HERE! I've got pillows tucked, propped, nestled, piled all over the dang bed. My poor husband.....

I HAVE THE BEST FRIENDS

Just a quick little post to thank my best friends for throwing the loveliest baby shower for me and this babe of mine.  I'm always overwhelmed when so many of the people I love are in the same room and today is marked as another one of those special days.  The people in my life are so generous and wonderful, and amazing, and kind and yada yada yada. I could go on all day.  Today was perfect and I can't wait for this baby girl to love these girls as much as I do.  So many aunties!!

FRIDAY LOVE

Just wanted to share this interview I participated in from The Baan Dek Montessori School. It was such an honor and having the chance to talk about Montessori education, my passions, and things I find inspiring on such an awesome venue is amazing. I've been following this school for some time online and admire the work they do so, so much.  They are so much more than a Montessori school (even though being "just" a Montessori school is something quiet special) - They're passionate about education first and foremost but they're also cultivators, entrepreneurs, philosophers and writers and a huge inspiration source for me.  Aesthetically, I've never seen a more beautiful school. If I ever make it to Sioux Falls you better believe I'll be paying a visit to the Baan Dek.  Hope you enjoy my interview! Can't thank Bobby and June enough for featuring me! 

TODAY

// Today I was in the classroom and continue to learn so much from the little students I teach everyweek. They amaze me and as hard as the days at school can be, they truly are wonderful.

// Today I came home to my husband finishing up the amazing fence he built in our yard.  It's going to be so nice for Clyde to have his own space off leash!

// Today my back has been aching like crazy. 

// Today, after dinner I snuck away to my bedroom for some quiet time / prenatal yoga.  (I need to keep this up daily- does wonders for my achey back)

// Today I took some time to watch the Oh Joy blog chat.

So. How was your day?

GETTING IN THE HOLIDAY SPIRIT

I think it's safe to say most of us just adore the holiday season, no? I know I certainly do and just this past week I started pinning some holiday inspiration for ways to spruce up my own home this year.  We won't officially start until after Thanksgiving but I have caught myself a handful of times already turning on the holiday pandora station to brighten up my mornings. What is it about Christmas music that is just so dang cheery!?  I'm loving all the natural decor touches and am hoping to DIY more than a few things this season.  

Image 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5

ON MY HEART

image

Let me first start off by saying how thrilled Nick and I are to be having a baby girl.  If you've been around here at all in the last 6 months you know I don't even need to say that. We love her so much it's silly and she's not even here yet.  With that said, there have been some things on my heart lately that I wanted to share - to get out in written form so that not only am I able to read the way my heart has been feeling but so I can look back on this time in our lives and remember how much God has been working for us in helping to create our family.  

About 8 months ago, while in the midst of trying for a baby, a series of events occurred that opened our eyes and hearts to the journey of adoption.  I was not infertile, there were no problems- we'd only been trying for several months but for reasons we don't understand just yet, God showed us a path we were at the time overwhelmed by and uncertain of.  Through countless conversations with one another and prayers upon prayers, it became clear that a child was waiting for us and so we pursued him with conviction.  About 3 months or so into the process of adoption we received a devastating email that adoptions in Ghana, where we felt called to adopt, had been halted.  We had exactly three days to process this information before finding out that I was expecting. Talk about a whirlwind of emotions.  Again though, it was clear God was working in our lives. Like, crazy clear. 

Now, here we are, 6 months later.  We put the adoption on hold, have been preparing excitedly for our little girl to arrive in just a few short months and yet these past few days I feel like I'm being reminded to keep my heart open to a child born to another mother- miles away from us.  We are not in any rush, as we want to cherish the time we'll have with our baby girl but on that same note, adoptions can take a very long time so I'm left wondering what God is calling us to do? Maybe nothing. Maybe just keep it tucked safely in our hearts for down the road. Maybe He does want us to act. I don't know. What I do know is that the way my family is growing is incredible.  I have never been as sure as I am in this moment that I am meant to be a mother.  A mother to babies we've created and a mother to babies who will come to us in other ways. Family is family no matter how it may come to be.  

OVER THE WEEKEND SNAPSHOTS

// Nick spent the entire weekend working in the yard building a fence. ENTIRE weekend. That man. It 's not finished just yet but boy does it look good. 

// While Nick worked I cozied up for a movie with some warm tea :)

// The SWEETEST illustration from my friend Kelly for our baby girl. Can't tell you how touched I am.

// 26 weeks!

// Was doing a little family room sprucing up.  

// Just a little snack. 

Hope you had a wonderful weekend too. Have a great week! 

SUNDAY

lovely image via

Taking the time to enjoy a slow morning at the kitchen table with a hot cup of decaf in hand.  Looking out the window to see my husband working in the yard with fall oranges and yellows all around him.  Life is so good. Enjoy this Sunday.

DEAR LITTLE ONE

Our sweet girl, It's been several weeks since I've written to you which I already can not believe.  In the very beginning of our time together it seemed to move by so slowly and now that we're here, at 26 weeks it seems to be moving at lightening speed.  There's just a few short months left of our time together, just the two of us.  I sure have loved it.  Getting to know you and your rhythms. The way you move when it's morning and how much you love car rides.  We've just begun putting your room together and I think you are going to love it.  Each night I've been cracking your door open to peer in at the crib that awaits you.  My heart fills with so much love thinking about your little body occupying it each and every night.  Over the past couple weeks you have been growing a ton.  Just a couple weeks ago I was wondering when this belly was really going to show and now, my goodness little lady- you are hiding no longer! I have been feeling so good still with you nestled inside.  Sometimes you make mama's back ache but knowing it's you makes the aches okay.  Your dad and I can't wait until you get here. Every night before bed we talk about you.  What you will look like, what you will sound like, what you will love.  You are this amazing little being already and we can not wait to see how you will grow.  All my love, Mama.

Don't mind my extremely lazy Saturday outfit.  I wanted to snap a few shots and this just so happened to be what I have on.  This is the first time I've worn a maternity shirt- handed down from my cousin, it's so dang comfy! I guess there is a reason for maternity clothes after all :)  Happy Saturday!

IN THE KITCHEN

Nick was set on making soup with our leftover turkey from the weekend's turkey dinner we prepared for just the two of us.  We used the Turkey Frame Soup recipe from my better homes and gardens "new bride" cookbook as a basis for the recipe then Nick added his own take on it.  It turned out so, so good! We threw some rolls in the oven and had ourselves the most comforting left over meal there ever was.

Here's what you'll need:

Whatever leftover turkey you've got, chopped

2 large onions, quartered

2 stalks celery, sliced

1 tablespoon instant chicken bouillon granules

3 cloves garlic, minced

1 14 1/2 ounce can diced tomatoes, undrained

1 1 1/2 teaspoons dried oregano and basil

3 cups portobella mushroom, kale, brocoli, 

1 1 1/2 cups egg noodles added to into the soup about 30 minutes before we were ready to eat

combine all the ingredients into large pot with about 8 cups water and let sit on low to medium for about 3-4 hours, stir occasionally. Turn heat up a tad and add noodles.  Enjoy! 

HE INSPIRES ME

It's safe to say that I think my husband is extremely talented. He has come such a long way over the years with his photography and while he mostly shoots architecture he sometimes surprises me with an image like this one that leaves me almost breathless.  This little lake is just at the top of our street overlooking the ohio river and city.  It's one of our favorite places (and lucky us we get to visit it almost everyday.)  I love images like this from Nick.  It makes my heart flutter thinking of him taking the time in his daily life to find and capture some of the most beautiful scenes.  

If you're interested in seeing some of his work, here you go! 

OVER THE WEEKEND

Happy Monday, friends! Hope your weekend was as good as ours felt.  We spent Saturday at the farmers market, ran some errands and prepared a turkey dinner for just the two of us that evening. We finished the night off with a movie in the living room which most of you know is my ideal Saturday night.  Sunday we put the baby's crib together (it's actually starting to look like a little room in there- heart explosion!) and Nick made a huge pot of turkey soup with our left over turkey from the night before. So good! I'll be blogging that recipe later this week!