A lazy day at home.

(Just an FYI, our lazy day was Thursday! I guess I was having too much fun being lazy and didn't post this-Ha!)

I really love lazy days at home. If I get a shower, great, if not, no biggie. I don't have to put on make-up because I don't have anyone to impress. Ethan has to love me because I'm his mommy and he thinks I look and smell just fine with no make-up and no shower. It might sound pretty gross, but again, I love days like this. I don't have to 'pretend' to be anyone else, I can just be me. Plus, I secretly love to get things done around the house-I know it's really an obsession-just call me Monica! 


Well, today I also felt like being cozy and baking. I asked for some favorite banana nut bread recipes from some friends and I received many. I don't really have my own recipe for this concoction, so I was eager to try any recipe that sounded amazing.  I took two recipes that I got from friends and sort of combined them, since most of the recipe was the exact same! Wowza it came out amazing! So thank you Keli and Thailia for your recipes! 

Another 'recipe' that I wanted to make was something that started when I was a young child. Andy and I really had the best childhood and two amazing parents. The best part to me about being a parent myself is to pass down favorite memories and activities that I had and did as a child and create them for Ethan. I want Ethan to have the best childhood that I and Jeremiah can give him-even if we are inside most days because of the horrendous heat! Nothing goes great with a cozy memory than an intoxicating smell! I just so happened to have all the ingredients for this 'recipe' that my mom received from her mother-in-law, my Nonie. I'm sure it's nothing new. I'm sure hundreds of families use this to create aroma in their home. But for me, nothing smells better or brings back very special memories than stove-top potpourri. The ingredients I use are similar to fall smells and although it isn't fall yet, I could still smell the awesome aroma of autumn in my home.  Here is the 'recipe' but really I don't measure the ingredients, I just eye-ball it.


Stove-top Potpourri:
A little trick~ Use more of each ingredient when you want a stronger smell!
2 cups orange juice (I do add more, depending on how many hours I heat)
2-3 cinnamon sticks (or if you prefer, 1-2 T Cinnamon)
4 apple slices (again, you can add more or less)
6-8 whole cloves (or if prefer, 1-2 T ground cloves)
1 T ground allspice
1 T ground nutmeg (I didn't have any on hand, so I 
didn't use it!)

And of course no lazy day would be complete without happenings from my little guy! As I was being "Betty Homemaker" in my no make-up or showered self, Ethan was getting into the markers and wrote all over himself. I couldn't blame him really, after all I did give them to him myself thinking that he would actually do what I said and color/draw on the paper. It just goes to show you that an almost 2 year old has a mind all his own!

Happy 4th!

Nothing says Fourth of July like...

talking to my love on the phone <3 

playing with my little firecracker outside

(and that he surely is=) 

eating watermelon

swimming 

eating more watermelon & relaxing =)

and devouring some apple pie!

I hope everyone had a very Happy Fourth of July! Ours was great and relaxing! But it will be even better next year with baby girl and Jeremiah here with us to celebrate! We can't wait =)

"Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD,

the people he chose for his inheritance.

From heaven the LORD looks down and sees all mankind;

from his dwelling place he watches all who live on

earth...The eyes of the LORD are on those who fear him, 

on those whose hope is in his unfailing love.

Psalm 33: 12-14, 18 NIV

Big Dreams.

Oh, baby girl

how I love you already.
You are 27 weeks old today.
I heard your heart beating this week.

I feel you move constantly.
Which I would appreciate if it wasn't while I'm sleeping =)

I've dreamed about you. 

Your Daddy has dreamed about you. 

He isn't here right now, but I know you know his voice already.

He loves you so much.

You already have him wrapped around your finger.

You also know your big brother's voice too.

Hopefully when you arrive he won't wake you up from too many naps. 

He will be the man of the house until your Daddy comes back.

It's good to have a brother.
You will love him and fight with him many times.
You will also conspire with him and he will teach you things.
Some good, some not so good.

But the best thing about having a brother is:
 He will be your best friend & your confidant.

Even when you get older.
Especially since you two will be so close in age.
I can say this because I had the BEST brother.
He will always defend you.

We have given you a name, but it will be a surprise on your birth-day. 

Know that you are already loved so much.

The pinks and lavenders are filling the closet.
You bring sunshine into our lives.

You complete our family.
You are our 2nd dream come true.

Your Heavenly Father loves you.
Even more than we could ever possibly love you.
We will guide you and teach you His truth everyday.
You can always trust and count on Him, for He will never fail you.
He has a purpose for your life.
 We are excited to bare witness to His plan for you,
our dear daughter.