What a difference a year makes!

A year ago, I walked into the bathroom in the hotel we were staying in to take the test that I had worried about for 2 weeks since our IUI. Would it be two lines or one? Those two minutes were the longest of my life, but after those two minutes I saw the most wonderful thing: TWO LINES!! I remember praying over that stick thanking God for this miracle and asking Him to protect the little one growing inside of me. Then I ran out to tell Jason and he prayed as well. We were so excited. A year later - I have the most wonderful gift- my precious daughter E. I'm so thankful God chose Jason and me to be her parents, and I will spend the rest of my life telling her how much I love her but most importantly how much God loves her.

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas from our family to yours! May you know the love of Christ today and in the year to come.

Be back later with our weekend and Christmas activities!

December Photo A Day Part 1

Here is the first half of the month. Follow me on Instagram (username: ebethr)

Day 1: 8 o'clock: getting presents wrapped after a long day of shopping

 Day 2: Peace. Nothing more peaceful than a sleeping baby

 Day 3: Something you held: York peppermint patties for cookies I made

Day 4: no photo

 Day 5: Looking up. Looking up at our toys while making spit bubbles

Day 6: no photo

 Day 7: star. The star on top of our Christmas tree

 Day 8: someone you love. These two blessing in my life!

 Day 9: Out and about. Finishing up Christmas shopping with my wide awake partner in crime

 Day 10: Under. I love this "present" under my tree

Day 11-13 I must have been really busy no photos =)

 Day 14: something green: Starbucks for the drive to my hometown

Day 15: outdoors. Wide open spaces - enjoying my visit home

Wednesday Loving!

Linking up today with Jamie!

I'm loving that this box was on my doorstep when we got home from our trip this weekend. The Christmas cards were mailed out today. Well..most of them. They shorted me a couple of envelopes so I'm waiting for those to get here to mail out the rest.



I'm loving that I got this lovely purse from my parents for Christmas! I feel so fancy and can't wait to use it when I go out on dates with the hubs!

I'm loving that Christmas is next week! Oh my gosh I am so excited! I love this time of year!

I'm loving that Les Miserables comes out next week. I can hardly wait!!!

I'm loving this little girl who lights up my life always!

Happy Wednesday!

Our Weekend/Christmas #1

Our weekend was pretty busy and fun. Jason and I drove back to my hometown to watch my brother graduate from college and to celebrate Christmas with my family. We left Friday morning and drove the longest car ride ever. (Ok maybe not) E did pretty good in the car until the last 30 minutes of the drive and then she had a complete meltdown. Poor thing - but we made it.

Happy baby

Not so happy baby. Yes I am that mom that took a picture first and then consoled her. 

That night I headed to the college to watch my brother walk the stage,  and Jason stayed back at the hotel to man the fort with E. I'm so proud of my brother for his accomplishment. He was all smiles the whole time. 

Jason had his first experience of the local donut shop on Saturday. I have fond memories of their cherry donuts as a kid and it was the best day when my mom would go there and bring them for breakfast when we had sleepovers. I told Jason that I had failed as a wife that it took him over five years to have one of their donuts. At least he liked them. 

We celebrated Christmas with my family by opening presents and then having dinner together. E enjoyed her first Christmas celebration. We even got to watch White Christmas on TV for little bit before she had to go to bed. 

Cute little dresses for E

My cute Pink sweatshirt. It's very comfy. 

 E got more books to read!

 Why am I in a box again?!

 I can't wait for her to play with this!

 We tried to get a picture of the three cousins together. That was a task. Blake wanted nothing to do with the camera and kept trying to get up and leave. Oh well.

The best picture that we got =)

We spent Sunday in the car again and then relaxing when we got home. All in all a great weekend with a first successful Christmas celebration under our belt. 

Happy Birthday Lucye!

Yesterday Lucye celebrated her 4th birthday!! I can't believe she is that old already. We celebrated by getting her a yummy cupcake from 3 dog bakery. She gobbled it in less than 3 minutes. I'm so glad she has been a part of our lives these past 4 years. Even though she think she has been replaced, she will always be our doggie daughter.

Holiday Traditions

I love traditions!! I have always grown up doing things every year for each holiday and I loved the familiarity and the memories that were made through those traditions. This year I have been thinking a lot about what I want to carry over from my family and from Jason's family to incorporate into our family traditions.

Some of the traditions that we do or will do as a family:

• Christmas pajamas. We would always get a pair of pajamas to wear on Christmas Eve. I have already bought E's pajamas, and they are wrapped and under the tree. 

• Jesse tree. I can't wait to start the Jesse tree with E next year when she is older to understand it. I want her to always know the real reason we celebrate Christmas and for that to be our focal point. 

• Looking at Christmas lights. Jason and I have done this every year as a married couple and I did this growing up as well. We grab hot chocolate or a yummy coffee drink and drive around the decorated neighborhoods while having fun as a family. 

• Christmas movies. I try to get in as many Christmas movies as I can during the month of December. White Christmas, The Holiday, Miracle on 34th Street - I love them all. 

Make the Pioneer Woman's cinnamon rolls for Christmas morning. I have always wanted to do this and I think it would be something fun that my children could look forward to on Christmas Day. 

• Make Christmas cookies. Some of my favorite memories were helping my mom bake during the holidays. I can't wait to do this with E and our future children. 

• Stockings. Jason and I debated about Santa and how and if we wanted to incorporate it into our holiday traditions. Then I read this blog entry from a woman who does Bible studies at our church, and I liked how she approached it. I think this is how we will do Santa at our house. 

What are some family traditions that you do???