Christmas Reads

Last week I realized my child only owned one Christmas book.  ONE.  Out of all of the tons and tons of books on her shelves.. all she had was the Polar Express.  So I had to hop onto Amazon and order her some more ASAP.  I was so excited to give them to her, and decided to wrap them up to make it a little more fun.  I threw in an extra gift for her too.. something she could wear Christmas morning, if she wanted!

Lately this girl is obsessed with anything that is Frozen, Madagascar, and Rapunzel.  I really couldn't help myself when I saw this super soft Frozen robe at the store the other day.. she thinks it's the coolest thing since sliced bread.  Mama win for me!

The three books I bought for Clara are:

1. Humphrey's First Christmas by Carol Heyer - I wanted a fun book for her that also included the true meaning of Christmas.  This story is adorable.. about a silly Camel and his journey to Bethlehem.  He realizes the importance of giving when his journey ends.
2. Snowmen at Night by Caralyn Buehner -  I'm loving the illustration in this book!  This is just a fun book about Snowmen and what they do when no one is around, and why they might not look quite the same the day after you make them!  ;)  This author also has a couple other Snowman books that look equally cute.
3. Bear Stays Up for Christmas by Karma Wilson - This book is probably Clara's favorite of the three right now.  I love the rhyming in it and it's a sweet story about friendship during the holidays!

I could have just bought up all the Christmas books!  I might even have to order a couple more.. I love books and love reading with Clara, and I just can't help myself.  What's everyone's favorite Christmas books for children?  I could use some more ideas!  ;)

Independence Day

I hope everyone had a beautiful (and safe) time celebrating Independence Day. Our day was fun and tiring... definitely looking forward to a good nights sleep!


I had to make some sort of festive dessert.. so sugar cookies it was. I made Clara her cute lil' 4th of July pinwheel skirt. We also went out for shaved ice in the afternoon. It was Clara's first time seeing fireworks! So that was pretty exciting.. she was unsure of them at first. But after I kept saying how pretty they were she would say 'Ohh! So good. Pretty. I like it.' I think it's safe to say that she'll be looking forward to them next year! Also, I broke my pinky toe (yesterday actually.. it's even more bruised today). Sorry to anyone who doesn't like seeing feet.. but.. no shame here. It hurts and Clara keeps wanting to kiss it all better, but every time she touches it (or accidentally steps on it?!), I want to cry. My poor pinky toe looks like a little sausage. (pssst, if you don't follow me on instragram yet.. you should!)

I think I even sneaked in a 5 minute nap on the couch somewhere.. it was nice, just wish it was longer! How did you celebrate Independence Day?


(shoveling in a sugar cookie as we patiently wait for fireworks;)

memorial day weekend

I hope everyone had a wonderful and safe Memorial Day weekend.. I hope you all had fun.. but I also hope you all remember what this holiday is for.

Saturday we hung around the house... I had my attempt at making French Macarons.. and then I went shopping.  For the first time in a long time, I actually found some cute clothes for myself.  Who's excited?  This girl!

Sunday was a nice morning at church.. an extremely warm day.. went out to my brother and sister-in-laws house for some good family time and dinner.

Monday was our town's parade.. good food.. a 4 hour nap thanks to my mom and dad (wow, I don't remember the last time I had the luxury of having a nap.. let alone a FOUR hour nap).. some skype time with my hubby.. and relaxing.

I'm tired, a little sun burnt, and ready for a great week ahead.  :)

momma's day

I hope all you mommies out there had a fabulous Mother's Day.  We had a great one - just wish my husband was here to make it complete.  After church, my family and I went to a park in town.. had a little picnic lunch, and soaked up some warm sunshine.

I'm so blessed.  :)

Clara played for a bit.  But the sun made her sleepy really fast..

My Sweet Valentines

This year I didn't just have one Valentine.. nope.. this year I had TWO!  :)  My hubby got the special treat of homemade cinnamon rolls this morning before work.. and we actually ate breakfast together.  It was nice.  And sweet.

After daddy left for work, we started on his Valentine's gift.. from Clara, of course..

She obviously had more fun painting her leg more than anything.  But it was fun watching her.. she really went to town.  But we came out with a beautiful Valentine her Daddy just loved.. ;)

And Daddy came home with a little surprise for both of his girls..

A single white rose for the little princess.. and a single red rose for me.. :)

I hope you all have a fabulous Valentine's Day.  I'm not big on the whole Hallmark-box-o-chocolates-you-have-to-buy-me-a-diamond-something 'Valentine's Day'... but it's a great excuse for fun little projects, and going out to eat (I ended my night with a molten lava cake and scoop of ice cream).  May you have a sweet day!  :)

Saying Goodbye to a Beautiful Year

I hope everyone had a happy and safe New Years.

We ordered in some dinner and bummed it on the couch.  It was fabulous.

2011 was a wonderful year... one of the best.  We have been so blessed in so many ways.

We explored Korea.  A lot.  My Aunt and Uncle were able to come visit us for a few days.  My husband sewed on a stripe.  We finished our baby girls nursery.  We did lots of reading (about babies, that is..)..

And I mean lots.  And while it was good for us, I still don't think there's anything that can truly 'prepare' you for such a life-changing experience (a wonderful life-changing experience).

We celebrated 2 fabulous years of marriage.  I love you, babes!

We took one last 'mini-getaway' to Seoul right before our baby girl arrived.

I was HUGE (and I loved it.. besides all the swelling, back aches, hip aches, etc).  I seriously miss that belly some days.  ;)

But the most exciting thing of the year.. our precious Clara was born (about 2 weeks early, thank you Jesus... this Mama was hurtin').  She was born healthy, beautiful, perfect.. and we couldn't have had a better experience with the hospital staff.

And then we took her home.  All 5 pounds of her.  And I cried the whole way home (an hour).. because seriously.. look how tiny and fragile she was...

We spent a lot of our summer going for long walks (she loved her stroller), and snuggling up with our sweet one.  Seriously.  Nothing too 'exciting' happened after she was born... just lots of kisses and cuddles.  And we wouldn't have had it any other way.  Oh yeah, we did get orders.. to Arkansas.  Not our first choice, but if that's where God wants us then that's where we'll be.  We're pretty stoked about it now.

In September, Clara and I flew back to the states to visit my family so they could see her for the first time.  It was really hard being away from my husband, especially with Clara.  I may or may not have cried the first few hours of the (14 hour) flight.  But it was worth it.  We really wanted everyone to see her.

Then the rest of the year.. we just kind of hung out.. (my husband spent most of it counting down the days.. ya, he's really excited to get back to the USA).  ;)

I have a few 'resolutions'.. 2012 is going to be an exciting year.  :)

And one more... just 'cause she cute!

A Very Merry Christmas

We had a wonderful Christmas.  I hope you all did too.

It was quiet, relaxing, joyful... a wonderful 'first' for our baby girl.  She woke up at 6:30am -- which is normal.. she gets a 'baba' then usually goes back to bed -- except when I tried to put her back to bed, she refused.  I think she knew something was up.  She wanted to open some presents.  ;)  We skyped with my parents and opened presents with them over Skype.

Lots of ham, mashed potatoes, chocolate pie, and apple pie cookies.  Lots of smiles, tickles, cuddles, and VeggieTales.  It was a fabulous Christmas.  But I'm just happy that next year, we will be with our families for this holiday.

I'm ready for a new year.. how about you?

A few photos from Christmas Eve and Christmas..

 And one of my favorite things about Christmastime.. the 'glow' of the tree...

Gremlins!

One of my favorite things about back home... is Betty Jane Candies.  They have yummy caramel apples in the fall.. peanut brittle during Christmas.. and all kinds of goodies (including ice cream!) all the time (also rock candy.. which I loved when I was younger).  But one of the things they're 'famous' for is their Gremlins.  My FAVORITE.  The inside is caramel and pecans, then covered with milk chocolate. 

And my brother and sis-in-law sent us some for Christmas (we ate some already.. couldn't resist.. but I promise we didn't open any of the other presents yet;) ...I was pretty excited when I saw this package..