Thursday, December 30, 2010

My Little Rosebud

Amelie-girl,
The night before you were born, I remember laying on the couch with Daddy, watching tv and thinking how very wonderful it was that I had a month off of work to prepare for your arrival.
And then...you came the next day, a month early, and nothing was ever the same again.
Those first months were so very difficult for me.
Much more difficult, and much much MUCH more lonely and stressful than I ever thought they could or would be! 
But, we made it through!!
I had such a hard time appreciating how wonderful you were then.
You would sit there and stare at me with your sweet little rosebud lips and big brown eyes and so many times I was just at a loss.
But God is good. 
And *time* is a teacher.
And we learned each others rhythms and eventually you slept in longer than 20 minute shifts....
eventually.
You, my Amelie, are the kindest, most sensitive, loving, helpful, over-achieving, perfectionist princess in the land
and 
I love
I love
I love
you.
And you've more than made up for those 6 sleepless months with the 4 hour naps you've taken almost everyday of your life until you started Kindergarten! =)
Darling Amelie--I pray that you will grow up knowing how much you are loved.
You are special
and 
lovely
and 
strong
and
amazing
and I'm privileged to be your Mama.
I love you always and forever and then some!
Mama

My Birthday Darling!

6

5
4
3

2
1

*6* Part 1

On Wednesday we celebrated Amelie's birthday with some of her little friends!
Granny of the East and Mr. Wonderful were on hand to do whatever needed to be done--they were sooooo helpful! Love them!
We decorated our own t-shirts, made many Princess crafts, ate pink AND purple cupcakes, played dress up and more!
The girls were so good and we had a lot of fun!
Here are some pictures of our party!







Wednesday, December 29, 2010

I started blogging on Amelie's 2nd birthday...
I can't believe *that* was 4 years ago tomorrow!!
Look at my sweet little curly-haired 2 year old girl---
now that's *Vintage Amelie*!!
Where oh where did the moments fly?!
Off to wrap the birthday presents!!

Tuesday, December 28, 2010

Up To My Eyeballs In *Princess*

I've been working all night
on piles of
Princess
*cupcakes
*decorations
*crafts
*presents
*balloons
for a very special birthday party 
for an even more special
almost
6 year old 
girl =)
**inserting random photos here to make this look like a very informative and exciting blog post**

**end random cute photos**
I had great intentions to accomplish many other things today
but didn't
*sigh
Oh well!
Here's to hoping that all of today's preparations make for a happy and memorable event tomorrow for my Amelie-girl!
The purple icing is calling me!
Goodnight!

Sunday, December 26, 2010

I Never Knew I *Needed* You

Amelie asked for an ice cream maker for Christmas.
I thought that it was a strange request and wondered where she had even heard of having one at home before.
So I found this cute colorful one at Target
and then the strangest thing happened
I fell in love!
I'm not a huge ice cream person....well, I wasn't until "Amelie" got this cute little guy.
Fresh homemade ice cream in 8ish minutes?
Awesome!
But in addition to fresh homemade apple pie?
Stinkin' Priceless!!

Saturday, December 25, 2010

Christmas Cuties!



Merrrrrrrrrry Christmas!

I can't believe Christmas is here!
What a wonderful time to remember the miracle of Christ's birth! The *Son* of God sent to be born, to live and teach and perform miracles and to die for our sins.
What an amazing blessing!
The *joy* that Christmas heralds is simply unfathomable!
And por vous, my most favorite Christmas song--love love love this!
*One Child can change the world,  
on Christmas morn the King of all Kings was born!
He reigns forevermore!
Let us worship and adore--Christ the Lord!*
Merry Christmas to you and yours, from *me* and mine! =)

Friday, December 24, 2010

A Perfect *Ten*

It is with a thankful and happy heart that I look back today on December 24, 2000--they day my husband and I were engaged!
Here is a picture of the Falls where we my husband proposed:


Here is a picture of a very young *us*.
See how cute we were!?!

These years have been absolutely amazing and I am so thankful for all of the good times and the hard times and everything we've been through because we've been through it together!
I love you honey!!

A while back I posted the entire story of how I meant my husband and how we started our life together   but if you're interested in reading about our engagement I've reposted it below =)

*************************************************************************
     So, the last installment of H2H left young Shelly in the lurch--stuck in Ohio for the summer without boyfriend or friends but the promise of impending engagement is enough to get a girl through a long summer of nothing but cornfields, crappy apartment dwelling and the GAP.

     I would love to say that the day Mr. Wonderful left Ohio for Jersey wasn't horrible--but boy was it! No amount of hanging out together beforehand, talking about the departure or thinking about the departure could have prepared me for how utterly heartbroken and sad I was when I had to wave goodbye to my love! I watched him and his friend Josh load up the last of his belongings in a little U-haul and waved and smiled bravely as they pulled out of the driveway. I remember I went to a movie that night with some girls from church to pass the time but felt myself as if I were in a horrible, sad movie as I was mostly alone in Ohio for the rest of the summer.

     I spent all of my time working--literally! I had three jobs, worked 7 days a week and had at least two jobs to go to every day. I worked on the weekends developing pictures at Target, at night folding clothes for the Gap and during the week I sat at a mall kiosk trying to get nurses to sign up for a temporary staffing place. The days were very long (12 hours a day at the mall--never again I say!) but I had some very kind roommates (albeit strangers until that summer) to come home to. I was also taking three classes that summer so that I could graduate early and get the heck out of Dodge and a few steps closer (or states) to my man.

     I only saw Mr. Wonderful once that summer--we took a fun trip to Florida where I met his mother and we spent lots of time exploring and taking day trips and kissing when no one was looking =)

     The fall came upon me before I could blink and started preparation for student teaching. I only had classes for about 2 hours a day and spent most of my time alone since all of my friends had a ton of classes AND their significant others to keep them busy. Looking back, it was the loneliest time of my life but I doubt I would have enjoyed being with my honey as much if everything had been easy.

     I only saw Mr. Wonderful once during Fall Quarter and headed home for Christmas break which was more exciting than ever this year because Mr. Wonderful was going to come home with me for the holidays! Before he left I got the call--asking me all about my engagement ring specifications so I knew that he would propose over Christmas break but I wasn't exactly sure how or when it would all take place.

     During my Christmas break my mother had gotten me a job working at her office building which was an hour south of our home--so, on the night that Mr. W came up from NJ I stayed after to hitch a ride home with him, show him the way...etc. Unfortunately, Mr. W was rudely acquainted with life in the hostile North when there was a horrific snow storm--he was supposed to be there to pick me up around 4 and I sat all alone on the 19th floor of the office building watching the hours click by....5.....6.....7....(this was before we had cell phones =) and finally finally at 7:30 he pulled up and we made our way home. I took over the driving so that he could rest from his wintery driving ordeal and the worst was yet to come! By the time we were about 20 minutes from my home we couldn't see out the front window--I literally drove by looking out my side window to make sure I was still on the actual road! We inched and crawled towards home and were just about there when we came to this HUGE hill that leads to my parent's house--I ended up putting the pedal to the metal and listening as we spun and sputtered up the entire hill--I distinctly remember screaming at Mr. W to "BE QUIET I"M TRYING TO GET US HOME ALIVE AND I CAN"T PROMISE I WILL IF YOU DON"T STOP TALKING!".

     It was the first time I ever yelled at him...(unfortunately for him--not the last!).

     We did make it home in once piece and saw the next morning why it was so difficult to drive his car--his tires were completely bald! NO TREAD AT ALL! Mr. W said, and I quote, "They are just clean!" My poor man has no clue about maintaining cars--but I'm sure that's just one of the many reasons God put us together!

     We spent a few comfortable and happy days together in snowy central NY until Christmas Eve when he asked me to go on a walk with him. We drove a little ways away to Salmon River Falls--a very pretty waterfall that completely freezes in the winter--it really is lovely! He wanted to walk somewhere pretty so that he could pop the question--unfortunately all of that snow made walking almost impossible! The snow on the trial was WAIST high (I kid you not!) and we waded and trudged because Lord knows I was going to get engaged even if I had to hire a Sherpa to get the job done!

We arrived at the falls and Mr. W wasn't next to me so I turned around and he was on his knee in the snow (at least I think he was, it was impossible to see knees at this point) and he told me he loved me and asked me to marry him. I squealed yes and promptly a huge drop of snow landed on our heads.

Isn't it romantic?

     We trudged back to the car and headed back home so that I could share my news and start making plans. And by plans I mean everything except for the venue, date and dress--all of which my mother and I had set, purchased and paid for BEFORE the big proposal. We sure had a lot of faith in My Mr. Wonderful--well placed faith, I might add!

Thursday, December 23, 2010

A Christmasy Christmas Eve Eve =)

Today I was lucky enough to be able to go to Amelie's Kindergarten Christmas party! 
Granny came over for a while to watch the babies and I got to spend some much needed special time with my big girl!
Amelie has the cutest little class in the world and a wonderful teacher and it was a lovely morning spent eating yummy snacks, decorating mini-tree-cakes and playing games in the gym!
Some pictures from our day:






Amelie's class (minus 1)
Cuties!!!

Wednesday, December 22, 2010

They Make Me Feel Like The *Luckiest* Girl In The World....

everyday!
I love staying home with these guys so much!

Monday, December 20, 2010

Did You Ever....?

did you ever have a night
a week
a month
((or more))
where the only major stresses
were just the 
tiny ones
all in a great big giant heap
and heaping up higher and higher 
and you think...
*well, this isn't so bad*
and
*neither is this*
but when you add them all up they seem big
or giant-sized, even?
 {{**cast all your cares upon *HIM* for He cares for you! 1peter5:7**}}
it's all the little fix-it jobs you want done
rightthisveryminute
the worker, who is also a friend, whom you've paid but doesn't return your calls
the child that slips and gashes a lip
the endless responsilbities
and needs
that must always be met
(not to mention the needs that must always be pushed aside)
{{**cast all your cares upon *HIM* for He cares for you! 1peter5:7**}}
the feeling that things are good
and usually things are even *great*
but some days
at the end of the day
you're just feeling tired?
ready for a break?
peace.
a chance to catch up?
{{**cast all your cares upon *HIM* for He cares for you! 1peter5:7**}}
God is so good to us.
i'm so thankful that all of the problems we have in our days
have lately been
very
small
but when the very small things make a big giant pile
it makes me want to take a nap
when really, i ought to pray.
{{**cast all your cares upon *HIM* for He cares for you! 1peter5:7**}}so, i think i'll do that now!
=)

Sunday, December 19, 2010

A Very *Wonderful* Christmas

After a lovely Sunday School Christmas performance, in which Maeve *grabbed a hold of the microphone and rocked out to J*E*S*U*S ((tune of bingo)), we headed to Granny and Pop's for our family Christmas celebration!
It was so nice to see everyone, after we finally got there--because between forgetting the cake I made and getting stuck behind accidents and in traffic it took us nearly 1 hour. 
And we live about 10 minutes away. OY.
Everything was lovely and we were lucky enough to get a visit from Santa!
Maeve's *waiting for santa* face!
Amelie looking way too grown up in her glasses.
SANTA!!
or should I say, Santa-Pop!

What a merry day!

Friday, December 17, 2010

Happy Birthday To My Mr. Wonderful!!!!

I love these few precious months every year when my husband is *three* years older than me instead of just *two*. 
It makes me feel all young and giddy! =)
I am so thankful, joyful, blessed, happy, thrilled that you were born honey!
I love you so much and love growing a little older with you every year!
You're my favorite!!!
And, in honor of your birthday--
34 Reasons Why You Are Wonderful:
1. You are *the* funniest person I know, and not ever at the expense of others. 
2. You go to work every single day to provide for us. Even when it isn't easy. 
3. You are a servant to a fault--*always* putting EVERYONE and EVERYTHING before yourself. I admire you for it even though I give you a hard time about it!
4. You love me. All the time. Even when I am unlovable!
5. Because 1 Corinthians 13 suits you perfectly:
6. Patient
7. Kind
8. Longsuffering
9. Not Envying
10. Not Boastful
11. Not Proud
12. Not Rude
13. Not Self-Seeking
14. Not Easily Angered
15. Keeping no record of wrongs
16. Always protecting, trusting, hoping, persevering...
17. Because you passed on your cuteness to our precious children.
18. You *do* floors
19. And dishes
20. And laundry
21. And anything else that needs to be done without complaining!
22. Because you don't mind getting me milkshakes at 8:30 pm for no reason other than the fact that I want one=)
23. You let me warm up my cold hands on you!
24. You have no problem changing diapers!
25. You get up with Ezra every single morning no matter what time he decides to wake up!
26. Your dance parties with the kids.
27.  You let me hold the remote <3
28. You are man enough to clip, sort, use coupons AND grocery shop!
29. Because your driving isn't scary.
30. 'Cause you come up with things like this:

31. You are handsome!
32. You are loyal!
33. You get even more wonderful as each year goes by!
34. You make me so proud to be your wife!

Mr. Wonderful; A Small Birthday Retrospective


Wednesday, December 15, 2010

Friends Are The Gifts That Keep On Giving!

Yesterday we were delighted to have our little friend, PJ, and his Mama over!
These little boys are so precious together--they make me so happy!
And that little girl?
She's pretty fantastic too!!