first for everything

Has it almost been a year? Somtimes it feels like it's been going on forever, other times all too fast. May 1st is just around the corner! I've begun to plan a birthday party. We don't know too many kids her age so its probably going to be more adults than kids and all under the banner of Eden turning one. Family, friends, petit fours, icecream...ahhh it will be a spring time party. I made a homemade banner thats not too shabby I must admit. I haven't made petit fours from scratch before but since this is a party of firsts ...it qualifies. If you're reading this, you're invited!

baby apron

I took advantage of edens afternoon nap one day and made her an apron out of one of her recieving blankets. She looks so cute in it. She's going to be mommmys little helper in the kitchen someday soon!

crazy in love

I couldn't ask for a better husband/father. If you only saw how he lived his life in secret and when nobody sees. He goes beyond.

innocence

oh, the face of innocence. Currently 10 months. Jibber jabbering, crawling, standing, playing peekaboo stage, that I love.

looking back

I came across these today. Eden was 11 days old. She was bright eyed and responsive to her daddy and interacting in the most precious way. Very unusual (I think) for a newborn.

a living hope

In the past few months Ive had dear friends of mine experience the loss of their fathers and just today someones mother. Ive grieved...and found my heart comming alive in the midst of it! Strange? Ive realized our hope is in one thing. A man who is alive. He conquered death and tasted our punishment for us so we could have life forever. Because He lives we live. He doesnt desire that any would perish, but that all would come to an understanding of the knowledge that He is God and to come into the fullness of joy of knowing Him. We are not like those who don't have hope! We will never die. This is why Im happy. We will never die.
I can look death in the eye and say, death has no sting. My heart which was once dead in my sins, is now alive with the flame of God. He lives and breathes in me and though once I would despair...I find a growing joy deep inside welling up and filling me to the brim. I can only find peace in saying, come Lord Jesus, come back. You bring restoration to my soul. You make all things new. You will wipe away every tear, in that day when you return to earth and reign as king on earth, there will be no more tears, no more pain, no more crying, no more death.

dreaming of peonies

mmmm....I dream of peonies.

As I think of my flower garden and preparations for it, I cant help but think of my own little Eden. She's blossoming more and more each day. She's talking in her own little language, walking along the furniture, and drinking in everything around her. She's repeating words after me and commanding the dog to "sit" when I do. She grabs my pearly white (ahem, pearly white as in coffee/tea stained) teeth, then touches her own bottom two and says with me, "teeth".

The only family member who isn't estatic about her new found independence is Goodwin, who Eden lovingly calls "cat".

bright beginnings

Here we are. In the quiet days of winter I've decided its time to start posting the happenings in life. Spring is just around the corner (we hope) and in anticipation of spring, we prepare.

I've begun to plant seeds and wait for them to turn into delicate, beautiful, inspiring flowers. I want eden to see new life spring up before her. I want her to help me plant them and play in the dirt. Oh, come spring! The days of picnics and outings await us.

I have a few surprises up my sleeve. I've been working on a few projects...homemade/handmade things for a darling little girl awaiting her 1st birthday. They'll be posted sooner than you know.