let it shine-all sons and daughters

beautiful song!  i love redemption songs.  give a listen-what do you think?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=chYUK2LD7iI&feature=related

my best friend's wedding

Hannah got married this past weekend!  It was a busy, fun-filled weekend.  Hannah and her fiance wanted a simple, no frills wedding-so their ceremony was actually in the middle of their church service!  After church, they had a cupcake reception.  Later that day, they had a luncheon at their house for just their family and close friends.  The whole day was beautiful.

bachelorette party festivities-pedis, dinner, and lingerie shower!

pretty toes =)

some of the bridesmaids-hannah (the bride), me, Lili, and Jeananne (hannah's sister-in-law)

the bachelorette party was sports themed, so we got Hannah a packers cake =) 

Brooks' family are huge redskins fans, so we made some 'skins cupcakes for them

the rest of the cupcakes for the reception-all packers colors!

Hannah and Brooks =)

Before the church service

she's ready to get married! =)

prenancy update......

So far, baby #2 is doing great!  Definitely feel tired and nauseated most of the time.  But I'll count those as blessings and as a sign that all is going well.

Some random cravings I've been having (when I'm not feeling sick):
-spicy, hot salsa and chips 
-quesadillas
-ice cream, specifically klondike bars.  the original kind.
-cheese puffs (which is weird, because normally I don't eat those....)
-animal crackers

We bought Jaden some books about being a big brother.  When we gave them to him, we said they were from the baby.  He said, "Wow!  That was SO thoughtful.  I think I'm going to like having this baby around.  We won't have to return it."  lol.

About being a big helper:
Me: Are you excited about being a big helper with the new baby?
Jaden: Yep!
Me: What are you most excited about?
Jaden: I'm excited about reading stories and singing her songs.

=)

baby #2

In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, through the riches of His grace~Ephesians 1:7

He also brought me up out of a horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon the rock, and established my steps. ~Psalm 40:2

Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb is a reward ~Psalm 127:3

In other news, baby #2 is due in March!  We feel so very, very blessed.  Jaden is super excited.  He says the baby's going to be a girl, and she's going to do everything he tells her to.  (We'll have to see about that one....lol).

We got to see the first ultrasound today.  We also got to hear the sound of the baby's heartbeat.  That, friends, is a sound that never gets old.  It's so amazing to see such a little life growing inside of me!

In a lot of ways, this baby is an extension of God's grace and mercy.  This new baby is a reminder to me that God loves me and cares about me.  It's a reminder to me that He has brought me out of a dark, gloomy place and secured my feet in Him.  This baby is a reminder to me that God is the giver and maker of life.  It's a reminder to me that my sins are forgiven, and I have been redeemed, and given new life.

Please pray for us!  Pray for the baby to continue to grow and be healthy, for Jaden to begin to learn and understand what it's going to be like to be a big brother, and for Derek and I as we adjust to life with two kiddos.  I'm excited to see what God has planned for this season of our life! =)

visit to fredericksburg

We visited my family in Fredericksburg this past weekend.

jaden and opa feeding the huskies

playing phase ten, one of our favorite past times

auntie theresa!

oma and opa and scooter-bug

seesters!

walking in the neighborhood

we walked to the neighbor's farm.  mr. truman, the neighbor's donkey

the neighbor's two horses

kiddie convos

Jaden and Carson (and Carson's sister Cammie) are great friends.  We've had some great hang out times already this summer.  We were driving to a park and heard this:

Jaden to starla: I'm gonna get a little sister!
Starla: Oh really?  From where?
Jaden: From God.
Starla: Oh.  Ok.
Jaden: My mommy says I have to pway and ask God to give them a baby!
Carson (interjecting): I have a little sister for you!

=) 

french breakfast muffins

I love weekend mornings.  I love being able to walk and buy a newspaper, sip on a cup of coffee and put my feet up.  I also love that I have more time to bake breakfast stuff!
This morning I tried out a new recipe.  They're called french breakfast muffins.  They are super yummy!  They're fluffy and light, and the topping is fun to do.

i love batter-this muffin batter tastes delicious

these smelled ah-mazing!  and they taste great too!

Here is the website I found this recipe on:
http://velvetlava.blogspot.com/2009/02/i-am-now-in-muffin-loop.html

A few things I would do differently, next time:
*I would add some cinnamon and maybe a teaspoon or two of vanilla (or maybe almond) extract to give it some more flavor
*I rolled just the tops of the muffins, but I think it'd be fun to roll the whole muffin
*I didn't wait until the muffins were completely cooled to the dip them, and it sort of melted the sugar, so I think it'd be better to wait until the muffins were almost cooled

Happy baking!