A Photoshoot Of My Girl...

So, Cuinn and I have been through a bit of a rough patch this last couple of weeks. There have been a few bumps and scrapes along the road of our life and we're trying real hard to stay positive. So when Dana, our photographer, emailed me to let me know Aislynn's pictures were ready for pick up, I pretty much ran to my car and drove like a crazy person to get them.

Seriously. I look at these pictures and am reminded how far we've come and how amazing this year has been.

Here, take a look yourself, and just try not to get that warm fuzzy feeling.

A Silent Sunday...

Source: google.ca via Sarah on Pinterest

Source: google.ca via Sarah on Pinterest

A Thankful Thursday....

It is 11:16 pm. I have 44 minutes to get this post done before Friday. Can I do it? I think so!

I am thankful this week for...

1. This last year that we survived. And thrived. 

2. Aislynn's party going off without a hitch.

3. My two friends A and K who helped me decorate for Aislynn's birthday.

4. 4 friends who all ganged up together and bought Aislynn her chair that I could NOT find. Seriously, there are no words for how touched I am by how much my friends care for me and my family.

5. The rest of my very generous friends who gave, so thoughtfully, to Aislynn. She was so spoiled by people who love her. My thank you cards are almost done.

6. That my brother AND my dad was able to be a part of Aislynn's big day. 

7. A girls night out with my friend K.

8. Wine. Yes. I found a wine that I can drink. Don't laugh that it's zinfandel. 

9. A new work from home opportunity.

10. Becoming a part of the converse family.

11. Sunshiney days and spring weather. It's been so great being able to get outside with Aislynn.

12. Walks to the park and watching Aislynn enjoy the swings so much.

13. Matching outfits with friends.

14. Road trips, just for the fun of it.

15. Cheese dip night with my husband.

16. Getting mail, that isn't a bill!

17. Paying off TWO whole bills this week. It's so fantastic seeing our debt becoming lower. 

18. Aislynn kisses. Seriously. Aislynn kisses rock.

19. Cuinn kisses aren't so bad either.

20. Mommy and baby dates at a new friends house. 

What are you thankful for today?

A year of love...

I know this is a bit late, but we've been so busy celebrating and enjoying our one year old that I haven't had a moment to reflect. I'm here now though.

Dear Aislynn,

1 whole year has gone by since you came into our lives. One whole year has gone by since we became three. One whole year has gone by and we've all grown so much. Daddy and I waited so long for you. We prayed for you, we cried that you weren't coming in our timeline, we learned patience. When we found out that we were going to be blessed with a sweet little bundle of love we couldn't wait to meet you. Although, we were scared. Daddy and I can admit that. This was new territory. A new human was coming and it was our job to look after you. We'd never done that, and we were so afraid that we wouldn't know what to do.

Then you came. On a day that Daddy says, God moved heaven and earth to get you here. We had a snowstorm, we had thunder and lightening, we had the brightest sunshine we'd seen in a while, we had hail and we had a lot of wind. All in one day. God was preparing the world for something big. And then you entered our lives and forever changed us. 10 lbs that we would never want to lose.

Over the last year you have shown us what real love is. You have reminded us to slow down, and enjoy all the little things. You've kept us on our feet, since you've been on the move since you were 6 months old!

We love your energy. We love that you are one of the busiest babies we know. You get into everything. You love to climb, you love to bulldoze through and over people, instead of going around (Which, has earned you the nickname bulldozer). The only time you are still is when we're feeding you. You love to try new foods, which has made Mommy try new foods (Thank you, for that.). You love to listen to music, and show us your awesome dance skills. Dance parties are a regular occurrence in our house. You love to make music. With your little piano, your guitar, your tambourine, your trumpet, Mommy's pots, anything you can find to bang together. Mommy loves listening to your songs during the day, which most other people just think is screaming. I know the difference. I know you're just trying to sing me a song. And I love it. You love to play and kiss the other babies, which makes Daddy very nervous, and melts Mommy's heart. That makes Mommy think you wouldn't be so opposed to a little brother or sister. Although we are so loving our special time with you. We love the kisses you give us too! Even if it's you opening you mouth as wide as you can and sticking your tongue out. We'll work on that.

Although this is a time to reflect on a year of you, this is also a time to reflect on how much Mommy and Daddy have grown. When we found out that you were joining our lives, we had also found out that Poppa and Grandma were leaving for England for 3 years. That made Mommy so sad. Because she really loves and misses your Grandma and Poppa. It also made Daddy sad, because he knows how hard it is to be away from your Grandma and Grandpa Simpson and your Aunt and Uncles on the west coast. Luckily we have your Uncle Simon here, but he is still far away. Mommy and Daddy weren't prepared to do this alone. There was a fear and loneliness, knowing that your grandparents would miss out on so much. But, over this year, your Mommy and Daddy have been grown and stretched and been tested in so many ways and we have become better parents and partners because of it. We moved you away from a toxic environment and started a new life in our tiny town where we knew no one. This was scary too, but we have made so many good friends. So many friends that we know we'll love and know forever. This was the best decision we could have made, and this was a decision made for you, baby girl. Mommy and Daddy are so happy and proud of the little girl we are raising. You have changed our lives and we are forever grateful for you.

Mommy and Daddy have many dreams for you. Some are really big ones, like how someday you will be running the country  world Universe. Some of the dreams are little, like how we would love to have you down to one big nap a day, instead of two little ones. Watching you grow, and change, and become your own little person is such a joy to us. Never stop loving. Never lose your energy. Never let anyone bring you down.

Always remember, that your Mommy and Daddy love you. More than anything in the entire universe. We are always here for you and with you.

Love:

Mommy and Daddy

A Time To Help...

Have you ever heard a story of injustice and just felt, immediately, that you needed to do something. Right now?

I have, and right now I am trying to help the Invisible Children. It's time to make Joseph Kony famous.

Please, watch this video, and help in any way you can. Support them financially, support them by making this video viral, support our world in capturing the most evil man who is invisible.

Support our world.

KONY 2012 from INVISIBLE CHILDREN on Vimeo.

A (not so) Silent Sunday...

Source: etsy.com via Sarah on Pinterest

This one is especially for my dear friend C. Who just this week lost a very special Grandpa. You are not alone, my friend, we are here for you and God is too.

A Thankful Thursday....

One of my daily reads, Constant Chatter, does this thing every Thursday called Thankful Thursdays. Up until yesterday I just thought it was something she did every Thursday. Then I noticed (finally, after like...a year of following her), that she has a linky link to a page explaining it a bit more. Now I love it even more. I commented and asked her if I could steal the idea.

Not only did she say yes, but she made her own Thankful Thursday a linky linky party party. Love.

So for the next hundred years (give or take), I'll be doing a list of 20 things I'm thankful for. Every Thursday. For the rest of my life. 

I have so much in my life and at times I seem to forget about it. So I think a weekly reminder will put it all into perspective. Thank you, Jude, for allowing me to take part in this.

1. Aislynn not being sick. Cuinn and I are, so it's nice to see Aislynn running around, tearing out home apart, because I'd rather clean up the mess than have a miserable, sick little baby.

2. My friend from church, W. She brought us over a big ol' batch of chicken soup, peanut butter cookies and a loaf of bread. Seriously. It's amazing to be in a church family that looks out for one another like that.

3. My friend A who offered to come take Aislynn off my hands for a couple of hours. Cuinn was home this morning and so I had a break, but the fact that she was so willing to help out means the world to me.

4. My friend K who reminds me on a daily basis that if I need anything then to just call. And she really means it.

5. Skype. Seriously, the Atlantic doesn't seem so big at times.

6. Baby Einstein. It's everything I stand against, but when parents are sick, and the babe needs a distraction? It gives me 20 minutes of peace. It's one of those fights that I'm no longer interested in fighting.

7. Pinterest. I have so many neat idea's for Aislynn's parties. When she's 5 and up. But for a 1 year old? I don't know. Thank goodness for Pinterest and all the awesome inspiration I am getting. What did parents do before Pinterest?

8. Cuinn. Always. Everyday. I'm thankful for Cuinn.

9. A roof over my head and a pillow for under it.

10. Having an hour to myself to have a bath. I don't think women really enjoy baths as much as they claim, I think they just enjoy the shutting the door to the world and being by themselves in quiet part of it. 

11. Living in a country when I am free to do...pretty much anything I want. Y'know, besides killing people and robbing banks. And I don't really wanna do either of those things, so I can pretty much do whatever I want. 

12. My brother being able to come visit us this weekend. I'm looking forward to seeing him.

13. The ability for Cuinn, Aislynn and myself to go to England. Our vacation was amazing, and it's amazing that we were able to go.

14. Having food in my fridge.

15. Modern medicine. Isn't it great that when we're feeling like crap we can take some magical drugs to make it all better and we don't have to worry that we might die from this? Even if we feel like we are dying?

16. Baby gates. Whoever invented those bad boys obviously had a child like mine who doesn't like kid toys and would much rather play in the toilet, or garbage can or other equally weird things. It's nice that we can throw up those gates to "block her in" to the living room where she can't destroy too much.

17. The fact that Cuinn has a job that can support us. 

18. A God that has always provided for us, even when we're scared we're not going to make it. We've never gone without our needs and even a few wants.

19. Watching Aislynn walk all around the apartment. Even if it does remind me that she makes me look like a liar because she refuses to walk around anybody else but will walk from one end of the apartment to the other. I love watching her walk like a sumo wrestler. It's so funny.

20. Music. It calms our whole home down when we're feeling antsy. Puts Aislynn to sleep, puts me to sleep, gives us all an escape. Where would we be without it?

I'm linking up with Jade at Constant Chatter. Head on over and share what you're thankful for.