Em 7.0

Seven years ago today, our lives changed forever. 

In the best {and hardest} way possible: we became Parents.

Our biggest little, Emma turned seven years old at 12:08am this morning!

I cannot believe how incredibly FAST the years have flown by!

Before she was born, people would tell me that time would go by fast, and to cherish every moment because they are so fleeting. And oh yes, how they have been!

 

Just born

 

Sitting here thinking, I can remember every moment:

When I found out I was pregnant, the first time we saw her on an ultrasound, when we found out she was a girl, the moment she was born. 

I remember rocking her to sleep, singing her lullabies, and those first late nights that we never thought we would make it through. But we did! 

I remember how hard it was to go back to work and leave her behind, and I remember my first Mother's Day and how precious it was to me. 

I remember her first steps and her first words.

I remember her first birthday, and every birthday since. 

I remember when she started preschool.

I remember when she graduated Pre-K, and started Kindergarten. 

I remember the magic in her eyes when we took her to Disneyland.

And I remember when she became a Big Sister. 

One month old

First birthday

2 years old

First day of preschool - 3 years old

Pre-K - 4 years old

Kindergarten - 5 years

1st grade - 6 years

I remember every. single. moment. 

The good, the bad, the ugly, and the beautiful!

And let me tell you, she really is Beautiful. Inside and out. 

I know that I am biased, but it is undeniable. 

While she may have her moments, as does every child, the good far outweighs the bad.

 

I can only imagine how much of a mess I will be when she reaches all her older milestones, if I am this gushy about her turning seven!

 

 

This is my HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my forever-baby girl! 

Mommy & Daddy love you to the Moon and Back, Forever & Ever!

XoXo

 

 

The Little Things

For me, the smallest, most simple of things always make me the happiest! 

For example; a song, a good cup of coffee, baby laughter, the smell of Fall in the air, the changing colors of the leaves, a relaxing night, and updating photos in my house. 

Yes, that's right. Updating my family photos throughout my home makes me happy!

I recently realized that we did not have one photograph of Haylee in our entire home, and she has been alive for almost a whole year now! I suppose that means I'm slacker...but not anymore! I finally got some photos printed, framed and hung. Thank goodness!

The second I finished, I stood back and smiled. Like I said...the little things!

I can now look around my home and see both of my beautiful girls smiling down on me. 

Granted, we do not have any family photos of the four of us, but I guess it's the girls that are most important...right? When Emma was born, we literally chronicled her life with professional photos every single holiday! We even had some family pictures taken in between. However, since then I have stopped working, and it is just not realistic for us to do that anymore. Thankfully I know a little something-something about photography, and can take photos of the girls on my own. And luckily we have a gorgeous piece of property to use as a prop, so that helps too!

The only thing about taking your own photos, is that you are always behind the camera, which means that you cannot be in front of the lens! Maybe someday I will be able to purchase a good tripod, and put myself in a photo with the girls...someday. :)

Until then, I am Happy with pictures of my girls hanging on my walls!

So with my good cup of coffee, and with a good song playing in the background, I will stand back and admire what we have created...

Two beautiful little ladies!

Photo Friday!

When I see these images, I cannot help but to feel inspired, creative and HAPPY! There's nothing like a SMILE on your face to make everything better! I have been so into vintage, rustic and antique inspired things lately! I have so many ideas for photos and decorating swirling around in my head! But until those things make their way to the surface and start happening, these images will have to do! I am just so in LOVE with all of these warm colors, I just can't seem to get enough!



This makes me want SPRING to actually arrive!
{VIA}



This is so incredibly Romantic and Simplistic!
{VIA}



This is quit possibly one of the coolest things I have ever seen...I want to be there!
{VIA}

Look at those colors! I'm in LOVE!
{VIA}

So there you have it. My Five Favorites for Friday!
What things are inspiring you and making YOU happy today?

Thinking Happy Thoughts!

First of all, I want to Thank everyone who commented and gave me their thoughts and opinions (it's mean a lot)! I have decided:: not to change a thing, and to continue to do what I've been doing - blogging for ME, MYSELF & I!

As I sit here drinking my cup of Half-Caf coffee, watching the snow fall down around me, and listening to music, I cannot help but to smile! My life is pretty damn good right now! My new beautiful home, my gorgeous daughter, my loving husband, family & friends, and finally finding my "niche" in life, has all added up to a great new year, with great new beginnings!

While I should totally be cleaning my house right now, I am choosing to sit here and type out my HAPPY thoughts instead! I am choosing (right now) to not dwell on the negativity surrounding me, and focus on the GOOD! After all, there is so much more of that going around anyways!

We have been adding small details around our home, such as:: new light fixtures outside, and we have started purchasing the fixtures for indoors as well. Two at a time is how we roll! I found the chandelier for the dinning room I want, finally! Now just to purchase...

Em's room got painted today, pretty in pink! Needless to say, things continue to piece together slowly, and we're loving it more and more!

We couldn't be happier with our home, and our decision to live out here! Although, we have had quite a few people mention that it's "too far" to drive to visit...Really?!! Well, it's a good thing we do things for ourselves and not for others!

As I am typing this, our backyard bunnies came hopping out from under our shed! They are the biggest, fluffiest rabbits I have ever seen! A beautiful caramel colored one, and his buddy who is black and white. We just went out to give them carrots, and they came right up to us!! Once I get some pictures I will post them...

We have also befriended the local neighborhood kitty. I believe it is a she. Emma has named her Mittens (as in Mittens from the movie 'Bolt'). We have fed her and she lets us pet her...so cute! Howard has also seen a herd of Elk about a mile or so down the road from us! Oh how we LOVE nature! I can't wait to start snapping pictures!!