Motherhood is such a journey and has so many ups and downs. Every mother has a different story to tell and I think that is what makes it so beautiful. How we all have our own connection to becoming, being and growing as a mom. I will never take for granted the blessing it has been to be called mommy. It is hard, it is exhausting, but it is so good. I know that God put me on this earth to be a mom, and I'm so thankful that He has given me two little lives to lead back to Him. They aren't mine to keep, and I have to remind myself of that so often. I'm their mommy, their booboo kisser, their cheerleader, their first love, but most of all, I am their reminder of God's love. I have the very hard job of trying my best to always be an example of what Christ's love looks like for His children. Some days are hard, so so hard, but even in those hard days, I try my best to remind myself that this season is short. Even when it is hard, I know God has given me the heart to love them deeper and harder through it. Unconditional love for my sweet boys. 

Asher's new sweet smile that he just stared to give this week 

& Solomon's constant blur of adventure and fun in photo form. These two make me so happy!

Happy Mother's Day to all you Moms out there who are experiencing the hard love. The ones who yearn month after month to hold a baby of their own, to the mothers who are finished holding but miss those days so terribly bad, to the ones who feel like their arms may never stop holding and are beyond tired in the long dark hours of the night. All of it is so hard, but so good, and we are all women who love deeply in our own way. So, happy day to you!

Christmas morning, 2017.

Christmas morning was one of the most sweet and fun mornings I've ever had with my little family. Solomon was so happy about his bike and excited to open his gifts. The sleepy eyes but excited smile is a pretty great combination. I love toddlers. They are so unpredictable, and that can definitely make things a little crazy sometimes, but it can also make things pretty stinkin cute. He started out the morning confused and wanting to go in his playroom, but once he locked eyes on his bike, it was all over. Christmas morning was officially amazing in his book!

Solomon also got to help us open Asher's stocking, which wasn't as exciting as his stocking. 

Once we were finished opening our gifts, my mom came over to have breakfast with us. I normally make a quiche and some sides, but my sweet husband made his perfect breakfast bagel sandwiches this year. I promised to make a full spread for Christmas 2018, but this year was a little rough with my big 'ol belly. Plus, his bagels are one of my main cravings every weekend... so that worked out perfectly! 

self timer fun with the camera for some photos... I love this one so much!

It was such a perfect Christmas morning. Fun, relaxing, and a full of really sweet memories.

& the fact that we will have a second little monkey to celebrate with next year makes me so incredibly happy! 

Christmas with Gigi.

I normally just share our small family Christmas, but with Solomon and all the love he is getting and fun he's been having this year, I thought it was only write to document everything. I knew that this Christmas was going to be a fun one with his age now and my mom has been dying to buy him a BIG gift. Solomon freaks out anytime we are at a friend's house with a play kitchen, and seriously can't play with anything else, so my mom knew exactly what he needed for his playroom. We also agreed that this year would be extra special since it would most likely be Solomon's last Christmas as an only child and her only grandbaby, so I let her splurge a little. Plus, his sweet little face when he saw the kitchen was so worth it!!! Thank you, Gigi, for loving our boy so well! 

Asher wasn't left out, he got the most perfect hand knit doll that also helped feed 10 meals to kids in need.

A lot of Thank Yous and hugs for Gigi, she is the best!

My mom was also excited to surprise Peter with some goodies for his bar cart!

& this is how we all feel about her famous Christmas Dinner! YUM!!!!

Peter and his massive piece of Prime Rib!

& the best dark chocolate pistachio pie.... OH MAN!

I know I could never say it enough, so thank you again for all the love that you so freely give to us, Mom! You are so selfless and I hope that I can be more like you everyday. God has truly blessed us with your big love.

slumber parties at Gigi's.

My mom and I have always loved traditions. She has definitely has taught me to love making traditions and keeping them for our family, and I"m so thankful for that. I decided to spend the night at my mom's house after the girls night Christmas hang out and it was so much fun! Solomon slept so well all night and it was so sweet to wake up and have some fun with Gigi. Christmas movies, a fire and some yummy breakfast!! It's definitely a tradition that we will keep up in the years to come. 

traditions.

These ladies, they are so special to me. My mom has been friends with Peggy and Laura for a very long time and I am so thankful that they are my friends as well. We've always had fun celebrating Christmas together with some drinks, apps and soups but now we get to include the grandbabies. I love it, it's always so much fun!  

These three cuties, they definitely make our yearly tradition a little crazier, but it's a whole lot sweeter too! We did our normal gifts between each other, but we also had gifts for the kids to open, and we let them give them to each other. Hearing them say Merry Christmas and watching their excitement was so adorable. I love this time of year even more now that we have Solomon, it's so special!

self timer catching hilarious moments and our laughs.... love it! 

sweet little elves! 

Merry Christmas, friends!!!