Raylee Kisses

The video speaks for itself....Raylee loves to kiss everything, even the pages of books!

Easter Pics!

We had a great trip to Missouri for Easter...spent lots of time with my family, including my sister's two new foster kids. Here are some pics!

Holy Week

If you are like me, it is way too easy to get caught up in the craziness of Easter and forget the true significance of this Holy Week. I found this great website that walks you through each day of Holy Week and the experiences of Jesus and his disciples during this "ordinary" week that ends with the resurrection that changed the world. Please don't get so caught up in eggs and bunnies that we miss the opportunity to celebrate the greatest miracle of all...salvation.

http://www.pcbc.org/holyweekdevotions

Easter Egg Hunt at Church

Our playgroup attended the annual Watermark Easter Egg Hunt last Thursday. I wasn't really sure how it was going to work, since Raylee (and most of the playgroup kiddos) aren't walking yet. They had a great time, though. I just love our playgroup!

Bon Anniversaire, Raylee!

So, for Raylee's first birthday I did a French Bakery (la petite boulangerie) theme. It turned out so cute....thanks for the inspiration from ModernEve and Penandpaperflowers. I did petite pastries, petite chicken salad sandwiches, cheese and fruit, french fries, cupcakes, and tomato basil soup. Raylee had her own petite gateaux (little cake). It took her a while to really dig in, but she eventually realized what she has been missing out on for the last year. We had a lot of special guests including family from Missouri and Texas, playgroup friends, community group friends, and other friends too! invitation

Valentine's Day Party

My sister-in-law hosted an amazing Valentine's Day Mommy and Me party, where the kiddos decorated cookies, played, and ate lots of sugar! Raylee had a ton of fun spending time with the twins and some new friends. We stayed after the party and had a wonderful dinner and a few laughs at the girls in the bathtub. Here are a few pics of the day!

SNOW!!!

We got a record breaking 11 inches of snow in Dallas last Thursday. It was crazy! Michael built Raylee a little snowman and we tried to get some really cute pictures. Raylee was not a fan at all! So, here are two cute pics.

New Blog Design!

So, for my first Mother's Day, my good friends Lavender Lily and Modern Eve got me a gift certificate to have my blog redesigned! It was a very thoughtful gift! So, I finally cashed in on my new blog design courtesy of Penny Lane Designs. I told her I wanted an Old Hollywood feel to the blog, with my favorite color scheme...black, red, and white. I know I am not super original, but I love how it turned out...very classy! Thanks friends!

Cruisin'!

Raylee cruisin' along our fireplace!

A little preachin'

Today is my four year wedding anniversary! Yay! So in light, I thought I would preach just a little to whoever may be reading...

In my four years of marriage I figure I may just have picked up a few bits of wisdom and truth. Now, I am no expert, but I firmly believe that your philosophy on marriage is the second biggest determining factor in life (second only to who God is). The covenant I made with God and my husband is binding for life. When you really take the view that marriage is permanent, it changes the way you view the fights, the struggles, and the challenges. Knowing that this is my one shot at marriage encourages me to make it the best it can be. Marriage isn't always easy, in fact, it can be downright hard sometimes. The only way this marriage will work is if we first submit ourselves to Christ, and then to each other. I believe that everyday I must fight my selfish desires to put my husband first. I'm sure you have heard the old adage, "love is a verb." You must literally choose to love everyday...even when the feelings wane. Don't get me wrong, I love (with feeling) my husband so much...but even days when I don't feel love, I try to love (with action). My younger childhood was filled with love and Christ, but my adolescent years were also filled with divorce, infidelity, deception and heartache. I know that the best foundation I can shape for Raylee starts with a strong marriage between Michael and me. Thankfully, Michael believes that marriage is forever as well, and he serves as a great example of selflessness.

Here is a pic from four years ago!

Bad Blogger, Good Christmas!

So I have realized that I am a much better reader than I am writer...I just don't really love blogging, but I think it is worth the time, so I am going to try to be better (please ignore my wordy, runon sentence).

We had a great Christmas season, with lots of celebrating. We had multiple Christmas' with a wedding thrown in as a bonus. Raylee was a flower girl at my sister's wedding, and since she can't actually walk, or throw flowers for that matter, she rode in a sleigh. It was the cutest thing I have ever seen!

Enjoy the pictures!

Amy Columbus Photography