Shutterfly... oh, How I Love Thee

I can not believe that Christmas is just around the corner!  

Where the heck did this year go! 

A few weeks ago we finally got to take some family photos, thanks to my SIL Katie.  She did an amazing job in capturing our family!  At first, I thought there was no way we got a single good shot because my boys just wouldn't cooperate.  However, I was very wrong.  We got some great ones!  Here are my favorite ones!

 And now, I can finally start to process of ordering our Christmas card!  And there is no other place I would go to order them, than good old Shutterfly.   Last year, the ones I picked came out so great!  I loved them!!

 So this year won't be any different.  Their collection of Christmas cards is awesome, the only problem I'm having trouble with is PICKING which one I want to use!  

I'm even contemplating doing more then just a Christmas card.  Last year I made a Shutterfly mug for my dad with the grand-kiddies on them and that was a huge success.  I think I may want to do a Calendar or something for Jesse's parents. 

A few weeks ago my friend had a Shutterfly photo book party at her house and we all got a free photo book.  Needless to say I have been spending hours upon hours trying to do my first book.  I just can't seem to make up my mind.  However, they are going to make for some great Christmas gifts this year!  

I'm really looking forward to this year... Have you thought about your Christmas cards yet?

I Adore Photo Shoots With Family

There is nothing better than taking pictures of the people I love most.  In my book, family is always free and I urge them to take advantage of that offer at anytime.  ;)  This past weekend my SIL did just that!  She texted me Sunday morning asking if I would shoot her fall family pictures.  There was no hesitation, of course I would!!!!  I just love getting my camera on my little niece and her two beautiful parents!

So we went out around my favorite time of day to shoot, 4pm (just as the sun is setting for to most PERFECT lighting) to this cozy little winery down the street from their house.  Such a perfect spot.  I must say I think we got a few good ones.  

What do you think?!

 

 

IS she not the cutest thing you ever did see?!

Interesting fact:  This little miss and I share the same middle name!

    Oh... and you see my watermark?  The really pretty LK?  Well, this is the awesome brother that made it for me!  I'm a lucky sister!

Silent Sunday

Yesterday, my family had pictures taken since the last time we had them done was when Ian was in my tummy.  Thank you to my dear friend Cara for taking them.  I took her family's portraits yesterday too and I'm pretty sure she is posting them on her blog today as well, so go check them out!

QUICK THANK YOU

As we creep into the final week of this series, there are a million emotions going through my body.  I can't believe how far I have come and how much my marriage has endured.  I'm not going to lie and tell you this month has been a walk in the park for me because it hasn't been, and I'm pretty sure my husband can attest to how draining it truly has been.  

I have had many moments of being discouraged because this topic isn't always something people want to "comment" on.  However, that discouragement is always replaced with awe and amazement when I get a beautiful email telling me how blessed someone is by our story, or even when I see our button on someone's blog telling others to come read us.  

God reminds me everyday how blessed we are to still have our marriage and how important our story is to tell.  So thank you to all of you that have been supporting us; whether it was posting our button, writing along with us or just praying for us daily.  You have been such a driving force in this and I don't think we could ever repay you for that.  Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for everything!

Hope y'all are having a wonderful weekend!

2009 Recap

I hope you all had an amazing Christmas and a wonderful New Years! I feel so behind on everyone’s life, but hopefully in the next few weeks I’ll be able catch up! There is so much for me to tell you, so many amazing blessings and experiences I have been longing to share with you all. There are way too many things to share in just one post, so I’ll just give you a quick run down on my thoughts of 2009 and hopes for 2010.

Last year as my family headed into 2009 I was just praying that God would have something wonderful in-store of us in the up and coming year. I was ready for 2008 to be over and for us to move on and re-build what had been so terribly beaten down. Though there were times I thought nothing would fix these wounds that were created and that Jesse and I would never be able to be the way we once use to be, there was an even bigger part of me that wanted to fight and believe that God (my Father) could do anything!

God has over exceeded my expectations for 2009 and has been MORE than faithful to answer my prayers for my marriage and my family being restored. It took change from both of us, both Jesse and I realizing how we can better ourselves, learning to extend love to each other the way we both need to be loved. I am continuing to understand how to respect my husband in a way I never did before and lay down my selfish side that used to annoy the crap out of him. It took me quite a while to really understand the part I played in all that had happened and to see how I needed to change as a person to better my marriage and family. I believe it not only made our marriage stronger and more intimate than it’s ever been before, but it has made us better parents as well.

All in all 2009 has been a spectacular year. A year filled with healing, restoration, new dreams and new beginnings, and major blessings.

I’m thankful for a marriage that has continued to blossom and a husband that has continually swept me off my feet and has made me fall more madly in-love with him then ever before. His thoughtfulness and love has blown me away! I sometimes catch myself asking myself who this man is. He never fails to pour on the love, show me how much he cares and show me how much this marriage means to him. This anniversary really touched my heart and I think by far it is one of the best things he has ever done for me. He planned an amazing two day trip to NYC without me knowing and totally swept me off my feet. I WAS SO BLESSED (More to come on that later)!

This was a year of families sticking together and loving everyone through the good times as well as through the difficult times. Seeing my 18 year old sister walk through a pregnancy and then watch her make the biggest and most selfless decision of her life by setting up an adoption plan with a most deserving couple. She is one of the strongest people I know and I’m so honored that I was able to walk through this with her and to be able call her sister.

I was able to be by my sister’s side as she and her husband lost their precious little one to a miscarriage and then only a few months later being able to rejoice in their conceiving once again. I’m so excited that I’m finally going to have a little niece of my own to spoil! She will be a blessing not just to her mommy and daddy, but to her extended family as well!

Becoming a stay-at-home-mom has been a trying one for me, but a blessing in the same. I believe hole-heartedly this is what God wants for our family. I am just starting to come into my own and continuing to learn to take this role on with authority and God’s wisdom.

I was caught completely off guard by a miracle that really shows God’s plan and destiny for this family. Not planned, but certainly loved and wanted, Jesse and I are expecting our second little one come June 17th. I’m absolutely thrilled that I get to go through this with my sis-in-love and that our children will be so close in age. We are making the choice to not find out the sex until the day he or she is born, but most of my family has already decided that this little one will be boy number two. I guess we’ll see! ;)

I’ve come quite a long way since the beginning on 2009. I can only hope and pray that 2010 will be equally as wonderful or possibly even better! God has a plan and I am excited to be part of it. I hope and pray that 2010 will be just as bright for you and your family and I look forward to hearing about all the wonderful blessings that will come from this year.

Family Foto Shoot

My amazing cousin Hadassah took these pictures for us. After she gave me the unedited copies I spent a little time "enhancing" them. It has been a long time since we had family pictures taken and she was generous enough to come out to the park and shoot a few photos. I think there are a few that turned out quite nicely. These pictures are my favorite. Which one is yours?

Never a Dull Moment

My mom always told me that I would never be bored if I married my husband. Well, she was right. After almost 12 years of being together, I can honestly say that I have never had a dull moment. Even during our “trying times,” he was ANYTHING but boring. He keeps me on my toes, always makes me think; our life together has been filled with so much laughter and he has this magical way of just melting my heart! Now tell me, why would I have thought any different when it came to our little man?! I should have known when Jesse and I made our covenant together that my kids would end up anything but shy!

Each day I see Jayden growing before my eyes, with each new day my little guy is continually discovering new and interesting things about the world and himself. I see so much of Jesse in him; not just his looks but his personality. Just like his father, I can honestly tell you that my day is never dull! Even when he is at his worst I still find myself quietly chuckling and thinking, "Where does he come up with this stuff?" Folks… It's pure genetics!!

I mean… just look at him… never a dull moment!

Dance moves like daddy

Want's to wear glasses like daddy
(even though they are mommy's glasses and daddy usually wears contacts)

Has Daddy's big brown eyes

Cracks himself up like daddy

Ha! Life is so exciting! I’m so lucky!

OBX – Rewind

I loved going on vacation with my family. I think it’s good that we go every other year, but I must say that I really enjoyed our vacation to the Outer Banks! My mom and dad for Christmas this year blessed us all with the gift of paying for our family vacation. It was very generous of them and it totally blessed us kids. It was a 6 bedroom, 6 bath beach house that had an amazing pool out back and was only two blocks from the beach! She did good! Thanks Mommy!

All family’s come with their own annoyances and aggravations and yes, we did have our moments at times where we did get under each other’s skin, but I have to say it was a pretty darn good vacation for us Balla’s (My maiden name.) It was hard for my dad who had just broken his leg three weeks back, but he did ok and did his best to join us out at the pool every once in a while.

Driving down on my birthday wasn’t the best thing in the world, but I got over it. Kate, (my sis-in-love) not only wrote me the most wonderful poem on her blog, but also gave me an adorable shirt with a hot head band to go with and also surprised me with another gift when we got down there. It was a HOT sexy purple dress!! You saw it on my silent Sunday post a week back. I LOVE THAT DRESS. Thanks babe!!

My other sister-in-love gave me a gift certificate to my favorite spa to get a facial. LOVE their facials!! And my mom and dad… well, they haven’t given me that present yet. My mom is giving me a tattoo!!! We wanted to do it down there, but it was too crazy; so hopefully we will be getting that done at home soon. We’ll see!! :)

My amazing friend Kasey also wrote this thing on her blog for me. She is like a sister to me and I cried when I read it. She is a blessing to me and it really touched my heart! To top it off she also got engaged last Friday and I was SO excited for her. I saw her on Saturday after we got back and took pictures of the lovely ring. You can see it on my photography blog if you want! Her man did a good job!!! ;)

There is so much I could say about this week… but I think I’ll just leave you with a few pictures to round off the week. All these pictures are all on the same day, but… it sums up a lot.

Birthday dinner and the Beach!

Pool and Family Fun!

And Jayden playing with his Uncle's cigar!!
Explanation below...

Ok, so I know this looks bad. The boys were having cigars and Jayden when up and wanted to be like the big boys and put the cigar in his mouth. It was too funny not to take a picture. I mean... look at it. In his mouth the first picture and then LOOK at that face in the second?!?!? He wanted to be one of the guys!!! It was hysterical. Don't worry... this was not lit! :)

When I got home, I was surprised with a gift from a blogger friend Kayla as well. I got a gift certificate to Starbucks! So thanks dear! I really missed blogging this week, but it was some good much need time with the fam! I have been doing my best to catch up on all of you from last week. Hope you all are having a great week!!

Silent Sunday's

OBX - Pictures taken by my awesome sis-in-love

A Few Thoughts, Before I’m Off

Happy Friday everyone! Let me tell you, I have been looking forward to this day all week! Don’t you just hate when you have those weeks that feel like they are just never going to end!? That was my week!!

Starting tomorrow, my family (I mean entire family, not just the Hubby and the little man) will be heading out to the OBX for our family vacation. I’m so excited!!! We haven’t had a family Va-Ca in 2 years and at the time my brothers weren’t even married… so this is really cool! I’m planning on it being a really great week with so many surprises!! In the meantime, I have decided that I am going to take a break from blogging while on vacation. I may hop on and off, here and there; but I really just want to spend this time with my family. But… before I go I’ll leave you with a few thoughts and excitements for what’s to come!

Vacation – Oh my word… I’m so excited!! Not for the long ride down or back, but being there with my family all week, I can’t wait! And it’s Jayden’s first real vacation!!

My Birthday – Tomorrow I turn 27. Oh my word, that means I’m three years away from being 30! I’m not a girl who likes birthdays; in fact, I dread them! I’m not sure why I don’t like them, maybe its fear people won’t remember or fear that I’m going to be disappointed. (My mom says I get that from her) I’m hoping this year I can take a brighter and more positive outlook on turning 27.

By no means have I ever been forgotten. My BFF gave me my birthday present before she left for Africa; she is taking me to the “So You Think You Can Dance” tour when they come to Philly in September! What a great gift!

And my wonderful sis-in-love, Katie never ever forgets my birthday! For the past 4 years she has written me a poem to remind me how much she loves me. Greatest sis-in-law ever!!! Last year she started posting it on her blog… she did it this year too a day early since we will be traveling all day tomorrow. So beautiful, it made me cry… go check it out! Thanks love!!!

My New IPhone – Can’t a girl be excited about her phone?!? I have wanted this phone since my husband got his last year! I have 4 days until my contract is up and then I’m buying it. I have already put money aside and it’s being purchased on the day I can do it!!! For the past few weeks I have been dreaming about just holding it. Crazy… I know! ;)

A Family Surprise – My family has something up their sleeve for vacation. You are just going to have to wait to find out! Oh… and it’s good!! ;)

My BFF Coming Home From Africa – After we get back from vacation, my best friend gets back from her month long trip in Africa! I will be so excited to see her. I’m glad she didn’t end up staying there for three months this time!

Dylan Update – The amazing people who adopted my sister’s baby, have been super terrific about giving us pictures and updates! He is SO freaking cute and he looks so much like my little sister! We are so blessed to have picked a family that is willing to share this information with us. My mom, sister and I sent them flower after the 30 days were up, congratulating them on this adoption and their new baby boy. They are a blessing and we have been blessed! Total win-win (Or you can say GOD) situation!

Reading with the Hubby – My husband has asked me to start reading books with him instead of watching TV at night. (I love that he thought of this, major hubby point’s earned here) I think this is a great idea, but we have no idea what to read. He suggested Lord of the Rings, but I’m not sure I want to read that. Does anyone have any suggestions? Something that we might be able to enjoy together?!

Giveaway – I have been really disappointed in how my first giveaway went. For some reason, I took it personally. But I know I can’t and think I have finally given that to God. I really thought it would have gone better, but I know that a lot of people already gave a bunch to Angie directly from her Giveaway.

Either way, it doesn’t matter. They are almost to their goal and that is the big picture! I did my best to help a friend and all who did give to them, thank you! What a blessing!

As of now, we only have one person entered and 6 great prizes still to giveaway!! If you are still interested, go over there and donate ANYTHING – ($.50 cents for all I care) just tell me you did and what you would like to win!! Guys… $.50 cents for prizes worth over $20, what a deal?! GO OVER AND DONATE, you only have until the 23rd!

That’s a lot to look forward to, don’t you think?! I hope you all have an amazing weekend and an even better week!