hectic and romantic

if i had to describe our valentine's day this year in 2 words, they would be hectic and romantic. this year, it was my turn to plan lover's holiday. while daron was out of town on a 3 day work trip, i spent all my spare time planning the little details of our romantic night. i couldn't wait. then, 2 days before, i got a nasty bug that made me feel terrible. wednesday night i asked daron if we could celebrate lover's day the next day (on friday). he said it would be okay but i so badly wanted to celebrate on the actual day.

valentine's morning came and daron surprised me with beautiful flowers and peter pan on dvd. ( i really appreciated this since i am trying to collect all of the disney classics for Carter, our future children, and let's be honest, for me:) i was touched by the gesture, especially since it "technically" was not daron's year to do anything. at 10 o' clock in the morning i decided to bite the bullet and try and pull off everything i had planned. annndd this is where hectic came in...

my brain was thinking 3 things at once the entire day. i learned having a dinner that is warm, a dessert that is cooled, a set up that is complete, a kitchen that is clean, and a baby that is fed and happy is something i really need to practice! an unexpected run to the grocery store, along with daron calling me an hour earlier than i had planned saying he was on his way home did not help the stress! i got off the phone with him with the kitchen still a mess, 30 candles still needing to be lit, and the worst part, realizing i was not ready! i had 10 minutes before he walked in the door. 

i can't remember the last time i moved that fast. i was lighting the last few candles (which was a horrendous process. we don't own matches and our lighter doesn't work. i had to bring the candles up, light them using the stove and carry them back down to the basement to finish lighting the others) and i heard the garage door opening. i knew daron would get the mail so i had 2 more minutes. i finished the last candle, sprinted up the stairs, placed myself in the kitchen "like nothing was happening" and did one long exhale. i literally thought i was going to pass out from running up and down the stairs so many times. but somehow, daron didn't notice my red cheeks, the sweat on my face, and my panting. what we do all in the name of love!?

in the end, things worked out. 

daron was surprised. the food was delicious. Carter slept all night for us and we had a blast playing a game i made up for the 2 of us. i royally ruined the cupcakes we were supposed to have for dessert. but daron, being the great improviser he is, dumped the cupcakes into a bowl and called it cobbler!

and that is why he is my valentine. 

next year though, we're goin out. ;)

.the very best 3 months.

my baby turned 3 months old last week. in my desperate attempt to feel as though i am not missing a single moment of his life and to store every tiny detail of him at every stage, i have gathered nearly every picture of him taken by any phone. each picture means so much to me. going through these photos took me back to moments where i laughed, cried, worried, and rejoiced. it is obvious i'm a newbie at this mothering ordeal... trying so very hard not to forget every facial expression Carter has ever made, the different outfits he's worn, and every first that we've shared together. 

you can't blame a mother for wanting to remember the first picture she took of her newborn son, the first day they spent together all by themselves, her baby's first walk, first smile, first bath, first giggle, first Thanksgiving, first Christmas, first time standing, (ah! the memories are endless and it's only been 3 months!) if only there was a way to imprint every moment on my mind forever.

this babe of mine... we feel so blessed and lucky to have him. sometimes my heart starts racing when i think of the future with him. it can be so overwhelming. this little human's life depends so much on what i do. me, little "peanut" dani bree who is still learning so much about this life herself! the future can be nerve racking when fear of making mistakes creeps in. i have to remind myself life comes one day at a time. i always say this, but thank heavens these babies come one at a time. (most of the time ;) you mothers with twins, triplets, oh how i salute you!)

Carter Lee,

your dad and i adore you. every day i tell you how you are my favorite. everyday i tell you that your Heavenly Father loves you, Jesus loves you, your dad loves you, and i love you. don't you ever forget it.

love,

your mama

in honor of {love} day

 i want to say *thank you* to my handsome valentine. there are about 1,275,345 things i could thank for him for... but currently at the top of my list are:

-loving me when i make it oh, so very hard

-desiring to make me truly happy

-helping me raise the most beautiful baby boy

-working hard every single day to provide 

-making our baby light up 

-longing for the day when Carter can hug him back

-taking care of me when i feel terrible

-dancing with me in our kitchen

-striving to be better in every way

-being patient with my many weaknesses

-making me laugh till i cry

-being the greatest valentine i could ever ask for

and (the most important of all)

-choosing me to spend forever with.

i love you daron young-

to the moon and back.

Sweetheart & Papa

my mom and dad were in town over the weekend. their stay was all too short. a mere 24 hours was all we got with them but we'll take any second we can get. my parents arrived, hugs were given, and Carter was whisked away to the couch. my parents smothered Carter with snuggles and love. watching these 3 on the couch practically made me giddy i was so happy. finally, my baby boy was spending time with his "Sweetheart & Papa" that i miss so dearly. i definitely took this moment in.

living far from family is hard. i think it is even harder for me because i didn't expect it to be hard. i remember -miss independent me- thinking on multiple occasions that "i would not have a hard time living away from family." little did i know ... that was before i had a child of my own. now, not a day goes by that my heart isn't sad that Carter doesn't see my brothers and sisters, his cousins, and my mom and dad. daron and i are happy where we are. we have made a life here and it is a wonderful life. but that doesn't take away that tiny piece of me that aches to be with family. 

 {my mom and Carter having quite the chat^}

{ and, okay, seriously ... what in the world happened to my newborn!?!?^^^}

i remember when i left for college, i didn't shed a tear. it was like "see-yah!!!!!!!!!!" then i got married and it would be sad to see my parents go but on with life. then i had a baby ... and i'm on the verge of tears every time my parents leave. they weren't lying when they say you will never appreciate your mother more than after you have a baby. in an instant, my mother's hero status was taken to a whole new level. she is a rock star.

Sweetheart & Papa please visit again soon!

or, maybe ...........

we can come visit you?!

daron??

what do you say??

and there you have mine and daron's

topic of converstaion

for dinner tonight

;)

when dad comes home

it's getting a little ridiculous with these two.

hello monday

oh monday,

i really want to like you. i do. but you make it so hard. you take my husband away and how i miss him so. 

dear weekend,

i love you. thank you for bringing me sugar cookies, a walk with my little one and husband, sunshine (!!!), orange leaf, the very best company, and an opportunity to wear my new shirt given to me by auntie anna. i loved wearing it, even if i did realize at 10:00 p.m. it had been on backwards all day. until next time weekend, until next time. 

happy friday boobies and giggles

last friday, i took a picture of Carter's ever growing boobies that

i just

*adore*

this friday 

i have some 

"happy friday"

giggles
that show this mama
has some tricks up her sleeve
to make her darling boy
giggle.

{it's not only daron ;)}

^this kid is happy. 
it makes me so grateful.

we are looking forward to a weekend with 
Sweetheart & Papa (!!!)
it has been too long.

happy weekend!