She's gonna have a baby!!!

It was last Sunday that it hit me, like a ton of bricks, right upside the head. I've photographed her, thrown her a shower, painted her nursery, and felt Baby D kick, but it still didn't register until now. "My big sister is gonna have a baby!" I proclaimed to Mom on the phone. "Can you believe it?!" Mom laughed and agreed how quickly time flies. Not only the past 9 months but life in general. Baby D could arrive any day now...Devin's gonna have a baby! I keep saying the phrase over and over to myself. Devin has always been the brave one. I like to think she got a little bit of it from me since I was always the one that had to check and make sure Santa wasn't still in our living room on Christmas morning. (the risk of being seen and all your presents taken back to the north pole. Oh yeah, I was a brave little girl...ha!) But Devin, she's superwoman compared to me. I guess some of it comes with being the oldest but she's totally held her own. First to try out for the cheerleading squad, first to go off to college, first to get married, and now first to have a baby. I'm inspired and amazed by her every day of my life and although I kid about me instigating bravery in her, I know that she is the source of all my bravery. I feel so blessed to have had her to look up to all these years. Her beauty, grace, love, laugh, and spirit exemplify who she is and soon she'll be sharing all that will a lucky little babe. Any day now...she's gonna have a baby!

Here are just a few of my favorite shots of Devin and Baby D...

Deep down she a country girl and she's got her blue jeans on...

Don't you just adore her round belly? I look at it and I giggle.

This one was Devin's idea and it's wonderful.

Hello Miss Sass...are you sure you've never modeled?

Gotta love that smile.

Devin, you are gorgeous...end of statement.

...and because it wouldn't be complete without a little bit of pop culture. This is definitely one of my favorites.

Happy Friday!

Bad Blogger

Oh internet...I am a bad blogger. It's true, I am. But I am trying to be better. Promise. Until then, here is a thought from Seth Godin...

My definition of art contains three elements:

1. Art is made by a human being.
2. Art is created to have an impact, to change someone else.
3. Art is a gift. You can sell the souvenir, the canvas, the recording... but the idea itself is free, and the generosity is a critical part of making art.

By my definition, most art has nothing to do with oil paint or marble. Art is what we're doing when we do our best work.

I love this small passage from one of his recent blog posts. "Art is what we're doing when we do our best work." Think about it...

Christmas Memories

Of all the memories that fill my head I think the bank marked "Christmas Memories" would be the largest. Every year I take a step back and look around me only to realize, once again, that I am so very blessed to be surrounded by so many loving faces. Every year is a little different than the year before but never the less, we are all together and we are all laughing and sharing and rejoicing in the season. I've included some of my oldest memories and like everything else they are different each year but each year they are present.

-Stockings...I've had my stocking as long as I can remember. Mom sewed my name on it (as she did with all of our stockings). She's a part of it just as she's a part of me.

-'Twas the Night Before Christmas'...Every year on Christmas Eve we all get into our pj's and lay around the appointed reader. We listen with wonder to the story of jolly St. Nick as if it's the first time we've heard it.

-The Tree...filled with Santa's wonders below. Yes, even though baby brother is now a teen and all of my sisters and I are in our 20's Santa still comes. It's the magic of Christmas and it still lives in all our hearts. Christmas Eve is the only night of the year that we leave the tree lit all night long. (How could Santa see to get around if we didn't?) I like to get up a little before dawn and lay on the sofa and look

at the gloriousness of it all. The tree gives off a soft glow of light that bounces from gift to gift and it still seems like magic that the presents are actually there. It is beautiful and for those few minutes before dawn I feel like I am 5 years old again and there is nothing in the world that could harm me because Mom and Dad are asleep in the next room and it is Christmas.

Merry Christmas Darling

Fa, la, la, la, la! La, la, la, la! I love this time of the year...I love this day. It's the last day of work for me in 2009. Yay! Colby and I are super PUMPED to be loading up the Tribute and heading north to spend the holiday with our much beloved family. I've talked to my sisters and brother, Mom and Dad no less than 5 times a day for the past week. I can't wait to pull into the drive and immediately feel ease rush over me. There is something about spending Christmas at home that takes me back to a less hectic, less stressful time. A time when we all cuddle in bed and read a christmas story. A time when we laugh for hours on end as we reminisce years past. A time when we say, "yes, I'll have another cookie" and "I think I will have seconds." I love this season because it reminds us to love...

And because all posts are better with pictures, here is one of Colby and another of little Miss B. I had the pleasure of spending last weekend with her and she stole my heart. Aren't those cheeks awesome! :)

Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!

Beautiful Things

I like to find beauty in simple things. I believe it can be found anywhere...sometimes you just have to look a little harder. I found these little guys at Crate and Barrel and they have brought me much joy. The way they hang there, they bounce around...they just look cheerful. Don't you think? Anyway, I wanted to share some of the joy with you.

Baby D's Room

Last week I got to stretch my creative muscles. I painted a tree on my niece or nephews nursery wall and it was so much fun! It came together quite nicely (if I do say so myself). If I had to give any advice it would be to use a pencil first...very LIGHTLY. Go ahead...take a look.

Time for Thanksgiving

I love Fall. Mostly, I think, because of the colors. Have you ever seen such vibrant oranges and reds? It's absolutely breathtaking. It reminds me of the awesome powers of God. Who else could paint such a wonderful canvas? I am completely grateful that I am able to lay my eyes upon such a sight. Here are a few images of outside my front window. Enjoy!