Refrigerator, Nails, and a Beautiful Verse!

C, at Little Bit Funky. showed me hers, now I'm showing mine! Here it is - my refrigerator! As I look at the picture I wonder if we like pictures of ourselves a little too much?
Hmm...well, anyway, sorry about the glare - I am not the greatest photographer.
Look closely, and you will see...
lots of Miss Allikaye...behind the glare, there's Matt and me surfin' in Hawaii (ah yeah)!...there's a picture of my BFF Rhonda from our graduation at CCU...me holding a precious girl in Ecuador...our family Christmas card...both sides of our families the night before Matt asked me to marry him (our vball team just beat Colorado School of Mines - yes ma'am)...that's about it! Fun game, C!

As I watch TV, probably too much, I see the hip/cool girls wearing dark nail polish. Even the celebrities in the mags are stylin' with the dark! So...I went out and bought some.
It is called "Pat on the Black" - and I am pretty sure I look a little "goth." But then, I kinda like it! I know I am in Colorado, not anywhere near L.A. - and I am older than the girls I see on TV wearing it - but I am going to stick with it - just in case the paparazzi photograph me - I will fit into the celebrity crowd! One more thing, yesterday at church the pastor read Ephesians 1:17-19. I think these verses are so powerful to pray over your loved ones. I remember praying this for Matt when we were in college, and then when we were engaged. And I hadn't really thought about that until yesterday. I am so thankful that the Lord put that verse on my heart again - to pray it for Allikaye! I am thinking that I could write it pretty and frame it in her room, so I can pray it for her daily (I'm open for suggestions from you crazy creative peeps out there).

Here it is: and I pray it for you today too...

"I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know Him better. I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which He has called you, the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints, and His incomparably great power for us who believe." Ephesians 1:17-19

Mexico...1 week away...

Ah! Okay, I know I mentioned awhile ago about this tropical vacation that we are taking our precious Allikaye on! Well, it is now one week away! I also know that there are many wonderful and experienced mamas out there that may just read my blog once in awhile - I would love love love love love any advice! What does a 14 month old baby need....for the plane? for the beach? for the hotel? for her meals? And don't forget about her mama!! I apologize if you can sense any anxiety popping through the screen on ya! I really am super excited - just needing a little encouragement and advice! Even if you think your advice may be a little trivial or common sense - please comment!! I am a frantic mama that wants to make this trip as smooth as possible (well... even though I have been a mama for only 14 months now, I do know that it can't be completely seamless)!

Here is what I have so far:

- 2 new Signing Time videos - that Allikaye has never seen (I'm thinking plane ride)

- suntan lotion

- a little beach cabana thing

- of course I've got the clothes covered - never really need help shopping for clothes - to Matt's dismay!

Help a mama out!! Comment for me!

Memories of Deutschland!

Two of the girlies from my youth group in Germany came out to visit us in Colorado this past week! Along with them, came a flood of memories of almost 5 years ago when Matt and I ventured over the waters to live there. A little background for ya - Matt played on a pro basketball team, we helped out at a youth cafe, we led youth groups, and on top of all that - we had only been married for 3 months. We lived in Lauf, Germany, and were the only Americans in this small town. To put it plainly, it was tough! It is one of those situations in life that makes you wonder, "what are God's plans for me/us?" "Is this where we are called to be?" Well, we may not know the exact answer to that question, but we do know that we are proud to be Americans and live in this country (can you see me waving my flag?)! Germany gave us memories and bonded Matt and I together like nothing else would have. God's plans may include many little, and big, pit stops along the way. And we may never really know why He chose to send us here or take us there - but we remember: "'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11

Here is Tabea, Hannah, Allikaye, and me!

Aren't they cute? I felt a little old to see them so grown up!! Hannah is an au pair in New York - I think that's a fancy way to say nanny!

First time having an ice cream sandwich! Oh the joys that America brings!!

Here are some old pictures of our time in the Kingdom of Germany!
This is our flat in Lauf - on our cute roof! This is Matt and me, working in Cafe Bohne!
Beautiful Lauf! Okay, Lord, we are ready to follow you! Where to next?

Give Me Some Ribbons!

I went a little crazy with the ribbon buying today! I wanted to make Allikaye some bows - I followed instructions from Lauren. They turned out great! But then I started thinking that my Miss is more of a headband gal! So see the pictures below of the crazy ribbon-headband-madness! I am so excited about them! All I did was hot glue some elastic to the ends! Woohoo!

Here is Miss Allikaye modeling a simple hot pink ribbon headband -
made with love by her mama!

This model pose is called "the peekaboo." Watch for it on the runways this spring.

Hey! Come on in and play with me, and my new headband!

Happy trails! Oh, wait, did you see my new pretty headband?

Arise, My Love!

Allikaye got her picture taken with Jesus today at church!! Right after he showed all the haters that He is the most powerful and awesome and burst out of that tomb- there He was walking in the hall! It was so funny - it was like a rock star was in the building! "There's Jesus!" "Take a picture!" I think that's what it was like back in the day with the disciples (His entourage) - minus the cameras - people wanted to get to Him - even just to touch Him! How fun! I know I will be right there in Heaven - praising Him (actually Jesus is the original "Rock" star - rollin' that rock out of the way! What's up now?!)!

We had to take the opportunity to take some family pictures! Why we chose the gorgeous drooping plant as a backdrop - I'm not sure - but we stuck with it for the next few pictures!

Mama's parents:

Daddy's parents:

Aunt Katie!!

These were taken during worship -which of course, Allie loves!

What would Easter be without a yummy brunch! It was de-li-cious!
It was also fun to have my parents, Matt's parents, my brother and sis-in-law (Casey and Erin), my beautiful niece (Mia), and Matt's sister (Katie) all together!

Here is Grandma sneaking Allikaye some sprinkles - while her mama wasn't looking! Tsk tsk!
Miss Thing's highlight of the day was riding in the glass elevator - I think almost everyone took a turn taking her up and then down! The Easter bunny brought Miss a pink poodle! Kiss Kiss! And that's our fun filled Easter Day!

Good Good Friday!

Alright! I got Allikaye's Easter dress, shoes, and tights. And I went to glorious Target and got some Easter basket fun! Let's see...there is a cute pink poodle; a cheapo microphone that echos your voice; some frog squirters (she loves to sign 'frog'); a scary looking horse puppet; and a book : The Story of Easter. These new items will be the "coolest" for probably a good 15/20 minutes for Miss Thing.
But, oh, the joy that will come will be fun for all!

Look at these sweet eggs that our friend Brenda got Allikaye! Aren't they cute?
She even filled them up with PINK Yogurt Cheerios
(which I have posted about here)!

I also wanted to share The Story of Easter from Allie's new book. Sometimes it's good to get back to basics - and take a "childlike view" of how awesome Jesus is!

When Spring comes, baby animals are born, and flowers begin to bloom.
Springtime also brings Easter. On Easter we remember
Jesus and what He did for us.
Jesus loved all boys and girls, and mom and dads too.
He was called the Good Shepherd.
Moms and dads and boys and girls loved Jesus, too.
They laid palm branches in His path.
But some men did not like Jesus. They put Him on a cross to die.
His friends were sad.
On that first Easter, Jesus' friends met an angel.
He told them, "Jesus has risen! He is alive today!"
His friends were very happy.
We celebrate Easter because Jesus lived again on that first Easter morning.
On Easter Sunday we got to church and sing about Jesus.
Churches place crosses on their steeples to remind us of Jesus' love.

Now on Easter morning you'll know that Jesus loved us so much that...
He gave His life for us so that we can live too.

Happy Easter!! He is risen!

Lasso Her While She's Hot!

Miss Allikaye loves her animals! So we went to Bell Mountain Ranch this morning to get a close-up of some horses! Even though I will go into an allergic fit if I touch a horse and then touch my face... I love riding horses. I remember family vacations almost always had a horse ride planned. I'm excited for Allikaye to ride - just bring mama's Benadryl!!

She already has the cutest cowgirl boots!

Yeehaw to you!

Downtown Denver has an awesome Cowboy/girl store called, "Crybaby Ranch." Isn't that the coolest name? Here is what I would get from Crybaby Ranch , to wear for Allikaye's riding lessons - I have to look good too, right? Ha! These boots cost over $1,000! But I love the Hollywood Cowgirl" shirt! It has rhinestones...oh yeah! And it says "Lasso her whiles she's hot!"
I think if I have girl again -I will decorate her room to be "cowgirl" - Miss Allikaye's has the "surfer girl" room.
And just a side note...no...I am not pregnant...but a girl can think into the future!

Daylight Savings...boo...hiss!

I can garuntee you that a mom did not "invent" daylight savings time! So, if Allikaye goes to bed at 7 and wakes up at 7, normally, she will now go to sleep at 8 and wake up at 8?!! This may seem fine, but in our mom/dad/toddler arrangement we got going...this really messes with the precious naps that are ever so dear!

Here are some pictures that prove that Miss Thing didn't follow the Daylight Savings routine like mama prayed! Matt said she was "walkin around like she owned the place" haahhaa (just like her mama)!!

""You knit me together in my mother's womb" Psalm 139:13

God has graced this crazy earth with another little angel! Mia Bella made her arrival last night at 5 - weighing 8 lbs. 3 oz. I am so happy for my brother Casey and Sis-in-law, Erin!! You guys did good!! And Allikaye is excited to be a cousin!

Here I am with my new beautiful niece!

Miss Thing did pretty well with the new "center of attention!" She was a little unsure about her mama holding another bebe - so I think Matt and I will wait a little longer to have another angel! :0)

Here we are awaiting Miss Mia's arrival...

Have you heard? Straws are the new best thing... at least in Allikaye's world!

Cute girl and Grandpapa!

I love the new headband! And thanks Libby for her Roxy shirt - straight from the beach in Cali!!

Grandma and me

What a good hubby to come to the hospital - even though he had to do homework!

Grandmama with her new grandaughter!

The happy family!! Congratulations!