Hello Summer

 [denim distressed jumper by @dudleydenim]

Summer is here.

We're enjoying it immensely.

We've been outside every moment that we can. 

Its been AWESOME.

Excuse me if I haven't been on the blog as much.

I'm soaking up the sun with my little family.

Memories in the moccasins - Freshly Picked

We got these sweet Goldenrod moccasins a little before her 10 month birthday.

100% Genuine Leather in the most beautiful yellow that goes with any outfit that I could create.

I couldn't wait to put them on, at the same time, I wanted to preserve their beauty and boldness of color for as long as I possibly could. 

Problem is, with a 10 month old comes mobility and energy, which aren't always the most gentle way to keep things pretty and perfect.

I stuck these babies on her, let her do whatever it is babies do.

I CRINGED on Easter, when she crawled outside. I had never let her touch the ground until that day, but with reassuring friends saying she won't die from the dirt and grime of the outdoors, and her daddy encouraging her, I let her go and explore.

Glad I did, cuz she had a ball.

However, those Goldenrod Mocs felt the effects of crawling on concrete and grass.

I was so sad to see them not perfect and beautiful anymore.

But I got over it and watched the expression on her face go from smiling to beaming from all the exploring she was allowed to do.

 After a few days of rain, there was finally a warm(ish) sunny day, so Lux and I hit the front yard in the Goldenrods.

I got to visit with one of my friendly neighbors, and all the while, not realizing all the places Lux was standing and walking over.

oops.

They had mud caked all over them.

I had to remember, the shoes aren't for keeping perfect and clean.

Especially for an active 10 month old. 

She was supposed to walk in them. 

Climb in them.

Crawl in them.

 I found though, that these shoes were easily cleaned off with a simply baby wipe.

It was amazing and i got all the mud off.

All the while, the moccasin still remained in tack and were able to endure the scraping ride the rode along the cement sidewalk. 

These shoes have become my go-to shoe for Lux.

It doesn't matter what we do, whether it running to the store, playing in the yard, heading to the park, They are super easy to slide on and I don't have to worry about them coming off.

They're about the only shoe that Lux will keep on her feet, because to her, it feels like part of her foot with the soft soled leather.

These specific Goldenrod moccasins will always remain super special to me.

I will never get rid of them, because after a month of letting Lux live in these shoes, and seeing how wonderfully they are still holding up and staying on, There is a special little imprint of her foot forming on the sole.

Her footprint as a 10 month old will forever remain in this shoe.

She made so many memories for me to look back on with these moccasins.

Her first steps were in these moccasins.

Her first Easter.

Her first experience exploring the outdoors.

Climbing, crawling, walking, shopping..they all happened in this moc.

I think that's my favorite part about them.

The imprint at the bottom.

And as we use them more and more, her whole foot will be imprinted, and I can see those teeny toes and keep those memories close to me whenever i look at them. 

Freshly Picked are probably the most coveted shoe for babies in the market right now.

And for good reason too.

They come in a variety of gorgeous colors in genuine soft leather.

We love our Cherry Red and Huckleberry Purple...

and Rose Gold is the next on our docket of Freshly Picked to get.

They don't budge off your babies foot, which means you don't go chasing after little shoes or wondering where you lost them. 

I love these moccasins so much, they're pretty much the best thing ever invented for littles' footsies.

And the cutest.

And because of it, I get to give a pair of these incredibly yummy moccasins to one of my followers.

It'll be both on instagram and my blog, so hope you follow one or the other or both, because this is one of the sweet things I'm giving away in celebration for Lux's 1st birthday.

And you get to pick whichever color and size you want.

And if you simply can not wait because this post has made you drool with delight over these pairs of adorableness, go to this link: Freshly Picked Moccasins and drool some more and/or order a pair. 

I can't even wait til June 10th to start the giveaway!!!!

11 months of "Light" in our lives

Lux is sick today, but she still managed to make it through our monthly photo shoot without looking terribly exhausted. She was amazed by the sticker and kept trying to take it off...however, when it stuck to her hand, she looked at me like the sticker was attacking her and wouldn't let go. She always finds something better to do than smile and sit on the couch.

This month has been FULL of exciting things for Lux. She seemed to rapidly be changing right before our eyes and it was somewhat difficult to keep track of the things that she was doing. 

Walking:

She took her first steps a day after she turned 10 months, took a few more steps the day after in Sioux City, and then decided crawling was enough for her. After a couple weeks, in all the excitement of family visiting and being in her household, she decided to full on walk full lengths of the house. She still crawls when she intends to get places as fast as a speeding bullet, but she's figured out walking isn't half bad. 

Eating:

She's kinda lost her appetite for food this month. I'm not sure if she's bored sitting in her highchair, or if she's just not hungry, but she just hasn't been too interested in eating. She decides she's done when she tosses the food to alexio, who is usually waiting for her to throw food his way. We're working on it. However, things she will always eat are veggie straws, avocados, and we found out she likes mangos, so thats fun.

Talking:

She's figured out fun sounds like the letter L, so she likes to say, "lolo," (grandpa in tagalog) all the time. In fact, she'll stand at the fridge and point up at his pic and say his name over and over again, "Lololololololo." She also has taken to pointing at things and "telling" us about it, or if she wants something, she'll point and look at us with a frantic look in her eyes. She loves to point.

Playing:

Her favorite things right now have to be her cozy coupe, her Little People Ride-on, her puppy, her bitty baby, and her sock monkey. Oh and books. her Animal books.

 

It's been a fun month of change and development for Lux.

One more month and then she'll be ONE! I can't even begin to believe it.

So here's the scoop.

In honor of Lux's 1st birthday, I'm giving away some pretty fun things. Some of our favorites!

It'll start on June 10th and will go until June 21st-on Lux's birthday!

You'll start hearing about it more as we get closer to June 10 (which also happens to be my birthday!)

To our Lux,

You're going to be a toddler the next time I write a monthly update on you. I get so excited with each milestone you reach, whether it's pointing or putting a cell phone to your ear and "talk." I'm amazed with what such a little person has the ability to do - warm my heart, tug on it, and make it burst with pride. You are the bright spot in our day, and the one that made mommy and daddy fall deeper in love than. You're such a gift to us, and we are absolutely enthralled by you. We pray daily for your salvation to know Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior at an early age, and that you will want to live your life for HIM. We pray for your joy to continue to encourage others and that you will be used in many peoples lives. 

We love you, our sweet little light in our lives. 

Love, Mommy and Daddy.

10 things you might not know about us...

1. We are total homebodies. When everyones home, its difficult to want to leave, because we love being at home all together.

2. Ryan's never broken a bone. I've broken my arm three times. and Lux has yet to break anything (thankful!).

3. I still get excited when I see weather related school delays. I don't know why. Its been almost a whole year of not working at school, but I still get this giddiness and feel like the whole day is free...even if it isn't.

4. My older sister and I were featured in toy catalogues when we were kids. I remember having so much fun playing with toys when they were taking pics.

5. Ryan knows how to ride horses like a pro. I'm however, like a stiff sack of potatoes on the back of a horse.

6. Lux is a brand rep for three new online clothing shops. She doesn't know this though. 

7. I used to be a really touchy feely huggy person, but somehow that went away after college.

8. Ryan loves asian culture. and asians. haha. 

9. I get super awkward when in large groups. which is strange, cuz i used to THRIVE in large group settings...back in college and before.

10. Alexio used to be a DEMON dog as a puppy. Like literally, i could not control him as he bit me over and over and over again with razor sharp puppy teeth. And then one day, he was the SWEETEST dog in the entire world. 

Just a few fun random facts about us. 
Hope your week is swell, ya'll! 

it stayed on her head!

I told Ryan a few weeks ago that I needed to find a hat for Lux, cuz i'm kinda nervous about what to do for a half white baby and the sun. (I never had to worry about getting burnt growing up...i just turned super dark, but not burnt.) Shortly after, this opportunity came up and filled that need!

We got to pick out a hat for Lux to check out, from Little Fits Hats 4 Kids. 

Such fun, because the hats are made for little heads-they can fit a 6 month old! (and lots of fun choices).

We waited three whole days to use the hat, since we had some dreary days, but today we got to spend a majority of the day outside, in the yard and then on a walk to the park.

Easily the perfect hat for our active girl. 

Fits perfectly, well made, and super fun.

Lux even liked it and didn't mind having a hat with a bill on her head...especially after she tasted it.

Summers coming ya'll. If you have littles and need a hat that won't fall off their heads and is fun and sporty, I'd check out Little Fit hats. 

It's perfect for the very active mobile kid or baby.

Better yet, I get to give one away to one of my readers-hopefully to someone who has a little or knows someone who would love it, In June.  I've got a fun month of giveaways and reviews in honor of Lux's 1st birthday. 

Spread the word and share my blog. Cuz June'll be a fun month as Lux turns one.

Mother's Day!

Happy Mother's Day to the most wonderful amazing mom in the world.

You are one of the biggest influences of my life.

Made me into the woman and mom that I am today!

I'm so thankful that you're my mom, but not only that, you're Lux's Lola, which means she gets those same blessings of craziness, laughter, and fun that I got to have with you. She is totally in for the best times of her life when she's with you!

Thank you for letting us see you pray and read your Bible.

Thank you for your sacrifices that you made for our family.

Thank you for the love you have for daddy and the example you set for us.

Thank you for talking to us about boys and life and still enjoying those same conversations with us!:)

Thanks for being the best mom in the world!

You are beautiful both inside and out, and make me pray and hope to be even half as good a mom as you were to us.

Love you so tremendously much, mom!

You're amazing!

Read my tribute to my mom HERE.

Happy Mother's day to Ryan's mom as well, and Lux's Grandma!

You helped mold Ryan to be the man he is today, the husband he is, and the amazing daddy he has become! I am forever grateful for the influence you had in his life, and the way you raised him! 

Thank you for the love you have for your kids, for me, and especially for Lux...she adores her grandma!

Happy Mothers Day, Ya'll!

On our knees

I'm on my knees a lot more these days. 

Maybe not so much literally, but I'm constantly praying. 

I have a fear in the back of my mind, that I feel the only proper way to deal with it is by bringing it before the Lord.

I've been watching Lux grow into a young child. 

She's isn't quite a baby anymore...I mean, she still is, she's only ten months, but she's looking more and more each day like a little girl.

She's becoming more independent, her will is getting stronger, she's fearless, and she's active.

My heart is tender as I see her strengths really coming out and her weaknesses not as obvious, but there nonetheless.

I get nervous as I think about parenting. Wasn't I just a child yesterday? Wasn't I the one that was feeling mischievous, getting in trouble, talking way too much, being hyperactive and bouncing off the walls?

She's gonna give me a run for my money.

Ryan and I have lots of conversations about parenting.

We're new to this whole thing, but yet, we've had examples set before us that we respect and admire.

"We're here to develop character as a parent to the child so they conform to the image of Christ. thats the model of biblical parenting. God designed the family as the institute of where spiritual growth happens."

My hubby is a wise wise man.

Thankful I get to do this crazy ride with him.

Character.

We have that privilege and joy of teaching and raising her. 

God gave us this specific little girl and designed us to be her parents. 

It's not an option to fail to discipline, it's not an option to not be in prayer.

We love this little girl way to much to fail her.

I need wisdom. 

strength.

perseverance.

We entered a part of life that can only be accomplished in excellence through God's grace.

Let's do this.