bits of splendor monday.

happy monday!

this is going to be short and sweet today. i have been sick since saturday and i'm feeling even worse today. but i wanted to share one of my favorite moments from this past weekend.

the 2nd birthday fiesta turned out great and a good time was had by all. especially by my sweet boy. we are so blessed to have family that loves on our boy like they do.

everyone have a great week!

insta-friday.

it's friday!! which also means i'm linking up with life rearranged for insta-friday. 

we're headed off to the doctor and a birthday date with my sister so this will be short and sweet today.

napping on the drive to my grandma's ranch.
with mama's cabbage patch dolls...again.

some intense coloring happening at chili's after church.

proverbs. #shereadstruth.

i love kelle hampton's blog. i am so excited to dive into her book!

night before the big birthday celebration.

new trike...which he would rather load up with his cars.

birthday donuts. "hot hot."

i hope everyone has a great weekend!!

the big t.w.o.

today my sweet boy turns two. and i am so excite he is old enough to really take it all in. he has been practicing saying his age for a couple of weeks now and he's got it down. and he gets so excited when he says it too.

last night, the hubby and i stayed up and blew up balloons and hung them from the ceiling throughout our living and dining area. when my little guy woke up this morning, his eyes lit up at seeing all the colorful balloons hanging in his honor.

he opened up his small gifts, all disney die cast cars. he loves them. and then we rolled in the little red trike. he loves it! he still doesn't have the pedaling down but he loves wearing his helmet and riding it around the house

i made homemade donuts and stuck a couple of candles in for him to blow out. he thought it was the coolest thing. and i just think it is the coolest thing that God gave me this sweet boy. i am so thankful for him every single day, but especially on his birthday. 

here are a few photos from this morning. the balloons and single light we have in our living/dining area made the lighting come out really weird but they are precious to me, nonetheless.

we're off to the movies with the birthday boy. it's his first time going so wish us luck!

celebrating two - part three.

this morning, while my little guy was eating his oatmeal, i was trying to get some work done on the computer and going through photos trying to decide on the ones i wanted to post for today. i have a TON to choose from but not near as many as i wish i had.

*note to self: pull out the big camera and real video camera (i.e. not iphone) a whole lot more!

anyway, i was going through the monthly photos i took of alex during his first year and found a video of him babbling. i think he was around 5 months old. and do you want to know what happen...this mama started bawling her eyes out. and my little guy started saying "out." he wanted me to take the baby out of the monitor to hold. i can't wait until he gets to be a big brother. i asked my husband if he could figure out a way to do this. of course, he just gave me a little laugh.

it's so cliche but i cannot believe how fast these two years have flown by. and you know, i really needed this little reminder. it's not that i forgot but things have been a little harder around here lately. and sometimes, the harder moments overshadow the good ones because there are just so many sometimes. but i am just going to keep praying through the hard and praising God through the good. and remember that it is all just so sweet and worth treasuring. 

anyway, enough of that sappy talk. and on to the photos. here we are one year ago, celebrating a very special first birthday.

i hear a sweet boy stirring from his nap so i'm off. have a great wednesday!

celebrating two - part two.

my sweet boy turns two this thursday and i am celebrating on my blog by posting a photo or two from the past two years each day this week. if you missed yesterday, click here.

yesterday's photos were pretty recent so i figured i would just go back a few months each day until we get to those sweet newborn shots.

here, my little guy is right around 18 months.

have a great tuesday!!

celebrating two.

my baby boy is turning two this week so i've been feeling a little extra nostalgic the past few days. and snapping a few more pics than usual because my little guy turning one more year older makes me realize a little more how fleeting this precious life is.

i will say, however, this week has been a little more challenging regarding behavior and discipline which i know is totally NORMAL for any almost-two-year-old. but it still breaks this mama's heart to see her sweet kind-hearted boy act out. i will spend this next year praying for a LOT of grace.

i figured i would share with you all a few of my favorite photos from the past couple of years as a way to celebrate my little guy.

here are a couple i snapped a couple of sundays ago at the park.

i hope everyone had a great labor day holiday weekend and has an even better (short) week!!

p.s. any tips, resources, etc for toddlerhood and discipline? i feel a little lost in this area and suggestions are MUCH appreciated!