Eden is 1...

Remembering back to Thanksgiving of 2011 and two faintly positive pregnancy tests makes it hard to believe I already went through that pregnancy, delivered Eden, and am now mother to a beautiful one year old little girl. During the pregnancy, I was just sure that I was going to have another boy...after all, why would God give us a girl on the eve of the biggest transition of our lives together? We knew we wanted to have one more baby before we moved to Ireland, so we were grateful God granted us that desire. When I found out we were having a girl, I was shocked. But God, I know how to do boys, I already have all the boy stuff I need, and if I have a girl it will all be so different and I won't be able to do [the cutest] baby girl's room. (so petty, right?!) However, God, in His sovereignty, gave us beautiful Eden Glory and we can't imagine life without her! At about 8 months pregnant I was finally able to embrace the idea of having a little girl and excitement flooded my heart. I nested, to the best of my ability (as we were living with other people at the time.) I made a carseat cover (instead of a crib bumper set,) quilt, blankets, accessories, and went crazy with some onesie dying and embellishing. God knew I needed to purge and not hold onto a lot of what I had from the boys and, in essence, start the next chapter of our life with a little (okay, a LOT) less stuff. Looking back I see how ridiculous some of those thoughts were and am thankful that God is so gracious with me in my often shortsighted view of things. I've realized now more than ever that children are a gift from the Lord and, for many very close to my heart, that gift is very prolonged. We have been blessed with three children, and I take nothing for granted. Not one day. So here is little Eden miss, in all her glory, on her 1st birthday.

I made my delicious maple glaze...again ;)

those balloons flew away at that very moment

eden's first teacup from mama