the one with the big 2-5

On January 17th I turned 25 and it hit me: I'm halfway through my twenties. Wait, seriously? It feels like yesterday that I was kissing my teens good-bye and now here I am: finished with school, living far from my parents, working full-time, paying bills, and married. Hello, adulthood. But even though graphics like the one above freak me out (they give me that looming "your-youth-is over, the-wrinkles-are-coming, you-haven't-accomplished-enough" sort of feeling), I have to admit that I'm very excited to be 25. It feels right:)

Here are a couple of pictures from the big day - my husband, family, and friends made it extra special.

Jesse planned a birthday party at Lucky Strike with friends for a night of bowling, football-watching, and greasy-food eating. Perfection.

Oh - and did I mention the chocolate? 

Cause there always needs to be birthday chocolate:)

Here's to another 25! 

the one with Sawyer Kate

So much has happened over the last few weeks that I don't quite know how to delineate it all a blog post with adequate verbiage, enthusiasm, pictures, and insight. So instead, here is something short, sweet and to the point. 

 

I have a niece! Everyone, I would like you to meet my newest favorite person: Sawyer Kate. She's 7lbs, 1oz of pure cuteness and yep - I got to be there to witness her grand entrance :) 

Sawyer is the fourth addition to my sister's brood and as the fourth kid in my own family - I feel a major sense of solidarity with my newest niece. After all, who else can better teach her how to stand up for herself against all those older kids and get more privileges than the siblings before her acquired? Shhh, I was really good at it:) But mostly, I can't wait to tell this little girl that she is so completely and totally loved. She always has been. 

As I held that teeny little girl on the first day of her life, I watched those navy blue newborn eyes drift into a deep sleep and saw those impossibly small fingers try to squirm out of my ill-attempted swaddle. I marveled over those ruby red lips and adorably kissable cheeks - and I've got to be honest, I cried while baby girl slept in my arms and while my sister slept the exhausted sleep of a new mommy. I cried because, once again, I was amazed by our Creator. The One who could create something so perfect and something so small. And that he would entrust this little-piece-of-perfect to us. I know that Sawyer Kate is in excellent hands - she's got a Heavenly Father, amazing earthly parents, and a whole fan club of people who didn't think newborns could be that beautiful:) 

Baby, we're so happy you're here.  

the one with the traveling newlyweds

The first post of 2013! Can you believe that we're already here? I feel like the past year has FLOWN by in a series of crazy, wonderful, new, and exciting moments. Jesse and I sent 2012 out and rang in 2013 among my ever-growing family. We started out in West Palm Beach, Florida with my parents and my brother Jonathan's family, drove up to Columbia, SC to visit with my brother David's family, and are rounding out the trip in Wilmington, NC with my sister Elizabeth's brood. It has been an action-packed vacation filled with presents (giving and getting), movies, some sickness (this always happens to me!), laughter with my incredible siblings and their spouses, and lots of child-wrangling. 

A glimpse of Christmas

I had to drop J off at the airport today so he could head home, but I'm hanging here in Wilmington until my sister's 4th baby is born. I've been here for each of the Thompson births so I'm sooo glad I get to be here for the final addition. Currently, my nieces are by my side chattering away while we settle in to watch Brave (Cassidy's new favorite movie) so I have to run before they assault me for continuing to type rather than watch with them. It's good to be wanted:) 

My extremely pregnant (and very adorable) big sister

Miss this man already:) 

2013 is already shaping up to be a great year! Happy New Year, friends!