A Very Happy Buggy Birthday...

As most of you who read this know, our sweet daughter is our lil bug. It started out as Boog when she was in my womb, which came from Boogs, what my daddy called me. One day I said, "I love you Kenzie Bug" and the name stuck like glue.

To commemorate and honor her sweet namesake, I decided upon a Very Hungry Caterpillar/Ladybug theme for her 1st birthday party. Thanks to Pinterest and a few years as an elementary school teacher - here is the end result and some snapshots of the memories we made as we celebrated our little bug.

First, there were the decorations, little touches of bugs were everywhere we could put them. The flower banner was made by some friends for one of my baby showers and the construction paper bugs were made by my terrific 3rd graders (who were beyond honored to make things for MC's birthday). They love her so much that I kept getting little paper gifts for her the whole afternoon we made them. (The pinwheels and other details you see in other pictures are bits and pieces from my past and Hobby Lobby this year.)

Then, there was the food- picked directly from the book for guests to munch through like the caterpillar himself. (plus a few little extras- if you follow me on Pinterest you can find the recipe for the tomato/olive ladybugs). The food label cards were made by my wonderful husband scanning the book directly and printing them out for us to use. We cut out holes in the food using a strawberry huller.

Thanks to Papa for the food-coloring gel dots and to Nana for last minute food prep! They surprised us, and boy was I happy with their early arrival!

Then, there were the friends, family, and festivities. Our little bug was quite the busy bee playing hostess to all of her friends, both child and adult. She laughed, shared, and played to her hearts content. We took pauses to open up presents and to get to the sweet treat...

The cake. So, I had this idea to look up a reduced sugar, "more baby friendly" cake and icing recipe for her first big experience. Whether it was the pressure of so many people staring, the gooeyness of the icing, or the fact that she might not have liked it---the cake was not the most successful part of the evening.

Excited at first glance...

Then, not so sure after she finally tasted it with mommy's help.

I think she liked the one at the chili cook-off on her actual birthday better...perhaps she has inherited her father's sweet tooth after all. These pics might just prove it:

Happy Buggy Birthday, love.

The Mackenzie Bug is ONE!

Wow, what a sweet year it has been. The bug is one and we have been parents for a year. It feels like it has passed in a blink of an eye, but at the same time, it feels like I have been her mother for as long as I can remember.

(I will post some party pictures later, but for now, I wanted to just celebrate her.)

Wasn't it just yesterday that she was entering our world and placed into my arms with her sweet cry and tiny, not even 6 lb self? Talk about a miracle. To watch her this past year grow into the wonderful and loving baby that she is, has been a complete joy. There have been moments when we have not known what to do, worried about what comes next, but in the midst of it all- she has been the most even-tempered baby I have ever known.

Her personality is already one of hospitality. Her love for people shines through as she hands over everything from toys to food in her own sweet way of sharing.

She already has a loving heart. She cuddles and snuggles with the friendly faces in our lives. Her smile makes them smile.

Her musical ability is starting to creep through. She loves to bang on drums, shake anything that makes noise, and dances to the beat of all of the songs her toys play. She comes as fast as she can to the sound of daddy's guitar playing.

She has a voice all her own. Whether happy or sad, she makes her opinions and wants well known.

Little bug, dearest MC...our heart swells with each day. We can't wait to see what you become with each birthday.

Celebrating the Guy in our life :)

Here's another flashback...

February 7 is the main guy in our life's big day. We love any chance to show him love, but the day started out with a different kind of showing...

Adam went into MC's room a smidge early to say good-bye before heading off to school. The next thing I know, he is in our room telling me, "Hon, it smells like throw up in her room." In response, I rush past him and am engulfed by the smell as I walk into our precious girl's nursery.

There she was, just sleeping away in peace like nothing had happened. Thoughts were rushing in my head mixed with questions like, "Why did I not hear her when she threw up? How long has she been sleeping in it?". I was just so thankful she hadn't choked in her sleep.

As I reached into her crib to peel off her clothes gently, my nerves and gag reflex were definitely tested as my hands tried to get her out of her mess as quickly as possible without startling her out of her sleep.

The next 20 minutes or so were a blur. Stripped down baby went into the warm tub, stripped bedding went into the wash, daddy called in and arranged for his absence, and mama prepped for a day of leaving for work. Needless to say, it wasn't quite the birthday greeting we were expecting- but, daddy got to spend the day with his princess, so it was definitely worth it in the end.

That weekend, after baby had recovered enough for us to celebrate, we had a blast with our college group of friends. It was a celebration of our friend Lindsey's birthday too- and we had a wonderful time! Bowling shoes, funny nicknames, and greasy pizza made for some good laughter and special memories.

Homemade and not-so-homemade desserts rounded out the evening at the Valentas home. We are so lucky to have such great friends to share our special days with each year.

Adam, Hubs, Daddy...we love you so much and look forward to all of the birthdays to come. Your rhythm keeps us going.

Winter Wrap-Up

As the rain pours at Spring's beginning, it offers a perfect chance for catching up.

Today we got to catch up on sleep as the little bug came in after her morning nursing and cuddled up with us for 2 more hours. We got to catch up on the sense of laziness and play, and we loved the feeling of having to do absolutely nothing.

Today also offers a chance to catch up on the other parts of our life. A time for me to touch base with this world, as the real one has kept us quite busy.

This post will be a snap shot of what the winter was like for us from winter break to now- a wrap up since Spring is definitely roaring in like a lion today.

There were winter birthdays to celebrate- for the young and the "not-as-young"...

Sweet Finley

& Avery

Nana & My

A mild winter brought with it opportunities to swing and go for family walks...

Chances to be silly with daddy...

and a milestone achieved here and there... like taking first steps. (Although, her favorite mode of transportation right now seems to be her infamous knee-walking)

What a wonderful winter it has been!

Ringing in the New Year...

Thank you, 2011, for all of the wonderful blessings you brought us- some were in obvious form and others were hidden in struggle or frustration.

I will always remember this past year as truly a year of provision from the Lord. A year that taught us the act of receiving--which is sometimes just as hard to learn as giving.

Highlights of 2011:

-Sweet Mackenzie Claire and all of her milestones, smiles, giggles, and well...everything she is.

- A new job for Adam

-A safe and caring place for sweet MC to stay while we teach

-Surviving parenthood/workinghood

-Learning the ways of cloth diapers and attempts at making baby food

-Family bonds changing, forming, growing

- Precious babies born to other dear friends

- Growth in our identity in the Lord

- News of health and healing, debts being paid

-Engagements and weddings, new chapters being started

- Benevolent gifts that came at just the right time

However, before we could usher in 2012-- Mama and Daddy had to celebrate in style. A bit of class, if you will.

After baby was tucked in, and Nana and Papa came to stay-- the party dress and heels came out and a suit was donned.

Then it was off to the classiest of places- IHOP. I know, probably not quite what you were thinking, but it suits our friend group just fine. We didn't quite know what to do with ourselves at first without the babe in tow, but we soon fell into our rhythm.

After our fine feast it was off to play games an unwind at our friend Joel's house.

Champagne punch, some fine cheese, The Game of Things, candid photo sessions, and a post-midnight dance party rounded out the evening.

And, when it was all said in done- we got to come home and whisper Happy New Year to our sweet little bug as she slept peacefully in her crib. A perfect start to 2012.

Stay classy in 2012, folks, and may you be blessed where you need it the most this year...

A Year of Firsts: Christmas Joys

Everything about Christmas gives me a good case of the joys. From putting up the tree and lights, to the sounds of carols and laughter, all the way down to the very last crumbs of the holiday baked goodies- the joys well up inside of me trying to spill out.

The nutcrackers come out and stand guard over all of the splendor...

Treasures from Christmases past -

a reminder of a grandpa looking down on us...

these are some pieces of joy that have followed me from Christmas to Christmas.

However, joy came in a different form this year. In the form of an almost 10 month old baby girl- whose baby blues give me a whole new sense of happiness. (and that joy begins to spill out just a little...)

There was a pretty little dress, a visit to Santa, and attempts at opening up new packages.There was time spent with all of our family in one place -and little hands and feet crawling to explore every inch of that place. With every little smile and clap- I could've sworn she had some understanding of the magic of the season. I know that with each year that understanding will grow, that traditions will begin to mold her childhood, and her belief in the true spirit of this time of year will take root. And, I cannot wait to have a front row seat to it all.

With all of this being said- here are some of our favorite moments caught on film that I'm sure will leave you brimming with a last taste of those Christmas joys from 2011.

We hope you had a very happy Christmas and we hope that you have an even happier 2012!

A Year of Firsts: The Holiday Season...First Up, Thanksgiving

Yes...Thanksgiving was over a month ago. Yes...Christmas is over and the remnants of wrapping paper, opened toy boxes, and new gifts are slowly making their way to their new spots in our home.

However, it is now time for all of the hustle and bustle to slow down for a bit and for me to do a little catching up.

First update: Thanksgiving season.

Thanksgiving ushers in the holiday season with wonderful smells, traditions, and memories to be made. Growing up, my momma and I used to call Thanksgiving our very own "forgotten holiday". Because, it seems, as soon as the jack o'lanterns get put away-the Christmas trees come out (and sometimes not even in that order!).

It is a day with no expectations of giving or receiving. Just pure gratitude. And boy! Did we have plenty of that to soak in this year...

Plenty of food and family around the table...

Newly made uncles...(unfortunately Uncle Gareth was still soaking up the sun in Florida)

New games with Oupa...(but, plenty of attention was given by all grandparents in attendance, what a spoiled girl we have!)

Great grandmas who think baby is the most beautiful thing on this planet! (and baby thinks she is pretty neat too)

To sum it up, we are...

2011 has truly been a year of gratitude and provision. Putting trust in Him to give us what we need in His timing. We are thankful for our sweet and healthy baby girl, the grandmas and grandpas she has, the uncles (both related and those of the friend-kind), and the aunts (the wonderful ladies in our life that love her like she is theirs). There were several moments we could've captured from this day of gratitude- but we hope this glimpse does enough for now.

Make everyday a day of thanksgiving.