7-11

Today is a very very special day! As I type this, my best friend, Ashley, is getting prepped for a c-section. Baby Girl will be here in the next hour!! We already love her so much. Last week, Jessica got to play in 'Baby Girl's' nursery. Todd and Ashley did such a great job making her room so adorable and cozy-- perfect for the little princess she is going to be. I am so excited, I am about to burst! Yay!! Here is a picture of us last month before I shot Ashley's maternity portraits. Today is also special for 2 other reasons...
My big sis, Shara's, birthday is today. In honor of her youth, I am posting a couple of my favorite photos of her. Shara loves coffee, so this first picture is perfect to celebrate her! Shara is such a wonderful sister and aunt to us. She is such a wonderful example of what it means to be a Godly mommy and wife. Anytime I need to vent or I need advice, Shara is always there. I treasure our relationship more than words! I will always remember the best advice she has ever given me... and I will continue to share this with everyone until the day I die: As hard as it is to imagine that anyone ANYONE anyone could love your child(ren) more than you do, God does. I tend to be very overprotective of Jessica. I never want her to be in harm's way. Shara reminds me that God has a plan for Jessica and as much as I swear Jessica will never be allowed to go to the mall with her girlfriends by herself at the age that I was allowed... and as much as I promise that Jess will be taking her sr. trip with her mommy... I have to learn to let go and let God. We have to trust that as much as God loves our babies, we have to trust that He has a plan for their lives. I can not hover over Jess her entire life-- as much as that disappoints me. Praying for my baby is the absolute best and most powerful thing I can do for her for her entire life. Good advice, huh? Yeah, I told you, my sis is pretty cool. :)

We also love to go get pampered together-- sitting in the massage chairs reading sleezy gossip magazines, sipping on skinny lattes. We took Ellie with us to get manis and pedis on July 4th. Here is a pic of us showing off our toes. Too bad the polish started chipping off that night. In addition to getting pampered, we also like to get our skirts (or camo overalls) dirty and ride four wheelers out in the country. I was pregnant in this picture and we had quite the memorable time during this four wheeler ride... screaming and riding through huge spider webs with larger than life rare African web spinners ready to punce. Good times with my sis! Happy birthday, sisser!! We love you soooo much!

Today is also.... Katy's birthday! Katy grew up down the street from us and she has always been like a little sister to me. We all love her just like she is part of the family. Here is a picture of Katy holding Jessica when she was only a week old. We wish she lived closer, so we could spend more time together. Here is a picture of Katy, me, and my little sis, Lisa, at my baby shower in September.

We have so many fun memories together! We are so thankful to have Katy in our lives. She will always be a part of our lives, no matter where our lives take us. Her beautiful spirit is enough to liven up even the darkest of days. Thank you, Katy, for being YOU! Happy birthday, little sis!!

And to end this post, here is one of my favorite pictures of Jess at 6mo (2mo ago). She's my little rolley poley love bug.