Archives for December 2009 | ...back to the basics...

Wedded Wednesday: 5 Love Languages

December 30, 2009 by julie · 4 Comments

As I have mentioned before, I have never read the book “The 5 Love Languages” but as luck would have it, my mom got it for me for Christmas. I can’t wait to read it! I really think I will find that Acts of Service is my love language, but we shall soon see! For those of you that have read this book, what is your love language? What did you think of the book? Was it accurate?

Lately, Brandon’s love language has been acts of service! He offered to get some groceries for me today so I don’t have to take Brayden out in the cold. What a guy, right? I know how much he loathes going to the store…so I appreciate it! He also has been a HUGE help around the house the past few days. Since we have been so crazy busy, he has really pitched in so I don’t feel overwhelmed.

It used to bother me when he would come home from working and basically just pick up behind me, getting things done that I was going to do. I would get defensive, say “I’ll do it, I just haven’t gotten that far”, and be upset that he was doing “my” jobs. He finally asked me why I was so upset about him doing those things, and it was because I am home most of the time, I should be able to do those things, but because of reasons A, B, and C, I just hadn’t. He scooped me up in a big hug and said “Raising Brayden is enough. Let me help you.” *sigh*

This isn’t to say that he is doing everything around the house either, but I needed to appreciate the few things that he WAS helping me with, instead of getting upset about it. I hope that reading the book and letting my guard down a little bit more will help me appreciate Brandon in this way.

Filed Under: Wedded Wednesdays ·

a year of change

December 28, 2009 by julie · 3 Comments

The last half of this year has been very different, thanks to the addition of the most precious little boy ever.

Motherhood has been the biggest blessing, hands down, that I have received this year. I love every minute of it. Every. Single. One. It’s not what I expected, but not in a bad way. In a wow.i.can’t.believe.this.is.really.happening kind of way. It’s incredible.

Before Brayden was born, I was taking a “we’ll just see what happens” kind of mentality. I didn’t have high hopes for breastfeeding, sleeping through the night, or any other developmental milestone. I just wanted Brayden to dictate those things. And it worked for me. I can’t believe that after 5 months, I am STILL breastfeeding, and that it is still going so smoothly. I never would have guessed. He is still sleeping through the night (getting up lately at 5:30-6am, growth spurt?) and doesn’t really care to be out of his routine for very long.

I guess the most important lesson I have learned from motherhood is to just go with the flow. If you don’t, sometimes you just set yourself up for disaster. I am more of a control freak in that I am a first time mom, but at the same time, Brayden is so laid back and relaxed-it’s wonderful. I couldn’t be more blessed! I am really hoping to NOT have any big life changes in 2010!

So, what does 2010 have in store for us?

possibly moving the laundry room into the mud room since it is much bigger. We haven’t decided on any more home projects.
cooking more.
reading more.
giving more.
blogging more.
organizing more.
spending LESS.
working out.
using my time more effectively.

What is on YOUR goal list for the new year?

Filed Under: goals, new year, plans ·

Christmas 2009

December 26, 2009 by julie · Leave a Comment

Whew, what a fun couple of days! I am exhausted, but we had a really great Christmas. We are so blessed. Brayden is completely spoiled, but I am very thankful for his new toys and clothes. He really got into helping unwrap his own presents as well.

I couldn’t help but buy him this Indianapolis Colts shirt for Christmas…what a ham! And yes, we are NOT Bears fans!

Hope you all had a wonderful holiday! My house feels/looks like a train wreck since we have been so busy the last few days, so I better move on to the next item on my list…laundry!

Filed Under: Brayden, holidays, the first year ·

Merry Christmas!

December 23, 2009 by julie · 1 Comment

Merry Christmas from our house to yours. May you have a blessed holiday with those you hold dear!

-Brandon, Julie, and Brayden

Filed Under: holidays ·

keep it simple, stupid

December 21, 2009 by julie · 3 Comments

Sadly, I am dreading the fast approaching holidays because it has turned into a giant ordeal. Way too many places to go, way too many things to do, and I really wish it was going to be a lot simpler and more enjoyable. The easy answer would be to just say no to everyone, but unfortunately, that will not work. Brandon and I are completely stressed over our holiday schedule and know that next year, things will definitely have to be different. I do not want Brayden to be drug all over God’s green earth around holiday time.

But that is what we said last year, since we knew we would have a little one.

Granted, Brayden is young and won’t remember this Christmas, BUT I still feel like its important to start these traditions early. I hate running around trying to make everyone happy on Christmas. But how do you say no without hurting anyone’s feelings? It is stressing me out (even though I KNOW better) but I think its going to be high time we said no, and started some traditions of our own.

What are some of your favorite holiday traditions?

Filed Under: holidays ·

brayden’s first swim

December 21, 2009 by julie · Leave a Comment

The twins that were in our wedding turned 8 on Friday, so my mom hosted their party at the Elk’s Club Pool. We had to take advantage of a CUTE swimsuit that Brayden received as a baby shower gift, so I took him for his first swim.

He loved it! We were probably only in the water for 20-30 minutes (it is a LOT harder to swim when you are holding a 15 pound baby above the water!) but he definitely had fun. I know that I am not quite ready to attempt that on my own- I appreciated the help of my mom, sister, and Sheana!

Filed Under: Brayden, the first year ·

short hiatus

December 18, 2009 by julie · 5 Comments

I will be taking a short hiatus from blogging this weekend for two reasons… the first being that my college roommate just moved back to IL from FL and she is here for the weekend, maybe longer. I am so glad as she is here!

The second, is that a dear family friend was killed in a tragic car accident Wednesday evening, and we are all struggling. Every year since we moved to Illinois (13 years in all), we have buried one of my dad’s friends. I am struggling mentally, physically, emotionally, and I am having some anxiety issues as well. Please pray for his wife, family, partners of his law firm, and colleagues. It came as a shock to all.

I know God’s timing is perfect, and I don’t want to question Him, I just don’t understand.

Filed Under: random ·

it’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas…

December 17, 2009 by julie · 2 Comments

Sunday morning, Brandon and I hauled out all of our Christmas decorations and got to work while Brayden took a nap.

There are more scattered throughout the house, but I am in need of a few things:

a table runner for my sofa table, so that I don’t have to use two old placemats to set my Willow Tree nativity set on.
Something for the master bathroom and guest bathroom.
A centerpiece for the kitchen table.

Maybe for next year!

Filed Under: holidays, home decorating ·

Wedded Wednesday: Celebrating Oneness

December 16, 2009 by julie · 5 Comments

Yesterday, Brandon and I celebrated our 2nd wedding anniversary, and our 8th year of coupledom. 8 years. That makes me feel SO old, even though I am definitely not by any means. I just can’t believe we have been together that long. I almost don’t even remember what life was like before Brandon. Neat, right?

Two nights ago, we were talking about how we just can’t believe how our life together has turned out, the million blessings we have encountered together, and how all in all, this is just the beginning. We talked about how there was never a question of what we could do together, as one unit.

Genesis 2:24 — For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh.

While it is important to remain interdependent, it is also important to remember that God created marriage to join a man and woman in a journey that just wouldn’t be the same if they remained alone. I can’t imagine life before Brandon, and I definitely can’t imagine life without him, and that is definitely worth celebrating.