How wonderful

I got the best surprise ever yesterday morning. My mom called & said she was bringing a surprise over with Mamie. I had no idea what to expect. They had me close my eyes and when I opened them I saw the most adorable professional photo of Philip, framed and all. They had taken him to David's one day while I was at work. I cried tears of joy, I was so happy! We were given a gift card to David's for our wedding from his family & Mamie & Dan but we forgot to use it and felt silly using it now (almost 3 years later!). So, knowing this, Mamie & my mom decided to do it & surprise us. It is hanging up in our living room. I can't wait for you all to see it! I must have stared at it half the day yesterday. Philip gets excited when he sees it too! I am so blessed to have them in my life.

Their kindness reminded me of a year ago (almost) when I was in the hospital with Philip, they came over & cleaned our house & bought us some new stuff so that when we came home from the hospital, it would be nice & clean. We are so blessed!

A new post

Not too much going on since the boob post...It's been a good week. Philip was able to spend some quality time with a few of my aunts this past week and boy did he love it! It is so much fun for me to see other people enjoy him as much as Richie & I do. I think my mom makes up excuses to stop by just so she can see her Phili for a few mintes :) He really is at such a fun age right now. He is starting to walk! It is the cutest thing in the world. He started taking a few steps last week. Friday night at my cousin Rachel's shower, he was in a room with Richie and my aunt & a few other kids and out of the blue, he started walking across the room! He adores my aunt (all of them) so I think he was trying to show off for her!

It was a wonderful shower spent with family. Most of you know this, but my cousin and her husband tried for over 2 years to have a baby. To see her carrying a child is one of the most beautiful things in the world. At this time last year, I was 8 months pregnant and although I was very excited to meet Philip, I was also very sad for her. To be able to celebrate the precious little life inside of her is such a joy & a huge blessing!

We stopped by Julie & Brian's to wish Liam a happy birthday. It was so much fun to see the kids. Philip was trying to take all of Carys' toys, he's the same way with Hannah. He never does that to the big kids. He knows better! It's going to be fun watching them interact this year :)

Psalm 46:10

"Be still and know that I am God"

I've heard this verse all my life but the older I get, the more I cling to it. I find it very hard to just be still. I find myself always anxiously awaiting the week ahead and what I have to check off my to-do list. If I could just get this done, I will be happy, once I get through the weekend, then I can relax. The truth is, once I get through the weekend, I am already anxious about the next weekend. It is a never ending cycle. Recently, God laid it on my heart that I need to stop being so anxious and enjoy & be thankful for where I am at right now. So, how do I "Be still"? This may seem like an easy concept to grasp for some people but I really struggle with it. I've been praying diligently about a particular situation recently & I've found the more time I spend with God, reading His word & seeking Him, the more I am starting to feel a little bit more "Still." If that makes sense. I can really truly only feel God's peace when I am spending the time with him that he so deserves. The older I get the more I realize how much I need God in my daily life. I've been blessed in so many ways, I don't want to wish away these busy times. I need to Be still and know that He is God & be thankful for every moment I have.

Philippians 4:6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Papa's boy

My dad stopped by yesterday morning
on his way to work & it honestly made Philip's day. Philip is NOT a cuddler one bit (except for a select few which doesn't include me) but as you can see in this picture, he had no problem cuddling right up to my dad. He did it the moment my dad picked him up. It was so sweet. Then when he had to leave for work......well you can see for yourself just by looking at his facial expression above! Aren't they both handsome!?

Nick Arrojo!

I got to meet Nick Arrojo from one of my favorite TV shows today. He does the hair on TLC's "What Not To Wear." He also owns Arrojo Studios in Manhattan, NY. He came to Simonson's and did a haircut demonstration & a question and answer session. He was even nicer in person & hilarious too! He is very down to earth and talks a lot about being postitive and helping people feel better about themselves through doing hair. He is my FAVORITE! You can see him on TLC weekdays at 11 & noon. He's also kinda cute, eh?