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LBJ | Part II

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More favorites from our visit to the LBJ Ranch.

Scenes from the Sauer-Beckmann Farm.

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After the farm we drove to the other side of the Pedernales River to visit the Texas White House. The cattle were a big hit with the kids.

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It’s funny how much the boys loved driving over the cattleguards. William was excited to walk over them too.

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Johnson’s home, the Texas White House.

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Taking the oath to become Junior Rangers.

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We loved our visit to the ranch and I love experiencing these adventures with my boys. They had a hard time leaving!

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Dressember and Human Trafficking Awareness Month

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For many of you who know me (personally or via social media), you know I just finished my third year of advocating for Dressember. I felt like it was the best year yet because my team raised over $20,000! Also, there seemed to be so much more media and publicity for Dressember which is amazing. Raising awareness is just as important as raising money.

For those of you who may not see all my posts, don’t know what I am talking about or maybe got tired of seeing a bunch of girls in dresses in your feed for a month, this post is for you. I’d like to share more about how I got into Dressember and why I continue to do it.

First of all, you may be asking, what is Dressember? Good question. It’s an international campaign of advocates committing to wearing a dress everyday for the month of December to raise funds and awareness as a way of aiding in the fight against sex trafficking. The money raised by advocates is given to Dressember partners, A21 and IJM. This year they added McMahon/Ryan Child Advocacy Center. These organizations do the work of investigating, rescuing and restoring the lives of those affected by human and sex trafficking.

You may also ask, why a dress? The dress is the uniform and flag of our movement. The dress in this case is used as a symbol of freedom and power. Reclaiming something that may show us as weak individuals into something that shows strength and confidence. I shared this before on social media, but there was a time in my life when I was only allowed to wear a dress or skirt. So for a time I disliked them very much. To me they did not represent being modest or ladylike, they represented someone who wanted to control me and make decisions for me. So to give up a month of jeans and only wear dresses was a big sacrifice. As I continue to do it, it continues to be easier and something I see as a joy to be able to do for others.

When I first heard about Dressember and did more research to find out what it was all about, I quickly said yes! This is something I want to support. The statistics I read, stories that were shared, appalled me. It was especially the scenarios that involved little children that were abhorrent to me and became my main reason for advocating. These babies who had their innocence stolen from them broke my heart. I knew I had to help them. I am a SAHM to two amazing boys that keep me busy. I am not able to find these innocents and wrap them safely in my arms but I can wear a dress everyday. I can spread the word about these crimes and educate others to fight for them as well. Did you know that about 2 million children are currently exploited in the the global commercial sex trade? Some days it’s difficult to want to wear a dress, when it’s cold or when I walk to the park with the boys or sit on the floor to read a book to them. But how much more is their pain? I have nothing to complain about.

Dressember campaigns remain open even after December 31st because January is Human Trafficking Awareness month. The goal is $2 million dollars and as of today, it’s about $12,000 shy of hitting that goal. There are still plenty of days remaining in the month to meet this goal and I’d like to ask you, reading this now to consider donating for the first time or maybe again. $5, $10, $100. January is also my birthday month and I’d love nothing more than knowing we reached our goal. What a gift not only to me but those who this money will help. Asking for money isn’t always the easiest thing but I have no problem doing it for the victims and survivors of human trafficking.

The link to my campaign is here should you like to donate or learn more. Feel free to comment or message me too if you want more information.

October Weekend | Castroville and Devine Acres Farm

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William and I spent a weekend down in Castroville earlier this month with the sisters and kiddos. James had a busy work weekend so it was a good excuse to get out of the house for some sister time. There was a lot of cousin play time and a trip to Devine Acres Farm for some fall festival fun.

I highly recommend Devine Acres, especially for toddler age. There is a lot to do for all ages but there was definitely enough to keep these two occupied. It’s only 2 hours from Austin and is a great day trip. They have a great little restaurant too and a gift shop complete with scoops of Blue Bell ice cream.

Last fall, William rode in a barrel train, no problems. This year, I thought I could sit out the ride (preggo in a barrel, not so much) but no such luck. Both the mamas ended up in a barrel. I told the driver not to put me into labor. Haha! We had the train to ourselves and the kids actually enjoyed it in the end and wanted to go again.

He was so excited to see a horse up close.

Ah, that sky…..

We couldn’t leave without some pumpkin photos and letting the kids pick out one to take home. William is very attached to his and has carried it around the house. It’s currently in his room. I may have passed on my pumpkin obsession….yes!!!

It’s really hard to get three kids to look at the camera at the same time.

Me and my pumpkins (2 years and 31 weeks). Love his face.

Another fun weekend in Castroville despite the kids sharing a cold and maybe a little lack of sleep.

Big Boy Bed

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This past week we were finally able to pick up William’s new twin mattress set. We had been talking to him about it a lot to kind of prepare him for the change. Most times when we mentioned it, he would be very adamant about the crib being his bed and he didn’t want a new one. We’d remind him that he slept in a big boy bed at the beach and it would be just like that. We were going to leave the toddler bed up for another week so he could get used to the big bed being there but there just wasn’t room. Surprisingly enough, he was the one who started pulling his bed apart and was ready to take it down. It probably also helped that daddy was going to use power tools.

Waiting for daddy to bring the mattresses home.

He was so excited about his bed and has been telling everyone about it. He did really well the first night and since then. We were going to use the side rails to prevent falls but he doesn’t seem to need them. 

I am so happy this was a good transition for him. It also means we are a step closer to getting the nursery put together. I guess I am working on 3 rooms at the moment…there is still a bit of rearranging and redecorating to do before baby arrives!

Check out Vignette Photography for William’s 2.5 year photos I took on September 9. 

Baby #2 Countdown | 92 Days To Go

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My last update was in June at 13 weeks and I am currently 27 weeks. I seem to only be recording this pregnancy on Instagram with bump photos. It’s funny how much less I am doing this time around but I suppose that is to be expected. Poor second child (I speak from experience!). So now, I have to try and remember everything about the last 14 weeks….less sickness for one and that’s a really good thing.

 17 week baby bump hiding under the chocolate cake.

18 weeks in Castroville for the 4th of July weekend. Tacos and donuts. Baby needs them.

I definitely feel like we are in the homestretch here. Nesting is in full on mode. We are rearranging the upstairs – all three rooms actually. Our office/guest room is becoming the new nursery and the office or just the desk really, will move into our room. Not ideal but really the only place for it. William’s room isn’t moving but we will be getting him a new bed soon and doing a bit of rearranging in there as well. I want to make it a little more “big boy” for him – new bedding, artwork and curtains. I am still keeping with the same colors but may be adding more things like construction trucks, school buses and quite possibly dogs. We’ll see how it shakes out. I just don’t want him to feel overlooked with the new baby on the way.

With all the rearranging you better believe I am also purging. One trip to Goodwill has already happened and I am pretty sure we’ll have at least another before the baby arrives. It’s amazing how much stuff can accumulate, especially toys. Our house isn’t tiny or huge but it doesn’t offer a lot in the way of storage other than large closets. I really don’t want to keep them filled with just stuff we don’t ever use so I think I am always purging. It’s also been an interesting challenge to use what we have and see how we can create more storage to keep things we do use on a daily basis more organized.

21 weeks and 2 dinners are the norm.

I also started planning the new nursery in the last couple weeks and I made decisions so much faster this time around. It’s hard to describe the current office paint color….maybe a taupe of sorts? But I knew I didn’t want to repaint so my goal was to work with it and of course use the crib and rocker we already have. So far, I’ve only purchased a dresser (Craigslist for $100) and the material to make things like a blanket, pillows, sheets, etc. I have to say I am really in love with the direction I’ve taken on the theme. It’s boyish but not baby-ish and very warm and cozy. He’ll definitely be able to grow into it. I’ve already finished his crib quilt/blanket, one pillow and a crib sheet. But I’ll be doing a separate post on the room when it’s more complete. The only way I am getting any of these projects finished is because I moved most of my sewing supplies into my room and set up shop on my side table/desk. It’s a little messy but it beats having it all over the dining room table and hauling it up and down the stairs.

Nursery theme sneak peek!

Ok, so back to pregnancy stuff. Haha! Six weeks ago we went in for my ultrasound and found out we’re having another boy! Taking William with us may not have been the best idea but hey, he’s our boy and part of the family. He was a little unsure of what was going on with me on the table and all that jazz. I have to say I was not that surprised with the news and part of me is relieved. A girl would have been great and a lot of fun but I feel a little more comfortable and *experienced* (ha!) with boys. I am also really glad William will have a buddy. Just think, I’ll be able to send them both outside to play together! That’s huge in my book. I am sure there will be a lot of water hose baths in my future. It’s all good.

Snuggles with both my boys.

24 weeks the day after a prenatal appointment that William came along for. He did so well and even sat up on the exam table with me and listened to the baby’s heartbeat. 

25 weeks and I promise this isn’t staged. He was giving baby brother a hug.

Yes, I have a boy already and yes, I have clothes for the new guy. But really, not shop for him at all?! Yeah, that won’t happen. I mean, how cute are these!? I’ll have to stay away from Carter’s for a while though…no control.

26 weeks with a baby eggplant. Or is that a baby the size of an eggplant? I feel so much smaller this time around but again I say that when I should probably go back and compare some of my maternity photos from William. I don’t really remember. Although the guy cutting my fabric at Joann’s made me feel absolutely giant. He was surprised I still had about 3 months to go “sticking out as far as I am”. Gee, thanks. 

This was my post-glucose test (which I passed!) lunch. Not eating from 11:30pm the night before until 12:45pm the day of was rough! I devoured all of this and could have had seconds. That “Fanta” drink at 9am was divine and I had no problem chugging it.

Part of me has been feeling guilty for not feeling as connected with this child even though he doesn’t ever let me forget he’s present. Um, hello, constant kicks. Sometimes I forget I am pregnant and I make myself sit and focus on him for a bit. But I realize I need to let that guilt go (this was a good read!) and just enjoy this journey. He’ll be here soon, changing our lives for the better and we’ll love him just as much as William (another thing I find hard to comprehend). I really am so excited to meet him, see what he looks like, discover his personality and see how William interacts with him.  I know I have mentioned before that the logistics of handling two kids instead of one has me a bit nervous but I was nervous with William too and he was just one! I know it’ll be a learning process again but it will also not be as bad as I think it’ll be. I see other families doing it and surviving (with more than 2!) and that is an encouragement as well.

If you follow me on Instagram, a lot of these photos are my iPhone pics from there. Maybe I’ll get James to do a mini-maternity session for me in October.

I’ll post all things baby again when I have more of the nursery to share and maybe some more bump photos. I am sure there was more I wanted to share in this post but I can’t think of anymore at the moment. Thanks for sticking around this long!

181 Days Remaining Until Baby #2

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I thought it was high time for a post about baby #2 “progress”. I am actually 14 weeks now and goodness, it’s been a long 14 weeks. I really don’t remember the nausea and exhaustion lasting this long with William. I actually don’t remember much about his 1st trimester really….I just feel like it was easier. Maybe because this time around I have a 2 year old.

Saying 181 days makes it seem so much further away than saying 26 weeks or even 6 months…holy cow, 6 months! We knew we wanted to try for another baby this year and I was really surprised it happened as quickly as it did. I started suspecting I was pregnant a couple weeks before I finally took a test. I kept putting it off. Maybe I was in a little bit of denial. Anyway, finally took a test and then two days later took another one, just to be sure. I think I was 5 weeks when I took the first one.

It was amazing how quickly the nausea set in after taking the test. It was like my brain realized what was going on and decided to start the torture. Nine weeks later I am still dealing with it off and on. Praying it subsides soon. Let’s just say I’ve had a lot of couch time during the day and William a lot of PBS Kids.

We went to our first prenatal appointment on May 14th and heard the heartbeat. That always helps make it feel more real. We are going with the Birth Center again since we had such a good experience there during my pregnancy and delivery with William. It was great to see a lot of familiar faces and I really can’t say enough about how great it is to work with the midwives and just how amazing a natural birth can be (I’d still love to share William’s birth story one day!). Funny to think I was actually pregnant (and didn’t know it) when I attended my niece’s birth there.


Our second prenatal is next week and I am really excited about it. I love hearing the heartbeat. I also seem to have more of a bump than I did in my 13 week photo. It happened overnight which is totally fine by me. I’ve been wearing loose tops because I feel like it’s been more of a muffin top or like I just ate one too many hamburgers rather than toting around a peach sized baby. I was so happy when a gal at a shop on Sunday could actually tell I was pregnant! I am not quite big enough yet for full on maternity clothes but still a bit too big for a lot of my normal clothes.

You can check out my Facebook page for how we announced baby #2. I may put a few other of my favorites on the VP blog. We didn’t really say anything to William until after we made it public because we just weren’t sure what he’d understand. It’s been so sweet though to hear him talk about the baby. Mommy has a baby. William doesn’t have a baby. Or the baby is huuuuuungry! Fingers crossed he is still excited come December.
My sister asked me if I was nervous about giving birth to another baby (seeing as how she just went through it) and I was like heck no. I am more nervous about the days and weeks after and having TWO kids instead of just one. It’ll be a whole new world of logistics. I am definitely going to try to make the most of the summer and fall before baby #2 arrives. Another reason I am hoping the first trimester “ailments” don’t last much longer. 
I probably won’t do another baby post until the end of July when we find out the gender. Yay!! Then let the nursery decorating begin! Sorry James…… 🙂

Hello 2014

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New Year’s Eve was a quiet one for us. I spent most of the day cleaning or doing laundry which felt strange. Usually we are with family or friends. Today, January 1, we are still at home. It’s been a quiet day which also feels odd and makes me a bit melancholy. On one hand I am grateful to not be going and doing but I miss being with family. With the arrival of a new little one and a sister moving to different cities, things have changed for us in 2013. What new changes will come in 2014?

A new day, a new year, a clean slate. A chance to start over, do better, make changes. I always start with good intentions but am terrible at goals. I admire James’ ability to make goals and keep them.

As I think about 2014 and the one word I’d like to make my goal, it would have to be PRESENT. Choosing a word for me is better than a list of goals. For me, this word means fewer distractions, fewer things and more life. More time with James and William. More time with family. Face to face conversations with real, live people. Not Facebook. Not Instagram. Real relationships. Lasting relationships. Giving of my time to help and serve others. It’s not just PRESENT for others but for myself too. Taking time for me and my interests. I know this sounds selfish but I don’t mean it that way. I need to take care of myself so I can take care of my family. That means getting back into my hobbies, having some alone time, time to learn and grow. I also need to keep taking care of myself physically. I am so proud that I’ve kept up with yoga for an entire year now! That’s HUGE for me! I really owe it all to my friend, Alisa for keeping me accountable and being my yoga buddy. Here’s to another year of keeping it up!

The planner in me wants to map out 2014 but I remind myself that the Lord could have an adventure for us that I couldn’t ever plan. It scares me as much as it excites me. I’d like to be more PRESENT in my spiritual walk. It’s suffered these past 7 or 8 years and that makes me sad. I’d like to change that in 2014. Being more PRESENT so the Lord can speak to me. So I can trust him more. Be more aware of his hand in my life. More aware of his work around me and how I can show his love to others. Not being afraid of what others will think.

Being more PRESENT in my marriage is also going to be a big priority (not using the word goal – doesn’t work!). Becoming parents changed a lot for us. We went from being James and Elizabeth, newlyweds, to full time parents. We dove in head first and gave it our all. I want to be a better parent so that means I need to be a better wife and have a better relationship with my husband. I want to have US time again and more often than twice a year. I think a budget for regular date nights will be going on our spreadsheet.

I could go on and on about goals and my to do lists for the coming year but I won’t. I’ll start with being PRESENT first and see where that leads. Opening my hands and letting go a bit and see what unfolds. Walking with my head up and eyes open so I don’t miss a thing.

Happy 2014 to my readers. May your new year be full of blessings, adventures and memories.

My Little Helper and Zucchini Nutella Muffins | 07.13.2013

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Saturday while James was out running errands, I did some baking with William. We made Zucchini Nutella Muffins. The last time I had him up at the counter with me, it didn’t go so well. He tried to grab everything or throw everything in the sink. This time was much better. He played with the dough I made him or helped me stir ingredients. And he didn’t fall off the chair this time.

I didn’t get an after shot of the muffins but they are super tasty. The recipe is actually for bread but we like muffins around here.

I have to include these photos from later that day. I think he had salmon for dinner hence the crazy hair.

Galveston Weekend

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This past weekend was my friend and fellow work out buddy’s bachelorette party. Well it was a whole weekend actually in Galveston. It was my first over night trip away from William since he was born so it was kind of a big deal. I was a little nervous about going but had a great time and really didn’t worry that much at all. James did a wonderful job (no surprise) being home alone with the boy. It was good for all of us and reminded me of what doing absolutely nothing felt like….bliss.

There were five of us in all and we stayed in a cute little house on a canal. The upper deck was gorgeous in the evening. 

Part of our job for the weekend was to help Alisa decide on a signature cocktail for the wedding. Hard work, guys. One of them she mixed together earlier in the day for us to try that night…

The morning was spent on the beach and then after lunch we retired to the pool. I was ready for some shade. The first two are from my phone…the only photos I took on the beach.

That night we dined on some amazing lasagna that Alisa’s mom made. I had two servings of everything…preparing for all the drink tasting I had to do later.

I completely forgot to get a photo of our neighbors set up. On the bottom level of their house they had a tiki bar set up. It was pretty serious stuff. And they were British so eavesdropping on their conversations was fun.

The first of the drinks…cucumber jalapeno margarita. Oh my goodness, I couldn’t get enough of this one, definitely my favorite. I think it was everyone’s favorite actually.

Peach Ginger Fizz…not so much. We weren’t fans but Alisa thought maybe substituting the ginger beer out and adding club soda may have improved it.

Just a few views from our upper deck…

And the coconut martini. Really tasty but a bit sweet and heavy.

Cheers…do I look burnt? Because I was….just a bit. Love the sun!

I am so glad I made this trip. It was a lot of fun and really good times with some lovely ladies. I can’t wait for Alisa’s wedding! It will be the first one I’ve attended as a guest in a long while.