welcome to the world little one {{Taylor Deane}}

I am more than thrilled to share with you all that I have yet again welcome a sweet little nephew into my family!! To say that we are blessed feels like such an understatement!  I am completely amazed at all these beautiful bundles of joy that God has been blessing my family with over the last few years!!

Please join me in welcoming.....

Taylor Deane 

Born: February 2nd, 2011

11:43 pm

6 pounds, 5 ounces

19 1/2 inches long

Isn't he just perfect in EVERY way?! I only wish that my sister and her family didn't live in California, because I am just dying to smooch all over this little love!!! Of course, I always miss my sister, but it's moment like this were it's extremely heart breaking to be so far away.  I do know that his big sister's Dakota & Avery will be filling in for me and smooching all over baby Taylor in my absence!

Not only was yesterday extremely special since we welcome baby Taylor, but his birthday is shared with another special person in my life.  My Grandma!! Yesterday was my Grandma's 89th birthday! Can you say amazing?! Let me tell you my Grandma looks and acts like anything but an 89 year old! 

What did I tell you, isn't she beautiful!?! I only pray that her genetics run through my blood so I can be as healthy and wonderful at 89 as she is!! I haven't had a chance yet to hear what my Grandma thinks about her very special birthday present, but I can only imagine that her heart is overjoyed about it!  I am so thankful for the health and happiness that my Grandma has been blessed with and I pray that God would continue to bless her over the upcoming years!

So, I think that God must have really wanted us to celebrate yesterday in a BIG way!! Not only did we have a long, wonderful, amazing life that got to celebrate, but also the start of a brand spanking new one!! How amazing is that?! I am so thankful to have a perfect, healthy, precious baby nephew! Thank you God for all your blessings on my family and thanks to Karen & Deane for giving me another nephew!

I guess it's my turn now to add to the brood!! :)

family friday {{little loves edition}}

There are a only few things in my life that I feel truly define who I really am as a person. One of the most prominent being my title of Wife, followed secondly by Sister/Daughter, and then right behind that (and not very far behind) is Auntie (or Ti-ti as the little ones call me).

I have been privileged enough to bear that title since the tender little age of 7 years old when my oldest nephew Brennen was born into this world, and I have treasured that label ever since his arrival. When you’re 7 I don’t think you can really wrap your head around the significance of that sort of stuff, so as the kids have been growing up, I have grown into this title and role of “Auntie”. Over the years, God has continued to bless our families with beautiful little additions, and I have found that the title of Auntie has brought me more joy than I could have ever imagined possible.

There is nothing quite like getting to love my sister’s kids as if they are my very own, without actually having the responsibility of them being my own. It’s truly one of the biggest and greatest blessings I have ever been given! One of the things that I love most about being an Auntie, and especially becoming one at such a young age, is that fact that I have nephews and nieces in every stage of life. I have been able to see my oldest ones turn from precocious little people into these amazing teenagers that are becoming more like my friends rather than just little kiddos, but at the same time I have brand stinking new ones that I get to dote on and smooch all over.

I love that my conversations with them range from getting a drivers license & high school drama, all the way to down to which Star Wars character is cooler than the other, along with helping the littlest ones learn their sounds and letters, or even holding their tiny hands as the wobble through their first steps…but honestly, I wouldn’t have it any other way. I love getting to be a part of all their wonderful stages of life and watching each of them grow into new things each year.

I truly consider all of my nieces/nephews one of the things in my life that I treasure the most. It’s such an honor to watch them grow and be a part of their lives, to pray for them, and play with them, to be on the receiving end of their smooches, hugs, and giggles, and even to help hold them when something goes bad (of course that’s only when Mommy’s not around to comfort), to cheer them on from the sidelines, and support all their dreams in any way that I can.

I find all the things that they do to be more adorable and amazing than any other kid’s similar action, and it’s so fun to brag on them to all the people in my life. Some might even find it annoying how much I talk about them, but I don’t care because they are too darn cute to not brag on. I can only imagine that being a Mom to my own kids will magnify all these feelings times a million and that is super amazing to think about!! I can’t wait for that day to come and to add some cousins into the mix!

So, to Brennen, Bailey, Dakota, Rowan, Kaden, Avery, Brinley, Ethan, &baby Taylor (who’s still in utero), I love you more than you could ever know! Thanks for giving me the great privilege of being your Auntie and getting to share a part of your life!!!

spring has sprung

It's definitely starting to feel a lot more like Springtime around here.  We finally broke the cold snap that is winter, and I think we have said adios to winter & snow!!  I couldn't be more happy!!

I can always tell when things have taken a turn towards Spring when the pond in my backyard melts and it finally happened! Last week it was still half way frozen, and today it looks like this.

Not only is it melted, but can you spot the little friendly creatures that have come to my backyard.   Need a close up??

Well hello pretty geese, so happy to see you again (that is until you start pooping every where).   We also had some other winged creatures stop by to say hello to me today.

Overall, I just love when this time of year rolls around and I get to enjoy all this de-thawing, as well as the nice scenery of  beautiful brown grass!!  I know you're so jealous right??

Besides this beautiful Springtime weather, I have many exciting things coming up in the next couple weeks.  My sister & nieces are flying in from California on Wednesday and will be here for two weeks to celebrate Easter with us.  

I just can't wait to smooch on these two little cuties!!! Can you blame me??? :)

I hope you all have a blessed week!! 

welcome to the world little one {{Avery Faith}}

please join me in welcoming to the world my newest baby niece!!!!

Avery Faith Surface
Born: Tuesday, November 11th, 2008
Time: 9:53 a.m.
Weight: 7 pounds, 13 ounces
Length: 19 1/2 inches

Mommy [Karen], Daddy [Deane], & big sister Dakota couldn't be more excited that she is here!! oh little miss Avery i wish i could be there to hold you, and see your cute little self in person!!i wish for you the best things in life, and you have a family here in minnesota to give you lots of hugs & kisses when you finally come our way!!! two little precious babies have joined our family in the past two months! God has truly blessed us!!