for the mommas.

from a brand new one to all the rest out there, you're incredible. I hope you were kind to yourself today and took time to rest in the beauty of what it is you get to do as a mom. it is a real gift, whether a birth mother or not, and you are the perfect one for it.

thank you to all of the parents in our lives who have taught us in your own special ways. especially the four that have shown us the most love and taught us the most valuable things while raising us in the best of homes. our parents are a big part of the reason we are living this life and our moms are two of the greatest.

and thank you for all of the kindness and congratulations you have been sending our way. Norah is a true joy. she is already way too good to us and we are enjoying this beautiful, sleepy, head-in-the-clouds time at home with her so much.

our fuzzy little bird.. I think you're really going to like her.

love.. so much love.

we've had an interesting couple of weeks. in all of the anticipation of new life, we found out she might not be lying the right direction. while that's not the end of the world and I have always known a c-section is a possibility for anyone, and that sometimes it is the best way for things to happen, my emotions were a little thrown off when they said we might have to go that route. in short, it's really okay if that has to happen, but my heart desires that it doesn't have to.

so we had to schedule another ultrasound. eventually I decided to not stress and wait until we knew for sure to make any big decisions. I know God will take care of us no matter what happens.

today was that ultrasound, and I can't tell you enough that I've never been so happy to get kicked in the ribs, ha. we thanked God that He can turn babies and that we would have peace and be encouraged with whatever the outcome. and right as the ultrasound started we could see she's facing the right way and ready to go! which makes the fact that it is much harder to walk lately make a lot of sense. so in the next few weeks I'll be feeling the most pain ever and I can't wait! (;

for now, this is the obligatory "here is my baby that just looks kind of like an alien at the moment with her face pressed up against the placenta" sonogram. enjoy.

love..

so, mid-April, yeah? haven't written since February? slacking over here. sorry 'bout it.

since we're in the ninth month of this pregnancy, it's probably pretty clear what we've been up to and that we've been busy. I know I never finished updating you all about Michigan at Christmastime, so here it is (a short version), if anyone is even remotely interested anymore..

^when the belly and I felt so big and now I realize we were hardly big at all. (;

there was a lot of ice and below zero temps. beautiful, like I said before, though freeeeeezing. then we both stood in an absolutely beautiful wedding in Ann Arbor. the one where our good friends promised each other life long love and both thanked one another for marrying them at the end of their hand written vows (the sweetest thing). still so honored to have been a part of that day. 

then there was this blizzard on the way home from the wedding, we couldn't see any lanes on the highway, and it was so late and tired out. heavenly protection is the only way we can explain getting back safe (that, and my husband is a champ). and I don't say blizzard lightly. almost two feet of snow. that whole polar vortex and what not. so pretty the next day though!

the days following got very cold again but lastly, we decided to brave that ice and snow and drive back to New Orleans. most stressful drive adding hours to our travels (that last photo is us stopped in traffic for an hour because of an icy accident) but again, Jesus protects and he was faithful in that.

so there you have it. I'll be back tomorrow. I mean it this time.

love..

watch: Saving Mr. Banks (I knew I'd probably like this since Mary Poppins is a favorite, but I loooved this so much! I want to buy you all a copy). // also just finished Twin Peaks. what even?!

listen: Satellite | Dave Matthews Band (mostly because my belly dances when that one plays).

read: Igniting Faith in Forty Days | Steve and Wendy Backlund // a negativity fast/positivity feast I've been doing for Lent. not necessarily succeeding every day, but it has been encouraging and motivating and is more than worth a read.

"Abundant gratefulness: a flourishing soul. Even if circumstances haven't changed, thankfulness will alter perspective from doubt to faith."

we interrupt this Michigan updating with a little something special.

yesterday we had the pleasure of having our friend Trevor over to do something I thought I didn't want to do. (: I'll be honest. I usually don't like the thought of maternity photos very much. I love seeing everyone else's though, so hopefully I'm not making you feel bad if you're really into that sort of thing. they just really aren't very.. me. but Trevor had some really great and different ideas and I'm really glad he talked me into having these done. I know I will be so so glad we have these to look back on.

a couple of things.. first of all, if you're in Louisiana and need photos for anything.. give this guy all of your monies. I mean it. or if you want to fly him somewhere because you don't live here, I'm sure he'd go for that too. both of those.. totally worth it.

also, if you're lucky, his lovely wife will tag along. she has an even more lovely heart and will be sure to make you laugh. they make you feel comfortable and will capture the real you. you're destined to have genuine smiles in your photos. not the fake kind. (; his work is absolutely beautiful.

it was a little last minute, so I didn't have time to think about what I was going to wear or try to coordinate anything. but I kind of love that. I feel like I didn't try too hard to find the perfect outfits or make my hair too fancy. this is us. right now. and that is how I want to remember this time. I remember people asking if I was going to make Chad take out his lip ring or take off his glasses for our wedding. but I always wondered why I should make him be something he normally isn't. I want to remember things as they are. in that very moment. that's one of the best things about looking at old photos. (I do, however, wish that I had something more exciting and aesthetically pleasing to make for lunch, but we really need to grocery shop, ha. so chicken salad sandwiches we ate. it's whatever.)

counting these at thirty week photos, too. a few days short of thirty weeks.. crazy!

visit trevormark.co to see the rest (you'll find all of his contact information there too). I'm having a really hard time picking my favorites. he even makes our house look really cool.. such talent. thank you so much Trevor!

love..