My Birthday!!

So Im 25!! Wow. I remember when 25 sounded so old and wise and exciting. But I dont feel much different than 23 or 24 and I dont feel old and wise thats for sure.
My day started off being woken up by Petey saying I need to come see my bday present before he leaves for work. So I did and it was a hammock. Yes a hammock. I did not ask for it but my creative husband thought I would enjoy swinging with Noni, laying, reading, relaxing and maybe even nursing in it throughout my day. I love it. Its under 2 huge trees so its always shaded and kind of hidden from the world. Its so nice. I love it!
Then I hung out at home, froze some more peaches, visited with my cousin and her 3 month old baby girl and just thoroughly enjoyed the blessing of being home on my birthday.Noni helping me with peaches.

Before Peter left for work he told me not to make dinner. So I knew he was either cooking or taking me out. Yay! He took me out...for sushi. Something we love but cant afford these days. Besides Nonah being a crazy girl and not wanting to sit still it was lovely. Eat and run is what we do these days with a little one.
Isnt it beautiful.Last but not least Petey made me a gluten free angel food cake. It is so good. It tastes just like a regular one but is more dense. Topped with extra creamy cool whip and it is a celiacs perfect dessert! Mmmm!
Thanks Petey for a great birthday!

Dreams coming true!

Written in July
I feel like he is preparing Peter and I for something! I really have no idea what yet but something. Im trying to stay content with where we are right now and for the most part I am but I know we won’t be here forever and that excites me. It may be mission work in another country or here in the states, it may be in another state. He may have a job opportunity for us I don’t know but we are praying for his guidance. Peter says usually when its time for us to move on to something else God will have him become discontent in his job and for now he is content. Which I don’t get because finances are as tight as can be but that’s also an area I think he is strengthening us in. To trust Him with our money and not worry about having a full bank account.
Its been good to see God working in our lives but as you all know and would agree its not always easy to be changed. Its good but hard. But God knows what’s best for us and I’m excited for what’s to come.

Written in August
So I started writing this post a few weeks ago. And this week I am going to say scratch all that. We’re ready to go! We still don’t know where or what but we are seriously talking about moving. I still can’t even believe it. It feels like we just moved here and Im just getting to know the area. And that’s the thing there is nothing wrong with our house, we love it and love the location and we have enough land for now BUT there is an unsettling feeling in us right now. We want to move west! Not western Pennsylvania but western US. There are so many reasons why we want to move west. First of all it has been a dream of Peters since he was young to go out west and live the country life. Maybe own a ranch or be a cowboy. But I always said I couldn’t leave family. But for some reason right now I feel like I could. Not because I don’t love or love being with them and I will miss them all tons but I just want to go. We both want some independence from our families. To be free. Not that there’s pressure but there is ties and expectations that we just want to be free from. Living and surviving on our own. I don’t know if this sounds harsh but it’s not meant to. There is no hard feelings or anything (well on our part there isn’t) we just need to do this.

First things first. We have to put our house on the market and see what happens. We have to find a cheap apartment and start SAVING big time. Then we will go from there. So as much as we want to just go now we have to wait. Peter is heading into the busy season now at work so he will finish that out and we need to save. We are thinking that we might be able to move by next spring or summer. That’s the general plan for now. Will keep you posted on any changes.

Its so scary but so exciting!!

TOYS!!

Sorry more birthday stuff. This is the last one though. I think. Check out all her new toys she got for her birthday. They were so needed because she didn't have any girlie toys besides a doll or two and she was so sick of the baby toys we have. You would probably laugh at the things we had for her to play with. An old journal becuse she loves books, a mini remote, Peters walky-talky thing, golf balls, ping-pong balls. baseballs, magazines, hemp necklaces, ribbon, plastic spice jars, hmm what else. Such random stuff which got her through but she is thrilled with all the new stuff. And everything sings or makes noise which she loves! so thanks everyone!

Photo session!

So we had an amazing weekend! We made sure Nonahs day was special even though she doesn't know any better. We took her up to see our neighbors horse and donkey for the first time. She was a little nervous but did eventually touch the donkey. Then we went to the farmers market and played on the playground. She had lots of mommy cuddle time because shes been teething and is not herself. Then we made spaghetti for her to eat all by herself. She wasn't to into it. I think it was hard for her to pick it up or maybe she didn't like it. I don't know. But my one goal for the day was to get some birthday pictures. I've been doing this all along. Having Peter take pics of me and her but it is getting harder and harder to get any good ones. Shes always on the go. She doesnt just stop and sit with me and she has to be playing with something. Uh I got so frustrated. We ended up in the horse shoe pit instead of in front of the pretty striped grass bush and she had to play with the wash basket. I eventually got over it that they weren't the beautiful posed close up shots I was wanting and now think they are perfect. They are my Noni girl. Running, playing, having a blast. Enjoy!




Yes this looks adorable but shes actually mad.


We did get some really cute ones though!

Really long post about my girl!!

Prego Pics!!
I love having these pics to look back on! Its so amazing. I gained 50 pounds and have lost it all, wahoo!

~Nonah Mae Wright~
I love that name. Not just because I picked it but because I know the little person that goes with the name. She is the coolest little person. Uh I love her so much. It is her birthday today. I just can’t believe it. Now I say this not because its what everyone says but OMGosh TIME FLIES! Holy Cow! Okay ya get where Im at. Just blown away by how quickly little ones grow and change and mature in simply one year let alone the many that are to come. I want to slow time down or go back and savor those precious moments of having our first baby and the amazing blessing that she is! BUT…I can’t do either. I can reminisce.
I feel like Birthdays are a little one sided. It’s not just a day to celebrate how old a person is, it should be a celebration for the woman that birthed them. Ya know? Not to steal the persons thunder or anything and it should be a special and fun day for them but the mama should be recognized too. That’s just my humble opinion. So Im celebrating today too…as the day I gave birth to Nonah!
I love my girl so much. When I think about her birth day I only have warm, happy thoughts. Yes I was in labor for 55+ hours but it wasn’t her fault. She was working hard at coming out, my body just needed time. I was SO ready for SO long for her to just come out. It was incredible.
So I want to just share tidbits from the most amazing day of my life. Things I remember. Some fun, unimportant, silly things and some serious, sentimental things from that day.
*We were watching “Boy in the striped pajamas” when I first started having regular contractions.
*We seriously thought this is the night that Tues. when my contractions started. Little did I know I had 2 more full days of contractions ahead.
*Peter was more tired than me after the birth. Those happy hormones that come with giving birth are hard core. I struggled to fall asleep afterwards but not Peter.
*It was so so comforting to see K & J come and be so calm and supportive.
*In the moment I didn’t want as much freedom as I had to do whatever but looking back I am soo thankful for the space that K gave Peter and I.
*Peter didn’t really do much for me during active labor. He was sleeping. I was so jealous. And a little mad.
*I got myself a yogurt at some point and that’s all I ate from dinner on Thursday to after birth on Friday.
*I had NO concept of time during labor. I thought it was the middle of the night when it was 6am.
*Js touch felt better than Peters touch. I’ve heard it a lot that during labor the hubbys touch is too rough.
*Towards the end of hard labor I did not want to talk and almost couldn’t. That’s what is so incredible about K she just followed me and worked with it.
*I can’t believe I didn’t cry once she was born. I was just so relieved and amazed.
*I ate chocolate chips, fruit snacks, and tortilla chips afterwards and man it was all sooooo good! Oh and Gatorade.
*I will never forget the feeling of such amazement, happiness, and uncertainty after K and J left once it was just Peter and I. So awesome!
*I love how parenting her has matured us and strengthened us as individuals and as a couple.
*I love the excitement she brings to every day.
*I love to see her grow and learn and mature.
*And I love being her #1!

I could write so much more but thats it for now. I love talking about my pregnancy, my birth, and of course my girl! Feel free to read Noni’s birth story if you haven’t already. (on the left)


We walked to the local playground today and after she wakes up she has a present to open and we are taking some special Birthday Girl pictures. Dont worry you'll see them. Tonight we are having spaghetti to celebrate and she gets to eat it all by herself. FUN!
Oh yea these songs are picked out specifically for my Noni girl! Call me cheezy but I grew up on country music so its special to me and the words hold such truth. So ENJOY!

Birthday celebration! Part 1

My birthday girl!! Her birthday isn't til the 21st but we celebrated with the Wright family because my in-laws are on vacation all this week so we wanted to squeeze it in. So we'll be celebrating all week basically. She already got a few presents from us and there will be more to come.
I'm not really one for tradition but I had to have some sort of special birthday outfit for her. I just put my own twist on it. I found the headband on clearance and loved it but didn't know what she'd wear with it. Then I went to the dollar store (totally love the $ store now) and found this cute little "fairy skirt" and fell in love with it. Yes its kinda cheesy but when you're on a budget you got to be creative. And the tie-dye shirt we have from my shower. So vwalla I found her special birthday outfit!!
Then the cake. I have been keeping Nonah gluten free until she can communicate with me if she has any pain or reaction to it so I made her a GF cake. Actually Peter made it. Long story but he made it into a bundt cake so we gave her an over sized piece to smash, eat or whatever. It's not what I was planning on doing but oh well. She was so cute, she hesitated for a while but then started smashing. It's funny because as messy as babies are when they eat they don't really like the sticky icing all over them At least not for long. She had fun though as you can see from the pics!







She got a new mower from Aunt Sar and Uncle Howard. She loves it! More birthday celebrations to come!! I'm going to savor every moment of this week before my girl is 1! Can't believe it!

August fun!

My sunflowers are finally blooming, yay!! They are one of my favorite flowers besides daisies and blackeyed susans. This is our first time planting them and I was so excited to see them bloom. I also planted zinnias and they are blooming too. I have picked many bouquets for on my kitchen table. Just another bonus to the summer, fresh flowers.

I have been busy helping my mom with some canning. If I help I get to eat it. Get it. So we have done peaches, stewed tomatoes, frozen corn and my favorite salsa. I must say I haven’t helped with all of it but I helped go get it. I love canning but I’m not ready to do it on my own yet because it’s a lot of work and I don’t have the materials. Its definitely something I will teach my girl(s) to do in the future though. Oh yea I did applesauce for the first time too all by myself. Its so simple and it turned out great.

We have been trying to get as much use as we can out of Nonis early birthday present which was a kiddie pool. I love having one and so does Noni but she gets a little bored. I guess I should go in with her but sometimes I just don’t want to get wet. So she ends up playing in it a little then gets out and plays in the yard for a while and then will get back in. I think next year she will have a blast because then we can blow up the slide for it.

August is a busy month for us. We have our anniversary then Noni’s birthday, then my birthday, and obviously my twin brothers birthday, duh, then my older brothers birthday is the day after ours, and then my cousins the day after that. So its fun but lots going on and Im trying to just enjoy every moment of summer we have left because its going to be gone before we know it. We celebrated Nonahs Birthday last night with the Wright fam and she got to smash her first cake. Pics are coming.
I already hear talk about fall and back to school and all that so it makes me sad. I love summer so much and don’t ever want it to leave but it does slowly but surely. So that being said… we are going to savor the rest of August as much as possible!

*Vacation*

So we went to the beach again from Monday to Tuesday. But this time it was Me and Noni with Petey. Our first family vacation since Noni was born. And mine and Peters first vacation (besides camping) since our honeymoon. We have taken day trips to the beach every year since we were together (except last year b/c I was prego and couldn’t take the heat). It’s something we both really enjoy to do together but agree we don’t need to spend the money and spend the night. But this year we figured we’d try it since this is our only vacation of the year and maybe our last time to the beach for a while.
We left early Monday morning and got to the beach by 10am. I got to try out our DVD player on the way down which was fun but totally made me car sick. Yuck. We had beautiful weather both days and the water was cold but bearable. It’s a whole new experience with a little 11month old. She really dealt with the sand and sun well but drives me nuts because all she wants to do is throw sand or sit in it or walk across the blanket and get sand everywhere. Peter and I had to keep reminding each other that we’re at the beach of course theres sand everywhere. That’s one thing I don’t love about the beach is having sand everywhere.
Then we of course went on the boardwalk which is always fun but the kind of thing you only have to do once a year. The stores just all seem to be the same by the end. But I decided to do something a little crazy and I got my nose pierced. I had been thinking about it for a few months now but wasn’t sure where to go and I thought Id wait til closer to my birthday but I suggested it to Peter that I should just get it while we’re here and he said go for it. So I did. AH! Its like the craziest thing I’ve ever done. It was pretty cool how the guy did it and was intense. My eyes watered like crazy but it wasn’t too bad. I love it and so does Peter. He thinks its hot!
Then we had dinner and went to our hotel. The next day we went to a different beach we had never been to before. It was beautiful! We realized on this trip that we really don’t need to go to the beaches with boardwalks anymore. The stores are mostly trying to appeal to teenagers and there’s a lot of dark stuff going on. We especially don’t want to take our kids there. Also the other beaches without the boardwalks seem to be much prettier and more naturey. (I know its not a work but you know what I mean) Anyway. We took turns going in the water because Nonah didn’t like the waves too much. And we took lots of walks with her in the sling for her to get somewhat of a nap in. Shes such a trooper. We had a blast!

Dinner date at home!

Our anniversary celebration was quite different than any of our other anniversaries. Last year on our anniversary we were anticipating the birth of our baby girl. But this year she joined us in our celebration. We went to Wegmans to pick out some fun, maybe a little fancy (fancy for us anyway), delicious food for dinner. Noni fell asleep on the way there and actually slept the whole time in the store. It felt like Peter and I were actually on a date by ourselves so that was nice.
We chose 2 rolls of sushi: California roll and Eel and avocado. Mmmmmm! Its been so long since we have had sushi. Then we of course got shrimp. Peter wanted some grilled fish so we got Tilapia. Yum! We each picked out a block of cheese. But not the regular cracker barrel stuff, the kind that you really don’t know what it is or tastes like but man it looks good. I picked a Fontinella, hard sharp cheese is my fav, and Peter picked a peppercorn mozzarella string cheese. We LOVE cheese! We got some fresh hummus eaten with grilled bread and I made bruschetta with our homegrown basil. Overall it was an interesting combo?We each made something and we kind of ate it in stages which is what I love. I love picking and having a little bit of everything. Oh yea and we had ice cream for dessert. It was all very good but I had to laugh because its so not a typical romantic, candles and wine anniversary dinner which we used to do. We were passing Noni back and forth taking turns feeding her to keep her happy, (she had her first taste of sushi and tilapia) then taking care of a messy diaper, conversation being interrupted constantly but its okay because that is our life right now. We love it. And I think we are really adjusting well to this new way of life. We’ve had some bumps and rocky spots but we are doing okay. We wouldn’t change our 5 years for anything!

5 year anniversary!!

So today is our 5 year mark! I cant believe how fast its gone. We both remember our wedding day like it was yesterday. So fun. Its been a pretty normal day for us both but we are celebrating by going to Wegmans and buying some dinner. We love cooking together and used to do that together almost every night when we first got married. These days we havent been buying the extras like shrimp, tilapia, and really yummy cheese so tonight thats what we are doing. Eating lots of yummy food. Probably looking through our wedding album and I think even watching our wedding video.
We are also sort of having a second honeymoon. Peter starts his vacation this week which is the same week of our honeymoon 5 years ago. We are going to the beach Monday to Tuesday and have lots of things we want to try and do, so we'll see!
A little info on how we met for those of you who don't know. We found each other through family/friends. Long story short...our moms talked and I went to Peters 20th Bday party and he asked me if I wanted to hang out. For Peter it was pretty much love at first sight but not for me. I thought he was cute but kind of a dork. It was totally Gods doing because within about 5 months I totally fell in love. Peter proposed to me out of nowhere a year after we started dating and we got married 10 months later. Its been wedded bliss ever since. Haha! We've had our trials, tribulation, up and downs, excitement and boredom, fun, laughter, tears and struggles but we have stuck together through it all! I love my Petey so much and have no idea (i dont want to know) where I would be without him!!!!!!
A special thanks to Sar who took our wedding pics. Still love them and am so impressed!!

Finances

I have never ever stressed about finances in my entire life until now. Its crazy. That’s always the husbands job to worry about the money right? Not the wifey. But now I am a SAHM, (love the title) and things are tight. I knew they would be but not this tight. Its never been like this. I feel like I was a little bit spoiled as I was growing up. Not a spoiled brat but I never really needed anything. I started working at 14 but I didn’t have to save or budget my money I could do whatever I wanted with it. So now when I have to be careful with every single penny because we have bills, bills, bills, it’s a whole new thing for me. I get peace about it for a while and just surrender it to Him but then I write some checks and think about it and realize “ahhh we are broke” and Im back at the beginning.

BUT…I have had a total break through last week. I have prayed about it numerous times and one day I just was remembering life when I didn’t even think about it. It didn’t concern me basically. Peter usually paid the bills and I didn’t even know what we had. I decided I am going back to that. Ignorance is bliss right? Now you might be saying “how juvenile” but ya know what if it gives me peace Im gonna take it. It doesn’t mean Im just going to spend whatever whenever. Not at all. But Im not going to worry about the little things. I guess Im just surrendering it to Him. God will provide and we know that full well. He always has and He always will. Worrying will not add another day to my life let alone more money to my checkbook. So to sum it all up we are broke, Peter handles the bills, and I am at peace with it all!! (for now anyways…hehe)

Weekend Favs!!

Watched a ton of Lost repeats!!
Went to a farmers market and flea market! I dont know what it is about them but I just love the markets. I guess because I grew up going to them with my parents they seriously are fun for me. All kinds of good deals, local produce, and unique homemade treats. All kinds of unique people as well. I just love it. Peters been dropping me off at the one at the end of our road and I take my canvas bag and pick out a little something from each vender (theres only 2 or 3) and then walk home. I feel so old fashioned or something. Anyway, it was fun!
Had a chimanea fire with family!!
Mowed the lawn, picked weeds, baked brownies, lots of laundry, ate BLTs.
Oh yea...and I got dreads!!
BEFORE
Yes dreadlocks. I got dreadlocks. Im so thrilled and excited about my beautiful dreads. Now they aren’t that beautiful yet but they will get there. It takes time so I hear. It was about a 2 hour process today. My 2 friends got them started and separated but then when we got home Peter went over them again and really hard core backcombed them to the point where I screamed a few times he was hurting me. Its okay though its worth the pain. My hair is pretty think to begin with so right now my dreads are massive puff balls but sleeping on them should tone them down a bit.
.AFTER
You may be asking WHY? Well I’ve always liked them first of all. Ever since I was young I wanted to be a hippy. Im just drawn to the hippy style and look. I don’t know why but I can’t help it. Its who I am. I guess my mom has something to do with it. But she hates dreads so you can imagine how she felt when I told her I was getting them. Anyway. I always was too scared to get them but then I stumbled across this blog walkslowlylivewildly.com and was totally inspired. She wrote about her dread journey and said that she didn’t want to be 80 and think back to all the things she didn’t do in her life. And it totally connected with me and I was like YEA, You’re right!! Now is the time to do it and hello its just hair. So I’ll chop it off when Im done with them and it’ll grow back. Peter actually wants to see me with a shaved head. I don’t know if we’ll go that far but when the time comes to get rid of the dreads my hair will be pretty darn short. Oh well. That’s a long way off. For now I love my dreads. It will take work and time to get them to the point of truly loving them but Im committed to it. It shall be fun.

I also feel like the dreads are part of my spiritual journey. I don’t want to sound cheesy or new age or anything like that but I seriously feel like I was supposed to get them at this time in my life. God is doing so much in me right now and one thing has to do with my self image. I have confidence and self esteem issues, I always have. Its kind of a girl thing but I think mine is a little extreme. I care a little too much about my looks and what people think of me. And with dreads people have their opinions and they are different but its me and I can’t change them as soon as I get a little self conscious about them because they are permanent. I am learning to not worry so much about what others think and to see myself through Gods eyes. Dreads are helping me step into my identity which is a daughter of the King…who likes dreads!

So I’ll keep you posted on the journey!! Let me know what you think!!