These are a few of my favorite things...

1. Wonder-Under!

I am just beginning to experiment with this fun crafting tool but I am finding that it's very versitile and I love trying my hand at new things. Wonder under enables... Appliques. Yay!! Which has helped me with a couple stocking stuffers for some little tots that I will be surrounded by this Christmas- yes.. My tot is one of them!


2. Bath time!!

Staying home with Riley has been such a joy and I just love the little parts of our days and weeks that are filled with laughter and smiles!! Bath time is one of these times!!

... which leads me to my next favorite...

3. My Camera!

I got it for Christmas last year from my wonderful husband, but that gift just keeps on giving!!! For those who wonder, I have a Canon Rebel EOS XSi and I am still unlocking all the possibilities of what this camera is capable of. The limiting factor is without a doubt ME! And on top of the camera, I love the editing software I use- Corel PSP! Too bad it bogs down our crappy PC... but not for much longer!!!

4. Bumps, Jumps and Kicks

I love the point in pregnancy when you can actually feel the tiny life inside moving around! I've been feeling the quickening for the past few weeks, but it's finally getting strong enough that John can have a shot at feeling our daughter too!!! One of these days he'll get lucky!

5. Christmas!!!

What a beautiful event to celebrate God coming down as man to save us from our sins. I LOVE the lyrics to this song "I celebrate the day" from one of my favorite bands, Relient K.

And with this Christmas wish is missed The point I could convey.
If only I could find the words to say to let You know how much You've touched my life,
Because here is where You're finding me, in the exact same place as New Year's eve
And from a lack of my persistency, We're less than half as close as I want to be

And the first time That You opened Your eyes did You realize that You would be my Savior
And the first breath that left Your lips Did You know that it would change this world forever

And so this Christmas I'll compare the things I felt in prior years
To what this midnight made so clear That You have come to meet me here
To look back and think that This baby would one day save me
In the hope that what You did That you were born so I might live
To look back and think that This baby would one day save me
And I, I celebrate the day That You were born to die So I could one day pray for You to save my life

I hope all of you are enjoying this miraculous season and are able to spend it with family and loved ones!

God Bless and Merry Christmas!!!!

Family Photography- The Battema's

I've always thought that the best job is something you enjoy doing and oh by the way, you get a little cash thrown your way too!! Well I feel extremely blessed to be dabbling in my hobbies and making a little on the side! Since September, my Flybagz site has been going nuts (which is a pretty cool problem to have) and has me sweatin' this holiday season trying to finish bags!!! Aside from the bags, I was asked to take family portraits for a friend of mine and fellow air force wife.... and we actually picked a time and did it! It was a lot of fun for me (and quite a bit of learning too) and I am pleased with the shots (of course I had an obscene amount to choose from). Here are a few of my favorites of their beautiful family!

IT'S A......

That's right!! We're having a little girl!!!

I am thrilled (someone to do crafts with me!!!) but John is absolutely terrified!

And since I love when my preggo friends post updated pics of themselves and their growing bellies.. here I am at 19 weeks.


P.S. I hate the "chubby" stage!