Who knew a trip to the shopping mall would be so much fun!?!

Ryan took the day of Magnolia's birthday off work so that we could take her out to do something special on her actual birthday. We had plans to take her to lunch & to a children's museum & on the way I realized they are closed on Mondays. As we were driving I was trying to think of a new & equally fun idea. It was another gorgeous sunny 60 degree day so I said let's head to the farmstead. From the backseat our little birthday girl got so excited to see all the animals. And then I found that they are not open for the season yet. We needed a new idea fast because we were driving aimlessly and Ryan had a flight out to California that put us on a time schedule. SKY ZONE, that'll be perfect, she can jump around on the trampolines. I could not even believe it, they were closed too!!!

February 3rd, 2017 at 8:14 pm a little 6 pound 12 ounces baby girl came into our lives & changed our world forever. The gift of Magnolia Caroline is never lost on us. Even when days are hard & we are tested, we have this bright-eyed girl to remind us of God's promises to us. As I trusted in God's perfect timing, as I prayed with all my heart & soul for a baby, I knew when our baby arrived I would always give all the glory to God. Every single day, every single moment of being her mother I am flooded with the deepest feeling of gratitude. My veins run with "thank you God" always! It's hard to think I would ever say I'm thankful for the fight to have her, but looking back, I know it changed me into a mother that knows & deeply remembers the ache, the fear, the heartache of life before her. Her beautiful soul is the greatest gift of our lives.

Happy Monday, dear friends! One week to go until our Kansas City Chiefs are in the Super Bowl & even more exciting (for the mommy in me) Magnolia's third unicorn princess birthday party!!! I cannot believe my baby is almost three years old. She picked her birthday theme & calls it "ono-corn!" and it melts me. We have two big gifts planned for her & I cannot wait to see the surprise in her eyes. She's getting a dollhouse from us & my sisters + parents went in on a group gift for her. A car!!! A ride-on remote control car, all my mom's idea, and she is going to flip out when she opens it. We are doing a treasure hunt + face painting & jewels and I'm making a layered chocolate chip cookie cake + cupcakes. And balloons, tons and tons of balloons! The weather is going to be gorgeous & I really want to rent a unicorn, but we've already got so much planned I don't think we will have time.

When we moved into our new home a few months ago, I boldly said this room would be the nursery. The place that holds all of our cherished baby items. It's the room I peek into every day & wonder when we'll have another baby. This room represents faith, faith that one day our family will grow & that Magnolia will have a baby brother or sister.