Jace's 1st Birthday

We celebrated Jace's 1st birthday on Saturday April 1st. It was a beautiful day outside and we spent the entire party on the back porch. Thank goodness too because Jace made a huge mess of his cake! We had the party from 12-2 and invited our family and a few friends. We got Chipotle catered which I would HIGHLY recommend. They provided every thing you could need including matches to light the warmers. There was tons of food and the only thing I would do different is order a little bit less we had so many leftovers. 

Also I spent way too much time stressing about decorations and later realized that everyone was outside the whole time and I could have done without a single decoration! Next time I won't stress so much and just enjoy the process. After everyone ate lunch we opened presents, let Jace chow down on his cake, and then relaxed a little bit until it was time for all of the babies to go down for a nap. It was a sweet day and just so hard to believe that we are at the 1 year mark. What an amazing year it has been with out sweet boy!

Jace is about 22lbs and cute as ever. He is cruising all around but not yet walking. The only word he really seems to know for sure is "da-da"! He has the best laugh in the world and laughs all the time. He loves to play, especially with his new slide and ball pit that his grandparents got him for his birthday. He also really loves books and is always pulling them out of the book basket and bringing them to us. We went to the beach without him a few days after his birthday and he officially weaned. I wasn't totally sure I was going to wean him but he took the bottle of whole milk so well while we were gone I figured we would just continue that. He still loves food and puts everything in his mouth. 

He is a little clingy which I don't mind because I love holding him. The main people he will consistently go to are me, Austin, my mom, and Austin's mom. We just started putting him in the nursery at church (I know I know.... only took me a whole year) and he does pretty well in that! I've said it at every month but I really think this age is the BEST. His little personality is shining so bright and he is pure JOY. We love you so much buddy! Happy 1st birthday!

Easter 2017

This Easter is definitely going down as the best Easter ever! Last year at this time we were still waiting on Jace to make his arrival and I have to say that having him here is way better than waiting on him to come. This was my weekend to work so I worked Saturday but one of my awesome co-workers swapped with me so I could have Easter Sunday off to spend with my boys. 

What is it about having kids that makes the love of God SO much more real? My heart was grieved on Good Friday thinking of what the Father went through letting His son die. All because He loved us, a sinful people who don't even deserve His love. Then the beauty of it is the resurrection. That Jesus conquered that sin and death and rose again victorious. How often as Christians do we get stuck on the cross and our own sin and filth without realizing that Jesus defeated that and ROSE AGAIN! What joy is found in that truth! 

Speaking of joy... this boy of ours... he is pure joy. He lights up our world and each stage gets more and more fun. He is absolutely smitten for his daddy and seeing their bond get deeper is so incredible. I can't express how your love for your husband changes when you have kids. I love Austin in such a different way than I did before. My appreciation for him has grown so deep and sharing mutual love for our little person just makes me feel that much more connected to him. And the fact that he has been dying to match Jace... I mean ALL the heart eyes for that. I felt giddy all day at church every time I would see those two cuties across the room talking to people. Jace's first word is officially "da-da" and it is just a glimpse of the bond these two already have. I pray they always have a strong bond and friendship like Austin does with his dad. My heart is full y'all! 

We had a slow morning full of muffins, scrambled eggs, and coffee then went to the later service. I love Easter service! There is always such a buzz of excitement and I imagine that celebratory feeling is what the disciples must have felt when they started to realize Jesus was risen! After church we went to 5 guys for lunch and then headed home and all took a 2 hour nap (hallelujah!)! After that we went back out for some dinner with Austin's family and maybe I am just full of sappy hormones but I sat around looking at our family just blown away by them. I pray that I would never lose that sense of thankfulness for our family. They are such amazing people and some of my favorite people in the world. 

Here are a few pictures of our Easter Sunday and I have gone back and looked at the pictures of Austin and Jace together so many times. Those two... I love them so much! Also a few pictures of Jace and his best friend, Brantley. Their little ties are just the best. I'm thinking this may need to become more of a regular thing!

Happy Easter friends! May the power of the Cross and Resurrection be real and evident in your lives today! May you know the LOVE of Jesus Christ like never before! 

XOXO,

Gemma