Evelyn is 1!

On Nov. 8th we celebrated Evelyn's 1st Birthday! It feels like yesterday we were finally getting to bring her home from the hospital. It's hard to believe that our baby girl is already 1. We have had many emotions lately. We endured some of the most intense heartache & stress that a parent could go through and the pain of that still feels somewhat fresh. But, the gratitude, the joy, the excitement we feel far outweighs that. Not a day goes by that I am not Praising Jesus for his awesome healing power. For giving us our little miracle girl. For all of the little miracles He does in our lives. For His love & grace He pours out upon us that is beyond my comprehension. We fought the battle for our baby girl's heart & We Won!

Evelyn at 1 year she crawls, stands, walks along furniture, has 4 teeth, claps, points, says mama, dada, baba, ba, de, ya & other jibberish, pushes around Max's cars & tractors & makes "bbbbbb" sound, loves to look at babies & animals & point to their eyes. She is energetic, full of expressions, playful, social, ticklish. She sucks her thumb when she's tired & sleeps thru the night but is an early riser like her daddy

Here are some party pics!

She had her own little cake to mangle & dive into!



Max is holding her hand. He's also tired as this was at the end of the party and he was quite the entertainer. The Evelyn banner I made!

Cake was made by the local "cake lady" Teresa. It was great!

These are pics I took on Halloween. I put her in her princess costume early. I just couldn't resist!

She loves to look at our honeymoon photo album! Perhaps she's already dreaming of a Hawaiian honeymoon too. :)

She is "talking" to the framed picture of Max!
Doesn't she look like a little ballerina!

All dressed up! Max is giving us his sad face. He really was very excited though! ha

My little blue monster man

And lastly I leave you with this scripture my friend sent me on Evelyn's birthday

"have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. " Joshua 1:9

Momma Got a New Camera!

I am the proud owner of a new Nikon D3100! I love it. I love the way it sounds when it snaps a picture. Makes me feel like I am a professional photographer. It looks cool hanging around my neck-like I know what I'm doing but I really do not!

I have been having fun practicing with it. My husband used to be really into photography so he knows a bit. He'd love to "pick up" that hobby again. I am glad because I just love pictures. They are memories frozen in time.

If you asked me 3 things I would take with me to a deserted island, my pictures/albums would be one of them. I have them all over my home. Enjoy some of the pics we've gotten with our new Nikon!

These were taken at a small local pumpikin patch. The kids loved it & so did I cause it wasn't really crowded or overwhelming..

I let Evelyn crawl around on the grass. I could barely keep up with her! (p.s. it was warm this day so short sleeves & no jackets!)

Max was my "model" for these pictures so mommy could get some good practice. He was a natural.

Max starts school & other fun stuff

It is hard to believe but my baby boy has started school, preschool, altough he does go a full day 5 days a week just like "real" school. Gasp, I know. Being rural, we didn't have much of a choice so we decided to go for it. He is having sooo much fun there. He's pretty tuckered out at the end of the day & is "ready for momma to read a book & tuck him in" by 6:30! Lights out usually around 7. I am so proud of him. He has brought home all green smiley faces for attitude & behavior every day. Often times he'll tell me that so & so was "naughty" and they got a red mark. Ha!

How am I adjusting? Pretty well. The school day actually
goes by pretty quickly. I get some alone time with Evelyn & we go for stroller walks. The week seems long though and I am glad for the weekend to finally come so he can just rest & relax.

When I think about all those days at home with me when he was a baby & toddler, & I think "Wow, those days are over. This is it. Its school everyday from here on out until he leaves our little nest." That, THAT makes me sad. It brings tears to my eyes & a lump in my throat. He is growing up. He isn't a baby anymore. His heart is out there, sweet & vulnerable & precious. And that means a piece of my heart is out there too.

We put on the Armour of God in the car in the morning on the way to school and I pray God's protection over him. We pray for a fun day; learning, playing, sharing...

These pictures are from the Lincoln, Ne. Zoo. It is a wonderful zoo and Max loves it. This was Evelyn's first trip.

At the Moultrie-Douglas County Fair. Peace & flower power.

In front of shop this summer.

The oldest and youngest Peters. Edward and Evelyn, both with stunning blue eyes.

And lastly I leave you with this pic of our silly silly princess girl.

Photo credit is due to Gma' Elaine Peters. Thank you for sending us a disk with all of these wonderful photos on them. Priceless.

7 years.

Seven years ago today I married the love of my life. We were married almost exactly a year after we met. I was not looking for a "boyfriend" or love, certainly not marriage. I was looking forward to moving to my apartment in Kansas City and starting my new job & living in the "real world". I was going to save up for a shiny new red Ford Escape. I wanted one so badly. I still moved to the "big city" but I could not get this man off my mind. I felt differently about him than any other man. He truly made me feel special, like a princess. He respected me. He wanted to get to know me, the real me. I quickly realized that I was falling in love, we were falling in love, and Oh my gosh, what am I going to do? Well, we did what any rational couple would do-we got engaged! And then married 4ish months later! :)

Stephen, I love you with all my heart. Every day you make me feel like I am the most beautiful girl on the planet. You are caring & compassionate, intuitive, kind, wise, trusting and sooo romantic. Much more than me. :) You are an amazing father. We've been through so much already; ups and downs and we are stronger, better now. Thank you for understanding me, for your patience and unconditional love. Heres to 7 more years. Who woulda' ever thought?

I love you forever plus a week

Your wifey& firefly
Megan

When I married Stephen, I also had the great honor of becoming these precious little boys' stepmom. I still think they are precious even though they are now 14 and 12! They are a blast. It has truly been a joy. I love 'em.


I had my dream wedding. Outdoors in a beautiful courtyard, under the trees, nestled in the city with fresh flowers-even white folding chairs.

And here are some silly pics from Will's I-pod thing(I thought it was a phone, but it pretty much does everything except make phone calls, I'm so confused.)

Aneeways, here are some pics of our little lovies.

Mmhm, why yes I am very clean & squishy.
With her stethoscope.

Sweet Max. Will made this with CamWow!

Still getting kisses from my boy. Cherishing.

Oh, silly silly girrull. You make us laugh.

Adios.

What We've been up to..& camera troubles

Were does the time go!? I just realized yesterday that I needed to get the tropical beach calendar in my kitchen switched to July..golly. And, that I really wanted to be in that picture. We've spent lots of time with big brothers Ed & Will. Wrestling, playing chasing/tag games, fishing, bbq-ing, building campfires, & pretty much anything "boyish" you can think of. :) We've gone to the pool many times & filled up our own pool at home, we've gone on walks (when weather permits), an auction, some shopping, and celebrated Independence Day. We lit a few of our own fireworks and watched the fireworks show from town on a blanket in our yard..I absolutely love the 4th..It has always been one of my favorite holidays. There's something magical about it, yet its so laid back..Did you see the sparkler pictures on Kiwi Freckles blog? They were amazing! Anywho.

And so, our camera will not let me download any new photographs. These pics I took & downloaded them before the camera was "acting up." I think it needs to go to time out. It will still let me take pictures but will not let me put them on the computer. Until we can get a new camera, I will just have to "deal".

Evelyn's first trip to the swimming pool. She did so well. Now, she really likes for me to hold her so that she kinda "floats" on her tummy. I think she is going to be a fish.

"Tummy time" together. Evie loves to reach out and grab Max & she likes to pull his hair too. They have such the sweetest little connection already. It makes my heart melt. He calls her "my baby girl"

Well, thats all I have for now. Hopefully, I will get this camera thing figured out-perhaps get a new one?!

Nigh Night & God bless

7 Months Yesterday

Its hard to believe but my baby girl turned 7 months yesterday. Boy, this time with them sure is precious. Seems just yesterday we were finally able to bring her home from the hospital. She has changed my life more than she will ever know. Every day I look at her and especially when I see her beauty scar, I am reminded of God's miracles and His Love and His Faithfulness that is beyond my comprenhsion.

Evie weighs 14lbs. 80z., & is 25 5/8 inches long. She loves tummy time & can roll tummy to back and back to tummy. She says dadada, mamama, bababa, & gggggss. She loves to "blow spit" and "squeals". (Maybe she is copying mommy's squeals?!) She sucks her left thumb when she is sleepy and wants to fall asleep. She can almost sit on her own. She has 3 or 4 bottles of formula a day & a veggie & a fruit. Her favorite is nanas so far. She smacks & sticks out her tongue when she eats. Its so funny. And messy.

She loves to be outside and I think she's gonna love flowers just as much as her momma. Her laugh is contagious. She adores her brother and thinks he is funny.

She's got her momma's big blue eyes and her daddy's smile. She gives us many different "expressions". She loves when we sing & listen to music.

You melt my heart in a million pieces. Mommy can never get enough of you. You are my princess angel of love and joy and beauty. I love you always and forever baby girl.

And just thought ya'll like to see the first "real" fish I've ever caught. (Meaning not a baby) I reeled him in back at my hometown, KS, at our dear lifelong family friend's gorgeous pond. And, the headband I'm wearing I made. I am copying my sister's idea and making them to sell in my shop. :)

Goodnight and God Bless.