A visit by the sea

Click here to view this photo book larger

Loved, loved loved making this photo book! Thank you to my sweet friend Marie over at bakingchic.com for taking these beautiful pictures and sharing your family with us!

You'll love Shutterflys award-winning photo books. Try it today.

Book Review: Where Lilacs Still Bloom by Jane Kirkpatrick

Where Lilacs Still Bloom

This book is based on Hulda Klagger's life and her quest to create beauty in her own garden. Although at first she is no supported by her husband, he begins to understand her passion and her God given gifts. Amidst tragedy and natural disasters she perseveres and finds ways to help and love other young women around her. I love how the author weaves two other women's stories to come together at Hulda's garden. Hulda without knowing it influences these ladies to find and create beauty where they are. As the years go by she continues to find and create beauty although her world has been rocked to the core, her faith and eternal perspective are beacons into her destiny. I enjoyed this book and would recommend it.
Received it from Blogging for books.

Gracefully Daisy

my arms full

Sam's third week home 

The days when Sam fell asleep in my arms were my favorite! They were so sweet and tender I wanted to hold him forever. He was so tiny and sweet I couldn't believe he was really mine to keep! What a miracle!

As he grows everyday he is smarter, faster and taller! I can't believe that this tiny baby that I loved to rock to sleep is now a toddler running, laughing (out loud), jumping and screaming! This stage is so fun too and I love helping him discover and explore! 

Today, oh today it was as if the Lord took a timeout for me! I put him down for his nap and he even told me he  was ready for bed. I left the room and next thing I hear he is sobbing. so I wait a few minutes and he continues to cry. I go in and tell him its nap time but that I will rock him and hold him. He responds, "Hi Mama!" I love it! 

So we rock and I hum his favorite song, " Jesus, Jesus, Jesus there's just something about that name..." 

Soon, I feel his body relax and his sweet baby snores begin! He is completely asleep and all I want is to stay in that moment forever! Because, my very active Sam does not fall asleep in my arms anymore he points to his bed when he is ready and even if I try to rock him to sleep he wiggles out of my arms!

It's  these little moments that take my breath away and I enjoy the blessing of being Sam's Mom!

Gracefully Daisy

My sweet Samuel

What a wonderful week! Sam is growing up way too fast but the process and the adventure is still so breathtaking. He is working so hard on communicating and we are loving celebrating his accomplishments! Just in the last week he has spoken at least 5 new words!

All of sudden he will say things like bubbles, buddy, puppy, mona (spanish for monkey) and ice! He loves ice in his water! He got that from his grandma GG so cute! He loves his new house and loves to say the word house and is learning to say what his name is! When you ask him his name he first practices the word name! So cute! He really brings a lightness to our hearts through his sweet demeanor and and brightness! His favorite word is apple and he throws that one in for good measure too! 

Our next big adventure is potty training he is already working hard and comes to tell us when he is ready to be changed!

May the Lord bless you and keep you Sami, May the Lord shine his face upon you and be gracious unto you and give you peace (all the days of your life) numbers 6:24

head on over to the mob society and see what other cool boys are up too!

Gracefully Daisy

A sweet package from a sweet friend

Proverbs 25:25
Like a cool drink of water when you're worn out and weary is a letter from a long-lost friend.

I opened it up and found these sweet treasures

although, my friend is not long-lost she does live across the Atlantic! 

so when I received this sweet package it was like a cool drink of water.

Let me begin by telling you the story of our friendship...

Anja and I met at the gym, to be exact in the restroom, I know...interesting.

We both smile at strangers all the time, so we smiled at each other and then a few days later actually spoke to each other. We attended the same work out classes and we talked some more. after a few times chatting we met for tea and after that we saw each other at the gym all the time and we started having weekly dinners together alternating homes. 

Our husbands also became good friends and that was so much fun! They had these two sweet blue eyed boys that melted your heart, David and Levi! we loved spending time with them and watching this little family grow in love and strength.

They were the strongest couple that we had ever met, they were going through some intense trials but they walked their walk with Jesus with humility. Anja and I met weekly for Bible Study as well. We discovered our strengths and weaknesses together and prayed over questions and doubts together. She challenged me to make the most of the time and always run to God when I felt I had no other place to go. 

She was the first friend I made after I moved to Dayton and my faith again was tested when it was time for them to move back. Through this the Lord shows me that he cares about that little things. He knew that they would move away and strategically began placing wonderful women in my path so that when I was worn out and weary I could have a friend. He also teaches me that distances are not meant to hinder but to empower. although it might seem impossible to see each other or talk He leads us to understand the importance of cultivating our friendships. We have shared the greatest moments in our lives and via skype we have seen our families grow and mature!

My dear friend just gave birth to a little girl Lois and what a treat to meet her via skype and watch their adoring eyes on their new baby! What a gift!

so I celebrated with her from across the world with a cup of tea and sprinkles!

My little Samuel also loved receiving this packager. He opened the package and found his first back pack! the first words out of his mouth were: "wow, wow, wow" it was so sweet to see him relish this gift! 

May the Lord bless you and keep you sweet friend and may he bring our paths together again soon!

Gracefully Daisy

Cute as a Button Baby Shower

On Saturday I hosted a baby Shower for my sister in law. It turned out to be a beautiful affair.a yogurt bar was offered full of fruit and a delicious homemade granola. 

a "sew" sweet dessert table on top of a sewing machine table given to me by the sweet Jenilee was a highlight.
Here is a little bit of where I got my inspiration
1. Invitations and thank you cards 2. Sew on and sew forth printable 3. Cute as a button printable

What a lovely time we shared alongside family and friends. The beautiful S was created from buttons by me. A dear friend and I baked the strawberry cake and cupcakes.The little buttons were made using a candy button mold. The flower pin for the mommy to be was inspired from  here

Gracefully Daisy

A Vintage Garden Baby Shower

A little taste of what I've been working on these past weeks.A few places where I gathered my inspiration

(Left) 1. An Alfresco affair 2. Mason jars for drinks and paper straws
3.Spring Cake 4. Invitations 5. flower photo display
6. vintage garden 7.i spy game 8. cake with flowers 9. pink lemonade with cucumber

Gracefully Daisy