Baby Girl Drops

Revision: I cannot officially sell these as children's jewelry. The regulations are way too high for me to ever be able to afford. So I'm going to sell them simply as "Drops." Use them for your children at your own discretion! Otherwise these are excellent jewelry for ladies or girls (over the age of 12!) who prefer small and simple jewelry! 


So in short, there will be no "Baby Girl Line." :( But my Baby Girl will still be wearing adorable drops :)

My daughter always gets all sorts of compliments on her earrings. It's an excellent opportunity to pass out a business card! But I've realized that I don't really have much for little girls. I finally set out to change that.

Introducing the Baby Girl Line.

So far I have a small handful of options:

One of the greatest things about these is I can make them in just about any color you desire! Plenty of options to match all your baby girl's adorable outfits.

Another greatest things about these is they're only $4 each!

But the very greatest thing of all? I get to take more pics of my Baby Girl. She makes me forget about my horrible photography skills :)

Love her.

I will be adding more Baby Girl jewelry soon!

**Disclaimer: Baby Girl Jewelry is not recommended for children under the age of 3 as it can pose as a choking hazard.

The Story of Us (Part 1)

Today we're celebrating 8 years since Derek asked me to be his girlfriend. In honor of one of the best days of my life, I'm reminiscing about our story...

It was the mid-1980's when boy met girl.

It was the late-1980's when boy left girl.

We were four. He doesn't remember those early years.

But I do.

Our backyards were neighbors.

I remember playing with Tonka trucks in his room.
I remember his blond bowl cut and dark tan.
I remember his runny nose.
I remember him chasing me around my house, trying to kiss me.
I remember bigwheels.
I remember the day his family up and moved (ultimately to PA).

That day was in 1989.

There was a time or two in the years following that his family visited the area.

I remember him and the neighbor, Joe, shooting "that girl" with play shot guns.
I remember running in my house to "freshen up." I was like... 6. What kinda 6yr old does that?
I remember when I came back out, he and Joe were gone. I didn't see him again until...

To be continued...

Strawberry Jam

For as long as I can remember, my family has eaten homemade strawberry jam. My Maw-Maw used to make seedless jam. Those were the days. The past couple of years I made my own jam. This year, since we're in Indiana, I went over to my parents house where we (and by "we" I mean my mom) whipped up some jam!

I'm telling you, this is the best jam ever.

All you have to do is get this:

 

Read the instructions. Follow the instructions. And you have jam!

My mom bought LOTS of delicious strawberries.

Yours Truly cut all the tops off. 


Then we rinsed them, blended them, prepared the Sure Jell, mixed in the Sure Jell and sugar, and poured the jam into jars!

And make sure you have an adorable little helper. She won't be as adorable as my little helper, but that's to be expected :)

Dear Marie Love

So much has happened in this past year of your life. And not always easy things.

And you have changed. Wow, have you grown! I need you to stop that.

You are a true Jacobs and a true Johnson all at once. You are strong (in every aspect of the word!), athletic, loving, polite, beautiful, and so incredibly smart.

You love your family.

And can't resist hanging out with "kids." You make friends so quickly.

You are a tough girl. But you are a girly girl, too. You love princesses and dolls and being a "mommy."

Almost daily, your dad and I are struck by how much you've grown. You pick up on things instantly.

Some of your favorite things to do are sing, dance, swing, and play with your friends.

It's amazing what you do (and have done!) to your dad. You bring out the best in him. He adores you in a special way that only daddies can adore their baby girls. You are blessed.

I can't believe that it's been 3 whole years. We've survived and thrived through so much and I know we will continue to. You bring joy and laughter to this family at the most necessary times. Your laugh attacks even get Jack giggling uncontrollably.

When you tell Jesus about your day every night, my heart completely melts. I'm so excited for you to know Him personally and live your life glorifying Him.

You turned our world upside down, and I wouldn't have it any other way. I love you, my Goober, more than I will ever be able to express. Happy 3rd Birthday!!

Dear Jack Edward

When we first found out about you, I wasn't sure how it was possible to love your dad and your sister so much and still have enough love left for another being. But I found my heart growing daily as you grew daily inside of me.

The moment I saw your sweet, chunky face, I fell head over heals twice over. I still get tears in my eyes thinking of that moment when my heart burst with love for your slimy self.

I'm continually overwhelmed with love for you.

When you were ten days old, we packed up our world and moved it halfway across the country. You and your sis were troopers! Then we survived 6 horrible months in the cockroach house.

The first couple of months there you cried... constantly. Marie and I just got used to it.

We still have no idea why, but one day you turned back into the sweet, content, very happy baby you were when you were first born.

I never wavered in my love for you. Not for even one second.

We often talked about how crazy (and awesome!) it was that we could just set you down on the floor and you'd contentedly sit and watch us. People who didn't experience your early months of crying still don't believe it ever happened.

You were always so content that you didn't even bother attempting to crawl until you were 9 months old. Now you are one and are too busy to bother with walking. I love how hard you play and how happy you are!

Today you are 1 year old...

{speechless}

To me you are still 4 months old.

When are you and your sister going to listen and obey and STOP growing up???

You have your momma wrapped around your chunky little pinky. Your bright, blue eyes melt my heart every single day.

You are such a boy, loving balls and hitting everything. You complete this family like no one else could.

I pray daily that you will be sensitive to the Spirit and give your heart to the Lord as soon as you're old enough to understand. I pray that you spend every day of your life glorifying your Savior. I don't pray for your future wife as often as I should... I guess I just have trouble imagining you ever leaving me! But I'll work on that. I promise.

I love you, sweet Schmackidy. I love your silly faces. I love your ready-to-give smiles. I love your captivating eyes. I love your sweet spirit. I love your love for your sister. I love your rolls. I love your fearlessness. I love that you reach for your daddy and clap excitedly when he gets home. I love that you look like your dad and act like him, too. I love that you're a momma's boy. I love watching you learn and grow.

I love you, JackJack, to the moon and back.