Anna Grace's Baptism

Of all my memories, and favorite moments, watching our children be baptized is at the top of my the list.  Being raised going to church and having a love for God is one of the greatest gifts my parents have given me.  It's what keeps me hopeful, what keeps me grounded and, to be honest, it's what keeps me sane in this crazy thing that we call life!  Teaching our children to love God will always be our top priority.  So, celebrating this fabulous day with our friends and family is the BEST. DAY. EVER!

We started the day off at the church where Gordon and I were married in 2010 and where William was baptized in 2012.  Little Anna Grace did a great job.  She wasn't a huge fan of the cold water being poured on her head, but she recovered quickly and thought Father Walsh was pretty interesting.  Father Walsh is also the priest that married us 5 years ago.  It's kinda neat since baby girl was born on our 5th wedding anniversary.

Anna Grace is a special baby girl.  After having a miscarriage I prayed for peace, prayed that I could trust and not worry, and prayed that God would give us another little blessing.  Everything about her is perfect.  She has given us a lot of scares with her recent health issues, but we wouldn't change a single thing about her.  God made her just for us, and we all adore everything about her.

The Hattenbach Family  |  The Gooding Family  |  Mama and Daddy with baby girl  

Not too sure about this cold holy water  |  Baby girl just taking it all in  |  Papa and Nana 

Sweet baby girl  |  Picture with her Godparents  |  William rather hang out with Uncle G

After the baptism ceremony we headed to Rice Village for lunch at Punk's.  We couldn't have asked for better weather!  It was beautiful outside.  This location is extra special because it's one of Gordon's projects.  The kids loved playing in the open green area, the food was delicious and everyone got a tour of Daddy's recent work.  

Cousin love  |  Sweet face  |  Dressed in her mama's Feltman bubble

Three of the Gooding girls  |  A few of the guys  |  My favorite girls

I call this guy my honey bunny  |  Love some Rachel time  |  Hanging with Grandad  |  Dekkers!

After lunch we headed home for nap time and to get ready to party with our closest friends!  A few months ago, while we were eating at Dekker's, I grabbed the singers card.  I loved that he sang a little bit of everything....country and John Mayer....can't beat that!  Lucky for us, he was available on the night of Anna Grace's baptism celebration.  We had the best time with our friends hanging out outside playing games, watching the kids on the play set and listening to some live music!  After years of throwing parties I got smart and hired 2 babysitters to help us watch the kids.  Best. Decision. Ever.  The parents were able to have more fun, we were able to catch up with each other, and I honestly think the kids had more fun than normal.  :)  

February 27, 2016 is a day we will never forget.  Every part of the day was perfect!  William talked about how much fun he had for days.  He loves having all his friends over to play and eats up all the attention he gets when we have family in town.  Too bad we can't do it all again.  :)

Showering Baby Z

There must be something in the water......two of my co-workers (and obviously myself) are pregnant and all due within 4 four months of each other!  Lindsey Z's baby boy is due in just a couple of weeks.  This obviously meant it was party time!  LZ and I have worked together for 2 years and become great friends.  Our little ones love each other and I'm sure our new little lovies will too!  

We had the best morning celebrating Baby Z.  I personally love breakfast, so I thought this was an awesome baby shower.  Donuts, OJ, yogurt parfaits and breakfast casserole....yummy!  We can't wait to meet this precious little boy.  :)

It's A......

Sadly for my husband, I love planning a party!  The weekend we found out the gender of Baby Gooding #2 was super busy.....but, I couldn't pass up a chance to celebrate this precious new life.  So, with some of our closest friends and some family we had a pink and blue gender reveal party. In my opinion, everything turned out super cute.      

• Cheese ball, Corn dip, Veggies, Chicken nuggets and spinach dip completed the menu
• The sunlight coming in through the windows made it hard to take a good picture.
• Candy covered marshmallows
• Labels from WH Hostess
• Candy covered rice krispie treats, candy popcorn and yummy vanilla cake 
• He or She?
• Pink or Blue, We Love YOU!
• I loved this cake made by my mom's friend, Arvella (if you live in West Texas you must use her!)
• Anna Grace or Weston Jack (Anna is my paternal grandmother and Grace is Gordon's paternal grandmother; wGj are also William's initials, Jack is Gordon's maternal grandfather)

With a pop of a balloon the verdict was in.....it's a GIRL!!!

William tends to take after me.  He loves a party!  He was so excited about his friends coming over.  He only took a 45 minute nap and when he woke up he sat straight up in bed and said, "It's my party? My friends coming!"  He was SO excited!!!

William and Gordon voted BLUE.  I honestly didn't care either way.  A little brother for William would have been so fun.....but, I am glad to have one of each!  My pregnancies aren't the easiest so I'm pretty sure this will be it for us.  :)  Gordon was pretty shocked for the first few hours.  He truly thought we'd only have boys.  To be honest, he had convinced me of that too.  I had felt sicker this pregnancy, the Chinese gender calender said we'd have a girl and the baby's heart rate had always been higher than William's had been.  The pink confetti confirmed that it was a girl!  I'm still not sure I'll believe it until I see it for myself.  It all seems too perfect.  :)  It's hard to believe we'll have baby dolls and bows in our house now!!!!

Soon to be family of four!  2 girls ~ 2 boys
{Confetti Balloons from Etsy Flair Exchange}

A month later it's finally sinking in.  We are all so excited!  Anna Grace will be the first granddaughter on my side of the family and she will be exactly one year younger than her cousin, Katherine, on Gordon's side.  We feel extremely blessed and continue to pray that she stays in her mama for another couple of months (at least!).  I'm so glad we will get to honor our grandmothers by naming her Anna Grace.  I know my sweet Grandma Anna is smiling down on us from heaven.  I can only pray that our little Anna is as sweet, patient and kind as she was.  My heart holds such precious memories of her.  I can't wait to share them all with Anna Grace.

CHOO CHOO, Someone Turned TWO!

FINALLY!  I can't believe it's taken me two months to do this post.  Let me just start off by saying that this birthday party was so much easier compared to last years.  Having it at the house made things go much more smoothly.  My parents, Dustin and Skye stayed with us that weekend and they were awesome helpers.  I had everyone running errands on Saturday morning. :)  So, BIG thanks to those guys.  Sweet Skye even helped me give William a bath that evening because I was pooped!
The day before his party I found out I have to move to working 5 days a week from my current 4 days a week.  I was a bit upset (more on that another time).  Luckily I had lots of friends and family around to help cheer me up.  Saturday morning I woke up feeling really yuck (stomach bug).  :(  Again, thank goodness for my family.  Regardless, we had the best day celebrating William James.  We went to Little Gym that morning and then starting getting ready to PARTY!  
Here are just a handful of the pictures that were taken that day.  Somehow, I didn't get one of Dustin and Skye with William?!?!  :(  I'll have to make it up when we see them next month. 

• How cute is this photo backdrop?!?!?  So easy!  Just some streamers twisted and taped at the top and bottom, balloons and a chalk board.  We took some cute photos of the kids with "conductor" hats on!
• Adorable sugar cookies by a local lady. 
• Invitations from Berings.   Cupcakes by yours truly (blue cupcake holders from Michael's). 
• Picture frame from Hobby Lobby and Mason Jar with forks wrapped in chevron paper.  
• CHOO CHOO banner made by me using Cricut.  2 yr photo book for guest to sign from Snapfish.  
• Drink stand outside.  Re-used name and fabric banner from William's first birthday party.  The fabric banner was super easy!  Just cut long strips of fabric and tie in knot on rope.  

• I love primary colors!
• Thank you Arvella for making the best cakes ever! {Midland peeps contact me for her info!}
• Napkins from Monogram Shop
• Cakeballs by Eggleston's Edibles.  Labels from WH Hostess
• Goodie Boxes from Oriental Trading Company for only $5/dozen (see below for content).
• Centerpiece train from Melissa and Doug.  Table runners ordered off Etsy. 

• Playing corn hole has become a family tradition!  It keeps everyone entertained for hours.  
• Brandon and Ashley came all the way from Birmingham!
• SIL :)
• We rented 3 round tables and chairs so people could hang outside.  After the party we cooked out so having the extra seating was perfect.  I never got a picture of the tables with table clothes/centerpieces (pictured below). 
• Best. Idea. Ever.  The train was a hit!
• They have the cutest stamps on Zazzle.  
• Centerpieces: clear jars from Hobby Lobby + spray paint = cute.  I filled the jars halfway with potting soil and then put the sticks in so they'd stand up straight.  
• Goodie Boxes =  Bubbles, toy train, train whistle and stickers (most everything from Oriental Trading) 

{Playing} {He loves his lawn mower from Nana and Papa} {He rode the train the entire hour} {My baby} {Craft Station} {Riding with Grant and Emily} {I'm in love with this easel W got from Grant and Emily} {Helping Uncle D and Daddy} {Hanging with Mimi}

The little arts and craft station we had was a hit!  My mom and I cut out all the different shapes for the pieces of the train (using construction paper).  I then put all the pieces to make one train in a zip lock baggie.  I had an example laid out for the kids to copy.  All they had to do was clue the shapes of one baggie on a big piece of construction paper.  Super easy and fun!  All the girls loved this.  

Construction paper + glue = cheap and fun  

Happy 2nd Birthday, Sweet William!

Big thanks to everyone that came out for the festivities.  We had an awesome day.  An even bigger thanks to my family for helping get the last minute details together and for helping clean up afterwards!!  Since the birthday party William talks about Choo Choos every single day. :)

 He loves the hat he wore during the party.  He loved playing in the balls.  He loved seeing all his friends.  He adores his grandparents and aunts/uncles.  He's obsessed with the new lawn mower and drawing ovals on his 2 new easels.  He got so many new books that are now some of his favorites.  He loved seeing his old teachers from BLS that came.  He (and we) had a happy, happy day!!!!!! 

Now I just have to sit down and finish writing thank you notes!   xoxo