gift guide for her

Struggling to find the perfect gift for a special friend, wife, girlfriend, or coworker in your life? Look no further. All of these items are affordable options that any lady is sure to love!     Kate Spade Planner | the gold polka dots are bold and the layout of this planner is perfect.
H&M Cable Knit Hat | this cozy hat is on my own Christmas wish list.
Old Navy Cross Body Bag | it's metallic and functional perfection.
H&M Woven Scarf | this is one of my most favorite + coziest scarves.
Starbucks Demi Mug | it doesn't get any better than mini items.
Kendra Scott Drusy Earrings | these gorgeous earrings are perfect for everyday wear.
Naked Eye Shadow Palette | the best eye shadow palette and it lasts forever!

running my race

My week didn't start out well. Preschooler meltdown in the middle of Chick-fil-A, feeling like a sub-par mother, messy house, a runaway dog, cloudy weather, and feeling under the weather. I just felt off. I know we all have days like this but I just felt so down on myself. All that ran through my head was, "I'm not good at anything." I never really told anyone but Josh how I was feeling those days but so many people who didn't even know I was struggling, lifted me up and encouraged me. God heard my prayer. I prayed for reassurance and encouragement that day.

One of my mommy friends posted a link to a blog post by Jen Hatmaker, one of my favorite Christian authors. The mom group that I lead is currently studying a book by her called Tune In. This is the blog post. It was called "Run Your Race." My mommy friend shared this post and through this post, we lifted up and praised other moms for their gifts. A mom friend, whom I've never met in person but I feel like I've known forever, called me out. She said, "I am calling out Emily Soto this morning...she always has a smile on her face. We don't live near each other but I can tell that family is everything to her..she is an awesome Mama to her two girls. And don't get me started on her fashion sense and consignment shopping..You rock Emily!!"

Wow. I stopped. I cried. The day before this, I prayed my prayer and it was answered. I am a good mom. I needed that reminder when I felt like I was simply failing. So thank you, my friend. I needed your kind words at that moment. Then two more sweet friends shared kind words about me today. Words are so powerful. They can bring us down or up. These words brought me back up to where I needed to be. Thank you, ladies. So much.

So back to the article, it's about running your race. Using your God given gifts and letting them shine. I immediately thought when I read this blog post, um... "what gifts do I have to share?" That mindset has always been with me. I quit everything I started growing up if it caused me to go a little out of my comfort zone. Softball, cheerleading, basketball, chorus. I quit because to continue I had to audition or tryout and that frightened me to death. Rejection and failure scared me. I have always wondered if maybe I could have excelled in one of those areas if I wouldn't have been so afraid?

I am running my race. I am going to share the gifts that God has blessed me with and not let my fear of failing hold me back. Not anymore.

"God truly built gifts into our lives. Everyone is just innately good at something." -Jen Hatmaker

Thank you to everyone who has encouraged me this week, even if you didn't know that I needed it. Keep running your race.

Father's Day 2012

Josh celebrated his first Father's Day as the daddy of two beautiful little girls! First, we dedicated Olivia to the church. It was a special celebration and we are so very thankful for our church.


Josh and Olivia after she was dedicated.

After church, Julianna gave Josh his Father's Day gifts. A bottle of cologne from mommy, a picture plaque from all 3 of us, and an art creation by Julianna. He loved all of his gifts!

Josh continued his Father's Day by going to a Greensboro Grasshoppers baseball game with my dad, my brother, and my brother's two little boys. Josh brought home a souvenir hat for Julianna.



Happy Father's Day to a wonderful husband and a fabulous father!

happy father's day!

Josh celebrated his 2nd Father's Day yesterday. We had a wonderful day together as a family! We started the morning with breakfast and gifts. Josh got this cute photo mug from Julianna:

And swim trucks from me...

Then we went to church. Julianna and I napped then it was time to visit our families. First stop was to see my mom and dad so that we could give him his gift. Julianna tried on her nana's big floppy hat while we were there.

Then we crashed a cookout at Dustin and Shandi's to visit with Josh's stepdad. We had steak and potatoes and the little ones got to play in the kiddie pool. We had a great time!

We topped if off with another frozen yogurt treat and then all 3 of us crashed when we got home. What a busy but wonderful weekend!

gifts + first bubble bath

my mom and dad stopped by on tuesday evening with a special suprise. a HUGE box of diapers and a cute outfit for julianna. we are sooooo blessed!!! thank you mom and dad! :)

last night, julianna took her very first bubble bath and she loved it. josh and i even created a bubble bikini to cover up her lady parts:

our first gifts

We received our first baby gifts a couple of weeks ago. Two ladies that work for Josh's company sent them to us. It's so exciting to get gifts... just feels even closer to when we'll get to hold Julianna in our arms!

Lullaby Gloworm:

Sleeper:

My parents also gave us money to buy our crib. Speaking of that crib... it's still in the box! I need to get Josh to put it together so I can share what it looks like.

my 24th birthday and 20 weeks

my bump on my birthday:

My cheeks are getting plumper... and that's not the only thing! I went to Victoria's Secret to get sized for a new bra. I started my pregnancy at a 34 A... now I'm a 36 C! Wow... it's amazing what can happen in a matter of months!!!

My birthday goodies:

Josh had this cute little cake made for me. It's a teacup!