.Miracle.

I just love big round bellies! (When they belong to someone else...) there are few things more beautiful.

Look at what a doll my pal Amanda is! She's a dear friend that always makes me smile and while we were shooting I was "freaking out" because I couldn't get over my obsession with that round belly! She's a beauty.
I'm always amazed at the miracle of life and the way life grows inside you and one day you can actually hold that miracle, that piece of heaven, in your hands. It's such a fulfilling (and humbling) feeling to realize that person in your arms is a gift that you've been given. That you've helped create. That once was just a spirit and now has infinite potential.
No wonder pregnancy brings such a beauty to the dear mama. The entrusted angel.
Even though pregnancy is so beautiful, it really is hard. And anything hard deserves some kind of reward. Many of the rewards of pregnancy are noticed after the babe is in arms, but little "pick me ups" along the way are necessary... which is why I believe every round belly deserves a hot pair of shoes.
(Loved these Amanda!!!)
I just can't wait to hear when this little miracle arrives. He will be coming to some really great parents that are so excited for his arrival.
Cherish these last few weeks Amanda. And good luck!

The Schear's + 1

What an amazing miracle for these two.

Little Brinley will be here in May and their lives will change forever.
Poor Daddy is already overloaded with all the pink that is creeping into his world...

...but I know the second he meets his little Princess he won't want to see her in anything else!

She's been pretty good to her Mama so far. (So I'm told.)

Her Daddy is already whooped... can you tell?

Congratulations you two! And good luck!

For the record.

I've been thinking about babies a lot the last couple of days. It seems like all of my friends are about ready to pop. And those that aren't about to pop are finding out if their little bun in the oven is a boy or a girl. That makes me want to find out what I'm having next! Then reality quickly hits me in the face and I remember that my "next one" won't be here for another couple of years. Then I smile. I have my first maternity photoshoot today (and another one tomorrow) and I've been looking at all kinds of photos so I can be really inspired. And oh yeah! Last night's episode of "The Office" had me in fits of laughter and suddenly I realized... I had forgotten how fun it is to hold that tiny little person in that giant bundle of blankets and realize that someday they will grow up and I'd better be the best example I can be.

I miss that.

But don't misunderstand me. I don't really want a new baby just yet. I just want all my friends to have their babies and let me come and hold them. And hold them and hold them and hold them. I love how teeny, tiny they are and how cute every little thing is. It's funny to me... I've never been much of a baby person. It wasn't until I had Marshall that I truly could appreciate babies... human or animal. Whenever I see (or hear) one, I always have to take a peak but until now, I've never NEEDED to hold one. But today I need to hold one. I may have to wait until next week, but the first newborn I can get my hands on... watch out!

Then I'll have my fix and I'll be good for a while. My Tyler still needs to grow some more before we get a new babe around here.

Many thanks to the angels that protect my family.

Colby is my MOST favorite!

This guy's amazing! I love how rough and tough he is. Very few know this, but he's also kind of a softy. I think I love that most about him. That, and his toughness. :) I can't make up my mind. "...Grape! No, Cherry! They're both favorites." I'm really not sure which is my "most favorite." I think its his toughness that makes his softness so endearing. Anyway.... I just wanted to let Colby know how much I love him.

Yesterday we were galavanting around St. George checking out the Parade of Homes and I thanked my lucky stars a million times that Colby likes going with me to stuff like that. It's so fun to share this interest with each other and compare our insights. In the last house of the day Colby was carrying sleeping Marshall and I had Tyler and my camera. I was doing fine until my arm started to go dead. Tyler's getting too big. Well, I mentioned to Colby that my arm was killing me and he just took Tyler off my hands and proceeded to get countless stares and compliments. I just called him Super Dad. He is a super dad and a super husband. I love him so much.

Happy Lovers Day, babe.

I cannot even tell you the last time...

...that I actually MADE a card. Tonight is my good friend Katie's baby shower and she must be one of the craftiest people I know. Months ago I saw a baby quilt that I really wanted to make her but I never started it :) so I had to make her a card. I figured it was the least I could do. I just love Katie and I think that hand made items show you love the person you are giving them to. Katie, my intent was a hand made quilt. I hope this card lets you know what your friendship means to me :) and how excited we are for your new little one.
I had to take pictures in case sometime in the future I have to prove to someone that I used to be crafty... I'll just whip these out!

Beautiful blonde locks to follow...

Remember that year that Jon grew out his hair until it was longer than Lauren's...

...and it was crazy blonde from all the sun that summer...

...and the way it would look when he would put it in a ponytail...

...when it was wet so we'd all want to barf...

...and then he chopped it all off...

...so he could rock the state swim meet...?

Hopefully this is the run-on sentence we hear for years to come. My brother Jon is swimming at State this weekend. I just want to wish him all the luck in the world and hopes he swims that 22 second 50 m! He swam it in his relay at Region and I just know he'll be pulling it off individually at State!

Have fun brother... I love you. We all do.

Go Onj!