When we moved into our house in Illinois, this is what the “front” of our house looked like. After making it through the first year, Jon and I started to think about what we might want to updated in the yard outside. I came up with a crazy idea and enlisted Jon to help me. I decided that we should totally redo the area around the porch and put in planter boxes. The weekend before Mother’s day our creation started to come to life. Continue reading “Green Thumb”
It’s that time of year again! (I guess was that time of year would be more accurate) Planting season round 2.
Heading into this years planting season I was a little nervous. Having made it through last years planting I knew Jon was going to be working come long hours. I wasn’t sure Esther and I could make it that long with out some Daddy help. Thankfully, this story has a happy ending. Esther and I did figure out how to make it through with less Daddy time. It took a little practice but we got the hang of it. Continue reading “Planting 102”
The hardest part of living in Illinois is being so far away from family. Specifically, being far away from Grammy and Grandpa. My parents are the best grandparents. Esther is one spoiled little lady. The best part is that my parents love to spoil her, and to see me in the process. This makes every visit precious time together. Continue reading “Grammy and Grandpa”
Awhile back I decided that I wanted to play with felt and make Esther a quiet book. I looked at a bunch of ideas on Pinterest and got really excited. I thought of way to many ideas. I managed to reign it in and focus on 6 simple pages and a cover for my first try. Continue reading “BE QUIET!”
Photo credit: Bellissimo Photography by Julie Deuser
This year Easter Sunday fell on the same week as spring break for the local schools. Consequently, Esther and I ended up having a week full of adventures. Continue reading “Easter Spring Break”
One of my favorite picture of me as a baby, is of me and my dad. It is the classic baby and Daddy sleeping together picture. In the picture my Dad looks like he is 12, and still has dirty blonde hair. I am asleep on his chest while he is napping on the couch. Something about the picture always made me feel special and loved. It was the beginning of a wonderful father daughter relationship. Continue reading “Daddy’s Are The Best”
Watching Esther discover new things is one of my favorite parts of being a Mom. It is so exciting to see her interact with objects she has never experienced before. I had no idea that such a little person could be so curious and brilliant. Continue reading “Discovering Life”
Since becoming a parent, I have been continually surprised and impressed watching Esther learn. Something she catches onto almost immediately, like drinking from a bottle. Others she is still working on, like sitting up and using her hands. It is an amazing process to watch her develop and understand more each day. Among these wonderful things is learning to use a spoon.
I love my family more than words can express. Moving cross country away from them is the hardest thing I have ever done. Needless to say I was crazy excited to go visit them for Christmas. With two big families to see, we planned to visit for just under three weeks. During that time, we managed to see everyone we possibly could, and do everything we possibly could.
Instead of giving you a detailed description of everything little thing we did, I have decided to give you a picture tour of some highlights. (That I managed to capture in my phone.) I hope you enjoy! Continue reading “A Very Cottle/Mecham/Burnside/Bingham/Cox Christmas”
I love Christmas. I love the lights, I love the cookies, I love the presents, I love wrapping presents, I love the decorations, I love our family traditions, I love that we talk about the Savior of the world Jesus Christ, I love it all. Being in Illinois this Christmas season I wasn’t quite sure that to expect. Would I love Christmas just as much here? The answer is yes.
We got to start celebrating this season right after Thanksgiving ended. The Bingham clan gathered together to go cut down our Christmas trees. I was just as excited as the little’s. I had never cut down my tree before. My mom always had amazing trees, sometimes they were even real trees, but never one we cut down ourselves.
One Farm Wife 