Tiny Miracles...

This was at my baby shower right before I quit my job. I was 8 months pregnant. The box of Twin Bings were a gift from the girls at work. They special ordered them for me because you can't buy them in this area. They are one of my very favorite candy bars growing up. They are frozen in my freezer and when I have a really bad day and need a sweet pick me up, I get one out and eat it.


This was my baby belly at 8 months gestation. No stretch marks, but very white. It is crazy that a baby can go from this....

To this tiny little miracle, who we now call Isabella.
You may be thinking, why am I posting pregnancy pictures of myself all of the sudden? For one, it is kind of fun to look back on such an amazing time in my life. Second, my aunt Laurel, who is one of my favorite family members, just found out that she is expecting a baby! It is okay that I'm saying that, because I know she has already shared her big news with everyone. But, I just want to give a big CONGRATS to her and her family! That is just so exciting for them!
For a lot of people, it may not be such a big deal, but for Laurel and her husband, it hasn't come so easy. They have two beautiful children that they adopted because they weren't able to get pregnant. But after all these years, and the blessing of modern medicine, my aunt will be able to experience the ups and downs of pregnancy and the miracle of labor and delivery of her child.
I'm in no way saying that children who are adopted are loved less or should be viewed any different than children who are born by the parent. I think adoption is an amazing and necessary process-that blesses both the children needing good parents, and the parents who so desperately long for a child.
That being said, there is something also to be said for being able to experience your child growing inside of you and bearing that child from your body. I know that some women really struggle in their pregnancies and don't enjoy them at all. Not me. I love being pregnant! I love the growing belly, being able to splurge on ice cream and not feel guilt later, feeling your child kicking and rolling around in the womb. Even when I am feeling sick and fat, I feel joy and fulfilment from being involved in such a vital part of God's plan. It is a God given right to mothers to bear children and raise them. I am thankful every day for being blessed with this gift.
My two darling daughters are just that to me- Gifts from God.

Sunday Snacks and Smoothies...

The famous Sunday Snack-

Alyssa enjoying her Sunday Snack-

My family with Rob's grandparents after Bella was blessed at church back in February 2008.
Every Sunday is the same here in the Wallace home, yet it is also different.
Different because it is the Lord's day, a holy day, and the day of rest. It is our day to be together as a family and to worship God. It is not a day for playing at water parks, swimming, boating, shopping, or working and earning money, etc...because that would make it just like any other ordinary day.
Since I was a little girl, my parents got up and had family breakfast with us, got us all in our Sunday best, and we went to church as a family. After church we had Sunday dinner, which usually was a Sunday roast with potatoes, carrots, and homemade rolls. YUMMY!
I remember the smell of the roast in the oven as we came in the house from a long morning at church. We would sit down to dinner and not be in a hurry for once. No one had anywhere to rush off to because it was Sunday. So we would sit and visit and catch up on every body's week. I've said it before, some of my favorite memories as a child were around our dinner table.
We would then clean up from dinner and everyone would take our usual Sunday nap. Awww...nothing better than a good restful nap in the middle of the day. No other day could we do that other than Sunday. It felt so good!
The rest of our day would be filled with playing games as a family, going for a walk over to see our grandparents, and when my brother was on his mission, I remember writing him letters every Sunday.
Today, as an adult and having my own family. Our Sundays are a lot like the ones I had growing up. They are a little more peaceful and restful than all the other days of our week. A couple of little traditions that we have started on Sunday since having kids are, Sunday snack and smoothies.
Alyssa likes to have a little snack in the late afternoon, usually after her nap, and for some reason, on Sunday it is always the same. Ritz crackers with melted cheese and ketsup on top. I have gotten a lot of ridicule for this particular treat, but it is a family favorite that goes way back to my grandma Busteed. You have to just try it, trust me, it is good. (It is Cheryl!)
Every Sunday evening we watch America's funniest home video's and make Sunday Smoothies. Alyssa won't let us forget this little treat. If I start to say, "It's bath time," before we've had them, she will say, "No...we haven't had Sunday Smoothies yet."
Here is our recipe in case you ever want to try them.

Sunday Smoothies -
6 oz frozen juice- We like Orange, passion fruit, pina colada, strawberry breeze
(flavor of your choice)
1 1/2 cups Milk
1 tablespoon Vanilla
Fresh fruit of Choice (Bananas go well in all of the above juices)
Ice Cubes

Blend all up in a blender until it is the consistency of your liking. I like mine a little thicker so I blend in a lot of ice.

Enjoy!