Mother's Day (part 2)

On Mother's Day we took a day trip to check out a city that some friends told us about. It was a lot of fun exploring a new place. There are a lot of different places we want to check out, but most of them are about 3-4 hours away. Since we couldn't make it a weekend trip, we opted for exploring the place that was 1.5 hours away instead. It was absolutely perfect, the weather was beautiful and the city was beautiful. But most of all- I just loved being together, making memories.

Trying to take a picture with Luca isn't as easy these days. 

Backseat selfies. 

Mother's Day

I am a mother. I celebrated Mother's Day and I was celebrated on Mother's Day. That felt so surreal! There are moments in our day to day life that remind me I am a mother (like the first time I licked my finger and wiped something off of Luca's face), but it still felt strange being celebrated for it. Like- how is this even my life?

Becoming a mother has been the greatest gift I could ever receive. Growing up I always dreamt of becoming one. I was your typical girly girl, playing house, barbies, doll house- anything related to dressing up dolls or myself and having "kids". I always imagined how wonderful it would be becoming a mother. But the real thing has far surpassed all I could have ever imagined. 

Luca is the greatest blessing. I never knew what my life was missing until he arrived. People always say, "can you even remember life without him?" but I think the more appropriate question is "isn't life so much richer with him in it?" Because the truth is, nothing else has and nothing else will ever bring me such endless joy. Every single day. When I see my sweet boy's face, nothing else matters. When I get him from his crib every morning, when I turn the corner and see him playing, when I am feeding him (and he is gagging), when he is in his stroller, when he is asleep in his crib- every single time I see him I am overcome with a joy and a love that I couldn't have ever imagined. 

So while it felt completely surreal to be celebrated on Mother's Day, it was also an absolute honor. In fact, it is the greatest honor. One I am so incredibly grateful that I am blessed with. 

Becoming a mother has also given me a deeper appreciation for my own mother. I see her in a new light and I recognize all the sacrifices that she made for me over the years. But mostly, I feel more connected to her knowing that how I feel about Luca, is how she feels about me. Being Luca's mother is such a blessing, and so is having my mom as my mother. I have learned what I know about unconditional love because of her. And if I can be half the mother she is to me, I know Luca will be in good hands. 

The greatest lesson of all though, the one that overwhelms me every time I think about it is something that becoming a mother has shown me. Knowing how much I love Luca, the joy he brings me, and how blessed I feel to call him my son- makes me have a greater understanding of our Heavenly Father's love for us. And what blows my mind is that the love I feel for Luca is only a portion of His love for me. Words cannot express how grateful I am for that love.

 Love at first sight. 

He is Risen!

(I know it's almost the 4th of July and I am just now writing about Easter, but, whatever. Better late than never is apparently my blog motto.)

Easter is by far my favorite holiday. I have been a Christian my entire life, which means I have heard the Easter story many times. Yet every year I am blown away reading/listening to it and hearing all that Jesus endured for me. I am so undeserving, but He gave all that He could give for me anyway.


My dad, Heather, and Sarah all came to Charlotte for the weekend and we celebrated Easter together. It was wonderful to be together, as always. We hadn't all been together since Thanksgiving, so we savored each moment of our time together.

Heather flew in to Charlotte on Thursday, Sarah drove down on Friday, and my dad flew in on Saturday morning. It was kind of funny that their arrivals were staggered but it ended up working out because it gave each person got some unshared Luca time.

We went to the Saturday evening Easter worship experience. This was the first year that we have ever done that- didn't go to the Easter service on Easter Sunday. It felt really strange, but I am glad we did it. Easter Sunday was spent eating, laughing, relaxing, and enjoying being together. In fact, that's pretty much what happened all weekend long.

Dance party with Auntie H! 

Out to lunch after Sarah arrived! 

After lunch we dropped the boys off and we headed to do a little shopping.

We ended up with a vacuum and some sandals for Luca. (Neither of which were on our list of things to get)

I mean....how can I not smooch his cheeks all day?

We laughed so incredibly hard this night- tears streaming down your face, good for the soul laughter.

Before/After church:

Before church we tried to take a few pictures, especially since Josh wasn't going to be around after. He had to volunteer and so he didn't get home until way later, after Luca was in bed. 

This was the best shot we got, unfortunately. 

Luca was not in the mood for a photo shoot after church. In fact, all he wanted to do was be in his daddy's arms. No one else could keep him happy. Well, daddy and this spatula.

It is our annual tradition to take family photos after we go to church on Easter. I had been telling Lee all day, reminding him so that he was prepared for when it came time. And he was a willing participant- first time that has ever happened. 

I love our family of three. Love, love, love. 

Lee and H have this inside joke with their shoes/socks/feet. They often text one another a random picture of their foot. So when it was their turn for a photo- this is what Lee did. Hilarious. (Also, note the spatula H is holding. That's how we were able to get some Goodin family photos with a smiling Luca.)

And this is when Luca was totally done. His spatula couldn't even do the trick. Only daddy cuddles.

Believe it or not- this was the best family photo we got (minus the 3 boys). 

This was the runner up. You'd think it was our first time having an Easter photo shoot. 

After about 30 minutes, Luca was ready to smile again! Thankfully, because his aunties really needed to get some pictures with him. 

Easter Sunday:

First time filling an Easter basket. Felt surreal! 

Growing up, Lee's parents hid his and his sister's Easter baskets, and he wanted to keep that tradition alive with Luca. It was fun searching, I can imagine it will be even more fun as Luca gets older. 

Found it! 

After he found his Easter basket from us, we searched for Easter presents from my parents and Lee's mom. I don't have any pictures of that hunt because I was recording it. 

Gifts from Grandma!

His first drum set from Nana and Papa!

My dad is a drummer, so naturally he was thrilled to give Luca this gift. 

Headed out for a walk after we ate far too much. 

Luca's first time going down a slide. He wasn't thrilled with it.

I have no idea how this slide is supposed to work- but we made Sarah go down it anyways.

Facetiming with family in CT.

Lots of playing and relaxing for the rest of the day(s).

H, Sarah, and I were doing some exercises. This is how Sarah planks I guess. :) 

Such a great weekend, wish we could do it every week.