Things that Made My Christmas

I worked Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, but Mark still made everything feel like Christmas. We did jammies and stockings Christmas Eve night. Mark read from Luke and we drank hot chocolate. Christmas night we opened presents and drank champagne. 

Dagny loved looking up at the tree.

 Mark's favorite Christmas present, a calendar from artifact uprising that cost $10.

Leaf Lard that Clem and J made, oregano from Clementine's garden and tomato jam and apple butter that my grandmother made. We also received homemade candles from Rocco, and bacon salt from Billy and Lindsay! 

Two sweet books. One from Dagny's great grandmama and one from Dagny's godmother. 

 This brush from my mama and how soft my hair is after each use.

These two love birds

 Clementine as the prettiest bride.

 Mark as the best daddy

 My smiling baby

Our Darling Clementine

Sweet Clementine is getting married! She and her future husband J have been in love since they were fifteen. Clementine has always been a kind soul that sings sweeter than a nightingale. When she sings you get a taste of how pure her heart is. It's hard to listen without being brought to tears. Growing up, she preferred the company of dogs to people. She spent most of her time outside or playing instruments. In high school, she seemed too naive. At times it was difficult for me to accept her, because what I thought was important, was never important to Clementine. It wasn't until I went to college that I realized how much I wish I had been a little bit more like Clementine. She has grown into a beautiful and talented artist. If her voice didn't give you a peak into her soul, than her art would. She's an incredible baker, and cook. She has this beautiful passion of living and working off the land. She wants to raise a big family out on a farm to do the same. I couldn't think of a better husband to be at her side. Clementine diligently prayed all through college for J to know Jesus. He has since then grown into a wonderful Christian man that is a spiritual leader in their relationship. You can't sit down with him without having scripture poured into you or getting into a full blown debate over the simplest verse in the Bible. Hence his nickname "Bible Boy." He is a kind soul like Clementine. Both such explorers and adventurers of the world. What a wonderful life they are about to enter together.

In One Week...

Mark came home for a couple days! The team decided he could come visit, and the next morning he was here. Thank you, Toronto FC. Thank you, Jesus. My family was already planning a trip to Pensacola to help me paint the nursery. With the addition of Mark, it was the best and most productive weekend I've had in a long time. My dad and Mark knocked it out in a couple of hours while listening to Jeff Beck and Katie Perry... My mom, sister, Rocco, Hank and I really didn't do anything, but sip mimosas till lunch time. It was an unpredictably stormy day, so we went and ate outside, under cover on the harbor. The air was heaven. We came back, my dad finished the second coat, we walked to the playground, and finished with watching the TFC game. The games aren't quite as exciting to watch with Mark, but I'm not complaining. We also had pizza delivered and that never happens! Poor Mary Kate had a diaper rashed, teething, and sick little Hank. He eventually fell asleep for a late nap that went till 11p.m. when it was time to go. When we woke him up, we realized he had pooped all over my bed. I love that boy as if he were my own, and was thankful my very nice down comforter was not in use at that moment. They hurried back to 30A. Mark and I laughed about what our life is about to be like as we tag-teamed the swift clean up/soak session of our linen bedding and rid the air of the not so romantic stench for Mark's first night home. We are a pretty good team, and nothing makes us more excited about our baby as hanging with the Perkins boys.

Mark and I woke up, drank coffee and had biscuits with my grandmother's apple butter and watermelon. When the bright white paint was up, it was clear that the trim in that room was not very white, bright, clean or even painted all the way. I don't know how the original color hid how poorly done the trim was, but I am avoiding looking closely at the rest of my house's paint job. What was going to be a relaxing beach day for us turned into another trip to Home Depot and another day painting. It was still the best day with Mark. We were so happy to be setting up for baby bloom together. Something I thought I would do alone or with my mom and sister. We finished with wine and Indian food. I never eat Indian food, but when we are together, it is at the top of our list! I honestly could eat Naan every day and be happy. We stayed up too late talking and enjoying each other's company. It was our last couple days alone as just the two of us before it becomes three. I had to work 12's the next two days. Mark stayed very busy painting shelves, putting the crib together, and icing his knee. He also went around and "fixed" all of the little things in the house that I had been avoiding. All my light bulbs are changed, door handles are fixed, nails hammered down, screws tighter, and heavy things moved. I love that man. I didn't have to ask for a thing to be done, he just knew.

Wednesday, we both had 6 a.m. flights. His to Canada, mine to California. Goodbyes do not get easier, and our hellos seem to be getting more and more emotional. This one just felt different. We are excited that the next time we see each other will be when I'm in labor or holding our baby. Praying he makes it for the birth.

I went to California to be apart of the MOST beautiful wedding I've ever seen. I will share what iphone/instagram photos I have of it later. She is my dearest friend made since joining the Navy. She got married and moved to Spain with her husband all in one week. The Lord truly blessed me with her friendship, and saying goodbye was even more emotional than my goodbye with Mark. I just have to plan a trip to Rota, Spain to see her. After the wedding, this very pregnant self of mine flew home to finish what seemed like a very long week. I think anyone would be tired after that. So I am not feeling guilty about not moving much from my house for two days before going back to work. Not to mention, if pregnant in Florida at the end of July didn't feel suffocating enough, getting a little taste of the West Coast air makes me never want to go outside here again. Or at least till October.

34+ weeks!