Yesterfest and more

We have always been a family that likes to get out and do stuff on the weekends.  It doesn't have to be anything fancy we just like to spend time together enjoying new adventures and making memories.  Being fairly new to the Austin area means there is still a lot to discover. Through searching online for a fun weekend outing my mom discovered that Bastrop's Yesterfest was going on this weekend.  It sounded like something we all would like.  After enjoying Jonathan's yummy breakfast burritos we headed that way this morning. There were a lot of street vendors selling anything from funnel cakes, to handmade dresses, to baby turtles. There were also activities for the kids such as a petting zoo and bounce house.

We had read online that there was going to be a petting zoo, pony rides, and train rides.  When we got there we didn't see any of these things and of course Kadynce was devastated since she woke up this morning talking about riding a train.  We finally found the "petting zoo" which consisted of about 8 goats in a small pen.  Kadynce was thrilled! 

 My sweet little girl trying to be brave in the bounce house.  She finally worked up enough nerves to stand up for about 1 second.

She might not have gotten to ride a pony, but she did manage to get a horse balloon.

 Family pic at the end of the day.  We were tired and sweaty, but we had a wonderful time!

Tata bought this beautiful handmade dress for Kadynce at Yesterfest.  This picture just doesn't even do it justice.  It's so pretty and I can't wait for her to wear it.  I just have to make a matching bow first lol.

On our way home I happened to get on Craigslist to see if there were any new postings for playhouses.  I have been checking periodically for something to put in the backyard for Kadynce to play with.  We don't typically just buy her such a big toy without it being a special occasion, but this was an amazing deal and we just couldn't pass it up.  I think she would live in the thing if we let her.  I'm planning on doing a post really soon about buying second hand.  We hardly ever pay full price for anything around here!

After everyone cleaned up and rested Nana and Tata took Kadynce for the evening and Mommy and Daddy got to enjoy a night out at the movies.  It was amazing!

Gone Fishin...

This past weekend we traveled up north, to north Texas that is, to visit Grandaddy and Grandmamma for a couple of days.  I have always said Club Lake is right up there on my list of favorite places with Disney World.  Those of you that know me know that that's saying a lot, but you also know how wonderful the lake is.  The older I get and the less I get to visit, the more I appreciate each time we go.  Watching our little girl stand on the same pier as I did as a child with the same sweet men (my daddy and grandaddy) teaching her to fish is priceless.  I can't help but get a little choked up when thinking about it.  Add her incredible Daddy to the mix and wow.... she doesn't know how good she has it.  Then there is my Grandmamma and Mamma that spend hours cooking, cleaning, bathing, playing and just being amazing. Yes, this was one of those weekends in which I couldn't help but be incredibly thankful to the Lord for his abundant blessings.

 

 

I almost forgot to mention that we ate at my favorite Mexican Restaurant not once, but TWICE!  This mommy has been craving their chips and salsa for months.  You'd better believe I brought some home too.  I was pretty sad when I finished off the last of it today.

A Picture is Priceless

A few months back I posted an article on facebook describing the backlash the Duggars were receiving about taking pictures of their precious little girl, Jubilee that was stillborn at about 19 weeks gestation.  When I read what others were saying about them I was heartbroken.  I had just posted pictures of our sweet Isaac a few months before and all I could think about was what people were saying about him and about us behind our backs.  All it took was a little encouragement from friends and family to realize that until people have walked in our shoes they have no right to talk.  He was and is our baby and I will be forever thankful for the pictures we have of him.  Ok end of that soap box...
 
Friday I linked up with Kelly's Korner since her "Show Us Your Life' topic was for those that have lost children.  I received an email from the sweetest lady that also lost her precious little boy.  She was telling me that her biggest regret was not having any pictures or video of him, except for the picture that the hospital took.  She said it just never entered her mind because they were in the process of grieving.  She then found out about Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep a few days later.  NILMDTS is an organization made up of professional photographers that come to the hospital and take beautiful photos of babies that have already passed away or are expected to shortly.  They capture moments of those babies with their families that are absolutely priceless.  I found out about this organization while working in a high risk OB unit right out of college.  I also remember reading about them on Angie Smith's blog after they took incredible pictures of their angel Audrey Caroline.  Sandy Allen took her Saturday to come photograph the time we had with our Isaac.  We will forever be grateful for the gift that she gave us.

I know many of you have seen these before, but for those that haven't here are some of my favorite pictures from that day.

 

I know when I was pregnant with Isaac I went to any and every blog I could find of those that had gone through a similar circumstance.  I wanted to read about their journey and see what life was like "on the other side of things."  I promise not every blog post is going to be about losing Isaac, but I want this to be a place for those searching for information and encouragement as they go through their own journey.