Un, Unus, Uno, En, Eins = One

Our sweet little babe who came flying out into the arms of her daddy on that early first of November morn is now a whole year old. The year feels like it slipped right through my fingertips even though I tried to grip on tightly to the days. Yet it seems as if there wasn't ever a day that her joy didn't fill our hearts and home. It's funny how before a new baby enters your life you can't imagine ever loving someone as much as you already love your other children. It may seem as if you're heart is overly full. Can't possibly hold any more love.

Well it absolutely isn't true. At least that's what we experienced when this beautiful girl came out of her warm cocoon looking for love. As I locked eyes with this new girl whom I'd learn to care for and be her mama, I realized no matter the number, the love is just as deep. Immeasurable. So strong it almost overpowers you at times.


Every thing she does makes us smile. The bonus to this is seeing the joy in her siblings faces as they celebrate each milestone with her. That's enough to make a mama tear up. When she took her first few steps hearing the claps, laughter, praise and endless hugs that they poured out on their baby sister in such a proud manner made me realize this is what the hard work of raising a large family is all about. These tender moments we share together as a family are priceless and are worth everything to us.

teething on her brother's mini skateboard

The Magnolia Maggie tree that was planted not long after her birth. Her placenta has nourished it well.

still loves her newborn binkie

We had a little party for our girl on Halloween eve. It was simple, not over the top, no fancy decorations. Just a gathering with family and friends to celebrate just what a gift this girl is to us all.

Aunt Joyce playing "I'm gonna get you!"

Maggie and Macrae

The goats and pig serve as our party entertainment. Notice my son's the only one out there barefoot and shirtless. And the other one's up in the tree. Like true redneck boys! ;)

M's princess castle cake made with love by her aunt Katie and grandma

At the party I served my first attempt at goat cheese. It was a success!

{nice hair uncle A}

I think I've got another baby lover. If she's anything like me, this means I'll be blessed with many grandbabies! :)





Sweet Aurora has been a special friend to the family since she was Maggie's age





knew it wouldn't last long!

Maggie is our plumpest one year old yet. I think the addition of goats milk has helped with that. She babbles a LOT, will carry on full conversations with you at times, although it only makes sense to her. She loves... her daddy to pieces and shouts out "dada" as soon as he enters the house each day.

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She is a moderately good sleeper. We spoil her a tad bit and allow her to fall asleep in bed with us and then transfer her to her room in her crib. Some nights she'll sleep until morning and others she comes in bed with us at some point in the night. She loves to eat! Especially pears, peaches, grapes (cut up into quarters), bananas, yogurt, mac n cheese, just to name a few of her favorites. She still nurses infrequently but I think those days are dwindling. I'm not used to having a baby wean so early but I'm following her lead which makes it all the more easy to do so. She LOVES her goat's milk bottles though.

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She also loves, loves, loves living on a farm and I think she is crazy lucky to get to spend so muc time with chickens, cows and goats each day. Oh and a pig too! And let's not forget a dog and three cats :) She has two toy cows that she often carries around saying "moo..." and she has taken a love for her biggest brothers stuffed animal cow that he's had since he was a baby. I think it's almost officially hers now.

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Maggie has seemed like she was coordinated enough to start walking at an early age but she's been overly cautious about it for some reason. I know she took a couple falls when attempting to walk some time ago and I think that scared her to the point of not being confident enough to give walking a try. But half way into her twelfth month she took her first few true steps and by thirteen months she is walking pretty much anywhere she wants to. She's still super wobbly which is down right adorable and she does still crawl here and there but overall she's now a walker.

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We have done half and half cloth diapers and disposables since her birth but recently a friend gifted us with her cloth diapers and I purchased a dozen Sunbaby cloth diapers which are super soft and cute so we are now full time cloth diapering. Even at night and also while out of the house. It has been a smooth transition and even Josh just goes with the flow of it. Cloth diapering has come a long way and it's super easy and not messy like you may imagine. There's a certain technique to it which makes it all doable. And I have such a great feeling about this whole thing. Not having to overload the landfill like I have done in the past and not having my baby saturated in chemicals 24 hrs. a day just makes so much sense and gives me peace in doing this.

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But in saying all of this, this next photo happened to be taken before our cloth diaper transition. Before the last disposable ran out. Oh and our cloth diapers are so... much cuter than these disposables!

Now that she's the big uno she gets to join in the cupcake fun. This was after eating one of grandma's Frankenstein cupcakes. Bath time baby!

I don't know if a baby was ever more loved than this little chickadee. She couldn't possibly bring us any more delight than she already does. God certainly knew what he was doing when he decided to sneak another little blessing into our lives. Can't even possibly imagine life without our little girl.

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We all love and adore you Maggie Eliza!!!

October in a Nutshell

I fought off the urge to post Christmas happenings since I knew darn well that I was about two months behind. Obviously blogging has taken the back seat in my life, or better said it's in the trunk now, but I do want to post these memories for my little ones sake since Lord knows I don't have time to journal. I truly do want to but so do I desire to craft and sew and organize and decorate and make soap and oh I think you get the picture. Our days have been full and October was no exception. As I looked through the tons of photos from the month trying to choose which ones to preserve on this blog I smiled at the realization of my life at it's current state. I have been blessed with three kooky kids who love each other dearly and have so much fun living life together. I am so grateful that Maggie is reaching the age where she likes to be right in the middle of whatever it is they are doing. Although it still saddens me knowing the baby days are nearly over, I am excited for what's to come. As she gets older it is easier for us to venture out and do more big kid stuff. And there is more freedom that little babes just don't give as cute and sweet and snuggly as they might be. But regardless I'm hanging onto each and every baby moment by a thread. Not wanting to let go but knowing the fun times that are ahead when I do.


I love this picture of Fletch in his cape and sword. But more so I love that I have learned to let my boys be boys.

These two Knights wouldn't let anyone harm this little princess

Maggie LOVES... her big brothers just about as much as they love her

If you know Fletch then you know that he can't keep a serious face for long!

This is what I mean by Kooky. They are lucky I love them anyway!

Loving the freedom to allow our babe to sit in the hay as we stuff our scarecrow.

Not loving that the mosquitoes won't just leave her sweet cheeks alone!

Daddy hung an overly large tire from an old oak. This little boy thinks it's pretty cool.

What I notice and love about this picture:

Colton wearing his Halloween Knight shirt from 4 years ago. Fletcher in a Jack Sparrow vest shirt with a Zorro mask and a different gun in each hand. All while watching his big brother remove the hook from a bass.

This picture is one of those that will forever bring me back to this time in our life.

When we'd be in the middle of school and the kids would declare a dress up break time.

Then dress up would suddenly be interrupted by the urge to run out to the pond and catch a fish or two.

*in the rain*

they painted some pretty spooky skulls

and baby got to model it for everyone

I take loads and loads of photos at the pumpkin patch

Always have always will

Pumpkins just make me happy. Especially the funny looking ones.

Fletcher truly adores his baby sister. I wish I could capture it more on camera than I do.

It's so nice having another mommy always on hand and ready to step in my place

the stem sold us right away

Sometimes I catch Maggie just sitting still taking it all in. Especially as she watches her big brothers and sister play. I know she'll be so happy when she can keep up.

this man's got talent!

she looked so proud of her pumpkin

The ones who came home with us. The pumpkins too.

We went to a crazy hair party. I forgot to take photos before we left for the party so this is after we got home late that night.


The wall of ghouls. I love Maggie Mae's little bitty foot print up there.

Fletch fell asleep in the car on the ride home from the crazy hair (and eyebrow :) party so he woke up the next morning looking extra groovy ;)

yummy desserts were made by Suzanne and Katie

miss m

Have you ever seen a cuter Ninja Turtle? I didn't think so ;)

This is about as creepy as the smith family gets

Gracie and I planned out the details for this costume and made it together. When I look at this picture not only do I see a beautiful peacock, but I see beautiful memories that my daughter and I made together.

We're ready for some trick or treating followed by a very special 1st birthday the very next morn!