when things don't go as planned...

Our family has been dealt a difficult hand the past month. Two weeks after Maliyah was born we found out that Leith as to deploy to Afghanistan this summer for three months. Seeing that I had just had the baby and was on a hormone rollercoaster you can imagine that my reaction was not ideal. But really...what wife would react well to hearing that her husband is leaving for three months?! As we have been processing this information and mentally preparing ourselves for this difficult time we can't help but think "this is not what we had planned!", "God, why are you allowing this?", "We can't handle this!". All those thoughts still enter my mind daily. But although this has been challenging it was also grown us in our marriage and in our individual walks with Christ. We are learning to rely on God's strength more than we ever have and to live by faith daily. We ask that you all keep us in your prayers. Pray for Leith's safety and for myself and the kids as we wait at home for him to return to us. Pray that Leith will be used in a mighty way and that even without words he can be a witness to whomever he places his hands on. Today I read something from a devotional book that has touched my heart and given me hope to get through each day...

"When things don't go as you would like, accept the situation immediately. If you indulge in feelings of regret, they can easily spill over the line into resentment. Remember that I am sovereign over your circumstances, and humble yourself under My mighy hand. Rejoice in what I am doing in your life, even though it is beyond your understanding. I am the way, the Truth, and the Life. In Me you have everything you need, both for this life and for the life yet to come. Don't let the impact of the world shatter your thinking or draw you away from focusing on Me. The ultimate challenge is to keep fixing your eyes on Me, no matter what is going on around you. When I am central in your thinking, you are able to view curcumstances from My perspective."

Maliyah Paige States

we welcomed our precious daughter Maliyah into the world on April 9, 2012. Six weeks later and I still can't believe we are a family of four. Her individual personality has shown through already. She loves to eat and let us know when exactly she wants to be fed but she also loves to cuddle and her one-side grin melts my heart every time. Isaiah has adjusted quite well to the role of big brother. He recognizes that her cries are not fun and when his attempts at giving her a pacifier have failed he simply covers his ears. It's hilarious! Every morning when he wakes up he says "sister?" and rushes downstairs to see her. Watching him interact with her has brought so much joy to Leith and I so far. We look forward to seeing the two of them grow up together and develop a bond that only siblings have. We thank God for blessing us with our sweet baby girl. She is healthy and happy (most of the time) and makes our lives so much sweeter. We love you baby girl!

photos by bachmanville photography

latest creations

 my obsession with creating girly accessories has gone to a new level especially with the impending of arrival of our little girl. Here are a few of the most recent things I've made.

pom pom flower headbands in an color you want!

yoyo flower baby headband. this one's for my baby girl but can also be made in any color you want

double yoyo flower baby headband

yoyo flower headband in yellow...I loved these colors together!

pom pom flower hair pin modeled by my lovely sister :) ($4 each)



All headbands are available for $8 plus shipping. Necklaces are also available for $18 and can be viewed in my previous blog post. Just email me at pstatesrn@yahoo.com if you would like to order something. Include your mailing address in your email so I can ship your hand-made items! 

my creations

So I have always wanted to find a hobby I can be passionate about (other than shopping :)) but I never had the time or felt confident enough to try something new. A few months ago I was hitting a rough patch between morning sickness and having mixed feelings about being a stay-at-home mom. My always encouraging husband told me I should learn something new and see if it turns into a good hobby. I decided I wanted to learn how to sew and create things. After several hours of researching ideas and several trips to Joann's and Michaels I finally came up with some fun ideas. Pinterest also helped me a bit :)
So far, I have made a couple burp cloths for our daughter that is scheduled to arrive in April. I also am considering making her crib bedding if its not too complicated. I also started making fabric flower necklaces which I found tutorials for on Pinterest. I gave my sister and one of my best friends one each for christmas and they were a hit! I have had a few requests for necklaces in a variety of colors already! Below are some pictures of the first few necklaces and other fabric flower creations I have made. I will be selling the necklaces at $18 a piece, just let me know what color and which flower design you want. I have a few other designs I plan to work on and I will post those pictures when I am done.

burp cloths
(I am making a set of four for my best friend who is having a boy...stay tuned for pictures!)

rosette headband
(this was gifted to Isaiah's little girlfriend Eliana)

pom pom flower headband (flower was inspired by the pom pom necklace, I just made the flower larger)

pom pom necklace
(available in a variety of colors!)

cream pom pom necklace
(I used a rusted gold chain for this one instead of silver. You can choose which chain you want also.)

rosette flower necklace
(I made myself one in black with rhinestone center and a ribbon instead of a chain)

Christmas 2011

I have to say this was probably my best Christmas ever! Isaiah is at the age where he is starting to understand and he's able to open his gifts (with minimal assistance) which makes it so fun! Also, this year both Leith and I were not working so we were guaranteed the entire holiday together! But most of all we were most excited to be able to wake up in our own home Christmas morning as a family. In the nine years Leith and I have been together we have never celebrated Christmas alone so this was EXTRA special for us.

Isaiah and mommy decorating the tree

such a good helper!

As we do every year we spend Christmas Eve at my parents house for their annual Londono Family Christmas gathering. My family is huge so it's quite the ordeal. Between 6 of my siblings, our kids (adding one every year or so), cousins, aunts, uncles, and family friends it turned out to be about 35 people for dinner. I know it sounds chaotic but I love it!

my handsome boy rockin his first tie

daddy and isaiah (he wanted to go play...not take pictures!)

playing the drum with his cousins and great grandma

mommy and isaiah

my sister Mindy and her son with Isaiah and I (Dylan is 6 months younger than Isaiah)

Isaiah opening his first gift

After the party we headed home. We were very tired but also very excited to wake up in our house Christmas morning.

Merry Christmas! Stocking time!

I would be lying if I said this sight didn't make me cry. I felt so blessed and happy!

Isaiah opening the grand finale gift.....(drum role)

Woody ad Bullseye! He was so excited!

After opening gifts I made cinnamon rolls, bacon, and hot spiced cider for breakfast. I would have taken pictures but it was devoured before I had the chance :). Then Leith's family came over for the rest of the day. We ate, laughed, and of course Isaiah opened tons of more gifts. We hope you all were surrounded by loved ones this holiday season and felt the blessings that God has showered on all of us.

Merry Christmas and Happy 2012!!!!

Thanksgiving

The last four years Leith and I haven't had the most holiday friendly schedules, so this year we are thrilled to enjoy all holidays off! Leith gets weekends and holidays off and I am rocking the stay at home mom status (so I guess I never get a day off unless Isaiah says so). This year we spent Thanksgiving at my parents' house with a few family members and friends. It wasn't the usual Londono Family gathering with all my siblings and cousins but it was still a good turn out. There were almost 20 people there which sounds scary when I say that was a small gathering for us. My mom and I baked the night before and prepped the turkey and then spent most of thursday in the kitchen. It was so much fun to spend time together but it was definitely exhausting due to the baby girl I am carrying around with me lately. Leith spent the day with our nephews watching football and playing zombie games on his ipad....they had a blast! All in all it was a great day and we were so thankful to be surrounded by those we love. As I reflect on the past year I find it impossible to choose one thing to be thankful for. This year has brought on so many life changes and exciting events in our life as a family. We are so thankful for our new house and for God's provision in allowing us to purchase it. We are also thankful for Leith's job and what a great blessing it has been to be able to rely on his income so I can stay home and raise our son. We are beyong thankful for Isaiah and the joy he has brought to our lives and the lives of our friend and family. We are also thankful to have found a great church in orange county that has already blessed us in many ways. We are also thankful for each and every one of you who has supported us in some way through your friendship. I could go on and on, but I will leave the list as is and now allow you to enjoy some pictures from our thanksgiving celebration...

Isaiah and grandpa

Isaiah and daddy...eager to start eating!

delicious meal

Isaiah enjoying his first thanksgiving meal (last year he was only breastfeeding :))

kids table

grandma let isaiah get his hands on the turkey leg...he loved it!

thankful for grandma and grandpa

Isaiah and cousin Natalia

that's all folks!

and the verdict is...

Its a GIRL!!!!!

bring on the frilly dresses, bows, and ribbons...we are thrilled to be expecting a little girl into the States' family!