Sincerely Sunday : The Heart of This Florida Mama

Things I'm thankful for:

1. Having such a sweet, joyful, and well-behaved little boy.  I really am so proud of him!

2. God's faithfulness.

3. Florida's sunshine that allows me to go to the beach in February :)

Things I'm looking forward to:

1. The women's conference at my church this Friday & Saturday

2. Going to the beach Tuesday for play group

3. Getting caught up on my mountain of laundry!

Things that made me smile this week:

1. Going kayaking with my sister yesterday and enjoying a seafood lunch outdoors

2. Hearing Elijah try to sing along with Veggie Tales tonight... he only knew the last word of each of the sentences and would sing them really loud.  It was so cute!

3. I rarely ever take naps with Elijah these days.... 1. Because he usually gets so excited about being in my bed that he won't go to sleep and 2. I don't want to make it a habit.  But this week, I got to nap with him twice (the second time Daddy joined in too!) and it was so special.  Seeing his face light up when he wakes up to my face is so precious!

4. Enjoying a dinner out with some of my family, complete with sushi! Yum!

Current like:

Learning more about photography

Current dislike:

Having so much on my plate

Something I need to work on:

Getting back into my crafts!  I just haven't been into it lately...

Scripture:

"I love the Lord, because He has heard my voice and my supplications.  Because He has inclined His ear to me, therefore I will call upon Him as long as I live." -Psalm 116:1-2

With love, 

Danielle Renae

Welcoming Warm Weather on a Wednesday

This day could not have been closer to perfection.  After waking up a little earlier than usual, Elijah and I joined our friends Janine and Lennon (and later, our new friend Jamie) for our first beach trip of the season.  While the boys played and bonded in the back seat...

...Janine and I smiled away, amazed by our growing sweeties.  And of course, chatted away about mommy things.

The beach greeted us with the blue skies and warm sunshine we've been longing for.  It wasn't long before we were all giggling and soaking up the day.

As the afternoon came around, the quiet beach became full of sun-seekers taking advantage of the gorgeous day.  Once our tummies started rumbling, we knew it was time to head off to our next destination.  The Sponge Docks in Tarpon Springs seemed like the perfect place for our beach-bumming day.  We of course headed straight for the ice cream shop before lunch :)

Our little munchkins just loved watching the boats come in and out of the docks.

With full bellies and sleepy eyes, we headed home.  Needless to say, it wasn't long before they were conked out in the back seat...

Once we were home, Elijah and I cuddled up and enjoyed a nice long nap together (which happens very rarely these days).  Seeing the big smile on his face when he realized he was waking up next to Mommy was one of those moments that makes me so happy to be a mother.  

Today, I am thankful for friendship, motherhood, and my wonderful Florida sunshine that made today's joys possible :)

Love, 

Danielle Renae

Here's To Trains And Space

Our Tuesday mornings are usually the same... spending time with our friends at play group.  But this morning, we decided to change things up a bit.  Nothing super exciting, really.  Elijah got a new train set for his birthday and was so happy and content playing with it...

So, I decided to skip out on the normal routine and take advantage of his rare mood to get a start on my spring cleaning.  My mess of a closet is finally tidy again and the piles and piles of clothes I had shoved in every nook and cranny... some too big, some too small... are now all neatly stored away.  Which brings me to my new favorite thing... space saver bags!

Bag #1:

And bag #2 (In the same bin):

Hooray for saving space!!! :)

Love,
Danielle Renae

Sincerely Sunday : Happy 25th Birthday To Me!

This weekend has been so wonderful!  After spending Friday night celebrating Elijah's second birthday (Holy crap... I have a two year old!!!), Saturday proved to be even more fun.  We met our family and a few close friends at the Park for some late morning fun...

After all the bubbles, cake and smiles came to a close, Elijah headed home with his Mimi and Papa for a sleep over, while Mommy and Daddy headed home to prepare for an evening out.  Before heading to my favorite restaurant (Roy's) for some Hawaiian fusion cuisine, we made a stop at Wal-Mart where Cliff decided to buy me a new iPod (to replace the one I accidentally smashed)...

Isn't it so cute? I can't wait to use it at the gym!  It even has a clip on the back to attach to my clothing and has some little thing-a-majig that counts your calories with each step you take (they call it a pedometer, but I prefer the term "thing-a-majig").  Now if I can just get by without loosing the little thing, everything will be super! ;)

This morning lead us to church where I was surrounded by smiling faces from the people I've come to love so much.  Then my sweet friend Nicole and I spent the afternoon pampering ourselves with pedicures and doing a little shopping...

My parents invited us over for dinner where we were treated to a delicious steak dinner and banana cake.  Yum!  Then it was back home for some wrestling and tickle fights with my favorite boys.  Today was a beautiful day to celebrate my 25 years of life.  I am so thankful for all the family and friends that I have been blessed with.  They make my life so much sweeter.

Things I'm thankful for:
1. Birthday celebrations
2. The gift of life
3. Pedicures (I can finally stop hiding my feet!)
4. Having such a happy son
5. My church family

Things I'm looking forward to:
1. Dinner on Saturday.  We're getting a sitter (a big thank you to the Lawrences!) and enjoying a dinner out with both sides of the family to celebrate my birthday (this weekend was a little full).  And there will be sushi :)
2. Having breakfast with my Daddy one day this week
3. Spending some quality time with my mother and sister tomorrow night
4. Kayaking with my sister Saturday morning
5. Play group (as usual)

Things that made me smile this week:
1. I recorded Elijah singing "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star" and "The Itsy, Bitsy Spider" all by himself.
2. Having some much-needed girl time today
3. Hearing Elijah speak in full sentences

Current like:
Days spent outside in the warm sunshine.

Current dislike:
The disorganized mess that is my house.

Something I need to work on:
My horrible eating habits.  Tomorrow starts the calorie counting.

Favorite quote:
"Our imaginations were fashioned like wicks to be ignited by the fire of fresh revelation, dripping with wax that God can imprint with His endless signatures." -Beth Moore

Scripture:
"For you formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother's womb.  I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works, and that my soul knows very well." -Psalm 139:13-14

Yours Truly,
Danielle Renae

Birthday Bliss... Two Years Of Big Smiles And Happy Hearts

Today was the beginning of what is expected to be a great weekend.  And for good reasons.  Aside from the fact that yours truly will soon be celebrating her 25th birthday, today held a special significance.  Today was a day of thanksgiving.  A day of reflection.  A day of love.  A day of pure joy.  Because on this day 2 years ago, God blessed this world with the life of my precious son.

The day was filled with quality time with grandparents, soaking up some sunshine, cuddling on the couch while watching Eli's favorite shows, and of course... eating plenty of cake!

My heart melted as my growing boy's eyes lit up to "Happy Birthday" songs.  He didn't hesitate to dive face-first into his own special cake.

Following tradition, dessert lead to opening a few presents and play time...

 
Tomorrow, the festivities will continue as we meet up with family and friends at the park.  With all the excitement, I just couldn't resist a little crafting to make the day extra-special...

Thomas Elijah Pruitt... thank you for making the last two years so incredible.  Your laugh, your smile, and your love melt my heart over and over again.  And just when I think I can't possibly love you any more... you find a way to make it happen.  You make this world a happier place.  I love you more than you will ever know...  happy birthday Bug!

-Danielle Renae

Wordless Wednesday : A Big Boy Hair Cut

Birthday Beginnings And Little Valentines

To put it simply, play group this morning truly was heart warming.  While tired mommies sipped on coffee, and smiling toddlers indulged in various sweets, we took some time to celebrate Valentine's Day with the little ones we love so much.  And since Elijah's birthday is Friday, we also celebrated the birth of my adorable son...  

 {Valentine's Day Crafts}

{Yummy cupcakes!!!}

{A cake for my sweet boy}

 {Blowing out birthday candles}

 {More cake and trucks make for a very happy little guy}

{Sillies}

I've realized that while play group was originally intended for our children to have a chance to play and make friends, I have grown to love the other mommies there and cherish that time for myself.  Can't wait to see them all again next week!

With love, 

Danielle Renae

Wordless Wednesday : Blue-Eyed Wonder

Munchkins for Munchkins

As another day comes to a close, and my throat screams in agony (no thanks to this icky cold) I can't help but smile as I reflect on yet another wonderful day with my sweet boy.

Play group this morning was spent at the park, taking advantage of our glorious 75 degree Florida weather...

Complete with munchkins for our little munchkins (one for each hand!)...

Now I'm off to bed to dream happy dreams :)

With Love,
Danielle Renae