About 8 weeks ago (Good Lord, where did the time go??!), my dear friend and FAB photographer, Brynn took some newborn photos of our little bundle, Samantha Grace. We had a wonderful time catching up on motherhood (she just had her second babes about 5 weeks before me). We swapped stories on life with new babies-and with her being a veteran mama, I asked her all those “Is this normal” type questions! Where would I be without all the veteran mama’s in my life? They are so dear to me!

For those of you who know Brynn, you know what a wonderful mama she is… AND you also know how talented she is at taking photos. I mean, oh my goodness, this girl is good! She also is a sweet, wonderful friend, and I was honored that her baby shower gift to me was maternity photos (I will post those in the future!) and these sweet shots. Boy, Samantha sure has grown since these photos were taken. I already get teary eyed looking back at how little she seems in them compared to now! What a fun afternoon-she captured such great shots of little S!

Be sure to check out Brynn’s blog at: http://brynnalysonphotography.blogspot.com/. From what I see, she is booking up fast for the Holidays. Better book your slot with her now…Oh goodness, that reminds me…I got to get our family shot scheduled too!

I am now in the process of working with another girlfriend on Samantha’s announcement’s. (I know, I know-I am running so behind on those!) Love what I am seeing already and can’t wait to post the final product.

For your viewing pleasure….Samantha Grace and all her sweetness! ….Enjoy!

These past couple months since Samantha has been born have been so FULL of so many wonderful events, parties, trips, lunch dates, meeting of new friends & re-connecting with old friends as well. We have been going, going, going in the Goodmama household. This past weekend, in the midst of “IT ALL” by body just decided “enough already” if your not going to slow down-then were shutting down!

Yesterday, we had to cancel things on the calendar, and camp out at home-its amazing what one day of saying NO and doing nothing can do to a stressed out & sick body. Funny how I woke up this morning feeling SO much better. I hate saying no, I am an over-committer and lover of being busy-to me it defines a “full life”. Today, I am still not 100%, but instead of filling the week and the calendar (which I have the tendency to do)-I am leaving it open-not to say “yes” to one more thing-but to do what I know is needed for my body & soul…REST!

In the midst of this forced “slow down”, I am reminded of Matthew 11:28-30 which says, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened (I like to replace that with BURNT OUT), and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

This week is all about slowing down, sleeping, eating healthy (why does this always make me feel better?!), spending time with my sweet S&J and most of all-re-connecting with the Lord.

May you find rest for your souls this week as well 🙂

I think I can learn a thing or two from Miss Samantha about Slowing Down!

I Married My Best Friend, My Partner in Crime, My Fellow Adventurer, My Sous-chef, My “Froggo”, My Travel Buddy, My Baby Daddy, My Husband….My Everything.

Life changed the moment I met J. Literally, the moment. I will never forget it. Its a memory so imbedded in my heart and mind, I could spend minutes traveling back to the feelings, emotions, laughter and nerves-my nervousness and excitement at our first conversation. We were lucky to met each other at a tropical resort where our families had vacationed at for years-God sure had this planned so uniquely that we couldn’t deny his Hand in it all-and this week we celebrate our three year anniversary, back-where we met…as my mama-in-law affectionally has named this destination-“The scene of the crime”. 🙂

3 years ago today we walked down the isle-in a equally gorgeous destination of Monarch Beach, CA, atop a hill overlooking the Pacific Ocean, in a beautiful white church, with gorgeous pink flowers sprinkled throughout and in front of our precious family and dear friends, said our “I do’s”…AND
With that promise, I became Mrs. G-Goodmama.

I have never looked back. Instead, I find myself constantly looking forward, hand-in-hand with hubby, seeking the guidance of the Lord for “what’s next”.

Jordan, life with you is always an adventure. Moments of laughter, love, stubbornness (okay, lets be honest, we both are always convinced were right), funny faces, future planning, hoping & dreaming, convicting conversations, and shared interests of cooking (really eating delicious food), entertaining, socializing, community building and parenting define our life together. Its sweet & special, and everyday I consider myself the most blessed woman to look over at you-and call you mine. Your strong, confident, and your ability to calm me down, make me laugh, and challenge me to be a better woman, mom, sister, friend, daughter, believer and wife is what makes me who I am. Today, I want you to know how loved and cherished you are.

Got a feelin’ that forever…We are gonna stay together…From now until forever
You’re the biggest part of me
You’re the life that breathes in me
You’re the biggest part of me
You changed my life
You made it right
And I’ll be a servant to you
For the rest of my life
You’re the biggest part of me….

Always, and Forever Promises… H

Last weekend OCGoodmama and J Good got to watch our dear friends S & S tie the knot. Talk about a match made in heaven! Their wedding was out of a fairytale-and they definitely fit the parts! The weekend was packed full of fun events. A walk through on Friday afternoon and a rehearsal dinner that followed. Overlooking the Dana Point Harbor, the wedding took place at the Laguna Cliffs Marriott. The resort recently underwent a renovation, leaving the grounds and hotel simply beautiful.

After the walkthrough-we headed down to Talega Country Club. The dinner was delicious, the company wonderful, and watching S & S get ready for the next day made my heart smile! We laughed over a hilarious photo slide show of the couple growing up-SO touching! Both sets of parents made sweet toasts… you could truly feel the love in that room!

The next day began early-we made it down to the coast with a car packed full of a million things (hello, first time traveling with a newborn!) and arrived to see S & S ready to begin all the special day of festivities. OCGoodmama got to spend the afternoon with the gals and J Good strapped baby SG to the baby bjorn and spent time with the boys (That was seriously SO cute!). By late afternoon it was time to watch S & S tie the knot. They both looked GA-GA Gorgeous. Especially Mrs. ST! It was truly an honor to walk down the isle and stand with them as they dedicated their lives to one another. The rest of the evening flew by-we were swept into a party like no other. Truly fitting of S & S. You couldn’t have asked for a better celebration. Sushi app’s, signature drinks, a ballroom decked out, FAB flowers, candy bar, mouthwatering food, and slider’s for a late night treat. S & S thought of every detail (If you know these two, this wouldn’t surprise you ONE BIT!).

Being a new mama and balancing social events has quite the learning curve-but was accomplished so well last weekend thanks to the AMAZING grandparents – on both our sides. We couldn’t have done it without them!

Too S & S-We wish you all the fabulousness you’re worthy of. Like I said last Saturday night-We were blessed to stand behind you when you got engaged, honored to stand with you when you tied the knot, and beyond thrilled to walk with you on this journey through your marriage. We love you two! Welcome home Newlyweds! xoxo

This past week I went to Nordies… lets be honest here, I think I have been three times in the past week. Two days in a row. I know, I know. Scary, right? It’s just that after the anniversary sale, I had some returns and Samantha’s favorite place to be in the afternoon is in her sling right next to mama-which makes shopping in the afternoon so much easier with the little button! And I think she loves the calming affect of Nordies-the piano player, the ice tea, the cafe, all the pretty clothes, shoes, purses, etc. I know – I’m reaching, but she loves it! So enough about my obsession with Nordies and on to the Jimmy Choo sunglass debacle.