Little Eloise

When I was pregnant with little Eloise, I never could have imagined the deep love I would have for her. This little girl is such a delight. She's a ray of sunshine. A treasure to be cherished. She brings me so much joy. 

She just started walking this past week. She's only taken a maximum of five steps at a time, but I can tell she is so proud of herself for such a great accomplishment. She seems to be so very aware... she has been since she was a tiny little baby. I feel like she understands everything that I say. 

I was holding her recently and asked her to lean back so I could tickle her neck. Right away, she threw back her head to allow me to get to that sweet tickle spot for sugar. She knew what I had asked her to do! 

Every night I put Eloise down in her crib first after she gives everyone kisses goodnight. Well, one particular night recently, we were rushing bedtime a little more than usual and I just skipped the "kissing" part and proceeded to feed her a little bit more before I laid her in her crib. She started "protesting" (that's what we call fussing) and decided to bite me to get my attention. She kept shaking her head no and looking out of her bedroom door into Julip's room. She was talking in her baby talk as fast as she could get her little words out. I took her into her big sisters room where Daddy was reading Julip bedtime stories and Eloise calmed down immediately. She was not about to be put to bed without first kissing her Daddy and big sister. 

Julip wears purses all the time (which she did not pick up from me). I suppose Eloise has watched Julip many times now. When trying to give Eloise a toy to entertain her I kept handing it to her and she'd stick her arm through the straps to hang it on her arm just like her big sister has done so many times! She also recently put on a necklace all by herself... crazy! 

The sweetest thing she does is hug. Julip didn't hug at this early of an age. Eloise will just rest her little head on my shoulder and hug on my with her tiny arms. It melts my heart. She also just started puckering her lips! I always tell her, "Thank you!" every time she gives me a little kiss! 

It just blows my mind how capable and creative and brilliant little babies are at such a young age. It amazes me. I love having a front row seat to the development of my little Ewalesee! 

with love,
momma Caro

portraits

"A portrait of my children, once a week, every week, in 2013."

21/52

Julibelle, resting on a rock during an evening hike.

Little Eloise, doing what kiddos do best: getting dirty and putting everything in sight in her mouth. 

22/52

Julip girl, playing with sand, her favorite place in the park. 
Eloise, exploring the world at her fingertips. 

These were actually all taken with my iphone! It is crazy the quality of photos this little piece of technology can take. And to think that this is not even it's primary purpose... I'm thankful for the times I don't have my camera charged or with me, I have my phone to capture moments of life with my girls.

with love,
Caroline

20/52

"A portrait of my children once a week, every week, in 2013."

Ballerina Jubie-girl balancing on the front porch rail on a rainy day in Spring.

Eloise's perfect profile. Look at those eyelashes, that little nose, and those sweet lips! 

with love, 

momma Caro

P.S. This picture couldn't go without being posted. Look at her expressive eyebrows! :)

Going to the Mountains

Youth Directors don't really work a typical week. Dustin works 9 am - 5 pm in his office where he meets with co-workers, studies scripture and prepares lessons, and plans for events. But much of Dustin's time with students can only happen after school/practice or on the weekends (unless they are home schooled... which is a super plus!).  If you think about it, most pastors work at least six days a week, with their main work day being Sunday! By the grace of God, we are commanded to take a sabbath rest, but it may come on a different day of the week. For us, our sabbath is on Mondays. From the time Dustin gets home from church on Sunday, he is off the clock and it is official family time. We try to put away our phones. We try our best to really focus on each other and live at a slower pace. Almost always, we have an adventure planned which usually involves hiking somewhere... only after a big breakfast, of course!  

This past Monday we hiked up to Craggy Mountain. It's been closed all winter but just recently opened again for the season. And oh boy, was it beautiful! We had to bundle back up in our heavy coats and thick socks. But the view was just breathtakingly beautiful! I had no idea we were surrounded by SO many mountains upon mountains upon mountains. 

This is so normal: Julip climbing and doing her thing. Little Eloise just observing from close by. (Seeing my hunk of a husband carry my little Tiny in the ergo... my heart explodes.)

This tree just made us stop in our tracks. That, and we needed a rest. But just look at those roots! 

And then we made it to the top! Dustin actually ended up carrying both girls most of the way! 

I just love self-timers... the only way to get a family shot most of the time! 

 That reservoir is actually Black Mountain's water. And the town to the right of my head is where we live! 

 The love of my life with my little lamb. 

 Most of my favorite things in one picture... all that's missing is some dark chocolate and coffee!

Come visit us! There are lots of adventures to be had! (and Black Mountain has plenty of chocolate and coffee! :)

Much love, 

Caroline

DIY Rocking Chair Transformation

If you've ever been to our house, you've probably noticed that I love making things with my hands. When we first got married, and there was no "decorating" budget, we had to get creative and make beautiful things out of what we had. It challenged me to recreate and redesign existing things and to make new pieces out of things I could find! Now, I find deep satisfaction in making things beautiful as my creative outlet.

It's funny because we had some new friends coming over recently, and before they came Julip said, "They (the friends) are gonna say things like, 'Did you really make that?', right momma?" She is a pretty observant little girl and picked up on a common question people ask when coming into our home.

These rocking chairs were thrown out for trash on the side of the road. When I first found them, they needed a little work with a hammer and a complete makeover. Dustin was not so interested in them when I unloaded them from our station wagon, but after a few hours of work they were like new! You cant beat free rocking chairs. Thankfully I already had all the materials on hand except for the paint! And the best part is that they actually rock really well! We've been enjoying them so much!

 This is when I first got them home. Pretty bad, huh? 

I first removed all the original seating. Then, after washing and sanding the wood, I painted them a pale blue!  

I found some particle board in a dumpster nearby and used a jigsaw to cut the seat. 

 Then I covered the seat with two layers of batting, some waterproof plastic, and a simple muslin fabric. 

Dustin was so surprised that the falling apart, mossy rocking chairs I brought home could look like this!  

I am, too! 

Next time you see something on the side of the road and it seems like it still has good structure, pick it up, put forth some effort and elbow grease, and you'll be pleased with the end results. I could do this kind of stuff all day long! 

much love, 

Caro

19/52

"A portait of my children, once a week, every week, in 2013."

Julibelle has worn her Repunzel dress everyday for the past week or more. It was a gift from Aunt Lilly!

Eloise sucking on a rock momma wasn't quick enough to get from her hands. 

Days with these sweet girls of mine are so much fun! We're soaking up the warmer weather!

with love, 

Momma Caro

P.S. I love this following picture, too! She was laughing at some older boys who were swinging. It's a little blurry, but too good not to share! :)

Hiking All About

All I want to do all the time is hike. If the weather permits and we have even the shortest time to spend outdoors, I just want to walk and walk and walk into this new wilderness we now call home. We can go as near or as far as we desire. An amazing hiking trail follows along the road we take each and everyday. It nudges alongside a flowing mountain stream, takes you up or down the mountain-depending on how hard you want your heart to beat, and spits you out next to Dustin's office. Or, we can drive a little ways out to other parts of Western North Carolina for some new scenes and streams we haven't yet explored. When SuSu was visiting recently, we hiked in both Brevard and Montreat, NC. What a beautiful world God created for us to enjoy.

DuPont State Forest, Brevard, North Carolina 
(fun fact: this is where some of the Hunger Games was filmed. AND a handful of our students/youth parents were in the movie and have screen time! what what?!)

 (the little gap in her front teeth just makes my heart explode!)

 (And Jubie-girl wearing her poppa's hat... so sweet.)

 This was the ride back with the windows down. Little Eloise was having fun! :)

 Montreat, North Carolina. So close to our house!

Beautiful SuSu with little darling Eloisa! 

 I caught my first trout! 

 A wild rainbow trout. Couldn't have been any happier! 

 I just had to give him a kiss! 

What's a hike now-a-days without a little fishing. With Dustin's good advice and direction, I finally caught my first trout. He was a beauty! 

Come visit us! We'll go hiking!

with love, 

Caroline