Veronica Rose: 2 years too old

Veronica and I both couldn't sleep last night. Maybe she knew it was her birthday today...

We sat up looking outside at the moon in silence for a looooong time.

She just asked, "mama hold you." (which translates to pick me up) I most willingly complied.

I was secretly thankful for those moments to snuggle up and squeeze this little baby of mine who has suddenly become a little girl. 

Veronica Rose, 

These are a few things I hope to never forget about you:

You hate to wear pants (we will work on that), and prefer to run around in just a tee shirt and rainboots.

You prefer baseball caps to bows.

You like to do anything your big brother does...trains, bikes, digging in dirt, and getting messy. You are more daring than we bargained for.... you walk the line and push the envelope.

Climbing, dumping, sneaking....you giggle out loud when you are caught doing something wrong, followed by "Yes sir.." and a pretend sorry face.

You are sometimes more spice than sugar, but I know its because you got my strong willed nature. You also got my sensitivity and your daddy's big blue eyes and eyelashes.

This may prove to be a challenging combo, but if daddy and I do our part, someday you can choose to be strong willed for all the right things. We know God made you perfectly in His image. Speaking of your daddy, he gets this sparkle in his eye when he talks about you. He won't admit it, but you turn him to mush. He loves you to the moon and back and you are so lucky to have him and Gabriel looking out for you. 

You and Gabriel are best buds. You squabble every day, but you also share many hugs and kisses. He makes sure you always get any surprises or treats he is having, as well as avoid any danger. He says with pride that "he is your big brother and he needs to protect you." We all can't wait to see who you grow into.

And even though come June, you will no longer be the baby of the family, you have my whole heart and soul. Always.

I have gotta wrap this up before I start making this happy day a tearful one...:)

Happy Birthday my beautiful blue eyed girl!

Mama

And here's a video from two days ago. Seemed appropriate since I caught her without pants on film;)

*Veronica's birth story here and First birthday here.

He felt the baby move...

He felt the baby move. 

A series of questions proceeded...

When is the baby gonna come out? Wil I get to hold the baby? Will she be happy?

He doesn't know that just yesterday, I was waiting for him anxiously, feeling him kicking and moving constantly in my womb, and wondering who he was going to be.

My first born.

I ache for those days where he fit into my arms perfectly, but accept that it was a gift to have those days at all. I have shed tears thinking of how fast he went from being my newborn to my little man in what seems to have been only a year in time. 

When I saw him react to feeling this baby move, I was reminded that he was meant to be my first born. God knew exactly what He was doing. Gabriel will be the big brother they will learn from.

And boy, has he challenged Gabe and I these past few years. Stretched us to our limits and re-molded our hearts. Through the ugly moments and the sweet ones, I know he was made to be my first.

Little lovebug in the womb, you are a lucky one. You have a big brother her already loves you so much. He thinks you are a girl. We will see:)

Family Threads - New Style Series!

I call this phase of growing out my bangs the sheep dog pirate phase. Suitable, right?

{Anna: Top: c/o Sheinside, Velvet pants: Gap, Tote: c/o George, Gina, & Lucy, Pumps: HM, Necklace: F21, Charm Bracelet: The Silver Acorn, Gold Bangle: InPink 

Gabriel: Shirt: Gap (similar), Jeans: TCP, Shoes: Converse via ebay (similar)

Veronica: Top, Leggings, and Boots: Old Navy }

Hi friends:) How was your weekend? I want to start incorporating more family style posts since the kids are always with me, and it just seems more natural. I know I will treasure the photos with them as they grow as well. Gabe promises to make an appearance too - right now he's our camera man:) Hope you all don't mind this new direction in outfit posts! I so enjoyed all the True Beauty Files looks, but as life is changing, so will the blog. I will still be doing some solo style posts and maternity style posts when as my bump continues to grow:)

Don't be fooled by the lack of coats here. Although we were blessed with a sunny and warm day in Atlanta, I do believe we still have one more month of winter ahead before it comes to stay. One dose of Vitamin D brought the entire neighborhood out of hibernation and doing strange things like mowing lawns, and climbing on top of their roofs. I even felt motivated enough to go for that run I have been mentally pumping myself up to for four weeks...

Funny what a little sunshine can do for you.

Welcome 2013 + Sharing Our Big News!

Happy New Year from the Liesemeyer Family!

We thought we would kick off the year with our surprise we have been keeping a secret for the past few months! Although it was a surprise to us, we were overjoyed to find out we have a new life on the way...due on our 5th Wedding anniversary, June 28th! Gabe and I can hardly wait to see what new little personality will join our family. I have learned that God's plans are always better than my own and that He already knows and loves this little soul inside of me. I know that ability to have children is a gift, and so I am so thankful for this opportunity we have been given. Gabe and I are ready for all the "you sure have your hands full" comments we will receive. Bring it on! We hope this won't be our last baby either;)...

We will be keeping the gender a surprise along with the name. Gabriel thinks there are "babies" in mommy's belly. Oh dear...
 I think 2013 will be a beautiful year.

I am thankful for each of you readers, who have made IHOD something I can devote my time to, and share my love of the creative world. I have some exciting things in store to share and I hope you will continue to follow along:)
Wishing you all a very HAPPY NEW YEAR and cheers to the hope 2013 brings!
Love, Anna

*all photos taken by my wonderful sister Jana

Merry Christmas from all of us to all of you!

I am in my pajamas, coffee mug in hand, surrounded by family, Christmas music going, things a baking, and excitement of Christmas in the air. Little Gabriel knows that we are down to just "one more nap" till Jesus' big birthday celebration. My children bring that magical feeling back to me all over again, and Gabe and I feel like little kids waiting for the arrival Christmas morning. There is a 70% chance of snow tomorrow, and currently we are all healthy, which would fulfill the only things on my wish list:) Thankful for the gift of true joy that fills my heart today and don't feel I deserve anything else from such a loving God.

We wish you much peace this Christmas, and hope that you have a very happy New Year!

Love, Gabe, Anna, Gabriel, and Veronica

Around Here: Christmas Edition

We are gearing up to hit the road and gather with brothers, sisters, nieces, nephews, nanna and papa for Christmas. Gabriel has been counting down by how many naps he has to take before we leave. Can hardly contain our excitement:) Here is a glimpse of the holiday happenings around our house...

Turned these....

..into this. A silver and gold bulb chandelier to offset the not so pretty ceiling fixture in our rental home:) Work with what you got, and make it your own, right?

(Tie ribbon through and around ends of ornaments and make sure to measure each ribbon strand as you go along to tier. I tied the other ends to the bottom of the light fixture.)

(spools of Midori ribbon)

If I can't paint the door red, I WILL hang a flaming red wreath.

(Her favorite perch. Front and center.)

A well loved tree that seems to gather clusters of ornaments on a single branch close to the level of two eager little toddlers...

The benefits of baking with mama.

(To officially welcome all guests.)

I am super jealous of all of you who got pummeled in snow. 

As much as I love the mild Atlanta winters, I am dreaming of a White Christmas. I am hoping St. Louis will pull through for us:) Happy December from our family to yours!

Love, Anna

Happy Halloween 2012!

We're working on the gangster effect.

An easy costume for these munchkins this year was 80's Marathon runners. Od School sweatsuits, converse sneakers, and sweat bands. We have a few more props saved for tonight's trick or treating adventure. I have too much fun dressing them up. Its only a matter of time before they will be picking their own costumes, right??

From our family to yours, Happy Halloween!

The Best of October

Welcome October : Brown Bag Apple Pie Recipe

To officially welcome my favorite month of the year, Gabe and I started a tradition with our little family. Apple Picking in the north GA mountains, stock a bag as full as we can get it, and make a Brown Bag Apple Pie with the loot...

Gabe grew up in the Milwaukee area, miles from where The Elegant Farmer and Brown Bag Apple Pie recipe originated. Before they got big and famous he would visit their farm every fall. 

They actually sell the well known pies on their site, and let me tell you....

its the best apple pie you will ever have. Even the Wall Street Journal says so;)

No pie can really quite meet the standard of The Elegant Farmer, 

but people have tried. We adapted this recipe: 

• Crust:
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup sugar
• Pinch salt
• 1 cup cold unsalted butter (2 sticks), cut into pieces
• 1/3 cup ice water
• (or you can cheat and buy frozen crusts like we do sometimes, but it won't be the same.)

Filling:

5 large Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored, and thickly sliced 

• (we used our apple farm apples-7medium - as long as you the pile high since they shrink down)
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 1/2 tablespoons cornstarch
• 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1 1/2 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, cut into pieces
• 
  
• Supplies: 9-inch aluminum pie pan, 1 medium-sized brown paper bag

Make the Crust: In a food processor combine the flour, sugar, and salt. Add the butter and pulse until pea-sized pieces appear. Add the water and pulse briefly—it will still look crumbly. Transfer the crumbs to 2 pieces of parchment paper or foil and form into 2 disks. Wrap the discs with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight.

On a work surface lightly dusted with flour, roll out 1 disk to a circle about 1/8-inch thick. Keep rolling until the circle is at least 2 inches larger than your pan. Line the pie pan with the dough, letting the edge hang over a bit. Roll the second disk, place it on a sheet pan and chill it until you're ready to build your pie.

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.

Make the Filling: In a medium bowl, toss the apple slices, sugar, cornstarch, lemon juice, vanilla, cinnamon, salt, and nutmeg together. Transfer to the pie shell and dot with the butter. Brush the edges of the dough with water. Cover with the rolled-out top crust and pinch the edges together, turning them under all around to make a thick edge. Press with fork around or pinch for decorative edge. We usually cut a few leaf shapes out of the top for venting.

Slide the pie into the brown paper bag, fold the top down, and staple bag shut. Place it on a sheet pan. Bake for 1 hour.

Remove the pie from the oven and cut a large circle in top of the bag. Return to the oven and bake until the crust is golden brown, about 15 minutes more.

Let the pie cool as long as you can stand waiting at least 30 minutes before serving.

The poor pie didn't even last long enough to be admired. It was gone in a few days. Hope you get the chance to try this over the holidays. You will never go back to any other pie...
Love, Anna

21 Dates of summer: Dates 20 & 21

So sad to have this series come to its end. Gabe and I were talking about how this series pushed us to do some of the things we have been wanting to do since we moved back to Atlanta. Thankful to have some pictures to hold them in our short term memories as well:)

We love the outdoors, and Atlanta is beautiful at the turn of the seasons. We went to an old favorite spot to listen to some music on their patio, take advantage of free chips and salsa, and of course feed our sweet tooth problem..

It wouldn't have been a complete date series without a little competition. Gabe and I thrive off a little competition with each other. When it comes to any game, it gets serious.

Mario Kart, basketball, and skee ball were all in the mix. We were rolling through that joint like high schoolers. $5.00 can provide an hour of fantastic entertainment. Its pretty cool to be married to your best friend. Can't get enough of that boy.

Thanks for following along this summer! If you are new here, you can check out all 21 dates here. If you blogged about one this summer, leave a link in the comment section below! (Was going to do a link up section but they expire:/) I can't wait to see some of the dates you all went on. 

Love, Anna