Kate Middy: Baby Bump Update.

     It's no secret to those who know that I love Kate Middleton. One December morning I looked to check the time on my phone,  I had 6 missed phone calls, 7 texts and 4 twitter notifications, and 2 facebook posts from people asking me about my excitement of the news that HRH Kate was pregnant with the heir to the thrown! I wish I could explain in words just how I excited I was.. My entire afternoon that day was spent watching the British television.

     I guess you could say I am bit obsessed with Kate Middleton. While her and William were dating, I was told by someone that I looked liked Kate. I was flattered but I knew it wasn't true, I decided to photo shop my face onto her body.The picture was of her and William's engagement announcement. People began commenting on the photo and some didn't even know it was me, they thought it was Kate! Ever since then I have been associated with her by my friends and family. I LOVE IT. How fun is it to adore a celebrity and kind of look like them?  But my love & reasons for liking her will come in another post. This post is about that baby bump!

     As soon as I heard the news that Kate was expecting, people asked me when I thought she was due. I guessed that June early July because Kate wanted to wait until the three month mark to tell the public but had to go to the hospital (at about 8 weeks) due to severe morning sickness.  I have been waiting anxiously to see what Kate would wear during pregnancy.I think because of Kate's pregnancy maternity clothes are changing. Kate is known for her classy style and that hasn't changed since her pregnancy began. THIS IS SO WONDERFUL FOR PREGNANT WOMEN EVERYWHERE. Stores like target are jumping on the classy & trendy bandwagon and making cute clothes for pregnant women! FINALLY. Now I have never been pregnant but I can tell you that most women I know hate the clothing.

I have decided to be your official royal baby bump correspondent. I promise to post pictures and keep you updated on the Royal pregnancy. I will post about Kate's clothes, baby name predictions and much more, After all it's the least I can do.

These two photos are from Kate's outing today in Grimbsy. I hope I look like Kate when I am expecting. You can't even tell she has a bump. Her lovely brown coat with highwaisted belt and dress like fit looks stunning on her. I also really like the small belt like band around the sleeve. I am sure we will see a knock off version of this coat hit our stores in the next few weeks. 

I will leave you with this photo, it's my favorite of Kate so far.

I love how natural this photo is,It's a great candid of Kate's hand is placed gently on her belly. 

    The photo looks like it just of an ordinary expectant couple.

Have an enchanting Tuesday, from one princess to another,

xoxo

Kimmy 

 Photos curtesy of:
 [Leon Neal / AFP / Getty Images]

Love.

As I reached for the third cup of coffee this morning in an attempt to ward of the sleepiness that comes along with child care, I asked myself the same question that I always ask in moments of exhaustion... Why do I do this to myself?

This week has been a bit crazy so far, which is usually normal. Last week, however, was the opposite of crazy while I vacationed with my family in the retirement capital of America... Marco Island, FL. Coming from such a slow moving, fun/sun/food-filled week made my usual 7am - 9pm schedule a bit more exhausting than I remembered. I try to be a super-nanny, but I will tell you all who have never cared for a child... KIDS ARE EXHAUSTING. They constantly want something (often food, or something equally as inconvenient), they have indescribable amounts of energy that they likely stole from you (one mom likened this concept to the dementors in Harry Potter), and they are full of an impossible amount of bodily fluids! Any person who works in child care (parents, teachers, coaches, etc.) deserves a billion gold stars and a lifetime supply of strong coffee. So why, then, do I voluntarily spend my 40-hours per week cleaning up aforementioned bodily fluids while being energy sucked by dementor children? Love.

After dealing with yet another mid-nap potty accident, and going through the motions of the nap-time ritual for what seemed like the billionth time today, the 3-year-old I watch looked up at me with something to say. I expected him to request yet another snack, or drink, or "five more minutes," or "just one more book," but instead, he said to me, "Han, I love you" and closed his eyes for his nap. I don't care if it is the cheesiest thing ever. This is the moment of my day that reminded me what love is. Those little dementors who produce piles of dirty diapers, dishes, and laundry are people. They're not going to be people when they grow up, when they start talking, or when they've reached some other milestone... they're people right now and they need the grown-ups in their lives to know that. They are each special, kind, creative, and smart. When they play it is sometimes loud and irritating, but it is so important. Their fresh, young minds are able to learn and grow so much everyday. It is so outrageously impressive the way we've all been created. People are so intricately designed. Our ability to love... that's an incredible gift and kids are able to do it so well sometimes that it makes cry for so embarrassingly long that you have to write about it. As I sit here listening to the early signs of the end of nap time, I am just so thankful for the life that I have, and for the people God's placed in my life. I am so thankful that one of those wonderful people reminded me, yet again, how much God loves each one of His children, and that He is calling me to do the same.

Xoxo,
Hannah

A Guide to Hannah: Not-So-Pretty-Things You Should Know About Me

1. Faith, family, and friends are my top 3 priorities in that order.
2. I am a procrastinator in the worst way.
3. Things don't typically line up neat and tidy in my head. I usually have to force the jumbles into some sort of order to maintain sanity... and form coherent sentences.
4. I can't spell many words well without spell check.
5. Self-control is tricky for me sometimes, because I'm a pretty passionate person.
6. I need my sleep.
7. Music is powerful and necessary in my day-to-day.
8. Sometimes being the listener of the conversation is a huge struggle, but it's not because I don't want to hear what the talker has to say.
9. Stress manifests itself physically in the form of weird, awkward ailments like stomach pains, excessive sweating, itchy rashes, or vision loss (to name a few).
10. Sunshine warms my heart and boosts my mood.
11. I'm meant to be a mother someday. It's my purpose in life and I am so excited to fulfill it.
12. I frequently eat my feelings.
13. I love vegetables, but I love chocolate too.
14. I hope to one day be truly surprised by something amazing.
15. The biggest adventure to me is becoming vulnerable enough to love all sorts of people and things... investing my whole heart.
16. I'm honestly afraid of what a coffee outage could do to me.
17. Encouragement is my favorite way to be loved.
18. I am strong willed to a fault, therefore I don't react well to being told what I can or cannot do.
19. It pains me to let other people down, because I genuinely want them happy and fulfilled.
20. I tend to keep an absurdly busy schedule.
21. My feet stink horribly and I am ashamed of them.
22. I hate being in debt.
23. I'm usually late.
24. I'm not perfect, or normal, or one of the cool kids, but I'll try my best to accept you and respect you just as you are.
25. I'm weird about having things be round numbers, so I had to have 25 things.

Project 373.

 A little New Year update:

 2012 was a year of new adventures and new beginnings.  I began to take part in a project of taking pictures for a whole year. I started this project on Christmas 2011 and "ended" it New Years Eve 2012( I still take a picture just about every day.) I don't  believe in New Years Resolutions, I think you should constantly be challenging yourself to live a healthier more meaningful life.

I wanted for this project to take pictures of my everyday life that I often forget to document. We usually take pictures of the "big moments" but what about all the little moments that make life, well life? Throughout my 373 pictures you see bits of my life captured on film. What started off as an instagram challenge from a friend turned into a wonderful memory.

  Here  are few moments of time captured from my past year.

                Worked with strangers rebuilding our community after a Tornado swept through

        Saw Titanic at least 4 times in theaters, including on 100th anniversary of when the titanic     

             sank.Because lets be real here,  TITANIC IS THE BEST MOVIE OF ALL TIME.

                                              

 

My oldest niece graduated from preschool.

  

Mourned the loss of my cousin Chad, and learned just how precious life truly is 

                                                                       

                                                  Jumped in front of the Tanner Residence

                                                   Took my 18 year old dog for a spin.

                                              Said goodbye to my Sassy Cat, Cookie.

                                             

                                          Welcomed a new family member Lady Pippa Winslet

   

                                        Celebrated many birthdays (my little niece turned 2)

                                                       Fell in love with the first grade.

 

                                                           Spent time with family.

                                                              Joined a headband mafia.

                                                            Enjoyed days at the beach

 

And nights at the pool

                                              traveled to imaginary worlds at the beck

                               laughed and dance my way through my last year of sorority life

                                                                 became a princess

                                                    

                                                    crafted  away my last day as a nanny

                                             

                                         Rang in the new year with my nearly normal girl.

There are so many other memories I wanted to share in this post, but I ran out of space! if you would like to see more, follow my instagram Conninator.

Thanks for reading,

xoxox

Kimmy

Hannah's New Year Update

Get excited folks! So many wonderful things ahead of us! Kimmy and I are currently in the process of revamping the blog a little bit, and even posting in it! (What?!) Yes, it's true. There will be BLOG!

For starters, let me begin with an About Me update: MY LIFE BE CRAY! I can honestly say that I am stretched farther than the $10 jeggings that I bought at Target on a skinny day and decided to wash in hot water. Let's just say, there's a lot going on around here. It's all great, though, because I have this Jesus guy to help me along.

Here are a few reasons why this year will be incredible:

• I have a career goal! Finally I am working my way towards a career that I am passionate about... Child Life. I am hoping to begin a blog now so I can document some of the experiences I have to come!
• I got my tattoo! This year stated out with a great reminder of the faith and hope I have in Jesus Christ. I am so excited to have my anchor tattoo to remind me of the wonderful promises the Lord has made and to use it as a witnessing tool.
• Kimmy and I have a blog plan! Writing is soooo therapeutic for me. It keeps me sane to scribble down some of my thoughts for the electronic abyss. Plus I get to spend more time talking with my dear friend, Kimmy.
• I am returning to Mexicali as a leader with our youth group! I cannot wait to see our old friends from the church we visit down there, and make new ones too. Sharing the gospel along the way will be fantastic, and as an added bonus our high school kids are fantastic!
• I started using goTandem! I get texts, emails, and a phone call with pieces of scripture everyday. I had absolutely no idea how reading the bible can affect my mood until I actually did it. Try it. I love it.
• I am going to run my half marathon...finally! I will say I am already behind in my training and it is absolutely frigid outside, so I've only been making it to the track a few times a week, but no matter what it takes, I will run myself 13.1 miles this year whether I like it or not.

 Obviously, there will be struggles this year, but, as you can see, this Jesus-loving optimist is ready to take every obstacle on(God willing, of course)! Yeah 2013!!

Hugs, kisses, and New Years wishes!!
Hannah

Nanny Life: Top 25 Reasons Why I Have the Best Job

1. Tiny fingers and toes

2. Sticky smiles

3. Sidewalk chalk

4. Backyard adventures

5. Snack time

6. Puzzles

7. Little laughs

8. Pre-kindergarten crushes

9. Play-doh

10. Disney-Pixar movies

11. Forts

12. Coloring pages and stickers

13. Walks in the neighborhood

14. Comfy clothes all day

15. Nap time

16. Innocence

17. Sesame Street and other kid shows

18. Wonderful chats with wonderful mothers

19. Sprinklers

20. Creative imaginations

21. Picture books

22. Hands on Museum

23. Pots and pans musical parades

24. Playing a small part in while children learn and grow

25. Learning huge lessons from little people

 

xoxo, Hannah

Party in the USA (olympic highlights)

From the well knowns to underdogs the Olympians have once again captivated the hearts of millions around the world.  These Olympians are genetically gifted in every sense of the word. Who doesn't want to watch someone who not only looks amazing but has amazing talent?

   Throughout the Olympics we saw world records broken, our favorites fall, became fans of young men and woman who are still in high school, learned about new sports, cried when we saw a medal around the neck of favorite Olympian,remembered what it felt like to be American, and got a glimpse of world peace.
Here are few of my favorite Team USA  highlights from the Olympics.

 

*The fierce 5 winning the gold, brought back so many memories of when the magnificent 7 won the gold back in '96. Seeing these young talented teens achieve such a high honor was a magical experience.(not to mention Gabby Douglas winning the all around, and Aly & McKayla picking up an extra few medals)The name fierce doesn't do justice this remarkable group of talent. How can you not love sweet little gymnistas ? (i made up the gymnista because I don't like word gymnast)

*Missy Franklin may be my favorite olympian this year. This sweet 17 year old girl won 4 gold and 1 bronze medal at the London games. The High school senior turned down endorsement deals so she could swim at the collegite level! What a gem! I loved watching her on the podium for 100 backstroke crying while national anthem played.

 * I am always in awe of swimmers who swim the 400IM , its not an easy race and to be able to swim it fast and gracefully is definitely something to brag about.Watching Ry Guy win this race against Phelps was the Olympics at it finest, such intense competition. Plus seeing Ryan in a speedo is always a highlight anyway.

*

 *I am not a huge Tennis Fan, but I am when I watch Serena & Venus Williams. At this years Olympics games Serena became the second woman to win all four major tennis titles and win Olympic gold in both singles and doubles (with sister Venus)!

The U.S. Women's Water Polo Team is very near and dear to my heart. Betsey Armstrong the goalie for the U.S. team was someone I idolized as a kid. Betsey was a good friend of my neighbor and I thought she was just the bees knee. I would follow her and my neighbor everyhwere  and go to as many of their high school water polo games as I could. I remember watching them,thinking someday I am gonna be as good as them.I remember thinking they were so cool. Betsey is such a sweet girl, and watching her win Olympic gold, felt just the same as watching her beat our rival team in highschool. I am still in awe of Betsey and her cool factor. It is amazing to see her achieving dream.

* I am not a Phelps phan, but I still consider him a remarkable athlete becoming worlds most decorated athlete with 22 olympic medals was a great historical moment witness.

*Aries Merrit and Jason Richardson going 1-2 for the 110 m hurdles and beating a new Olympic record was extremely exciting to watch. Their victory lap around the track wearing american flags was quite the Olympic experience.

* I don't think the energy could be matched at the Women's soccer Olympic final. The crowd was out of control with excitement. Everyone cheering wondering if the USA was going to have their 3rd consecutive win of Olympic gold. The USA beat Japan 2-1. Major creds go out the USA goalie Hope Solo who made an awesome dive to keep the Japanese from tying up the game.

*Last but certainly not least of my favorite Olympic moments, was watching Misty May & Kerri Walsh win Olympic gold together one last time(Misty is retiring) in beach volley ball. I just love these two. They kick butt on the beach. I was so happy to hear they were coming to the Olympic games once again. What was even more exciting is that they played against fellow USA team members for the gold. They have such a tight bond and love for each other and the sport. You can't not love the two of them.

There are many more Olympic moments I could put into this post but these are the top ones for me. I am really going to miss the Olympics. I love being American, and I couldn't think of a better group of athletes to represent us.

USA USA USA

-Kimmy