Just a heads up

I haven't blogged here in nearly a month. I do have a reason! I'm toying with the idea of just...you know...not blogging here anymore. I haven't really decided yet, and I don't feel pressured to decide. But out of 32 followers, I think realistically, only about 3 people ever read anything written here and less than that comment and ehh, just kind of tired of having 2 different blogs and no one reads either of them, so why not just have one? Right? 

I hated having my last post about praying for my nephew(who came home 3 weeks ago and is going fine) and not ever explaining why I left it there. So that's the deal if anyone was curious. I have been blogging some personal stuff over on my photography blog in addition to client shoots/weddings so I haven't been a total slacker ;-) I'll make a decision eventually, but if you want to follow me over there, feel free! Here is the link
April Ingram Photography

You don't want to miss any of our silliness do you?

Hope you all had a great summer!

Pray for Joshua

As you know, My nephew, Joshua, was born on Sunday nearly a month premature. We are no strangers to premies as my other nephew and Joshua's older brother, Caleb, was born early. Joshua weighed in at a hefty 5lbs and 13oz(Caleb was a 4lber). Knowing that Joshua would likely be born early, he was given the benefit of steroid shots several weeks ago to prepare him for an early arrival. He and his mommy did very well through labor and delivery but alas, his current residence is the NICU at our local hospital. I went up to visit last night but was unable to see the little feller because of two new admissions to the NICU and they were not allowing visitors at that time.

My sister-in-law and one of my best friends, Constance, was discharged this afternoon and she and my brother are home now with Caleb for the first time since Friday afternoon. Leaving the hospital without your child in your arms is a very emotional and stressful situation. I know, because I have been there myself. We are asking for several prayers on their behalf:

For Joshua: That he grow strong and healthy in the coming days and be well enough to come home.
For Jacob and Constance: That they will be comforted enough to get rest and much needed sleep and that they will feel the peace of God as they wait for Joshua to be home with them.
For Caleb: That he will also get rest and get back into a regular routine and that he will welcome the homecoming of his baby brother but not be effected by the stress that will most certainly surround him as he and his family wait for that day.
For the nurses and doctors in charge of Joshua's care: That they will help him and assist him in every way and continue to provide exceptional care for him during his, hopefully brief, stay in the NICU.

Thank you for your support and love on facebook!! We sure do appreciate it :-)

(with Daddy at one day old)


Bright eyed baby Joshua on day 2 of life on the outside

Bad case of the Monday's

We had a really exciting and fun weekend. As you know, the weekend was one full of anticipation for the birth of my sweet new nephew, Joshua Abel Brown. The boss and I also had a much needed, long awaited overnight break from our three rascally kiddo's. We visited with brother Jonathan and new sister Lisa for a bit, went to dinner with some of our favorite friends, Gorg and Mindy(who had a break from their 7 kids), went to an art auction with them and cousins Aaron and Teresa, drank wine, viewed some incredible art that we couldn't afford to buy(but one of MY prints sold at the auction, thank you, thank you). The evening was magical in a way. We haven't had an overnight sitter for all 3 kids since last September and I will just say...we soaked up every second right down to walking into church for Mass yesterday morning frazzle free, holding each others hand instead of a childs' hand as we walked across the parking lot. Joshua's birth yesterday afternoon was just icing on the cake. It was a wonderful weekend, to say the least.

But...Monday hit us hard as the mist from our fantastic weekend lifted and we were faced with all of the stress and anxiety that we had casually left at the backdoor on Friday afternoon. Last weekend of the month, exceptionally poor, stuff that needs to be done, house that needs to be cleaned, pictures that need to be finished and shipped, inboxes full of messages that need to be replied to, groceries that need to be bought and did I mention how poor we are?

I really hate day like this. I find myself wallowing in self pity, feeling bitter and jealous of others, beating myself up for not putting away for a rainy day, feeling guilty for always making fun of the boss for being a penny pincher and wishing I would have taken notes instead of poking fun at him. Searching for peace and guidance, I turn to my bible. I closed my eyes, opened it somewhat in the middle in the middle, putting my finger on a verse and read Proverbs 12:1 which reads "He who loves correction loves knowledge; but he who hates reproof is stupid" uhhh...gee.. thanks, God.

You know, I really didn't want to feel more stupid, so I turn to....google. I am almost certain I heard him laughing at me at this point, but I cannot be sure. What I was reminded of was a verse that I used to read to myself a lot when I was struggling to get pregnant after we lost Mac.

‎"Have no anxiety about anything at all, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God. Then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus" Phillipians 4:6-7


I have pretty much have nothing to complain about. I have a wonderful life. I have the best husband in the world, 3 beautiful, healthy children, a lovely home that keeps us safe and dry and comfortable all year long. We have lots of amazing and precious friends, a helpful and loving family on both sides, and we know that no matter how "poor" we get, we will never go hungry. It's easy to lose sight of how blessed and fortunate you really are. We are so blessed, so fortunate, and so happy. 

Joshua has arrived

Baby Joshua FINALLY arrived today :-) Don't worry, I will be heading up sometime to tomorrow to get some pictures of my own. Till then...he's the little stinker in some pictures other people took today!

waiting on Joshua

After months and months of waiting and hoping and wishing a praying...it is time for my new little nephew to join the rest of the world and emerge from the womb! Yeeeehaw! He's a little early, but due to his moms blood pressure problems, the doctor decided to go ahead and take him out this weekend.

So we are all waiting around very anxiously for new of progression or something. Soon-to-be big brother, Caleb, is hanging out with us tonight and I have to say....He really just doesn't seem to care what's going on. He's just having fun.

*fingers crossed that we'll have a new little one in the family by tomorrow morning*

purdy flowers

I absolutely LOVE the light on a sunny morning in our back yard. I think it's something about how it shines through the tree's and when everything is still wet with dew the entire yard just seems to sparkle. Very enchanting, or would be if we had more grass and less...old shed...but, it IS pretty light. I happened to pass by the kitchen window yesterday morning and just stood there admiring my pretty back yard(minus shed) and decided to grab my camera and walk outside for a bit before it got too hot. I noticed that our purple lilies in the ditch had finally bloomed. I really want to plant more of these in the ditch. These and other pretty flowers. I like them in the ditch because I don't feel bad about cutting them to put in the house :-)









(had to do a selfie...the light was too fun)



Any suggestions about what else I should plant out there?

Couch Potatoes: Day 2 of 30

Heard some strange noises coming the living room where Liam was "supposed" to be napping. walked in to find this...