Merry Christmas

Since I just finished with the thesis last week & have a final
on Wednesday I have not had time to make Christmas cards and
send them- shoot I still haven't finished thank you notes!?

Anyways, now that I have presents wrapped and the tree all
set...I forced Hadley for a photo shoot. The first picture
is my favorite, but they are all beautiful. She was very
tired but was a trooper as always.

Enjoy, and much love this holiday season from the Goins Family

Picture Time

Since Christmas is coming up I of course had to decorate the house! Just my luck, Hadleys loves the lights!!!! Not that I needed encouragement, but it doesn't hurt in validating even MORE Christmas stuff!!! :-)

The hat says Baby's First Christmas, we got it last winter while we were expecting. We of course had to cut the back so it would fit her head.



Hadley's version of help!




A few weekends ago, I got out a package of hair things Hadley had gotten for her baby shower. When I walked out of the bathroom, this is what Mark had done!


A cute angle...


For some reason this is Mark's favorite picture of me...

BIRTHDAY

Yesterday was my husband's birthday, and continuing in Mark fashion he put me first. Hadley and I are blessed beyond words with this wonderful man in our lives. I had my poster presentation yesterday and things went well. Just my luck poster presentations are the same day as my husband's twenty-eighth birthday. Mark was so precious. Calling me to see how I was feeling, asking me to call right when it was over, then taking me out to dinner to celebrate being done. (A few days away from having a double masters?!?!?!). He even cleaned while I was at class so I wouldn't be stressed. I have such a good husband that treats me like a princess and I don't know what I did to deserve it but I will be thankful everyday. In honor of Mark's 28th birthday I am going to attempt to list 28 things about him that I love.

1. His breakfast of four cinnamon waffles with peanut butter
2. His concern for his daughter
3. His annoyingly cute obsession for the history & discovery channel
4. His LOVE for music
5. The questions he asks regarding computers and copy & pasting.
6. Watching him play his bass on stage
7. Hearing him talk about a passionate topic (e.g. his family)
8. How he text throughout the day just to say "ELY" (our version of I love you)
9. That he brings out the best in me
10. That he can't wait to move up North once our family is complete
11. That he cleans up so I'm not stressed coming home
12. His boyish need for video game magazines
13. His desire to put Hadley & I first
14. That he works in 15 degree weather because he WILL provide for his family
15. That he attempted to go 35 mph on a country road because there wasn't a sign posted
16. His perfect salads that take a good thirty minutes to prepare
17. The way he makes Hadley smile just by entering the room
18. That he never hesitates to give me a complement
19. That he often smacks when dinner is extra good
20. His current obsession with sauteed mushrooms and onions at EVERY meal
21. Having him say "Don't Blink" at the Middle Point sign EVERYTIME
22. The fact that he doesn't know how to write a check
23. Him switching to 1% because he wants to "look good" for his wife
24. That he is always supportive of my school work & hectic schedule
25. His belly laugh
26. That he will always wash & dry but refuses to fold
27. That all he wanted for his birthday was to hold his wife & daughter
28. Lastly, that he CHOSE me.

I know it's late, but that doesn't make it mean any less!
Happy Birthday to my one and only.

WEDDING PICTURES

FINALLY, wedding pictures are in. Go to www.sacredimagesstudio.com
Go to album previews first to see the "highlight" pictures. Next, if
you have an hour and a half go to client pictures. They ask for your
email but just put it in already...it's worth it to see the pics.
Enjoy!!!!

Favorites

Got my paper with requested revisions today.
It didn't go as well as I had hoped, but I
will get it done and still plan to finish
this semester and never look back :-)

I decided to post my favorites. These are my
three favorite pictures. I decided to choose
my favorites because no matter what is going on
I am blessed beyond words. I am stressed and tired
right now but I can walk in and Hadley lights up
and I forget about papers and deadlines- they really
don't matter in the grand scheme of things. I am going
to overcome this struggle and I know my family will be
proud of me which makes it all worth while. I genuinely
feel so fortunate going into this holiday season. Enjoy
the pictures.

I never catch Mark ever and he had no idea I took this one.




This is my favorite picture of me and my hubby!
Yes, this background is real. This was the waterfall
we swam in after a 45 minute hike straight uphill.


Last but not least, this one of Hadley was taken at Stacy's office,
I love the angle. It is heaven.

WE ARE BACK!

So my paper was turned in two weekends ago and after a week of complete vegetation I am now trying to join the "normal" life! Here is one preview...I have over 30 more pictures to add, but in due time! Mae-Mae so big with her two teeth!



These are just day to day pictures at our house. Mark is always full of surprises with Hadley!




Mark playing with Hadley after bathtime, steals my heart!



Hadley ready for winter, but we've already bought a new hat because her head is just toooooo big!



Mark and I at Belterra for our honeymoon!

Our Angel

There are two more on Joe and Stacy's blog, they are heavenly!

LIFE

Wowzer. It's been a month and still no pictures from me!!!
It's coming soon, I promise. Just wanted to post real quick.
We are all well, very well. Just got back from our honeymoon-
one week in Mexico, all inclusive?!?!! We came back ten pounds
heavier plus had the time of our life. My husband flew for the
first time, went in the ocean, snorkeled, swam in waterfalls, and
golfed in November and I got to swim with dolphins while he did
that. Gourmet dinners and bottle after bottle of wine. THANKS
so much to my sister and Doug for taking us, we had a blast.

While we were gone Stacy surprised us and took Hadley's nine
month pics. I will put one from her site up. I will charge Mark
with choosing some from the CD to put on.

One day we will get wedding pics on I promise! Plus with Mark's
new camera, our pics from Mexico are beyond amazing and I can't
wait to share them!!

We miss everyone and considering my first draft is due by next
week there is an end in sight!!!!

HELLO

Where did the time go? Just yesterday we were hoping to get the finishing details ready for the wedding and now it has come and gone by over two weeks. The hoop-lah is over, I can't believe it. It was probably the fastest day so far in our lives, we barely saw each other, but we sure had fun.

After the wedding we spent two nights at Bellterra just being goofy! It was nice to have a little get away after the busy weekend. Thanks to Grandma Be-be for taking turd bird for us! When we picked her up that Tuesday I swore she grew, it seemed like I hadn't seen her since the Wednesday before because of all the commotion for the wedding!

People say that marriages changes everything, and that didn't make sense to me since we already lived together and had the child. To me we were as married as it gets, however I was wrong. It changes something so deep in the core. I love looking at Mark as my husband, it is an entirely new feeling toward him that I wouldn't trade for anything. The idea that we professed our love in front of God, as well as our friends and family makes the commitment so much deeper. Married life is bliss!

Now that the wedding is over, I am focusing on my thesis. The most horrible thing I have had to deal with. I am spending every night in the library, coming home for dinner and bed and still not all that far into the writing.

THANKS to my wonderful husband who takes over cleaning, cooking and taking care of Hadley so I can get over this LAST hurdle with graduate school. I will be avoiding phone calls and get togethers, but only for two more months, then it is ALL OVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Eventually I will get some pictures up. The ones I have gotten of the wedding from people are fantastic, plus of course Hadley has grown since then too!!

As of yesterday, Hadley had her FIRST tooth start to come through. Bless her heart she was barely fussy. The only thing is she keeps moving her tongue over it!!!
Too cute.
Look for pictures!!!!

We look forward to seeing everyone at the Buckey Bash this weekend!!

Wedding Week

It is here, already?!?!
I got to enjoy an awesome weekend back home.
Going out with some girls on Friday night, hanging
out with the girls on Saturday night while the men
had their festivities. I got all the centerpieces
done & no more program hassle. One could almost say,
minus a few finishing touches, I am DONE!!!!!
Now it's time to enjoy myself!

Stacy did a family picture for us, I find them to
be absolutely precious!
Enjoy...




Hadley & Mark are just too much. She absolutely adores him
& you can always tell in her expressions. This picture
melts my heart.

Where Did We Go?

Where did the last few weeks go? Honestly, I have no idea.
We are doing final touches on the wedding with only center piece
assembly left to do. Can you believe it's next week?!?!?!?!

Stacy did some engagement pics for us, they are wonderful...




The three amigos are getting bigger!!



My daughter the ham.


The whole clan of nieces and nephews. They are such
a fun group, always keeping us on our toes. Between
spiderwoman, Maniac-mae, Hamster Hadley & goofy Evan we
always have to be ready with our cameras!

POWER OUTAGE

So the Land Hurricane Ike tore through Ohio on
Sunday and we were fortunate enough to not have
any damage or large limbs down. We have been without
power since Sunday, however thanks to my sister-in-law
& brother we obtained a generator in time to save
our deep freeze items and enjoy a few lights in the
evenings. They say we will have power by Sunday :(

Chalk this up to another huge situation Mark and I have
endured prior to getting married. It is times like this as well
as when we found out about having Hadley that make me realize
Mark is my one and will always be. We have such a strong
connection and play into each others strengths and weaknesses.

Everyone asks if we are getting nervous as the wedding is
only two weeks away and I very calmly say not in the least
bit. Of everything going on, me pronouncing my love to
Mark seems like the easiest & most right thing to do at
present. I have a large list of family and friends that
will be there & whether everything is perfect or not, I
know it will be a day we will never forget.

I am looking forward to seeing everyone & will eventually have
pictures to post, one day!

*** For those curious ones I am not preggo yet!!?!

Already?

So I officially realize our wedding is in three weeks?!?! I don't really know how that is possible, but it is almost here. It seems like yesterday we found out about Hadley & pushed back our original wedding plans- Now here the RSVPs are due?!?!

I love going home and getting the RSVPs. I can't believe how many people are going to make it. Mark & I are so fortunate to have so many loving friends and family that want to share in our special day and that have stood by us through this whirlwind of a year.

As we come closer to being Mr & Mrs, we discuss our plans to expand our already wonderful family. I talk to Mark all the time about how we could possibly have more space in our hearts to love another baby, but people say you do. I worry that we might not be able to give them each enough attention, but people say it works. We know that we want to have more because Hadley has been SUCH a joy for us, and God willing we want them to be relatively close. So after the vows occur, here's to hoping!

Labor Day Weekend

Mark & I spent this long holiday weekend
doing NOTHING but enjoying our family. It
was such a blast to turn off the tv, phone,
& just play with Hadley. She is growing up
so fast, we have to cherish moments like we
got this weekend. It was our first free
weekend in over four months and it really
was heaven!! We took about 60 pictures of
Hadley, even recreated some we had taken when
she was a newborn. Enjoy.







Of course, Hadley has started to eat everything
put near her, how sweet is this picture?!

Character

Hadley is becoming such a character.
Playing in her exersaucer, eating
in her big girl chair, feeding
herself & just plan hamming it up
everytime the camera is around.

Getaway Weekend

Two weeks ago, Mark and I got to go to Michigan
for Jenn & Nathan's wedding while Grandma & Grandpa
took Hadley, our first over night away from Hadley
as a couple. It was a blast to see my college friends
again & of course so NICE to meet Cayden, he is too
precious!!


Cayden being a trooper at the wedding!


Me & the girls.


The heart of the diamond girls!!


Lastly me and the soon to be mister!!!