The Thankful Project: Day 19 - A Book

I go in spurts where I will read a lot, and then not at all.  I normally don’t have a lot of down time to read, but when I do I normally fall asleep reading.  It’s really a lose/lose situation.  I’d venture to guess I will love reading a lot more when I have more time for it.

That’s why my favorite book isn’t one published by a well-known author.  It’s not on the New York Time’s Best Seller list.  It’s one that you’ve never heard of.  It’s called Letters of Life and Love.  It’s a book written by us, Brian and I.   I’m so thankful for this book now and I know that it will become treasured even more as the years past and the vivid memories of McKenzie’s first year fades.

Before McKenzie was born, we each wrote her a letter.  We talked about how the pregnancy had been, how excited we were, our thoughts and our fears.  I knew from the day I was pregnant that I was going to write her letters throughout her first year.  I also knew I wanted to write one before she was born.  One day when she is pregnant and feeling unsure of the future and what it holds (because every single Mom-to-be goes through it), I wanted her to be able to have a letter from me.  To know that all of the worries, concerns, fears and excitement is normal.  When I told Brian that I was going to write her a letter, he said that he would write her one too.

What started out as one letter, turned into letters for each month of her life from both of us.
We typed the letters each month.  Brian wouldn’t let me read his letters, until I came up with the idea for the book.  He told me that these letters for McKenzie and that if she chose to share them with me one day, that maybe I could see them then!  I’m glad he had a change of heart!  His letters are amazing and I know something that McKenzie will look on with love throughout her life.

I decided to compile the book through Blurb.  The program was user-friendly and easy to use.  The book is made up of two chapters –Letters from Mom and Letters from Dad.  We included pictures with each month of our letters.

We had it printed shortly after her first birthday and it turned out incredible.  It has a hard cover and the pages are beautifully glossy and thick.

We’re not sure when we’re going to give the book to her, but it something that we can’t wait to look back on over the years.  It’s already fun looking back to see how far we have come as parents and how much she has grown.

I’m so thankful for this book and that we decided to take the time to document our lives and McKenzie’s for her first year.

What’s a book that you are thankful for?

I’m linking up with Kenzie over at Chasing Happy for the month of November.
Be sure to stop by and check it out!

5 on Friday - September Edition Week 3

One.This past weekend was incredible.  Friday night, we had dinner out on the water with McKenzie.  It was a beautiful night and McKenzie was great!

Saturday, we left for the Jason Aldean concert.  We checked in at the hotel, had a drink, went to dinner, tail-gated and then headed in to the concert.  Jason Aldean is great live, the venue was perfect for a cool Fall evening, and my date was hot!  Here's hoping for another great weekend!

Two.The weather has cooled off substantially and McKenzie was able to finally switch over to some of her Fall clothes.  Don't mind the blurry picture, but how cute are these Chevron pants!?

She's really laughing here...although she looks like she's screaming!

Three.Is it just me or is anyone else ready for Fall TV to return?  I don't watch a ton of TV, but there are 3-4 shows that I watch...as in Tivo...because there never seems to be enough time in the day.  I'm especially looking forward to Grey's Anatomy, Modern Family, and The Walking Dead!

Four.I've finally gotten myself together and finalized McKenzie's baby book!  Brian and I both wrote her letters before she was born and decided to carry on the tradition each month for the first year of her life!   I uploaded pictures and the letters to Blurb to create the book.  It's been a year-long process, but I finally finished editing and it's ordered.  Look for an upcoming post for the reveal, once I receive the actual book!

Five.Stood Up!  The impending visit that I have been talking about for two weeks?...Yeah, it didn't happen.   They are now saying maybe next week or the first week in October!  I just want it to be over!

Have a great weekend!