Meet Jacqueline

Jacqueline's presence carries with it peace, her listening ear displays a heart of grace. She is soft spoken and kind, often prepared with meaningful advice. Her career is evidence of her tender traits - she places herself in a position to assist a mother ushering new life into the world.

Jacqueline is a birth doula. Jacqueline was our birth doula. 

She is curious, seeking information on things she loves - and then dispels that loving knowledge to others. Her pastimes seem to revolve around creation at it's finest - planting and growing, hiking, observing, helping new life have a pure and fresh start. In addition to being a doula, she is a good friend.
God is her first, her family a top priority for second. 

If you would like to know more about her work, her website is a great resource to learn about the roles of pre & post-partum birth doulas.

Pirate Party

We opted to party Pirate style for little Abear's 3rd birthday. Some ideas we found via the web, inspiration from the talent of others was utilized, a couple of stores provided some of the pirate-like contributions, and a few things were a test of the imagination. 

We used watered down blue Gatorade for "sea water" with some red and white gummies for life savers, "sword" picks for fruit skewers, some pretty rad "I Love Pirates" chocolate coins from World Market, pirate ale, seashells stuffed with salad (croissants), goldfish crackers for the detail, and some swimming sharks (shark gummies on blue jello). We opted for a couple of different desserts, the kiddos were able to make their own shark bait - crumbled up Trader Joe's Jo Jo's and Swedish Fish in chocolate pudding. For the adults (ok, the kids got in on these too...) we had shark top cupcakes mixed in with some store bought. 

The treasure hunt provided a bit of quality entertainment - a post-Easter sale treasure chest basket filled with lollipops and some small toys. As they say, there's nothing new under the sun, so fifteen minutes before the party was to start I was still scrambling to throw the last details together. Thankfully I have the best family ever, so they pitched in and made it one that Christian seemed to heartily enjoy - not to mention all of the good friends that joined to make it a memorable occasion. 

My Little Mate

Little Abear turns 3 this weekend. 

Three years ago I was about to meet someone that would change my life forever. Little Abear is compassionate and passionate. He is joyful, imaginative, and full of kindness. This small being has taught me more about God's love for us than I could even begin to think of.

God has gifted us more than we could have ever imagined with this little boy - I love him more as each day passes, I am continually in awe of what goodness God has placed in such a young child.

While marriage replicates Christ's relationship with the church, I so feel that parenting is an earthly display of God's affection toward us as individuals. When we are scared and alone, we have God as Father to turn to. When we are joyful, Jesus is eager to share that with us. In triumph, we are victorious because He held our hand through it all. In our waking and resting God watches over us, loves us deeply and desires an intimate love reciprocated. I have tasted the smallest imaginable concept of this through motherhood, and I am blown away.

This small son makes each new day a possibility for a slew of adventures. We grow and learn together, how to journey through this parent/child relationship, and we are ever learning to give each other grace when we fall. A new aspect of this beautiful personality greets me often, what a blessed gift. 

Happy Birthday to my sweet little boy.

The "G" Family

This evening we had a lovely opportunity to capture the growing family of old friends.
There was something a little whimsical about the combination of spring, the location and the adorable little ones - what a sweet end to a busy weekend. 

 

Banana Pancakes

What a peaceful Sunday it's been - my boys making banana pancakes for breakfast, listening to Jason Mraz's voice wafting in from the neighbor's house while Christian converses over the fence to another little neighbor friend. Fresh paint on the walls and new life in my garden, lots to be thankful for.

Get Local

Mr. Abear and I were recently given the opportunity to become a part of a network of local businesses through the Get Local movement. 

Interested in becoming a part of this? 

Purchase a card for $20 from any Get Local Provider -> turn around and use it at any GL Provider. Participating businesses will offer special deals and incentives for card holders. I.E. TRP is offering 10% off of any session booked in 2013 (excluding weddings) - so in one session it already more than pays for itself, that's a pretty good deal! 

Contact us at tamararose@hotmail.com to purchase a card and use it at some pretty exciting local businesses! Follow @getlocalaz on Instagram for some sneak peeks of participating vendors :)