Happy New Year!

2013 was a great year. Full of wonderful memories, challenges, personal growth, big decisions, and big steps. I’m so thankful for God’s provision throughout the year, and how much he blessed our little family. We are so excited for what 2014 holds. I’m sure it will be a truly memorable year, especially with the birth of our little girl (due in just four more weeks!) and all the changes that parenthood brings. Can’t wait to become a family of three. So much to be thankful for and so much to look forward to. 

Happy New Year. I hope 2014 brings you lots of love, laughter, and happiness. ♥  

Another Temecula Valley Trip

I hope you all had an amazing Christmas! Ours was great, very low-key and relaxing. We had a nice Christmas morning together opening presents, eating breakfast, and video chatting with family. Then we went to see The Secret Life of Walter Mitty, which we both loved! Later that afternoon, my sister & her boyfriend came over for Christmas dinner. They are in town visiting from Philadelphia – it was really nice to see them and have some family around. 

The next day we all took a little day trip out to Temecula Valley Wine Country. One of our favorite places to take friends & family when they come visit. It’s such a beautiful place, and so fun to visit & tour the different wineries there. Since I’m pregnant and not much of a drinker anyhow, I enjoyed wandering around the vineyards and taking pictures with our new camera. 

On another note, can’t believe New Years Day is the day after tomorrow! I hope you have a wonderful time ringing in the New Year. ♥  

Wishing You a Very Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas to you & yours!

We are so looking forward to celebrating the birth of Christ together, spending time with friends & family, watching Christmas movies, drinking hot cocoa, eating way too much, and exchanging gifts! Oh, how I love this time of year! 

One of our Christmas traditions is snuggling up on Christmas Eve night with hot cocoa & cookies in hand, and watching The Santa Clause. It was both Ryan and I’s favorite Christmas movie growing up, and we love watching it (and quoting it!) together. Yes, we are total nerds.. just in case you were wondering.

Hope you have a wonderful holiday! 

Love, 

The Kirklands

A Few Favorite Moments From My Pregnancy

This is such a special time, being pregnant with our first child. There are so many little moments I cherish and want to always remember. Spent some time reflecting on some of my favorite moments from my pregnancy, and thought I’d share them here with you.  

When I first came to Ryan, all giddy, and told him “I think I might be pregnant!” We were both afraid to get too excited yet, but we were nonetheless.

When we went to our first doctors appointment/ultrasound, and heard the baby’s heartbeat for the first time. It finally sank in “this is really happening!”

When we went to our gender reveal ultrasound and found out it was a girl. Ryan totally guessed it right from the start! 

When I felt her kick for the first time, in the middle of the night. I could barely fall back to sleep because I kept waiting to see if I’d feel it again.

When Ryan felt her kick for the first time, and couldn’t believe it. His face & reaction were priceless.

Nesting and getting her room together. I love being in that room and seeing her sweet little baby things. 

Laying in bed late at night with Ryan watching her move around and seeing such big movements in my tummy.

Snuggling up together and reading our pregnancy & parenting books. 

I’m sure there will be many more over these last several weeks. Sure can’t wait to meet & hold this sweet babe of ours. ♥ 

DIY Teacup Candles

Aren’t these little teacup soy candles adorable?! My friend Carly invited me over last week to make them. I was so excited to learn as I’ve been wanting to make my own candles for a while now. She is super crafty and even has her own Etsy Shop called Smooth Seas collection. Make sure to stop by and check out her cute products!

These candles are simple to make once you get the hang of it, but they do require some candle making supplies. See details below on how we made them.

What we used:

-Double Boiler
-Thermometer
-Hot Glue Gun
-Teacup Candle & Saucer (saucer is optional)
-Bag of 100% Natural Soywax
-Candle Wicks (we used the ones with wick tabs)
-Scent (we used essential oil that she had on hand, but you can also buy scents for candle making)

*Most of these items can be found at your local Hobby Lobby (or similar store) in the candle making section.

Pour your soy wax into the double boiler, and heat (stirring occasionally with metal spoon) until your wax reaches about 180F. This will probably take 20 minutes or so.

TIP from Carly: Stir with metal spoon. That way you can put it in the freezer after and the wax will easily peel off.

This part you can do while you are waiting for the wax to melt. Use hot glue to glue your teacup to your saucer. Then use a small amount of hot glue to glue your wick in place, in the center of the teacup.

Once wax has melted and reached 180F, you want to set it aside to add your scent (follow the guidelines listed on your scent packaging for how much to use). Stir for a minute or two. (If you wanted to add dye now would be the time to do it. Make sure to use dye specifically for candle making, food dye will not work).

After adding in the scent and/or dye, you want to let your wax cool to 140/150F before pouring into your teacup. Once it cools carefully pour your wax into your teacup and let cool (we let cool & set for 24 hours before lighting). Then just trim down your wick to desired height. And that is it! Enjoy your beautiful new creation.

Hope you enjoy this fun project! Special thanks for Carly for teaching me how to make these! Can’t wait to make more in the future!