Yes, I have been away from this blog for SO LONG, but I promise I'm not letting her go just yet!
I want to kick off my first post in forever with a new series I hope to do every week. Friday Favorites! Some of you may recall my Things I'm Loving Thursday posts in the past... Friday Favorites will be similar to that. Only it's way easier to say. Actually that's pretty much the only difference. 

SOOOO! Let's kick it off! This one actually seems like a cop out, because really - who isn't obsessed with Chip and Joanna Gaines of HGTV's Fixer Upper?! You guys, I'm telling you Joanna has pretty much rewired my decorating style hard drive since I began following the show. I was already making the move away from modern decorating which was my style when I first became a homeowner nearly 8 years ago, but Fixer Upper just pushed me over the edge. Can we say #shiplap E-VER-Y-THING! Darren (the hubby) thinks I've lost my mind, because I'm asking if we can wood plank a wall in our house about twice a week. Here are some of the Fixer Upper projects that I'm googly eyed over lately. 

What are your favorite things about Fixer Upper and Chip & Joanna's style? Have you incorporated any of her ideas into your home yet? If so, I would love to hear what they are and how your projects turned out!
Also.... what do you think about the new blog look? I thought it was time for a refresher. Simple, basic, and pretty florals are the new black in my book! It's so good to be back in bloggyland! Happy Friday, lovelies.
xoxo, Hannah

Baby Kate

Oh my goodness, you guys - I just realized it's been over a year since I blogged on a regular basis!! While that makes me sad (because I seriously love blogging) I'm also ok with it because my hiatis was for a good cause. :)  I am not one of those super women who can juggle everything at once so I had to let the blog go for a bit during my pregnancy and Kate's newborn baby stage. Speaking of Kate... I want to officially introduce you to her! These pictures were taken when she was 3 weeks old by She Designs Photography. 

Katherine Noel Hutslar was born at 9:48am on December 30, 2014. It was an extremely long labor, but it was (of course) worth every second of pain the moment they placed her in my arms! Kate was 6 lbs. 15 oz.,19 inches long, and had a head full of dark hair. Here are some more of my favorite pictures from the lifestyle photo shoot we had with Karalea Payne when Kate was 6 weeks old.

I hope to get back to writing on a regular basis very soon. I already have a few DIY projects up my sleeve that I can't wait to work on and share! Tata for now... will write more soon!

Thoughts of a Survivor During Pregnancy After Infertility

To the ones who are still waiting, hoping, and praying for their miracle... this is for you.

Believe it or not, "survivor's guilt" (for lack of a better description) is a real thing during pregnancy after infertility. At least it has been for me. Maybe I feel it more than most because I've been so open about my journey and as a result have come into contact with thousands of women who are waiting day after day for a miracle. Maybe it's because infertility changes you in a way that just can't be forgotten. Maybe it's even the occasional thought that someone else deserves a baby even more than I do. I mean... why have I been blessed with the gift of pregnancy while so many other amazing women are still waiting, praying, and begging God for their wombs to be filled?
Regardless of the why... the thought that I am one of the lucky ones has been something I've struggled with. Please don't get me wrong... I am thankful beyond belief to finally be carrying a healthy baby! I wouldn't trade it for anything. I am enjoying every minute of being pregnant and thank God often (but not nearly enough) for the precious life that is growing inside me.
The whole point of this post is so that the women out there that are still in the thick of fighting their battle with infertility know that you haven't been forgotten. I have thought of you every day since I got my good news. I still pray for you and I still feel your pain. You're not alone in your journey and you still have a voice on this blog. I know that you're happy for me, but that you're sad for you. And that's ok. I understand, because I've been there. I remember how it feels and I haven't forgotten that sting.
I feel so happy and blessed that I have been given the incredible opportunity to carry a life inside me... I truly hope that every one of you will be able to feel this same joy one day. Until then, I will weep with you, I will pray for you, and I will remember your pain.
xoxo,  

An Announcement

Hello, my bloggy friends! I have been absent for WAY too long. I've missed you all and am super happy to be back! To kick things off again here at Lovely Little Life I have a little announcement to make...

Photo Shoot by Tyler White Photography

Yes, it's true! I'm expecting! So far everything has been fine this time around, but please continue to pray that this miracle baby will keep growing strong! I am currently 16 weeks + 2 days... Baby H is due on December 23rd! I promise to share all the details and fill you in on how things are going very soon.
Thank you all for your support and prayers over the past two years! I am so blessed to have so many people cheering for me. Please know I appreciate every one of you and haven't forgotten that there are thousands of women still fighting the battle of infertility. I have had so many thoughts about that during this pregnancy... I promise to write again soon and share! 
XOXO,

Life Lately

SOURCE

Wow, it has been forever since I blogged! I just wanted to write a quick note to you all to let you know that no, I am not dead. I am alive and well! It has been a crazy past month for me... let me fill you in on a little bit of what's been happenin' so you don't feel like I'm purposely ignoring you. 
My husband and I went through yet another infertility treatment cycle last month... it was the first since our last miscarriage and by far the hardest yet. I wasn't 100% emotionally ready for it, and had no idea how much it would affect me physically. It was rough. Sadly it didn't result in a pregnancy... and I'll be honest, it was more difficult to deal with than usual since the cycle was so much more physically and emotionally intense.
Other than that it's just been regular day to day life stuff that has gotten in the way of blogging. I wish I were super woman and could do it all, but I'm SO not. I love the quote "You can do anything, but not everything." Wow - so true, right? So yeah... I do what I can and sometimes that means bloggy-land has to be put to the side for a few weeks.
Anyway, I just wanted to check in, say that I miss you, and see what you've all been up to lately! What kind of projects have you been working on? Please do share... I'm going through DIY withdrawals over here in the ice covered Midwest!