The new Mr. and Mrs.

What a beautiful day for a wedding! I could not be more happy for my beautiful cousin and her new husband! The weather was perfect, the ceremony was so sweet and the whole day was just full of love for these two lovebirds! I am so honored to be able to have shared in their special day!

Friends, remember those table centers I was stressing about?? Yeah, I got them all done!

 

Remember M&M's tux I was worried about not getting in time? We got it!

 

 

Unfortunately for my cousin, though, there were some rough spot throughout the day.The caterer was 2 hours late, the food was not correct once they finally got there, one of the flower girls dresses went missing and the wedding didn't start on time.

 

HOWEVER, even through all that, the wedding was beautiful and everyone had a great time!

I will leave you with a couple more pictures of this wonderful day. Weddings make my heart truly happy!

 

CHEERS!

 

Gummy Bear Wedding Cake

Gorgeous Bridal Bouquet





Can it really be?

Today I woke up and started my day as usual. Same morning routine getting into the "back to school" mode. Dropped the kiddos off at daycare, stopped for my morning coffee at Starbucks and was on my way into work when it hit me...my baby is almost a year old. Today, in fact, is her 11 month birthday.

My baby girl, my beautiful Almond Joy, is growing up way too fast. I am not ready for this. I'm not ready for all of her "firsts" to be my "lasts". I'm not ready for her to get bigger, smarter, stronger...I'm not ready for her baby days to be over. I'm not ready for her to grow up...I want her to stay little awhile longer! I want to watch her sleep in her crib, like a porcelain doll, hugging her lovie blanket and sucking on her paci. I want to hold her in my arms, cuddle with her and kiss her chubby cheeks while holding her chubby fingers in my hands. I want to watch her crawl around and explore the world before taking off running and chasing her around it. I want my baby to be my baby....forever!

They grow up too fast. I've been here with both the boys and for some reason, it's just a lot harder this time. Maybe it's because my heart knows that these moments wont ever happen again. Maybe it's because these last 11 months have been a whirlwind of emotions and challenges for me. Or maybe it's because she is my princess. No matter the reason, I just can't believe my baby is almost one.

Happy 11 month birthday, baby girl! Mommy loves you SO MUCH!

Wedding Season

Most of you may not know that I have a degree in Hospitality, Tourism and Events Management as well as a Certificate in Professional Bridal Consulting and Wedding Planning. Yes, it's fact! Ever since I can remember, I've wanted to be a Wedding Planner when I grew up. I went to school, put in the hard work but never landed my dream job...or at least not yet! ;) Call me crazy, but I love everything about weddings!

Tonight was the beginning of wedding season for me! My beautiful friend, Sofie, married her best friend and the love of her life, Mark, in a stunning evening wedding. As the sun started to set, a new marriage and life chapter began! It was an absolutely gorgeous day for a beautiful outdoor wedding! I could not be happier for the new Mr. and Mrs. Laymon! Love you guys :)

Next up, is my cousins wedding on September 1st and a long time family friends on September 9th! I am so excited for these two weddings because they will be unique and SO different from each other. I am also really excited for my cousins wedding because my very own M&M's will be her ring bearer...best one ever! ;)

Friends, what are your thoughts about weddings? Are you a lover or a hater? (of weddings that is!)

CHEERS!

Our Anniversary

Happy Anniversary to the most wonderful husband and my best friend in the whole world! I couldn't have chosen a better life partner or father for our children...I am so lucky!! Thank you for everything you do for our family and for making me feel like the most loved woman on earth! I love you more than words and will continue for many more years to come!

Our wedding cake :)

Cancer sucks

Everyone we know has been touched by cancer in some way. My life has personally been touched by not only my own battle with cervical cancer but by friends and family who have battled different cancers, some won and some lost. Its such a terrible disease and reality is that it can happen to anyone at anytime. Today I share with you another story of a loved one who recieved his diagnosis this morning. He is my 19yr old cousin, Hayden.

After several months of not feeling well and several trips to the doctor, this last trip is the one that we will remember forever. Feeling weak and dizzy, he arrived at the doctor with blood levels far lower than any human should have. He was then rushed by ambulance to the hospital emergency room and underwent multiple blood transfusions and tests. He spent the night in the hospital with more tests in the morning as family stood by his side waiting for answers. As doctors closed in on the cause, stress and heartache set in. Prayers were said, hugs were given and tears were flowing. Once they had a diagnosis, a teenage boys life changed forever. This morning he was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL). 

My heart is broken. His sister is supposed to get married September 1st, with her brother walking her down the aisle. As of right now, we don't know what will happen. So many questions, so little answers. He is undergoing ultrasounds to determine where it started and how fast it's progressed. He is being transferred to the cancer ward and has to undergo a year of aggressive chemo therapy. He has to stay at the hospital...he won't be coming home.

Although he may not read this, I need to get it out there. I heal with words. Hayden, this is for you:

There are no words that can take away your pain. There are not enough tissues that can dry your tears. I have no powers that can heal you or make life fair. But I have a heart that will love you forever. I have hands that you can hold, shoulders that you can cry on and strength that you can lean on for comfort and support. I will lend an ear you can talk to, a presence to sit with you, tears that will cry with you and arms that will hug you. YOU are a strong, stubborn, loving person who has enough fight to kick this cancers butt. WE believe in you. I believe in you. You have the biggest, strongest, most supportive family of anyone out there and we stand behind you the entire way. You will never be alone. We love you. Keep your chin up, stay strong and fight with everything you've got! You are in my prayers... I love you and I will forever!

Friends, hug your family a little tighter and a little longer today. Tell them you love them everyday. Life is too short.

Happy Mother's Day

What an amazing weekend! I have been spoiled...with love!

Saturday began with a wonderful surprise at Kit Kat's soccer game. My parents and my cousin from Washington showed up!! We all enjoyed the game and cheering Kit Kat and his team on. After the game, they left and we went home for lunch. We hung out, napped, and had a nice afternoon at home before getting ready for a fun filled evening. My parents built an outdoor movie theatre (think of a drive-in movei theatre except on the lawn in chairs instead of cars) and they invited us over for movies at dark. We had a nice family dinner at Red Robin before heading over there. When we got there, I had a wonderful surprise...my bestest friend was there!! I haven't seen her in way too long and it brought a huge smile to my face!! There was also a lot more family there...grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins...its was truely a fun filled evening!! 

Sunday, we were up bright and early to meet the rest of the family for Mother's Day breakfast. I got to see my cousin again before she headed back home and even my uncle joined us! (Happy Mother's Day to him!!) Breakfast was nice and my wonderful kids gave me a beautiful mothers necklace (with special thanks to Nana and Papa)!! After we left breakfast, we stopped and picked up some beautiful flowers and a sweet card for my sister-in-law and surprised her at work to deliver them. She is an amazing mom and we wanted her to know how special is!! She loved it. :)  Once we got home my wonderful husband let me take a nap...a 3 hr nap...and it felt AMAZING!! He also made me a wonderful dinner (which he does most everynight anyways!).  I feel so loved...and so incredibly lucky!

Happy Mother's Day! I hope you had a wonderful day full of love and happiness :)

Mother's Day picture made by M&M's

Prayers needed

Family, friends, bloggers, strangers, anyone else out there who is reading this, your prayers and love are need right now. There are two young girls, both students who attend the school I work at, who are very ill and they need all the support and prayers they can get! They are in critical condition at the Children's Hospital here in town with a serious case of E-coli. They are both in Kidney failure and on dialysis. One of them has a pre-existing medical condition and it is affecting her far more. She is on a ventilator, getting oxygen to help her lungs rest so that she can save energy to fight. She is having seizures and they are worried she may be suffering brain damage. I am asking you, please, please add these two to your prayer list. They are so young and they don't deserve this. We need them to heal and recover quickly...they are deeply missed.

Bailey and Vanessa, I believe in you! I want you two to know how many people there are praying for you, sending best wishes for a fast and full recovery, and tell you how much we miss you! I am so sorry that you're having to go through this but I know that both of you are fighters and you can beat this!! I read your journals everyday and could not imagine as a parent myself, what your parents are going through. I send my love to you and your families and I hope to see you back very soon!! Everyone at school cant wait to see you back too...it will be like a celebration!!  Hang in there girls...YOU CAN DO THIS!!

Thank you for keeping them in your prayers! Your support means so much to not only them, but to myself as well! THANK YOU!

Welcome Baby Caleb!

HE'S HERE!!! Baby Caleb arrived at 12:16pm weighing in at 7lbs. 9 oz and 20inches long.  He has a head full of red hair and he is just the cutest thing!! I can't wait to hold him and kiss his cute little cheeks this weekend!!

Best Friend - I am so, so, so happy for you and so proud of you!! I can't believe that your little man is here! I'm sorry I can't be with you at the hospital today but just know that I am thinking about you and I am sending my love and congratulations to you!! Muah!♥

Welcome to the world, baby Caleb!! We are so happy you are here. Can't wait to watch you grow! :)

Cheers! Today is a great day!

Lucky in love

Have you ever been in love? I'm not talking that kind of love you feel when you're with the girls hanging out at happy hour, or the kind of love for material things. No, I am talking REAL love. The kind that every time you see their face, you get butterflies in your stomach. The kind that you find yourself smiling about them at random times during the day when you think about them. The kind that they surprise you when you're least expecting and it makes your whole day!!!! Yes, that kind of love!

Today, my heart is filled with love for my husband. Actually, my heart is filled with love for my husband EVERYDAY but today my heart is bursting with love. This wonderful man, who has been sick for a week and works 12 hrs a day, stayed home and cleaned our house. He did the dishes, the laundry, moved furniture, cleaned the table and put away the groceries. Not only did he do all these amazing things today but yesterday he took our two youngest kiddos to Costco (yes, Costco...brave man). Yes, I am a lucky lady to have such a great man in my life!

I love you husband. ♥

The "cool" mom

As a young mom, one thing I've always tried to be for my kids is "cool."  I try to dress hip, say funny things, not embarrass them at school and always make their friends feel welcome in our home.  This isn't so much important to the younger two right now as it is to Kit Kat, being that he is 9 and in the 3rd grade. Well, tonight I get to put my "cool" mom skills to the test because Kit Kat is having a friend sleep over.

One of the best things about being a mom is spoiling my kids. So when my kids' friends come over to visit, or in this case have a sleepover, I make no exceptions...I actually spoil them more! Pizza and soda for dinner, cinnamon monkey bread for dessert, letting them play x-box for hours followed by a movie and eating popcorn in the living room (a big no-no)...oh yeah, and donuts for breakfast in the morning!!! Is that being a cool mom or a crazy mom...ask me tomorrow! :)

Right now it is 12:05am and they are in the bedroom playing their DS's (while they are supposed to be going to bed) and yet, I don't care because they are having a blast! Hopefully they get so exhausted that they will sleep in....maybe....ok who am I kidding, they will probably still be up at 7am! Hey, it's worth a shot!

I don't want to come across as an irresponsible parent because everyone who knows me can tell you first hand that I am far from it. My kids mean everything to me and that includes their happiness. I love my kids so much and if I want to spoil them, then so be it, I will. Life is too short to be serious and strict all the time...kids need to have fun!! I want my kids and their friends to WANT to hang out at my house. I want to be the "cool" mom for as long as I can be!

This is the sign that hangs over the door way into my dining room

Heartbreak

When tragedy strikes, it puts life into perspective. Today, I was reminded just how precious life is and how important it is to tell those you love just how much you love them because nothing in life is a guarantee.

A student lost her mother very tragically and very unexpectedly today. Her mother was at work, collapsed and then transported to the hospital where unfortunately, she didn't make it. The student's father is disabled and unable to drive, so her uncle came to the school to not only pick her up but to tell her that her mother just died. As I was talking to this man, I could see the pain, the hurt and the worry in his eyes. I have known both his niece and his sister-in-law for the past 5 years and as he was talking, I could feel the tears welling up in my eyes. It took everything I had to keep myself under control and calm. After the initial shock and realization that such a tragic event had just happened, the numbness set in as I walked his niece into the room where the news of her mothers passing was about to unfold. I felt empty, heartbroken and I just wanted to hug her. That poor girls whole life was about to change...her world turned upside down in a split second without warning. As I walked away, I thought, did she tell her mom goodbye this morning? Did she hug her or kiss her? Did she tell her she loved her? My heart sank and the tears started streaming down my cheek...I could not imagine. So sad.

So friends, hug your moms, your dads, your husbands, your boyfriends, your kids, all your family, your friends, and everyone in your life you love. Tell them everyday how much you love them and how much they mean to you because you never know if you'll get another chance.

Happy Birthday to ME

Another year older and another day to be reminded of how loved I am. I had a wonderful birthday filled with wonderful people and surprises! Happy Birthday to ME!

This is what I woke up to this morning...

This is what my desk looked like when I got to work...

These are the deliveries that I received...

And here is the accumulation of sweet cards I was given...
 (Photo coming soon)

I feel so blessed, everyday, for those in my life but today, more than another day, I feel so overwhelmed by love, friendship, kindness, and joy that I feel so totally spoiled!!! I have the best friends and family in the whole world! Thank you everyone!!!

Weekend of celebrations

What a wonderful weekend I had! Saturday we celebrated my favorite nephew's 3rd birthday!! He had a pirate birthday with one of the most extravagant cakes I've seen and a really cool pirate balloon bouquet! Happy birthday little man!!

I also hosted a baby shower for one of my bestest friends in the whole world! It was so much fun planning and seeing it all come together! All the guests had a great time and everyone said it was a great party! She got some awesome gifts for her new baby boy. I am so excited, and I can't wait to meet him and hold him!!! Come on April 17th!!!

Today was the perfect ending to a busy but fun weekend...today was my baby brothers 16th birthday!!! I can't believe he is 16 already, it makes me feel so old! We started the day off bowling, then went to my parents house for some games and rest/relaxation. I went and bought the cake and then helped my mom make dinner. We had a wonderful dinner followed by cake and presents. Since my birthday is in Wednesday, we also celebrated my birthday! We both got spoiled with gifts!! I love my family so much, I couldn't imagine my life without them.

How was your weekend?

I hope you all have a wonderful week ahead of you.....CHEERS!

Happy Birthday Kit Kat!

Nine years ago I gave birth to a sweet baby boy with beautiful big blue eyes!! I can't believe it's been 9 years already...I am such a proud mommy! My first baby, my sweet, shy boy is becoming such a smart little man and I am SO beyond proud of him!!

Happy Birthday Kit Kat, I love you so, so, SO much!!

Drink up

I recently found out that a family member, very close to my heart but who lives several hundred miles away, has been diagnosed with Breast Cancer. It really hit close to home for me. This beautiful woman, a wife and a mother of two, has had her life change right before her eyes. Having faced a similar battle, I wish I was there for her...I mean physically there. I think about her everyday. I wish I could hold her hand, tell her I love her and be a sounding board for when she just needs to vent. I wish I could hug her, lend her a shoulder to cry on and just bring her flowers to brighten her day. Even though I can't be there, I know she is surrounded by wonderful people, a huge support system, and so much love and I know she will be OK!

Most of us know someone whose life has been changed by cancer. I have a close friend who lost two family members from this awful disease but I also know a handful of survivors. Today, I am dedicating my glass of lemonade to all the ones who have fought. I am remembering those who have fought but didn't make it. I am cherishing those who have fought and won. I am also toasting to those who are battling, because there is no greater gift than the present.

Friends, family, co-workers, strangers....please join me and have a glass of lemonade. Drink up to those whom you remember and cherish and toast with me to those who are fighting. Drink today, tomorrow and anytime you get the chance. While you drink, just take a moment to think what someone, somewhere has given to take their lemons and make lemonade.

"To the world, you are one...but to one, you are the world!"

The color RED

Happy February! Ok, so I'm a couple days late, but that's irrelevant. Most people think of February as the "love" month, mostly because of Valentines Day. You see it all around you- red roses, red balloons, red heart boxes filled with chocolate, stuffed animals with red hearts and the words "love" or "be mine." You can't go anywhere without seeing red. I'm puzzled how just ONE day can make such an impression on a whole month, especially when so much of it is centered on love. Why is it that people go overboard to show how much they love somebody for just one day? Shouldn't we show the people we love how much we love them EVERYDAY? What's worse, to me, is that so much money is spent on this one day of "love" and so many times we hear "money can't buy love." Is that ironic? I'll let you decide for yourself.

My husband and I don't celebrate Valentines Day. Occasionally we buy each other a card or our favorite candy bar, but we don't do it just because it's Valentines Day, no, we do it because at that moment, we think of each other. I bought my husband a card this year from our daughter. Being that it's Almond Joys first Valentines Day, when I walked past the card section and saw "From Daddy's little princess", I couldn't help it, I had to buy it! However, with or without the card, red means more to us than Valentines Day.

Rather then celebrating a Hallmark holiday, my husband and I instead celebrate something much more meaningful on February 14th...his mom's birthday. Every year I make a dessert to celebrate and honor the memory of such an incredible woman. While I never got the pleasure of meeting her, I've heard many stories, seen lots of pictures and been welcomed into a family that loves and misses her so much everyday. She was an incredible woman full of strength, wisdom, beauty and more love for her family than anyone on earth. I wish I could have met her. Happy Birthday, Carol, you are loved and missed so much!

So, friends, I ask you- What does Valentines Day mean to you? 

Heart Brownies I made last year