The Story of Us...

Four years ago today, not only was it a lucky day for many people (7/7/07), but it was the day that Justin asked me to MARRY him! (I would like to say that Justin planned the lucky day on 7/7/07, but honestly he had no idea - HA!)


Any way, it was pretty much a perfect day. We had just arrived in NYC - it was my first time being there for more than a couple of hours (Senior Year Choir Tour), and my first big trip with my then boyfriend. We were walking around exploring New York with Amy and Jeffrey (who were already engaged) and were having the best time. Justin had decided that he would let me call the shots of our free time that afternoon since he had been so many times. Well to me one of the more "New York" things you can do is simply walk around Central Park and people watch! We walked and took tons of pictures, and hopped into any random shops we wanted.



Later that night, we had plans to see "The Lion King" on Broadway. The girls got ready first, and then we went downstairs while the boys got ready. Well Jeffrey came down to the lobby by himself and made up a perfectly good excuse to need Amy to go to the pharmacy with him, while I went back upstairs by myself. (And somehow Justin convinced me to leave my purse in the room).



When I opened the door to our hotel room, all the lights were off and all I saw were tiny tea light candles lit on the floor. I looked up and Justin was standing there all alone. Like most girls, I was in shock. Justin had been adamant that he was not proposing in New York (he said it was too obvious, and I for some reason believed him!) And like most girls, I can't remember what he said - but I do know that I said "YES!", of course after he got down on one knee and asked me to marry him and showed me the ring that I picked out! (My husband, he is so clever).



I'm so thankful that my parents gave their blessing to Justin, and ultimately trusted my judgement on wanting to marry this wonderful man after only being together for 8 months (literally from the moment we met to being engaged was 8 months).

Sadly, we do not have any digital copies of our first trip to NYC - so instead I am posting a wedding picture. Our wedding anniversary is 4/5/08.

As many of you know, New York has become our thing. We have been back twice since being engaged and it is always so special to us. I hope in the next few years we will go again, and one day take Blakeley! (She has technically been once, because I was 12 weeks pregnant during our last trip in 2009).



I love you Justin more than words can say. Thank you for loving me so much that you actually wanted to spend the rest of your life with me! I love that even now, we still can make each other laugh, and that at the end of the day you are my favorite person!

Happy July 7th everyone!

What I'm Loving Wednesday...

I have seen many people blog on WILM, and I also wanted to try it, but just haven't for many reason (since it's summer I usually have trouble remembering what day of the week it is), s0 today is my first try at this.

I am loving summer...not the heat, but being able to spend the summer with my sweet little girl.

I am loving that every day I spend with Blakeley I get the priveledge of seeing more and more of her sweet personality come out!

I am loving that my step-brother Will is visiting from Australia, and that I got to see him twice before he goes back!

I am loving that Justin let me sign up for Weight Watchers online!


I am LOVING that so far I have lost 4 lbs in two weeks - ( I weigh in on Friday and I am hoping to make it a grand total of 5 lbs. in 3 weeks)!


I am loving that in exactly one week, Justin and I will be in MEXICO!! (Though I know I will miss Blakeley like CRAZY, it is important that Justin and I spend some quality time together).

I am also loving that I have so much free time that I don't have to feel guilty reading/ stalking other blogs like Amy Tippins, and Bailie Williams. :)

I am loving She She Made - I discovered them through my sister-in-law a while ago, but with work and everything going on I forgot about them until recently. These are somethings that I am loving from She She Made.

I am loving all of the cute ruffle pant/shorts outfits. I've never actually purchased any of these outfits because I have this unrealistic idea that I could make this. (Main reason it is unrealistic is because I don't know how to sew nor do I own a sewing machine).



I am loving these larger bibs! Blakeley has one that a sweet girl named Ashley gave us before she was born. I love this type of bib because the bigger Blakeley gets, the bigger mess she makes when she eats! :)

I am absolutely loving this cute monogrammed beach towel! I have been thinking about buying a random towel and finding someone to monogram it but this is just way too cute!




Finally, I am loving that my best friend Nicole is preggers, and my sister-in-law Suz Hickmon are bother preggers!! Suz is due in October and having a little girl, and Nicole is about 11 weeks along and due in January! And I am definitely feeling the need to get both of them these lovey blankets from She She Made!

Better late than never...

Blakeley Grace!! You are ONE year old (plus one week)! I am overwhelmed with how much my love has grown for you. Your daddy and I prayed for you for a long time, and God blessed far beyond what we even could ask for! You are a sweet, happy, and funny baby....well not so much baby anymore....but not toddler either!

You were born on 6/16/2010 at 6:28 p.m. (Your Papa liked that you were born at that time because Mommy and Aunnie Mags' birthday is 6/28). I remember when they laid you on my chest, I felt like you weighed a TON!! But you were only 6 lbs. 12 oz. (But don't worry, around 12 weeks you chunked up nicely and got several sweet rolls that I could just eat)!!

I actually LOVED being at the hospital. Your Daddy did not. Let's just say that I sometimes wish I were still there so that people can still wait on me hand and foot. ;)

Now that you are ONE, you have learned to do so many new things! You are so close to walking. You like to walk around our coffee table, but still slowly inch down to the ground to crawl when you've got somewhere you want to go.

Here is a list of some of your favorite things now that you are one:


1. Smiling (with your mouth open)


2. Cheese


3. Hop Hop (the best $15 we ever spent)


4. Goldfish (every goldfish seems to be the best thing you've ever eaten)


5. Dada (you yell his name, whisper his name, sing his name all the time)


6. Jumping on the couch
7. singing Britney Spears "Til the World Ends" (Chorus only) :)
8. bath time

9. pool time



10. talking your jibberish

I can't wait for all the new things you will learn! And your daddy and I are in trouble when you start walking and really can explore more than you already do!! I love you "Baby Girl"!!

A blog giveway..

I wanted to blog about a very special giveaway. This giveway will hopefully benefit a family wanting to adopt a sweet little boy from China. If you click here you will be taken to Savannah's blog about her families desire to travel to China to bring Will (her new brother) home.

I grew up going to church at FBC Duluth with this family. They are a loving, Godly family who have been blessed with the desire to expand their family of FIVE girls. I want to help this family spread the word of what they are trying to do, and help them raise the money needed to travel to China. You can help them raise money by purchasing a t-shirt from Wild Olive Tees. I personally am a fan of this shirt.

So please, again go to Savannah's blog to find more info about this family and the giveaway.

Thanks a bunch!

Here Comes Trouble...

Blakeley got a new chair for her birthday from her sweet Buddy and Mimzy! She loved it instantly!

She also seemed to know all the different "uses" of the chair instantly....


Alright Hop Hop, just one more leg.....almost there....



Whew! This is hard work!

Things look different way up here....

Success!!!

Sooooo happy!!!...Her eyes are closed so she can loo like Nana ;)

I do wonder where Blakeley learned to climb in her chair???

Surely it wasn't from her older, wiser cousin Libbi??? No, where would you get that idea??? ;)

Here is a slide show of Blakeley's birthday!

This free slideshow personalized with Smilebox

Blakeley's First Time at the Beach

We were able to go to the beach for Mother's Day weekend. It was Blakeley's first time at the beach, and she absolutely loved it! She loves the water and getting to play with Mommy and Daddy!

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