Happy Birthday Aven.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY SWEET AVEN JUNE!

A mother's love.

On Wednesday, my little Aven June will be turning 2. I'm still in shock over this whole thing. Like when did she grow up and become a toddler? It feels like its been maybe a year since I gave birth to her...when did the other year fly by? It's just so crazy to me. And then I think of all that has gone on in the last two years and I realize why I am always so tired. Seriously...I could fall asleep right now...mid sentence.

Aven is such an amazing little girl. She is hilarious, sweet, sassy, devilish, creative, beyond adorable, smart (almost too smart) and just such a little lover. She gives the best hugs, the sweetest kisses and her laugh is just enough to make you bust up laughing as well. That little girl can melt the heart of a complete stranger. Aven brightens even the darkest of days. Having been through this last year, I can honestly say that Aven has made me laugh and smile even when I thought nothing could put a smile on my face. She is my little rock. I can't even remember life before Aven. And when I really think about it, I don't think I was every truly living before Aven. I think you really start living when you get the chance to love someone with every little peice of your heart. I thank God everyday for giving me Aven. She is my every dream come true. For years before I got pregnant, I had dreams of a little girl who had blonde hair and blue eyes. And as I have watched Aven grow over the last two years, there is no doubt in my mind that she is the little girl I was dreaming of. She is the answer to my prayers and she gives me strength that I never knew I had. I love her with all my heart.

I love you Aven. Happy Birthday my little Jelly Bean.

Rain rain go away.

Aven's birthday is next week! My little sweet pea will be 2! We are having her birthday party this week and she chose a Minnie Mouse Clubhouse theme. Luckily Party City had tons of Minnie Mouse stuff so we got lots of cute decorations. And I am making Minnie Mouse cupcakes! Pictures to come.

Well it is finally raining in California. I guess its a good thing...if we don't have any rain, there will be no lakes this summer which means no boating. But I still HATE rain and cold weather all together. I don't mind a good summer rainstorm...but nothing is worse to me than cold, wet weather.

Pinterest has a way of making me wish it was summer NOW! All the cute clothes, summer cocktails recipes. It all just makes me wants to skip on down to May and get summer started. So once again...here are my latest finds.

I love this dress. So cute and it looks comfy too.

This is still a cold weather look...but still...super cute and easy.

Awww...this is what I love. I love the yellow...and yes you guessed it...look at those boots!

These are just some crafty ideas I found...

Pretty sure there is like 5 old rakes in the garage. Paint it cute...and tada! Perfect for jewelry.

I love these papers...you can find them anywhere and they come in every color and pattern. Perfect for brightening up a wall or mantle.




And then a few "words to live by" ideas...

I'm a planner and the hardest thing that I am having to learn how to do is let go of my "planning" and let God take over. I have to trust that his plan is better than any plan I have for myself.

Lately...everything has been a "day by day" thing. I'm learning to allow things to get better day by day...but in the end I do hope my story means the world to someone else.

I just love this one...had to post it again.

OF COURSE!

Have a good weekend! Xoxo.

A little romance...

Maybe its because there is no romance in my current life, but lately I am finding the most romantic ideas on Pinterest. Seriously...way to rub it in Pinterest.

Outdoor wedding.

I love this song and I think it just shows how every couple is something special. A husband is something special for his wife and she is something special to him. So sweet.

I love mason jars...and I love candles. Love these!

This might be very romantic but its sweet. I'm the girl who is always there for everyone...I listen, I give advice, I'm always there for a lot of people. But sometimes when I need someone...I find myself all alone.

This little letter really got to me. I know that God has a special person picked out for each of us...but instead of racing to find that person and accidentally picking the wrong one, I think we (me) need to sit back and wait for God to reveal to us the perfect person that he has created for us. How romantic is that?

Once again...I love candles and I have HUNDREDS of wine corks. Perfect.

I would die for this kitchen...its as simple as that.

I love all the layers and different materials in this dress. So beautiful.

Ain't that the truth?

Is it possible? A somewhat romantic laundry room? I think so.

This is my favorite.

Ok enough with the romance. Here are some of my favorite looks for the week...

Aven would look so cute in this outfit!

I love it all. The boots, the jeans, the jewelry, everything!

Note to self...get another job to pay for obsession with cowgirl boots.

Have a happy week! Xoxo!

Playing catch up & more Pinterest.

Hello and welcome to 2012. Hopefully you had a wonderul holiday season! We sure did but I was so happy to be done with all of it. I swear...having kids just adds pressure to the holiday. This season I didn't even do my Christmas shopping until like the week before and that's extremely uncommon for me. I don't know what it was about the holidays this year...but I was always behind and just kept thinking "holy cow, I need another week to get ready." And food. Holy canolli...all we did was buy food and bake and cook and bake and cook some more. We did Thanksgiving at our house which was fun but chaotic. We went elsewhere for Christmas Eve, but still had to make all kinds of food to take with us. Then we had our traditional crab feed for Christmas day dinner. Then we had a little New Year's Even party at our house and I made chili. So yes, our holidays were filled with food. For the first week or so after New Years...nothing even sounded good to eat. I felt like I had eaten so much within the last month or so. I'm getting my taste buds back now...but please don't make me eat any more cookies or peppermint bark...at least until next December!

As for any resolutions...I've decided to eat a little better and be a little more active. I've always been a pretty healthy eater. I do love to endulge every once in a while but I mostly eat chicken, fish, whole wheat pastas, vegetables, etc. I do need to be eating a better breakfast though so I'm working on that. I've always been athletic and I've always liked being outstide and staying active. I have trying to spend a little more time working out at night and taking more walks with Aven! This way I get a little time to myself when I work out at the gym and then I get more quality time with Aven when we go on walks! I refuse to give up anything. I believe in moderation. I'm a woman with curves and I don't plan on ever losing them. I don't believe in spending more than like four hours in a gym per week. And I would still rather spend those four hours at the park chasing Aven. I just believe that life is meant to be enjoyed and I enjoy food. I could never be on some crazy diet...I would want to shoot someone. I would honestly rather have an extra 5 lbs and be happy then be skinnier and miserable. I think the key is to know what your "happy weight" is. I know mine and I know what weight looks good on me. For some women, 130 lbs looks great! For me, I can't go much below 135 or I start to look too skinny. I start to look frail up top and its not cute. But I also know what my "unhappy weight" is. So if you don't yet know you "happy" and "unhappy" weight...try and figure it out. It helps me because if for whatever reason I start to get close to my unhappy weight, then I know its time to cut back on a few things and be a little more active!

So there ya go...my resolutions are simple. Be healthy, be active, be happy and enjoy life.

Here are some more of my new favorite finds on Pinterest...

I have these jeans and I love them! I also love the yellow!

I am one of those lucky girls with super thick hair! But I love her color in this pic too!

I love turquoise and gray!

So classy.

Hello summer time!

Is it summer yet?

Such an easy and comfy look!

I would skip the shoes that are in this picture and throw on some cute cowgirl boots...of course!

Well I hope you are enjoying the new year! Xoxo!