two years without...

I was reading my one year without.. post last night and was surprised to realize that I feel almost the exact same way now as I did one year ago.  I miss my Grammie terribly and I would love to have more hugs, more kisses, more winks, more laughs, more photographs, more time... but I would never ever want her to have to feel the pain that she felt her last few years with us.  

My mom, my aunt and myself went out for lunch today... just us gals :)  We had a great time, just sitting and talking.  I am so blessed to have such incredibly wonderful, giving, loving women in my life.  LOVE YOU MUCHERMOSTESTMOREBIGGERMORE!!!

Here are a few photos of a book made in memory of my Grammie... I absolutely LOVE every single page... it's perfect.  I've looked at this books dozens and dozens of times since I received it and each time I love it more!!! 

There’s a little flame inside us all
Some shine bright, some shine small
The rains will come and the waters rise
But don’t you ever lose your light

In this life you will know
Love and pain, joy and sorrow
So when it hurts, when times get hard
Don’t forget whose child you are

This little light of mine
I’m gonna let it shine
This little light of mine
I’m gonna let it shine, gonna let it shine

May you live each day with no regret
Make the most of every chance you get
Let your eyes get wide when you look at the stars
With the same sense of wonder as a child’s heart

With the ones you love treasure the time
And for those who are gone keep their memories alive
Hold on to your dreams don’t ever let go
There’s a fire inside you burning with hope

This little light of mine
I’m gonna let it shine
This little light of mine
I’m gonna let it shine, gonna let it shine

There will be days when you want to give up
When the clouds settle in
But after the rain comes the sun
Don’t you ever forget

One day there will be no more pain
And we will finally see Jesus’ face
So until then I’m gonna to try
To brave the dark and let my little light shine

This little light of mine
I’m gonna let it shine
This little light of mine
I’m gonna let it shine, gonna let it shine

There’s a little light inside us all

Gabby's Royal Birthday Ball!!!

[doh, I never posted about Gabby's princess party!!!]

Gabby wanted a princess party - no surprise there.  She's obsessed.

She also chose the colors - pink and purple - and I think, overall, it was a lot of fun.

We spent time with family, ate yummy party food, played games, opened sweet gifts, took way too many photos and celebrated our pretty princess turning 3.  mission accomplished!!!  (photos edited, not accomplished - enjoy these straight out of the camera beauties, haha.)

I got this.

half marathon. 

I got this.  I can do it. 

I have never ever in my life felt so strong.

so determined.

so focused.

so ready to actually accomplish something big.

April 6th, 2013.  that big day.

I want to make my kids proud. my family proud. myself proud.

bring it on!!!



30 before 30 update.

I need to put together a Christmas post but in order to do that I actually need to go through the 356 photographs I took on Christmas Eve and Christmas day.  oh my...

I've been slacking on posting about my 30 before 30 list so I thought now was a good time, right before the new year, to get a couple things crossed off.

14. teach Gage his ABC’s. - done!!!  I have a video of him saying them but it won't load right on here... but believe me, he knows them :)  I'm a proud momma!!!

21. do something special with my Grammie’s shirts. - DONE!!!  I had lap quilts made for myself, my mom and my aunt for Christmas.  I also had a pillow case made for my niece.  They are BEAUTIFUL!!!  (I will post photos of them soon!)

28. 5k, 10k, half marathon. [need to pray about this.] - not done.  but, I found a half marathon in April that I'd like to run.  I'm not a 'real' runner - not yet anyway - but I've always dreamed of being an athlete.  (not even real sure what a real runner is - but I am determined to get there) I've always been the chubby, uncoordinated, non-athletic girl and now that I'm about to turn 30 I'd like to do away with that.  So, any training tips - send them my way.  Any negative comments or why in the world would you want to do that comments - send them somewhere else!!!

5 more months... yikes...

BIG giveaway.

The Vintage Pearl is hosting a BIG giveaway!  They've come out with a lot of new pieces recently that I just LOVE!!!  Go check out their blog and website - you'll be hooked, just like I am!

*anything for a couple extra entries to win things :)  I recently won a $50 shutterfly credit by commenting on a giveaway... I'm feelin' lucky!!!

friday fun.

I am heartbroken and devestated for the families in Connecticut.  There are no words that could even come close to expressing the feelings and emotions I am having; as I am sure is the case for so many right now.  I will continue praying, just as I have been from the moment I learned of the tragedy.

I've felt super emotional all day so I thought I should really lighten it up with my post tonight.  I am finally doing Mama M's five question friday.

1. If you bake during the holidays, what is your favorite thing to make? - nope, don't bake.  I'm glad I don't because I definitely don't need any cookies or pies around my house!!! 
2. Present giving: Gift bag vs wrapped box? - wrapped box, definitely
3. What do you keep your thermostat on during the winter/summer in your house? - 72.
4. When thinking of your "Christmas to-do list" what percentage "done" are you? - hmmm, good question.  considering I still need to buy some gifts and all the food for dinner on Christmas day, I'd say I'm about 52% done...
5. Do you do the "Elf on a Shelf"? If so, is your Elf naughty and what shenanigans has he gotten into? - no, we don't have one... I've thought about it but my kids are so stinkin' bad I doubt an elf would make much difference!!!

now... ready for a laugh?!?!?!

we went to see Santa Thursday night.  the kids were SO excited and had been talking about it for weeks.  I thought, for sure, they'd be all smiles and giggles...

wrong.

 classic...  

Happy Birthday Gabby!!!

hard to believe this was three years ago...

my beautiful baby girl turned 3 years old yesterday... I feel awful I'm a day late with her happy birthday post but I guess a day late is better than never :) 

 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY GABRIELLE LOUISE!!!

 

to my little firecracker:  the most stubborn, most independent, bravest, silliest little lady I've ever met!  You have brought so much joy and spunk into my life... but sometimes I'd really really love it if you'd actually listen to me.  Please!  Mommy is very proud of you Gabby - you are SO special.  I look forward to watching you grow and hopefully seeing you develop into a very compassionate, compliant gal :) 

 

I'm excited about your princess birthday party this weekend... I can't wait to see you in your new rapunzel dress :) :) :) 

 

I am very grateful for the photographs I have of you... it's amazing to see how much you've grown!!!  (it's especially funny to see you using your baby bro as a seat, even when he was still in my tummy - some things haven't changed!!!)