Cutest iPhone everrrr

Okay, maybe not everrrrr.
But close!

So today I got a little creative and looked through all of my old iPhone cases. I found one with obnoxious, over the top BLING all over it. Of course, I'm a mom now... I cannot and WILL not have anything BLING anymore. It screams trashy!
So I peeled the blingy sequins off the case. In the end I was left with a clear plastic case. So I looked around the house and began thinking what I could do with it. I found old cards in my room, and unique stationary. I traced the case and cut the paper to fit. Easiest, coolest, cutest case in the world. Not to mention, cheap. I can change the paper whenever I want! So instead of paying 40.00 for a cute case at the store that I will be sick of in a week (hence the mini storage tote I have full of old iPhone cases) l have one case that I can make million different designs with! Woo!

Okay, happy Kaila is done blogging.

Ps. You can buy clear cases on amazon for super cheap. And scrapbook paper, well that's anywhere and super cheap too! Woohoo!

Okay, picture then done...

How I changed the world

At work a man walked in dressed in the nicest suit, shiny shoes, and a side swipe hair-do. I had no idea who he was until he looked at me and shook my hand. Wrong day to chose to wear my dress pants and heels with a NorthFace. This man was Mr. Owner of our company.

He sat down next to me in the office, told my boss and I how life was going, blah, blah, money, corp, blah, blah, etc. Then Mr. Owner told me and my boss, "Ready for a story of how I changed the world?"

Mr. Owner proceeded to tell us an unforgettable story of how over the past two years of his life he has been in the process of adopting a little boy from Russia.

My heart melted. So much so that I was tearing up as he told me his struggles, and joy of becoming a dad all over again for a child in need. These children in Russia lived in a small hut, eating only rice and drinking water 3 times a day. The water was brown, the rice was cold and mushy, and the bugs were so bad you could barely breathe. The smell was that of rotten eggs, garbage everywhere. The children would sleep on dirt floors covered up only if there were enough blankets. Mr. Owner told me about how he had visited many countries over his years and this village was by far the worst place he had ever been. He pulled out his phone and showed me pictures of the little boy in his "home" at the village. It was unlike anything I have ever seen... my heart hurt for those children. At that moment he knew he had to make a change for this little boy.

He had visited this small village three times before the adoption was final and even then he couldn't take his new son home with him. He didn't get his new son until 2 1/2 years after he started this paperwork... Over 500 pages of papers, signatures, legal documents.

Through all the struggles, paperwork and financial stress he made the commitment to this little boy and adopted him. He changed this little boys life. He then showed pictures of his new son at their home, playing with toys, wearing nice clothes and being loved by everyone around him. The smile on his face was one I will never forget.

He said to us "See, I changed the world. I may not have, ya know... Really created world peace, or ended the war, but I really changed the world in my eyes because everyone I tell this story to has a new outlook, a new view on this world that they live in. It's not perfect for everyone but it can be. We can make a change, and help children across the world!"

That made my day. And let me tell you, his son is the cutest little boy I have EVER seen!

Thank God there are children out there getting the help they need. ❤

The Smell of a Memory

You know that feeling you get when you walk into your Grandma's house and smell the potpourri, the smell of your mothers perfume, your ex's cologne, fresh cut grass? The feeling of an old memory coming back... and for a split second you're back in time trancing in that moment.

I felt that yesterday.

All of a sudden I was 5 years old again. I was wearing light pink heels, dressed in a night gown, curly hair and big brown eyes running into Grandmas bathroom to look in the mirror and see my new make-up. I remember that Grandma and I were standing there and she was telling me how beautiful I looked as she combed through my hair.

I always loved watching Grandma put on her makeup, maybe it was because she was so beautiful and elegant, or maybe it was because I wanted to be just like her... both were definitely true. Or, maybe it was because she let me have my very own make-up caboodle and I had a little bit of everything in there - her old lipstick, some bright blue eyeshadow, compact and blush. I made memories in those moments I would spend with her getting dolled up to go to a movie or our special trips to McDonald's. I will forever be grateful that I got to spend so much time with such a wonderful woman.

Yesterday...

I walked into Lennons room and saw my old makeup caboodle sitting there. I picked it up, looked inside and felt the memories take over me. There was my Grandmothers old makeup caboodle. The lipstick she wore, the blush, even the blue makeup. All of it - just like I remember.

The scent of a makeup box may be an odd one, and quite possibly something you've never heard someone say they "like" before but it was a smell that I will forever remember. Each day that passes I think of her, and how much she would adore Lennon, and how much fun they would have together. Their laughing and giggling. The distinct laugh my Grandma had was beautiful. The way she smooched my cheeks was so warm and sometimes obnoxious but of course, in a good way. I loved her kisses and the smell of her perfume when she hugged me. Now, I am left with memories to cherish and spread on to my little L. I am so grateful for the memories left behind and hopefully someday Lennon will get as much happiness and joy from that little makeup caboodle as I did as a child.

Lennon is 2 months

After 2 months of being in this world...

Lennon has nicknames.

Mommy calls her "little bug"

Daddy calls her "baby hippo"

Not the usual nicknames you'd think of,

but it's better than "Lenny", right?

My daughter will NOT have a nickname.

I despise them.

Anywayyyy,

Lennon makes funny noises when we talk to her,

I wonder if she knows what we are saying?

The best thing is that when I tell her I am mad because she isn't falling asleep

I can talk to her in the sweetest voice ever and she thinks I am happy.

Therefore, she laughs.

Laughs at EVERYTHING I say or do.

Especially when it's bedtime.

How can I be mad when she's so cute?

Mommy caves and begins talking to her,

Lennon stays awake for another half hour...

Go figure!

... and in these two months

Lennon has changed my life.

Lennon has made me a better person,

a wonderful mom and a more joyful, happy woman.

I am so in love.

I mean, really...

In love.

Who can't love this??

She's amazing & she's all ours.

Fathers, be good to your daughters
Daughters will love like you do
Girls become lovers who turn into mothers
So mothers, be good to your daughters too

--John Mayer--

White, Blue, Old & New

White dress, diamond ring,

blue flower, shiny shoes... The whole shebang!!

So last night I had a dream...

The kind of dream that feels so real, so happy and so magical. I felt SO happy.

I had a dream I was getting married.

It could be the fact that my best friend is texting me all the time talking about her wedding plans... Or, it could be the fact that I am so happy with my life, my daughter, and my amazing boyfriend. Or, maybe I am just being a girl... Well, that one is most likely! Who knows, but it's all I think about.

One year ago I would have never pictured my life being as perfect as it is right at this moment. One year ago I didn't know what I wanted out of life. I didn't know who I was. But this year has changed me. It has been the most challenging, yet most amazing year of my life. And now I can't picture my life being any different.

I can see my future now,

I know what I want out of life and I know who I am.

I am a loyal girlfriend, I am an amazing mother, and I am a true friend to those who stuck by my side through the hard times. I am now excited for my future with my new family. I am excited to learn new things, go back to school, get a good career, provide for my family... and eventually, hopeully sooner than later... marry the man who has made my dreams come true. He has stuck by my side through the hardest of times, held my hand when I needed him most and he has become the best father to our little girl. I am so blessed... and I can't wait for that day!!

BUT, That day isn't here yet... So for now all I can do is live vicariously through my best friend that's getting married soon, and pinterest. Oh, pinterest! I swear, if I could afford a wedding planner someday I would hand her my wedding board and say "have at it!!"

Oh, the beauty of dreaming...

The dream ring

The other dream ring...

The dream dress...

The dream venue...



Okay, I'm getting too far ahead of myself.

At least it will be here to come back to.

:)