Thursday, November 29, 2012

It's a Love Story

My week is almost over and I feel like it hasn't even begun...I've been so busy working two days, then two days off... Packing, moving, trying to find a wedding venue that's what we want yet still affordable... Crazy time right now. In the midst of the craziness we still manage to love, laugh and enjoy life!

December it is! 2013 will be our wedding date. We have decided to go with a Winter Wonderland theme. Royal Blue-Black-White-Silver-Glitter. Beautiful!

We want a small ceremony with close friends and family, and huge party reception to celebrate our amazing lives.

Two years ago I met my fiancé.
We were at the bar, Dancing, Drinking, enjoying being young and crazy with our friends. How we began talking that night I have no idea, but we ended up hanging out and going to Denny's on our first date that night. 2 AM at Denny's? Romantic. ;)
Needless to say, I never thought at that moment I would be here two years later planning a wedding with that man.

The past two years of our lives have been hectic, filled with laughter, full of tears, heartbreak, troubles, fun, excitement, the.whole.nine.yards. We are two very strong people. We have been through hell and back, but never left each others side.
Dan has been my backbone when I've needed it most, my light in life when I've lost my way, and my smile when I've wanted to cry. I have found myself in loving him, and we have more love than anyone I know. I look back now, and say it was all worth the fight. We fought for what we believed in, for what we love and didn't want to lose.

I am so happy and excited to marry my best friend - the man who makes love come to life and the man who never gave up on me.

Okay, no more blogging... Time to plan :)

Friday, November 23, 2012

I am Thankful

Every year I am more thankful for things in my life than the last... This year definitely tops the list! In spite of everything that happened this week I am still so very thankful for all I have and that God has given to me.

-My fiancé Daniel, he is the love of my life and a wonderful man. He is an amazing father and treats us like we are his entire world.

-Our daughter Lennon, she is the best thing that has ever happened to me.

-Lennons good health, the past 4 to 5 weeks she has had difficulty breathing due to a nasty cough and wheezing. Her doctor diagnosed her with asthma but didn't have a clue what could be causing it. She is staying at Nana and Papas house until we can move and she is breathing clear, no wheezing and the coughing is going away slowly.

-My soon to be in-laws, they have been so kind, caring, giving and understanding. We recently found black mold in our home and we cannot live there. We packed up and moved in with them until we can find a place to move. Thank goodness we have a place to stay and we are all healthy!

-My Great Grandma Baker, Grandma Tuck, Dad, Lennon and I. 5 generations doesn't happen very often and yesterday on Thanksgiving we got to take a picture with all of us. So happy!

-My best friend (BIFF) McKensey and her family. They have been there for me through everything and I can't imagine my life without her!

-Reunited friendships, Jessalyn and I are finally back to where we've always been. And I am so happy to have her in my wedding :)

-Lambrusco and my soon-to-be brother in law, he bought me more wine last night!! :)

-My brother and his girlfriend. He finally has a great girl and they are living together and are very happy!

-My mother, for giving me everything I need, want and more. For supporting me being a new mom, and passing down all of Maci's adorable clothes!

-My job even though I hate it most days... It's a great job and I have made great friends there. For that, I am thankful.

-My NEW iPhone.

-Candles and red wine. When I come home from a long day at work that's all I want to do. Light the candles and relax with a strong glass of Merlot.

-The Beatles. They have changed my life with their music. I mean, come on... My daughter is named after John Lennon.

-My little Mazda. It has lasted me this long, good and strong.

-Warm fuzzy socks and slippers

-How I Met Your Mother, for creating so much laughter in my life

-Pumpkin Spice lattes

-Pinterest & all things wedding on there

-Fuzzy warm, footie pajamas. Lennon is too adorable in them!

-Paci's, without them I would lose my mind.

-My little sister, Maci and brother Byron.
They light up my life.

-A warm cozy bed to lay in right now!

-A sleeping baby at 8 am while I am still half asleep.

-Deviled eggs - so yum

-Great friends. So glad we went out on Wednesday night with everyone, Draper is in town and surprised everyone and we had a blast!

-Vodka & red bull. Keeps me going!

-A good book

-A closet full of shoes, shoes and more shoes.

-Red lipstick

-Dans Nana and Grandma, they light up with a huge smile every time they see me and Lennon and Dan.

-True happiness

-Family that is supportive, excited and encouraging.

-Good fluffy pillows, my neck thanks you!

-Strong coffee on my way to work

-Lucky & Opi. Fluffy little friends, make me forget how much one can love an animal.

-Warm chubby cheeks pressed against my face in the morning when I cuddle with Lennon.

I have so much more that I cannot even think of. I had an amazing Thanksgiving with my growing family and I love each and every one of them.

Happy Thanksgiving!






Monday, November 19, 2012

I'm getting MARRIED

Saturday, November 17th, 2012 changed my life forever...
and this is how it happened...

Saturday night Dan took me to our favorite restaurant. After a really nice dinner, we went to drive around the city and look at all of the beautiful Christmas lights. We drove around and then stopped in front of the Saginaw City Court House. I LOVE Christmas lights so it wasn't hard for him to pull this off!! :) We walked around, looked at the lights, talked about all that mushy, love stuff and how happy we were at that moment... then it happened!

He got down on one knee, told me he loved me and asked me to marry him!

I wish I could go back to that moment and live in it forever.

My knees got weak, my heart was pounding and tears were rolling down my face. I screamed, and cried, and laughed and fell to the ground in his arms. It was the happiest moment of my life. He grabbed my hand, pulled me up and said, "So, is that a yes?" Of course, I laughed and shook my head yes, still couldn't speak! He grabbed my hand, put the ring on my finger and kissed me.

It was exactly like a movie, a perfect, whimsical, romantic Christmas movie...

It was amazing.
It was perfect.
It was better than I have ever imagined.

We went out to celebrate after with all of our friends and family.

The beautiful place it happened...
 
 
The perfect ring...
 
 
The perfect man...
 
 
 
Now, I get to be on Pinterest all day, every day to plan...
WOOHOO!!
My dream wedding is coming true.
 


Thursday, November 15, 2012

Lennon is 4 months

 
Lennon is 4 months old!
 
It doesn't seem like a long time,
but Lennon has changed so much in the 4 months she's been in the world.
 
She realized that she has toes,
 and plays with them,
ALL.THE.TIME!
She is laughing out loud,
and mocking the sounds that mommy and daddy make.
Especially, Daddy.
Lennon will laugh in sync with him,
Every time he laughs at her she laughs right back.
He is the ONLY one that can get her to do this.
And I must say,
it is the cutest thing in the ENTIRE world!
Look at this...
 
 
 
CUTEST thing in the world, right??
 
Lennon tried rolling over on her own,
She was SO CLOSE, but her little shoulder got stuck,
and she went right back over...
Bummer! Soon enough, Lennon bug.
 
 

 
When Lennon is sleeping at night she will roll onto her side,
hold her hands together,
and curl up in a ball.
Even when we roll her back onto her back in the middle of the night,
she still manages to roll onto her side.
It is the sweetest thing,
in the world
to see her holding her hands together.

 
Chubby, belly!



 
And, she plays with EVERYTHING!
Absolutely everything you put in front of her.
And eats it, or licks it.

 
 
It's amazing how much one little bug can change your life.
Every single day she does something different,
more amazing, something funnier,
something more wonderful than the last.
 
My daughter is
AMAZING. Simply amazing! 
 
 
Happy 4 months, Lennon bug.

Wednesday, November 14, 2012

25 Rules for Mothers of Daughters

To my daughter, Lennon Danielle
- I promise to always "be home" for you. Love you, XO.

1. Paint her nails. Then let her scratch it off and dirty them up. Teach her to care about her appearance, and then quickly remind her that living and having fun is most important.

2. Let her put on your makeup, even if it means bright-red-smudged lips and streaked-blue eyes. Let her experiment in her attempts to be like you…then let her be herself.

3. Let her be wild. She may want to stay home and read books on the couch, or she may want to hop on the back of a motorcycle - gasp. She may be a homebody or a traveler. She may fall in love with the wrong boy, or meet Mr. Right at age 18. Try to remember that you were her age once. Everyone makes mistakes, let her make her own.

4. Be present. Be there for her at her Kindergarten performances, her dance recitals, her soccer games…her everyday-little-moments. When she looks through the crowds of people, she will be looking for your smile and pride. Show it to her as often as possible.

5. Encourage her to try on your shoes and play dress-up. If she would rather wear her brother’s superman cape with high heals, allow it. If she wants to wear a tutu or dinosaur costume to the grocery store, why stop her? She needs to decide who she is and be confident in her decision.

6. Teach her to be independent. Show her by example that woman can be strong. Find and follow your own passions. Search for outlets of expression and enjoyment for yourself- not just your boyfriend, husband or children. Define yourself by your own attributes, not by what others expect you to be. Know who you are as a person, and help your daughter find out who she is.

7. Pick flowers with her. Put them in her hair. There is nothing more beautiful than a girl and a flower.

8. Let her get messy. Get messy with her, no matter how much it makes you cringe inside. Splash in the puddles, throw snowballs, make mud pies, finger paint the walls: just let it happen. The most wonderful of memories are often the messy ones.

9. Give her good role models- you being one of them. Introduce her to successful woman- friends, co-workers, doctors, astronauts, or authors. Read to her about influential woman- Eleanor Roosevelt, Rosa Parks, Marie Curie. Read her the words of inspirational woman- Jane Austen, Sylvia Plath, Emily Dickinson. She should know that anything is possible.

10. Show her affection. Daughters will mimic the compassion of their mother. “I love yous” and Eskimo kisses go a long way.

11. Hold her hand. Whether she is 3 years-old in the parking lot or sixteen years old in the mall, hold on to her always- this will teach her to be confident in herself and proud of her family.

12. Believe in her. It is the moments that she does not believe in herself that she will need you to believe enough for both of you. Whether it is a spelling test in the first grade, a big game or recital, a first date, or the first day of college…remind her of the independent and capable woman you have taught her to be.

13. Tell her how beautiful she is. Whether it is her first day of Kindergarten, immediately after a soccer game where she is grass-stained and sweaty, or her wedding day. She needs your reminders. She needs your pride. She needs your reassurance. She is only human.

14. Love her father. Teach her to love a good man, like him. One who lets her be herself…she is after all wonderful.

15. Make forts with boxes and blankets. Help her to find magic in the ordinary, to imagine, to create and to believe in fairy tales. Someday she will make her 5 by 5 dorm-room her home with magic touches and inspiration. And she will fall in love with a boy and believe him to be Prince Charming.

16. Read to her. Read her Dr. Seuss and Eric Carle. But also remember the power of Sylvia Plath and Robert Frost. Show her the beauty of words on a page and let her see you enjoy them. Words can be simply written and simply spoken, yet can harvest so much meaning. Help her to find their meaning.

17. Teach her how to love- with passion and kisses. Love her passionately. Love her father passionately and her siblings passionately. Express your love. Show her how to love with no restraint. Let her get her heart broken and try again. Let her cry, and gush, giggle and scream. She will love like you - love or hate like you hate. So, choose love for both you and her.

18. Encourage her to dance and sing. Dance and sing with her- even if it sounds or looks horrible. Let her wiggle to nursery rhymes. Let her dance on her daddy's feet and spin in your arms. Then later, let her blast noise and headbang in her bedroom with her door shut if she wants. Or karaoke to Tom Petty in the living room if she would rather. Introduce her to the classics- like The Beatles- John Lennon of course! And listen to her latest favorite- like Taylor Swift. Share the magic of music together, it will bring you closer- or at least create a soundtrack to your life together.

19. Share secrets together. Communicate. Talk. Talk about anything. Let her tell you about boys, friends, school. Listen. Ask questions. Share dreams, hopes, concerns. She is not only your daughter, you are not only her mother. Be her friend too.

20. Teach her manners. Because sometimes you have to be her mother, not just her friend. The world is a happier place when made up of polite words and smiles.

21. Teach her when to stand-up and when to walk away. Whether she has classmates who tease her because of her glasses, or a boyfriend who tells her she is too fat- let her know she does not have to listen. Make sure she knows how to demand respect- she is worthy of it. It does not mean she has to fight back with fists or words, because sometimes you say more with silence. Also make sure she knows which battles are worth fighting. Remind her that some people can be mean and nasty because of jealousy, or other personal reasons. Help her to understand when to shut her mouth and walk-away. Teach her to be the bigger -the better- person.

22. Let her choose who she loves. Even when you see through the charming boy she thinks he is, let her love him without your disapproving words: she will anyway. When he breaks her heart, be there for her with words of support rather than I told-you-so. Let her mess up again and again until she finds the one. And when she finds the one, tell her.

23. Mother her. Being a mother—to her—is undoubtedly one of your greatest accomplishments. Share with her the joys of motherhood, so one day she will want to be a mother too. Remind her over and over again with words and kisses that no one will ever love her like you love her. No one can replace or replicate a mother’s love for their children.

24. Comfort her. Because sometimes you just need your mommy. When she is sick, rub her back, make her soup and cover her in blankets- no matter how old she is. Someday, if she is giving birth to her own child, push her hair out of her face, encourage her, and tell her how beautiful she is. These are the moments she will remember you for. And someday when her husband rubs her back in attempt to comfort her...she may just whisper, "I need my mommy."

25. Be home. When she is sick with a cold or broken heart, she will come to you: welcome her. When she is engaged or pregnant, she will run to you to share her news: embrace her. When she is lost or confused, she will search for you: find her. When she needs advice on boys, schools, friends or an outfit: tell her. She is your daughter and will always need a safe harbor- where she can turn a key to see comforting eyes and a familiar smile: be home.

I promise to always "be home" for you. Love you Lennon Danielle.

(Source: Pinterest- meggielynne.tumblr.com)


Monday, November 12, 2012

Holiday Favorites, Traditions & a Turkey Cupcake Recipe

I
 love
 love
LOVE
Thanksgiving,
Christmas
& New Years!
 
Oh, the joys of the Holidays!
Food, food, food and more food.
and then the best part...
Yoga pants, and Ugg boots.
Because of all the FOOD FOOD FOOD!
 
Favorite Holiday Food
Desserts... mmm.
Pies... the yummy cherry pie my Grandma always makes. To die for!
 Cookies... homemade sugar cookie cut-outs that my Grandma used to make for us.
It's become a tradition in our home ever since I was little!
 and those sticky green marshmallow wreaths my mom is so well known for! MMM!
Oh, and my moms famous Heath Bar Pie.
When I get the recipe I will post it!
 
My mouth is watering just thinking about this...
 
Turkey and homemade cranberry sauce, yum!
Mashed potatoes... with gravy.
My mothers green bean casserole that she makes for every.single.holiday.
Trust me, it never gets old!
Deviled eggs, oh my goodness. 
I am pretty much obsessed.
 
Okay, literally gaining weight just thinking about this...
 
My Favorite Traditions
Christmas movies and hanging out in my pajamas
Christmas scented candles - Yankee Candle Store will make me go bankrupt!
Christmas wreaths with bows and bells
Cute, adorable, to die for wrapping paper.. I LOVE wrapping paper,
yet, loathe wrapping!!!
Going to the Tree Farm with the family,
 Drinking hot cocoa and sitting by the fire,
picking out cutest, short chubby little tree
and getting popcorn balls on the way out!
Dressing up in red dresses, black heels and bows
Going to Michael's and JoAnne's because it smells SO good,
and is so festive with Holiday décor.
 
This recipe was from The Talk today. I was watching it and they looked soooo delicious,
I just had to post it! Melanie, it made me think of you! :) There are also more cupcake recipes here:
 
 
VEGAN Thanksgiving Cranberry Spice
“Turkey” Cupcakes with Vanilla Frosting
 
 
(Makes 24 cupcakes)
 
Ingredients:
 
 For the cupcakes:
-1 ¼ cups sifted all-purpose flour
-1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
-¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
-¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
-¼ teaspoon salt
-8 tablespoons Earth Balance vegan buttery sticks
-1 cup sugar
-¼ cup unsweetened applesauce
-¼ cup water
-1 cup fresh or frozen cranberries
 
For the frosting:
-4 tablespoons Earth Balance vegan buttery sticks
-4 cups sifted confectioners’ sugar
-¼ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
-6 ounces Tofutti vegan cream cheese
 For the decoration:
-¼ pound each brown, white, black, and orange fondant
-piping gel
-fondant roller
-144 pieces candy corn
 
Directions:
For the cupcakes:
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F, and line two cupcake pans with twelve paper baking cups each.  Sift together the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt in a bowl, and set aside.
 In the bowl of a stand mixer or in a bowl with a handheld electric mixer, cream together the vegan buttery sticks and sugar until light and fluffy, approximately 3 to 5 minutes.

Add applesauce, and mix to incorporate.
Add one third of the flour mixture to the mixer, followed by one third of the water.  Mix slowly.  Then add another third of the flour mixture, followed by another third of the water.  Mix slowly again.  Finally, add the last third of the flour mixture and the last third of the water.  Mix until all the ingredients are incorporated.
Scrape down the bowl, and add the cranberries.  Fold in using a spatula until the cranberries are scattered throughout the batter.
 Using a standard-size ice cream scoop, fill each baking cup so that it is two-thirds full.  Bake for 18 to 20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
Let the cupcakes cool.
 For the frosting:
In the bowl of a stand mixer or in a bowl with a handheld electric mixer, mix all the ingredients for approximately 3 to 5 minutes, until the frosting is light and airy. Frost each cupcake with a piping bag fitted with a large round metal tip to create Georgetown Cupcake’s “signature swirl”.

For the fondant turkey decorations:
Roll out a small ball of brown fondant, approximately the size of a golf ball, to form the body of your turkey.  Then roll out a ball of brown fondant, approximately half the size of the first ball, to form the head of your turkey.  Attach the head to the body using piping gel or water.
Roll out two small balls of white fondant, each approximately the size of a pea, to form the eyeballs of your turkey.
Roll out two small balls of black fondant, each approximately the size of half a pea, to form the pupils of your turkey’s eyes.  Using piping gel or water, attach the pupils to the eyeballs, and the eyeballs to the turkey’s head.
Roll out a small piece of orange fondant, and shape it into a crescent to form the turkey’s beak.  Attach it to the turkey’s head using piping gel or water.
Roll out four small pieces of brown fondant and shape them into rounded tear drops to form feathers. 
Let the fondant turkey and feathers set for 5 to 10 minutes, and then place the turkey on top of a cupcake, with the feathers placed behind.

Line up six pieces of candy corn, pointed side down on the brown fondant feathers behind the turkey’s body to form another layer of feathers. 

Repeat for each cupcake, serve, and enjoy!