Our [totally awesome] Memorial Day

 

"I thank God for my life, and for the stars and stripes.

May freedom forever fly. Let it ring.

Salute the ones who died,

The ones that give their lives,

so we don't have to sacrifice all the things we love."

Oh! Memorial Day, we meet again. The ultimate kickoff to summer and all things I love. Perfect combination. First, let's start off with saying how incredibly happy I am to be engaged to an amazing man. This weekend brought us closer together as we were reliving our memories together throughout the years on this weekend. Camping, canoeing, cookouts and last year at this time I was so huge and pregnant! It was fun to look back on the past couple of years together.

Memorial Day is all about remembering our fallen heroes who were devoted to serving our country & we can't forget about the ones who have, who still do and have yet to. So, thank you to my amazing man for serving our country and thank God for him making it home safe, to my cousin, in Afghanistan right now and praying that he makes it home safe as well. Thank you.

 This year was better than any Memorial Day because our sweet baby girl was with us enjoying the sun and summer weather, corn on the cob and fruit tray. Lennon loved hanging out with family, playing in the grass and eating fruit. We enjoyed family time at a cookout at my Aunt & Uncle's on Sunday and a cookout with the in-law's and family at Dan's parents house on Monday. The weather was great, not too hot and no rain, thank goodness! We enjoyed some delicious food, I made a festive fruit tray and we picked up our ultimate fav. Summer Shandy. What a great weekend...

[Enjoy the weekend in photos!]

My festive red shellac I did all my myself... woo-hoo!

Red Shellac - Find it HERE

 

My festive fruit and veg tray!

Dollar Tree - Patriotic Holiday Décor 

who would have thought?

That place is seriously my new holiday go-to!

 

We have been searching for that

thirst-quenching-gotta-have-delicious-beer all year and finally,

we found our fav.

A little taste of summer in every sip, 

Hey, I should totally write their slogan!

Summer Shandy, mm.mmm.mmmm.

Lennon enjoyed the summer days, 

Playing in the grass...

 

 

Look at that little ruffle butt... OMG!

Children's Place, whatuppp? $5.00!

 

I enjoyed some Mommy & Daughter time.

Time with my aunts and uncles and all my little cousins!

And Lennon spent time with her 

Great-Great Grandma Eaves!

Next it was off to the in-laws house...

Lennon played outdoors with her toys,

The dogs and family time!

Lennon and I got a great picture together,

thanks to Dan-Dan-ThePhotographer?

He rocks!

Lennon rocked the coolest shirt ever,

her "My Dad is Totally Awesome" shirt.

Just for her totally awesome dad on

our totally awesome Memorial Day!

Thanks for being awesome, Dad. 

:)

I have to say, this was by far the best.

Our first Memorial Day together as a family.

 

I cannot wait for many more to come.

Especially holidays in the summer,

warm weather and holidays that celebrate our Country! 

Ammmmerricaaa,

We love you.

[MORE PICTURES TO COME, COMPUTER STINKS]

Hey, Lennon

Rocking my baby to sleep is always a time that lets me unwind, relax, lay my head down and think. Or, on nights like tonight, blog. Thinking and rocking led me to blogging... 

Lennon was crying and not wanting to drink a bottle, so I was day dreaming as I was rocking her to calm down. I was looking around her room at the wall paintings of Beatles lyrics and I thought of my Papa. I thought of all those times he would sit my on his lap and sing to me. Sure, my memories were kept alive by my family members telling me these stories but they are the fondest, and best memories of my childhood. It was comforting having those peaceful thoughts in my mind. I thought about the songs and what they meant to me, and then I began singing.

I was humming and signing Hey Jude; One of my favorites because of its meaningful lyrics. I can't imagine Lennon growing up with any hard times or troubles but if she does I hope she remembers this song and sings it softly in her mind. 

A few minutes of rocking and singing, 

She is sound asleep in my arms. 

Goodnight, sweet Lennon. 

XO

Hey Jude, don't make it bad

Take a sad song and make it better

Remember to let her into your heart

Then you can start to make it better

Hey Jude, don't be afraid

You were made to go out and get her

The minute you let her under your skin

Then you begin to make it better

And anytime you feel the pain, hey Jude, refrain

Don't carry the world upon your shoulders

For well you know that it's a fool who plays it cool

By making his world a little colder

Nah nah nah nah nah nah nah nah nah 

Hey Jude, don't let me down

You have found her, now go and get her

Remember to let her into your heart

Then you can start to make it better

 

Hey Jude, don't make it bad

Take a sad song and make it better

Remember to let her under your skin

Then you'll begin to make it

Better better better better

Sweet Dreams

       

I'm wondering, where does it all really start anyway... Talent, I mean. When you're 5 and on your papa's lap listening to the Beatles... is your imagination working then? Or, when you're 18 and in love and you're biggest dream is to travel the world and explore museums and build a restaurant of your own. Where is talent created in the mind? When is it created? .... and where?

I went to NYC when I was 18 years old. Walked through SOHO and Ground Zero,  walked the spiral stairways in the Guggenheim and gazed over Andy Warhol, Picasso and Monet at the Met. My passion for creativity was not only discovered there, it was boiling under my skin, I was itching to get home and create a masterpiece of my own. A red canvas with an orange stripe won millions of art lovers over, why can't I do that? I replicate a Jackson Pollock painting at home and hang it on my wall and what do I get? Peice of mind that my wall is colorful, that's what. Now it collects dust and no one sees the true story behind a real painting. 

To think, that I am in my early 20's and have no real talent. I didn't go to college, I didn't create a masterpiece... I have created paintings and drawings and poems and short stories. Where are they? In a tote, in my closet collecting dust. 

I sit and I write... But what am I passionate about anymore? My love for my daughter, my passion is in her eyes. My passion is life and seeing her succeed  and knowing that its okay to put my dreams aside for her. Sure, I can sit and paint all day and create cute artsy-crafty things to have in my home but what good does that do? It doesn't. It takes time away from my one true love, my family. 

Putting my dreams on hold is okay. Because my one true and real talent is being a mother. I am a mom and I rock at it. I am passionate about everything being Lennons momma. Dreams will come true one day at a time for me, but for right now I am content not having a painting at the Guggenheim or a book on the shelf at Barnes & Noble. My time will come, and until then I will rock my sweet baby girl to sleep, whisper I love you in her ear and blog... 

Goodnight - and sweet, sweet dreams

Lennon's Beach Day

Today has gone down in writing as one of my favorite memories made with my family!

We took Lennon to the beach today, 

she was excited, can ya tell?

It was her FIRST time ever at the beach or in the water and... She loved it!

I think saying she loved it is really an understatement, she was laughing and cooing and bouncing everyone we went near the water and cried a little when we walked away!

We grabbed some brats, some beer and Lennon's cooler full of ice and water and yummy lunch and headed to Sanford! My dad, his girlfriend and her kids met us there and we had a little cookout. Lennon finally woke up from her nap and went to the water park. 

At first she was kind of scared of getting in the water but as soon as I put her foot in she lunged forward trying to grab the water as it was coming out of the sprinklers in the ground!

We ventured off onto the beach and she put her toes and fingers in the sand right away! She grabbed sand and threw it everywhere including all over me, Dan and her face! She did great up until she took a handful and ate it! Hey, what kid doesn't try it at least once in their life. Babies & sand? It's inevitable. We rinsed off by playing in the water more and splashing daddy who was our photographer for the day :)

Lennon learned new things today, explored new places and met new people. The look in her eyes when she saw the water for the first time was priceless. The look on her face when her toes touched the sand and when she ate it, when she splashed in what she probably thinks is a ginormous sandy bathtub, and when she saw the water coming out of the sprinklers was a look I wish I could see forever. 

Lennon's day at the beach...

Lennon & Daddy

Lennon loving the sand! 

Lennon loved the splash park & kept trying to grab the water!

and of course, she tried eating the sand...

Lennon & Daddy playing

Lennon walking  waddling with Daddy through the sprinklers

Family pic time!

Miss smarty pants thought the bucket still had water in it,
she wanted a drink... and got stuck!

If she knew how to swim, she would have been in the deep end by now!

My favorite Mommy Daughter moment

I think I had more sand in my suit than she did by the end of the day!

Pictures tell a thousand words...
and I still couldn't capture the look in her eyes when she saw the water. But, it is a look I will cherish and see in my mind forever. The sweet look of innocence, the look of excitement and joy! She made my day! 

Leaving the beach today Dan & I looked at each other and laughed and talked about how great of a day it really was! We cannot wait to spend more summer days at the beach!

Tonight, Lennon learned how to walk along the couch, the ottoman, everything!! She pulls herself up and takes a few steps to get to where she wants to go as long as she is holding on to something. It won't be long friends... she will be walking SOON! 

Happy Sunday. XO

A GREAT day

Well friends, I am feeling much better and today has been phenomenal! 

Today per my previous blog [Check out my Blog from earlier today] I made a recipe I found on Pinterest for a healthy spin on your daily dose of water! Everyone needs what?... 8, 9, maybe 10 glasses a day right? So, why not make it even better... Healthier, metabolism boosting, lemon & citrus minty goodness.  OH, and it's all natural sugar free. EVEN BETTER. I  came back in from my walk with Lennon this afternoon, grabbed a glass and poured this deliciousness and OHMYGOODNESS it was amazing. So refreshing. Get on board... K?

So, this morning Lennon slept in until 9:00 a.m. Just what the doctor ordered for momma. I was so sick yesterday I really needed the sleep. Thanks, Lennon! Momma appreciates it!
We had cereal this morning and Lennon tried real bananas for the very first time. I cut them up into tiny pieces and she literally could not get them in her mouth fast enough. Every time she would put one in her hands it would slip out because... they're slippery, duh. It was one of the cutest things my daughter has EVER done.

We cleaned the house... Well, I cleaned. Lennon destroyed behind me. Toys go in the basket - she grabs them out. Papers get organized on the end table - she grabs them off. Glass tables with chrome legs are cleaned and shiny - yep, you guessed it... she put her tiny hands and fingers all over them. I gave up after a while. I put the cleaning supplies away, talked to a dear friend on the phone and snuggled with my sweet little destroyer. She napped for over 2 hours this afternoon so I took the baby monitor to the garage and began cleaning, organizing, spray painting and tree trimming! 

We have many DIY crafts in the plans for the wedding and our garage is seriously FILLED with them. Tree branches, pinecones, spray paint all over the place... Yep. Slowly but surely it's coming together. So I finally cut down the large tree branches and got most of them cut down to size! YAY!

After Lennon woke up from her nap we ate lunch and took a long walk around the complex again. We walked 3.5 miles and got a nice little tan! :) The weather was so sunny and HOT. We took our frozen water bottles, sun hat, sunnies & sunblock along and went for a stroll! Working out & gettin' a tan? WIN - WIN! 

We got home from our walk and fed Lennon some carrots and real green beans! She loved them! Soon after Dan got home from work, we fired up the grill and got dinner ready. Grilled steaks, potatoes with garlic and asparagus with lemon pepper and oil. 
OHMYGOD. Is your mouth watering yet? 
Mine is and dammit, dinner isn't even done. Dan ran to the store for more lighter fluid. DARN charcoal grill! But, soon we will have an amazing dinner ready and go for another walk to end the night. 

So far today has been amazing. I am so happy that I am back to being healthy and my family is finally over this sickness that's been lingering for a week! On that note, I am going to enjoy cooking this dinner, watching Dan cook dinner, have a Lime-a-rita and play outside! 

Happy Wednesday friends! 

-K.H-

Healthy & Yummy Summer Drink

Seriously, the best drink ever.

Thanks to my dear friend, Pinterest....

I've been searching for some healthy alternatives to pop, juice, lemonade, etc.

I finally stumbled upon these healthy fruit detox drinks!

What's a Detox drink?

Detoxification is the process of eliminating toxic substances from your body. 

Normally a detox is something that you would do over a few days or even up to a weeks time. [This drink is not intended for that purpose but there are many that are!] So, If you are looking to revive yourself by increasing your energy level and your overall well-being, you may want to try a Detox! 

(Before beginning any detox diet, it is always good to check with your doctor, 

especially if there are any health concerns).

My recipe:

1 Lemon & 1 Lime Cut into Slices

(Hint: There are many health benefits of lemons that have been known for centuries. The two biggest are lemons’ strong antibacterial, antiviral, and immune-boosting powers and their use as a weight loss aid because lemon juice is a digestive aid and liver cleanser. Lemons contain many substances--notably citric acid, calcium, magnesium, vitamin C, bioflavonoids, pectin, and limonene--that promote immunity and fight infection.)

Fresh Mint Leaves

Wash and pick 10-12 nice large pieces to throw into the gallon

1 Gallon pitcher of water

Mix ingredients together

Put in the refrigerator overnight 

and serve with ice for a delicious refreshing 

& healthy summer drink!

Here are some more healthy all natural recipes:

5 Natural Detox Recipes 

My 1st Mothers Day

Today is my first Mothers Day 

& I am so blessed

At this time last year I was 8 months pregnant and almost bigger than Violet when she turns into a blueberry [for you die-hard-Willy-Wonka fans out there]. I have been blessed with a beautiful baby girl and a loving fiancé who is the most amazing father I have ever met. I woke to with a kiss and a happy Mother's Day from my man. He went to get Lennon out of bed and brought her into our room to cuddle. 

So that's exactly what we did. 

We cuddled all morning! 

Lots of X's & O's and ooo's and aaah's!

We played peek a boo on the bed, bounced around 

& had tons of fun this morning!

Lennon was in a really good mood! 

[Happy Momma's Day to meeee]

We went downstairs to feed Lennon some nanner's and cereal 

and I had flowers and a card from my lovely family waiting for me. 

Dan and Lennon got my favorite flowers,

& a really cute card! 

After we got ready we went to Bob Evans for breakfast with Dans family.

 It was fantastic! Banana bread, crepes, pancakes... hmmm.

Then we spent the rest of the day relaxing!

Lennon took a long nap, I went to get my nails done

& then we went to my moms for a Mother's Day cookout.

With the whole family!

Getting the whole family together is usually hard to do.

Especially when you're Great-Grandmother has many children,

they have many children,

and they have children...

and then I have Lennon!

So many generations, it truly is a blessing

 for almost everyone to be in the same home 

at the same time celebrating the same great day.

Seeing everyone together and happy,

healthy & on Mother's Day makes for a GREAT day.

&

It was a great day!

My wonderful mother, brother Tyler, brother Byron & sister Maci.
All of us together makes my momma so happy!!!

Momma & Lennon

Uncle Tyler & Lennon

Our Great Grandma Eaves, Tyler, Byron & Maci

Great Grandma Eaves with her first Great-Great Grandchild, Lennon
What a beautiful woman, she is