Weekend Recap

HAPPY HAPPY WEEKEND

FRIDAY

friend time. girl time. wine time. genji sushi.

SATURDAY

family time with GG. wedding menu finalized. surprise birthday party. bonfire.

SUNDAY

kohls. shopping. homemade chili. family time with in-laws. painting pumpkins.

grandpa & L playing airplanes!

my smiley girl with a bow in her hair - she hates them but they are SO cute!

we painted a pumpkin for the first time,

L grabbed the paint brush, dipped it in the paint 

& started painting the pumpkin...

& I didn't even tell her what to do.

THE LOOK ON HER FACE IS PRICELESS

"Every child is an artist"

PABLO PICASSO

We had so much fun painting pumpkins the floor...

& it even turned out cute! Now we have a little pumpkin to put by our front door!

And I put paper on the floor so she would paint that too!

I ended up adding two new paintings and I created a photo wall.

I love showing off her artwork!

The first one on the top left if from Easter. 

L made everyone in the family a little Easter card with her handprints all over it. 

SO CUTE!

SUNDAY we had the in-laws over for homemade chili!!! This means we got to use our new dishes, and serving set, and wine glasses! I am IN LOVE with our new kitchen set! 

& I am in love with my fiance's chili makin' skills.

It was DELISH.

Late Sunday night we cuddled, watched Thomas the Train and had family time!

Then I had to splurge. Best things about my Keurig:

1. I get to brew my own coffee with My K-Cup. If you don't have one for your Keurig,

get one. It saves money!

2. Iced coffee - yum!

3. Hazelnut coffee - TODIEFOR. If you know me, you know I am

OBSESSED with Hazelnut anything.

Then I relaxed while Daddy put L to bed and I made our thank you's and had yummy hazelnut coffee! :)

Happy Weekend!

I promise you...

Dear Lennon,

I will make promises to you that I will keep. I will always do these things for you, with you, and watch you grow. I will always be here, and I am so blessed to have you. 

I will protect you & I will fight for you... I know that life may not always be safe. Life may not always be fair, and I will not always be next to you as you grow up but I am always here. Know that it am here to heal all wounds, fight all battles... As long as you try really hard first... and I will stand up for you no matter what. People will hurt you, some may tear you down and try their hardest to make you cry but know that you are strong and wise. You are beautiful and you are humble. You will stand tall amongst the others and you will fight your battles like a strong, courageous woman.

I will hold your hand. When you're 15 months old and walk along side me saying "mama", when you're 10 and scared to ride your first roller coaster, when you're going out on your first date, before you walk out the door and when you're 18 about to go off to college, when you're getting married and going to walk down the aisle to the man of your dreams. I will hold your hand when you are having your first baby and hopefully you will hold mine when I need you most too.

I will kiss your cheeks and keep your nose warm... When you're trying to fall asleep and you're snuggling into me, I will keep you warm. I will kiss your cheeks as much as I can until you're embarrassed. 

I listen to you breathe every night before I fall asleep. I have to listen to you before I can fall asleep... I turn the monitor up, I listen to you breathing. Or I will walk in your room and look at you snuggled up warm in your footsie jam's and silky blankey breathing so gently. 

I will love you no matter what. We all make mistakes. I will learn with you, love with you, cry with you and hold your head high for you when you can't. I will teach you right from wrong even when you don't want to listen because I'm your mother... I will watch you make mistakes and learn from them. I will guide you like my mother guided me, I will never take one single moment for granted and I will love you no matter what, always and forever. 

I will walk with you... Every step of your life. I won't miss an important moment. I will walk with you no matter how rainy or cold, no matter how long the trip. I will walk with you. 

I will carry you... Up the stairs when you're already asleep in my arms. I will carry you when you're too tired, too upset or too weak. 

I will guide you... To your goals and dreams. To your wishes and hopes. I will guide you to the truth, the real world and the happy places. I will guide you when you're lost, I will help you find your way through the darkest days and the saddest moments. I will show you true love and happy moments. 

I will sing to you... Every night I rock you to sleep and every morning we wake up happy and alive and well. I will hum to you every Beatles song my papa used to sing to me as a baby. I will play the music for you so you know what love feels like for me.

I will hug you every day. I will never let a day go by I don't hug you, squeeze you, or tell you how much you mean to me. You hug me back and I know that you feel what it means. You lay your head on my shoulder and hug me so tight it brings tears to my eyes. I will hug you forever.

I will tell you I love you every day... I will never forget to tell you I love you and when the day comes that you can say it back I'm sure there will be tears in my eyes. I love you, and I would shout it from the highest mountain in the world!

I will show you what love is. Through my actions and words, I will demonstrate love in all kinds. Passion, and caring, and real, true love. I will kiss daddy in front of you, I will hug him until I have to stop, I will tell him I love him every day and you will too. We will be a loving family and you will grow up knowing and feeling that not a day goes by that we don't love.

I will wipe your tears, your skinned knee, your boogers and your food stains. I will be there for you when you're sad, broken, sick or messy. I will be there to pick up the peices and put you back together.

I will watch endless hours of Thomas the train with you, saying choo-choo every time it comes on. I will watch my favorite movies with you, and we will watch them as we are older reminiscing on the old days. 

I will tell you about your family that's no longer here with us so you know how important they are. My Papa and Grandma (in the brown house.... You'll get it someday). They were the best grandparents a girl could ask for. You're named Lennon because of my Papa, and I know they are here with us every day. They would love you, and kiss your chubby cheeks and spoil you rotten with kisses and hugs and candy when Grandma isn't looking! My Great Grandpa, he loved you. He smiled ear to ear when he held you for the first time and he always smiled when I would bring you around. Grumpy Tuck, he would play with you and laugh with you, and probably teach you how to fish. He was a strong old man, but he would have treated you like a princess. 

I will forever remember the day I first saw you, a little turtle on the ultra sound... Squirming around and swimming. I remember the day I found out you were a little girl, how happy I was to have a mini-me. The day you were born though, that was the best day of my life. You layed right on my chest, and I cried... I told you how much I love you and I cried some more. My whole world changed that day. Now everything I do, I do for you. Everything I say, you repeat. Every decision I make, effects your life. I do everything while thinking of you. I promise you these thjngs because they're true. You're my life, you and your daddy... My life, my world, and I promise you I will love you, cherish you, tell you you're beautiful and never hurt you. 

I love you, Lennon. 

XO

Bridal Shower

 

My Bridal Shower was absolutely beautiful,

EVERYTHING was perfect,

the food was DELICIOUS,

the company was great,

and the desserts and wine were amazing!

 

 

We did a lot of DIY projects to make this a lot more simple AND cheaper!

This is my FAVORITE part

 

GIFTS FOR THE GUESTS

Homemade Latte Mix

[I STILL NEED TO ASK MY MOM FOR THE RECIPE...BLOG FOR A LATER DATE!]

&

A LITTLE GAME CALLED...

"HAAAAAAAAAVE YA' MET TED?"

HA- just kidding!

IT WAS REALLY CALLED,

 

How well do you know the Bride?

IT WAS SO MUCH FUN!

I really did think that a lot of people would know ME,

but it turns out... I really don't know myself that well...

 

TIP 1. If you're going to play this game don't use questions

that you don't know the answers to....

Like, what's your favorite color?

Hmm, what's my favorite color in real life?

Or... What was my favorite color when I was 5?

PINK - No, probs black.

BLACK-ON-BLACK-ON-BLACK

 

 

IT WAS ALL ABOUT

DETAILS-DETAILS-DETAILS

I wanted to make this as fall festive as possible!

I made a FALL IN LOVE banner for our gift table...

 

 

&

our date night ideas game

EVERYONE GRABS A POPSICLE STICK AND WRITES DOWN AN IDEA FOR A DATE NIGHT,

THEN YOU AND YOUR HUBBY GRAB ONE WHEN THE TIME IS RIGHT!

It's perfect!

 

TIP 2. Make it fun! Date night ideas are always good to have lying around...

and my guests made it exciting.

We can't wait for our next date night!!

 

 

TIP 3. Label things - It makes things more personal & tells your guests what the food is!

LIKE THIS HOMEMADE CHICKEN NOODLE SOUP-MMMMM!

 

I LOVE MY DESSERT TABLE

My mom & aunt made delicious desserts

Homemade apple pie, pumpkin pie and peanut butter cake

& made a yummy orange dessert

Everyone loved it

 

& OF COURSE ANOTHER BANNER...

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE IT!

 

& A KEURIG COFFEE BAR!
GENUIS - ALMOST AS GENIUS AS SHELDON

BUT THIS ONE IS WAY CUTER!

 

TIP 4. Have a COFFEE BAR!

My mom had the cutest table cloth and the yummiest K-Cups.

Perfection on a Fall day!

 

wine, wine, wine

& more wine

 

I'm pretty sure the Bridesmaids and I enjoyed the most of it!

 

TIP 5. Have lots of wine!

TIP 6. Have Witch's Brew... I think it may be my new fave.

 

 

BRIDESMAIDS

[BUT MISSING ONE OF MY GIRLS!]

 

... LIKE I SAID

CAN YOU TELL WHAT TABLE IS THE BRIDESMAID TABLE?

TIP 7: Look for the BOOZE

 

I love my girls!

 

& we love our boots!

 

 

& MY BEAUTIFUL BIFF

MAITRON OF HONOR

& SISTER AT HEART

 

EVERYTHING TURNED OUT BEAUTIFUL!

I had a great time, I enjoyed all of the family time and friend time

and it was all because of my mom, my moms best friend, my aunts,

and my dad and uncles that helped put it all together.

 

Thank you everyone that came, everyone that helped out,

and all of the gifts....

 

I am currently wrapped up in my cozy new blanket,

drinking a warm cup of Keurig coffee...

 

Thank you everyone!

 

 

My World

There sure is something to be said for a family that loves as much as we do. A family that sticks together, loves together, plays together and enjoys every moment of every day in love.

Lennon laughs, we laugh. Lennon giggles, we giggle. Lennon runs and we run, Lennon lives and we live even more. 

...and then Mommy and Daddy stick their tongue out, Lennon sticks her tongue out. It's a game, this crazy thing called parenthood and we LOVE it. 

This girl can brighten any room, and gloomy day, any bad mood and instantly overwhelm you with love. She is our beating heart, the breath we breathe. She is our warm sunny days and our cozy nights. Lennon is our hopes and our dreams, our success and passions. She is our guide and our light at the end of the tunnel. She is our curly hair and green eyes, our short stubby toes and dimpled smile. She is our button nose and soft hands. 

 Lennon is our whole world and making every day more beautiful. 

Before you have a child you see the world in front of you and not around you. You see the bar signs, the late nights, the happy hours and friends. 

Having a child makes you realize how precious your world is, how dangerous the world around you is and how much you change as a person inside and out. 

This is my world now, and it gets more beautiful every single day. 

Weekend Recap

Happy very productive, family oriented, wedding filled, enjoyable, relaxing Weekend!

Friday I got out of work and spent the evening with my Lennon! 

Saturday was a beautiful sunny day! We got to sleep in... Lennon slept in. It was delightful! We went to Johnson's Giant Pumpkin farm with the soon-to-be-in-laws, and our friends! It was a great day! Lennon loved runnin around seeing the "choo-choo's" and Pooh Bear! She even pet the animals and loved it. 

We tried getting Lennon to stand tall next to the pumpkin but she was on the move all day! 

 

Before we took the cranky kids home for a nap, I got to cuddle with this handsome 5 day old babe! He's so sweet. 

After the long mornin of pumpkins, cider slushies and running around in the 75 degree sun (W.T.HECK, Mother Nature. I thought this was October?!) we went home and Lennon took a 3 hour nap... Or what attempted to be a nap! She played in her crib, talked and jumped around for the whole time. Well, I didn't complain... momma and daddy laid down and rested. After that, we went shopping, got a lot of wedding to-do's checked off the list... Which is no longer a mile long! Thank goodness! 

Sunday was great! Another beautiful day that began with a goodmorning text from my dad and his fiancé. They joined us for donuts, coffee and some good family time with Lennon! She always enjoys company, and of course we do too! 

Lennon took an early nap, so Dan and I got to spray painting! We completed ALL of our centerpieces today! You have no idea how amazing it feels to have those done! 24 vases done and waiting to be taken to the venue on our wedding day! 

Whew!

After lunch we ran some errands, cleaned the car, cleaned the house, did some laundry and then had dinner with our friends Katie & Brandon while Lennon stayed with Nana & Papa.

Poor Lennon is cutting 3 teeth at once right now. 2 molars and another bottom tooth. I feel so bad for her. She's absolutely miserable!

Well, let's hope this week is better for us! Good things to look forward to next weekend. Birthday party for my little cousin and then my bridal shower! Woohoo!!!! 

Happy weekend loves :)

DIY Wedding

DIY Wedding decor can be difficult if you don't add that extra touch. The touch of details, creativity, & thoughtfulness of your guests. 

We love DIY projects! Especially when it's with out wedding. Why? Because we love finding ways to save money and still have a creative, and beautiful wedding. 

Here's 1 way to keep your wedding guests happy and add an extra touch of creative detail to your wedding. 

DIY Guest Baskets (for the bathrooms!) 

It's simple! All you need is:

-Wicker Basket (Dollar Tree)

-Goodies for the guests (whatever fits your needs and theirs... Anything goes except liquor and condoms. That's just weird!)

-Thoughtful note to your guests. We made ours at home and took them to be laminated at our local office store.

Ours says, "Here's a basket for all of our guests to help you feel and look your best. We hope you find what you're looking for, now grab what you need and get back on the dance floor. Love, The Newlyweds!"

Now I made one for the men's bathroom and one for the women's. The men's consists of:

-Gum

-Mints

-Pail Reliver

-Deodorant

-Mouth Wash

...We are also throwing in some cigars and cologne!

The women's basket is a little more full. Let's face it, women have more needs and wants when it comes to keeping fresh and pretty! 

Ladies basket consists of:

-Gum

-Mints

-Mouthwash

-Bandaids for the heels that are killers

-Pain Reliver

-Baby Powder

-Lotion

-Deodorant

...and we are going to throw in some Purfume and makeup!

Hope this helps your DIY wedding planning needs! Happy planning! 

Lennon is 15 months

 

 

Favorite things to do - Lennon loves to jump up and down on her food while it's on the floor because she spills it everywhere. She likes taking her cheerios and milk, tipping the bowl over and splashing the milk all over the kitchen. Lennon loves to climb on the couch and run from one side of it to the other.

 

Favorite words - Lennon loves to say DAD and MOOOOM while staring in our face. It's too cute.

 

Favorite things - She loves playing with her teapot - she fills her little cups up with fake tea and drinks it. She loves watching Thomas and Friends and eating popcorn with us.

 

Favorite food - Chicken nuggets, mac and cheese, noodles, cheerios, fruit nutrigrain bars, baby popcorn, and puffs!

This month will be Lennon's second Halloween. We still have no idea what to do for a costume for her. There are too many cute ideas that are way too expensive.

Lennon's cutting molars right now. The nights this month have been accompanied with lots of waking up screaming, not going back to sleep... oragel, warm milk, ibuprofen, warm baths, cuddling and screaming "mommy and daddy" so loud it could wake the neighbors.

I cannot wait until the teeth are in! AGH, 15 months can be over any time now.

 

Lennon is 14 months

 

Favorite things to do - Lennon loves to eat cheerios with milk and she doesn't make too big of a mess! She loves to hang out with mommy while I am getting ready and she loves to jump on our bed!

 

Favorite words - She just learned how to say UP, puppy, baby, poo, mama, dada, bubba, ooo-ooo (woof-woof).

Favorite things - She loves playing with her blocks and walking around with her blankey.

 

Favorite food - Chicken nuggets, mac and cheese, noodles, cheerios.

XO.

Oh, Happy Days

The past two days have been GREAT.

GREAT HAIR DAYS, GREAT mood, GREAT family time, GREAT smelling fall candles...

mmm.

 

1. It was beautiful outside today!

2. I got out of my meeting and made it home in time to spend time with my baby girl tonight.

3. I got to cuddle with Lennon this morning for an hour.  Even if that was because she was screaming her little curls off this morning at 6:00 I was okay with it because I missed her so much this week.

4. I had a good hair yesterday and today! You all suck when you say it looks like bed head. That's the new style, and it takes two minutes! Wet hair, hair spray, wax, teasing comb, done... (and not in that order).

 

(This list is not going in am-pm order is it?)

 

5. I stopped at Mc'ds yesterday and got a pumpkin spice latte and had a buy one get one free coupon so I was kind and got one for my fav. FA co-worker! 

6. Lennon was SODAMNCUTE when I got to Nana and Papas to pick her up yesterday. New outfit? YEP. She's so spoiled and we love it. She's so happy.

Look at that cute thing!!

 

7. I enrolled a student for our new program! Woohoo! AND... at our corporate meeting today I got my FIRST (of many to come) AWARD! GO ME! I am seriously SO, SO, SO proud of myself.
I LOVE MY JOB!

 

 

8. I got to see my besties last night and snuggle with this handsome 3 day old baby boy, Corbin! I seriously love him to pieces already, and now I have baby fever. AGH.
 

 

 

9. Lennon was so good and played with Mason. I think she learned how to build an engine too, hah! Turning into a tom-boy!!

 

10. Our invites got mailed and sent and delivererd. Not happy with the USPS right now for the ripped envelopes and messed up stamping but they will not ruin my good mood!
 

Yes, that's seriously how they got delivered. FML.

Sorry everyone!

 

11. I GOT ACCEPTED TO CMU!!!!!!!

OMG. I AM SO HAPPY.

 

 

 

12. I splurged and bought myself some new shoes!
My very first pair of chucks. AGH.

and they're charcoal grey... in LOVE.

 

 

13. ...and new boots! I have wanted these forever and I am SO obsessed.

Thank you Macy's coupons!

 

 

So... that's been my past two days. I am exhausted, miserably sick feeling, dealing with a teething baby who will wake up literally every hour tonight I am sure. I can't wait for Dan to get home with some soup and subs and then we will relax, snuggle with the candles lit and watch a movie! Then, we both have the weekend off. Pumpkin farm, and lots of family time is in store for us!

 

Goodnight all,

XO

Love List

1. My amazing hair day to start my day off right! Who knew one day old hair curls perfectly (...and let's you sleep in a little longer too?) HELLO blonde curls!

2. Fall weather, sweaters and scarves! Leaving the house this morning extra warm and cozy was my fav! Walking into work and having a hot pot of coffee brewed and ready for my extra large pink coffee mug... Made my day!

3. Planning a Haunted House for our students today at work. YES! I love Fall, I love Halloween and I LOVE my job! I can't wait to dress up as a scary patient and scare my students! Woohoo!

4. I applied for financial aid today at work thanks to my FA team. I am so happy it's done and now all I have to do is pick a school to go to! That's the tough part... 

5. I picked up my jeans from the Buckle tonight! They are hemmed and I LOVE them! I can't wait to wear them. Seriously, I will never buy jeans any where else. The customer service there was outstanding and I finally found jeans that fit me and my huge ass!

6. MY JOB. Are you sick of hearing how much I love it yet? I do. I do. I do, do, do! Why? Because I inspire people, I work hard to help people and I make a difference! 

7. Late days... Tomorrow is a late day at work so I don't have to be there until 11! Sleeping in, cuddling with L & Dan has the day off! Woo! 

8. We are pro's at this wedding planning game. Invites are done! Details are coming together and we are officially on the countdown! 60 days baby! 

9. Lennon did a somersault today!

She's growing up so fast! 15 months old this Friday!

10. Dan and I picked out our Halloween costumes... Hope we can find a sitter for that night! If not I will have to pick an extra fun costume for work that day like... 

http://kimberlyvaughn.hubpages.com/hub/Halloween-Costume-Ideas-for-Work

❤️love!