Happy Birthday Baby Boy!

Happy Birthday my sweet baby boy! Two years ago today I looked into your eyes and fell in love yet again! Thank you for being the sweetest little thing in my life. I love you!

I have someone for you to meet....

Have you ever met my cat? And no, I know what you are thinking, I am not some crazy cat lady. This is the one and only cat we have, plus two little Yorkshire terriers, and yes our cat is bigger than our dogs...I know, crazy.
No, this is not a wild animal that snuck into our house, but our actual pet. He is a Maine Coon cat and his name is The Ambassador. My husband had him when we first met and he apparently had that name when he got him. So, without further ado,meet, The Ambassador...

Lazy afternoons...

Right about now is when I need this (my hot cup of organic chai tea, with a splash of soy cream and a sprinkle of stevia)...kids are napping and if I don't have caffeine, I may be napping soon too...this is what keeps me going during these long afternoons, especially when its raining outside...What keeps you going in the afternoon?

Chocolate Chip Cookies

There's nothing like these cookies on a cold rainy night. Of all of my favorite cookie recipes out there, this one is by far my favorite...it is a classic and so delicious, especially with a glass of cold milk.

Family

I've known this beautiful family for quite some time. Lisa was the first friend I made when my family and I moved in 1989. She was my neighbor and brought us peaches when my parents began building our house. Her and I have remained friends for over 20 years...we used to do talent shows together, she was in my wedding, she was the one person who I had to have in the room (besides my hubby and mom) when I gave birth to both of my kiddos...we've been through a lot together! I've known her for more than half of my life! And her husband Shawn I've also known forever. They met in elementary school and have been together ever since. Anyways, I had the opportunity to photograph them last week at their house. Aren't their boys just so darn cute? Jack and Ryder. What a beautiful family!!!

Adventures in Suburbia

No, these are not my bags that are packed this time, but my cousins'...they are getting ready to board a plane for Hawaii in 2 hours...I am the one watching their kids while they are gone. Four kids under the age of four for one week....to some of you that is normal life, to me, who is an only child with only two kids it is an adventure...So far so good...I will let you know how it goes. Wish me luck!!

Love is all you need...All you need is love

We met almost 6 years ago in a bar...of all places, I never thought I would meet my husband in a bar. We talked for a week and then went on our first date...I kissed him first and 3 months later we were engaged. A year after that we were married....
He still gives me butterflies when he walks in the room...
I still love it when he wears cologne when we go on a date...
He has given me two little loves of my life....
He always pushes me to pursue my dreams...
He still makes me laugh even when its the same joke I've heard a thousand times...
He is spontaneous....
His smile is contagious....
I love it when old ladies still come up to me and say "You know your husband looks like John Travolta?" I reply, "yes, I know" as if I hear it all the time...but I love it!!!

I remember my mom telling me, "you know I thought I was in love when I married your dad and after 33 years of marriage, I love him more than the day I married him." I never really understood at first, but now, I do...I love my husband so much more than when I married him...it is a different love, a stronger love....and I know it will only get better.

No one ever tells you when you get married that it is going to be hard, but it is...it is one of the hardest things in life, but if you work at it and stay on the same page, it is amazing! My husband and I have learned that we are so much better together than we would ever be apart...

Love may be hard....but it is so worth it!!! Happy Valentines Day!

Happy V Day!

For my daughter's Valentines Day Party at school we made these sweet little valentines....I got the idea from here and then made my own card from a picture of my daughters favorite Converse shoes....I hope you all have a Happy V Day!!! xoxo

This is not Baskin-Robbins...

I never shared with you the most delicious and easy cake I made for my husband on his birthday. It is technically his mother's recipe and he specifically asked me to make this cake...( I apologize to my mother-in-law Ginny if this is not the exact recipe...I was just going off of memory...)

Ice Cream Cake
2 boxes Chocolate cake mix baked according to box recipe in 9" round pans.
2 gallons of your favorite vanilla ice cream molded into two 9" pans .
(coat pans with wax paper, so you can pull ice cream out of pan)
After cake is cooled, cut one cake in half so that you have 3 layers of chocolate cake and stick in individual large ziploc bags and freeze overnight.
The next day after your cake pieces are frozen and your ice cream is molded, assemble your cake into 5 layers (as shown above, starting with cake).
Stick cake back in freezer and freeze about 30 minutes-1 hour
Take cake out and frost with your favorite frosting. (I used whipped cream frosting). Then stick back in the freezer until ready to consume!!!

I did it!

I ran my first 10k....6.2 miles in 1 hour and 2 minutes....it was wonderful, a little tough, the legs are sore today, but I did it and now I am in preparation for my first 1/2 marathon on March 14th...I am really nervous about that one...we'll see how it goes. Wish me luck!!

Happy Birthday!

I met you 6 years ago and thank goodness you weren't a day older than 30 because I would have never gone on that first date with you...ever since then, I have had some of the happiest years of my life. You have truly made my dreams come true and I love you so much! Today is about you...I love you! xoxo