October 1st

Two years ago today I married my best friend.

It's hard to believe that two years have passed because I remember the day so vividly in my memory, and I know it'll be one I cherish for my whole life.

Two years ago today we started our own little journey not just as man and wife but as a family!

One whole unit.

It's crazy and so exciting to think that at year 3 we'll have an 8 month old!

Two years ago I became the happiest woman in the world to be marrying the most amazing man ever, and to this day I feel the same way :) 

Happy Anniversary Kev.

Love you!

7 years & counting

It's hard to believe that this weekend marked 7 years of being with my amazing hubs.

No, not all in marriage, but together in a relationship. 

It doesn't feel like 7 years and I mean this in the best way possible. 

Time has flown by and looking back brings back so many memories.

We've been through our ups and downs.

We've had our fun moments, and moments that real life has kicked us in the behind and have plain ole sucked.

We've changed and grown both together and as individuals as we've experienced and been experiencing new things in what seems to be almost every day. 

College brought us a wealth of knowledge when it came to one another, ourselves, friendships, and of course prepared us for the big kid world.

Marriage has brought on it's own challenges and learning experiences.
Some we've really come to love and cherish while others are points that made us realize that we are never truly done trying to better ourselves and not just for ourselves but for each other.

 
 Now we are moving on to a whole other chapter of bringing a life into this world.
3.5 months down and oh boy has it has already been a journey for the both of us.
I can't wait to take on parenting with someone I know will be a fantastic father.

I'm blessed beyond words.
Seriously, when it comes to how I feel about Kev and I's relationship I have a hard putting it into words because it means so much to me and I've gained so much from being with an amazing person.

I can't wait to see what the future holds for us because the past has been more than I ever would have dreamed of.

This song has recently hit the top 40 charts and couldn't be more appropriate for this occasion :) 

Happy 7 years babe, and here's to many more :)

Some really, really, really good news!!!

I haven't been really up on my blogging game lately, but there is a pretty big reason behind it.

A lot of it has to do with the fact that I've just been exhausted and have many other things on my mind, and of course I've been wanting to spill the beans so not really blogging has helped me keep my mouth shut, if you will.

So without further adieu...

 

That's right! Kev and I are going to be parents!

We cannot be excited enough for BabyO to be here...already! 

The 13th couldn't be more perfect as I consider it to be my lucky number. 

Why? Well because people in my family happen to have birthday's on the 13th and 2/13 is the day that Kev proposed to me 3 years ago.

That's gotta be a good sign if I do say so myself!

The journey has been a very good one so far and I only pray that in continues to go as smoothly as it has.

Today marks 14 weeks and I believe that my energy is starting to come back and I'm feeling more like my old self. 

It's been a learning experience, and with that being said any and all knowledge, useful information ranging from meal planning to good products is definitely welcome!
all the info on the internet has gotten quite overwhelming...beh.

Kev and I are so excited and honestly up until recently, when I've felt like I started to show it almost didn't feel real. 

I can't believe we are going to be parents!

I've decided to join the preggers crowd and will be giving you a bump date tomorrow :)

Until then...

Happy Thursday!

Proud of your Dash?

So this last week Kev's grandma, or Nanny as we called her, passed away.

This is particularly hard for Kev and his family because she has been like a mother to them all and they all this unparalleled relationship with her that is almost hard to describe without having witnessed it.
Their lives were centered around her.

 Her life brought me right back to this poem because I think it truly represents the kind of life she lived.

It's called The Dash by Linda Ellis

She knew what was truly important, and those things were not things at all.
It was the way you treated people, and the way you loved.

I want my dash to be something that truly represents me and those I love.
Just like Nanny's, her dash was incredible.

So far my dash has been pretty full, and meaningful.

I have very few to zero regrets, it's been full of love, fun, hope, and happiness but having this type of life is something that you need to strive for.

Life does happen regardless of you putting any effort into it, but at the end would you say that you are truly proud of you dash?

  After I heard it read was at Chris's funeral and read it the other day after Nanny's passing, I vowed to myself that I would constantly be thinking and striving for the best dash I can possibly have.

I want to have a dash like Nanny's, I'm going to have to get my behind into gear.
It'll be hard living up to her standards, her kindness, and her love...maybe even impossible...but I'd like to try.

Could you say you are proud of you dash?

RIP Nanny.

You are greatly loved and greatly missed.

Our lives just got a little quieter...

but you better believe that Heaven got a whole lot louder. 

This weekend my grandma joined the angels.

It's true when they say that loss does not get any easier no matter how many times you experience it.

That can't hold anymore true than what it does now after experiencing 3 deaths in about a month and a half of time.

But this time amongst the feelings of sadness and hurt at losing her, I feel relief and happiness.

Strange how feelings can change from death to death, but for her I know these feelings are appropriate.

She had a good life, and it will be celebrated.

She was a spit fire, the matriarch of the family, and was greatly loved.

She didn't suffer when she passed and what I believe to be the most important thing, she is with my grandpa who she has missed for about 20 years now.

My grandpa died when I was young, about 7, and I know that she struggled with missing him and loneliness.

Well not anymore, and that makes me more happy than most things that I can think of right now. 

It's hard to believe she is gone, but I know she is happy.

There are memories of her that I'll never forget like the time she bonded with our family dog, met my boyfriend in high school, and her laughter.

I know she's watching us with Grandpa (not before she gave him an earful) and Parker.

I can picture her know with that mischevious grin on her face, telling me to be good...
and I will be because Lord knows she'd set me straight even from Heaven.

RIP Grandma.

I love you and miss you already.

A Hard Time Understanding...

I am not the most religious of people but I do believe.

I believe in God, and right now I am having a very hard time understanding what he is doing.

I am not often one to seek guidance from God or really believe that he has your whole life planned for you but right now I am looking to him for an explanation.

Ya know the saying that God never gives anyone more than he thinks they can handle?
I'm  having a really hard time understanding and ultimately believing it's true.

You remember the post I wrote about Kev's cousin Chris passing away: here?
Well the family, and his immediate family specifically is suffering another tragedy.
Kev's uncle Phil (who is the husband of Chris's mom, Mary, and Chris's step dad) was in a terrible car accident.
So terrible he's been in the ICU in an induced coma for several days.
He broke his back and is paralized from the chest down so he is not able to breath on his own.
He's got many other complications and on top of it all he had a heart attack a couple weeks ago.
Due to all of these factors the doctors are unable to operate or help him without potentially making things even worse, or killing him.

Because of this the family has decided to let him go.
Mary (and her family) is going to have to say goodbye again to another person they deeply love with their whole being.

I am not sure I believe that God did have anything to do with what happened to Phil, or even Chris.

What is the purpose of putting Mary and the rest of the family through these tragedies?!
Why would he take such a young life, and then a life of someone who does so much good for his family and the community (he's a sheriff)?
 I'm starting to think that this was the devil, the devil made it happen but God is going to be there for us, the living, was there for Chris when he got to Heaven, and is with Phil now and will walk with him hand in hand into paradise.

Phil is a great man.
He's a family and community man through and through.

He's hard working and honest.

He was fun, you'd find him and Mary with friends and family everyday!

He never said much but you knew he was listening, observing, and when he did speak it was right.

Phil & Mary at Easter this year - just a couple weeks ago.

We don't know what is going to happen and even then part of me is torn.
I don't want him to give up fighting for his life because everyone wants and needs him here.
I don't want him to keep fighting though if he's suffering.

I hope that we all can get an understanding of why this happened sooner than later.

There is a lot of healing that needs to be done but so many questions with no answers.

I don't feel like I should be focusing on my feelings about it all now though, I just had to get it out.

For now my focus is on praying for Phil and supporting Mary.

For now we just need to make it through.

Rest in Peace Chris

Today we will be celebrating the life and laying to rest one of Kev's dear cousins, Chris.

I am not one to normally talk about death, I am not good at it.
I am not good at handling all the emotions so I tend to stay quiet, but for Chris I think I have some words to say. 

Chris was the first member of Kev's family I ever met. 

It was at one of Kev's parties, when he lived in this apartment during college. 

I remember being kind of nervous knowing he was going to be coming, why?
I have no idea maybe because deep down I knew Kev was the one and meeting family and making a good first impression was important to me?

I remember when I spotted him thinking "wow, could it be anymore clear that Kev and Chris are related?" They looked so similar. 

I remember having small talk with him through the night, but it wasn't until the very end and he called me over to a table he was sitting at outside. 

He started going on about how Kev and him grew up close and knowing being older they had grown apart some but he could tell that Kev was happy with me. 

He said that it was important for him to know that because Kev was family and his happiness meant something to him.
Right after he said to me "Welcome to the family". 

At first, I was shocked because Kev and I had not been dating the long, but immediately after I smiled, because I guess I knew he really meant it and that one day I would be his family.

 I'll never, ever forget that.

He was so quick to accept me and was looking out for his family.
He was a really great guy in so many ways.

Chris,

You are greatly loved

and will be terribly missed by your friends and family.

Please watch over us, protect us, and know you will never leave our hearts.
 Rest in Peace.

 

Source: typographicverses.com via Megan on Pinterest

Post-Thanksgiving & some other stuff

Hi there loves!

 

Hope you all had a wonderful holiday and weekend.

 

I can tell you this girl did :)

 

I had such a good time that I didn't up getting my camera out once.
Just didn't think about it between the talking, eating, and lounging.

 

Kev and I did host a Friendsgiving again this year, and I did happen to get a few shots of that!

Kev deep fried the turkey and we asked everyone to bring a side dish.

It was so good.

I can't say that I'm shocked but my friends make some bomb ass food people.
 

The fried bird.

So delicious.

I wanted to try Jenni's apple cider recipe, so I gave it a go.

I don't usually drink a lot of apple cider but I drank several cups of this.

It's the perfect mix with the orange, cloves, and cinnamon.

YUM!

 The ladies of the evening :)

Ya diggin' Bill's creepy Mouvember stache? lol.

And Sarah is soooo happy with it.

Puppy party :)

This sums up the dogs feelings about my picture taking.

Walter is giving me the "Knock it off and gimme dat treat" face and Gunner wants nothing to do with it.

 

Craving up his masterpiece of a turkey.

I really can't get over how good it was...clearly because I keep saying it.

 

I mean that about sums up my Thanksgiving holiday.

It was a great few days of family and friends.
Kev and I are so lucky to have so many amazing people in our lives.

 

Now to the "Other Stuff"

 

Birchbox emailed me recently and asked if I wanted to participate in the Birchbox home addition.

Is that even a real question Birchbox?

Of course, I said yes!

Well I recieved the bad boy in the mail other day, and I'm pretty excited about all my new stuff.

It was a big ole box!

Prep:

Birchbox Recipe Cards

Core Bamboo Spatula set

Citrus Spritzer by Quirky Stem

 

 Season:

Dean & Deluca Rosemary

Sabatino & Co Truffle & Sicilian Sea Salt

 

 Play:

Chambre De Sucre Rainbow Sugar

 Entertain:

Chalkboard Placecards

Cocktail Napkins

Antica Farmacista Home Ambiance Fragrance in Prosecco

Make:

Two cards from Paperless Post

DIY Napkin Kit from P.S. I made this...

MyDrap Cotton Luncheon Napkin Roll for Napkin Kit

 

The whole thing was less then $60.

I am pretty happy with everything I got.

How cute are those recipes cards and Paperless Post greeting cards?!

I've already set out the the Prosecco home fragrance, and it's amazing!

I am not sure I'd get this every month just because I don't always have the space for these little things, but I'd get them every few months to try out some new stuff!

 

What do you think?

Would you get the Birchbox Home Edition?

 

Happy Monday!

A day in family history...

So thanks to a lovely little flu bug I wasn't able to enjoy or celebrate an important day in family history this weekend. 

It's an epic day for us. 

It was the birth of my seester. 

I'm sure it was pretty evident that as soon as my sister joined this world our lives were going to change. 

For the better. 

 

She's a free spirit, and really we couldn't be more different.

Yet, at times we couldn't be more alike.

Any of you have that problem with your siblings?

She's caring and has always have a big ole sentimental heart. 

She loves all things animals, especially dogs!

She can make anyone laugh with her hilarious impressions and "characters".

She dances, and loves to put on little skits. 

She's a shopaholic just like the rest of the women in the family, but she's got that eye for sparkle.

Hence her nickname of Sparkle Plenty.

There is nothing dull or plain in the Julia's world.

I should count my blessings since that means she finds me interesting enough to keep me in it.

I know I don't tell her as often as I should but she is a great sister, and a good friend.

Happy Birthday Ju!

(her bday was actually Saturday, told ya, fail on my part)

Wedding: Family

The family. 

The biggest reason that Kev and I were able to have such a special day! 

Heck, the reason we are alive and are what we are. 

Both of us would tell you that we owe our families so much for being their for us throughout our lives, making us the good people that we are today, and of course being so supportive of our marriage. 

I know my family did not hesitate in the slightest welcoming Kevin into the family, and I had the same feeling towards Kev's family. Even years before saying "I do" I knew that we were a huge part of each others families. They cared about us together and as individuals.
Without these amazing support systems we would never be where we are today!

Of course my mom was the one that helped me get ready the most.

 Good luck before walking down the aisle :) 

 Walking down the aisle.
It was nice that Kevin got to escort his mom.
It meant a lot to the both of them! 

The family portraits come next. 

We had limited time in the church since there is a 5 o'clock mass on Saturdays. 

So we had to fly through some of these. 

Hardly even remember taking some of them =/ 

 My family.

Mom, Dad, and Ju :)

 Kev's Mom side! 

 Grandma, Kathy (Kev's mom), Megan, and Mark (Meg's hubs!)

 Two of the loveliest ladies in Kev's life! 

 Kev's mom & dad <3

Kev's dad side!

 

 Little Megan, Amanda, Lynn, Mark, and Megan (aka Big Megan in this case lol)

 

 

My dad gave a welcome/thank you speech.

It was very touching, and I know that Kevin knew that he was greatly welcomed into the family. He knew before I suppose, but this time it was legal :)

My dad was happy with us girls, but I know he's so pumped to have a guy in the family! 

I love this picture. 

Lynn watching Mark give his Best Man's speech. 

She was so happy that Kev had asked Mark to be his Best Man. She understood what that meant to Mark probably more than any of us.

Father/Daugther Dance.

You should all know this is not our first. My dad did a couple daddy dances with me when I was taking ballet, and those types of classes when I was younger. 

This however was much different.

We danced to Walk with You by Edwin McCain.

I wanted my dad to pick out the song we danced too, and he did. I had never heard it, but I loved it the second I did :)

  Someone got teary eyed. 

 Mother/Son dance. 

I was almost more emotional for this part than the dance with my dad. 

I'm not sure why, but it was cute to watch them dance together. 

They danced to Wonderful World by Louis Armstrong. 

I'm not sure I've seen Kathy smile so much in one moment. 

She is definitely very proud of her son, and so am I! 

 

Kev and I both greatly treasure our families. We are both extremely thankful for everything they have done for us, both in life and for our wedding day. We love them all very much! 

Happy Thursday!