In every womans life, there is a girl she left behind

Forgive me for my lack of blogging.
This life of mine has been tied up && busy doesn't describe it.

For the past few weeks I've been prep-ing for a baby shower, a gender reveal party
&& a weekend trip with my middle school girl friends that is ALL happening NOW.
Saturday was the baby shower which turned into a complete success. {Blog post hopefully next week} The Gender Reveal is pretty much ready for TOMORROW - I can not wait!
&& Thursday morning starts my weekend with girls I haven't seen in y.e.a.r.s!
On top of all that, I've been keeping my nieces for the past two weekends - Wow!
It's been really awesome however it's definitely birth control. && I say that in a really awesome way! Oh how I love being an Aunt, I'm not ready to be 24/7 on call! :)
So my apologies for not stopping by all of your blogs && visiting, I've barely had time to
sit to write anything on this ole blog of mine.
On to Thursday...

It's kind of like the movie, Now & Then -

or that's what I think of it anyway...

"In every womans life, there is a girl she left behind"
-Now & Then

Ever think of what your old girlfriends are up to now?

Maybe you are friends with some of them or keep up with them on FB

or Twitter but have you ever thought of planning a weekend get away?

Yeah? Well me too!

Months && Months ago, probably almost a year ago

I got this crazy idea in my mind && thought the girls would think I was NUTTSO if I mentioned us all meeting up.

One thing led to another - I FB everyone {together} &&

here we are ... only three days shy of spending  FOUR days together at the beach

in Florida.

I go WAY back with this group of girls.
I grew up with these girls, we were so young - wild && carefree!

Weekend after weekend of slumber parties && shaving cream fights.
Calling boys or even hours of prank calling...
It's gonna be so.much.fun to play catch up!

Kacie & Sarah still live in Richmond Hill as I moved after my 8th grade
year {2000} to the country side of the county. We are the only Georgians!
Kacie and I have been friends since we were three and four years old. We lived across the
street from one another - she took me deep sea fishing. We have that friendship that you can go months or even years without a good play date & then reconnect as if no time was ever wasted.

&& Sarah and I see each other every year at the annual Seafood Festival but we don't really get to "catch up". It's more of like a run & hug.. stare at you/stare at me with the biggest smile on you face kinda thing. I smile thinking of her because...
Gosh, there are just memories that I want to talk about. {I'm cheesing from ear to ear}

Mallory now lives in Charleston, SC && I can't wait to see what brought
her there and what she's doing now. I haven't seen or come close to seeing Mallory
in several years. We chat on FB but it's not the same.

Kim who I've gone the longest without seeing {13 years} && I'm SO excited to see -
I actually keep up with her on FB a good bit so I know what's shes doing or where she's at but still.. there is SO much to catch up on. Kim is flying from Texas, in which she moved there the summer going into 8th grade, maybe even a few weeks after 8th grade started.
We were really close back in the day.

Leanne, oh my lea-lea! Leanne came to RH in 6th grade {she's the sweetest army brat ever with the coolest family}, we became friends immediately! She & I left the same time{summer going to 9th grade}. Leanne moved to Louisiana however since then, she's moved back to her home state of Wisconsin where her family is now && this past September {reason she missed my wedding, so sad but understood} she went back to college for more education & a different degree - in Alabama. I'm picking her up Thursday evening from the JAX airport! Ekkk!
Leanne & I were so close && have seen each other on a handful of trips to GA & LA
here and there. It's been about... 5 years since I've seen her if not longer.
I don't think I've ever cried so hard on that last day with her... seriously.
I think it should have been in a movie. I did not want her to go - I'm sad thinking of it.

Sara - Ohhhh Keenan {her last name} & I have had some memories.
She was my sidekick who I have the most hilarious memories with. We were BAD.
She was my daredevil friend - we all stayed at Keenan's house EVERY.WEEKEND.
We played hard & had many adventures. I see her here & there but haven't played catch up in years. Keenan visits RH often but lives in Tennessee, where all her family lives.
We go way back. I can NOT wait to bring up some stories with this girl.
I think we all may or may not piss our pants with some of the memories I have tucked away. I egged my first & last house with this girl...
Yes... I know, so so so so so so bad! {I'm hiding my face}

Delia - We definitely keep up on FB however it's been years since I've seen her.
Delia & I became friends in the later years of Middle School. After my parents split -
I moved into another neighborhood in which brought me to meeting Delia.
I can't wait to play catch up!  Oh wait... Delia lives in RH also. I think?
I know she is a Georgian also && if not in RH, she's close to it.

&& I'm sure all of these ladies have many many more memories
and things to "remember when..." and to say the word excited - it's an understatement!
It's gonna be kick ass to be around them all && spend four days with them.
I haven't looked this forward to something since the week of our wedding!

I'll be on my way to Amelia Island around 8:15am on Thursday morning...
until then I'll be packing && preparing for the GR party that I'm stoked about!
Can't wait to share all the details.

Peace out. Happy Tuesday.

a little peanut is on the way

&& we find out July 18th whether it's a girl or boy!

The Gender Reveal Party planning is in FULL force && so much fun! I am so excited I can't stand any more to wait ...

Freaking out yet?

Thinking, WHAT! Did I miss something?

Not me crazy.

We aren't pregnant. You would've known by now.

Caitlin & Cliff over at a country nest are expecting in December

&& I'm hosting their GR party.

photo credit

I've announced that before, right?

I think so.

Okay, so I can't tell ALL my ideas & secrets just yet

because she reads - duh, she blogs && a lot of our hometown-ers read also.

I don't want to spoil the fun before the fun happens.

But I do plan on sharing a little bit of the planning -

First things first, the invitation.

I fell in love with it the second I found it on etsy @ Juneberry Lane shop.

Misty was wonderful to work with. I've never bought anything digital - let me say I'll be

doing it from here on out. Super easy. Not very expensive.

Dontcha love it?

&& if your answer is no, just pretend you do.

The different fonts shown, I think is what won my heart over.

Originally, I wanted to do Aqua & Coral because that's what the Momma to-be's  favorite trend colors are at the moment in time. However, when you search for things you want to incorporate & need for the party, Aqua you may find but Coral is tough. So I just went with the blue & pink. However, the invitation somewhat looks blue. My Momma always said there should be a third color to your theme in anything you do, Duh - Grey {&& my favorite color as of the time being}.

So the final colors are:

Pink Grey Blue

Another reason I really liked the invitation is because since day one, I've

called Baby Young a little peanut. But nobody is gonna know that or doesn't have to know that. It's just what stole my attention.

I plan to incorporate peanuts into the party just to symbolize

this precious baby, this incredible work of God.

In the beginning, I assumed Momma & Daddy would be surprised

with the gender along with the rest of family & friends but...

{Cait, I'm smiling big} Caitlin & Cliff really wanna see the gender on the

screen when they go in that day. I can totally understand. Their excitement is beyond.

{it's still not to late to change your mind, wink} This isn't going to mess up anything - I'm just plan to have super fun with the grandparents.

Being we are having the reveal party on the exact day they see the ultrasound, I really can't depend on baking anything or eating anything that needs to be prepared that morning of.

So I was definitely planning to do the [balloons in a box reveal]. That being said, I'm very weird on doing the same as others to close together && since I've already seen this happen a time or to with some people I know, I've decided to reveal the surprise a different way.

But how?

Hmmmmm... Let's just say I'm crazy excited to share the reveal

 && see how it will all work out. 

 Fun Fun.

 Crafts/Details:

I'm hand making everything.  How fun?!

I haven't had the urge to craft a whole lot since the wedding

{only 10.5 months + ago}

it pretty much wiped me out but I'm back in the swing of things && have been

working hard while watching the bachelorette making this all piece in together.

This weekend, after a baby shower I'm co-hosting, I plan to wrap everything up.

Aaron will be out of town, fishing, so I should be able to put my mind to everything &&

finish it all.

Food:

I've got my list of this & that's, my must haves

but I'm still not sure what the best way to go. I don't really know how many

I'm expecting, but if I had to guess I'd say at least 50+. Being this is at 6PM, I need to serve something other than orderves' -

I thought {Hamburgers/Hot dogs}

& up until this week I'm kind of rethinking it. I'm leaving at 8:15am sharp the very next

morning for a four day vacay at the beach with my friends of middle school. Kind of like a reunion - Yeah, I'll save that post for later.

Anyway, will I want to spend a lot of time cleaning up the grill & such?

Will Hamburgers/Hot dogs be too much?

Pizza? Hmmm.. could be. I'd have to price it.

LOTS of warm/hot finger foods? But again, I may end of having several people there && I'm not sure just how much to serve - this one is scary.

So, if ANY of you have ANY ideas or suggestions on

what you think my best option is, do tell. 

Until then, That's all I can share with you all.

I'm super excited && can't wait for everything to play out.

It's gonna be great! {I hope}

Go HERE to see how Caitlin's progressed &&

to keep up with her first time experiences as a Momma-to-be♥

Fourth of July {Take One}

Yesterday was such a wonderful day.

I spent the Fourth of July celebrating with my dear friend, Holly & her family.

Every year, Aaron & I are invited to this big cookout her parents host annually but

every year we are usually out of town. That being said, the 4th fell on a Wednesday

therefore we had no plans {until the weekend to follow}.

Our dear friend, Nathan is moving out of State on Friday so Aaron actually spent most of the day with him soaking up the sun {in sweat} fishing here & there.  I headed over to the gathering early before his arrival.

Mattie & Kendal {Holly's girls} being just as cute as ever!

Boy was it HOTT!

Seriously, I'm not used to it. I sweat worse than the average girl {gross} - it did not take

much for ALL of us to be drenched in sweat. We played multiple games

of cornhole, in which I was totally off my game. Our last tournament I was partnered up with Holly's Dad, in which he is REALLY good - I was so nervous. We ended up

hanging in there for a very long time, playing game after game but did not do good enough to win. It was still fun.

&& Eventually I went to pick my better half up to where he could

enjoy all the socializing & CH tourneys.

Caitlin, Me, Ashley & Holly trying to cool off in the shade while

watching the action from afar.

We had a wonderful time over at the Raulersons sharing this

holiday && to end the night, Mr. Lawrence gave us a beautiful loud firework show.

It was such a wonderful day & I was so happy to have finally spend it

with Holly & her family.

♥ getting ready for the fireworks

Holly & Matt also ready to watch the show

I did not even pull my camera out - ugh! I'm slacking now a days.

Thank goodness for camera phones!

I hope everyone had a wonderful 4th of July celebrating our

countries Independence! We have one more round of celebrating this Saturday with our family & more friends! Maybe I'll do better with taking pictures!



birthday re-cap + a moment of true happiness



I had a wonderful weekend. A birthday weekend at that.

I like to call it perfection.
Thank you ALL for all the birthday wishes. They made me that much
happier as I was receiving them throughout the day.
I feel very special.

♥

Friday night, we went to celebrate a birthday for a hometown friend, Michael

out at one of the hunting clubs located up the road. Aaron and I both enjoyed seeing

faces we don't get to see much including one of my favorites, Caitlin from a country nest. It was a great night - so great we arrived home at 2am.

Saturday evening, we had a birthday cookout out by the pool.

Besides the heat index of 102, it was the best evening spent with our wonderful friends & a handful of family members. Aaron & our good friend, Jon spent that morning recovering grocery shopping for  a low country boil, my favorite.  We had about {guessing} 40 people come over, again it was so wonderful. It took me all of 10 minutes of being outside before I was in the pool. It was craZy hot. I am ALL for the AC and not a big fan of sweating. Sadly, I did not take many pictures because well... I was enjoying myself that much and never thought of it until the very end of the night. And by that point I had drinken a little too much wine && the few I just captured, somehow deleted. I'm still confused about it.  It was 4am before we hit the pillow this night. Whoa, it's been a while since we've done that.

Sunday, we had a big day planned however I wasn't moving to fast && had a slight hangover from wine. Which incase you have never had one its awful.
We were supposed to be going to a park downtown Savannah for lunch & to spend the day, instead we had a late lunch at Jalapenos {which was really good}

I had to take some kind of picture to capture my 27th birthday...

even when I felt like poo.

Later I received a gift from my in-laws in which I've been wanting for SO long

now. Shutters for our house. It's been on our waiting list for quite some time &&

since the Easter Bunny did not bring them I was super happy to see these.

The hubby & I then went home ... && crashed for a little bit.

We were so exhausted && needing more than one hour of nap time but

unfortunately we had a visitation to attend that evening.

My BIL & Sister invited us over for steaks after the visitation

in which was really nice. We enjoyed it very much.

27th BIRTHDAY = marking something off my bucket list.

Yesterday, I laughed until I cried.

It was pure awesomeness.

My niece Emily {2.5 years old} performed for me && then on several accounts performed

for ALL of us.  It was so awesome & filled this heart of mine with so much happiness & laughter. What's not better than that?

{please excuse the coloring of the video.

I've yet to figure out how to manage that on YOUTUBE - it was not recorded like this. }

Is that not awesome? May I say that she has never taken any type of
dance lessons. She's a fan of "So You Think You Can Dance" & also watches her
two sisters dance all the time.

We ended the night with adult conversation while the kids were
wild && dancing all over the place.

Chloe & myself.

Punkle Aaron & Emily {love this photo}

{Definition of Punkle = Punk + Uncle = Punkle}

&& before we left that night I was receiving all sorts of calls & text messages
about our whether back home. Apparently we missed a small hurricane, thank goodness -
but when we did arrive at the house there were trees everywhere && half of our chimney was detached from our home. Wow!
Oh & no power.

It was a wondeful 27th birthday.
Cheers to another year!

Farewell 26.

photo credit

Today is my twenty-seventh birthday - how fun♥ I love birthdays of all kinds. But I must confess that turning twenty-seven feels bittersweet. Cheers to another year of life - Thank you Jesus!  It is not because I hate growing old because I am probably the only lady you will meet that actually likes growing old. What, how, & why - right? Every year gets bigger, better & happier. Why would I not?  But saying farewell to year twenty-six and welcoming age twenty-seven has probably been the birthday that I've actually thought about what really happened in my life and where I've been. What is next? What can ever top age twenty-six? Can happier exist? 

My twenty-sixth year of life was definitely the most memorable year I've ever had, hoping it won't be the last or the only. As good as life has been in all my twenty-seven years, twenty-six was my most comfortable, my most joyful and the one year where I grew a completely different outlook on life and definitely on love with a lot of small memories in between. That being said, I also realized that every day is a new day and you can never take for granted the people in your life.

Speaking of getting old, I've realized some changes with my age this year:

1.} I've weakened in the catagory of "motion sickness".
On our honeymoon, our Bahamas Vacay & our Deep Sea fishing trip - all three
I was at some point weezy from the water. That's never happened before.

2.} When I stick my hands under the blow-dry hand machine in a
public restroom, my skin ... sadly it has more elasticity && it's not as "tight".

3.} Life is to precious to take for granted.  I've always known this
but this year, my eyes were really opened to how valuable life really is. It scares the shiii outta me yet I've learned to appreciate every waken second - my life is precious
& so is the people around me. Tomorrow is not promised.

4} Changes in my body.
I never understood when people said the older you get the harder it is to drop weight,
I thought they were nuts - well I am experiencing it now.
Also, my face is no longer take a nights rest with a days worth of makeup.
If I do not wash my face before bedtime, I pay for it.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Cheers to 27 years of life. It's been so awesome words can not describe.
Life is great. I'm happy. I'm healthy. I'm in love. && I'm MARRIED!

I look forward to what this year has to hold.
Let's see if it can top it?! Ya think?

Uh, Duh? Of course!

photo credit