father's day...

yesterday was kevin's first father's day!!

abbi and decorated a little bit to help him celebrate!!

abbi is one lucky girl!!!

she has the best daddy in the world!!

happy mother's day...

my first mother's day was spent sitting in the back seat of our car driving back home from jeff's wedding...

but i was with my beautiful daughter and my fabulous husband...

so i wouldn't trade it for anything!

i love being abbi's mom!

she is the greatest gift i could ever be given.

love you abbi girl!!

thanks for choosing me to be your momma...

happy easter...

things i love...

these 2...
this smile...

these moments...
happy valentine's day!!

the groundhog...

happy groundhog day 2011 !!

Many towns joined in celebrating Groundhog day, today in hopes to determine whether or not we will have six more weeks of winter, or if we are headed for an early spring. Even though there are many towns throughout the country who have weather predicting groundhogs, the most noble, by far is Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania’s famous little critter “Phil”.

The humble town held its annual Groundhog day celebration this morning, Feb 2ndand the results are in! The world’s most famous weather predicting groundhog, Phil, did NOT see his shadow this morning, so according to the folklore, good bye winter, hello early spring!

According to Wikipedia, the holiday, which began as a Pennsylvania German custom in southeastern and central Pennsylvania in the 18th and 19th centuries, has its origins in ancient European weather lore, wherein a badger or sacred bear is the prognosticator as opposed to a groundhog. References to Groundhog Day are found in a diary entry dated February 5, 1841, in Berks County, Pennsylvania by a storekeeper James Morris.

Wikipedia also states that Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, holds the largest Groundhog Day celebrations where crowds as large as 40,000 have gathered to celebrate the holiday since at least 1886.

So whether or not Phil’s prediction is accurate remains to be seen, one thing is for sure, those in the New Jersey area could sure use the break in this year’s snowy winter season!

source:2011 Groundhog Day Results- Did Phil see his shadow? - Atlantic City Top News Examiner.com http://www.examiner.com/top-news-in-atlantic-city/2011-groundhog-day-results-did-phil-see-his-shadow#ixzz1DrxCamo4

christmas eve...

i love spending time with friends and family!!

we had our traditional christmas party with the gang on xmas eve and it was so fun!!

this is the 2nd year that we have drawn names for each other. and then everyone bought for abbi! so fun!!

abbi really enjoyed opening the presents... or at least tearing the paper!! she got such cute things from everyone! toys... clothes... bibs... books... stuffed animals... very neat stuff!!

this little monkey is so fun!! he talks! and abbi loved it!!

and she loves her grandma maryann...

look at all of our loot!! we were sad that kevin wasn't able to be there... but he opened his presents later that night when he got home.

love love love celebrating life with these gals!! :)

free address labels!!

You can get 140 holiday (or actually any) address labels for Free and just pay shipping.

I just got some really cute ones!

They have Caricature ones too where you can make them look just like the members in your family!!

Here is how to score this deal:

Head on over here
Scroll down until you see Address Labels and click there
You can choose any labels but if you would like to make the Caricature labels then go to the “Personal & Family” drop down menu on the top and look for Holiday.
Choose the Holiday design and make up your labels.
Your shipping price will vary slightly. Mine was $3.50.

what a difference...

a year makes...

you may all remember my last mother's day post... it was a tough one.

again, a friend of mine said it best...

"Don't take this wrong, but I sorta hate Mother's Day, ( I adore, love and honor my own Mother) and I admit this year (is) easier now that I (am pregnant). But after 7 years of infertility, Mother's Day seems like a swear word, and it has a not very lovely spot in my heart.

I am one of those people who want to hide away in my house and not leave AT ALL, so that I don't have to interact with anyone or hear that awkward pause, "uh...happy uh Mother's Day" Or the "you're a mother too". I know these things are said with good intentions, and from people that I love, but it always hurt.

I still have my insecurities, but I have been given the gift I most long for so I am thankful to God for that. So, now on Mother's day my heart ache for those that don't have what I have, because I know how it feels, and I just want you to know that I love you all, and hope you make it through this day. "

i am so blessed to have my sweet husband. i love him more and more everyday. and i am so grateful for my mom and all that she does for us. and i am extremely blessed to be given this little life growing inside of me! for that, i am forever grateful.

but i feel a tad like a hypocrite... just because i am gonna be a mom now, doesn't mean that all of my previous mother's day thoughts and feeling can go away.

i do have a different perspective of it now, amazing what years of not having something will do for a girl!! but, i think the day is more of a day to celebrate being a women, not just a mom.

so, here is to you!! all of you wonderful friends out there! some i have met in person, others just through this amazing thing we call the internet. i have learned something (many things) valuable from each of you.

thanks for being there for me.

thanks for listening to me, again. :)

8 freakin' wonderful years!!

wow... how the time flies!! i am so excited to be married to this wonderful man! he is so good to me. i am so blessed!!

we have a 8 freakin' wonderful years together! lots of ups and downs! and i wouldn't change any of it!

it is cool to celebrate this anniversary knowing that we will be adding another little one to our family this summer! we are so excited!

we had a really fun couple of days together! we had about 2 1/2 days to just relax and have fun! yesterday we took a little day trip down to riverdale and layton. we started off the day at babies r us! what a fun store!! we even found the perfect stroller!! i wrote all the info down so we can decide to either register for it or we can just use money from our baby account to buy it! i am very excited about it! i think its gonna be a good one!!

then we headed to lunch! the place kevin wanted to try was no longer there, so we hit our anniversary traditional- famous daves! gosh!! love them! such good food!! poor little kev loved the texas pit bbq sauce so much he got a little bit on his white t-shirt. so we did a quick trip to walmart to get him a new shirt! :)

then our adventure took us to target! we looked at baby stuff there and found some cute onesies. along with some other things we were looking for... new lunch box and water bottle! i know... we are pretty exciting people! :)

we decided to take a look at the movie options and found that clash of the titans in 3D started in 5 mins!! off we went! it was a pretty good movie! kevin liked the action... of course!

after the movie we (well, I) wanted to go to the quilted bear! so off we went! kevin found some really funny sleep shorts and i found the cutest stuffed giraffe ever!! it was fun just to wander and see all of the neat crafty stuff people have made! love the quilted bear!

we were wearing down at this point, so we decided to go to dinner at ruby river steakhouse and then head home! mmmm... dinner was good! we had never been there and we weren't disappointed! delish!!

what a fun day! doing whatever we wanted, whenever we wanted to do it!

today was more of our lazy and relaxing day! we spent the majority of it sitting on the couch, all cuddled up, watching movies! doesn't get better than that! mom surprised us with buying us steaks so we could grill them up at home and not have to leave! so nice!

then... we decided to put a bid in on a house!! we have been looking at the house for a month or so, just not sure what to do! but today we took the leap of faith! it is a cute little house, 4 bedroom, 2 bath. not my dream home, but it will be good for us for now. i am hoping all goes well and we are able to work with the seller to figure out the details!

so... that was our 8 year wedding anniversary celebration! we both had a fabulous couple of days and it was great to be able to spend so much time together!

i love this man!

i hope you all have a wonderful Easter weekend!

things i am grateful for...

this handsome man...

the very best friends a girl could ask for

my supportive family

my job

my health and the health of friends and family

the gospel of Jesus Christ

my talents

my car

internet

cell phones

cameras

my love for music

lip balm

accessories!

tv shows

gum

band aids

electricity

all of you...

the list goes on and on and on...

but that what is on my mind today!

happy thanksgiving!

happy christmas?

according to the retail world, which i am very much a part of, the christmas season starts today!! november 1st!!

i had to work this morning and when i went in there was a small crew of people that had been there all night setting up everything christmas!! trees, ribbon, wreaths, wrapping paper, ornaments, toys, food... the list goes on!

so there you have it... the christmas season has started! and in the spirit of christmas i thought i would share this fun picture!! :)

don't tell anyone... but i think i am going to celebrate thanksgiving first... and then christmas!

crazy... i know! :)

happy birthday to me! :-)

today is my very favorite day of year!

have always loved my birthday. a few years ago i got a book that describes me to a tee!
the book is called "Happy to You! It's your birthday!" by Mary Engelbreit.

here are some of my favorite quotes from the book!:

"I have occasionally been accused of treating my birthday as a national holiday. I confess to being guilty as charged!"

"If you woke up today and the sun seemed to be shining a little brighter, the birds seemed to be chirping a little more cheerfully, and everyone seemed to be treating you especially nice, it can only mean one thing... It's your birthday!"

"When it's my day to be Birthday Queen, my first official decree is always to extend the duration of my birthday to an entire week!"

"Some people consider their birthday a solemn occasion- a time to reflect on the past year in solitude and quiet contemplation. To that, I say "Phooey!" "

"I truly believe that there should be nothing ordinary about one's birthday -even for adults. On ever other day of the year, we are defined by what we do and the roles we play... but on our birthdays, we are more... we are royalty! It's a short reign, so when it's your turn on the throne, make it count!"

"Rise and shine and prepare for the royal treatment because today is all about you!"

"...My best advice on having a happy birthday is to spread the fun around. Invite all your friends to join in, but accept your place in the spotlight. Revel in it! Tomorrow it will be someone else's chance, so enjoy your moment of glory."

i couldn't have said any of these wise words better myself! here are just a few more random quotes about birthdays!

"One cannot have too large a party." -Jane Austin

"A gift is pure when it is given from the heart to the right person at the right time and at the right place, and when we expect nothing in return." -Bhagavad Gita

"Make your birthday a one-of-a-kind event." -Wendy Webb

what a day!

thanks to you all for all of your birthday messages and wishes!

i love fall!

i am soooooooooooooooooooooo excited that fall is coming!

monday was the first official day and i am

soooooooooooooo ready!

i am going to decorate my house tomorrow!

can't wait for the pumpkins, leaves and apple cider!

what fun it will be!

happy 4th of july!

Happy 4th of July!

I'm Proud To Be An American

If tomorrow all the things were gone I'd worked for all my life,And I had to start again with just my children and my wife,I'd thank my lucky stars to be living here today,'Cause the flag still stands for freedom and they can't take that away.
I'm proud to be an American where at least I know I'm free,And I won't forget the men who died who gave that right to me,And I gladly stand up next to you and defend her still today, 'Cause there ain't no doubt I love this land God Bless the U.S.A.
From the lakes of Minnesota to the hills of Tennessee,Across the plains of Texas from sea to shining sea.From Detroit down to Houston and New York to L.A., There's pride in every American heart and it's time we stand and say:
I'm proud to be an American where at least I know I'm free,And I won't forget the men who died who gave that right to me,And I gladly stand up next to you and defend her still today, 'Cause there ain't no doubt I love this land God Bless the U.S.A.

- Lee Greenwood

this is a very powerful song and statement...

i am proud to be an American!

6 years of bliss...

Today is our 6th Wedding Anniversary!

kevin text me this morning and told me that we have had 6 years of bliss... wow... bliss... cool...

our wedding day was one of the best days of my life!

how wonderful!

we love to be with each other.
what a cutie! can't wait for the next 6 years, and the next, and the next, and the next, and the next...

happy anniversary babe! i love ya!

hoppy easter...

these are funny!

tis the season...

Halloween Season!

this is really cute... try it out!

Halloween Hangman

(very addicting)

Happy October!!!

The time has come! October is here!!!!







The Best Month of the Year!!!







Let the fun begin...


i love this time of year! pumpkins, costumes, crisp air, leaves changing their color, and warm apple cider!

this is a time of love, warmth and joy!
(at least for me...)

i hope that you enjoy this month as much as i do!

special thanks for pictures...

today...

is my friend's, Julie, birthday!

happy birthday juls!

we had fun... went to a little park and ate shaved ice! yummy!

she is having a party on saturday!

it is going to be fun!

here is a fun memory that julie and i share...

julie and i go way back... back to when i first came home from my mission. she and i would hang out quite often. one particular sunday afternoon i was getting a "hankering" for some Peanut Butter Pie. i had a pretty good recipe for it, so i began the process...

well, when i got to the part in the recipe about adding the Peanut Butter, i realized that i did not have any! how am i supposed to make Peanut Butter Pie with no Peanut Butter?!

i called julie and asked "would you like to come over for some Peanut Butter Pie?" she, being the nice person that she is, said... "sure, is there anything that i can bring?"

i chuckled and said...

"yes, how about some Peanut Butter?"

juls, thanks for this memory and sooooooooo many others!

i hope that you have a marvelous birthday!