Garage Sale Friday & MORE!

Not so much luck on Garage Sale Friday. There are tons of neighborhood sales but unfortunetely most aren't really opening until Saturday. So, I did find this lovely little platter. Isn't this just beautiful? Perfect for Christmas & matches all of my decor! Headed back tomorrow with the girls for some more deals!

On to my favorite newest obsession! My new camera that Chad got me for my Birthday! I am simply in love. It takes such wonderful pictures & they are fast & clear. Here are a few that I have snapped of Avery throughout this week!

In her little zebra apron I picked up, & added the peace sign for some spunk! She likes to cook in style!





At the park with Mommy... I love her fufi in her mouth in the last picture because she seems so much younger with it now that she is getting bigger. I don't want her to grow up!




Playing in the walker around the house! (She has started scrunching her nose alot when she smiles so you will catch that in a few of the pics)



I tried to start the weekend off right with a nice note to the hubbs! Before bed last night I placed this by his sink in the bathroom, notes are always such a good way to make your loved one smile!

Finally, my TOMS! I purchased the gold pair this week, watcha think?



Have a GREAT WEEKEND!

Being S.T.R.O.N.G

I want to take a second & share a brief story about someone that has become a very close friend of mine over the past 8 months.

I met this gal through a group of girls about a year ago. At first we weren't as close, but were still friends, until one day out of the blue our friendship just started to blossom. We learned that we had so much in common & really started to lean on each other because we are both stay at home mom's. She has been my lifesaver & such a huge light in my life the past several months. She has 3 children & has raised them all to be such smart little kids, they all make straight A's in school & are so talented in so many areas. I have tried to steal some of her expertise so I can help Ave, hehe! She just is full of great ideas on how to be a wonderful mother, & is always doing so much to make her kids be full of memories with their family. She always strives to be the perfect wife too! Upon meeting her she tends to be shy, UNTIL you get to know her! She is a spit-fire! We even learned through getting to know each other that she grew up & had family literally in the same town as mine 300 miles away. Her father even went to the same HS as my parents & probably knew some of my family.

This girl is Alyssa. The reason I am writing this post today is because my heart is so heavy for her. Although she is the strongest person that I know, today marks a hard day in her life. Today is her father's Birthday. Alyssa is unable to be with her father today because he passed away last year on May 5th in a car accident. Not only is she dealing with the pain of his loss on his birthday, but in 6 short days marks the year of his death. Shortly after he passed her grandmother (his mother) who she was EXTREMELY close to as well, also passed away.


I have tears streaming down my face as I write this post because I didn't want to share a post of sadness, but more so share a story of hope for those of you that are feeling down today. Whether it be death, sadness in your life in general, or a horrible day... God never brings us pain without glory. I have sat & watched this girl smile her way through life the past 8 months moving forward although you know her heart throbs of sadness on most days. I am intrigued by her need to be strong for her kids & husband. You know it has to be hard. Be nice to others always, you NEVER know what life is bringing their way today & for Alyssa.. this is her day.

Thank you Alyssa for being such a good friend in my life & for being so strong when I know it was hard for you. I love you & can't thank you enough for being one of my best friends.


In loving memory of your father...

Look who is STANDING!

Look who is standing up ALL BY HERSELF! I don't know whether to laugh or cry, I am so surprised that she has grown to be such a big girl over the last few weeks! She is ready to walk, any second. I can't believe that her Birthday is in 36 days, & that in 5 days she is 11 months old.



Unfortunately this week I have come down with Strep. I went to the doctor Monday evening & he said that I wasn't testing positive yet but they drew blood & did a urine test & everything was fine along with my nose & ears. The only thing was the white pockets on my throat so he was pretty sure I was in the early stages of it & that I wasn't testing positive yet. I have been running a high fever, vomiting, amongst a few other symptoms so this momma has been home for 3 days! Chad has been staying with me & today my mother was so kind to stay with me & help with Avery along with cleaning & making my favorite potato soup! Laundry was getting out of hand so I appreciate her helping.

Another bonus to the day was that my girl Alyssa came over with a much needed treat for this awful throat:

A blogger friend Mallory surprised me with this nice little award today, which also cheered me right up!


Couple randoms but some other cute things that have made me smile the past few days...

Avery on the golf course:


Her new obsession... the "fufi" on her pointer finger:


Looking like an angel after her bath!


Happy Wednesday!

All about the "TOMS"

I love TOMS shoes. They are these wonderful very comfortable shoes that are just cute as can be. I love them to wear with an everyday comfy outfit, jeans & a T, or even with a cute skirt for summer!

For those of you that don't know about TOMS shoes, they were founded in 2006 by a man, Blake Mycoskie. This company designs & sells lightweight shoes based on the Argentine design. The coolest thing about this company is that for EVERY pair that you purchase, TOMS will give a new pair of shoes to a child in need. To me, it makes buying & wearing them even more special & is exactly why I fell in love! TOMS also has a blog- check it out HERE!


This just makes the purchase completely worth it to me...


I got a gift card to get these adorable shoes for my BDAY from my sister in law, but I am having such a hard time figuring out which ones that I want because there are so many to choose from. I need your opinions before I make my purchase! Here are a few of my fav's.. Im really digging the gold & red! They offer all kinds of designs but I want something basic that will go with everything!

And what do YOU think?






And, how cute are these?

My Fabulous 28th Bday!!!

My Birthday week/weekend has been just absolutely wonderful. First, I just can't thank all of my wonderful girlfriends for all of the work they put into making reservations, getting cake, & sending out invites for my party. I have some of the best friends in the entire world & for that I am truly grateful! We always have so much fun together laughing & being silly & enjoying life...

There were 18 of us Saturday night. We went to Wasabi for Sushi & good conversation! Two of the gals had to show up late so they aren't in the pic but did later & boy did we have a good time! These are some of the sassiest gals I know!

Enjoy some pictures of my sweet gals & our night out!


































I told my girls NOT to get gifts but of course they all did so I had a great time opening them & smiling all night! I got all kinds of goodies from gift cards, to jewlrey, to make-up bags, etc... GREAT STUFF from some sweet ladies!


After dinner we did a little dancing! It was so much fun. I love this special group of girls & thank each of them for bringing so much fun & joy into my life on my special day! Each one of them was brought into my life in different ways whether we knew someone the same, grew up together, or even met at the gym! Three of these ladies are my gym buddies who I met over the past few months! We don't even need a "BDAY" to celebrate but goodness, we sure did have a blast!!!













Sunday evening was my BDAY celebration with my family at my parents house. They invited some of our good friends, the Staffords! We all enjoyed grilling out burgers & eating some yummy Rick's Bakery cake! My parents got me a gift card to shop with along with some amazing shoes from Bakers that I have been wanting! My sister in law & brother got me a gift card to get my TOMS shoes this week, & the Staffords got me a Lampe-Berger that I have been wanting to make my house smell good! We always go to the Stafford's & love the way their house smells, so they got us one! Thank you to my entire family- including Chad's family who we celebrated with last week, for making this years BDAY the best!

Now that all the festivities are over I am off to the gym ALL week to work off the cake I ate! But I had a good excuse!








Please forgive me for being so behind on e-mails & comments. I have been so behind on catching up on my favorite blogs, but plan to do so tonight if I can get this house cleaned up today!!! Just in case you haven't heard from me in forever!!! HUGS!