Happy 2nd Birthday, Huston!

Happy Happy Happy 2nd Birthday, Little Man! There truly aren't words to express how much you've changed our hearts and lives for the better. Today we celebrate a milestone, how much you've grown and learned over the past two years...but it's a little bittersweet as we can clearly see the reality of just how fast time flies. Thank you for this incredible ride you've taken us on thus far; we look forward to all that the future has in store for you and our family! The love we have for you is immeasurable...truly unconditional! 

Happy Birthday, Huston!

Barnyard Birthday Bash

It's been almost two months since H turned one, and I'm just now getting around to sharing some photos from his Barnyard Birthday Bash.  

I started having anxiety about brainstorming ideas for his first birthday party around the time he turned six months old. I was in a panic because I wanted it to be all about him, but I couldn't think of anything that he LOVED at that point in time. {Revelation: most 6-month-old babes don't LOVE anything in particular!} After paying close attention to how he reacted to the toys he played with and the books we read, I came to the conclusion that he was most responsive to all of the animal sounds in the "Barnyard Dance!" book...thus, the farm-themed birthday party idea was born!

Since we knew the party theme when we had his nine-month photos taken, I jumped on the opportunity to get some pics we could use for his birthday invitation...

 Huston's 1st Birthday Barnyard Bash

The Spread

Feed Troughs: aluminum foil pie tins

Pitchforks & Shovels: forks & spoons {wrapped in napkin & tied with twine}

Vegetable Garden: red, yellow & green peppers; carrots; cherry tomatoes and cucumbers

Farm Fresh Eggs: deviled eggs

Chicken Littles: Chick-Fil-A chicken nuggets

Pigs In a Blanket: little smokies wrapped in crescent rolls

Farm Fresh Poultry/Beef: barbecue turkey/brisket sliders

Horse Treats: potato chips

Hay Bales: Rice Krispies treats

Tractor Tires: Oreo cookies

We had a "Babies for Babies" petting zoo in our backyard, and it was definitely a hit amongst the tiny guests...

Huston checking out the baby piglets, chicks, rabbits and goats

And then it was time for cake...

Even though H is too little to remember this extra special celebration, I hope that someday he'll look back at these pictures and see that it was a perfect day. I hope that he'll realize just how lucky he is to be surrounded by such incredible family and friends. I hope the photos will help him understand how truly loved he is by so many amazing people. 

Somehow we made it through the entire party and didn't get a pic of H with any of his grandparents...they were definitely there {and likely not pictured because they were the true "hosts" making sure the party ran smoothly so Momma and Daddy could enjoy celebrating with our little guy}. A BIG thanks to Grammy, Grandma Jo and Granddad Brock for all of your help!

Thank you, thank you, thank you to our fabulous family and friends for making Huston's first birthday party a success! 

35 Thoughts as I Turn 35

All week long I've been hearing Deana Carter singing in my head, "I still remember when 30 was old..."  I was 15 when "Strawberry Wine" came out, and 30 did seem so old at that point in time. And now, here I am turning 35 today...but I'm far from old, right? Right?!!?

Hands down, my 30s have been the best decade of my life thus far. It's the new 21...with a little cash to spend! I got married, I became a mom, I've got a great job, a fabulous family and incredible friends. I really have no complaints...except that time is flying by faster than I ever imagined was possible. Don't get me wrong, there are bumps in the road and challenging days {weeks!}, but it just recently hit me that I am happy...truly and genuinely happy. I'm in a very good place, and I am so incredibly grateful for this crazy, chaotic life I lead.

Today, as I begin my 36th trip around the sun {I had to seriously think about that for a minute...it's my 35th birthday, so that means I'm beginning my 36th year...#deepthoughts}, I thought I'd share with you some things I've learned, observed or experienced along the way...

1. Birthdays are a blessing. Getting older is part of life’s natural progression…and it’s obviously better than the alternative. Celebrate big or celebrate small…but no matter what, you must eat cake on your birthday!
   
   
   
   
   
2. Live within your means. Better yet, live below your means. Saving money is crucial! Maintain a savings account {that is fairly liquid} at a level sufficient to cover at least six months of general living expenses…just in case!



3. Use your head as more than a hat rack. Think for yourself…outside of the box. Don’t just go along with the crowd. Think before you speak or react.



4. You’ve got to be a friend to have a friend. This goes back to the good ‘ole Golden Rule…
   
   

   

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5. Don’t accept a counteroffer from an employer after you’ve resigned to take another job. A recruiter shared this article with me when I was faced with this decision, and it really stuck with me. Sure, it’s incredibly flattering to receive an offer for a promotion or raise if you’ll stay at the current job, but why weren’t you worth that extra money and more prestigious title before you quit? Plus, the reasons you had for wanting to leave the original job in the first place will still exist.



6. There’s no such thing as a free lunch. Pulling out my economics background for this one {I did learn something in college!}. Simply put: you can’t get something for nothing. Digging a little deeper into it: when faced with a decision, you must carefully consider what you’re giving up by choosing one option over the other.



7. YouTube is a form of continuing education. Tutorials and how-to videos on anything and everything you could ever want to learn are available on YouTube. Don’t ever stop learning!



8. Dress for success. Dress for the position you want, not the position you have. In the professional world, always err on the conservative side. When you look your best, you feel your best and, thus, produce the best results.



9. On the same note, quality shoes are worth the extra money. Life is too short for painful shoes, no matter how cute they may be.



10. Lipstick can change your entire look. Even if you aren’t wearing any other makeup, a little lipstick {or gloss} will make you look {and feel} pulled together.  Plus, bright/bold lipsticks will instantly make your teeth look whiter.
    
    

    

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11. Hope for the best, but plan for the worst. No one wants to think about death or disability, but planning for unexpected tragedies is especially imperative if you have children. Buy life insurance. Write a will that designates legal guardians for your children. This is an incredibly sensitive topic and a difficult decision to make…but if you don’t do it, it will be left up to the state. It’s worth the money to consult with an estate planning attorney to aid with this process.  Don’t put it off!



12. There are three sides to every story: your side, the other person’s side and the unbiased truth. It’s all about perspective.



13. Spend as much time as possible with your grandparents…and truly listen when they’re talking to you. No amount of money can buy the knowledge they’ll share with you in a simple conversation.
    
    
    

    

    Landon & me with Grandma & Granddad, May 2016

    
    
14. A wedding planner is worth their weight in gold.  Not only will they get you through the planning process {and save you significant money due to the relationships they’ve built with vendors}, but you’ll also be able to enjoy your entire wedding day without worrying about a thing.



15. Proofread...and then proofread again! Get it right when you write. Incorrect spelling and/or typos on your resume/cover letter/any related documents will most likely send your application straight to File 13 {i.e. the trashcan!}.
     

    

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16. The cost of alcohol is inversely correlated with the severity of the headache you’ll have the next morning. The cheaper the booze, the worse the hangover. Buy the good stuff!



17. Your toughest critics are often also your biggest fans. These are the people who see potential in you that you may not even see yourself. They push you hard because they believe in you and refuse to allow you to settle for less than you deserve. Stay close to these people and thank them for helping you achieve success.



18. The Five Love Languages book is legit. Figure out your own love language as well as your partner’s. They may be different {most likely will be}, but that’s ok. Learn to speak your partner’s love language…and when you start to struggle with it, read the book again.



19. Don’t underestimate the power of hand-written notes. Dropping a hand-written note in the mail is a small gesture that makes a BIG impact.
    
    
    


20. “Good Enough” doesn’t cut it. You’ll never get ahead by just getting by. You’ve got to go above and beyond what is expected of you to get noticed.



21. Pets are part of the family. The pure excitement they show when they see you and the unconditional love of a pet is priceless.
    
    
    


22. Be on time. Better yet, show up early! It’s disrespectful of others’ time when you’re late.



23. Don’t ever forget where you came from. You wouldn’t be who you are today if it weren’t for your background and upbringing. Show gratitude to everyone who helped you along the way, most importantly, your parents.
    
    

    

    "Back where I come from...I'm proud as anyone..."
    the Gyp Hills of Barber County, Kansas




24. Pay your dues. Nobody starts at the top. You’ve got to work to get there. Hard work will pay off in the long run. The harder you work, the luckier you get.



25. College is as much about growing up as it is the actual education. It’s the first time you’re out on your own, fending for yourself, fully responsible for your own decisions and actions. How you deal with this newfound freedom will likely evolve throughout your college experience. Somewhere along the way you'll figure out how to manage your time {balance your social and academic schedules} and money. In fact, you may even think you're ready for "the real world" by the time you graduate. Turns out, "the real world" is a little different than college life.



26. At some point during the college years, you’ll probably realize your parents were always right. They had your best interest at heart in all of the rules and restrictions they set. When you finally accept that your parents are the smartest people you know, tell them! This will be a big turning point in that relationship.



27. Maintain your faith. Keep God at the center of your life. Continuously pray. It’s easy to turn to God in times of distress, but don’t forget to thank Him for all of your blessings as well.



28. Make yourself indispensable. Whatever you’re doing, do it well…better than anyone else. Make sure you’re adding value. Put yourself in a position so that you can’t be easily replaced.



29. You’re responsible for your own happiness. The basis of true happiness comes from within. Once you reach a point where you’re happy with your life on your own, you’ll be surprised how quickly other things fall into place.





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30. Own up to your mistakes, and sincerely apologize when it’s necessary. "Sincerely" is the key word. Mean what you say, and let it be obvious that it comes from the heart.



31. Revel in your success for a moment…and then do more! Don’t stop trying to better yourself just because you’ve accomplished one goal. Dream big. Set the next goal and keep learning and improving.



32. Surround yourself with the right people. It's hard to soar with the eagles when you’re surrounded by turkeys.



33. The bigger the risk, the greater the reward. Don’t be afraid to take chances. On the other hand, fully assess the risk and make sure you’re comfortable with the possibility of losing what you have invested {time, money, emotions}.



34. You’ll never be 100% “ready” to have kids. If you know you want to have a child, but you’re “waiting for the right time” {when you have enough money, when you’re far enough along in your career, when you’re grown up/responsible enough}, I guarantee that time will never arrive. I can also promise that once that tiny babe is in your arms, you’ll be ready to do whatever it takes to give that child the very best life you possibly can.



35. Take lots of photos…and make sure you’re IN some of them. One day, all your children will have is pictures…and they won’t care how your hair looked or if you were wearing makeup…they’ll just want to see you!

Cheers to 35!

What are some life lessons you've learned along the way?

A Letter to My Son {on his first birthday}

Dear Huston, 

Happy Happy Happy Birthday, my sweet boy!

“Don’t blink!”

“Time flies!”

“The days are long, but the years are short!”

After hearing all the warnings of time passing by faster than I could ever imagine, I thought I was prepared for how quickly this first year would pass. I made a point to “live in the moment,” document every second I possibly could with photos and videos, and just to “soak it all in” every chance I got. Yet somehow, I’m still in shock and disbelief that we’ve reached your first birthday. Where has the time gone?!!?

Looking back through the pictures and videos of your first year makes me all types of emotional. Although I was very intentional in paying attention to the little details and tried desperately to permanently etch it all in my memory, I realize now that memories fade and are quickly replaced with new memories…which makes me even more grateful that your daddy and I snapped so many pics and videos to document the big milestones as well as the ordinary, daily routines of this past year. I never ever want to forget. 

You are completely and totally your daddy’s mini-me. Even strangers will point out how much you look like your daddy. I just consider myself very lucky to have two incredibly handsome guys to call mine! With those bright blue eyes and that crooked little smirk you flash, it’s nearly impossible to keep a straight face. You can brighten even the darkest day, little man. Your happiness and  {endless} energy are contagious. Simply put, you make this world a better place!

I always knew I wanted to be a mom, but I had no idea how truly fulfilling that role would actually be for me. I am proud of several accomplishments in my life, but those all pale in comparison to the pride I have in being your momma. You have changed me for the better in so many ways. Most importantly, you’ve helped me figure out what really matters in life…the petty things that used to consume me no longer matter {at least not nearly as much!}. My faith is so much stronger because I’ve seen firsthand God’s work in creating you…our tiny, perfect miracle. I pray with you every night, thanking the Lord for blessing us with you and asking for His guidance in raising you to know and love Him.    

Multiple times this week I’ve caught myself holding you just a little longer, squeezing you just a little tighter…listening to you breathe, watching you sleep…just “soaking it all in.” Although you are now officially a “toddler,” just know that no matter how old you get, you will ALWAYS be my baby. Son, you will never fully comprehend how loved you are. It’s a love that I never even knew existed until I became your momma…a love so intense that sometimes it almost hurts.  The unconditional love I have for you will never waiver.   

Bittersweet. If I had to pick one single word to describe this past year, it would be bittersweet. It’s been a perfect mix of over-the-top-excitement each time you reach a new milestone combined with the sadness and realization that you are growing up way too fast! I fear that each year is going to fly by faster than the last…but your daddy and I will be right there by your side, learning with and supporting you along the way {and documenting it all with pictures and videos!}. We look forward to all the bittersweet moments that lie ahead…celebrating the successes, learning from the mistakes…all while wishing we could press the pause button to slow down time.    

Thank you, precious boy. Thank you for making me a momma. Thank you for being my son. Thank you for the best year of my life.

Happy 1^st birthday, little man!

Love you times infinity,

Momma

FYI: H's 12-month update will be posted early next week after we get his official stats at his well visit with Dr. Diana.

Thursday Confessional

Happy Thursday, friends! Today I'm linking up with Lynn for a little confessional!

I confess...

• I'm still writing "4" as the month when I write out the date...can someone please tell me how it's already May?!!?  #SlowDownTime

• I cannot believe this baby girl is ONE YEAR OLD today!  Happy Birthday, sweet Olivia! We love you so very much and can't wait to celebrate your birthday this weekend! #CincodeMayoBaby #BestFriend'sBaby

  

  Photo Credit: Rosy Posie Photography

• I remember the days when Cinco de Mayo was referred to as Cinco de Drinko {oh college!} and celebrated with mass consumption of margaritas and Coronas. I now celebrate Cinco de Mayo a little differently...by consuming all the chips and salsa in site! #NoShame

• I'm still watching Real Housewives of Dallas. I want so badly to like it...but it's pretty terrible. Perhaps my expectations were too high, but I'm so disappointed with what I've seen so far. I'm pretty sure the only reason I've continued watching through four episodes is because it's my city and I'm  holding out to see people I know. #I'llKeepWatching

• We were three diapers away from completely running out. It's a sad story when you have to tell the nanny to raid the diaper bag stash to get through the day. #ParentingFail

• I'm starting to panic brainstorm ideas for H's first birthday...which is 3.5 months away. Any fun ideas??? #CrazyMomma 

What do YOU have to confess???

Cheers to 33!

Happy 33rd Birthday, Ryan!

Dear Ryan,

Happy Happy Happy Birthday, Babe! Another year has come and gone...and what an incredible year it was! You became a daddy...and watching you love, care for and interact with our little man brings me greater joy than you will ever know. I knew you were going to be a great father, but you've far surpassed all of my expectations. In the birthday letter I wrote to you last year, it was my hope that our baby boy would look just like you. My wish obviously came true, as Huston is truly your little "Mini Me," and I'm so lucky to be the wife/mom to such handsome guys!

Thank you for being you...a strong, honest, hard-working, kind, patient, generous, loving gentleman. I could fill a book with positive adjectives that describe you. Point being, you are truly an amazing man...and I am beyond grateful to be sharing this life with you. The best part of our story is that it's just getting started...we've got so much to experience in the years that lie ahead, and I couldn't imagine being on this journey with anyone but you! I know there will be bumps in the road ahead, but I honestly believe there is nothing that we can't overcome as long as we stick together as a team. I'm also well aware that tomorrow is never guaranteed, so please know that I cherish every moment that we share {even the not-so-pleasant moments...I just cherish those in hindsight!} and never take you or our little family for granted. 

You are one extraordinary man, Ryan Martin...and I love you with all that I am. I wish you the happiest birthday possible because you deserve the very best! Cheers to 33! May this next year be as great as the last! I love you!

Cheers to 33!

Cheers to Lily!

Happy Birthday, Lily!

Today marks Miss Lily's 9th birthday! I love this little diva dog more than words can say. She's been by my side through so much...and I could not ask for a better companion. The unconditional love that she has for us is priceless. Her excitement to see us after we've been gone all day just melts my heart. I wouldn't trade Miss Lily for anything in the world. She is truly a member of our family.

Lily's world was rocked about seven months ago when we brought her baby brother home from the hospital. She may possibly be just a little bit jealous of all the time and attention that we give to Huston, but she is a very protective PuppySister. We often find her just lying in the doorway of his room when he's asleep in his crib. #GuardDog. She loves the attention that H gives her {he wants to pull her hair play with her so much!}, but she opts to stay just outside of his reach. #SmartDog

Meeting her baby brother for the first time

This year for her birthday, we'll celebrate with some special doggy treats {which she'll only eat the frosting off of}, she has a beauty appointment with the mobile groomers {thanks Grammy}, and she's getting a brand new Jayhawk ID tag {the old one is looking a little worn after almost nine years}. Cheers to our sweet diva dog and another fabulous year. We know this coming year is going to be a good one...as Huston learns to "share" his food with our sweet Lily Belle!

Click here and here to see Lily's previous birthdays.

We love you, Lily Belle!