26 Balloons

Okay, so I don't really have 26 balloons...only 6 actually. 26 would be nice, but it just wasn't happening this year. I didn't want Mono blowing many up after his recent hospital visit, and I couldn't being pregnant. Balloons just scream birthday to me. Today is my 26th birthday and originally, we had planned on being with our family up in NY or MD today and for a friend's wedding, but since I have been sick, we had to pass on that trip. The plans for today have changed a few times. First it was just going to be Mono and I, since my parents would still be in New York after the wedding. Then they decided they would drive straight through, from New York to Alabama, yesterday so they would arrive late at night, to then be able to come celebrate my birthday. I also invited my aunt and family over, but that changed because my cousin was sick so they couldn't come. Now she is better and they are able to come! So what I thought was going to unfortunately be a pretty quiet day, has turned into a greatly anticipated day! Mono works today, so most of the morning it will just be the J and I. I'll get my little things done and then this afternoon when my parents get here, we'll meet Mono for a quick lunch! So the day looks bright ahead! The weather is amazing. I am taking out my new white pants (from Mami!!) and a cute shirt and I will enjoy this day tremendously! I'm really looking forward to dinner! I'll post more about the outcome of the day later! 

Even though I don't have the 26 balloons, no birthday is complete without fun and festive decorations. If you have been following this blog since my last birthday, you might remember all the decorations I made. It wasn't possible to be that festive this year, but I did a little bit and took inspiration from the first photo below. For Mono's birthday, the den was filled with balloons, the kitchen has streamers floating all around, there were signs on the mirror... It was fun. I didn't do that much either for today. This is my one idea that gave me a little inspiration...

I found it on Pinterest. My decoration looks nothing like it. But this weekend has gone a little differently planned than I thought with unexpected hospital visits and a sick Mono to take care of, so decorations were pushed until being made last night. My very simple ones this year still make me happy though. 

I know I want my dinner table to be really cute... but also simple with easy clean up. I looked for cute plates and cups, but didn't really find any, so we are using some paper/plastic throwaways and some glass.... Our drinks will be mason jars (courtesy of my sweet Mami), with bows tied around them, and a paper straw to drink out of. The plates are aqua and can be thrown away... Nothing else. Just simple. No centerpiece, just the food. :)

So, there is a little peek into what the day will be like. There will be a recap post either later tonight or tomorrow!!

154. balloons and decorations to make a birthday feel extra happy and complete

155. a beautiful morning to start the day

156. windows open and birds chirping

Goodbye Twenty Five

Steaks marinading over night... check!

Birthday cake pie baked and ready to enjoy... check!

Decorations made and hung... check!

Table set ... check!

 

Sweet tea and lemonade made ... check!

Birthday preparations are nearly ready and celebrations can begin in the morning! 

Twenty five has certainly been an amazing year for me! One I will always cherish and never, ever, ever forget! On to the big 2-6 tomorrow. I know this year is going to be filled with lots of fun!

150. recipes passed down many generations

151. parents who drive straight through from New York to Alabama just to be sure they are here to celebrate my birthday today

152. a healthy husband (a post on that to come)

153. a wonderfully amazing year being 25

Childlike Dreams

It's the one place that turns everyone into a child again.

Grandparents aren't even too old to enjoy it...

Big, tough, police officers like my Dad, even their soft side comes out (though he always has a soft side)...

Sweet, tender moms, like mine, enjoy all the goodies, characters, and entertainment...

Teenagers who think they are cooler than cool...

Little children, and even babies too...

They all love it.

It's the place that you can let that inner child come out and enjoy all over again.

It's Disney World.

I know I won't be going there any time too soon being that I am pregnant, but I surely miss it there.

My family; aunts, uncles, cousins, and grandparents (on Dad's side) used to make a yearly trip in March, right around mine and Grandpa's birthday, to visit Disney. I have so many wonderful memories and I want to start sharing them with Mono. I want him to be a part of all those old memories. 

I want him to enjoy it all, from the character breakfasts and parks, to days spent by the pool, soaking up the sun, to the Mickey ice cream pops and swirly lollipops. 

Is there any place that takes away all your troubles, lets you be fun and free and childlike, and enjoy each and every magical moment?

I can't wait for our babes to be big enough to take them on their first trip. I know if they have any of their mom in them, they will love it!!

Soon Disney. We will be there soon! And you will love having our growing family back again!

Noticing the Little Moments of Life

I feel like I have been in such a blah mood lately. I forget to notice all the little small things that used to make me so happy to see. I don't get out as much, and most of my time has been spent on the couch, resting, trying to feel better. I don't like being so blah (that's the only word I can give it). I like feeling creative, having energy and being a little more active. I like noticing the small things, whether at home or out and about.

One thing that I have noticed with people that use things such as their iPhone for pics and Instagram, is they post pictures of the simplest little things… they're noticing the small things. I have really been wanting to take more pictures and update and notice the little things in life again, even if a lot of my time is still on the couch. The other day Mono said he would share his iPod with me (that has a camera on it) so I can use Instagram. He set up an account for me and got me started.  I have a great real camera, but sometimes it's just hard to carry that every single place and it's not always convenient to pull out, so this is another good option.

So, here are a few glimpses into the past couple of days of life.

I eat my pizza the right way... folded! Can you tell I grew up in New York!?

 I really love all things Lilly! The patterns, the colors... It's so happy. I was out at the store and saw these adorable plastic tumblers. It took a lot for me not to purchase a set.

 The start of St. Patrick's Day celebrations for me!

 Enjoying a freshly grilled meal on our back deck. Such wonderful times!

 Jimmy loves to cuddle with Mono. They're quite the buddies!

 Every single night, right around 4:45 or so, Jimmy waits here at the door until Mono comes home. He doesn't leave until Mono walks in... and then, he goes crazy!

 He was so happy when Mono finally came home from work. Mono sat on the steps while I finished up the grilled and Jimmy ran over to sit with him.

 Our tree is really blooming! I love to see all the new flowers each morning.

 A small sweet treat... half a can of caffeine free root beer and a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

 Another day waiting for his best buddy to come home from work... I think he got tired of sitting there.

 I am hoping to take these little moments, with their pictures and post more often for you. Even if they are short and even meaningless, it'll be a little update for you.

For the Love of Running and Friendship

I know I've mentioned my friend Jilly is many posts before. I have also written about her half marathons that she has accomplished. Her last half was in February and she already has three more scheduled! How cool is that?! I'm still hoping that I too can run a half one of these days... after the babes are born of course!

Last year, for her first half, I made her a card and sent it down to her mom's house so she'd get it right before the race. It's now a tradition... I did it again this time. I was nervous because it was during a time that I was really not feeling well and my pregnant brain had little to no creativity running through it. I did it though. I sent her a little package of support.

It all had to be either yellow, Rapunzel or Disney themed this year. She runs in the Disney Princess Half Marathon. Last year she was Ariel. This year was Rapunzel. If I ran in the Princess Half, I'd have to pick Cinderella... She's my favorite.

First, I found these yellow Mickey shaped paint chips at Home Depot (how cool! I wanted to take one of every color just to have!!)... and I took 13 of them. They must have thought I had a really big project with all the yellow chips I needed. She actually ran with them and held them up along the way! I was shocked! I didn't think of that, and never in a million years expected her to hang on to them, much less run thirteen miles with them!

 Then I found a few yellow, Disney, paint chips, not Mickey shaped though (sad face), and wrote little messages on them. 

 Yellow is her favorite color... Can you tell? 

And for her card, I stuck with her theme, Rapunzel, who she was running as.

 I think she even took the long hair off the card and ran with it hanging off her hat! Isn't she the cutest?!

 I love that she has such a passion for running and does something with it!

150. seeing someone's passion and watching them let that grow and be alive

151. having a desire to run a half marathon one day

152. having excuses to love on a friend

A Babymoon?

We have a few trips coming up that we are planning before the babes come.

I need to go to the beach. If you know me, it's the place I am supposed to live.

I adore the beach with every single bit of my being.

I love it on cold days, all bundled up, going for walks or sitting on the sand watching the waves come crashing in and out.

I love it on hot, sunny, summer days, when the sun kisses your skin with a perfect tan.

It is just the most relaxing and beautiful place in the entire world.

So we are planning a nice long week at the beach and also a long visit with family up north.

Once the boys come, our trips will come to halt for a little while, so we wanted to get some fun trips in. Mono and I also want to take some weekend trips to local places... or semi-local. :) Places that you can get to in a few hour drive.

We have a little list and it should be lots of fun. Plus, this is our first summer married so we want it to be extra fun!

Hopefully I will have fun blog posts from our trips!

She said it was a box full of glitter...

She said it was a box full of glitter...

And she was right!

It was a box full of glitter!

And I loved every single sparkle.

A few days ago Jilly told me something (maybe a box full of glitter) would come knocking at my door probably on Friday.

Well guess what guys?

That something that she told me about, it came today!!

Mare, what do you think is in here? It's from Katie's mom... it HAS to be good! - Jimmy (my little helper)  

The only thing better than the contents of this glitter-filled box, would have been finding my sweet friend herself, knocking at my door. I know she would have come to celebrate if it were at all possible. 

This gift was filled with so much of her love and sparkle, that it feels like she is with me.

I have a feeling I am going to be using every last drop!!

 

There are already and will continue to be a lot of wonderful memories!

I opened the box she mailed it in and saw the start of its goodness. 

First of all, anything that Jilly puts together is pure goodness.

And how can a big box tied in bright pink glitter ribbon not be anything but fabulous!?

Smarties so the babes are extra smart... and Hershey kisses... kisses from Jilly for me and the babes!

I can't wait to have another outfit to wear!

Yes, and there just might be pink glitter all over the house.

I told Mono that I had never heard of a little glitter hurting anyone, so I am happy to have it! 

Bring on the glitter and bring on the big 2-6!

 

Thank you so much my dear friend for all your thoughtfulness. Not just for the card you sent me in the mail, or the card and all these gifts you sent me today, but for your friendship and continual love, in all the little ways you share it with me. Love you.

144. gorgeous, warm and sunny weather, in MARCH!

145. dinner fresh off the grill

146. dinner outside on the deck

147. sweet walks in the neighborhood with Mono and J

148. birthday love from a dear friend
149. glitter!