She Said YES!

My best friend got engaged this past weekend. 

The Hub, The Little Guy, and I made a road trip to join in on the festivities. 

We were in on the secret:)  Her amazing fiance, Taylor, wanted everything to be perfect for her.  He wants her to be happy all the time.... How can I not be thrilled they are together:)

LeAnne is the kind of friend that everyone deserves.  Since the day we met she has been there for me.  Laughs/Cries/Trips/Packing/Counseling/Sharing/Advising.  She spent an entire week (off from her demanding fancy job) when the little man was born.  Not many people would do that.  I'm just trying to attempt to explain what an exceptional person she is with words... They are not enough. 

I could not ask for more.  Ever.  I am so blessed to have her in my life and I only hope I can be half the friend she is to me, and now I am so happy to start sharing her next part of life with her! 

So back to the story...

Taylor is a planner.  He's an engineer.  I am married to an engineer as well... So to some degree I understand their process.  It is totally different process from non-engineer peoples processes.  So Taylor planned.  He started months in advance.  He knows LeAnne.  He started with coordinating with her closest friends and family (that would be available) and making sure that they could be in Dallas the weekend they got engaged.  He wanted the two of them to be able to celebrate this huge milestone surrounded by people who love them.  It was perfect.

So Taylor coordinated everything.  He booked rooms and made reservations.  We all had little assignments to do like help pick clothing or set up skype (so LeAnne's sis and brother in law way away in Kentucky could also be involved.  Taylor's parents hosted us all. 

Everything went off without a hitch.  No doubt due to all of Taylor's preparations. 

Throughout a series of letters, a town car ride, and a rooftop in Dallas she said Yes!

The happy couple in all of their shock and awe then headed to Taylor's parents to "show off the ring" .  Little did LeAnne know the house was full of their nearest and dearest.  She was shocked... Poor thing walked in and didnt have a clue.  She saw her parents and sister and nephew and us and Taylors best friend... It was a lot:)  So Ill share a few special pictures... Including the best one.  When she walked in the room:

Surprise Sweet Friend

Showing her Mom her sparkle

Shanna and Will in Dallas to celebrate Anz

Louie sitting on LeAnne's handsome nephew

The adorable cake!

The Bride to Be with her Daddy

Last But Certainly Not Least:  Taylor and LeAnne's little girl Madam Louie

Congratulations Friends.  We Love You.  Looking forward to the next stage of celebrations.

Love,

The Mom

NUBY Mommy Blogger:)

Guess who got selected as a Nuby Mommy Blogger?

Yes, Me!

I am so excited!  The Mommy Blogger program launched officially and they have an amazing team of Mommy Bloggers put together.  I am enjoying reading each of their blogs and getting to know everyone.  Our little blog barely fits in with some of these! 

So we will be sharing exciting Nuby News and reviewing lots of stuff form the awesome Nuby line up of products including some of their:  cups, plates, toys and more!

I let my little man pick out what he wanted to "review" first.  So here is a little sneak peak, and yes, he had a BLAST! 

We will be back very soon... Big Plans this weekend:) 



A Little Weekend Update

 

We had a lot of brass in the house when we moved in. Slowly, but surely, we have phased it out and updated to Oil Rubbed Bronze. One of the last things on the very long list was ceiling fans.

We could have bought new ones, but why when we can use the trusty ol' Rustoleum: Oil Rubbed Bronze spray paint. Its way cheaper than a new fan. Its metallic... Its shiny... Its pretty! 

The after shots make it look black.  It isn't black at all.  It is the a dark and shimmery oil rubbed bronze perfection! 

Huge Thank you to my Amazingly Handy Hubby for all the leg work! 

I come up with the ideas... he ends up doing the work... and he does not complain! 

Yes, I appreciate him!  I'm blessed and I know it! 

Love,
The Mom

It's A Girl

The Craft Family is finally getting a girl.  Grammie and Pops had two boys:  My husband and his younger brother.  Then our brother and sister in law had a bouncing baby boy.  Then... nine months later we welcome our little man into the world and the blue and green was overflowing. 

As of last week the trend has been broken and we now have a beautiful little niece.  Everyone is beside themselves.  Shes beautiful.  Her big brother may be her biggest fan, and does it really ever get any cuter than a sibling who just adores the new addition? 

She arrived one week before her scheduled c-section and two weeks before her due date.  The Super Moon was strong:)  So the baby shower post is late, but in my defense she surprised us early! 

so to make you smile... our beautiful new niece 8 lbs and 19 inches of perfection!

The shower was adorable... If I do say so myself:)

Grammie kindly offered up her home, since we do not live in the area, and both Grandmothers helped me pull this shin dig off.  It was prefect and I think everyone enjoyed themselves.  Here are some pictures (with links to recipes below).

The banner I made for the mantle with the gorgeous daisies Grammie ordered (which we covered the house in) and baby pictures of the parents:)

This was the table when you walked in the door.  More of the daisies in mason jars with limes along with Dr. Seuss Oh The Places You'll Go  which we used as a guest book for everyone to write a note in and then save for the baby and the pinterest sensation Wishes For Baby cards.

The Spread! 

The Beautiful Cake by Jamies Custom Cakes.  It was White and Chocolate layers with butter cream icing.  It tasted as good as it looked! 

Pizza Muffins w/ Marinara

Snickers Salad

Tortilla Roll Ups w/ Salsa

Rotel Cups

Stuffed Celery

Cucumber Yummies

Fruit and Cheese Kabobs

and our activity... We had a bow making station set up and we all made bows for the sweet baby girl.  It was a lot of fun and we used a tutorial for Boutique Bows from one of my fav blogs.
baby girl will have a bow for EVERY outfit:)

The Big Brother... Trying to figure out what all this girl stuff is for?

and last, but not least, a picture with my sister in law (and niece:)
God is good and we are thankful for the newest baby cousin, and we miss her already! 

Happy Mothers Day

Happy Mothers Day to my Momma.  My example.  The strongest woman I have ever known.  She has been gone three long years and is missed daily. 

The day I became a Mom.  My life has been better every day since he arrived.  He is the light of our lives and our greatest blessing. 

Happy Mothers Day to all the Momma's out there.  I hope your day was wonderful.



29

My 1st Birthday

Birthdays are very special to me. 

I blame my Mother.  She always made a big deal out of our birthday.  Out of all holidays. 

She always put in great efforts to make us feel special and loved and a part of a big important thing: 

family. 

Another throw back 1st birthday shot!

I try to do the same thing for the people I love.  Bet you cant guess my love language;)

Every year when my day rolls around I start getting excited. 

This  year I celebrate 29 years.  I thank God every day for each day I am given and all the many blessings I have been given over these 29 years. 

Surprise 21st birthday!  Western Themed:)

This years birthday has been nothing short of amazing.

My husband surprised me, spoils me, made me extremely happy when he dropped this box in front of me a little over a week before my birthday:

there is no denying his manhood with a wrapping job like this, and there is no denying his love for me in so many ways when this was inside of it

not only did my hubby get me my Canon Rebel T3i... he also got my the 50 mm lens that was #2 on my wish list and some kind of bundle so it came with lots of extra goodies.  I spent forever stalking my favorite blogs and bugging all my friends to decide on what type of camera and what type of lens I wanted as I stepped up from my beloved Sony Point and Shoot.  I landed on this and could not be more pleased.  So I hope to have less iPhone pictures on the blog and more real pictures with real light:)  (I promise it is on manual, Casey, you just cant see:)

Following this amazing surprise from the love of my life I was brought to tears with these

http://www.hautephotography.net/blog/index.php/2012/03/a-day-in-the-life-of-john-paul-beaumont-texas-photographer/

My friend, Casey, is amazing at everything she does:  life, mommying, hosting, sorbet making, and picture taking.  Look at her work.  She truly captured our everyday life.  I stay home with my beautiful baby boy.  Daddy works hard to provide for us and for us to afford this lifestyle.  There is not much glamorous about it, but its mine, and it is everything I have ever dreamed of, and more.  The pictures show it in all of its glory and I will treasure these for all of my days.  Thank you my dear friend. 

Then I received this in the mail:

did I hit the friend jackpot or what?  My friends went to Germany recently and knowing I have an affinity to all things German (thanks to my Grandma Arnold) I received a box of goodies and a note that made my whole day!  Lizard is one of those friends that I can not talk to for months and then be up to speed with in two seconds.  Her last visit over we sat on the couch together for about two hours and discussed two things:  a girl she worked with at one point and the many options available when toilet paper shopping and which is the best and why.  My husband that night in bed said "do y'all seriously always talk like that?"  It made me laugh and smile and realize we do!  We are comfortable and non complicated and friends who can discuss our joys and our disappointments and toilet paper and enjoy every second of it!  I am ever so thankful for the day I walked into History 437:  Ancient and Medieval Britain and met this friend I know I will have forever.  

forgive the messed up picture, but here is a pic of us with some fellow "history groupies" wrapping up a semester all smiles!

I woke up on April 5th and was immediately greeted with a phone call from my nieces singing me Happy Birthday.  I was flooded throughout the day with phone calls and text messages from all my dear friends and family. I got beautiful cards in the mail and sweet notes, and I got to see a beautiful healthy growing little baby that will remain gender neutral until August:). My cup runneth over... Thank you all for playing such a special part in my life.  You make it better.  

 

Around dinner time our sweet babysitter, Paige, showed up to give us a grown up evening out.  The Hubby had not told me much, only to get dressed for outside in Texas weather and when to be ready.  Little did I know I would shed some tears before dinner when Paige gave me my birthday gift.  She is so thoughtful and made a photo book for me filled with special pictures of my family and friends and trips and my two guys.  Melt my heart!

 

 

Then we headed to dinner.  Pulled up at a happenin local spot and walked out to an awesome patio with some of my favorite people.  My Aunt came in from Lake Charles and my beautiful cousin detoured on her way home from Austin.  My Beaumont besties all made it out despite their sick kiddos at home.  I hardly go a day without speaking with these two ladies and it would not have been a birthday without them:)  My sneaky little Husband surprised me and planned this little pow wow.  It was perfect.  I really don't think I could have asked for a single other thing in the world. 

Our friends the Hoyts couldn't come, because they have family in town for Papa Hoyts big #50 Saturday, and Patti personally made me that beautiful cake:) Chocolate cake with Butter cream icing... yum yum yum!

 

The Hubby and I finished the night off putting a train together for our little man and watching Duck Dynasty on the couch.  It just doesn't get much better.  The older I get the more I am realizing how much more the little things matter. 

and this is the man who made it all happen... I'm so thankful to be sharing life with him everyday.

We continued the birthday/Easter celebration with a little trip to the Kemah Boardwalk, but that is another post for another day! 

I hope this was a Thank You to all my favorite peeps... xoxoxo... love ya more than my luggage!

 

Love,

The Mom

 

The Best of Friends....

The J's with their cheeks full... one with cheesy bread the other with carrots:)

Where are the turtles?

the only time my guy had the lead... his buddy runs circles around him

a little golf course maintenance and a lesson in sharing

With Best Friends Baby Bubba

I have never seen a more photogenic baby!  This guy makes any camera happy!

shotgun! 

My furture is so bright... I gotta wear shades!

A recap through pictures of our little afternoon playdate with my little mans Best Friends.  Thank you for having us Henley Family... It was a perfect Tuesday!

Love,

The Mom

Disclaimer**Forgive the bad light pictures... I have only had my camera a week... I am learning**

Perfect Summer Meal

Saturday night we had Craig's boss and his wife over for dinner. 

I love saying that... Because it sounds fancy.  The guy at the grocery store meat counter said "oh... the boss is coming for dinner=Big Deal".

Most people think so when I say that, but they just don't realize my husbands boss and his wife are like our family.  When the boss man hired my husband on for this job it required us to relocate and move to a new state, new town, new job on the Monday following our wedding.  I'm serious. 

But let me tell you... They welcomed us and included us and acquainted us with this little place we now consider home.  If we are here for holidays, we are with them, when any of us have anything (sick, happy, sad, tired) we cook for each other... Their daughter is our dog sitter/house sitter/baby sitter extraordinaire and our little boy is apparently head over heels for their little boys (who is actually about to graduate from high school) girlfriend.  Who knew a 1 year old flirts, but Jo Jo you have some competition!!

So after they treated us to "homemade coca cola BBQ sauce" pulled beef and pork sandwiches on Saturday for lunch we decided to have them over for a little pre-summer dinner.  I got the idea for this very very very yummy meal from PointLess Meals.

I was originally excited about the flank steak... then I saw the tomato salad... then I was drooling.  We added some grilled corn and had the perfect meal! 

I am going to be crazy and just give you all three.  They are all easy peasy and ah-maz-ing!

Originally From Pointless Meals

 

Printable Version

 

Serves 4 (sparingly... if you are feeding men I would recommend doubling the recipe)

Ingredients:

• ¼ c. balsamic vinegar
• 1 T. Worcestershire sauce
• 2 tsp. dark brown sugar
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 1 lb. flank steak
• salt and pepper

Directions:
Combine first four ingredients in a large Ziploc bag. Add steak, turn to coat; marinate for 30 minutes at room temperature. Grill until desired doneness. Let stand, covered loosely with foil for 10 minutes, before cutting in thin strips against the grain.

adapted from Pointless Meals

 

Printable Version

 

Ingredients:

• 2-½ c. grape tomatoes, halved
• ⅓ c. diced red onion
• 3 T. Gorgonzola cheese (or double if you love this stuff as much as I do:)

Dressing:

• 1 Tbs olive oil
• 1-½ tsp. white wine vinegar
• 1 Tbs balsamic vinegar
• ¼ tsp. salt
• ⅛ tsp. pepper

Place tomatoes, onion and cheese in a bowl. Mix dressing ingredients together. Drizzle over tomato mixture. Toss to coat.

Grilled Corn

Place the cleaned corn on the cob in foil.  Salt and pepper the corn and then place a few pats of butter on top.  Grill for 20-25 minutes.  Open foil and sprinkle a little Parmesan on top.  Serve warm:)

Alright.  That is a heck of a summer dinner post.  I cannot wait to make this exact meal again very soon! 

Enjoy:)

The Mom