Fun in the Shade!

It was another scorcher outside today.  About 93 degrees with lowER humidity.  Annaliese and I had a fun day!  We started off by going to my mom and grandma's houses to do "pet duty" while they're away on a Marine Corps League trip.  Then we headed to Target to do a little shopping (she slept).

She's not really THIS enormous!

Then we headed home to get in our little "Puffer Fish" pool!  Annaliese loves the water and loves to splash around!  I managed to get a nice video of her splashing and a few good pictures :)

My personal favorite!

Pruney feet!

It was a fun day in the sun...and shade :)

Hope you're enjoying your week!


Your Friendly Mama,

Sunday Spill- If You Want To Be Happy

If you want to be happy, be.
~~Leo Tolstoy

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This quote reminds me of a saying- "If you aren't happy, then change it".  I feel like this quote is saying somewhat of the same thing. If you want to be happy, be happy.

This quote also reminds me of a 50's song that I was introduced to by watching the movie "Mermaids" with Cher and Winona Ryder.  "If you wanna be happy for the rest of your life, never make a pretty woman your wife.  So from my personal point of view, get an ugly girl to marry you."  Haha!  Funny but so wrong!   

Anyway, back to the serious quote- there are plenty of people in this world who live unhappily every day and don't have the guts to change it.  It takes a lot of hard work and dedication to get what you want out of life, and isn't that really what will make us happy after all?  Nothing in life is handed to you, at least not in the real world.  You have to earn everything yourself.  Your money, your education, your respect...everything.  So make the most out of yourself, out of your life, because it's the only life you'll ever have.

I also think that this quote can be perceived as an unfinished quote.  "If you want to be happy, be ____".

Alive.  Courageous.  Driven.  Yourself.  Unique.  Thankful.  ...the list could go on and on.  Be the person you want to be.  Don't be the person that everyone else wants you to be.  Stand up for what you believe in and don't let others talk down on you.  And remember to be thankful for what you have and appreciate everything you wake up to.

Lastly, I think this quote can mean to BE in the moment.  Everyone, everyday gets caught up in life sometimes and has to really remember to live in the moment, be in the moment. 

That's about all I got for this quote, without spending hours here on the computer and getting into a deep philosophical sea with no life vest.  

What's your take on this quote?  Link up with Sarah below and let us know!   

First time linking up with the lovely Sarah at little white whale for The Sunday Spill.



Your Friendly Mama,

Wordless Wednesday- My Heart

My heart.  My baby.  My love.  Forever.

Your Friendly Mama,

Monday Listicles- 10 Memories

Thought I would try linking up with another blogger I've come across.  Every week Stasha from www.northwestmommy.com provides a post with a list of 10 things to write about (she chooses the subject or reaches out to other bloggers for their ideas) and you write, link up to her site and share your list (on or around Monday) while reading other posts.  Nothing like writing a blog post when you don't anything of your own content to write about. It works for me!  Plus it's a lot of fun!

June 25- 10 Memories
This week's Monday Listicles is to write a list about 10 memories of a special man in your life.  I am choosing my best friend, who also happens to be a terrific husband and a wonderful father.  He is more than just special in my eyes.

1. I remember going to visit him when he worked 3rd shift at the hotel when we first stated talking, just so we could get to know each other; talk about ourselves and ask questions to each other.  Who knew a beautiful relationship would blossom from there.
2. I remember my first embarrassment with him.  Again, right after meeting him and had just started talking, I had added some pictures of him playing his guitar on my MySpace account (wow, that was so 2005).  I wanted to add a caption to one of his pictures and instead of typing "such a hottie" my fingers did a good ol' type-o and I typed "suck a hottie".  Of course HE caught it before I did.  Totally embarrassing.  It's his given "Indian name" now.  Haha!
3. I remember when we took the big step and moved in together, knowing that we would soon be engaged and married when the time was right.  I finally convinced him to but his mattress and box spring on a bed frame.   
4. I remember when he proposed to me the morning of Valentine's Day 2009, with the most sweet and perfect proposal in the privacy of our own home.
5. I remember walking down the aisle on that beautiful August day and seeing him smiling the biggest smile ever, because our wedding day had finally came after the (what seemed long) countdown of 400+ days.
6. I remember traveling to Jamaica for our honeymoon and spending a full week in our own little paradise.  Then at the airport in Miami on the way back, we realized that we were flying back to Dulles airport when we left our car in BWI.  The flight itinerary had changed and we apparently overlooked that memo! 
7. I remember telling him to come in the bathroom and see this glorious "+" sign on the morning of February 16, 2011.  I remember the looks we exchanged when we realized that this could be in fact the truth...that we were pregnant after 5 months of trying.
8. I remember the first time he felt the baby kick in my tummy and said "Woah!  That was her?!", with this look of utmost shock and awe in his eyes.  I think it became real for him in that moment.  The proof that his child was growing and tumbling inside of me.
9. I remember the afternoon of October 11, 2011 that we went to the doctors because I wasn't feeling well the night before and found out that I was in labor.  I fell in love with him all over again that day.  He was more than supportive and encouraging of me through the whole labor and delivery process.  And the way he looked at our newborn baby girl, just melted my heart.
10. And lastly, I remember that terrible day, on December 15, 2011 when I got his phone call saying that his dad had left us to go to Heaven.  I was home alone with our 2 month old and he was at the hospital alone with his frail and peaceful father.  I had never been so scared, so upset, so shaken, so strong and so weak in my life...and all at once.  I had never wanted to make someone stop hurting so badly.  I wanted to take his pain and make it my own.  I did the best I could in being a supportive wife, daughter- in-law and sister-in-law for his family.

We have shared so many great times and not so good times together in the last 6 years.  I am so thankful that this man came into my life and that we're able to share all of these memories together.  I look forward to creating many more memories together...for the rest of our lives.  I love you, Justin.

Your Friendly Mama,

My Best Friend's Wedding

I've been meaning to post about this wonderful event since it happened, and now that I have my blog site under control, I'll go ahead and share it with you.


Remember the bachelorette party that was mentioned in Less Blogging. More Living. for my friend, Jessie?  Well the wedding day quickly came and went soon after the party ended.  May 19, 2012 Jessie and Jeff tied the knot!


The day was beautiful; perfect weather for an outdoor wedding!  

Me, Jessie, Gretchen at rehearsal dinner

The bridal party (with little Shane)

I had stayed the night with Jessie the night before the wedding so that we could finish some last minute things and because it worked out better having my bigger vehicle to bring the wedding decorations in.  It was kind of nice to have a "sleepover" like the young girls we all were once, and also adding a few glasses of wine!  Plus since I was a bride almost 2 years ago, I knew how she was feeling and could help try to calm her nerves.  I kept reminding her that "Everything will be perfect, because it's your wedding day and you're marrying your best friend.  Nothing else will matter to you, I promise."  

We woke up on The Big Day and started the mad rush of getting showered and heading to the reception to decorate.  We arrived at Fountain Head Country Club and there were already chairs set up and the vendors had started putting up the drapery.

We started putting together the centerpieces, laying out the chocolate truffles (YUM!), getting the guest book and place cards in order.  Then the cake arrived! (YUM!)  It was all looking so beautiful!

The delicious blingy cake

The centerpieces (before the pink LED and floating candles)

Beautiful black and pink montage 

Cake Topper

The gift table

After we did all the decorating, we headed to Sagittaruis Salon to get our hair and make up done!  I didn't get any pictures of the bride getting her hair done, but you'll see the finished product soon :)

Me and Gretchen

I LOVED my hair!  I wish I could do this myself all the time!

After we got back to the country club, it was time to get dressed and get some pictures of just us girls!  Pictures were taken by two brilliant people, a husband and wife couple- Double Shutter Photography.

The breath-taking bride

I love her!

We returned to the limo (which was a very nice touch) and waited for the "GO" saying that we can start our way down the aisle.  The guys looked very handsome and the groom was very happy.  Jessie and Jeff are probably the cutest couple I know!  Giddy just because they're in each other's presence.  It was cute!  

Jessie's son, Shane carrying a "Here comes the bride" sign

Jessie with her mom and younger son, Cameron

A kiss to seal the deal!

The new Mr. and Mrs.!

"And they lived happily ever after"

It was a short and sweet ceremony.  I'll never forget the way Jeff looked at Jessie as they exchanged vows (I think I had the best seat in the house, aside from the bride).  It was such a genuinely happy smile.  And the way Jessie literally jumped up and down like a kid's first time at Disney, as they were being pronounced husband and wife.  Like I said: "Cutest couple ever!"

We had some more amazing pictures taken!  Here's a few.

Myself, Fawn, Jessie, Christina, Gretchen

Showin' some friendly love to the groom

I love this picture!

Here's Jessie...worried she's going to get dropped

The lovely newlyweds!

It was at this point that we came inside the reception area and my big spotlight moment was next on the agenda.  My Speech!  I'm not what you'd consider a good public speaker by any means.  I get terrified in front of a crowd to perform a speech or sing karaoke...BUT...with a pretty well written speech, some good practice in front of Justin (thanks, babe), I did a darn good job! (GO ME!!)  :)  And even got a few chuckles from the sweetheart table in front of me, as well as the rest of the guests.

And for the rest of the evening, we danced the night away!  This is usually my favorite part! ;)

Slow dancing with my honey

I'm not even really sure what I'm doing here...

Me, Takia, Gretchen and Fawn

Jessie and I

Gretchen and I mimicking Justin's "dance"

I had never played the role of a Matron of Honor before.  I have never felt more honored (Hence the title, I'm sure) and privileged to stand beside a person through all of the stressful wedding planning and preparation.  I enjoyed it thoroughly and would do it all over again for Jessie in a heartbeat! :)  Love you, Jess!

One Happy Family!