Currently...{February edition}

I am SO excited about this year and all the AMAZING plans I have for Royal Feather {the shop}.  I am very passionate about my store and dream for it to become THE gift and accessories destination that everyone would think of when they need a special gift.  I'm working hard and steadily building my brand and my business to get to that level.  I hope you will stick around and follow me along my journey.  Don't forget to follow the blog {click Join This Site at the bottom of the left column} so you can always stay up-to-date with all that's happening in our little world.  But for now, I'm currently...
LOVING:  that my husband and I were able to take a mini vacation Super Bowl weekend.  We jetted off to Las Vegas and did all the fun stuff - shop, gamble, eat, and enjoy all the craziness Vegas has to offer.  

Quick photo op in front of the Trevi Fountain while shopping at the Forum Shops inside Caesar's Palace

The BEST part of the weekend was the George Strait concert we went to.  I've seen him in concert several times before but this one was special since I was fortunate enough to enjoy it with my husband. Such a great night and loved hearing all of George Strait's classics like Amarillo by Morning, The Chair, hits from Pure Country, and of course The Cowboy Rides Away. 

Martina McBride was phenomenal! Her voice is just amazing and she's so beautiful - great show!

  READING:  Every night before bed, I read Nicholas two-three books as part of his little bedtime routine.  His library is pretty big so I strive to read him something different every night. Although some how his 'Trucks' book manages to slip into rotation very often.  This little boy loves trains, trucks, cars, and Mickey Mouse.  What are your favorite bed time story books?  
WATCHING:  hardly anything these days.  When Nick gets home from school he wants to watch a few episodes of Dora the Explorer, Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, or Little Einsteins.  But stocked up on our DVR are the usual juicy dramas for us - Dallas, Suits, Revenge, Nashville and of course our favorite crime dramas too - CSI Las Vegas and Law & Order SVU.  While Nick is catching up on his shows, I'm making dinner and our breakfast and lunches for the following day.  After that, its bath, story time, and then bed for our munchkin.  We've been blessed to have a baby that has always been a great sleeper.  Before I go to bed, I like to sneak in to his room and check on him.  I caught this great snapshot of him the other night.  

Yes, that's a Micky Mouse, a bear, a rabbit, and "Gilbert" his Glow Seahorse all in his crib.  They HAVE to be in there in order for him to be ready for bed.  Kids and their crazy ways :)

     THINKING ABOUT:  all the things on my always growing "to do" list.  I'm planning out what merchandise to bring into the shop next {it's going to be super cute accessories for boys AND girls}, printing flyers, reprinting more business cards, our current CUTEST BABY PHOTO CONTEST which is going to followed by a few more AMAZING giveaways, scheduling my Pilates regimen around Jacob's Crossfit schedule, building Nick's outfit for his Easter pictures, and getting ready to participate in a few local marketplace events.  Plus throw in the usual grocery shopping, breakfast/lunch/dinner making, and laundry.  I'm exhausted just typing all that!   
ANTICIPATING:  heading to Dallas next month to attend the blogging conference BlissDom! I'm so excited to be attending and to learn how to be a better blogger.  When I first started this blog, I wanted to have a creative outlet while I was staying home with Nicholas.  I wanted people to see that there was a real Mom behind Royal Feather in order for them to feel confident about their purchases - to know that what we have to offer are tried and true products that are meant to be useful and fun.  I wanted to be able to interact with parents all over the world because I feel that's how we learn and grow as parents - when we talk to one another and exchange ideas and advice.      WISHING:  for a baby girl :) We'd love to give Nicholas a sibling soon but with so much we have going on I begin to wonder how we would manage one more child.  Of course I know it can be done and it will happen when it should.  But I can't help but look for inspiration for a baby girl's nursery on Pinterest and even toss around names for this future baby.  Jacob and I had even thought about both of us going back to school to get our Master's degrees but then we'd REALLY not have any spare time.  I guess we'll just wait and see what God has in store for us.  I know he will never bring us to something we wouldn't be able to handle :)       MAKING ME HAPPY:  Is it cheesy if I say my LIFE?! My life and who I spend it with truely does make me happy every day.  I created my store from scratch and continue to mold it and shape it into what I feel it needs to be.  I'm constantly growing more passionate about it and I just KNOW that it will become the store front I've always dreamed of.  We have this beautiful little boy that constantly amazes us and makes us smile and laugh without even trying.  He has such a sweet soul and is quite the little charmer; he'll have you wrapped around his little finger in no time!  He attends a preschool that he loves going to every day - that alone makes me happy! To watch his little face light up when he sees his teacher and his friends is just awesome.  I can go about my day knowing that he's learning and having fun in a safe and comfortable environment.  He's constantly learning something new {ie. days of the week, alphabet - and yes, he sings it, numbers 1-12, colors, shapes, math, and he planted seeds this week!}  My husband has been my #1 fan since the day we met and was so supportive when I came to him with my idea to start Royal Feather.  He patiently listens to me as I constantly brainstorm ideas with him, shlepped the the NEVER ENDING halls of the Dallas Market Center last Summer while I was on the hunt for the perfect new merchandise for the shop, builds my booth displays, sets up and breaks down most of my displays at events, and most importantly, is the most hard-working and devoted man I know.  And he {mostly ;) } does it all with zero complaints.  He's an amazing husband, father, and supporter AND I simply couldn't ask for more.  I'm blessed to have a cousin who is my best friend.  She'll help me out in a pinch, always makes me laugh but lets me be serious with her too, is an awesome nanny to Nicholas, and is so much like me it's almost scary.  And lastly, I'm fortunate to have an amazing Mom.  She'll do anything for her children and grandchildren, drop whatever she's doing at a moment's notice just to lend a helping hand, be our biggest supporter, love unconditionally, and most importantly, she's always there for us.  God has blessed our little family with so many beautiful things that there is no way I couldn't be happy.  

***CONTEST TIME***  For all my lovely locals {anyone who lives in the Rio Grande Valley}, don't forget to submit your photos for our CUTEST BABY PHOTO CONTEST.  The submission deadline has been extended until this Sunday, February 24th at 9:00pm CST.  Voting will begin Monday morning at 6:00am and continue through Friday, March 1 at 9:00pm.  The photo with the most LIKES will be announced as the winner shortly after voting has ended.  The lucky winner will win a free 1-hour on location photo session {could be just your child or entire family, you pick}, artistic editing, 20 digital images, virtual gallery, AND (10) 4x6 prints.  This fabulous prize is being sponsored by the talented Esmeralda of Luz Natural Fotografia.     

Thank you everyone for stopping by!

Year End Wrap-Up

So 2012 has come and gone and we're already 7 days into the new year.  I cannot wrap my mind around how quickly time really does fly by.  After I went back to work full-time in September, all my spare time to maintain this blog quickly dwindled away.  One of my New Year's Resolutions is to carve out time every week to publish at least one new post.  I started Royal Feather because I loved connecting with new parents and their kids and helping them find amazing and useful products for their children.  This blog helped me connect with my fans on a much bigger level, and I miss that.  Since it's been a few months since my last post, this will be a photo blog of sorts instead.  Just a little recap of how our year ended.

Must Try Recipes

1.  Cheesy Egg & Bacon Pull-Apart Biscuits  2.  Mandarin Orange Oatmeal To-Go  3.  Strawberry Shortcake Muffins  4.  Hash Browns Breakfast Bites  5.  Clean Eating Tilapia  6.  Chicken Piccata  7.  Easy Bean & Cheese Burritos

I'm very grateful for all the meals Nicholas' school provides, but there are times when I'm not too happy with their breakfast options.  So because of that, I'll make batches of Hash Browns Breakfast Bites along with some type of a muffin (ie. items #3) and send him off to school with a healthy breakfast to start his day.  Both of these recipes were taste-tested by our little guy and were pretty good.  The beauty of the Breakfast Bites is their ability to never be boring {you can always vary what you mix into the hash browns; chopped bacon, turkey crumbles, chives, sausage, etc.}  Not only were they tasty but the fact that they're bite sized is a big plus.  Anything that he can grab and eat with his little hands is great since he's Mr. Independent now :)  The new oatmeal flavor was also a big hit with Jacob.  As I've mentioned before, there are days when he has to be at work at 4 or 5am so his lunch break is really a breakfast break.  These flavorful and healthy oatmeal options are pretty popular in our house as well.  

Project Pergola: Complete

After countless hours, (4) boxes of deck screws, (8) 8x8 cedar posts, (8) 2x12 cedar boards, (19) 2x6 cedar planks, (45) 2x2 cedar strips, and 5 gallons of Behr wood stain -  the pergola is finished!!  

 Fall Family Fun

Pumpkin Patch, Corn Maze, Nick all dressed up with his pilgrim hat for Thanksgiving lunch, and Indian Corn teacher gifts for Nick's awesome teachers at his preschool

Nicholas Parties with 

Chuck E Cheese

Last year Nicholas' 1st birthday party was rained out so this year I wasn't taking any chances.  The theme to his 2nd birthday was tailored around his current obsession, Mickey Mouse Clubhouse.  I was so bummed that I didn't get a picture of his awesome cake before we added the candles.  But as you fellow Mommies know, you have to be quick when snapping photos of a toddler! I want to send a huge THANK YOU to the amazingly talented Jessica from Wee Sweet Treats for creating such a magical cake.  Everyone loved it!  And since Nick's birthday was on a Tuesday, I baked some super cute reindeer cupcakes for his class and staff members of his preschool.  They came out great! Super fun and kid-friendly.

 Christmas Time is a Happy Time

Christmas was actually a little challenging for us this year.  The three of us were hit with a pretty bad viral infection that lasted almost 3 days.  As a result, we missed Christmas but did our best to get better ASAP and at least celebrate the weekend after.  Nicholas absolutely loved his train table from Santa - it was a HUGE hit!  Traditionally we spend Christmas day at my Mom's parents' house but since we couldn't make it (nor could some other family members), we had a little re-do on the Saturday after.  We ate tamales, played games, exchanged gifts, and took some pretty memorable pictures.  Nick even popped fireworks for the first time! I love seeing our little guy have so much fun. His little smile always makes my heart so happy.  Here, Nick happily posed with his Great Grandpa.

All in all, 2012 was a pretty great year.  I love looking back through photos and reliving all our wonderful experiences.  As a family we laughed, we cried, we grew stronger together and as individuals, and we learned to reprioritize.  I learned to let go of things and people who won't change and are simply negative influences in our lives.  If you can't be happy for us, then I'm done trying to convince you.  In 2013 I have no plans of making unrealistic resolutions.  All I resolve to do is to be happy, healthy, and wise.  I want to only surround my family with all things positive and sincere - no stress and no drama!  I will continue working on growing Royal Feather and making an even happier home with my best friend - my Jacob.  Cheers to another amazing year!!
Thanks for stopping by!  

Currently...

Oh my goodness!!  We are halfway through September...where have the days gone?!  Nicholas started Preschool two weeks ago and I somehow have less time to get work done than when he was at home.  I miss my late nights where I could blog and stay connected.  Oh well, Nick is doing wonderfully at school so if going to bed early is what it takes to get him there on time, so be it.  Our little boy comes first and I'll continue to try and squeeze in time when I can to get all my thoughts/projects/recipes out to all of you :)  But for now, I'm currently...
Loving:  although it's still pretty hot outside I have been excited to see all the signs of Fall in stores and was anxious to do some decorating at home.  We don't have a mantel that I can decorate seasonally so my entryway is my next-best-thing.  I'm absolutely loving my Pottery Barn-inspired decor!   

Reading:  I used to have this obsession with all things fashion.  I easily knew what new trend could be paired with something classic and what trends needed to be avoided all together.  Putting an outfit together from head to toe was once so effortless.  But then came baby and life as a stay-at-home mom and all my fashion sense went right out the window!  With some new and exciting changes coming my way {you'll read more about them in a bit}, I'm struggling to find solutions in a sea of clothing racks; it's a world that seems so foreign to me now.  In order to find my way back to my old self, I recently picked up practically every fashion mag on newstands right now promising me "easy Fall hair & makeup", "your most stylish Fall ever", and "125 cute outfit ideas & easy styling tricks."  Let's hope I find what I'm looking for!     
Watching:  Glee is back and that's a sign that Fall TV is just around the corner!!  Shows I'm anticipating the most are Revenge, CSI Las Vegas, Modern Family, and Law & Order SVU.  Grey's Anatomy was always a big show for me as well but I'm really disappointed that so many of the main characters have left the show.  I'm not sure how much I'll watch this season.         
Thinking about:  my 10 year high school reunion.  Yup, TEN YEARS!  Talk about feeling old.  As a former class officer I've been helping with some of the planning and with only two weeks until the Homecoming football game, it's all coming up fast.  The funny thing about reunions {for me at least and this is all just my personal opinion} is that I really don't see the point of them since the inception of Facebook.  Facebook is my high school and college reunion.  Everything and everyone you've ever met and known is on there.  You can read and see all about what former classmates have done since you've last seen them and what they're up to today.  But for the sake of tradition, I'll be there cheering on my Alma Matter.    
Anticipating:  a new chapter in our lives.  It's funny how once you go through change it is then when you realize how quickly time goes by.  After Nicholas was born it was so difficult for me to imagine him any bigger than the little baby that fit so snuggly in my arms.  Now as he's approaching 2 years old I can't believe how impossibly quick these past 20 months have flown by.   
Wishing:  for a day to sleep in again.  Sleeping in was such a beautiful thing when Nicholas stayed home. We didn't worry about bedtimes or nap times because we just hung out and ran errands together throughout the week.  We were really laid back and didn't have a strict schedule.  But now, all that has changed.  But it's a good change and I'm completely grateful.  Nicholas has adapted quickly to school and the positive feedback we get on his daily report cards reassure us that we made the right decision.  He's learning so much and getting to play and socialize with other children his age.  It's a beautiful thing to see our baby grow.  We wish for a wonderful life for him and will give him all the nurturing, love, and guidance we can to ensure that.   

  
Making me happy:  life.  I have so many things to be grateful for and particularly right now because we've had such great opportunities present themselves.  After talking it over with Jacob for quite some time, I made the decision to go back to work full-time and not only was I offered a job, - I was offered TWO jobs.  I don't have an official start date so until then I'll continue to get my house as organized as possible...since I'm pretty sure that's how we'll all be able to stay on track.  I'm excited and anxious for my new opportunity and look forward to new challenges.  Don't get me wrong, Royal Feather will continue to be my passion professionally so please continue to shop and visit the website, but it might become part-time for now - until we decide for baby #2 :)   
Thank you all for stopping by!   

If You Really Knew Me

I started advertising on Sometimes Sweet this week and I am so happy to announce that my little 125x125 ad has created such amazing traffic to my shop Royal Feather.  Thank you Brenna for steering me in this direction and Jesus for all you continue to bless me with :)  Earlier this week Danielle, writer behind Sometimes Sweet, blogged about a post she'd seen "floating" around the blogosphere.  The post has been about revealing a little more about who you "really are" to your audience.  I instantly loved this idea because just this past weekend Jacob and I were discussing how some people (people we thought were close to us and complete strangers alike) have no idea who we really are.  Said people assume they know us, but they truly don't.  Should you decide to participate as well, post your link in my comments section so I can check it out!
Here it goes...if you really knew me...
you'd know that my husband and I live our lives for ourselves and Nicholas and no one else - period.  The decisions we make are what's best for the three of us.  We don't plot out ways to be better than others or to "keep up with Joneses" or to "one-up" anybody.  The house we live in, how we choose to decorate it, the cars we drive, the things we enroll Nicholas in, and what we buy as gifts for each other are things we simply want for one another and for absolutely no other reason.  Nothing annoys me more than to hear "oh, my child already has had that for so long, it's so old" or "oh, we have something like that but ours is better because x, y, and z" or, "you're son is barely doing that? mine did it at {insert some extremely unreasonable age here}."  Really?!  Seriously people!  Why does everything have to be a competition? Especially between children.  And even between adults too!  That just really irritates me.
you'd know that I was laid off while I was on maternity leave with absolutely no explanation - none, whatsoever.  As a result, I felt pretty depressed and lousy for a long while.  To be told "we're terminating you, but not your position" is pretty rough to hear.  And then when you're begging for an explanation and fighting back tears while holding your newborn and all you get is "I'm sorry you feel that way but the decision has been made", you just feel horrible.  I remember being on an emotional roller coaster - first sad, then angry and upset, then hurt, then worried and scared about our future, then angry again, and then finally acceptance.  Don't get me wrong, it's not like I didn't want to spend every possible moment with Nicholas, I was just so angry about how the whole thing happened.  Jacob and I weren't prepared for something like that.  I was ready to return to work on a Monday when I got the "phone call" on the Friday before.  Talk about leaving it to the last minute on their part.
you'd know that I love with my whole heart.  But I do have to be treated fairly and equally to show that kind of affection.  I've learned the hard way that being nice all the time doesn't get you anywhere but stepped on.  Too many times people have confused my kindness for weakness and I simply won't have it anymore.  If you criticize or judge my husband or my son, we're going to have a problem.  
you'd know that I'm kind of a homebody.  Now of course I do love going out on Date Night and trying out new places and restaurants or taking Nicholas to playdates or the library for storytime.  But sometimes there are days when Jacob finally has a day off and I just love to stay home and relax with my family.  We secretly call those days "Gray Shorts Day."  Somehow the 3 of us coincidentally have a pair of super comfy cotton gray shorts and we wear them on those days when all we want to do is nothing.  I know it's cheesy, but it's just one of our things that we enjoy.  Being home means I don't have to do my hair or makeup and I can just be Me without any judgements.
you'd know that my memory is impeccable.  Ever since I was a little girl I had this amazing ability to recall where I had seen or read something in vivid detail.  My sisters and parents would say I had a photographic memory.  And that's all still true today.  I remember the faces of pretty much everyone I've met, things that have been said to me (directly or indirectly), how I felt when things have happened, sometimes even what I was wearing on certain occasions.  So you better think twice next time you want to lie to me, it won't work :)
you'd know that I've always wanted a bulldog and to name her Lola.
you'd know that I'd love to just pack a suitcase for the three of us and live on a beach somewhere.
you'd know I would love nothing more than to be accepted by everyone.  It really bums me out when people have a false understanding of me - when they've been painted an unfair, one-sided picture of me and then just judge me from there on out.  Get to really know me first before you write me (and my family) off.
you'd know that I'm really bad at drinking water - always have been.  I'd rather drink Crystal Light or more recently cups of herbal lemongrass tea.  Even when I eat, I don't really drink much.  When my cousins and I were younger and we'd stay at my grandparents' house during the summertime, it used to really freak out my Grandma that I wouldn't really drink anything all day.  She couldn't understand how I liked to "comer seco" {eat without drinking anything}.  Those summers were such a blessing.    
you'd know that I'm a major night owl.  Right now, it's 1:57AM and I still have to proof this post before I publish it in the morning and possibly add some pictures.
you'd know that I wish I had more time in the day to read books like I used to, I've been watching General Hospital for over 12 years, when purchasing something new, pretty product packaging gets me every time, I can't walk out of Sephora without buying something, I'm afraid of dying, I worry about not being a good enough mother to Nicholas, my guilty-reality-tv-show-pleasures are Teen Mom and RHONJ, and the dentist absolutely terrifies me.
How about you?     

Lovely to See You ATX

Last weekend, my Mom, Nicholas, and I traveled to Austin for a a little 4-day trip to visit family.  Nicholas has always done well in the car, whether it's short drives around town or much longer trips.  But I'm still always weary, fearing that this time is going to be the time he will have a major meltdown and I'll need to turn the car around and just come home.  But luckily for us, we can mark this trip as another success.  

Day 1 got off to a late start, not surprising since I hate packing and always leave it to the last minute (as in the morning of).  My Mom laughs at me and questions how I did it when I was in college and would come home for the weekends.  But it was much easier then.  I would literally just make sure I had the bare necessities - toothbrush, contact lenses & solution, glasses, makeup bag, & a change of clothes.  If I forgot anything, my backup closet at my parents' house would surely have something in case of an emergency.  But now with Nicholas, my packing list is more like - snacks, toys/books, baby shampoo, toothbrush & toothpaste, diapers, wipes, Desitin, pajamas, clothes, extra changes of clothes for emergencies, pillow, pack & play, crib/lullaby toys, baby monitor, and you can't forget those "what if" items like a thermometer, ibuprofen, bug spray, sunblock, and the list goes on and on.  Finally, we were on the road by about 2pm and were in Austin by 8pm and that's including a few pit stops.  I was pretty happy with our timing.
Days 2 and 3 consisted of making our rounds catching up and visiting family.  Because Austin is my old college town and ex-home of 5 years, I love to go back and try to squeeze in as many new places to see as possible.  Although I usually come back home with a list of quite a few places I wasn't able to fit in, I always tell myself that there will be a "next time."  
Day 4 came pretty quickly and I was sad to go but anxious to get back home to Jacob and to see all the progress he had made on the pergola (updated pictures below!).  After I made some "urgent" stops {Kendra Scott & Buy Buy Baby} we were back on the road at about 2pm again.  Nicholas and I are grateful to have had such a wonderful time!  We were able to get a lot done and manage to do it all with zero-stress which was fantastic!!  

1. Nick already digging into his Plum Organics snacks about 1hr into the trip  2. Pit stop at Whataburger  3. We made it!

My nephew Gabriel all dressed and ready for  his baptism

Top photo: my Mom, sisters, brother-in-law, Gabriel, and my nieces.  Nicholas was very excited for Gabriel and gave him a "high-5"

1. We just had to get some milkshakes from EZ's on our second night  2. Great view of the Capitol

 Nicholas was my lunch date at Jo's downtown in the 2nd Street District.  LOVE their Tuna Melt :)

Nick's Austin Children's Museum adventure with cousin Gabriel

Clearly the museum wore him out!  We barely had gotten out of the parking garage and Nick was already passed out!

1. Continuing our day at IKEA shopping for Nick's playroom  2. Of course I had to indulge my sweet tooth with the always delicious Tiff's Treats  3. Nick was finally out for the night

1. I couldn't leave Austin without stopping at Kendra Scott.  That place is dangerous!!  2. Food trailers on South Congress.  Too bad they weren't open for lunch yet

I gave Nick a little tour of my alma matter St. Edward's on our way out of town

1.  Nick debating what to eat for lunch at Chuy's  2. Back at home, Nick trying out his new circus tent...another fab find at IKEA :)

Thanks for a great weekend friends and family! Hope to see you again soon!

Pergola update:

It's almost done!!  Jacob managed to squeeze in the time to paint, cut, and nail (19) 2x6 beams in the scorching heat.  Amazing, right?!?  Pergola looks fantastic!

Thanks for stopping by!

Three Years Ago Today

I remember exactly where I was, what I was wearing, and who I was with when I received the call that my Dad had passed away.  I remember everything about that horrible day in detail.  Just recalling all of this even brings back the same feelings of anxiety.  Jacob and I were at his brother's wedding and the ceremony had just ended.  Jacob was taking pictures and I reached for my cell phone to check the time when I saw a flood of text messages and missed calls from my sisters and cousins.  I didn't think much of it and just returned the first missed call on my list.  My sister answered and through her tears all I heard was "It's Dad, you need to come home now.  Dad died."  As I stood there holding my phone I remember everything going silent.  I couldn't hear anything, I couldn't feel anything, and I couldn't breath.  "How could this be?!" I thought.  "I just talked to Dad two days ago and he was fine...he wished me good luck on my job interview (that I was having the day after I spoke to him)...it's Saturday so he's working at the ranch like usual, this can't be possible...how did this happen...why did this happen...is this just a sick joke...what do I do"...I had a million things running through my mind.  I somehow found Jacob and tried to tell him what was happening but as I was saying the words out loud, none of it was making sense.  We rushed out of the wedding and to my apartment  but I remember just crying and not understanding any of it.  I didn't even know what to pack because I couldn't even bring myself to believe that I would be going home to attend my Dad's funeral.  I think I just grabbed whatever I could and threw it in a bag and we got on the road.  That drive was the longest 6 hours of my life.  I had a throbbing headache and my tears just kept flowing.  
Once we got to the funeral home we were told that my Dad suffered a massive heart attack while he was working at the ranch.  They told us that even if someone had been out there with him, there wouldn't have been anything anyone could do.  He died instantly. 
These past three years have been extremely trying on everyone in our family.  We lost the rock and head of our family - how does one rebound from such a tragedy?  Everyday I tell myself that my Dad is in a much better place and is smiling down on us.  I try to not get sad when I look at Nicholas and think how unfortunate it is that he never got to meet my Dad.  I can't help but imagine what could have been.  I know that everything happens for a reason and that God's plan for us is all a mystery.  One of these days all my questions will be answered.  But until then, I remember my amazing Dad and all of the great things he taught me.  I pray he's resting in peace and for courage and strength to understand all of life's heartbreaks.        

Left: family wedding   Right: my 24th birthday fiesta

A thousand times we needed you
A thousand times we cried
If love alone could have saved you
you never would have died
A heart of gold stopped beating
two twinkling eyes closed to rest
God broke our hearts to prove he only took the best 
never a day goes by that you’re not in my heart and my soul.

Source: Kimberly N. Chastain     We love you Dad and wish you were here with us every day.   

Cheers to Many More Years!

Today Jacob and I celebrate our wedding anniversary!  I'm usually pretty private about my husband, but since I'm so open about our activities with Nicholas and all the other aspects of our lives, I'm making an exception.
Jacob and I met on a Sunday afternoon on a Southwest flight that was headed for LA.  We were both on our way to California for work trips and didn't even notice one another until he sat next to me on the second leg of the flight.  His rather chatty co-worker was adament that the both of them move into the empty seats that were next to me.  I didn't mind as long as I didn't have to give up my aisle seat :)  For the most part, I was tuning them out as I kept to myself and my Jodi Picoult novel.  Little by little, Jacob kept trying to make small talk with me so I put my guard down and we chatted the rest of the flight.  As the plane began to make it's descent, I found myself not wanting the flight to end!  We really clicked!  I couldn't believe I had just had an amazing conversation with someone who was funny, educated, had a good job, and had so many similar interests as I did.  
Once the plane landed and everyone started making their way off the plane, I gathered my carry-on and we said our goodbyes.  I was feeling pretty disappointed that he didn't make an attempt to ask for my number or email address or anything.  As I walked off the plane I found myself getting annoyed with the whole situation and just told myself he was such a jerk - "this guy is such a loser! He's probably married or has a girlfriend and here he is hitting on me! The nerve of some men! Ugh!!"  I told myself to forget it all and to just enjoy my few days in California and simply concentrate on work.  As my co-worker and I were waiting at baggage claim, who do I see making his way towards me?! Yup, that's right, Jacob.  I thought, "Oh no! This is going to be so awkward!! Maybe I'll just keep my back turned and he'll stay away."  It's all so hilarious now....remembering it all....good memories.  Just like I had feared, Jacob came right up to me and just picked up our conversation where we had left off.  I didn't want to seem too interested but we somehow got to talking about the season finale of CSI Las Vegas (my all time favorite TV show) and how we couldn't believe that they would just kill off Warrick Brown!!...and the rest is history.
We didn't see each other again until about a week after we were both back in Austin and our whirlwind romance just continued from there.  From the beginning we knew what we wanted for our futures and our futures included each other.  We've endured quite a bit of hardships in our short time together - the loss of my Father, living 400 miles apart from one another for most of our engagement, criticism from people regarding our relationship, and being laid-off while I was on maternity leave - just to name a few.  We may not see just how strong we are in the midst of all the craziness sometimes, but I know there is no one else I would rather be going through it with.  At the end of the day, we have a roof over our heads, food on our table, a beautiful and healthy son, and God on our side.  We couldn't be luckier.  We may not be perfect as individuals, but we work together perfectly.  Cheers to us!!

Hope you enjoyed the photos and thanks for stopping by!
  

Happy Independence Day!

Hello everyone! Yes, I'm finally back from my little hiatus...I think the Texas heat and the start of Summer distracted us a little :)  But anyway, I can't believe how quickly time has gone by.  Tomorrow is already the 4th of July!!

I've rounded up my favorite patriotic pins today to help you out with your last minute festivity preparations.   

1.  Giggles Galore did an amazing job with their 4th of July BBQ! Super festive and kid friendly 
2.  How adorable are these cupcakes in a jar from ReMarkable Home?! Love them!  
3.  I'm obsessed with Twizzlers so I'm a little biased when I say that this is my favorite pin :)  Thank you Room to Inspire!  I love simple projects that make a huge impact.
4. Did someone say cake? Look at this festive beauty! Deliciousness by White Lilly.
5. To say that I LOVE these Rocket Dogs is an understatement!  Finding new and creative ways to prepare easy meals for kids is one of my favorite things to do on Pinterest.  Kids get into their food slumps where they only want to eat one thing over and over.  What better way to break the monotony of a boring hotdog with breadstick dough!  Recipe by Family Fun Magazine.
6.  Ahhh (sigh) sangria, how I love thee! A few years ago I traveled to Spain and it was there, on the little beach town of Alicante, that I learned of this super refreshing drink.  Whether you enjoy red or white wine, sangria is THE best cocktail for summertime.  Thank Recipe Girl for this perfectly festive drink you can enjoy tomorrow...or all week! 
7.  It's no secret that I have a terrible sweet tooth.  But when I come across sweets made with fruit, I can at least lie to myself and say it's healthy :)  Berrylicious chocolate covered strawberries by allrecipes.com.
8.  What a quick and easy way to dress up simple drinks.  Just grab some colored sugar, stir sticks, fruit, cookie cutters and voila!  Check out Celebrations at Home for more fantastic ideas. 
9.  These fruit kabobs are perfect appetizers or dessert options for your 4th of July BBQ.  Loving how simple this dish is - grab some skewers, bananas, strawberries, and blueberries and just thread the sliced fruit onto the skewer.

Well now it's time for me to run out to the grocery store and get all my supplies and ingredients for our little BBQ tomorrow.  And can't forget to break out the baby sprinkles pool for Nicholas either!  
Wishing you and your family a restful and safe (gotta keep your eyes on your little ones when playing with fireworks!) Independence Day!  Have a fun and beautiful day!
Thank you for stopping by - xoxo,

Here Comes Peter Cottontail

Well another Easter has come and gone, and I'm actually a little sad about it.  The warm weather, all the bright and cheery colors of the season, and seeing the smiles on our children's faces as they run around in search for all their eggs and then watch as confetti flies all over, is such a wonderful feeling.

We were pretty busy last week prepping for an Easter party, assembling mini Easter baskets, and painting egg shells.  Here's a look at our life last week in pictures - enjoy :)

Goldfish carrots for the mini Easter baskets

Bunny Bait treats I made for an Easter party
Nicholas was invited to - it was delicious!

This picture makes me laugh every timeI see it! It looks like he's
holding on fordear life!

Working on his little egg decorating project

Score! Nicholas came out with a Rice Krispie Treat!  He kept going back for those...
I think he was mesmerized by the shiny, blue wrapper.

As kids, we always colored Easter eggs with food coloring and vinegar, but I always remember hating the smell.  So now, on Pinterest of course, I learned you can color egg shells with Kool-Aid.  So here's Nick's first attempt at it.  Not too bad for a 15-month old :)

Here are the colors we used for his "Kool-Eggs"

I was pretty surprised to see that we didn't make a huge mess!
Nicholas would just color one egg at a time and then
 let me take it out so it could dry.  I was loving how into it he was!

Now we moved up to coloring 3 colors at one time!

And here is his masterpiece

Saturday afternoon, Nicholas went over to his cousin's house for another Easter party and he had a blast.  Another piñata and another egg hunt!! I was a little disappointed that I couldn't make it to the party (my husband and I had bought tickets months before for a concert out of town. At the time of the purchase, I hadn't realized it was on Easter weekend.  But I knew our son was in good hands with my Mom and sister).  

Nicholas waving "hey" with his cousins Kayla & Claire

Piñata time!!

LOL! He's very happy to have found another Easter basket

Confetti in his curls

On Easter Sunday, we were able to get a great picture of Nicholas with his Easter baskets.  I love his madras pants!

And last but not least, here are a few of my favorite shots of Nick all dressed up for his Easter pictures.  Thank you to All Good Productions for these great photos!

I hope everyone had a blessed and memorable Easter!