COHEN

After seeing this amazing support "day of blogging silence" on my friend Erin's blog, I wanted to spread the word about a special day coming up, for a special friend (Megan), celebrating a special little boy who went to be with Jesus. Megan’s friends and some other bloggers have gotten together to ask the blogging community to have a moment of silence for Baby Cohen.

Details below:

There will be a Moment of Silence for Cohen on Thursday July 1st from midnight to 11:59 pm.

In order to participate in this special event, just post the Cohen banner (below) or post Cohen’s name in large, bold, beautiful letters on your blog.

Why this day? July 1st Megan and Brent will be holding Cohen’s memorial service. The moment of silence is an opportunity for Megan’s blog community to stand behind her and support her on this difficult day. Linking up will give Megan a chance to see the support at a glance. Participating bloggers can Link Up on July 1st at Send Love To Cohen. Will you join us all and help spread the word?

Boobies

In 1986, I was 4, and HAD to have a Power Wheels Barbie Jammin' Jeep. Got it.

1989, I was 7, and HAD to have everything Guess and Esprit (and wouldn't be caught dead in Jordache). Got 'em.

In 1992, I was 10, and HAD to have EVERY color Umbro shorts. Got 'em.

In 1995, I was 13, and HAD to have Birkenstock clogs. Got 'em.

In 2000, I was 18, and I discovered Louis Vuitton and HAD to have the Bucket. Got it.

In 2001, I was 19, and HAD to have Lucky Brand jeans. Got 'em.

In 2003, I was 21, and HAD to have a Shih Tzu. Got him.

It's 2010, I am 27, and I WANT boobs!!!! (no picture necessary, right?)

When I was 12 I swore I would have breast implants one day! SWORE! Then I got to my teens and said I never wanted a boob job. Didn't need one then. I had nice B/C boobs. Perky ones at that.

Then came a dramatic weight loss in 2008... a baby in 2009. And well... my boobs are the same size or in the same place as they once were and I want them BACK!

So this is my public announcement that I want some boobies!

I want to wait until I finish having children until I have the surgery and obviously will have to wait until we are in a better place financially but I WANT them. Actually, I HAVE to HAVE them... and you can see from my pattern above I typically get what I want (within reason). Ok ok, i know this is the most expensive by oh say THOUSANDS of dollars but pretty pleeeease (my plea ot Adam)!

Clearly not on the top of our "to buy or invest in" list but hey a girl can dream of perky boobies again, right?

I wouldn't get them to "show off" my boobs or to fit a certain "standard" I would like to just have my good ol' perky C's again. I want to look good for my husband and I want to feel good when I look in the mirror. Those are the only two reasons I would ever even consider this (just FYI).

Anyway... I just needed to declare that publicly! How do you feel about breast implants?? Pro/Con? Let me hear it!

ASOS: Lovin' it

Don't you love it when you run across something new?? And instantly fall in love??

Are you familiar with the website ASOS?? Seriously, they have some of the cutest stuff! Some of which I am currently drooling over.

If you aren't familiar with them, here is a little about their company:

Established in June 2000, ASOS.com is the UK's largest independent online fashion and beauty retailer. With over 35,000 branded and own label products available and over 1500 new lines added each week, ASOS.com is rapidly becoming the market leader in the UK online fashion world.
Aimed primarily at fashion forward 16-34 year olds, ASOS.com attracts over 6.9 million unique visitors a month and has 2.9 million registered users.

I can't remember how I stumbled upon their site but I instantly fell in love with some of their stuff. I love how it's so unique and airy! I am into airy these days :)

The website is really a one stop shop for fashion and beauty! I am diggin' it!

The prices are amazing! I haven't ordered anything yet so I don't know about the quality but the stuff is just so stinkin' cute! I might be ordering a piece or two for events we have coming up. We shall see (thanks to budgeting)!

Allow me to share with you some of my faves and why don't you head on over and see if you find some of your own!

ASOS HANK Stud & Buckle Platform Sandal

$67.64

ASOS Heavy Ruffle One Shoulder Cocktail Dress

$67.64

ASOS Abstract Feather Print One Shoulder Dress

$64.25

ASOS Floral Bandeau Dress

$64.25

ASOS Fitted Waist Sundress

$37.20

ASOS Grecian Bandeau Maxi Dress

$60.87

ASOS Printed Colourblock Tunic

$54.11

ASOS Cut Out Sleeve One Shoulder Top
$42.27

ASOS Diamond Flower One Shoulder Dress
$50.73

ASOS Zip Front Camisole
$37.20

Belief and Faith

As a Christian, I get asked sometimes, by unbelievers, what I believe and WHY I believe it! I think sometimes, some of them want a simple one or two sentence answer. I can't give them that. I could go ON AND ON about what I believe and why.

Usually I stumble around trying to find the "right" words and end up saying something along the lines of "I believe God created everything. I believe He sent His son, Jesus Christ, to die for my sins so that I may have eternal life with Him. I believe all this because it comes from God's Word, The Bible. I believe the Bible because I have FAITH! Faith that my God is coming for me one day because I chose to accept His son as my savior."

But see, just saying those words isn't enough for me. I want to go on and on about what all God has done for me, people around me... seriously could go ON AND ON!

My mom sent me something in the mail this week that I knew immediately I wanted to share with you! It really simplified it for me and I plan to make copies and keep them in my purse. And if I am asked I plan to just hand them one. It breaks down EXACTLY what I believe. Of course there's much more to my faith but this really is the core of my heart and my faith and what I believe to be true.

It is called the Nicene Creed. I encourage you to click on the link if you want more information about where it came from, etc. Now, I attend a Baptist Church but I am a first and foremost a Christian. Believer of Jesus Christ. This creed makes my heart beat faster. Makes my eyes tear up. Makes me draw closer to God. It is powerful and it is true!

The Nicene Creed

We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty,

maker of heaven and earth, of all that is seen and unseen.

We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, light from light, true God from true God, begotten, not made,

one in Being with the Father. Through Him all things were made.

For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven,

By the power of the Holy Spirit he was born of the Virgin Mary and was made man.

For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; He suffered, died and was buried.

On the third day he rose again in fulfillment of the Scriptures;

He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father.

He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead,

and his kingdom will have no end.

We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father

(and the Son) Who with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified.

Who has spoken through the prophets.

We believe in one holy universal and apostolic Church.

We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins.

We look for the resurrection of the dead,

and the life of the world to come. Amen.

Weekend happenings

This past Saturday we hung out all day with our new friends, Amy & Dusty. We joked that we set our husbands up on a "blind date" haha! They had already met previously at a double date dinner. At that double date we discovered they knew each other in college (they both went to AU and what are the chances that among 24,000 students they would know each other?), hung out in the same group of friends, just two different groups but together-you know what I mean. They went to the same gym and knew a bunch of the same people! It was crazy! I remember sitting there in awe at what a small world it is and how God brings people in and out of your life for a reason.

Any who, Adam and Dusty have a lot in common. They both are outdoorsy guys guys! You know what I mean? Well, Adam had been wanting to take his bike on some trails and well HELLO, Dusty likes to bike so Amy and I set them up on a double date :) haha (I'm sure they both appreciate that).

We met them in their town and went to a swimming pool where we relaxed, laughed and played with ALM. Them a storm started rolling in and so we headed back to their house. The boys suited up (Adam in Amy's helmet) and went on their biking excursion. Why don't I have pictures of that?? I don't know. I blame being a busy mom! :)

Amy went out to grab groceries because we were cooking out and I stayed back and tried getting ALM to sleep. FAIL. Amy gets back and we are cooking, talking and enjoying each other and ALMs company (and of course Tucker and Sam-their beautiful labs).

Amy decided that at her house I am required to partake in her "one bite rule." Well if you know how PICKY I am I was NOT DOWN! However, I caved and she got me to try a sweet potato fry! Um, I REALLY liked it! Like, REALLY! Shocker I know. She them tried to persuade me to try asparagus. UM, no. It was a ONE bite rule. One new thing at a time! :) But I am glad I tried it because it was yum to my tum.

Then we sat around and chatted. It was sooooo good to be around friends that are in the same walk of life as us! Refreshing! And MUCH needed.

I wish I had a picture or video to show you of Tucker and his mischievous smile... but we failed at that too. I promise next time we hang with them, it's HAPPENING! What I am talking about is... if you leave a piece of food out, Tucker will snatch it, but he knows he did something wrong and when you get on to him, he smiles... SERIOUSLY, smiles! Big as life. It's the cutest thing I have ever seen and I plan to get it on video so Dusty and Amy can make a million dollars on America's Funniest Home Videos or America's Funniest Pets. Something! It. Is. Happening.

Here are some pics of ALM during our pool time. She loved it. Stayed in it over an hour, splashing, laughing and having the BEST time! Can't wait to do it again!

Miscellaneous Monday

(because I am fresh out of blog material)

1. We relandscaped our front yard. FINALLY. It looks SO much better. And we did it on a really TIGHT/small budget. Post coming about that soon.

2. Addison is in the beginning stages of separation anxiety. She cried for the 1st time when we dropped her off in the church nursery yesterday. It was SO awful sad!

3. I am struggling with the gym. I have a love/hate relationship with the gym and right now I hate it! But once I get there I love it. It's the getting there part I hate so much. But nonetheless... I GO!

4. I have the shoppers itch lately! Not for anything BIG and WILD, just want to shop! Not sure what's going on with that.

5. July is going to be a DOOZY of a month financially for us! Will be very interesting. However, after August 1st, the only debt we will have will be my student loans and our house! WHOOP WHOOP!

6. I am so thankful for everything my mom does for me! SO. VERY. THANKFUL. Sometimes I don't tell her enough how much I appreciate her. I need to be better. I just always assume she knows! The big things and the small things... they mean so much!

7. I am also BEYOND blessed and thankful for my husband. He works very hard and sacrifices so I can stay at home to be with Addison. I will never be able to repay him or tell him how much that means to me. I married one amazing man!

8. I have more contentment that I have had in a very long time. Thank you God for that!

9. Our air conditioner has been running non stop for several days! IT'S SO DANG HOT IN GA! I mean can't breath it's so hot. I do not enjoy it!

10. My best friend of more than 20 years had a baby on 6/9/10. Rylee Layne is one gorgeous angel and I am so happy to be her AUNT LYNDS!

I hope you all had a fabulous weekend and have a GREAT week!

Memorial Day Trip to VA

Off to VA we went... a 12 hour drive. Would have been 10 but with a baby, no way NOT to add at least 2 hours.

Thank goodness my precious friend Erin, let us stay with her Wednesday night to break up the trip a little! I have gotten to visit with Erin and her sweet Hudson 3 times now and it's NEVER long enough! She and TC were kind enough to let us crash their house for less than 12 hours. They even fed us some AMAZING Bojangles biscuits!! If you haven't had them. You. Are. Missing. Out.

We headed out for a long haul at about 9:30 am. We were going to visit some good friends in Virginia. Lake Anna to be exact. Can I just stop and just say how beautiful it is there. So peaceful and serene. I couldn't wait for a long weekend of peacefulness with good friends.

Any of you remember, Newlywed Stilettos? She retired her blog, but we have been great friends for almost 2 years now. Regular emails, texts and phone convos have turned this sweet girl into one of my best friends. We were pregnant together and without her (and two other special ladies) I wouldn't have made it through that pregnancy as well. Our children (J and ALM) are even boyfriend/girlfriend! ha

The drive was GREAT. ALM did great, with almost NO fussing. We did have a big blowout on the way (and three coming home)! WOW-that was interesting. Thankfully we have a wonderful little traveling baby!

We arrived at around 6 pm and with BIG HUGS got the weekend started. She had margaritas and Mexican food waiting on us. She knows me too well :)

We spent that evening lounging and chatting. Then we spent the next three days, riding in the boat, enjoying the sun, taking pics of our sweet babes, eating (lots), playing with the kiddos and talking like we wouldn't talk again for years. I think we talked each others ears off... but that's what I had been looking forward to. This vacation EXCEEDED my expectations. It was absolutely wonderful for them to open their family lake house to us, feed us and gift us with their friendship!

We miss them all already. We miss the mean game of Uno, "that's what she/he said moments, confusion over what I was saying (GA talk vs Maryland talk... it's different)... we miss it all! But we know we will see them again SOON! And I can't wait. Until then, these pics will have to do :)

ENJOY!

This picture just cracks me up

Matching outfits-COULD JUST DIE FROM THE CUTENESS

Family photos

Will be used one day at their wedding-haha

ALM rockin' her bikini

Sleeping babies

Cutest piggies

holding hands (this was not staged)

addison kissing Jack's arms :)

LOVES her new sippy cup with a straw

Mommy love

Ready for the lake

Matching plaid babies

Addison's Dedication

On May 23rd, Addison Leigh was dedicated to our Lord Jesus Christ. I am sorry I am just now getting around to posting about this amazing event in our lives. Our church does the baby dedications in a very unique way. They are held AFTER the service is over and are only for your family & friends. That, to me, makes it very personal and intimate. There was only one other baby dedicated that day. Another sweet little girl, that was several months older than Addison.

So, that morning we had breakfast, got ready, headed off to church and met our family. Celebrating this special day with us were: my mom and dad, Adam's mom and dad, his sister, her husband and their three boys, and Adam's grandparents. Also, our dear friends Leslie and Brandon (who are expecting a sweet little boy) surprised us and we were thrilled.

Sadly, that morning in the service our pastor retired. But we know God is going to go to work in our church and appoint the right man to lead our church in our mission of spreading His word to as many as we can.

Then came the dedication. They did a slide show for each baby. During the slide show the Minister of our Children's Department read a prayer that we provided for Addison from Adam and me. Here is the prayer that we pray for Addison. One we will ALWAYS pray:

Lord,
We come to you today and give Addison to You. We both agree that You alone know what is best for her. You alone know what she needs. We release her to You to care for and protect and we commit ourselves to pray for everything concerning her that we can think of or that You lay upon our hearts. Teach us know to pray and guide us in what to pray about. Help us not to impose our will when we pray for her, but enable us to pray that Your will be done in her life.
We thank you Lord that we can partner with You in raising Addison and we don’t have to do it alone. We are beyond grateful that we don’t have to rely on the worlds unreliable and ever changing methods for raising a child, but that we can have clear directions from Your Word and wisdom as we pray to You for answers.
We pray Lord that she always know Your will, have spiritual understanding and walk in a manner that is pleasing in Your sight. Help her to understand that true happiness and joy are found only in You. We pray that she will look to you for everything and not depend on her own understanding to make choices.
Thank you Lord for Addison, she is a precious gift. Your word says that every good gift comes from You and we know that you have given us Addison to care for and raise. Help us to do that. Show us places where we continue to hang on to her and enable us to release her to Your protection, guidance and counsel. Help us not to live in fear of possible dangers to her but in the joy and peace of knowing that You are in control. We rely on You for everything and this day we trust Addison to You and release her into Your hands. We promise to always raise her up in your eyes and to teach her to be more like you everyday. We promise to do this by living our lives to honor you.
Lord, we pray You will help her grow into a deep understanding of You and who You are. We ask that she fully believe in Jesus and all He did to give her eternal life. Help her to comprehend the fullness of Your forgiveness. We pray that you would pour out Your Spirit upon Addison this day and in your perfect timing, make known to her what Your calling is for her life. May she only follow you God and be a leader of people into Your kingdom. May she commit to you Lord and grow daily in the Holy Spirit. Amen.

We were also asked to provide a Bible verse. We chose Jeremiah 29:11, "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

Adam and I read a dedication promise. I barely made it through it. Actually, I didn't make it through it. I couldn't stop crying. I am an emotional mess at these kinds of things. (I can't imagine what I will be like at her wedding, etc) It was a wonderful day. One that we will always remember. And I am so thankful that I have faith in my God to help me raise her. I couldn't do it without Him.

Here are some pictures from that day:

Addison and I after the dedication

Mommy, Daddy and Addison

During her dedication, with our precious Preacher Max

Her cupcake cake

She snuck a bite or two :) haha