We have a visitor!

We are so excited! Auntie Layna is here to stay with us for the next 10 days! Let the fun begin!! Wahooo!! Welcome to Maryland :)

Home Sweet Home

Jon and Scarlett just got home from Utah! There were there for one week for Jon's work. I stayed behind to babysit our other 2 children.....THE DOGS. I picked them up from the airport yesterday. Of course I couldn't come empty handed, so I brought my little girl non other than her favorite thing ever.....yes, BALLOONS! I was kind of sad to see that she was much more interested in the balloons than seeing her mama. I'm pretty sure she didn't miss me one bit, probably because she was spoiled by her Grandma's and Aunts!! I'm glad they are home. Still a little bummed about the lack of enthusiasm from Scarlett, but I'll get over it.

Latest Obsessions...Here are a few

Be Enchanted by Bath and Body Works. LOVE!!

Apple Pecan Chicken Salad from Wendy's. (minus the blue cheese crumbles and minus the pecans)

Music! So many new songs that I love!! Music is just so motivating!

Long Tunics from VS....I might....maybe....could possibly have....gotten one in every color (don't ask how many colors..). Okay I may be a little OCD, or I just like colors?! They are great to wear with leggings! So comfy!! 

Flip Flops!!! And yes, I need one in every color to match my VS tunics!! Right!?

I may have another OCD problem......Shoes for my daughter!!! If this turns into a "Like Mother, Like daughter" trait, then Jon, you are in BIG trouble!! (I'm sorry!!)

Shoes.................

Shoes..........................

Shoes..........................

Shoes...........................

Shoes.....................

Did I happen to mention shoes for Scarlett??

A girl can never have too many shoes!!! 

Craisins....add a lovely touch to any dish!!

DIET COKE!!! If diet coke did not exist, I would not exist!!! (this is TRUE, I swear!)

Mango Salsa!! Makes the chips healthier, didn't you know that?! 

Reduced Fat Oreos........Makes it so I can eat double the amount!!

Yes, another product from VS......Yoga Crop pants!! Great for absolutely any activity! 

I don't ONLY eat these at the movie theater......

I've taken an odd liking to jogging outside! What is happening to me?! This is good, right??

It's always been a tradition......Jon + Me + TV Series = Quality Family time!! We are currently on this series.....We love it!!

How can you NOT be obsessed with this little gal? Love her!! (We were at Subway....and yes, she insisted on eating her own 6 inch!! I told you she was Little Miss Independent!!)

Little Miss Independent

This is what happens..........

Everywhere.......

We...........

happen........

To.......

Go!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I've got Little Miss Independent on my hands!! Ever since this little one has learned how to walk, she refuses to sit in any cart or stroller at the store. Not only does she insist on walking around, she insists on pushing the stroller OR shopping cart that I happen to be pushing. She even walks up to strangers and tries to push their carts! If I don't let her for whatever reason, we literally have World War III. This girl is BOSS!!! (And yes, she really was pushing the cart with a HUGE bag of dog food in it....all by herself!!!)

Mother's Day 2012

Perfect way to start out the day with FRESH FRUIT!! Mother's day gift from Katie, my sister in law!! I love the fruit bouquets! Perfect gift!!!

 Jon cooked dinner! Spinach salad with Salmon, Craisins, and Raspberry Vinaigrette dressing. Delicious!!

Dessert was Mint Oreo Low Fat Frozen Yogurt, accompanied by Mint Oreos! My FAV combination!!

For my Birthday in April, Jon got me a nice camera. So for Mother's Day he signed me up for a beginner Photography class (DSLR Workshop)! It was a 3 hour class and it was GREAT!! 

My mom sent me this beautiful vintage bracelet. I LOVE it. It came with matching earrings. My mom has fabulous taste!!

Mother's Day was great this year. I was spoiled! I'm sad I wasn't able to be with my mom. I will always be indebted to her for everything she has done for me throughout my life. I'm so glad there is a special day designated to honor our mother's! I also have the best mother-in-law a daughter-in-law could ask for!! So grateful for her and for raising a wonderful son! 

It is so special to be able to celebrate Mother's Day, not only by having wonderful Mothers all around us, but by having the privilege of BEING a Mother. I am SO proud to be this little one's MOM. 

One Year

One year ago from today, May 14th, Jon came home from Iraq. Deployments are always a bittersweet thing. It's hard while they are gone and you worry about their safety, but when you know they are coming home, you have butterflies for months ahead. The feeling of standing there surrounded by U.S. flags, and seeing the plane preparing for landing, not seeing your soldier for a whole year, knowing that your loved one is just an arms reach away, is indescribable. 

One thing I learned over this past deployment, DON'T set expectations. I always have everything planned out in my head, the moment being picture perfect. This past deployment taught me that things don't always go your way or as planned. 

I never imagined giving birth to my first child without my husband by my side. I thought I would DIE if I didn't have him there. After having gone through child birth without my spouse, I have realized how much it has made me a stronger person. Being put in a situation where you have no choice, and you have to go through what you feared most. I have this attitude now that if I could go through that on my own, then I can do ANYTHING. And this is true, because I never thought I could get through that, and I DID. 

I could keep rambling, but I won't. We are just grateful you are home safe and sound Jon!!