A Beautiful Wedding for a Beautiful Couple

Andrew and I recently traveled to California for the wedding of one of my roommates from college.  In this group of friends, we've had several weddings in the past few years and this is the last one.  We are all officially hitched!

The wedding was at a resort in Carlsbad.  It was a beautiful setting.  The weather couldn't have been more perfect.  The bride was gorgeous and wore the prettiest lace dress, and the groom couldn't stop smiling.

The ceremony was so very sweet and intimate.  I cried as my friend teared up during her vows.  She is one of my dearest friends, and there's just something so very special about watching someone you care for commit themselves to another person.  There was an immense amount of love in that moment. 

The reception was perfect.  The bride's father gave the most wonderful toast.  There were also come epic moments on the dance floor!

Celebrating the beautiful couple

We cleaned up pretty nicely after a week in the desert!

Old friends know how to make each other laugh

One of the sweetest moments

It was a fabulous weekend and so nice to spend a couple of days with old friends.  We thoroughly enjoyed our time catching up.  There were a lot of cocktails, reminiscing, and laughter packed into those two days.

Congratulations Kathleen and Adam!  We love you dearly and wish you a lifetime of joy.

xoxo

Grateful Monday

To start my week off on a positive note, here are five things I'm grateful for:

• I made it through last week! It was super hectic as I started teaching two new classes for the semester.  I also had to travel to Kentucky for a conference presentation. Whew!
• My in-laws who came in on Friday to watch Liam for us that evening.  I had to leave for Kentucky and Andrew had to work an event that night.  I just love how much Liam loves all of his grandparents!
• My fabulous adviser who is such a wonderful mentor.  Our trip to Kentucky gave us lots of time to chat.  I am so very blessed to have her!
• Coffee.  I'm not sure I would have made it through last week without it!
• We are gearing up for Labor Day weekend.  One of my favorite weekends of the year! We'll head to Camp Ondessonk again this year for their annual Friends Weekend.  I can't wait to catch up with some old friends.  We'll be staying in the treehouse unit seen below!  Fun times ahead!

Have a wonderful week!

xoxo

Terrific Twos

As most of you know, Liam turned two a few weeks ago.  I know that we aren't very far into the "twos" but, I must say, two isn't so bad!  In fact, there are times when two is delightful.  

Yes, we have our moments.  Moments when he's laying on the floor kicking his feet and screaming.  Moments when he throws his milk across the room and flings his food across the table.  In those moments, I'm very aware that he is testing me.  Trying to see how I'm going to respond and if a boundary is going to be set.  After spending years in the classroom, I know just how important those boundaries are.  I also know how important consistency is.  There are times when I have to force myself to follow through on things, but I know that if I don't, I'm going to be negating my own authority.  

Despite those challenging moments, we are having a lot of fun.  I just love how his little personality is coming to life.  I also love that he is learning new words every day and is now putting sentences together.  I love that he can tell me what he wants.  I love that he says "please" and "thank you".  I love how he jumps around and plays air guitar.  I also love how he laughs and sings songs.

At times, his energy level is exhausting.  But it's also really fun to watch.  He wakes up with so much joy every day and is so excited as he discovers the world around him.

So, when it comes to the twos, I'm choosing to focus on the good.  And so far, two is good.  Really good!

Here are some pics from the three different birthday celebrations!  

Driving Grandpa's tractor

First session of presents

Making a wish

Who wants cake?

Grandpa and Grandma

Oh boy!

A chainsaw...just like daddy's!

He was so excited his little legs were shaking!

Another party with Grandpa and Grandma

Fun with "Boppaw"

Here's to the terrific twos!

xoxo

And We're Back! Kicking Off With A Grateful Monday

I've been a little absent from this space for the past few weeks.  Life has been full!

I plan to make a few posts this week to fill you in on what we've been up to.  But to start off, I'm kicking off the week with my grateful list.

Here are five things I'm grateful for this week:

• A most wonderful vacation with my husband.  We just returned from a little getaway.  It was so nice to spend several days together, just the two of us.
• My wonderful parents who watched Liam while we were gone.  It makes it so much easier for me to be away from the little guy knowing he is in such good hands!
• My dear friends.  We ended our trip by attending the wedding of one of my college roommates, which meant that I got to see some of my best girls!
• The fall semester is kicking off this week.  I've got a lot to do as I prepare to teach two classes, but it's so exciting to think that this will (hopefully) be my last year of graduate school!
• My sweet little boy.  I missed him dearly while we were gone.  Yesterday when he saw us, he came running with his arms outstretched.  It was one of the sweetest moments I've experienced as a mom!

Here's a little glimpse of where we've been for the last week!  More to come soon.

Have a wonderful week!

xoxo

Look Who's Two!

Dear Liam,

Happy 2 years!  You are so very big!

I can hardly believe you are 2.  When I think back to two years ago, I remember so clearly the feelings of  excitement, the anticipation, and then the moment when I finally got to meet you.  Those memories warm my heart.

You are so fun these days.  Full of energy and delight.

You are a talker.  Your current favorite phrase is "what's that?"  You ask that question all day long.  Right now, you tend to repeat most words that we say and you are starting to talk in phrases.  I love listening to you learn to talk.  It really is amazing how you have learned to communicate and how you get better at saying words every day.

You love music, and you love to dance and play your guitar.  You have recently started singing songs.   You like to sing Twinkle Twinkle Little Star and You Are My Sunshine.  You also like to sing your ABC's.  Many times during the day you'll ask me to turn on the music and "play a song".

You like to play outside.  You love your sandbox and your "lawnmowerer".   You also get very excited over bugs and "patatillers".  This summer we have been taking swim lessons.  You aren't much for floating on your back, but you do like to go under and to kick your feet.  Just last weekend you went fishing for the first time at the farm.  You were pretty excited when you got to touch a fish!

You are obsessed with helicopters.  You can hear a helicopter a mile away!  You also like to play a game where we lift you up and pretend you are a helicopter.  Your favorite part is saying "blastoff"!

You still love to eat.  Some of your favorite foods are cheese, avocados, waffles, pancakes, peanut butter, fruit bars, broccoli, and raisins.  You also love pizza and mac'n'cheese, of course.

You are super smart, and I'm constantly surprised by the things you know.  You can already count to 15 and you know your letters and colors.  You love to read books.  Some of your favorite books are Hop on Pop, The Splendid Spotted Snake, Little Blue Truck, Green Eggs and Ham, and All in a Day.

You are still a good sleeper and take naps most days.  You like to be cuddled and to sing songs before going to sleep.  Most nights you go to bed easily, although sometimes you like to throw your binky out of the crib and then yell "mommy....daddy....binky!"  That's also how you wake us up in the morning.  You throw your binky out and then stand up and call for us.  Funny little guy!

In the mornings, you like to wake up leisurely.  Your day starts with a cup of milk and usually a show on TV.  These days you are a big fan of Curious George and Super Why.

You still go to Leenie's house two days a week.  You love it there, and love to play with your friends.  Leenie takes such good care of you, and we feel so very blessed to have her.  She loves you as if you were her own!

Everyone talks about the terrible two's, but you are still your good-natured self.  You laugh and giggle all the time. Occasionally you get upset when you can't have your way, but for the most part, you are happy.  You are definitely exploring the world around you and you stay very busy! 

You are very affectionate and give lots of snuggles and kisses.  I just love how you rest your head on my shoulder every night before you go to sleep. 

Watching you grow and change is one of the best parts of this journey.  I just love how you are becoming your own little person.  You are such an entertaining little guy. 

Just last night, we taught you how to say "I'm two" and to hold up two fingers.  After we put you to bed, we watched you on the monitor practicing saying "I'm two".  You are so very precious, and your dad and I just adore you!

Happy 2 years sweet boy!  I can't wait to see what wonders and joy two is going to bring.

Remember always that you are loved!

love,

Mama