Celebrating all weekend!

This weekend was full of celebrating! Friday night, Caleb and I had plans for a small surprise family grill out over at his oldest brother's house to celebrate Erin's 30th! Right after work we picked up 30 balloons (because why not), filled every inch of the car, and had ourselves a blast!

We had ourselves a few burgers/hot dogs, then spent the rest of the night around the fire!

Saturday I woke up bright and early to get a start on the day. I was attending a baby shower up in Celina, which is about 2.5 hours away. Sadly my girl Lyndsie who was supposed to go with me got pretty sick and had to stay home, so I made the drive solo, but it was worth every minute to celebrate my college roomie!! Doesn't she look amazing?!

When I got home, Caleb and I decided to pick up Chinese take-out and watch some movies. We love date-nights in! Sunday was full of relaxing. We finished all our laundry, cleaned up and I even did groceries! I felt like a total, productive boss! ;)

I'm really excited because today starts the Tone It Up 8 week bikini series and I actually woke up early before work to get my workout in. I feel so great and I know this is the best option for me - so I'm going to try and remind myself of this everyday!!

Make this Monday count, friends!

My sister.

For some reason, I never got a sister growing up. I always wanted one (even though my friends said I was lucky since I didn't have to share all my clothes), and it wasn't until I married Caleb that I finally got my wish!

Caleb's brother was dating Erin, and we met back in 2009! We took those first few months to get to know each other and chat occasionally, but we really solidified our friendship over the next year or so. It came so naturally; we always had something to talk about, and quickly realized we could communicate with just a look. We basically spent everyday at work on g-chat and never ran out of things to say. How does that happen!? ;)

I could write out every memory stored up in my brain and it would probably take months, so I won't do that...but I thought I WOULD share a few... like the time we recreated a dance photo at each of our weddings just so we could have a side by side ;)

...or the time we planned a couples trip and spent the BEST week in Punta Cana together!

...or the time we finished running our first half marathon together hand in hand!

...or the time we spent probably 8-10 hours making the most ridiculous "wax paper chandelier"...this craft was probably not worth the time it took to complete, BUT having something to focus on while we chatted until the late hours of the night? Totally worth it.

or the time you kept me fed all wedding day, helped everything to go smoothly, and looked at me at the reception and said "we're finally family!", and we shared a tear filled hug.

Honestly, it's hard these days to find someone you can truly be yourself with. Someone you trust with either the biggest news or the most embarrassing secrets. Someone you can go to for advice and not feel judged. Someone you can laugh with over absolutely nothing. Someone who gets excited about the same things in life (like clearance candles, puzzle races, and birthdays!). Someone who will rush over when you need a tight hug or just want to make a good batch of buffalo chicken dip. Someone who would answer the phone at 2:00 AM even though she's probably insanely tired from constantly being a rockstar mom/wife. Someone who you look up to in so many ways, and know that they'll ALWAYS be there.

Erin! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!! Words cannot accurately describe our sisterhood, but I'm so thankful for it! You're so encouraging and I'm proud to call you my friend. God sure knew what he was doing putting us (and the guys) into each others lives, and I'm excited for all the fun that lies ahead in our future! You're one of the best friends I've ever had and I'm thankful you're stuck with me forever. I hope you have an AMAZING 30th birthday...you absolutely deserve it!  Love you! Lets celebrate!! <3

A Birthday Wish!

Today is one of my very best friend's birthdays!!! :)

Ignore our overly burned skin. We weren't used to the Punta Cana sun.

I am so thankful to have known Erin these last (almost) seven years. SEVEN YEARS?!? I can hardly believe its been that long. There aren't many people you can talk to basically every single day and never run out of topics to discuss.  There also aren't that many friends you come across in life that truly make you a better person. Erin is always there to pray, support, and encourage Caleb and I whenever we need it. I know I can go to her if I just need a good laugh, but can also turn to her when I need some advice, or to even vent about who knows what. She's one of the few people I can be insanely weird around and not feel totally judged (mainly because she's a total goofball herself, and I mean that as a compliment- hehe)...

She is so special to so many people! My family has basically adopted her as their own...

It's been so fun going through life's big adventures with her, like being there on each others big wedding days...

...to traveling the world together...

...to spending evenings making ridiculous music videos and taking hundreds of photo booth pictures...

...or just simply celebrating every Bengals win together - we're always having a blast!

Erin, I hope you have an amazing birthday today!!! I can't imagine life without your friendship, and I'm thankful I won't ever have to! You're truly like my big sister, and I can't wait to see you become a momma to this sweet baby in a couple short months. Love you, soulmate!!!!

The Next Chapter Begins {Erin's Baby Shower}

The day finally arrived! My MIL and I met up to prep all the food, decorations, and pack our cars just in time to head to our venue and set up for Erin's baby shower! We've been working together on the details of this shower for a few months now so we were very excited the day was finally here!

The small room we had rented was so beautiful. Exposed brick, wooden beams, white paint - basically Joanna Gaines dream (Erin's mom even said-so! Hehe). The room was filled with SO much love for Erin and sweet baby M! Like Erin said, the amount of gifts/love/prayers for them that day was nearly overwhelming, in such an amazing way!

Our theme (you already know if you read this post) was "Storybook". I had lots of ideas before I landed on this theme, but none of them felt just right, and this one couldn't have been more perfect. I'm more than thrilled with how everything turned out. Most of our details had to do with books! Even the food!

We kept the games simple. One multiple choice sheet (storybook themed, of course), one "pass the book" type game (where each table had a winner - they got to take home the floral centerpieces), and one where Erin simply picked a name from a mason jar. Lots of winners, but super simple so we could all have a little fun then get straight to baby gifts!!

This gift literally kept going, and kept going, and kept going! So fun!!

Over the years Erin has grown close to some of the ladies in MY family, so she wanted them invited! It was so sweet!

I can't thank Erin enough for allowing me to be such a big part of this new journey they are on - but I'm so happy about to be around for it. I just know that becoming an Aunt is going to change my life, and I can hardly wait any longer!!! Baby M, you are already so loved!

Weekends are busy!

Although it was the first official weekend of Spring, I have to say, our weather was not cooperating. All of last week I was able to take long walks and enjoy nothing but 50-60 degree weather and warm sunshine. This weekend? Nothing but cold breezes and spitting rain. Of course, we were scheduled to photograph a wedding during the cold day, but regardless, we managed and I believe we snagged some beautiful shots for Ashley and Michael.

Her bridesmaid dresses were a dream, and the overcast sky cooperated for us.

We had a great time at the reception and left feeling ready for wedding season. Luckily, we have one more free weekend to enjoy before things get a little crazy in April!

The rest of the weekend was spent running around shopping for Erin's shower! My MIL and I stopped by Panera for lunch (I ordered the Fuji Apple Chicken Salad - it was pretty tasty, but I prefer their seasonal Strawberry Poppyseed Salad!) to finalize our master shopping list, and then hit the town. It was awesome to finally start purchasing things and having them in hand to get a better visual for our theme. Erin finally got the invitation in the mail last week and our theme is A Storybook Shower! See the ADORABLE (if I do say so myself) invitation below...
(Blocked out some sensitive info-obviously)

It's been so much fun to plan this shower. I'm honestly having a blast with it. I can't wait to shower her with gifts and love and just have a ton of awesome ladies together to celebrate Baby M! We're all so excited!

Sunday evening was spent with our youth group, and then watching The Walking Dead with my man.

Easter is almost here, and I have like NO decorations, which stinks because its one of my fav holidays (because of the reason as well as it means Spring is here!!). I saw the cutest Easter wreath at the store the other day. Maybe at this point I just wait until Easter passes so they are super cheap? Then I can use it next year!! #logic

I hope everyone had a great, safe weekend. Have a fun Monday, friends!

I'm getting a NEPHEW!

Erin and Jared came over on Monday night to give us some VERY exciting news they had been keeping to themselves all day! I could hardly focus at work, but knew that by evening, we'd know whether or not we'd be meeting our first niece or nephew later this year!

I was somehow convinced it was a girl - but that should've told us all something - cause I'm never right! Although, it was only a 50/50 shot ;) regardless, I cannot wait to be an Aunt, to the cutest little NEPHEW!! I've always heard people talk about it and now its finally happening. My random stroll around Target yesterday nearly turned dangerous when I saw "BOGO" deals on all baby clothes - yikes!

In all seriousness, Caleb and I are over the MOON about becoming an Aunt and Uncle. I know its going to be such a fun "title" to own. I just know Caleb is going to make the greatest Uncle. He's amazing with kids... they seriously love him!

More importantly though? I know Erin and Jared are going to be the greatest parents. The love they already have for this lil peanut (I guess I can stop calling him that, since now we know he's a HIM), is infectious and I know God is going to bless them richly with this little babe!

We can't wait to watch our best friends become a family of three!

Have a great day, friends!!!

I'm going to be an AUNT!!!!!

This has been the craziest, sweetest, most exciting secret I've ever kept in my WHOLE entire life. If you hadn't caught it on Erin's blog yesterday, she announced some very exciting news! They are going to be PARENTS! Which means that I'M GOING TO BE AN AUNT! & Caleb is going to be AN UNCLE!! YES, all the caps lock in the world is necessary right now. They are going to be the coolest, most awesome parents around.

Let me back track for a minute. I've obviously known for a while, and NOT including this sweet little peanut in my "thankful" posts last month was about the hardest thing ever (so I can't imagine how Erin felt!). I'll never forget the night they told us. They brought over a huge cookie cake, along with a silly inside joke written on the top - left it on the table without saying much. So of course we walked over to grab some, but what was inside was MUCH more exciting than any dessert!! ;)

My eyes welled up with huge tears and I was literally overcome with joy. I couldn't believe this was happening! Even after I thought I had my composure back, I lost it again while chatting with Erin on the couch asking her a trillion and one questions through my tear filled eyes. I truly get choked up even thinking about meeting this little babe next summer. We can't wait!!!!

I just couldn't stop hugging her. I am so thankful for who she is, and I just know she's going to be the best momma!

We are so incredibly excited for Erin and Jared. They are two of the most selfless, loving, kind individuals that we know. I'm thankful that we not only get to call them family, but our best friends.
Here's to them, and this sweet little miracle!

Rewarding myself.

On October 1st I told Caleb that I'd be rewarding myself at the end of the month for surviving -- if I made it ;) wellllll, I DID! I'm happy to report that I worked my day job every day, shot 4 beautiful weddings, 8 engagement sessions, edited hour HOURS (it truly never ends), as well as multiple consultations and phone calls with potential/current brides! So to say this month was a doozy is an understatement. I knew exactly what I wanted my reward to be to...

A trip to the nail salon. EEK!

I legitimately never go to the nail salon. I just can't bring myself to regularly drop that kinda cash on pretty nails (I don't even make the time for it at home, its been a LONG time since these nail beds have seen color, sadly)! However it is quite the luxury, and I knew it would rock. So, I grabbed my sister in law and we had ourselves a ladies night after work!

Afterwards, we walked to a little Mexican place we hadn't been to in a while and just talked for a couple hours. I love nights like that. No phones, no distractions, just a couple of friends catching up on life and having a blast!

I think its important in life to reward ourselves when we work really, really hard. It might sound silly, but this little manicure appointment is what kept me going some days where there didn't seem to be an end in sight. Some days I wanted to give up, throw the towel in, and just nap. all. day! But I put on my big girl pants and got all the hard work done, and didn't feel a single ounce of "buyers remorse" when I paid for that amazing gel manicure.

Another reason I'm excited today?! We got the official notice of our 3rd loan being paid off (about time, Navient!)!! It's been paid off for over a month but getting the official notice fro them makes it feel more REAL!

So friends, if you're working hard - reward yourself a little! YOU DESERVE IT!! It doesn't have to be anything lavish, just a little something to remind yourself, "you rock". I'm really looking forward to tonight with Caleb. We are thinking of a tasty dinner and finally carving those pumpkins!

Happy almost-Friday! ;)