After the wedding, everyone needed a little of a breather. We had driven to Cali, helped as much as we good, rehearsed, and celebrated. It was such a wonderful time, but we decided to "escape" for a little bit to Balboa Park // The San Diego Zoo.





Michael kept asking to see the elephants, so that's the corner of the zoo we decided to do. It was HUGE, but so worth the time we took to walk around. As you can see, we didn't even reach the "end" of our corner and Michael passed out in the stroller.

I can't wait until we find a time to go back again.

Last week we ventured to San Diego, CA for Clark's brother's wedding. We had such a wonderful time. It was mine and Michael's first time to California, and it's definitely not going to be our last. I may have fallen in love with it. The longer we're here, the more I'm loving the West Coast in general.

Don't quote me on that just yet, though.





Our first full day there was the wedding rehearsal, but that was in the evening. Most of the day we were able to spend it in the sunshine. These pictures were taken at the pier on Pacific Beach, San Diego.

One more installment of this mini-vacation to come.

Dearest Clark,

On our anniversary, I wanted to take the time to express just how much you mean to me. It is easy, even over a “short length” of six years, to let to-do lists and responsibilities of all kinds get in the way of expressing just how much I love and appreciate you.

You are a strong-minded man who tries to make everyone happy. It is your greatest trait. When you put your mind to something, you are determined and forever stuck to it, whether you finish it or go back to it later. This is one thing that I love so much about you, because it reassures my tender and worrisome heart that you will always love me. You have chosen to love me, and I have no doubt that means you will—‘til the end of time, Come What May.

You are an amazing father. Watching you with Michael makes me love you more than the day we said our vows in the courthouse. He is so much like you, and I am so thankful for that. I feel so blessed that he has such an amazing man to look up to, because there is no one I would rather him be like than you. You have a kind heart, a gentle spirit, and can teach him so many things that no other father could. He is a piece of you and a piece of me, and every morning I am reminded just how blessed I am for that.


You are a hard worker. Above all else, you put getting the job done first. Whether it’s climbing towers or mountains, cleaning the car or fixing something that’s broken, you do it with all your energy and capability. It is an amazing quality to have.

I am still amazed at all of your dreams and accomplishments. Even though you are always putting Michael and me first, you never forget yourself when an opportunity presents itself. I still have faith that you will do most, if not all, things on your “bucket list” because of who you are and the passion you have in your heart.

I feel like the greatest thing we ever learned was to truly love one another, something we are still learning day-by-day.




Things to come:

Fall Bucket List

Michael's first haircut + apple picking

Vegan Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies
The idea for this post came from Ashley over at The Sweet Season.

This has been a week for the books. It feels like it's been going since last Thursday. Granted, we've "stopped" since then a couple of times... but when Clark is home, time just runs together. It's wonderful and almost sad at the same time.

Dear Michael, I'm sorry for getting upset when the only person you want is Dada. It should make me SO HAPPY that you love your Dada (and it does), but I selfishly get hurt feelings when he comes home and you want nothing to do with me. You'd think the break would do me some good, but honestly it just makes me appreciate all our wonderful together-time. Don't get me wrong. I want your Daddy home. I will just be one happy camper when it's a little more of a consistent/normal schedule... someday.

We had so much fun celebrating your birthday ALL. WEEK. Going apple picking, going to see Planes, and the plan to go to the fair today... it has just been awesome.

Dear Friends, Forgive me for going MIA whenever the hubby is home. We try to squeeze so much quality family time in that my phone tends to be forgotten and the internet abandoned (except for work). I appreciate your patience and love, and I hope you don't think of me as a fare-weather-friend.

Dear Cold, Please go away. This is referring to HAVING a cold, not cold weather. I am over being sick and not being able to breathe. You've made life a bit difficult. So... if you could just be done with... I'd appreciate it.


Have a happy weekend, my friends! Here are some things you have to look forward to.


Michael's Birthday, in review.


Beer Bread.


#TBT: Yummy Corn.


PS-- just realized it's Friday the 13th. Weird.

The idea for this post came from Ashley over at The Sweet Season.

In case you missed 20 things about Michael on his 2nd Birthday, make sure to check it out!

Last Saturday was Michael's birthday. Though this may not qualify as a true "TBT"... I HAD to go ahead and share a picture of his outstanding cake.

My friend Allison from Bailey Family Bakery invited me over to help decorate it! I was so excited to work under her tutilage. Though I made the actual cakes (Bottom Layer: Chocolate Fudge with a Chocolate Buttercream/Chocolate Chip Cookie Crumbles filling; Top Layer: Funfetti with Buttercream filling), I only did what she assigned me to do for the cake decorating, haha.

So, when you look at the picture-- remember that I dyed/made/rolled out the blue fondant for the top layer, the "borders", and the yellow polka-dots for the bottom layer. Everything else was Allison's magic.


Michael couldn't keep his eyes off of it, either.


We brought it to our friends' wedding rehearsal since it on the same day. They were wonderful enough to share the spotlight with our little two year old.

Two years old... still weird.

An in-depth look at Michael's birthday celebration(s) will be posted next week!

TGIF! This has been a week for the books. I'm not sure why, but I've been completely exhausted... maybe it has something to do with Michael getting up before six every single morning. Yesterday we got up at FOUR IN THE MORNING.

I'm so thrown off lately because my days just don't quite add up. I can't ever tell a difference between Friday and Tuesday (except, depending on which way you go, Sunday is somewhere in there).

Dear Weekend, You are going to be SO MUCH FUN... but very tiring. Bachelorette party, Birthday, Rehearsal Dinner, Wedding... talk about a plateful! If you could keep Michael in good spirits during the whole thing, I would really appreciate it. I know having daddy home will help... but, you know, a little help couldn't hurt.

Dear Zach & Jessica, Michael and I are so honored to be in your wedding party, and Clark is very excited to be an honored guest ;)! We know that you both have hearts for God and your marriage is going to be a blessed on. Congratulations, we love you!

Dear Sunshine, Please shine down on the wedding come Sunday! We definitely need you present.

Dear Michael, You're turning two tomorrow. There are no words, buddy, except STOP GROWING.

HAVE A WONDERFUL WEEKEND!

Upcoming things to look forward to:

20 Things About Michael on His 2nd Birthday

Spinach & Sausage Risotto

they will come.
Final look at our trip to Pella, Iowa.

Oatmeal Apple Raisin Muffins
First Fall-like recipe!

The idea for this post came from Ashley over at The Sweet Season.

I had so much fun planning my friend's Bridal Shower. Since there are three extra ladies in the wedding party (the Maid of Honor, and two brides maids-- one of which is me!), we each decided to plan one event. Wedding Shower, Bridal Shower, and the Bachelorette Party. Since the last two weddings I was a part of I didn't do enough, I was so excited to plan the Bridal Shower this time around. Luckily I had a few vets and a lot of sympathetic ears to bend in order to get everything put together.

Here are the pictures!














Did I have enough pictures of the cake for you? It was made by Bailey Family Bakery. I sent Allison a copy of the invitations and she painted the exact flowers on to the cake! How amazing is that? By the way, the cake was Vanilla with fresh-chopped strawberries in the middle (a twist on strawberry shortcake-- Jessica's favorite!). DELICIOUS!

The banner and invitations were purchased from thinkRSVP. They were actually supposed to be yellow, but for whatever reason my printer made them pink (tested this theory on someone else's computer-- and my computer/printer is definitely to blame). Though I must confess I ended up loving the pink.

For the food we kept it simple.
- Sweet Chicken Salad on croissants (similar recipe here).
- Fruit Salad, Veggies and dip.
- Ham, Turkey, Cheese, and Cracker plate.
- Sweet tea and water bottles.
- Tropical Lemonade Punch (similar recipe here).

We did Bridal Advice and "Tacky Luau" pictures, as well as one other game.

I have to confess I was a bit proud at how pretty everything looked. Hope you think it was pretty, too!

Saturday Michael and I ventured to a wedding shower. He was my "hot date" since Clark is out of town, and boy was that interesting.

It's the wedding of two of our good friends, and Michael and I just happen to be in it.
As a bridesmaid I was supposed to help with the setting up and preparing of food. Sadly it didn't quite work out that way, since I was using my energy to keep Michael entertained and out of all the food that was set out before the guests started arriving.

I must confess I get really self conscious when I go to an event without Clark. More specifically, when that event is made up of more people I don't know than I do. This was one of those situations. Why do I get this way? Well, I'm a young mom... and I tend to feel very judged. I may not be whatsoever, but if anyone glances my way with the slightest hint of disapproval or question... I lose it.

To make matters worse in a situation I was already dreading, when I went to the bathroom to change from my jean-shorts and t-shirt to my adorable dress, the zipper broke. I completely lost it. Here I was an hour from home with no change of clothes, husbandless, with a wild-child who didn't want to listen to anything I had to say (especially if it involved the word "no"). It didn't matter that I had come prepared with three changes of clothes for Michael, snacks galore, and toys to keep him busy... I had to face a room full of strangers in my casual clothes without a sliver of confidence as to why I was there by myself.

I cried in the bathroom. I know, I'm horrible. And selfish. Horribly selfish.

Like any girl would do, I called my mom. After offering a few solutions (none of which were possible, sadly), she prayed with me over the phone. She reminded me that I was there for my friends, and to go out there and be there for my friend.


I still struggled. Michael was high energy and wanted in to everything, including the gifts. While he didn't seem to be bothering our friends, I noticed a few guests glancing around as if to question where mom and dad were. I also had a few of them ask Michael, "Where's your dada?" I felt so petty when thinking, Why don't you ask someone who can actually answer that question? It also didn't help that the only other child there (who is two months younger than Michael, the bride's little sister, and a flower girl) was so calm and quiet barely anyone knew there was another toddler in the house.



I had to keep saying silent prayers and reminding myself that it wasn't as bad as I was making it out to be. That bride, groom, and their families were being so loving and understanding (even if I kept perceiving them to be otherwise), and I was strong even if my husband wasn't with me.

Because there's always someone with me, and He can do much more than Clark ever could... including using the opportunity for a lesson.

I stopped focusing on myself and started focusing on who the event was for. In the end, even if I was still a little grumpy and tired, I was so thankful I stayed and celebrated my friends.

Do you have certain situations that you dread facing alone, or just facing at all? How do you tend to handle them?