Love is in the Air

Well hello there. Long time, no talk. I've spent the last month on a happy hiatus from MC simply to enjoy all of the exciting things going on. I wanted to fully enjoy all of it and not even think about sharing it. Selfish, I know, but it's true. I wanted to soak it all up and now that I have, my cup runneth over. 

This past month has been a whirlwind to say the least, but absolutely wonderful in every way. I'm so excited to finally share all of the little things.

March 29, 2014: JT and I got engaged!

Right after JT proposed at Shelby Farms Park!

The fabulous family dinner he planned for after the proposal at my fav restaurant, Jim's Place Grille.

So excited bebe stayed put for a few more days so JT wouldn't have to propose in a hospital!

The stunner weighing down my left hand :)

April 3, 2014: Robert "Robby" Benjamin Todd, Jr. graced the world with his presence making me an official auntie.

Emily had to touch up before go time, and I was happy to assist// New dad telling us of his arrival.

We finally found out his name, and Uncle JT and Aunt Anna meet Robby for the first time!

Bringing bebe home, and Allie is smitten with her new brother.

April 13, 2014: I got the letter that my student loans were completely paid off making this girl debt free!

So long, Sallie Mae. I won't miss you at all.

April 24-26: We packed up and headed to Lakeland, Florida for Ashley and Coady's lovely wedding. #CheekPartyOf2

Ashley celebrating her last fling before the ring!

TNBs reunited again!

JT and I before the rehearsal dinner

Besties getting ready for the big day

such a stunning bride and wonderful friend!

The brand new Mr. and Mrs. Coady Cheek!

To say love is in the air is an understatement. It's in everything I do lately. And I wouldn't have it any other way! Can't wait for what's next!

Relax and Unplug

I wish that was the reason I haven't blogged in over 2 weeks. Really. I'd love a chance to do that. I don't mean to complain, but it seemed only fitting that if something had to give, it'd be this. 

Work has been super crazy busy, I'm freelancing more, my Nerium business has started to take off, and in a few short weeks I'll officially be an aunt. Another fun fact: JT and I figured out that between family vacations, weddings, graduations, and general life happenings... one or both of us is out of town every other weekend from April to July. Truth. That's a bit overwhelming. Especially since I have a tendency to be a workaholic when I don't have people to physically pull me away from things I can be doing.

 

So as much as I'd like to say I've taken a break to relax before we tackle this memory-making adventure ahead, I've just been trying to keep my head above water. And I'm okay with that. I'm very content and excited for what this next season holds. I'm ready to bust out the pastels, flowers, and open-toed shoes and usher in spring with a cheerful attitude. There's so very much to be thankful for.

One thing, in particular, is very exciting, and I hope to share within the month. Hint: I've been saving my pennies for a while. 

So, cheers to (hopefully) warmer weather, a new bebe, and the first full summer with JT's boat!

Present Makes Perfect

{This "inspirational thought catalog" was given to me as a parting gift from 

ServiceMaster by a very sweet lady who loves office supplies as much as I do. 

It will always be on my desk, no matter where my desk is.}

Lately, I've been feeling like I'm burning the candle at both ends. Between my full-time job as Assistant Editor for MBQ and a Contributing Editor for MM, I've taken on freelance opportunities for the WMU, still doing social media here and there (not a full campaign but something) for Cordova Vision Center, and most recently, sharing Nerium as a side business (a very lucrative one at that! shameless plug that I just got promoted to a Director after only 40 days!). 

All of this still falls under the category of work, too. Then there's my family, my boyfriend, my friends, my social life, and of course, my relationship and walk with the Lord which I've actively been trying to strengthen through reading I Am A Church Member and consistently tithing for the first time in my life. OH, and being a Tone It Up gal, I've newly started making nearly all my own meals (for 5 small meals a day.. hello food-prep time) and working out more consistently. 

By the end of day, and especially the week, I tend to be an exhausted mess. I'm not a perfectionist by any means, but I do have a certain sense of "if I'm going to do it, I'm not going to do it halfway." This leads to the original sentiment of burning the candle at both ends. I've always been ambitious and anyone who knows me, knows that the best way to get me to succeed is to tell me I can't do something. Then my inner diva puffs up and says yells "watch me!"(very much a la Lorrie Morgan).

This morning I was chatting with JT about future opportunities and goals he has, and specific ones I have for my future. Then we always start talking about our future and dreams, hopes, and wants (anything is fair game from ideal houses and neighborhoods to jobs to church life and "extras" such as boats, cars, etc). This morning in particular, we both said wait a second. It's great that we're both so very motivated both individually and together, but we need to take a time out and start recognizing how great our current stage of life is.

This sounds cliche, but we both have very charmed lives and often take them for granted. I get the opportunity to live at home with my parents, something I cherish. I made my mom breakfast this morning before her big meeting because I wanted to, and was able to. Things like that are a rarity and won't always be possible in every stage of my life. I have a fabulous relationship with my sister that has grown tremendously (unfortunately due to JT working 24-hour Sunday shifts) and I tend to spend the whole day Sunday with her. I carpool with my dad to work out in the morning, and I even have a business with my mom now too (shout out Nerium). 

JT has the opportunity to work for Stryker, and pick up shifts at Jason's Deli making bank in tips and working overtime hours, possibly shadow career mentors, and network. He also bowls with friends weekly, comes to some of my Nerium meetings and helps me, makes time for date nights, visits with Granny and Dee before his morning work outs due to his schedule and is the godfather to a precious baby boy. 

Most of these things wouldn't be possible if we had gotten what we originally wanted. If I made more money, I might not live at home and spend the time growing these relationships. If JT worked normal hours, he wouldn't have time to network or make extra money on the side just because he can. 

We made the decision to keep each other accountable to enjoying the present and not always wishing it away for the next stage of life. Because both of us will tell you, the here and now is pretty darn great. Exhaustion and all. (Ironically, Emily Maynard wrote about the same topic today too. God works in mysterious ways, I tell you.)

Petite Bebe

The title speaks for itself (in French) and has it's origins (in my mind) from The Divine Secrets of the Ya Ya Sisterhood, in which they refer to loved ones as such. In this case, however, it really is about a sweet precious little one who I cannot wait to meet, but will for the sake of his health.

{Me, Em, and Mom on Saturday}

This weekend made it feel really real, as if Em's growing bebe bump (in all its precious goodness) didn't. On Friday night, her fabulous work friends from Le Bonheur threw her a shower, and on Saturday a few of her friends (myself included) threw her another one. Needless to say we're all feeling pretty loved, Ben, Emily, and Bebe T, especially. 

{The hostesses: me, Shannon, Courtney, Em, Kelley, Danielle, and Lauren}

Along with my hostessing duties (thankfully I had five awesome ladies to share it with), I got to go home with Em and mom after the showers to help unload the "loot" and attempt to organize the mass quantities of petite items to their designated cubby. I will say, I'm not a cleaner, and this type of organizing was the most fun ever. I found myself asking for more things to help with (Em, you better take advantage of this). 

{Me, Em, and Ash}

{refueling between shower and unloading/organizing loot = giant coke zero}

Here's a look at some of the progress in said nursery. As some of you know, Emily and Ben did find out they're having a boy, but are keeping the name a secret from everyone (family included) until the little nugget is born. 

{in progress closet}

They do, however, already have a name and have been surprisingly great at keeping it a secret while still monogramming everything they can (he'll have a block wooden monogram above his bed, his "coming home from the hospital outfit" is already sporting his moniker, as well as other items like his church bag and Easter outfit). Funny thing is, we don't get to see the monogram until he's born either. No hints. No nothing. Emily will show us the items and cover up the letters with her hand or various other means. It's quite cute. 

{in progress nursery}

Whatever his name is, I cannot wait to meet him. If he comes on his due date, we have T-minus 56 days. And many more experiences like the photo below as a new auntie.

A few gifts got shoved in my purse to make room for larger ones in the car Saturday, and while reaching for my keys after church Sunday, I found this little surprise waiting for me. He's not even born yet, and this is happening. And I love it.

Bebe (T) Blue

{inspiration: Kate Middleton's Jenny Packham cornflower blue dress that sold out 

in a nano second after her reveal}

While reading my usual blogs, I came across this post from Gal Meets Glam. I have been obsessed with pastels recently, but the blue in particular caught my attention. Since my big sister is preggers with a handsome fella that we plan to shower with gifts in a month, the post got my wheels turning for what I'd like to wear to said event. I also am obsessed with the idea of semi-matching with mom and sister for a bebe shower like Jessica James Decker did for her baby girl's shower (as seen here). 

With that in mind (and know what my sister will and won't even consider trying on), I found a few options to consider through a basic preliminary search. 

For the mommy-to-be, my sister:

Left click here // Right click here

Left click here // Right click here

Left click here // Right click here

Left click here // Right click here

Left click here // Right click here

Above click here

For the auntie-to-be, nana anna:

Left click here // Right click here

Left click here // Right click here

Left click here // Right click here

Next step, find a fabulous outfit 

for lulu with blue accents.