Our Pre Birthday

Its ok that this is two weeks late, right? That's about how long it has taken me to recover from our birthday weekend! Not kidding!! Oh, I should probably inform you that may not know, Caden and I have the same birthday. Wow, busy does not begin to describe it! It all began that Friday, I always take Caden's class cupcakes on his birthday. Since it was on a Saturday this year, I totally forgot about taking them to school until my mind was racing on Thursday night about everything that must get done. I hadn't even asked his teacher's permission! When I took him to school, I was given the go ahead for that afternoon! Whew! Store bought cupcakes it was! Since I dont do character parties, I usually let his class party be a little more cheesy and character-ish. But Wal Mart had no Power Ranger or Pirates of the Caribbean plates and napkins, so football it had to be. He and his class were happy 2nd graders!

Precious boy!

After school, I had to run home to get ready for a dinner with friends to celebrate Julie's and my birthday. Her's was Wednesday. We went to Mt. Fugi, I always wanted to have one of those huge sparklers for my birthday!

I love Julie's face in this!

For the record, that dessert was soo nasty!!

Julie and David

Julie and Me

The birthday girls!

Julie, me, and Emmie

Some of my bests!

Me and Shane!

I have been saying FOREVER that I want a running watch. I even said it that night, because we had a 5k the next morning. Well, I got in the car and guess what this sweet man had for me? You guessed it, he's awesome!!!! I love him so much!!



Wedding Wednesday: Flowers

You know what is so weird? As much as I love weddings, and am so excited that it is my turn to have one, I have not been that picky about a lot of things. Actually, I am not exactly sure if I would describe it as "not picky", but for example; I don't really care what kind of flowers I have, as long as they're pretty! Same with the cake, decor, bridesmaids dresses, and so on. I will flip through and through and through looking at dresses, cakes, flowers, and if it is something I like then I am stuck on it and must have it. Other than that I am just whatever. I probably make no sense right now!!! I am just rambling! Sorry! I decided to show you bouquets that I like today, because I figured that would be the best way to show you the colors we are using. (you know he could care less, I just like saying we rather than I!) I am loving the soft pinks, yellows, and oranges. I guess you could say peach, but I get really weird calling it that. Like J Lo in Monter-in-Law! Feels too 1990's! I am pretty fortunate to have a step mom and grandmother as a florist, they can answer any questions that I have very quickly! Like I said these may look nothing like what I am having, they are just the look I am going for...

that's a little too purple!

did I say not picky?!

this one is not a bouquet, I just love peonies

We have our engagement pictures this weekend and I am so so excited! We are taking them at the Alabama National Fair! Our photographer pinned this shot on Pinterest and I was like, "yesssss!" So exciting!

Perfect!



eight.

Caden,

You just turned eight years old. I can not believe how fast these years have gone by. It scares me to death knowing that the next eight will go by even quicker, and you'll almost be the age I was I was when you came along. That is not right. You should still be a baby. I want to hold you in my arms and stare at you like I used to do so often. Now, I snuggle you up in the bed, mine or yours, before you wake up and just look at you and beg time to slow down. Your face is still as precious as ever. I could watch you sleep and give you a thousand kisses every morning and still want more. Please don't ever make me stop. I wish that I would have realized how precious this time was when you were a baby. It never hit me until you were older that it went by so quickly. There is a lot that I wish would have been different, but then again everything has turned out just wonderful. I didn't realize the importance of prayer and our relationship with Jesus was, until you were older.  Since then, we have grown together so much. I am so ever grateful to have had you to grow with. Even though I remained your parent, we have developed many strong bonds that others have no clue even exist. Thank you for being a strong boy and patient with me as I have discovered the kind of mom I want to be. I regret having always treated you like you were so much older than you really have been. I am saddened when I remember how much I expected of you to be so little. But I have always done the best I have known how to, and together we have made it to this point. I am so proud of the big boy you have become. I know you should be sleeping in your bed every night by now, but there are very few times when I have wished that you were in yours. When you sleep with me, I feel so much closer to you because I get to watch you like I said earlier.  When I wake up and pray for you and your day, I can whisper it in your ear so that you might hear me. I pray everyday for you to be a good friend. Any boy your age likes to be silly and sometimes forgets to to be good friend. But I also tell you that the number one thing Jesus wants you to do is tell your friends about Him. We talk a lot about things and I get so happy when I see the results of my teaching you. The other day, you told me about two little girls laughing at another one that was crying. You did not laugh with them, you told them that you did not think it was funny and made the other girl feel better. Again, on the bus one girl was picking on another and messing with her bow. You told the little girl not to worry about the one being ugly. Those things make me so proud of you. We still have to work on other times when kids embarrass you, and you want to say things back to make everyone not laugh. But we will get there! You are the sweetest cousin to Palyn. Anyone would assume you were her big brother. You get sad when she's sad and happy when she's happy. You miss her when she's gone and can't wait to see her again. Just like a big brother, you even manage to pick on her and make her scream when she's not paying attention to you. I adore watching the two of you together. You have taught me more than anyone in my life. I am so thankful that our lives have gone exactly the way they have this far, because we are here now together. After meeting Shane and bringing him into your life, I knew he would be the perfect husband for me and the perfect daddy for you. God is so amazing. I feel like he had to shape me into the woman I am before sending us someone as wonderful as Shane. Our family now feels complete, even if God chooses not to add to it, we have each other and the three of us will have an amazing life together. We made it through our times alone Caden, and you have been the best "man of the house" that any single mommy could have asked for. I am sure you dont stepping aside and letting Shane fill that role now. Please remember that you and your life will always be what is important to me. You can come to Mama about anything, nothing can make me love you less. I will guide you and pray with and for you until the day I am gone from this earth. I love you more than life itself, and you will always always always be my baby. 



Wedding Wednesday- Our Photographer

The two biggest decisions that I was concerned about after the venue were the photographer and the catering. I knew I had to have great pictures and great food for our guest. I mean, they were driving an hour to join us on our special day. I had no clue where to start to find either of these. No stressing though! I knew it would work itself out, and it sure has! I attended the bridal show in Birmingham recently. There were two photographers there that caught my attention and they both had completely different styles. The one we did not go with was from Destin, FL. Yeah, that would have been one fat travel fee! Their style was more hollywood, movie ish type..but gorgeous!! Later, I came across j. woodbery photography. This was exactly what I had been imagining the whole time. Amazing, vintage, natural and so many other words come to mind when I try to describe her work. When I was looking around her booth I was in awe of her style and even her displays! I wanted my pictures to be just like the ones that I was looking at! Jennifer was so sweet and cute, and I just love a down to earth girl! I took her information after a short chat, then my step mom and I met back up with my mom. After telling my mom a little about what we had seen, she and I made our way back over to the booth. Being there a second time confirmed that she was who I wanted to capture our memories. I was so pleased to know that she was affordable when discussing the cost of everything that we wanted. Jennifer was willing to travel for both our engagement session, and the wedding day. We were also excited that she offers her own photo booth, which was something I knew I wanted for sure. When we became her fan on facebook, she was offering a free engagement session if we booked a September consultation with her. Done. So last Sunday afternoon, she became ours and we couldn't be happier with our decision! Now next weekend we will be taking our engagement photos!! Take a look at some of her work below and by clicking on her name here, j. woodbery photography. Also, you can become a fan on facebook here. Also, I do not know any of these people in these photos. They were borrowed from her page.

Were those not precious? In Love!!!

Now this below is not from her, but it is for sure something I want to do for our "first look".

Adorable!



HS- Character Time!

When we found our character spot at Hollywood Studios, I felt like we had hit the jackpot! It was inside and air conditioned and had so many of the characters! Of course we found more outside before and after the character room, but the short lines continued to amaze me!

Handy Manny

Leo

Winnie the Pooh

From the Incredibles

When a girl was up from the Make a Wish Foundation, it was very humbling.

I had tears and my heart was breaking that we were there on a family vacation and this little girl seemed to have cancer. It made it very real, and reminded me that we should take not one single day for granted. 

Mickey loved my ring!

We played a game that told us which Disney Character we were.

Shane

Caden

There was a question that asked,

 "Do you have lunch with nice people or nice people for lunch?"

Caden answered, "nice people for lunch!"

Therefore, he was Scar!

Me

I was the only person that chose that I liked to plan things out.

Mama tries making fun of me for getting Nala.

I tried telling her that she was a sweet lion!

Mama

You would never in a million years believe how proud she was for getting Tinkerbell! She told everyone!

She was very excited about it!

Pluto and Minnie

Geppetto and Pinocchio

Mary Poppins and Mr. Penguin

She was so nice and also loved my ring!

Annie

After such good luck with the characters on this day, I felt like we could breathe a little easier. I felt like we had accomplished a good bit! We had a great day at HS! We left fairly early, around 5pm. We knew that we had another day in this park, so on this evening we made a trip to Wal Mart to pick up Caden's Capt Jack costume. We also had relaxing time in the pool at the resort where Caden gave us "fish lessons". He was so hilarious! He acted like he was the leader and gave us fish names. We then had to do the exact trick that he did, and not getting my hair wet was not an option! We had a great night just hanging out and watching Finding Nemo on the big screen!

Jedi Caden

At Hollywood Studios, your child can participate in a Jedi training course. First, you must go sign them up when you first arrive at HS. Also, they must be present with you when you register them. They will ask your child a few questions to make sure they are capable of becoming a "real Jedi", like can they stand on a stage without falling off? They will then give you a time to return, and you must not be late!

Caden seemed like he wanted to act shy despite his love for Star Wars. I was hoping that he wouldn't get on stage and just stand there. After all of the trainees gathered in a room, they marched on to their training session in a line. Once there, they received their brown robes and a light saber, and made a pledge. They were given lessons by their Jedi Master on how to master their moves. Soon the Stormtroopers came in followed by Darth Vader. Each child had to use what they learned to defeat the Dark Side. The crowd full of proud Mamas and Daddys cheered loudly as Darth was defeated! I know Caden had a great time up there! He did awesome!

About to train to become a Jedi!

Training with the Jedi Master

Darth Vader arrives

A Stormtrooper with Darth Vader

Gooo Jedi Caden!

Defeat the Dark Side!

Receiving his Diploma!

Way to go CADEN!