Lucky in Love

Four years ago today, as I walked down the aisle to marry the love of my life, I didn't think it was possible to be any happier. Here we are today - 8 years together, a dog, 2 houses, 5 jobs, lots of laughs, a few tears and one silly little boy later, and I feel like the luckiest girl alive! Happy Anniversary to an amazing man. Thank you for all the memories, for loving me (even when I hit your truck!) -- and most of all, for letting me love you! I look forward to growing old with you. 

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always preserves. Love never fails. ♥

Then:

And now:

"I'm lucky I'm in love with my best friend." ~Jason Mraz

Dear Easton,

The past 14 months of your life have been the most amazing, rewarding, scary, challenging, emotional and happy days of my life. It's crazy to think how much we've been through since the day you were born, and even crazier to think how much we have to look forward to in the future. As you read this, ten plus years from now, I want to thank you for all the things you have taught me and for giving me a life full of joy. You have changed my life in so many ways and I wouldn't change that for the world.

As you grow up from a little boy into a young man, there are a few things I want you to keep in mind - a few things that will help you get the most out of life:

Be kind. Treat people with respect. Take care of yourself. Believe in God. Dream big. Smile. Love yourself. Take risks. Play hard. Be honest. Laugh everyday. Believe in yourself. Follow your dreams. Have fun. Be patient. Fight for what you want. Learn from your mistakes. Know who your true friends are. Fall in love (and love with all your heart). Get married. Have babies. Work hard. Save, save, save! Travel as much as you can. Call your grandparents, but call your mother more. :)

Most of all, live each day to the fullest. Life is to short to be anything but happy!!

Love, Mommy

"I'll love you forever, I'll like you for always. As long as I'm living, my baby you'll be."

Friday Letters

Dear Mother Nature, thank you for your abundance of sunshine lately. While my house would appreciate a rainy day so that I would clean it, I think I'd rather spend my weekend soaking up the sun! Bring on the 90 degree weekend! Dear Easton, is it really necessary for you to scream and bang on the shower door the entire time I'm in the shower lately? You know that makes mommy's shower completely unenjoyable. Dear Cooper, thank you for being so patient and playful with Easton. You really take quite the beating from him and rarely reciprocate, aside from the occassional tail whips to the face, which are completely out of your control. Dear Hubby, you are one lucky man - I hope you know that! That being said, Easton and I are pretty lucky to have you in our lives, too. Happy Father's Day! Dear Emery, Easton is super excited for your sleepover tonight!! Please be easy on Uncle Bryan, or I'll really never get a #2. haha Dear Dad, Happy Father's Day to you! Thanks for the past 29 years of having the most amazing dad. Love you! Dear Weekend, Please go by super slow! Thanks.

Love,
Courtney

Easton and his dad -- me and mine !

Wordless Wednesday

 The apple doesn't fall far from the tree!

Favorite Firsts

How does one decide on a favorite first? For Toddle Along Tuesday, I'm anxious to hear which "firsts" top the cake for fellow bloggers. For me, I couldn't choose just one.

First breath. First cry. First time seeing my precious baby boy.

First smile. First coo. First laugh. First tooth. First word.

First roll. First crawl. First step.

First vacation. First haircut. First birthday.

All the firsts are truly the best as they make a new milestone for baby and new memory for parent. I look forward to many more firsts for Easton including recognizing his first color and his first letter, his first day of school, his first lost tooth, first sporting event and yes, even his first date!!!

Never Say Never!

Before I was a mom, I always said, "When I have kids, I'll never do that", when referring to many situations. For Toddle Along Tuesday, moms all over are linking up, sharing their "I'll Never..." stories. Here are just a few of mine, along with my success/failure results:

Me and Easton - Mother's Day 2012

• Drive a van - Growing up, I always said that I wouldn't be caught dead driving a van. And while I only have one kid and don't really have the need for a van, I have to admit that I wouldn't be disappointed if the need for a van arose. I think vans have come a long way over the past decade and are super practical for a family with kids and pets. Just a few of the features that are highly attractive to me as a mom are the power sliding doors, the seats folding into the floor, the entertainment system including multi-disc dvd and the extensive cargo space. But for now, my Edge will do.
• Listen to kid music in the car - While I have yet to listen to kid music in the car, I am guilty of singing kid song to Easton while trying to calm him when he's upset in the car or put him to sleep. "Hush Little Baby", "You are my Sunshine" and "How Much is That Doggy in the Window?" are a few of his favorites.
• Co-sleep - Not only did I say I wouldn't co-sleep for the sake of my child's safety, but also because our bed is the only place and time that Bryan and I have to ourselves everyday. It's the one place we can go to spend uninterrupted time together and I'd like to keep it that way. Now, if only I could figure out a way to kick the dog out!
• Sing cartoon theme songs - I used to make fun of my sister who would sing along with the "Yo Gabba Gabba" and "Wow Wow Wubbzy" theme songs, only to find myself now singing "Little Einsteins" and "Chuggington" while in the absense of my child!
• Swear in front of my kids - Easier said than done....but my justification is that he doesn't understand. However, at the age of 1, he's learning new sounds and mimicking everything we say, so it's time we really try and nix this habit!

What are some things you said you'd never do as a parent??

Friday's Letters

So, I'm trying out this new little concept I saw on some fellow blogs where you write little letters to whoever/whatever you want to express your thoughts/feelings. Let's give it a whirl!

Dear Skittles, I can't get enough of you. Why must you taste so good? Dear Bachelorette, I cannot wait for you to start on Monday! Looking forward to the return of my Monday Night Guilty Pleasure. Dear Hubby, Have fun at yet another bachelor party this weekend and enjoy sleeping in - you're on morning duty next weekend! Love and miss you. Dear Easton, this is an ideal weekend to learn to get yourself breakfast, change your own diaper and make me breakfast in bed. It is Mother's Day on Sunday after all! Dear Mom, speaking of Mother's Day, you deserve a little recognition. Kudos to you! You have done a fabulous job raising the 3 of us girls and helping shape us to become amazing women, sisters, friends and moms (well, besides Clare on the mom part but she's an awesome aunt!) You, yourself, are an amazing woman, sister, friend, mom, and wife, so I'd say you've been a prime example. Oh, you are a pretty amazing grandma to 4 handsome little fellas, too!! P.S. thanks for cleaning my house today. Oh, and watching Easton, too. You really are Super-Mom! Dear Cooper, I wish you listened better. I hate having to 'zap' you and hope you catch on quickly to our new training mechanism. Dear Tonight, please hurry up and get here, I could use a glass of wine, or 6.

I'm linkin' up with Ashley for Friday's Letters