preschool and 3rd grade {how'd this happen}

Goodness gollies my little dudes had their first day of school today. 

Trevor started 3rd grade and Avery started his second year of preschool. 

Where has the time gone? 

I sure wish it would slow down.

My babies are getting way too big!!!

I love you boys and hope you both have great year at school!

new look, new name

Welcome to our new blog. 

The posts are the same, but the name and look are brand spanking new. With Chris and I getting married in 37 days (who's counting?) I thought the blog needed to be refreshed for our new family.  

I came up with the name "Blended With Love." I thought this was appropriate because we are a blended family. Being a blended family doesn't have to be a bad thing. We are blended with oodles of love for each other. We are a family that leans on each other through the hard times, laugh with one another, wipe each other's tears, and sing praises of joy because God blessed us with each other.

This next session in our lives is going to be amazing and the four of us are jumping with excitement! The boys are excited to call each other brothers and I can see God's hand in creating a special bond between the two. It's heartwarming.

We give glory to God in the highest because we are thankful for you all and your encouragement as we experience this new chapter.

Loves!

sandy toes & salty kisses {beach trip 2012}

We went to the beach the other week.

We all had a blast.

We soaked up the sun.

We put our feet in the ocean.

We made sandcastles for hours.

We ate lots of good food.

We made memories that will last a lifetime.

little things {and big goodbyes}

When the house I grew up in sold a few weeks ago, we all should have been elated. In this economy, anything that sells should be celebrated. That's not the case here.

Truthfully, I feel as though I'm being selfish, and in some ways I most likely am, for getting caught up in losing what I called "home." In the grand scheme of things I'm lucky to have had a home. However, my sadness doesn't come from the drywall and wood that made this house; it comes from the memories made within those walls and the beautiful land that made it "home."

I rode many hours on the golf cart, 4-wheeler, go-cart, and even scooter on this land. I raised my cows, mowed many acres of grass, and pulled many weeds at the family nursery. This house held many birthday parties, graduation parties, Christmas', Thanksgivings, Easters, and even a wedding.. The last Christmas we had as a "whole" family was at this house. I miss my grandparents coming in the door just to come visit. I miss having my entire family around the dinner table. Although I can't bring back my loved ones, this house held the memories of the ways things used to be. The laughs, tears, giggles, late night talks, and early mornings held within our time on Rays Church Road are something I have always cherished, and will continue to cherish forever.

This move was the end of something beautiful. My parents are getting divorced and "home" will never be "home" again. The dynamics of my family will never be the same and my heart hurts. In all this pain I truly believe there is beauty. I know the phrase "beauty through pain" is becoming somewhat of a cliché, but I firmly believe it can happen. I'm marrying the love of my life next month, I have two beautiful boys, and my own home to make memories with my little family. The growth I've seen from my loved ones during these difficult days (and years) is amazing. God has held my family tightly and I know without a doubt HE got us through these dark days.

fifty

Woah, Nelly! Fifty days until the wedding of my dreams. 

I have so, so, so, much to do.

Do you think if I pleaded and begged with God he would give me a few extra hours to each day?

I would even give him ice cream with a cherry on top.

Geez Louise-Good Golly Miss Molly!

I can sleep when I'm dead, I guess.

I'm gong on day 2 of no sleep.

Beware, my friends, beware. 

Stress--that little rascal will take.you.over!

Anywho's, I have a bazillion and one beach photos to edit and upload for you all's viewing pleasure.

I'll get right one that...

Later Gators!

milestones

As mothers, I think it is programmed into us to remember milestones. There are some days I'll never forget though. Like the day Avery was born, his first birthday, his first day of school, and many more. As mothers we think of milestones as happy occasions, not ones filled with pain. Unfortunately, not all milestones bring smiles to a mommy's face.

Today is one of those days for me. Today marks the two year angelversary of losing Avery's little brother/sister. I ache on this day every year in the same way I ached two years ago. My heart is heavy on July 12th. There is a piece of me missing.

I remember laying in the hospital waiting to hear a little heartbeat and see a little face appear on the screen. I remember praying for a miracle. That day, two years ago, was filled with so much pain, but today I can see I got my miracle, just not in the way I prayed for. I have a guardian angel that watches me daily and I have a sweet, sweet face in Heaven that's going to greet me one day. Although I would do anything to have my sweet pea back, I know my baby is OK. No pain ever felt, no stress of life, no weight of the world on her shoulders, just pure joy in Heaven. And today, I'm OK with that because I know I have eternity with my little angel. If my sweet bundle of joy couldn't be here with me than I embrace the comfort of knowing Jesus is holding my baby and celebrating this milestone in Heaven today.

come on girlfriend {get it together}

Wow! I haven't blogged in over a week, I'm getting married in 67 days, and I've got a cold. Girlfriend needs to get it together.

So today's post really has no rhyme or reason to it. I haven't had much blog-worthy stuff lately. Avery's been with his dad for a week, Trevor doesn't get too excited when I pull the ole' camera out, and to be frank, I haven't had much spare time.

My mom sold her house and has till the end of the month to move. Not sure where she's going, but she has to be out of her house. It makes me sad watching her pack up what I call "home." I'm going to miss it. Hopefully she'll find a new place that she likes just as much and will be very happy there.

Avery has a stye on his eye right now. This is his 2nd one this summer. Do any of you have issues with this with your kids. He got them around the same time last year too. Weird.

I'm now in my mid twenties and drive a minivan. Who would have thought? Not me, that's for sure. I had to trade in the new Chevy Cruz for a Honda Odyssey. I loved my Cruz, but it just wasn't cuttin' it as a family vehicle. (Shrugs)

Have you ever had a summer cold? I don't remember having one. Ever. From what I hear, these summer colds can linger longer than winter colds. Hope that's just a myth.

I'm getting married in 67 days. Random number, I know, but 67 days. Whoa nelly! I have a place to get married at, my cake lined up, and a dress. That is all. I'm talking nada, zip, zilch, nothing else done besides those three things. 

Okay folks, that concludes today's rambling mess. I'm sure there are grammar, spelling, and other errors and such, nothing new, but just go with it people. Loves!