Ella and Mama
Girls Night Out- Fae, Melissa, Ally, Me, Casey, Jenn, and Sonya
30 Blessings…
As I turn thirty today, I think about the many blessings I have had in my life. I can’t believe I am thirty (I vividly remember my mom turning thirty – did she feel as young as I feel?…probably) My mother-in-law asked me the other day “Where did you think you would be in your life at thirty?” – it was a no brainer – “right here”. The planner in me made it all work out….I wanted to be married with two kids (almost made that one – off my 1.5 months) and teaching…I think, so far, I am on a roll and can’t wait to continue this journey with a great family and wonderful friends.
My 30 blessings –
1. My BEAUTIFUL daughter, Ella Marie – she teaches me more about love each day
2. My hilarious husband – Travis – who knew those days flirting at Abercrombie would lead to this?
3. My baby boy, Jonah Monroe, on the way….I am so excited to meet you.
4. My amazing mother – whose strength, love, knowledge, and attitude get me through every moment in life
5. My great dad – who is always there when I need him and loves Ella (he is even watching her today while I get my hair done)
6. My bro, Adam – who I wouldn’t trade for the world, even though he drives me crazy sometimes – even after 27 ½ of knowing him, I still have a hard time adjusting to his care-free attitude on life – we are the typical older child (Type A) and the younger boy rebel….I think Ella and Jonah will be the same way – but boy do we have some great childhood memories
7. My grandma – she has been a part of most of my memories and I am so thankful that we have such a good relationship – I can do no wrong in my grandma’s eyes – I feel lucky to have gotten to grow up with her around
8. My crazy, fun and huge NY family – I had always wished when I was younger that I had more cousins that lived close by but now I have my closest cousin, Amanda, right here and the rest of them just a plane ride away – it makes getting together so much more fun.
9. My NY connection – I LOVE NY and LOVE that I can go there at any time
10. My mother and father-in-law – I am so lucky to have such cool in-laws that I could never imagine being annoyed with (like so many families are). They have always treated me like a daughter and we grow closer each year (especially with these grandkids coming along)
11. A cool brother-in-law, Cody, who loves Ella like nothing else and will have so much fun with a nephew!
12. A great step-dad, Wayne, who always treats me like a princess and will help us out anytime, without fail
13. An amazing best-friend, Jenn, who is ALWAYS there for me – you would think that teaching next door and living practically next door would drive us to kill each other but it actually makes life that much greater. Our daughters will be best friends too. I wouldn’t be the person, or teacher that I am today if it weren’t for Jenn.
14. A rewarding job that I still love and feel that I am really good at. Teaching my 3rd graders keeps me sane, driven, and independent and I can’t imagine not doing it.
15. Wonderful co-workers – we are a great group who knows how to have fun
16. A home that I love and can decorate to my little heart’s desire
17. A loyal, loving dog, Colby, who doesn’t hate us for neglecting him since we have had kids…he is so good with Ella and loves us no matter what (the cats are another story)
18. My childhood friends that I am still connected with – Anne, Kelly and Melissa – we have known each other for 22 years and can get together to reminisce like it is nobody’s business
19. My AMAZING childhood – I felt that I had everything I ever wanted – and wonderful memories to prove it
20. I hate to say it but Facebook and blogging has become quite the blessing – it has reconnected me with so many people – family and friends
21. My love for shopping (thanks to my mom) AND getting a great deal – although, Travis wouldn’t think this way – I have saved us lots of money over the years
22. My Missouri family (Travis’ family) – these are the most kind-hearted, non-judgmental people you will ever know…although their way of life is so much different than ours, it is so refreshing to visit and enjoy the simple things
23. My girl friends – can’t wait for a night out tomorrow night!
24. My Aunt Jo and Aunt Donna – the two greatest aunts in the world…I love you guys!
25. My AZ family (The Haug’s) – you have always made each holiday that much more memorable
26. My crafty abilities – I feel pretty blessed that if I have a vision, I can make it happen
27. My closet, as stated in #21, I have managed to save us a lot of money but that doesn’t mean I don’t own a lot of great stuff
28. My education – I have always loved school and loved all the schools that I went to (Redbird, Johnson, Madison, Taylor, Brimhall, Mesa High and ASU – all living in the same house, while Mesa was growing) – I have to point out that my 3 years at MHS were some of the best in my life – Go Jackrabbits!
29. My metabolism – luckily, I haven’t had to work hard to stay small (we’ll see after this baby is born) – and although, hemming every pair of pants that I own stinks, being petite isn’t so bad
30. A lifetime left with more blessings to collect and dream of….I couldn’t be happier at this moment!
Thank you to everyone that has been a part of my life – this shy, little girl is now 30 years old and is making her mark on the world in more ways than one!
Ella was amazed by the beautiful maple leaves she found while walking around the Gaslamp Quarter...it's the simple things...
We ate at a really great breakfast place Friday morning...Richard Walker's Pancake House...
Happy Birthday Mimi!
We drove over to Coronado to walk around the beautiful but HOT beach...
Ella was dying to get feet her feet dirty in the sand...
We stopped at the Hotel Del to get some yummy drinks and a snack...
Greg and Mary (my in-laws)
Mom and Wayne
our awesome suite (all because of the great Mary Mantle and her fabulous hook-ups)
views from the corner window
On Ella's birthday we went to Sea World. She was quite overwhelmed throughout most of the day and we all experienced our fair share of 3 year old melt-downs....wow! She was so enthralled by the sea life...and didn't want to leave any of the exhibits.
creepy!
getting ready for Shamu....most definitely the highlight of our day!
I now recall why Adam and I wanted to be Shamu trainers when we were younger...what a magnificent creature...I was almost crying between watching Ella's mesmerized face and reliving my own memories of loving this show...
feeding the seals...with Mimi and Papa
even after all the meltdowns and pushing everyone to their limits, Ella still deserved another small birthday celebration so we stopped at Ralph's on the way home to pick up some cupcakes and candles...
I'm THREE!
and don't need anymore sugar...but what the heck!!
here is the proof...Ella got her hair from somewhere...her Mimaw and Mimi (combined)
the morning that we left we took a stroll along the marina near our hotel
The Hilton San Diego Bayfront
on the way home....with her new magna doodle for more entertainment...plus, more Wizard of Oz
We had a fabulous little b-day party for Ella today! Since we are going to Sea World next weekend for her actual party we just did something small at home today with her closest friends and family...but it was perfect. We celebrated "Backyardigans" style...thank you to everyone that came and for all the fun gifts! I can't believe she is going to be 3...wow!
Ella and her friends, Lauren and Taylor, had fun with their blow toys.
She looks so old to me here in this pic....my baby girl, where did she go?
she really hates when anyone sings "Happy Birthday" whether it is for her or not, this year she was just a little embarrassed but held it together...good girl, Ella.
she doesn't need Mommy or Daddy's help with blowing out the candles anymore
and opening presents this year was all her....she went really fast too...it was pretty funny
as always, our spoiled girl got lots of great stuff from her wonderful family and friends...
Ella with some of her birthday loot
We had a fun photoshoot with Scott Souquet-Bressand, the husband of Ella's old sitter. It was so fun to see their whole family last night. It had been months since Ella had seen her best buddy, Chloe and her favorite sitter, Tiffany...but now that they are back from Washington, we can see them a ton! Scott is an awesome photographer and these are just a couple of shots that he got. I really don't feel this big in real life, but I guess the camera doesn't lie. I am seven months along....two more to go! I'll post the rest of the pics when I get them.
Between last weekend and this weekend, I feel like I have accomplished quite a bit. We painted the baby's room and set it up last weekend and today we hung his name above the crib.
Now I just need to get some black shelves to hang along either side of the picture to display the vintage cars and trucks. I am also looking for some cool black and white photos of vintage vehicles.
Today I also worked on making this t-shirt for Ella's b-day and the cuter-than-ever flower bow that goes along with it...I was impressed :) Now I just have to decide if I want to embellish some jeans or just have her wear some cute black leggings with the top. we'll see....
Now I should be decorating my house for Fall while Ella is napping...but that includes dusting off shelves which is the worst chore of all so we will see if I get to that today....Enjoy your weekend!
It was so nice this morning to wake up to dark clouds, thunder, lightning and RAIN! Ella immediately had to get her raincoat and umbrella and venture outside...oh we are so deprived here in AZ. I am just loving the cool, rainy weather and I am so glad it is Saturday. We are cozy on the couch now and Ella is watching The Wizard of Oz for the first time....we'll see if she can withstand the long movie. Goals for the weekend include: painting the baby's room, planning Ella's family b-day party (we will be going to Sea World for her b-day weekend but I still want her to have a "party" since she is pretty much expecting one :), and cleaning up the house. Ella is going to my mom's for a sleepover tonight and Travis and I are going out with Brett and Mae (&Brooklyn)...yeah! Happy 3-day weekend to all!
