Introducing the new Mr. and Mrs.

This past memorial day weekend we packed up then van and headed to PA for a very special occasion. It was an honor for our family to be a part of Aunt Paige's wedding as a bridesmaid, groomsmen and two very dapper ring bearers. We had a wonderful whirlwind of a wedding weekend! The highlight for me was really what weddings do best-bringing family together from near and far. We loved spending extra special time with extended family and also making new friends!

The handsome honeys...

A gorgeous bouquet of flowers with two very special rings.

First family pic since Easter-makes a mama's heart happy!

The wedding was beautiful and to my immense relief, both boys exceeded my expectations as ring bearers. Let's be honest, asking a 3 and 5 year old boy to walk slowly and quietly down an aisle and sit calming through the following ceremony during what would normally be naptime-yikes! Not to mention the loose cannon otherwise named Bennett lol. Needless to say my heart was beating a bit faster that afternoon. Thankfully, they pulled it off when they needed to and earned many a well deserved oo and ahh down the the aisle in their handsome bow-ties. And sat like angels through the ceremony to boot(thanks to a special aunt and uncle).  I was so proud!!!

 

Paige was a stunning bride, and wore a lovely smile like this throughout the day. I loved the shabby chic-vintage style of the reception, down to every last well thought out detail.

There was plenty of music and boogy-ing...

...and of course cake!

I wish I had taken a picture of the boys at the hotel pool because that was surely a highlight-I forsee many a poolside day this summer! After the wedding we enjoyed a few days at Grandma's, full of rest, play, quality family time and delicious dinners on the grill. Chris and I even snuck out a few times sans kiddos and enjoyed a trip to IKEA while the boys were spoiled rotten at Toys R Us and "Old McDonald had a farm." Thanks for everything Sharon!

S'mores for wedding favors? Yes please! 

A great weekend all around, we are so thankful for safe travels and the time spent with family. Best wishes to Paige and Jonathan and all the merry adventures that lay before them.

New Beginnings

We are so excited to announce that we are expecting!!! Lord willing, we'll be welcoming bundle #3 this November-our first Fall baby! Each new life is nothing short of a miracle and we so so full of love and thanks for this new gift.

 

I'm 14 weeks currently(picture on the right was just this weekend at Auntie Paige's wedding) and feeling great. And even when I'm not feeling great, I count that as a good sign! So while I have no room to complain, I will say I'm looking forward to getting over the first trimester hump, into some more energy and out of the Tylenol bottle. ;-)

Although we are still delivering at Rex in Raleigh, we have chosen to go with a different practice this go around and I have to say it's been a great change of scenery! I feel so comfortable and confident in this new office and it's doctors, and that's a huge praise and relief. 

Our next appointment is June 22, where we will hopefully get a healthy report from our anatomy scan and find out the gender-I'm on pins and needles! Please join us in praying for a non-eventful pregnancy and safe delivery to come(yes-we are cesarean bound!). 

 

Welcome little one, you are fearfully and wonderfully made! Mom, dad and the best big brothers ever can't wait to snuggle you!

Meal Plan

The short n' sweet version...one I know will come in handy months from now when I'm agonizing over the grocery list and looking for meal ideas that won't make hubby roll his eyes and say "again?" ;-) Thanks Pinterest!

*Since we'll be on the road to PA for Aunt Paige's wedding Friday, I just planned thru Thursday.

Sat-Eat out (We'll be walking around the Smithfield outlets that afternoon)

Sunday-Taco salad with a twist

Monday-Pizza

Tuesday-Crockpot cheesy chicken & rice

Wedsnesday-Creamy tomato & tortillini soup

Thursday-Teryaki steak on a stick...ahem...this

Thankfully we were able to make a Trader Joe's trip this week, so our lunch bases are covered. Yum!!!

Mothers Day-take 5!

I remember my very first mothers day as a mom just five short years ago. Newly recovered from a crazy difficult labor and unexpected Cesarean, stretchy skirt, glasses and a purse full of paci's, we headed out with our new family of three to brunch in Wake Forest.  It was all new and not scary at all. Truly, the details of that day are fuzzy at best but the feeling I remember fresh-thankfulness, happiness, excitement. Brunch was delish and bacon-ful, and Evan was an angel sleeping in his car seat the whole time(gotta love that newborn coma!). I do remember us debating where to put the carseat- in the chair, on the table, the floor? So many new firsts! We drove home, very slowly, and took this picture with my then brand new camera.

(Ahem...yes, this is Evan at a just a few weeks old. #bigbaby)

Fast forward five years and a Bennett bear later, I couldn't be more grateful to be a mom to these two boys. Livin' the dream! I've heard it said a number of times that the days are long, but the years are short. Lord help me not to take a single day for granted-even those really frustrating mama days.We have so much to be thankful for!

 

This mother's day was just right. It began with buttercream and church, and ended with Papa Johns pizza and sweet gifts from my boys. I also got in some quality time with my own mommy over lunch at Outback and shoe shopping at Belk-new pink sneakers not pictured;-). Happy Mother's day all!