Oh...Baby....

My sister-in-law Amber and I hosted a baby shower for my little sis Jessica. Jessica's due in November with my newest little niece Ryleigh Belle Stevens. I am so excited!!!!!! As are my parents and Mark's family.

The shower was a lot of fun!!! Amber provided a beautiful cake from Nana's Bakery in Benton. We provided breakfast quiches, pita chips/spinach dip, and a fruit tray, coffee, juice, and bottled water.

Several ladies attended the shower and gave beautiful gifts for the new baby. She received baby clothes, a stroller/carrier, baby bath, and many other baby items. We played the "Don't Say Baby Game". It's always fun and difficult at a baby shower. We also decorated onesies for Ryleigh. It was so fun and everyone was really creative.

I can't believe my little sis is having a baby. She is still the baby to me. I look forward to experiencing this journey with my sister!!!!

I Love NY!!!!!

We recently took a trip to Manhattan. It's been a while since we've been there, so it was great to be back. I love our hometown (small town life), but I also love spending time in NY.

Our last visit consisted of all the tourist stuff, Empire State Building, Rockefeller Center, Central Park, Coney Island, etc... It was a blast seeing all that the Big Apple had to offer. It seems like you need many trips to take everything in (shopping, theaters, museums).

This trip we didn't make any definite plans before arrival. We booked our hotel (Stay Hotel---Amazing!!!!) and that was about it. We decided to take one day at a time. We spent most of our time taking in the city atmosphere. We spent time in Central Park, walking and watching the row boats. We went to the American Museum of Natural History, again, I love it!!!! We took in some great shows on and off Broadway (Arcadia, H4, Any Night, and Fuerza Bruta). The shows were all very different, but we truly enjoyed each of them!!!!

Every time we go to New York, I want to find a way to spend several weeks every year there. There is really no other place like it in the world. It's definitely enough to impress this small town girl!!!!

The Broad Strokes

So it's been almost two months since my last post. A time of changes, joy, and heartaches. I'm learning as I get older, you really must take one day at a time. One has to truly appreciate the simple joys of life.

I titled this blog the broad strokes, in relation to how some artists paint abstractly. The detail in a painting is important, but sometimes it's nice to relax and let the paint brush do the work. I find sometimes in life, I can get so bogged down with the details. It may be constant cleaning or excessive concern for thing that in the grand scheme of things really aren't that important.

So this summer I'm trying to take a broader view of the world around me. It may be sunsets, family dinners, weekend getaways with my sweetie, or cuddling with one of my cats for an afternoon nap. Sometimes these things get lost in the shuffle of paying bills, running errands, and the busy era we currently live in.

This has been nice. As mentioned in a previous post, I'm some what of a control freak. So it's a constant effort to truly make myself relax. I keep reminding myself "today" is part of my journey. I'm learning to appreciate the fact, I don't have it all figured out and to accept the place on the path I currently find myself experiencing!

A Royal Tea Party

My mom, my sister, and I chose to celebrate The Royal Wedding (William and Kate) with a little tea party of our own! We had so much fun! I know some would probably laugh, but I think most of us ladies, like the opportunity to dress up and celebrate in a more formal way.

We met at my house, the Saturday after the wedding. Thank goodness for DVR's (4am Friday morning was just too early). We all dressed up in our dresses and don't forget the "hats". We had hot English tea, pastries, and fruit.

The wedding was very beautiful. I loved the traditional elements along with some modern touches. I was too young to remember the Charles and Diana wedding in the early 1980's, but they definitely shared the recaps leading up to the big day.

We enjoyed our time, just hanging out and have a "very girly day". I look forward to more opportunities to step out of our normal routine and celebrate!

Oh What A Night....

We attended the Junior Auxiliary Charity Ball for the first time this year. We had so much fun!!!! We had some of our closet friends and Jeremy's sister and her husband at our table.

We spent most of the night laughing, talking, and catching up with each other. This year's theme was Moroccan Nights. The boys and girls club was decorated beautifully. The JA ladies did a great job!!!! There was a live and silent auction. We didn't win anything, but it was still a lot of fun! The meal was provided by Savannah's restaurant, yum. Then there was dancing. I am not a very good dancer, usually choose to watch. My sister-in-law Amber always has a way of talking me into dancing. I always have fun when I do. Jeremy is always ready to dance and he's great at it!!!!


Let's not forget about, most importantly the charity itself. JA does a great job supporting the Russellville school district. The ball was a great success as usual!!!! A great time was had by all!

Happy Birthday.... "16 candles times 2"

Yes, this week I am turning 32. I can't believe it's been 16 years since my 16th birthday. I know getting older really bothers some people. I actually enjoy it. I know it's cliche, but it beats the alternative.



I'm always changing and learning. I have great memories from all of the decades to this point. I am really enjoying my 30's. I think I've mentioned before, but I feel like I'm coming into my own. It seems like I'm learning to embrace new things and really accept myself.



I'm looking forward to the birthday celebrations for this week. Dinners with family, cards, gifts, wishes, etc. Just celebrating the gift of another year!!!!!

Spring Wish List

One of the things I love most about living in Arkansas is that we get to experience the difference in the seasons. It seems like when another season is about to start; I am ready for it.


It's no different this year. The groundhog told us last week that spring is on the way!!!! I am ready for it. I have thought about the things that are on my spring wish list, here are a few:


Temperature Spring Weather

Outdoor Activities: Canoeing, Hiking, Picnics, Etc.

Flowers

Outdoor Landscaping Projects

Fresh Air

Spring Cleaning

Outdoor Dining at Restaurants

No More Coats, Gloves, Scarves ( love them during fall and winter, but I'm ready for them to go)

Driving with the top down



The list could go on and on. I can't wait to enjoy every minute of spring!!!!!