Weekend Favorites....I'm Lovin' It

I thought I wanted the cold air to get to N.C. but.... I was wrong.  I was miserable walking outside at times this weekend just to get blasted by the cold air and wind.  NO THANK YOU.

Therefore, I had a very laid back weekend watching movies and catching up on "life" and sleep.

Between my hours of doing nothing I did find some time to do more wedding research and ran across a couple new ideas which I am realllllllyyyy loving!

Slight obsession with bows and this dress tops my list!

 I am coming to like bouquets with some fillers and not all flowers like this:

Love the color of the bridesmaids dress paired with the chunky necklace!

Doesn't even need an explanation....jaw dropping. 

Gotta find me one of these for my right hand! 

Yum. Gorgeous. 

Love the soft color and the gray berry looking thingies.  Again, obsessed with fillers! 

Simple yet elegant cake!

  Can anyone else picture this cake as a wedding dress? A fit and flare style with this type of ruching around the body and a flower detail at the bottom?!   Ok, maybe I do watch too much 'Say Yes To The Dress'

Love everything about these B-maids dresses...color, fit, fabric...EVERYTHING!

So sophisticated!


Welcome Back To The Work Week Friends!

DIY Framed House Key

How cute is this idea from Erin McLean Events:

DIY Framed House Key

How To Here

I think I am going to do this with the townhouse "Charleston" and I are in now! Not only is it the place that we will be in as we start our lives together as Mr. and Mrs. but,  it is also the spot where we got engaged; our living room has a lot more meaning then just a place to watch TV!  It will be a nice piece to take with us forever.

 

Maybe then over the years as we move...build a little gallery wall with these special keys sprinkled in! 

WWW Week ONE

Yesterday was WWW, Weight Watchers Wednesday; our weekly meeting here at work to see how we are doing on the program. Just my luck, my first week on Weight Watchers (WW) brought about a weekend out of town, a Super Bowl Party as well as a night out for my birthday; all of which included food options that are VERY tempting and more difficult to manage.

For those that are not familiar with the WW program, basically it’s a simple point system. Every portion size of a specific food has a particular point value based on its fat, carbohydrate, fiber and protein content. Depending on your weight, you are assigned a daily point value and everyday you choose whatever-in-the-world you want to eat but, after adding up each food, the total cannot exceed your daily point value. Also, each week, you get 49 free points to blow however you see fitting AND you can earn activity points when you workout! Seem simple? Well it really is IF you plan and work at it! It’s not a diet; you’re not restricted to particular foods. It’s just about managing and paying attention to the foods and the amount of each you consume. It is a healthy eating strategy!

My plan this week was to stick to my given 26 points/day during the week when I was able to totally control what I packed for breakfast and lunch and what I cooked for dinner. This then allowed me to stock pile my 49 free points for what was to be a tough “food” weekend. I used my free points at our Super Bowl party and on wine at my birthday dinner! I kept my hand out of the chip basket as much as possible while “Charleston” and I were out to a Mexican dinner with Sister, Olivia and Sam and I passed on the butter bread at our spaghetti dinner for my dad’s birthday. It’s the little moves like these that totally add up!

With all that being said, at the weigh-in yesterday I lost 2.8 lbs in my first week. Not too shabby. With the WW program, because it is supposed to be a sustainable weight loss, you are expected to lose around 2 lbs a week in order to keep it off. I kind of wish I would have gone above and beyond but….any loss is fine by me!

Like Miss Lindsay reminded me last week, it’s a slow process but it does work, just be patient! Best piece of advice I have gotten! It does seem like a lot of work in a week just to lose 2 lbs but…..I am keeping my eye on the prize in the end!

I will toot my own horn...go me!



Happy Birthday To Me!

Birthday's are big, I mean BIG in my opinion!  I made it another year. 28!

I don't say that in a negative sense like this year was so long or tough; I say it in true rejoice and appreciation.  Life is precious and I have been blessed!

Therefore at dinner last night, when all my friends told me to make a wish, without even thinking I said "I don't know what to wish for, I have everything I want."  It's true, I do. (So I wished something for someone else.  It was needed and I need it to come true.  Come on birthday fairy; back me up!)

blowing out my birthday candles

Me and twenty-two of my dearest Charlotte friends went to dinner at Brixx and it was the perfect birthday treat thanks to the organizers "Charleston", Laura and Lauren.  You guys are the best for pulling it all together!

I also have to brag on my babe for a minute.  He knows me better then I know the back of my hand and he pulled through with an AWESOME birthday gift:

Aldo Hayth Pumps

and the matching clutch!

Simler Clutch

Happy Birthday To Me!

Thanks hunny and my fabulous friends!

It was the best!

Wedding Palettes...Tough Call

I go back and forth when it comes to color palettes for the wedding.

If you would have asked me 2 years ago what I had in mind for my dream wedding, you would have gotten the answer of some shade of purple + green + gold + white.

If you would have asked me two months ago you would have gotten Peach + Camel + Antique Gold + Olive + White.

When the question came up yesterday in a conversation with my mom, I said Powder Blue + Nudes + Gold. I feel like I have been all over the spectrum. 

Well now that “Charleston” and I have ALMOST chosen our venue for the reception (we are waiting to sign the contract) I feel that I might need to pick a color scheme that could be a little easier to pull off in this particular space. Maybe something like this:

Copper, Antique Gold, Gray, Silver + White

all pictures via: The Perfect Palette and Martha Stewart

I really love the sophistication and elegance. (and also the fancy party feel)  I am getting the feeling that it is classic enough that I will not look back in 60 years and wonder what-in-our-lords-name was I thinking.

Am I going down the right path or totally getting derailed?  What's your opinion?

Watching My Weight

Why is it so hard for me to admit that I am overweight? I am. I could stand to lose 20 lbs on my size frame. It’s just frustrating.

I think it’s hard because MAJORITY of the time I feel fabulous and beautiful. I talked about this issue in a blog post last year about how I feel comfortable in my skin and I am usually OK with looking in the mirror but, when I see a picture of myself, especially standing beside my friends, the weight really shows up and I get frustrated. As soon as I get that email notification that someone has tagged me in a picture on Facebook, honestly, I immediately panic. God knows my arm probably looks like a ham hock and I can’t get on Facebook fast enough to check it out and un-tag myself. Anyone else ever feel this way or am I just crazy and shallow? (OK, don’t answer that!) After reality hits and I see myself in a real setting, that confidence I had slowly gets chipped away.

I don’t want to feel this way…especially on my wedding day. I don’t want to look back at my wedding pictures and see my insecurities show up on the page like a pop-up book. I want myself on the outside to reflect what I feel on the inside; I am selfish and want the total package! I have already asked myself many times “why is it taking an engagement and wedding to make you want to lose weight?” and to that I say I don’t know. I should have cared about this five years ago but I was too lazy to take action. My wedding day will be the biggest day of my life (besides the day my niece Olivia was born!) and I want to be in the best shape of my life so that I start off my marriage in the right direction.

In order to achieve this goal I have decided that I just can’t do it alone. I have looked into personal trainers but decided that my problem is not the exercise aspect of the equation. I don’t mind going to the gym and working out. I love it. The issue lies in my eating habits. I try and eat healthy but I love food. I love to cook and don’t mind absorbing the calories if it means my taste buds are satisfied. I just lack portion control, accountability and all things in between. I need control of this side of the equation. To do this and get the support and tools I need, I have decided to join Weight Watchers through work. There is a group of 36 of us doing it together and we meet every Wednesday at lunch (in our office building) for the next 13 weeks. The best part is that WW is supported by our companies Live Well program so 75% of the cost is subsidized by Duke!

I am super excited now to learn some new things and get started but I will be honest, at first I was embarrassed to admit I was going to be participating in Weight Watchers. Admitting I need help to learn better eating habits and lose weight is 100% accepting the fact that no matter how I feel on the inside, I need help and am overweight on the outside. It is also admitting that I am not strong enough to make the right decisions on my own etc which, for someone as independent as I am, is VERY hard to swallow…….. BUT, walking around carrying this extra weight is THE most obvious way of saying I need to do something so...Which is more embarrassing - Carrying the weight physically on my body for everyone to see or going to WW once a week, admitting I need help and taking control for life?

First meeting was today and it was awesome!  I can't wait to get jump started with this plan and hopefully keep you updated on my progress! 

(Thanks for also letting me feel comfortable enough to share this with all of you!  It was hard to push the "Publish Post" button because I'm putting my insecurities out there but, it feels so good to know I have support! )

A Backyard Wedding

Seeing this makes me almost re-think the backyard wedding idea.



OMG

 via

This is absolutely the most gorgeous backdrop piece I have ever seen used at an outdoor ceremony. I would have to have....

via

 I wish I had the risky bone in my body to pull off an outdoors ceremony and reception.  I am too much of a planner and without a solid back up plan...my blood pressure goes up!

Your Birthday Song

If you didn't know....my birthday is just right around the corner!  The big 28 on February 6th!
Well in honor of my special day, thanks to and idea from Let The Tide Pull Your Dreams Ashore blog, I thought I would share with you my birthday song! 

Your birthday song is the number one hit song on the charts on the day you were born and you can find your birthday song here:  Number One Songs On This Date

My birthday song is:  Culture Club - Karma Chameleon (I bet my momma remembers this one!)

What's cool about this site is that they list the hit song on your birthday every year!


1984  -- Culture Club - Karma Chameleon 

1985     1st birthday:  Foreigner - I Want to Know What Love Is 

1986     2nd birthday:  Dionne and Friends - That's What Friends Are For

1987     3rd birthday:  Madonna - Open Your Heart 

1988     4th birthday:  Tiffany - Could've Been

1989     5th birthday:  Paula Abdul - Straight Up

1990     6th birthday:  Paula Abdul - Opposites Attract

1991     7th birthday:  C+C Music Factory - Gonna Make You Sweat (Everybody Dance Now) 

1992     8th birthday:  Right Said Fred - I'm Too Sexy 

1993     9th birthday:   Whitney Houston - I Will Always Love You

1994     10the birthday:   Celine Dion - The Power of Love

1995     11th birthday:  TLC - Creep

1996     12th birthday:  Mariah Carey and Boyz II Men - One Sweet Day 

1997     13th birthday:  Toni Braxton - Un-Break My Heart 

1998     14th birthday:  Janet Jackson - Together Again 

1999     15th birthday:  Britney Spears - ...Baby One More Time 

2000     16th birthday:  Savage Garden - I Knew I Loved You 

2001     17th birthday:  Shaggy feat. Ricardo "RikRok" Ducent - It Wasn't Me 

2002     18th birthday:   Usher - U Got It Bad 

2003     19th birthday:   Jennifer Lopez feat. LL Cool J - All I Have 

2004     20th birthday:   OutKast - Hey Ya! 

2005     21st birthday:   Mario - Let Me Love You 

2006     22nd birthday:   Beyoncé feat. Slim Thug - Check on It 

2007     23rd birthday:   Beyonce - Irreplaceable 

2008     24th birthday:   Flo-Rida feat. T-Pain - Low 

2009     25th birthday:  Kelly Clarkson - My Life Would Suck Without You 

2010     26th birthday:   Ke$ha - TiK ToK 

2011     27th birthday:   Bruno Mars - Grenade

 
I am a HUGE fan of my birthday playlist! 

The Green Energizer

Did I tell y'all back in November I bought a Juicer?  Well I did.

After much research, I decided on the Breville Juice Fountain Plus and I LOVE it.

It was kind of expensive but I already feel like it has paid for itself after seeing how many times I use it!

I make juice for my afternoon snacks, breakfast, post-workouts and sometimes as a beverage with dinner if I am consuming mostly carbs and protein in my meal.  There are many critics out there when it comes to juicing but I look at it this way....

I am not using my juicer to consume all my veggies; I still eat salads and cooked veggies with every meal.  I use it in addition to all other foods and I feel in general that its an excellent source of vitamins and nutrients from foods that I normally would not eat!

Last night I juiced my way to a "Green Energizer" drink after my run which included:

3 stalks of celery

2 small apples

1/2 peeled lemon

1" ginger

3 cups spinach

4 leaves Romain lettuce

1/2 cucumber

It was actually awesome.  The hint of lemon and ginger did the trick!

"Charleston" snapped this pic while I was in the process!

If anyone has any good juicer recipes or good reference websites, please share!

New Big Girl Bed for Olivia

Olivia is growing up so fast and with a new baby brother on the way she transitioned into her "big girl" room last week with her "big girl" bed so that Sister and Sam can keep her room as the nursery. 

Blair said they set up her bed, trapped her in with pillows and told her to go night-night and sure enough...she was out cold....

Sister said she checked on her several times before she went to bed and not once did Livi try and climb out.  Around 3:30am Blair heard her talking over the monitor and when she went in to check on her Livi was sitting straight up in her bed saying "socks, socks".  She had pulled her little socks off and her feet were cold! (But still, no effort in trying to escape!)

She's such a good little girl; makes me melt.

Back In The Kitchen Again

I haven't cooked a complete meal in FOREVER and I am itching to get back into the kitchen.  I used to make Crockpot chicken tacos (my own throw together recipe) ALL of the time because it was super easy and a little on the healthier side then some of my other go-to dinners. 

To get back in the swing of things, I am trying a little spin on my usual thanks to How Sweet It Is:  Crockpot Cheddar Beer Chicken Taco



via

Crockpot Cheddar Beer Chicken Tacos


4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
3/4 cup beer (I used an amber ale)
1 tablespoon chili powder
1 1/2 teaspoons cumin
1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon onion powder
pinch of cayenne pepper
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoons pepper
3/4 cup freshly grated cheddar cheese + more for topping
taco shells
your favorite toppings: greek yogurt, avocado, cilantro, salsa, chopped onion, black beans, shredded lettuce, etc.

In a bowl, mix together chili powder, cumin, garlic, onion, paprika, cayenne, salt and pepper. Measure out 3/4 cup of your favorite beer, and whisk 1 1/2 tablespoons of the taco seasoning into the beer.

Place chicken in the crockpot and dump in beer with seasoning. Cook on low for 7-8 hours or high for 4 hours.

When you first remove the lid, it will seem as though there is a lot of liquid and the chicken is just sitting in it, but take two forks or kitchen tongs and shred, shred, shred until it all comes together. Taste and season with additional taco seasoning if desired, then let sit in the crockpot for another 15 minutes or so. Turn the crockpot completely off, and right before serving toss in cheddar cheese. Once combined, immediately transfer the chicken to a large bowl so the cheese does not stick to the crockpot. Make your tacos!


I can't wait to get back in the kitchen again.....especially to use my crockpot! 

Mini Milestones with Ulcerative Colitis

When one person in the relationship develops a bowel disorder it puts the relationship on the fast track of being comfortable around each other in ALL sorts of situations.  

I have had some girlfriends that refuse to go "number-two" with their boyfriend or husband in the same room or in the same vicinity.  On the flip side, usually the guy is a little more "advanced" in discussing and expressing his bowels, like farting in the same room as you but.... there is still that weird fine line that most couples just don't cross.

Well, "Charleston" and I have totally crossed all lines, several times, back and forth since his diagnosis.  It just happens; it kind of has to happen, its part of this disease.  

We can still be immature at times when it comes to discussing his "poo" as being "pudding like" etc (sorry for grossing some of you out) and we can giggle like five year olds in the middle of describing some of his symptoms but it has become our reality and honestly, it has brought us a million times closer.

I have been in Chapel Hill this weekend with "Charleston" while he has been receiving another treatment to bring this ulcerative colitis flare up into remission and while I have been here, he seems to be making some progress.  Besides performing another colonoscopy, the best way to tell if this drug is working is if he starts to go to the bathroom less then three times a day, starts hearing and having normal bowel sounds and functions,  and if there is less blood in his stool (I hate the word stool but its what all the docs use so I will try to be as politically correct as possible).

Well yesterday "Charleston" called me into his room and he was so proud, gleaming from ear to ear.........

As soon as I walked in, I was floored.  It smelled TERRIBLE.  "Charleston" informed me that he just farted and before, he had not been able to poot in like two months without having to go to the bathroom just-in-case!  He was like a kid on Christmas he was so excited and honestly, I almost had a tear in my eye I was so excited for him.  It was a sign that his bowels were moving in the right direction to being back to normal.  It was a mini milestone.

Its the little things in our relationship that mean so much now :)

This is the weirdest happiest moment I have ever had!

(There is a huge smile under there if you can't tell!)

Blair and Sam Are Having A......

i totally forgot to tell you!!!!

See this little cutie-pa-tutie below...She told us awhile ago that she was going to be a big sister and I couldn't be more excited to be an aunt again!

(She sent me this pic the other day to show me her new pink Carhart coat!)

Well.......

She found out that she is going to be a big sister to a little BROTHER!

Sister and Sam are having a BOY !

This is big news; we don't have boys in our family unless they marry in so I can not wait for this new adventure!

Can't wait to meet Mr. Baby Howard #2 around June 15th!

Love Me Some Family!

A New Face

I have been a Bare Minerals user for MANY years.  It was appealing because, thanks to my parents and their good genes, I have clear skin so I never really needed a make-up to "cover" anything up.  Bare Minerals evened out my skin tone and gave me some color without having to paint my face everyday.  It worked but, yesterday I just realized I was bored of my morning make-up routine.  After (at least) six years I was ready for something new. 

While at the mall yesterday I stopped into Sephora to pick my new poison!  A sweet girl Lindsay set me down and gave me a new fresh face. 

She washed my face and started with a moisturizer.  I requested one with SPF because I NEVER leave home, no matter what time of year, without a little protection!  I really loved this product because it was not greasy at all and if I did not already have two bottles of face moisturizer at home I would have bought it.

(But Lindsay was sweet and gave me a sample to go so maybe next time!)

Philosophy Hope In A Jar

She then proceeded to teach me all about primer; never used it except to paint my walls!

Primer sets your skin up to "hold" makeup without it absorbing into your pores.

This stuff is amazing because it is all natural and after it is applied it actually makes your face feel really clean.

Boscia Skin Perfecting Primer

She then set me up with a new compact powder foundation.  It is still light like the Bare Minerals but goes on smoother and creamier.  The coverage is just a little stronger then loose powder which is definitely what I need in the Winter with no tan!

Sephora Collection Matifying Compact Foundation  

And then a new bronzer.  I am a true believer in the rule that if you only have a couple minutes to do your make up in the morning, never leave home without a powder to even out the skin, blush and mascara.  But, if I had those extra 30 seconds...Bronzer would be my number 4 product. 

Benefit Boxed Powders Hoola Bronze

I left home this morning with the freshest new face and I am excited! I can already tell a difference with how well this make up has stayed on even through the morning hours where I have a tendency to rest my head on my jaw bone and forehead while working :)

Featuring Dauphine Press

I find myself scouring the Internet in my free time looking at wedding invitations.  I always thought wedding invitations were not that big of a deal because in all honestly, I love you all my married friends, but I could not tell a one of you what your wedding invitation looked like.  I'm sorry.  Therefore, I always thought I would be the bride that does a quick search on the Internet, mainly looking for the right price, do a quick comparison and bam, invitations done.  I would have found some that "worked" and I saved some money to put towards something else.

BUT...I was wrong.  Invitations do have a larger role in the wedding than simply stating Who, What, When, and Where. They set the mood for the entire day.   If I am planning a more formal event, I can't just select an invitation that might portray to my guests that they can wear a sundress; especially since the formality with the-time-of-the-ceremony setting the dress code slowly vanishing.  

Within my search I have come to the conclusion that I am a HUGE letterpress fan.  Its absolutely elegant and gorgeous.  One of my favorites includes the Kentfield Suite from Dauphine Press.  So many of the designs from Dauphine are simply unique.  Check them out!

KENTFIELD

In Health and In Healing

After a visit to the GI Clinic in Chapel Hill on Friday to get a second opinion on further treatments for his Ulcerative Colitis, “Charleston” has decided to go through with a treatment which will put him back in the hospital, in Chapel Hill, for the next 8 days, to receive doses of another medication that will HOPEFULLY this time, but him into remission. It was a big decision on his part because of the side effects of this drug as well as the fact that it will take him away from home and back in the hospital for another week but…something has to be done and I support him with the decision he made.

“Charleston’s” mom is taking him this morning to the Chapel Hill hospital where she will stay with him for several days and then I will join him on Thursday or Friday to give her a break to come back home. Hopefully I will return to Charlotte on Monday or Tuesday with a “healthier” future husband! Fingers are crossed.

While I am here this week working, I plan to utilize as much time visiting several possible locations for our reception. As much as “Charleston” wants to visit all of them with me, it is proving slightly difficult with his condition and because we want to nail something down in the next two weeks or so…we need to jump on the train. It might seem like a lot to tackle now but we have both decided that we don’t want to put our planned wedding months of Feb/March 2013 off anymore. We feel like we have given ourselves adequate time to get something planned and get him well and healthy which is first and foremost! It’s our plan and we are sticking to it! We can do it.

So a lot going on this week in our little world….between wedding planning and getting him better we are stretched kind of thin. I do believe though that these two things came hand in hand in our lives right now because it has proved more times than none that our talk of anything wedding related has brought a smile to his face and his thoughts away from his illness. As always….Everything happens for a reason!

Wedding Planning and UC Treatment = In Health and In Healing. 

I love you babe and can't wait to make this commitment to you forever!

Tweet Tweet

It's my newest purchase from Old Navy.

Yes those are birds....and no...I am not werid; I just loved the colors!

It's light and silky and it is going to become best friends with my skinnys and brown boots!

I was also willing to pay full price for it but ended up getting it for less that $25 with coupons and discounts!

Might not be everyone's cup of tea but I love it....and I will rock it with pride! :)

I am a neat freak when it comes to my house.  O.C.D. neat freak.  I get a high when I see vacuum lines in the carpet and when I am done hanging on the couch, all the blankets go up and the pillows are straightened.  Oh, and don't even get me started on the blinds!

BUT...

There is one part of my house that just doesn't get enough attention and I am almost ashamed to admit it...

I HATE cleaning bathrooms.  HATE it.  I shed like a dog and I use hair products and powder makeup.  There always seems to be a layer of "Blain" all over the place.  Its not mildew-grimy-need-your-shower-shoes-dirty, it just never seems as spic-and-span as the rest of my home  And the one thing that makes me gag to clean, the toilet bowl! (I almost just threw up in my mouth saying the words)

BUT my problems are solved.  I found this:

Clorox Toilet Bowl Cleaner

I will swear by it until the day I die. 

No more toilet bowl ring and.....gone without scrubbing!

The trick: 

When the toilet is dry (as in it hasn't been flushed in awhile), squeeze some of this junk around the inside top rim and let it ooze it's way down covering all areas of the bowl.  Then, DO NOT FLUSH.  Close the lid and walk away. 

Return several hours later and its magic!  All grime is gone!  No nasty ring and no scrubbing!

Makes My Day

i love him. he's a rock.

i am emotionally exhausted.

medicine is such a #*%$#!*$^*#   *^%$#@*&^*%$

i find myself so angry at times but also at the verge of sad tears.  i honestly feel helpless.

ulcerative colitis. prednisone. disease. sickness. drugs. steroids. hospital have become terms in my everyday vocabulary that i am having a very hard time adjusting too.

i lay awake at night praying to God to help.. but ... end up asking him why.  why "Charleston"?

i should be happy now.  excited that i am engaged to the man of my dreams but instead we find ourselves crying because of the unknown.

"Charleston" is turning out to be the 1% of ulcerative colitis patients that do not respond to medication.

if you missed us on new years, it was because we were spending the week in the hospital.

he got poked and prodded at. tested and medicated.  but still....nothing helped.

i bite my lip and hold back tears when the doc delivers the same depressing news because i can't fall apart.  he has been SO strong through this entire thing that i have to take his motivation and run with it. he is my motivation.  he is has proved to be the strongest and most mature man i know.  i am lucky to have him by my side for life. 

i tell him everyday that we are a team and we are in this together.  i hope he listens.  he is not alone. we are blain and matt forever. i am here.

what's up next?
we are not really sure.

his docs have suggested getting second opinions on colectomys and speaking with other docs about the side effects of strong strong drugs that inevitably just delay a colectomy.  but with stronger drugs come stronger more sever side effects. which way do you go?

everything happens for a reason and a good friend told me once that God doesn't give us more then we can handle.  it runs through my head all day.

i am having a hard time accepting this situation and coming to the reality of it and i am not even the one physically carrying this disease.  how the hell does "Charleston" feel?  i can't even begin to put a finger on it. hes a rock. he impresses me more and more each day.  hes determined.

God give me the strength to be everything he needs in a caregiver, a teammate, a supporter, a fiance and a best friend.  for him.

he will get through this. prayers.

"Charleston" and I on the porch of Granddaddy and Shelbies house in Galax, VA over Christmas.

that's Pilot Mountain in the background

Christmas in Kville

I am beginning to love how every year Christmas at the Higgins house gets a little different and more exciting.

Olivia is now old enough to understand Santa and the whole concept of giving and receiving presents.  It's fun to watch her rip into them with excitement and as soon as she can get her hands on the new toy she is in an instant fairytale world until the next gift is shoved in front of her.

Kids make Christmas fun.

Sam, Sister and Olivia

The girl is going to be a bookworm!  Already very studious like her Aunt :)

"Charleston" and I showing off his new workout gear that Blair and Sam got him.  After this pic he changed into his new stretch running pants and wore them the rest of the night around the house.  God love him for the way he is when he gets new "toys" as well; has to put everything on immediately!

So stinkin' cute. Livi got a new baby doll and from the second it was released out of the cardboard she was wrapping her in the blanket and giving her a bottle. Little momma in the makin'.

Told ya!  Nice stretch pants slick!

And then....

Kids also make Christmas exciting for other reasons....

Right in the middle of opening presents we started to smell a lovely stench floating around the living room.  Someone had a little mess in their diaper and upon investigation it was not only in the diaper. Ha Ha.  It was a slight explosion up the back and down the legs!  Bless her sweet heart! Ha Ha

So bath time came a little early....

And then presents continued.

"Charleston" and I got mom some new clothes along with a stylin' new fleece vest!

Olivia and Poppie playing in the floor.

Merry Christmas 2011 !

Together Forever

I am not sure what I was expecting or exactly what feeling I thought I would get, but, I guess from other’s proposal stories, I thought it would be somewhat of a frantic and crazy out-of-body-experience but…it really wasn’t.

It was better.

“Charleston’s” proposal was natural, calming and reassuring. Every bone in my body said that this is right; what life is supposed to feel like every day. It was comforting and soft. I didn’t feel the urge to scream from the top of my lunges that I was engaged. Instead, I wanted to grab a blanket, my new fiancé, a cup of coffee and cuddle up close on the couch with the Christmas lights gleaming in the background.

His tactic and plan hit the nail on the head. It was a “Blain and “Charleston”” proposal and the perfect example of what the rest of our lives will look like together. Simple and thoughtful surprises sprinkled throughout the everyday routines of life. That’s us.

It was Christmas Eve morning and I was woken in bed by “Charleston” and a fresh cup of coffee. He knows better then to try and get me out of bed without a peace offering! He played sweet like he does on weekend mornings and said breafast was ready when I wanted it. I knew our morning needed to get started because around 11:00am we were due at his parent’s house for the Atkins family Christmas gathering. Therefore, I threw on some pants and a T-shirt and quickly followed his lead downstairs to the living room. As I turned the corner and rounded the banister “Charleston” was already crouched in the floor looking like he was searching for something in the entertainment center. I tried walking past him towards the kitchen to refill my coffee cup when he physically sopped me in my tracks. He pulled me in front of him and began talking. Tears came to his eyes and I started balling like a baby. I have no clue exactly what he was saying and the only thing I remember saying back to him was “Are you serious right now?” as he reached to grab a tiny ring box from the shelf of the entertainment center. Somewhere in my blubbered tears I said YES and I was quickly tucked tight in his arms. I remember him having to pull me off of him in order to actually put the ring on my finger; I just didn’t want to let go. It was the most special moment of my life and like I said earlier, more of a calming and comforting moment to know that this man wanted to spend his life with me and was asking me to be his partner forever. It was really a privilege and an honor.

No one knew that “Charleston” was going to propose to me except for my father. The weekend before, Dad and “Charleston” had gone hunting together and somewhere in their trip he asked for Dad’s blessing and of course my father said yes. Therefore the fun part came when we showed up at his parent’s house several hours later and decided that we would just wait and see how long it took before Rob and Barbara would notice my new jewel!
Rob checked out my new purse that “Charleston” had also given me that morning for Christmas and as I held my purse out in front of me with my left hand….No response; he just told me it was a very pretty bag. Barbara checked out my manicure on both hands and said that I had picked a really nice color polish! Ha Ha it was comical! We finally had to make it VERY obvious and ask both of them if they see something different about my hands!

It didn’t take quite as long with my family that afternoon. “Charleston” ended up coming home with me to Kernersville so that he could be there when my parents found out we were engaged and as soon as I walked in the door with him in tow they had an inkling that something was up. I walked into the living room to pick Olivia up out of the chair and give her a kiss and as soon as my hand was in view, Blair burst into excitement which then stirred up the rest of the house.

It was the perfect day to the start of the rest of our lives together!

Our Very First Photo As An Engaged Couple

6:25am Christmas Eve...still in my PJ's right out of bed!

We had bagels, pastries, fresh fruit and all kinds of fun morning beverages!

Later in the day at the Atkins' house

I am not sure who was more excited..."Charleston's" dad or us?!

And of course...a couple pics of the bling

I feel so blessed to be given the opportunity to spend my life with the most amazing man that has become my best friend and teammate and.... has always been my soul mate.

Meant To Be