Hampton’s birthday invitations came in the mail a few days ago and I have been busy gathering addresses and writing them out! It’s official. Party planning is in full swing. I ordered his birthday outfit (the part that I’m not making) and bought a few crafty things to make his garland and birthday cake banner! I really hope it all turns out the way I want it to, but you never know with my crafting skills. 😉

I honestly can’t believe I will have an eleven month old in a week. His birthday will be here before we know it and we still have so much to plan/buy/do before it gets here. That reminds me, what do you buy a one year old boy for his birthday? The practical side of me wants to buy him clothes or put money in his bank account, but the fun mom side of me wants to buy him everything in the toy store! Decisions decisions.

Speaking of babies, fun moms and what not, I hope you will link up for Mama Mondays below!

What would you buy a one year old for his birthday?

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This is me exactly 20 years ago! I haven’t aged a bit…right? 😉

Today is my birthday! I’m saying goodbye to 25 and hello to 26! Today really snuck up on me. I guess you don’t realize how fast time goes by and how your birthday isn’t near as exciting as a certain other birthday that happened 9 months ago. 26 sounds so much older than 25. I honestly don’t know how I’m going to top my 25th year. It was incredible and full of celebration as we welcomed our baby boy into the world. He has filled this year with so much love and joy and new experiences. I just can’t imagine topping it. However, I am looking forward to year 2 with Hampton, celebrating our 3rd wedding anniversary, traveling to new places, meeting new people, celebrating Hampton’s first birthday and more exciting things to come on my blog! I look forward to a new day, one year older, and I like to think, wiser.

Earlier this week, Ryan surprised me with a new laptop! I am beyond excited. I’ve had my other laptop since man invented the wheel and it had definitely run it’s course. It was so slow, but my new one is faster than the energizer bunny on spark. Needless to say, it was a well welcomed surprise! Thanks, babe!

As for birthdays, not to be all sappy or anything, but as I get older, I’ve realized more and more how important family and friends are in your life. Recent circumstances have made that even more apparent. We aren’t promised our next breath, so I’m not going to take a single one for granted. Tell your loved ones that you love them and how blessed you are to have them in your life. I feel incredibly blessed to be here and healthy today.

Now on to the festivities…!! 😉

What are your plans this weekend? What month is your birthday?

May 13th is a special day for my family. This year, we celebrated my brother’s 24th birthday and my oldest nephew’s 2nd birthday. They were both born on Mother’s Day. How special is that? Last night, we celebrated my brother’s birthday with nachos, cookie cake and lots of laughter. These moments with family are so precious to me. We have so much to be thankful for. Our health, a roof over our head, money to pay the bills, we have everything we need. We are so blessed. We will be celebrating our nephew’s birthday this weekend with Ryan’s family and I can’t wait. Little kid birthday parties are so entertaining. It is always fun. Plus there’s cake…

Happy Birthday, Bub and T-man!

Today is Ryan’s 28th birthday! What do you say we send him tons of Happy Birthday tweets? His Twitter handle is @ryankcantrell.

Ryan, I am so blessed to have you in my life as my partner and best friend. I can’t wait to watch you become a father any day now. I know you will be a wonderful dad just like you are an amazing husband to me already. Thank you for working so hard to provide for our little family and for showing selfless love to others all the time. You have taught me so much about how to live a more positive life and never let others interfere with that happiness no matter the circumstances. For that I am very grateful. I love you to pieces! Happy Birthday!!

This Labor day weekend was spent celebrating our family. We started the weekend off by celebrating Ryan’s great-grandmother’s 90th birthday! She is the sweetest and most generous person. It was so much fun to see the family and enjoy time with her.

Sweet Tanner sporting his Auburn hat at Nanny’s party.

Later that day, we took a fairly spontaneous trip to Jax Beach. We decided at the very last minute to go. We celebrated my grandfather’s 80th and my grandmother’s 75th birthdays. We surprised them by showing up late that night. The weekend was very relaxing. Pippa seemed to enjoy the trip.

On Tuesday we went to a few used bookstores that we like to hit when we go down there and we hit the jackpot! 22 books for $19! Now we just have to find a place to put them all. We also lucked out and found a highchair for baby H! I’ve been looking every where for an old high chair like this one. It does need to be re-painted, but we have just added that onto our list of things to do before baby. I’m absolutely in love with it! We found it at a yard sale for $20. You can’t beat that!

The past two weekends have been so exciting and fun for our family. Last weekend we traveled to Auburn for my cousin’s graduation (War Eagle). Zana and I have always been so close. We are not only cousins but we are best friends as well. I am so proud of her and all of her accomplishments.

That Sunday we also celebrated Alex’s senior night at church. She looked absolutely beautiful and had the best table set up. She is officially graduating this Friday, and I know she has been counting down. I can’t believe my baby sister is graduating. Time flies.

This past weekend we celebrated my oldest nephew’s 1st birthday! I can’t believe he is already one. He was JUST born! Tanner had a Dr. Seuss birthday party and if you know me, you know that I LOVE Dr. Seuss! It was so much fun and everything looked adorable. His mamma did a great job!

Mom and me on my wedding day.

Last week my BABY sister turned 18 years old. Where did the time go? So naturally we spent all weekend celebrating. We had a great time hanging with my family, eating, eating cake twice and playing with baby Gage. He told me that I was his favorite auntie. It’s true.

It seems surreal that Alex is graduating high school in 4 months and going off to college in 7 (War Eagle). I will miss her and our Tuesday nights terribly. Oh wait, no I won’t because she can just drive home every Tuesday to see her favorite sister. Right? Problem solved! I am so proud of her and the woman she has become. She is so mature for her age, sweet as pie and looks like a model.

Look at those cheeks! HA

Bad grandpa.

Rockin’ that camo. 🙂