A Decade

Ten short years ago today I lost my first true love, my grandfather.  

Just a sophomore in high school, I never realized then how sentimental I would become on the topic.

There is so much that can happen in a decade.  Before you know it, the days are gone and all you have left are the memories.  Since you left, I graduated high school and went to college, fell in love, and four short years later completed my Bachelor's degree.  Then I moved to Charleston and completed my MBA, and before I knew it I was happily married.  During these past ten years and through all the memories, there is one thing that has never changed.  I strive to live my life as you did yours- honoring God, putting family first, and never losing hope of my dreams.  You instilled in me so many values that I never truly understood until now, and I am thankful for all the hard lessons you taught me.  

I hope that I have made you proud.  

If tears could build a stairway,

And memories a lane,

I'd walk right up to Heaven

And bring you home again.

-Author Unknown

PS.  I am guest posting today over at Life's Better With Freckles while Lauren is on a mini-vaca.  Go check it out and leave me a shout out!

I'm Baaacckkk!

Hi friends!  I am back from a five day vacay in the City of Brotherly Love.  My husband's family lives in the area, and we were able to spend some quality time with his brother, sister-in-law, nephews, and niece.  I got caught up in all the fun that I didn't take a ton of pictures, but I will share what I did.

Wednesday
We arrived in the wee hours of the morning on Wednesday, so the 4th was spent relaxing and going to dinner.  It has been over a year since we have seen his brother and family, so most of the day was consumed with catching up on lost time!

Thursday
We took the opportunity to travel another hour to see Bradley's grandmother on Thursday, as well as one of his childhood friend's from the area.  We traveled around the city on I-95 to get there and I snapped a few pictures along the way!

Philly skyline

Ben Franklin Bridge

After a nice visit with his grandmother, we met Todd for lunch at Steve's.  Steve's is a local small chain that has amazing philly cheesesteaks!  

Cheesesteaks the original way!

YUM!

Friday

I think we brought the South Carolina heat with us on our trip to Philly.  Friday's record highs topped 100.  To keep cool, we all took a trip down the Brandywine River on a tubing adventure.  The scenery was gorgeous and the water was nice and cool.  Sadly, I didn't get any pictures because I didn't want my iPhone to take a dip in the water either!

Wilderness Canoe Trips

After our trip down the Brandywine, we cleaned up for some fun at the ball park.  Bradley's brother got a few of his company's season tickets for the Phillies game!  I had never been to a game in Philly, and this was Bradley's first time at Citizen's Bank Park.

Citizen's Bank Park

Bradley and I with the Harry Kalas Statue

If you have never had their crab fries, you are missing out!

One of my favorites, Ryan Howard, came off the DL list just for us :)

Hot and sweaty, but still having a blast!

Phillie Phanatic- best mascot in the MLB

Saturday

We were so worn out from Friday's activities that we laid around on Saturday and rested.  Bradley's niece and I painted our fingernails, and the boys played ball.

Sunday

As sad as we were to say our goodbyes, we packed up and hit the road at 5 AM Sunday morning.  We had a great visit with family and friends, but boy were we excited to see the sign for our home state!

Home Sweet Home

Checking Out for the Fourth

Well my friends, I am checking out for the next few days. Bradley and I are venturing to Philadelphia after work today to spend some long, overdue time with his brother and family.  We haven't seen them since our wedding last March, and we have been itching to visit the City of Brotherly Love!

I will be back next week with a full recap, and a little blog sale.

From me to you, Happy Fourth of July.  

Have fun and be safe celebrating our nation's independence!

My First Layered Cake

Yesterday was one of my best friend's 24th birthday, so I decided to bake her a cake!  Tuesday evening, I gathered all the supplies and got to work.  Since this was my first attempt at a layered cake, I turned to Christina for some advice.  Let me tell you....this girl knows her baking!  She was so kind and answered all of my silly questions as a first timer.

First, I made the box cake according to it's instructions.  I chose Strawberry, only because the store was out of Funfetti.

Then, I prepared the pans by placing a piece of wax paper in the bottom of each, sprayed a non-stick spray, and sifted flour around the entire pan.  This was a great tip that I found in Christina's post here.  It worked like a charm and I did not have any trouble removing them once they were finished baking.

While the cakes cooled in the fridge wrapped in saran wrap, I started on the icing.  I followed Christina's cream cheese icing recipe and added in her secret ingredient.  This strawberry lemonade icing was delicious!

Once the cakes cooled, I added the middle filling and the first crumb layer of icing.  Then, after thirty minutes in the fridge I placed another layer on to complete the cake.  Topped it with sprinkles and a homemade bunting, and it was the prettiest birthday cake I've ever seen!

Happy Birthday Maureen!

Stay tuned tomorrow for instructions on how to make a mini bunting, along with a FREE printable!

Weekend Shenanagins

Happy Monday, friends!  This was the second weekend in a row that we didn't have to go out of town, and I must say, a girl could get use to this.  It's nice not to have to hit the road out of town after an eight hour work day on Friday, just to dread the return on Sunday.

Friday night we met up with our friends, Dean and Jess, at a local barbeque shack for a yummy feast of pulled pork, hash, chicken, and all the fixings!  After we were induced into a food coma, we decided to catch a movie.  The four of us agreed on That's My Boy that actually premiered on Friday.  Adam Sandler was hysterically funny and I laughed the entire time....until the end that is.  If you  haven't seen this movie, I must warn you that the end takes a turn that no one expects and it's sickening.  For those of you who have seen you, you know what I'm talking about.  Not sure I will be seeing this one for a second time.

Saturday we met a few of my family members downtown for a nice stroll around the city before having dinner at Poogan's  Porch.  The weather was absolutely gorgeous for site seeing downtown and we enjoyed every minute of it!  Friends, if you have never  been to Poogan's Porch you are missing out!  It is a quaint Charlestonian home made restaurant that is tucked away on Queen Street.  Saturday was my first experience, and it is one of the best meals I have had in Charleston.  The atmosphere was perfect and the food was exceptional.  We will definitely be going back...and soon.

That evening we ventured back home to watch the South Carolina Gamecocks defeat the No. 1 team in the country to advance in the College World Series.  We dominated the Florida Gators 7-2.  GO GAMECOCKS!

Fear the Fish!

Sunday was a nice relaxing day spent watching How I Met Your Mother re-runs and a few movies.

How did you spend your weekend?

Holiday Weekend Recap

Somehow I got lucky in the month of May.  Without planning it, this past weekend was my third three day weekend in a row...and it did not disappoint.  Tropical Storm Beryl didn't make it to where we are yet, so we were able to enjoy a nice, long, sunny, holiday weekend with the family.

Saturday afternoon we attended the beautiful wedding and reception of one of Bradley's high school friends.  The two were on the local Legion baseball team together and have been friends ever since.

The wedding and reception were both held at The Hill House in historic Abbeville, South Carolina.

{my hot date}

{Holley and I}

{Bradley, Russell (the groom), and Andrew}

We spent the whole day Sunday with my family eating until we were stuffed and enjoying the lake.

Monday was a day of relaxing.  I visited my grandmother, had lunch with my mom, 

and even took a nap with my pup before heading back to Charleston.

{my patriotic grandmother}

{lazy days are the best}

I hope your long weekend was as fun and relaxing as mine!  Here's to a short week!

Lovin'...Is What I Got

A little Sublime for your Wednesday morning!  

I'm linking up with This Kind of Love for What I'm Loving Wednesday!

1.    What to Expect When You're Expecting.  Bradley and I went to see this movie Monday night after I got back into town.  HILARIOUS!  This is definitely another couple must-see movie.

2.  Blog Giveaways.  I won not one, but TWO giveaways over the weekend.  How lucky can one girl get?

I get to choose a new iPhone cover courtesy of On Your Case.  Kristin from Simple Klassic Home featured this giveaway!  I have been wanting a new iPhone cover for some time, and couldn't be more excited!

I also won a Refresh Design Kit from My Design Ethos!  Thanks to Maury from Life on Mars, 

I get to work with talented Anna to update my living room.

I am both ecstatic and grateful to have won these amazing giveaways in one week!

3.  Memorial Day Weekend.  It's only 2.5 short days away and I can't wait to escape to my hometown and spend time with my family on the lake.  I plan on catching a few rays, enjoying the pontoon boat, and maybe a little tubing and skiing!

What are you lovin' this week?  Link up and let us know!

Diva Half Marathon & Mini Vaca Recap

It's back to reality today, and I must say I wish I was laying on the beach!  My sister and I had a great weekend filled with shopping, eating, and spending some much needed quality time together.  Here's a little recap of our mini vaca to Myrtle Beach.

Friday:     My sister arrived at my house on Thursday night, so I was able to get up and fix us pancakes Friday morning before our drive to Myrtle Beach.  It was such a yucky day in Charleston, and unfortunately was the same when we arrived in Myrtle.  We spent the afternoon shopping at the outlets and had a nice seafood dinner at the Chesapeake House.

{our hotel- Breakers- ocean front}

Saturday:     Much to our dismay, Saturday was cloudy, gloomy, and chilly- definitely not a good beach day.  So how did we entertain ourselves you might ask?  We stayed in the bed all day watching movies and eating snacks.  As sad as we were that we couldn't soak up some rays, it was pretty nice to relax.  That afternoon we showered and got dressed and headed to the Myrtle Beach Convention Center where the SalonCentric Hair Show was being held.  This was my sister's second year attending the one in Myrtle Beach- vaca and work even all in one!  We walked the floor and scored some awesome deals on hair and beauty products.  Then, we treated ourselves to dinner and some shopping at Broadway at the Beach before turning in early.  I knew 5 AM would come way too quick!

{loving my J. Crew Bubble Necklace found on eBay!}

{my sassy, beautiful sister}

{nothing like Ben & Jerry's for dessert!}

Sunday:     RACE DAY!  I was up and out of the hotel by 5:30 AM.  My sister had classes and seminars all day, so I took the car to North Myrtle for the Diva Half Marathon.  It was nice because there were only about 3,500 runners.  It wasn't too crowded, and I was surrounded by some pretty awesome, strong-willed women!

{before the race at the start line}

{afterwards with my Diva loot}

Before we crossed the finish line, there was a station to get a pink boa and crown.  I thought this was so unique and pretty cool for finish line pictures.  Unfortunately, I couldn't get my crown to stick while I was running so I completed the race with the boa and crown in my hand.  Once we crossed the finish line, firemen were lined up to award us with the awesome "bling" medals.  Seriously, it weighs a ton!

When I returned back to the hotel, the weather was too nice not to enjoy the sun.  I put on my bathing suit and headed out to the pool to catch a few rays before picking up my sister from the hair show.  That evening, we enjoyed another delicious seafood meal and then met up with my friends Jon and Nicole at The Boathouse for a free concert!  It was a great way to end the weekend and celebrate the completion of my 2nd half marathon.

{Ash, Myself, and Nicole enjoying the music}

Monday:     It was sad to have to leave the beach on such a gorgeous day knowing that it was back to work this morning, but I am thankful for the time away and the chance to spend some quality time with my sister.  Counting down the days until the next mini vaca (which is this weekend I might add- YAH for Memorial Day next Monday!).

Happy Friday

{via Pinterest}

Happy Friday loves!  I am all packed up and ready to head to the beach for a nice long weekend.

My sister and I are hopping in the car this morning and will be in Myrtle Beach by noon.

Prayers for no rain this weekend so we can enjoy the sand, sun, and water....and my half of course :)

A Tribute to My Mom

There is nothing more special than the bond between a mother and her daughter.

For the relationship between my mother and I, this is an understatement.

As long as I can remember my mom has always been my biggest fan.

She has always been there when I needed her, and even when I didn't.

She wiped away my tears, and took care of me when I was sick.

She was there for every first day of school and every single game of every sport I played.

She brought me to Christ, and set an example of a kindhearted, loving woman.

She met me at the alter, and gave me away on my wedding day.

We have celebrated the good, and stuck together through the bad.

I can't imagine anyone else in the world I would want to call my mom.

Thank you for being you.

Happy Mother's Day!

I love you.