Dashboard

 

This past Thursday Hank and I went to see an old favorite of ours, Dashboard Confessional.  It was the Swiss Army Romance's 10-year Anniversary tour, and Chris played the entire album from beginning to end, along with other favorites. I saw this same show, ten years prior, upon the original record's release, and it was incredibly moving to think back to that time in my life, and then think of where I am now. I was 18; so wonderfully naive, so young, so unsure of what life had in store for me. I had just graduated high school and was about to embark on my college adventures, moving up to the dorms to start that chapter of my life. Back then I related to those emotional Dashboard songs on so many levels, and hearing them again live brought back so many memories, emotions, and things I had forgotten and tucked away over the years.  I met Hank seven years ago, and because we were in a long distance relationship for that first year, and he was on tour with his band so frequently, so many of DC's songs rang true yet again during that time period. I can still remember driving up to visit Hank for the very first time, getting butterflies in my stomach as Hands Down played on the stereo. Music and emotion are powerful things when combined, and throughout the entire show last week I found myself tearing up a bit.  How was I to know, on that long drive up the mountain, that I was going to visit my future husband? The song then, and the song now. Me then, and me now. Us then, us now. It made me feel so happy, my heart so full, to think about the then and now, and to be able to remember a time before all of this, to remember the very beginning. And as the music drifted across the Marquee Theater, I closed my eyes for just a second, and I was in my car again, driving straight into my future.

a little more Valentine's...

 {via}

Last February I did a fun series that showcased a handful of my "real life" friends and their beautiful love stories.  I've gained a lot of new readers in the past year, so if you haven't checked these out yet, you definitely should! Enjoy, and have a beautiful day. xoxo

Emily and Zack

Erin and Jeff 

Lauren and Abe

Rachel and Jeff

Emily and Jesse

Happy Valentine's Day...to me?

 {image via weheartit}

Before Hank, I spent many Valentine's Days being annoyed at all of the couples holding hands, being cute, and rubbing it in my face that I didn't have that special someone, to spend this special day with. Now, I like all things love and mushiness, but somewhere inside of me is still that girl who is irritated by the huge stuffed teddy bears and gigantic heart-shaped boxes of candy. My perfect Valentine's date? Getting takeout burritos and watching a funny movie. Luckily Hank is romantic in the same way I am, and there will never be any "When a Man Loves a Woman" playing in our home. But it makes me think back to my Valentine's Days before I found the great love of my life. Although I was like I mentioned, annoyed from time to time, I often tried to make Valentine's Day a day about love...but the love I have for MYSELF. So hey you, single or not...let's show ourselves some love today. Pamper yourself, treat yourself to a truffle...'cause guess what? YOU DESERVE IT!

With that said, here's a list of 7 ways to love yourself now, and to have the happiest Valentine's Day ever. If you still have the need to call someone your Valentine, I'm your girl too! ;)

1) Get your ipod and find your most favorite, happy song. Dance like no one's watching for the entire thing. Shake your booty, jump around, be silly.

2) Look in the mirror and repeat the following to yourself 5x, making every word count: "Dang girl, you fine." You'll either believe it, or you'll laugh. Both are good. :)

3) If it's not too cold, take yourself out on a bike ride. Work it going up hill, and then coast gloriously home on the down.

4) Call up the fanciest restaurant in town and order yourself a dinner in. Light some candles and really just enjoy that delicious food without anyone else there to take away from the experience. Savor it and really focus on all of the amazing tastes you are experiencing.

5) Get out that super pink or red nail polish and give yourself a totally gaudy Valentine's pedicure. Or better yet, go to the nail salon (it'll be empty) and treat yourself to a nice mani-pedi. Foot massage? Okay!

6) Go to the store and buy the cutest, sexiest lingerie, and wear it just for you. Prance around the house, feel beautiful, and enjoy it because "dang girl, you fine." (see above)

7) Write yourself a love letter. Sounds weird, but it's such a great exercise to list all of the reasons your love yourself. And if you find this tough to do, take it as a sign that you need to work more on this. You are so lovable, and if you don't see it, I'm sure many other people do!

I promise you, Valentine's Day can be fun if you kind of flip the focus. It doesn't have to be about the sappy stuff we see all over the place. And I know, easy coming from a happily married old sap, but I consider Madeline and Henry my Valentines too, as well as a bunch of my girlfriends all over the place. Love comes in different forms, and no one says that we can't be our own! 

So, happy Valentine's Day to you...and me too!

Love is...

"Love is a temporary madness. It erupts like an earthquake and then subsides. And when it subsides you have to make a decision. You have to work out whether your roots have become so entwined together that it is inconceivable that you should ever part. Because this is what love is. Love is not breathlessness, it is not excitement, it is not the promulgation of promises of eternal passion. That is just being "in love" which any of us can convince ourselves we are. Love itself is what is left over when being in love has burned away, and this is both an art and a fortunate accident. Your mother and I had it, we had roots that grew towards each other underground, and when all the pretty blossoms had fallen from our branches we found that we were one tree and not two."

-St. Augustine, from the movie Captain Corelli's Mandolin

Dear Henry (a letter from your Dad),

Dear Henry,

I am so excited for you to be here! Halloween just passed and I thought about how fun it's going to be to take you trick or treating, dress up in costumes and eat candy! Your mom and I have been working so hard on putting together your room. Please don't ever ask me to re-paint the ceiling again! ;)

There are so many things that make me excited about you being here. Being able to teach you how to shoot a basketball, how to skateboard or ride a bike. All these things make me so excited for your arrival. Knowing that your life is an open book, you can truly do whatever you want. Don't ever limit yourself, your mom and I will always support you 100% and want you to be the happiest person in the world. Dream big and reach as far as you can. I promise we will be there for you! It's just a short matter of time before you're here and the countdown is driving me nuts. I imagine all the aspects of life that we will be able to embark on. Take hikes or play in the park, stare at the stars or play in the rain, I don't care, whatever you want to do. Whatever makes you happy. The possibilities are endless. I feel like a kid again and I want to make sure that you have the best childhood possible.

You aren't born yet but you need to know that I want to be the best dad possible to you and give you the best life. I promise that I will always be there to listen when you need me. You can always depend on me for everything. I love you so much and I hope that when you're old enough you can come and read this and know how excited your mom and I were for your arrival. I love you so much and I can't wait for you to be here!

Love, Dad

Baby Shower! (extremely image heavy)

Yesterday was one of those days that was so full of love and happiness that I felt like my heart might burst from joy. I can't even explain how much I appreciate all of my friends and family, there are no words to really express the gratitude I feel for each and every one of them making yesterday such a special day. As I looked around the room at so many of the people I consider my family, I was completely overwhelmed with these beautiful feelings, and also thoughts of how incredibly lucky Henry is to have so, so many people who already love him so much. My best friends were there, my Mom and sister, my Grandma and one of my Aunts, my in laws and their side of the family, tons of my girlfriends and work friends and people from all different parts of my life. It was neat to have them all in one place, and also to know that the friends and family who couldn't make it were still a part of the celebration.

The shower was beautiful and my family did an amazing job, as usual, with the entire event. There wasn't a detail spared, and there was something adorable and perfect at every turn. From the beautiful cake (red velvet) to the floral arrangements, to the hanging onesies and "Henry IV" pacifier cake toppers, all the sage green, the extremely generous gifts to the favors, it was all over the top and really gorgeous. I'm so thankful for all of it and even typing about it now makes me emotional!

Most of my friends and family traveled up to Prescott to come to the shower and I am so thankful they took time to do that. Afterward, some of my family and friends who hadn't seen our new home yet came over and we gave everyone the grand tour, then a handful of my girlfriends spent the night. We went downtown and ate dinner at Cafe St. Michael (their veggie burgers are so, so good) then walked around awhile so Zoe and Sarah could get a little taste of Prescott's "interesting" nightlife. We ended up in the candy store and chit chatting in the gazebo before we headed up for a fun sleepover. This morning we woke up and had some breakfast, Z. and S. left and Erin and I had a fun time together as usual, visited Adie at work and ate delicious food. It was a perfect day.

Here are some photos from the shower and after, mainly taken by my darling Sarah (thank you Suki Su)! It's funny because since I've been pregnant I'm sure you've noticed I haven't been posting photos of myself very often. I decided to just get over it, so here's a BUNCH. Enjoy!

before the shower, at our house- Autumn, Shirley and me :)


Sar and me!


I love this one


34 weeks!


Auntie Shirley and Carter


Chloe




baby Kyler and me- it's crazy to think I will be holding OUR son so, so soon! Ahh!


en route to the shower!


amazing cake- red velvet of course!


loving this detail


some of the cute favors




Shirl and some of the presents








my new, amazingly comfortable glider! Such a great gift :)








my beautiful, amazing mama and me




opening presents


cutie pie Layla!


Erin and 1-month old Kyler


Zoe and Chloe!


the blanket Erin made Henry


If you remember from a previous post regarding my shower, my Mom had included in the invite that people should bring signed books instead of cards, so Henry got so many books! His library is already so full which is awesome. It's also amazing to be able to read all the thoughtful inscriptions and know that H. will be able to cherish those as well.




I love Crystal!


my two favorite Sarahs!


the Gurrola girls and Laur, some of our oldest and dearest friends






flowers and Adie


Sarah and Zoe


Hank showed up just in time to cut the cake with me, cheesy wedding cake style ;)




a small amount of the ladies, we took this at the end of the day so a lot had already left, sorry girls!


trying out his manly diaper bag


after the shower, at dinner


Erin


Crystal


love them


Sarah and me blurry but I still like it :)


Zoe + candy, always!


Adie and Erin


cutie Sarah


I love this one!


So yes, it was just the best day and night...I was so sad to have to see everyone leave. I totally have a "fun hangover" now and I'm a little over emotional and feeling a little sad that everyone isn't still here! I wish all of my friends and family lived closer but it does make it more special when they come to visit. Now, off to try and sort through a million baby things! I love it. :)

I hope everyone has a beautiful Monday.