Ashley Visits!

My old college friend and London roommate, Ashley Snyder "Georgia", flew to  Iowa over Christmas break to visit. It was the first time I had seen her in almost 7 years! I was so excite to see her, and for her to meet my children. We seemed to pick up right where we left off in college and it almost felt like no time had passed at all. Now we both agreed we can't let it be 7 years again before we see one another. 

Just like the old college days, Georgia hasn't changed much :) At the bar, took a full Moscow mule, a sign out of the bathroom, and the bar owner's birthday balloons. Don't worry, I returned the cup the next day :) Some things never change!

Nana and Piper

I was looking at pictures of my mom the other day, and felt sad for the fact that Piper is the only grandchild that will never remember Nana and had no pictures with her. So as I was going through old pictures, I found a couple of these gems. One from the day Piper was born, and the day Piper was baptized (Mother's Day). Two of the most important days in Piper's life. Her Nana was there for it. So while Piper, and the other grandchildren, are going to miss out on almost everything without their Nana, I am trying to remember what they did have and what we do have to remember. And these pictures give me so much joy that I have these for myself and Piper's sake. My mom's last words to me were "God is good", and as much as I disagree with that right now, I am trying to honor my mom and remember that. And in this specific situation, God is good.

My Mother's Hands

Even though I am still young, I have noticed myself aging drastically this past year. I don't know if it's just me seeing it, or the physical pain my body has went through over the past 6 years, or just the stress and grief wearing me down. But I noticed the other day that my hands, all of a sudden, had veins everywhere in them, just like my mother's hands. While I feel this would have made me feel "old" or aged any other time in my life, I felt an overwhelming piece of joy. To know that overtime I look at my hands, I am reminded of her.

Matron of Honor For My Best Friend's Wedding

Well, Dena gave me quite the honor over NYE and asked me to be her maid of honor for her wedding! I of course said yes, and I am so excited for her and Kyle. Dena and I have been best friends for 29 years, and we have never drifted apart. We are both at very different points in our lives, yet we are still as close as ever. Even if we go one or even two weeks without seeing each other, it never matters, we are still sisters at heart. She is my person. My one friend that I can count on for anything. The one friend, outside of family, that I know would do anything for me and of course I would for her. Cheers to 2018 Dena Kay and your beautiful wedding to come!

New Year's Eve 2017/ New Year's Day 2018

For New Year's Eve this year, Joe and I started off with quite the mellow day. My dad and Shari has practically begged to watch our 3 kids, they are always so awesome about wanting them, so Joe and I decided we better do something since we were kid-free! We made the COLD venture up to Des Moines to plan on eating out. However, since it was Sunday, almost everything was closed until night. So we went to Buzzard Billy's to watch football and eat an appetizer until our dinner reservations at sushi. Well, we had a change of heart and just wanted to get home and not spend the unnecessary money. Once we got home, we went over to Dena's. We ended up having one of our best NYE's together and had the best time. 

The next day for New Year's, we had Clint, Tara and Regan over. The kids played and we all just lounged around and watched football. The best way to ring in the new year! 

A Quilt to Help Remember

I had been wanting to do something special for my sister for a few months to help her mourn the loss of our mom. I saw this idea of a quilt made from your loved one's clothes. I knew immediately that's what I wanted to do for Brook since her and I both love to snuggle with blankets. Cindy Voss, the mother in law of our friend Emmy, had offered to make this quilt. She did such a beautiful job and it is absolutely perfect. I gave Brook her quilt on Christmas morning, and I think she loved it. 

Cindy was able to have enough material to make me a matching quilt as well. Michelle and Scott had given me an incredibly sweet card at Christmas with a note in it explaining they wanted to pay for a quilt for me and wanted me to always remember my mom with it. Of all of the gifts I could have possibly gotten at Christmas: clothes, shoes, etc, this was the most meaningful. I will always remember the exact outfit of my mom's from the material on this quilt, and even when I saw her wearing it last. It has her favorite Ralph Lauren shirts on it, her favorite floral pants from Von Maur, her brown dress she wore to Brook's wedding, her sharp black and silver jacket that she just wore last Christmas. My favorite piece, is the Andale's t-shirt square. My mom loved going to Puerto Vallarta. Her and Dennis loved it so much, they ended up buying a time-share there. We would go there all of the time for spring break. I am never going to forget the last time we were in Puerto Vallarta together. My mom wanted to go to Andales, her favorite bar, where you can ride a donkey throughout the bar. She also loved the bar even more lately because her favorite Real Housewife, Vicki, is now part owner of the bar :). Anyways, one night my mom was feeling frisky if you will and decided to do shots with us. Keep in mind, my mom NEVER drinks, and if she does, it would be one drink and definitely does not get drunk. EVER. Well, this night she did. On accident I know, but it was the greatest night we had all had in quite a while and a memory I will never forgot. My mom enjoyed too many drinks with me, and from the waitress too ;) (a story I should not share on here) and then my mom rode the donkey. Now, every time I have looked at this quilt I always smile just thinking about this story.

Daddy's Little Girl

Joe will openly tell you that he loves having a baby girl. There have been times when I walk into a room where he is rocking Piper and will be talking to her about all of the things he is going to make for her, do with her, and buy for her when she gets older. I love seeing this softer side of Joe and even more so love seeing Piper being overly loved. You are such a loved little girl, Piper Collins!