A Grieving Friend

Today was a very sad day.  In fact, this whole week has had a sad undercurrent to it.  One of my closest friends loss her mom earlier this week unexpectedly.  Needless to say she isn't taken this tragic event well.  I was in shock when I first heard her mom had died.

Although, I had only met her mom a few times, the times that I met her she left a lasting impression on me.  She was beautiful and had such a glow and lovely personality.  The times I can remember being around her, I always see her smiling.   And she was so talented when it came to making cakes.  In fact, I was going to ask her to make a Princess Tiana cake for Moo's birthday.

I know she was a great mom because my friend talked so much about her parents and how loving they were.  Plus, I saw first hand how much they adored their children and grandchildren.  During my friend's son's first birthday, I would see her parents glancing her interacting with her son.  The look in their eyes was pure pride and love as if they were saying "We did well."  At the end of the day that's what every parent wants to be able to say about their parenting skills.

Seeing my friend so distraught over the loss of her mom just tugged at my heart strings even more.  To see such a person who I know as being strong, tough and doesn't take shit from anybody in such a fragile state made me tear up.  Today, as I offered my friend words of comfort, I wished I could take half of her pain away.  Even as I type this I'm tearing up.  She was so drained and exhausted.  I can hear the sound of cry and almost childlike voice as she tried to hold it together.

I've been to my share of funerals and memorial services but it's something different when you see your friend grieving so hard and you know the one thing/person that can heal them is never coming back.  I can only pray that God will be a fence around her and her family.  That He will protect them from further hurt and pain and comfort them in a way that I can't.  

Have you ever had a friend grieve the loss of a parent or spouse?  How did you try to help them get through it?

Old Navy Beach Bum Shopping Party

As you all know, I'm a member of the Old Navy Style Council.  I simply love, love, love them.  Nothing beats great fashion with great prices.  With summer officially here, many of us are hitting up the beach and the pools.  To help me get pool and beach ready, Old Navy invited me to host a Beach Bum Shopping Party to check out their selection of beach accessories (beach towel, sunglasses, beach bag and flip flops).  So, I invited a few friends and the party was on! 

Here's a few pics we snapped while there.  

Store Front

I don't know about you, but I can't leave home without a super cute bag.  Same goes for hitting up the beach/pool.

Isn't she such a lovely a model?!!

I nicknamed this the Great Wall of Flip Flops. It went on for forever.  I got a pair of the Neon Life Lime ones you see on the far left.

Moo had to be in picture too.

You know we couldn't visit Old Navy without checking out the fashion too!  Your beach outfit is just as important as your accessories.

The print on this dress was super cute!

This maxi skirt could totally double as a bathing suit coverup/dress thanks to the drawstrings.

My other lovely model.  Her little guy is super handsome.

We spotted some celebrities too!

If you're headed to the beach or pool this summer be sure make Old Navy your first stop and pick some cool accessories and beachwear!  Also visit them on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest.  And if you're really looking to have some fun download their Old Navy Snap Appy!

Will you be hitting up the beach or pool this summer?






Disclosure: I am an Old Navy Style Council member and received a coupon for free accessories for myself and my guests.  All opinions expressed are 100% my own.

Thankful Thursday

It's been a while since I've done a Thankful Thursday post and I feel like this is something I should start back doing.  I can certainly say that I felt a lot better when I was taking the time to count my blessings as well as write them out.  I don't know just something about seeing everything that I have to be thankful for that humbles me and helps me keep life in perspective.

So, this week I'm thankful for the opportunity I got to spend with my family last months.  It was absolutely refreshing to be surrounded by family.  We had some good laughs.  And oh how I missed the food.  My hometown has the best little mom and pop restaurants.  Shout out to the Greens over College Inn.  They hands down have the best ribs ever!!!

I'm also thankful that we found out what my bestie is having.  It's a girl!!  I couldn't be more thrilled because now we both have one of each.  She's like a sister to me and I miss her dearly.  However, I'm looking forward to visiting her this summer.  

I'm also thankful for this peace the Mr and I seem to have found in our relationship.  We've had our ups and downs but ever since we celebrated our seventh year of being together our bond has gotten stronger.  We don't argue nearly as much.  It's almost like we're in a mild honeymoon phase.  So far year 8 is looking great!

What are you thankful for this week?

TGIF Blog Hop

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Return of the Moo

Greetings!!!  Hope everyone had a wonderful weekend.  I certainly did.  Friday, my wonderful and loving mommy decided to keep Moo for the weekend.  I wasn't really expecting her to offer, but when we stopped by for a visit, I guess she saw how pooped out I looked.  Moo's sleeping schedule has been kind of crazy these last couple of days.  Last Thursday she didn't go to bed until well after 3 AM Friday morning!!

I was thrilled that my mom offered, but kind of nervous at the same time.  This was going to be the first time Moo and I were away from each other since she's been born!!  Yes, in her two years on this earth I have never been apart from her for more than an hour.  I was also worried because my mom has a tendency to feed Moo food she's not suppose to have and then we have a rash situation on our hands or end up in the ER.  However, my mom promised not to give her anything I wouldn't approve of.

So, as the hubby and I prepared to head out the door, I couldn't help but feel a heaviness weighing in my heart.  Was I really going to leave Moo?  Was I being selfish?  Would she miss me?  What if she woke up during the middle of the night looking for me and I wasn't there?  I had a million questions running through my head.  My mom saw my uncertainty and ushered me right out the door. LOL.

I was surprised to discovered that Moo was missing me very little when she called to tell me good night.  In fact, I doubted she was missing me at all.  She hadn't even cried once when she discovered I was gone.  No, my child was busy laughing it up and watching NickJr while snacking on chips and juice.  She was having so much fun she didn't even want to talk to me.  I felt a little hurt.

A part of me wanted her to miss me and be begging for me to come back and get her.  The same routine followed on Saturday.  She was too busy to talk to me.  Grandma had gotten her all of her favorite snacks and a cool pair of pullups that made her feel like a Big Girl.  Her and my niece had poured just about every toy they owned out on the floor and were having the time of their lives.  She did pause long enough to give me a phone kiss and tell me bye before she ran off to get into more mischief.

Meanwhile, back here I was able to look at some houses online.  I found some great ones that were in our budget and had amazing space.  Saturday, I even enjoyed a Mom's Day Out over at one of my friend's.  She had just had her baby girl and I knew she could probably use the company and a little break.  We had a blast catching up and discovered that our childhoods were actually quite similar.  I think we certainly connected on a deeper level.

Plus, I learned that her new house is only like 15 minutes away from me.  I mean I never knew she was moving to the house right the down the street from our grocery store.  So, we vowed to visit each other at least once a week.  She has two kids and I will soon have two kids.  So, we are looking forward to our babies growing up together and becoming friends like us.

I can't wait for cookouts in the summer time.  Sunday, I enjoyed some window shopping at the mall.  I fell in love with some pretty cute bassinets at Pottery Barn Kids.  I love that store.  I'm going back to stock up on cute frog towels for Moo.  My husband thinks I'm crazy to buy a $25 towel for a two year old but he just doesn't understand you can't put a price on quality and cuteness.  Plus, if he only knew how much money I've spent at that store already-books, toys, etc.

It felt good to get out and see some familiar faces and get some ideas about somethings to keep my eye on for all the after Christmas sales.  I was surprised that my morning sickness didn't start acting up too.  But I was about ready to pass out walking back to the car.  I don't know something about packing on all these baby pounds doesn't sit well with my body.  I was out of breath and my legs hurt.

I told my hubby that we needed to seriously look into getting me a scooter.  He just laughed of course.  Men!  And then we were off to pick up my Moo.  We both had missed her something awful and were looking forward to having her chattering voice back home.  We got to my mom's house and she wasn't even home.  My mom has a tendency of doing that too.  She knew we were coming and had assured me she would be home by 8 o'clock.

Anyways, we didn't have too long of a wait before they pulled up.  My Moo was feasting on fries from McDonald's (her favorite) and a hamburger.  She was glad to see me and quickly left Grandma behind.  She had missed me!!  The entire ride home, she talked our heads off.  We even took the long way so that she could see all the outdoor lights and decorations.  And it started snowing halfway to the house. 

I was tickled pink.  I love love love love love snow!!!  However, to my dismay it didn't stay cold enough this morning and my snow has melted into small puddles.  But I'm staying hopeful because the weather man is calling for more snow tomorrow.  Meanwhile, Moo and I have been watching NickJr and enjoying each other's company.

12 Days till Christmas!!!