I never loved anyone so much.

Nine years ago yesterday I walked down the aisle of my tiny church and changed my name and my life...forever. 

May 7, 2005 was a day that started the best years of my life. I married a man that I loved so very much. Even still he makes me laugh, aggravates me to no end, and makes me happy in a way I never thought possible. He is one of the very best things to ever happen to me. 

I knew when I saw him across that basketball court eleven years ago that there was something different about him. He was beautiful. I hated basketball with every fiber of my being. But, I have grown to love it because he does. I am so glad I went to that game. 

Yes there are days he makes me want to smack him. There are days that I can't help but look at him and wonder what I did to deserve someone so truly wonderful. Then there are days that I am so overwhelmed with the amazing man I am lucky enough to call my husband. 

Like a few weeks ago when my dog died. I had such a hard time with that. I still have days that really suck. But my sweet husband was kind enough to be strong for me and not make fun of my tears. He was sweet enough to let me go with him to bury my dog and he let me pet him one last time and say my goodbyes. He didn't rush me along and make me feel dumb because it was a dog. He was compassionate in a moment when I needed that the most. 

Then there are times like when we were at the hospital with our son. I see my husband's face filled with as much worry and fear as I feel. I see as much concern on his face as I hear going in my head. My heart is full of love for this man that loves our child as much as I do. 

And now as I type I hear him in the living room tickling and laughing with Talent. They are playing and having a blast together. He loves our child and to see them together just makes me fall in love all over again. 

My husband is not an easy person to get to know. He doesn't let people close to him. But, if he cares for someone, it shows. He loves with all he has. He is an amazing man. 

For nine years I've been married to an amazing husband, friend, provider, love, comforter, supporter, and defender. He is so many things to me and I hope he knows just how much I thank God for sending him to me. Eleven years as a couple...nine years married....I've never loved anyone so much. 

Buttons & Beaus!

My dear friends Gabby and Kevin Bolton are the proud parents of a precious three-year old boy, Kevin. Kevin, born on February 2^nd, 2011, is a high-energy toddler who loves nothing more than to spend his days on the golf course or driving range. On March 19, 2014, everything changed for Gabby and Kevin, when what started as a high fever turned into a nightmare as they received the awful news no parent wants to hear, "Your son has cancer." After a doctor’s visit where Kevin’s blood was checked to determine what type of viral infection he had and a ambulance ride at night to the children’s hospital, Kevin was diagnosed by a hematologist with acute lymphocyte leukemia. Kevin has already endured a bone marrow biopsy and his first round of chemo. He has many more rounds of chemo, spinal taps, and biopsy to brave as he battles leukemia. In a situation that most adults would find difficult to face, Kevin has handled everything like a champ. However, this is only the beginning of a long and emotional journey for Kevin and his family.

          The Bolton family is in need of our support and prayers, so Buttons and Beaus are joining the fight to help Kevin beat cancer. Therefore, we will be offering two items from our website for a $5.00 donation to Kevin’s family. The full proceeds of any fairy dust & wand or lego necklaces purchased will be donated to the Bolton family. In addition, 20% of all sales until May 31, 2014 will also be donated to the Bolton family in order for the the family to stay focused on Kevin’s battle rather than the financial burdens they will incur.

           Use code Help Kevin Fight to donate 20% of your purchase, receive free shipping and leave a message for Kevin and his family!

Click Buttons & Beaus to shop!

 

 

Please do whatever you can to help spread this message and also to help send people to Buttons & Beaus to shop! This is a great store, doing a wonderful thing to help a child in need. If it was my child, or yours, you'd want everyone you know sharing this far and wide! So, please, spread the word, let's help this family!

 

 

Sirens grab my heart....

Pretty much everyone knows that my Pawpaw Bazil passed away 8 years ago. He was a firefighter and had a fireman's funeral. Every time I hear sirens my heart stops. I am always taken back to the day we buried my Pawpaw and the "final call" they did on the radio at the end of the funeral.

When Seth is off work we sometimes go out to eat with his Dad during his lunch hour. Most of the time we go eat pizza at Mazzio's. I've started noticing that most times when we are there, there are firemen there. This week we were there and I noticed that a truck full of firemen came in to eat lunch. I always notice them. I have a soft spot in my heart for them, naturally. This time, they barely got their food and sat down and the walkie went off, calling them out to a fire. They got up, left their food, and ran to the fire truck. The sirens started, the truck pulled out, and they were off. Their food sat as they went off to save a structure, nature, or whatever the fire had engulfed.

I write this blog about the firemen today because this is something I have seen more than once. Firemen leaving their food or coming back to cold food because of a fire. Firemen having to put their lives on the line to save someone or some structure or nature from danger. It's a job they choose. It's a job that they love. It's a life.....I know this because I remember just how very much my Pawpaw loved it. People don't get to see this part very often. I am so thankful that my life was blessed by a fireman.

When Seth and I were first married, maybe 7 years ago, there was a fire that came through and burned our entire pasture. It came within 6 feet of our house, 2 feet of our propane tank, and burned our fence around the pasture to the ground. Without the firemen that came to our house that day, I could have lost my husband. Seth was sleeping that day because he was working nights. It is still one of the most vivid and scary memories I have.

These firemen go out and put their lives on the line every single day. They get home late, miss many meals, have very sore bodies, and they miss so much time with their families. I hope that they know just how much they are appreciated for all that they do. Seeing the men at Mazzio's get up and leave their plates this week and not hesitate even a second, just shows me how dedicated they are to their jobs. I have a great respect for them. They all deserve a pat on the back and a "thank you" when they least expect it.

RIP Riley

For almost eleven years I have had a constant side kick in my life. Riley. I remember the first day I saw him. Those beautiful golden yellow eyes and that pink nose. He melted my heart and I had to have him. He was covered in fleas and ticks and just plain filthy, but, I didn't care. I was in love. 

I brought him home. I begged my boyfriend (now husband) to help me name him. He refused because he didn't

want me to get the dog. After three days, I finally picked a name on my own. Riley fit him perfectly. This dog was mine. He went with me everywhere. Back and forth to my boyfriend's house, to get a soda, to my grandparent's....everywhere. He was my best friend, my baby. 

Seth eventually came around and loved the dog too. He taught him tricks. Riley knew how to shake, sit, crawl, roll over, play dead, and balance a treat on his nose until he was told "okay". He was smart. He was also very loving and patient. He rarely met anyone he didn't like. I always knew that if Riley was cautious of someone, I should be too. He was the best dog. 

We took naps together, walks together, and even had a few good cries together. He always seemed to know just when I needed a friend the most. He would come snuggle up next to me and let me lay there and cry. He always made me feel better. 

To people who don't choose to have pets, this all sounds crazy. But for me this dog was part of our family. He was as much a part as my husband or child. He lived and was loved. He loved us back. He wasn't just a cute furry thing taking up space and shedding everywhere in my home. He was family. He was my best friend, first baby, and the best dog a girl could ever have. 

I was so blessed to have this amazing dog for the last 11 years. There will never be another that comes close to him. I am heartbroken and sad tonight. But I know Riley died in my arms knowing he was loved. He is at peace and no longer feeling pain. I'm thankful that I will always have his sweet memory to carry with me. 

I will love you always, Riley! 

Reunited...

Three years ago I decided I had to walk away from a friendship that I had been in for almost 10 years. At the time it was not a healthy relationship for either of us. It was one of the hardest things I have ever done. From the day I decided to walk away from the relationship, I regretted it. I hurt, I longed for that relationship. I missed my friend more than I could put into words. But, at the time, I just didn't have the strength and the energy to put into it anymore.

She was going through something that I just couldn't understand. Something that she never really shared fully with me. I was pregnant and had all kinds of hormones going through my body. I ended up getting my heart hurt and decided I'd had enough. I'm not placing blame on her. Lord knows that I could have handled things in a MUCH better way. I chose not to. But, things in this relationship were complicated. When things were good, they were good. But when they were bad, boy were they ever bad.

After three years of being without this person in my life, I heard that she was pregnant. She had gotten divorced and remarried. Her sister was in the hair salon at the same time as me one day. She started talking about the pregnancy and I couldn't help but want to reach out. You see, the last time my friend was pregnant, she had all kinds of issues once the baby was born. He was born with a hole in his back, he had some form or Spina Bifida, and a tethered spine. He has had many surgeries and may still have to have more. So, I knew that with another pregnancy she was probably terrified.

A few days after seeing her sister, I decided I couldn't hold out any longer. I took the step to reach out. I messaged her on facebook and apologized. Admitting when I am wrong is something I'm happy to do. It's never easy, but I can do it. I apologized, she apologized, and we decided that we wanted to try and start our friendship over fresh. We've had three years and a lot of growth between us. We have both changed quite a bit. We have talked off and on over the last 4 weeks and I have to say, it makes my heart happy.

Julie and I had lunch a week ago. It's the first time we have seen each other face to face in three years. We both broke out in the biggest grin when we saw each other. There were big hugs and a lot of laughs. Honestly, it was like nothing ever happened. Three years apart and we were able to pick back up where we left off. I am so glad that I decided to take that step and email her. I needed her back in my life. I didn't realize just how much I had missed her until I saw her again.

Sometimes we close a door thinking we are done. How wrong I was. I thought that friendship was something I couldn't mend. Turns out, we just needed some time to heal and be apart. I'm so thankful that we are able to come back together and mend this friendship. She and I have always had such a close friendship. Not having it has been heavy on my heart since I let it go. Having it back feels right to me. I'm thankful for forgiveness. I'm thankful for second chances. I'm thankful for friendship.