This seems to be happening a lot...

Hello my loves.

Sorry it's been so long, life has been busy. This weekend we threw a surprise party for my cousin.

My cousin is incredibly special, she has a condition called Prader-Willi which is very rare. When she was born the doctors said she wouldn't live past the age of 4 so when her 40th birthday rolled around we knew we needed to celebrate.

And celebrate we did.

Today is the day...

When I begin my 26 year. I've been a little freaked at the idea of officially being closer to 30 than 20 but I have a feeling this is going to be a very very good year.

I've already treated myself to a massage & a pedicure but I've decided to treat myself to a little more relaxation today so I'm off and I'll see you tomorrow, when I'm officially old.

Me, Banan & our cousin on my 6th birthday. 

Obviously, Banan was wicked jealous that I got a Magic Nursery doll.

PS Edie just said 26 was old and when Jus said it wasn't Edie responded with "26 isn't old if you live to 1000"

26 Things I Love

Today is Day 1 of my birthday week. Tomorrow I officially turn 26 and I'm keeping my fingers crossed for a good year.

To kick off the birthday celebrations I thought I'd start with 26 things I love.

Jus.

Our little life in our big Behemoth with our girls.

The rest of my family.

And my friends (and bloggy friends!)

Taking long drives to nowhere with Jus & then discovering a yummy dinner spot.

A good book.

Caffeine, coffee in the morning & diet coke in the afternoon. (I've been trying to cut back but it isn't easy)

Changing seasons. Isn't it funny that the seasons always change when you're tired of the old one?

Puppy snuggles (and husband snuggles)

The first time you get to wear a new outfit.

Listening to a song over and over and over.

That people are basically good & kind.

Dancing, anywhere, any time.

Fresh flowers.

Being good to my body (it had been a while since I've been good but I'm back on the wagon).

Creativity, even if it comes in spurts, at least it comes.

Champagne.

Long summer nights.

Laughing until my tummy hurts.

Good food.

Being excited.

Knowing that fall is coming and that soon I'll be able to eat my favorite apples & wear tights.

Clean sheets.

Ice cream, I couldn't forget ice cream.

Lazy Sundays.

Love. I love love & I really love loving things.

Roundup: My Birthday's Next Week!

One week from today I will turn 26. This will be my first year closer to 30 than 20 and my birthday list shows my advancing age. My list includes a new window for the guest room, the stained glass door fixed and a dishwasher.

But for today's sake lets just say that I'm not an (almost) adult & it's totally ok to wish for cute things instead of practical necessities.

I've been dying for a mustard cardigan for a couple of years.

Eden Cardigan in Warm Mustard from JCrew $89.50

My cheap boots are no longer cutting it. Time to invest in a good pair.

Frye Shirley Riding Boots from Zappos $388.00

This is essentially my slogan so it only fits that it should hang in our bedroom.

Always Kiss Me Goodnight Print from Type Posters $9.50

I wish I had a fun birthday party to wear this dress to.

Baking for Breakfast Dress from Modcloth $57.99

Speaking of things I'd love to have hanging in our bedroom.

Wedding Banner from Spread the Love $50.00

I'm in desperate need of a cute camera bag.

Millie in Marigold from Jo Totes $87.00

I've been dying to add a pouf or two to our house.

Knitted Grey Pouf from CB2 $89.95

This skirt is the perfect thing for an almost grown up.

The Flynn Skirt from Anne M. Cramer $160.00

I think it's high time that I get personalized stationary with my new name.

Chevron Stripe Stationary from Rowhouse 14 $20.00

Last year I asked for the black hunters, but this year I think I'd take teal.

Hunter Original Gloss in Teal from Zappos $112.50

I'm not even sure I could tell you how much I'd love portraits of Edie & Layla.

Custom Dog Portrait from Berin Made $84.46
Erin is kindly offering Adventures in Love & Happiness readers 10% off their pet portrait with the code "CUSTOMPET10"

So there you have it, my almost grown up birthday list. If any of you need my address just let me know.

Add Lightsaber Cake Baker to my Resume

In my every day life I'm a baker at my parents restaurant. I make cookies, whoopie pies, pies & a pretty mean Texas Sheet Cake so I couldn't have been more excited when one of our friends asked me to make a cake for their son's 6th birthday.

This particular six year old is one of the coolest kids I know and Jus & I love hanging out with him so I knew I had to step up my game when it came to making his birthday cake. And what better way to step up your game then to make a rice kripie treat lightsaber?

PS During this process I learned a lot about lightsabers. Like that lightsaber is one word and that the good guys have green. Also, that Samuel L. Jackson's favorite color is purple so when he was in the later movies he requested that his lightsaber was purple.

Sometimes my Loved Ones Humor Me

Like when they not only acknowledge the birth of my Basset Hound but bring their own dogs over for a doggy birthday party and bring Edie presents.

And there was cake! (Of course there was cake, what kind of puppy mom do you think I am?)

The Happiest of Birthdays

Today is an extra special day. Today my little sister turns 22.

Banan on her 21st

22 years ago I woke up, couldn't find my parents, and freaked out until I saw my grandpa sleeping on the sofa. At that point I realized that I was a big sister. The one that would be the role model, the helper & the boss.

Cole & Banan 1989

To say that I've enjoyed having a sister is an understatement. I've loved playing house, sharing clothes & staying up late giggling. The hair pulling, fighting over the bathroom & name calling has helped make me who I am and the mark that Banan has made on my heart will be there long after grow up and have families of our own.

Cole & Banan 2011

Today is the day to celebrate the girl that has gone from my (sometimes) willing playmate to the person I fought with most to one of my favorite people to spend hours upon hours laughing with.

Cole & Banan 2010

Banan, I am so proud of you and so incredibly thankful for our relationship. I know we have had our ups & downs but I am so excited to have the relationship we have now and can't wait to see it develop further.

Cole & Banan 2011

You are a loving soul, a good teacher, & I am so excited to continue to see you develop into the woman you are becoming. Thank you for 22 years of memories and love, and above all, thank you for no longer pulling my hair, I was getting pretty tired of it.

The Happiest of Birthdays

As I said earlier, today is my mom's birthday. I won't spill the beans on which birthday it is but I will tell you that last year was a big one.

Over the past year my mom has been my sounding board, my support system, my champion and my best friend. She listened when I had crazy wedding ideas; supported us when we fell in love with the Behemoth; and helps me make every day better.

Mom, thank you for being my best friend. You and I have had more wonderful moments than I can count. Planning the wedding with you was more fun than I could have imagined. I am beyond grateful that I got to spend so much time with you over the past year.

You make me laugh and hug me when I cry. You support me in any endeavor I try, even if it is etching 150 wine bottles to use as pitchers at the wedding, and when I realized I was crazy you nodded and moved on.

Mom, I know you hate this picture but I love it because it shows how similar we are

Thank you for listening to me, for supporting me, and telling me how proud you are of me. I'm pretty proud to have such a genuine, kind, and beautiful mom.

I love my mom's face as she watches my dad & me dance

Thank you for everything you have done for Banan, Dad, Jus & me. You are a rockstar & we are lucky to have you in our lives.

Happy Birthday, Mom! 

I love you!

The Happiest of Birthdays

Before I begin with today's post I want to thank you all for your wonderful comments yesterday. I was a little worried I'd get some posts calling me a bad puppy mom and blaming me for the unknown rat poison, but I have to tell you, your comments made me tear up all day. I appreciate your love & support and hope that I can make your day like you made mine yesterday.

Now, on to my regularly scheduled post...

Today my dad turns 55, if you add that together you get a 10, which my dad is.

Banan & I couldn't have asked for a better dad. My father is patient, fun & understanding. He never questions our desires or the girly things we do. He believes in us, understands us, and tries his hardest to understand our interests.

Dad, over the past year you have gone well beyond your daddy duties.

My dad got down at our reception!

You have gone wedding dress shopping, built flower boxes, sanded ceilings & walls, and walked me down the aisle to Jus. You supported my crazy wedding ideas (well, mostly), supported our crazy house purchase and kept smiling through it all.

Thank you for asking about Jus every morning, for the help you have given us and the unconditional love you give Mom, Banan, Jus & me.

As we've said all along, you'll never loose me as your little girl, you've only gained your first son. Thank you for all that you do and all the ways you make my life better.

Happy Birthday, Dad!

I love you!

All photos via