Thanksgiving 2014:

I hope everyone had a Happy Thanksgiving!

We definitely did and were extremely blessed to have been able to spend it with family and friends again this year! We have been able to spend all three of Charli's Thanksgiving's in Jacksonville and to be able to spend Crew's very first Thanksgiving here as well was a true blessing! 

We had a perfect day that started with mimosas, gluten free pumpkin bread, the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, and my two little's browsing the Black Friday ads with their Nana.

Charli is already showing Nana what she wants for her Christmas presents! ;)

While we were warm and cozy and in our pj's, Steven was out running a Half Marathon with his brother. We didn't tag along since it was pretty cold and I didn't want to wake both kids up, and lets be honest, I wanted to drink with my mom and watch the parade (you can't ruin a family tradition, am I right?!) Although we weren't at the race it didn't mean we weren't cheering daddy on from the house. We tracked him on my phone the whole time! Steven did an amazing job and finished right about his goal time of 2 hours. We are so proud of you honey! 

After Steven got home from the race he decided to take a little dip into the freezing cold (58 degrees) pool to help his legs...

*Ummmmm... Hey crazy...

The rest of our day was spent surrounded by family and friends, gathered around, eating too much, drinking, and making as many memories together as we could! From Aunts & Uncles, Cousins, Grandparents, Great Grandparents, to our best friends, our children were loved on and adored by each of them! One highlight from that evening that will forever be etched into my head was seeing Charli light up at the sight of her "Aunt Tistie" and nearly sprinting the entire length of the driveway until she reached her arms! Christie and I have been best friends since we were 8 and to see the relationship and love my children have for her is truly priceless. 

We truly had a wonderful day!

All in all, Crew's First Thanksgiving was a success!  

 From our family to yours!

 Happy Thanksgiving!

Birchbox: November Delivery:

My November Birchbox arrived just in time for the Holiday's! 

This month, Birchbox is partnering up with (RED) to raise money and awareness for the global fight against AIDS! They will be donating $1 every time a photo is shared about Birchbox this month tagged with #shaRED.  

In The Box:

* amika- Perk Up Dry Shampoo: A weightless spray that refreshes hair residue

(I was SO excited about this item!! And I have loved it so far!)

* Borghese- Fango Purification Purifying Mud Mask for Face & Body: A clarifying treatment that removes oil and bacteria, minimizes pores, and soothes skin

(UMMM Yes Please!! Another amazing item!)

* Cynthia Rowley Beauty- A long-wearing stain by an NYC based designer that gives unbeatable moisture and shine.

(Looking forward to wearing this!)

* Eslor- Firming Collagen Day Cream: A radiance-boosting, paraben-free cream that boosts elasticity and keeps wrinkles at bay

(Anything to keep the wrinkles away is a win-win, am I right?! ;))

* Jouer- Luminizing Moisture Tint: An oil free SPF 20 formula with a natural looking glow.

(I absolutely love wearing tinted moisturizers underneath makeup!)

* Pop Corn ChocoPods- A Gluten Free sweet and crunchy treat!

(And that it was! I only got half of it since my 2 year old devoured the other half ;)! It was a very yummy treat for sure!)

Another amazing box!

Happy Black Friday! 

Thankful:

I have so much to be thankful for this year! 

I am thankful for this little space of the internet that I call my blog and for all of the wonderful people I have met through it. I truly enjoy documenting my family and being able to keep family and friends updated on our ever changing lives! I am thankful for family and for friends that feel more like family because of the love they show Steven and I, and more importantly our children. I am thankful for the health of my loved ones and for my health (acknowledging that it could always be worst). I am thankful for all military members, especially those who are deployed this year and unable to spend the holidays with their family. But most importantly, I am thankful for my loving husband and our two beautiful children, and for those two roles I play as a wife and a mother. They may not always be easy, but they are without a doubt the most fulfilling and most rewarding roles in my life! The fact that God saw fit to bring these three into my life makes me internally grateful! 

I am also thankful that while being in the middle of our move we are able to stop and take some time out of our busy schedule to celebrate and be with our family and friends!
And because of that, Charli was able to make special Turkey Day crafts for Nana and Papa!

*Classic Pine Cone Turkey! Charli colored the nose and leaves. Mommy hot glued everything on!

*Adorable Turkey Leaves! Charli gathered the leaves, colored the nose, and put the eyes on. Mommy hot glued together!

*Pine Cone Painting! 

I hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving!

What are you Thankful for this year?

Crew Benjamin's Baptism:

You are sealed by the Holy Spirit in Baptism and marked as Christ's own forever. Amen. 

On Saturday the 22nd of November, our son was baptized in the ships bell aboard the USS FARRAGUT in a very intimate gathering. The FARRAGUT holds a special meaning for my family because my cousin is the ship's Command Officer! Congrats again Cory, we are so proud of you! 

Not only did the ship hold a special meaning for our family but so many other details of Crew's baptism did as well. Exactly 2 years ago (almost to the day) Charli was baptized in a ships bell aboard the USS ROOSEVELT (DDG 80), the Christening gown he wore was mine and was also worn by big sister, and the white sailor outfit he wore underneath was the outfit that my brother was baptized in! With my brother not able to be here, it made it even more special that Crew was wearing his Uncle's Christening outfit! We felt it was perfect for a "Navy" baptism and that his daddy has been serving in the Navy for almost 17 years!

Words really can't express how honored and blessed I feel that our children have had such special, meaningful baptisms that really tie into our life as a Navy and Christian family. We are incredibly proud of what Steven does and want him to know that in every way possible!

May God bless him, and keep him; Make his face to shine upon him, and be gracious unto him; In everything he does.

Amen.

Crew's Baptism:

Crew's Godparents:

Aunt Jet and Uncle Yaya

Nana & Papa:

 Great Daddy:

Family & Friends:

Thank you again FARRAGUT and Cory for hosting Crew's baptism and really making his day as special as it gets!