June 24th

June 24th.

It will always be my mom's birthday.

I could feel it quickly approaching this year - the second June 24th without her.

A day that used to be full of happiness and celebration.

Birthdays aren't the same anymore.

Especially not this one.

Not hers.

Because instead of presents, special dinners, and an ice cream cake,

we are only left now with memories.

Memories of her. Memories of us. Memories of all the birthdays we got to share with her.

But tonight, she won't be blowing out the candles and making a wish.

But today will always be her birthday.

I love you, Mom.

Sending lots of birthday hugs and wishes up there today!

--

The first June 24th without her.

The same picture was used because it just captures her spunk perfectly.

Birthday Party Success

Hopefully you caught up on my late 90's/early 00's post from my middle and high school days. Because, well, it'll be a while before I post any of that again. Let me just say, I was glad to hear how many of you were also part of the choker craze. 

This weekend was my niece's 2nd birthday party. It was pretty special for me personally because I was out in Utah when she was born and also when she celebrated her 1st birthday. It meant a lot to be back, surrounded by family, creating new memories with my little niecey. 

I was initially going to go a little overboard with the Minnie Mouse stuff. I had planned on making Minnie shaped tea sandwiches and since I couldn't get a cookie cutter in time, I was going to cut the shapes out by hand. Needless to say, that didn't happen :) Here's what did:

I just had to make this Minnie Mouse as the centerpiece. This is all you need:

Minnie Centerpiece

• 4 pieces of round Styrofoam circles [I used 2 small and 2 large]
• Black acrylic paint and a sponge/brush
• Toothpicks to secure the Styrofoam
• Wire ribbon [After making the bow, I secured it with a wire clip. Toothpicks should work as well]

I added a pink and black boa around the base to cover it and add a little "oomph!" :)

I saw this pink punch on Pinterest and knew it would be perfect for the Minnie party. Not only did it look perfect but it tasted perfect! The guests just loved it :)

Click above for the original recipe. I ended up using frozen pink lemonade mix, Sprite, raspberry sherbet, and that's it! Super easy!

I think we can all agree that we would do the exact same thing Aubrey did: Walk into a room full of presents and run straight to the CAR!! Her face is adorable :)

The cake was yummy and Aubrey sure thought so too. I like how the fork is in one hand and the cake is in the other :)

Overall, it was a wonderful day. Full of family, friends, and a happy two-year-old's smiles and giggles.

We were only missing one person this year - my Mom. We knew she was there in spirit. She was the one who helped everything end up running so smoothly.

I had great talks with family and friends, great snuggles with the little sweetie, and great food!

Get-togethers like this one are a perfect reminder of the things in life that really matter. And when it comes down to it, love is what really matters. Spread love all around, friends. In hugs, in smiles, in gestures, in favors. Let those you love KNOW you love them and don't ever let them go :)

Life is precious.

Happy Birthday, Mom

I'm back in blogging action. Upon returning from the beach for work, life was hectic to say the least. I have exciting news to share later this week which some of you may already know about. But before that, there are many other things to catch you up on!

Most importantly - yesterday was my Mom's birthday. Since she passed away in February, I knew June 24th was going to be a different day. How do you celebrate the birthday of someone who has died?

As of late, I have really been noticing the stars starting to align themselves and I have a feeling my Mom has something to do with it. That brought me so much comfort as we reached her "special day." I know she is still a part of us and that she is in tune with the events that occur in our lives.

I posted something yesterday on Facebook that I also wanted to share here:

"To the woman who taught me everything I know - How to sit like a lady, how to eat crabs, how to not be stolen by strangers when they say they're looking for their lost dog, how to mend a broken heart, and how to live life to the fullest - I miss you everyday. Happy Birthday, Mommy. Sending a hug up to Heaven."

She really did teach me everything. Whether through our talks, emails, books she'd get me, or through her brave example - she prepared me for life. I'm still learning of our similarities and realizing things I do that she would have done... like wearing our big [and similar looking] sunglasses :)

When we visited my Mom at the cemetery yesterday, it was extra special because it was her special day. I told her how much we all missed her. My mom's best friend had sent us all the sweetest cards earlier this week and she reminded us of the little blessings and miracles that would be finding their way into our lives. It warmed my heart to know that.

Neighbors/close friends of my parents' gave us a card as well as a beautiful bouquet to place at her grave.

She was so loved.

She still is.

It humbles me to see how many lives she touched. 

No matter how many days and birthdays may have passed, my mom continued to be the little firecracker that she was. And if you knew my Mom, I'm sure you're shaking your head 

and letting out a small chuckle :)

[the last picture taken of her here on Earth]

Although she was far too young to die, the angels took her in their arms because her time here in this lifetime was complete. She had done all that she needed to do. The Lord was ready for her. Age is nothing but a number. Don't count the years, count the life in those years.

What a life she lived.

I love you, Mom. I hope your birthday in Heaven was more beautiful than we will ever understand.

Early Birthday Wishes

I just wanted to write a little dedication to the greatest man I know, my dad :) Tomorrow is his birthday but tomorrow he will be spending a good portion of his day flying through the air on his way to me. It’s a last minute trip and proof of his selflessness. I’ve never met a person as selfless as he is. Truly.

Don’t worry, I plan on taking him out to dinner tomorrow to one of my favorite places in Salt Lake City. I can never thank him enough for all that he’s done for me. This year especially.

Happy Birthday, Pops! I’m so exited to see you :)

Happy Birthday Mamacita!

A HUGE Happy Birthday going out today to my most beautiful and caring Mom!

She’s the strongest woman I know.

She’s been following blogs far longer than I’ve been blogging, always sends me links to blogs she loves that I could take pointers from, and… now she reads MY blog :)

So, this one goes out to you, Mommy Dearest! Thanks for always being so cool and so hip. Those candles ain’t got nothin’ on you! :)

Oh, and just so everyone knows how cool and hip she really is, here is a little excerpt from an email she sent me last night:

“Getting ready to "git down"...maybe do some pop & lock. Ya know, chill, break a beat.”

When I asked her where she learned that lingo:

“Just hangin with a local B-Boy. Learnin' some moves.”

Gotta love her!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MOM! I love you :)