Our Mini Post Baby Moon to the Smokies

In a perfect world pregnant married woman are swept away on a baby moon to enjoy some much needed rest, relaxation and last moments of being a couple without a baby. I understand it but at the same time my perfect isn't that. It's waiting till your babe is 4 months before getting the cash and the time to take a vacation. A much needed one.

I feel so lucky to live only a little less than 3 hours from the beautiful majestic smokey mountains of Tennessee. Just about every year my mom plans a trip for us all (my 3 other sister and all our boyfriends) to stay in a cabin and it is always fun. Justin and I decided to do it alone with just our little family this time. We wanted to be alone because at the moment we are staying with my mom and it's been almost a year now since we stayed in a place that was ours. All I wanted was 3 things... a hot tub on the porch, mountain views and a fire place. We were lucky to find Angels Nest, a cute little one bedroom cabin with amazing views.

Juniper will be 5 months on the 20th and I have to admit that little girl is perfect when it is just her and mommy and daddy. I think new sights really keep her occupied so she spends a lot of time just looking around. I really enjoyed the weekend but it was a little bittersweet for me as well. The year is coming to an end and our first family vacation is over... I am so grateful that god has been so good to me lately. I could count a million blessings. It is amazing what prayer does for my mind body and soul.

Happy Birthday to my Best Friend

I haven't even started this post and I am already tearing up. Tears are running down my cheeks thinking about one of the most amazing people I was lucky to have as best friend, business partner, and little sis. Her heart is literally made of gold. I could tell her anything and everything and be confident that she's not only going to listen but she is going to have my back and not judge or share it with anyone. I think I have cried and leaned on her more than anyone else in my life. She has seen some of the most craziest things happen to me... mainly because we spend so much time together. She's my rock, my light, my all grown up little sister. :( 

Happy Birthday Nick Nick!

Taylor and Josh

My weekend in Illinois was great!.... minus the fact that on the way home the serpentine belt broke on my car and I took a crazy ride with a cop who demanded I hold my baby instead of put her in the car seat while driving to the dollar inn following my bug on the back of a tow truck. Let's just pretend that was a dream that managed to slip 300 dollars out of our pockets.

Besides that I got to see my cousin Taylor's house for the first time and let all the relatives see Juniper. Tay took me too Ikea and I got to snap these beautiful pictures of that pinup bombshell that makes up my cuz. The relatives all loved June soooo much it was a little emotional for me but also soooo wonderful. Juniper met her great grandparents for the first time and quite a few cousins who teared up when she made her exit.

I was sooo surprised at how well my 3 month old did on the 8 hour trip to Illinois and how great she was during the chaotic end of the trip when we had to spend the night in a hotel and pray that Justin could fix the bug. I feel so lucky to have a baby that seems to enjoy travel and is so smiley around people she has never seen. I'm already planning future trips in my head but one thing for sure is were gonna need a better and bigger vehicle. Plus I missed my pup and he deserves to tag along as well.

Ps.... I am so into my camera these days it amazes me. I love taking pictures and whats even weirder is I am starting to love taking pictures of other people. Something I never really cared for before. I'm not popping up and starting a photography business or anything like that I just want to give those special people in my life special memories of the way I see them. I am planning to take pictures of the rest of my sisters and their boyfriends soon and will share them on here. Plus I am very into my photoshop program... I have had it a little over a year and am surprised at how much I can do to make photos more artistic. I would say this photography thing is my hobby and crafting is my job ;)

Junipers first Pumpkin Patch and Corn Maze

Motherhood changes you that's for sure. It makes you live your life so much more than you ever did before. You'll give up everything you cared about before just for this little ones happiness. It's an amazing and exhausting experience. I get worn out everyday from loving on my child and that's just how it is. I am enjoying what I feel is the best time of my life.

I am still learning and I think the hardest part at this point is taking the time to take care of myself but I am getting better about it. It's difficult to focus on yourself and it's easy to forget about it. So I am hoping that these holidays help me want to start working on building my self back up. That's what I really need so I can better care for my child.