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Dec 3, 2013

Saturday, September 7th- Bridal Shower Round 2

I'm backing way up to share some photos and details from my second bridal shower! It took place on Saturday, September 7th.

My Mom and I.

This one was held in the same location (my sisters house) but this time was thrown by my Mom. It was "Victorian Tea Party" themed and she did a wonderful job. Ben and I received some really lovely gifts for our home and it was really good to catch up with some ladies that I hadn't seen in quite awhile, (quite a few of the Mom's I've worked for as a nanny or even high school babysitter came, which was really sweet.) The dessert table was filled with delicious goodies- including my Aunt's famous cherry cheesecakes, my Mom passed around photo albums and everyone chatted and enjoyed themselves. I really think I'm fortunate to have had two different bridal showers go so well! One of my favourite gifts from this shower was the recipe book that everyone contributed to. It's filled with a delicious recipe that each guest brought and they each wrote a note to me to go along with the recipe and put it all together on a scrap book page. I will be adding to this book for years to come- I just love it. Oh and I almost forgot to mention that my Mom also got me a sewing machine and lot's of black and white fabric and is going to teach me how to sew. I'm really excited. I felt so blessed to have my Mom put so much effort into throwing this shower for me, for her thoughtful gifts and her excitement over the entire wedding itself.
My sister was obviously there (and did a fabulous job as co-host), and I just want to leave a shout out to her and her room mates as well  for not only allowing both of my bridal showers to go on in their home, but for also attending and dressing up for both, baking, decorating, cleaning- really just going above and beyond to make me feel special. It was a wonderful day.





* It was a gloomy, rainy day that day so please excuse the grainy quality of the photos. 

After the shower my parents and Ben's parents met up for their first ever dinner- I know, how were we together for 7 years and our parents never officially met?! Happy to report that it went really, really well and we all got to enjoy some delicious Chinese food. Thrilled that we are all family now:)

Life Lately

I promise I am going to be back with some wedding posts soon! I really didn't think it would take me this long- I'm also still waiting on my wedding photos,but they're coming soon. December for this blog will be full of wedding and Christmas posts, that ok? Good.
Just one of my recent favourites.
So here's what's been going on with me lately- in no particular order:
- Finally over this nasty cold I caught during our mini moon (we both got sick again and again over the last couple of months.) We knew it would happen.
- Getting the apartment slowly packed and clean has been my main priority. We are fed up with the mess that was piling up and want to be ready to move when the time comes.
- Really hoping to be able to post wedding photos (and more detailed posts about it) soon! Our wonderful photographer (and cousin) took a ton of photos and video footage throughout the entire weekend, so it’s a huge project for her. It’s going to be so incredibly worth the wait!
- Looking ahead into the New Year and realizing that we don’t have many “free” weekends between now and then. Such a busy and exciting holiday season this year!
- Already heading into hibernation mode with these chilly temperatures and high winds that occurred for most of November. Hoping to make a big pot of chilli this weekend and have a few soups planned for next week. Staying under the covers with hot chocolate and a book sounds good too.
- Missing Burn Notice. Ben and I started watching it during our mini-moon (he raved about it after watching the first couple of seasons on his own, so I promised him I would give it a shot.) I was skeptical, but it instantly became my new favourite show! Since we both spent the majority of October sick, most of our evenings involved watching Burn Notice after work and we quickly made it to the seventh, and final, season. We were both sad when it was over. For the first month of marriage it was our “thing”. Such a good show.
- Feeling a little bummed that I “missed” Fall. Obviously I witnessed the leaves changing (and our wedding took place on an incredible Autumn day), but I didn't wind up participating in many of my usual Fall rituals. Visiting the pumpkin patch, driving up to the Gatineau Hills for pictures, decorating our home, pumpkin cream cheese muffins at Starbucks, caramel apples- these are all things I look forward to come October. Between being sick and working longer hours, it just didn't happen this year. Fortunately, I can still remedy the muffin situation (I hope!) and we did have an amazing Thanksgiving. Next year my goal will be to stay healthy!
- On a related note- the Christmas excitement has started! We've already had our first snow storm of the season (not unusual for Ottawa at all) and  I'm ready for Christmas movies, peppermint hot chocolate, gift shopping, decorating, all of it!
- Feeling so grateful and undeserving of all that I have. When I have bad days, I can easily fall into the "woe is me" trap. I'm trying to catch myself more when that happens. Often I am upset by trivial things and there’s no need for that. Period.
- Thinking a lot about the Layete region of the Philippines. I can’t even imagine the devastation they are facing (pictures don’t tell the whole story.) Since my husband is Filipino it does hit closer to home for his family- fortunately all immediate relatives are ok (to my knowledge) but I do know others who have lost contact with their loved ones. My thoughts and prayers are with them- and their families and friends who are affected as well.
- Grateful to be able to catch up with my out of town friends and family more often. Visits with my cousin’s and Morgan’s family have been monthly instead of a few times a year and I love that. Also so happy any time I get a text with some version of the phrase “Want to catch up over coffee/dinner” from a friend.
- Planning our Italy trip is so much fun! This will be our big honeymoon. We’re taking two weeks in February or March (when it’s not a high tourist season), basically whatever fits in best with our work schedules. Neither of us has really travelled so this will be an incredible experience for us both. Over the moon excited!
- I miss the boys, a lot. Since my last day as a nanny I've been able to see them a couple of times and that has been wonderful. It’s still a huge adjustment from seeing them every day though. More visits to plan in the future for sure!
- Loving being married so much. In many ways it’s like not a lot has changed, and yet it really has. We’re a pretty good team.
- Not always finding the time to keep up with this space, but so happy when I do. 

Nov 2, 2013

One Month Ago

Photos taken by Ben's cousin.
(I wrote this on Oct. 29th, thought it posted but it didn't! Just to clarify Oct.29th was our one month anniversary, not today.)


One month ago today, I walked down the aisle.

One month ago today, we took each other's hands and made promises.

One month ago today, we sealed those vows with a kiss.

One month ago today, I made the best decision of my life.


I would do it all again, the exact same way.

Ben, you always have, and always will be the man of my dreams. I cannot wait for many more months and years together with you.