Tag Archives: Happiness

Something More

22 Friday Mar 2013

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I had the CRAZIEST dream last night. It must have been induced from all the sugar and Pepsi I consumed from my spring break slumber party with Caylee and lack of sleep. I woke up at 4:45am to Colt’s alarm going off for the gym. I knew that since I had Caylee sleeping on the couch that I would not be working out until later in the day. I rolled over and gave Colt a squeeze knowing he would have to get himself up to go and quickly fell back to sleep.

During that last hour and a half of slumber I had the most vivid and lively dream of being in labor. The dream started with me in a large house set up as a birthing center. There were so many rooms and multiple areas. Some areas looked like a hospital and some looked like a normal house. I remember the pain of labor and walking through the house. As I walked through each room people (mostly from my past) would appear. They would tell me that they couldn’t miss the birth of my baby and that they would be waiting for me when he arrived. I remember thinking it was so strange that they would be there (some of the people I hadn’t seen or talked to in years) but as I walked the labor pains would get deeper and deeper causing me to have to stop, fall to knees and push. Every time this would happen a doctor (whom I don’t know) and Colt would be by my side. Colt would be rubbing my back with the doctor standing by. I would be talking out loud and rubbing my belly saying things like “come on come out” “why are you being so stubborn” “just come out of there” after pushing for what seemed like forever I would go back to walking (always walking into the same room with my sister sleeping on the couch).

I remember trying to wake my sister to tell her that the baby was coming and that she needed to wake up. She would then roll over and tell me that the baby was never coming out. I remember feeling so frustrated and scared thinking she may actually be right. I asked my friend Kristen (who would appear in and out as I walked into rooms) why he wouldn’t just come out. She would then fight with me that the baby was a girl not a boy (in the dream I knew it was a boy and was already using his name to talk to him) I would then continue walking until another labor pain would hit and I would again be on my knees pushing and having Colt rub my back and the doctor “standing by…”

I woke up again at 6:15am in the middle of a “push” as I heard Colt pulling in from the gym. I quickly sat up feeling extremely weird and foggy. I grabbed for my stomach and quickly realized it had only been a dream (a very real and life like dream). I just sat there feeling weirder than ever as Colt rushed in the bedroom excitingly asking me if I had ever heard the song “something more” by Sugarland. I quickly stopped him and told him that I just awoke from a dream where I was in labor with our son. He stopped as a smile quickly crossed his face and said a boy really! He then insisted that I listen to the song because he was certain that every single word had been written just for me. I smiled as I laid back down and let the words distract me from my slumber.

…The Lyrics…

Monday, hard to wake up

Fill my coffee cup, I’m out the door

Yeah, the freeway’s standing still today

It’s gonna make me late, and that’s for sure

I’m running out of gas and out of time

Never gonna make it there by nine

[Chorus:]

There’s gotta be something more

Gotta be more than this

I need a little less hard time

I need a little more bliss

I’m gonna take my chances

Taking a chance I might

Find what I’m looking for

There’s gotta be something more

Five years and there’s no doubt

That I’m burnt out, I’ve had enough

So now boss man, here’s my two weeks

I’ll make it short and sweet, so listen up

I could work my life away, but why?

I got things to do before I die

[Repeat Chorus]

Some believe in destiny, and some believe in fate

I believe that happiness is something we create

You best believe that I’m not gonna wait

‘Cause there’s gotta be something more

I get home 7:30, the house is dirty but it can wait

Yeah, ’cause right now I need some downtime

To drink some red wine and celebrate

Yeah, Armageddon could be knocking at my door

But I ain’t gonna answer that’s for sure

There’s gotta be something more

Gotta be more than this

I need a little less hard time

I need a little more bliss

I’m gonna take my chances

Taking a chance I might

Find what I’m looking for

There’s gotta be something more…

As the song comes to an end I am covered in goose bumps and feelings of gratitude. Seeing Colt so excited with his big smile just makes life that much more enjoyable. I roll over and text my Mom telling her about my dream and asking her to look up the meaning in her dream book. She texted me back shortly after telling me that labor in a dream means you are preparing for or laying down the ground work for a new beginning, a new creation, the start of something new or a new phase in your life. The actual “labor” is the growing pains in your life process. I smiled as I read the text prepared to start my day and thinking it couldn’t have been more on point.

Below is the you tube video of the song by Sugarland should you want to listen …and I hope you do.

Until next time stay focused, stay inspired, keep dreaming and remember that you too are the creator of your own happiness…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gp5foT32tKM

Happy Days

16 Saturday Mar 2013

Posted by in Life on Maui

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Lately I feel like I’m watching my life from outside my life. I know that probably doesn’t make much sense but its the only way I know how to explain it.

It has been 3 weeks since my last day at the Hard Rock and its been a whirlwind of beautiful chaos. I’ve been much busier than expected and I’m loving every second of it!

The Job:

I’m filling my mornings and early afternoons working for Lightning Electric LLC. Basically I keep my hubs and father in law in line about billing clients, receiving and recording payments, keep his taxes in order as well as organizing the mess of what use to be before I came on board. I work out of my father in laws cushy loft and I’m learning so much everyday! As we get busier I will also start to do the marketing and advertising. Mark has built a great foundation with a steady flow of clients and I’m excited to see the company grow. Its so fun to work alongside Colt, I’m so proud of him and look forward to watching him grow.

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My new digs! This is actually Colts truck I get to ride my bike to work, I also get to wear a t-shirt, jean shorts and flip flops:)

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The new Jennifer Stewart!

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The “boys” working hard. It’s really awesome to see the whole process of a small business. So much goes into it from the field to the books.

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Like me, Kailea also seems to be adjusting to her new life just fine hehehehe!

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My work station at the office

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Me and the boys!

Wife Life:

I typically wake up around 6:30 now a days and relax and snuggle for at least 15 minutes. Once I get up I start breakfast for Colt and I start to pack lunches. Once breakfast is ready and lunches are packed I bring Kai for a walk. When I get back Criminal Minds is usually on from 7-8am while I get ready (this is one of my favorite parts of my new morning schedule) I leave the house around 8:15 and head to work.

After work Monday – Friday I head to the gym to run my miles (we have had family in town the last two weeks so my workout schedule hasn’t been the best but I look forward to getting back in it) I also pick one project a day to do at home. We have such a cute ohana but I have never had the time or energy to really make it ours. I have so many DIY projects already on my list but the last few weeks I’ve spent deep cleaning everything from floor to ceiling. Its getting there but still has a long way to go.

Cooking:

This is a new adventure for me. I think I’ve cooked more meals in the last 3 weeks than I ever have in my entire life. I have also been shopping (Costco & Safeway are my new hot spots) a few times a week. Besides quickies like eggs, oatmeal, fruit, sandwiches and salads for breakfasts and lunches I’ve been experimenting with a lot of Mexican food! Some of the new dishes I’ve tried are chicken faijitas, taco casserole, Monterey jalapeño turkey burgers and white enchiladas. All of them actually turned out really good and I’m getting more confident as I go. I’m also blessed that Colt is so easy and eats about anything. He’s so sweet to me and always so encouraging.

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Taco casserole made with turkey instead of beef

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Chicken enchiladas! I was most excited about these, they came out so good and were so easy to make!

As if cooking hasn’t been enough of a new adventure I also have to be pretty creative right now because I gave up bread for lent. Its been a little over a month and man has it been so much harder than I thought it would be. I guess I really love bread because deciding what to eat on a daily basis has been so hard! Sandwich no bread, turkey burger no bun, tacos sub corn tortillas and the hardest one NO PIZZA (my ultimate weakness) I can say overall I feel a whole lot lighter but my energy during workouts is down. Without the carbs to burn during my runs I burn out way faster and I feel a lot weaker. This has peaked my interest and I have been researching substitute bread options for a cleaner healthier diet.

Every day life:

My days have been very free. Even though I’m still on a schedule its flexible and mostly consists of things that I love. After leaving my job I was so scared I would be stressed or depressed but its proven to be the exact opposite. Feelings of gratitude, abundance, appreciation, happiness and joy are things I feel freely now. It sometimes seems so surreal I will stop and make myself feel every ounce of it (as if at any moment its all going to be taking away) I feel like the more present I am in acknowledging these feelings the happier I become.

I’m also learning a lot about me and its making Colt and I’s relationship soar. My love language is acts of service so its no surprise that I’m much happier now that I can spend a lot of my time caring for Colt. If you haven’t read the book the 5 love languages I suggest you and your partner do. Colt and I read it before we got married (our friend Anu suggested it to us) and it continues to teach us how to communicate better as a couple as well as what makes the other one happy.

Since my love language is acts of service actions such as cooking a meal, setting a table, washing the dishes, sorting the bills or walking the dog all which require thought, planning, time, effort and energy are in my language the highest expressions of love which is why I’m currently so happy. I always joke with Colt that the easiest way to get me in the “mood” is to take the trash out. Even though that’s a bit of an exaggeration it makes us both laugh because its true!

Overall I’d say these last 3 weeks have been filled with learning, happiness and fun and although its not what I was expecting, it’s everything I’ve been waiting for….

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A Day in Paradise

25 Monday Feb 2013

Posted by in Life on Maui

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Ingredients for the perfect Maui beach day include blue skies, little to no wind, cool sand, medium sized waves, whales breaching off shore, good food and great company. Lucky for us we live in paradise so this equation happens often but today was even more awesome because Colt’s auntie Jamie is in town from Reno.

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Colt & Auntie Jamie. Isn’t she the cutest? I just want to squeeze her!

Colt woke up early since we wanted to paddle board. He left the house around 7:30a.m. so him and Cam could go to the storage to pick up and load the boards. Paddle boarding is always best between 8a.m. and 10a.m. before the wind line starts to come in and the water gets choppy. Being on the water by 8a.m. ensures crystal clear conditions and optimal turtle and whale spotting opportunities.

Since Colt and Cam got to the beach early they set up camp for us with all the goods. A tent for shade, coolers, the BBQ, games, paddle boards, the boom box and boogie boards. I couldn’t wait to get on the water but not before Katie and I snuck to the resort pool bar for a little Sunday Funday treat!

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yummma theres nothing better than a spicy morning bloody! Cheers sister!

After our little pick me up we headed to the beach and hit the boards. The rest of the day was filled with fun, laughter, food, sunshine and new memories.

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Colt & Khloe hitting the waves. Khloe is such a little pro on the boards.

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My favorite little beach bum. She loves playing and exploring at the beach.

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Auntie Jamie also got out on the boards and actually stood up this year! Last year during her visit she only paddled from the kneeling position but this year she totally rocked it!

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One of the highlights of the day was Caylee getting out on the paddle boards! She is usually such a sand baby (Khloe is a water baby) but today she got out in the water and on the boards with Khloe. After a little while of Khloe towing her around Caylee took over and started paddling! Its so fun to see her coming out of her shell and into her own. She did so awesome and we were all so proud of her.

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Planning the “switch”

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There she goes! Getting her sea legs!

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Uncle is always trailing close behind, he loves his girls so much.

20130224-181111.jpgAll smiles, so proud!

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Way to go Caylee!

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Next it was my turn! I love SUP. There’s nothing better than gliding on water while working on your fitness and your tan!

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All that paddling sure does make you hungry (and thirsty) so Cam cooked up some Brats and turkey burgers for everyone, it was the perfect beach lunch!

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My extra handsome hubs enjoying his lunch (I know you all wish you had such an awesome beer koozie)

Around 1p.m. the winds started to pick up so we decided to pack up and call it a day.

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I had such a wonderful time playing, relaxing and getting sun kissed with the people I love.

~ Appreciate the Moment ~

21 Thursday Feb 2013

Posted by in Thoughts from Jenn

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As my final day of work as a Sales & Marketing Manager approaches (tomorrow is my official last day) I can’t help but feel overwhelmed with feelings of excitement, happiness, anxiety, nervousness, and panic. Last night while laying in bed Colt rolled over happily and exclaimed  “only two days left babe.” As the statement hit my ears one half of me wanted to leap up and do backflips on the bed as this was one of the craziest most exciting decisions I have made thus far in my adult life while the other half wanted to run in the bathroom and throw up. I looked at him mute (frozen in fear) and half smiled, what was I doing?

It’s not the actual quitting of my job that freaks me out, I quit my sales and marketing job a year and a half ago with another company and not even two months later was offered this position. I know if I really wanted to I could get another job, any job, doing the same thing for another company or this company in another market, the scary part is I don’t want to. The even scarier (but exhilarating) part is the journey of recreation. The recreation to be anything I want to be, so as that realization sinks in instead of sitting here and dwelling on all the things that scare me about it (not having as much money, fear of failure, not knowing if I am making the right decision, putting all of our eggs in one basket (so not my style)) I instead decided to focus on all the things that excite me so here they are in no particular order.

What I am most looking forward to:

  • Time

I will be getting at least 4 hours of my time back per day! That’s 20 hours per week, 80 hours per month and 1,460 hours a year that were lost because I was required to work 10 hours a day (but only got paid for 8) plus another 2 hour’s for my commute (1 hour there and 1 hour back).

  • Being Colt’s Wife

Call me crazy but I am so excited to deep clean every inch of our house and my car, do our laundry, decorate and cook! I can’t wait to do all these things without half assing them because I am too tired, annoyed or don’t have the time. I look forward to learning lots of new recipes (so if you have some favorites please send them my way) and experimenting with healthy options for breakfast, lunches and dinners. I look forward to having dinner ready for my husband and spending more quality time together.

  • Eating dinner by 5pm

This alone makes me want to run and do side splits in the air. Knowing I will be able to eat dinner by 5 or 6pm on the majority of the nights is amazing. Right now I don’t get home until after 7pm so we aren’t eating dinner until 7:30 or 8pm! It sucks to eat that late and it’s totally messing with my fitness results.

  • Kailea Loves

Having more time to exercise with her, go on walks, play at the park and beach, play fetch and add to the quality of her life. I look forward to not having to leave her home alone for 8 hours a day and only getting to play with her for 3.

  • Enjoying Maui

Being able to walk down to the beach and watch a sunset with Colt, family and friends a few times a week (instead of seeing it set as I am racing the clock to get home). Being able to stop and appreciate all the beauty this island has to offer from sunrise to sunset to every beach, hike and activity in between.

  • Getting the opportunity to grow with my father in law’s business  

I have been helping my father in law with all of his Quickbooks, admin and sales stuff for the last few weeks. It is so exciting to see the incline in growth just over this last year and how much potential his company has to be very successful. I am excited be a part of it and get to help when and where I can, not to mention how inspiring it is to watch Colt’s knowledge and passion grow for the business as he continues to grow under his father.

  • Flexibility

To be and do whatever I want. To be able to visit and spend more time with family and friends. To become a personal trainer, a yoga instructor, start my own run, be a full time blogger, a professional beach bum or a Maui mama! The flexibility to try everything and anything I have ever wanted to do but never had the guts to or didn’t know how to make it happen. Speaking of which I finally (after blogging for over a year) took the plunge and became the master of my own domain which means I am now the official owner of:

http://jenniferleestewart.com

 I am very excited and look forward to taking my blogging to the next level as it is truly a passion of mine.

  • Being an overall better me

A better wife, daughter, sister, auntie, cousin, friend, partner, motivator, runner and influence. Leading by example to strengthen all my relationships and accepting people for who they are and continuing to build a foundation of strength and understanding from there.

So as I sit here smiling & focusing on all the exciting things that lie ahead my fears (even though they are trying like hell to creep in and bring me down) slowly start to fade away. I am writing myself a new life filled with simplicity, abundance, time, love, support, health, faith, family and positive prospective and I encourage you to join me on this journey and I appreciate your unconditional love along the way.

…until next time be happy for this moment, for this moment is your life…

Hippie Dippie (thoughts from my bed on a Sunday morning)

20 Sunday Jan 2013

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I woke up this morning around 6:54am…on my own. My first immediate reaction before my brain could really even register what was going on was panic (what time was it and have I over slept) followed by a quick and sudden feeling of peace and comfort (ahh its Sunday) followed by a whole lot of feelings about how I felt about that. I rolled over and heard Kai sigh loudly (I had disturbed her spot of slumber which happens to be in my lower back). I snuggled up and kissed Colt gently on his cheek. He smiled as it silently woke him up, again I thought how nice it was to wake up on your own.

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My point is I am woken up five if not six days a week at a ridiculous hour by the most annoying intruder which also happens to be my alarm clock. Every morning without fail it goes off (always way too early and loud) and to the sound of “time passing” tick tock, tick tock as if I’m not already vastly aware of how much time is being stolen from me. I turn back to Colt and I can feel my “hippie free bird” side coming out as I state “I have decided I am no longer a fan of morning intervention and I would be much happier if I could wake up on my own free will every day and I don’t mean sleeping until noon but maybe until 7am …at least” he smiles and mumbles something about how much he loves me as he drifts back off to sleep.

My mind is awake now and going back to sleep is a distant memory but my mood is light. I can’t help but feel the difference. It’s amazing how much easier it is to prepare for my day without fearing the sound of the dreaded alarm.

I know I have to get up and run and feed & walk the dog and do laundry and clean the house and I’d LOVE to make it to the beach before the pats game and before I have to go to work yet I still just lay here until Kai barks. I know she’s up now and hungry. I gladly get up and feed her, glance around the messy house and head back to bed. I crawl in and Colt smiles and says “I’m glad your back…”

I know my list of things will get done but for once I am not in a race against time. I smile and close my eyes, in that moment I am free (defeat at last)!

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Surprise! We (were) in Reno

04 Friday Jan 2013

Posted by in Wanderlust

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Well I guess it is no longer a “surprise” that Colt and I spent our Christmas in Reno with our family. However, it was one BIG surprise when we showed up.

(Rewind to October)

We booked tickets back in October when I found a great deal online. It was Colt’s families year for Christmas so I just causally asked him one day if he would like to spend it in Reno. He just kind of looked at me with a “really” face and then excitingly said “Yes! Let’s do it!” I seriously couldn’t have been more excited, traveling for Christmas was like a dream come true for me. It just adds to the magic and nostalgia of an already magical holiday! We booked our tickets that night and decided we wouldn’t tell anyone (besides Ashley & Chad since they would be in Reno too). We giggled and laughed just thinking about how “surprised” they were going to be. We knew from my facebook stalking that Kellie (my mother in law) was hosting everyone at her house and that so much of Colt’s family would be there this year, it felt like real Christmas already and we were still a few months away.

(Fast forward, it’s December!)

When December 1st finally hit I was like a little kid in a candy store. I couldn’t believe we were only 20 days away from the surprise, I also couldn’t believe that it was still a surprise and that NOBODY knew that we were coming (just that sentence alone sends me into a fit of giggles, even after the fact) we were just days away from the best surprise EVER and on CHRISTMAS!

December of course flew by with work and holiday celebrations with family and trips to Oahu that before we could even say “Reno” we were on the plane. We flew out of Maui Friday December 21st on a overnight red eye to San Francisco. Our “plan” was to land in Reno at 9am on Saturday morning pick up our rental and spend the day with Colt’s family (word of advice there is no such thing as a “plan” when no one knows you are coming). We arrived in Reno a little over an hour late (we got delayed in San Francisco) just to find out from Colt’s mom’s facebook that she was snow plowing with Steve and Tristyn in Tahoe for the day! We couldn’t believe it! Here we are in RENO at 10am ready to surprise them and they were in TAHOE! (they didn’t end up coming home until after 8pm that night!)

What you will see below is a series of videos. I was so worried I wasn’t going to be able to remember every second of the experience to write about later so I decided to video blog every moment… ENJOY!

The Stake out Part I

http://youtu.be/5CPywZZey-c

The Stake out Part II

<;;;a title=”The Stew’s Take Reno”

The Stake out Part III

http://youtu.be/BTMM84SSAE4

The Stake out Part IIII

This was the last video of “the stake out” once we left the bar Kellie was home and we flew up her driveway like a mad man(woman). I (thought) I was taping the whole time but my phone died so I was only able to capture this…

http://youtu.be/UBguRS_qIQYb

..because both of our phones had died shortly after “the stake out” I unfortunately was not able to get Austin’s reaction either which was priceless (he looked like he saw the ghost of Colt, so sweet). However we were able to get Grandma’s reaction in her FULL shocked glory….

Since we weren’t able to get Kellie, Austin, and Tristyn’s reaction we later did a video interview with them asking what their “thoughts” were on the surprise…

http://youtu.be/DWpK25-Ccig

Since grandpa really had no idea what was going on during the “surprise” (he just heard grandma screaming and thought he won the Publishing Clearing house) we later asked him what he thought about the “surprise” to give him a little face time…

http://youtu.be/qF97U3SBbN4

and last but certainly not least we FINALLY got to pick up Ash and Chad (secret agents) that were “in” on the surprise…they of course got the FULL holiday mobile greeting from the Stews….

<;;a title=”Picking up Ash & Chad (secret agents)

We had so much fun with these video blogs and I couldn’t be more happy that I was able to capture every moment in its entirety! The Stew’s take Reno was a success!

I will post pictures of the rest of our amazing trip soon, until then keep laughing with one another…

The Happiest Place on Earth

15 Thursday Nov 2012

Posted by in Wanderlust

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Is it weird that 90% of the time when I go to write a blog a song which resembles what I am about to write about instantly pops into my head? For example as soon as I sat down to write this…boom:

♪ There ain’t no rest for the wicked,

Money don’t grow on trees,

I got bills to pay

I got a mouth to feed

Ain’t nothing in this world for free.

I know I can’t slow down,

I can’t hold back

Though you know I wish I could

Oh no there ain’t no rest for the wicked ♪

Now the “wicked” part is debatable but the “no rest” part is a shoo-in because we honestly have not slowed down since the wedding/honeymoon. With Colt starting his new job we now have weekends off together and boy have we been making the most of them! We have done everything from family time, to photo shoots, to pumpkin picking, to pumpkin carving, to running 5k’s in honor and celebration of Auntie Jamie to going to Florida and planning & booking more trips. Every weekend since September has been filled with some kind of fun and or shenanigans and I am exhausted! Exhausted from LIFE and LIVING and I am loving it! I love that every moment we have that we are not working we are exploring a new space or place, making a new memory or just enjoying our love. I have to say getting married is the best thing I have ever done! There is just something about being able to experience life with your significant other who is also your best friend that is so exhilarating.

We just got home from Florida a week ago today. Colt has never been to the East coast (I know that statement is so crazy to me too) and I had a work conference in Orlando from Sunday to Friday so we decided it would be a great opportunity to fly him out. We quickly made plans with my two cousins who both live about two hours from Orlando and whom I haven’t seen in 5 years! During those 5 years Kelly & her husband Elton have had 2 beautiful baby girls and Chrissie & Omar also had a beautiful baby girl (I know I can’t believe it, 3 girls!) I was so excited to finally meet them and squeeze them but also have them all finally meet Colt! As if that wasn’t already amazing enough my bestest friend Kristen also decided to come down with her boyfriend Kevin so we decided to make the trip into a Disney World / Universal three day fun-filled family vacation! 5 parks, 3 days no biggie….or so we thought!

Colt got into Florida on Friday night right in time for my conference to end. I couldn’t have been more happy to see him (and in Florida none the less). I had missed him so much that week since this was my first trip without him since we became husband and wife. It was so exciting to be having our first real vacation as a “married” couple. Kristen and Kevin also got in later that evening so we went to dinner had some drinks then hit the sack. I of course had a strict itinerary planned for us over the next 3 days and there wasn’t much time for sleep.

Date: Saturday November 3, 2012

Location: Universal’s Island of Adventure & Downtown Disney

Begin Time: 6:00am

End Time: 11:00pm

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter was by far one of the highlights of my trip (it also happened to be one of my bucket list items..check!)

the butter beer was to die for, I had two then thought I might barf.

These three look a little too natural with those magic wands..hmmm

the Harry Potter exclusive “hog’s head” beer (on tap of course) hit the spot after a long day of flying on broomsticks

After 7 hours at the park we were ready to get our feet back on the ground so we drove to downtown Disney to meet my amazing family for dinner. Talk about baby fever, whew…these sweet girls captured our hearts instantly.

Ellyana this is her “don’t you see I’m coloring Auntie” look. Love this sweet angel, she is so beautiful and such a wonderful big sister to Ellysa and cousin to Giana.

Baby Giana. ohh just look at that face! She is so beautiful and such a happy & sweet girl.

The newest addtion to our growing family Ellysa Grace! She is so sweet and cute as a button at just 8 weeks old.

I honestly still can’t believe these are my cousins babies! It is so crazy and amazing to see them as Mom’s with their own families. You are both amazing wives and mothers. Love you both so much.

My beautiful cousins Chrissie & Kelly.

Date: Sunday November 4, 2012

Location: Hollywood Studios, Animal Kingdom, Magic Kingdom & Epcot

Begin time: 7:00am

End time: 11:00pm

Good Morning Minni Mouse Diva’s & Best of Friends.

Rock and Roll Baby!

One of Colt, Kevin & I's favorite ride...Kristen not so much.

One of Colt, Kevin & I’s favorite ride…Kristen not so much.

our favorite park of the 4

best coaster of the bunch

Kilimanjaro African Safari got two thumbs up!

not much could compare to the Disney World dance party…just shaking our groove thing with the Goof!

Date: Monday November 5, 2012

Location: Hollywood Studios, Epcot, Hollywood Studios

Begin time: 8:00am

End time: 11:00pm

On Monday the parks were jam packed by 9am so instead of waiting in long lines we went over to Epcot for their food & wine festival which took us on a trip around the world and I must say Mickey’s Bar Crawl was a brilliant success!

…well until my best friend threw me in a rose bush!

..and it begins…

we made a quick pit stop in Hawaii to show our Aloha

Kristen’s “Aloha” didn’t seem to last long since she threw me in a rose bush…ouch!

it was the best of times

Date: Tuesday November 6, 2012

Location: En Route

Begin time: 3:30am (Florida time)

End time: 6:00pm (Hawaii time, 5 hour ahead time difference)

The result of 5 parks in 3 days plus 2 time zone changes….

what a beautiful trip we had making memories with the best of friends.

…blessed we are…

Fairytale of a Dreamer

11 Thursday Oct 2012

Posted by in The 9 month road to marrying the man of my dreams

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A day forever etched in my brain as a real life fairytale, my real life fairytale come true. I still sometimes think about our wedding day and laugh because it so often doesn’t seem real. I have sat down so many times to write about this magically perfect day and instantly get butterflies. I feel like if I let all my feelings out that somehow I might lose some of the magic that I still feel inside, feelings that I never want to leak out of me or disappear…

The morning of my wedding started great because I was snuggled tight in bed with my big sissy and Kailea. I had my other sister Ashley on my pull out couch with my good friend & bridesmaid Deni and you could physically feel the love & excitement in the room before we even opened our eyes. Speaking of my pull out couch, let’s back up. The day prior to us getting married Friday August 24th we had a great day. We planned an amazing beach day with our entire family and friends. It was a perfect Maui day and there was so much fun and laughter. Later that afternoon I had a private manicure and pedicure session with my bestest of girls and it was more laughter and happy tears. So many memories were made in those 5 days it still brings tears of joy to my eyes. As we were getting our mani’s and pedi’s the Grand called to tell me our wedding suite was ready. Now if you know me you know that I LOVE the Grand Wailea, there standard rooms are exciting to me so I could barely believe that we would be staying in a wedding suite and when we got there it got even better. It was so beautiful I thought I would drop dead and it was only the beginning. Two bathrooms, a living room, a pull out couch, a wrap around lanai with 360 degree views of Maui and a master bedroom you would kill for in real life, it was another dream come true and it was ours.

We happily ran through the entire suite, jumped up and down and laughed uncontrollably it was really happening we were here for Colt & I’s wedding! So back to that morning, I woke up early not as early as I would have thought and I actually did sleep which I didn’t think was going to happen. It was around 5:30am and my sister was already bright eyed and bushy tailed she is such a morning person I love it. As I looked around I made a promise in that moment to not let one second of this time slip away. I stayed in bed thinking about the course of the day while my sister happily chatted about our timeline and my other sister Ashley came into bed with us. I couldn’t believe this was it, our wedding day. The course of that morning stands out to me so much the feelings, nervousness, excitement even the temperature of the room I can feel right now as I type. My senses were on overdrive and refused to miss even a second. Over those next 9 hours of us getting ready here are some of the moments that were so special to me:

Anu made breakfast for the all the girls and guys and it was so special, thoughtful and delicious

Joyce and George (my best friend Kristen’s) parents got a huge breakfast spread delivered to our suite which was perfect since at one point there ended up being 16 girls in the suite getting ready, eating and waiting. It was the sweetest surprise and added so much more love to that morning.

Watching each of the girls that are the most important to me get beautiful for our special day. At one point I remember I was pissed thinking they were giving me a run for my money, the breaks of having beautiful friends…they all looked so beautiful.

Spending a special moment with each of them to give them there presents. I got them all a bracelet from Alex and Ani. They were the same bracelet but the charm was different on each girls and representative of who they were as individuals.

My sister Ashley doing my hair and make-up. I never thought that would be such an emotional moment for me but thinking about how selfless it was of her was so touching. It was also such an honor to me because of the relationship she has with Colt. He loves and respects her so much. I can honestly say I know he thought I looked one hundred times more gorgeous because he knew his baby sister got me ready.

Having my sister and mother get me in my wedding dress. This moment was one that is burned into my brain. The emotion on each of their faces and love they projected is enough to make me burst.

Getting my flower girls ready. In that moment so many memories came over me of Khloe and Caylee and how much we have shared in these last 3 years. It was so crazy to see little ladies standing in front of me and create such a special moment with my little sister Tristyn.

Having my mother-in-law and Colt’s grandmother with us getting ready. Just seeing the love and happiness in their eyes was more than I could have ever asked for and the moments I will cherish always.

There are so many more moments from that morning that come over me as I type:

My sister Ashley swallowing my right contact lens first thing that morning and leaving me blind for the first 3 hours! I forgot my contact case and put them in a water glass in the bathroom which she of course used to drink water in the next morning. I swear there has never been even one dull moment in our relationship so I couldn’t have asked for a funnier memory on my wedding day!

Having my sister Jessica catering to my every need. I don’t think there was one minute she ever let me worry even for a second. If my facial expression changed she was by my side and ready to attack. It was so nice to not have to think or worry.

Watching my best friend Kristen’s emotions and love for me after all these years of friendship. She was my superwoman that day, my real life superwoman.

There are so many other stolen moments with so many special people I could go on for hours.

As we left the room to walk to the chapel I couldn’t believe it was happening! It was one of the only moments through the whole process where I felt like my nervous might get the best of me but then I looked up and saw my Dad. Seeing him for the first time was emotional for me and a moment I will always cherish. He of course kept me laughing and eased all my nerves. He was so strong and I needed that more than I even knew.

Over those next 15 minutes of waiting and walking I can honestly say it was the only time I truly felt like I was in a blur, a dream, like I was there but I wasn’t and then we got to the chapel doors and I saw him…

Every ounce of my being was still. My heart caught up with my brain and I was there, present and calm. I couldn’t have been more happy to marry this man.

So many special moments took place over the course of our ceremony, moments that I play over and over again in my head every day.

Moments you can only see to believe.

I hope this video of our wedding day gives you every ounce of love and happiness it gave to us and all 60 of our closest friends and family.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2BrB0JVq_kE&feature=relmfu

It was a day of dreams and fairytales come true…a day of everlasting love..it was the beginning of our forever…

~ All that I’m After is a Life Full of Laughter, As Long As I’m Laughing with You ~

06 Tuesday Mar 2012

Posted by in The 9 month road to marrying the man of my dreams

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I think you hit a point when all of the sudden all the stuff that stresses you out and makes you mad starts to become funny (hysterically funny) and it’s not because you don’t care anymore, but because it’s out of your control and there is nothing you can do about it. I am there; right there, smack dab in the middle of it and laughing my ass off.

It all started with the invitations. If it wasn’t one thing it was another (click here) if you haven’t read that blog yet. I was so happy when Hawaii began to recieve their invites since that situation could have been a potential nightmare. I thought we were in the clear until Thursday night when Colt came strolling into the house around 9pm. He was dog tired but he had a look of excitement on his face. He put down his work stuff and excitingly pulled out a little white piece of mail and exclaimed “we got one, our first one!” I couldn’t believe it, he was right! In his hands was our FIRST returned response card! I quickly sat up on the couch and told him to rip that sucker open! As I watched him with excitement pull out the card his expression went from excitement to confusion. I quickly asked well what? Who is? Are they coming? By the expression on his face it was obviously a shocker and I needed to know immediately. He looked at me and then back at the card and said “it’s blank” I immediately didn’t understand, what do you mean it’s blank? As he turned the card to show me I quickly realized he was right! The reply card was filled out and said they were coming and they had even picked a song (the chicken dance hahahaha) but there was no NAME on the line provided for guests. It took less than a second until I took off into hysterical laughter.

Colt doesn’t get upset about much but this situation seemed to really get under his skin which made me think it was even funnier and in turn I laughed even harder. I mean really at this point how could we be mad or even surprised?!? If anything it went perfectly with all the other hiccups that came along with the invites, (plus I had a 96% gut feeling I knew exactly whose it was).

So classic!

I was anxious all week as I waited for the invites to hit the mainland. I was hoping I didn’t just get lucky with the Hawaii ones and that I would get all of the other 40 back with the dreaded red stamp. By Thursday I was getting really nervous. I talked to Margaret around mail time and she still hadn’t received it. I promised myself I wouldn’t start panicking until at least Friday and then really freaking out on Saturday.

So when Friday rolled around I couldn’t get the invite off my mind. I was at work when the first word from California came rolling in at 11:44am via picture text message from Margie Mo saying “Happiest Aloha Friday yet!!! Ahhhh!! Happy you can stop worrying about them being returned to you!” I was so relieved! Later Ashley and Mindy messaged me saying they also received theirs. Whew… I was clear now I just needed for Reno, Florida, Massachusetts and Switzerland to get theirs too and we were good!

I got through the weekend and couldn’t be happier when Ashleigh posted on my facebook today that the invite had made it to Boston. I later got the best picture text from one of my cutest guests that Florida had also received theirs!

My beautiful cousin Giana.

Everything was working out perfectly and we couldn’t be more happy and relieved. I am so glad I didn’t listen to that awful lady at the post office and that I didn’t add a stamp or waste an additional $40.00 for nothing! I am thinking everyone should have them by the end of the week, if not please let us know.

We finally have our appointment with MaryAnn at the Grand for our food and cake tasting this Sunday at 10am. Colt is so excited and I can’t wait to finalize the details so we have a few less things to worry about. We also finalized the DJ and Photographer. We will be getting our deposits out to them by the end of March. The “BIG” to do list for wedding stuff is dwindling (photographer, videographer, DJ, place, reception, hair, make-up, food and drinks) is almost done and it feels great! We will also be talking with Tiffany this week about our honeymoon. Our top four choices right now are Thailand, Bora Bora, Maldives or Paris. Once we decide I will update our wedding website with the appropriate information for our registry. We are also finalizing details for our wedding week with activities on Thursday through Sunday, so keep checking back periodically.

We can’t wait until Sunday, I will be sure to take pictures of all the yummy-ness and fun!