On Turning 24

Wednesday was my 24th birthday. It feels strange being 24. 23 was okay, was still considered early twenties. But 24, twenty four, that's mid-twenties. That's closer to 30. I've always been "old" for my age, but Wednesday morning, I really felt old. I don't think it has to do with the number. Because, come on let's be honest here, 24 is not old. It gave me pause and caused me to look back on these past 24 years. I feel like I've lived so many different lives already. I don't feel like the same person I was ten years ago (which is a great thing, because I was 14 and a freshman in high school) I don't feel like the same person I was even five years ago. Because five years ago I was just a scared kid finding out she was going to be a mom. But, I wouldn't have any of it any other way.

 I like who I am, freshly formed wrinkles and the occasional gray hair. Mother to a beautiful four year old, wife of two years to the best man in the world. I may not have the career I dreamed out as a child, but I'm able to support us. We're okay. It's the greatest feeling.


Okay, now that all of that is out of the way.... Because my birthday is on Halloween it was pushed back a day. Halloween was all about the babe. We went to the local mall. Because, lets face it, Indiana is cold! She had a great time and got a lot of candy. Afterwards we went out to eat. Thursday, Jordan and I both had the day off. Story and Jordan got up extra early to set up a birthday party for me.

It was the sweetest thing ever. Story decorated it. Well, she told Jordan where to put all of the decorations. My favorite is that she put streamers up to cover my door. 

 

We had done the same thing for her birthday. It was the sweetest thing ever. She decorated my chair and had all my present laid out.

She wrote me the sweetest card ever!! She's learning to write. We will write something down for her and then she will copy it in her own sweet little handwriting. 

She also drew me a picture entitled "A different Kind Of Shoe You Don't Know Yet". She later changed it to "shield" but wonderful none the less.

Halloween cards

The sweetest card from my dad. It made me cry a bit :) He's the best.

 

More presents :)

Story got this awesome paper pad from Nina. It's paper that has printed frames around it. It's perfect for her drawings! Thanks Nina :)

It was the best birthday party ever!! :) Later on we went shopping and then a family dinner with Jordan's parents and Grandma. We went to Jockamo Pizza. It was amazing! They had the best gluten free cookies! They were made by a prep cook there!

tank, pants- H&M. blazer- Wet Seal. flats- Target.

on Story :: dress- Target. flats- Payless. tights, vest, purse- Gifts.

I attempted the Twisted Updo by Kate from the Small Things Blog. If you ever want a great hair tutorial I would highly recommend visiting her sight. My hair is a lot a bit longer than hers so it's not as neat. Actually, it's not a neat because she is a pro and I have no idea what I'm doing :)

I had a great birthday! I want to thank my family for making it the best day ever. You are all amazing and I'm so thankful to have you in my life. Oh, and thanks for raising the best boy ever and letting me marry him ;)

What I Wore {Halloween Edition}

Hey guys! It's Halloween!!!!! We are really excited about going Trick or Treating tonight! Our costumes are all ready, and I can't wait to show you a picture of them. I'll update this post again tomorrow.

For now, I thought it would be fun to take a trip down (Story's) memory lane with a look back at our past Halloweens!

Baby's first Halloween. She went as a spider.

First family Halloween. Jordan as Spider-Man, Story as Spider-Girl, and me as The Black Cat.

Same as before. Nina as Poison Ivy, and dad as Batman.

Last year. Story wanted to go as Iron Man/ Tony Stark.

Jordan as Spider-Man, and I went as The Black Widow. 

This year we're still going as Super Hero's. We gave Story the option to pick any costume she wanted, Fairy, Princess, Rock Star, Pony, Ninja, anything. She chose Super-Girl :) Jordan will be Spider-Man again. I wasn't planning on dressing up, but I got in trouble by my husband last night when I told him so. So, I put together a makeshift Captain America outfit. It's the perks of having all the random material around. 

Love my Super Hero Family :) :)

*Update*

Linked ::   Rae Gun Ramblings
The Pleated Poppy
Rolled Up Pretty

A Touch Of Fall

I'm not very good at seasonal decorations. I always want to do something, but never seem to have the motivation, or storage. We do get a bit more festive for Christmas. I have a feeling that when Story is in school, we will have more seasonal decorations. Having said that, it's the end of October, and this is all we'll have out.

Most of the items I've had for several years and are kept in my fall storage box. The photo to the far left is Story and I during her first fall. The Halloween frames are from her first Halloween. The last photo on the right is of Jordan and Story at the wedding.

We decided to not carve pumpkins this year. Story got to paint a few instead. She was pretty excited about it.

Fall Storage

Now that Thanksgiving is officially over it's time to pack up all of our fall decorations. I have wanted to do this since the beginning of November but I forced myself to wait (and JP threatened to not put up the tree until December 1st!) But now that the season is over I don't feel so bad packing the stuff up.

We don't have a lot so it's not the greatest post or biggest transformation. Before I moved to N.C. I had just started getting fall decorations. In all the chaos and rush of the move I had to leave it all behind. So, we're starting fresh.

I started with these vinyl rub-ons from Hobby Lobby. I bought these almost 3 years ago, and still have use for them. Probably no deal and I did pay $9.99 for them.

Since I didn't have all of the letters in the big size I had to make it small. Bummer.

Yup, that's it. Inside we have orange and yellow tissue paper, a few ribbons, Halloween shirts for Story and I, pumpkin decorations, and a few pictures.

It's Story dressed up for her first Halloween. She went as a Spider :)


Wow, I'm almost embarrassed to post this...... :) Everyone has a start. Our Christmas bin is bigger, I promise.

Getting Ready For Fall

Fall is probably my favorite season. I love the cool weather and all of the changing colors.

I decided to spruce up or front porch a bit by adding a few fall touches. The porch is pretty small and we didn't want to spend too much.

I saw this pin and wanted to do something similar. It just so happened that we had 3 steps and 3 house numbers. You can also see our pot of herbs and that great plant that JP gave to me a while ago. (here)

I know my numbers are a little wonky. Especially that last 2. Haha. The very top pumpkin is one that Story painted. She wanted me to remind you that it is not finished :)

In keeping with the original pin we have our moss covered "P" that Rachel made for us. I love having it on our door. It makes walking in the house smell so awesome.

I don't really want to do anything else out here. Well, expect add the carved pumpkins.

We also have a screened in porch and a small walkway that goes in front of our side of the house. We hardly ever use it because the front porch is closer to our cars. And we have to keep the porch locked so that the kitty doesn't get out. So, what I'm trying to say is, we have that area but I probably won't do anything with it :)

Here is our bit of seasonal fun. Even though it's 75 degrees here :)



Linking up to: Thrifty Decor Chick: Fall Outdoor Party