a father's first.

it's safe to say, officially, that baby n's first word is dada. he's been babbling it all weekend now, and even if cort disagrees, i know he's made the connection. it's fine i guess. i only housed him for ten months, have given him my body, my mind, my every waking and sleeping moment...should i keep going? but who am i kidding? i never had a chance....i don't blame him. one of the reasons that i married cort was because i knew what an amazing father he was going to be. now that we have the little mini-cort in our life, i can say confidently that he has exceeded my expectations in every way possible. i love him even more now that he is a father. the father of my child(ren). i love saying that.

i've had glimpses of what's to come with these two. camping trips, baseball games, a late night one-on-one of basketball or playing tricks on mom. they are the best of buds.

cortney adores his son. and the feeling is so mutual that it's heart-melting to watch (speaking of heart-melting...can you believe that picture?? matching shirts (cort's idea)! be still my heart...)

speaking of adoring...i adore all the father's in my life, particularly my own, who is a guiding force to me. where i get my wisdom, and my confidence. who roots for me daily. who still takes care of me and my growing family even though i'm all grown up. i love and admire him so much.

happy father's day and (1st) father's day! xo.

home again.

walking off the plane today in dallas was a bit of a shock to my system. after spending the week in a hyped-up-but-not-so-real-blizzard, and then a not-so-hyped-up-but-very-real-blizzard yesterday, we are currently sitting in sunny 70 degree temperatures in our humble home.

the minute i got into the door, i let our little boy stretch out on his farm animal play mat so that he could kick his legs and reach out his arms. he's a champion-traveler, this little guy, but after hours in our arms, and a couple in his car seat, i can only imagine how good it must have felt for him to be moving on his own. and move, he does. as i speak (er, write) he has somehow moved from a vertical to horizontal position. he's growing, changing, and getting cuter every day. and he spent the week charming the pants off everyone in his presence...including his mama.  i just can't get enough of our boy.

i didn't get a chance to post a thankful post for this years thanksgiving, and i think i kind of did it on purpose. i am so overwhelmed by the thankfulness i have in my heart and for what love, laughter and happiness this year has brought to my life. being home for the holidays always puts things into perspective for me. with a family that i adore, friends that mean the world, and a particular set of boys that i keep falling in love with over and over again, it's kind of frustrating to try and even find the words to express how blessed i feel that i am.

it's the simple things this year that really have my heart at it's fullest. a warm home and bed to sleep in, food in the cupboard, clothes to wear, a daily phone call with my mom, my husband and his job in which he works so hard, a healthy, happy son, and a body that can nourish and feed him, our daily walk, the great examples of mothers i have in my life, an extended family, an eternal family, and the love i feel from them, and for them every. single. day.

tonight, the christmas lights will be going up, the garland hung, and the tree decorated. all while listening to our favorite christmas hits. it's baby's first christmas and we are creating some family traditions right from the start. then, we will put our boy in his snuggly pajamas, sing some songs, say our prayers, cuddle and love him, and then put him to bed. and first thing tomorrow, we can count on seeing his bright and smiling face. and that, is what i'm thankful for most of all.

29.

happy birthday to the love of my life.

 photo by rachel thurston

 the best husband.

the best dad.

the best guy.

thank you for making me so unbelievably happy. xo.

gerber baby

(picture stolen from my brother/sister-in-law's blog)

i'm not sure if there has ever been a prettier baby in all of the world. 

sure do miss you bryan, amanda, livi and gracie-girl. xo.

north face for rainy days

for the husband's birthday, he bought me this jacket from my favorite store. said it was for me and the cool weather we will be facing in san fran. that's right, for his birthday. doesn't make sense does it? this boy surprises me no end. what a guy.

birthday girl amy

i adore this girl. she is only getting better with age. happy birthday sweet sister....xo. 

on another note, i love, love october. by far, my favorite time of year. happy october first....

happy birthday, cowboy

happy birthday love. you fill me with sunshine and make me dream big dreams. xo.

happy mother's day

when you are a mother, you are never really alone in your thoughts. a mother always has to think twice, once for herself and once for her child.
- Sophia Loren, Women and Beauty

thank you mom, for always keeping me in yours. happy mother's day. xo.

terribly happy may

there is something about spring time that just brings out the best in people. when the weather turns, usually the moods do too. i have always loved the month of may, with its sunshine, green-ness and blossoming flowers ~ all this happiness brings me to a fun idea...

taza, of the rockstar diaries, is featuring posts of those who have 10 things that make them terribly happy. i brought the husband in on the idea, and we came up with few of our own...

Cort's list of 10 (ok, 11) things that make him terribly happy:

1. my wife

2. cowboy stuff

3. my wife's laugh

4. camping tents

5. riding bikes along the boardwalk with my wife

6. basketball

7. saying "my wife"

8. seafood

9. seeing my wife's face in the morning

10. plain frozen yogurt with fresh fruit

and

11. loving my nieces and nephews

Laura's list of 10 (ok, 13) things that make her terribly happy:

1. my husband

2. snuggles and kisses from my nieces and nephews

3. after a good, hard workout - fresh from the shower, fresh face, fresh pj's, all warm and cuddling with my husband.

4. watching my husband playing basketball, or any sport for that matter.

5. clean smells

6. the exact moment said husband gets home from work.

7. hot chocolate

8. bikram yoga

9. baking or cooking something new

10. "all day saturdays" spending the whole day with my husband 

and

11. picturing my husband as a dad

12. witty jokes

13. sunshine and a good book 

what makes you terribly happy? do share.

{both photos taken by the oh-so-talented, rachel thurston}

missing these two

some days you just need your sisters.

butterflies

in approximately five days, these two nuts are flying into town....

....and I couldn't be more excited. life just gets easier and more fun when they are around. i am so thankful that they can hold my hand, calm my nerves, make me laugh and squeeze in my bed with me, a week before the big day. i have butterflies, i'm so excited.

many people will walk in and out of your life, but only true friends will leave footprints in your heart. ~ eleanor roosevelt

the best of the best

sometimes i sit in awe over how doting, caring, involved, {insert cute word here, etc} and handy the fiance is to have around. i have literally dragged him all over the city over the last 6 months to look for flowers, venues, go to food tastings (he didn't mind that one), appointments, etc....and all the while him thinking that it is "part of the job," as the groom, always with a smile. planning a wedding without your nearest and dearest around isn't the easiest thing to do, but he has not only made it a breeze, but also something fun and that has kind of become our own little project. i'm not an easy bride - once I get an idea in my head, it is near impossible to get it out, but he goes with the flow and does his best to help me accomplish my goals. we both share a love for crossing things of lists, and the last couple of weeks we have been getting excited seeing our list get smaller and smaller as the day gets closer and closer. he's a good one to have around, and truly is, the best of the best. 

this is cort working on a little project i have planned for the wedding.

 

he is the best handyman....

doing this all while nursing a cold....

....and while i sat in the sun....

...and picked spring flowers....

....and tried to make an arrangement (obviously not very good yet)....

....and made "indoor smores".....

he deserves an award.

xo.

love and grace

i had to steal these pictures off bryan and amanda's blog because I can't believe how cute little gracie is. i get to meet the little wee this weekend and my heart pounds harder and grows bigger every time i think about it. i can't decide who i think she looks like more. either way, she scored... xoxo

gracie jean campbell

auntie lala and uncle coco have another reason to miss utah as we welcomed our 4th niece this weekend. little gracie just made my world a better place....

happy valentines day

I love you for not only what you are, 

but for what I am when I am with you. 

~ Roy Croft

{photo brilliantly taken and put together by mister mike cunningham}

I will be spending the day with my sweet valentine at my other valentine and bff's wedding - congratulations Ash - Dennis is one lucky man...

happy valentines day from my heart to yours.

xoxo

{soon to be} mrs. blackburn

only 2 days to go until ms. engar's big day, and I think I might be more nervous than she is. it seems like only yesterday, we were in scottsdale, eating pita jungle, in the sweltering heat and she was talking about her "soul mate" (mr. blackburn).....

in honor of the bride-to-be, i've made a list of the top 10 reasons ashley is going to be a kick-a wife (in case dennis didn't know already):
1. she's really funny and sarcastic.

2. she's a wonderful listener, and gives great advice.

3. she's ambitious and doesn't settle.

4. she's honest, and will always give you a straight answer.

5. she's always up for anything, is adventurous and fun.

6. she's athletic.

7. she can pick up anything new really quickly, and will be better at than you (even if you've be doing it for years).

8. she is highly intelligent - much more than she realizes.

9. she's easy-going and laid back - in a good way.

10. she's the best friend a girl could have....

....and the waterworks start coming.

congratulations ashley and dennis!! xoxo

kickin it old school

with valentines day just 3 short days away, i have been trying to think of cute ideas to show my loved ones my love without breaking the bank. not being that crafty or creative myself, a friend from school gave me the idea last night by giving me a valentine - like the kind we used to stuff in each others' homemade boxes in elementary school - why we stopped doing this, i do not know. it is cute, easy and gets to the point...

...buy some, or make your own...

...make some homemade goodness...

...and make a sweet mix with all your favorite love songs. here are my picks for vday 09' (don't make fun):

1. the promise - tracy chapman

2. only love - wynonna judd

3. one love - bob marley

4. have you ever been in love - celine dion

5. you're the inspiration - chicago

6. oh boy - duffy

7. angel of mine - monica

8. everything - michael buble

9. bleeding love - leona lewis

10. always be my baby - mariah carey

11. true colors - phil collins

12. lost without you - robin thicke

sneak peek and countdown

{photo taken by the incredibly talented mike cunningham}

date set, venue booked, engagements taken and impatiently waiting....2 months, 8 days and counting...

true love

true love is never saying goodbye without telling me you love me.

true love is telling me that i'm beautiful when i rarely get dressed, and rarely wear make-up...all week long. 

true love is cuddling and snuggling with me.

true love is making me hot chocolate, protein shakes, sunday dinner, etc. etc.

true love is giving me permission to "take it easy" even when I don't do anything all day.

true love is being able to tell when i need "girl-time" and giving me space, no questions asked.

true love is wanting me to be close to my friends and family.

true love is holding my hand.

true love is being able to count on you always, and trusting you completely.

true love is putting up with my shenanigans and crazy mood swings.

true love is always hugging me like you mean it.

 

true love is turning on sex and the city, even when i know you disagree and are disgusted with everything about it, and just want to watch sportscenter.

true love is accepting the answer, "i'd rather not talk about it..." for things like, how much money i spent, how much i ate or what i did all day....

true love is you being too good for me, but loving me anyway.

dear fiance,

i know i've been a grumpy bugger lately.  i'll get better, i promise.

xoxo

quite the pair....

love these boys.....