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three years

Three years ago, my life changed.  In front of our family and closest friends, decked out in jewels, bold colors, and a mix of culture, I walked down the aisle with tears bubbling in my eyes and a smile I could not paint off my face toward my best friend.  While walking down the aisle, I remember feeling at peace as my prayers were answered.  After six and a half years, I was marrying the leather jacket wearing guy who I fell crazy-in-love with that one night in college.

As we celebrated our second anniversary last year, I remembered feeling a bit anxious about the following year.  The dreaded three year itch.  After all, there was no possible way life could get any sweeter than all we had experienced.  How wrong was I?

Taking time to reflect on the deep love and appreciation I have for my darling hubby, I would say they are on to something.  Three years into my marriage, I have the itch.  The itch to grow even closer to him, to love him unconditionally, and to be his silly sidekick.

If I had known then THIS is how spectacular marriage would be, I would have dashed into his arms and said I do faster than I could eat a slice of cake because these past three years have been nothing short of amazing.  Almost as if I were dreaming.

B, I lub you.  Thank you for always being my better half. Happy Anniversary, my love.

(Credit for our kick awesome wedding photos goes to our wedding photographer, Kelly Manno!)

   

noah’s nursery: a whimsical version of Dr. Seuss

It is no secret Bryan and I love color.  If you were to walk in our home, it is splashed with color.  You name it, and our home has some hint of crazy colors.

As we brainstormed nursery ideas, we knew whatever we chose, the theme had to be surrounded by color.  If you also know us, we are not a one or two color kind of pair.  We like a nice array of fun!

The idea started with one of our first “congratulations” gifts we received from a good girlfriend of mine.  It was “Oh the Places You’ll Go” book by Dr. Seuss.  I do not know why I kept coming back to the cover of that particular book until it finally dawned on me one day.  Why not create a fun, whimsical Dr. Seuss nursery?  It was perfect.  I ran the idea by B man who absolutely loved it just as much if not more than me.  Thus, the adventure of decorating our little man’s nursery began.

The color scheme inspiration for Noah’s nursery came from another already owned item…the colorful lanterns.  Turns out those colors worked perfectly into our idea!  Check out the beautiful yellow striped rug!

The crib was a steal from Walmart of all places!  We actually found the crib through one of my favorite decorating blogs, Young House Love.  I should give Bryan’s wonderful aunts a shout out for making us some beautiful Dr. Seuss themed blankets for Noah man.  This is one of the many we received.

The turquoise table (from Ikea and then painted turquoise by us!) happened to be in our kitchen in our old apartment.  However, we decided to clean it up and make it our changing table/dresser.   The prints on the wall are some of my favorite!  We actually got them through this adorable Etsy shop, 7WondersDesign.  The frames were all found at Hobby Lobby (at 50% off…cannot beat a good deal!).

This is another favorite little corner.  The orange chevron curtains are from another talented artist at Etsy, LaFortune Linens.  The yellow window was a gift from my wonderful mother-in-law for my first Mother’s Day.  We love how distressed the yellow looks.

The book that started it all.  As for the sweet stuffed animal, it was a gift from my mother to Noah on the day he was born.  Would you not know that both grandmothers took a “long” lunch break after Noah made his appearance only to find themselves at Carter shopping for him.

The fun orange lamp is a great find from The Classy Home.  It fits perfectly in our whimsical Dr. Seuss theme.

The Dr. Seuss collection of books were found on Amazon, and we bought them used for a vintage look.  The banner with Noah’s name is from the talented Bella and Teo Boutique.  The baby mobile is from another beautiful Etsy shop, Bottz Studios.  This collection of simple nursery pieces added some extra fun for Noah to look at every day!

We cannot wait to bring home sweet little man and show him his new room!!!  Happy Friday!

Shamim - Congratulations on your sweet new baby boy! I wish you much happiness and know that you are going to make a good mom:-)

Love,

   

family: john+kelli+emerson+kaesen

They were the perfect kind of family to photograph before I take a summer maternity break from photography.  Meeting Noah is right around the corner, and becoming a mama to that little boy…well I am thrilled.  After my session, my heart was lit with a little extra love for the little guy brewing inside of me.  Because it was watching, capturing and experiencing everything about them that made me more excited to walk hand-in-hand with Bryan on our little journey with Noah.  It was Kaesen’s little fall at the beginning and the countless cuddles that melted my heart.  Emerson’s big heart and curiosity of anything and everything.  The way Kelli loved her boys truly to the moon and back.  And, John’s smile that could tell someone a mile away how proud and thrilled he is to be a husband and a father to these three people who make up his whole world.  Most of all, it was the way John and Kelli looked at their boys and knew that this life they share and have is…spectacular.

This captures them perfectly.

Experiencing these smiles and laughs is indescribable.

Gorgeous family, I tell you.

Some K and E fun…

Just the perfect kind of photo to capture…family.

Have a beautiful day, friends!

   

baby shower fun

It never occurred to me the emotions that come together for a mama-to-be during a baby shower.  It is really not about the gifts or the food.  It is about celebrating with all those who love you and the growing little love in your belly.  It is about feeling nothing less than pure joy as you see the faces of your loved ones who come together near and far to be there to wish you best of luck for the next big adventure coming soon in your life.  I have dreamt of being a mama my entire life.  And, during our showers, I was reminded of that indescribable feeling I have watched family and friends display on their faces and hearts.  To our mothers and aunts, thank you so much for the AMAZING showers!  Noah is definitely one very blessed (and spoiled) little man.

It’s tradition to do a little ceremony to bless the little one on the way and the mother.

Noah is so blessed to be loved by all these people and more.

Cute little cousin guests.

Little people clothes melt me every single time.

Love these colors.

So fitting for our little man!

Cannot wait for Noah man to meet all the amazing people who are a part of our lives near and far!

   

engagement: ryan+jamie

I still remember like it was yesterday…the conversation I had with him a few days after meeting her.  I could tell from the first sentence, he would never go on another first date.  Throw in the fact that she loved Excel spreadsheets as much as he did, and I knew they were destined to be together.  Because is that not how life works out?  You get placed on this windy road, and if you keep walking and having faith, it will lead you to some of life’s greatest blessings like the one person who makes your life complete.  This is Ryan and Jamie.

Over the years, these two have become close friends who have turned into our extended Kansas City family.  And, while Bryan and I have been making fun memories with them, we have watched them grow into this amazing pair who complement one another well.  They are getting married this fall in the mountains, and we cannot wait to celebrate their love with them!

Bes and Jamie, simply put…we love you guys, and we are overjoyed you found your best friend and partner-in-crime forever in one another.

Be prepared…these photos might leave your jaw dropped with their gorgeousness.

How cute are they?!

The one on the right…that is 100% them.  Always laughing.

And, then they bought the “fierce…”

Sunset and these two…good gracious!

Leaving all of you with two of my favorites.

This blog post is actually a little surprise birthday present for Jamie.  Happy Birthday, Jam!  xoxo