Big day for our school girl!

Today marks a very important day in the Blaylock family household.  Jason makes fun of me for making such a big deal about it, but our girl started school today!  Yes, it's preschool for a 2 1/2 year old... but she has a cubby, a teacher, a classroom and a backpack.  If that isn't school, I don't know what is.  Plus, there is a lesson plan.  It might include singing and dancing time, but it IS SCHOOL!  So, of course we had to make a big deal about it.  She got a new outfit, a gift for her teacher, and we took pictures!  She actually got TWO new outfits, but the first had long sleeves.  It's still 80 degrees, so I decided that was probably not a good idea.
Emery did a trial run last week with her class and LOVED it.  She has been asking every day since to go back to school.  And when we got there today she was more interested in getting into class than taking photos.  But, we got a few.  We got into the class and she practically ran away to play.  I love that she is so comfortable in new places and with new people, but I did long for a few tears, just to prove that she loves me... =)
Please ignore her road rash nose.  She fell off a curb and right on to her face the other day.  No scrapes on her hands, just her nose and knee.  We don't know how she managed to face plant right off a curb onto the parking lot, but my clumsy girl managed.

Now, for the main event.  PICTURE TIME!

Emery's outfit:
Shirt: Old navy
Skirt: Pumpkin Patch
Shoes: TOMS
Backpack: Sugerbooger

More big events in our family this week.  Wednesday I start my new job as the Special Events Manager for the National Stroke Association!  I am so excited to begin a new adventure with such a wonderful organization!

xoxo

It's little, but it's mine

Some time ago I mentioned that where we ended up living, I needed a small space of my own.  Well, our overall space is not huge, so my small space just got smaller.  But, yesterday Jason bought me this adorable little shelf that has made my space!  I love it!

We found this fabulous little shelf in Downtown Littleton in a "vintage" shop.  I've decided that vintage shops are just expsensive thrift store, but I still love it.  I specifically wanted a small yellow shelf for the closet.  I wanted to put my make up and a few photos on it.  I've got my make up and the small ceramic jewelry box that Emery painted me for my birthday last year.  It hold my every day chain necklaces.  Below, two pictures of friends that mean a lot to me, and finally my small clutch purses.

Above the shelf is my pride and joy (jk), the jewelry holder that I made over the summer and a fabulous card I framed.

It's small.  It's simple.  And yes, I realize it's being a bit swalled by my scarves and belts.  Work in progress people.  But, for now, let's just hope Emery doesn't try to scale it.

Tomorrow, watch out for some first day of school pictures!  My big girl starts pre school.  I bought a second outfit since it is 80 degrees and the long sleeved dress I bought last week is not that weather appropriate.  Please ignore the giant road rash you'll see on Emery's face.  THAT story will come tomorrow....

5 years of love... and mostly liking my husband... =)

Holy Cow friends!  I got married 5 years ago today.  I had my best girlfriends in my hotel room with me... We got up at the crack of dawn for hair and make up appointments.  We had planned to have lots of fun bubbly the night before, but instead pretty much passed out by 10pm.  I was running late to our wedding location and terrified that Jason would see me with my hair and make up done... and terrified that my dress wouldn't fit.  Or that the day wouldn't be perfect.  But, he didn't see me, and my dress did fit.. and I was able to share.... well, nearly 2 bottles of bubbly with my girls before walking down the aisle... well, I remember nearly running down the aisle.  They tell you to slow down, take in the moment, but I was too excited.  I saw him standing at the end, smiling, looking amazing I couldn't help it!  It was perfect.  The whole day.  I don't remember every detail, or every conversation, but I do remember feeling like I was floating.  Dancing with my best friend, finally feeling like my world was complete.
We decided when we got married that we were partners.  We would go through life together, as a team.  We would consult each other on major decisions, work problems out together, and always know that we would work it out, together. 
We have ahd 5 wonderful years together.  Now, if I told you we didn't have our issues, I'd be a big fat liar.  We've spent as much of our marriage together as apart due to our jobs.  This has caused a lot of strain.  We've both been exhausted to the point where the sound of the other person breathing makes me want to STAB HIM TO DEATH!!!!  But, we're a team.  And now we've got this amazing little person that needs us to stay on the same team.  Needs us to communicate.  Needs us to love eachother as much as we love her.  And needs us to laugh at the ridiculas things.
We just traveled through 5 states together.  Cooped up in car for 4 days with eachother, a 2 1/2 year old and 2 dogs.  If we can survive that, I think we can survive at least another 5 years together.
Last night, we snuggled on the couch with our perfect girl.  We're on the same couch that we had when we got married (yes, it's time for an upgrade), and I had to just sigh because even though we're in a new state and living a new life... we're together with our crappy couch, our 2 giant beast dogs, and our perfect girl... and we're home.

If we look like babies, it's because we were... 22 is not the age I would reccomend most people to get married at, but for us, it was perfect!.

xoxo

I'm not one for a wordless wednesday... but here are some great pictures from our road trip

California, Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico, and finally Colorado...

This is pretty much how I felt about 4 days in the car with 2 dogs and a 2 1/2 year old.....

Emery got to pet her first horse at our dear friend's Jesse and Veronica's Ranch!  She LOVED the sheep, doggies, horse and mostly just the ability to run around freely!  We loved our first home cooked meal in days and spending time with some friends we adore!

We made it! & some top 5's...

Well, we left California over a week ago... followed a storm through 5 states, had one very large family dinner in vegas, met some sheep and an adorable horse... and traveled over 1200 miles with two dogs, a cat (for 3 days), a 2 1/2 year old... and way too much stuff!  It was a beautiful drive, even if my suitcase ended up soaking wet from being on top of the car in the epic storm.
I have to say that the last weekend we were in CA was pretty much perfect.  We went to disneyland with Auntie Jenny, had a huge family dinner at Johnny Rebs, attended a wedding and a bachelorette party, had breakfast with 2 of my best girlfriends, followed by a ton of football with the husbands and kids.  We pretty much go to see every person that means the most to us in 3 very busy days.  I was exhausted, but so happy that we got in visits with everyonee!  We arrived in CO last Thursday and spent the first night on air mattresses.  Our moving truck arrived the next morning... just as I was walking out the door to a final interview.  Since then, we have been... exhausted and busy!  There are still a few boxes to unpack and a lot of things to find a home in our new home.  But, we've also spent a lot of time shopping.... Emery is now in her very big girl full size bed, I have a fab new (ish) 2010 Chevy Equinox, and I GOT A JOB!!! 
I had a 3rd and final interview with the National Stroke Association and an hour and a half after I left I found out I got the job as their new special events manager!  I am so excited to get to work on their special events programming!  I start next Wednesday!
So, that means we had to find Emery a pre-school!  After a ton of phone calls, website visits and review research we set up a few visits and found the perfect school.  She did a "test run" today and really loved it.  Her new teacher said she adjusted really well and loved the song and dance part of the day!  She told us she loves her school and wants to see her new friends... which was quickly followed up by asking where "bubbs" was and if he had his blue mickey that she picked out for him at Disneyland.... she's adjusting...
Pictures will follow... both of our trip and of Emery's first day of school (which I am considering as monday)...

Ok, now for some top 5's.
five reasons why I love California
#5

Proximity to Disneyland, Big Bear, Sea World, the beach.

 

Everything thing you could ever want to do is here.  We have farmer's markets walking distance from the beach.  You can camp in Big Bear one weekend and swim with dolphins at sea world the next.  You can wear flip flops 360 days a year... and if it does rain I strongly consider that a California Snow day.

 

In California you have the world at your finger tips.

 

#4

This is where my little girl was born.  She was born inthe same hospital that I was... and I had visions of her going to the same elementary school, Mark Twain.  I wanted her to go to the same girl scout camps and share so many of my amazing childhood experiences.

 

And, I never envisioned raising her away from her grandparents.  My grandparents were extended parents.  I love them like my parents.  I saw them nearly every day.  They were essentail to my upbringing and are still essential to my life.  That is one of the hardest parts for me....

 

And, I one day hoped to move my girl into the dorms at CSULB and get a picture of her on the pyramid steps to match the one below from Homecoming last fall.  I wanted my girl to be a 49er.  I guess she still can be.... with the added benefit of out of state tuition for mommy and daddy... =)

#3

I have been blessed with some of the best girlfriends ever!  They are my sorority sisters and friends from college.... and work and life.  I'm going to miss them more than I care to admit.  These girls have been my bridesmaids, gotten me through the stresses of motherhood, stayed overnight in a hospital waiting room while I was in labor, laughed with me, cried with me, celebrated life with me.  And, I've gotten to share these same sweet memories and celebrations in their lives.  I cherish the loyalty of my girls.  And, I hope that they visit as often as we've talked about. 

#2

Message body

The women of my family...

 

These women are the strongest, most opinionated, compassionate, crazy, and loving women in the world.  They tell it like it is, fight hard, and love hard.  That is just how it is.  We yell, we cry, we laugh, and support one another no matter what.  They have taught me to be confident, practical, hard working.... I learned how to be a mother from their example.  I learned how to be a friend.  A wife.  A successful women.

 

Everything I know about being me...sassy, organized, anxious, loving, strong... I learned from them.  And, I'm going to miss them.  I'm going to miss our regular sass back and forth.  I'll miss their hugs.  I'll miss their kicks in the pants when I'm being lame.  I'll miss the comfort of knowing they are just a 5 minute drive away....

 

I'll miss everything.

 

#1

This is where I fell in love and married the most amazing man and father.

 

We were just kids.  Met at 18, engaged at 20, married at 22, baby at 24.  Some people still think we were crazy for doing it all so quickly and so young.  We knew, so why wait.  It was the best decision I ever made.  He's my partner in life, in parenting and in love.  And so many of our first and favorite memories are in our hometown, Long Beach (which is hardly a "town," but rather a major city).  One of my favorite things about working on my college campus is remembering the  feeling of butterflys the first time he walked me to class.  Or how proud I was to hold hands on campus together.... They were innocent, sweet moments.  And they all happened here.

 

Thank goodness we'll visit often.  This will always be home.

 

Thanks CA for giving me the most amazing life.  I'm the luckiest girl in the world.

 

And watch out CO, here comes the Blaylock family!