It’s hard to believe I’ve been married 14-years.  It truly feels like just yesterday (ok, so that’s exaggerating, but it does feel like only a few years ago).

We’ve gone through so much over the years and I wouldn’t change a thing.  Everything has led to the marriage we now have today. A much stronger one, one full of appreciation for one another, and one full of so much love.

Having a child has only enhanced our marriage, made us lean on each other all the more.  It’s created a deeper appreciation for one another and a new love for each other as we see this new role of parenting enter our marriage.  I can’t wait to see how our story continues to unfold.

Happy 14th anniversary to me!

I got another delivery today!  This weeks theme was “homemade” and it was right up my alley!! I cannot even begin to say how excited I got when I read that there was a Chocolate Peanut Butter cake.  Whoever thought of putting chocolate and peanut butter together is just pure genius! There was homemade strawberry jam and corn salsa, packaged so cute!

And you’re going to laugh.  I have been thinking about getting Brody some reusable snack/sandwich bags and even have a couple of options open in my browser on Etsy that I was considering buying.  I know I didn’t mention that to anyone, but wouldn’t you know it…my SS gave me two of the reusable sandwich bags in a fun dinosaur fabric print (and upon telling Brody what it was, he roared several times).

And, if that wasn’t enough, she also gave me a Paper Creations magazine (the 7th anniversary edition)!  I did a quick flip through it this morning as Brody was finishing up breakfast.  I kept thinking (multiple times) that I had to go back and look at that page again and that I wanted to make what was on this AND that page, etc…

What a perfect week!!!  Thanks so much to my Secret Sister!  Once again…she went overboard.  I am truly spoiled!

My Secret Sister did it again! She must know me well. Sitting on my front porch this morning, was a perfectly decorated bag just waiting to be opened. She made this weeks theme “coffee”.

This week she made the most beautiful card for me.  I honestly want to find a frame and frame it to display in my office.  It’s so darn cute!!!

I must have mentioned to her that I have a Keurig coffee machine (can’t remember), but she got me some Gloria Jean’s Butter Toffee K-Cups. Jason isn’t a fan of flavored coffee so we haven’t been buying any lately. I use to get this flavor and love it, but haven’t had it in at least a year (if not longer).  I’ve had two cups of it already today and forgot how much I love this flavor!!!  She also gave me the perfect coffee cup (the size and color are ideal!). And of course, you can’t have coffee without chocolate, so she threw in a Godiva chocolate bar.  Y…U…M!  I love my Secret Sister!

We don’t usually give Mother’s Day gifts to the Mom’s because quite frankly, they have everything they need and don’t need trinkets to collect dust. My Mom prefers the personal touch (something that took time, something that I created).  She’s quite happy with a card, knowing that I took time to go to the store and pick out that one-of-a-kind perfect card for her.  I’m not sure about Jason’s Mom, but I will say that she’s a hard one to buy for (and you can only give so many Michael’s gift cards, which are truly an impersonal gift after the um-teen time).

This year, I decided to make the Mom’s a fabric bookmark and put it in their card.  Something simple, something I created and put thought and time into, and something they can use (both Mom’s are avid readers).  I made a couple of extras (one for my sister, one for me, and a couple of extras just to use up the charms).

I found two tutorials online (here and here) and just used them for reference.  I basically cut my bookmarks to whatever size I wanted and did my own thing (I’m a rebel, I know).  I stole the ribbon idea and the charm idea from these two blogs.

And if you’re wondering which one I kept for myself, I kept the one that has the charm that says, “miracle”.  I figured it was appropriate since Brody is a “miracle” to Jason and I.

I saw this video on another blog I read and just had to post it to my blog too. This song was played at our wedding. I love it! I think you’ll recognize it too. It’s actually an advertisement for some phone. LOL! It’s so cool to watch (SO impressed)!

I’m involved in a few “mommy groups”, but have one that tops the others. The women in this group are truly amazing.  They are so caring and just plain fun.  There are many activities for all ages.

Once a year they do a “Secret Sister” exchange (like Secret Santa).  It runs for five weeks. You send your SS weekly emails, e-cards or whatever and buy something for your SS once a week as well (you can mail it to them, sneak it on to their front porch, have someone else give it to them, etc…). On the 5th week, there will be a big party where we’ll have our “Secret Sister Reveal”.  This is where you present your SS with their last and final gift and in return, they give you a thank you gift for all you’ve done for them (so you get 6 gifts in all!).  It’s so much fun!

A couple of weeks ago, there was a sign up for the SS.  Then everyone filled out a questionnaire to help your SS come up with creative ideas to get you.  The questionnaire in and of itself was fun for me to fill out.

This week was the first of the five weeks.  I have yet to get my SS something, but have all week to deliver it (hoping not to wait until the last minute).

Today, my SS surprised me in a fun way.  Jason left for work this morning, then called right away to say there was a box on the front porch.  I immediately grabbed the key to the front door to check outside and this is what I saw…

How cool is that?  What a fun thing to open your door to (such a surprise)!  I loved the sign and that the box was placed front and center. I only wish Brody had been up to open the front door with me.  He would have probably said, “Woah”.

My SS must know me well (or follows my questionnaire well).  I am in love with office supplies of all kinds.  My heart skips a beat when I even think about Post-It notes.  LOL!  My SS was so creative with what she chose. She made sure to get all pens and pencils in fine point, she got me some great office storage things too (already imaging where these are going to go as I left it all downstairs on the island for Jason to see when he gets home).  She even included stickers (something Brody LOVES), play-doh (which he’s just starting to get into as of last week), some fun things to make crafts with, and a DVD of Laurie Berkner (Brody’s favorite right now).  There are gorgeous (very expensive looking) notecards, tons of craft supplies and the list goes on.  She went overboard and it’s only week 1.

Brody LOVED the big box that it came in.  He put his toys inside and carried it around for a while, then got inside the box and had fun with it (dancing, turning around and jumping).  He then found the container of pens and played with that forever!  Next he combined his two loves (container of pens and toys in the box and carried it around).  LOL! Hours of entertainment (it’s a gift within a gift).

My SS went all out this first week.  There’s no way to top this (she set the bar VERY high).  Thanks Secret Sister!