Today is my last day in my twenties. I am so excited for the next decade, but have so much to be thankful for from the last. These are my top 10 favorite moments of my twenties! 

10.  Celebrating my 20th birthday in Disney World. 

I have the best memories of galavanting around Disney with my birthday tiara on with my friend Danny. We started the day with breakfast with Pooh at the Crystal Palace and made our way through all the parks. It was such a magical birthday! 

10.5  Meeting my furry BFF, Holden.

 When I got home from my 6 month stay in Florida, my parents surprised me with my little buddy. He has been the most loyal, happy, spunky sidekick and has stolen the hearts of all my friends and family. I'm so glad he was there for all of my twenties and now with me as I turn 30!

9. My 21st birthday. 

My 21st birthday was a week long celebration and also marks the day I met Justin! I celebrated with happy hour and margaritas at a Mexican restaurant and then had a special birthday dinner with my friends no parents. Then to top it all off my friends threw me a surprise birthday party. I will never forget the shenanigans from that birthday. My 30 year old self could absolutely not handle that. 

8. Graduation from college! 

It took 5 years to finish, but I earned my Bachelor of Science in Education and celebrated with an amazing meal at Printworks Bistro. It was extra special because all four of my grandparents were there to celebrate with me. 

7. Being offered and accepting me first job. Thank God Felecia Locklear saw something in me and offered me my dream position teaching second grade at Brooks elementary school. The time I spent in room 202 as a teacher changed my life and I made some of my closest friends there. I still miss it!

6. My engagement! 

Justin pulled off the engagement made of magic when he popped the question at the Biltmore House in Asheville. He proposed over dinner on New Years Eve and we celebrated the night away with friends and family at a cozy mountain cabin. Everytime I look at my ring, I reminisce about that night! 

5. Bachelorette Weekend in Holden Beach! 

My sisters spoiled me rotten with their meticulous planning of a weekend that went off without a glitch. Lingerie party, massage and nails, beach time, amazing tapas dinner, and dancing and drinks until sunrise. All of my girlfriends and a party bus to transport us. The most EPIC girls weekend of my life. Hands down. 

4. My summertime wedding. 

Justin and I tied the knot when I was 25 in July 23, 2011. Every detail made me feel like a queen that day from my mom making a brunch spread as my family got ready at their house, to the ride to church with my Daddy, to the gorgeous bright colored dresses and gerber daisy bouquets, to the lake front reception. And to top it all off it kicked off my life with Justin. ❤️ 

3. Honeymooning in Jamaica.

 Justin and I escaped the Jamaica for our honeymoon and everyday we spent there was perfect. Drinking from coconuts, snorkeling in the blue water, Dirty Banana drinks at he swim up bars, and the sunshine all made it a trip that can't be topped. Sandals Whitehouse has my heart and I hope I'm able to go back one day! 

2. Buying our first home.

 Justin and I found the perfect first home complete with the white picket fence and moved in as soon as we could when we returned from our honeymoon. I absolutely love our home and our neighborhood. It's one of the biggest and best decisions we've ever made!

1. The birth of my children. 

Ty and Elena have both changed my life completely and I am so overwhelmed by God blessing me with them. They are the perfect kids for me and make me smile every single day. I couldn't have asked for a better gift during my twenties than my two little nuggets. They are the gift that keeps on giving. 

I truly could probably write 100 more moments that I love from my twenties, but these are my list-toppers. Thank you, twenties for all the good times. Thank you to all the people that have come into my life during those years and changed me for the better. Thank you for every tiny and big dream that you all helped come true for me. I am so grateful and God is so good. Cheers to the decade that made me a grownup (sort of!) and cheers to the decade that I will begin TOMORROW! Eek! ❤️❤️❤️

my favorite things about having two toddlers

It is so easy to complain about the difficulties in spending every minute of every day raising my babies. Not because they aren't the best thing that ever happened to me, but because it is a tireless job and my two have an endless amount of energy. I am so grateful for the time I have with them, especially since Ty will start preschool in the Fall, and I wanted to write some of my favorite things about this age. I'm sure one day I will look back and forget these details.

1. Watching them drink their milk in the morning together on the couch.  It's not going to last forever.  In fact, with Ty starting preschool in the Fall, I see time racing by even faster and I am cherishing our mornings waking up together.

2. Listening to them "talk".  I love hearing Ty say things like, "Good girl, Lena!" and hearing Elena coo back.  It's amazing how much they communicate at ages 3 and 1!

3. When we eat meals and Ty makes Elena start cracking up uncontrollably.  He doesn't even try to be funny, but she will just look at him and start cracking up.  Her giggles make Ty laugh and the next thing you know, all of us are laughing for no real reason. My kids make my world so happy.

4. Watching Ty wrestle with E and watching my girl hold her own.  At first Justin and I would tell Ty to stop wrestling with her, but then we caught Elena provoking him because she wanted to.  From that moment on, we let them have at it and it's always full of smiles and exerted energy (which I LOOOVE!)

5. Having two kids whose age is perfect for having everything be magical and wondrous.  I can be slicing veggies for dinner or drawing with chalk on the driveway and Ty and Elena's eyes fix on what I'm doing and their hands start reaching to try for themselves.  I wish that we could all look at all the small things as if they were big things. So much less would be taken for granted.

6. Seeing them both try to figure things out... like how to put on shoes or how to fix your hair. My favorite is when we are getting ready for the day and getting ready for bed. Ty has learned how to put on deodorant, brush his hair, and brush his teeth, to list a few. And now Elena is learning about brushing her four little teeth, know just what to do with a hairbrush, and will attempt to put her own (or my) shoes on her feet. It is absolutely incredible what little sponges they are!

7. Going for ice cream... or even a trip to Lowe's Home Improvement as a family. I love putting the kids in the cart or walking up to the counter of Goodberry's with each one holding my hands.  I hope that our family outings will last a long long time. I dread the day that they would rather be with their friends.

8. Playing outside with two kids that can WALK! WOOHOO!  Those months where the kids were still crawling made for messy pants and dirty little hands. I love that they can both be outside on their feet now and I can enjoy watching them both.

9. Seeing Ty hold Elena's hand to go somewhere or encourage her with "Good job, sweetheart."  He's such an amazing big brother. :)

10. Hugs around the legs and someone's hand to hold while watching our favorite shows.  Feeling those little arms wrap around my leg while I wash dishes makes my heart smile. I just love watching a show with them and having one crawl into my lap and the other ask if we can snuggle. Toddlers are full of so much love.

This makes all the tantrums, constant noise, bathroom trips, dirty diapers, loads of laundry, and sleepless nights all worth it.

Linked up here!

Friday Favorites: Easter Edition

I cannot believe that Easter is only two days away! It came quick this year. Good Friday is such a holy day for so many. THANK YOU, LORD, FOR LOVING US SO MUCH to die on the cross for us.  In two days we can sing ALLELUIA! I've had a great time with my kids this year in prepping for Easter. and getting ready for Spring. Here are my favorites this week!

ONE: Our Easter Bunny Picture

Y'all, I can't help it. This picture cracks me up, Typically, my Elena is the brave one and Ty is terrified of things like the Easter bunny.  She wanted nothing to do with this very sweet looking Easter bunny and Ty was excited to cheese it up for this picture. PS- I LOVE BASS PRO! These free bunny pictures are amazing.

TWO: EASTER BASKET PREP

I think I must be the slackest Easter bunny out there because I am just now putting Ty and Elena's baskets together. I try to keep it somewhat practical, yet fun. Here is what they are getting: Disney DVD (I'm trying to build our collection!), socks, play-dough, toothbrush, window clings, crayons, bath toys, and fruit snacks. What is the Easter bunny bringing to your house?

THREE: SPRING BEDDING

I get so excited to flip my room from Fall/Winter to Spring/ Summer.  I actually made the time this week to change my window treatments and bedding. I found this bedding two years ago at Home Goods and have no desire to get new Spring bedding. I absolutely love this quilt. It brightens up my whole room! 

FOUR: EASTER BRUNCH MEAL PREP

I am so excited to make brunch for my family this Easter Sunday. We plan on waking up to see what the bunny brought, reading the Easter story with the kids, enjoying brunch, then heading to church. Afterwards we will spend the rest of the day with family. I love holidays! Here is what I have planned for my brunch menu: Belgium Waffle bar: complete with strawberries, blackberries, whipped cream, Nutella, and hot syrup; Hash Brown casserole: Recipe here! This little boy is having me crave hash browns!; Bacon (of course!) 

FIVE: RESURRECTION EGGS

Last week at church nursery we made these cute resurrection eggs with the kids. Ty loved doing this. Each plastic Easter egg was filled with something that tied in with the Easter story. Little minds doing big things!

SIX: GOODBERRY'S BROWNIE SUNDAE

I won't lie. I had to have one of these this week. I think my baby is growing because I just can't get full and this was something that I HAD TO HAVE. Not only did I indulge in this but in place of vanilla custard I got the flavor of the day: DULCE DE LECHE. Sinful.

Have the happiest EASTER!
HE IS RISEN! REJOICE!

Linked up with these ladies today!

it will all be ok

The news of our pregnancy was a shock to me and Justin. We are just as thrilled as we ever were for our other two pregnancies, but this time it was completely unplanned and we've had to wrap our heads around three kids.  Right when we felt like we were getting life with two kids under control, God threw us this amazing curveball.

I'm not going to lie... when I first saw that bright blue line on the pregnancy test I had a moment of panic.  I couldn't have asked for a better reaction from Justin. He made my nerves calm and made me feel just plain old excited for an addition to our clan!  His reaction was priceless... giant grin with a resounding "YAY!!"

There was one night, not long after we found out that we would become a family of five that I was asking God how we would manage, and if we should buy a bigger house, and every other question you would think about after finding out you were surprisingly expanding your family. God answered all my prayers and calmed all my worries through Justin that night. As I was running through all these overwhelming scenarios in my head, I heard our two year old wake up in tears screaming for someone.  I clicked on our video monitor to decide if I should go calm him down or let him simmer on his own and as I looked at the screen I saw Justin just sitting down on the bed with him. Justin didn’t know it, but I watched the whole thing play out.  In watching Justin hug Ty and rub his head and tell him that he would be ok, God told me that everything would be ok.  That I have this awesome husband and father of my children to help me with our growing family. 

my handsome hubby with ty

and with elena

I had nothing to worry about because when I would grow slim in patience or energy, I had someone there to pick me up.  I have been at peace with the whole idea of having three children ever since that night. I am so grateful that God continually uses Justin to teach me about love, selflessness, and faith. I couldn’t be more excited to welcome our new little one in August with Justin by my side.

Linked up here and here today!

big news!

The past few months have been a roller coaster ride. I remember Justin and I talking on New Years Eve about our visions for the new year, as we always do. Both of us agreed it would be the year of getting all of our ducks in a row... growing my photography business, working toward that promotion at work, starting Ty in preschool, celebrating my 30th birthday with a big trip. We both agreed that it would be a year for a break from adding any kiddos to our family. Little did we know that we already had a little bundle cooking!

A few days later on our trip home from the mountains, Justin asked me if I felt like taking a pregnancy test. I had been extremely exhausted and the night before I was up a lot to use the bathroom. Neither of us thought that we necessarily were pregnant, but wanted to take a test for "peace of mind." So we pulled into a Walgreens in a small town.  I grabbed a test off the shelf and headed toward the bathroom.

The next thing Justin knew, I was walking out of the drug store with tears in my eyes and a bag with the test in my hand.

Without skipping a beat, a huge grin came across his face as he shouted, "YAY!!!"

And there you have it. God had other plans for our year. We were expecting our third child, just like that.

I still think about it and can't believe it. My first trimester was nothing easy. But earlier this week, Justin, Ty, Elena, and I found out that our third is a baby BOY!

When I pictured the make up of my little family, I've always pictured it just as it is... two boys and a girl. I am over the moon excited now that the dust of shock has started to settle. 

Ty knows that there is a baby in my tummy and he loves checking on him. Elena is just going about her merry way trying to keep up with her big bro... not a clue she's getting a little brother in six months. 

I am so grateful for this baby and for God's plan being greater than my own. We cannot WAIT until August to welcome our sweet son into our family! 

the most heartwarming story of love and humility

Recently my grandfather has had a few health issues and my dad had to go spend time with him and my grandmother to bring him back to health.  I am so blessed because I still have all four of my grandparents and have grown up very close to all of them.

It has been a scary time lately because my grandfather has been in the hospital, but in all the stress of the situation came this bright story of love that no one in my family had heard, but one that we all needed to hear. 

While my dad sat in the hospital with his brothers and my grandmother trying to keep my Poppop occupied, he learned so much about his own parents that he'd never know before. This is the story of how they met and how my Poppop grew up. IT AMAZES ME and I am so blessed and humbled that he is my Poppop.  

Both of my grandparents grew up poor.  Mom Mom on a farm in Maryland.  Pop Pop in a row house in downtown Baltimore.  His house was about 15 feet wide and 50 feet deep.  The bathroom was outside in the back.  It was basically an outhouse.  His father had a 4th grade education and worked as a bartender and other odd jobs to support the family.  They never had a car. 

Pop Pop dropped out of high school.  He wanted to join the Army, but heard that about 50 men per day were being killed on the front line.  He took an aptitude test and he was given a position in the intelligence unit, so he didn't have to go to the front line. While in the Army, he got his high school degree (GED).  He said, "I got lucky."

After the Army, a friend asked him if he wanted to go with him to apply for a job at the Baltimore Gas and Electric company (BGE).  Pop Pop said, "I don't know anything about gas or electric."  His friend replied, "You know what a light bulb is, right?"  To that Pop Pop replied, "okay, I'll go with you."  Again, he passed the aptitude test and was hired by BGE.  He went to night school while he worked at BGE and got his Bachelor's Degree from the University of Baltimore.  He said, "I got lucky."

Everyday Pop Pop would do the same routine.  He would eat his sandwich and Tasty Cake for lunch and then take a walk before returning to work.  One day, his routine got messed up and he didn't have time for a walk, so he was just sitting on a bench when two girls walked by.  He knew one of them from his neighborhood, so he said hi to her.  She introduced him to her friend, Patsy.  They talked for a while and he went back to work.  A few days later, he saw his neighborhood friend and said he enjoyed talking to Patsy and asked if she enjoyed it, too?  His friend said, "Yes, she did!"  He said it was love at first sight.  Mom Mom was working in a dentist's office.  She was the only person in the office besides the dentist, so she did a little bit of everything.  Again, he said, "I got lucky.  This beautiful girl went on a date with me and I had nothing."

Pop Pop worked his way up at BGE.  At the end of his career of 45 years there, he was in the legal department.  He was not a lawyer, but helped the lawyers with investigations.  People in the company would come to him for advice.  He would tell them that all the guys in the offices are the lawyers and they should really ask them.  But, the people would tell him the everyone says to ask Bernie!

Pop Pop never thought he would reach the age of 65.  He cannot believe he went right past 65 and is now 84!  He has always considered himself to be a very lucky man.  

His humility, thankfulness, and love for Mom Mom are truly inspiring!

I didn't changed much from the story my dad shared with my sisters and I because I thought he told it so eloquently.  I hope that you are as inspired and touched by this story as I was. We are so lucky to have the elderly around us. I hope you learn something new about your family this year from someone in your family!

Friday Favorites: thankful

I hope that everyone had a very food and family-filled Thanksgiving. Ours technically isn't over yet, since we still have two days to go with the Schneider side of the family, but my side had such a wonderful day yesterday. Before I share my favorites from yesterday, I wanted to share what I'm thankful for this year.

2015 was the year my baby girl was born. I am so grateful for my happy, healthy, spunky, little Elena this year. I am thankful that she doesn't hold back and jumps right into the action. I am thankful that she lets me put hats and bows in her hair, and I am thankful that she is smiling 95% of the time.

I am thankful for the big brother Ty is to her. I remember feeling so guilty about have another child and him not being the only one anymore, but he has embraced being a loving, big brother. I am thankful that I get to watch him greet her every morning "Good morning, sweetheart" and kiss her after prayers every night.

I am thankful for my supportive husband. This is a man that truly puts the needs of me and the kids before his own. This is a man that works overtime to provide for us. This is a man that is completely hands-on with our kids and our household. He is the one that makes my dreams come true everyday and I am immensely grateful that God gave him to me.

I am thankful for my sweet buddy boy. My pup has been with my the longest out of the Schneider bunch and he has seen it all. Through all his health issues he is still happy and loyal and wanting a kiss. I am thankful for each day I have with him. The house is so full of life because of our Holden.

I am thankful for my friends and family that are so encouraging of me and my dreams. This year, more than ever, with all the aspirations I have, I have seen how I need their encouragement and support, and they have all gone above and beyond to make me feel that I am invincible and can accomplish anything. THANK YOU ALL. You know who you are.

I am extremely thankful for my parents (in-laws included) and grandparents this year. Each year that I get older, I appreciate having them around even more. There is wisdom and experience that they can share with me and my family. I am blessed to still have them all and I try my best to not take that for granted.

With all the crazy things happening around the world, I am thankful that I live in a safe place and a country that I can live free. It's a blessing that I was born here in the USA and that I am able to raise my children in a place that is protected by so many individuals whose bravery exceeds my own.

What a year to be thankful!

On to Thanksgiving festivities...

annual sister pic

all the girlies

Elena with two of her beautiful Ninangs

the guys

me and my sweet girl

 We deep-fried the turkey like we do every year! 20 pounds of delicious, fried YUM!

carving the bird

These are some of the sides before we demolished them.

 

My dad always carves the turkey with a grin from ear to ear. I think it's one of his most favorite jobs. Clark W. Griswold

"this is the best one yet"

so glad these two joined us this year.

the Dudek clan

knee deep in cider sangria

our table is so big, my parents had to rearrange the living room

turkey pickin

i love these two

grateful for these looney tunes

The holidays have officially begun. And I LOVE IT.

Linked up with Andrea, Narci, and Erika today: