Oh Baby!

Babies are the sweetest, most precious things on earth! Seriously, if my days were filled with puppies and babies I would be in heaven! I got a little taste of that heaven this week when my cousin/closest friend Cameron and her family welcomed baby girl #2! Meet Miss Marley.

A few years ago when Cameron's first daughter was born, I was in the delivery room and forever changed. It was such an amazing experience for me. So many people asked me if I was sure I wanted to "watch that happen" because it might make me fearful to have my own children one day. I am so glad I didn't listen to any of those people because it was hands down one of the most beautiful experiences of my life. I'm not sure I ever thanked Cameron for allowing me to be there but I am very grateful. Before that day, I had always heard people say what little miracles babies are and I of course agreed but "miracle" took on a whole new meaning for me that day. I witnessed a true miracle. I witnessed a mothers love, a woman's strength, a father's/husband's support, the first breath of a tiny miracle, and complete happiness. I will never forget it.

This was such a happy moment for me. Meeting my cousin's second born daughter. When I met Marley for the first time just hours after she came into this world, I was reminded of my experience from a few years ago. My heart couldn't have been any more full at that very moment! Welcome to the world Marley...your Auntie Em loves you so much!

Mr. & Mrs. Ernzen and I'm back!

Talk about abandoning this little blog...goodness! I am not even really sure why I haven't been around in awhile. Things were crazy for a few months with all of the wedding planning, work, Jared starting a new job, etc, etc so I know that had something to do with it. But I'm back at it now and it feels great! 

Speaking of wedding planning...Jared and I were married on May 18th!! It was a beautiful day and just absolutely perfect.  Here are a few of our favorite images from that day. 

This one is our FAV! Love love love it!

We really love this one too!

Now the hubby and I are settling into to our sweet little married life. I am not sure my heart could get any happier <3

xoxo

Happy Tuesday folks...

This girl is exhausted. We have been wedding planning nonstop and we pretty much have all of the big stuff locked down. I even found the most perfect dress this weekend!! I can't wait for Jared to see it! And really I just can't wait for May 18th to get here :)

In other news, I signed up for the 2013 Valentine Blogging Party several weeks ago. Basically, you are paired up with another blogger, exchange care packages, link up, and share our blog partner and care package. This didn't exactly go as planned! Between misunderstanding of when to link up and USPS not delivering on time or carefully, it was kind of a mess. I was paired up with Katie over at The Babbling Brunette. It is crazy how much we are alike! Seriously, I think the main difference between the two of us is she's brunette and I'm blonde. It was great to "meet" her and add another blog to my list of reads. Here is a look at what was in my care package.

She also made me a super cute coffee mug but it didn't survive USPS :( It was in about 12 pieces when I opened the box. But I love the rest of it! A new cookie recipe with pre-measured ingredients, a wedding magazine, chocolate, and coffee! Pretty much perfect! Thanks so much Katie!

Twenty-nine and Engaged.

So I have been meaning to post this for the past week but apparently a birthday and an engagement can throw a person a little off track. But I am back in action and way excited!

I am officially 29 and I have to say, I am pretty darn excited about this year because my 29th year started with my sweet, handsome man proposing!!!! The date is set, May 18th! I know, I know...that isn't much time but we will make it happen. So get ready for lots of wedding posts because things are about to get serious people!!!

I also have to say that we both scored big time in the family department. My family is awesome and so is his. I have always felt so welcomed and accepted by his family and that is such a great feeling. I will be gaining loving and kind parents, 3 sets of brother and sister in-laws, and 9 nieces and nephews :) Not to mention the huge extended family he has. I love it! And Jared? Well he is one lucky man to inherit my family. We are seriously going to have so much love in our life and I am thankful for that every single day. 

I turned 29 on the 15th. 29!!!! It sounds so old but for some reason I feel so content with being 29. 

I have learned so much in my twenties so far and feel like I am the very best version of myself yet. Not to mention, I have a sweet man, the most loyal pup, a family that loves and supports me in the biggest way, and friends that are more like family. I am lucky. I am blessed. And most of all I am happy. Happy in the best way possible. In fact, that is probably the most important lesson I have learned in my twenties. Happiness is a choice and no one else can create happiness for you. Sometimes these choices are difficult and emotional, but they are still your choice.

I have learned that family is truly the most important thing in life and not just something that people talk about. Family is where it begins and ends and that is not something to take for granted.

I have learned to be brave. You probably laugh at that statement but it is true. Being brave is hard but it is the only way to live life. "Love life, be brave".

I have learned that hard work really does pay off. My current job is proof of that. I have worked hard since I started there over 8 years ago and I continue to be successful. 

I have learned that some people are just mean and there is nothing I can do about it. Oh and that I should NEVER let those people bring me down. 

And finally, I have learned that being considerate of yourself and other people can make a huge difference in your life. I'm all about it. Just be considerate and things will work on just fine :)

So happy 29th birthday to me and happy engagement to me!!! haha!

xoxo

Weekend Love and Happy Birthday to my Granny!!

As you read this, picture me with my hair on top of my head, an Iced Nonfat Latte in my hand, and my babe sitting across from me. It's Saturday folks and we are at Starbucks! I didn't think the weekend was ever going to get here so you can imagine how happy I am that it is finally here. I love that we can come sit here together. I'm in my blog/shopping/crafting/recipe world and he's in his sports/news world. It is just nice. And delicious.

I am looking forward to our day. My Granny is 71 years old today. She is the sweetest, kindest, most loving, thoughtful person. I am such a lucky girl to have a Granny like her. Any words I use to describe how blessed I feel to have a Granny like her would simply not cut it.(Plus I don't want to cry in Starbucks while trying to describe it) so I will just say, Happy Birthday Granny! You are the absolute best and I love you so very much!! 

Me, Granny, Cameron (cousin-like a-sister)

Running is hard...

This week I started my "Couch to 5k" training and it is really hard. I mean, I know I'm out of shape but I just never expected it would be this hard. Beyond it being completely embarrassing that I can barely jog for 45 seconds before I have to walk, it is just sad. Sad that I let myself get so out of shape and sad that I have made it even more difficult for myself to get healthy. Yesterday during my "run" I had a little meltdown. Okay, I will be honest, a big meltdown. Poor Jared had to deal with a chick crying in the middle of our "run". Awesome, right? I know. So after I pulled myself together (kind of) we finished our "run" and came home. I was defeated. I was sad. And I was sweaty and I hate being sweaty! My sweet Jared kept telling me he was proud of me and when I snapped back that I didn't want him to say that because there was nothing to be proud of, he reminded me that a month ago I wouldn't have even tried. And he is so right! Just doing it is half the battle and I am doing it...and that IS something to be proud of. I am exhausted, sore, and embarrassed of how little I can actually BUT I do  feel good that I am making good choices. I know it will be really hard for awhile but I also know it will get easier. I will start to feel better in so many ways and I can't wait for that. For now, it just flat out sucks!