Taking A Break

I know, I know...another break. But it's necessary.

The past few weeks I've been extremely stressed out. All of the tiny details that go into moving TWICE in 2 months, plus starting my new job, and getting everything taken care of for J to start school and the Reserves.....on top of both of us working full-time and getting myself ready for school.....it's just too much.

Blogging has always been my outlet for relieving stress and keeping in touch with you wonderful women, but if something needs to take the back burner for a bit, it's the blog. Everything in my life has been very quickly unraveling and I need to concentrate on what NEEDS to be done rather than what I WANT to do.

We've only got 3 weeks until we're outta here and then we're headed to Washington to visit my little brother, so its crunch time, and then I'll hopefully be able to jump back into blogging, full steam ahead.

Just know how much I love and adore each and every one of you! See you soon.

XOXO,
Meagan

Last Minute Wedding Details

PICTURE DUMP! 

This post isn't too interesting (sorry!) - just a few pictures of my trial hair and make-up and dress alterations. :)

My momma and I at my first of many alterations appointments.

The details before they were snazzed up.

The dress before being snazzed up and pack away for the ceremony!

Hm...think this is hot enough for a wedding up do?

Gettin' my hair did by the lovely Adair. If you need your hair or make-up done in the suburbs of Chicago, give her a call! She's amazing.

The finished product! :)

So there you have it...my alterations and trial hair/make-up. Exciting stuff! ;) We're approaching the grand finale so stay tuned! :)

My Second Shower

Back to the wedding madness!

My second shower was hosted by the Women's Ministry of my parents' church back home in Illinois. For every bride-to-be they host a shower where many of the women in the church chip in for gifts and food. It is such a fantastic outreach and I'm so blessed that I was able to a part of this great tradition!

Gorgeous flowers.

Cupcakes.

Mmm. :)

These were so good!

The yummy spread!

I loved how they incorporated our wedding colors.

My beautiful mother. :)

The lovely hostesses, Wendy and Jodi.

One of my bestest friends, Chelsea!

Chelsea, myself, and her mom (one of my many "mothers"), Pam.

Chels and I with our mamas.

Some of the ladies from the church.

Kathy (another one of my "mothers" and I.

I have no idea what we were talking about. Haha!

Kathy did the devotional, based on the book Love and Respect by Dr. Emerson Eggerichs. I highly recommend this book!

Opening gifts.

I cannot tell you how many wonderful women attended this shower and gave us gifts (as well as love and support) because there were just too many, some I didn't even know! As I said, Joshua and I were incredibly blessed to be a part of this ministry and I hope to be able to participate in more showers for others over the summer while we're in town.

STOP 3

I don't have much time to write up a decent post (as it's 2am and my hubby will be home soon), but I just wanted to send you on a mission. If you want to know what I'm talking about, read the links below.

Chambanachik: Don't Mess With Milspouses

FreeBorboleta: NO3

Our Military Home: A Call To Action

I don't usually talk about the military or get riled up about much concerning the military on the blog, but these are my sisters who are being hurt and harassed. It's time we did something about it. 

*If you'd like to take action on Twitter, just hop on over to my "Keep In Touch" tab and RT with the hashtag #istandwithmilwidows or send an email (already drafted by Taylor above!) to CBS.*

Bloom Into Spring Exchange: Show Off Your Loot!

Hello, lovelies!

I'm only stopping in for the Bloom Into Spring link-up, so don't get too excited. ;)

My partner was Taylor from Goings On In Texas. She is really sweet, smart, and her blog is just as cute as she is! Go check her out!

Taylor sent me this awesome stash of spring goodness.

She sent me an adorable card, a flip flop notepad and pen, 2 Spoiled nail polishes, and a cute pouch that I'll probably use to organize my purse. *Sigh* Reminds me of our awesome Hawaiian honeymoon (which I'll have to tell you about on the 1 year anniversary of our trip in June!) I love it all! Thanks so much, Taylor!

Don't forget to link up, show off your goodies, and check out Lisha's blog to see what everyone else received! Hope you're all enjoying April as it flies on by. :)

Them

I'm supposed to be writing a list of tips for the new girl, but I can't figure out how to put them into words. They're just inside me. I don't keep tabs on what tricks I've learned to entertain or comfort them...they just come. It's taken me a year to master what I have and even now, on occasion, I get stumped by these ever-changing little beings. Looking back at pictures from only ten months ago still makes me weepy for my little babies who are now walking, talking, growing toddlers. 

Aidan and Adam - 2.5 months

Adam - 3 months

Synchronized sleep shifting - 3 months

Widdle peanuts - 4 months

 It's hard not to take credit for them. I've raised them, after all. But I have to keep reminding myself that I am not their mother. I'm leaving in only seven short weeks. I will not be in their lives as they grow into toddlers, teenagers, and then adults. It's not my place to brag about them and show them off...but I do anyway. How could I not? 

Their first walk - 6 months

Adam, the puppy dog - 6 months

Sitting up - 6 months

Adam learning to crawl - 8 months

Aidan playing - 8 months

Learning to hold their own bottles - 9 months

Who needs toys? - 9 months

9 months

Sweet brothers - 9 months

Aidan buddy - 10 months

His "sexy pose" - 10 months

Eating avocado - 11 months

Big smiles - 11 months

First walk of the spring! - 11 months

Sleepin' after his first haircut - 11 months

Happy birthday, sweet boys!

Blurry one year olds - 12 months

Attack! - 12 months

Aidan checking on the traffic - 12 months

Camera thief - 12 months

My little loves - 12 months

 No one will ever understand the connection we have, we three - and I don't expect them to. We are the only ones who "get it". The boys may soon forget - my face, our experiences, my voice, our bond - but I will always remember.