Wedding Planning with Eri

Today is a day to celebrate those women who raised you and in most cases, those who gave birth to you - Mother's Day. I hope I can one day celebrate this holiday that gets so much hype because I long to experience the love that every mom says they never knew before their child arrived! But for now I'm a puppy mom and I'll embrace that title too!! Happy Mother's Day to all moms out there

*This post contains affiliate links, all thoughts and comments are my own*

2015 Mother's Day Weekend - Mom's Surprise 60th Party

While my mom is currently in Swiss Alps on an amazing vacation with my Dad my sister and I got together over the weekend to enjoy a Garth Brooks concert and talk wedding planning!! In 4 short months my baby sister is tying the knot and as the Matron of Honor I feel like I haven't helped her with anything yet - she is the planner so this isn't surprising because she LOVES to do this stuff.

My sister and her fiancé are both very creative and hands on, this is just one of the many reasons they fit well together. Now, out of my sister and I, I'm for sure the more techie one and when anything is needed online - I'm the goto. So I was telling her about this new site I found called Uncommon Goods. They were looking for fun unique gifts for their wedding party and this site has every type of gift you can imagine plus a lot of personalized items, which I know my sister really likes!!

These two are seriously so dang cute!! 

Once a week I probably get a snap from my sister's fiancé about some crafty project he is working on in his shop and making his man cave like his own personal brewery, there are definitely some gifts here that would look great in his shop {hint, hint Eri}.

Uncommon Goods prides them selves on selling handmade items from a variety of different sources so that is right up my future brother-in-laws alley. This company also has strong values in helping the environment which is something that makes my farmer soul very happy!

I can not wait to throw my sister a shower and bachelorette party and spoil her the way every big sister should when they have the honor of being included in that special day. Oh PS her wedding dress came in this weekend - SHE IS GOING TO BE A STUNNING BRIDE!! Now if these 4 months were anything like the ones in 2012, they are going to f l y by!!

So, as Mother's Day comes to a close and you have spoiled your mom rotten or gotten spoiled by your littles, don't forget that Dad's day is right around the corner and you can get a jump start on his gift here!

grateful heart

i am grateful for...
Best Friends. Sisters. Husband. Home. Coffee. Jesus.

Photo Cred: Caitlin Killoran Photography

 

Steer Showing Farm Girl

I've feel like I've said this a million times on the blog already but when I was growing up I wasn't exactly into the farm life that surrounded me {I know, shame on me}. I was one of those girls who would rather be with her friends in town and not with the cows on the farm. Now, when I go to a country concert and see girls in cowboy boots and hats I have to chuckle because as much as they like to play the part of the 'farm girl' or 'country girl' I know they wouldn't last 5 seconds out on a farm getting their pretty boots full of cow poop! Then I look at myself and remember back in the day when my sister and I, with our bare hands, would mix cow poop, gravel and water and make cow cake & pies {haha don't worry we didn't eat them}.

I'm still learning every day how to be a farm wife but all it took was this one boy to change my mind about living back home with the cows. I started to really appreciate all the things my parents provided me while I was growing up and knew I was never really meant for city living.  

While I was growing up we had cattle but dad never had show cattle and that, I think, is a whole different world; seriously these steers had seen more hairspray and shine spray than I had. My husband's family raised {and still raise} purebred Black Angus cattle and showing was highly encouraged {if not forced from time to time}. After I had been around for a little while Steven asked if I'd want to show a steer in one of the upcoming shows.  I was a little hesitant to lead around this animal weighing 1000+ lbs but we had time to halter break him and to get him use to me and other steers walking with him, plus the fact that children half my age were doing it made me feel a little better.  

Now when word got around and back to my hometown community I don't think a lot of people believed I was really going to show a steer. Of course my parents were there to watch me show and there was someone else there I'll never forget. His name was Kenny, a good family friend, and I remember him saying to me that he 'had to come watch me get some dirt under my finger nails' {see, it was a known fact that this was out of character for the girl who grew up at 4930}. Kenny was an amazing man and last Thursday he lost his battle with cancer - today we laid him to rest. He was a dear friend to my parents and our whole family. I'll never forget how I learned some basics to the game of pool from him and how his smile and laugh would easily spread to your face. He will be so missed but we can be at peace now knowing he is no longer in pain and smiling down on us from Above. I am really glad Kenny was able to meet the boy who turned me into a steer showing farm girl!

Gwen Sebastion - Time to Go Home

The Little Things

I have been a little MIA on the blog lately but don't say I didn't warn you. Summer + Me + Blogging is not a good combo. All those ladies who have full time jobs but still find the time in the summer to write 2+ posts a week should seriously get an award. 

I have been enjoying all those Little Things that make life worth living and I think Summertime always makes them a little sweeter! 

This is what I've been up to Lately :: 

1 :: It has been about two years since I got new glasses so last week I was on the search for some new ones - they should be here in a week or two so stay tuned to see what I chose

2 :: One of our friends has a summer internship in NYC so of course we need a few 'good bye for now' beers - I would love to go visit this summer but with all we have planned I feel like my summer is already over before it has started

3 :: Was at the lake last weekend and the weather this year hasn't been the best but even in the gloom I love Spirit Lake

4 :: Hanging out with my sister was so fun - we had a great time singing karaoke and one of my sister's friends won the competition and tickets to a concert festival in MN {we totally helped his chances with our *rockstar* voices aka > I think we sing better sober}

5 :: My moms birthday was Tuesday and Steve and I were glad we could celebrate with her - we had a great time taking the LONG way to supper but who doesn't love cruising the backroads on a nice evening

6 :: We tried out a new place to eat on Tuesday and are so glad we got the recommendation - there aren't many places to eat in our area so it is always nice when a new bar/restaurant opens up {even better when we hit it up on beer special night}

I'm a sub on a summer sand volleyball league and actually getting ready to go play now and will post this when I get home. {Hiii I'm Home} I have a lot of fun with the ladies I play with and it is a good excuse for some exercise {wait I mean beer drinking}!! 

Lately I've been super busy with my little side photography business and when I get some photos edited I'll be sure to let you know! In the meantime let me know what you've been up to lately; and please tell me how do you keep up with blogging in the summer!! 

Oh and if you haven't entered my giveaway yet … CLICK HERE and ENTER NOW!!