Say My Name

Last week when I was doing my "It's OK" Thursday post, I noticed a link up that would be going on today, and I thought I would join in, since many of you are probably wondering where my blog name came from anyway. So, thank you to Amber, Amanda, and Stephanie for hosting this fun link up today!


Ever since I can remember, I've been told that I'm super bubbly, upbeat, and outgoing. That's just me. Always has been, and probably will be. I've always been so optimistic... just ask my husband. Often times, I drive him crazy with my uber positive outlook on life. "Sometimes I just want to argue," he'll say. Maybe it's because some arguments are healthy, but I think it's mainly because he just wants to make up. ;o) 

Personally, I think it's one of my best qualities. I mean, who wants to be around someone who's grumpy and down in the dumps all the time? Not this girl! Miss Sunshine right here is way more fun!

Of course, I have always loved the song "Walking on Sunhine" too, which is the first thing people think when they see my blog title. Don't lie, I know you started singing the song when you first started reading. Everyone does. It's okay. I like it. I wouldn't have named it that if I didn't! So, for your enjoyment...

There you have it. I guess you could say my name is a combination of my personality and my love for the song. Once I had a name, I got a design, which you can read all about here. And now, I love blogging. I'm still getting the hang of it, but I learn new things every day (today I taught myself how to put a button in my post!), and I can't wait to see where my blog takes me! 

Want to join the link up? We'd love to hear how you got your blog's name!

xoxo

Weekend Wrap-Up

I know, I know, I'm a day late. Sorry. We weren't home at all yesterday, so I didn't get a chance to tell ya'll about our fun weekend I was anxiously looking forward to last Friday! So, here it is.

Friday night called for some relaxation, so Justin & I made dinner together, then went over to The Lowe's for a nightcap. We only stayed for an hour or so, but it obviously was long enough to wear Tinley out, because she slept until 10 am Saturday morning! Which was great. She needed all the rest she could get for Ashy's birthday party. 

And, speaking of the party, here's our favorite 3 year-old, Miss Ashlyn! Isn't she adorable?

Her party Saturday night was great! Lot's of good food and good friends. Nothing better. :o) Here are a few more pics... 

Sunday, we went over to our friends, Scott and Penney's, house to watch some of the Daytona race. Once again, there were lot's of our friends there, and it was nice just to relax and chit chat. There were also lot's of babies and toys, which was nice, because Tinley was easily entertained. She even made a new friend, Elsie. She's our friend, Abbey's, daughter, and she'll be a year old in May. I wish I could've taken more pictures because she is adorable, but this pic shows one of my favorite things about her; her head full of hair! I really wish Tinley had as much as her. Nevertheless, it was a fun afternoon, and great way to end a great weekend. 

How was your weekend?! xoxo

Trendy Tot Tuesday

I had so much fun last week with my first link up, that I decided to participate in another one that I've seen a few of my blogging friends post. So, here it is... Trendy Tot Tuesday, sponsored by Kelly, Megan, & Lindsay. Thanks ladies!

I always said that when I become a mom, I would NEVER be THAT MOM. You know, the one you see at the grocery store in her pajamas with her hair all frazzled, no make-up on, and looking like she hasn't slept for days. Who wants to be THAT MOM? Well, I wouldn't take it that far when it comes to my own personal life, I mean, I do at least shower before I go out, but it never fails... Tinley always looks better than me. Maybe it's because I have more fun dressing her up now that I do my own self. Or maybe, it's because all the baby girl clothes are "sooooo cute." C'mon ladies, I know you've all said it before. No matter where you go shopping, it seems every single thing you see in the baby girl section is just adorable. It's always hard not to buy everything! So, of course, our baby girl's closet is jam-packed with the cutest ruffle tops and smocked dresses. And shoes. The girl literally has more pairs of shoes than I do. A lot of them are still too big, because she has such small feet, but you better believe that I try them all on at least once a month and take inventory to see what she can fit into. Now, don't get me wrong, I still enjoy shopping for myself. Old habits die hard. But, it's just different these days. You all can relate, I'm sure. So, for now, I'll just keep having fun with my baby girl, and just accept the fact that no matter where we go, she's going to steal the show. :o) Hey, I'm fine with that.

 

Sweater, jeggings, and boots: Gymboree

My step-mom made the hat. I have about 10 different color flowers that we can switch out, depending on what Tinley is wearing. I keep telling her to open her own Etsy shop! 

Happy Tuesday friends! xoxo

Happy Birthday Jamy!

Today is a very special lady's birthday, and I thought she deserved a post all on her own; after all, I'm always posting about her adorable girls. Just a heads up: Monday will be no exception, as we celebrated her 3 year old's birthday yesterday! 

So, this is all for my good friend, Jamy. :o) Her and I met through mutual friends, and have known each other for a while, but have become very close over the past year, and we are so lucky to have friends like her and her husband, Jeremy, in our lives! Their girls and Tinley are BFF's, and our nights out these days consist of going over to their house (they live right down the street, which is great!), letting the kids play, and us having a few cocktails. But, I wouldn't have it any other way! We always have so much fun. She's one of those friends that you can talk to about anything and she won't laugh or judge you. She's a true friend, and I know she would do anything for our family, just as I would for her family. 

Today, she deserves to be spoiled, even more than normal!

Happy Birthday Jamy, we love you! 

PIB Summer 2011

Mon Ami Winter 2013

PIB Summer 2010

Happy Friday!

Happy Friday everyone! It's that time again. I know so many of ya'll count down the hours until 5 o'clock, so you can get your weekend started. I, for one, am looking forward to this weekend! I'm not sure what's on the agenda for tonight, but tomorrow, we have a birthday party for a very special 3 year-old, and I can't wait. With everything that's been going on lately, I'm ready to relax with great friends and have a few cocktails.

Sunday, we're going over to a friend's house to watch the race (Daytona for those of you who don't keep up with NASCAR!) I'm not big into racing either, unless it's live, of couse, everything is more fun live, but I'm down for any excuse for a fun get together! 

It won't be too busy of a weekend, which is good, because I also want some relaxation time with hubs and T, so hopefully it'll be a perfect balance.

What are your weekend plans? Whatever they may be, enjoy! :o)

Walkin' on Sunshine, 

Kelly 

"It's Ok" Thursdays

I am so excited for today! I'm participating in my very first link up, thanks to Amber over at Brunch With Amber. 

I started this blog in hopes of meeting lot's of sweet bloggin' friends and I've been sort of slack. But, with a 13 month-old running around, I think I have a good excuse. So, I hope in doing this link up, that I can meet some new friends, and start reading many more fun blogs. :o) And now for my "It's Ok" Thursday list... 

It's OK...

... That I'm counting down the days until hubby and I go to Cabo for our getaway! (65 for those of you that are wondering!)

... That my daughter was dressed better than me yesterday. I'm used to it. 
... That I drank almost a whole bottle of wine last nite. By myself. I think hubs had a glass...
... That we're having leftovers for dinner tonight.
... That I'm so excited for a 3 year old's birthday party this weekend. I'm ready to see my friends and relax!
... That it's snowing out, I might not go anywhere today. 
... That I still can't believe my Grandma is gone. Time heals all...
... That I haven't been posting as much as I'd like to on my blog.

What are you OK with today? Join the link up! 

Happy Thursday! xoxo

Photo Overload

Sorry I've been MIA again. There has been so much going on lately, but hopefully we'll be back to our usual routine very soon. Here are some pictures of what we've been up to...

Tinley helping Gigi unload the dishwasher

Tinley and my mom's neighbor, Jack, playing in the fort

High school besties. Love them.

Lunch at Elijah's, my favorite restaurant. Their crab dip is the BEST. Hands down. 

Tinley on the River Walk in downtown Wilmington

Baby Tooker cookies, too cute!

My Valentine's lunch date

Relaxing after a busy day 

Fun time with Gigi

Tinley and the beautiful momma to be!

Annie loved having Tinley visit. She got more people food during that week than she has in her whole life!

Dinner with Nicole & Brandon

Wilmington

Sleepy head on the plane ride home

I love how Tinley is holding Nicole's thumb!

The plane ride to Raleigh

Valentine's Day photo shoot

Tinley, her Grand Mary, and Gigi

Getting some good sleep at Grandpa and Grandma Dyar's! I was nervous how she would sleep in the Pack & Play.

My parent's backyard! Looks like the snow followed me from Ohio. 

Tinley and Mackenzie finally meet for the first time! They're a day apart. 

Great friends already!

Tinley, Grandma Dyar, and Grand Mary

Miss Fashionista

Haven is telling Tinley a secret. 

A week home

It's been a week since my Grandma passed, and as I lie in bed at my parent's house in North Carolina, I have all sorts of emotions running through my mind. Feelings of loss, feelings of regret, feelings of worry about my mom, and feelings of emptiness. You never think you're going to lose a family member, especially one you grew up with and who helped raise you. But, it's inevitable. You just have to remember that they're in a better place, and keep their memory close to your heart. That's what I'm trying to do. And, although, it may be difficult, you have to remember that life goes on. 

Tinley and I have spent a wonderful week in North Carolina. We flew down last Tuesday, along with Justin, and arrived at my parents Tuesday evening. My mom's brother, my uncle, and aunts and cousins were awaiting our arrival also. We spent the evening talking and laughing and looking at old pictures of my Grandma. The service was held on Wednesday morning, in our small hometown of Wilson, NC. My Grandma lived there for 60 years, it's where my mom was raised, and it's where I was born and lived for the first 3 years of my life. My Grandma wanted to be buried next to her parents, so we honored her wishes. It was a small service, mostly family and friends, and some of her bridge friends that are still living, but I think it's exactly what she would've wanted. Afterwards, a group of us had lunch at Bill's B-B-Q, the epitome of the south. I did Grandma proud, and had 2 platefuls of B-B-Q, fried chicken, slaw, collard greens, mashed potatoes, hush puppies, green beans, and the best banana puddin' you've ever tasted. Justin even tried fat back, which I know she would've smiled about. Everyone always said she made the best fat back, even for breakfast. :o) 

Justin left early Thursday morning to return home but I am so very grateful and glad he was there for me and my family. He is simply the most supportive and loving husband, and I am so, so lucky. Yes, I realize it was Valentine's Day, but to us, it's just another day... we decided to skip it this year. Mom, Tinley, and I had a delicious lunch at Macaroni Grill, and then ran a few errands, and ended the night with a family dinner, something that doesn't happen often at my parent's house, but is always nice when it does. There's just something about family dinners that makes you feel all warm and fuzzy inside. :o)

Early Friday morning, my mom, Tinley, and I left for Wilmington, which is where I grew up. It's about a 2 hour drive. One of my best girlfriends from high school was having a baby shower on Saturday, and I was surprising her! :o) We met my mom's friend, and my old dance teacher, and one of my best friend's mom, Mrs. Candy, and my other "grandma" Mary for lunch at my all-time favorite restaurant downtown Wilmington, Elijah's. I stuffed my face with crab dip and sweet tea. (I'm really getting spoiled being home with all this good, southern food. I'm going to have to go on a diet when I get home!) Afterwards, we enjoyed a walk by the Cape Fear River, had a photo shoot (imagine that!), and then visited a few of my favorite boutiques in Wrightsville Beach. Of course, Tinley racked up! There's nothing like a good, southern boutique with cute smocked dresses for baby girls. Agh, I love it. We stayed the night at my grandparent's house, where they cooked my mom and I dinner. Our good family friend, Woody, also came over for dinner, and we talked, laughed, and reminisced. It was a great night. 

Saturday morning, my mom and I were up early to pack the car so we could head back to Raleigh after the shower. They were calling for snow (GASP!) and we didn't want to hit any bad weather on the drive home. We had a great time at the shower, and it was so good to see so many of my high school best friends. One of my girl friends, Kelly, also has a daughter, Mackenzie, who is a day younger than Tinley (no, we didn't plan it!), and it was so cute to see them meet for the first time. I only wish we could be closer so we could have many more play dates because they played so good together. Every time I get together with my group of old girl friends, it's like no time has gone by. They are true friends, and that is so rare. I miss them all dearly. My mom, Tinley, and I left the shower and headed back to Raleigh Saturday afternoon, where we did run into some bad weather, but I kept reminding her: "I live in Ohio Mom, this is nothing. If you need me to drive, I will." She drove the whole way home. :o) That night, we met my best friend, Nicole, and her finace, Brandon for Mexican, and once again, talked, laughed, and reminisced on some fun times. She is like my sister, and I miss her more than words can say. 

Sunday morning, we had a play date scheduled with my friend, Summer, and her mom, Mrs. Candy. Summer has a 5 month old, Haven, and I've been dying to see her! She is adorable, and it was so good visiting with them both. We also Skyped with Summer's sister, and one of my best friends, Stephanie, who recently moved to New Zealand. Tinley cried when we left, she enjoyed herself too! We came home, visited my mom's neighbor's for a little bit, and had dinner, and my mom and I just chatted by the fire. It hit me. I'm going home tomorrow. 

It has been so good being home, and I am so glad I could be here with her. I know this next week is going to be so tough, and I only wish I were closer to help her. Losing a family member really puts things into perspective, and you realize whats important. Friends and family. That's what matters. So, thank you to everyone that we saw and visited with this past week, it has been wonderful, despite the circumstances, and I love each and every one of you. 

I'd like to leave you all with my Grandma's obituary. I had the honor and pleasure of helping write it. I hope she approves. Earlier this evening, my mom and I went over to her condo to get a few last things, and inside on her dresser was a card that everyone at the facility had signed. Inside, one person wrote "Lee was a saint." Another one wrote "She sure was a sweet lady." It's so nice to see that even at 91, my Grandma was loved and looked up to. I know that a day will not go by when I don't think of her, but I know she is in a much better place, and she is watching over us all. I love you Grandma.

Wilmington Star News Obituary of Myrtle Lee Walker Horton

RIP Grandma

Yesterday, I was celebrating the birth of our friend's twin girls, and today, I'm mourning the death of my Grandma. Isn't life funny? Such a fragile thing. This will be my most difficult post. I don't deal well with death. Probably because I've only experienced it a handful of times. But, I know it's a natural process of life, and my Grandma is no longer suffering. It's what she wanted. 

I'm so glad Tinley and I had the chance to go home a few weekends ago and spend some time with my Grandma. Even though she was in the hospital the entire time, and at first, didn't know our names, she smiled every time we walked in, and she knew who we were. Even on the last day, when she barley opened her eyes, she knew we were there. My mom stayed by her side until the very end, and she died peacefully this past Sunday morning at the age of 91. She had a mighty fine life, full of love, laugher, sweet doggies, Kahlua drinking, poker playing, gambling, and cigarette smoking. Even in her final days, she was begging my mom for a cigarette. She cracked me up. 

There are a few things I'll always remember about my Grandma, things that will always remind me of her and make me smile. Every time I eat a bowl of coffee ice cream or crack open a pistachio, I will remember sitting at her kitchen table as a kid, eating both with her, not at the same time of course, but in large quantities that my mom didn't approve of. I remember watching her get ready when I was little and we were going out to dinner at MOI, (Middle of the Island for you non-Wilmingtonian's) her and my Papa's favorite place. I think they went there about 3 times a week, at least. I still remember their favorite waitress' name, Heather. Grandma would paint on bright red lipstick before we left the house, and drench herself in perfume, you know, the really strong "old-lady" kind. I can still smell it today. She used to wear a beautiful ring on every finger, one with blue diamonds, one with rubies, one with sapphires. She had every stone you can think of. And if it wasn't in a ring, it was in a bracelet that dangled from her wrist... she wore about 10 at a time. I used to sit in her lap and play with them and just admire them all, hoping that one day, I could have that many jewels. One time, when I was about 5, we made a bet, Grandma and I. She bet me that if I would stop sucking my thumb, that she would quit smoking. Well, needless to say, she didn't hold up her end of the bet. Every time I see a pack of Parliament Lights, I can't help but smile. Her and my Papa had a big pond in the backyard of their house. It was gorgeous and filled with all kinds of beautiful, exotic fish. I loved to go out and feed them and lean in really close watching them eat and swim around. One time, I was probably about 7 or so, I leaned over just a little too far, and I fell in! Now, this was not some small, shallow pond, this thing was deep! My Papa had to rescue me, and when I was safe on dry land, as I stood there drenched and freezing, all they could worry about was the fish! We all laughed later. I remember her white Mustang she drove, and how I always said I would inherit it when I turned 16. Much like the bet we made, that didn't happen either. I remember playing Old Maid and Go Fish with her and my Papa. Like my dad and step-mom, they were both big card players, and they all dreamed I would take up bridge. I still have yet to learn. Maybe that will be my next new hobby, aside from blogging. :o) I used to go with her to my Papa's dentist office when she had to do some work, and I remember sitting underneath her big desk, playing with markers, face masks, her magnifying glass, whatever I could get my hands on. I just loved being there. I'm surprised I never wanted to become a dentist myself. One time, when I was around 6, she picked me up from dance and had bought me one of those wooden paddles with a rubber ball attached to it with a string. You know what I'm talking about? Well, I don't remember what exactly I did, but for some reason, she slapped my hand with that paddle so hard, it was still red when my mom picked me up from her house that evening. I'm sure I deserved it, but that time she disciplined me has always stuck out in my memory. Probably because it was about the only time she did it. You know how Grandmas are. Whatever I wanted, I got. She spoiled me to no end. 

I only wish Tinley could have gotten to know her better, and know her and remember her as I do. She only saw Tinley twice in her lifetime, which is something I regret, but I can't wait to share all these happy memories and many more with her when she gets older. I will make sure she knows what a classy, fun, and hip grandma her great-grandma was to me.

Rest in peace Grandma. You are finally in Heaven with Papa, Gloria, Lady, Puff, Precious, and all your other friends and animals. I know you have one heck of a poker game going on! I love and miss you, and know you will always be watching and smiling. There are no goodbyes, only see you laters. So, see you later Grandma.

Isn't she beautiful?

Papa and Grandma

The day I was born

Visiting Grandma and Papa in Wilmington. I was 6 months old.

My first Halloween!

In her element, playing cards. I love this picture.

The day we brought our yorkie puppy, Lady, home. I think I was 6 or 7.

Christmas 2010. Grandpa Dyar, Mom, Grandma

At my Baby Shower in NC

Summer 2013; 4 Generations. A special, priceless picture. 

Her face lit up when she saw Tinley and I. She called her Tindle.