February Sponsor Swap

Happy Friday!

This morning Ethan slept in until 9:30! Even better we woke up to sunshine! If you live in WI you know that during winter we can go days without any sun, so waking up to bright sunshine feels a.maz.ing :) 

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Anyways, it's almost February already, so that means it's time for some sponsor swapping to be done! If you are interested in sponsor swapping this month email me or leave a comment.

Sunday we are celebrating Ethan's 3rd birthday! It will be a fun vintage tractor party. Can't wait to share it on the blog next week. 

Expecting lots of this :)

 So stick around, enjoy the sunshine and sponsor swap with me...mmk?

Anyone else doing anything fun this weekend? Please share!

Four Years Ago Today....An Elopement in Vegas

Four years ago today, I married my best friend. 

It was 2008, I flew out to Las Vegas to celebrate the Marine Corps Ball. The guys of 3/7 were deployed during the USMC actual birthday, so it was a make up ball. We had just got engaged a few weeks earlier, on Shane's leave for Christmas. So when I told everyone I was going out to Vegas for the ball, they all had the same question, "Are you going to get married there?" My parents even asked me!  They said if we were already planning it, they would fly out to for it and some of my family in California would drive out to for it too. But honestly I didn't know if we would be getting married. Things were in a questionable stage, as the guys experienced a tragic loss just one week before the ball. I wasn't sure how this would effect our time together. All I was really concern with was being there for Shane.

My flight made it to Vegas safely, and I somehow managed to fly alone without missing any flights (believe me, I have missed flights before). We got ready, put on our party gear, him in his dress blues and me in my hot pink dress. Then we headed down to the ball. I got to meet a lot of the guys Shane was deployed with, as they let loose in Vegas. Marines know how to party! It was a whole new scene for me, but it felt comforting to see so many young married couples. Many who had gotten married in Vegas themselves. 

We spent a few more days in Vegas walking around, swimming, sleeping, basically the only things you can do in Vegas if you are not 21. Apparently you can't even get into a comedy club unless you are 21, I know because we tried.

On my last night in Vegas we talked a lot about marriage and our future together. We witnessed how short life was just one week before. We both knew that if we didn't get married now, we might not have a chance for a long time and we couldn't bare the thought of being far away from each other again. The last deployment put us in a rough spot and made us realize we belong together.

It was about 10 pm when we made the decision to get married. Only question then was, how to go about it? I was 19, Shane was 20, and neither of us had a clue about how to go about getting married. We walked around the stripe looking for wedding chapels all were either closed or needed appointments. Come on this is Vegas we are talking about! So we went back to the hotel feeling a little discouraged and defeated, but we were determined to make it happen. What was the next logical step? To hop into a taxi and ask the cab driver to take us to get a marriage license. The cab driver asked if we had a chapel and we said no. And that is when our cab driver became our wedding planner, our witness, and the only guest at our wedding. He took us to the place where his own son got married.

It's not how you would image or see in the movies. There's no Elvis minister. I mean, Elvis was there, but he was just a statue. We chose to do our vows at there outdoor chapel.  We opt against their wardrobe choices and instead got married in our normal clothing, torn jeans and all....just keeping things classy, ya know ;)

It was just after midnight by the time we got married. It took just a few minutes to recite our vows. The whole thing was recorded on video (great way to break the news to our families) and just like that we took the oath to spend the rest of our lives together. For richer, for poor, in sicken and in health, to love and to cherish, until death do us part.

Although it has only been 4 years since this day, we have already been through so much.

1 deployment to Iraq, 1 adorably sweet baby boy, 1 puppy, 13 moves, 3 states, 4 career changes, a lot of great memories, many hard times, endless amounts of smiles, countless arguments,

but in the end it's all about the love shared between two people.

Happy Anniversary Hunny Bunny! 

I love you forever & ever <3

What I Wore

Sweater & scarf: Target. Tank: Express. Belt: Thrifted. Jeans: American Eagle. Boots: Boston Store.

So I gotta confess, I'm not a big fan of these boots! 

Have you ever heard of the phrase elephant feet? 

Yeah, these give me major elephant feet, not to mention the color is perfect! But when there's snow on the ground and its windy as heck, I will wear rock these elephant feet!

What do you think? 
Fan of these type of "elephant feet" boots, aka uggs (mine are fakes of course)? Or do I need to stop wearing them asap?

Just a Few

Just a few photos from last week. We have been real busy around here lately, so I am late with my instagram photos of the week. I've also been thinking about coming up with a cool title for the weekly post. What do you think, weekly snippets or just a few or do I need to think harder? Give me some ideas ladies!

-This little man passed up shopping to stay home with Nana and clean. He's not my child.

-The leggings look. I am late to jump on the bandwagon, but that's every trend. I kinda like them, maybe in a lighter color.

-Four degrees, yep you read that correctly. Dragging my butt out of bed at 5:30am and going out in 4 degree weather (that's not including windchill) is not my idea of fun. 

-Ethan playing with Daddy's old toys at GG's house. This tank has withstood the test of time.

-Top floor of the parking garage. I suggest if you are going to a new city and parking at a parking garage that you remember what street it was on, because walking around lost in 4 degree weather looking for you car in a big city is not fun. Thank you officer for the point in the right direction even if you thought I was a little crazy. Which I promise I am not...well maybe a little..

-It was a whiteout. 3.5 inches of snow.

-So Ethan and I stayed home all day and baked homemade cookies. I may or may not of ate 4 of these in one night..

-Driving pass the place we got engaged always makes me think back to that night :) 

*Will you marry me?

Is that all you are going to say?

*I love you and want to be with you forever & ever

Of course I said yes!

-Almost four years hunny :)

Captivated By Grace {Guest Post}

Today we have the beautiful Erin, from Captivated By Grace, here to write to us about her journey to God. Not only is Erin the sweetest girl you will ever meet, she finds a way to inspire me and so many other women with her words weekly. Just read her post and you will understand what I mean!

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Hello to all of Momma's Me Time readers! 

My name is Erin and I blog over at Captivated By Grace

Lisa is one of the sweetest ladies I have met since I began blogging just 6 months ago.

She is such a wonderful wife, mother, and friend!

I am so happy that she asked me to share with you lovely ladies today :)

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     If you are familiar with my blog, you know that I often talk about my faith and what I am learning as a Christian each new day I am blessed to be here. From the time I was a young girl, I knew God and have always believed in Him. As I grew up, although that did not change, I felt myself beginning to move further and further away from God. I did not care much about going to church, rarely took the time to pause and pray, and I began to turn into the worst version of myself. At the time, I could not even see it. I was blind to the mistakes I was making. I was in pain and I didn't even realize it. My world came crashing down around me time and time again, and I endured the pain and trials alone. God was of course there, but I did not put my trust in Him to help me through it. I was only focused on me.

     God placed a wonderful support system of friends that have amazingly strong faiths in Christ into my life. Their influences were the stepping stone I needed to realize the mistakes I was making, the pain that I was living in. This began to change me (not quickly by any means) and each day I began to see things more clearly and started to understand the changes I needed to start making. I needed to change my values, my morals. I needed to work on my relationship with God and with the people in my life. I needed to talk to God, to ask Him to be in my heart, and to trust everything with Him. I needed to focus on what God wants for my life instead of what I wanted for my life. 

     I began going to church again on a regular basis, and I began to trust God more with my life. I am so blessed to be surrounded by wonderful friends that I can share my faith with. This past May, our little group experienced the loss of an amazing friend, husband, and son. This turned my world upside down. Through this tragedy, came a lot of pain, a lot of questioning, a lot of anger....but through these moments, I learned what my life was missing.

     I remember one night specifically. I was driving home from a very long day and I just began to cry. I was in such pain. The tears were uncontrollable and the fears were overwhelming. Right then and there, I knew that I could not keep doing my life alone. I could not carry myself. I asked God to help me, to take over my heart, and to work in my life. He was already there and always had been, but I was just not willing to listen. I was so broken, so confused, and always feeling like life never made sense. I spent the rest of that car night catching up with God, asking Him to fill my heart with Him and His love. I asked God to work in me and through me. I knew I needed to do more.

     I knew that there had to be other women out there who were going through the same life struggles and had similar problems with faith and trust. I have always enjoyed writing and I kept a private blog that I would occasionally write in as a form of devotion and reflection. I knew that I needed to share my thoughts with others. God placed this on my heart and I decided to make my blog open to those who may find encouragement and love from what I have learned and what I am continuing to learn each new day I am here. I in no way, have it all together. I am imperfect and I struggle each and every day with the trials and temptations of this life, but God is at constant work in my heart. He is filling me with the words that I hope will reach out and encourage someone. I want to help be the change I hope to see in this world. God has helped me. I want to help others.

 He has captivated me with His grace 

and I want to share it with all of you!

Let us be the change.

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Thank you Lisa for letting me share my heart today!

If you are in need of prayer or would just like to talk about what's going on in your life, you can email me at captivatedbythebeautyofgrace@gmail.com

Have a blessed day sweet friends!

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Thank you for sharing Erin! If you aren't already a follower of Erin's blog, I urge you to go over and check out it out now! We swapped blogs this week so you can also go check out the post I wrote here.

Have a great weekend :)

What I Wore

We've been so busy this week, but I managed to get the hubby to take a few pictures of one of my outfits this week.

Sweater & Jeans: American Eagle. Boots & Belt: Target. Scarf: Gifted. Stripped Tee: Gap.

Simple, comfy, & warm just the way I like them!

I thanked my husband by throwing a snowball...
Good thing I run fast and he was carrying my camera, otherwise he would have redeemed and I don't think I would have liked it ;)

A Before and After Look at Motherhood {Guest Post}

So glad to have this post by Amy, at Sugar and Spice, to share with you all today! She is going to share about how her life has changed since becoming a Momma.

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Hi ladies!

My name is Amy. 

I'm from Sugar and Spice, a blog about raising little girls, eating yummy foods, reading great books, encouraging your walk with God, and dressing cute!


My little ones are Grace (oldest; the vanilla one) and Emma (youngest; chocolate)

I am so grateful to Lisa for having me today, and I love her blog because we love some of the same topics.  She is a great Momma and using her well deserved "me time" for our benefit, right?

Before I became a mom, my life was different in many ways.  I'll share a few of them with you, let's see if you can relate to any of this:

KIDS:  Before & After

I knew what sleeping in meant.                       

7:20 is a late morning for me.

I’d spend every Sunday morning reading at the coffee shop for an hour.

The coffee shop has made maybe $5 on me in the last year.

We ate out relatively often in a nice restaurant.

Chipotle, Noodles & Company, and Panera is going out for us.

My floors stayed clean for days after I swept them.

My floors stay clean for 5.6 seconds after I sweep them.

The grocery store was a place I could pop in to at any time.

Grocery trips must be strategically and carefully planned out.

My schedule was determined by my workday and social activities.

My schedule is determined by naptimes.

I drove a small black SUV.

I drive a minivan :)

I bought nice flatbread crackers with Portwine cheese spread for snacks.

I buy goldfish for snacks.

I was able to store all of our specialty glassware in our cabinets.

Two entire cabinets are taken up by plastic sippy cups, bottles, plates, and tiny colorful silverware.

My purse was organized, maybe a bit of loose change.

My purse has a loose kid spoon, nipple (for a bottle), travel wipes, and used tissue.

We had a guest room.

We don’t have much extra room.

I could talk on the phone as loudly as I wanted in the house.

I sometimes talk so quietly in the house that my friends think something is wrong.

I smiled and laughed at my favorite TV shows.

I smile and laugh at my kids.  (They are so cute!)

Even though my life has changed, and in many cases things are more work or simply harder to do than they were before, I would not trade this post-kids life for anything.  

I remember taking a walk alone shortly after #1 was born.  I made the realization that my life would never be the same again.  At the time, this was a frightening thought.  I was kind of a slave to my baby and her needs.  What about my freedom?  What about the things that I want to do?  These things would have to stop, or at least be put on hold.  I actually had to mourn the loss of my old life in those first few days after I became a mom for the first time.  

Mourning that loss was necessary, though.  It made me see that I truly was living for myself, and I had to embrace the reality that it wasn't all about me anymore.  Thank you, God, for saving me from myself in that way.  Kids force you to do what you should be doing all along - putting others before yourself.  I hope God gives me 25 kids so I can never stop learning that lesson.  (Just kidding about the 25).


I'm sure if you're a mom you can relate to some of these "Before & Afters".  If you don't have kids yet, enjoy each moment of your time in the blue!  I hope you'll come by and pay me a visit some time.  
Amy

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Thanks for sharing Amy! As a Momma, I can totally relate to each one of these! 
To read more from Amy check out her blog here.

This Weeks Snippets

-La Crosse is beautiful! Look at these trees! Trees people! I am obsessed!!
-45 degree weather calls for trips to the park and happy boys!
-Look it's January and no snow! Would knew it was possible?
-Naps at home? No! Naps in the car? Never fails.
-Little boys in old men hats, adorable! Am I right? Ethan was convinced he needs this hat! hah
-Best thing about children? Playing with their playdough! Well I guess there's other good stuff too..
-See! He enjoys it as much as me ;)
-Cookie dough ice cream cake, the only way to celebrate!
-My kisses are enjoyable.... even with morning breath
-Who has OCD? This kid! Every car must be lined up!
-Children's Museum fun!
-Watch out, future fireman coming through
-One day it's 48, the next day we have over 5 inches of snow. Normal right? Ethan seems to enjoy watching it.
-Oh man, check out my snow ball.
-Full tummy's = happy mommy & toddler :)
-We are either expert packers after moving more than 12 times in 4 years, or crazy...The look on Ethan's face is a bid toward crazy!

Have a fantastic rest of your weekend!

And because it's Packer Game Sunday

Go, Pack, Go!

DIY Menu Board {Guest Post}

 Today I have a DIY project made by the awesome Sara, from Seeing Purple Stars. Sara is such a sweet girl and we have become great blogging friends over the last couple months :) She has the cutest boys and her pictures are always amazing! You should totally check out her blog, but first take a look at the DIY Menu Board she is sharing with us. It is so cute and a perfect way to stay organized!

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HI! I'm Sara from Seeing Purple Stars. I am here on Lisa's sweet blog to share a DIY Menu Board I made.



What you need::
a painters canvas
7 bottle caps
glue gun
scissors
buttons
ribbon
scrapbook paper
A small "to do" note pad
material
stapler
self adhesive velcrow



I stapled the material tight to the canvas.



I printed out everything I make for supper on a piece of paper and cut them out and put velcrow on the back.



Glue on your buttons you chose, and tie your ribbon on. I used my cricut to cut out the flower.



Hot glue the bottle caps on. I folded the envelope my self and glued it on. Find a "to do" notepad and take off the magnents off the back [if it has them] and hot glue that on too.
And there you have it! :) I felt so organized after I made this!
Thanks for having me Lisa!!

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I love this! So organized and a great color ;)
Thank you for sharing this project with us Sara!
Happy Friday!

Embrace the Camera

 Since I first got my DSLR camera, 3 years ago, I've been constantly taking photos! Every time we go some where special, every holiday, every celebration I am the 'photographer.' I do love it! It gives me a chance to practice my photography skills, but over the years, I've realized that photos of Ethan and me are few and far in between. One of the best things about participating in WIWW post, is the opportunity to get in front of the camera. Since I started taking outfit photos, Ethan thinks these are Mommy & Ethan photo shoots. It is so cute because he is always saying "Ok Daddy, you take pictures of Mommy and Ethan."

It's a great time to embrace the camera and capture photos I will cherish forever.



The best kisses of all and a wonderful cheese smile

So the lack of photos in the last 3 years are being made up for now, since this is a weekly thing, and I love it :)

What I Wore

Yesterday we received some great news! We are overjoyed and so excited! I can't wait to share what is coming next in our lives, yay :D

For now, I will just leave you with an outfit I wore this week

Sweater, Belt, & Jeans: American Eagle. Button-up: Old Navy. Boots: JC Penney.

I hope everyone is having a fabulous Wednesday!

Don't forget to hop over to WIWW and check out some other great outfits!