Go Shawty, It's Yo Birthday

...okay so not yet. But my birthday is right around the corner! Friday, the 26th I'll be turning the big 2-4. 24 is going to be a big year for me -- you know, getting married and all. And why not start off this new year in my life with a bang? So, I've put together a wishlist of everything that would make my birthday oh so special.

The first item, and most important, on the list? This little nugget:

Her name is Missy-somethin-or-another, but I would rename her Sadie. Sadie Belle, to be exact. There's me trying to be Southern -- sigh. She's a Morkie and the most perfect nugget I've ever laid eyes on. I send J pictures of her frequently so he doesn't forget what she looks like when he goes to pick her up.

Here are some other items on my Birthday Wishlist -- or life wishlist in general, because let's be honest, who get's everything on their wishlists these days?

1 // 2 // 3 // 4 // 5 // 6

Happy Birthday, Boo!

 

Today is a very special day; my very handsome fiancee turns 24 today!

Happy Birthday to my best friend and future husband.

I love you more than you know. Here's to celebrating many more birthdays together.

Ink and a Birthday

First and foremost, I would like to wish my bestie, KMurf, a very HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

Circa Sophomore year in college. Most likely after a Jon and Kate + 8 marathon

KMurf, legally known as Kristi, has been the best friend a girl could ask for. She's been there for me through the ups and definitely the downs. I can count on her to text me during reality TV, making me feel like we're sitting on the couch together like the good ol' days. She was there for me when I had a massive allergic reaction at a child welfare conference. She sent me the most amazing and thoughtful care package when I found out my parent's were getting a divorce. We even almost died together when her car spun on ice in the middle of an intersection. Soul sistas. Happy Birthday Kmurf! I couldn't ask for a better best friend! Thank you for all you have done for me. I hope your birthday is the best one yet (even though I don't know how it could be since I'm not in Ohio with you...duhhhh) but ser, you deserve it!

Well, the tattoo bug has bit me again. I've been obsessing over getting another one, mainly because I obsess over everything. It's been about a year since I decided I wanted a second tattoo, but I just wasn't sure what I wanted. I got my first tattoo while on Spring Break in Florida during my Junior year of college. And no, I wasn't drunk. I was 110% sober.

I got the Greek word agape tattooed on my foot (thanks for pointing out the obvious, Jenna). Agape means love, unconditional love, and is used to describe the love that God has for us. Long story short, when I was going through a rough time in high school, a girl who was a year older than I was, slipped an encouraging note in my locker. In that note she wrote about 'agape', God's love for us, and how with his strength and love we can get through anything. I would pull that note out and read it every time I felt discouraged. Since then, the word agape has meant a lot to me.

This past weekend, while perusing tattoos on Pinterest, I decided on what I want my next tattoo to be. I want something that signifies this difficult time in my life filled with changes, but I also want something that can be meaningful in all situations.

You see, I have this big problem with worrying. I get it from my father. I worry about everything. Sometimes, to the point that I make myself physically sick. I have a really hard time at just slowing down and having faith that everything will work out. When I'm worrying about something I have no control over or I am anxious about days to come, Justin always says five simple words that help me to feel more at ease...

one day at a time

I love this. Every situation seems so big and scary when we look at the big picture. But if we step back and remember to take things one day at a time, our struggles and difficult stages in life seem so much more manageable.

There are a few tattoo placements that I love...

{via}

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I've always really loved the look of wrist tattoos, but I'm afraid of getting a tattoo some place that I can't easily cover up with clothing (unless I always wear long sleeves or a hideous turtleneck). Most people say this because of job interviews and honestly, I couldn't care less about covering tattoos for job interviews. My concern, MY WEDDING! Whenever that may be. I don't want my tattoo's showing for all to see while I'm dressed like a princess on my wedding day.

For that reason, I'm definitely going with a rib tattoo. Yes, I know it's super painful. I would be lying if I said I wasn't nervous!

So, in a couple months, if I decided that I still really want that tattoo, you can expect a blog post about it! If it were up to me and my need for instant gratification, I would have had this tattoo yesterday. But Justin is a wise one and suggested I wait a couple months to make sure that I still love the idea before inking myself permanently. The kid does have some good ideas every once in a while...

I would love to hear your opinion on tattoos! 

Happy Birthday Sister Sue

You know what one of my pet peeves is? When people give "shout outs" to other people who will never see said shout out. You know what I'm talking about. Someone posts on Twitter, "Shout out to my grandma for making the sickest pie ever. Love you grams!" PRETTY sure your Grandma isn't on Twitter and she's never going to see that.

Well, I'm going to be that person. It's my sissy poo, Jessica's 22nd birthday today, and even though she doesn't read my blog, I'm still going to dedicate this post to her. (And yes, her name really is Jessica Simpson). Noice Jenna, noice.

The day after Jess was born

I was bald until I was 1. Don't make fun.

One of my favorite pictures of Jessica and Joshua

Taking it back to our Catholic School days

Awkwarddd. At Atlantis in The Bahamas

Sibling Irish jig

Last night, my mom and I met Jess and her boyfriend for dinner and wine in Downtown Ann Arbor. These two crack me up.

That's a sweet potato fry mustache

In honor of the Birthday Girl, here are some fun facts about her growing up:

1. She used to chase me around the house with her mouth wide open, trying to bite me. I remember squeezing between the couch and the wall just trying to stay away from her.

2. She had a weird obsessed with germs. No one could touch her food. And if they did, she would refuse to eat it.

3. She also had a weird thing about not wanting to share. I clearly remember a situation in which she had one Oreo left...the only Oreo! She wasn't eating it, so I asked if I could have it. She didn't want it, but she also didn't want me to have it. So what did she do? She licked the entire thing. And then threw it away.

4. Once, my sister was home alone with my brother, who was about 6 at the time. Someone walked into our house yelling "Hello". Instead of being the big sister and checking to see who walked into the house, she crawled out the backdoor, leaving Joshua alone in the house with the strangers. Turns out it was just some Nuns...which is weird in of itself.

5. My mom called her Helen Keller because she never brushed her hair. I still don't get that one, but whatever.

6. She had dreads.

It's crazy to think that my sister is 22! Even though we're (exactly) 14 months apart, it still makes me feel so old. I'm going to have gray hair before I know it...

Happy Birthday to MOI!

It's my 23rd Birthday and I spent it doing one of my favorite things: SHOPPING!!

My lovely mother and I both took the day off of work to celebrate with some major shopping. My mom and I have opposite work schedules and don't get to see each other that often so it was wonderful to be able to spend some time with her.

Let's be honest for a hot second: I absolutely love shopping and always spend way too much money. Not the best decision for a college graduate. With student loan payments, car payments, and all those other (not so) fun payments the real world throws at you, I can't afford to blow money like it's my job...

...but it's my birthday so I did anyways!

I took some pictures of some of my most favorite items I bought today to share with you:

Colorful shorts! I love bright colors (well, and black) for the summer. These will look great when I'm tan!
{yellow - Forever 21, pink - H&M, black - Old Navy}

Jewelry! I can never get enough!
{All jewelry from Forever 21}

A free birthday gift from one of my favorite stores SEPHORA!

A nautical inspired navy and white striped blazer.
{Maurices}

Every girl needs some sandal bling!
{Maurices}

Speaking of Maurices, it's definitely not my favorite store, mainly because I feel like I'm getting too old for most of the clothing. But another reason I'm not a fan is because I get annoyed by the people who work there. That's mean, I know...but it's my birthday and I can say what I want! I'm not joking in the least bit when I say that I was asked every two minutes if I was doing ok. LEAVE ME ALONE PEOPLE! There is no reason you should knock on my dressing room door THREE times when I'm trying on one item! I shared my frustration with my bestie, the hilarious KMurf (check out her blog):

Don't judge us...sometimes you just need to vent!

Have you ever noticed those super random kiosks in the middle of the mall? Today, my mom and I got bombarded by this woman trying to sell us roofs. Roofs? Our conversation went a little something like this:

Me: Who buys a roof at the mall?
Mom: People. You know that moment when you're at the mall and you think, "Oh shit! I need a roof!"

After our shopping extravaganza, we met up with my sister and her boyfriend for a birthday dinner. Of course, I got the ultra awkward "Happy Birthday" song from everyone sitting near our table. 

My sister gave me this HAND MADE hula hoop for my birthday!

 
Background on the hula hoop: My sister is a real hippie! A couple years ago she started hula hooping. Not like your average, childhood/gym class hula hooping, but HULA HOOPING! Check out this video to see the kind of things she can do (note: this is not my sister):

I think it's pretty sweet looking and it's a great workout. My sister has been making hula hoops for friends and family and I'm trying to convince her to start selling them on Etsy! If you're interested in ordering a hoop from her, I can give you her contact information.

Overall, its been a great birthday. There's nothing better than being able to spend time with the ones you love! I'm excited to celebrate with the boy tomorrow (his baseball team had a double header tonight) and with some high school girlfriends on Sunday. I'm blessed to have so many wonderful people in my life!

XOXO
            Yours Truly ♥