July fourth

Well Martin and I really had a great Alabama fourth of July!!!

We went to our friend's house, BBQ'd, and lit off tons of fireworks. I mostly stuck with the sparklers but it was still fun!
I have never done that since its illegal in California It was really fun!!! (: (:
I tried to put a video up.. but it wouldn't let me. I will try again later. (:

We stormed earlier in the day and my husband was NOT happy. He was SOOO looking forward to the fireworks .. so when it started to clear up I thought he was going to jump up and down!
We had to wait until it got dark to light them all off and he was soo impatient! We ate and then watched an episode of Parenthood and an episode of Swamp people until it was dark enough.

Our friends have two young children so Martin and I had a great time playing with them. They did so good with the fireworks too. The little boy even held a sparkler!!! (: 

Now Martin is off for the rest of the weekend and I am so excited to hang out with him!

Fireworks and love. - Monica
♥ . ♥ . ♥

The Big Give.

Christmas season is here. Which means twinkling lights. cookies and milk. snowball fights. ornaments. the smell of pine. caroling. ANNNDDD giving gifts.

In honor of the birth of Jesus Christ (and because she has a big big heart) one the bloggers i follow, Nicole is raising money to donate to Samaritan's Purse to give the gift of a water filter to a family in need.

For only $100 we get to give a family something that many of us overlook - clean water. (As i type this i am drinking clean water from a water bottle that my husband and i bought). She is calling this The Big Give. 

Lets all pitch in and help with this very worthy cause. Simply go to her blog and donate anything you can. 

It feels good to give back and make a difference! 

giving back and love. - M

♥ . ♥ . ♥ 

what an honor!

Thank you sooo much beautiful Andi for this award! It is such an honor! I am a very very new blogger and i am pleased that other people (besides myself) enjoy reading the silly, crazy, wonderful  lovely things i write. (: I am overjoyed that someone would recommend me to other blog readers - - so thank you!

The Rules: 

Rule #1:Thank the person who gave you the award and link back to them:

Once again.. thank you soo much Andi for giving me this versatile award! I enjoy reading your blog very much and all the loveliness that comes from it. (:

Rule #2: Share seven things about yourself.

1) I love all things girly & i say things like "makes my heart smile"

2) I HAVE to clean my entire kitchen before i can cook a meal.

3) Romance should be my middle name. 

4) I adore the taste of soda.. but carbonation can upset my stomach.

5) Hanging out, kissing, cuddling, eating, going out, staying in,  BEING with my husband delights my heart. 

6) I like to dance around my house.. but i don't do it enough.

7) A yummy starbucks can turn my day around. 

Rule #3: Pass the award onto up to 15 bloggers that you have recently discovered:

Since i started blogging more regularly.. i really dove in when i was planning my wedding... i have just fallen in love with reading people's blogs. I am really enjoying getting to know their lives and how they think. (: They inspire me, make me smile, and have me coming back for more! Thank you all for allowing us into your lives even for a moment!

Shawna at Instant Love

Miss N at On My Mind

Erin at Come What May

Jessica and Jessica's Journeys

K M at Come Fly With Me

Ashley at Here's to Happily Ever After

Rule #4: Contact those bloggers and share with them the great news!

hehe! okay! Thank you again for allowing me to get to know you all a little better. (: 

awards, blogging, and love. -M

♥ . ♥ .  ♥