When I think back on Friday evening, perfection doesn’t do the night justice. Is there another word that is better than perfection? I looked this up and was given the following adjectives to choose from; flawless, out-of-this-world, to-a-T, dead-on, splendid and excellent. But the one that I feel does the best job describing the night (besides perfect) is “beyond compare!”
Walking into the house Friday night to be greeted by my two babies and walked to the back door to then find my family standing there waiting for us to arrive under romantic lighting was beyond compare.
Hearing my dad conduct our vow renewal and profession of the love he has witnessed from George and me in our ten-year marriage and how we raise our children was beyond compare.
Looking into George’s eyes as he spoke about loving me and growing together as a couple over the last ten years while staying true to our vows was beyond compare.
Renewing our vows in front of those we love was beyond compare!
Here are some photos and a video of the evening, I still pinch myself thinking about how complete I feel….beyond compare!
I know that I’m publicly sharing this post but I have to admit that the reason I wrote it would be more self serving. Reminiscing about 2013 and thinking about all the great moments and happy memories that we created makes me well-up a little but also makes me proud of hubs, myself and Ab. There were a fair share of ups and downs (we’ll get to those) but an overall great year. Here are the highlights by month:
{January}
Rang in the new year with our little girl at LaRosa’s, there was spaghetti sauce EVERYWHERE! I remember that we actually tried getting into a semi-nice restaurant first, which was a joke.
Celebrated George’s birthday
George lands a new position at Kroger and is uber happy
Ab started swimming lessons
{February}
The only thing I can think of was really training for the 1/2 marathon
And Valentine’s day
Does anything else happen during this month?
{March}
I participated in the Cinciditarod which was one of the biggest mistakes of 2013 – it SUCKED!
George and I saw an awesome Beatles tribute band at Belterra Casino
I started a weight-loss transformation that changed my body, our family’s health and made me a different person (after the sucky Cinciditarod)
We started tearing up our kitchen which turned into THE major project of the year (or so I thought at the time).
{April}
Florida vacation
Our first trip to Disney
Visiting with Aunt Sue and Uncle Jack in Florida
Celebrated my parent’s 36th wedding anniversary.
{May}
I ran in the Cincinnati Flying Pig 1/2 Marathon with my best friend and cousin, Kat.
I turned 31 (blerg)
I became a health coach for Take Shape For Life and started coaching others to optimal health
George started another season coaching for Butler County Challenger Baseball
{June}
Many awesome weekends spent at Fox Run
Time spent on Papa’s new pontoon boat on Brookville lake
Fun at Gower Park and the Sharonville Pool (our favs)
{July}
George and I took a family of three vacation and trucked ourselves down to Nashville for a long holiday weekend….in the rain. Literally, rain the ENTIRE time.
I made my 40 pound goal
George and I saw Willie Nelson in concert, 4 rows back!
George coached the Butler County Challenger Red Sox during the 2013 Butler County State Tournament – it was hot but he did a fantastic job.
and apparently got pregnant!
Celebrated my in-laws anniversary and started to share the news of my pregnancy with family
THEN found out my brother-in-law and sister-in-law were also pregnant and due 5 weeks before us
{August}
Spent a lot of time together as a family playing at “Abbey’s Park” and “Abbey’s Pool” in Sharonville
Put new gutters on the house and put the final touches on the brand-spankin-new-kitchen (thanks to Grandpa and Uncle Tom)
George had his tonsils removed (YAY) and miraculously stopped snoring (bonus)
Abbey and I did the Super Hero Run for Pro Kids with Grandma Herron, Sarah, CJ and Henry
{September}
Started to share pregnancy news with all family and friends!
Celebrated a combined loss of 216 lbs in just the women of my family
Celebrated my nephew’s, Henry, 2nd birthday
Celebrated the wedding of Zeek and Nicole and watched my dad actually marry a couple, good job Rev!
Spent the majority of our “extra” time and money at Home Depot, Lowes, and Menards
{October}
Put the house on the market
Got an offer 2 days later
Was under contract 1 day after that
Celebrated our 8th Wedding anniversary
Then the offer fell threw, whomp whomp whomp
Abbey went to Disney On Ice and because of my killer blogging hook-up we got to see Mickey and Minnie backstage!
{November}
20-week ultrasound to see our healthy baby
Gender reveal party with family and friends to find out we are expecting Jack Edward Herron in late March 2014!
Updated our electric
Celebrated my 5th year anniversary at US Digital Partners
Bought a brand new furnace
Celebrated Abbey’s 2nd birthday with her little buds Mickey Mouse Clubhouse style, “we’ve got ears, say cheers!”
Spent Thanksgiving with all of our family, blessed!
{December}
Took said house off the market for the winter (we’ll be back on in the Spring, don’t you worry!)
Celebrated Mason’s 3rd birthday, my silly Bubby!
Celebrated the Christmas season all December long thanks to WARM 98 and the non-stop Christmas music Ab demanded 🙂
Spent time with family in Louisville, KY at the Galt House and Christmas Village (highly recommend)
Got through Abbey and George colds
Celebrated Christmas about 6 times and loved every crazy-lovin moment!
We at The Herron Nest are feeling pretty blessed this holiday season. We have had a very merry Christmas with so many family gatherings, toys littered all over the floor and quality family-time with each other. Here are a few pics from the last week that sums up the pure joy from all of us.
Baking and decorating Christmas cookies, someone went crazy with the sprinkles
Abbey checking out her bag that Santa left for her on Christmas Eve
Annual family photo on Christmas Eve
Christmas morning snuggy-licious photo snap
Happy and very spoiled little elves
We all had to show off our hot blue bods!
Abbey and her Grandma Herron on Christmas night
Snuggling with Daddy as she checks out Santa at Kiesewetter Christmas
Abbey’s turn to sit on Santa’s lap
Snuggling with her littlest cousin, Isabella
Meeting Jack in 3D
As I settle in on a Sunday night (football in the background of course), I’m reflecting on the last week and what a whirlwind it has been. No better way to wrap up Christmas than to see our baby boy in 3D – he is so handsome! I’m hoping for continued health for both Jack and myself in my last trimester. After seeing him and comparing his features to Abbey, I’m more excited to meet our little man but I’m cherishing these moments with Abbey as a family of three. What a great way to begin to wrap up 2013, such a great year!
Going on vacation with a toddler takes a bit more prepping than going on vacation with an infant, but it was well worth it to get away with my two loves. Also, I can’t thank my in-laws enough for hosting us and helping to make the week so amazing. I have to share some highlights (both in pictures and videos) from our week in Florida.
{Easter Egg Hunting} How many kids get to say that they went to their first Easter egg hunt on the beach? Abbey gets to say that because she got to do it TWICE! The first hunt was hosted by one of our favorite restaurants, MarVista, on Longboat Key. We were welcomed by a buffet of food and coffee and surrounded by 150 other kids. Abbey really had a great time and had some good egg-loot by the time we left. She did upset a few other kiddos when she “stole” eggs out of their bucket but was happy when we re-planted her eggs so she could find them again. We played with the eggs the whole rest of the week, they were especially fun when Ab played on the beach.
{Visiting Great-Greats} Abbey is so lucky to be surrounded by family ALL the TIME and vacation was no different. Not only did we spend the week with Grandma and Pappa Herron but we also visiting my great aunt and uncle (Sue and Jack Martin) in Leesburg, Florida. We hung out, checked out Pappa Wenstrup’s new boat, shopped at Bealls and went to Takis for dinner. Takis is Pappa Herron’s favorite place because the calzone he orders is literally the size of Abbey when she was born. Of course when we visited Abbey was spoiled! Couldn’t leave Great-Great’s house without a few fun Easter presents including a Mickey book that sings, “Hot dog, Hot dog, Hot diggity dog” when you press his nose.
{Chef Mickey + Disney World} WOW, just WOW! Abbey had such an amazing time meeting all of her favorite Disney characters at Chef Mickey for breakfast. But before we were able to dine, we did some shopping at the gift shop outside the restaurant. Abbey found a Minnie purse that she immediately put on the crook of her arm and then continued to browse around the store and literally said, “CUTE” when she was checking out princess shoes. Yes, she is totally my daughter! I wouldn’t be a good mom unless I showed off the videos that my mother-in-law took of Abbey meeting the characters. If you don’t want to watch them all (like Abbey still does EVERYDAY) then you’ll need to at least watch “Party time” because it’s my favorite.
Goofy
Donald Duck
Mickey Mouse
Party Time
Minnie Mouse
Pluto
{Loving the Beach} I truly feel like God created the most perfect daughter for me, I could not have picked one out better if I tried…this little girl LOVES the beach! George and I took turns one day chasing Abbey up and down the gulf shore while she ran, giggled, played, collected shells, made friends and enjoyed chasing the waves. Abbey truly loved spending lots of time on the beach and we truly enjoyed watching her take it all in.
My mom is probably among the top 5 happiest people in the world on Fridays because of these two kiddos right here, Mason and Abbey.
{CHEERS!} is what Mason says to Abbey and then they “clink” milk cups, awwww! I’m thankful that my girl is growing up surrounded by family that loves her so much.
Looking into George’s eyes as he spoke about loving me and growing together as a couple over the last ten years while staying true to our vows was beyond compare.
The Herron Nest 