Friday's Letters & Favorite Things

Since Ashley is away today, there isn't a Friday's Letters link up but I decided to do one anyway! I'm an overachiever like that!

Dear Weekend...you are so greatly needed after this week I've had. Dear Jordan...I'd like to think that you've turned over a new leaf as of Thursday at 2pm. I'm sure that the lack of toys, books, TV, blanket, and nighttime music helped in your decision to straighten yourself up. Dear Ashish...there are no words. You amaze me more and more each day. That's all. Dear August...-9lbs in a month, I'll take it! Here's to hoping that September is just as successful! Dear Labor Day...I hope that the outlet have some good sales going on this weekend. Don't let me down! Dear RL Friends...you girls are the best friends that anyone could ask for. I was overwhelmed by the kind words that were e-mailed and texted to me yesterday. "This to shall pass." That's right, Ashely Yates! Dear Jen...Happy Birthday to ya, Happy Birthday to ya, Happy Biiiiirthday! Dear God...thank you for continuing to be the leader of our family. Dear New Job...you are getting the hardest working pharmacist as your new employee! I'm not saying it because he's my husband, I'm saying it because it's true. Dear Cancun...this time next week I am will be on a flight to come visit you. I.CAN'T.WAIT!

Alright, now it's time for my favorite things! I'm linking up with Ashley over at Dancing With Ashley to tell you all about my favorite August things.

 

Jordan and my dad!

 

My girlfriends!

 

Mom's Night Out!

 

Indoor Fun

 

Little Rockstars

 

Random fun with Cooper in Crazy 8s

 

My newest obsession

 

New Hair

 

Head on over to Ashley's and tell us your favorite things!

 

This Week...

This week has been rough. It's only Thursday (I'm writing this on Wednesday night) and I am already done. This week I am hating my husband's job. I hate that he works 14 hr days. I hate that on Tuesday he had to go to a meeting that took up most of the day. I hate that most weeks, 3 out of the 7 days, Jordan and I eat dinner without him.

Please don't misunderstand me. I am grateful and so blessed that Ashish still has a job. We are blessed that we live a very comfortable life. We are blessed to be able to share some of the blessings that God has so graciously given to us with others. I am lucky that he doesn't travel or that he isn't in the military. But this week, I am hating Ashish's job.

Jordan has hit the terrible 3's...again! The spanking spoon had to make yet another appearance in our house. He isn't listening. His mouth is so smart that I swear he has a PhD. This week has left me asking myself "what am I doing wrong?" Am I not giving him enough attention? Am I giving him too much attention? Am I not investing enough one on one time with him?

When I get down on myself and my parenting skills I have to remember, parenting isn't easy. Every mom thinks that they aren't doing enough for their kids. Every mom, at some point or another, has looked in the mirror, at the end of a LONG day, and cried over their child. Every mother has cried for their child. And every mother, at some point or another, has to stop allowing the self doubt to creep in.

As a mother, the best thing you can do for your child is to do what you do best. Love them. Tell them that you love them. Show them that you love them. I do all of these things, everyday, several times a day. I remind Jordan that despite how big the tantrum is or how smart his mouth gets, that will never stop me from loving him unconditionally.

I'm not doing anything wrong. This phase will pass. I will be remain confident in my parenting.

And that is what is going on...this week!

What I'm Loving Wednesday

Happy Wednesday! I'm linking up with Jaime to tell you what I'm LOVING on the last Wednesday of August!

I'm LOVING...that in a little over a week I will be in Cancun! Are y'all tired of hearing about it? Sorry, I know it's annoying but I am super excited. This will be our first big trip away since we had Jordan.

I'm LOVING...the weather. Fall is definitely in the air and I can't wait!

I'm LOVING...John Legend and the fact that he is coming to Atlanta on October 20th. Most of all, I am loving that I am going to the concert! I saw John Legend in concert about 6 years ago and MAN, he puts on a great show!

I'm LOVING...my sweet husband for paying for said John Legend tickets even though I know he was thinking "that much for concert tickets, we could buy each CD 10x over and it would still be cheaper than buying concert tickets."

I'm LOVING...that next Tuesday I will be celebrating another wonderful year of marriage to my husband!

And as always, I'm LOVING these two...

 

Show and Tell Monday...Wedding Bells

 

Today I'm linking up with Becky over at From Mrs. to Mama to Show and Tell some of my wedding details!

 

 

 

1. Are you married? If so when did you get married, and tell us about your special day. If not? How would you describe your dream wedding?

 

Yes! Happily! Our marriage(s) have a funny story surrounding them. Ashish and I got engaged in August of 2008 and planned to get married in September 2009. That November his parents planned a great Indian ceremony for us with a guest list of 150+ people. Fast forward to February 2009...we were sitting in a Hibachi restaurant and I leaned over and said " you wanna go get married?" Ashish's eyes got bright and he said "let's do it." My dad met us at the JOP and witnessed us get legally married. Now, fast forward to September 4th, we had my dream wedding, white dress and all! We officially celebrate the September anniversary but we will do something special on the other two anniversary dates!

 

2. Show us some wedding pictures. Either yours or of some that you love.

 

 

3. How about the engagement? Tell us your story. If not engaged, what's your dream proposal?

 

Our engagement story is kinda long so I'll just give you the important details. We went on a weekend getaway to Chattanooga to see Rock City and Ruby Falls. The whole time we were at Rock City Ashish was acting weird. I couldn't put my finger on it but something was different. When we drove up to Ruby Falls he was fidgeting with something in his pocket. I didn't pay too much attention to it and just brushed it off. At the entrance of Ruby Falls is a stone structure for people to take pictures. Ashish wanted to stop and get someone to take a picture of us (which he NEVER suggests) so I went looking for someone to take the picture. When I turned back around he was down on one knee.

 

The proposal was very sweet and well planned. When I called t tell my dad that we were engagement he acted as if he had no clue.

 

Me: Hey Dad, guess what?

Dad: What?

Me: I got engaged!!! Ashish proposed!!!

Dad: Really?!? With a ring and everything?!?

Me: Yes, with a ring and everything!

Dad:<laughing> I already knew, Ashish asked for my blessing last weekend when I was at the house helping install the ceiling fans!

 

My parents drove from Atlanta to Chattanooga that day to help us celebrate our engagement!

 

 

 

4. Show us your wedding rings or an engagement photo! If not engaged/married ... show us your "dream" ring.

 

I'm not at home so I can't share a pic of my wedding rings on my wedding day, but I do have a picture of my rings!

 

 

 

5. Tell us why you think marriage doesn't work out for so many? What can we do to make things last?

 

Oh goodness, I may be the wrong person to ask. I know what makes MY marriage work and my marriage only.

 

I think having GOD as the center of your marriage is probably the most important key to a successful marriage. This has been especially helpful in our marriage. We joined a small group at church and have loved it. We have our own little cheerleaders that are rooting for our marriage and the success of our marriage.

 

Communication is so important. I can't tell you how many people are so eager to throw in the towel because "he doesn't listen," or "he won't change." If you go into marriage thinking that the other person will change than you are fighting a losing battle. Accept your husband/wife for who they are. Something about who they are is what attracted you to them in the first place.

 

Model your marriage after a marriage that you admire. Ashish and I have fantastic examples, Ashish's parents have been married for 54 years and my parents have been married for 39 yrs. Surround yourself with like minded people. That doesn't mean that you have to drop your single friends. Make new married friends, they will do wonders for your marriage.

 

Marriage isn't easy, you're going to get pissed off, suck it up and deal with it. It wasn't designed to be easy. When it gets hard, pray together, communicate, and surround yourself with people that are going to lift your marriage up instead of assist in tearing it down.

 

Every marriage is different, you have to do what's best for your marriage, even if it means stepping outside of your boundaries!

 

That's What Friends Are For!

I've been wanting to do something different with my hair for nearly a year. A friend told me that I always look the same in all of my pictures. She meant it as a compliment and I definitely didn't take any offense to it but it got me thinking...do I always look the same?

Truth is, I do! The only thing that really changes about me is the part in my hair. Sometimes I'll part it to the left, other times I'll part it to the right. That's about it. I smile the same, I can't change that. I even stand the same, I can't change that either, really.

When Jennifer so sweetly offered to help me transform my "look," I jumped at the chance! After spending near 25 minutes in the beauty supply store I came home with some great hair. After church on Sunday, Jennifer and Jonathan came over and she went to work on my hair. This is what I look like now...






Jennifer has some serious magic in her fingers! I will definitely get it done again!

 

Friday's Letters



 

Dear Kendall...welcome to the world! You will love your big brother and sister, they are awesome kids! Dear Friday...I have another busy weekend, how does this keep happening?!? Dear Cancun...2 weeks! Dear Scale...that 1lb weight GAIN was not cool. I blame it on Jillian Michaels and all the muscle that I'm gaining from letting her kick my butt everyday. Dear Weather...it's so nice of you to cool down earlier than late September this year! I am enjoying my runs at 64 degrees. Dear Friend...the fact that you continue to make plans with me, only to cancel, is starting to get annoying. Stop it. Dear God...thank you for every day but especially days like yesterday. Dear Oreo...your double dipped candy bars that are only 100 calories have made my week. My waist line approves! Dear God...I had to give you two shout outs this week. Some big decisions are going to be made for the Patels. I know you hear our prayers, both silent and spoken.


Have a great weekend ladies!

What I'm Loving Wednesday

Happy Wednesday Ladies, here's...

I'm LOVING...that we got to meet baby Kendall yesterday! Keisha and Chris are proud parents of another baby girl and she is PRECIOUS! We also got to see our goddaughter, Kennedy, while we were at the hospital! I wish I could show you a picture but Keisha hasn't made the "offical" baby announcement yet.


I'm LOVING...that I have such supportive in-laws. They gladly offered to come and watch Jordan so that Ashish and I could be there for Keisha and Chris. Also, my MIL subscribed to one of my favorite magazines so that I have stuff to read when I go to her house!

I'm LOVING...that in two weeks we will be gearing up to go to Cancun! The weeks will drag by but it's giving me time to prepare myself for leaving Jordan for 5 days.

I'm LOVING...the thought of Fall. Fall is my favorite season and The Patels have some good stuff in store.

One of the many Fall Festivals we attened last year.

I'm LOVING...having supportive friends. It's nice to have someone just "get" you, which you having to explain your feelings.

And as always, I'm LOVING these two!

Fall 2011