The Simple Things-A Naval Wedding

It was the perfect day for a wedding.

Nice and sunny and not too hot. 

The Naval Academy Cathedral is wonderfully elegant and grand.

It was the first time I cried at a wedding when the organ played the bridal chorus loud and strong and watching my sweet amazing friend Kristen walk down the aisle. 

After the ceremony, a beautiful reception was held at Carol's Creek in Annapolis.

The couple specifically chose this place because it had a wonderful view of the Naval Academy

 from the deck and all the wonderful sailboats. 

Each table had a sailboat completing the Navy theme.

So sweet, to have a theme that's something so important to the groom.

My favorite part had to be the cake.

I love the personal touch, so sweet and simple.

Having a photo booth is always fun!

Even more special, having the guests sign your book next to their picture.

Of course, these boys had to welcome Kristen officially into the Navy with a tradition from Top Gun.

They sang, "You've lost that lovin' feeling" with changed words to "You've got that lovin' feeling."

You can see it here.

Not to forget another fun Navy tradition, the sword kisses.

Congrats Kristen and Thomas! Love you both so much!

Lisa's little word for 2011

All week I've been thinking about what my new years resolutions would be and I came across the 

one little word project.

I knew right away that this would be my word.

Not because I'm depressed or not happy, I just need to look at this word in a new perspective.

Too many times a day I think these phrases:

"I'll be happy when . . ."

"If  . . . works out, then I'll be happy."

I found myself always looking towards something and never quite enjoying "the now."

That's an issue for me that I want to work on for 2011. 

However, I didn't realize it until I made this card for a friend.

It's time for me to always be happy. Making that card reminded me I needed to celebrate every single day. If you look closely at it, it reads,"Happy Engagement, Happy Birthday, Happy Christmas, Happy New Years,

And once I gave it to her, she gave me this in return.

Naturally Happy, found here

What a lovely way to remember my goal. Naturally happy, everyday.
It was perfect!

If you want to be happy, be.  
~Leo Tolstoy

Birthday Months Part II

I turned 25!

Wow, I can't believe how time flies. But we all say that, don't we?

25 is really important to me because when I was 18, most of my college friends were 25. They gave me a lot of advice about life and where I should be. I think I'll

take a moment to reflect.

My goals were:

1. serve a mission

2. get married

3. have kids

4. graduate

Well, the top two accomplished. The last two, are on their way. All I can say is that yes, I did learn from those really good friends. Too many of the girls I knew, told me that they hadn't done anything with their life when they were my age. They hadn't graduated yet, and we're waiting for Mr. Right to come around. That made me think that I wanted to experience life as much as possible and not just wait. I figure Mr. Right would come around at the right time! And he did!

I feel like I have done a lot since I was 18 and have grown as well.

I'm happy to say, I'm right on track with my ultimate goals.

For my birthday, I did a little bit of shopping. Kristen has introduced me to a wonderful makeup store. I love makeup and all the fun colors. But it's so hard for me to choose, so when I found this, it was perfect.

I love it. Now, if I feel like wearing blue one day and brown the next, not a problem. I also got a pedicure, decided to be just a little pampered.

After Kevin came home from work, we went to the BEST restaurant, Ghidotti's. It's up in Park City, in the Red Rock shopping center. Everything was perfect. The food, the atmosphere, our waiter and of course, the company.

fancy water

our appetizer (cheese and meats, including duck prosciutto)

It was so good that I forgot to take pictures of our actual meals. Kevin had a mushroom ravioli and I had Veal Marsala.

We also had Creme Brulee for dessert, you can see the remains of it.

When we came home, it was officially time to sing happy birthday!

Red Velvet cupcake from the Sweet Tooth Fairy

Thanks Kevin for spoiling me! It was a great day.

pillows and roses

I have loved spending time at my parents home. Last night, I was up with a cold feeling miserable wanting to find something warm and fuzzy. So I went in my old room and laid on the floor. I stared at my old pictures that are on the walls and the bookshelf. I laughed to myself as I remembered all the great times. And then I found it, my bright pink fleece fuzzy pillow that Kristen gave me for Christmas one year. I smiled! Oh so many great memories indeed.

I then took the pillow and slept the entire night. :)

Sadly, I still woke up with my cold. I wasn't feeling well at all and thought about the possibility of just staying home all day, even though I knew it was impossible. I can't miss my design class on Wednesdays because it's the only day we have class. That and I needed to pick up Kevin and take him to work. I was moping around for awhile trying to remember what I needed for the day when I came downstairs and saw my mom's bright yellow roses! I stopped and smelled them. I then felt that I could face the day and all it's challenges.

My mom LOVES roses. She has been getting a dozen roses everyday for years now. Sometimes my dad gets them, sometimes their from her children or neighbors, but most of the time she gets roses for herself. They help her to be happy and they remind me of her happiness. At my wedding I couldn't help but pick lavender roses, she had them at her wedding as well. I was celebrating her and her happiness. But it has also taught me to be happy everyday.

Thanks mom! And yes, despite my flaws and my cold, everything turned out okay. This morning she happened to have yellow roses. Bright and cheery.