Eight years ago today...11/23, I met the man who stole my heart, the guy who loved me more than I ever knew someone could be loved, I met the man I was going to marry. Our life together has been something unexpected, and something no one believed in at first except us. It isn't perfect, and it's messy at times, but there is always love, honesty, and trust. I wouldn't change one day, because every day with him is another day I am loved by a man who inspires me, by a man who encourages me, by a man who is my husband! Forever n Always my love.

So for our Anniversary I contacted Linda of Frog Prince Cake & Cookie Design and gave her an idea and well let me tell you... her cookies blew me away! She took my idea and created something so amazing, and breathtaking. The horseshoe feather design represents our last names and I knew she would be the perfect person to help create the cookie I was looking for! I sent her a photo of my husband's tattoo and she even replicated the colors! 

This morning Mike made me french toast and tonight we're going out to our favorite local restaurant! Do you still celebrate your dating anniversary? 

Wordless Wednesday: The Hunger Games Edition!

Five Things

My fabulous fashionista mama friend Tairalyn over at Little Miss Mama  always does a "5 Things I Love This Week" post, mostly fashion or gadget items, sometimes other things as well like bloggers she loves. So I thought I would join in and write one too. 

1. I was writing a post for AWS last night about how we can help the Philippines and another one about ways kids can appreciate the true meaning of the holiday season and it got me thinking! I would love to just donate this year to another family in need rather than exchanging gifts with my own family. There are so many out there who are less fortunate who don't get to pick out a Christmas tree or buy gifts for their children. I'm blessed to be apart of a local women's group who actually does just that; last year we adopted three local, needy families for Christmas and gave gifts to the kids and the single mothers who were raising them. So if you are fortunate enough this year, don't forget about the children and families who aren't. Also, please help support efforts to help the Philippines if you can. ( see previous post for info)

2. Speaking of Christmas, I'm guilty of already turning on the holiday music on my iTunes and Pandora! It really helps when writing posts about Christmas...so if you are putting together a post about holiday decor or the like, turn it on! 

3. I am not a fan of the stores who are opening on Thanksgiving, it's bad enough that people act so horribly the next day on Black Friday trying to get into the stores after eating together with their families and being thankful for what they have. Now, we are taking people away from celebrating with their loved ones so people can act this way on the holiday? SAY NO to SHOPPING on Thanksgiving! 

4. Wow, it has been 8 years since I met my husband...time flies when you're having fun! On the 23rd of this month we'll be celebrating our dating anniversary. It's been a crazy ride, but I wouldn't change one day. You are who you are because of the experiences you have lived through. I love this man and wouldn't be me without him by my side. Do you still celebrate your dating anniversary? 

5. If you haven't checked out East Coast Creative yet and their TV show Knock it Off, you're not going to want to miss tomorrow's new episode, which is already live on the LiveWell Network's website. It's a Christmas episode featuring a guest appearance by a sweet little guy at the end! 

So what are 5 things that are on your mind this week or 5 things you love this week? I realize these aren't necessarily 5 things I love...since I'm not loving the idea of shops being open on Thanksgiving, but these are 5 things that were on my mind...take it or leave it! ;) 

For the Philippines With Love...

 

To Donate

Worthwhile Wear

Would you believe it if I told you there was still human slavery and human trafficking going on, and not just in third world countries...right here in the United States as well. It's pretty terrifying, especially when you have kids of your own and the reality of this sets in.

Have you ever watched the movie Taken with Liam Neeson? His daughter goes on a trip to Europe with her friend and they meet up with a few guys, who they hardly know. The next day while she's in her room and on the phone with her dad she is kidnapped and put into a home where they use girls as sex slaves.

It's a harsh movie to watch, but the truth is...this is reality. This weekend during a fundraising event, I learned a little bit more about an organization who is trying to help girls just like this. They teach them skills and set up safe places for them where they can learn. They are putting together a home right here, in the Philadelphia area, but they need help. Check out Worthwhile Wear and donate, volunteer, and shop for items that are handmade by these beautiful girls who need your support.

 I helped the ladies of East Coast Creative decorate for the Worthwhile Wear fundraiser event. We spray painted these stones and asked guests to write a message on them. The stones will be placed in the garden at the new home for the girls in the Philadelphia area. 

Photobooth fun with my guy at the Worthwhile Wear event! 

By ourselves we can't do much, but together we can help rescue these girls and stop human trafficking. 

Wordless Wednesday: The Little Things in Life

Happies & Crappies

It's that time of week again, time for Happies & Crappies. If you ever want to link up head on over to Steph's blog at The Vintage Modern Wife or Amber over at Brunch with Amber .

Happies:

1. This weekend we finally don't have anything planned and we get to just relax at home! I love hanging out with family and friends, but sometimes you just need those weekends where you do absolutely NOTHING!! 

2. Remember that photo I posted last Friday, the one of the Lake and the gorgeous fall colors? Well, a local newspaper was hosting a contest on their Facebook page and whomever won best photo of Fall foliage would get their photo used as the newspaper's cover photo. Guess who won, ME!! They may even publish some of their favorite photos in the paper as well! 

3. Saw the sweetest tweet today from my AMAZING friend Katie over at Vintage Vinyl Journals! Beneficial Bank is one of the sponsors of the PA Conference for Women that was going on today and tweeted, "We believe in the power of possibility. Tell us about a woman who has motivated you to unlock your potential – we’ll RT you! #PennWomen" My friend Katie responded with, "@BeneficialBank @WorldAroundHer inspires, motivates and encourages me with my business. She's a hard worker & maintains a great attitude too" Well if that didn't make my year! LOVE YOU KATIE!

Crappies

1. Monica over at East Coast Creative hasn't been experiencing the best week, along with her little one. He was admitted to the local Children's Hospital and had to have surgery. He is doing much better, but was in the hospital all week and for Halloween as well. It always hurts my heart when kids get sick and have to have surgery. They have a great support team though, with lots of love and prayers from the online and offline community, which is always nice to have in times like these.  

I can't really complain about much myself, after hearing updates of her little guy in the hospital, I am pretty thankful for everything and everyone in my life. 

Today is November first, can't believe it! Everyone is starting their 30 Days of being thankful on their Facebook pages, so I'm going to post on my blog thankful notes too! 

Day 1: I'm thankful for a beautiful and warm Fall day of almost 70 degrees...which is very rare here in the northeast. Last year it was snowing, and if it wasn't that warm today, the rain we had would have been snow! 

I get to look at this view from my home office window! Have you downloaded the Rhonna Designs app yet, I love the quotes and adorable little graphics! I hope you have a great weekend!