Happy Birthday . . . to Me!

Today is my birthday. I am turning 33. I got the sweetest good morning from my son. I woke up a little bit before him. He walked out into the living room with his super sleepy eyes and before he said anything else, he said to me in his super excited voice, "Happy Birthday Mommy. Now you are 33!". It was one of those moments that makes being a mommy all worthwhile.

I have to admit. Lately, I have been in a real funk. I can't put my finger on what is not right, but it is something. Mostly I am just burnt out! I don't like to use the word 'should', but I should be happy. I have a great husband, two awesome kids, I get to be a stay at home mom like I always wanted. Somewhere along the way, though, I think I have lost a little of myself.

I am sure some of you other moms out there can relate. I tend to put myself last. I am the last one to start eating at dinner. Only after everyone has what they need do I sit down and actually eat myself. I am the last one to get dressed and ready in the morning, only after the kids are up and ready to go. I make their breakfast, comb hair, help them get dressed, get their teeth brushed, get all of our stuff ready to go, pack snacks and diapers and anything else we might need while we are out. Then, and only then, do I get ready myself.

Now, please don't think I am complaining. I love being a mom, but I am having a hard time having anything to give them right now since I am not taking very good care of myself. For me, it is so hard. I feel tremendous guilt when I do things for myself. As if I should be doing something else! It is so silly. How can I think I can take care of anyone else if I am not taking care of myself? I have written about taking care of yourself as a mom before, and it is the time I take some of my own advice!

So, with this new birthday, I am going to start taking care of myself. Putting my needs first. I can't do that all time, nor should I, but at least some of the time I need to do things I want to do, just because I want to do them. I need to stop making excuses for why I can't/won't/shouldn't get out of the house without the kids. And I really need to start making exercise and sleep a priority so that when the kiddos are in bed I am not completely wiped out and can focus on what I love to do - crafting!

Thank you for reading along with me on this journey we call life! I am excited to start feeling like myself again.

WIW: Wedding

Monday was my seven-year wedding anniversary. It also happened to be Megan's (from Absolute Mommy) seventh wedding anniversary as well. She is doing a linky party for WIW: Weddings. I knew right away I wanted to join in the fun!

As a DIY kind of gal, I handmade most of our wedding decorations myself. Pretty much anything that you could have hired out or purchased was made by me (with a little help from family and friends). Every moment of our entire wedding celebration I had some hand in. This made our wedding affordable, but also so meaningful to me. Some day I will have to share a post or two about all of those projects - they were long before my blogging days!

 

It truly was one of the happiest days of my life, especially because I married my best friend! I am truly blessed to have such a wonderful husband and happy life.

 

Now, onto the pictures. 

 

 

Dress: David's Bridal

Shoes: Dillard's (clearance for about $10!)

Veil: Handmade by me

 

 

I loved my dress. I wanted a white gown, but with my fair skin, I ended up getting one that was ivory and it was perfect!

 

 

My earrings and my bracelet belonged to my mom. This was really important to me to include special items that belonged to her. (For those of you who are new to my blog - my mom passed away from breast cancer when I was 8 years old.) My something blue was my garter. 

 

 

I didn't know the photographer took this one, but it is one of my favorites! I loved that he captured me coming out the door, not knowing my picture was being taken. I guess you could say this truly captures 'me'.

 

My tiara I ordered on eBay and the flowers I arranged myself the night before the wedding. My bridesmaids helped me to create all the flowers for the wedding party.

 

 

 

Here I was waiting (a little nervously I might add) to be walked down the aisle. The funny thing was, I was airing myself out. I was so hot and sweaty, I think partly because of nerves. I was incredibly happy, but I am not a huge fan of having all eyes on me.

 

 

The happy couple! :)

 

 

 

 

In this picture, you can see more details of the dress. It was beaded all along the bust and halter. It also had beading all along the bottom.

 

Cutting the cake - would you believe we got the cake from a grocery store bakery? The flowers on the top I made myself. 

 

 

I was nice about feeding the cake . . .

 

 

My new husband, not so much! He actually only got me a little bit on the tip of my nose.

 

Just looking at these pictures makes me happy. It was nice to have a walk down memory lane!