Grandparents Day

This Saturday ... or rather, tomorrow is Grandparent's Day.  While its not as common or celebrated as Mother's and Father's Day I think it is quite important.  After all a lot of times grandparents are your first baby sitters, first friends, first role models and of course ... the first to spoil you.

I have been lucky enough in life to know my grandparents - in fact both are still alive on my mothers and fathers side.  They have both taught me a great deal and they have both made a major impact on my life.

I lived with my fathers parents {Gram and Pop Sweeney} on weekends when I lived up in Buffalo ... Poppy always let me watch my favorite movie {Home Alone} on my rocking chair in front of the TV.  Gram ... well she is special, I could spend paragraphs talking about how special she is to me but I will save that for another date and time.

My mother's parents {Grandma Barb and Papa Tom} live here in Florida.  Grandma Barb taught me a lot growing up: how to sew, how to drive, how to cook some recipes and the list goes on.  She was instrumental in forming my domestic side.

With all these special people in my life I wanted to make sure they knew how special they were.  That is why I sent them Grandparent's Day cards with a fun quote and sweet message.

I have created some cute, fun and sweet Grandparents Day Cards in my Shop.

They are Instant Downloads so it is not to late to make sure your grandparents know you care.  I'm sure a simple note will go a long way with those who only wrote letters, notes and cards in their day.  Take a look at the options below:

To all the grandparents out there I wish you all a Happy Grandparent's Day!

Bridesmaid Series: Marie

As we come to the last lady {dear god I hope I didn't forget someone - two weeks before a wedding can  have you a bit scatterbrained} I would be most inclined to say I've saved the best for last ... after all it is my Maid of Honor ... 

Marie { or Mary VonOsterhousen as I like to call her } met back in 2006.  I make a note of this date because we thought it was 2005 and we were celebrating our 10 year anniversary but after much thought and deliberation we found out it was in fact Halloween of 06' so we'll have to save our anniversary celebrations for next year.  

If you haven't already heard the story as we like to tell it so much, we met at a Halloween Party where we showed up in the same costume ... GASP! Yes! The thing is, it wasn't even a common costume ... it was a sexy plumber for heaven's sake ... I mean really!?!  Needless to say after the initial "Oh, no she didn't" we became fast friends as her husband {boyfriend at the time} and I had a little too much to drink and were dealing with our sicknesses in the same bathroom.  How about that for TMI early on.

While our early years of friendship centered around drinking, dancing and gossiping our friendship has since flourished into what I can only describe as a sisterhood.  She is someone who truly has your best interest at heart and really does feel for you, your situations and your family.  She is someone who will sit and actually cry with you because she feels the pain your feeling rather than just wiping your tears.

I know that her and I are a match made in heaven because the partners that we have chosen to spend our lives with are the counter parts of us.  Let me explain that in better words ... I am Jason (her husband) and she is Mike (my soon to be husband) and if we have chosen life partners exactly like each other then we must be perfect for each other.

Marie is compassionate, loyal, truthful, intelligent and an overall good person which is hard to find in this day and age.  The sense of humor that we share is not often found in others - which is why we are the only ones laughing a lot of the time.  She is one of the best people I could have standing by my side on the most important day of my life. 

{ Marie and I at her Bachelorette Weekend }

{ At a Bills vs Miami Game }

Fun Fact: Marie and I were both born in Buffalo and lived a short distance away -- and never met until we were both in Florida.

{ A fun ladies night out } 

{ Beach Shenanigans }

{ Halloween - Not "THE" Halloween Though .. }

{ One of my favorite pictures of us .. }

Bridesmaid Series: Chelsea

As I move right along my Bridesmaid Series I have come upon this gem of a friend!

Chelsea and I met about 6 or 7 years ago at a bar ... this is hilarious considering the kinds of people we are.  Chelsea is what I'd like to call my sanity friend .. when there is something crazy going on or if we end up in weird situations we can give each other one look and know we are on the same even ground when everyone else if flying off the handle.

A lot of times friends come to me for advice - maybe its because I give it so freely ;) - but Chelsea she is my friend I go to for advice.  She always has a good, moral, educated way of looking at things.  Speaking of educated .. this girl is going to be an Electrical Engineer! Talk about an ambitious smarty pants!

Chelsea is always game for an adventure - whether it is an impromptu trip to Las Vegas, signing up for a 5K or a road trip to Texas! She likes to travel and she loves food {as does her husband} which makes a great pair to Mike and I.  Although we haven't yet the four of us would make great travel couples ... Chelsea if your reading things ... we should plan something ;)

Not only is she a great friend but she is a great person over all who cares for others and is always willing to help.  She has a great sense of humor and I love that we find laughter in the silliest of things.  Its rare to find such well rounded people in today's society ... so I'm holding on to this one! 

{Chelsea and I - Halloween 20something}

{Chelsea and I at her wedding}

{One of many line dancing nights out}

{ Bachelorette Party Shenanigans } 

{ Winning in Las Vegas }

One of my very favorite things about Chelsea is that she dislikes all the hugging just like me! In fact we like to just shake hands in observance of our dislike ;) 

Bridesmaid Series: Amanda

It would only be appropriate after a day like yesterday for my Bridesmaid Series to be about 

Yesterday I received the BEST surprise EVER! My cousin Amanda, Aunt Amy and Grandma Sweeney flew down from Buffalo to attend my wedding shower!  I knew that my shower would be small since all of our families live out of town and with the wedding just 21 days away I never expected anyone to fly in so soon to them coming back for the wedding.  I was a very sweet surprise.

Moving on to my girl ... my first best friend.  Amanda and I grew up together from birth {hers} till I moved to Florida.  We were the first two grandchildren and as it turns out we were the only girls.  We had a very special bond from the beginning and that bond has only strengthened through the years.

Our family up north is very close - so close that my grandma and aunt's backyards connect.  Needless to say Amanda and I spent everyday together that I was with my grandma {every weekend} We would roller skate, play dolls, watch movies, ride on our grandpa's tractor, etc.

Even when I moved we still remained close, visiting each other as often as we could {or that our parents would let us} talking on the phone, texting, social media ... the works.

Amanda has grown into a beautiful young woman - she is a feisty smart ass which is my FAVORITE thing about her - I could listen to her tell stories for HOURS and laugh my butt off.  She perseveres through any situation that is thrown her way - she is caring, supportive, inquisitive and as of recent a wonderful mother :)

Amanda is one of my very favorite people in the world and someone who will not only be a part of but will enrich my life till the very end.

Thank you so much for taking time out of your very busy life to be with me this weekend.

I LOVE YOU 

Bridesmaid Series: Brandy

Moving right along in my Bridesmaid Series ... Have you ever heard the song "Make new friends, but keep the old ... one is silver and the other's gold!"  Well this "dork" for lack of a better word is my PURE GOLD!

Formerly Brandy Byrne and I have been friends since the 4th grade ... that's 1994 ... if we are doing the math that's 21 years { and we are only 30 - well she is ;) }  

Brandy and I have been through it all ... elementary school, middle school, high school, golf team tryouts, teaching me how to drive, proms, boyfriends, cars, parties, weddings, husbands, child birth {hers} and are continuing along each and every life milestone as they come at us.

She is one of the greatest people I've known in my life - she is caring, smart, ambitious, thoughtful, resourceful, funny, and a mother bear not only for her children but her family and friends as well.  Having her by my side all these years has helped me through a lot.

We are both the older sisters of two younger brothers and can often relate to each others problems.  She is one of my main soundboards for almost everything I do in life.

While her college and family took her an hour away from me we do still try to find time {all be it a little less as the years go on - we still try our best} to see each other.  

p.s. speaking of college she has a master's degree in reading {Hello! Smart Cookie}

As I always sign off with her .... Love you Love me

Oh! Remember how I said she was ambitious? While she is taking a break from her career as a teacher she has started her own photography company ... Brandy Rose Photography