Western Days

Happy Thursday!! 

I am loving how fast the week is going.. anyone else?

Today is the LAST day of the month..wow that is crazy!!! 

Make sure to come back Monday to link up with Kay & myself  for your check in on monthly goals & make new goals for June. 

{i think I epically [is that even a word] failed this month}

Now onto Memorial day recap. 

well just of Saturday at Western days

In my little hometown, EVERY Memorial day weekend they have a thing called Western days and it is just that. It is like a mini fair and rodeo. In the 12 years I have lived in this little town, this was my FIRST year going. 

Of course we took E. 

Proof that we live on a dirt road & orange grove! 

look at that face? Don't let it fool you. 

E won a goldfish! 

He Loved his raspberry ice cream!

The ONLY picture of E & me. 

So I would say over all the Rodeo/Western days was a success and was a good experience for him before the Fair comes to town!!! :) 

The rest of the weekend was spent relaxing and having fun in the sun!! 

Hope everyone has a GREAT Thursday! 

We Have a Winner!!!

Happy Wednesday!!! 

I LOVE when we have Monday's off because it seems that our weeks go by so much faster!!
anyone else feel like this?

Remember my post about the Here Comes the Bride Giveaway........

We have a Winner........

drumroll please

...................................................................................

Emily over at Raines & Shines

won the give-away 

please email me with your mailing address. 

and if still want to get your own sign,

go visit Shelley at Wedding Days too

tell her I send you that direction. 

I promise you won't regret it!!

Happy Wednesday!!! 

Flaunt a Friend

Good Morning, How was everyone's LONG weekend?

Hope everyone enjoyed their break & remembered to take a moment to say thank you for all our Hero's!! 

Today I am linking up with Tiffany at Momma Bear & Lindsey at Sassy Ms. Ginger to flaunt a friend. Don't know what Flaunt a Friend is all about, go check out this!!

it is super easy & such a great idea!! 

Today I am going to Flaunt Kailyn over at We Are Young! 

She is super adorable and fun. Not to mention, we are real life friends. We sure love to have a good time and anywhere there is country and dancing you can find us!!  Don't believe me, check out the birthday celebration she went to with a friend !!! Go check her out & I promise you will say thank you later!! 

&& Remember to link up for flaunt a friend 

Happy Memorial Day!!!

Happy Monday!

Wow where is the time going?

I can't believe it is already the LAST week of May. 

Anyone else feel like this?

I hope everyone had a GREAT weekend!!! 

I hope everyone got to enjoy time with their families and ate some yummy food. 

While doing so I also hope they took a moment to remember all those heros in the world who lost their lives to protect our freedom! 

This weekend isn't just about having a long overdue vacation from work & school. 

Every day they are soldiers losing their lives to protect us & go unseen or unheard about. 

Today is about remembering the fallen, the wives of the fallen, the husband's of the fallen. the injured, and the ones who paid the ultimate sacrifice. 

Hope everyone enjoy's their day with their family & friends and just remember that today is not just another day off but an important day to remember. 

Happy Memorial Day! 

May Sponsors: Meet Holly & Jazmine

Today I am introducing you all to two lovely sponsors of Before The I Do's.

Both of these ladies are amazing & super sweet. 

Go check them out & say hello. 

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Hey Everyone, I'm Holly :)

I'm the author over at These are the Moments

I'm an almost newlywed, marrying my guy on September 1st!

I'm a lifestyle blogger who shares my journey on this crazy/beautiful life.

I consider myself an open book, I like to share it all. Come by, say hi, and stay awhile. I'd love to have you!!

twitter //pinterest // blog // instagram: hollymarie7406_____________________________________________________________

My name is Jazmine I'm 23 yrs old from Wisconsin. I'm a mommy to 2
beautiful boys, a wife to a handsome man, full time student and a full
time employee. It's a lot
to take on especially at only 23 yrs old but I can handle it. I
started to blog as way for me to keep track of my boys mile stones and
now I blog because i love to do it. I love meeting new people.
Blogging for me is a way to express myself especially on my bad
days. Hope you stop by!!!

twitter

Friday Letters

{My cousin Derrick, Sister Jasmine & Me}

Dear Friday,

Thank you for always showing up just in time when I am sick of work & need a break. 3-day weekend I sure hope you go by slow so I can enjoy you. 

Dear Weight-loss,

I really wish we were friends.. I need to find some motivation to stick it out and just be hardcore and stop falling back into my old habits. 

Dear contacts,

It might be time we reunite once again. do you think we can be friends now?

Dear Minnesota,

we are at the less than 2 weeks until we reunite & A is coming with this time!! I am loving it. Please be nice to him, but E is excited to go to Grandma's house!! It makes my heart melt to hear him say it.

Dear blog friends aka my readers,

Thank you for always reading my gibberish. You all are seriously the BEST.  I love reading your comments & making new friendships. I try to answer all my emails/comments. Hope you all have a great & safe memorial day weekend!!! Don't forget to enter this giveaway & the giveaway I am co-hosting here

Dear Trigger,

Please stop growing so fast & stop rough housing with Chester. You end up with all the scabs on your head.  yet your so dang cute, how could I forget, STOP CHEWING ON EVERYTHING!!!! chew on your toys!!!  

Have a great & safe weekend

The Last Thing I...

Today is Thursday,

That means ONE more day until Friday 

I am super excited for the weekend. 

Today I am linking up with Jenna over at The Life of the Wife for the last thing Thursday... 

The last thing I...

looking forward too: I am so excited to be heading to Minnesota in 2 weeks. My baby sister is graduating high school & turning 18. 

thankful for: I am so thankful that I have yet another friend who made it home safely from a deployment. Welcome home Jesse. 

prayed about: I am trying to find the right path to choose. I have been trying to decide if I should apply for a master's program or not. I am hoping God will send me in the right direction. 

extremely proud of: back to my baby sister, she got a scholarship last night! So proud of her for accomplishing this much this far. She is graduating high school and is preparing for college in the fall. I am a PROUD older sister. 

was disappointed in: yellow cards. enough said.

wish I had motivation for: I really wish I could stay on a work-out. I need to stick with something and stop failing back into OLD habits. 

I drove to: I dropped E off at school this morning bright & early

thought spoke to me: 

pinned here

**Don't forget about my "Here Comes the Bride" Sign giveaway happening NOW 

**Don't forget I am co-hosting a sweaty bands giveaway here

** && We Are Young is doing her 100 follow giveaway for some great gift cards here

Happy Thursday!! 

Welcome Home Carl Vinson

I am just going to take this moment... & remember

I really wish I was blogging last year at this time. 

I want to remember those exact feelings when I knew he was coming home

Almost a year to the date, A was coming home from a 6 month deployment

we had survived our first 6 month deployment together. 

I remember being nervous, scared, excited, a 5 year old on Christmas morning.. 

It was amazing! 

well today is different,

Today is a  BIG day still

why you ask? Remember this post about the USS Carl Vinson deploying.. 

well today is the day we can WELCOME them home!! 

Welcome home Jesse. 

You survived your first deployment. 

Welcome Home USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70)

on a different note,

are you interested in trying a sweaty band?

go enter the giveaway over at Ramblings of a Brunette

Here Comes The Bride

Got you to look...

No really..

It's Wedding Wednesday 

I can't believe we are already half way through the week.

Where is the time going? Next week is already June.


Wednesday's sound like a good day for a giveaway... 

Are you getting married?

Do you know someone who is getting married?
want an amazing gift for the bride?

This is the perfect present. 

Remember this post about my wedding signs I am going to be using. 

I got a bunch of emails asking me where I got them,

How I was going to get my flower girl & ring bearer to carry them?

I tried to answer ALL my emails but if I missed you sorry, please send again 

No need to stress though because today, the lovely Shelley who made my signs custom for me is hosting this GREAT giveaway for all my lovely readers for a beautiful sign 

Shelley of Wedding Days Too & myself are giving away this 

Here Comes The Bride Sign 

How cute are these? 
Wouldn't it be perfect for that BIG day. 
Give a special touch to that day.  
You don't have to use it for your ceremony, it would be perfect for the reception too.


The Rules:
make sure to enter through the rafflecopter giveaway ONLY.
 Shelley has all rights to sign designs & please contact her for questions.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Flaunt a Friend

It is Tuesday.. 

you know what that means... TWO post in ONE day!! 

I think YES!! 

Today I am linking up with Tiffany over at The Momma Bear Diaries

to Flaunt a Friend.

What is Flaunt a Friend you ask?

It is where you grab a button and post about why you love the blog you want to flaunt!! 

Sounds easy.. right.. so head on over to link-up!! 

Today I am going to flaunt Eryka over at ABCDE 

Not only is she taking over my blog today to talk wedding but she is an absolute sweet heart!!

She is so easy to get along with and loves her husband very very much. 

Check out Eryka over at ABCDE I promise you won't regret it! 

than go flaunt your own friend & link- up over at Tiffany's blog

Guest Post: ABCDE

 Happy Tuesday! I am so excited to have Eryka taking over the blog today, but don't worry I am taking over her blog too spilling wedding secrets!! Go check her out!! 

Now On To Eryka

_____________________________________________________________________________

Hi Before The I Do's readers! I am Eryka from ABCDE. Jessica and I are swapping blogs for the day and talking all things wedding. You all know Jessica is getting married soon and planning the wedding of her dreams, well I have already done that. I was married on March 12th, 2011. I thought it would be fun to tell you all about the wedding prep//the wedding day! Does that sound fun? OK! After you read about my wedding day go on over to my blog and read about Jessica's wedding planning! 

My husband and I got engaged in August of 2010. We knew we were going to get married after a week of dating. {Yeah we move fast}. You can read all about that amazing week here. Once we were engaged for reals, the wedding planning was in full force. Even though I had 7 months to plan I started early. Yes, 7 months might seem short for some but, for others who are of the same faith as us {LDS} it seems long. I know, I know soo silly huh?! With LDS weddings things are alot different. We don't have to worry about finding a place for a ceremony and honestly alot of LDS weddings are easily done on a budget. 

The vision for my wedding was Simple//Chic//Glam//Glitter//and DIY projects. Our colors were black, white and my fave color at the time hot pink. I loved our colors, everyone who attended the reception all said how me everything was. My momma and I made my bouquet//my bridesmaids bouquets as well as the boutonnieres, and chalkboards. The whole wedding planning process was stressful at times, due my husband and I being in different states the whole engagement. {No fun at all} Even through the stress and it all our wedding planning paid off. Our wedding day was the best day of our lives. 

The morning of March 12th, 2011 was like a blur. I remember waking up at 6 or so to get ready because our sealing at the Sacramento, Ca Temple {click here to read more about my faith} was at 10am in Sacramento which was about 45min away from my hometown. I remember Dan and I rode in the same car together and our families followed in other cars. I don't remember anything we talked about during that car ride. Once we were inside the Temple we were surrounded by our family and loved ones. We knelt across the alter and were sealed for time and all Eternity by my grandpa. It was such a beautiful ceremony and I will never forget the feelings I felt. After we were sealed, I changed into my wedding dress and we walked out hand in hand as Husband and Wife. We were greeted by cheers and smiles from our all our loved ones who were there to celebrate that special day with us. 

The rest of our wedding day went so fast. Before we knew it we were pulling out of the parking lot of the reception center on our way to our honeymoon. Such a happy day! I loved our wedding day so much. I feel so grateful to have met such an amazing man to spend the rest of my life with. Can't forget how thankful we are for my Mom, Stepdad, my Dad, Stepmom and Dan's Parents for the wonderful wedding they gave us. It was the best day E.V.E.R! 

I hope you all loved this wedding post. I had so much fun writing it. If you are planning your wedding and have any questions feel free to email me atabcde.the.blog@gmail.com

Jessica, thanks so much for letting take over your blog today. You are the best! Can't wait to see your wedding photos when your big day finally arrives! Congrats! 

Have a happy day loves! 

XO

Eryka 

Blog// Twitter// Facebook// Pinterest

Instagram @erykaann

________________________________________________________

Thank you Eryka!! 

Don't forget to come back tomorrow for a wedding giveaway. 

Happy Tuesday. 

May Sponsors: Meet Aubrey & Whitney

Happy Monday!!

Hope everyone had a great weekend!

today I am introducing you to a few of my lovely sponsors!

check them out. 

I promise you will say thank you later!! 

____________________________________

Twitter//Pinterest//Instagram//Email


_____________________________________________________________________________

“My name is Whitney, and I am 26 years old.  I blog at "Everything Happens For a Reason," which is my life motto. My blog is basically a virtual journal of my life. I am a southern girl married to a California boy. We are newlyweds, who got married this past June 11, 2011. Something that you can always find on my blog: pictures. I'm obsessed. It's the photographer in me. I'm also in the midst of starting up a photography business. I absolute love fashion, makeup, shoes, purses, and shopping. I love the color pink and anything girlie. 


twitter//pinterest//Instagram @whitneyehfa

Friday Letters

Dear Bloggy Friends,

Thank you to all the new followers and the ones who have been here since day one. I am so excited to have you all reading my little corner of the web. NEXT week I will be doing a giveaway for a "Here Comes The Bride" sign that you can find here. It is #2. Anyone getting married soon that wants the sign? Come back. 

Also, I think I am going to do a over 100 followers giveaway too next week. What is everyone interested in winning?

Dear Little Sister,

I am so proud of you for graduating High School, beginning your new chapter of college, and winning a scholarship. I wish I could be there to go with you to it. I also wish I could go next weekend on the girls trip to the lake!! BOO why must plane tickets be so expensive?

Dear Minnesota,

I will see you in 2 n half weeks!! SAY WHAT?? I am so excited to be spending a week at mom's house again!! I get to spend time with the family!!! 

Dear Parents who want to parent my child,

If I ask for your advice that is ONE thing, but if I do NOT ask for you advice please do not try to parent my child. You have no idea what is going on and what we are doing. We are doing what we feel is best for OUR child. You do what is best for YOUR child. Thank you.  

Dear Nose Ring,

WHY MUST I LOSE YOU?

Dear A,

You are less than 150 days away from being a married man, what do you think?? 

Dear M.O.H,

So excited that we got to spend Wednesday together!! Hope to see you more this coming week!!

ps. I am taking over Lacey's blog today over at The Next Chapter

HOPE EVERYONE HAS A GREAT FRIDAY!!! 

Support our Troops

Do you know someone in the military? 

If I put money on it, I would bet ALL of us knows someone who is serving in the armed forces to protect our freedom each & every day or knows someone who has served in the past to protect our freedom! 

This awesome website called Grunt Style is offering a Memory Miles shirt for just $10  that will go directly to help wounded Veterans and family members affected by war.

What is Memory Miles you ask?

During the weeks of May 19th -31st Active Heroes across America will walk, run, hike or bike to complete miles in memory of our Nation’s fallen Heroes and to raise funds for military families in need as part of the Memory Miles annual event.

The shirt looks like below 

you can purchase this shirt here

It is only $10 so go order EVERYONE you know a shirt. Not only is it $10 that means, all that money is going directly to help the wounded veterans & families!!! 

what better cause is that?

Memory Miles will start this Saturday! 

so hurry hurry hurry... 

I had pre-ordered two shirts back in April & got them. They are SUPER soft and good quality shirts!!! I can't wait to wear it and see how I like it!! 

SUPPORT OUR TROOPS PAST & PRESENT!

West Coast Blog link - Up

It's that time again! We're hanging out with our fellow West Coasters! Link up with us! 

Are you a blogger on the West Coast?

Are you seeking to find new friends in the blog-o-sphere and possibly in real life?

Well you have come to the right place!

Your Host:
Katlyn @ The Dreamy Meadow

Your Co-Hosts:
Jessica @ Before The I Do's
Laura @ Our Reflection
Megan @ Absolute Mommy
Melissa @ The Life of a Not So Ordinary Wife

What are the rules?

1. Follow your hosts.

If you are interested in co-hosting email me at katlyn[dot]larson[at]gmail[dot]com

2. Link up your home page in the state that you reside in.

3. You see those little Twitter and Facebook buttons? Hit them and share!
4. Grab the button and put it somewhere on your lovely blog!

5. Mingle your heart away & have fun!

<a href="http://katlynlarson.blogspot.com/" title="The Dreamy Meadow"><img alt="West Coast Blog Hop" src="http://i1122.photobucket.com/albums/l522/klarson2/bloghop-1.jpg" /></a>

Washington:

Oregon:

California:

Alaska:

Hawaii:

British Columbia:

Sponsors Sponsors

Where does the time go? I feel like yesterday it was the beginning of May and here we are HALF WAY through.. today to be exact! 

next up: JUNE!! 

With June, I have some fun and exciting things planned for the family such as 

trip to Minnesota,

spending time with my M.O.H/BFF/Sister

wedding planning

staying fit & tracking progress

staying on this 90 day challenge {I promise to post about it again maybe with some before pictures too }

enjoying the nice southern California weather

maybe even a zoo trip in June!!! 

First I want to say THANK YOU to all my sponsors for the Month of May. 

if you haven't checked them out, I suggest you take a look at my side bar & dive right in. 

With all the big plans I am looking for some awesome sponsors for the month of June. 

Remember sponsoring Before The I Do's is completely 

FREE

it is more of a button swap

***If you already sponsor Before the I Do's & would love to continue too PLEASE let me KNOW i would LOVE to keep all of my fabulous sponsors! ***

If you agree to be my June Sponsor I will have your button up under my Sponsor bar for the ENTIRE month on the right side of the blog while you must agree to have my button on your blog as well. This is FREE! 

I will be doing a sponsor spotlight post through the month of June.

(& I would love for some guest post about any topic while I am away )

so Please email me before the END of the month so we can adjust accordingly. 

You can do guest post, giveaways, and or do a product review. 

Anything of your choice during the month of June. 

Happy Wednesday!!!

****remember to come by tomorrow & link up if you are on the West Coast for the West Coast Blog Hop that I am co-hosting!!****