This is 30

Thirty years young! Happy birthday to my sweet husband (yesterday). We celebrated with new friends, yellow cupcakes, new shoes, and lots of ocean time. I'd say this big kid had a good day.

I love you soooo much and although 29 was a big year, I have learned you are always surprising me and 30 will have lots in store as well.

Did I say I love you yet?

Grandpa Cousin

I have postponed writing this post because I simply don't know the words to best honor and accurately portray the stand-up guy that was Grandpa Cousin.  After battling cancer and complications with pneumonia, Grandpa Cousin passed away last month.  While it was a surprise, Will has looked at is as God's timing and feels blessed to have grown up with Grandpa so close.  After becoming a Cousin, I quickly valued the calm support, advice, and model Grandpa provided his family.   We love you, Grandpa and I know there is certainly a place being missed at morning coffee at Hy-Vee and evening cocktails at the VFW.  You are missed and forever cherished. Although you are not here in body, you have helped show Will the value of relationship and that will carry through our lifetime.

The Cousin Family 

Mom and Dad Take On Fort Lauderdale

Hello strangers! I took an unintentional hiatus from blogging as April has been busy with both sorrows and joys.  This is April in fast forward part 1:

Our month began with welcoming my parents down here for a much needed visit to some sunshine and of course ...us! It was SO great to have my mom and dad come and show them what we are workin' with down here.  There is just something about the reassurance and validation moms and dads can offer about what is going on in your life.  I don't care how old you are! It's good to see the smiles and positive responses and brings a little sigh of relief.  The day to day stresses become a distraction sometimes so when special people like parents help put things into perspective and make me remember things are going well, it just feels good and eases the "We don't know what we are exactly doing feeling". :)

True to the Floridan vacation style, their trip was complete with ocean time, gator sight seeing, food and drinks, dodging the crazies by the beach, and relaxing with a first class view.  In addition, we were able to show them the warehouse where Will spends his days and the school where I will be spending mine until the end of the school year.  We squeezed in lots of hugs and of course, Bentley was spoiled by Marme.  I'm hoping a few of the things on this list entices them back along with the decreasing condo prices...wink wink!

Hoppy Easter!

Easter Family Picture!

Will and I hosted Easter dinner with our small group we have quickly connected with.  It felt so good to share our home with new friends on Easter Sunday.  It was a tight squeeze, but with a "lap food" menu--we made it work!

Bentley in his Easter best.  

Throwback Thursday

Party games before giant inflatables and Wii. Hopping with balloons in between your legs in the living room. And oh, so much fun.

Announcing Mr. and Mrs. Acosta!

In all the excitement that Bentley brought, I forgot to shine some light on a VERY special day.  A few weeks ago my very good, life-long friend Shannon tied the knot with the love of her life in Tennessee.  I was honored to be a part of their big day and support and witness the committment that lasts a lifetime.  It was a sweet little rustic wedding and Shannon was of course, a stunning bride.  I have known Shannon nearly my whole life and she is one of the few people that as little girls, we spent countless hours and nights whispering the outlines of outrageous wedding plans filled with doves and fireworks.  We dreamed of marriage bliss and imagined the kind of wives we would be and our strapping young husbands. It is one of the greatest joys to watch your sweet friend's 3rd grade dreams and prayers turn into reality.  It may seem a simple request, "marriage", but Shannon is a girl that puts her self second and her dream was really not to have a gown made of glitter and a horse and carriage, but to care for and cherish someone through life.  It had been four years since I saw Shannon, but I think when you have been though elementary tisks, the pains of middle school cliques, first high school heartbreaks, prayer and devotion, moving pains, secrets, tears and laughs over embrassing moments, and all in all, an open, honest, friendship- 4 years doesn't change a thing.  The kind of friend Shannon is will prosper and deepen into a holy relationship with her husband and I am so excited for them both.  The best is yet to come, love birds!

To make matters all the more better, my parents were at the wedding too! So, I was in wedding heaven AND got to hug on my mom and dad.  Besides the fact that Will wasn't able to come, it was a wonderful weekend. 

The blushing bride!

Shannon and her ladies.

1st dance

:)

Photo booth fun with the bridesmaids.

Garter toss.

Dad's 2nd date!

Dancing!

The toss.

Dancing the night away.

Dad drumming with the band.

Before the vows!

Dad guest starred as "drummer" with the band!

Bringing Home Bentley 2

What was once flattery, quickly turned into a problem. Bentley wants to hang out with at least one of us every second, of every minute, of everyday. When Bentley does not have a playmate, or more appropriately put, security, he barks...a lot. Apparently this is common of rescue dogs and has been defined as canine separation anxiety. I didn't even know this existed, but now that my dog is on anxiety medication and our evenings consist of conditioning and therapy activities, I am well aware of this disorder. He is such a sweet pup and Will hasn't thrown me out when my anxious tendencies get the best of me, so we are sticking it out for him. The vet seems to think I won't have a shadow forever and I'm hoping this comes soon because I wasn't expecting to have an audience in the bathroom until our first kid.

Besides vet visits and trips to Petco in attempt to find a vice to ease his worries, the last two weeks have been spent getting to know each other! Although I'm a little slower to attach than he seems to be, I am growing found of the little guy.  (I apologize about the number of pictures of my pet there are on this post.)

Popcorn time. 

Please?

Caught