Online shopping

Ok, truth,  I read the gossip magazines (US weekly) thanks to one of my good friends.  So, I have seen the celebs wearing Herve Leger and am amazed at how great they all look regardless of their curves.

BUT if any of you have ever looked at the price tag for these, you might have been discouraged.

They are  EXPENSIVE (at least for this girl!)

But I found them  ON SALE for $120!

Now I just have to decide which one to buy! :)

Have you splurged on anything for you lately??

What did you get??

Good people

So my husband and I will sometimes be down/upset about the world we live in.  The shootings, and other despicable things that are now almost every day occurrences.  But every once in awhile, we are surprised or touched by someone else's act of kindness.

Awhile back, I was "featured" on a couponing blog (see here http://hip2save.com/2012/07/13/happy-friday-devoted-to-dylan/). The story is about how i use coupons and the tips from the blog writer to make hospital family packs that I donate in Dylan's name.  After the story posted, I received messages from people that wanted to help donate, including the woman running the blog.  

Here are a few pictures of the recent donations I received for my packs:

Donation from Mrs M in PA :)

Donation from blog writer :)

Donation from Mrs C in WI :)

Isn't that great?!?! Talk about wonderful people! :) I am so happy that our story touched and inspired others to do good things.  I say it a lot, but it is the 100% honest truth, it's all because of Dylan <3

Dylan's birthday

So let's be honest, I was very worried about his 1 year birthday coming up.  I have always been a big birthday person (most likely due to my mom and all her decorations :) ) Every week, I would decorate Dylan's pod (that's what they called his "space/area" at CHW... it is most def NOT a room) for his weekly birthday.  It was an achievement for him to get another week older and bigger, so I thought it should be celebrated.

So I knew that we had two options. 1) we could live it up and celebrate our beautiful boy or 2) mope around all day.

The choice was pretty simple.

Patrick and I had some alone time in the morning to watch of few of our Dylan videos.  Then we went to the lakefront, the same place we had our maternity pictures taken actually.

one of my favorite maternity pics

8.14.2012

After that we needed to run some errands, and pick up some balloons... that's a whole other story (but thanks Georgia for helping us out!)

We had our immediate family over to help us celebrate, Patrick did an excellent job grilling (as usual).  We had attended the walk for hope a few weeks ago where they had done a balloon release and we really enjoyed it.  I thought it would be fun to let the kids on our block participate in that as well, as many of them saw me pregnant and knew that baby Dylan was in heaven.  And they all wanted to!
(see above picture with everyone gathered in our front yard)

We had paper and markers available for people to write messages if they wanted.  Patrick read my letter to Dylan and we counted down. 5...4...3...2...1 and let them go

Words can't fully describe how much I miss my little boy.

Continuing to do things like this and doing things in his name and honor help us get through the days, knowing that he lives on in us and in others.

Thanks to everyone again who thought about us, texted, called, or sent cards.  And thank you to our wonderful block of neighbors who participated.  <3

It's about time! (update!) :)

So I met with the Milwaukee March of Dimes Division director a few weeks ago so she could give me not only our team plaque (as shown above), but almost my own for being the top WI walker!!

She also told me that our FAMILY team raised more money than some of the CORPORATE teams did!

To read more, check out the WI newsletter:

http://www.marchofdimes.com/pdf/wisconsin/Wisconsin_Summer_Newsletter_2012.pdf

Patrick and I have been invited to this years Chef event as well.  Local Chefs prepare their specialties and companies buy seats/tables to raise money for the MOD.  There is also a silent auction with some great items!! I can't wait since it's a great excuse to get dolled up and have a fun date night with Patrick :)

(us before a 5K earlier this year)

We have 40 days left to prepare for our 8K in September! We are running in the Brigg's and Al's run in honor of Dylan for Children's hospital of WI.  He received fantastic care there and the money raised helps other families to get that care and support that they need.  If you would like to run/walk with us, or wish to donate to the cause, please see our team page here:

http://events.chw.org/goto/devotedtodylan

And to my dearest Dylan, you are forever on my mind and always in my heart. Love you.