A Letter to My Best Friend, From His Biggest Fan

My dearest Brendan,

As I sit here and think back to April 8, 1993 I can't help but remember how happy I was when Mom told me I was going to be a big sister. I waited patiently for you, with a stuffed clown named Bobo (and for this I'm so very sorry-clowns freak me out, WHY did I pick that out!?), until the minute that I could finally meet my baby brother. Little did I know, you would become my best friend and we would have a bond that no one else in the world would ever experience.

I watched you learn how to crawl, walk and talk. I saw your eyes light up when you spotted a John Deere tractor from a mile away and just simply said in awe, "WOWWWWWWWW". Your smile fascinated me, your hugs made me feel so loved.

I even took you to Hooters for your 13th birthday!! Ha! Only a big sister is allowed to do something like that! You blushed the whole time:o)

Growing up, we were close but it wasn't until you turned 16 that we became inseperable.

I took you to a Phillies game for your 16th bday, a night I'll never forget. That was the night I tried to convert you from a NY Yankees fan to a Philadelphia Phillies fan, and well, it didn't happen BUT we DID manage to have a fun time together. You were introduced to the competitive side of your big sister, especially when it comes to Philly sports:o)

Living at home was one of the best times of my life, simply because I got to spend so much time with you. It may have been watching a movie together or talking about your first crush, to proofreading a paper for one of your classes and talking about what colleges you wanted to get into.

Ever since you started playing football as a little kid, I was your biggest fan at heart.

When you played for the high school football team that I once cheered for, I earned the title of "Your #1 fan". I was so honored to paint #13 on my face and yell from the bleachers, proud that my little brother was the quarterback calling plays on the field. You put so much effort and determination into the game each and every day in a way that anyone could look up to you for.

I learned a lot about you and your friends, driving them home from practice or taking you to the midnight release of the new Call of Duty game for Xbox 360 (I still think I was the ONLY girl in line that night!).

You soon learned to drive, and boy did we go through ups and downs with that! I really thought you were the worst driver ever at first but you mastered it and started driving on your own. I got to meet your first girlfriend and you weren't embarrassed to introduce her to me (hooray!).

The day soon came when I needed to "fly the nest" so-to-speak. Saying goodbye to you and moving out was the hardest decision I've ever had to make, especially when I would be moving 2 states away. The look on your face was something I'll never forget, I felt like I crushed your heart but when I told you I was moving in with the love of my life, a smile spread over your face that was indescribeable. Thank you for always being there, to listen, to support, to love. Our little sister, Deanna, has looked up to us both for a good example to live by and I think we have done such a great job as a team showing her what a sibling bond is really about.

I always told Nick that if we were to get married, he needed to do the right thing and ask for my Dad's blessing, and yours as well. You are that important to me. Nick responded by "I was already planning on doing that", he just knew.

Sure enough, on March 12, 2011, Nick asked me to marry him and told me the story of how he asked my Dad and how he wasn't sure what to say to you but you were so thrilled that he, without a doubt, has made me the happiest girl alive.

And today, you turn (gulp), 18 years old. Holy cow, where has time gone!?

I am so sorry I can't be there with you today but I am ecstatic that you are coming to visit at the end of the month and we will get to celebrate together!! I can't wait to see you!

Enjoy your special day and just know that your big sister loves you, xo

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Fill in the Blank...Sunday and Birthday Recap!

Lauren over at The Little Things We Do does a fun blog on Fridays however, I traveled down to DC for my birthday (yeaaaa!) so I missed it. Here it is:

 

 

1. The first thing I do in the morning to start my day is: check my iPhone for Twitter, Facebook, emails and texts. Then I make my way to the shower and to brush my teeth and of course, get my usual dose of caffeine aka coffee!

2. Today I wish I was: at the Phillies game!!!! We are playing the Cincinnati Reds and I'm really hoping for a sweep!! Let's GO PHILLIES!!!!!!

3. If I had an extra $100 in my bank account today I'd: save it!! Nick and I found an apartment today (more on that at the end) so I know that we need to save as much money as possible.

4. Tomorrow I will be exploring some more of DC with Nick and getting to know our new area of Reston, VA. Hoorayy!!!!

5. Two things that don't go together are the Dallas Cowboys and the Philadelphia Eagles (I prefer the latter). Nick and I are finding out that mixing two households together are not always easy:o) Especially when rival sports teams are involved. However, I am doing the decorating for our new apartment so I choose the EAGLES!!!!!!!! lol

6. Something I can never pass up at the grocery store is fruit. If I could, my entire fridge would be filled with fruit. It's so delicious!!

7. The last time I tried something new was last night when Nick took me to dinner for my birthday. I very rarely eat red meat but I ordered a filet mignon and ordered it to be cooked medium...when it came out I thought it was RARE (it was realllyyyyyyy red) but I ate it and my gosh it was AMAZING. It melted in my mouth.

*A Quick Birthday Recap*

Saturday morning, Nick and I left very early to travel to DC (I had to work until very late Friday night). When we arrived I was treated to a wonderful pedicure to start the weekend off the right way:o) AAHHHHHHHHH so relaxing!

 I came back to get changed for a special night out with the love of my life. He surprised me and took me to a restaurant called the Old Ebbitt Grill which is located right next door to the White House!! This is also the place we went to on our first date and my first trip down to DC-so this was very special to me! We had an INCREDIBLE dinner complete with a glass of sparkling champagne and headed off to another surprise...

A rooftop bar at the W Hotel just a few doors down. Nick actually knocked my socks off with this one. I still smile when I think of what I saw when I walked out onto the rooftop terrace of this hotel. It was a complete panoramic view of DC. From the Washington Monument, you could see all the way down to the Lincoln Memorial allllllllllll the way across to the other side of the city. My gosh the view was breathtaking. VERY special! Not to mention the hotel was really posh-the ladies in the lobby walked around with earpieces and iPads--hello!!

To complete the night I was surprised yet again with a tour I've been dyinggggg to do: a twilight tour on a double decker open air bus to see all of the Washington monuments lit up at night. Again, we had an incredible time and I will never forget it. I will post pics later, they are really neat to see:o)

Today we woke up and decided to go look at two apartments to start our search. After researching and getting feedback from websites, we had it narrowed down to a bunch that we knew were winners and in a good area. We went to see the first one on our list and LOVED it! Everything about it was great and in our price range (woohoo! a plus!). We talked and drove around, checking it out some more and decided that this was the place for us!  We filled out our formed, got the approval and we are now OFFICIALLY moving in together!!!!!!! We sign the lease this Tuesday and Nick picks up the keys on Thursday, the 21st. Today's date is 10-10-10 so we decided that 10 must be a lucky number for us:o) Again, pics to follow!!

Hope you all had a wonderful weekend!! What were you up to!?

xoxo

 

Gussy is Here!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This Friday was like Christmas all over again for me.

Just a few weeks ago, I ordered two items from Gussy's website and I couldn't WAIT for them to get here! I got the package and jumped up and down while I ripped it open:o)

Maggie Whitley does SUCH a fantastic job designing these goodies! The ruffle is the Gussy signature look and is stitched onto every item she makes. It's very girly and VERY chic!

The top is a large zipped pouch that Gussy made as a special order. I got to pick the fabric and the color of the ruffle. This one I just adore!

The bottom pic is a damask wallet that I think is just wonderful!

I will be visiting Nick in Washington DC this weekend so I will make sure Gussy goes with me! To shop the Gussy line, visit Maggie Whitley's webpage! xo

Sunday afternoon I made a trip down to the country to visit my Mom-Mom and my cousins to celebrate Michael's 17th birthday. We decorated our own cupcakes and I knew this one wasn't as good as Kelly's creations, but I thought she would be proud:o)

Happy Monday friends! Springtime is here in PA and I AM LOVINGGGGGG it!

A Spa-licious Birthday:o)

I surprised Deanna with a day at Sweet and Sassy (a local spa that is just for little girls her age).

Happy 8th Birthday to my baby sister Deanna:o)
She got the Princess for a Day package which included: mini-mani, mini-pedi, party up-do, makeup, toe ring and ring for her finger. After one hour of pampering...she became more of a diva than a princess, striking poses and smiling for the camera:o)

Here are come pics from her special day: