Happy Belated Birthday to me, Happy Anniversary to us and Happy Mothers Day to all!

I have a few minutes of downtime today (Mark is making dinner, woohoo!) so I decided to do a back track/up to date post on some celebrations! First up...my birthday! Which, I know was in February and waaaay back tracking but I never put anything up and it was a great birthday so I'm gonna finally put it on here!

Well my actual birthday was actually pretty slow/low key...all day was kinda blah...but then Mark got home and we got to go on a date! We went to Olive Garden for dinner and came home and had DQ Ice Cream cake (my fav!!!) for dessert. He also got me 26 items to celebrate me being 26 :) Totally didn't need all that but it was good!

My birthday wake up! SO SWEET

Flowers and Ice Cream cake, YUM!

26 things! Can you tell I like chocolate and Dr. P? ;)

The next day my best girl friends here (Gwyn, Morgan, and Beverly) and I went on a little girls outing to a nearby town. We were gone ALL day and it was WONDERFUL! The week before Evelyn and I had a little girls day out and I found a gown for the Seabee Ball so my friends and I went back because two of them needed gowns too, which that was successful and super fun! Nothing girlier than trying on fancy dresses ;) Next we hit up the mall for a long while and then went out to dinner at The Melting Pot, which was my first time at a place like that and it was super good! We had lots of fun and were there forever it seemed but it was just such an awesome day with seriously some of the best girls I've met on our military journey and   really the best way to spend your birthday! I've always always always spent birthdays with my best friends (usually in the form of a slumber party with two much junk food, movies, and late night gabbing) but girls day trips are my new fav ;)

These pics are awful...it was so dark! But better than nothing! 

they decided to do a little lemon challenge...Bev is hardcore emotionless...

and Gwyn and Morgan couldn't keep it together ;) 

So funny! 

I love these girls though!

ugh, it was steamy and hot too! I'm so red ;) 

so silly :) 

Next up is really just updating this weekend! On Thursday Mark and I celebrated our Five Year Anniversary! We didn't really do much that day since Mark had work and all but I made a nice dinner, got him a small gift, he got me some flowers, and just had a nice evening watching our favorite shows! We're saving up for Disney in July so we decided not to do anything too extravagant. Although we did go out yesterday for a date. Our friends Morgan and Erwin watched the kids and we went to Wilmington and saw Iron Man 3 (which was AWESOME!!!) and then went to a place downtown called The Little Dipper, which is the same idea as The Melting Pot but just not a chain...it had a better atmosphere (The Melting Pot is SO dark inside! Can't see anything, as mentioned with the pics above) and super good food and I think a little more food at that. Anywho...both super good but I might like The Little Dipper better. So yeah...Mark had never been so we decided to try it out...we were both SUPER stuffed, we definitely over did the dessert but that's the best part! SO GOOD!

Bad picture here too but happy anniversary!

yum fondue yumminess!

eating an edible flower! can't see it well but it wasn't very good 

our dessert PLUS a free piece of cheesecake for our anniversary! They were like, we usually bring champagne for anniversaries, would you like some? And we were like, we don't drink, so they said, that's ok! We do a cheesecake instead...um yes please! SO GOOD!

And now today! Today is Mother's Day. I already gave a little shout out to my Momma on facebook but I just want to say to all the women out there that have touched my life in so many different ways, but all helpful and sometimes needed and always appreciated...thank you! I truly have some amazing women in my life and am very grateful for each and every one of you. To my wonderful friends both near and far....you all are such a big part of my life even in some of us rarely talk anymore. I always think of you and always have you in my heart and miss you all so much!!!! I've always been huge on friends and the importance of having good friends and hope I've been a good friend/helpful to you all in any way I could/can! My friends are like my sisters and I truly appreciate you all. I especially appreciate the ones near to me now, who are really like family. We're all (for the most part) far away from our actual families so our military friends become family and I've been super lucky to make the best of friends here.

Then of course there are my actual sisters, Mellisa, Annie, Emily, Monie, and Katherine too! I know I don't talk to you guys much either, we're all so busy with our own little lives and being apart doesn't help and I know getting along isn't always the easiest but I'm very grateful Heavenly Father put in me in such a wonderful family...crazy and chaotic and loud and fun and wonderful as it is. You guys are all so different in so many ways but I love you all and miss you a lot and appreciate all that you guys have done to help me grow up and become a wife and mother. I also want to say how much I appreciate and love my sisters-in-law, Jessica and Amy! We may not have been sisters as long but I do love you two and always look forward to seeing you! You both are so much fun and I wish we could see each other more!

Next to my Grandmas and mothers! I've been lucky to have lots of grandmas and mothers in my life...a "step" mother in a way...Terrie, thank you for your enthusiasm and love in calling me a daughter and the love you have for my kids! having extra grandmas is the best and I'm glad you're one for my kids. A mother who gave birth to me, Terry or Bailey as you seems to prefer :), whom I appreciate so much for the decision she had to make to give me to someone else. I know that could never be an easy decision and I am truly grateful for it and the family it brought me too. The grandmothers from all around...most who have passed on, whom I miss and love! Grandma Rose, I love you so much and am very grateful that you have always been a part of my life! A mother in law who is always encouraging and loving and truly a great grandmother to my kids too! And the grandmas on Mark's side, whom I've had little chance to meet...thank you Grandma Erwin for always reading my posts and sending your love!

And most of all to my wonderful mother who raised me, Carmen. I'm getting a little teary right now! I know I'm not the most open person and I know I've written things in the past for my appreciation of you and Dad so I won't go on and on but I love you so much! I might not remember every little thing from growing up but you and Dad are great examples to me. You might peck and tease and are so funny to watch sometimes but I know you love each other and you love your kids and grandkids and I can feel that even just talking on the phone with you. I love hearing your voice on the phone and love our conversations, random and crazy as they can get sometimes but I love them! I miss you so much it hurts sometimes but I know you're always there for me. I am eternally grateful to our Heavenly Father for bringing me to your arms and into your family. I will always be your little Lizzy/Lizard! I could never express how thankful I am for you and I hope you know that I am and that I love you.

Well! Sorry if I missed everyone...I definitely didn't plan on going into all that but things went and there it is! :) I hope you all had a wonderful Mother's Day and I love you all!

I won a free Mothers Day Mini session at the beach! It was super windy so we did it real quick but I love them anyway :)

I love my little family! They bring such joy to my life!

My DARLING kiddos and me on Mother's Day! I love them so much! Being a mom, although challenging and hard, is seriously the best calling/job/joy on earth! :)