a mother's love.

i'm late on this post. which my mother is never late.

mother's day took on a whole new meaning this year. because i'm a mom. really. i can't believe it.

it's so weird to think that i, myself, Tessa, is a mom. a mom to the most loved, handsome little boy. sometimes (not all of the time) i think, i'm ready for another... baby. ahh. i said it. i think it's because i can hardly remember the days of being HUGE, pregnant and uncomfortable and the pain from banks' delivery is finally disappearing. thank goodness. it's almost impossible to think about my life before becoming a mother. it's almost as if life didn't truly exist before becoming a mother. life now has purpose. so much more purpose than it did before banks.

my mom is the best.

ever.

i sat down at the computer nearly a week ago to write her a mother's day letter. silly me thought i would be there for hours on end writing 20+ pages on why i have the best mother ever. once i sat down i was just a loss for words. words to describe the most unselfish, amazing, loving, caring person in my life.she not only does everything for my brother and i, but she is an awesome wife, the best grandma and treats my husband, Garrett, like he is her own. that is why i love her. 

i set goals for myself daily, weekly, monthly and even annually. i accomplish some. definitely not all. but some.

the one goal i have in life that means something - to be just like my mom. i wouldn't trade her for the world. i can't even imagine my life without her and i'm sure my brother, son, dad and husband would all say the same. she does so much for each and every one of us. if someone loves me the way i love my mom, i'd say my world would be complete. i love her like no other.

being a mom is easy. you have a baby. but really, being a MOM, is so much work or should i say so much love. a mom possesses such an immense amount of love it's difficult to describe. basically, nothing in the world matters, except for your children and your family. it's amazing and i wouldn't want it any other way. 

so, thanks mom for being awesome. i look up to you so much and want to be just like you.

 

so... back to that 'i want' post. g and banks nailed it! happy mother's day to me! love you both so much and thank you so much for making me a mama!

this lovely, is now mine :)

love you boys!

back on the pavement.

it's been well over a  year and a half since i ran in an organized race. that was until last saturday.

oh, how good it feels to be back.

i like to consider myself an athlete, even though it's been years since i've competed in any type of game or race that really counted toward a team goal. i think that's why i love organized races. it makes me feel like i'm competing again, and i miss that feeling so much. although, this can also be bad because i'm way too competitive and unfortunately my speed isn't quite top-notch at these races - therefore, i'm usually in the back of the pack. yea, i'd love to 'break' the ribbon, but i doubt that happens anytime soon... or at all.

nevertheless, it's good to be back.

on saturday, i ran the 'Girls on The Run 5K'. my bff, Stacey, joined me on the run (Shout out: SO PROUD OF YOU!) along with her sister-in-laws and cousins. It was a lot of fun to run a race and just enjoy the run and not worry about a time. I'm in love with the energy that accompanies races. It's positive. it's like everyone becomes friends, even if they don't know eachother. spectators cheer on the runners, hold signs with encouraging words and my favorite: everyone gets a prize at the end - no matter how slow you run! :)

I'm looking forward to a summer/fall full of more races. I've signed up for the River Run, Gladiator Dash, Color Run and I'm planning on the Glow Run, too (and any others I can afford). There are also two half-marathons calling my name.... we'll see!

I challenge you to try a race if you've never done one before. You'll love it!

a few of this months invites. check 'em.

LOVE doing something different for wedding invitations. something NEW and different that catches the eye!

cinco.

banks has blessed us with another month. 5 months and counting.

where has the time gone?

our boy is now sitting up, has two teeth that are completely visible to the eye, a smile that warms the heart, a laugh that can be mistaken for a snort, a personality of his own, favorite toys, his own schedule, recognizes his favorite people and smiles when they walk in the door, tries to talk constantly, could fill up a pool with drool and is more loved than he was in months one, two, three and four.

he's amazing.

we've had a great time this month. we've spent evenings going for walks, bbq'ing with friends, going to shocker baseball games, exploring grandpa's "farm" (aka lots of grass), being spoiled by grandma julie and just doing plain ole' family stuff [watching OC Housewives, The Voice, AI, ENews!, HGTV, eating fast food, giving banks manicures :), bath time, picking out way too cute boy outfits and talking about how we still can't believe we are parents to such an awesome boy].

not sure how much the big boy weighs now, but i'll get a new battery for the scale soon. i just know if i buy a battery then i have to weigh myself too. ugh.

we're looking forward to summer. full of swimming, walking, more zoo time and LOTS of sunscreen :)

Happy FIVE months Banks! LOVE YOU!