30 Day Picture Challenge: Day 19

Day 19:

A picture and a letter

Dear Mom and Dad,

First of all, Mom, please do not hate me forever for posting a photo of your behind.  Its just really hard to find a great photo of you - you are always busy (and avoiding the camera).  Hmm...I wonder where I got that from?  But I treasure these photos because they are you - loving your grandbabies and cherishing moments with your treasures.

Happy Anniversary.  You two are the best example to me of love and commitment through everything.  Through good times.  Through bad times.  Through times where it sure looked easier to walk out, but commitment and love said otherwise. 

You have shown me what it means to be a family.  That family isn't always always blood, but heart.  That family is always there. 

You have loved us kids when we didn't deserve it, when we didn't want it, when we tried to avoid it.  You let us be ourselves, but always reminded us where we came from. 

And now that you are grandparents, I get to watch a completely different side of you.  Thank you for spoiling my children ( Am I really saying this?).  They know, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that they are loved and adored.  Thank you for taking a step back when we have to be tough with them.  I know its hard, but it shows us that you respect us as parents.


When I was little, I could not imagine EVER being friends with my parents.  You were parents, not friends.  Now I understand.  And I love that we can be friends and family together.

I love you both.  Thanks for always being there, for being such great parents.


But please, please stop grabbing each others butts in front of me.  It is still gross.

True Story Tuesday - The Photo Blitz!

Disclaimer:  There are a TON of photos.  Because I couldn't pick just a few.

Eight years ago today, I married my best friend.

He is the sexy one on the right.

Together with my girls

I stood before God, our friends, family, and our pastor

and married my best friend.

We had dated for 5 1/2 years before we said I do, but I had made a promise to my mom to finish college before I got married.  So I received my diploma from college (from my dad - another TST post) in April, then got married in June.

I know there was stressful times that day, but I don't remember them.  What do I remember?  Well, I remember more food than we could ever eat

I remember the hours spent with our friends and family, transforming our church (with an orange basketball court for carpet)

into a fairytale (and had fun in the process).

I remember watching my love become an uncle

and precious moments with my daddy.

I remember the act of love and sacrifice shown to us by my new father in love.  He had not made a wedding cake in years.  But, for his son, he made two.  We had a beautiful 3-tiered American cake, complete with fresh flowers from his garden.  We also had the French wedding cake, which is essentially a tower of cream puffs with jordan almonds glued on with sugar.  Heaven, I know.

I remember our friends and family checking their inhibitions at the door to have fun.

I remember how hard our youth group worked to make sure everything was perfect (even when the tray of sparkling cider tumbled).

But, most of all, I remember committing for a lifetime to my husband.  I remembering promising to honor, cherish, respect, and love him till death do us part.  I remember looking into his eyes, and seeing the love I had always dreamed of. 

Happy Anniversary, my love.  I was, and always will be, honored to be Mrs. Jerome Bleger.  You are my prince, my love, my light.  Tu es mon meilleur ami, et la joie de ma vie.  Je tadore pour toujours. 

By the way:  these beautiful photos were taken by the amazing Carol Cardwell of Carol Cardwell Photography. 

Good Stuff for a Thursday

It's my brother & sister in love's anniversary today!  Four years ago today, I looked like a giant bowl of peach sherbert, hugely prego with Madi at their wedding.  God has taken them through so many amazing things, they are an inspiration to me.  Head over to her blog (pretty please) and give them some anniversary lovin for me, will ya?  And, FYI, this is the same Kristin who has this amazing photography business & took awesome pics of our girls (which I have yet to show off, I know).  If you need amazing photos of your family, she is the one to call!




KMama is giving away a Grill Daddy - a super cool grill cleaning brush. Head on over to her blog to enter!




I think that is all the exciting stuff for right now... I'm sure I will find more later!


Happy Thursday Everyone!

Has it been a year? And Snow! And NEWSBOYS!!!

I just realized something - it's been a year since I started blogging! So, is that a annilog, or blogiversary? Not sure...

Remember this post? The test? At that point, I wasn't sure where I wanted to go with this whole blogging thing. For the record, I'm still not. But is sure is fun along the way!

Today was our first snow storm. It only left a dusting at our house, but substantial amounts elsewhere in the county. Needless to say, the girls were ready to play the minute they got up. And, by girls, I am of course referring to Katrina and Madison. They were thrilled to the point of giddiness at the thought of playing in the snow. Violet looked at it, with a rather bored expression, then asked where her waffles were.

The girl does have her priorities, you know.

Anyways, Holly, our nanny extraordinaire, sent me photos of their first snow day, and it made my morning. Here she is with my snow bunnies.

Can you say ornery? Because apparently Violet can, using only her nose. Such talent.

Holly said that Madi would have stayed outside all day. Violet had fun for a few minutes, and then was ready to be doted on indoors. Oh well...

Tonight Jerome and I are taking his sister Celine to her first rock concert. We get to see THE NEWSBOYS!!!!! Oh yeah, and a couple of other bands. DID I MENTION THE NEWSBOYS?!?!?!?!?!?! They were one of the first "Christian" bands that Jerome ever played for me, and that I enjoyed. I am beyond excited.

So, what do I want on this auspicious day, you may ask? For passing the one-year mark in blog world? I would like to know who you are. Please leave me a comment letting me know who you are, how you found my blog, and what your favorite post in this last year was. Cause I know my favs, but I would love to hear yours. And, yes, it is time for all you stalkers to come out!

My Handsome Man - Happy Anniversary!

Today marks the 7th anniversary of the day we joined together as husband and wife. I still vividly remember meeting Jerome in Sophomore Biology. Really who could forget Jerome in high school? He was, literally, friends with everyone. I still don't think the man has ever made an enemy.

He is so attentive and sweet, constantly looking for ways to serve me and others.



He also has the cutest darn hop when he's bowling that I've ever seen. If you've ever been bowling with Jerome, you know what I'm talking about. If you haven't you must!


He is also quite the wonderful dancer. I am so blessed to have a man who is willing to take dance lessons with me, and twirls me around the living room for no particular reason. By the way, this dancing prowess extends back to high school - see below. Jerome is on the far right in the black suit. So cute!

He is always willing to be silly and have fun with our girls...

...and understands the value of good friends.

Family is his number one priority, after God of course.

I often watch him sleep at night and wonder why in the world God chose to pair me with such an awesome man. He is faithfully and diligently seeking God's will for himself and our family. He has the most tender heart I have ever seen, and genuinely loves people. Thank you Lord, for the blessing of my JJ. And thank you, love, for standing by this crazy woman for 7 awesome years of marriage. We've had our bad times and our good times, and I look forward to many more years facing them with you. Tu est mon amour - je t'aime!