Just Be Me (& Military Ball Photos!)

I really wanted to take a good picture with a good background. But
the indoor lighting wasn't the best, and there wasn't a great place
outside. It was 10:30 by the time this picture was taken, so I was
really tired! At least we have something!

I went to my second military ball on Friday the 28th with Mr. Handsome, and this time, I did things a little different. The past month or so has been busy with lots of coaching and getting my skaters ready for the summer & fall competitive season. By the time Fridays roll around, I am always exhausted! This Friday I was in no frame of mind to take hours to get all dolled up, nor did I want to do the work. But I wanted to look good. I knew all the other wives would have their hair and make up done and all look fantastic, and I wanted to fit in too, but I really did not have the energy to spend a couple of hours getting ready. Sometimes I have a tendency to compare myself with others. It is not something I am proud of, but it is something I have to work through on a daily basis. I had to remind myself many times that Mr. Handsome married me because I was me. (Heck, I didn't even get dressed up for our first date, and he asked me out on a second.) I remember last military ball I got my make up done and he didn't even recognize me when I walked in the door! So instead of spending hours in front of the mirror, going to get my nails done professionally, and wearing more makeup than normal, I took 30 minutes to get ready, and that included doing my nails. I did buy some new eye shadow, blush, and nail polish for the night, so it wasn't like I didn't try at all to look elegant. But I listened to my body and was just me . I only blow dried my hair, and the make up was light and natural. I didn't have to spend tons of money to look good. I wore shoes I already had, and only spent $1.99 on nail polish, when it would have cost $30 to go out. And this way, when they chip I won't be annoyed :). (I refuse to go out to get a manicure or pedicure for this very reason). I absolutely LOVED my dress, even if it wasn't your typical military ball dress. But like I am trying to do better, I was myself, not a second-rate version of someone else.

Yes it is fun to get all dressed up and prettied, but I did it the simple way. Sometimes it is the simple things that are the most pretty. Especially if they are true to themselves. I felt really pretty that night, and I know Mr. Handsome thought so too!

With Nicole and Catherine, who I know from our workout class. We all look so good!

The photo booth was fun & FREE!! We need practice doing photo booths though hahaha:)

After the Ball was over, we went out to Wolf Run Restaurant for dessert. Mr. Handsome and I split a key lime mousse dessert, and it was so delicious! Good friends are wonderful.

Hoping for a Rainbow

I'm really not sure if I ever thought this day would come. The day that I made it past 13 weeks pregnant without losing the baby. #miracle. I know I am not out of the woods yet, and honestly, when are we really? I am just trying to live every day with gratitude for the life inside of me, living with hope for the future. Part of me wanted to wait until next week, when I was past 14 weeks and officially in the 2nd trimester, but I couldn't wait any longer. I've been getting a little thick in the middle, which is getting more difficult to hide, and I feel like I haven't been able to be completely honest with friends when they would ask, "how are you doing?" All I wanted to talk about was how nauseous I was or how nervous I felt. So now, the news is out, whether or not you already suspected something was up. Seriously though, the 1st trimester is not for the faint of heart! There were many instances when I thought I would lose the baby, but dee...

Grandpa is Always Right | Gender Reveal |

I was hanging out in our rental apartment in Salzburg, Austria with my sister when my dad walked out of his bedroom and announced that I was having a girl. I was only 11 weeks along at that point and while I was wishfully hoping for a girl, I was preparing myself for a boy. His strong conviction of the gender of our child without any hints from an ultrasound surprised me. My dad seems to always be right about things, so I secretly hoped he was right this time too. Today during my scan, my favorite sonographer announced that we were having a girl. Grandpa is always right. I never imagined our family starting with a baby boy. I don't know why, but a baby girl seems to fit just perfectly. Now I just have to keep calm and stay healthy for 19 more weeks.

Learning to Speak Like an Alaskan

Denali in the background No one wants to feel like a newbie, so a common practice before traveling to a new city or country is to learn the language of that particular place. Well, when my Aunt Joan picked me up from the airport last December when I first arrived in Alaska, one of the first things she told me was if I didn't want to sound like a tourist, I needed to refer to Mt. Mckinley (the tallest mountain in North America, located some 120 miles south of Fairbanks) as Denali . Denali is the native Athabaskan name for the mountain, and means "The High One." So, from day number one in Alaska, I refered to that majestic mountain as Denali instead of the name I had learned growing up. This is just about what it looked like yesterday morning! Another thing I learned recently is how to say the temperature. I was saying "Gosh it's cold outside because it's negative 30 degrees." But luckily, a kind skating mom...

Mis RisJune 30, 2013 at 7:50 PM
I love your dress! Simple but elegant. You look great! Wish I could have been there to take some more pictures for you ;) but I love the ones you posted. miss ya!
AlaskanmomJune 30, 2013 at 8:17 PM
it is inportant to be you :}
Hannah Marie WhippleJune 30, 2013 at 11:12 PM
so cute :)
NancyannJuly 10, 2013 at 1:50 PM
I love it! I think that is such an important thing for girls to remember! :) And that's how I felt on my wedding day. I wanted to look pretty, but not so covered in makeup that I didn't look like myself (especially since I rarely use makeup). You're awesome! :)

Tender Mercies

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