Little Trip

Today my friend Katelyn and I went to the Horicon Marsh near Waupun to check out the board walk. It was much prettier than these photos show, and suspect it would have been absolutely gorgeous on a sunny evening with the glowing sun. It was a weird weather day today - kept looking like it was going to downpour (and then never did) but had flashes of sunlight here and there between the clouds. Strange.

 The boardwalk is a third of a mile that bends through part of the marsh. We were hoping to see more wildlife, but it was really quiet today. We only saw some birds, a couple ducks, and a family of geese. 

Oh yeah, and a dragonfly:

We walked on the roadway after the boardwalk part and let Bennett out for a little running around before it was time to go. He loved finding rocks. He would pick them up, run to the taller grass, throw them in, and run back for more rocks. Repeat x50. Go Bennett, go! He's so happy doing little things like that. I forsee a cool rock collection once he gets a bit older.

A simple, fun, and free day.
Tonight we are going over to Katelyn's to watch fireworks over the lake!
Can't wait to see Bennett's reaction ... his first fireworks!
(Hope he can stay up to watch them!)

A Day In The Life

Two posts in two days - I know! I can't believe it either! ;)

Just documenting a regular day in the life of us this week:

7:30 -
Coffee time! Bennett's wake up routine. Chris leaves for work. Disney Junior blasting.

8:30 -
Bennett breakfast. Tried a red plum for the first time. He kind of liked it...for two bites. Then threw in the floor.

8:45 -
Today I decided to take Bennett to the park. I needed some exercise, so I loaded him up in the stroller and we walked down to a newly renovated park in town, which is right on the lake. It's GORGEOUS, thanks to many fundraising efforts by many people in the community. I love where we live, though my husband may not agree. In my job working with the grant and after school programming, I have worked with so many generous people. I need to remember to take a camera next time. Bennett played for nearly an hour - the swing and the slide made from little tubes are his favorites! (Side note: I ran into another teacher in the district who had kind words to say about me becoming one of the new 5th grade teachers. It was a relief to feel "accepted" into the grade level already...something that I have been a bit curious about, since many of them have been here forever. Whew!)

10:15 -
Back at home. Naptime for Mr. B. Shower for me. Internet browsing, email...chill time for Momma. Late breakfast combined with lunch time for me.

1:00 -
Chris home for lunch. Bennett's up!

1:30 -
Lunch for Mr. B (milk, honey ham, string cheese, a couple crackers, and a tart apple). Tried to get some cute pictures of myself with Mr. B before we ran grocery store errands. Jealous of all the photos my husband has with him and Bennett. After Piggly Wiggly, I treated myself to hazelnut iced coffee from McD's. Sooo good. I have been wanted for one a couple weeks ... YUM. (Poor cat on our way out the door ... working on being "nice!" Had to include that picture ... I feel like he's just been a crazy, crazy kid lately.)

2:30 -
We're back and it's play time! Bennett jumped in his pool while I was putting the groceries in the house. Fully clothed, I should add (this is typical, ha!). Pool for a bit, played with his lawnmower, then we took a walk around the 'hood in his wagon.

3:30 -
Crabby time, aka: Bennett wants to play with EVERYTHING, but doesn't, but does...ok, in the house we go! Indecisiveness = tired little man. WHOA! Straight to a bath, then milk, snuggle time, and a little TV before nap time and photo editing time for me. (Ahhh, relaxation).

5:30 -
We'll have dinner somewhere around this time. I still need to go to the other grocery store to get chicken for the grill tonight. I will only buy meat from one particular store. We'll have the grilled chicken and corn on the cob.

7:00 -
HELLO! IT'S MONDAY! Which means ... Real Housewives of OC, baby! Favorite show right now, hands down! (Tamra is my fave.)

8:30 -
Bennito's bedtime. Ahhh...just kidding. Kind of! ;)
Probably do some laundry while watching some sort of TV.
Or, work on client's wedding photos.

10:00 -
Our bedtime.

Should I Try This Again?

Sooo...the goal I had with trying to keep out on family memories didn't quite work out this year, as my last post was 11 months ago. Oops. I had intentions, but life is so full ALL.THE.TIME! I can't believe how fast time is flying ... and how few pictures I have taken recently. However, that could also be due to my frustration with trying to photograph a crazy active little boy who will NOT look at the camera. Ha!

Here a couple recent favorites, where he's actually looking:

I spent some time looking back through my blog today, and it was SO fun to look back on things I had to say, and some of the random happenings of my life. I especially LOVE the questions/answer posts! So in honor of that, I'll answer one with some of my "current" answers! :)

I answered these same questions back in 2010 and in 2009!

Outside my window... Since the view is the same as when I last answered this, I am just going to change this question to "outside my house." Today Chris was washing his truck, and we let Bennett play in the soapy bucket and with the hose. It didn't take long for Maddie to jump in on the fun. It's so hard these days to find something to keep little man busy! Wish we had a yard where we could just let him RUN, but we live on a corner with lots of traffic ... and a mischievous boy who tries running in the road. So yeah...if the hose keeps him busy, we're game! 

I am thinking... Geesh, what am I thinking lately? Life has mellowed out quite a bit now that I am done working for the summer. I still have a few loose ends to finish up with my grant coordinator job, and I also have a few photography things this summer, but otherwise, I am happily taking a break. This year, I decided to only book 7 weddings and a few other sessions. At this point, I am not sure if "Kayla Richards Photography" will operate next year. I'm sure I will take on a few things, but I am still thinking on that. Time is flying by with Bennett, and I'm trying to decide when Baby #2 is going to happen. I will not book any weddings for next summer if Baby Filip - Part 2 will happen then. So yeah, lots to think about within the next month or so! ;)

I am thankful for... EEEEEEEEEE!!  I am SO excited to announce that after 4 years after being out of college, I FINALLY earned a full time teaching position! This fall will be my first year teaching and I'll be teaching 5th grade at the school I have worked at the past 5 school years. I am both excited and nervous ... nervous mostly because I have a big picture of how I want my classroom to look, how our classroom community will feel, etc. I am excited to just get going. I won't be able to get into my classroom til later this summer, so I am anxious to get that all ready so I can just focus on the teaching aspect. I am sooo happy and finally feel like I have "made it!"

From the kitchen... Funny. Last time I answered this, it was lasagna. Well, same with tonight! I only make lasagna a couple times a year. I'm using the noodles you don't have to boil beforehand ... so hope it turns out alright. We shall see. I'll be using fresh parsley from my container garden.

I am wearing... worn out favorite jeans, palm tree tee, and just like last time ... fake sparkly earrings.

I am creating... Hmm. The most I "create" these days is a recipe from Pinterest! Not much crafting going on anymore. Something I hope to work on soon is the next installment of our Filip Family Photo Book. Last time I worked on our pictures was November. Oh my. I have some catch-up to do! :)


I am going... bwhahahaha. No where - even though I have wanted to go on some sort of get away or vacation for FOUR YEARS!! I need to get out of here and break up the routine! I know I have said this for many years now, but hopefully this summer we'll be able to take a small get away - even if it's close. Seriously! We need to just get out of here so I can stop talking about "getting out of here." 

I am reading... Nothing at the moment. I have dabbled in a few books the past couple weeks and nothing seems to hold my interest. So honestly, what am I reading? Mostly Facebook statuses.  ;)  

I am hoping... I figure out an answer to this "when are we doing to have our next baby" question. I really don't know. To keep the timeline I have always wanted, that would be within the next two months or so. But realistically, I don't want to be pregnant all during my first year of teaching. That would be a lot of stress. Then again, I am not sure I feel ready to have another...I don't know what my hold up is. I know it will all be perfect when the time happens. Hmm....

I am hearing... Birds chirping...computer sounding like it's overheating...and a few minutes ago, a huge boom from down the street. We have some idiot neighbors who let off some sort of firework at least once a week. Scares the crap out of me, and thought it was gun shots the first time I heard it. Yikes - can't they think of a better hobby? Or am I just getting old and crabby? LOL.

Around the house... I really have to find a better way to organize! We tend to get piles of stuff everywhere, things that should come up to the office and get filed away ... but if you'd enter the office, you'd see more of the piles. I gotta bite the bullet and figure out some sort of way to make this all better. Hopefully now that I'll have some more time since I have the next month off! Here's to dreaming! ;)

One of my favorite things... I am so glad I am writing this memory down somewhere. When Bennett is getting ready for a nap or bedtime, we always give him his milk, and he comes into the living room, gets his fleece blankey. He waits until I sit down on the couch, and the holds his blanky and backs up to me so I can pick him up to snuggle. It's the sweetest thing ever and I love that we have a little routine. It's the only time lately he lets me snuggle with him! Then, five minutes later, he's down with his milk, chucks his cup across the room, and runs off. ;) We're working on the whole "chucking of the cup" thing. ;)

A few plans for the rest of the week... Photography: work on getting most recent wedding edited/send of another client's PhotoDVD.      Old Job: Still tying up loose ends. Work on a project for DPI that needs completion. Hopefully finish financial reporting if business office is done with their entries. Help begin to plan next year, even though I am not coordinating the program anymore.    Bennett: Park time, speech meeting, pool time, and lots of walks!

Well, that's it for today...hopefully it's not another year before you hear from me again. ;)

This Blogger Is Back!

I have decided to start blogging again! I need a way to preserve my families memories, even if the events seem kind of boring. Because in just 9 SHORT months, my little man has gone from:

 THIS (Oct 27, 2011 - 3 hours old)

 to THIS (mid-August 2012 - 9.5 months)

and I know time will just keep going by faster. I feel guilty all of the time for not writing little stories about Bennett so far, and not recording things likes when he did his firsts, his weight, height, etc at different ages. What mom lets those things go undocumented? Especially a mom who used to scrapbook! Oh well, times are a changing and I hope this blog will help me document those things! ;) 

Thanks for reading :)

Just Documenting ...

this sort of crazy time in my life! Okay, more like NERVOUS time.

Baby is due tomorrow (Saturday, October 22). I had my last doctor appointment today. I am almost all the way effaced, but not dilated at all. If Baby doesn't come on its own, I will be induced Wednesday evening at 7pm. EEK! Hoping Baby comes on its own!

Today was my last day of work for my school job - I am now on maternity leave until December 19!

However, I still have lots of photography ends to tie up before baby comes.

My to-do list:

-Edit and send 2 engagement galleries

-Send packages

-Package up a wedding order

-File my quarterly state sales taxes

-Enter expenses, etc in bookkeeping

...dare I say it? Is that all I have left to do for photography this year!? (I will have more album orders, etc coming in ... but at least it won't be a whole list to try to get done at once!)

Hoping, hoping, HOPING I can get all of that accomplished this weekend!

My Maternity Session: {38 Weeks}

These were taken right at 38 weeks.

As of today, we have 12 days left until our due date!

BabyCenter.com 38 Week Update:

"Your baby has really plumped up. She weighs about 6.8 pounds and she's over 19 1/2 inches long. She has a firm grasp, which you'll soon be able to test when you hold her hand for the first time! Her organs have matured and are ready for life outside the womb.

Wondering what color your baby's eyes will be? You may not be able to tell right away. If she's born with brown eyes, they'll likely stay brown. If she's born with steel gray or dark blue eyes, they may stay gray or blue or turn green, hazel, or brown by the time she's 9 months old. That's because a child's irises (the colored part of the eye) may gain more pigment in the months after she's born, but they usually won't get "lighter" or more blue. (Green, hazel, and brown eyes have more pigment than gray or blue eyes.)"

Baby Shower: Sept 25, 2011

Yesterday was my beautiful baby shower! I couldn't have asked for a better day!

My sister in law Shannon planned the shower, which was held at my house! (Yay to not having to haul the gifts!)

All of the details and games were SO cute!

Here are some details...

The tags on these favors say: "Thank you for coming to my shower. Love, Bennett." They are Hershey's miniatures wrapped in scrapbook papers. I see my baby takes after his momma and has been crafting already, LOL! ;-)

Some desserts ... and you can also see the rainy day we had.

Just a few of the MANY gift bags! We cannot thank everyone enough for their generosity! Thank you thank you thank you! :)

Some more cutie cute details!! His initials will be "BAF," which I think sounds kind of funny. Who knows ... maybe that'll turn into some strange nickname! ;)

Closer detail of the letters ... so sparkly and CUTE!

Some of the games ... Match the Celebrities to their Baby's name & Baby Shower Scramble:

Another game ... Guess How Many M&M's in the bottle ... there were 317 (I think!) ... my mother in law Ellie won this game. :)

Cute drink cups with baby boy detail...

A few shots of the gift opening. I might have more pictures to post I can get ahold of my mom's files:

Who knew this product existed? A little warmer for over the baby's belly for baths:

Me and the hubby:

Maddie was a bit confused what was going on:

Only 25 more days to go!

Almost at 36 Weeks

One day to go, then i'll be 36 weeks.

Only 29 more days to go after today!

Here's an update of what's happening with baby, via Gerber:

"Your baby's growth: Gaining more weight

Your baby now weighs a 6 pounds and is 20.7 inches long.

Your baby works hard to accumulate all the fat she can in preparation for delivery. Her body grows rounder every day, since about 15 percent of her total weight is now made up of fat. Once she's born, this fat layer will help her maintain her body temperature and give her a reliable energy source.

Developments this week:

• Organs. Development of major organs such as the kidneys and liver is complete.
• Lungs. Some fine-tuning, such as the final development of the lungs, still takes place inside the womb.
• Head. Your baby's head is round, but by the time she makes it through the birth canal it may be temporarily misshapen as powerful contractions compress the soft bones of the skull. Her head shape will return to normal within a few days.

What's happening with you

• Weight gain. With a month of pregnancy to go, you'll probably continue to gain weight, although the majority of your pregnancy weight gain has occurred.
• Heartburn. If you've been experiencing heartburn, the baby's movement down toward your cervix may ease that discomfort. Your appetite may return because the baby is no longer putting as much pressure on your stomach and intestines.
• Movements may change or cease. As your baby grows larger and amniotic fluid volume decreases, it's not as easy for her to move around. This may lead to an alteration in the sensation of fetal movements. To some women it feels as if the baby is not moving as much as it had been, but everything is usually fine. Things are just getting a bit crowded."

My shower is this weekend. I'm so excited to see all the cute baby stuff!

Hopefully I'll have some photos to post then!

a pregnancy questionnaire

How far along: 35 weeks, 0 days
Total weight gain: 16 lbs
Sleep: I could use a nap during the daytime if I had the time, but I don't. I fall asleep right away at night and sleep all night thru - most nights. It's a little uncomfortable to turn from side to side, but I am comfy otherwise! No complaints! :)
Movement: I don't think the movement feels anything at all like what I "thought" they would. The kicks aren't very strong at all ... I wonder if I have even ever felt a kick, or if that's just another kind of movement? Most of what I currently feel is if the baby is pushing his butt out - just above my belly button. Lately, it feels more like it did in the beginning - just flutters. I use to feel what felt like turns, but not anymore. Baby used to do some strange movement that made my whole stomach literally SHAKE, but that doesn't happen anymore either. I think he is running out of room. I am starting to feel more pressure, which is not fun ... but at 35 weeks, I'm sure that is quite normal!
Food cravings: Usually ALWAYS sweets. I've had cravings for cake more times than I can count! And cake from a box doesn't count. It has to be REAL cake, like the kind at weddings or store bought for birthday parties with the SUGARY FROSTING. I think I've only gotten two pieces of the "real" cake twice during this pregnancy ... I'm always tempted to buy slices from the bakery at the grocery store ... but I've been good! I also crave doughnuts A LOT! Okay, so maybe I've given into that craving a bit more than I should have ... oh maybe 5 or 6 times, lol!
Gender: Boy :)
Labor Signs: None so far.
What I miss: Bubbly alcoholic beverages :)
What I am looking forward to: Maternity leave. In this last part of my pregnancy, I've begun working my 80+ hour work weeks ... so why I am blogging right now (when I should be working)? Anyway, the lack of time to myself or time to just rest when I feel like ti is wearing down on me. I got sick this week, like a head cold kind of thing, and it hasn't been fun AT ALL. I think I am just wearing myself down! Everyone says that I need to take a break and stop working so much ... but this is just how this time of the year is. It'll be crazy/stressful/busy/yucky ... but then it'll all stop and this wonderful thing called MATERNITY LEAVE will come along ... and I won't have to work for 2 months straight. I can't wait. Just Mom + Baby time ... even if I probably won't get to sleep much! :) At least I won't have to go anywhere if I don't feel like it!
Thoughts Right Now: I still really don't feel pregnant. Yes, I have a belly, but honestly, I am taken back when I look in the mirror and see how big my stomach really is getting ... I don't feel that big at all! Such a strange thing! And sure, I am a bit more tired than usual and it's getting kind of painful to bend over, but other than that, I don't really have any complaints with being pregnant (besides that clothing companies need to make better maternity clothes, lol!). Perhaps in the next 5 weeks, things will get a bit harder ... but I feel GREAT at 35 weeks!!
Another Thought: In just 5 weeks, we'll have a baby? Like a real human being is really in there? Hubby and I still can't quite believe it ... crazy we tell you! It's still pretty hard to wrap my head around this! :)

63 Days To Go!

Today I am 31 weeks; only 9 more weeks to go!

However, when most people hear how far along I am, they say something really stupid/annoying such as: "Wow, you still have a long way to go."

Yes, the middle of October SEEMS like a long time, but it's actually only 63 days. That's not very long at all! I can remember counting down for our wedding, and the last 100 days FLEW by ... which, I am suspecting will be the same with these last 63 days before my boy makes his appearance. Yes, I'm sure the end will drag due to increasing uncomfort, but luckily, I have so much on my plate in these next 63 days, I know it'll be a quick wait in the end.

The Babycenter.com 31 week update:

This week, your baby measures over 16 inches long. He weighs about 3.3 pounds (try carrying four navel oranges) and is heading into a growth spurt. He can turn his head from side to side, and his arms, legs, and body are beginning to plump out as needed fat accumulates underneath his skin. He's probably moving a lot, too, so you may have trouble sleeping because your baby's kicks and somersaults keep you up. Take comfort: All this moving is a sign that your baby is active and healthy.

It's crazy that he is so big in there. I feel movements a lot (and some just feel plain WEIRD), but it doesn't "seem like" he takes up THAT much room inside me! I still can't even believe there is a baby in there! It's going to be so crazy when he is born and I'm holding a little human being.

So much to look forward to!

Are Moms Allowed To Have Wish Lists?

I'm already starting to get that feeling of ... "Well, maybe I shouldn't spend money on _____, I really should put the money towards the baby's _____."

Example: I had Kohl's Cash to use up the other day, and instead of buying something "fun for me" with it, I stocked up on some summer clothes for the baby for next year. Which, okay, that WAS fun to buy baby stuff, but I am wondering:

Is it okay to for me want fun things for me, too? Without feeling super guilty that it might take out moola from his college fund, etc, etc some day?

Am I nuts for already having these thoughts, while I am still pregnant!?

What exactly am I itching for, you ask?

A new lens. Maybe new lensES.

Which, I guess technically isn't "just for fun."

I own and operate a business that happens to, um, NEED good equipment to thrive.

So, that should equal to, yes, it's okay to spend your hard earned dollars on that!

And I need big tax expense write offs.

But, for some reason, the "Mom" in me sort of feels guilty.

Goes back to the same old: "But I have gotten by without it so far. So I do really need it?"

Here are the beauties I have my eyes on (that I would love to have my HANDS on!):

EF 70-200mm f/2.8L

-I am looking to get a new 70-200, since I dropped mine a few weeks ago. Just not sure if I should upgrade or just get the same version of the one I have.

Canon 100mm f/2.8L

-This macro lens would be fabulous for wedding details and newborn shots. I have heard it also makes a spectacular portrait lens.

Canon 100mm f/2.8 Macro

-The non-L Series version. It has good reviews ... and about half the price of the L Series version. I love my L Series lenses so much, I'm almost afraid I'd regret not just getting the L Series of this one.

Canon 24-70mm f/2.8L

-I've just heard awesome things about this lens in general. I think I like the idea of not having to walk around so much at weddings because of the zoom feature.

So, I don't know. Hopefully after writing this post, I'll have clearer thoughts on all of this.

Will keep you posted if I decide to purchase any! That would be a very exciting day!

Enjoying Summer

These are pretty much the only personal pictures I have taken all of summer 2011. We just haven't had much going on ... at all.

One Sunday morning I took these just because I was testing out my 70-200mm f/4.0L lens, as I had dropped it the previous day at a wedding. It works halfway. As in, only when it's zoomed in at 200mm. Otherwise, it won't focus.

Boo.

Anyway, here's Maddie and Chris playing with her FAVORITE.TOY.OF.ALL.TIME. Her frisbee. We go through quite a few toys around here - most dog toys aren't made to last! So, we decided to spend $16 and get her a good frisbee! We've had it for about a month now, and no signs of wear and tear yet!

After playing, she gets exhausted and walks herself over to the hose. She LOVES catching the water and getting sprayed, lol!

She plays and plays until she physically can't stand up anymore ... she plunks down in the grass to rest ... and then in about 1 minute, she's back and ready to play some more!

Crazy Dog!

Freezer Meals

So I like saving time. And I like saving money.

So when I saw this website about freezer meals via Pinterest, I decided to give it a try.

Website: http://aturtleslifeforme.blogspot.com/2011/06/freezer-meals-on-cheap.html

(This picture is from the website, featuring LOTS of different freezer meal ideas)

I only made the ground beef - just to try bulk cooking and freezing to see how I liked the results before spending a lot of money and time making the food. I've heard of freezer meals before, but have always been kind of weirded out about cooking and THEN freezing ... usually I just buy fresh meat, freeze, and defrost, THEN cook.

But, this idea of saving time sounded SO nice.

When I say that I made these "Freezer Meals," I didn't actually make an entire meal and freeze it. Just the ground beef portion that would end up going into making spaghetti sauce, tacos, casseroles, etc when it comes time to actually put the meal together. What a breeze it'll be just to have the thawed meat ready to add to whatever ... no mess of defrosting in the micro when I get home, waiting around, cooking, or cooking up the cooking pan and utensil.

I forget just how much I spent all together on the fresh ground beef, but I waited for it to be on sale for $2.19 a pound (down from the regular $3.19 a pound). It's the 80/20 ground beef, so no, not the healthiest, but we are on a budget (and I don't feel like waiting for ground chuck to go on sale ... for over $3/lb at the sale price - no thanks!) We also don't eat very much ground beef - maybe once a week - so oh well!

At the store, I found packs that were about 2 days away from the sell by date for $1.99 a pound, so I just got those. I only get my meat from a certain store (locally owned grocery store with an award winning meat department), so I was confident the meat would be just fine. I often times buy "Today's Special" meats with the sell by date the same as the date I buy, and they're always fine!

So all together, I'd say I got around 9-10 pounds of ground beef for roughly $18.50.

I also had to buy some green peppers, carrots, and onions to cook along with the beef to add in some extra bulk, moisture for freezing, flavor, and of course, nutrients!

$1.49 total: 3 lbs white onions

$0.75 total: 3 very nicely sized green peppers

$1.29 total: 2 lb bag of carrots

--------------------

= $3.53 for the veggies

However, I only used 2 onions + all the peppers + half of the carrots, so I am estimating out of the $3.53 for the veggies, I only spent around $1.75 (maybe even less) on the veggie portion.

The Bottom Line:

• Money Spent: In total, I think I got around 12-14 bags of ground beef meals out of the $20.25 spent on the supplies (roughly $1.55 for the "meat" portion of each freezer meal ... the veggies really help save $ and add bulk)

• Time Spent: About 1 hour: chopping and grating veggies, cooking the meat, letting cool, putting into freezer bags, etc. Not bad!

• Taste: My first bag I used, I let the bag unthaw over night in the fridge before using it the next day. I used it to make tacos. All I had to do is let the meat heat up in the pan, then add the taco seasoning and water, and I was DONE! I understand I am still using a pan I'll have to wash, but taking out the whole cooking of the meat time, I literally had dinner from the fridge to table in under 10 mins. YAY! And the best part? It tasted really good! It didn't taste like it had been frozen or anything. I think the veggies really add a lot of flavor and moisture. My hubby hates green peppers ... and he couldn't even tell there were ANY veggies in the meat. SCORE.

I can't wait for bone-in chicken breasts to go on sale for 99 cents (or less) a pound so I can try making the shredded chicken freezer meals, too!

Funny!

Ok, so this is kind of funny.

I hate the new Facebook chat. However, tonight I was messaging my dad, and I saw this picture pop up in the chat from over a year ago that I sent to him. And here I thought I had gotten rid of all pictures of this beautiful ring!

Background Story:

So, I think everyone knows I am obsessed with diamonds. Large ones. In rings. For the left hand. On the ring finger. Last May, I purchased this ring on a whim from Kesslers Diamonds. My mom (also a diamond fanatic) and I went in "just to look," and I walked out with this beauty. A 1.12 carat center stone, with 12 side stones each at 1/8 carat. I had about 18 weddings ahead of me at this point, and I thought I deserved this ring to replace my engagement ring. (For the price tag of $6,500).

So, to make a long story short, I ended up returning this ring about 2 weeks later. Reasoning? Did my husband get MAD?! No, that wasn't the reason. He knows I work hard, and it was okay with me spending my business funds on something I really loved.

The reason was because we had found mold in the bathroom, and decided to renovate it. AND, this is going to sound weird, but I seriously missed wearing my original engagement ring! It meant a lot, a LOT more to me than I ever realized. I figured if I felt that way, I should probably not keep it (and use the money for something more useful, like our house!).

Thank goodness Kessler's has such an amazing return policy! (I'm sure the salesman wasn't too happy, however!)

So anyway, just made me giggle that this photo popped up, and reminded me of my silly ring experience! I had deleted all photos of the ring, because I was sad that I took it bad, because it was so big and gorgeous and sparkly and amazing.

Will I ever get an upgrade from my original engagement ring? Probably. But I've turned into a SUPER saver in the past year, and there are physical things I want more in life than a huge ring. Like my kids' college fully paid for. Money invested for our retirement. A house in the country with a natural light studio.

Until then, I'll just enjoy the good stuff I have! :)

My original engagement ring