Reflections on Joy

What brings you joy?
They say life is short, I think we can all agree with that.
So why spend your life stressed, unhappy or in a place, job or relationship that is less than fulfilling; that doesn't bring you true joy? And have you found your joy?

What fills you up?
I have spent the last few years pondering this question.

Journaling almost daily, having an attitude of gratitude (thank you Oprah), reciting affirmations and studying countless courses and books on self discovery.

And here is what I have found... only when I finally slowed down to really sit and think about it, it turned out it was way simpler than I thought.

It wasn't money. Although that does make things a wee bit easier and it allows you distraction from these simple, yet challenging questions.

It wasn't getting a promotion or working the extra hour, extra day, extra weekend.

It wasn't having the perfect body.

It wasn't having the newest, latest and greatest fashions. Although looking good is feeling good.

It wasn't and certainly isn't winning awards and being recognized by my peers. Although that feels pretty spectacular.

And it wasn't being in a relationship.

It was waaaaaayyyyyy easier than that.

It is rolling on the floor with my dogs.

Scratching their bellies while their tongues dangle outside their mouths.

Legs kicking the air.

It is holding a baby and watching him sleep soundly.

Patting his bottom.

Rocking back and forth.

Imagining all the little dreams he is dreaming. 

It is going for a walk, breathing in the chilly winter air as I listen to my feet crunch through the snow.

It clears my head and heart.

The stillness is so incredibly calming.

And so full of possibility. 

It is seeing the sunrise as the world awakens.

It is listening to my dad tell the silliest of jokes while my mom gives him a look of disapproval.

I love this the most. 

It is enjoying a cup of coffee and people watching. 

It is getting REAL mail in my mail box... bills do not count.

It is laughing so hard I cry.

It is catching up with an old friend.

At a baseball game.

The crowd. The energy. It's magnetic.

And the beers aren't bad either...

It is wrapping a gift in the prettiest of papers with the biggest of bows and watching someone open it.

I love giving gifts.

It is spending time with my sisters as they try to outwit each other in a game of Apples to Apples.

It is watching two people fall in love.

It is seeing someone gain their confidence.

To finally see the beauty in themselves.

The beauty that you already knew they had.

It is baking a pie.

From scratch.

All by myself

.... or with the supervision of a really good cook.

Thanks Dave. 

Birthday parties.

Giving back.

Bundling up in the freezing cold to go to a Bears game with my college buds.

A little kid's laugh.

It's meeting new friends. It's connection.

It's becoming more and more like my best friend, my role model and my mom.

It's being a part of one of life's most beautiful and most intimate events.

It's climbing into my own bed

in my own house every night

and realizing that I love the life I have created.

It's waking up each day with a clean slate.

With direction and purpose.

With enthusiasm and love.

With gratitude for my life, my family, my friends. 

That's what brings me joy.

That's what fills my heart. 

xoxoxoxooxoxoox

Post Valentine's Day Sentiments

It's no big shocker that I love Valentine's day and all things love... in fact I love LOVE all year round 365 days a year. I think about it morning, noon and night. I pin it, I quote it, I post it, I cover it in glitter and hang it on my wall, I put it in envelopes and send it in the mail. I want everyone to feel my love every day. But most especially on Valentine's Day!

Making homemade valentine's!

coming to a mailbox near you

Yesterday, the news feeds were full of flower and v day deliveries, engagements, well wishes for a happy Valentine's Day. I loved every part of it!

And then there were others announcing that they didn't need a special day to say I love you. That's awesome. You and me both. I will shout it from the roof tops every day.

A really awesome guy and friend of mine Gebbs posted this and I thought- yes, he has the right idea too. So kudos to those who spread the love everyday like us!

But not all of us are like that. Some of us need that special day. Like Thanksgiving we give thanks and gratitude and show that with family gatherings full of turkey, pumpkin pie and football. Grand tradition might I add. And then there's Fourth of July, we celebrate our freedom once a year with fireworks and barbeques. It's all about honoring and traditions and we could talk about every holiday. Sure we should be grateful for our lives, friends, family and freedom every day... but do we? Do we record it in a gratitude journal, pray about it at church or do we go about our daily lives until its time to plan the menu and send out the invitations?

I really loved what my friend Cherie, President of Wedding Network USA said about V day. What I love even more is that fact that I just screen shot it and uploaded to share. Technology can be fun!

Not everyone was all about celebrating love all year round. Some were just flat out snarky about their co-workers receiving big bouquets of flowers. Who cares if someone is in a new relationship and wants to shower their honey. It doesn't mean anything about you. There is no need to rain on anyone's parade. It doesn't make you a bad person because you didn't do the same for your honey. You should be happy that your co-worker found someone that loves and adores them and wants to do nice things for them.

Already hanging on my wall!

Or the single folks who complain that it's singles awareness day. Honestly, I am the epitome of a single girl. I am always single on valentine's day. Like the last 10 years. No joke. I have a history of short romances none of which have actually fallen on v day. Except one. And he worked at a florist. I loved that v day. HEEEELLLLLOOOOO flowers!

Evie, my funny valentine

But seriously why do you have to make being single on valentine's day a bad thing? Why not go out with your single friends and have a good time? Why are we complaining and making this a day to be sad? So you aren't in a relationship on this particular day, but I bet there are several people out there that you love and that love you and you sure can share that with them. In fact, I claimed a 3 year old as my valentine and I am proud of it!!!

 Ash and Evie- click here to see how cheesy, adorable and fun we are!

But, I can't control what people post, or their opinions or what they are feeling on the inside. All I can do is spread the love... and share a few of my favorite things (insert Kenny Rogers singing because I heart him too) from yesterday. These things make me soooooo happy and I love to see other people sooooo happy so I hope you all enjoy them as much as I did.

Favorite Photo: Brad was classmate of mine growing up who returned from a 7 month deployment. Totally reminds me of Alfred Eisenstadt's Kissing the War Goodbye. I did not ask permission to share this either so I hope they don't mind me bragging about them. I love how chic she is in her big hat, polished nailed and pearl earrings and that he is in uniform and gosh, you can almost feel how strong and tight that embrace is can't you? I bet this was followed by several hundred more kisses. xooxox 

Favorite Engagement: I am bias as I know them personally, but at least I am admitting it.

Congrats Liz and Nick!

I know a great wedding planner :) 

Favorite Valentine: (don't tell Evie) goes to a dear dear friend of mine from college, Jacqui!

Check this out- a singing telegram that her beau Josh sent to her work.

I gotta know, does Josh have a brother??? 

However you spent February 14th, I hope it was magical and that you woke up today full of joy and love. 

And I hope you continue to wake up every day with that same joy and love. 

And if you don't, I am happy to assist by sending you that joy and love! 

xoxoxoxo

The Few. The Proud. The Gung Ho Groom.

I am a constant chatterbox about my brides and how much I love them. How I love working with them and creating the wedding that they have imagined. Bringing it all together piece by piece, detail by detail, month by month until it's day by day and then hour by hour. I take on their goosebumpy "that's-the-perfect-song" moment, their nightmares of being late, the dress not fitting, going to the wrong venue, the colors being wrong (they all get them), the excitement of marrying their best friend, the stress of keeping everyone happy, overcoming the last minute changes and challenges... I heart it all. And I heart being a part of it. And I heart that bond that we build from day one that lasts until well after the wedding is over. From house warmings, to happy hours, to baby showers, I cherish them all.

Left- Allison Martin, married June 2013
Right- Alison Shubert, married December 2012

But let us not forget my beloved grooms.

Ashley and Eric Anderson, married June 2013

In 10 plus years of event planning and six specializing in weddings, I've had two grooms- two total- that were: go big or go home for their weddings. It's a must talk about since these fellas are few and far between and it's impossible not to adore them.

Whatever she (the bride) wants. Chair covers, huge floral arrangements, candelabras, a video screening, lots and lots of pink, a Hawiian honeymoon.

Shelby: My colors are blush and bashful
M'Lynn: Her colors are pink and pink

And boy oh boy did she love it.
Gina that is. JR was my numero uno gung ho groom and he will forever hold a special place in my heart. In fact when I said he did all the planning, I mean, he did it all. I didn't even meet his other half until the wedding day. And he couldn't wait for her to arrive, be the princess bride, experience this wedding she dreamed of, and be totally surprised.

Best.Husband.Ever.

And my numero dos in the gung ho groom department is John. I have to share this story because it brings me so much joy. So much joy that I have to brag.
At our first meeting last fall, I ask John and the love of his life to tell me about what they are envisioning for their big day. And here is what John announces:

"The theme is Rat Pack. Uplighting. Purple for sure. Come January 1st, all the groomsmen are going on diets because I'm going to look hot and they are going to look hot. Whatever Kari wants. She's going to be so beautiful and I'm so excited to spend my whole life with her. And we need you there to make sure we are doing it right because I've waited 13 years for this day and I want it perfect."

John if you weren't engaged, I would propose to you.

Because you get it. 

And damn it, I love how much you love this sweet girl with the long blonde hair, the most contagious giggle who looks at you with those big blue eyes and replies to that entire prelude with:

"John, whatever you want."

Thanks for letting me brag on you both.
So looking forward to your wedding
and every moment in between.

BOOM! And that's what it's all-a-bout!
I just did the hokey pokey people. No joke. And I turned myself around. Leg up and clapped.
You're welcome for the visual.
Of the hokey, not Kari and John, they are too cute.

And yes John, you do have a job with Signed Sealed Delivered Events as a planner after your wedding.

As per usual, Ms. Manion and my BFF Katie, if you are reading this, please forgive the run-on's, fragments, mis-puncuations, grammar mistakes, etc. I claim it as part of my charm, contrary to popular belief, it's not to annoy you... or is it???

xoxxoxooxoxooxxxoxooxooxoxoox