We are so excited to be celebrating Lucas first Christmas this year with our friends and family. I’ve had so many blessing this year and am thankful for the birth of the One who gave them to me. I hope everyone has a safe and Merry Christmas.

See more under Holiday, Personal, Uncategorized

 I cannot believe my little peanut is 2 months old today! Two months of my pregnancy went by ridiculously slow but two months of him being here was like a blink. Being a mom has been the greatest blessing. He is such a good baby, he loves to sleep and snuggle like his mama, he’s smiling and cooing everyday which makes my heart pretty much explode. I can almost see why the duggars have 20 kids (i said almost!)
Half of the pictures I take are of him sleeping haha

Seriously who sleeps like this (thats my lap if you couldn’t tell what he is akwardly sleeping on)

First Halloween

peanut in his sleep sack

See more under Personal, Uncategorized

I can’t think of a better way to launch our new site and blog then having my first post introducing our new bundle of joy. On September 23rd at 10:39 a.m we were blessed with a healthy baby boy, Lucas Aiden Jolliff.

Parents always talk about how a child will change your life forever, the love, and joy you will feel. Not to sound like a broken record but it is so true!! I cannot put into words the joy he has brought and sometimes I feel like I’m going to bust I have so much love haha.

We want to thank all our friends and family for the support, love, and dinners. It’s been an amazing 2 weeks.

XOXO

See more under Personal, Uncategorized

I am not a very good writer and when my emotions are involved I tend to even be worse, therefore, I was torn on whether to do this post for today. I wasn’t torn based on people judging my writing but on whether I would be capable of expressing my thoughts on today. With that said I will do my best…

Words cannot describe the devastation that September 11th 2001 brought to so many people and particularly families. Any time I see a photo or clip of that horrible day my heart aches. I was in Math class when the planes hit and 24 hours later I was in the heart of it. My experience of that horrible day is nothing compared to those who lost loved ones but it affected me in a way I will never forget. My dad and I jumped in the car hours after the attack and headed to New York, we wanted to help in any way that we could. My dad was able to get into ground zero before they cut off civilians from entering, he helped search for the missing. Meanwhile I helped in one of the set-up camps. We had cots, helped serve food, and gave minor medical help to the firefighters and others helping with the search. The destruction, smoke, and people will forever be etched into my memory. The one story I wanted to share was one that I think about often… a man was brought into the set-up area by a few other men and I was told he needed to rest and eat. I learned while I was helping him that he had been searching through the rubble for over two days straight. I was looking at a man who was about to collapse but yet was determined to go back out there. I quickly said to him, you need to go home, take a shower, take a nap, see your family, and then you can come back. His response to me was no! Using common sense I made the comment “you will be more of a help when you have some strength back” and his response to me is one that I will never forget. He said “what kind of husband would I be if I go home and tell my wife that I couldn’t find her dad” At that moment I just stood there, these weren’t all people just wanting to help, these were people searching for friends, co-workers, and family members. I obviously knew that before but hearing it said this way was different. I think about that man often and wonder about his families outcome. I can’t imagine the pain that not only this day brings but everyday to those who lost a loved one  on that horrible day. I pray for comfort and peace to those still suffering and along with the rest of the country I take today to remember.

See more under Personal

See more under Personal, Uncategorized

I wish I was one of those people who journaled or at least blogged through out their pregnancy, however, I am just not that on top of things. I do have 2 pages out of 6 done for his scrapbook…progress people progress.
In one post I will try and sum up the last 32 weeks….

1st Trimester: The first trimester was just like what you would expect I was tired, sick, and hormonal. Someone needs to come out with a new book on pregnancy symptoms because there are soooo many more then what you hear about. If you are expecting or are planning on having a baby soon I suggest reading the book Belly Laughs by Jenny McCarthy, she speaks the truth and it is hilarious! I had a little trouble gaining weight in the beginning but luckily that is now a problem of the past : )

2nd Trimester: It is true, the second trimester is a nice break. My symptoms subsided a lot and I was able to enjoy the pregnancy. People ask me about my cravings all the time and to be honest I haven’t had anything crazy. If anything I felt like I reverted back to 5th grade and wanted things like tater tots, fig newtons, and the biggest of them all ICEE (yum) you know the one you use to get at the movie theater with the bear one it. Luckily they now sell them at burger king, just writing about it is making me want to go get one and it’s only 9:30am.

3rd Trimester: If I had a nickel for every time I said I was tired, I would definitely be on the Forbes list this year. I still have 8 weeks to go in this trimester and already I’m not a happy momma. I had a bad back prior to pregnancy but the amount of pain in my back is some of the worst physical pain I’ve ever experienced. You know you are desperate for some relief when you are laughing on a heating pad when the heat index is over 100 degrees. I want my little peanut to stay in there and continue to grow until it is safe for him to come out but the second that it is I want him out!!!

Randoms: It makes me laugh how many strangers want to know about your pregnancy. Everywhere I go people want to know how far along, boy or girl, names. I just wouldn’t expect the post office man to care that much haha.
Pregnancy brain!! ugh this IS real and in my case ridiculous. Just a few of my golden moments: putting the scissors in the freezer, calling the gas company about the electric, ordering my food, paying for my food, and then leaving without my food. People keep saying it gets worse after baby but that can’t be possible for me, I need my brain back.
I know have a new formed respect for people who carry multiples like my mom who had twins and is extremely petite. I saw a couple on tv who were having 5 and it made me want to cry for her. The second respect level is for single moms. I can’t imagine going through this alone. Kinsey has been so supportive from the beginning when I was scared and unready, he gives me massages every night, does the late night runs to B.K for my icee. I know there are many support groups for single moms  to get help when the baby comes but there should be some starting at pregnancy.
Knowing what a blessing from God this baby is keeps me going everyday. I cannot wait to meet my little man!!

Thanks to all my friends and family for all their prayers.
Love u xo

See more under Personal

See more under Personal

Most people think I am crazy for getting up at 3:15 a.m to watch a wedding of two people I don’t even know but let me tell you it was soooooo worth it and I had all my wedding industry twitter friends who are as crazy as me! Since I wasn’t alive for Princess Diana’s famous wedding this is my first big royal wedding and it did not disappoint.

The evening started with a sleepover at my aunts and just a few hours later the royal themed party began!

The food was delightful (do I sound British?) we had 

egg salad sandwiches, cucumber sandwiches, parfait, 

cupcakes, scones, and mimosas.

The happy couple!

 The amount of butterflies I had at this moment was insane!

She truly looked like a Princess

Another favorite of the day is when he first saw her he said “you look beautiful”

The least favorite I have to say was the kiss. It was just a little blah,

although I felt a little better since there was two kisses but still…

maybe 3rd time would have been the charm

Okay seriously could the two of them be any more gorgeous?!

We were all watching people arrive in their fancy hats while wearing our own.

I wish we would wear more hats in the states, they are fabulous.

This one made me laugh out loud, when she turned sideways she looked like she had a blue rhino horn.

Harry needs to get on the ball. I’m already anxiously awaiting another R.W. 

See more under Celebrity Style, Personal

God has blessed me with a soft spot for children but specifically to those less fortunate in Africa. In 2007 I became involved in an organization called the Invisible Children. Something inside of me changed forever when I watched the documentary of the Invisible Children. A life long dream of mine is to one day visit Africa and serve in the children’s ministry. Until that day comes I do my best to stay informed and help when I can. One way I decided I wanted to help was to “adopt” a child. I did my research and made sure I was giving my money to a reputable and trustworthy organization, I found that in Compassion International.

In 2009 I “adopted” Sada Babu Mzalendo. She was born April 23rd 2003 and lives in Tanzania with her mother. She lives in an HIV/AIDS affected area so prayers are needed. It has been so fulfilling to write back and forth with her (although she has a translator that writes and reads to her) she draws me pictures and updates me on what she has been up to. By “adoption” I am able to pay for for Sada’s school, health needs, and bible classes all for $35 a month. I know many people want to help but think they can’t afford it but trust me skipping Starbucks for a week or going to the dollar theater instead is any easy way to make up something as little as $35. I encourage as many people as possible to get involved with this amazing Christian organization.

I have been wanting MMJ Events to be involved in something to give back, after praying about it I’ve decided that at the end of every year if we have reached our goal of 5 or more weddings we will adopt a child. We are also in the works of putting on a awareness and fundraiser for the invisible children at the end of this year, so stay tuned!

If you would like to learn more about Compassion International or the Invisible Children please check out these websites.
http://www.compassion.com/
http://www.invisiblechildren.com/homepage

See more under Personal

When I went to Ivy Robinson’s workshop in North Carolina last February and saw her Stylish Planner profile, I’ve been hoping to get a profile of my own. Well yesterday I did!! I am so thrilled. Jeannine Kennedy from Stylish planner is speaking this year at Eventology and I’m looking forward to meeting her. Be sure to check out her site and while your there my profile : ) www.thestylishplanner.com

See more under Personal, Press