Parenthood

On Friday, May 3, at 5:01pm

most of you know that the Valverde family grew

by 2 precious feet

as welcomed Piper Annette into the world.

For the past 7 weeks,

life has been a whirlwind of 

wonderful, 

exhausting,

insanity.

No one can prepare you for motherhood,

but something happens

the moment they place your precious child in your arms.

You change instantly.

For 49+ days I have been adjusting to this change,

and coming into my own as Piper's momma.

For 49+ days we have been embracing our new family dynamic.

So many changes.

So much "new".

(shockingly, this OCD girl has made it through totally unmedicated and with only one glass of wine)

Hopefully 

(with some cooperation from Piper)

the year hiatus I took from blogging is over,

and will be filled with many stories, lessons, & memories 

made through this journey they call parenthood.

The wild ride for us it just beginning...

XOXO

And the chaos continues...

And once again,

I have turned into a terrible blogger...

BUT,

 this time,

I have much more of an excuse!

A few days after my last post in April,

I made a little career transition.

Some of you know this,

most of you don't,

and very few of you can understand

the chaos that followed.

As of May 2,

I left my job

as WAFB's National Sales Assistant...

and became an Account Executive.

Same station (duh),

but a whooooole different ballgame.

To explain this to people

who have no understanding of television...

basically I have gone from inside sales,

to outside sales.

Soooo,

after 5 years of being FANTASTIC at my job

(not to toot my own horn or anything...),

I am a baby once more,

and somewhat starting over

if you will.

With that being said,

the calm,

collected,

and insanely organized girl that I am...

has been running around frantically,

for the past month,

trying to quickly learn

how to be as awesome at this position,

as I was my last...

because for those of you who know me,

know that I MUST excel at what I do.

Fingers crossed.

Wish me luck.

And secondly,

Sorority Sally is baaaaaack...

in adult form,

and is now a Provisional Member

of the Junior League of Baton Rouge.

Whoop Whoop.

"Super Saturday" was last weekend,

where we learned about

all of the philanthropic opportunities

the League offers.

And this past Tuesday,

we selected our (volunteer) placements.

I know this too is another language to most of you,

but essentially,

the Valverde's are busier then usual.

Especially Mrs.Valverde

(how that is even possible, is BEYOND me).

Wine donations

to help cope with the added stress

are appreciated.

Happy (almost) Summer Y'all!

A little blogging renovation...

For the past few weeks

I have been brainstorming on new blog titles.

Bayou Bliss was fiiiiiine

when I entered this little world of blogging...

but this blog was ready for something new,

something that told more of our story.

Something...

that resembled more of a tag line for this family,

if you will...

for our journey through life.

Cocktails and Confetti

Some of you may be thinking,

"Michelle has officially lost it,

OR she has become quite the lush..."

But let me explain...

Back in my New Year's post,

I mentioned how much I LOVED this quote...



I went on to mention

how I hoped this would be everyone's goal

for the New Year.

Literally if you wish...

but more so metaphorically.

That we would all strive to live

each and every day,

like it was the most amazing day,

at the most fabulous party,

in our best dressed,

with our favorite people.

Living life to the fullest.

With that being said,

welcome to

Cocktails and Confetti.

The Valverde's blog

about our crazy but amazing life,

that we endeavor to live to fullest,

savoring each and every moment.

(actually it's more Michelle's blog,

and kind of Annabelle's...

you all know Kody would rather

buy another Yorkie then blog...

BUT who needs details)

XOXO



Our Darling Tuscaloosa...

365 days ago,

on what had been an ordinary Wednesday,

my heart was broken at 5:47pm.

This image flashed across my television screen moments later,

...and my world was changed forever.

A knot still forms in my throat when I talk about that day.

Perhaps it will never go away,

perhaps that knot

serves as my scar,

my reminder.

As if we really need to be reminded.

We were all changed that day.

Those of us who sat terrified,

desperate,

all across the country,

the world even.

Waiting to hear from our families,

our friends,

our city.

Those of you who lived through the terror first hand,

who took cover and prayed,

who blew those sirens and warnings off,

like so many times before.

We were all,

forever changed.

Today,

365 days later

we remember.

 We remember,

 all of those who lost their lives far too soon.

We remember,

 our beloved Tuscaloosa.

We remember,

because each and every one of us carry our own scars.

We will never forget,

because we can never forget.

Our first true love.

Our darling Tuscaloosa.

Georgia On My Mind...

Life never seems to slow down for us.

We were on vacation for a bit,

then I needed a minute to recover from vacation

(isn't that irritating?),

and now Kody is sick sick sick.

So we've been non stop,

with a combination of down for the count...

which somehow still feels like we are going non stop.

Ohhhh, the life of an adult...

Anyways,

we spent part of last week and the week before,

on a little Spring time family vacay

in Savannah, Georgia.

As advertised,

Savannah is a Southern Belle's dreaaaaaam...

BUUUUUUUUUT,

could use a BIT better shopping to TRULY be a dream

for THIS girl.



A vacation is not a successful vacation for me,

unless I come home with some sort of amazing find.

Savannah didn't fail me,

in spite of its mediocre shopping,

and I managed to

pick up a CLUTCH beauty gem.

This stuff is FANTASTIC.

I have allllll sorts of problems with dry, chapped lips...

and this stuff,

hands down,

is the best chapstick I have used.

(you can find online at http://www.savannahbee.com/)

And if you are thinking that this is along the same line as Burt's Bees...

you are mistaken,

because this is WAY WAY better.

You. Are. Welcome.

Flower Power

In my hustle and bustle to get out of my house

and to work this morning,

a glimpse of purple caught my eye.

I rushed over to the flower bed,

and

tadaaaaaa

I BEGGED Kody to plant these for me last year.

The Iris is my Kappa flower and I just LOVE them.

They make me want to go all Sorority Sally on everyone,

but I will refrain,

for all of our sake.

I have seen these in full glorious flower mode,

EVERYWHERE,

and I was feeling a little bummed

that my own hadn't made their appearance.

But nooooow they have,

and it makes my heart happy.

So,

 yay!!!

The Hardest Good Bye on Good Friday



I blogged last year about losing my grandaddy around Easter.

We found out he was going to meet Jesus on Palm Sunday.

We buried him on Good Friday.

Around this time of year,

he always makes his presence known...

through a rainbow,

a song,

a sunset,

a memory.

I cherish those moments,

because I MISS my grandaddy.

I was on the phone with my mom

on the way home from work Tuesday,

discussing life...

nothing serious,

just future plans and goals...

different things on my mind here of late,

when she says to me

"You know, your grandaddy is looking down at you from Heaven right now,  and he is SO proud of you..."

BOOM.
Tears filled my eyes.
I quickly hung up the phone.
And once more,
 Grandaddy and I had our time,

my precious moment.

Happy Happy Easter Grandaddy.

I bet the dogwoods,

and sunsets on the bay

are even more amazing this time of year

from where you are.
We miss you,
and love you so...

Happies

2 things that make me happy this Thursday...

LOOOOOOOVE. THIS. PRODUCT.

I have used Jergens Natural Glow since college,

and if you can get past the odd scent

(welcome to the world of being tan and skin cancer free)

it's a FANTASTIC product.

But add sunscreen,

and HOLY SMOKES,

LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT.

Whoooooole new level of obsession for me,

and is now 100% one of my

can.not.live.without

products.

And this book...
I am so exciiiiiiiiited.
The author/Special Agent,
Clint Hill,
was on the Today Show this morning
discussing his book and time with Jackie O.
Oooooooh my stars,
it didn't take much
due to my Kennedy obsession,
but I am SOLD.
YOU,
my friends,
are looking at this girls next book purchase.

Happy Thursday,
it's alllllllmost Friday for some of us...
but for most of you this IS your Friday,
which is soooo way more exciting.

And P.S. YAY for baseball season!!!
There is something about a game being on in my house,
even only as background noise,
that makes life feel so normal.
Caaaaaaan't imagine why...
(and to my loves that are cussing me silently
because this means your boyfriends/fiances/husbands
are gone until September/October...
I love y'all,
you are such special women)

XOXO

VOTE!!!

Facebook friends,

I need a favor...

Follow this link,

www.facebook.com/WBECSouth

(you can also find it by going to my Timeline,

clicking on WBEC South's link)

scrollllll on down a tad,

and "Like" Lightning Bolt

to cast your vote for

"Innovative WBE of the Year"

For those of you who don't know,

Lightning Bolt and Supply

(also known as Thunder Threads)

is my family's (the Valverdes)industrial fastener business

(nuts, bolts, screws...).

Wesley, my BIL, helped develop an App

that is nominated for this award

and can WIN with your help!

Here is a little description of its fabulousness...

Lightning Bolt developed a system in which customers can effortlessly replenish their fastener, fitting, and MRO inventory by using our new Customer Managed Inventory (CMI) app. Lightning Bolt has created a custom program which uses a small cordless laser scanner that pairs with any smart phone or computer. The app has also been adapted for the iPhone/iPad by using the optical scanner in lieu of a scanner. Lighting Bolt's original CMI program was designed for computers. Recog...nizing it was important for the system to be extremely quick, easy to use and friendly to the many mobile devices on the market, apps for the iPhone, iPad, Blackberry, and droid devices were created. Lightning Bolt is now giving this technology (including scanner) to all of its customers at no charge. Lighting Bolt's CMI scanners allow our customers to get exactly what they want while also receiving the absolute lowest price on the market…guaranteed! Lightning Bolt has been able to benefit from this technology through growth by capturing an increasing and ever-growing market share of the North American fastener business. Lightning Bolt's sole purpose of developing our CMI system was not for recognition, but for simplifying the difficult process of replenishing fastener, fitting, and MRO inventory into an effortless process. Our customers have expressed a great deal of enthusiasm by us giving them such a tool to save money while also regaining control over their "bolt bin" inventory.

Help them out and vote today!

Deadline is 11:59pm on April 17,

the most "Like"'s = a VICTORY!!!

(p.s. I'm a really sore loser...

every vote helps that horrific quality of mine stay calm...

thanks in advance!)

Springing into Summmmmmmer

I need to be a better blogger.

Life in the Valverde house is insanely busy as usual.

We work for the weekends,

and are rarely still...

But with the warmer weather moving into Louisiana

(I know I know... when did it leave, right?)

I have managed to sneak in a few hours of sunning the past few weekends.

I LOVE to lounge in the sunshine and read,

so my Spring thus far has been filled with these books

(so obsessed... do not get me started...)

My lounge chair,

And my laying out MUST HAVES...

followed by...

Hampton Sun has become my go to each summer.

Their sunscreen comes in SPF 15 and 30,

and are perfect for afternoons at the pool or beach.

The After Sun is my WEAKNESS.

I could use it all year.

The smell is FABULOUS,

and leaves your skin feeling AMAZING.

Let's be honest,

Southern girls LOVE having a great tan...

but skin cancer is nooooooo one's friend.

Hampton Sun offers the PERFECT combo of products,

 giving you fabulous color

 all while taking FANTASTIC care of your gorgeous skin.

Let me know your go to summer products,

and your poolside book recommendations!

Happy Spring!!!

LOVE

Happy Valentine's Day!!!

Love.

What an amazing feeling.

But, true and unconditional love?

Mind blowing.

This video made its rounds on facebook several weeks ago,

and in honor of this day of love,

I'm not sure anyone could say it better then this guy...

There are not enough capital letters,

bold fonts,

or exclamation points

to describe how much I LOVE this video.

Hands down,

my favorite quote of my life will be this...

"It's not the love that sustains the promise.

It's the promise that sustains the love."



Happy Valentine's Day!

May you find and cherish true love,

 today and always...

P.S.

Kody Valverde,

I love you more each and every day.

I am so thankful for you and our journey together.

Thank you for making life and marriage

everything it should be and more.

XOXO

Redemption

Kody and I found out last Friday,

that we had the opportunity to go to the National Championship.

And by Sunday night,

I was SUPER emotional.

(shocker, I know)

I was overwhelmed,

feeling so blessed,

and excited

at the opportunity that the following day would bring.

The chance to see my darling Bama,

play for the crystal

at the conclusion of an EXTREMELY emotional
year and season

for my home state and Alma Mater.

Monday came and went
and before we knew it,

we're heading into the Superdome.

I don't have to describe what happened next,

because you all know...

And several hours later,

our boys were National Champions.

Not only were they National Champions,

they did it with a shut out,

and they DOMINATED.

This was the most special football team

I have EVER had the privilege of watching...

they truly are champions.

They love each other,

they love their community,

and they left more of a mark on Tuscaloosa

then ANYone imagined possible.

They truly went through hell,

hell that wasn't self induced by bar fights or suspensions,

real. life. hell.

and they fought it...

and WON.

April 27 FOREVER changed Tuscaloosa,

 as did this team.
The result of one was destruction and devastation,
the other...
redemption.

These guys deserved this conclusion to their season,

this final chapter in their book,

more then anyone in the country...

not only because of their play on the field,

but because their hearts are the biggest and the BEST

in all the land.

 

This time...

the nice guys

 finished

first.

Happpppppy New Year!!!

Happy Happy 2012!!!

I love this quote.

It is on the inside of my perfume box,

Kate Spade's Twirl

(Gotta support my fellow Kappa right?!),

and I think it should be EVERYBODY'S motto for the New Year.

Whether you take it literally,

or let it be a metaphor,

I truly hope this year is filled with moments

of cocktails and confetti

for each and every one of us.

What better way to go through life,

then living like it's the most incredible celebration,

and a giant moment of sheer bliss!

And speaking of celebrations and bliss...

This Bama girl,

who happens to be a Louisiana resident,

is prayyyyyying

that Monday night ends

with a little crystal

and lot of celebration

for my Crimson Tide family.

I truly believe it will be a GREAT game,

between 2 amaaaaaazing teams.

But let's be honest...

I still hope and pray

that my sweet Bama

Beats. The. Crap.

out of LSU

and adds another
National Championship
to our already,
fabbbbulous collection.
No offense to my LSU loves,
I just have a weakness for crystal...

Happy New Year Y'all,
and Rollllll Tide!!!

The Power of Prayer

I had planned on making this big Happy New Year post,

and that still may come,
but today my heart is elsewhere

and heavy.

We received some news yesterday

from some very dear friends,

best friends,

regarding a terrible and tragic loss

that their family has suffered.

Their story is not mine to tell,

but because we love this family

I am begging you to pray for them.

I do not have specific prayer requests for these people.

I feel as though listing things like

comfort, peace, understanding

are far too broad

and far too cliche'

for the prayer that this family is in need of.

I can not wrap my head around their heartache.

I can not understand why this hell,

this tragedy,

is happening to such a special family.

A family that will never be the same.

And because I can't understand,

because none of us understand,

I ask for prayer.

I ask for you to hit your knees right now,

and beg God to wrap his arms around this family,

like only He can.

And Then Came Winter..... Right?

I am confident I should win
the most scattered blog of the year award. 
Goodness.

Last time I was here,
Annabelle was turning the big FIIIIIIVE.
Yikes.

My, has time floooooooown.

Since then,
Kody and I gained a new niece, Lila.
Yayyyyyy!

I turned 28.
Not yay.
Momma Valverde and I have been to Chicago
for a shopping/spa weekend.
Husband Valverde and I went to Vegas for a bolt convention,
aaaand to celebrate the one year anniversary of this FABULOUS occasion.

Kody received the Hall of Fame Award for Athletics

at his high school,

Parkview Baptist.

We spent Thanksgiving in Canada.

aaaaaaand myyyyyyyy Alma Mater,

my sweet Bama

is playing for the National Championship in January!!!

What a Falllllllllll it has been...

Now according to the calendar

it seems we are rapidly approaching Winter...

but doooon't tell Mother Nature

because it feels MUCH more like Spring in South Louisiana.

It's December...

70 degrees and all,

AND

my sweet daddy's birthday...

For which he and my momma

are here in Baton Rouge with Kody and I

to celebrate his day!

What a FAAAAAABULOUS birthday present for all of us!

During this time of year,

there is NOTHING like family...

And speaking of family,

on a much different note...

This sweet little dynamo on the right,

is Mrs. Sharon's 93 year old momma,

Kody's Nana.

Just over 2 weeks ago she suffered a mild stroke,

 that has affected the right side of her body

and parts of her memory.

She was released from the Neuro Hospital this past Tuesday,

and is now back home,

with full time care.

Needless to say,

it has been a hard few weeks.

Nana is such a strong and independent woman.

At 93 years old,

she still lives alone, drives, cooks, gardens...

I could go on and on.

This stroke is attempting to take that independence away,

and has given Nana a harder time then she deserves.

She continues to take baby steps of improvement every day,

and we will continue to love on her

and be her biggest cheerleaders.

Please pray for Nana

as she constantly fights to get better.

Pray for her doctors,

her therapists,

her caregivers,

Mrs. Sharon,

our Uncle Rhett,

and the rest of our family.

We LOVE our Nana,

we love her strength,

and we want her to be able to continue

to live her life to the fullest.

I hope your Fall was as blessed and action packed as ours was,

and that you are enjoying the spirit and happiness of this Christmas season.

While I fully intend on at least ooooooone more 2011 blog,

as crazy and scattered as I can be...

if it DOESN'T happen...

please have a very Merry and Blessed Christmas

and wonderful New Year!!!

XOXO

Five and Fabulous...

My sweet little diva darling,

Annabelle,

turns the big FIVE today...

 If you know me...

then you know this little puppy angel

is the LOVE OF MY LIIIIIIIFE

(outside of Kody, of course...)

I love her far more then I should...

I am wayyyyyy more attached then some would consider healthy...

But Annabelle deserves that much love,

because she has given me that much in return...

 and more.

My sweet girl has been through a LOT with me in her five years.

A lot of change...

a lot of growing up...

a lot of finding myself...

a lot of relocations...

new jobs...

new friends...

new love...

new family...

new beginnings...

Annabelle has been there.

every. single. step. of. the. way.

  

She is my absolute heart,

and is the most amazing and perfect little puppy

that could have ever been put in my life.

She will never be able to fully understand

what a special place she holds in our family...

but I pray,

that somehow and someway

she understands our love and thankfulness for her...

We love you so much Annabelle...

and are so happy that you are OURS!!!

(no matter how much your mean daddy threatens to sell you...)

Happy Happy Birthday

to the most fabulous and precious

puppy I know!!!