Dear friends,

I know, I know, it's been ages. But I'm not here to make up for being an awful blogger. I am, however, going to do to my best to entice you to read another blog, Classy Confessions. It belongs to my little sister Megan and I promise it will NOT disappoint. It's full of fabulous fashion and hysterical antics. Believe me, you're missing out if you don't jump on board—just sayin'.

Here's a sneak peek. Now, go on and
check it out!

And if you really miss me (ha ha), be sure to check out Classy Confessions every other Thursday when I'll be guest posting.

Well, that's all for now. (Hopefully) I'll update again soon.

M.

Here We Go Again

Two posts in one day? No I don't have a fever; Yes, I'm feeling just fine. Okay, continuing with the photo diary, it's time for the good stuff. 

On May 2 my beautiful, talented, smart, kind, amazing little sis married her prince charming. She was the most beautiful bride I've ever seen. And I'm not just saying that. Don't believe me? Click here.

At Megan and Andy's rehearsal dinner the night before the big day.

The Gee kids.

Introducing Mr. and Mrs. Phillips!

I told you she was stunning.

Considering this was the way we started the festivities, I'd say everything went smashingly.

At the end of June Chris and I became Ma and Pa Bailey. I grossly underestimated how difficult trekking out East was going to be, but with a pink polkadot pioneer skirt and cute little apron, I made it through. 

At the beginning of July, Mom and Mace came to NYC for 10 days. Yes, TEN days! Macie was competing at NYCDA with The Dance Club. My dad even flew in for a couple of days and stayed with us. We had a blast. And if you haven't seen (or heard of) the huge I'm a Mormon ad campaign going on in NYC, just know it's awesome. Every time I see one of the billboards or plastered subways I want to shout, "Me too!!!" 

Mace and I before the closing night gala. I actually got to sit on the front row because my company sponsors the Critics' Choice awards. I love my job. 

"Look Don't Touch" won Senior Critics' Choice!!

On a SUPER-exciting note, Chris and I are know the proud aunt/uncle to Luke Bryce Bailey!! Jess had him last week (five weeks early) and he's doing awesome. What a champ. Check him out and read the story here. 

Finally, I have some exciting news. (No, no babies). But, I'm running a race in Central Park on September 17! Yep, my super-awesome co-worker talked me into it. It's only a 4-mile race, but that's a lot for someone who NEVER runs. I just really want to get back in shape, and my co-worker is great inspiration. Check out her blog. And donate to the charity she's raising money for before she runs her first marathon in a couple of months. 

Here I am after I finished my first training run this morning. I'm hot stuff (literally), I know. Note to self: Never EVER run at 11:00am in 91 degree heat. Get your butt outta bed, Mike. 

Photo Diary—6 Months Late.

Well, hello. Fancy seeing you here. Yes, I know. It's been ages. Like you expect anything else from us.

 I finally uploaded some photos—We're talking like a year's worth of photos. So, welcome to Chris and Mike's photo diary. Let's start with February through April.


Happy Valentine's Day to us. Roses delivered to my office, candlelight dinner in Bryant Park, fondue... hubba hubba.  

In March we vacationed Will-Smith-old-school style. Ya know, "Party in the city where the heat is on, all night on the beach til the break of dawn. Welcome to MIAMI."  Okay, so maybe it wasn't quite Will Smith style, but it was freakin' awesome. Sunshine in March? Yes, please. 

On March 7th we celebrated Chris's birthday. It was a big one, as in the BIG three zero. We had a not-really-surprised surprise party and ate lots and lots of cake. Chris is awesome. And old. 

Later on in March I flew home to be a bridesmaid in Miss Christy St. Pierre's  Mrs Christy Miller's wedding. She. Was. Stunning. We had a blast partyin' like it was 1999.

Also, while I was home there was a brief, 30-minute period where all my sibs and I were at home with only our parents. No husbands, fiances, girl friends, anything. I love Chris, Andy, and Chantale so much, but it was great rewind about 8 years for bit. 

In April Chris and I flew to Daytona Beach, FL to cheer on Megan and the rest of the Cougarettes at Nationals. They killed it. 

Alright... another post soon. I promise. Like, maybe tonight... Until then, muah!

MADD: Mike Against Drunk Driving

Last night, on her way to pick up my youngest sister Macie, my mom was hit by a drunk driver. The car is totaled—but she walked away without a scratch. The man hit the passenger side. Right where Macie would've been sitting had she been in the car. Tender mercy? I think so.

When I got the message this morning to call my mom, I was walking down the street in NYC. I joked with my co-workers about how parents always freak us out with the "Please call me as soon as you can" messages. But when I heard the words, "I was hit by a drunk driver" my world collapsed. Thank heaven they were followed by, "but I'm okay."

For a few brief seconds seconds I tasted a tragedy. But now I'm relishing in a miracle. From now on I will

love more,

live more,

laugh more,

rejoice more.

I love my family more than words can possibly describe. They are my very best friends—my lifeline. And I don't tell them how wonderful they are enough.

Macie is spunky, smart (She just won the science fair!), and stunningly beautiful.

Megan is compassionate, kind, hilarious, and ken-and-barbie gorgeous.

Andrew is genius smart, determined, and oh-so-handsome.

Chris is understanding, brilliant, sooo funny, and a wonderful husband.

My mom is brimming with love, energy, and life.

My dad is humble, genuine, dedicated, and a man to be revered.


I'm so grateful to have the Lord looking over my family. Believe me, I will not take them for granted again.



{FYI}

My mom is doing great! She's just dealing with a few aches and pains from the seat belt. The man who hit her was an older gentleman who had taken prescriptions drugs and been drinking. Although he felt horrible and apologized profusely, this, unfortunately, isn't his first run in with drunk driving. Please join us in praying for him to get help and overcome this addiction.

Heaven

Dark chocolate ganache-filled cupcakes with raspberry buttercream frosting. Woah dude. I made these for my Young Women today—and they were oh-so-delicious.

I followed this recipe for the cupcakes and ganache. And this one for the frosting.

Just make sure you give yourself lots of time... they're worth it!

Finally

It's pretty awesome to have Thomas S. Monson sign your diploma. Just sayin'.

Sufficiently Humbled

First, let me explain the photo. One of my very favorite co-workers, Jean, sits in the cubicle across from me. There aren't words to explain how awesome he is. Anyway, the missionaries left this on his door, so he decided it was best to return it. Ha ha. But he did make sure to tell me that he always gives them something to drink when they knock before sending them on their merry way. He's the best.

As many of you know, life has been a bit crazy (seriously, what else is new) at the Bailey house these days.

Let's rewind to November.

I was finishing my last two classes at Hunter College and was finally able to see the light at the end of the tunnel. I said to Chris, "Wow, I don't know what I'm going to do with all my free time. It's going to be amazing."

Chris looks up from his email, "By the way, Bishop wants to meet with us this week." Oh no. Nursery Leaders?

Much to my utter astonishment and protests of inadequacy I was called as the Young Women's President of 23 of the most beautiful, talented, sweet, kind, intelligent, spiritual AMAZING girls you will ever meet. (I'm like a proud mother).

I'm not going to say it's been easy, because it hasn't—at all. But it has been worth it. Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would be given this much responsibility at 22. And at first, I wasn't sure I could do it. But now, after almost three months, I have a firm testimony of our Savior's love for us and his willingness to help us in every righteous endeavor. I've been blessed with the most fabulous counselors anyone could ask for, and I know that we're just doing a small part to help these girls grow into strong, stalwart women they have the potential to be.

Now, I don't write about this to make you think I'm some amazing, spiritual giant of a person. Because I'm not. Far from it actually. But I want all of you (the four family members who read this blog) to know that in the Lords hands we can do anything.

In fact, it's funny how the Lord works. He knew that I needed to be pushed to my absolute limits, to feel inadequate, to have to ask others for help. I needed to be humbled.

Since moving to NYC and being surrounded by intelligent, confident, driven women, I've found myself becoming more of a perfectionist and even more ambitious. The problem is that this perfectionism is the selfish kind--not the kind we can and should feel as we draw near to the Savior and become perfected through him. The mentality out here is that you don't need anyone else--if you're a strong woman it's because you accomplished it from your own doing.

But that's not the way our Father intended it to be.

Thus, I needed to be humbled. I'm so grateful to have a knowledge of the gospel. I know that through the Savior I can become my very best self and so much more perfect than I could ever be my own accord.

I'm still striving to be better. To pray sincerely more often. To love others unconditionally (even during my morning commute on a jam-packed subway). To read, ponder and FEAST on the scriptures. And so much more.

But I know I can do it, because I am a daughter of my Heavenly Father who loves me and I love him. And I have promised to stand as a witness of God at all times (even during the morning commute, again), in all things, and in all places.

And guess what? He loves you, too.