b/c who doesnt love a christmas tree farm

 

  

 

 Mike and I started a new tradition when we got married - get our Christmas tree from a Christmas tree farm. So this year, after Thanksgiving, my whole family packed up and headed to the closest Christmas tree farm. This was the first holiday I got to spend with my sister and her family (excluding her hubs) in 5 years. It filled my heart with joy to be able to roast a marshmallow with them and for my nephew to ask to hold my hand as we tromped through the trees. I loved seeing him pick out the perfect tree, which was exactly three feet high; and teaching my niece how to pinch something far off in the distance (come on, we all know this trick and see it in pics all the time). Oh and let me tell you, I never knew a hayride could be so funny. No idea why we were cracking up....but we were.

I am beyond grateful for this family. Each moment is worth savoring with these folks.  We won't be together always and soon we'll be divided by an ocean again. But I am grateful for the opportunity to make memories and build relationships that will last a lifetime, even when we're gone.

It's official.

We are officially homeowners. 

And I am officially worn out. We've been packing and prepping for weeks and just spent the last three days hauling, cleaning and painting (ok so my parents did all the painting...). I'm ready to never see cardboard again. One last push tomorrow to get everything moved and then it's all unpacking and decorating. So thankful for our family and friends that have and are helping make this whole thing a lot easier. We'd have died by now without them.... Or spent a lot of money on professionals. 

I am officially over moving. But really excited about what happens next. 

This life

Day 15 of the Blogtember Challenge on Story of My Life -- life lately....

Where to begin.

Life is nothing like it was 6 months ago. 

We've conquered two years of marriage (officially tomorrow).

We haven't been alone in our home for more than 24 hours in over a month. 

I left my job in August. 

We're starting a pizza food truck.

We're (tentatively) 30 days away from being homeowners. 

What?!?!? Six months ago I wouldn't have been able to even put together the most elaborate (yet still reasonable) scenario and it look like this. I feel like I'm jumping from one cliff before reaching the bottom of another. Luckily, I am a slight adrenaline junkie so the rush is only giving me a semi heart attack. On a serious note though, it's been amazing and I feel like we're making moves and big steps towards our future. I've yet to catch my breath but breathing is overrated. 

And for your daily pleasure...Check out my man lookin fly

two moments. one man.

Blogtember Day 6: Describe a distinct moment when your life took a turn. Yup, you're getting exactly what you prob expected

 Two moments. It was five years ago to the month. The night I met Mike. He changed it all for me. I had had my fair share of dysfunctional relationships. All great men but we just weren't right for one another. Until Mike. I remember walking into Raleigh Times (local watering hole) and spotting him in the group I was meeting up with (by group, I mean him and I were playing wingman unknowingly so there were four total). He was cute. Real cute. Then he opened his mouth. He was smart, funny, listened well, engaged in conversation like he enjoyed it not because he was interested in something else. I was pretty impressed. Doesn't take much, does it ;)?

He brings out sides of me I never knew I had. He also keeps me from taking every risk that comes my way. He's my safety net, my encourager, my cheerleader and best friend. I came out of my rut and stopped taking so many blatant wrong turns. It was through our decision to be obedient, that both of our relationships with Christ transformed. That we transformed. Ok seriously, look down. He's such a little cutie!


circa Dec 2008

It was two years ago to the month. I married that man. It was through our commitment of marriage that I've grown closer to Jesus, been challenged to be more like Him, be selfless, forgive, support, encourage, submit, work hard at something, never give up. I've learned more about myself, my intended role as a wife, my Jesus in the past two years than the 24 before that. I've been challenged and feel more alive and excited than ever. I don't know what it is but this spot where I am right now, feels like I've finally found my groove.



Laura Simson Photography

And it all started on a September night at Raleigh Times.

1 Peter 3:1-6
In the same way, you wives, be submissive to your own husbands so that even if any of them are disobedient to the word, they may be won without a word by the behavior of their wives, as they observe your chaste and respectful behavior. And let not your adornment be merely external-- braiding the hair, and wearing gold jewelry, or putting on dresses; but let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the imperishable quality of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in the sight of God. For in this way in former times the holy women also, who hoped in God, used to adorn themselves, being submissive to their own husbands. Thus Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord, and you have become her children if you do what is right without being frightened by any fear.

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12
Two are better than one because they have a good return for their labor. For if either of them falls, the one will lift up his companion. But woe to the one who falls when there is not another to lift him up. Furthermore, if two lie down together they keep warm, but how can one be warm alone? And if one can overpower him who is alone, two can resist him. A cord of three strands is not quickly torn apart.
 
1 Corinthians 13:4-8
Love is patient, love is kind, and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant, does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered, does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails; but if there are gifts of prophecy, they will be done away; if there are tongues, they will cease; if there is knowledge, it will be done away.

have fun

we just got back from a family vacay filled with aunts, uncles, grandparents, cousins, the whole shebang. and I was reminded of what it was like to be a kid - run around sweaty and barefoot for hours on end, being called in by mom for dinner, not a care in the world. Although things have changed {and responsibilities happen}, there's no reason you can't still have fun every single day. choose to be you. choose to love what you have. choose to have fun!

getting used to the transition

Oh, how I miss mornings with you. I'm still getting used to the new job, catching up on stuff from the trip and figuring out my new schedule. I forgot how long it takes to adapt to change.

With that said, I LOVE the new job. Today is the start of day four but every day seems to get better and better. I think it will be a much more challenging job, which is good -- I like giving my brain a workout. But it also has so many other wonderful things about it, like its culture, people, benefits, etc.

I've got more time on my hands now but at different times so I'm just trying to figure out where things fit best. This whole transition has just really reminded me of how blessed I truly am. I think I buried that truth months ago but it is front page news now. P.s. this makes getting up every day so much easier. It's so easy to get caught up and let evil prevail sometimes but it is just not worth it!

Alright, off to day four. Don't worry, I haven't forgotten about Cali either... the pictures are taking much longer than I thought {I may just forgo being picky and any editing}. And, thank you all for your sweet words of encouragement throughout this whole process. You all are such amazing individuals. I am so blessed to have your support and kindness. If I could, I would just squeeze you all to pieces but that might result in a broken computer.

Ciao bellas!

endings and new beginnings

Today was my last day at my old gig, which means tomorrow is the start of a new beginning! I am excited, nervous, sad, happy and all sorts of emotions. Pretty sure excitement is number one though--way up on the top of the list.

As I wrapped everything up today and said my goodbyes, things felt so strange. This is my first 'real' job transition. Don't get me wrong, I had about 10,000 jobs in college but leaving them and moving on wasn't much of anything {plus I liked to have as many jobs at one time as possible}. I just wasn't sure how to feel, what to say or what to expect, I guess. My mom actually referred to me a nomad yesterday when I told her I wasn't sad. I guess that's what happens when you go to four colleges, live in three towns and have 10,000 jobs in seven years. Moving on becomes normal.

But today moving on wasn't normal. It felt sad. My heart broke a little bit as I packed up my things, turned in my keys and said my real goodbyes. I felt human. It was sad but it felt good to miss it. It felt good to think of the things I've learned, the things God has taught me through my experiences. To realize it was just a piece of the puzzle.

 I won't miss my long commutes but I will miss talking to my mom every single day at 5 o'clock for an hour. I will miss my boss always answering things with 'that would be nice' when she wanted you to do something but wasn't going to tell you to do it. I will miss getting to play with crafts and little kid toys {I worked with early childhood education}. I will miss my coworkers and my little desk.

Tomorrow, however, is a brand new adventure. An adventure that I anticipate will be full. Full of new friendships, new experiences,  intensity, laughter, brain boggling predicaments. A new adventure that will stretch my brain and teach me a slew of new things. An adventure I can't wait to begin! AHH I am so excited!

Endings are bittersweet. But new beginnings are too exciting to miss.

Wish me luck ;)!

the big news

Have I made you wait long enough for my big news? Or, have you completely forgotten about it ;)?

So.. my big news is that I finally got a new job! WOO HOO! Some of you are thinking, so what? And, most of you had no idea I was even looking for a new job. And the rest of you, well you were there when I cried on your shoulder about needing a new job and celebrated with me after the big news... so you were in the know.

I needed to keep the entire process on the DL during the search. But I wanted to share it with you all now because having a job and looking for a job has completely consumed all of my time in the past few months. Hence, my absence here and on getting to know you all more through your wonderful blogs. Ugh.. how I've missed catching up on your day, learning something from you or just getting to know a little more about you. But alas, now that I've landed a new job... hopefully life will go back to having much needed free time.

Previously I worked about an hour away. I had made the commute every day for the past 2 years, plus some. It really started to break me after Mike and I got married. I started seeing the precious time I was losing with him. I made it worse too -- I would add up how much I was spending on gas, how much time I was losing by spending in it in my car, etc. etc. There were other things but the commute was the straw that broke the camel's back. I grew bitter, angry, frustrated, hopeless.

BUT.... that time is over. And now I am on my way to a new adventure. One that I anticipate will be exciting yet challenging; will open doors for new friendships; will surround me with lots of intelligent, hard working peeps. And not to rub it in, but they blow bubbles... have a ping pong table... and pop a cold one during the day. AH... I can't wait!

My sweet, sweet friends took me out Saturday to celebrate the exciting news. Mal, Anna and our hubbies ventured out to a somewhat new place in Raleigh called Babylon. The drinks were delicious, the atmosphere was fun and the food was edible but not the greatest. {Their veggie options were slim pickins} The night was so much fun and reminded me how blessed I am to have such wonderful friends and husband in my life -- but that's another blog post for another day! Yay for best friends and awesome husbands!

happy hump day!

Yay for hump day! Only a few more days and then it's the weekend baby!! I have a little secret that I can't wait to share with you guys but I have to wait a little bit longer to leak it -- AND, no, I am not preggers {that's straight at you Lauren}.

In the meantime, here's a recap of last weekend: 

From left to right, top to bottom:

wine night with some of my small group girls -- some that came are missing from the photo {if I haven't mentioned this before. I LOVE THEM!} | maxi skirt that I made via Elle Apparel | my new flowers thanks to Anna | My lovely neighbor & friend Mallory | a goose waiting at Belks {weird but I felt bad for the guy| Cafe Caturra - Gewurztraminer {so yummy!}

Looking back at these pictures I am reminded at how incredibly blessed I am. I have an amazing husband who is selfless, caring, kind, silly, outgoing, sincere and the list goes on. I have a family that is always supportive of the decisions I make, loves me no matter what and talk to me every day as I commute home from work. I have an amazing group of friends. Ones that love me even though I talk in weird voices, talk about farts, smell funny and am often wrong. They challenge me, encourage me and always point me towards the truth.

I can't even begin to describe those relationships... they are pure. amazing. glorifying. If I ever doubt that God has a plan and that God will take care of me, I can easily look around and see those He has blessed me with.