Christmas Festivities

 What a joyful and fun filled time of year it has been! I just wish it would have slowed down a bit, as it seemed to come and go so quickly. At least I had the chance to bake (and eat) my fair share of Christmas cookies!

We spent a long weekend in the city and it was so fun and decorated so beautifully! 

I loved celebrating the season with my family. My favorite day of the year has always been Christmas Eve at Grammy's house, made complete by attending the candlelight service at church. 

Merry Christmas, until next year!

Xo,

Christmastime is Here

I am not sure how it is possible that the Christmas is less than 2 weeks away! What a beautiful time of year, full of decorated trees, shiny ornaments, sparkling ribbon, gifts under the tree, and a time of year where there is extra joy and excitement in the air and everywhere you look! 

I have been loving to do Christmas crafts and Christmas baking the past couple weeks. In fact, today my Grammy and I are planning on baking cookies all afternoon and I am looking forward to it so much!

My little family and I have been enjoying driving through all the parks in our area and looking at the Christmas lights, and we went to a Christmas parade too which was so fun!

I pray that this time of year brings extra joy and love to you and your family, and may you remember the true meaning of Christmas: Jesus' birth.  He came as a precious baby, yet He was and is the King of the world. Without Him, there would be no reason for the season or reason for this life.  Thank you Jesus!

Xo,

27 Things to Do

 As mentioned in my previous post, I wanted to make a list of 27 tasks to accomplish during the 27th year of my life! Some might take more time than others, some might be completed in a day, but I love nothing more than making lists to keep me accountable! 

1. Develop and stick to a skin care routine

2. Take vitamins regularly

3. Make a running playlist of my favorite songs

4. Train for and run a 10K

5. Move into our forever home

6. Decorate! 

7. Plant 3 new trees

8. Redo our landscaping

9. Volunteer in the nursery at church

10. Go on a vacation

11. Rid closet of clothes I no longer wear

12. Rid closet of shoes I no longer wear

13. Have a garage sale

14. Make one new recipe a month

15. Find and wear my retainers

16. Get my hair trimmed two times

17. Read 10 books

18. Make a home gym area

19. Don't let little things bother me

20. Celebrate each moment

21. Do more crafts

22. Send one card each month

23. Become a licensed appraiser

24. Send flowers to a friend

25. Try 3 new restaurants

26. Take more pictures of things that make me smile

27. Plant tulips!

Hopefully these all are enjoyable, memorable tasks that bring a smile to my face when I do them!

Xo,

My Birthday!

It's my birthday! I can not believe it honestly, and I don't feel it is possible, but I am SO thankful to God for giving me 27 years of life full of love, joy, blessings, and happiness!

Today has been full of love from my favorite people and friends near and far. One of the reasons I love my birthday so much is because it is so special when people reach out to me to wish me a happy day.

Another reason I enjoy my birthday is because it gives me a chance to reflect on the past year of my life.  I admit, I always get very sentimental and always end up crying on my birthday. It makes me so emotional, but in a good way.

Matthew woke me up this morning with cuddles and the sweetest card and gift, and then after he left for work I ran 2.7 birthday miles, one of my favorite birthday traditions! I took a bubble bath and got ready for the day, then went to visit with my mom before my Grammy took me to lunch! I picked a bouquet of roses, lit every candle in the house, turned on Hallmark, and I am enjoying a relaxing afternoon at home before my family comes over for pizza tonight! 

I am working on a list of 27 things I want to accomplish in this next year of my life and I look forward to sharing it with you soon! 

Xo,

Fall Feels

The time changed on Sunday, and now it gets dark by 5 o'clock each evening. It's only been a few days but whew I feel sleepy as soon as the sun sets! I have been trying to get outside to enjoy the sunshine while it lasts.  One of the perks of this has been looking at all the gorgeous colorful leaves! 

And afternoon coffee has become one of my go to treats, because if I succumb to the nap that always calls my name, I know I won't sleep good that night! 

I shared this photo below on my Instagram the other day with the caption: 

here's to seeking out joy in the waiting, beauty I the ordinary, and hope in unexpected places. 

This is a quote from Morgan Harper Nichols that I found so fitting for my life right now.

In the background of this photo, you can see the tops of two red barns.  These are from the property my husband and I bought from his grandfather.  On this property are the most beautiful trees (that seem ordinary any other time of year), quintessential red barns, a handful of cows, and our adorable home-to-be! It is the cutest farm house that I have always always always loved, even before I knew my now husband. What are the odds that it was in his family and that we would someday get to live there?!

 However, we are currently in the process of remodeling, and I am starting to get really antsy. I keep reminding myself to be patient and that it will all be worth the wait, but I am just so ready to move in and get settled and make our forever home a place full of love and happiness for many many many years to come!

I am constantly having to remind myself to seek out the joy in the waiting. God is helping me be patient, although I really am just so excited! We have been doing a lot of the work ourselves, and our contractor will come to do the finishing work, hopefully soon. My prayer is that we will not run into any surprises or too long of wait times for materials. I keep reminding myself that good things take time! I can't wait to write about this journey of making our house a home.

Xo,

Hello November!

 It's NOVEMBER! My favorite month, not to mention my birth month! I started off the day having coffee with my momma! 

I am so excited for all the fun, food, sweater weather, and blessings this month will bring! 

I am challenging myself to be active every day this month, whether I go for a crisp outdoor run or do a living room workout video! 

I hope your November is off to a great start! 

Xo,

Falling in Love with You

 Fall is here and it is and always will be my favorite time of year! There is something about the cool crisp air, the leaves changing colors, and the cozy cuddly in love feeling all around. 

I am really proud of myself for remembering to water my mums so far this year! They are so gorgeous lately and I am really enjoying them. My pink and white gingham pumpkins turned out pretty cute too!

Happy fall!

Xo,

Wedding of my Dreams

 I can’t believe it! I’m married to the man of my dreams and our spring wedding was oh so dreamy! The day was full of so much love. I never went to forget the all special little details of the day.

My precious bridesmaids and I spent the morning giggling and getting ready at my Grammy’s house. I am so blessed to have such wonderful friends to stand by me on the biggest day of my life!

Doing a first look with my dad was so special. 

I am so glad Matthew and I chose to do a first look as well. It was so nice to have a special time set aside to be together and share our excitement for the day ahead!

Matthew also did a first look with Paisley, and it was absolutely adorable!

We took so many beautiful bridal party and family photos, then it was time for the ceremony!

My dad walked me down a pink peony lined aisle, the preacher gave a beautiful worded message, we spoke our vows to each other, and sealed it with a kiss! 

God is so good for bringing me this amazing man and a beautiful daughter into my life.

And just like that, we were announced Mr. and Mrs. I am so glad we have forever together! 

Our reception was full of blue and white ginger jars and the most gorgeous details!

We were so happy and thankful we got to spend our day surrounded by so much love from friends and family! We danced the night away!

I loved everything about this day!

Meet my new monogram! 

Xo,