Reminiscent

I remember always being so anxious for time to pass. I could hardly wait for the next stage of life. Whether it was a semester-end, engagement, graduation, marriage... I was always looking forward. Always eager to get to the next step. 

Now, all I can hope is that time would slow down! I am savoring every moment, every stage, every milestone. 

I love our life. I love where we are and what we're doing. I love that we're trying to enjoy every moment. I love that we've got big plans and dreams of places to see and things to do. I'm looking forward to another year of living in the moment. Savoring each day. Being content.

Happy New Year~

Lauren

Joy to the World

Christmas was a whirlwind! 

We made it to about every family event that we could squeeze into the extended weekend. We clocked approximately 1300 miles, 18 hours, 3 states, and countless cities.

All the hugs and laughter were worth it though.

Georgia had a white Christmas for the first time since 1352 (exaggeration) and this is a view of the first few flakes from my Grandmother's 120 year old kitchen window. If she ever sells this house, I plan on looting for its windows, crystal doorknobs, and chandeliers. They're heirlooms, people.

We spent Christmas Eve with my dad's side of the family. I can't remember the last time I've laughed so hard. They are simply good, sweet people. I love that they are "my roots".

This year, we rolled out of bed and opened gifts with my mom and sister. (It was 7 am. No cameras allowed.)

Then headed (back) to my grandmothers for the aforementioned snow flurries and gifts with our favorite little ones:

We hit the road again, this time to Matt's parents house where we had a gift opening marathon (seriously, there was even an intermission) and delicious Christmas dinner. Grady was a sick baby, but still sweet as ever. He (of course) doesn't yet understand the whole "Christmas thing", but I like to think that he's getting used to the idea of Matt and I being his very favorite aunt and uncle in the whole wide world...

It was a cold, snowy drive back to Nashville on Sunday.

But it was a sweet homecoming.

Upon our arrival, I morphed into a madwoman, flying through the house on my broom, piling Christmas decorations into my arms, whisking them away to their vacation home in the attic. Not in a scrooge sort-of-way. Just an "I want my stickin' house back for goodness' sake" sort-of-way.

While I was eager to get back to "normal", I am sad to see such a lovely Christmas season come and go. I can't believe it's over so soon.

But since it is, let's all put money on how soon swimsuits will be out at Target.

Bets, anyone?

Lauren 

Copy Cat

I could no longer resist the mercury glass obsession that's taken over this Christmas. While at the craft store a few weeks ago, I had the option of buying true mercury glass votive holders or creating a look-a-like. I know there must be nothing like the real thing, but I couldn't resist! I'd read an incredible tutorial by Anna on Take the Side Street and I had to try it. 

While I couldn't get her genius vinegar and water mixture to do the trick (operator error, I assure you), I got a very similar look by spraying the water directly on the glass votive before spraying the spray paint. I am very pleased with the result! 

Bonus? They complement by china extraordinarily!

Lauren

Highlights

I've been MIA. But it's Christmas time and I'm soaking up every last drop. 
We tried to fit a lot into one weekend in Georgia, so that we could enjoy a few weekends at home before Christmas. 
We had lunch with our favorite kiddos:


Addie Lou...

and Nolan...

I love watching kids' personalities around their classmates. Addie (to my dismay) has decided that she is a Georgia Tech fan. The little Georgia fan across the table (bless her) said, "Addie, when you come to my house, you're gonna have to like the Georgia Bulldogs!". Addie replied, (very smugly, might I add) "When you come to my house, you're going to be sleeping outside." Love. her. 


We also visited my sweet grandparents. My papa turned 80 the next week and was very very proud. We asked how it felt and he replied, "Well, I'll tell you what. It's been a long trip!"


I had the privilege to see my little sister play basketball! I don't get to see many games and it breaks my heart. We saw her play JV this night and (may I brag?) the next week she got brought up to play Varsity. She's a freshman! I'm so stinkin' proud. 

And she's basically a rockstar. #25!!! (My favorite picture ever)

We headed (even further) south for Giesler Christmas. It's honestly one of my favorite events of the year. I love that family. This is Matt's dad, Aunt Pat, and Uncle Jay. 

Aunt Pat comes in from Kansas City for this every year and it is such a treat. I adore her. 


We logged 850 miles on my poor Lexi that weekend. That's the equivalent of 14 hours. Driving. On the road. In a car. Phew! Good thing it was worth it.


Now, we're finishing up our first weekend at home in a while. And we're snowed in! It is beautiful. 

Funny thing is, there's no milk OR bread to be found in this house. Just call me homemaker-of-the-year.


Lauren

A Tribute

Yesterday was my dad's birthday. He would have been the BIG 5-0! I imagine we would have thrown quite a party for him here, but I'm certain it would hardly compare to the celebration he had yesterday.

This has always been one of my favorite pictures. One, I wish I had that shirt he's wearing. It's awesome huh? Very cool and vintage... (but real vintage, not made-to-look-vintage). Two, I think we resemble a lot here. Don't get me wrong; I am my mother's daughter, but here I see that I'm a perfect mix between her and my dad.


Considering his birthday and Veteran's Day (he was in the Air Force), fall side-by-side, I thought it was the perfect time to honor his memory.


I know from stories that he was thoughtful, kind, generous, a leader, a goofball. I feel like he had a hand in putting so many amazing father-figures in my life so that I never went without, and a special part in choosing Matt for me. After all, Matt is all of those things in more. How blessed I am.

A random favorite:
Matt's wedding band was my dad's. It was a perfect way for Matt and I to feel that we had his blessing, and a quiet way to honor him on our wedding day. I'm certain that my dad would have loved Matt and given Matt his biggest blessing. The bizarre part of it all is that we didn't have to get that ring sized even the slightest bit. My dad had a completely different build than Matt, but that ring fits like a glove. A glove, people!


Missing you today and always, daddy. Happy Birthday!

Halloweeeeeen

Better late than never!
Halloween weekend was fantastic. We attended a highschool football game Friday night, watched the Georgia-Florida game Saturday (boo!) and attended the annual Spooktacular that night! Matt and I actually put some effort into costumes too, which honestly made things much more fun. I wish i had a picture of us as "dodgeball players" last year. Workout clothes with sweatbands. Lame-o.

This year, we went as Katy Perry and Russell Brand, and I swear, had I known that they were married (in real life) just a week before, I would have worn my wedding dress and veil and gotten some more use out of them both. Purple wig and all. Hindsight is 20/20. For those of you that don't know: here are Katy and Russell:



I can't believe how much Matt looked like Russell. Or Slash. Or Lenny Kravitz. Pick one.

Katy and Lady Gaga:

Russell and the Energizer Bunny:

Fun! We also trick-or-treated with some of our favorite kiddos on Sunday night. I got to snuggle with babies both Saturday and Sunday. Call me a happy camper.

Lauren

Subway Art

Check out these seasonal printables!

 

I am in L-O-V-E. I'm really looking forward to matting and framing each of these. That dreamy blue of the winter art may be the only thing that gets me through the cold months of January and February. Mmmm.

That's all for now!
Lauren

Grady's big adventure!

Matt and I were lucky enough to have some visitors in town this last weekend. We dusted off our host & hostess hats and welcomed Matt's parents and sister to Nashville! We had a great time, but let's not forget about the most important guest of all...

We stepped into our "Uncle Matt and Aunt Lala" shoes for Little Man Grady... A lot of sweet moments came with his arrival to Music City.

Lots of lovin' squeezed into a single weekend...

...from his favorite Aunt and Uncle. (at least until he's old enough to decide for himself)

In the meantime, Nashville has been struck with, might I say, PERFECT fall colors and temperatures. We spent Saturday afternoon perusing the sights and sounds of the Farmers' Market.

Beauty, huh? I love where we live. I love that Matt and I are learning to live and thrive in a city away from the "home" we knew, and making a home of our own. I love that we have a beautiful, exciting city to explore and indulge in together. Although we miss our families (especially Grady boo!) dearly, I love the place in which we've been given to thrive in.

Just to end on a good note, I thought I'd share with you a photograph of the most beautiful little puppy in all of Nashville...sitting pretty waiting on Mama to snap a picture.

-Lauren