6 Months of Marriage

J and I reach 6 months of marriage and celebrated with a few date nights this past weekend. As we were watching the sunset one night, I asked what he had learned about marriage, me, or us within that time. What a great moment to pause, check-in, and see how this sweet marriage thing is going. Since that conversation, I've continued to reflect, aww, laugh, and feel real blessed to walk in marriage with J.

Some of my top reflections include things you'll totally laugh at, and hopefully be encouraged in (wherever you are in your own journey). Enjoy!

Acts of service are our lifelines to each other

I awoke the other morning to my crockpot on the counter. J had taken it down off of the high shelf we typically store it on, and I thought, I love this man. We keep our menu for the week displayed on a chalkboard (planner hearts) and he saw that I planned to use the crockpot that morning so he took the extra time to get it down for me, (a task I usually seek his help with). It was small and it was big, all at the same time. Gosh, it just feels quite nice to be considered, for my needs to be thought of and for those thoughts to be acted upon. Clearly, J and I both have Acts of Service as one of our top Love Languages and I'm so grateful for the way he serves me in that space. These small or big acts go a long way in the Fitzgerald home. 

I do really gross things. 

Several weeks into brushing our teeth together, J said to me, “Baby that is so gross!” Me, unaware of what was gross, proceeded to ask my husband what he meant. He informed me that is was beyond gross that I would rinse the sink out with my hand, as I brushed my teeth, (I’m obsessive about sink cleanliness) and would then proceed to rinse out the toothpaste from my mouth with the same hand. Clearly, he had been watching this rather gross habit of mine for weeks with pure disgust. My germophobe husband continued by telling me about all of the germs that lived in the sink and how I was putting them into my mouth under the goal of “cleaning” out the sink. You could say he had a point. And, I realized that I do kinda gross things, which I am now keenly aware of after sharing intimate living space with another person.

Honeymoon Teeth Brushing

Shared money and financial goals are key

When J and I were engaged we talked to other couples about how they managed their finances and gathered information to help inform us about how we would manage our own. We decided that we would share all of our accounts. To determine how our money would be spent, we created larger financial goals and broke them down into our monthly budget. Every few months, we review our spending to see where we are actually spending and if we are doing well at achieving our budget goals or determine where we need to make adjustments.

In full disclosure, I was nervous about shared budgeting. You know, little Miss Independence over here. Truthfully, I was more nervous about not sharing because I thought it would lead me to me vs. you in decisions or self-protecting. Both are defaults of mine, none of which are helpful. 

I wasn’t sure how I would feel or how we’d manage our different lenses regarding money, but I'd honestly say that this has been one of my favorite parts about marriage. It helped us set priorities for our family, establish long-term goals together, and have discussions prior to spending. We are on the same page when it comes to our spending, and that feels really good. It has provided freedom to give financially where others may need it and support one another in our individual and shared goals. There is great joy in knowing that your partner supports something that is important to you and helps create financial space for your passions and gifts to live. 

Bigger than all of our goals, it helps me (and I think J too) not feel too attached to those numbers in our accounts but to rather view them as gifts we are to steward well.

We should save fruit for the end of the week

I call J a food monster. Bless his heart, I don’t even know how he is so hungry but he sure is. In fairness, he works out a ton thus sustenance is needed. I have to watch myself around him because I should stop eating long before he does. This is not a matching system that will benefit this thirty something/have to work out harder just to maintain body I am in.

I took responsibility for meal planning in our home because I love cooking and testing new recipes. I also eagerly await his response on a new dishes because I seriously love cooking good food for people that they'll enjoy. It's the Southern in me. Seconds = it was good.

I have learned that I am super obsessive about all things in the kitchen, especially how things are organized and even how items are placed into the refrigerator. I'm not sure why. I just like it a certain way. We've also learned to ask before diving into leftovers, or using up something that may have been intended for a dish later in the week. 

And then there is the fruit. We both eat an insane amount of fruit. J will eat it all at the beginning of the week and I like to have a little each day to savor it all week long. So I "gently" give reminders about it lasting all week, and he's sweet so he lets me.

Well, that didn’t go as planned

In marriage counseling we heard a lot about communication. Part of me was like, how much could you have to possibly communicate about something, and then we got married. The answer would be over communicate, in detail, always. Any and all expectations. We have had plenty of moments where one of us had a plan or thoughts about how something would look or go and then it doesn't quite happen like that. Sometimes that leads to a laugh with a, "that's okay" and sometimes it leads to frustration/an argument. However our plans go or don't go, marriage has taught me a whole lot about grace for someone else, communication, and not being too attached to my plan.

It is way better than I expected

I have always been clear about wanting to be a mother. Hands down, no question. Marriage? Eh. I wasn't so sure it was really going to be for me. J wasn't so sure either. Kind of funny how we have been shown differently. Marriage has been and is way better than I expected it to be. My capacity to love J surprises me all the time. And, it is hard to describe, but the unification of two people, the commitment to no other option but choosing to love one another is a game changer. It provides freedom and intimacy in the sweetest ways. I look forward to the ways marriage will continue to surprise me.

This is the best slumber party I’ve ever had

People keep asking me how marriage is going or what I think about being married. My honest response is, it is the best slumber party I've ever had, and it's every day. On our wedding program we stated, "Welcome to our greatest adventure", and that is exactly what the first 6 months have been. The best of days and some hard days, but the greatest adventure with my favorite person.

Wedding dancing captured by our friend, Laura Foote

For the next 6

We are just starting, life will keep delivering stuff, and God will continue to be faithful. There is so much more to experience and I am like a kid on Christmas Eve, full of anticipation and excitement for what is in store for us.

Host a Blind Wine Tasting Party

Last year, two of our colleagues and friends entered into a debate about whether or not the price of the wine determined its quality and tastiness. The conversation resulted in a blind wine tasting party that is now a Fitzgerald tradition. If you enjoy wine, at any price point, I highly encourage you to host your very own blind wine tasting party. You won't be disappointed with the results!

First step is to identify your guest list. This year, we intentionally brought together couples that we keep hoping to connect with but for some reason or another, our schedules do not seem to match up. J and I enjoy bringing together friends from different aspects of lives. It is both fun and an open space for us to truly walk in community with others.

Once you've determined your guest list, you can invite them to bring their favorite bottle of wine. We like to leave it up to guests to choose a white wine or a red wine, and award a prize for each category. You could have folks sign up if you'd like or even assign regions from around the world. There are lots of fun ways to personalize this aspect. Our guests this time around really loved red and we ended up not having a white wine in sight {fine by this red wine lover!}.

Part of my wine love involves the bites to eat that often accompany the sips. Our guests were also asked to bring an appetizer to share. Wine + small bites for dinner. My kind of party, for sure.

For my food contributions, I made a healthier buffalo chicken dip and a baked brie in phyllo cups with a walnut and craisin garnish.

As guests arrived, we invited them to choose a number to attach to their bottle of wine. I found this free printable here.

When the tasting began, each guest received a scorecard to rate the tasting. I like to give a few minutes in between tastings for chatting and preparing for the next sip. As we tasted each wine, we identified the number on the bottle but keep the secret of whose bottle it was and what type of wine it was. For us, it lead to a lot of fun guessing as to who brought it and what type it was.

We prefer to provide mini cups for the tastings and then toss them out each time. You could also provide guests with one glass and a dump bucket if you preferred that. I also recommend some palate cleansing snacks such as: crackers, goldfish, etc. for guests to munch on in between samples.

After all of our tastings were complete, we asked guests to vote for their favorite white wine and favorite red wine. In the case that all of your guests bring one type, liked ours did, have them vote for their top 2. As we announced the top selections, the bottles were revealed! After that, everyone was free to enjoy glasses of any wines they chose.

The winners of our categories took home gift certificates to the newly opened Mini Doughnut Factory, a personal favorite of ours {get the cotton candy one!}.

Of course, decorating for your party is also a fun aspect. Or at least it is for me. A few little pretty things go a long way.

For this party, I used a roll of brown butcher wrapping paper to create a table runner, picked up a fresh tulip plant, and used some thought provoking cocktail napkins to spur on conversation. {I pick up cocktail napkins all the time for this purpose and to be sure that I always have fun ones on hand.} You can use any embellishments you'd like to represent you and add a little fun for your guests.

Write down your own great ideas and invite your friends over for a lovely and lively night with good wine and even better company!

If you're curious about our winners from this year, the favorites were:

Cupcake Black Forest

Dreaming Tree Pinot Noir

Yellow Tail Cabernet Sauvignon

Cheers!

Weekend Staycation

J and I have been married for almost 4 months (I promise to write about that soon!). How has the time flown so quickly?

Since the new year started, we've been busy bees at work and in life, making the transition to marriage and living together. We decided at the beginning of the year to take a day off in March to give us a long weekend together to celebrate our datingversary and reconnect after what we anticipated would be a busy few months. Two days off, no tasks, no lists, and adventures. They were so fun. And, so good for this girl's heart.

If you are in the Tampa Bay area, there are some good finds I suggest. Wherever you are, take a weekend to enjoy your city and get out to explore!

Welcome to our staycation!

We ended work on Thursday and took off in our already packed car to head to the sweet downtown streets of Dunedin for their St. Patrick's Day festival. I've married an Irish man so I anticipate this always being a big holiday in our home. The streets were packed with fellow celebrators. We made our way down to the Downtown Dunedin Deli for a burger (definitely give this spot a try). I know, not very Irish, but the festival surprisingly lacked Irish food so we opted for J's next favorite thing.

We spent the night in Dunedin and dashed out early in the morning for a quick breakfast at the famous Kelly's. A yummy breakfast with lots of pours of coffee is just the perfect start to the day, right?

We spent the rest of the day tucked away at the beach. It was surprisingly chilly for a March day in Florida but when you have your sweetheart and the waves are crashing, what could be wrong. Both of us enjoyed our newest books and soaked up the afternoon. 

Of course, no visit to the beach would be complete without a long walk and lunch picnic. For lunch, we picked up Publix sandwiches/wraps and enjoyed them waterside at a little park J discovered. My husband really likes to ask fun hypothetical questions to get your mind going. Sometimes I don't want to play along, admittedly, but I was glad I did on this day because it led to some sweet life conversations that you just miss out on having in your everyday normal life.

While in Treasure Island, we had to visit our favorite ice cream shop, The Candy Kitchen. Their vanilla ice cream with peanut butter is just unreal. I added a twist this time and also had their mocha chocolate chip. Yep, it was a great choice!

As if this day couldn't get better, we accepted a last minute invite from two of our friends to enjoy pizza and wine at their home. Talk about a great day and wonderful evening. It was a big ole' heart full kind of day. And this is all just Friday!

Saturday morning brought grey skies, late sleeps, movie watching, and pumpkin protein pancakes. When the skies cleared a little, we chanced it and took our bikes out to ride all over Tampa Bay, stopping at city events happening and Irish bars. Our final stop led us back to the place we first began flirting/finally admitting we flirt at The Dubliner. We also had THE best beer ever here.

Let me introduce you to The Cotton Candy: Half Angry Orchard + Half Seadog Blueberry + Fresh Blueberries = the best beer.

Two days of much needed quality time mixed with rest for us both = a pretty great staycation for us.

I anticipate more of these will be in our future so please share any ideas you have done or have come across - we love exploring and new adventures!

{We also learned on Saturday that I need a comfier bike seat for longer rides, insert soreness.}

Happy Monday! I hope you found rest this weekend as well.

{Friday Gratitude}

Dear books, I adore your pages and taking in all of your words. Time spent with you is never wasted. Dear Miss B, thank you for creating a safe space for me to unpack my heart and understand it a bit more. Dear Lauralee and Angie, thankful for a friendship with you that continues to grow as we walk alongside one another in this life. Dear dreamer, take responsibility for those desires and big ideas. Trust the wisdom and understanding you've been given to shepherd them. Dear J, thank you for sharing a walk with me and the space to talk through so many of the things we are learning. Dear bravery, you are a gift that is given to us and while we don't always know why or understand you, I'm sure glad you keep showing up. Dear D & K, I'm grateful that I get to love you, know you and be your sister.

{Friday Gratitude}

Some days I get so caught up in what goal I am working towards or thing I am praying through that I let my thinking and emotions run wild. Those things are often not a real portrayal of my life. Sure there is growth, that sometimes looks difficult, but the reality is that my days are filled with good, an overwhelming amount of good actually. Maybe this is true for many of you too, but sometimes I just need to simmer right down, get out of my head, and live into the sheer beauty running throughout my life. I am spending far less time thinking, analyzing (although it creeps in some days) and resting in gratitude a lot more often, which is a really great place to be.

Happy Friday! Take a moment to relish in what you are grateful for today!

Dear warmth, thank you for returning and allowing some beautiful days outside. Dear Alexis, thank you for filling my Monday with laughter, conversation, and T. Swift's new album. Dear Mal Pal, I so enjoy our roommate chats, had while sitting on my bed, and the opportunity to pour love into each. It may be my favorite moment(s) in living with you. Dear sweet dress, you make a girl feel pretty. I delighted in having pockets all day! Dear Lisa, Skylar, and Kelly, thank you for inviting me into friendship and affirming that red table purchase. Dear beach, you did good things for my heart this week. I needed every minute I spent with you and I'm looking forward to our next date. Dear pollen, you are rough on my allergies this season, but a great reminder of God's beautiful design. Dear new job, you are feeling less new and more like this is exactly where I should be right now. Thank you for letting me take risks with how you look and how we serve campus. Dear big smiles, I love that you reflect how I feel on the inside. It's good to wear you. 

{Celebrate} The Things I Do

A gift that I have been given these past two months has been the space to reconnect with my self-awareness. I have learned that striving to be everything is a fruitless path. It dominates more than your time. Living without boundaries creates negative thoughts, bitterness, and generates behaviors that you don't recognize in yourself. The really great news is that I am neither the rescuer for other people nor all things. We are all created uniquely, by a perfect design, and with purpose. How incredibly freeing to know that we don't have to live everyone else's purpose? We only need to live out our own.

I am really not usually the girl who lacks a sense of self and clarity in purpose, but I was feeling a little like Julia Roberts in Runaway Bride, not knowing how I like to eat my eggs. Before I could start living from that center again, I needed some reflection to connect with what is me and what are the things I am doing for the approval of others. Naturally, I made lists - things I do and don't do.

First up, celebrating the Things I Do:

1. Pursue my relationship with God.
This is the foundation from which everything else is generated. It hasn't always looked that way, I've tried to run from or reject this at times, but it is my first, best, and most important relationship.

2. Appreciate when others help me.
My roommate made my bed the other day and I was so touched she took the time to do that act of kindness. I am the worst at asking for help, but I feel overwhelmed with appreciation when someone does something that adds support to my day.

3. Small, intimate gatherings.
I always try to convince myself that I enjoy shindigs of any size but I actually dislike large parties. I am more authentic when I host or attend more intimate gatherings that allow me to genuinely connect with those in attendance. At larger parties, I can usually be found creating a smaller setting with a group of people.

4. Experiences.
I find happiness in so many moments of my day because I treasure experiences and the process for arriving at them. There isn't much that I don't think of as moment to be savored. Sharing a meal at the table is one of my favorites.

5. Travel.
My wanderlust is serious. There are so many places to explore and people to know. Now, if only my budget could catch up!

6. Alone Time.
I love people and I have a threshold of time for being with people. It is either genetic or a learned behavior from my Momma. Either way, stealing away for a few minutes allows my mind to settle, recharges me, and lets me be present when I engage again.

7. Write.
Letters. Blog Post. Prayers. Lists. Notes. I write it all down. Storytelling fills my heart. I am thrilled when I receive written forms of communication. A used book with an inscription is like candy to me because I imagine story lines involving those people. And, I have a hard time parting with letters and my lectures notes from my favorite classes. Maybe I'll get paid to write someday.

8. Breakfast.
My favorite meal is breakfast. If every Saturday morning involved a leisure moment to sip coffee on the porch and have a full breakfast with people I love, I'd be delighted. I'll sneak in a breakfast experience any chance I get!

9. Nest at Home.
For all of my gallivanting ways, I sure love to be in my home, wherever that may be in the current season of my life. Days where I work on little projects and have leisure time at home (probably in my PJ's) balance me out. I always hope that I create a space where others feel like they are at home when they visit.

10. Learn and pursue work I am passionate about.
There are so many fascinating things out there to be learning about and doing. I wish I had time for all the ways I would serve my community or careers I would pursue. I don't have a master plan for how I want it all to look. My only hope is that I contribute my talents in the ways that I am led to.

11. Vote.
I turned in my voter registration paperwork on my 18th birthday which was the best present. Community and political engagement energize me. I can usually be found beside myself with excitement on election night as the results come in.

12. Invest in my relationships.
I have been blessed with a really great home team to do life with. Each season of my life has been filled with people I am so fortunate to know, love, and be in community with. I treasure these people.

13. Laugh when I cry.
If I start crying, I will also, usually, start laughing. I used to think it was embarrassing, but then I realized that it is a gift to know joy and hope in the midst of hard stuff. I hope that I use it to remain with people in their messiest moments.


When you strip away all of the supposed to's, what are the things that you do which help you to live out your gifts?

Next up? The Things I Don't Do!

What do I avoid praying for?

I had a great conversation recently about fear, admitting the things that we really hope to receive, and how we pray for them. I was asked what it was that I desired most but didn't pray about and without thinking about what my "right" answer should be, I blurted out, "a family". As soon as it came out, I laughed at my own ridiculousness. Seriously, that is the thing I am not praying for? As if God, and everyone who knows me, wouldn't already know that is the answer to that question. Or maybe it isn't as known as I think? So why in all of my time praying am I not asking for it? Maybe my fear of not getting it had gotten in the way of truthfulness or maybe I was scared that God would answer my prayer and then what. My heart is already known but there is great freedom, love, and peacefulness in actually requesting it so that it can be known in a greater way.

As I started to ask for the courage to admit what was on my heart, I began writing because I often find my truest thoughts in that space. A lot of my imagination for writing happens in letter format so I wasn't surprised when without analyzing or questioning, out came this little letter to a future child that I hope to have with a future husband. All unknown and fully honest. And this little letter brought tears to my eyes, not because it said anything profound, but because it came out of the most vulnerable part of my heart.

Even as I am about to hit the publish button, I cringe, hesitating to let you all into this vulnerable space. I decided to share it with all of you anyway, not only to share what is on my heart, but to encourage you to explore those spaces in yourself where you are suppressing requests or feeling fearful.

Dear little one,

I spent almost my whole life hoping that I would someday be entrusted with you. It is taking a long time to grow me and make me ready to be your mom, but we will get there, and I'll still be learning. I might be terrified, by the way, but will arise each day loving and pursuing you, knowing that God will provide what I need to be your mom.

I dream about the possibilities of who you might become and all of the things that I hope we teach you. There is a great big world out there full of people who live, eat, look, and think differently than we do at home. I hope we take you to places where you can learn to love and appreciate people who are like us and those that may seem different. I want you to really know people and be ignited by places and experiences that excite you. I hope that you love learning, discovering, creating, and playing. I hope that you enjoy fun and silly moments that seem small now but will one day be big. I pray that you will never fear for where you will sleep, know hunger, or lack education, but that you have a heart for those that do. I hope that you experience failure so that you learn perfection isn't the goal. On any given day, let the soundtrack to our life be laughter and humility. For the days that we do it all well, there will be many others that one or all of us in this family will miss the mark on loving each other well. At home, we will do love, prayer, service, kindness, apologies, forgiveness, learning, and then more love. I envision that the table will be the centerpiece of our home where we will share meals, life, devotions, and learning. I hope that you have a heart that makes the whole world feel like home. I pray that I trust not in my own expectations but rather in the purpose that has been designed for you, just like my parents did for me. In moments when you aren't sure if you even like us, we will still pursue you, because we are pursued that way. You may grow up to be many things, but I hope that we teach you most about pursuing God and knowing His love which is greater than anything your dad or I could ever give you.

Speaking of your dad, I'm writing you this before this is even close to being a reality, which is probably crazy, but your momma is a dreamer. Blame it on literature. I haven't even said yes to one of the biggest questions I will ever be asked. When I say yes to your dad, I know that my faith will have grown bigger than my trust in him. While I'm sure your dad will ask in a special way with a pretty ring, it matters most that we commit to pursuing a life together that is rooted in faith, love and service. We will be two people who are flawed, perfectly made and full of love for each other. I hope you see and learn from the choices that we make to remain in that love.

While I don't know when you will arrive or if I will ever actually be called mom by you, I'll trust in the plan that is for my life, knowing that it will not have loose ends and all of the chapters will be in the right order.

x.

2014 reflections.

"And now that you don't have to be perfect, you can be good" - John Steinbeck

2014 was a really beautiful, changing, messy, struggling, loving kind of year. Half the time I was basking in the moments of pure joy and happiness and the other half the time I was battling expectations and impossible perfection. All of which led to a pursuit of peacefulness in knowing my freedom and appreciation for the people, opportunities, and moments that are given to me each day to make up my life.

As I am thinking about the new year, and all of the unexpected things it has already brought, I am also reflecting and celebrating all that the previous year held. The truth is, my highlight reel is pretty big and overwhelming in the amount of moments I was keenly aware of love. I'm celebrating these little, big moments now, so I can remind myself each time my mind gets busy as a way to say, "quiet down little mind, rest in truth, be patient", which I know will probably happen about 15 times a day (and those will just be the ones I am aware of). For all that 2015 will hold, I hope to pursue and know love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

Happy 2015! Enjoy some highlights from 2014!

Dates with Momma

Dancing with Justin

NYC with Kerri & Erica

Literacy Nights

Dustin's Graduation

Painting & Life Conversations

New Team

Students

Old Friends

New Friends

x.

renew

Well, it has been almost four months since I last blogged. I have been getting a lot, "why are you writing" questions. Honestly, I appreciate that anyone ever reads what I write or that it creates a space for a shared experience or something to resonate with someone else or maybe it just helps us to keep in touch. While I am uncertain how much longer I will keep Grits & Gravy, I am renewing the space for this little blog in my life for now.

When I kicked off 2013, I did not write down specific goals that would serve as a checklist to mark off. It was a new challenge to myself. I needed some time to discover, and I've been doing that with adventures and even a few bumps. I am feeling a bit overwhelmed in making meaning of all my discoveries but I'm in it, exploring it, working through it, and defining it for myself... certain that you'll be reading about it soon.

Thank you for those of you who have been encouraging me back to the keyboard.

x.

trapeze

 
While in Athens recently for my friend Margaret's Bachelorette Party, we decided to check out a trapeze class at Canopy Studio. I was honestly not quite sure what to expect or if my fear of heights would get the best of me but this class was an absolute blast! As an added bonus, there was a kid party there that day too which meant tutus! So, yes, we absolutely wore those. Our bride to be even got to sport a white one.

Mags and I had wanted to attend a class here when we were graduate students but somehow the time escaped us and we missed out. I am glad that we took advantage of it the second time around because we had such a great time.. and lots of sore muscles. Seriously, this is a great workout.

The class kicked off with some stretching and getting us used to being on the apparatuses. One of the most challenging moves for me, funny enough, was the one of the beginning ones because you had to go backwards. Bless our instructor and Jeff for spotting me so I could get up and through it. There is a reason I was a base in cheerleading. The loss of control thing, especially in the air, is not my strength. Once I got over that, it was a swinging good time.

Some of our bachelorette attendees did a turning spin thing. Although dizzy, they seemed to enjoy the move. My favorite part was at the end because we did a triple transfer. It was so freeing to fly through the air, using your own body strength to get you to the next apparatus.

 

If you are in Athens or there is a studio near you, I highly encourage this experience.

dancing, dinner and cheerios

My past couple of weekends have been so busy that they seem more like I am going away on vacation, complete with a full list of activities, rather than the regular downtime I seek on those off days. I've been loving the time with friends and family though, filling my days off with great experiences and memories made. This past weekend was certainly no exception!

Friday night I set out for a night of dancing to celebrate my friend Jennifer's birthday. We sang along with the band and tore it up on the dance floor. I do not know about any of you but nothing decompresses me more than a good ole' dance party. It was the perfect celebration! She has exciting plans this year with her very own list, which I cannot wait to help her accomplish, and our trip to Greece. Here is to a great adventure this year, Jennifer!

Dancing with the birthday girl!

Saturday night I put away my dancing shoes to enjoy one incredibly delish meal at Grille One Sixteen. Mallory and I decided that rather than be those single people that hate Valentine's Day, we would celebrate our friendship and treat ourselves to one amazing meal. The food and service were impeccable. I had the scallops with grits for supper while Mal enjoyed the Salmon and Shrimp dish served with mashed sweet potatoes. Oh, and the dessert, oh wow! I think I was literally speechless during the amazingness that was happening at our table. First, we ordered coffees which came out in something more like a bowl rather than a the usual petite cup. Perfection. THEN. We ate the smore dessert. Yes, smore dessert. And, let's be honest, I am always trying to eat a smore. This one had peanut butter, chocolate ganache, vanilla ice cream, graham crackers, and marshmallow melted over the top. Really, it was too much for me to process. Still is. All of my favorite things in one dessert. Go and order it.

Happy Belated Valentine's Day!

After two fun filled evenings out, I woke up early on Sunday morning and headed to Orlando for little m's fourth birthday party at the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique in Downtown Disney. The happiest place on Earth is not usually my thing but watching the little munchkin become her very own version of a princess was priceless. I was so happy to have been able to be there to experience it with her. And, of course, I always enjoy the moments I can sneak in with Melissa. The boutique was precious. If you have little ones who love the princes and princesses, this is definitely an experience for them.

Princess Madi Kate and Princess Mackenna

Knight Connor

I have to admit that the best part of the day for me was stealing time away with the kiddos watching cartoons and eating cheerios before we had to get ready to leave. I cherish these little moments with them because one day they will be big kids rushing off to hang out with their friends and not cuddling up on the couch over cheerios with their old Aunt Jessica.

Hanging with the little ones

Little M & Aunt Jessica

Me & Moster

What a memorable weekend it was, full of so many of my favorite people. Let's hope all this fun settles down so I can catch up on my blogging though - a lot to write about!

libra

I might have an abnormal love affair with my zodiac sign, I adore being a libra. The qualities most often associated with my sign are pretty true for me, even some of those less desirable qualities. When I was younger, my friend Laura and I would buy those books that had an entry for each day with your horoscope prediction. You know, before the internet when you had to buy books.

We would spend hours devouring that book while walking up and down our dirt road or locked away in our bedrooms. Laura and I would try to figure out what would happen in our lives and read each other passages. When things came to light, we would be excited and freaked out all at the same time. To this day, I still have a fascination with it all. I read my yearly horoscope prediction and pop in to get an annual reading from a family friend. Some of you may think this is crazy or sacrilegious but I remain intrigued.

{the positives}

{some less desirable, some I like}

You have read along as I have had a good bit of growth and development in my life: personally, professionally, and most certainly in my perspective on romantic relationships. As I read my yearly horoscope prediction for 2013, I felt comforted to know that there are some rewards coming my way for all of the hard work I have done these past several years. I did not need a horoscope to tell me that, my instincts are keenly aware, but it was sure nice to see it in black and white (true to my libra self).

My favorite passage stated,

"You have had enough lessons in love and commitment to last you a lifetime. Now you're ready to put those lessons to the test by pursuing your true calling and passion. No longer will you be satisfied with simply scratching the surface of life. You're prepared to go as deep as necessary to create something of lasting value. You want nothing less than the truth, and nothing short of profound meaning." ~ Courtesy of Shine from Yahoo

Hmm sounds like some of the things I have been writing about. If only an ounce of it is accurate, I'm in for what is sure to be a year full of some exciting things.

I welcome it all.

happy 2013

As I've been thinking about this year ahead, I was stumped to identify specific goals that I wanted to achieve. I'm a goal setting queen but this year I just could not bring myself to set a list of things to accomplish in my personal life. I kept thinking about what experiences I wanted more of and how I just wanted to embrace the unknown in the midst of what is sure to be another busy year, or so my calendar already indicates.

"Be comfortable with your restless nature. Choose not to be settled."

~ Alexandra Stoddard,  You Are Your Choices ~

I took a yoga class Thursday night, followed by a bath with a hot cup of tea and piece of dark chocolate. Bless that little Dove candy because inside of that wrapper was the statement, "renew your sense of discovery". That was it. So simple. A list of things to accomplish did not appeal to me but intentionally thinking about experiences I wanted more of, and that those could lead to new discoveries seemed to be right where my heart was/is.

This year, I hope to have more.... bubble baths, candles, stationary to write notes, hours to devour books, evenings on the yoga mat, afternoons in coffee shops, uncontrollable laughter, smores by campfire, days on the water, long runs, food that warms my soul, learning, plane rides to fulfill my wanderlust, questions to feed my curious mind, people to meet, evenings that turn into morning, appreciation, and sobremesa, which in Spanish refers to the richness of the experience people have together over a meal.

Happy 2013! Let the discoveries begin. x.

"Funny thing about joy, is that you only really find it when you 

are too busy having fun to go looking for it"

~ Leigh, Standley, Curly Girl Design ~

Adventures of 2012

Whew, this has been quite the year. I hardly even know where to begin to reflect upon 2012. I kicked off the year with goals to challenge myself to grow in new ways but this year has exceeded expectations. I'm ending the year feeling confident and settled in the woman that I have become, in love with the life that I have created, and so incredibly thankful for everything that has brought me to this point. I spent much of the year gearing up for thirty, an age which I am already enjoying beyond measure.

Life is full, happy, and blessed.

Thank you for reading along throughout my adventures, here are a few of my highlights from 2012:

Took a trip to NYC to visit Kathryn

Had some terrific reflections on who I am

 Chronicled my dating life, well some of it

Met a boy who got me off the bench 

And thinking about what I'd really like someday

Had many first time adventures with Mallory

Traveled back to Arkansas for a visit

Reconnected with my girls

Traveled to Greenville, SC for E and Matt's wedding

Tea Party with Little M

Saw the play version of To Kill A Mockingbird

Spent lots of good time with the family

Enjoyed being a tourist in my own town

Celebrated special people in my life

Welcomed my new little love, Lilly Ruth, into the world

Went rock climbing

Had lots of fun with the Chi O Tampa Alumnae Chapter

Ran 3 5k races!

Learned how to decorate cookies like a pro

Went paddle boarding
Read some great books

Had lots of good life conversations with my Momma

Traveled home for Lauralee's 30th Birthday!

Celebrated baby brother Kyle's 21st birthday

Took off on a sailboat

Made a trip to Texas for Thanksgiving
And got to visit with Mags

Traveled to Pennsylvania for Steve and Sam's wedding

Met my fitness goals

Wrapped up my twenties

Rang in my 30th Birthday at the beach weekend with all my pals

Visited Morg and Chris in their new home in Georgia

Ran the Color Run - happiest 5k on the planet

While I have loved every minute of this year, I am looking forward to quiet time this winter break (bonus of being an educator) and spending the holidays with my cheerleaders, family and close friends.

Up next I will be rocking the wedding circuit celebrating the marriages of my close friends, completing a 10k and taking off to Greece! I am sure there will be lots of unexpected treasures in 2013 so I am looking forward to all of the adventures that await me. Until then!

Philly

I traveled to Pennsylvania for a wedding in a small town outside of Philadelphia. Our friend, Reeba, was working in Philly so we  decided to spend the first night of our trip exploring the city before heading to the wedding.

Jeff, Travis and I arrived on Friday afternoon and wandered the city while Reebs finished up working. We found this fabulous little coffee shop, Caffeination, where I had the most delish watermelon juice icey. It was killer (and no sugar added)!

After refueling on caffeine, the next logical step was to have happy hour and appetizers at Mix Brick Pizza across the street. They had great drink specials and some fantastic hummus. We especially enjoyed their patio area and being able to take in the city outdoors.

After a fun afternoon exploring, we joined Reebs and her friends for bowling at Lucky Strike and sushi. Definitely not a bad way to spend an evening.

One of the things that I love about a city is the unique things you find tucked away on some street. On this visit, we came across a wall that had "Before I die I want to ____" written on it and spaces for people to fill in the blank. Obviously, we had to stop to partake in this!

Some people wrote crude things but for the people who wrote something real, it was inspiring to see what others hoped to experience or accomplish in their lives. I just loved this!

The next morning, we had brunch at Devil's Alley Bar and Grill. The food was amazing and I topped off my brunch with pomegranate sangria. Yes, that drink was amazing! For breakfast, I enjoyed my old faithful favorite, two eggs with bacon, potatoes, and toast. I know that you should try something out of the ordinary while on vacation but I always have the same breakfast, can not help it.

We could not leave Philly without climbing the Rocky steps so we made our way there with more caffeine in hand. Bonus that I got to add a Philly Starbucks mug to my collection!

Rocky!

The famous steps

Great view of the city from up there

We certainly made the most of the 24 hours we spent in the city but I have to put this on my list of places to visit again because I need more time to explore and, of course, feed my inner foodie.

Capitol building at night

Thanks again to Reebs for being such a great hostess!