moving

I wish that moving was my excuse for the lack of blogging, but it's been about two months since this happened! 

I can tell you a bit about our experience, though. 

For advice on moving across the country, I found this post helpful. 

Zack and I were packing up our rooms at our parents' houses, a storage unit, lots of stuff from our parents' garage and basement, and WEDDING GIFTS. We each came at this from different angles and with different attitudes (lessons on marriage. . .). It totally stressed me out to pack from five different places and try to get everything to one place. I think we're about 85% there now. Truthfully, now that I have a well equipped kitchen all to myself to share with Zack, and my clothes live here, I'm pretty content with the move.    

Unfortunately, Dan didn't go with us that time. He stayed with my parents until a few weeks later, when we returned, rented a UHaul trailer, and made another trip. Actually, both of our pets came with us that time, but that's another story. 

This guy was my passenger on the 7+ hour drive. I am so thankful that Zack drove the truck! We rented a 26 foot Penske truck, which was the size recommended for 5-7 rooms, and it was the right size for us. We packed most of the furniture we would need for a four bedroom house in that size truck. We've purchased a few things since we moved in, but as you can see, there was some extra room, had we had all of our furniture. 

Zack did an awesome job piling things up to make sure we had room. He and his dad loaded the furniture. They worked so hard!!! We hired movers on the back end of the move, thank goodness. 

Homeowners! Newlyweds! Are we crazy?! 

One of the first things I unpacked were my "snake boots" -- absolute essentials for taking the dog out or for living in a new place with unfamiliar fauna. 

Speaking of which, this is the snake Zack found in our neighborhood. I was at home wondering what was taking him so long when he FaceTimed me to show me THIS. 

I joke that our house is a mix of antiques, college boys apartment, and sorority house. That 32" TV seemed huge in my college apartment bedroom . . . not so much in our living room. 

Dan finally got here, but we had to wait a while to get our fence completed. We went back to the days of the "umbilical cord" as I tied him around my waist to do things around the house and yard. 

After two months in our house, we are still getting settled. Right after our move, people asked me often, "are you all moved in?" or "are you all settled?" and I would usually laugh. It made me feel better when most of them commented "we've been in our house two years and still have boxes," etc. 

Earlier today I was reading the Bible and meditating, and suddenly, I felt thankful for the process. There are some bare spots, and I don't like many of the plants in our yard, but I'm looking forward to gardening. Many of our things are still in boxes, but we get to decide where we want to put them. There will always be things we need, things to get rid of, things to clean, and things to organize. Living with someone else and making decisions together is a challenge--one that is growing us, as we merge our lives. It's easy to complain that I want things done, but maybe I'm forgetting that the process itself is rewarding. I will have to pray that I remember to enjoy it! 

Though I'm not rushing, I look forward to having pictures on our walls and a room without boxes, and I do plan to share more of our hand me down style home then. 

bridal portraits with Dan

This is the end of the bridal portraits, promise. Several people asked me along the way if Dan would be in the wedding. The wedding packet for the church says that animals aren't allowed to be there, and everything on our wedding day took place at the church. I decided the best time for Dan to get involved would be during bridal portraits. 

Zack's dad took the responsibility of watching Dan and bringing him to the second location where we took pictures. That was so generous of him, and he was an awesome handler! 

Dan has been my best pal since before Zack and I were dating, and he's been by my side as I've spent countless hours at the computer planning the wedding. He's right beside me while I type this post. 

He loves Zack almost as much as he loves me, which is exactly how it should be. 

I'm so thankful that Zack loves me AND my dog. I'm also thankful for this woman's best friend! 

all photos by Krista Joy Photography

bridal shower outfit

I haven't done an outfit post in months, so I figured I may as well take a few photos while I was dressed for my bridal shower. These days I pretty much live in barre clothes. More bridal event outfits forthcoming . . . 

I decided to go the traditional route in a white dress and simple accessories. 

Zack and I got to visit with so many of our family members and friends this weekend. I am blown away by all of the people who support us and all of the gifts we received. 

I didn't give him any input with the registry sooooooo he gave us this face. He has no idea what's coming! 

hand me down earrings from Granny // Trina Turk dress // Jack Rogers sandals

thankful Thursday: outdoors

Today, I'm thankful for the warmer weather. Dan and I have gotten to walk and sit on the front porch more often, and I even painted my nails outside. Warmer temperatures and sun just make me happy. 

Even when it's been a tad hot during my work day, I'm so thankful for my new car and its nice, cold air conditioning.

LuLaRoe Julia dress

I learned about LuLaRoe a few months ago from my friend Julie, who sells the brand. 

LuLaRoe clothing is "simply comfortable," modest, unique, and affordable. 

I've worn my Julia dress to work and to church. The leggings are great for barre class, and I've enjoyed wearing my Irma tunic all kinds of ways; it's professional enough for work and comfortable enough for barre or lounging around the house. 

I'm hosting a LuLaRoe clothing party on January 8 and would love for any of my local friends to come over and shop! 

Loren Hope Palmer necklace in crystal // HMD sweater from Granny // LuLaRoe Julia dress // Loren Hope Carson bracelet // J. Crew tights // Kenneth Cole Reaction pumps

Thanksgiving 2014

Naturally, Thanksgiving is a time to think about what we are thankful for. The first place my mind goes is to my family and friends. Relationships matter, and I have so many good ones. 

This year I'm particularly thankful for the new men in my life -- both two legged and four legged. I wanted a dog who is an excellent companion, who would be loyal to me and follow me everywhere, and I got that in Dan. He spends his whole life just trying to be a good dog for me. 

I wasn't even looking for a man this year; in fact, I was trying my best not to catch a man, but if I had to design the perfect match for me, I couldn't have dreamed up one any better than Zack. 

All of these good gifts (James 1:17) are evidence of God's grace on me. I don't deserve any good thing, but He gives more and more. I hope that in plenty or in want, I will continue to be content (Philippians 4:11-13) because I belong to the Lord. 

My salvation is the greatest gift that I am most thankful for. I fail daily, but Jesus has already lived the perfect life that I cannot attain. He has already forgiven every sin of mine, and he gives abundant life (John 10:10), with the promise of glory. When people disappoint me, when my body fails, when someone is upset with me, when I'm broken up, all is not lost. He is still good. 

Molly Beads earrings, gift from Z // J. Crew shirt // HMD sweater from Granny // Barbour utility wax jacket // GiGi New York all in one bag // Hunter wellies

pumpkin week

This week entailed a lot of pumpkins and fall pretties in general. After a rough day on Monday, Zack made it all better with lots of surprises, including picking out pumpkins. We took our parents a few tiny pumpkins and chose two similar larger pumpkins to carve with our friends. 

We learned a bit about carving pumpkins with children. A child may spend 90% of the time meticulously cleaning out the inside of the pumpkin and 10% drawing a face for you to carve. He may spend 99% of the time drawing tiny black marker lines all over the pumpkin then 1% of the time asking you to cut out a beard (where even is the face?). Each child has his own personality, and they are never boring. How much richer of an experience than just carving my own *perfect* pumpkin at home! I love that my small group includes children. 

Oh yes, these flowers! Hydrangeas are not in season this time of year, but I suppose any flower can be bought for a price, and they are my favorite. I am spoiled, and they made my Monday afternoon so much better. 

Sometime in the last few weeks, Zack found this paleo pumpkin pie recipe and brought over the ingredients for us to make together. I finally got around to making it on Wednesday. It was fairly simple and a decent substitute for the real thing. (Check out the pumpkin muffins that I made last year here.)

I whipped up some cream and sweetened it with honey to make a paleo topping for our paleo pie. My pup sure enjoyed licking the whisk. 

What pumpkin treats have you made this year? How are you celebrating fall? 

fall garden transition

A few weeks ago, I transitioned my garden for fall weather. 

I pulled up my Hillbilly tomato vine (that never produced fruit) and cucumber vines. After a few weeks of high yield in August, the cucumbers dwindled. 

I pulled weeds, tilled the soil, and made rows for seeds. 

The snow peas are already sprouting, and spinach should be next. 

I kept okra and Better Boy tomatoes at least for a few more weeks, rosemary, and thyme.

What should I plant next for the winter months? 

four months with Dan

Once upon a time, Dan came to live with me as a foster dog. He was underweight and sick and going through treatments. He was also recovering from being neutered. His coat was light brown. 

Dan followed me everywhere I went, and we became best buds. He learned to stay in his invisible fence. After another round of treatments, I finally got to adopt Dan. He still had to be inactive for another month. 

Dan loved attention and often jumped on people, counters, doors, etc. He got plenty of Busy Buddys full of peanut butter to keep him occupied while he wasn't allowed to run, which also helped him put on weight. He ate everything everywhere, including on the counters. He shed his light brown coat and turned a darker brown, but his fur was still soft, so Mom continued to pet him. 

Dan began a home manners class and leash walking class. When the vet said his inactive time was over, he and I started going on walks every day. She also told me that I needed to feed him more, and he started gaining more weight. Dan's behavior improved when he had exercise. He learned to "heel" and only to pee on everything when I give him the "release" command. Amazing! Dan sits and waits for his food now. He sits and waits to go through doorways. He even sits and waits to get in the car, and he LOVES to get in the car. He can lay down and "leave it" on the ground. Dan is eager to please. 

My grandmother says that Dan looks like he is somebody now. 

He still steals cucumbers. The other night, he gently carried a possum to me on the front porch. It gave me hope for a future of hunting. 

Dan graduated from his home manners class this weekend. I only signed him up for the first set of classes because I honestly couldn't imagine him even getting to where he is now. He has learned and improved so much! 

I am so pleased with Dan's behavior and so happy that he is healthy. Look at him watching his person even while I'm not paying him attention. 

My dog is awesome. 

I am thankful for my family helping me out tremendously with him. Having Dan has taught me about commitment, (letting go of) control, and accepting help. He is a handful, but he is a sweet, soft, lovable handful.