Joyfully Weary

The last two weekends have been all about family and friends. It's been such a blessing to spend time with people that I love so dearly and who I know have unconditional love for me. My love bank is currently overflowing. Last year my 4 best friends from elementary/middle school and I decided to have a little weekend reunion. We had such an amazing time together that we've made it an annual tradition. We were pretty inseparable until I moved away before eighth grade and then Amanda moved the following year. For a few of us our friendship was sort of a safe haven; a place to be silly and ridiculous. During those silly times we develop quite bond that not even distance and time seems to have shook. I tend to over analyze everything but these ladies can still set my heart at ease. We spent Saturday morning/afternoon exploring Millennium Park and the area around the Magnificent Mile. Then headed to Beadniks  where our friend Andrea works. We spent the evening there catchi...

I've been mentioned a couple times before that we all had the privilege of being a part of Jeremy's littlest sister Emily's wedding ceremony: Jeremy sang, I was a bridesmaid, the boys were ring-bearers, and Little Lady was one of the flower girls. Leading up to the big day I was a little nervous. Since I had my own duties/role I wouldn't be able to make sure the kids were all doing what they were suppose to. Luckily, the kids did amazing and  Jeremy's family were all a huge help - Uncle Colby came to the rescue as usual. Dan and Emily, who are probably the most other-focused couple we know, where also extremely laid back. While the day was beautiful (and important to them) they are/were both wise enough to know that it's the marriage that matters most not the wedding - this made the event fun and relaxing for everyone. Here's some photos from the big day. our immediate family on jeremy's side: us, his parents, his three sisters, their sp...

This weekend is a wedding weekend and to say we are ecstatic is an understatement. Jeremy's youngest sister Emily is the bride and we both agree that she is all sorts of amazing. Thankfully, the groom Dan is pretty great himself - they are a good match! We all get to play roles in the wedding ceremony. Jeremy will be singings a few songs. I am a bridesmaid. The boys are ring-bearers and Little Lady is a one of the flower girls.  We've also helped a bit with some of the pre-wedding prep and one task that was especially fun for Jeremy and I was making the invitations. We made the invitations and programs for our own wedding and when we were dating/newlyweds we made a few for some of friends'.  It had been several years though so it felt like old times getting to be creative in this way with each other again. what's pulled out of the envelope

  A weekly reflection inspired in part by Bob Bennett's song "Small Graces". " these are the small graces, the little moments when the miracles come... they are a reminder to the heart there is more to life than meets the eye... ... sometimes they slip by without notice sometimes they are very hard to see other times it's very clear when they are happening to me"  homemade strawberry shortcake i like my couch neat - decorated with throw pillows and a blanket "casually tossed" over the back of one side. my kids, on the other hand, they prefer the couch this way. it drives makes me a bit crazy.  but this pictures also warms my heart and makes me laugh sweet red-headed nieces  times two *you can see more pictures from there visit, here brother team work... after about the sixth time helping them i told my sweet boys the only way they were getting back on top of the splash pad's giant bal...

Jeremy and I just recently returned from a long weekend trip to NYC. We went for a wedding - it was stunning! And then stayed for a few extra days to celebrate our own anniversary - 8 years!  It was my first time visiting the city and I was very much impressed. One of the memories we'll probably hold most dear is walking through Central Park in the rain - twice, it rained a lot on our trip. We did visit on a sunny day too so I can attest to the fact that it's beautiful all the time, but there was something magical about being in a massive city and strolling through an empty-quiet-green paradise. If you are ever in NYC on a rainy day, head to Central Park - it's like being in your very own fairy tale.  scenes from a deserted central park  We also visited two of the city's museums, the Met and MOMA. I personally preferred the Met. While busy, it didn't feel over crowded like MOMA (we went on Monday too). I also think I may just not be creative eno...