Category: Uncategorized

Dear 2019,

You have been tiring already. Between the flu, bronchitis, stomach bugs, ear infections, and just general yuckiness…we are about ready to burn our house down and start over to get rid of the sickness that has been going around. Don’t get me wrong, we are so very blessed that none of this has been life-threatening….but we are ready to start living and not just surviving in 2019!

For this reason we NEEDED a little escape from the ordinary, and we found it in the Land of Enchantment! New Mexico marks state number 44 for me, and what a beauty she was!  Eleanor took her third plane trip and Addie is a seasoned pro. It was a whirlwind trip, like many of our vacations, but it was just what the doctor ordered!

A few highlights from the trip included:

1. SNOW!
2. Meow Wolf Interactive Art Experience
3. Tacos!
4. Green Chile and Pork Stew
5. Tent Rock Monuments
6. Santa Fe’s Artwalk along Canyon Road
7. Madrid
8. Riding along the Turquoise Trail between Santa Fe and Albuquerque
9. The most awesome game library and cafe in Albuquerque

44 down and 6 more to go!

With my word for the year firmly established, I want to focus on the “enough” that I already have. Yes, I am always striving to be and do more…but I don’t want to simply look back at my life and realize that my life is really just full of stuff. At the end of the day, I want to collect hugs, memories, smiles, and laugh lines.

 

So, in keeping with the theme for the year I have challenged myself to the “Not a Stitch new Challenge” (and yes, I did make this up). Here are the ground rules:

1. No new clothing for myself bought new at any online or physical retailer
2. If something is needed, clothing from yard sales or used clothing stores are allowed.
3. Trendy/upscale thrift stores are NOT allowed
4. Planned Exceptions: 1 pair of black flats, 1 pair of new running shoes, shirt from travels to new state or country

In reality, I go back and forth between wanting to dress like Olivia Pope from Scandal to wanting Marie Kondo to take my whole wardrobe out the house in garbage bags. Then I am reminded of Matthew 6:28 – 29. — ²⁸ “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. ²⁹ Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these.

Christ provides, protects, and keeps us. Help me to abide in him.

My word of the year is E N O U G H. In a world of excess I want to remember that I have enough, not just for myself but also to share with others. I want to remember that HE is enough to carry me through every trial. I want to remember than in a world that constantly demands more and more, I am enough. I am a work in progress, but I am exactly where I am supposed to be and I just need to trust HIS process and plan for my life this year.

 

Another year, another bucket list…. 38 items in total. I must be feeling ambitious!

 

1. Create a signature scent
2. Try the Year of Enough: Not a Stitch New Challenge
3. Celebrate 10 wacky holidays
4. Visit 1 new state
5. Visit 1 new country
6. Go zorbing
7. Go hang gliding
8. Try a cupping massage
9. Try Lucia Light Therapy
10. Attend an ariel arts work out class
11. Take a wine 101 course
12. Plan Tokyo Olympics
13. Listen/read 20 books
14. Update will and life insurance
15. Open 529 and savings account for Ella
16. Consider doctoral programs
17. Go non-toxic in the home
18. Keep fresh flowers in the house
19. Try a Tea 365 Challenge
20. Create a Family Crest and Motto
21. Create a family recipe book
22. Read to Addie (3 children’s novels)
23. Go to Harry Potter World
24. Set and maintain family and self-care goals
25. Take a tea sommelier course
26. Go to a stargazing event
27. Train for the 1/2 and marathon
28. Try 10 new foods in the 1,000 Food to Eat Before You Die book
29. Sleep in a tree house
30. Decorate for minor holidays/collect books to read for minor holidays/store them in attic
31. Take the 52 List Challenge
32. Redecorate the master bedroom
33. Get a new tattoo
34. Create a porch oasis
35. Display and curate a tea cup collection
36. Celebrate the 12 Monthaversaries within during our 10th year of marriage
37. Trust in the Lord with all my heart and lean not on my own understanding

2018, you did NOT disappoint. Here a just a few things that happened that were not on the bucket list:

• We welcomed Eleanor into the world, home, and our hearts.
• I saw an all time new number on the scale before Eleanor arrived, but I lost it all again within a few months (whew…).
• Addie turned F I V E!
• Addie had her 1st piano recital and started taking dance lessons again.
• We put up a pool!
• Addie graduated Pre-K 3 from Countryside.
• Waring and I celebrated 9 years of marriage a week after Ella was born.
• I was given the amazing opportunity to transition into the role of Instructional Supervisor at the best high school ever (AKA SEHS).
• Waring finished all of his school counseling coursework and was accepted into his internship at a local high school.
• We booked an international trip for 2019 (Spring Break in Spain!
• I set a bucket list goal to see 2 new states…but hit five total and booked a February trip to see more!

 

• And now for the bucket list update:
  1. Try Float Therapy at Remedy Float in Savannah. This ancient technique has been around for a while, but it involves resting in a water chamber that is filled with one thousands pounds of salt so that it is IMPOSSIBLE to sink. You float in darkness and with complete sensory deprivation. It is supposed to be incredibly relaxing and safe for pregnant women!—-CHECK!!! This experience was AHHH-mazing! February 2018=Self-love in a (salty) tub!
  2. Learn about and try soaping. I have always been interesting in making my own soap and bath products. This year I am going to take a class in Jacksonville from the Studios at Florida School of Holistic Health. In progress: currently we have made lip plumper, lip sticks, all-natural baby care products, and herbal tea blending. AJ and I both have year memberships which expire in February. We didn’t get to go to as many as we would have liked…but there is still a bit more time!
  3. Light a Sky Lantern. NO!!! Why didn’t we do this? I have these….but have never lit them!
  4. Visit 2 New States. I visited Michigan and Colorado last year….so onward to state 39 and 40 this year at least!—CHECK!!! We accomplished this goal in a BIG way on a 4 day road trip. We traveled 31 hours in a car for 2100 miles so that I could mark off not two, but FOUR more states! We went to Arkansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, and Kansas! Whoo hoo….8 more to go!–October 2018: Checked off Wisconsin as well! (Only 7 more to go!)
  5. Create a back porch haven. We recently had a concrete slab poured for our back patio. I can’t wait until the covering is built over the next few weeks and we get to start creating a backyard sanctuary complete with our new grill that Waring’s parent’s bought us for Christmas!—Mid-year update: Aluminum Awning is going up THIS WEEK (July)! Pictures and proper documentation will come soon!–Purchased furniture, a rug, and pillows this week. It is officially coming together. Ella LOVES outside, so I see a lot of back patio sitting in our future. The porch is furnished, but it needs a little TLC and some decor to truly become an oasis. 
  6. Have a healthy labor and baby. Our last labor experience was a bit of a surprise followed by the scariest days of my and Waring’s lives. We are praying for a bit smoother delivery and a healthy baby and mama!—Mid-year update: Eleanor was born on 6-20-2018. We are so in love and have a healthy little girl. Birth story to be posted soon!–She is 6 months now and 100% squishy adorableness. 
  7. Go to Harry Potter World. This has been on the list for a while….at some point it may happen. Okay, so I didn’t do this…again. BUT, guess who is the administrator attending Gradbash this year? This girl! So 2019, look out!
  8. Prepare the house and the nursery for Baby Harvey #2. The future nursery of Harvey Baby #2 is currently our Christmas gift wrapping center/guest room. Now I just need to find out the gender, clean out the room, and search Pinterest for hours.  Just bought the CRIB and some decor! —UPDATE: NURSERY…DONE!
  9. Spring clean before baby. Christmas break normally starts part 1 of my two part spring cleaning, but it has only been completed half-heartedly this year in light of all the busyness we have had. COMPLETED DURING SPRING BREAK!–and more during Christmas break. Honestly, is this ever really done?
  10. Start (and keep) Journaling during Quiet Time. I am notoriously inconsistent with journaling of any kind…but I do find it beneficial. I am off to a good start, now I just need to be STEADFAST. Year end: I wish I could say that I had stayed the course with this one, but with our opposite work schedules and Ella’s late night parties this didn’t happen as frequently at the end of the year as it did in the beginning. 
  11. Take a Blue Ridge escape. Pick a weekend and go! UPDATE: I am officially unable to travel now that I am well into the third trimester, but I think that this Blue Ridge trip will be the perfect fall adventure. Mid-year update: Planning a trip for August to go apple picking!–UPDATE: DONE!!!
  12. Buy a fancy purse. I have been eyeing several lately but I just can’t pull the trigger…..  Well, I haven’t bought a fancy purse yet, but I did buy one pretty sweet looking Kate Spade Backpack to use as Eleanor’s Diaper Bag! Plus, Mariah and I have found the Kate Spade Outlet in Hilton Head Island, SC….so we may start making more frequent visits! Ha! UPDATE: DONE!!! Beautiful and red and I picked it out all by myself with birthday money….so much fun! Year End: My sister and brother in law bought me the perfect gray owl Kate Spade tote that I love for Christmas. YAY!
  13. Find and STICK to a skin care routine. I started researching this last year, but fell a bit short in the execution. Currently loving the Ordinary Skin Care Line from Deciem. Affordable and effective…what is not to love?! April update: I am on my second order of the Ordinary Skin Care. I am in love. My skin feels great and I am branching out to a few more products. So far so good! Year end: Still loving this line. It is so affordable and when I use it consistently my skin feels amazing!
  14. Use Fly-Lady Routines and complete a 30 day Declutter Challenge. I have done Year end: HAHAHAHA um nope!
  15. Start an herb garden. Don’t hate me…but I am not a huge fan of basil. I am kind of obsessed with cilantro, tarragon, and dill though. I love the idea of growing herbs because they don’t take up much space. CHECK! March 2017: Currently growing thyme, mint, and lavender in the kitchen. I can’t wait to take a few pinches off each plant and put them to good use. Right now I am just admiring their beauty! Year end: They died. Next year maybe I should restate the goal to read start AND KEEP an herb garden.
  16. Cook at least one new recipe each month and post pictures of the progress. I don’t know about you, but it seems like we cook the same meals over and over for dinner and it just gets BORING! This year we have deer meat, tons of locally caught shrimp, and frozen fresh picked tomatoes to experiment with for dinner! January: Inside Low Country Boil, Honey Garlic Lime Shrimp, February: Homemade Caesar Dressing, March: Cajun Sausage Skillet, Broccoli Quinoa with Honey Mustard Vinaigrette, Eggroll Bowl, Overnight Oats, Tuna Pasta Salad, Asian Chicken Stirfry. Year end: Okay, so there were no pictures and most of the items were super easy to make, but having this goal did help me to be at least a little bit more intentional. The return from maternity leave saw a sharpe decline of cooking in any form or fashion.
  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

A new season will be upon us shortly, which means… a new seasonal bucket list! Here’s what is (hopefully) coming up over the next few months:

1. Set up an Advent Calendar
2. Make Christmas Treats
3. Decorate Gingerbread Houses
4. Make Footprint Canvases
5. tell the True Story of Christmas to Addie and Ella
6. Celebrate New Years and Make Some New Traditions
7. Post my 2019 Bucket List and Words
8. Make Word/Affirmation Bracelets
9. Begin 2019 Purge of Clutter
10. Read/Listen to 6 Books
11. Florida School of Holistic Health Classes
12. Wine Spectator Course
13. Celebrate 2 Silly Holidays
14. Family Valentine’s Date Night
15. 15 Christmas Movies (Currently at 5)
16. Look at Christmas Lights
17. Create a Family and Personal Vision Board
18. Indoor Campout
19. Make Fireplace S’mores
20. Donate Addie’s Santa Bag Items

 

 

 

Our Fall 2018 has been FULL in the most real, real, way. We have had a blast, been exhausted, and reminded ourselves over and over that “this is life and no one gets second chances,” and that we want to always be people who “choose the bigger life.”

Fall is always crazy, but this year has K.R.A.Z.Y with a capital K!

Fall 2018 Bucket List:

1. Celebrate Addie’s 5th Birthday– DONE!
2. Paint Pumpkins— DONE!
3. Go to Disney World—DONE!
4. Explore 2 new states—-One not two, so 1/2 way!
5. Go Trick or Treating— DONE!
6. Decorate for Fall—DONE!!
7. Make homemade Fall Decorations—DONE!!
8. Create a Thanksgiving Tree– Maybe next year…
9. Finish the Thanksgiving Tablecloth— Well, instead of having an hand embroidered one, I am lowering the bar and going to use fabric pens this year!?!
10. 3rd Annual Friends Giving “C-theme this year”- COUNTRY COOKING, DONE!!!
11. Light a Sky Lantern—UGH…why haven’t I done this yet?!?
12. Go to A Harvest Festival– Ryder’s Ball Fall Festival
13. Take Family Pictures– DONE!!!
14. Go to the Fair— DONE (with Gigi and G-PA)!!!
15. Read/Listen to 6 Books— DONE!!! (Girl, Wash Your Face, The Secret of Happy Families, The Lagom Way, Present Over Perfect, The Achievement Habit, Body Love, The Year of Less, 30-Day Challenges
16. Get to GOAL WEIGHT!!!!—5 to 10 pounds away…but going in the wrong directions due to the holidays
17. Holistic Health Lesson– NOPE.
18. Finish Christmas Shopping–DONE (minus one or two items).
19. Cornmaze– NOPE.
20. Udemy Lesson—NOPE.
21. Relentless pursuit of goals!—Well, this one will continue to be on going, right?!? Life has been a bit crazy with Waring’s school schedule and my recent job change/promotion at work so we are always striving and reaching…but there are always more items to check off.
22. 

Round 1: Pooler Bible Church Trunk or Treat

Costume: Tinkerbell

Partners in Crime: Parker and Rider

 

Round 2: SEHS Pre-K Trick or Treat around Campus

Costume: Ghost

Partners in Crime: Ms. Kate’s Pre-K Class

Round 3: Halloween Night Trunk or Treat at Meldrim United Methodist Church

Costume: Cinderella

Partner in Crime: Bryce

 

How did this happen?!? Waring and I officially have a FIVE YEAR OLD.

No. Words. To. Describe. This. Feeling.

So….what do we do? We have a Moana Party and do to Disney to celebrate!