Ain't I Lucky

Caught these two sleeping soundly on the couch one evening. Aren't I a lucky gal?

Summer Reading because Winter is Coming

This summer, I had very high hopes. I didn't have a big test to study for, I didn't have any plans except that I was going to read, every weekend.  This was evident in my highly ambitious summer reading pin board.

And I did, on Saturdays I pulled out a few old beach towels and set up in the backyard to get some tan and do some reading. 

Yet, somehow, I just finished. I just finished reading about 5500 pages of tiny print, and it only took 6 months. 

The "game of thrones" series, more accurately know as "A song of Ice and Fire" is every fantasy book lover's dream come true. If you're like me, you were pretty bummed when the HP and LOTR books and then movies ended. Where am I supposed to get my fantasy fix? Well this is it. This series gives you wizardry, dragons, epic battles, truly abominable characters that far outnumber the noble ones, and ice zombies, to name a few. The only issue, is that it actually takes forever to read them.

Granted, as fall fell and winter came (a sort of GoT reference), I became more distracted by new series on Netflix, and it really cut into my reading time. But I felt very determined to finish by Christmas, and by golly I almost made it.

Now I'm in search for the next thing on my reading list. Any suggestions?

I choose Joy

Around the blog world, and the whole world, there's been a lot of resolve today. A day where we dream up the biggest and brightest ideas for how to change this year or how to improve this year. 

Friends, I need change, and I need improvement.

I spent my NYE in a dump, and most of this day in a dump. Our move to Nashville was, without a doubt, the best move for us, but it was a special night like this to make me miss everything I had in our old town. Namely, A group of friends who I knew were having a great time together, and I was here, with no one but a husband and a dog. 

Wait a second...

I am here with an amazing husband who loves me more everyday, reminds me that I am beautiful while my body is spiraling out of control, and constantly points me back to Christ.  I am here with a dog who has the best puppy eyes, loves to cuddle, and is a gal's best friend.

So why the heck am I down?

The answer is simple.  I am lonely. Despite meeting friends at work and church i haven't quite made it in there. Haven't quite connected yet.

The answer is easy.  I am scared. In 6 months (exactly) I will be a mom. I'll be a mom with debt. I'll be a mom with a small apartment. I'll be a mom who's never been a mom before. 

I'll be a mom with a husband to raise a child by her side. I'll be a mom with a roof over my head, air conditioning to keep the baby cool or warm, running water to keep baby clean.  I'll be a mom.

So this year, I choose to have Joy.

I choose to turn back to my blessings, to remind myself of all that I have when I deserve none of it. I choose to be thankful. 

I'm going to fail. I'm going to get low. I'm going to have days when all I want to do is think on everything I can't have. And I'm going to cry. But this year, I want to choose, in these moments, to be joyful for what I have.

A clean 2013

Since we came back from Johnson City on Wednesday, my days have been filled up with a lot of cleaning and organizing.

We found a filing cabinet for $5 at the local Goodwill, and I've been putting it to good use, filling it with tax records, bills, and all that other stuff that just has to go in a filing cabinet.

I've almost got that last, yes one last box, unpacked from our move in June. It's just been sitting there for months, saying all those things that unpacked boxes say. However, now I have a new "donate" box that is also saying rude things to me.

And since we've, for now anyway, decided to probably stay put in our one-bedroom basement apartment until summer, I've listed some rarely used furniture on craigslist.

Even Dillan got into the cleaning mode and let me wash his favorite plushies.

How are you prepping for the big 20-13? 

Spoiler Alert!

Last week I did something I told everyone I wouldn't do. I wanted to keep our ideas for baby names a secret. But scrolling through a list of "unusual" names I found it. The one. (or did I...)

Jedi. Little baby Jedi. And it's still biblical (short for Jedidiah)!

So in the effort to keep everyone guessing (or am I...) on what baby name will be. Here's a little mood board for baby Jedi's nursery.

1. Bubble bed would be the perfect crib for a baby meant to save the galaxy.

2. This "stupid creature" looks like something you might run into on a mission.

3. An educational book. Baby might be full of midi-chlorians, but it'll have to learn something.

4. Because everyone should know onesie.

5. Inspirational artwork for the nursery.

6. Squishy pillow because even a warrior should be comfy sometimes.

about 5 weeks ago

sweater: target
skirt: old navy, many years ago (similar)
shoes: consignment (similar)

I bought a sweater. A sweater that was so rad that I could not help but indulge myself in it despite the fact that in a few more months I wouldn't be able to wear it.

And then I went crazy and I bought lipstick. I know it was one of my resolutions but I thought I was doing really great by wearing a pink every once in a while. 

And then I totally lost it and made Nathan take pictures 10 minutes after waking up.

Hooray, a scarf!

I knew I had to have a snood, or infinity scarf if you will, for this winter. I also knew that I had the exact colors (possibly my favorite colors to wear) that I wanted in my knitting box.

Yes, a gray and white striped scarf! Just what I've always wanted. I play around a lot with the pattern. I mean striped can mean alot of things. Do I want little stripes or big honkin' stripes. At first I knit and purled consecutively, then purled knit in the next color block, but this made the scarf zig-zaggy in profile and I just wasn't digging it. 

So I decided to knit every line and rotate colors every 2 - which was the only possibility since I was using 2 needles (instead of circulars).

Yes, I do have a white and gray comforter...

It was pretty slow going. I knit in the car and at Nathan's shows. I knit mostly while watching Revenge on Netflix. And finally, yesterday, I finished! And I basically haven't taken it off since. 

And just to emphasize my gray and white strip problem...Triple Whammy!

Well that was nice

I've wanted to write. Honestly I have. When we announced our news to the digital world, I was completely overcome by all of the kind words and well wishes. Seriously, after a few weeks of feeling overwhelmed, scared, and alone, all of the congratulations changed my perspective immediately, and I can honestly say that I am excited about being pregnant, becoming a parent, and yes even giving birth.

But despite all the warmth we received, I just didn't feel motivated to say anything here in my digital corner. I have been perfectly content watching Revenge on netflix and taking 40 minute long steaming hot shower every night before I go to bed. At 9... 

Oh, and not doing any chores. Like ever. 

So all that to say, I'm back, and I feel a commitment and an energy to blog. So thanks for sticking around readers.

And you - anonymous follower - you don't have to be shy! But if you want to be that's okay too. Just wanted you to know I see you (sort of).

Happy weekend.