hello

stripes and strawberries via instagram

Hello, friends.  Sorry for the long absence...again.  I just decided that I would take another step back from the blog to live life without the thought of documenting it.  There has been a lot going on, good and bad, and I simply needed to re-evaluate.  Have you ever needed that? A break?

Truth is, I have really missed blogging.  Every now and again I enjoy reading through my old posts and reminiscing about the fun things we've done.  So far, 2012 is pretty sparse on the online memories.  I have actually taken a very small amount of photos so far this year and I am pretty sad about it.  That definitely needs to change.

So here is to another new start, thanks for sticking around :)

just another sunny afternoon

Last weekend, Jason and I spent some time outdoors enjoying our city.  The weather has been pretty amazing and we have been taking full advantage of it.  The breeze felt fantastic along the Tennessee River and the blooms looked gorgeous against the blue skies.  Of course there were sweets involved - thanks to Groupon we got some yummy fro yo at Top it Off.  It's probably a good thing there is not an ice cream or fro yo place super close to my house...that is definitely my weakness.

a family walk in our neighborhood

Our little family walks through our neighborhood are one of my favorite past times.  

Since we had fabulous weather over the weekend, we ventured out our front door and up the road to soak up the glorious sun.  We even found a perfectly full dandelion puff ball.  I blew it out and made a very special wish.  Don't you just love those things?

a big insta-collage to get you caught up

Once again, I have been gone for a little while from the blogosphere.  It wasn't really my intention to take such an extended vacay from blogging, but life just picked up the pace and didn't leave much room for my poor little blog.  So I have decided to do another quick catch up (see another catch up here):

Noteworthy events that happened while I was away include:

My birthday weekend in Atlanta.

A Hawks vs. Magic basketball game.

A handful of dates with Jason.

Fun times with friends.

A few especially yummy meals (at home and out).

A lot of cuteness from Jack, Tina and Zoey.

And a tornado that hit .1 mile from our house, way too close for comfort.  This is the second time a tornado has come through our area in the last year (see the last time here).  I don't like how Tennessee seems to have become the new tornado alley.  We are thanking God our home was spared.

Thanks for sticking around, friends!  I am going to do my best to keep things up this time :)

let's play a little catch up

It's been a little while, 

so let me catch you up real quick about what's been going on in my life : 

There, all caught up.

life lately, according to instagram

1) Jas and Ryan matching for church.  2) Tina keeping me company while I work in bed.

3) My first attempt at a top knot!  4) Lindsay and I having some fun at the Gap.

5) Jas and Ryan matching...again.  6) The boys at my house call this...art.

7) Getting my hair did by Lindsay.  8) A wonderful day for a picnic with my family.

jack. zoey. tina.

{jack=dog, zoey=white cat, tina=brown cat}

Here is a little glimpse of my furry children and what they've been up to lately.  Laying around, of course.  Someone mentioned once how lucky I was that all my animals got along, and it's so true.  Jack is so gentle with the cats and they pay him back by showing him love.  They make me so proud :)

mini-mexi-date

Most nights I dread the thought of making dinner after work.  Add to that the fact that I usually need to go to the grocery store...picture me running for the hills.  

So when Jas suggested we go to our fave Mexican spot, El Matador, for 99 cent tacos - I was all about it.  Not only did this save me from work week cooking, but it was a great chance to enjoy a mini-date while my brother was at basketball practice.

panera for lunch

Today I met two dear friends for lunch at Panera Bread.

A sandwich and soup was the perfect meal for the cold cold afternoon.

It was really great to catch up with Sarah and Rachel - we all used to work together and I am glad we have all kept in touch.  

Rachel is expecting her first baby and I am so excited for her!  Ever since we all worked together, we had a sort of bet going on who would get preggo first.  I think everyone was betting on me, but Rachel beat me to it!  And now Sarah has a mini-van, so I keep telling her she is next.  Who knows, maybe we will all end up pregnant at the same time - Rachel is due in April, which means there is plenty of time for us to catch up, right? ;)

lately, according to instagram

nutella

Have you ever seen such an amazing snack?

I had not, until Lindsay brought me this special little treat one day.  She is such a great friend.

date night; dinner and a walk

I'm telling you, LivingSocial and Groupon are genius when it comes to date nights!  I have our date nights planned and purchased for like the next two months, no joke.  This particular date night, we used a LivingSocial deal for dinner at Foodworks, one of our fave restaurants that we don't make it to very often.  The weather was amazing, so we enjoyed our meal on the patio and then decided to take a stroll in Renaissance Park afterward.

I just love these special times with my hubby!  Since he has started school, his free time has been very limited. We try to make sure we take time each week to reconnect and spend quality time together.  Married life is grand :)