slam on your brakes

A while ago, my high school friend Emily wrote a post about slamming on the brakes.  While reading it, I instantly thought of occasions where I wished I had done exactly that.  You see something interesting on the side of the road and hesitate for just a second and then the opportunity passes by.  

I remember last year while we were driving down to Panama City, we took some back roads and passed by this tiny post office building that was straight out of the olden days - I had never seen anything like it.  I said I wanted to stop, but Jason was hesitant and I didn't press the issue.  So I missed it.  And a year later I am still thinking about what an awesome photo that would have been.  

Needless to say, a few weeks ago when we passed this field of cows, we slammed on the brakes.  I mean, it's not everyday that you see horns like those (unless you are in Texas, I guess).  I am pretty excited about this new motto I have added to my life; it's time to start really living.  Thanks, Emily!

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that time i got all personal and stuff

Trying.

It’s one of those topics that most couples don’t really discuss or announce.  Once you make that decision to take the leap, it sort of remains a secret between you two until you have something real to tell.  That was our thinking, anyway.  And then month after month would go by.  So here we are, a year later and with nothing to tell. 

We have always known that we would like to have a big family.  When we reached the point of being “ready,” we were excited, anxious and scared all at once.  So we began trying to have a baby with high hopes.  We had a little bet going – Jason thought I would be pregnant within three months and I thought it would take longer.  Usually I am always happy to be right, but not so much in this situation. 

I have read that infertility is defined as the failure to conceive after one year of trying.  Two of the scariest words wrapped up in one definition.  Infertility and failure.  Sheesh…way to cut straight to the heart.  I have to say also that I don't totally agree with that definition.  I have not been to see my doctor yet, so our situation has not been officially labeled anything.  We feel it’s too soon to jump to any conclusions.  I try not to worry or think about it too often, but those of you who have been in my place know that is almost an impossible task.

We pray everyday for God’s blessings and still have strong faith that we have great things to come.  We know He has wonderful plans for our future.  Sometimes the waiting is just so hard though, but we will do our best to be patient and remain faithful.  We are still so excited for what the future holds.

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florida, part I

Jason and I hopped on a flight to Florida this past weekend to attend my brother-in-law's high school graduation.  Besides celebrating this special event, we knew we wanted to get in some much needed beach time.  So one morning we decided to sneak off to the sand and have a little ocean-side date.  The beach was nearly empty, and after snapping some photos, we just sat next to each other, talked and enjoyed each other's company as we listened to the waves break on the shore.  

Our lives have been pretty hectic and out of whack for the past month or so.  It was almost as if God gave us this moment to get out of the fast lane and regroup and reconnect as a married couple.  It was truly amazing and incredibly refreshing to have this time.  We even managed to sneak in some beach yoga.  For real.  Just what the doctor ordered.

dad.

Today turned out to be a difficult day. From the moment I got up, I couldn't focus. Choosing my outfit seemed to be an insurmountable task and making a lunch for work was out of the question. There was a constant ball of anxiety in the middle of my chest and I felt as though I could burst into tears at any moment. To be honest, it took me a few hours to realize why I was having such a rough time.  I really didn't think today would hit me this hard; but in reality, even just writing this out is heart breaking. I lost my dad in November 2005 and today would have been his 69th birthday. I miss him.

My brother lost his best friend almost a month ago, and that hit me hard today too. It all just doesn't seem fair. The impossible question of "why?" can be so haunting.  I know there is no satisfying answer out there. Losing someone you love has got to be the hardest thing in life to go through, at least so far in my life it has been.

Grief is a lifelong process. There are highs and lows and thankfully, for me, as time goes on the lows are fewer and far between. I will never, can never, forget those that are now gone. But thankfully it is easier to think of all the good times and be grateful for all the good things that person brought to my life. My dad taught me so many things, and helped to shape me into the responsible woman I am today. I only wish he could see how well I've done, I know he would be proud. I can't wait to see him again one day.

Happy birthday, dad. I love you.

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 :)

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.