Our trip to New England and Canada, part 2

Here are the rest of the pictures from our trip, if you're interested...

sister sister

And... she's back! Just for a few weeks to celebrate Christmas. Welcome back to the motherland!

Catch up on her last few months in London, here.

Hope your holidays are warm and special as family comes together and love is shared!

xo

forever 8

Happy Birthday to this dude, who is forever 8 years old in all of our minds (sorry bro, guess that comes with being the baby!). But for now, we will wish you a Happy 17th Birthday just to humor you ;) Love to you and your colorful shorts, witty 'tude, and curious mind

xoxo

holland, like the country

Missing my sissy today. She's been in London for about a month now. I'm still so proud of her, but my heart reaches out to her as she continues to learn and navigate her new life. Keep trekking, Holla!!! Here's to you for keeping a smile on your face through it all :)

happy trails!

Today marks the beginning of a one year journey that my sister is taking to LONDON! Ever since I can remember, she has loved all things British- books and authors, tv shows and movies... way before it was "cool." It's all paying off and she is now given the chance to live it out and learn first hand about the culture she has always loved. I am so proud of you, Holland. 

As the oldest sister, it's weird to watch your siblings venture off into territory unchartered by yourself. You become accustomed to paving the way, learning things first and passing them on to your younger brothers and sisters, always having your hand in making sure things are set up just as great or better than when you first experienced it. It's hard to know I can't do that for Holland this time, but I'm thrilled for her to experience and discover it all for herself on her own.

Naturally, I'm also jealous of all the cold weather she will be in! So over this heat! And she's been struggling with making all her boots and jackets fit into her suitcase! Lucky girl ;)

I love you and am so excited to hear of all of both the thrilling and the challenging as you develop yourself and come to know God in an even greater way. 

Anyone been to London and have any tips for her?

If you want to follow her trip, check out her (hilarious) blog, Stories with Bears.

xoxoxo

Happy Birthday, Mama!

Happiest of birthdays to my mama- who has the tenderest of hearts, the perfect sense of humor, and is a total knockout. I am happy to claim that she gave me her legs and her eyes (along with a few other "assets"...), and I hope one day to see within me her humble wisdom and compassionate spirit. 

Babe. Even in prime 80's fashion.

She's so funny, she landed herself on the popular website "When Parents Text"! 

She also knows how to make some pretty cute babies :)

Happy Birthday, Mom! We love you.

xoxo

the little piece of heaven

What was your summer routine when you were growing up? Both of my brothers are at camp this week, and it seems that with each summer that passes I miss it just a little more. I was able to be a part of camp for 16 years, and after 5 years of full time counseling and with marriage on the horizon, I was ready to call it quits. Now, as I see my brother spending his summers as a full time counselor, I am reminded of the sense of family amongst campers, counselors, and workers, and the beauty in the calm of each morning before the crazy begins.

I also miss the time away from the world, with some of my best friends just a cabin away. After the directors of 20+ years stepped down and a new couple took their place, the next generation has risen to call camp their home. They've created a new space, with new trends and personalities and activities. But the same will be true for everyone- a safe haven to connect with God and grow to love Him more deeply. 

And one more memory just for fun... ;)

xo

two new adventurers

Guess where my two baby brothers are visiting this week??!.... INDIA! They left Saturday and I have been a worried and weepy big sister ever since. They have never truly been out of the country (sorry boys, family vacation to Cancun in 2007 does NOT count), and I just feel so proud of my little world explorers. They are with a group that is implementing a kids camp for the week, and you can follow their blog updates here. 

Grayson in the middle, riding the bus to the camp in Chennai

Jacob on the left, waiting in the airport with two of his teammates

Have you ever been to India? It is definitely on my list of top 5 places I want to visit asap, including Israel and the United Arab Emirates. After browsing through pictures on Pinterest, I am experiencing some serious wanderlust. For real, if you need a "daydream" break, simply search "India" on Pinterest. The beauty and energy is unbelievable. 

P.S. I've heard some hilarious stories about the Indian monkeys...

P.P.S. What a chic elephant! :)

P.P.P.S. (last one, I promise.) HA! Reminds me of Haiti...

xo

Image Source: 1. Painted Elephants // 2. Grayson and Friends // 3. Jacob and Friends //  4. Rainbow Door // 5.  Baby Elephant // 6. Looking into the Blue

the gift it is to be a nanny

Last week I said goodbye to 4 little people who have stolen my heart. When I started spending every day with them back in November, I didn't view this temporary situation as one that would grab hold of me so deeply. Now, 5-6 months later, my heart has grown bigger and my love deeper...

happy birthday daddy!

Happy happy birthday to you, dad! You are special and oh so loved :)

To all- what are your plans for the weekend? We are sleeping over at our new apartment for the first time tonight, so we will be unpacking and probably eating out. Tomorrow we will participate in our first Atlanta festival as locals! Wishing all of our friends in Athens a happy Twilight weekend- sad to miss out! Have a lovely weekend.

Summer's right around the corner- 180 Homemade Popsicle Recipes to keep you cool.

Some of these are spot on.

Do you ever run late? :)

Earth is always interesting...

Great hair.

Eating clean? Here are some quick snack ideas.

Something we all need to remember.

Would you recognize your family member?

Facebook knows everything (!)

Warm weather means more bugs.

We are officially moved in- finally time to decorate ;)

How precious is little pre-teen daddy?

Have a good one!

xo

two decades later...

Happiest of birthdays to this stud, who turns 20 today…

You are one of my best and most loyal friends, and you make me laugh and fill my heart with joy!

There'd be a hole in my life without you, my brother!

xoxo

All, have a wonderful weekend.. enjoy this lovely weather :)

lamb loves fox

Check out this darling blog I stumbled upon recently. She takes the most beautiful photographs of her children, as she documents a year in their lives- or at least, that was the original plan. It seems she has decided to carry on the habit even now that the year has ended :) So sweet! But when every photograph is this amazing, how does she ever chose which ones to print & frame?! 

P.S. I'm obsessed with her daughter's blonde curls… what a beauty!!

xo

celebrating 25 years

On this day, exactly a quarter of a century ago, these two young people became parents! Since then, they have been the most loyal and supportive people to all 4 (+1) of their children. I love you, mom and dad. Happy "We Became Parents" Day to Y-O-U!!! Thank you for teaching and loving me throughout my 25 years. Thank you, especially, for holding that hair bow in place with maple syrup, because now I have a weird story to go with this awkward family photo. It seems you've also filled my life with humor and unforgettable memories :)

I loved you with your big hair, and I will love you when you have no hair :) … and all the time in between.

you're the best xoxo

homemade gifts

Do you get crafty when giving gifts to loved ones? Homemade gifts tend to be cheaper, but at the same time, the most precious. With the recent passing of both my dad's brother and father, I wanted to make something for him that could honor them and remind him of the good memories. I thought of making coasters like these, but after seeing the plethora of coasters that my parents have in their basement, I decided to take a more traditional route and just frame a few pictures. 

My dad's two older brothers- Chuck and Hank in PopPop's old football gear

To keep a common theme, I collected and made copies of old photographs of my dad, grandfather (PopPop), and two uncles playing different sports in their youth. I also scripted a sports-related Vince Lombardi quote- I wanted the gift to not be too emotional, but still sentimental. 

PopPop in high school

The most fun part was looking through all of my grandmother's (Grammy) photo albums and imagining what life was like back then, and what my family members might have been like as kids and teenagers. I may have grabbed a couple pictures for myself :) She has so many wonderful photographs; I told her that I call dibs on inheriting them all on day ;) I absolutely love (any) old photographs, and having them be of my dashing PopPop makes them even more amazing. 

baby dad and his two big brothers, Chuck and Hank

PopPop in high school

such handsome and wonderful men- my PopPop and Uncle Hank

xoxo

saying goodbye

Friday morning, at the age of 82, my Poppop left this present world. This past year has been a long, hard battle both for him and his family, and while his passing brings mourning and sadness, it also brings peace- because he was a good man who loved the Lord and led his family to do so, and because he is no longer trapped in a old, dying body. I am filled with sincere joy as I imagine being able to see him again one day, but for who he truly is, in a body that is alive and strong. 

There is a photo from when I was about 5 or 6 of him teaching me to rollerblade, hand in hand, our backs to the camera. We reenacted the shot at our wedding, and they will always be framed side by side in whichever house Andrew and I call home. He was a special man who loved his grandkids deeply.

I am so proud of this family for their resilience and strength over the last couple of months. With the recent passing of Uncle Hank, and now PopPop, we've shared some really tough moments; it will be tough for a while. But I am filled with more love for each of the 17 (now 18, with A), and already feel even more bonded and connected to them. Man, it is good to have a wonderful family!

Along with 9 (plus Andrew) grandkids, 2 sons, and 3 daughters-in-law, Poppop leaves behind his beloved bride of 63 years. The left picture is of their wedding day, and the right was taken just a week ago. They remained by each other's sides and shared the deepest love right into his death, and I believe even death can't take that love away; it will cross right over into eternity with him. I have been so impressed by Grammy and her faithfulness to God, constantly clinging to His promises and striving for peace that passes understanding.

My good friend, Gayle, also had her grandmother pass away this weekend. Her and I have shared and bonded over some similar life moments, transitions, and feelings this year. Please be praying for her and her family as well as they reflect on and rejoice over a life well lived, and mourn the loss of her presence.

It is such a good gift to have family that we can love- I think the sadness and how much we miss our loved ones only reveals how deep and special the love really is. I am so grateful because it means I have people to love and to love me back. 

The memories I will hold onto are:

-Every year up until about 9th grade, begging and going with Poppop and Dad to the golf course the day after Thanksgiving just so I could drive the golf cart.

-Poppop telling me, whenever he got a hair cut, that he got into a fight with a lawn mower. 

-His infamous "25 by 85" speech (wanting 25 people in our family by the time he is 85. There are currently 18, so we've got 3 years to contribute another 7 ;) )

-At every holiday event, we all had to spend at least an hour doing karaoke, which he would record on cassette tapes, and then play back and listen to (on his own) immediately after our jam session, while we were all still there...

-The feeling of his big, tough, weathered, wrinkly, veiny hands and how to me, he always smelled of listerine and cologne

"Soon we'll reach the shining river, soon our pilgrimage will cease, soon our happy hearts will quiver with the melody of peace…"

xo

First 3 images by Gracie Blue Photography