Weekend Recap

We could better rename this past weekend "the weekend I did nothing."

I have been going nonstop since about May. 

Literally every weekend I have had to do something.

Go-go-go can really wear on a girl.

And, to be honest.. I am exhausted. 

After one of the hardest weeks [physically and emotionally] I have had in a long time, 

I was so ready for the weekend. 

I woke up Friday to the most perfect running weather for late July.

I mean, 58 degrees? Yes please.

God has a funny way of getting our attention at times, and He used that to do it.

It was in that mile 2 moment that I really just let it go. 

I have been trying so hard to control everything, and I just can't do it. 

No one can. He has every little moment planned out, and I don't even have to worry.

Whether or not I choose to live that way is on me. 

So, enjoying the truth that His mercies are new every morning, 

I just breathed.

Now- onto the happy "to-do" of my weekend.

Friday "day" will be in another post.... it is that awesome.

 I signed Caroline and I up for a blow out and treatment at the salon for Friday Night.

Even though I was really disappointed that my long-time hair dresser wasn't the one that actually did the treatment on my hair, 

it turned out great!

My hair was so soft and healthy-looking!

It was off to Mexican dinner after that.

Saturday the only thing we did was go to the gym, lay around, and make dinner.

I told y'all I did nothing.

It was so great to just rest.

I tried out a new recipe [be on the look out for it].

I marinated some flank steak and chicken, and made fajitas.

Yes, mexican twice in a row. Oh well.

Sunday I put in a few hours of work for a customer that needed my help, 

and then it was off for another chill day. 

Seriously could not have asked for a more relaxing weekend.

It was so nice, I may even plan another.

Have a great week!

 

Weekend Recap

So, since my genius self got herself a little pinched nerve last week,

I have been taking it super easy. 

Friday was BBQ, ice cream, and catching up on our shows. 

Saturday we hung out by the pool, and hung out with our neighbors for a few hours that night.

We have so much in common with them, it's a little crazy.

Sunday I got some Pinspiration, and did a few projects.

I bought this hutch from a girl awhile back, and I finally found a use for it!!

This is just the "I wanna put something on it" phase. 

I cannot wait to really design it this weekend!

The Owl cookie Jar will stay though- it is my Great-Grandmother's, and she had it for 75 years before she gave it to me. (My grandfather is super jealous that she gave it to me.)

 Cue my "I got this straight from Pinterest" project.

But, I love it. 

It really makes our entryway ten times better!

 

 I love the new Jana Kramer single, Love. 

This weekend we hit our 9 month of marriage mark.

I seriously cannot believe time has flown by like it has!!

Now to plan his birthday this Wednesday!!

 

Weekend Recap: We Love America

In light of everything that has happened this past week[see previous post], this weekend was a great reminder that friends and family are what get you by. 

Friday the crew got together and rocked out a 5K in Downtown Nashville. 

 

 

Later, we had a few people over for some grilling and lots of laughter.

 

Saturday we were off to celebrate two sweet friends get married!

They even had an ice cream truck after the ceremony.

 

 

 

It was so great to spend our weekend with such great people! Man, we have some great friends!!

The Brevity of Life

This time last week, I was wishing my cousin, Anna, a Happy Birthday when my dad walks into my office with an awful look on his face. He told me my other cousin (Anna's brother, Cody) had passed away. Immediately I felt a wave of pain. Not Cody. Not at 25 years old. Not on Anna's birthday.

While all of these thoughts were rushing through my mind, I literally could not move. I have experienced my fair share of death. Probably more than you would expect. From my great-grandfather, to my baby cousin, to a friend in high school, to a friend in college, to my uncle last year, and now Cody. I know what to do when someone you love passes away, I have been there all too many times. But this time was different. There was a sting. There was this wave of confusion. I couldn't believe it.

Cody and Anna were like the siblings I never had. They welcomed their little runt cousin in with open arms. Anna did my make up and hair. Cody taught me how to shoot a gun and wrestle. The memories I have with them are some of my favorite.

As I sat in the funeral yesterday, I was surrounded by family. Family that loves each other more than anything on Earth. 700 people went to Cody's visitation. I don't even think I know 700 people. I say that jokingly in a way, but also that speaks volumes to the kind of person he was. He was easily 6'6, weighing probably 300 pounds. He was a stout boy. But he was so gentle and kind. His love for life and his family were evident in everything he did. His hugs were my favorite. His laugh was contagious. We had the same argument every year about Grandma's strawberry cake and who got the left overs. He always let me win. He is the only one that still sits at the kid table with me. He had a heart of gold. I didn't get to see him all the time, but when I did-- it was like nothing ever changed.

The officiant for the funeral read the Dash Poem. He talked about the life in between the birth and death are what matters. And Cody's dash mattered. I thought the whole way home about what my dash would like. I think it's natural to think those things.

When I got out of the funeral, and looked at my phone, I was flooded with thoughtful text messages-- some even as simple as someone saying they are thinking of the family. Even though I could type all day long about how much that meant to me, I will never be able to fully express my gratitude. And it hit me. Life isn't about the people that hurt you, or aren't there when you need them the most. It's not about the drama, the bad days, and the struggles we have. It's not about the friend that doesn't care, or the person that is mean. It isn't about the money, or the house, or the life status, or the fancy things. Life is about making people feel loved, regardless of how you feel in that moment. That is something that Cody always did. No matter what was going on in his life, he was determined to make you feel like you were his best friend, and he did it in the most genuine way. That is the kind of person I want to be. Life is so short. And sometimes, it is really messy and unfair. But at the end of the day, loving people is all that matters.

Wedding Wednesday: Bridesmaids

I am jumping back in to Wedding Wednesday in honor of a friend's wedding this weekend. This post is going to have several parts, so bear with me. I have to make up for my delay somehow, right?!

A lot of us are at the stage in life where we receive the ring pop box, and we get asked to be a bridesmaid. At the time we are probably jumping for joy, super excited for our friend. However, sometimes we feel overwhelmed/confused/broke/etc. Being a bridesmaid and a bride have really helped me understand both roles, and how they can sometimes be frustrating. I wasn't the perfect example of either by any means, but I did learn a lot during the process. So here are a few tips that I have learned along the way, some points I wish I had been better with!

How to be a rocking bridesmaid:

1. Be excited. Wedding planning is stressful. Let your girl know how pumped you are to celebrate with her every now and then. It makes her feel loved in a somewhat stressful time. Whether it is a coffee, random text, or whatever best fits your relationship. 

2. Be honest. This is tricky, and something you have to be constantly aware of. For example, if you can't afford a $250 wedding dress/shoes/hair/makeup/life, that is okay. Chat with your bride about options for paying for it. She chose you for a reason, so she will be willing to work with you. If you think her attitude sucks, talk to her [carefully]. Remind her she has a team here to help her, even if it is just to escape planning and color swatches. 

3. Be there. Don't be the bridesmaid that just shows up on the day of. Be apart of her planning, even if it just adding stamps to envelopes. Wear your neon tutu with pride at that Bachelorette Party because you may not know it now-- but it means the world to her.

4. Be her friend. I think this is the most important one, because it embodies all the ones above. Just because you feel like her minion at times, or you think she has gone total bridezilla... you're still her friend. One she loves dearly. Remember that. And breathe, because one day she will do all the same crazy things for you.

How to be a rocking bride:

1. Be excited. Don't make everything seem so stressful-- it scares your bridesmaids [lol]. Do something random to let them know how much you appreciate them dealing with your crazy self. Something as small as snail mail or a text, let them know that they are your best friends.

2. Be honest. Let them know what you are thinking about their wardrobe or whatever they may have to spend money on. Allow them to have some freedom, even if its only jewelry. Be open with them, and most importantly be receptive when they are open and honest with you. This is your day, and they know that. But, you also want them happy to still be your friend.

3. Be there. Yes, this is your day. But life doesn't stop just because you are getting married. Take time to be intentional with your girls outside of wedding related things. If your friend is crying her eyes out or stressed to the max, probably not the best time to ask about color swatches or dress lengths.

4. Be her friend. Remember between addressing the invites, picking out dresses, and trying on your dress that these girls want to celebrate you, but they also did this because they are your closest friends. So cherish that bond. And make sure they know it. And most importantly-- have fun-- it goes by so, so fast!!