Autumn Bliss

Yesterday, my sister and brother-in-law, and Jordan and I went to a local corn maze/pumpkin patch. This was our second year going, and this year easily trumped last year in numbers and things to do. It felt good to be doing something seasonally appropriate and enjoying the beautiful weather with family. Even though it definitely feels like fall in Texas, it's not quite the same as Ohio. I'm still waiting for the leaves to change! Anyway, I just wanted to post a few pictures from our day yesterday. Enjoy!

DIY Projects

I've always struggled with whether to pay money for cute home decor or flex my creative muscles and create my own decor. The other day, I stumbled upon this sight that gave me so much inspiration. These projects are both doable and reasonably priced! You don't have to be an art teacher to do this on your own, you just have to get off your butt and follow instructions. To do these DIY projects follow the links.
http://www.shanty-2-chic.com/2013/09/dig-chalkboard-sign.html  
 http://www.shanty-2-chic.com/2013/09/diy-frame.html

Cute Stationary and Journals

 

I just absolutely love stationary. It's a must in my life. I mail out letters to friends and family more than I go shopping. It makes me sad to think that most people don't send letters anymore or even use a pen and paper because of technology. Don't get me wrong I love technology, but there is something beautiful about taking the time to show someone you care. Letters don't go away like a text message. It's something you can keep forever. Anyway, all these cute stationary and journals can be found at www.anthropologie.com

Colorado

Here are a few pictures from our family trip to Colorado back in July.

Just Right

Wow, I've definitely neglected my blog in the past few weeks. Busy hardly defines my summer so far. School, work, friends, photography, babysitting, etc. have all filled my time. They are all things I love and learning how to juggle them all is like learning a circus act. So far, though, I have enjoyed every minute of it. With Jordan gone it can get lonely at my place so I've been trying to keep busy and have sleep overs as much as possible. He comes home late tonight and then leaves again in a week to travel with the band Burgundy Road. I'm really proud of him for doing what he loves and being able to make decent money while he does it. That's my dream/goal :) I thought I would post a few random pictures from the past few weeks. Some are of friends and family, some are of me. Hope you enjoy!

Birthday Boy

 

Last Sunday Jordan turned 25. After work on Saturday I came home and surprised him with a strawberry cheesecake (no it was not homemade go ahead go ahead and judge me) and we celebrated with gifts at our house and dinner with family Sunday evening. All I can say is that getting to spend the past three out of twenty five years of this man's life with him has been amazing and I feel so grateful to be apart of it all. Happy Birthday Jordan!! (photos edited in Adobe Lightroom)

Lazy Wednesday

Some days I'm moving so fast and doing so much I forget to slow down and enjoy the simple things. Jordan and I had been really busy for the past few weeks, so this past Wednesday we decided to go to Barnes and Noble, each buy and book and read together. I must be a nerd because buying a book excites me. Jordan, of course, bought a history type book and I bought Persuasion. One of the few Jane Austen books I haven't read. I was looking for an easy read and a break from the constant craziness of school. Anyway, it was much needed. We ate lunch at a little French cafe and then went to Barnes and Noble. Here are a few pictures from our little date.

WRITING

I often wonder why I ever stopped writing. I knew that I loved it even from a really young age. In high school and college I pursued it constantly. It just so happened that I left college early and my life got filled with other things. As everyone knows, life gets busy. I stopped writing. Today, I was looking through some of my old papers from a creative writing class at Spring Arbor University and I relived many of those old stories. I'm so thankful for all that I learned in those early years of college, but I don't want that to be it. Every year I want to be a better creative writer. When I was little people would ask me what I wanted to be when I grew up and even then, I would say a writer (oh and a veterinarian and an astronaut too). Still you get the point.

On a different note, life has been good. Just got home from work and ran into a spider web (awesome). I'm going to post some pictures from the past couple weeks. The first week, mom and dad came to visit Jordan and I and the second week one of my closest friends, Larissa came too. I must say we were pretty spoiled and loved on. I miss them all so much already.

 

ONE OF THOSE MORNINGS

I didn't want to get out of bed either.

LETTERS

I find that it's often the simple things in life that bring the most joy and pleasure. Lately, I've been writing letters. I just got a new stationary set from a really cool place in Austin called Paper Source. I've always loved writing letters and receiving them. These days you see that less and less. Why send a letter when you can email or text? I think there is something beautiful in the simplicity of a letter that you cannot find in an email or text. It's a piece of you that someone can actually touch and feel. Something someone can hold on to. It's a way to creatively let someone know you're thinking about them and you care. My goal is to write more letters.

LIFE'S AN ADVENTURE

So in this past week, I have been realizing that I still have a lot of growing up to do and that's ok. Most people are content to live life simply, work from nine to five, pay off a mortgage, raise two perfect kids, and settle down in the same place for ever. Maybe it comes with age. I suppose someday I'll want that, but for now I'm dreaming of something different. Do we really need to settle down so quickly? Maybe there are places waiting to be discovered, people waiting to be met, and stories waiting to be told. Maybe these gray skies today are making me more contemplative than usual ;) Anyway, here are a few pictures I've taken over the past few weeks. I'm so thankful for the people in my life and am realizing the indescribable value of family.