Family rocks

It's been a great ten or so days with my sister and her husband here in town visiting. I'm sure it's been hard for them as they're transitioning back to the states from China but I really appreciate them taking the time to come hang out with us. Mom and I have had a blast having them here, showing them around our new town, and eating. We do a lot of eating all the time, but enjoy it more when we're all together. Even Dad and Dave were in town for part of their visit so we were ALL together again. It was wonderful.

I'm so lucky to have my mom here full time but it was fun to have a glimpse of what it might be like to have my sister here as well. I'm doing pretty good so far on getting people I love to move down, so I'll keep working on them!

4th with family and friends

This weekend was so.much.fun. It's just what I needed. There's something to be said about being around old friends and family. It's natural, you don't have to try. They can nap on the couch while you do laundry and watch an episode of a show they think is boring. My friend Nicole and her boyfriend flew down last week and stayed with us. It was tons of fun. We ate well, bowled, played tennis, the men folk golfed, and had a lot of pool time at my parents.

For the 4th of July, my parents hosted a pool party/cookout. Everything was delicious and it was a blast to be together. Everyone pitched in with making things and we were all super full by the end of the day.

{me and my momma}

{my sister put this as my iphone wallpaper....it's staying like that}

A lot of us spent most of our time in the pool. We played our own version of horse with the pool basketball hoop. We played USA because it's more patriotic and shorter. Everyone got really creative on how to make their shots. It makes it more difficult that the basketball hoop floats and can go anywhere in the pool.

We were home early enough to shower and relax and take care of Finley. Nicole bought some bottle rockets and sparklers and we had fun setting them off. We saw some fireworks that were set off around our neighborhood but not a massive show of them. It was a great weekend and I'm so thankful for the freedoms we have in our country because of the brave men and women that serve to protect them.

7.4.14

Dear DAD, yay for you being in town!!!! Dear Nicole, I'm so glad you're here! Dear Spaz and Nate, So excited you guys are in town too. Can't wait to hug on ya! Dear Momma, thanks for sitting at our house multiple times this week. You're the best. Dear Best Friend Megan, I'm sad we won't be spending the fourth together this year but I hope you're ready for our tradition of a flag cake. I really brought it this year! Dear Aubrey, I'm so proud of you for starting your personal blog back up. You're amazing and funny and I can't wait to read every day. Dear Friends, you should check out my friend Aubrey's blog The Found Life. She's crazy funny, a talented photographer, and has such a big heart. You'll love her, I swear.Dear friends, I'm doing ok. I still really struggle with our miscarriage and sometimes it hurts so much I don't know what to do. But Dave and I are so strong and so good that I know I can get through this. Just an update that I'm doing much better and the sadness is kept at bay most of the time. I just don't like thinking that people think we're fine and healed, because it's far from the truth, but we're ok. Dear Nicole, I loved sitting in my closet among all my pretty clothes and talking till midnight the other night.

hey you

It's so strange-a nickname. It feels oddly personal, so I refrain from going by it to the outside world. It's homey to be called it-to be known so well by friends that they kind of fall into the family category and with that, pick up on what your family calls you and end up calling you that too. I love when I have my family and close friends around. Lauren isn't really said-it's not my name.
I'm excited to be around such loved ones this weekend where I can slide back into my nickname like a comfy and well worn sweater. It makes me feel loved and known.

With one of my best friends getting in last night and my sister flying in today, and our pool party cook out tomorrow with my family I'm just really excited to be surrounded by loved ones that know me, really know me.

Funnily enough Nicole doesn't call me by my nickname as we met at work in a professional setting. More than 3 years later she still hasn't gotten comfortable with calling me anything but Lauren. I still love her lots though.

{my VERY first instagram pic!}

pinky's out

Sometimes it's fun to get a little dressed up and go out with your Momma for tea. So that's just what we did. Although it was Father's day, Mom and I went out and had ourselves a nice little girl time this past Sunday. We explored a new place in Tampa (the Oxford Exchange) ate wonderful finger sandwiches, scones, and treats, drank tea, and had great conversation.

 

I love having my mom literally minutes away from our house. On Saturday Dave and I were running some errands and what do you know but my Momma in the turning lane about to pass us. We all waved wildly and my heart about burst. I love that random things like that can happen. Feels like home down here, having her nearby. And that's great because this is our home now. I can't wait until my dad is down here with us full time too.

another one

{Dave and his mom on Bayshore Blvd}

I love Florida. I love that my parents live here, that my aunt and uncle bought a house down the street from us, and that I have friends considering moving down here. And now we have our next Florida transplant in Dave's mom! She was here this weekend and we had a lot of fun looking at places, scouting out areas, and spending time together. It's always wonderful to spend time with Dave's family and I love how we get along. I love watching Dave interact with him mom as well. He's such a good man and does whatever he can to take care of his family and the people he cares about.

I snapped the pictures below this weekend as well. Dave is so funny with Finley. I swear these two just adore one another. The way Finley lays on his back with his paws in the air cracks me up and before I knew it there was Dave, on the floor emulating his pose. It was too cute.

 

{what?}

It was such a great weekend with Janet here and we can't wait for her to be back FULL TIME in the Sunshine State!

momma

To the world's greatest mom

 my best friend

 biggest supporter

 number one fan

 and the best influence in my life

 I love you.

March for Babies-we walked!

Every day, thousands of babies are born too soon or very sick. We walked with March for Babies and raised awareness of premature birth and funds for research to find the answers and develop preventions. It was amazing to see the emails come in that people were contributing, especially since I only had 3 days notice of the walk, so thank you to everyone that donated.

card

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saving for a big vaca

Growing up I traveled a lot and often. Granted most people don't have the opportunity I did being an Army brat but my family took full advantage of our assignments and we traveled all over. Since being out of college I haven't done as much international traveling as I would like. After meeting Dave, my traveling settled down even more, our "trips" now were 8 hour drives to his home town to see family and friends. Dave grew up different than I did, not bad, just different. His family would swap destinations every summer-one year they would be in a cabin in beautiful New Hampshire, and the following year they'd be at a timeshare on a gorgeous beach in Florida. As for me, other than summer visits to our family stateside we never really went back to the same place to vacation. I'm all about new places and seeing different parts of the world while my husband prefers these cherished places and I've really come to enjoy them as well.

{The cabin-two years ago vacation}

So naturally-like any good couple-we've come to a compromise. Every other year we'll do his family vacation with his whole extended family at one of their locations (mostly NH if he gets his way-plus we live in Fl now) and then following year we'll do a big vacation-just us-somewhere new.

We already have a running list of places we want to go the first place I want to take Dave is Venice (my favorite city) and then on a Greek Island cruise. It's going to be an expensive trip and I want to pay for a huge chunk of it since Dave take care of basically everything else in our lives.

This is how I'm going to save the $'s:

Change-I have two change jars and I'm going to continue to put my change in there. It's amazing how it adds up
Eating In-No more eating out for lunch, or multiple times a week.
Groceries-only buying groceries we need AND most importantly using the groceries we buy. If we don't it's like throwing money into the trash. Wasteful.
Being THAT person, what do you want for Christmas? Money. What do you want for your birthday? Money. And putting that cold cash into my change jar and hiding it away not in my wallet for spending at Target.
Picking up shifts, I can work more at LOFT instead of just one night a week. Sure, I'll be a little more tired but with the extra money I'll make sure I transfer all of it into my savings account and don't touch it.

Do you have ways you save for an upcoming trip or wish item?

obsessed-my sisters wedding part II

It's midweek friends, just a few more days to get through before the weekend. So in order to inspire you, I'm adding some prettiness to your lives with another (and probably final) recap of my sisters wedding.

I think the reception at any wedding can make or break the entire affair. And this reception was so much fun. The pictures are a little out of order but enjoy anyway.

 

 This does not look like a good toss, however it did make it to one lucky girl in that crowd.

 She had an array of cakes which hopefully made everyone happy. I'm so thankful for Katie P and Nicole that went and ran to multiple bakeries to pick up all of the treats.

 The best DJ ever. He was so helpful throughout the entire planning process and really made the night so much fun!

 Umm I think the beautiful bride is jump rope dancing.....

 We're uber white....we shake each other's arms back and forth as a dance. Sorry America.

 

 I LOVE this picture. It's so fun. I love that my dad is making my sister swing like a pendulum.

 Father of the bride and father of the groom. I think they thought they were in the dance gang the Jets from West Side Story. If not, I'm not sure what the hell they were doing.

The best Matron of Honor speech (if I do say so myself). Just the right amount of shaming the bride, complimenting the couple, praying for their marriage, getting laughs, and choking up juuuuuust enough. Thank God my nerves stayed in check.

The end of the night for the newlyweds. This picture is hilarious, just look at Nate's face. Excitement for the night ahead (blush)? Or did he just realize he got my sister for life!?

Give Thanks

{via}

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! I pray that you're spending it with loved ones, whether that be co-workers, church family, friends, or family. 

Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday, I love being surrounded by family, friends, and amazing food. I also like that it's a time to reflect on everything we're thankful for. I try to do that all year round but I love that everyone else is doing the same and slowing down, looking around, and being grateful for what we have (right before they wake up at the butt crack of dawn to get more things). Keeping with holiday tradition I've compiled a list of what I'm thankful for below.

1. For Dave. He is my everything. I was thinking back to our first Thanksgiving spent together and how there was a question about whether or not I would be around the following year to participate in their family gift exchange. I love the feeling of certainty I have with him now. That no matter what, through the hard times, the FTB (feed the bitch) times, he sticks with me and loves me till we get to the good times again. I'm so very thankful that God made him for me and that we found each other. 

2.For my amazing friends. I am blessed with some of the best friends a girl can have. In life I think if you're really lucky you find people that make you a better person, love you for who you really are, and care for you genuinely. I'm one of the lucky ones because I've found some of these women and not only do I get to share my life with Dave but I get to share it with them as well. No matter the distance, we will always be in each other lives.

3. For family. You find throughout your life that family IS the most important thing. They are there for you when others aren't. They know you through and through. You may have your ups and downs but they love you unconditionally, no matter what. I love the family I was born in to, my parents and wonderful, giving, loving people and my sister is one of my best friends with the biggest heart. I'm also thankful for the family I married into. They are the sweetest, most thoughtful people that can cheer you up with a random text or card. And I'm thankful for the little family unit that Dave and I create just the two of us-three including Finley. 

4. For financial stability. There was a time when I just took this for granted but I am more aware now of our financial situation. I'm thankful that I have a husband that provides and allows me to stay home with our puppy while he needs me. I'm thankful that I don't have to stress about finding a full time job just yet and that I can still buy things that I want and need. I'm so thankful for all that I have and am striving to be more content with the things I do have instead of wishing for more when so many in the world aren't as lucky.

5. For faith in God. Without it we would all be lost. He knows the desires of your heart and He will love and protect you. He is an amazing God and though I forget that sometimes he is always there, arms open, when I return to him. I love that through the storms we weather he is always constant, you can always be sure of his unending love for you. I may break down and get angry at him at times but I know he has a plan for me and my life. It may not echo the desire and plan I have for my own life but his plan is greater. I have faith that the Lord will take care of me and I'm so very thankful for his love.

AND 

I'm so thankful for my best friend Megan, whose birthday is today. Happy Birthday Meg, I love you so very, very much!!!

Family fun

It was a fun past few days having my family in town. It's been great getting to know my future brother-in-law and spending quality time with my sister who I never get to see. It's always interesting how even though we're adults we can revert back to teenagers when we're together at times. Dave is amazing at reminding me to be kind to her (I'm kind of bossy and can get short with her) and love her. For the most part I think we truly really enjoy being together and I feel so blessed to be close to her and have such a great relationship.

{my family}

We spent the past couple of days taking it easy; we went to the beach, walked, talked wedding talk!!!, took family photos, and made delicious dinners together. I'm hoping it was an easy transition for Nate to meet our family. Our family went to the Tampa Aquarium on Friday and had a pretty good time. It wasn't the best aquarium I've ever been too and I probably won't suggest it for friends that come to visit but I'm happy we went to see it. My favorite part was how excited my dad got at the penguin promenade show-he got so close to the penguin that the lady brought around back-it was pretty cool!

It was fun to see how in love my sister and Nate are and how well he compliments her. I'm excited for their future and I know he's going to make a great husband for her.

Happy Monday friends!

Weekend

{pool loungin/me and nicole/dave as abe/look at those guns!}

{cannon, Pennsylvania monument/brothers/my love and I at little round top}

Friday's Letters

Happy Friday! December is tomorrow and I still can't believe how close 2013 is. I'm home sick today trying to recuperate before the weekend and being responsible so I can get all better and let my body rest before infecting people at work. You're welcome co-workers and everyone else. Since I sit at the front I see EVERYONE so really I'm just helping by staying home drinking water, tea, and catching up on Grey's Anatomy.
Now on to my Friday's letters:

Dear Nicole, I love our friendship and I'm so impressed with how strong you are. Even though you may not feel that way at times. You're amazing, try not to forge it.

Dear tea and honey, you're so good to my throat. I love that I get to use honey given to me by a friend at work. He keeps his own bees, how cool is that?!

Dear grump cat, Oh my word how I love your little face. You seem to be everywhere on Pinterest and you seriously crack me up. However, I hope that you are happy and loved and this is just your face. I can't believe I just wrote that. If you watch big bang theory you'll get this meme. 

Dear sick day at home, It sucks to be sick and not feel so great but I'm happy to be able to take off work and take care of myself.  I'm excited to see my mom TONIGHT too so she can take care of me. I don't care how old I get my mom is the best person and really the only one I want when I'm sick.
Dear Dave, just because I said that, doesn't mean you don't take care of me well. It's just not a momma's touch.
Dear Grams, I'm excited to see you this weekend and to celebrate your 80th birthday. It's going to be fun seeing all the family again!

Dear Germany, I miss you. I miss your Christmas markets. I miss your food, your traditions and living there. I can't wait to take Dave there and show him where I grew up. 

Dear movies, I keep talking about going to see you but I'm really going to this week. Whether I have to go alone or not. I have about 4 movies I've got in mind to see. Argo, Anna Karenina, Skyfall, and Life of Pi.  

I hope you all enjoy your weekend!

Gobble

Our Thanksgiving weekend started with a football game at Dave's work. Officers vs enlisted, and again the Officers took the trophy for the fourth year in a row. It was great to meet some of Dave's co-workers and to support him during the game.

me and my stud

The football game was the only thing we had to do before we could get on the road to Dave's hometown of Rochester, NY. We got in in time to go get me a garbage plate before going to his mom's house. Below is what they call a garbage plate, and although it doesn't look so appetizing at first, it's delicious. Home fries, macaroni salad, hamburger, onions, hot sauce, mustard. What's not to love?

Thanksgiving day was spent at Dave's aunt's house with all his aunt's, brother, cousin, girlfriends and some extended family. The  meal was delicious and we're always so happy to be able to spend time with family. It was a quick trip so we could come back home to see one of Dave's best friends and his 14 month old that he had yet to meet. It worked out because we got to see The Harrises twice and they were able to come to our house for dinner. Coming home early allowed us to be able to see my best friend Megan and her husband as well. She's so cute with her pregnant belly! Dave and I also had the time to decorate our house for Christmas....but I'll save that for tomorrow.

 I hope you all had a great Thanksgiving weekend with family and friends.