Bye, Bye, Miss American Summer

The last glimpses of summer.....

a family pool party, a trip to St. Louis, a play date with my nephews

Summer is ending here. School begins in less than 72 hours and I am anxious about this year, it's my last year. I don't know if this anxiety is normal or not, but I am freaking out about it. I keep saying 9 months until I graduate, if I graduate, if i make it. It's going to be a tough year, I am gearing up for the rough waves ahead. 

new couch in our living room, the brown will go in media room eventually

why didn't I put the handle down,,,arg!

jumpin' and dreamin'

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Motto of 29

As I had mentioned before, my 29th year is all about savoring moments together with family, friends, and all others in whom I come in contact with. I don't want to miss being in the moment. I want to be all in no matter what it is I am doing this year. Its like a year long celebration of a decade of my life. You may think I am crazy but it means a lot to me. I love life and sometimes I forget to live it. I am too wrapped up in things that don't matter, worries, and anxieties that drag me down from having the JOY that I am freely given by being a child of God. I am currently reading Radical by David Platt it is sooo good. It has me thinking a lot about how I live my life and what matters most. It truly fits in with my motto of my year: Savor. I also came across a devotional book called Savor and I am excited to purchase it asap. I know I had seen this floating around like a year ago but God put it in my path for this year and that just gets me pumped because he is guiding me at all times, every step of the way and he will provide. God and I together we are going to Savor this year like no other. It's Saturday and I am going to make some Zucchini bread, and some of the most amazing peanut butter cookies that a friend gave me the recipe to. They are the best Peanut Butter Cookies in all the land, 100% truth. I also prepared a home made lasagna yesterday that is waiting in the fridge to be baked for dinner tonight, hopefully I can get the hubby to eat Alfresco with me tonight. Summer is fading too fast and we need to... get this,Savor these last summer nights together outside on our porch.

pictures gathered from my Pinterest boards, click on over to my boards to see more inspiration

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throwback Henry and Nicole's sprinkle

First of all I absolutely love hosting a party. I love the decor and the planning. I love crafting with my people. I love my people and loving on them means throwing cute little parties whenever you have something to celebrate.
I also love babies and showers for babies. Every babe is a miracle born inside a mother's womb and so their arrival deserves to be announced and showered with love.

Nicole is my sister-in-law, but can we just subtract the in-law because thats so formal and thats not me. I love her as my sister, period. She is beautiful on the inside and out. She is an amazingly good mommy to her three boys (Samuel, William, and now Henry). Her mothering is so worthy of praise, she loves her boys and the intricate detail in which she cares for each of them in their own ways, puts me in awe of her. I love her and who she is so much. I love her mothering skills and am thankful I have her to look up to and go to when I have my own babes, so much so that I try to talk her into being my go to baby-sitter after there born. I would find so much comfort knowing she would be watching and caring for my babes just as she does her own. So, Nicole if you ever read this please take me up on my offer, wink wink!

Henry, oh Henry the first time I saw you and held you, my heart became full. Your so sweet and your hair is just awesomely cute. I didn't get to see your brothers like the way I got to see you, and that stinks, but all is well, wounds are healed and God knows what he is doing through and through. I am so thankful for relationships now and forever more. You are precious and I felt kind of like Elizabeth did when she saw Mary, holding you made something inside me leap for joy, praying for God to place a miracle babe in my womb one day, someday soon, please Jesus, please.

I held the shower at my house with the help of Mama, Rae,Debbie, Shelley and her sisters. My brother, Aaron kept the suspense going and I think him for that. Surprises are my favorite.

Nicole's mom Debbie makes amazing cakes

heart is full

family

the oldest and the middle

Henry with GG Carter

Carter family lil peanut 

Cherish the time with your loved ones!

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My birthday continued..

This past weekend we went to St. Louis along with my sis and brother in law just for the day. We had breakfast at the Waffle House which no one could believe I wanted to eat their since I don't like going to IHOP, but it was sort of

Nostalgic to my childhood. After breakfast we made our way to the City Museum. I had never been and there was about a gazillion people there that day. They literally stated that they had record breaking attendance, go figure! We had so much fun though we explored and climbed around a day as if we were 7 years old. It's fun to be a kid! After a day of playing we hurried up and changed in the car from yoga pants to a tulle dress and leopard heels. Quite the experience no one saw I promise! Being sweaty while putting on a beautiful dress was not ideal but I had some wet wipes I found in my purse so we all wet wiped ourselves and preceeded to walk into Scape a fancy American Bistro in Central West End. Dinner was great but afterwards was my favorite part. My heart went pitter-patter at the sight of the orange circle with white writing inside it. Jeni's!! Yes I get all giddy about a well designed ice cream shop that serves the best ice cream up daily! I would love to

Own my own Jeni's in my hometown... Hmm maybe I should or maybe I shouldn't? I don't want the extra pounds but I would adore the space and serving up some fantastic scoops! Springfield needs Jeni's or else I'm a leaving 😉

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