Wednesdays at the Garden

Okay. So it's me, Miss M. I. A. I won't go on and on trying to catch you up on what the last basically close to a year has been, I'll just say let's just pick up where we left off, old friend! I really have missed you!!! 

Wednesday nights during the school year are Cherub Choir for us moms at Franklin First United Methodist Church ("FF"). As the kids gathered to sing praises to God, a few of the moms would gather on a nearby classroom and share our person stories whether to laugh or cry, depending on the day. It was pure bliss. Along with a couple close girlfriends,  I met a few new amazing women that I'm so lucky to have! Those Wednesday night "therapy sessions" helped us get through our week. So what were we to do when Choir went on summer break?! Well, my gf Meredith, being the gracious Southern Belle that she is, suggested we all continue our therapy at the church's Giving Garden. On the church's new building site, lovingly referred to as the North Campus, a garden was started to grow fruits and vegetables for the needy. An amazingly noble idea! Now let me be the first to tell you that I am not a gardener. In fact, pretty much most plants I touch die instantly. Okay, not instantly. But within days. And not only do I have a black thumb, but I am not a huge fan of the outdoors, dirt, 90 degree southern humidity, or physical labor. But hey! I was willing to try SINCE I was guaranteed good company. Not to mention it really seemed like a good opportunity to teach my girls some valuable lessons at an early age about giving back and stepping out of your comfort zone. 

A couple of weeks ago, I picked the girls up from school, we drove through Chick-Fil-A and headed out to the Garden. I was sporting navy JCrew shorts with little anchors, a white linen top, my Tory Burch flip flops (yes, you read that right...flip flops to work in the garden), and my Tiffany&Co sunglasses. Not exactly dressed for the occasion, but I had to grab clothes last minute and my closet isn't flooded with tanks and Umbros. So, needless to say I looked like an idiot, but my heart was in the right place. And guess what? I enjoyed myself! How's about that?! Even though I spent most of the night chasing Collins around (Chris is keeping her at home tonight), it was such a good experience. And although my arms were tired the next day, I felt good about what we had done. The best part was hearing Harper tell my Dad she was going to grow food for people that were hungry. #chills 

Can't wait for tonight!

Nattie B

House Hunters

Another major thing that has been going on is the whole house ordeal. We had our house on the market back in the Spring. It didn't sell, so we took it off. In the meantime we found a house in a great neighborhood with amazing schools for the girls. Chris also took his test and became a licensed realtor. That's a long story that basically ends in , "no, he isn't changing careers, he just has this thing with realtors." We got the house for a really good deal, but it is going to be a project. There are many things that need to be redone in the house, and let me just tell you I never ever imagined Chris and myself taking on a project, but the things we do for the right schools for our kids, right?! It is also in the exact area of town that we wanted. It's in Brentwood. We like Brentwood since it places us pretty much 15 minutes from Green Hills or 15 minutes from Franklin. We close on the new house on December 10. We are excited, but we are also stressed to not have our house sold yet. Add to that the fact that I cannot seem to find a job anywhere, our nerves are a little shot. But we know that it will all work out, and I trust that God has a plan to get me the exact job I am supposed to have at the time I'm supposed to have it. I just have to remind myself (and quite often on some days) sometimes. Here is a picture of the new house. One of my first to do's: a new front door!! (chris is already tired of me complaining about it...)

Here We Go Again

I've been on a bit of a hiatus. (Obviously since I haven't posted anything for almost 3 months!) I somehow locked myself out of my Blogger account, so even when I was in the mood to blog (which wasn't very often), I couldn't get into my account. I'm pretty proud of myself for finally figuring it all out tonight!! As with all of your lives, much has transpired during my 3 month hiatus. When I last left you, HA was just starting fall soccer and I believe our house had been taken off the market. (I totally had to look back at the last post to jog my memory!) that was all back near the beginning of September. What has happened since? I'll try to go out of character and be brief. We will start with October.

October: my birthday month. Growing up, birthdays were a huge deal in my house. It was always the best day of the year, hands down. Since I've grown up and live 3 hours away from my family, my best friends now always make it a point to make me feel amazing and special. This year was no exception!! My bestie from high school, Elise Ann came up from Atlanta for the weekend as usual. She arrived with an assortment of posh bakery cupcakes, lots of Woodchuck, pink champaign, fabulous gifts, and even those adorable striped twist straws!! :) What ELSE does a girl need?!! The rest of the weekend was spent with lots of girl time (my amazing mil watched the girls for me), good food, and even a little hookah. 

Kev n JoEllen had us over for Mexican and a game night. JE helped me celebrate my birthday a week late by making me (several) French martinis. They are my fav!!! 

We did the usual fun trips to the local pumpkin farms of course. First up was Gentry's Farm in Franklin with HA's class.

 

(Above: This is HA with her teacher Mrs. Erin.) 

Next up was Walden Farms with Juju and Uncle Kevin. It's probably my favorite even though it is so much smaller. 

HA's class Halloween party at school - we made Hershey mummy bars as favors. 

Here is Collins enjoying the party. 

Halloween. HA was Disney's Sofia the First and Collins reused an old pink poodle costume of Harper's. 

Uncle Kevin, Daddy, and Juju came trick-or-treating with us. (Uncle Kevin in costume as usual.) 

For HA's school's Fall Festival, we made and sent in this fun Frankenstein cake. Super easy and too cute!! 

Also in October was my friend Caroline's baby shower. I was in charge of the favors. She loves chocolate, so we went with this Pinterest idea since it's a boy. 

Here are a few more pictures from the shower:

It was so much fun getting to work with Caroline's cousin, Scarlett on this shower!!! I just adore her!!! I think I've made a new friend!

Well, that was October. Next up, November. (So much for me being brief...)

Negative Nancy

Well, made it through surgery on my teeth, and I must admit Chris was even a pretty good nurse all weekend long. (Since I ended up not feeling well most of the weekend.) I am actually waiting on a call back from the dentist now though, because I think one side may be infected. It is very swollen and I'm still having to take pain medication for it. This was a good week. Mom and Dad finally got to come up for a visit, and HA did great when Mom had to take her wig off to sleep with her (she left on her sleeping cap). In fact, HA told her, "awwww, you look cute!" : ) 

Last night we did the Wednesday Night Live at church. It was a little wild, but I think we will eventually get it down. My Beth Moore bible study doesn't start until next week. I'm excited about it. So my medicine has been working better lately, but I've been a lot more negative than I like to be. I know part of it is just meds not completely right, but it is really bothering me. So I am really focusing on it today and working on not being negative. I don't even have a reason to be negative!!! Here are a few recent pics. 

HA on the way to her first fall soccer game. Man was it hot! 

Chris helped coach. 

HA's new bling shoes I spent time bringing out only to have to come home with ALL of the sparkles peeled off!!!! 

Two in a Row!!

Woot woot!! Okay so somehow I (or Collins) deleted my Blogger app on my phone that I used to blog on and easily add photos. I cannot remember my password which is making it very difficult. I can't figure out how to sign on. Troubleshooting isn't working anyone have help?? If you are a reader that can help message me on here or Facebook. It's driving me insane. 

Today was laundry day and soccer practice. HA cried because they voted on a team name (the colors are black and white) of the White Butterflies instead of her suggestion of the Panda Bears. Tomorrow is my oral surgery. I'm nervous since my Mom won't be here, and I'll have to rely on Chris to be my nurse and babysitter. I think everyone knows no one is a better nurse than your Momma! 

I did want to put a few pics up. Because of my oral surgery, I don't know when I will write again, but I am going to try to keep up the blog much more often again. Here are a few pics I meant to put up on the last post. 

The bravest woman I know!!! 

We are back to school uniforms.

Happy while shopping

Nattie B