Wednesday, June 13, 2012

Out of Office

DSC_9003 crop 16-9 sat curves


Consider this my "official" Out of Office auto reply.... I am going to take a 2 week vacation from blogging so I can concentrate on spending QT with my friends and family while I am home AND so I have time to conquer my Texas Bucket List! 


I'll be back in JULY to catch you up on ALL the gossip from back home :) 


HAPPY SUMMER!!!! 

Monday, June 11, 2012

Texas Bucket List!


We are headed up to Paris on Thursday and I will be in hot-as-Hades-TEXAS on Friday! I am so excited!   Here are the TOP 10 things I want to do while in my home sweet home.






1. GET A PEDICURE! I haven't had one since last August before I came over to France... this is embarrassing and so sad. In fact, I may have to get multiple pedicures to make up for all the ones I have missed over the past 10 months! 


2. See an American movie in ENGLISH in the movie theater. So far I want to see "The Lucky One" and "What to Expect When You're Expecting" - I heard they were both great! 


3. Shopping.  Specifically Urban Outfitters, Nordstrom, Forever 21, & Target.   


4. Sno Cones.  TC's Shaved Ice ("Tigers Blood" to be specific).... like, every day. That stuff doesn't even exist over here... at least in our area? Any other ex-pats found shaved ice in France? 


5. Slice and bake cookies, QUESO, homemade margaritas, and microwave popcorn on the couch (maybe not all at the same time) watching TV in English. It's the little things, right?  


6. Two words: Fast Food.  Jakes, Chick-fil-A, Taco Bueno, Wendys, Chipotle, Great Outdoors, Raising Canes. 


7. POOL DAY to help offset the shockingly HOT weather and the painfully pale legs I am currently sporting. 


8. Stocking up on craft supplies: Michaels and Hobby Lobby here I come! A woman on a mission, watch out!


9.  Happy Hours and dinners with FRIENDS... A real social life again for a few weeks to catch up with all my friends. I cant WAIT to laugh with them, speak English at dinner because...that is the language we SPEAK, and hear about what everyone has been up to! 


10. FAMILY FAMILY FAMILY. I cant wait to just sit around the table, eat meals as a family, lounge around, and just enjoy being around each other. This is something I took for granted in Dallas, so I want to make sure I carve out majority of my time for family. 

Wednesday, June 6, 2012

Summer Style Inspiration

1. For running errands and grabbing lunch with girlfriends.



2. For the beach.



3. For date night.



4. For a wedding or baby shower.


5. For the feet.

Source: freepeople.com via Abby on Pinterest



AND THE SAD TRUTH....
Source: someecards.com via Abby on Pinterest

Monday, June 4, 2012

If you asked me...

I got this idea from one of my favorite new bloggy reads, Casey Weigand.  She was one of the blogs I read after our miscarriage that uplifted me, soothed my broken heart, and encouraged me to be more vocal about our story and our faith.   She will occasionally do a post called If you asked me and I wanted to do one myself... you know, mix things up a bit!  Here we go.

If you asked me, I would tell you that although the weather here is beyond gorgeous... we live in a converted attic without A/C so we have to keep our shades pulled and a fan blowing at all times. It is not ideal. We have been eating outside a lot and taking nightly strolls to compensate. :)   


I would tell you that I am ecstatic to go to TEXAS! It will have been exactly 10 months which is by far the longest I have ever gone without seeing my Dad & Katy (among other family members) and my best friends.  In some ways the time has completely flown by, but with Lola walking and Katie Schulze becoming a Mom I am quickly reminded that a LOT has taken place since I left.  


I would confess that I cannot stop eating trail mix and reading "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo" series.  I read the first book (almost 500 pages) in 3 days! 


I would remind you to pray for Logan and I's journey to parenthood.  Some days we feel encouraged and other days we are paralyzed with fear and what if's.  


If you asked me, I would tell you that I know of 16 (YES, 16) women who are expecting babies in October (our due date month) and its been harder than I would have ever imagined watching their bellies grow and their genders revealed.  Social media can be my best friend and my worst enemy at times.  I constantly have to remind myself not to compare myself or my situation to others.  Lately, I daydream about our angel baby and wonder if it was a boy or girl...


If you asked me I would tell you that I am sad to leave Logan for 2 weeks.  I know this is silly since 2 of my best friends have husbands in the military, but I have NEVER been gone more than a weekend from him since we've been married and HALF of June seems a bit overwhelming.  I wish he could come with me more than anything. 


I would tell you (if I am being honest) that I try every single day to soak up this experience and count my lucky stars...but that sometimes I feel antsy and trapped.  The language barrier and lack of friends really takes its toll on me sometimes and I reminisce about my jam packed social calendar in Dallas and what I would give to even have plans even 1 night of the week over here.  


If you asked me, I would tell you that I think Logan has found his calling.  I have never been more proud of him or watched him excel and enjoy working so much - even raking leaves and making beds.  He loves interacting with the clients, serving them at meal time, and the hands-on maintenance during the day.  It doesn't feel like work to him and because of that we love to daydream of opening our own B&B someday... 


I would tell you that overall, we have SO much to be thankful for.  Our health, our home, our families.  And we have full trust that God is good and has a mighty plan for our lives.  



photo credit: Morgan Stallings 

Friday, June 1, 2012

Bits & Pieces: May

1.  Shopping in Tulle (Shout out- Francoise Hollande) / HELLO SUNSHINE!!! 
 2.  We had a DOUBLE DATE... An ACTUAL real life social outing :) 
 3. My (only) French girlfriend so far... Anais. Love her! 
 4. GORGEOUS weather. 
 5. Makeover time for the Colorado... 
 6. New breakfast buffet. 
 7.  Patio umbrellas! 
 8. Practice on the porch. 
 9. Sunday naps. 
 10. Fresh baguette. 
 11. Ice cream sundaes. 
 12. Country rockstars. 
 13.  Beer festival in Egletons. 
 14.  Collonges la Rouge. 
 15.  France with MORGAN. 
 16. Exploring. 
 17.  A cheerful doormat. 
 18.  I think one of my favorite photos of all time.  Logan and the babies watching Veggie Tales. 
19. "I AM NUMBER ONE!" 
20.  Beautiful flowers at the nursery- my favorite, hydrangeas. 

AND HOLY JUNE!!!!  I will be heading up to Paris in exactly 2 weeks and off to face the TEXAS SUMMER HEAT... bring on the margaritas, pools, A/C, and cookouts!!! :) I cant wait! 

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