new year. new (permanent) home.

Today marks two full weeks since Cory and I moved into our new home. Lets be honest, house hunting can be such a drab game, one in which we have "lost" a handful of times. So with that being said, I never really filled anyone in with our hopes of finding a home, so much so I even forgot to tell people when we finally did! 
In these two weeks we have doubled our furniture inventory (no big fuss..we only had a couch, an ottoman, and a bed to our name in the first place), unpacked our stuff, and connected a tv. Obviously there is so, so much more to do. One being to patch up all the anchor holes the previous owners left. Seriously though...who uses an anchor to hang..well, everything?! 
Holes and honey-do lists aside, I really think Cory and I are going to love it here. I can't wait to see the evolution of these walls as the house becomes a home. 

And in the meantime, it goes without saying that Aspen has enjoyed her new napping spot. Silly pup :)

our 2013 Christmas card

Mailing out Christmas cards has always been one of my favorite things to do this time of year. Even before I was married, I would search for the card to mail to all my friends and relatives. You can leave it to my 89 year old Gran to teach me the love of a written letter. She's still to this day one of the few people I know who likes to share correspondence back and forth through notecards rather than always picking up the phone. 
This year's Christmas card is simply perfect. My dear friend and wedding photographer, Amelia, certainly knows her stuff when it comes to design. And luckily for us, she was able to use a couple of our engagement photos since things were just too hectic this year to bring Cory and me together for another photo shoot.

Cheers to you and yours this holiday season! 

big, excited news

And here we are again, the beginning to another week. However, I must admit, last week was completely nuts. No other way to describe it. N U T S. But it was also one of the best weeks. Let me explain..
You remember that little tale I've probably mentioned one too many times about me traveling out of town Monday through Friday for my work gig? Well, that is now no more. Yep. Hard to believe it. And it all happened because the Memphis rep for my company was given an incredible opportunity that she couldn't pass up...and I was offered to take up her territory. Simply put, I am officially OFFICIALLY home, y'all!! I decided to celebrate by waking up next to Cory every day this past week (hardy har har)..well, with the exception of when he was out fixing planes into the wee hours of the night/morning, but you get my drift. I still get to see him on a more regular basis now, and that, y'all, that's the best feeling everrr. 

But back to my nutso week though: I spent it transitioning into my new territory, meeting with a handful of my new customers, and getting two car full loads of stuff the old rep wanted to get rid of (but I am oh so appreciative to receive). So needless to say, I've been down on my knees thanking God every night for this incredible change of events. It feels amazing to know that all the risks and changes we've made these past six months ended with us coming back home and better yet, me coming back home with my career still in tact. But then again, the Big Man upstairs already knew all of this was going to happen. God is good, y'all, God is g o o d. :)

married life | the first year

Wow. Has it really been a whole 365 days? As cliche as it sounds, it doesn't feel like Cory and I have been married for a year, but lets be real, we were kind of busy to say the least. Lets have a little refresher course, shall we?

As many of y'all already know, Cory took a job in Alabama just a couple of months shy of our wedding day, and frankly, I freaked out.

It was after a very intense search and a rather bittersweet goodbye to my dear friends at ARP, I found a new job the Tuesday before the wedding.

We were married on October 6, 2012, and it was absolutely lovely. :)

The next day I moved 6 and a half hours away to my new Alabama coast home.

The next day I flew out to Los Angeles to start training on my new job. 

From there on out, I trained for work, I flew a lot of planes, I drove a lot of miles, and I worked a lot of hours.

Cory himself trained for work, flew a lot of planes, worked countless hours.

Among the craziness, we found time to come home for Thanksgiving and Christmas.

(I may have bawled like a baby leaving both times...)

I continued my training, flying, driving, and working schedule.

Cory, as well, continued his training, flying, driving, and working pattern.

Then wife of the year went overseas for work during her husband's birthday week.

(Although he assured me he would have done the same thing should he have had the chance during my birthday week...)

Every other day (or sometimes after three full weeks!) we would randomly run into each other in the apartment and say hello, and our phone bills fattened with each catch up call. 

Then out of nowhere Cory received an opportunity to come home along with a promotion.

We totally said yes.

We moved back home to Mississippi.

(cue to the hallelujah chorus) 

Cory continued to fly and work, work, work.

I continued to travel as an interim rep for my job and commute Monday through Friday every week.

We found a little time during the weekends to spend with family, friends, and more importantly, each other, and our phone bills started to skinny themselves up a bit.

We luckily spent my birthday together after Cory had spent 18 straight days and over 290 hours at work. (Honestly. I don't know how he does it..and I don't know if he knows either!)

Hello, one year anniversary!!! You have come way too soon!!

As I sit here reflecting (and full from wedding cake), I've come to realize something. God has grown our relationship by simply separating us the first year. Sure, it was hard. Sometimes completely unbearable. But after seven years with the same dude, I would be lying if I didn't say things weren't a little bit comfortable for a lack of a better word. God knew what he was doing. He wanted me to appreciate Cory more, wanted me to truly comprehend the reasons Cory was in my life, and essentially, fall in love with the man I married every. single. day. I feel like our first year apart has grown us even closer than we were before. I've find myself relishing the quiet moments with Cory. Just being near him. No pomp and circumstance. No fancy dinners or lavish gifts. Just having him. Cory is what I get in this marriage. And he is the only thing I want.

And truly at the end of the day, that's what it is all about. Here's to the next 365, honey. I love you.

home.

via Pinterest
It seems to me that I'm not the only one shocked that August has almost left us, and before you know it, these 90+ degree temps will be a thing of the past. It's a little crazy, but time flies no matter what you are doing. And all the while I find myself feeling excruciatingly blessed after the series of wild events that led us back to my home in Mississippi, somehow, being "home" has not really felt like "being home" to me. My belongings may be in Mississippi, my husband may be in Mississippi, but I'm not 100% in Mississippi. Simply put, it gets lonely when it's just you and the open road.
I understood life traveling Monday through Friday would be just a wee bit difficult, and as I'm writing this I am trying with all my ability to not come across in any way ungrateful or having a pity party for one. In all honesty, I've gained more experience, grown as a person, and it doesn't hurt that my territory takes me on almost bimonthly visits to my nieces' house. Not to mention the fact that I have a job at all. So yes, I'm also counting my blessings.
When I get in a funky mood, I remember that God granted me with a wonderful man who shares in my struggles with traveling for a job. I'm honestly blessed with having Cory understanding why I'm doing what I'm doing, and better yet, with no questions asked. Having just his support helps me a lot. God also gave me amazing family and friends who entertain me on the road, keep me informed, and never let my weekends home go by without a plan or two up their sleeves. 
In reality, I wanted to write this post to remind myself, even in the loneliest of times out there on the road, you're not alone and you have it pretty darn good. With it, I'm simply putting it out there for your thoughts and your prayers (should you be so inclined to do so).
Thank you for letting me get this off my chest, y'all. I have faith that even better things are on the horizon. :)

Cory & I did something a little crazy

On Mondays, we do crazy things. (get my not so slick reference to Mean Girls, right there??) Ok, but in all seriousness, Cory and I did get a little wild on Memorial Day this year. 

Because on Monday, Cory and I packed up everything we owned, and moved BACK home. Yep, you read that right. Truth be told, we missed home. Like a lot. A whole heck of a lot. So when Cory's boss gave him a call with an opportunity to come back to the Memphis area, it didn't take us too long to make a decision. 

As for me and my job, I was graciously offered to be the interim rep for my territory until they find my replacement, which in turn took a load of stress off of my back. Long story short, I'll be traveling Monday through Friday each week and headed home on Fridays..which I'm sure will be testing at times. We will continue to see how that goes, but for now, I'm thankful to be able to keep my job.

And if you just so happen to be the praying type, I would appreciate any and all thoughts shot up to the Big Man Upstairs in the hopes that my awesome company can find me a position a little closer to home. 

xoxo,

I need some help, y'all.

As silly as it sounds, I have a confession. Nearly seven years have passed since I've met and began dating my husband, Cory, and up until a few weeks ago, I had yet to cook for him. Not even once. The truth came out when Cory mentioned he would like to come home at least one day a week and find a home cooked meal waiting on him instead of finding me with a bowl of cereal in my hands and that look of "it's every man for himself in this household." 

So I cooked him a meal..well, cooked would be a very loose term. To risk grossing y'all out, I didn't fully cook the meat to stuff in my manicotti. And he might have gotten sick the next day...bless his heart, he swears it wasn't me.

And to think, I thought I was in the clear after such a long, successful, cook free rate of seven years. Well, dang...so here comes my second confession. I don't know how to cook. Ya'll. I'm a baker. Not a cook. I'm known for making pies and banana bread...although I do make a mean breakfast. (Favorite meal everrr.) But cook, I am not. 

So I need y'alls help. Will you help a girl out and send me some recipes? Preferably something I can make in both a veggie (me) and a meat (him) version. And this time, Cory has requested we cook together.. ;)

xoxo,

Have yourself a merry little Christmas

Here's to wishing you and your family a day filled with love and cheer!

xoxo,

Christmas Weekday Happies

Checking the mail is much more fun when you are given packages wrapped with kraft paper, twine, and a little bit of confetti...especially when you know the package you are receiving are your first year Christmas cards :)
The Mulled Wine candle is found at Anthropologie, and is one of my absolute favorite holiday scents. 

I couldn't choose from two "our first Christmas" ornaments (truth be told, I wanted something with a wedding cake and "our first Christmas" written on it..is that so much to ask?) and in Cory's logic..."why not keep both?" 

I knew I married a keeper ;)

About three years ago, I started my own little tradition of gifting my family and friends' presents in owl wrap.

I have to say this particular owl has been my favorite.  

And my darling niece, Ava G., who is quite a little artist now, gave me a homemade Christmas card this year. 

Just a few more days until Christmas!!

xoxo,