A Birthday Celebration

There comes a day when birthdays cease to include countdown to party time. While I have personally experienced the death of the countdown, it would be a lie to say I don't enjoy birthdays! I mean come on, who doesn't love ice cream cake and a little love and attention?? ;)

This year was a first for me - my first birthday without my family around. It was all on Strom to make my birthday memorable! And he didn't disappoint. I think I might appoint him lead party planner for all future celebratory occasions - he hit this one out of the park! It meant so much to see all the time and work he put into making my birthday special. (I love you, Babe!)

After attending the commissioning ceremony for a dear friend of ours (more to come on that soon!), we hopped in the car and took off for Charlottesville. What awaited us there was pretty much the most beautiful vineyard you could imagine. I hope you enjoy a peek into my day as much as I enjoyed living it! 

First stop, the amazing Pippin Hill Farm & Vineyard!

Pippin Hill is gorgeous, y'all!! F'real!!

It's like Restoration Hardware on overdrive!

And then it was off to downtown Charlottesville for a little perusing, iced coffees and in all honesty, a few smelly hippies here and there...

And topped off with an awesome dinner at The Local! (It was insanely delicious, btw! Anyone looking for a good atmospheric restaurant in Charlottesville should check it out!). 

And because I love to brag about my sweet hubby, he surprised me with the loveliest lilies I have ever seen! He's kind of wonderful! :)

Here's to hoping this year doesn't fly by as fast as all the others!!

Happy Wednesday to ya!

A Moment of Honesty

Recently I read a blog post from one of my absolute favorite photographer duos in the world, Justin & Mary Marantz, that captivated my attention. It was one of those moments that I wanted to look over my shoulder and double check that I wasn't being spied on, or wonder if my journal and thoughts were being monitored... Because I kind of felt like Mary's Post was written for me. (Craaazy weird and awesome when that happens, right?).  

The post (in a nutshell) talked about being honest and being real, and how often we allow our actions and thoughts to be dictated by what we think others want to see or read... Rather than just being ourselves and embracing it. The problem with being our authentic selves is that it is a vulnerable processes. I myself am afraid of alienating a portion of readers if I truly put my heart out there and wrote about what is important to me. 

But the thing is... I wouldn't be me if I hid behind carefully selected words, or displayed an image that was popular, but not mine. God made me the way that I am for a reason, and I want to live my life as fully for His joy and purpose as I humanly can. 

And just like Mary shared, for me, it's going to start by writing one honest thing.

And honestly, one is the loneliest number. I can't ever stop at one. That is why I have to stay away from cookies and candy, because before I know it, the whole row of Oreos is missing, and I have black teeth and crumbs around my lips. I'm quiet and somewhat reserved, but I am not the least bit shy. I may not come rushing into the room and instantly connect with you and have you wanting me to be your bff, but if we stick it out, you'll have a friend 'til your dying day. I hate acronyms. Like bff. I shudder at the thought of having used one...any of them...lol, omg, wtf... but unfortunately, due to text talk, I do use lol. I have a love/hate relationship with Facebook; it's great because I can stay in touch with my family, and it's an amazing business tool, but when did it become a place to vent your complaints to? I take my coffee light and sweet. As seen above. Yes, I like a little coffee in my sugar and I like it just fine. I would love to be that Toms wearing girl who loves to be carefree and look like a college student or an American Eagle ad 24/7, but I would so rather be wearing a pair of riding boots and skinny jeans. Or heels. Only, when I have that pretty dress and a pair of heels on, I'm dreaming of my sweatpants. Only, they're not my sweatpants, I stole them from my husband. They're man pants. And they fit me. (Yikes?) Sometimes I lack the self-confidence to conquer my dreams, but then I remember that my confidence comes from the Lord and am reminded that He has a plan... and that a little hard work never hurt anyone. I didn't grow up with girlfriends, so if I don't know how to be one, just bear with me in love...I'll get there! As soon as Lady Gaga comes on the radio I immediately scream "La la la!" as I reach for the station dial and change it as quickly as I can. But usually, Talk Radio is playing instead of music. That's right. Conservative Talk Radio. I'm a lover of the Constitution and don't like anyone who wants to change it. Although my husband tells me I am a drama queen, I soundly remind him I am dramatic. Not a drama queen. There is a big difference.

These are the little pieces of me.... The honest, real me.

Business Trips & City Sights

I had the treat of the year Monday when my [wonderful] dad came to D.C. on a business trip. Normally, he would arrive at Reagan Int. and take the metro to his meetings, but this blessed day was all his. No meetings meant his daughter (that's me!) was able to hop in the car and spend the day with her very missed father! It sounds very cheesy in my head, but it was such a happy dream-like day (okay, it didn't sound that bad!). 

When I saw my dad waiting for us at the Roslynn metro stop, it was like the clouds parted and the sun started shining. In the dirty station. (Okay, that sounded a wee bit corny! What can I say, I love my dad!). 

We spent the afternoon revisitng all the wonderful memorials D.C. has to offer. Considering the anniversary of 9/11 was the day before, it seemed like a perfectly fitting thing to do that day. 

 My grandpa served in Korea, so he was very much on my heart and mind as we walked through the memorial.

 That center face captured my attention almost immediately. The resemblance to my grandpa is striking. 

I thought I loved my dad when I was a little girl... If only there were words to express how much that love has grown with each passing year! :)

 This was the one exception to the perfect day. Strom's flip flop broke 20 minutes into our trip. He was a great sport, but I can't imagine he enjoyed spending the next 3 hours hobbling around D.C.! Thanks to his super rad phone (and a few retail workers giving directions) we were able to locate a very uncomfortable pair of flip fops to replace the broken ones!

We completed a perfect day with a perfect dinner at a perfect restaurant! (Which has quickly become our favorite in D.C.!)

What an amazing day and an amazing blessing from the Lord! I have been waiting an entire year for a D.C. business trip for this very excuse to visit with my dad! I couldn't have loved it more! (Except for maybe the flip flop malfunction!!)