Honky Tonkin'

On Saturday, Miles and I went honky tonkin' for the first time together. I've been a few times over the years, but Miles had never been. Now, to clarify, we only went to one real honky tonk bar...but I'm still going to count it.

Before our big night out, we took a nap. Yep. And really, the nap was only so we could last through a midnight movie showing...and we didn't last. I know, we're a little bit lame, but we tried! (And we're totally okay with being homebodies 95% of the time)

We started out our night at The Flying Saucer, where they were celebrating John Lennon's birthday with a fantastic Beatles cover band. I'm not a huge beer drinker, but it was a lot of fun, and I had the best pretzel of my life. Then we went to Robert's, squeezed through everyone to get to the balcony in the back, and ended up getting the best seats in the house. 

Sometimes you just gotta give in to the fact that you live in Nashville and go listen to some twangy country music. Robert's is probably my favorite honky tonk though...the few times that I've been there, the house band (or whoever is playing...) is actually really fun and great to listen to. We had ourselves a country/surf band to enjoy on Saturday night, and Miles has heard great things about some guy who plays on Thursdays, so I'm sure we'll be find ourselves back on lower Broadway again very soon.

One Year

I can't believe that our wedding was one year ago. I remember everything so well. People say you won't remember, that it will all be a blur, but I remember. I remember how incredibly nervous and weird I was all weekend. It was overwhelming! Miles and I are kind of background people and a whole day centered around us was definitely a lot to take in. Sometimes I wish I would've had a different dress, or done my hair another way, or made Miles cut his hair before the big day, or that the a/c worked at our reception... But in reality, none of those things matter. I married my very best friend and have had the very best year of my life.  I can't imagine my life without Miles--don't make me, I'll cry.

Finally!

I don't know that I've ever been so excited for any birthday, ever. Everything awesome went on sale the week before (or the day of) Miles' birthday. So of course I snatched all that awesomeness up. His  eyes and mouth only grew wider with each new gift. I don't think I've ever taken such delight in someone else's elation. And now we get to watch all our tv shows, and get excited about road trips and Ryman nights together! 

A little explanation, only for thangs that need explainin': 

Boo is kind of a geek for planes and trains, so I decided to feed that geekness with twenty-one hours of documentary footage. Snoozefest. The poorly spray painted canvas was inspired by a late night in which I entered our bedroom where Miles was already fast asleep. As I approached the bed, Miles reached out, still dead asleep, and said, "Come here baby, everyone deserves a guitar solo". You better believe I had a silent laughing fit for a good 30 minutes after that. Thus the canvas for our new house, to be hung in his guitar room. And the zoo day is something Miles' has been bugging me for for ages now. I think everything else is kind of explanatory? 

Also, please excuse the half packed, messy apartment. Have I mentioned we're moving? 

We ate at PM with Miles' momma, and a precious little succulent. I'm real obsessed. I can't wait to have tons in our new house! I speak to them in baby voice. As if it wasn't bad enough that I feel compelled to speak to a plant, it has to be in baby voice. Come on, Bethany... The weather was incredible, and I loved sitting out on the patio. I ate way too many fries. We wondered why we try to eat sushi anywhere else. It was such a relaxing evening, a perfect way to end Boo's birthday. I'm excited to continue celebrations on Saturday! Even if its at the zoo and everything smells like poop.

Birthday Boy

I know I gush about Miles more than anything else, but you'll have to bear with me today. 

26 years ago, a precious little boy came into this world--maybe a little too early for his little lungs' liking. After 3 weeks, his wee body had grown strong enough to come home. He grew up to play his toy guitar with his dad, love little league and pop warner football, saxophone it up in the band, give his mother grief with his dirt bike racing (and his wife, in retrospect), not walk at his high school graduation, be forced to walk at his college graduation, play his real guitar, buy more guitars, build guitars, marry a girl he met in Bible class, and become the most wonderful husband she could have ever wanted.

Boo, I love you so much. Like, so much. I know you don't like big deals made over your birthday, but I can't help how much I want to celebrate your life and who you are. And I also can't keep my birthday gift secrets very much longer, you better not have snooped--even in your mind (aka, no wondering). You are so amazing and I am so happy that our completely opposite lives came together and are now now together forevvaaaaa.

I also asked Miles' mom to write a little something for his birthday. Since she was there and all...and loved him first:

 We all have heard the saying, "a child is a gift from heaven".  Well, I truly do believe that small phrase is so true.  Miles was not only a gift but a miracle from heaven.      As I look back over the last 26 years, I am so thankful and blessed that the Lord entrusted this wonderful child, now man, to Frank and I.   He brought us both so much joy and laughter.  His dad was so proud when Miles decided to play in the band at school.  A chip off the ole' block!  Miles brought strength to me at a time when no 18 year old should have to shoulder such a burden. But he put his own feelings aside to be strong for his sister and I.  Proud yes, but more blessed everyday as I see him grow into the Godly man and husband he is called to be.

I hope you feel extra loved today, Miles. I've been walking around all morning with the dumbest grin on my face because I'm so happy you were born.

A Song for Today

Remember two posts ago when I gushed about my husband and listening to guitars and the Tedeschi Trucks Band? Well, I've sat at home alone this Saturday  and missed my boo while he is at work, and listening to this song makes it better/worse. That guitar? Make me cry already why dontcha. This may be the most perfect song for a rainy/gloomy day in. 

Miles

I've changed the post title a few times now. Tried to think of something more..title-y? Alas, I cannot help that all I can think about when I think about our evening last night, is how much I love the man I have married.

I don't really understand all that goes into guitars/guitar making, and thats not to say that Miles hasn't been trying to teach me...for years. He loves every single little detail that goes into a guitar, the craftsmanship, the engineering, the beauty. And once a guitar is built, its only really just begun its life as a musical instrument that has incredible capabilities. Miles is there at the beginning of a lot of guitars, he sees the first steps through, but loves all the steps that follow after and lead up to the finished product. And don't even get me started on how much he loves to put said finished product to use in our tiny apartment with paper thin walls.

Last night, we had tickets through Miles' work to see Tedeschi Trucks Band at The Ryman. I had never heard of them before, but I'm not one to turn down a free show at The Ryman. Miles knew of Derek Trucks from his brief stint with The Allman Brothers, so he was excited to hear him play. And geez, could that man play!

Knowing Miles for over 5 years has lead to...a lot of things. Marriage being one, appreciating an excellent guitarist/guitar solo is another. I admit to being on the verge of tears more than once last night, which kind of surprised me. Then I realized something: if I had to pick one sound that perfectly captured my husband and his soul, it would be that of a blues guitar. So of course I am brought to tears when I feel this music around me, because if I close my eyes, I can feel Miles around me.

Maybe it was being in this old church, turned historic venue. Maybe it was being so happy that Miles  was getting break from work to enjoy something that he loves. Maybe it was the way his hand tightened around mine as the sound of the guitar swelled out into the auditorium, and how over the guitar I could still hear him whisper that he loved me. Maybe it was a little bit of everything from those moments sitting in the balcony. But it was in those moments that I knew I was right where I was supposed to be, and with exactly who I was meant to be with. Sitting in a gorgeous old church, surrounded by the sounds that reveal something I could never put into words about the most wonderful person that I know.

And of course, I left the real camera at home and all our phone pictures are terrible. So here is my handsome boo on our honeymoon. Yeesh, I'd like to be back there right about now.

First Post

This is my first post from my brand new Macbook Pro! Boo spoils me so much. I'm quite the lucky lady, for very many reasons, only one of which is that he buys me fancy new things. And that is a very small reason. I know I need to finish up my Chattanooga posts, soon, soon. But here is a little nugget of...wisdom? thought? truth? laughs? from my wonderful husband as expressed today whilst sitting outside during lunch (paraphrased):

As I've grown older, I've come to appreciate the seasons more. I also love it when it rains just like I love it when its sunny. I only hate it when its windy because it messes up my hair*.

So many things about this. Older? He's 25. Only the rain and the sun? What about when its just blah, or snowing? 

I love him. I love him so much I don't know what to do with myself sometimes. And thus ends my first post from my shiny new "'puter" (as my two-year old, watch him on Tuesdays, boy would say).

*if you've never noticed, he has hair about as long as mine, and its 10xs more gorgeous and naturally wavy. Women express their jealousy everywhere we go.

Healthy Weekend

This weekend was delightfully opposite from last weekend. Miles wasn't sick, and even got off work early on Saturday! So we made the whole afternoon a big ole date, afternoon naps included! Saturdays!! Husband dating!! And I actually did my hair (once I found a super easy way to do it)

Boo, still waking up from our nap

I love it when we hang out. Also, I love that we love our neighborhood. We'll miss it terribly when we buy a house and move across the river. Why can't we just be loaded so we can afford to stay over here?

The rest of the weekend, not captured in pictures, was full of college friend reunions, surprise bday dinners, Hunger Games and a lot more food. I don't think Miles was 100% awake last night when he rolled over to mumble, "I guess the Hunger Games wasn't that bad..." Because he would never confess that in his right mind. And will probably demand I delete this confession as soon as he reads it.

Sick Weekend

I'm starting this post whilst mentally kicking myself for always forgetting to take pictures of life. I used to be obsessed, and never forget to take my camera around, then I have no idea what happened and I'm sad that I fell out of that habit. My phone is full of pictures of someone else's bebe, but I want to have other reminders of the life Miles and I have. I even have dreams where I forget to bring my camera places. Even my subconscious feels guilty.

The only picture I took from this weekend is this one:

My poor, exhausted boo after working 25 out of 32 hours on Friday/Saturday. I came home from afternoon babysitting to find him completely passed out on the couch (see his little, hiding, head?). He didn't even make it to the bed! And when he woke up, he had a fever of 109.... 

Okay, I now know that a fever of 109 means your dead. And that he also said "100.9" and I misheard. Now, I feel really dumb for just thinking "wow, 109, thats really high" as I left him at home to go get some popsicles, when I should have been crying and calling an ambulance. Good thing I was oblivious and didn't mistakenly dial 911..

Saturday night we just sat around, watching My Week With Marilyn, which I loved. And went to bed early. The next morning, he had an even higher fever. So I tried to remain calm (even thought I'm the emotional worrier in the relationship) and take care of my boo. Once he was settled with medicines, vitamins, secret spicy foods to break the fever, and garlic cloves to fight any infection (?), I got to deep cleaning the whole apartment. And let me tell you, it was amazing. We've been so busy lately, and I've cleaned a little here and there, but I'm a huge dork when it comes to having everything beautifully cleaned and organized. So as boo sat pitifully on the couch and caught up on all his shows, I was bursting at the seams and [mentally] whistling while I worked. 

All this to say, Miles got better as the day progressed, we ordered way too much pizza and ate off of it all day, we watched most of Downton Abbey's season one per Miles' request, and went to sleep in a perfectly clean, straight, organized apartment. I'd say we made the best weekend with what we had to work with. 

My favorite part of everything? We turned our a/c units on. Being in our apartment with the window units buzzing and blowing cool air made it feel like last summer again. And last summer was definitely the greatest summer of my life. 

Third Thursday

Yeah, I know this is a day late. And that I've completely forgotten to do this since I first resolved to. But I'll try to do better, knowing that I have no excuses...

Here is a little list of things that I am thankful for, I fell asleep thinking about them once I realized I forgot about this post. It really was a wonderful way to fall asleep, even if I had weird dreams all night. (Correlation?) Anyways, I am thankful for these things:

• That we didn't end up buying the first house we fell in love with. It probably would have been a disaster.
• Miles watches Titanic documentaries with me, and that this week, it lead to him watching the first Downton Abbey episode. And liking it. 
• He also reads books that I love just so we can talk about them later.
• Discovering the Draw Something app. Is that a silly thing to be thankful for? So fun for me during my nanny days.
• After 4 days of me begging and pouting, Miles begrudgingly got the Draw Something app so I could play with him
• The way Miles cleans the kitchen up. 70% completion*, 100% effort.
• The nanny babe officially gives real hugs now. And they are the absolute best.
• Also, sometimes it sounds like she's speaking Parseltounge. She's the real HP. With parents and no scar. 
• I wore maxi skirts and sleeveless tops almost every day this week.
• Eating kale. Always.
• (and since this post is a day late) I am thankful for beautifully rainy, non-tornado-y stormy days.

Can I also reiterate how thankful I am for Miles? That he loves me, and likes me, and thinks I'm funny (but really, duh), and wants to spend time with me. I would like to say thats a given for husbands and wives, but he and I know that it isn't, and that makes us all the more grateful for what we have with each other. Boo, I crazy love you.

p.s. you're goofy.

*He cleans everything within his direct line of vision when he's standing in front of the sink. Even if the sink is piled high with stuff. Except, he'll move things over to the right of the sink so he has room to wash dishes, and then he forgets about the things he's moved. And if there is anything on the stovetop, it will stay there. Same with the coffee table (we still don't have a dining room table). In his defense, the coffee table isn't in the kitchen...

Weekend, Beautiful Weekend

I choose to spend this Monday morning daydreaming about the wonderful weekend that we just had. Miles only had to go into work for an hour or so on Saturday, and other than that, he was all mine! One of the benefits of us both having jobs that require early rising during the week, is that while our bodies get to sleep in on the weekends, they still tend to automatically wake up around 7:30/8:00 anyways and we still have the whole day to have fun! (I'm also choosing to view that as a benefit)(And to also ignore that we can't seem to stay awake past 10:30 no matter how hard we try).

So we rose, still somewhat early, went to a wonderful breakfast at West End Cafe, I grocery shopped while he dropped by work for a hot second, we finished errand running and then went for a walk around Radnor Lake until we realized it was 4 and we hadn't eaten since breakfast. We wound up eating delicious TexMex with Miles' mom and then heading over to her house to help install a new washing machine, where we promptly tested her new machine with our dirty laundry. Ah, Saturday. 

The next day, we went to the early service at our church, met our friend Matty, and went house hunting with our Realtor! We ended up making an offer on a house that I would live in forever if our offer went through. But I'm highly doubtful that our bid will be picked, since a million people looked at it over the weekend and probably could afford a higher bid. But we at least put ours out there! And that alone is exciting. I'm not ashamed (but kind of am) to say that we went back to our new favorite burger restaurant, seven days after we first ate there. I mean, The Pharmacy is ridic. And Matt was visiting! We also found at least four other houses that we liked enough to have to choose between if this offer doesn't pan out. Which is amazing! And also stressful. Ah, Sunday decision making.

(aaand by this point in the weekend I was pooped. Just looking at my face here makes me feel tired all over again)

And Part Deux

I count this whole weekend as our Valentine's 2.0. Miles was off work and so we were able to spend so much time together. After doing tons of laundry, washing what felt like all of our pots, pans, glasses, dishes and silverware, vacuuming up a storm, finally doing some legit grocery shopping, and making our bed for the first time in weeks, we dated it up. 

For late giftings, Miles bought me a blender, and I bought him the second season of Bored to Death. Honestly, we each kind of picked out something we wanted for life in general, not thinking about v-day, and much later on decided that they were actually gifts. No guilt, best kind. We watched the first disc of the aforementioned series and then went to our favorite little Italian restaurant. Where we would've spent wayy too much money if it weren't for our lovely Groupon. I'm talking appetizers, pizzas, and desserts. Not just any dessert. Warm Nutella bread pudding. I died. Miles did not. Apparently he doesn't like Nutella? I only learned that after I had ordered it. 

Miles made delicious waffles and we enjoyed a leisurely morning before church. The giant snowflakes proved to be distracting during church. But who would complain of such a distraction? We ate lunch at Sloco, where we had the most delicious sandwiches of our lives. Then we ate Sushi at PM with Miles' mom right after Sloco because he forgot to tell me we were actually supposed to have lunch with her.

Then we all went to see Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close..Where do I even begin with that movie? It was honestly one of the most wonderful movies I've ever seen. Ever! I loved reading the book years ago, and I really want to read it again now. But I feel like I'm telling everyone that they need to go see it ASAP. Because I am. Because you should. Yes, as always, there are things in the book that of course aren't in the movie, but I don't even know how they would include all the little Oscar-isms in the movie. I still think they did an amazing job with the movie. I sat with tears of pure joy clouding my eyes, or tears of complete sadness streaming down my cheeks the entire movie. It's such a beautiful story of self discovery, grief, loss, growth, love...everything. Watch it. 

I fell in love all over again with "the renter" (Max Von Sydow was perfect) 

and the oxymoron wars

Please can I watch it again, right now? Like...right now? What's that? I have to work? Bummer.

pictures found here, and here

Valentine's Pt. 1

I don't think/can't remember if Miles and I have ever made a big deal on Valentine's day. We surely acknowledge it, he's been sweet and I'm sure I've tried something nice... So of course we kept that tradition up this year. I began the day with a plan to make a wonderful dinner for us that evening (we've never try to brave the Valentine's restaurant crowd) but by lunchtime I was too tired from watching three kiddos under the age of three (if you're not good at math, thats two more than usual). Keeping up with two two-year old boys who wander off (around the house) and don't answer when you call for them, and a baby girl who will get into/pull up on anything and everything did not help me get into the dinner making mood. I reasoned with Miles that, despite spending so much money in Chicago, we could surely order Thai take-out and cuddle on the couch whilst watching a lovey-dovey movie.

When I got home, 30 minutes later than I was supposed to, Miles was still trying to call our favorite Thai restaurant a to place and order. They never picked up! Still trying to save the evening, we hopped in the car, still in our guitar building, baby snotted work clothes to place an order in person. When we finally parked and tried to order, they said it'd be 45 minutes. Wompwomp. And of course we had no plan b for dinner. We commiserated, tried not to get too annoyed at our evening, and ended up at at our favorite cheapo Mexican restaurant where every other group of single ladies in their 60s, families with little kids, and loud college friends (not generalizing, I recognized them from past classes. The kind where I was a senior and they were freshmen. Electives!) were dining during happy hour. But you know what? It was actually perfect. We sat in our guitar building, baby snotted work clothes, ate our chips and queso and talked about when we first started dating, future baby names, and everything in between.

We also promised ourselves a fancy date night in the near future (Valentine's pt. 2)

Oy Vey

How ungrateful can I get? I get so frustrated with terrible drivers, when Miles can't read my mind over the phone, when I have to spend my evenings away from aforementioned adorable awful mind-reader. How can I not see how incredible it is that I have the opportunity to make extra money whilst watching super adorable kids who cuddle and profess their "wuf" for me? When Miles and I even have the privilege to be in the process of possibly buying a house--even if it doesn't work out...? That Miles got the promotion we've been waiting months for? Thats right, he got his promotion and I don't ever mention it and I go straight into complaint mode. Talk about ungrateful. Oy vey.

I got home about 6 hours ago, still just as frustrated with the day/week as experienced in the previous post. And really trying to fight off a bitter mood. I knew there was nothing to be bitter about. But you know those moods? Just so over everything under the sun? And so hard to shake? 

I had planned with Miles to go out and have fun tonight, but the mere thought just sent a deep sigh of exhaustion through my whole body. I am a pretty introverted person. I feel quite drained around large (even medium sized) groups of people. And having already had such a weird week, going out was not what I desired. Then a sense of utter dread filled me at the thought of confessing to Miles and backing out.  I didn't want him to not go out just because of me, and I didn't want to be guilted in to going out. Lo and behold, I never even had to bring the subject up. Miles saw me cuddle up with my duvet promptly after dinner, and told me I could just stay home and he'd be back at a reasonable hour. Amazing! Top moments of wifery (? spell check does not recognize) gratitude thus far. So soon after he left, I walked to the nearest redbox and got 50/50. It just so happened that the nearest redbox was in a grocery store, so I also bought snackz.

It looks weird, I know. But its Ritz baked chips (crackers?), [my attempt at] roasted butternut squash (it was mushy), and San Pellegrino. And everything was delish. It was so hard to stop with the baked chips. I mean, yikesabee (name that awful[ly amazing] movie). 

I wanted to watch something that would make them tears flow. And I succeeded! 50/50 was better than I thought it would be. I mean, Seth Rogen? I love him, but not when I want to cry...

There was one point in the movie when Joseph Gordon-Levitt's character (who is 27 and has cancer) is so frustrated and has reached his emotional breaking point exclaims something like, "I just want this to be over"! And dang, that cut me deep.  Who am I to really complain about having to deal with closing (or not) on a house? But really. I am so blessed. I have an amazing husband of 7 months who already knows when his wife needs an evening at home alone. 'Nuff said. (I also cried for his character's mom who had to deal with a husband with Alzheimer's as well as her son with cancer)(cannot fathom)

All that being said, movies, even completely fictional ones, can be so wonderfully humbling. And I knew all I needed was a good cry. 

Evenings

Evenings with a view like this one are my most favorite.

Apparently We Did Take Pictures...

I've gotten really terrible about taking pictures for the sake of documenting moments and memories. I even thought that I had only imagined taking pictures on/around Christmas, but I hadn't! Miles' mom is going to Italy in a few days and we're letter her take our camera along for the ride so it can finally be put to good use taking pictures of Rome, Verona, Milan, little Italian roads, the Colosseum.....okay, I'm jealous that our camera gets to be there with Miles' mom and we don't. But all that being said, I had to empty out the memory card last night and discovered a few pictures (as in like, 15) from Christmas. So I still didn't do very well at documenting, but its better than nothing!

our tree decorating party was fueled by pizza from our fave, Bella Napoli,

and White Christmas (this is my favorite part of the whole movie)

Miles' first ever attempt at a paper snowflake turned into our tree topping...star?

And at some point, Boo made the most amazing chess pie.

Obvious Christmas morning record choice.

The spread.

The other spread (way too much for two people)(I later learned)

And we still need to work on taking pictures of ourselves.