Sister

Can I just say how much I seriously love my sister? She is absolutely one of the best people I know. That being said, all the other best people I know happen to also be in my family....I'm not at all biased or partial, I'm just that lucky.

This girl is living it up in Chicago--a city we all know I constantly drool over and dream about. She takes the friggin coolest courses in school. She's getting certified as a non-profit professional--which is more legit than my whole degree. She has the absolute funniest real life stories. She is so goofy and holds her own in the sarcasm city that is my life. We say whole, unplanned sentences together more than should naturally be possible. Poor Miles is doubly made fun of whenever my sister and I are together.

Hannah and I weren't really close (like, at all) until my senior year of high school, so we really missed out on some quality time together. But I think we've more than made up for that. I have so enjoyed watching her grow into an incredible, smart, strong young woman, and to see our relationship grow into adulthood. She is my kindred spirit and my best friend. She is amazing and I can't wait to see more of what her life holds and how she rises to the occasion!

When Parents Come to Town...

And you only take a handful of pictures. 

First of all let me just say that last week was one of the most exhausting weeks of my life. I started watching a three-month old along with my regular nanny baby, and having two under the age of two just about did me in. 

My parents came for a short visit at the beginning of the week last week and it was so good to see them. I just wish I could've taken off from work, or at least not been so overwhelmed and exhausted from my new responsibilities. We ate so much Mexican food one night that I really thought I wouldn't be able to stand up from our booth, and then we had an old fashioned burger night just the way we had it when I was growing up. It was fun watching my dad and Miles at the grill, since my parents live so far away, Miles and my parents are still getting to know each other better. Not that its ever been weird, I just love any chance that my parents get to spend with Miles. 

I love these three so much. I wish my brother and sister could've been there too. Guess I'll just have to wait for Thanksgiving! But then my parents will be missing. Yeesh, can't win.

First Cookout

We bought a grill over labor day weekend, because thats just what you do, right? We had Miles' mom and best friend over for our first cook out--not too many people in case Miles ended up being a terrible grill master (he wasn't). Matty brought one of my greatest weaknesses, cheese dip, and I snacked on that like nobody's business. We had delicious corn, burgers, jalapeño dogs, fresh watermelon, salad, homemade fries and good company. Here's to many more cookouts in our future--hopefully soon with a fire pit for my other weakness, s'mores!

 Rowan also enjoyed being the cutest center of attention, obvi.

 I can already tell that finally having a grill has changed the way we think about meals. Miles wants to make dinner every night--hallelujah! And I'm so excited to think of all the yummy grilled veggies we're going to have this fall!

Chicago iPhone Photos

We ate so much food, walked so many blocks, wore so many layers, still froze our butts off, laughed too loud in public, rode trains, read maps like tourists, vintage shopped, TopShopped, went to the movies, took pictures, and spent all our money. This weekend was a blast. 

And my brother has a fabulously fancy camera, so maybe if he puts some pictures up I can steal a few. Since I obviously didn't take a single picture with my phone of my siblings. Well, except that one of my brother's back...

Weekend Excitement

Miles and I are off to Chicago for the weekend to celebrate my brother and sister's birthdays (a week early). I am so excited to see them and to go back to Chicago, this time with my boo! Its going to be a short trip, but I'm sure we'll squeeze so much fun in. Probably too much. Also, I'm a little afraid of coming back to  Nashy and wanting to movie to Chicago again. I cannot let that happen every time we visit. But I feel like our lives have changed so much since August, for the better, that I'm wanting to be in Nashville for the long run. And hello, we're kind of maybe buying a house here. So thats kind of big. Anyways, Chicago. That was the point of this post. I can't wait. I mean, just look at this place.

Catchupwitchyalataaa!

(sources: 1, 2, 3)

28 Years Ago

Twenty-eight years ago my parents were married in a church in Texas. Twenty-eight years ago my parents made a promise to each another to love and honor one another, for better or for worse. And for the past twenty-eight years they have kept their promises, through the best and through the worst. For the past twenty-three years they have been the most incredible role models, parents and friends that I could have ever dreamed of. Their marriage, partnership and friendship daily influences my own marriage, partnership and friendship with Miles. I love them both more than I could ever put into words. I am so honored to be their daughter and to be loved by them. And I miss them every day that I don't see them! 

Chi-Towwn

Such a fun, short weekend ending with a loonnngg trip home (delays, switched flights, airline customer service failures, an extra night in Chicago, crying in the airport like a big ole baby, late for one job, having to call out of another, complete exhaustion). But really, why has no one told me how wonderful Chicago is? Someone should give Miles and I jobs up there. Jobs that pay millions, preferably. That'd be reeeeal nice. I think I loved Chicago a teensy bit more because last week I stumbled across a History Channel documentary about bootleggers, rumrunners and prohibition...and Chi-town was obviously a very central part of all that. I can't wait to take Miles back up and explore with him! I'm glad both of my siblings now live there and I have a legit excuse to rack up some Southwest miles. 

Also, my momma bought all her children copies of The Help after we all loved the movie so much. And I am loving the book even more. Perfect summer read. I'm kind of disappointed in myself for not snatching up the book months ago when I saw it in Borders (oh Borders, how I miss thee!), long before I knew it was going to be a movie. 

Knot=Tied

More posts (and pictures) to come very soon. 

Five Days!

Obviously not counting today or the day of. I haven't counted those days for quite some time now--to make the countdown seem shorter, dur. In five days I will be a wife! In five days Miles will be my husband! And in seven days we will be relaxing on the beach...possibly getting rained on. We're the geniuses that booked a Dominican Republic honeymoon during its rainy season. 

Miles and I got to go on a date last week to try Bobbie's Dairy Dip for the first time. As you know, we are all about burgers and this place is definitely now on our "eat here as much as possible" list. 

I have been obsessing over the weather on the 2nd, waiting forever to be able to see what it will be on the 10-day forecast. The first few days it was on there, it was 80% chance of rain and thunderstormy. Every day since the percentage has gone down and the "severe" has gone to "scattered" to "isolated" and now it is supposed to be mostly sunny with a 0% chance of rain! You know I squealed with joy when I saw that. Not that any part of the wedding or reception is outside...but we're hoping to take our pictures in the same park we did our engagement shoot before the ceremony. I can't wait to see my handsome groom. I always knew that I would cry at some point in the ceremony, but now Miles is coming to realize he may get a little teary too. Which is just going to make matters worse for me. What if I am weeping the entire ceremony? Surely thats not possible....Right?

Tomorrow we print the programs, Tuesday I get my dress, Wednesday we are going wild flower picking, Thursday my dad and brother are flying in and my momma's entire family is coming to town and we will all be staying in the same house. I know I am going to love it. Seriously, I cannot think of a better way to spend the two days before I get married. Its going to be insane, crowded, loud, and incredibly fun. Friday is decorations, bridal luncheon, mani-pedis, rehearsal, dinner and then popsicle pool partaaay!! This week will only get better and better with each day, leading up to the ultimate best day ever. 

I

Can't

WAIT.

Happy Father's Day!

Heres how it is: I have such an amazing dad. He is wise and caring and gentle. He has the goofiest sense of humor. He has embarrassed me (on purpose) on countless occasions. He will listen to me talk on the phone for hours without ever getting a word into the conversation. He is my friend and I love him more than I could ever say. I always wish Hawaii was a little closer to Nashville, but on days like these I wish a little harder.

Hannah and I made a video for our dad and couldn't wait until today to give it to him, so we made him watch it last night while we were all on skype. 

 I think he liked it

I am so excited that both of my parents are walking me down the aisle. They both raised me, they both love me, they both are so much a part of who I have been, who I am today and who I will be in the future. 

I love you, Dad!

Sister Time

On Friday I picked my sister up to come stay with me until the wedding. Poor girl has nothing else to do here except read her books and help out with wedding projects. But it was her choice to come up to early so I don't feel that bad. I think the Sondre Lerche show on Friday night also had a little bit to do with her desire to come up so soon. 

It was so good. Miles and I saw him two Februarys ago and both agree that he is one of our favorites to see live. He also always has incredible artists open for him. Kishi Bashi and Nightlands were the openers for this show, JBM opened last time. All so good. Seriously. Go listen.

And then there is Sondre. 

He is simply wonderful. And makes me want to be Norwegian. And makes Miles want to buy a Country Gentleman and play jazzy music for me. Everything is good when Sondre is three feet in front of you. I got to meet him last time we saw him, I was a complete dork of course. He is just so goooood.

Last night we bought an a/c unit for the apartment (hallelujah!) and Miles came over before church to install it. And let me tell you...I am blissfully chilly right now as I sit on the couch in my living room (as opposed to the bed in my bedroom). Oh the joys of comfortably sitting upright and not having to watch movies  on a computer!

I think Miles and I are going to get our marriage license some time this week. 19 DAYS!

June Cleaning

I am going to get my sister tomorrow and bring her back up to Nashville to help me out until the wedding. We haven't lived in the same place in about four years...and right now I only have one air conditioner in the whole apartment. So two sisters confined to one teeny room could result in awesomeness or a serious case of cabin fever. I'm hoping for awesomeness. Obviously...

I'm also hoping to get another a/c unit, like...this weekend. Currently I am trying to make some space for Hannah in my closet and maybe if she is lucky I can also clean out a drawer for her. But really, I should probably being sorting this out regardless of my sister coming. Miles may want some space to live in his own home. The nerve!

How is this the master closest? I guess in the 1920s peoples clothes were smaller.......Or they just didn't have an obscene obsession with Goodwill. Orrrr.....

Just wish me luck. 

(Can you spot the wedding suit? He looks so fine in it you guys, and I'm not just saying that. You just wait for the wedding pictures. You. Just. Wait.)

Phew!

Last week my sister came to spend a few days with me in Nashville before she went back to her school in Chicago. She stayed in Honolulu a few weeks longer than I did, and then flew in to this:

And a few days later, we found these

 We went to the Frist Art Museum for the free admission day and tried to enjoy the Impressionist exhibit but it was suuuper crowded so we just ended up walking through all the rooms (almost) as quickly as possible. In one of the rooms I was looking at a text on my phone and I accidentally hit the camera button and the flash was on and it took a picture AND THEN an employee totally came up and told me "no pictures" which I knew! But I was completely mortified. When we got out of the exhibit I checked the picture and it was just of my finger. 

 The ticket line for the exhibit was all the way out the door, but it was a beautiful day and I loved the time we had to visit and people watch and enjoy our surroundings. We were next to Union Station Hotel, one of my favorite buildings downtown. Isn't it perfect?

I love my sister and I tried to get her to come to Nashville for school but alas, she chose Chicago. I'm so happy she loves it there.

On another note, a wedding note, I'm thinking of these ties for some of the groomsmen. I love the textures and I think the colors would be easy to work with. Bah! I don't know what to do with their stuff. 

 And whenever Miles and I are together I would just rather relax and watch a movie, and of course stuff my face.

(This particular meal consisted of PM's sushi and Stella Artois)(YERRRRMMMM)

(Also, note Miles' shirt. We love Always Sunny)

Waikiki Date

     I have has such an incredible time with my family here on Oahu, I can't believe how fast the days have flown by! I fly out Wednesday night and I can't wait to see Miles again but I love, love, love being with my family and am sad that these visits can't happen more often. Why does Hawaii have to be so dang far away??

     We had a super chill Christmas morning. I got a new Moleskine planner--the only thing I really asked for. I loved penciling in birthdays, anniversaries, wedding countdowns and the wedding date! In the afternoon my sister, mom and I stayed home while my brother and dad went to a college basketball tournament. Us girls cuddled up to The Young Victoria and tried not to bawl our eyes out at the end. I never remember how much I love that movie. Note to self: this one is worth buying, not just keeping in my Netflix instant watch queue. 

     This afternoon we all (save my brother) went to a ridiculously huge Forever 21 on Waikiki. It had just opened today and my sister really wanted to go shopping with her Christmas money. It was so overwhelming and I felt sick for the people who worked there. Working retail has definitely changed the way I shop. This store was totally wrecked and there were sooo many people there and all I could think of was how stressed I would be if my store was like this and I had to close. Then I tried to stop thinking about it because it was just plain depressing. I am on my Christmas vacation! No work! No thinking about work! Just buy a ton of striped skirts (check)!

     My brother met up with us, we took a few pictures for mom and then the two of us went on a sibling date. I love my baby brother so much, even though he is no longer a baby--he's 6'2 and all muscle. I got to go to two of his basketball games last week and even though I normally can't pay attention to anything sport related, I was either on the edge of my bleacher or jumping up and cheering my head off the whole game. I am so proud of my #42! Caleb and I walked down the Waikiki strip and I tried to not embarrass him too much by looking like such a tourist with my camera around my neck. But I mean, I am a tourist. Kind of. We found a little crepe shop and all the crepes looked sooo good but were so expensive, so we got shave ice instead. Yes, shave, not shaved. Don't ask because I don't know...and neither does anyone else it seems. I wish we had known how big they were going to be! We totes could have shared. 

     We ate as much as we could until we were all sugared out, our tongues were frozen and our speech was slurred. Then we walked across the street to get some dollar fries for me and a dollar McChicken for Caleb. I think tomorrow I get to have a breakfast date with my dad. I have eaten so much in the past seven days, its ridic.