a unique shopping day

The very same weekend that we were in Boise for my step brother's wedding, we went thrift/antique/consignment shopping at a few of my momma's favorite spots. They quickly became my favorite too. :)

One place was tucked away from the road and surrounded by trees. It was this beautiful, old brick building that used to be a school many many years ago! Some of the pieces for sale inside were actual desks and old books that they used at the school then. My teacher heart was totally in love.

It was such a fun day! Thanks momma for showing us your favorite places. Can't wait to go again now that we are finally getting settled into our home and I know what to look for this time.

my step brother's wedding

The evening before my step brother Josh's wedding, we went to their rehearsal dinner. I spent most of the time following around my adorable and not-so-little-anymore nieces around the backyard photographing their every move. Like any other little there, they were dying to eat one of those cupcakes from the second they were brought outside. Such cuties!

Photos below by Heather Hillman Photography 

It was the hottest day in the history of weddings but it was definitely beautiful! My littlest niece was the flower girl. She ran bee line straight down the aisle toward the ring bearer {can't blame her, he was adorable} with a few petals occasionally spilling over the side of her basket on the way. Then one minute into the ceremony, she had had it with the whole standing still and looking pretty thing. There was hitting of the flower girl next to her, glaring eyes, and many "no"s to her momma's pleas to just hold still and not make a scene. It was all I could do to not giggle in my seat. I love little girls. Especially covered in tulle dresses with flowery headbands. My other niece carried that adorable sign down the aisle for her Unkie Josh's wedding!

To Nicole ::
I'm so glad he found someone like you... sweet, kind, and beautiful on the inside and out. He deserves it and I'm so happy for the both of you! And boy, did you make one beautiful bride!! So glad you are a part of our family.

Wishing you many years of happiness Josh and Nicole! xoxo

goodbye summer, hello fall!

Today was the first day of fall. With an added measure of breeze in the air and the 60 degree temperature, I could not only see it, but I could feel it too. I can't say I am too sad about saying goodbye to summer this year, which is completely crazy for me because I am usually a summer girl. This summer however, I spent far too much time wishing it away... sad, I know. But fall for us meant living in our new house, a first season to decorate it, and the beginning of my first year of teaching. I spent all summer preparing for these huge changes in our lives that I didn't really stop and take the time to get that summer glow on my skin {which in 10 years from now, my skin will probably be thanking me for}. 

It feels like it is not only a season of weather we are saying goodbye to but also a season in our lives. Goodbye to the college days, apartment living, and everything more temporary and hello to a beautiful first home, a classroom full of little ones who are eager to learn, a name plate etched with "Mrs. Williamson" above my door {something I have longed to be and have worked really hard for}, and so many wonderful things that feel more permanent. It is a great feeling welcoming this new season and it is making fall feel even more meaningful for us this year! 

As I was sitting in our new living room earlier tonight with the the person I love most in this world, I was looking out the window and discovered the picture above. It was the perfect silhouette that seemed to put exactly how I'm feeling into picture form. The perfect mixture of the summery pastel colors drenching an Idaho sunset sky and the outline of pumpkins in the forefront. A wonderful reminder that fall is here! You can bet as I light that first pumpkin spice scented candle on my kitchen window sill this week, I will be welcoming fall with open arms!  

national bunny day

I don't know if you knew, but today was National Bunny Rabbit Day! So we spent most of the afternoon celebrating by kissing this little one and feeling so grateful that she is a part of our family. I'm pretty sure that she secretly knew and milked it for all it was worth. ;) The perfect day for getting extra lettuce and treats. We love you Rue!

a new tradition

Before closing the door to our little apartment for the final time, we started a new tradition. One that we plan on carrying on to every place that becomes our home together. We carved our initials in the master bedroom closet in a far away corner. One you would have to bend down and peek under the shelf to find.

It was symbolic of the fact that the little apartment meant more to us than just being our first home together. We shared so many special memories and a whole lot of firsts there that we will never forget. We had to leave a little piece of us behind with the hope that, if someone were to find it one day, that they might believe in the little saying "home is where the heart is."

wendy, our first home

Happy Tuesday! This post is about a month over due. I left off on my last post with the fact that we were experiencing the waiting game to move in to our new house and it just so happened we got the keys and closed only a few short days after publishing it. The days that followed were filled with so many joyful squeals of "I can't believe this is OUR home" and here we are a month later and we still feel this way. In fact, I'm not sure that feeling will go away any time soon. It is surreal to have soft water, a dishwasher, a garage, no neighbor noise, etc. Oh the luxuries of a home. :) It hasn't been without its trials though, that's for sure. We bought a new home with the hope that we wouldn't run into any problems with it until several years down the road. Wrongo!

But in the interest of keeping the initial joy we felt alive, I'll save those stories for another day. We love you Wendy!



p.s. Oh, did I not mention she has a name? Ha One of our many quirks, we name all of our inanimate objects around here. ;)