1, 2, 3 easy as ATC

A couple of weeks ago I spent the week in the atrsy, funky and eclectic little town of Savannah.  

I was "sans husband" until Thursday.

We learned that we both don't sleep too well without the other one and that a queen size bed feels a lot bigger when you are the only one in it.

Thank goodness for over-sized pillows that act as a double for my giant of a husband.  I'm a snuggler when I sleep.  That poor pillow...

I went down to Savannah because I had been accepted to compete in the American Traditions Competition for singers.  

It was a week long competition full of concerts, rehearsals, sound checks, master classes, friend making, sight seeing, boat riding, and yummy food tasting.

This was really the first competition that I have done outside of college.  I was so happy to have been singing alongside such wonderfully talented singers.  I felt completely honored to have been chosen for the competition.

When we first arrived we had a reception at the Cupcake Emporium in Wright Square.  It was dangerous because we were given free reign to eat all of the free cupcakes we wanted. 

"Oh, sweet salted caramel cupcake get back in my mouth!!"

One day I had some free time, so I went over to try out my best friend's brothers's new restaurant.  They just opened next to SCAD's biggest building.  

The night before I received a phone call from a number I didn't know.  I love answering unknown numbers and it always makes me giddy because I get a small thrill from not knowing who is on the other line.  It was Lisa's brother Patrick who invited me to come to his restaurant.  

So I did. 

And I did not regret it.

Once my family arrived we took a walk down River Street. Our eyes feasted on the treats of River Street Sweets.  We had free pralines and taffy.

I was quite proud of how I sang.  I was one of the youngest people in the competition and I feel so proud of how I represented myself.  

I love singing so much.  

I love the thrill of being someone else for a few minutes and feeling what they would feel.  

I love giving every ounce of myself to make art.

I was so thankful to have been supported by a loving husband and my family.  So many people came down and made me feel so loved.  I am proud to have the family I do.

when the husbands away the wife will cave.

Last night I came home at 11:15, from almost 12 hours of babysitting, to an empty home.  John was invited for a racquetball and a video game marathon at my sister and her husbands home in Athens.  I will never understand men and their video games.  So...I had the night to my self.  What did I do?

1) Put on the most comfortable jammies I could find, included but not limited to a shirt I have had since Elementary school

2) Felt a little lonely with no one to snuggle with

3) Realized that was silly and told myself, "You can have fun by yourself, you like yourself."

4) Took a self portrait

5) Took off all of my make-up, let my hair down, and indulged in two guilty and unhealthy pleasures

6)  Netflixed a classic. Old movies are the cure for any secluded night

*Jane Russell completely out-shown Marilyn.  Sorry Mary.

I really enjoyed the movie except for the fact that the whole time I just kept thinking, "Jane Russell is Adam Cooper in drag! Jane Russell is Adam Cooper in drag!"  It was tripping me out the entire film.

Adam Cooper would make a beautiful female.

7) Did another self-portrait through the viewfinder of my Nanny's vintage Ricoh Singlex II

8)  Then I watched The Proposal and made snowflakes for a special Christmas decoration. Stayed tuned, it's going to be brilliant.  I made them out of some music sheets from an old vintage piano music book and maps from an old Atlas that John had in his car.

"Hello Washington, how will your Christmas be?"

I realized a few things last night. 

It's just as important to feed the relationship you have with yourself as it it is to feed the relationships you have with others.

Marriage has changed the way that I spend my time.  When I come home or have free time, the only thing on my mind is wanting to be with my husband.  But I realized last night that sometimes we have to step back and check back in with ourselves to make sure that we are doing what we need to feed our souls and stay connected to the "little I am" inside of us.  We can do this alone and with people but I just needed the reminder that being alone is a sweet time of self discovery and self love.  I had a great reunion with myself last night.  I think we will get together more often.

The last part- grlz wknd 3

When I left my sweet husband last weekend for girls weekend at my parents home I clipped this little note to his pillow.  

When I was younger my cousin taught me not to forget your PJ'S before bed.

P- Prayer

J- Journal

S- Scriptures

That has stuck with me my whole life.  In our home John and I always say our prayers together at night.  Occasionally we miss our scripture study but we are trying so hard to make that a deep habit.  We know that studying the scriptures makes for a strong foundation in our lives and in our knowledge of the gospel. I'd like to think of this blog as the ultimate journal, so I think I've got that one down. (sorry for the tangent)

So, here is the rest of girls weekend.

(Breakfast on the porch the first day)

(that's supposed to say with. not qith...)

(making caramel apples the second night)

(beautiful sister)

(my skinny mother with our fruit skewers)

(grilled chicken the first night)

(candle craft)

(we made these pumpkins out of wired ribbon)

(santa claus looking pizza)

(our feet)

"I wonder if you sisters fully understand the greatness of your gifts and talents and how all of you can achieve the 'highest place of honor' in the Church and in the world. One of your unique, precious, and sublime gifts is your femininity, with its natural grace, goodness, and divinity. Femininity is not just lipstick, stylish hairdos, and trendy clothes. It is the divine adornment of humanity. It finds expression in your qualities of your capacity to love, your spirituality, delicacy, radiance, sensitivity, creativity, charm, graciousness, gentleness, dignity, and quiet strength. It is manifest differently in each girl or woman, but each of you possesses it. Femininity is part of your inner beauty.

-James E. Faust

See Part one (here)

See part two (here)

I left my husband...girls weekend part 1

I left my husband this weekend.  It is the longest that we have been apart since we got married. (it was almost 40 hours)  I know that it's pathetic and not to be a baby, but I missed him real real bad.  You are probably thinking that I'm a sissy, and that's ok because I am and I am kind of attached to him.

This weekend was so wonderful though.  I have always enjoyed the companionship of women.  There is something really fulfilling about being with all of the women I love.  We crafted, giggled, ate, and of course chatted and never ran out of things to say.  The love and peace that comes from being with family is unmatched.  Being a woman is simply (divine).

(all of us trying to calm Riley down with our kisses)

(all the women in attendance)

My Mother

My Nanny

My Sister

My Aunt Cat

My Cousin Britney

Cousin Brit's baby, Riley

My Cousin Mannah

(we missed our other cousins and aunties!!)

(yours truly)

(my beautiful mama, looking pretty hott for almost 60 huh?)

(sister- Bek)

(Brit and her girl Riley)

(Aunt Cat)

(Mannah)

(Nanny)

 

(one of my mother's beautiful flower arrangements in the mason jars from our wedding reception decorations)

(Me and my Birthday Cupcake from Nanny, I'll be 23 in a couple weeks)

(Mama and sister and moi) 

We did some seriously amazing crafts that I am going to share that hopefully will blow your mind.  We made some yummy food. My mother adorned our house in fall decor to perfection so, look out for part 2.