october

October has brought about a season of celebrating (as it always does), lots of crafting with the boys, and waiting on baby no. 4. We've slowed down, soaking in our last days as a family of five. We've added homemade soups to our weekly meal rotation, swapped pink carnations for sunflowers (which will forevermore remind me of waiting for baby no. 4) and have filled the house with the scent of apple cider. It's been a season for opened doors and windows, letting the cool fall breeze sift through the house. 

Today it's rainy and I've watched the boys wander past in their pjs and my heart is full and thankful. The only thing that cold make today better is if baby no. 4 decided to join! (: 

celebrate | eight

Last week we celebrated our EIGHTH anniversary, like we always do, with dinner at Stella's just the two of us. It's hard to believe that we've been married now for the better part of a decade (and together for a good bit longer than that)! We've had a year of rest, a year of travel, a year of being together. I'm excited for what's next for us, but this year is something I will forever treasure in my heart. 

Mikey, you're such a stud. I love doing this life alongside you. Thank you for making me feel like a queen...for constantly telling me (and showing me) how special and beautiful I am to you. I couldn't have known eight years ago what our promises would hold, but I am so thankful to still be fighting for each other and to be honoring those promises together. Thank you for choosing me as your bride that day and every day since. All my love, always! 

Keep me safe mister & I'll keep you wild. I promise. 

[seven, six, five, four, three, two, one]

kansas city, the bits & pieces

things that i'll remember when i look back on this trip:

carrying my 4th(!) baby boy in a new city

late night chats in our own little bungalow

shared plates (always)

all the beignets + coffee + ice cream 

joe's pulled pork + sausage upon arrival in our new city

ubering all over the city

antiquing for days 

talks of babies and future trips 

a 5 year anni dinner 

and always, plans for #girlstrip2018 

girls trip | kansas city, mo | part 2

Y'all. We started our second day at the River City Market where they lured us in with promises of beignets & coffee. We each ordered 2 orders of beignets (enough for at least 6 people) and oohed and ahhed over the deliciousness. We found ourselves in West Bottoms after beignets for a day of antiquing. My only regret is that I couldn't (cheaply) get home the large items I fell in love with (lockers, cow hide rugs, etc). I've already told Mike that I'd love to go back with a trailer for the treasures we left behind. Wishful thinking? 

We chatted while we wandered & sifted through treasures. We dreamed of a family trip one day, husbands & kids in tow. We celebrated two babies on the way. We ate well and slept long and hard at the end of each day. These girls, this trip, forever a part of my heart. 

girls trip | kansas city, mo

Our 5th annual girls trip took us to Kansas City, MO this year! We're 5 years, 5 babies (with 2 on the way) in and say that it takes perfect alignment of the stars to find a weekend that works for us all...but, we keep making it happen. 

I don't think I had any expectations for what Kansas was going to be like, but I was pleasantly surprised by all it had to offer. Thanks to sweet friends from our gym who moved to KC a couple of years ago, we had an extensive list of things to do, places to see & restaurants to try while we were there. 

After settling our stuff into our quaint Airbnb, we walked to Joe's BBQ for lunch. Not only was this place recommended to us by my friends, but it popped up on every "KC Must Do" list we checked. Needless to say, it didn't disappoint! Between the laughter & stories shared, we ventured to the River City Market, sipped iced coffee at Quay, and explored a ginormous antique mall. 

I'm so thankful for Mikey & the village of people we have surrounding us who help take care of our kiddos while I'm gone. I know it's no small feat to care for our pack of wild wolves for a few days and will forever be grateful for a chance to escape with these girls while they're being looked after!