Big Move

Yes, we all look like we are shooting lazer beams from our eyeballs here but whatevs.

I recently went through a huge transition. I packed up all my things, climbed into a ginormous uhaul with my Mom and Sarah and road tripped it all the way back to West Virginia. After 18 hours of black coffee, one experience getting the uhaul (and trailor that held my truck) stuck in a "jackknife" position and about a billion rounds of QuizUp we arrived in WV.

I'm overwhelmed with gratitude.

Not only because 'tis the season but because of how I have been impacted through this whole experience. My heart is so full because of the people who have been so perfectly weaved into my life. One of the most life changing things these sweet, loving people have taught me is the seriousness of our God. I have have been taught discipline, reliance and dependance on Him in new exciting ways just through our friendships.

My life is infinitely more full because of these people.

Grateful Heart

Overtime, Shoot Outs and a win for my first hockey game.

New trails and almost getting lost with my mom. 

"What the duck?!"

A giant duck that gives us a good supply of jokes for the rest of the day. 

Alleys strung with lights leading to hidden restaurants.  

Sunset walks.

Surf boards used as decor in island coffee shops. 

Dreaming about a great month spent with friends in WV. 

Girls who just get it.

Quiet mornings enjoying the best seat in the house.

Cool atmospheres and time spent with friends that work hard and inspire me to pursue creativity. 

Morning Glory. 

Since moving into my new apartment, waking up before the sun has been a breeze. I'm assuming it is easy because it is still all new and exciting. 

It has been almost 3 weeks in The Treehouse (trying this new name on for size) and I can already feel lazy morning syndrome kicking in. My "bed" (the sofa couch I have been sleeping on until my actual bed in delivered) is becoming too warm, too familiar and invites me to press snooze eleven more times than necessary. For the past couple of morning... I have been accepting that invitation.

 Fingers crossed I can protect that extra hour I have in the mornings, for running/exploring the beauty of a new neighborhood, journaling and sipping coffee as the sun makes it's grand appearance.

Here's a purple flowered tree I couldn't resist having a little photo shoot with on one of my morning runs...

Enjoy the day, friends.

Creative Minds.

Some kids at After Care have been inspiring me like crazy these days. Sometimes I get too caught up in "being a grown up" and being responsible that I hit a wall. When this happens I am gently reminded by a sweet homemade comic book full of 2nd grade inspired heroes and a "talent show sine up" that life is meant to be lived with whimsy, creativity and a desire to share your gifts with others. So thank you, sweet friends! You warm and reverse my "grown up" heart back to it's sweet beginnings!

Grateful Heart.

Sweet Pooches in Wine Shops.

 Momma-Daughter time a cool coffee shops in old Carolina homes.

Great conversations with sweet girls (see picture below in addition).

Saturday morning traditions with a dear friend. 

Surprise Birthday Dinners.

Bubbles.

Sparklers.

Love Letters.

&

Laughter.

Little hearts in my Mocha.

New Hair.

Late night walks to the sea with my roommate.

Yes, we are only a 15 minute walk away from the beach. Can't be upset about that!

Lately, I have had much to be thankful for.

Here's to family and friends who push me and encourage me to do what I love.

Home

Jane and I slurping a mocha almond milkshake while falling in love.

Front Porch sittin' with BA and Jane. 

I've been spending a lot of time with friends lately. Our community suffered a great loss recently of a dear friend, mother, wife and woman. I caught word of Kathy at work on Monday morning and immediately booked a ticket home to spend time with friends and family. First off, I don't want to skip the opportunity to write about how special she was. She was sweet, kind and was always concerned about others. Once during a storm that left my family stranded in an electricity free home for about a week, she packed a cooler full of goodies which included a variety of beer packed special just for my stepdad. Another fun fact: Kathy was the first person to ever buy a photograph from me (while I was in H.S.), name it and hang it proudly in her home. Brave soul she was, taking a chance on a young artist like me. 

This leads me to my time spent at home. Under the circumstances, my time with my friends was sweet as usual. It never disappoints. We laughed over chocolate cake, shared deep and encouraging words and thoughts, took long strolls on gravel paths, talked about our plans, and slept like 3 peas in a pod with windows open and crickets chirping while the summer air filled the room. 

These women love me well.

Feathers by Katey Shelton

Hanging in King's Castle

Here We Go... Again.

Hold tight... I am about to fill you in on the past few months. 

I was a Hipster for Halloween/Clubble (YL Club in a bubble. see photos below)...

 I spent a week at Windy Gap with some amazing girls. They changed my life. 

 Skipping back up to the night of Clubble... here are some great people I like to call friends. 

I hiked my favorite trails in West Virginia and sipped coffee with some of my dearest friends. 

I Raved. 

I graduated from college. Yikes. 

Sheesh, look at that cheese. 

Up to Speed

The family Christmas Card. 

My Pals.  

The NY Trip.

Home. 

Loved: I went home over Christmas break. Back to the ole WV. I can not even begin to explain how this rocked my life. I spent such sweet time with my family, my friends, and my dogs. Yes, I said it... my dogs. It seems like every year we try to do a family Christmas card pic and every year something falls apart, making it impossible. This year was not exempt. Unfortunately, that Christmas card in all of its glory was not seen in print by the masses... maybe next time. Loved: The Pals. My friends are pretty bad arse. There definitely is a lot to be said about them and how they love me so beautifully. I have some plans for a special post for them. Loved: NY, you are indeed fun but there is just too much to take in for a small town gal like me. My aching feet salute you. Forever Loving: My home. There is nothing better than being back in West Virginia.  

Since then a lot has happened and maybe I will be able to catch up with life and let you in on all the awesomeness that I have experienced... but this may just have to do it for now.

Here we go!

I am totally starting over. I began blogging about a year ago but for some reason didn't keep it up. Since then I have been continuing to journal but to be completely honest, I have really missed blogging AND I missed sharing life with people. So this is my Welcome Back post! 

I've had some time to really think about how I will be sharing life through this blog with you and think I have come up with a format. If there wasn't a format I would probably ramble on for days... and no one really wants that. So, lets give this a try...

I will split up my writing into sections. First, I will start with "Loved". This will be a place where I can share everything that I have Loved. Second, there will be "Loving". This is where I will chat with you about everything I am currently Loving. And last but certainly not least, there is "Going to Love". I think you can guess what this will be. 

I seriously can not wait to start this back up again! I love just living life with tons of people and sharing everything there is to be loved about it. I am very excited for this and am hoping you all are too!