A Much Overdue Life Update

Hi friends! I owe y’all this post big time. Last time I posted, I mentioned we were moving, but I didn’t say where or why. So here are the details!

{Moving Day 2012}

We moved back to metro Atlanta exactly a month ago yesterday, and we are living in Kyle’s parents’ old house now. Long-time readers might remember from this post that Kyle’s parents moved two years ago, and their previous home hasn't sold yet, which is the house we are currently living in. I know it may sound a little confusing, but basically, Kyle’s parents offered to let us live in their empty house rent free, and it is within reasonable distance of my new job and Kyle’s clinical rotations, so we decided it was the best option for us during this next season of life. The goal is to save up what we would have been paying in rent for a down payment, and then buy our own home once Kyle graduates from Physical Therapy school and gets a J-O-B (this sugar mama thing got old like yesterday).

So speaking of being a sugar mama, I got a new job! I have been in my new position for two and a half weeks now, and I absolutely LOVE it. I am working for the University System of Georgia in Atlanta, which a lot of people get mixed up with the University of Georgia. It’s definitely understandable since there’s only a one-word difference, but the University System of Georgia is the governing organization over all 35 public colleges and universities in the state of Georgia, which includes the University of Georgia. So UGA falls under the umbrella of the University System of Georgia if that makes sense. Anyway, side note, I am especially excited to show y’all my new office once I’m done decorating it. Stay tuned!

The reason we went ahead and moved away from Augusta is mainly because of Kyle’s clinical rotations. In the third year of PT school, the Fall and Spring semesters consist solely of clinical rotations, and Kyle was able to get most of his rotations in the Atlanta area. Since we knew we wanted to end up near Atlanta once Kyle graduated in May anyway, we decided there was no reason not to go ahead and move. It’s hard to believe, but Kyle only has three weeks left of his inpatient rotation at Dekalb Medical Center, and then he will be on a pediatric rotation in Gwinnett County for the rest of the Fall semester. We’re looking forward to all the time he’ll have off in December though--we’re planning on building our own farmhouse table!

So far the transition has been a semi-smooth one, but I’m not gonna lie and say that everything has been honky-dory. I have my moments where I really miss Augusta. And to be honest, I never thought I would say that, but it’s true. I think it’s so easy to overlook the bountiful blessings God has provided when they are right there in front of you. Now that I'm away from Augusta, I really miss the friendships we made there, our awesome church family, all the beautiful places we could take Doc on a walk, my co-workers at GHSU, and on top of all that it was the place where Kyle and I made our first home together. It will always hold a special place in our heart, and right now I'm a little sad that that season of our life has passed.

So that’s where we are in life right now. Just another transitional phase. But still beyond blessed! 

Guess What We're Up To...

Oh hi! Remember me? The girl who hasn't blogged in a month and a half? Yeah, about that. Our life has been a little flipped upside down lately, mostly because WE ARE MOVING ON SATURDAY! Yep, just go ahead and call us professional movers. We can't get enough of it. The house is a complete disaster right now and looking a LOT like this:

Doc has no idea what's going on and continues to just hang out on his bed while we pack. Oh the life of a dog! 

In the meantime, I wanted to give you a preview of what we've been up to/what's coming up on the blog soon. I have a LOT of catching up to do, y'all!

If we're friends on Facebook, you know I have a little photography business going. I can't wait to share more about this! I started out this summer with a maternity session for Laura + Jason at Hammond's Ferry.

A few weeks later, I had my first baby photography session with sweet Ava Grace at the Augusta Canal. 

A couple days after Ava Grace's session, Laura and Jason had their baby! We went to visit them in the hospital where I snapped this sweet picture. :)

Later on that week, we had another shoot swap with the Greavus. I am obsessed with Amanda's new haircut!

When Lucy turned three weeks old, I went over to Jason + Laura's house for my first newborn session. I definitely have a renewed appreciation for all newborn photographers after this! It's fun, but a lot harder than you think!

A couple days later, I took some 5-Month portraits for my sister's niece, Annabeth. I can't get over how adorable Annabeth is!

In July we visited the Biltmore Estate. I absolutely cannot wait to blog about this! 

While we were in North Carolina we also had a family reunion. We took lots of attractive pictures...like this one:

Speaking of (actual) attractive pictures, my cousin Caroline agreed to be a model for me so I could practice my senior photography skills. My Aunt Catherine, my mom and my sister came along as my assistants and we had so much fun! 

Near the end of July, I had my second maternity session of the summer with Marie + Brandon along the Riverwalk. It was a HOT night, but Marie was super photogenic all the same!

About a week into August, we went to the Atlanta airport to pick up my little brother as he had been away in North Africa for 3 months. Needless to say we were SO happy to see him! 

I've also been attending a lot of baby showers lately. Folks sure are mighty productive over here in Augusta! And I mean that in the most appropriate way possible. ;) 

So that's our crazy life right now! Anyone else's eyes about to go cross-eyed from the hugeness of this post? I'll give you a little break and skip away now. :)

P.S. so glad to be back!

Additions to That 2012 Movie List

Hello to another Monday! I hope everyone enjoyed their weekend. We spent ours with Kyle's parents, which was great because I feel like we don't get to see them that often.

Since it's Monday, let's start off the week with a fun topic--the movies! If we're being honest, Hollywood is blowing my mind right now. I mean, Anna Karenina, Les Miserables, AND The Great Gatsby, all in one year? Mind. Blown. Come December, my wallet is going to be completely empty and super upset with me. Somehow I didn't know about these films when I initially made my 2012 must-see movie list, but I'd say that with these additions my list is now complete. Here are the other movies I can't wait to see this year!

Anna Karenina (November 9)

Les Miserables (December 14)

The Bourne Legacy (August 10)

Taken 2 (October 5)

What movies can you not wait to see this year? Let me know if you think I'm missing anything on my list(s)! 

12 in 2012: Reading List Update

Happy Friday, friends! I think it's time for a Reading List update. :)

Since I posted my 12 in 2012 Reading List in January, I have only read three books. Yep, just three. Speed Reader of the Year award right here! I blame it on the fact that this has been the busiest year for Kyle and me to date. Kyle is in his last semester of classes before 8 months of clinical rotations, I am working full time while simultaneously trying to build my photography business portfolio, and somewhere in there we have to feed ourselves, take care of Doc, and (attempt) to keep the house clean. Which unfortunately means not much time to sit down and read, but hopefully that will change in the coming 6 months (for my sanity's sake)! Here are the three books I've read so far this year:

An Echo in the Darkness by Francine Rivers

The Lucky One by Nicholas Sparks

The Other Boleyn Girl by Philippa Gregory

And right now I am in the middle of:

Here Burns My Candle by Liz Curtis Higgs

As you can see, I'm definitely a fan of historical fiction (and seriously, remind me to never read another Nicholas Sparks novel again). I am not going to make so lofty a goal as to review all the books I've read this year, but I would like to review my favorites. So be on the lookout for a few book reviews scattered here and there throughout the rest of this year. :) 

And speaking of  book reviews, am I the only one living under a rock and didn't know about the world of book bloggers out there? A few months ago I came across Hannah's blog and fell in love with the book blog genre! Let me tell you, these book bloggers are impressive. While I think reading 12 books in one year is an accomplishment, they read 12 books in one month. Personally, I think my best friend Jenny would make a great book blogger. Case in point--this recent Facebook post from her hubs: 

 Am I right? We were meant to be BFF because I am practically doing the same thing right now. I can't ever just have one book on my nightstand. So what books are on your reading list lately? Did you set any goals for reading in 2012? Feel free to share in the comments!

Golden Birthday {In Pictures}

Good morning lovelies! I hope everyone enjoyed their 4th of July yesterday. It feels odd to be back in the office today, hooray for awkward middle of the week holidays! While I don't have my pictures from the 4th ready yet, I do have some pictures to share from my birthday back in June. The 24th was my Golden Birthday (which is when your age and your birth date are the same), and these are a few favorites from that weekend. Kyle sure did spoil me! 

 

{Ready to go line dancing at the Country Club}

{Fried calamari at Bistro 491} 

{My dinner: halibut, fingerling potatoes, asparagus, and tomato-bacon stew} 

{Kyle's dinner: Filet Mignon, green beans, and peas} 

{Tiramisu cupcake from Tutti Frutti} 

{My little family that I love so much!}

I couldn't have asked for a better birthday weekend. :) 

Happy 4th!

Hope you are enjoying your 4th of July today! We are grilling out for dinner and then going to watch the fireworks over the Savannah River later tonight. Love this holiday! And since no 4th of July post would be complete without a nod to U.S. history, here's a picture of Kyle and me hanging out with Captain John Smith in Jamestown, VA, circa May 2010. (I'm hoping to write a full post about our trip to Williamsburg soon so I can add it to our Travels page. Get excited!).

P.S. If you are in an especially patriotic mood, head on over to my sister's blog, where she is recapping her recent trip to DC!

We'll miss you, Kober!

Today is going to be a tough day for Kyle. His 12-year-old Doberman Pinscher, Kobe, has not been doing well for a while, and Kyle's dad (a veterinarian) recently discovered that she has an osteosarcoma. She would not make it much longer, so today Kyle and his family are saying their final goodbye to sweet Kobe.

Isn't she gorgeous? Kobe's the one sitting up on the left in the photo above. I've only known Kobe as long as I've known Kyle, but she will always hold a special place in my heart. I know most people are scared of or intimidated by Dobermans (darn Father of the Bride!), but really they are the sweetest dogs. Kobe most of all. When you started petting her, and then stopped to go do something else, she would follow you all around the house until you started petting her again. And she loved nothing more than fetching her Kong all around the front yard! 

This will be especially hard for Kyle, who got Kobe as a present when he was just 13. He trained her and took care of her mostly by himself, and she turned out to be such a smart and well behaved dog. Even though Kobe has been living with Kyle's parents since he went off to college, it's still hard to lose the dog you grew up with. Our family dog of 11 years passed away last year, and there are times I miss him so much and wish he was still there greeting me at the door at my parents' house, wagging his tail and jumping on my legs. It's hard to accept they're gone when they've always been there before, you know?

The other Doberman in these pictures is Atlas (pictured on the right in the photo above), who is actually one of Kobe's puppies. I know Atlas is going to miss his mommy a lot too. 

So here's to Koberman the Doberman! Thanks for being such a faithful dog, and we will miss you so much girl. Have fun playing with all the dogs up there in heaven, say hi to TJ for us!