What's Up Wednesday (September Edition)

I haven't linked up for awhile for What's Up Wednesday so I decided to join back. 

What we're eating this week....Sunday night we had leftovers from Thursday which was this 

Monday: Chicken Enchiladas with homemade guac

Tuesday: Dinner at my parents

Wednesday: Pepperoni, pesto and mozzarella calzones

Thursday: Leftovers

Friday: Picnic at the Ben Rector Concert at Chastain

Saturday: Dinner out 

What I'm reminiscing about....All the good times I had at football games with my friends in college and living in the same place as all my girlfriends. We haven't all been together in the same place since last September for Lizzie's wedding (we were even missing a few then too) so our trip to Texas in October is going to be so good for the soul. There are 16 of us going to Austin and 3 of us live in Atlanta. My friends are ALL over! They live in Puerto Rico, New York, Orlando, Columbia, DC, Nashville, Memphis, Napa, LA, Kansas City, Richmond, and Panama City (which Lizzie is unfortunately the only one who can't make it). It's going to be such a great weekend with I'm sure lots of reminiscing going on! 

This picture was from our senior year Red Rose weekend field party. 

What I'm loving.... I'm loving that the weather is slowly starting to change. The nights are getting a bit cooler. BRING ON FALL TEMPS

What we've been up to... Lots of football watching, tennis, snuggling with Emma, Emma's baptism, lake trip, beach trip over Labor Day and enjoying our weekend. Tommy just started a new job last Monday working for James Hardie doing sales for them and is really enjoying it so far.

What I'm dreading... I'm dreading work in October. For some reason October is always so stressful/disjointed/high anxiety for everyone in the school building. I always look forward to when October is going to end! I know I'm not teaching anymore but the work in a school building never ends no matter what position you are. 

What I'm working on... I'm working on balancing when to say "no". I'm not always very good at saying "no" to activities and such. I have a hard time when I think I'm going to miss something but I know that it may be too much for Emma to handle in one day. Life is different now with a little one and being able to balance both without isolating us and without overwhelming me/her. 

What I'm excited about... I'm excited about all the changes Emma is going through and how much her little personality is making its BIG way out. She is the light in our lives and I can't get enough of her. I rush out of school every day because I can't wait to get home and play.

What I'm watching/reading... Grey's is back for another season and because of all the posts the other day about the new NBC show I'm going to start watching that. I would like to see Stranger Things as well because I've heard it's awesome too.

What I'm listening to... Ben Rector because I'm excited to go to his concert on Friday (or maybe I'm more excited for a date night with my husband. Haven't been out just the two of us since our anniversary in May!)

What I'm wearing... my same old same old. Nothing new to report in this department

What I'm doing this weekend... Concert Friday and then going to tailgate for the UGA vs. Tennessee game. So excited to take Emma to Athens for the first time and to see my brother and sister. Can't wait! 

What I'm looking forward to next month... Looking forward to pumpkin patching (yes I made that into a verb) at Burts, Emma's first Halloween (oh babies in costumes!), my girls trip to Austin, TX. So many fun things in October! 

Bonus Question: What is your favorite fall recipe? I love all things pumpkin! I am hosting my supper club in October and I'm hoping to try out a pumpkin cornbread recipe (to go with my Chili recipe. Tommy said "Do not stray from the classic chili recipe. There is no need for that!" ha!) and some kind of pumpkin/chocolate dessert. 

Emma's Baptism Weekend

Yesterday (9.10.16) we went to Tommy's parents to celebrate Aunt Marsha and Tom's birthdays since Beth and Danny were coming in town for the baptism today and SURPRISE we also got to celebrate Beth and Danny's engagement! We are so excited for them! 

Today was Emma's Baptism (9.11.16) at our church, Peachtree Presbyterian. It was a wonderful morning celebrating our beautiful Emma. Peachtree will always hold such a special place in our lives no matter where we live or what church we attend because we got married there and now Emma was baptized there. She did great minus the little mishap of spitting up while Chuck Roberts was holding her up speaking to her about her name (cue mother embarrassment!). We were surrounded by both our families and some of our closest friends. Emma is one loved little lady!

Following the service we came back to our house for a brunch. Emma was given some very special gifts to commemorate this day. We are so blessed to be surrounded by so many people who love Emma as much as we do. 

 Mimi and Emma

 Mimosa and coffee bar

 Menu: deviled eggs, cinnamon twists, fruit salad, ham rolls, chicken salad croissants, yogurt parfaits, and donut holes

 Book for everyone to write a note to Emma

 Strawberry Cake from Cecilias in Athens (thanks Auntie Claire for picking it up. This was also what was in our wedding cake!)

Tpop, Marsha, Danny, Beth and Tommy

 Cookies from Pastry Shells

 Uncle James, Grandpa, and Auntie Bonnie

 Auntie Claire and a very distracted Emma 

 Mimi, Kyle Hartman, and Coco

 Ansley Reynolds and Elizabeth Mitchler

 Brad Mitchler, Matt Reynolds, Drew Stelling, and Andrew Hartman

 TPop and Emma

 This is Emma's great great grandmother's wedding ring (on Tommy's side). Very special gift and oh so beautiful!

This weekend was very special. There is nothing better than being surrounded by all the people you love most. We are truly blessed. The verse we chose for the church bulletin today was: Proverbs 3:5-6 "trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight." 

Emma Claire our wish for your life is that you will know the love of Jesus and you will follow his way through all your life. We hope you know how much love you are surrounded by and how many people care for you. 

We love you sweet girl! God bless your life, Emma!

Weekend recap: lake edition

This weekend we went back up to The Stellings lake house on Lake Rabun. We always enjoy our weekends up there and the Stellings are always such wonderful hosts. Drew and Caroline always take care of buying all the groceries for the weekend and plan out all our meals. Such a treat! 

We headed up after work on Friday and got there in a little over two hours due to traffic and a major meltdown requiring the need to stop.  The group that was there this trip were the Hartmans, Drew and Caroline Stelling, Michael Sullivan, and Drew's parents. Another couple joined us on Saturday afternoon as well. Friday night drew grilled pork tenderloins along with Mac n cheese and veggies. Saturday morning we had pancakes, bacon, fruit, and eggs. Lunch Saturday we did tailgate snacks with beef sliders. Dinner Saturday night we got Louie's Pizza. Sunday morning we had breakfast casserole. We did NOT go hungry this weekend! 

Saturday we spent the day between watching football (UGA looked terrible), hanging out floating in the water, or just hanging out on the boat dock. It was a very relaxing day and I really needed the down time. Poor Bailey (Drew and Caroline's lab) was having some tummy issues the whole weekend so they ended up having to leave to go to the emergency vet Saturday night. Bailey must have eaten something that was blocking her intestine. They are just having to wait it out for it to pass. We hope sweet Bailey feels better soon! 

We had an awesome weekend. Thank you Stellings for always being such wonderful hosts. We love going up to the lake! 

Friday Favorites

Linking up for Friday Favorites this week! 

My husband and his handy skills are a FAVORITE! He built this bookshelf and coffee table. The coffee table is going to actually make it IN our house today during his lunch break when our friend Andrew is also home for lunch to help move it. The concrete is HEAVY therefore I am not the person Tommy wants helping him move it. Ok by me!

Emma is just a ball of fun these days! She is so active and keeps me laughing all afternoon when I get home from work. It's so easy to put away what happened at work that day when I get to come home and play with her. She really knows how to help me put that aside. 

My good morning pictures from Tommy are my favorite. This morning was the best with how much these two are really becoming fast friends. Makes this momma heart so happy! 

FALL is here and I can't express how much I LOVE the Starbucks app. Our Starbucks doesn't have a drive through so if I order it right before I leave the house it's ready for me when I get there so I can just run in, grab, and go. The BEST!

This nugget and her mom came to visit during lunch today! I forgot to take a picture of Langley today but this was one of her so sweetly taking a nap on her momma yesterday (yes we both have nap boycotters!) Miss having Adrienne at school but so thankful for the daily texts I get from her checking in on me and LF.

I love momfessionals blog and finally decided to try out an EvyStreet hoodie. Oh my it is so comfy! I got so many compliments on it yesterday at work. Purple is my favorite color and being comfy is more of a favorite! 

Lastly so excited for some rest and relaxation this weekend at Lake Rabun with the Stellings and Hartmans. I love going to Drew's lake house. Looking forward to quality time with Tommy and Emma. We are excited that Tommy's first week at his new job has gone well this week too!