Visitors in August

August was lined up for us to visit with four groups from our Clemson church, DCF. Unfortunately, two of those parties fell through (on our end) so I only ended up visiting with Melissa and Aileen. Brandon wasn't able to see either. August was a month of refreshing conversation and encouraging laughter.

My time with Aileen was glorious. Caneva was visiting so I took the entire afternoon and evening to drive (alone) slowly under the John's Island oaks to Kiawah, relax in the pool, ride bikes on the beach and dine at the Fat Hen on delicious spaghetti squash (amongst other things).  I jokingly hashtagged our pictures on IG with #ailaireEpicLove. (To date one of my favorite hashtags.) Aileen is moving to California this month and I am thankful for the extra time to be together in person.

Melissa's family was vacationing on IOP so she snuck away one afternoon. I'm afraid I sorta dragged her around on a few errands with me ("Hello, barber shop. May I purchase some raw milk?"). But we redeemed the day with iced coffees and heart-deep conversation during August's nap time.

Although I missed seeing the Elmore and Hayes families, I do feel refreshed. I am thankful for the people the Lord has blessed my life with, knowing our hearts and prayers connect us even when geography and timing do not. The reality of community remains sacred, unique and precious. When you find it, friends, do not take it for granted.

October.

 I've been taking monthly photos of August on his birthday. I keep meaning to post them all here for posterity sake. This is August: 6 months old.

Mum, August and I took a very last minute, very quick trip to Starke to meet baby Owyn and to hug Emily's neck. Ali came to surprise us all too! The gathering of women to snuggle babies, drink coffee and share our hearts is one of my favorite things. 

Lilah and Owyn

Lilah's eyes!

 We started giving August fruits and veggies on my birthday. (I thought that would help me remember the date.) Since then, he eats anything we give him. Carrots, peas and pears are favorites. He likes avocado if its slightly warmed (odd!) and zucchini with garlic and basil. Feeding this boy is such fun. (I was really dreading the "solids" stage but have been surprised to find it easy, laid back and simple.)

In mid- October, Roman and Jenny visited for a long weekend. Off to the pumpkin patch we went...

Jackson (2), Mairn (4), and August (6 mo.)

Justin and Andra visited too! What a fun cousin month we've had! Their children have never been to a big, sandy American beach and they were enthralled. Brandon is working on a little film project that will capture our weekend and their excitement more than my photos...

Andra, Justin, Jonas (7), Anna (5), Evie (2)

 For small group, we took a night to eat chili and yummy cookies and carve pumpkins. Here are some of our creations...

Will, Sam, Kaitlin, Bran and August

 Finally, a current favorite of my boy in his Wild shirt.

Jess and Henry's Michigan Wedding

Beautiful Bride

Amazing Backyard Setting on the Lake

My B.

Jess and Henry

Plus Me! :)

getting up to no good

thinking about ice cream

     

The History of Us {Celebrating Life}

I have known Ali since I was 3 years old: over 25 years of friendship! For her 30th birthday, I wanted to give her something tangible to show how much these 25 years have meant to me. Mum suggested a photobook...

                                        

The spine of the book says, "to love a person is to learn the song in her heart & sing it to her when she has forgotten." This quote* embodies my friendship with Allison. She seems to ground me and bring me back to a "better me." She is so many things that I am not... generous, laid-back, carefree, adventurous. I treasure our memories, laughter, and friendship through so many seasons of life.

Thanks to Emily, Mrs. A and Mum for helping gather photos, give input on layout and arrangement, fill in dates, places, etc. Mum especially laid out several of the pages herself which pretty much saved the project. Such a huge help! Boy, do we have some crazy photos of us!?! And like Ali said, "What a variety of hairstyles!!!"

*I adapted this quote slightly from Winn's blog.

when a friend turns 30, how do you celebrate? {with photographs}

with hand-painted invites

and chalkboard signs.

with banners of bunting 

and freshly cut flowers.

   

with good friends

and road trips.

with scavenger hunts    

of challenges

and clues.

with sunglasses,

ancient trees,

and a bit of tourism.

with sweetgrass baskets

and bricks.

with a cotton gin

and fields of flowers.

with tree-climbing in dresses!

and cheese trays

with eating

and more eating!

and even more eating!!!

with trolley rides under red-lights ;)

with celebration and glee!

with elevator rides

  

and sneaky house museum photos

with the right amount of sass

and with friendship.