Deva Curl

I've always had a love/hate relationship with my hair.  In theory I love curls but just not mine.  I can't style them to look right.  So I just straighten my hair a lot or just put it in a pony tail :) Well last week I was in Columbia for a day and of course one of the most important things to get done was a haircut by Kristin (who is awesome).  She told me about this website  from a salon in NYC that specializes in curly hair and gave me some of their tips for curly hair.  Some of their before and after pictures below.  So I'm on a new mission to love my curly hair and make it look great!  I think it will take a while.  But I'm going to try...
 

Learning to read already...

He must be a teacher's kid!

6 months!

I can't believe my baby boy is 6 months old today! I've been thinking back on my pregnancy and have just been reminded of God's faithfulness and mercy to us during that time.   Occasionally I've read blogs and seen pictures of people who have had their babies early for one reason or another and I think, that could have been us.  I am so grateful that the Lord allowed Cole to make it to full term before he was born.  We continually praise God for giving us this sweet blessing. 


Cole is getting so big.  I think he weighs around 15 lbs but we will see at the doctor in a couple weeks.  He is doing so many fun things.  He is learning how to sit up and is grabbing his toys.  He loves to play and read books.  His laugh is the best sound in the world.  He also loves to snuggle with mom when he's tired.  I have loved being home with him this summer and look forward to much more time with him.

a few more thoughts...

on Knoxville

1. The West Knox Mall is so much better than Columbiana. There is a  Poterry barn.  Apple Store.  JCrew.  Gap Kids. (just to name a few of my faves )  The only thing that could make it better is Nordstrom.

2.  Already found a place to get pedicures.  Thanks to my friend Carrie! 

3.  There is a gelato place here and it is yummy!

I think we'll be OK here... :)

A fun surprise!

Our sweet friends, Kelly and Cory, were driving through Tennessee on their way back to Columbia Saturday night and they came by to visit and have dinner with us!  Ray kept it a secret and I was so surprised when they were standing in our foyer. 

Cole and Marcus played.

We loved spending time with them.  

So excited to talk to each other!

Marcus telling Cole bye!

We miss you guys!

10 thoughts on our first 10 days

Well, we've been in our new town for about 10 days.  Here are some things we've been doing/some thoughts on our move...

1. We got settled into our apartment.  It's smaller than our house but we are thankful for it. 

2. I'm learning how to get around Oak Ridge. It's not that hard.  Just seems to be 2 or 3 main roads that take you everywhere.  Now getting around Knoxville is a different story.  I made it to target (about 10-15 min away in West Knoxville).  and then I got lost trying to get back home.  There may have been some tears.

3. A good church service at Fellowship Church this weekend. 

4.  A fun friend from college that lives here has invited me to do many things already. She has definitely helped me not feel lonely and I've had so much fun catching up with her! 

5.  I really miss Publix.  There is Kroger and Food City here.  Not going to try food city.  The Kroger in Oak Ridge is older and they are doing construction inside it while you shop and yesterday during my shopping trip a man in one of the motorized carts ran into me.  And the workers at Kroger are just not as friendly as people at Publix and they don't take your groceries to your car for you.  Anyway, I found a new Kroger today - it's a little farther away but it's much nicer.  I will be shopping there. 

6.  We've been to Market Square, downtown Knoxville a few times and will probably go back this weekend.  It's fun to walk around and eat at one of the yummy restaurants there. And when Cole is bigger I'm sure he'll spend some summer days playing in the fountains.

Photo Credit

7.  Fun new friends that we met through my brother invited us to church and lunch with them and then had us over for dinner last night.  It was fun getting to know new people and I made a fruit pizza for desert.  (Danielle told me they would definitely be our friends if I brought that.  It's what won them over!)

8. It's not all fun and games.  gross story: Cole pooped out of his diaper the other day and it got all over the carpet, clothes, towels, and everything else in the way.  Ray happened to be home for lunch and helped me clean it all up.  Cole got two baths and I washed all the clothes etc. 2 times and had to wash myself.   It was Cole's way of saying "Welcome to the world of stay at home motherhood Mom"

9.  We've been on a few walks on the greenway in Oak Ridge.  It's really beautiful and I've enjoyed it but it's been so hot (not quite as bad as Columbia).  So this will be an activity for the fall.

View from our walk

 

 

 

 

 

10.  I miss all my friends and the wonderful community we were blessed with in Columbia. I'm so thankful for those relationships and so grateful to how God blessed our time there.   I long for that again.   I'm praying for good friends for us here and a good church family.  I'm thankful for God's faithfulness over our lives and his guidance in leading us here.  We are enjoying our new adventure. 

3 years!

Today is our 3 year Anniversary and I am thanking the Lord for giving me such a wonderful man to live life with. 

He is my best friend and I love him with all my heart. 
He is patient and caring. 
He is funny and entertaining. 
He loves the Lord and desires to follow Him.
He provides for our family and leads us well.
He loves Cole so much and is a wonderful father.  

We have had a wonderful 3 years together and I'm looking forward to many more to come.

 

 

Our Wedding Day Aug 2008

First Anniversary in NYC Aug 2009

Second Anniversary Cruisin' in Canada Aug 2010

And tonight we're headed out for a fun evening together exploring our new city.  (Picture to come).