On Heated Discussions

Let’s get personal, shall we?

This past Sunday morning, I headed to the gym in anticipation of seizing the New Year with regimented fitness. Along with exercise discipline, I want to have spiritual discipline. So, when I returned home, Philip and I digressed on attending church that morning.  You see with traveling, wedding planning, and the holidays, we haven’t been able to attend any type of service in months. Not to mention, we really haven’t been able to find a church and community that we enjoy here in D.C. And with that, our decision to go to church resulted in a heated discussion about where to go and truly why we were going at all. Why on this Sunday did we think we could find a church we like?  

You see, from what I can tell, Philip and I grew up in similar environments. I had a wonderful family, but my childhood was rooted in a traditional upbringing, in school and church. And, in these Christian circles, the flag of religious legalism flew high.* As in, girls should have long hair, wear skirts all the time, alcohol is sinful . . . you get the picture.

Now I can’t speak for Philip, but in a time when my family needed our church body the most, they did not reach out to us. There was a time when my parents were the preschool teachers, the creators of Christmas pageant costumes, the home to rebellious youth, and well, just downright beautiful people; our church community adored them. Time passed though, and my parents slipped further and further into separation from each other and the church. The families that we had grown up alongside for so many years in Sunday school, choir practices, and potluck picnics, turned their backs on my parents. Not because there wasn't love for us, but because, I believe, they didn't know what to do with this struggling family. It was a ‘family matter’, and one that my parents would have to figure out themselves behind closed doors.  

Merry Christmas

(photo source unknown)

Wishing you and yours a lovely Christmas celebration with your family and friends. It is a such a magical time to remember our many blessings and spend time with loved ones.

Philip and I are heading to Jersey to see some of his family, and then heading to NC to visit with my sister and her family. I cannot wait to squeeze my little nephews.

Merry Christmas dahlings! 

Traditions

Boy and I are getting our Christmas tree tonight, and this will be my first real tree since living in my parents’ home.  Now don’t get me wrong, I had my fair share of fake trees in college dorms and community houses, but a real tree in my own home . . . to say I’m ecstatic would be an understatement.  Growing up, my mom put up eight (that’s right, 8!) Christmas trees in our home. When I told Philip this, his jaw dropped, and I think he was slightly terrified of what traditions could transpire in the coming years.  I don’t plan on setting up eight Christmas trees, but I do love many of the traditions my parents introduced to us children, and I am so looking forward to creating traditions of our own. Here are some traditions from my childhood . . .

Weekend Snapshots

A weekend at the beach with my favorite little men and favorite big man. Thanks Meg for hosting us; we had a wonderful time!

Weekend plans?

(via Someecards)

What are you doing this weekend? Boy and I are heading to my sister's for some much needed R&R and of course, wedding planning. My dear sister Meg will be leading the charge as we try to knock this event out in three months. More updates on that later, but in the meantime . . .

Auntie's Traditions

(Eli at about 18 months and Auntie still reveling her low to mid twenties) 

In my market perusing the other day I came across the cutest pop-up stand with cuddly, sweet baby clothes, toys, and blankets. Don't worry, I don't have the baby bug! I do, however, have two adorable nephews that melt my heart and pull at my purse strings. I'm heading to see them soon, and at four months old, I'll probably just shower Oakes in Auntie kisses, but Eli is another story. I cannot greet the three year old,  empty handed. So, I grabbed this oh-so-cute elephant tote by Mirasa designs.

Long Island Photos (1)

Long Island was a wonderful weekend getaway; have you ever been? Heading out on Thursday evening, we decided to break up the drive with a stop in New Jersey to see Philip’s sister and her husband. With an arrival time of 10pm, you really have no choice but to drink whisky cocktails at an Irish pub with an open mic trilling behind you. We had a great time; thanks Kathleen and Lane for letting us crash!

O brother

Did you know I have a brother? Did you, all my avid blog readers out there? Which, let's be honest, most likely consists of three friends that are too sweet to not read. Well, I do have a brother; actually, two older brothers on either side of my older sister Meg, who brings my readership up to four. Siblings are such a funny thing; aren't they? You spend almost 18 years with these people, doing everything and going everywhere together, and then poof, one sibling spreads their wings, leaves the coop and then you really have to work on that friendship. Brandon (or affectionately known as Bub or Bubby) and I have had our years of waning closeness, our share of misunderstandings and miles and miles between us, but we have also had some really great moments. As adults, I feel as though sometimes, we're re- learning each other all over again. 

He visited this past weekend, and we caught up on life over a late night plate of Johnny Rockets' burgers, fries and of course, cherry cokes. 

Mr Dylan Thomas pretty much sums up siblings, “it snowed last year too: I made a snowman and my brother knocked it down and I knocked my brother down and then we had tea."

A dad to remember

Oh, we're getting downright personal today . . .

I truly hated this past Sunday. Families were celebrating and thanking, and I was steering clear of social networks and any dad-related conversations.  Due to a series of unfortunate events in my family, my dad and I have become estranged these last few years. And while the wounds are still ever present, and the man that exists now is someone I don't know,  I hold onto the memory of him from my childhood. Because he was a great dad. The best.

Photo Patchwork

{from the phone of I as of late}

Boy and I headed to the North Carolina coast to meet the new nephew and remind the -big brother- nephew that he will always have a special place in my heart. Those little gents do make me melt.