life lately.

Wow. I have really missed my blog lately. With the end of the school year, two big weddings and working this summer, I have been swamped.

So where to start...I guess I'll start with "a weekend." Two weeks ago, Stephen's dad went to the ER for chest pain and ended up having to have a double by-pass. By God's grace, the surgery went smoothly and doctors were able to fix everything. But heart surgery is a long recovery so Stephen and I went to Houston to help out the family, mainly his three younger siblings.

It ended up being such a beautiful blessing! I absolutely loved serving Stephen's family along with him. We moved furniture, hauled off tree limbs, took the kids to get haircuts, picked up dinner, took shifts visiting his dad in the hospital, did laundry, entertained the kiddos. It was jammed pack and so perfect. I know the circumstances under which we were there weren't great, but it brought us all together for a few days and the Lord was doing work! He is just too cool.

I didn't capture very many moments over the weekend because we looked like ^^^ all weekend, haha, but I did manage to snap those two. That's his little sister, Jordan, and little brother, Jake. Brandon really isn't interested in taking pictures! 

The weekend after we got back from Houston, our good friends Chelsea & David were getting married in Louisiana! Luckily, we were able to take off work on Friday and head to Lake Charles. Stephen & I were both in the wedding and it was tons of fun! 

On our way to the dinner rehearsal.

At the dinner...(little blurry!)

On Saturday, all the bridesmaids got hair and make up done (while the groomsmen relaxed and played at the pool). Jessika, my friend from HS, got to do mine! Chelsea was a very sweet and calm bride --- that's always a plus! 

We headed to the venue from the hotel around 3 to get dressed and start taking pictures at 4. Chelsea and David did a first look. Chels said it was totally worth it! I still don't know if I could do it or not...but it was nice to get all the pictures finished before the ceremony. Chels looked absolutely stunning and David looked so happy -- congrats Mr. and Mrs. Rudd!!! 

The Bride pre-ceremony!  

On our road trip home I thought this was quite appropriate...although I didn't share it -- maybe next time, David! 

David & Chelsea,

Thank you for including Stephen & I on y'all's big day. We had an absolute blast and loved being able to celebrate along with you on the day you became husband & wife! Love you both! 

girls downtown.

Over Spring Break, my mom AND sister were able to come visit! We had a girls weekend for the first time in a long time.

On Saturday, we got up, had coffee together and then went to get pedicures. After pedis, we got ready and headed for a day in downtown McKinney! I hadn't even considered that it was St. Patrick's Day Weekend. That being said, there were a lot of fun festivities going on.

We antiqued shopped and my sister racked up on some cute clothes! We had lunch at the famous, Spoons, and indulged in their "special dessert" -- a chocoloate covered waffle. Mmmm sooo good.

It was also opening weekend of the new movie, Cinderella. I pre-purchased our tickets for the 7 o'clock show. I made everyone be ready by 6! I just knew we wouldn't be able to get a seat. Haha. Let's just say not every other young adult was as excited about Cinderella as I. We had plenty of seats to choose from. Omgsh, Cinderalla was AMAZING! Such a good, wholesome movie. My mom and sis loved it too!

We crashed pretty early Saturday night. Probably due to the amount of sugar we consumed at the movies.

On Sunday, we made it to the early service at church and had brunch at Company Cafe. I love this restuarant because there are so many healthy choices to choose from. I got the Deep Bowl which is a combo of beef, sweet potato hash, salsa, and avocado. :)

Later Sunday afternoon, we took the three "kids" to play in the park. I was in charge of walking Skylar. Skylar actually just celebrated her second birthday, but you would think it was her 22nd. She is so SLOW, but I love her to pieces!

We had a fun weekend...that actually almost ended in me buying a puppy! But...Stephen didn't support the idea entirely. Haha. I'm definitely glad he helped me not make an impulsive decision.

So glad my mom and seester were able to come down for a good visit - love you both!

home sweet louisiana.

Oh, how lovely it was to be home longer than a weekend! I planned my trip around three events, a friend's bridal luncheon, a friend's graduation from PA school & an anniversary. There's always something to celebrate!

The first few days I was home was nonstop appointments and catching up with my favorite people. I got to spend time with Mrs. Susie, Alex, Brother Truett, Mrs. Sherry, & Courtney & Ella. I can't believe it was this time last year we were anxiously awaiting Ella's arrival and now she will be a year old soon! Courtney, you and Nehemiah are doing an awesome job - Ella really is a piece of sunshine.

Ella loves blueberries.

In the evenings, my parents have a routine of driving the Ranger out to the airport to watch the sunset, walk & let Pecos (their new pup) run all of her energy out. My favorite part about this routine is the quiet - one thing I miss most about home. It was great to be able to spend some quality time with my parents! Mom & I got to cook together, we visited my Mawmaw, & I got to hangout with my dad & eat lunch with him almost everyday. Also while I was home, my parents celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary - what a testimony to a Christ-centered marriage! For my mom, the most meaningful way to celebrate was to renew their wedding vows in the chapel they were married in. I love you, momma & daddy!

FBC Shreveport

Well you know it's not a trip home unless I get at least 3 good workouts and prayer time with my girl, Hannah. There is never a dull moment with this faithful friend of mine. We got to do some much needed yoga, pray together & had a movie night, watched Notting Hill & made pumpkin pancakes. It was so great to get to spend a week with her. Then on Saturday, I celebrated my friend, Chelsea, at her bridal luncheon. We've been friends since 4th grade and soon I'll watch her say, "I do." So excited for her and David as they prepare for marriage!

yogis4life.

celebrating Miss Chelsea Clay.

Stephen came home too for a few days. I'd been dying to meet his grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Reed. So I was real happy when he agreed to go to Oberlin for a day. I didn't snap any pictures as I had intended :(. We spent the afternoon visiting with them and they prepared an amazing meal for us - basically, it was like Louisiana Thanksgiving. I have a much clearer understanding now of why Stephen has such high expectations for my cooking...he's grown up with Louisiana chefs!

While I was home I made the sad decision to let my pet turtle, Rafael, be free. I really didn't want to see him go, but I know he was real tired of his little box I forced him to live in. So we let him go in a pond on the golf course & I know he's much happier with his life now.

last few moments with my turtle-friend.

The last few days of my trip were spent with my lifelong friend, Eleni. We celebrated her graduating from PA school! I am always terrible about taking pictures when her and I get together because it's just nonstop talking. I did manage to snap two photos while we were at a coffee shop though! We got to have dinner, shop & walk in the park when we weren't doing grad. festivities. Eleni, you're going to be an awesome PA & congrats on your new big girl job!

proud of this girl!

As a child, I definitely overlooked the beauty in my small hometown. The beauty of everyone knowing everybody. The beauty of everything being within a 5 mile radius of your house. The beauty of quiet. The beauty of being able to hear dozens of birds singing out of your window.  The beauty of a slower pace of life. The beauty of simple living.

I'm thankful for every moment I spent with my family & my friends these past two weeks. I feel refueled & refreshed as I prepare for year three of teaching!

july highlights.

Summer, can you please stop and stay awhile? I cannot believe July is already here and gone. Not only has it gone by fast, but we haven't had enough hot days to make it feel like a legitimate July. I mean only two days in Texas over 100 degrees is....nuts.

Here are a few highlights from the luckiest (seventh) month of the year:

• Stephen & I got to spend part of our 4th of July at Lake Corsicana & part of it at my Uncle Jeff's house. It was a real treat. I am so happy Stephen got to meet my uncle who is basically my pawpaw. We had a yummy lunch with him and then a lake day & firework filled evening in Corsicana. It was so much fun! 
• My sister got to come visit me on her day off! We started off the day doing some hot vinyasa then a mani/pedi and then bought her some much needed new make-up. I wish she could come visit every Wednesday!
• Back in March, Stephen got me a little birthday surprise... a trip to San Francisco! We finally got to go a few weeks ago. I had so much fun exploring! We saw San Fran, Napa Valley, Sausalito, & Muir Woods. Almost the entire trip the weather didn't get over 70 degrees -- A-mazing. It was a real adventure & I can't wait until I get to see more of the west coast.. or as Stephen says "West coast wheelin.'"  Thank you, Stephen, for such a sweet surprise. You're so thoughtful & I love you so much.
• In east Texas this past weekend I got to meet Stephen's dad, stepmom, & two of his siblings, Brandon & Jordyn. We went to dinner, drank coffee, cooked out, & ate yummy cupcakes. It was so great to meet more of his family - they were all so sweet & precious! That's Jordyn pictured above with her cat, Ella. 

I'm going home to LA in a few days. I haven't spent more than a weekend at home since Christmas. Looking forward to the quiet, home cooked meals, catching up with old friends, & rocking on the back porch. :)

family vacation. austin, tx.

Lake Travis

The older I get the more grateful I am when all my family gets to be together in the same place at the same time. Because it happens rarely these days with my family spread out in four different cities and two different states.

Technically, our time together wasn't a vacation, but it felt like one so that's what I'm going to call it!

We all met in Austin to honor my brother, Grant, for the award he was receiving at his job. My sister and I drove in late Wednesday afternoon and surprised him which was pretty awesome. He was happy(:  We had dinner together that night and then went to the hotel pool so my nephews could swim. It was perfect.

pool time. family time.

mommy & slade. 

daddy & holt.

On Thursday morning we got up really early to beat Austin traffic and went to the awards ceremony for my brother. I forget how awesome and challenging his job is until I get around him and other men & women in his line of duty. I am so thankful for the men and women that protect and serve us here in the U.S. Thank you, bubba, and I'm so stinkin' proud of you!

After the ceremony, we had lunch at the famous Oasis restaurant overlooking Lake Travis. It is one of my favorite spots in Austin with a breathtaking view - the food isn't too shabby either. In the restaurant gift shop, Slade found a snake book and told me the "only thing in the whole wide world I'm scared of is a Water Moccasin Snake." My nephews are sweet sweet and growing up way too fast.

Soon after lunch it was time for all of us to part ways. It was a quick 24 hours, but my heart was so full on my drive back to Big D.

holt doesn't like selfies. 

I am incredibly grateful for my family. The saying is so true "No matter what. You always have family."

cousin adventures: part ii.

Last summer I got to travel to Boston to visit my cousin, Austin. It was such a fun-filled vacation! So Austin decided it was time he make a trip down to Big D to see me!... And one of his best friends from high school, Alex.

We had an absolute blast! On Friday, Austin, Alex, Ashley (Alex's girlfriend), and I had dinner at Mi Cocina in Dallas and then walked over to the Rustic for some live music. The food was delicious (a froyo stopped also happened) and the band was great!

We tried to get to bed at a decent hour, because there was a lot on the agenda for Saturday. The next morning, Austin and I got in my car and were surprised to find my car would NOT start. Not even turn over. Oh, joy. So I called my neighbors... they weren't home. Then I called my mom and she told me I had my own battery charger in my garage! Score!

Luckily, we were able to get it charged and started in under 20 minutes. Just a small hiccup!

After making it to Dallas, we visited SMU's campus and toured the George W. Bush museum. I absolutely loved the museum. It was so cool to get to walk through each chapter of Bush's life. Do you know what Bush now does in his freee time? Paint! There was an exhibit showing all of his art. He doesn't paint mountains and flowers though. Bush has painted multiple presidents of other countries -- all of them are his friends! How cool is that? They were all so great! He really does have a talent. In a short video, Bush said he had never picked up a paint brush until 2011.

 

love George.

 

Saturday night we went to the Bishop Arts District  in south Dallas -- I had never even heard of it. There are tons of restuarants, bars and boutiques. All the buildings are old and have so much character. We ate at the famous Lockhart's BBQ. It. was. delicious. I'm still working off that brisket haha. After dinner we shopped around a bit before heading back downtown.

 

Austin: Sperrys and shorts rolled like a bro.

I'm so glad Austin came to see me! I'm grateful for every minute we get to spend together. I love you (favorite) cousin, Austin -- cannot wait until our next travel adventure!

my momma.

"Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her." Proverbs 31:28

It's the time of year we celebrate our mom. I personally think moms deserve way more than one day of celebration. Moms raise children. Let's be honest, it's the most challenging and the most important job on the planet!

I wanted to give a special shout out to my momma today. I wanted her to know how awesome she is.

First of all, my mom isn't just my "mom."

She's also my...

• friend
• counselor
• encourager
• Christ-example
• prayer warrior
• advice giver
• teacher (of cooking, ironing, cleaning, manners, the Word, Jesus, and well, everything!)
• role model
• shopping buddy
• bargain finder
• picture taker
• and..."life coach" >> this is what she calls herself!

The most important thing to my mom is her relationship with Christ --- this is the most amazing part of her!

Out of all the people in my life, no one knows Jesus or serves like Jesus like my mother does. My mom truly has no other idols before Him. My mom is truly committed to worshiping Him and living for Him every single day. My mom truly strives to be holy like Him. My mom is truly patient like Him. My mom truly tries to love perfectly like Him. My mom believes, hopes and trusts.

She has taught me so much about what it means to be a follower of Christ, a friend of Christ, a child of Christ. She has taught me how to be a Christlike wife and a Christlike mother to my own husband and children (Lord willing). She has taught me the key to a successful marriage is to die to self. She has taught me that Jesus wants to reconcile Himself to us here on Earth. She has taught me to never say "never." She has taught me to pray about everything.

Through her life she has dealt with divorce, disease, sickness, and sin. But through every trial she has faced, she has the Victory with Christ! And that is why my momma is so awesome.

"An excellent wife who can find? She is far more precious than jewels." Proverbs 31:10

"She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue." Proverbs 31:26



"She dresses herself with strength and makes her arms strong." Proverbs 31:17

"She opens her hand to the poor and reaches out her hands to the needy." Proverbs 31:20

 "Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the time to come." Proverbs 31:25

 "She rises while it is yet night and provides food for her household." Proverbs 31:15

Mom,

If I am half the daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, aunt, cousin, friend, and daughter of our King that you are when I'm all grown up, then I'll be doing pretty good. :) You really are the Proverbs 31 woman. I am beyond blessed to be called your daughter. I hope you feel special and celebrated today because you deserve every ounce of it! I love you so much and happy Mother's Day, Momma!

Love,
Mary Kathryn

"Many women have done excellently, but you surpass them all." Proverbs 31:29

october highlights.

Y'all. The tenth month of the year has already come and gone. I cannot believe it! How fast the time flies. Here's a few highlights from the cool, sunny month of October.

• My cousin, Amber was in the DFW area for business and we got to have dinner!! It was fantastic to get to catch up with her about life. She is such a good mom, sister, daughter, friend, and cousin. Love you, Amber!
• I signed up for my first half marathon (that I've been wanting to run for four years now). Pumped about it.
• My precious friend, Ilianna asked me to be her bridesmaid! So excited to celebrate her and Andy's wedding festivities. 
• And another picture from my weekend at Baylor...just because it was much needed and I can't describe how much fun I had with my girl, Hannah. BFFs. For reals.

Not pictured:

• My parents visited me the beginning of this month! We just spent time together and watched football -- it was great.
• I'm really starting to love my kids AND they are starting to love me too! Jesus answers prayers. O, how unworthy I am of His Grace. 

red, white & blue. i lurv you.

 Happy Independence Day!

Yesterday was such a fun day filled with food, family & friends! All of my family was together which was awesome -- even Katelyn got to come home!! My mom cooked us a "throwback meal," as she called it. Fried chicken, mashed potatoes, mac & cheese, and sweet corn. I think the last time I ate fried chicken was when I was about 14 years old. It. Was. Awesome. The only time my family is all together is usually on Thanksgiving or Christmas so it was such a blessing to spend time with each other on Independence Day. After we ate, we visited, played with the kiddos and the new puppy, Skyler. 

Later that night my sister and I went to L'Auberge in Lake Charles to see Eli Young Band play (yay for Texas musicians!). It was such a blast! We got to meet up with one of our old friends from high school, Shelby and I got to see my precious friend, Breanna, that I met as a freshman at McNeese. It had been years since I'd seen their faces so it was awesome to get to catch up. 

I hope you had a blessed 4th of July celebration too!

Eli Young Band.

Sister!

Breanna & Shelby!