october highlights.

I think I've decided October is officially my favorite month of the year. The weather is absolutely perfect and there are so many good football games (thanks, Stephen) -- because of those two things everyone is just happier!

Here are a few highlights from the tenth month of the year:

• My mom text me the throwback picture earlier this month and said "Happy Fall!" I haven't posted very many throwbacks and thought this one was too cute not to post. That is my sister and I in about 1995.
• Stephen and I watched the very exciting Baylor game against TCU. It was such a great comeback for our Bears, I wore my green and gold to church the next morning.
• My nephews had a joint birthday party, Slade celebrated his 5th and Holt his 3rd. I cannot believe they are already that big and adorable!! Happy birthday, boys!
• Stephen and I went to Shreveport last weekend to celebrate our friend's, Chelsea, birthday. I managed to not take any pictures (because I didn't keep my phone on me). The only one I took that wasn't of dogs was the one above of Stephen making his own rice dressing! Happy birthday, Chels!
• Jesus shows up everywhere. You just have to look and listen for Him :)

Not pictured:

• Stephen and I went to the local winery again and enjoyed an outdoor concert complete with a lawn chair, brick oven pizza and wine. Again, I did a terrible job of capturing all of this.
• Last night we had a double date with L Rut and her new guy from Louisiana! It was so much fun. I think Stephen may have met his match.

Happy Halloween, y'all.

arboretum adventure.

This past Sunday, Stephen and I took advantage of the (tad bit) cooler weather and sunshine and finally made a visit to the Dallas Arboretum. Yay for marking things off the bucket list! I had been wanting to go since last November -- Skye and I almost made it on Thanksgiving, but I remember the food coma hit too fast!

The really fun part about visiting the Arboretum in the fall is to get to see and experience their Pumpkin Town -- literally...I'm talking pumpkin houses. In the small town, there are more than 60,000 pumpkins! Unfortunately, there were large amounts of small children running around in every direction and about 200 moms snapping their Christmas card pictures too. It was hectic, but I did manage to get a few pictures.

The Pumpkin Town was the only part of the Arboretum that wasn't peaceful, haha. Everything else was so pretty and quiet! All of the landscaping was very well kept. Hopefully one day I'll have a green finger...

Louisiana House-Birdhouses! 

Stephen freaked when he saw the sailboats... like a kid in a candy store! Can't wait for those lessons in the future!

It was a perfect day & we both loved seeing every part of the Arboretum -- the pumpkins were my favorite... I don't know if the rocks, trees or sailboats were his:). I'd love to go back when it's even cooler for an outdoor concert and a picnic on the ground!

september highlights.

Ah.....sigh. It's fall, y'all. The season of cool weather, football, gumbos, and pumpkin everything. The season that brings the most joy to my heart! I'm officially done with the most stressful month of work -- and it wasn't half as bad as last year. Praise!

Here are a few highlights from the ninth month of the year:

• I got to spend another fun weekend with my girl Hannah! We went to Dallas and had dinner with the Chabot's, did the usual yoga sesh and had dinner at our favorite Greek place. 
• L Rut invited me to the Women's Conference at American Airlines. There were so many great speakers (Jesus, help me learn a lesson from these wise women) and Matthew West even wrote all 11,000 of us women a song! It was great. 
• Before the conference, I got to go on a sunrise run and it was beautiful. Every morning run is always so freeing for me.
• Stephen and I made a quick trip to Louisiana for my high school friend, Jessika's, wedding! She looked so gorgeous and happy!

Not pictured:

• Stephen took me golfing with him one Sunday evening. And by "took me" I mean he let me ride around in the cart with him. My favorite time of day is the hour before the sun sets so it was fun to be out on the course. If only I could swing a club AND hit the ball....

There are so many things on my fall bucket list! 

Carve pumpkins, 

go to the Arboretum, 

make a good gumbo 

and an apple pie 

maybe even hit the Texas State Fair again...

Oh, I hope we can make it all happen :)