Friday, May 31, 2013

Nashville: Things I will Miss

I'm starting to get more than a little sad about leaving this great city, so I thought I would wallow for a bit and list some of the things I will miss. In no particular order:

*The Village Chapel, our, "we read through books of the Bible" incredible church home. The idea of not hearing Kim pray and not having the occasional Getty-led worship makes me sick.

*my people. You know who you are. I love, love, love, you.

*Franklin Rd, Starbucks. If you've never been to my store, you are missing out. So, basically, I'm about to be missing out. I have the most incredible team of partners and the best customers you could ever imagine. I'm excited about my new store, but nothing will ever take the place of the 8338, ever.

*Athens Greek Family Restaurant. We might eat there too much if the waiters carry Liam to the car and put him in his car seat, huh? We are obsessed.

*Lush, beautiful, green landscape. Yes, the mountains are amazing. But, Denver is kind of a desert. I will miss our leafy, rolling hills. And I, rather, my dry skin and hair, will miss the humidity.

*Living outside of the South. I've never lived anywhere but the south. Sweet tea, SEC football, yes ma'am, no sir, y'all, and all the other things I don't realize are southern but are. This will be interesting for sure.

*Basically, the life we've created here. I came to Nashville as a brand new, very young, bride. We started our marriage, and our family here. We got our puppy here. We brought our boys home from the hospital here. I learned to navigate a city and drive a stick shift here. I started my career here. The memories and relationships are endless, and so very special. I didn't expect to be this sad to leave, but I've spent a quarter of my life in this little city, and it's bound to hurt. You'll always have a piece of my heart, Nashville.

Saturday, May 25, 2013

Dear Jude: 6 months

Dear baby Jude,

Oh my soul, you cannot be six months old! I swear, I just had you last week. You're still a tiny baby. Oh wait. Seriously, fastest six months ever.


You are getting cuter, smarter, stronger, and bigger by the minute, or so it seems! You weigh a whopping 17 pounds, 8 ounces (55th%), I don't know your length yet but your size 3-6 month clothes are getting a bit short so I know you're growing. You are squeezing into size 2 disposables, and I've just adjusted your cloth diaper snapping again! So big!


Judes, you thrive on interaction. I think you will be a people lover like your big brother. You soak up attention and love smiling at anyone who makes eye contact with you. We've loved getting to see your personality emerge lately. You are in an observant stage and love watching Liam and Gus playing around you!


You have really loved eating solids this past month. So far, you have had: brown rice cereal, oatmeal cereal, peas, sweet potato, green beans, banana, pear, apple, and peach. You don't seen to have a preference, as long as we are shoveling it in, you are happy! You have solids twice a day and nurse, or take a 6oz bottle, 5-6 times a day.


Sweet Jude, you are a cuddle loving child. You sleep best nestled up next to mommy, and you usually wind up in our bed for at least some part of the night. This month's goal is to focus on getting you to sleep through the night, in your bed. You can do it!


You are really starting to play a lot. You love being in your exersaucer or playing in the floor. You have a stuffed bunny that you love to chew on and have started grabbing toys and your paci a lot lately. Bath time is always a joy with you, you splash and giggle and are obsessed with seeing your reflection in the mirror! I am so excited for you and Liam bird to start playing together soon!


Tiny boy, you are so cherished. We are smitten by your smiles and squeals. You have started trying to give us kisses and your daddy and I love being covered in your drool. You are such a sweet addition to our family, and we are so thankful we have been blessed with you!

Love you forever, and ever,
Momma


Just for kicks: a 6 month side by side of Liam and Jude




Thursday, May 16, 2013

Liam Lately




Liam bird continues to be a major source of hilarity and pride for us. He is such a silly and sweet boy. He is also 2, and therefore, unpredictable and prone to some pretty spectacular tantrums and mood swings.


Favorites: playing outside, Ryan's guitar, drums, school, dancing, "Walter the Baker," and "Little Blue Truck" books, his stuffed Brobee and Muno, "Yo Gabba Gabba," and "The Fresh Beats Band" shows, trucks, playing at the park by our house, checking on baby Jude, ice cream, peanut butter m&ms, wearing hats, suckers, going anywhere in Ryan's "red truck," pretzels, and his rain boots.


Unfavorites: coming inside, not stopping at the park on the way home from anywhere, when Daddy isn't home, nap time, bed time, bath time, diaper changes, trying new foods, waiting for milk, obeying, leaving the park, and having to wear shoes other than his rain boots.



Saturday, May 11, 2013

ConGRADulations!

Last weekend, my sweet husby graduated with his Masters of Divinity from Lipscomb University here in Nashville!


To say I am proud of him would be the understatement of the century! He was a member of the Alpha Chi honors society, a full-time minister in residence at our church this past year, and a full-time stay-at-home-dad while working on his degree. That meant he would stay up late into the night working on school work and then get up early to deal with dirty diapers and snotty noses...with a happy heart!


We were thrilled to have Ryan's parents and his maternal grandma, paternal grandpa, and my mom in town to celebrate with us! These pictures are blurry and phone quality...but that's our life these days! Congratulations, again, sweetie! We are all so proud!


(at least the graduate is looking at the camera!)








(4 generations of Hawk boys!)

Wednesday, May 8, 2013

On Moving:

We are entering into our last month of living in Nashville and have finally "made it Facebook official" so I guess I have blogging clearance now as well.

In June, we will be moving to Denver! We are so excited for this opportunity! We will be working our booties off and saving every penny we make so that we can relocate to Belfast, Northern Ireland for Ryan to start his post graduate work in 2014.

We have absolutely loved our time in Nashville, it's the only place we've lived since we've been married and we have been blessed by so many people and things about this fun city!

I'm sure I will write more about how truly sad we are to leave. But for now, know that we feel confident that this move is what the Lord has for this next season of our lives. We are thrilled to be able to have family near enough to help with the boys and spend time with, and I am excited to be transferring with Starbucks and continuing my great career in a new market.

So, that's the news. We are already working on packing and selling everything we own! And, I'm already trying to forget about how I said I would never make that 20 hour drive with the boys again...