Just Pictures

As most of you know, school is back in full swing. Our family has become so busy just in the past week but our new schedule is welcomed here. Summer chaos is just too much for me! I don't have much to say and my mommy, wife, and school duties are calling me so I thought I would share a few pictures of the girls, instead. Enjoy!

Finlee

Jaelyn

Time to play in the water!

Matt and I

And something to put a smile on your face to show just how fun we (or Matt) are as parents...

Xoxo,

Tanna

Fall

I love fall. It happens to be my most favorite season. I love the colors of fall, the weather, the activities, and just the overall feeling of Fall being near. I especially love anticipating it's arrival.

With Fall comes school. Kids are already back-to-school and college kids will be arriving soon. I actually love school-time. It gives our family a more scheduled life. I remember when I was little and the first day of school would roll around and I always loved getting ready to go back-to-school. (Even though I hated getting up for it!) Matt and I both start classes on Monday. Jaelyn will also be attending pre-school twice a week this year. She is so excited to start and I am excited for her to be able to participate in something I believe she will really thrive in.

And football season. The passion that my husband has for football is contagious and addicting. I love watching him, not only watch but, participate in something he loves so much. That passion of his has quickly become something that we both love to enjoy together and this season will be no different from the rest. We'll once again, be rooting for our two favorite teams!

Matt has loved the Texas Longhorns ever since I've known him!

Matt's brother, Josh, plays High School football for the Braves.

We love watching him everytime we can make it to a game, which is sometimes hard to do.

We're also considering cheering on a local team when we can't make it to Josh's games but we can't decide who yet.

Fall also brings many more of my favorite things like:

Colorful trees. I love photographing them and I love their beauty.  

I also love the weather that Fall brings. Crisp, cool air.

Hot drinks like Hot Apple Cider and Hot Cocoa. Fall isn't the same without these yummy drinks!

The Pumpkin Patch. The girls love going to the pumpkin patch and we love taking them.

Halloween. I love dressing up the girls in cute costumes and going to Fall carnivals. I remember dressing up when I was little and parading around town to my favorite neighbors house to trick-or-treat.

There are so many more things I could list about my love for Fall. I can't wait until the hustle and bustle of summer is over and the calm, cool, feeling of Fall is upon us. Hurry up, Fall...we're waiting!

Xoxo,

Tanna

Friendships

I've really been struggling lately. I'm clinging to God and my family like I never have before.
Growing up, I was blessed to have met three really great friends. All of which, I still have some sort of friendship with.

My first true friend and I use to be inseperable. We did everything together. Spent every weekend together. Experienced everything about growing up together. She was there for me through the ugliest parts of my life. Some of my most favorite memories of my life are with her. But as life moves on, so do people.
Eventually, through life and boys and growing up and struggles, we found ourselves growing apart. And as much as I miss this girl, I'm so happy to have the memories that I have with her. I still consider her to be one of my greatest friends and I truly wouldn't be where I am if it wasn't for her.
(Considering she practically introduced me to my husband. :))

And then there's this girl:

My inspiration for living. I have learned more from her than words can say. I met Shelbey in High School when I transfered to her school. The memories that I have with her are endless. And the best part about her? I can be myself around her. I can tell her anything and she can make me feel better about any situation. I love being around her because no matter the circumstance, we can make fun out of anything. And I love watching her around the people she loves. Thoughtful, real, inspiring, beautiful, and FUN are the words I would describe her as.

 I remember being so excited about her moving to Topeka. I remember waiting for her to get out of high school so that we could both be on the same page again. I loved just knowing that she was only a block away. And even though I didn't take full advantage of her being so close, I loved that she was here. And then, life once again took her in a different direction and she moved away.

She's still my bestfriend and always will be but man, I miss her. I miss seeing her at Hobby Lobby everytime I would go there. I miss going out with her for dessert. I miss our Friday Night Light marathons. I miss having my bestfriend here. The hardest part? Jaelyn asking when we get to go visit Auntie Shelbey at her apartment because "I miss her". Shelbey and I have a different friendship from everyone else...I just love her!

I know we all have different roads to travel. And I'm so blessed to get to share in Shelbey's journey. I'm proud to call her my bestfriend.

And Allison.

I met Allison when I was really little. She is the friend that I have known the longest. The more I think about it, the more I realize that Allison and I were meant to be friends. Growing up, Allison and I did so many things together. Sold lemonade and bean pods, slid down the stairs, painted rocks, had tea parties, ate mint leaves, and the list goes on and on. I've never laughed as hard with someone as I have with her.

When she moved away in Junior High, I was crushed. I never thought I'd be able to see her again. We'd visit each other randomly but the next time we truly connected was my wedding. The day that I found out Allison was moving to Topeka was a great day. Both of my bestfriends would be in Topeka. Perfect. Allison and I picked up right where we left off. We introduced the boys and together we were inseperable. The memories are endless with them. (She was in the OR when Finlee was born, for heavens sake!)

When Allison graduated, they moved home and it was probably one of the hardest days of my life. Our house was, and still is, so much quieter. There's no one randomly walking in our door or eating through our cabinets. There's no one entertaining the girls, which might be one of the things I miss the most because our girls have a love for them that they share with no one else. There's no one here making us laugh quite like Allison and Logan did. I was so happy to be a part of their beautiful wedding day. I know they will always be our far-away friends for life.

*****

My reasoning for writing about my friendships is because lately, I have just been struggling. Struggling with the fact that the two friends I loved most, aren't here anymore. I know it's not because they don't want to be or because of me. I know it's because they have lives to live too.
These past three-six months have been so hard. Sure, I have Matt, my girls, and my church friends but I don't have the two best girlfriends that mean the most to me. I've tried to make new friends, friends just like Shelbey and Allison, and I have a really hard time doing it. It's almost like I know that my new friends aren't them, so I put up a wall and can't get past it...no matter how hard I try.
The more I sit here and think about it, the more I miss my sister. And I realize that my "adopted" sisters (my sister-in-laws that treat me as if I've always been their sister) love me but there's still that void. The void that I so desperately want filled.
I know that my situation could be worse so today I called out to God. I asked Him to break down the walls that I've put up myself. To place special people in my life once again, just like He did with these three special friends. To help me understand that I still have these special friends and to help me with growing stronger friendships. I can't wait to see how He provides in the way of friendships.

Xoxo,
Tanna

A Day at the Lake

This past week the girls and I joined Matt's family for a day at the lake. We swam, BBQ'd, relaxed, and swam some more. Towards the evening, Matt and his dad joined us after they were off from work. Then we all took the boat out for some tubing and skiing and even more swimming!

Jaelyn relaxing and enjoying a cold pop!

Matt and I enjoying the water.

Swimming with Daddy!

It was nice to spend time with family and relax the whole day.

We all had a lot of fun just playing in the water and spending time together.

Jaelyn has always been a little fish! She loves to swim!

Finlee enjoys the water too. Especially when she can just sit and play in it.

Best buds...some of the time. :)

I love spending all of my time with him and my girls. I love love love him.

We can't wait to enjoy another beautiful, fun day at the lake!

*****

Meanwhile...

In an older post, I had mentioned that I had been working on re-doing a "trunk" for my new livingroom. Well, besides a few touch-ups with paint, it's complete! I think it turned out great! Thanks to my hubby for helping me with it!

(I wanted to post this for my best friend, Shelbey, because I knew she'd want to see it! She's always so encouraging when it comes to craft/recipe ideas so go visit her blog and get a few ideas for yourself.

Her Etsy store is currently having a sale for the month of August so go visit her!)

Before

After

The pictures really don't do it justice because it really does look amazing! I love how it turned out. The pattern on the top is also on the sides of the trunk. I can't wait to put it in my livingroom!

Xoxo,

Tanna