Throwback Thursday a/k/a TBT

I love looking back at old pictures-from when I was a kid, from high school, college, etc. Sometimes I even post them on Instagram!  So I thought I would let this carry over onto my little blog here, and every Thursday I will try to post a little throwback story.

Best. Costume. Ever.

All anyone needs to know about this photo is that my Mom sewed this costume top to bottom for me. It was probably 1991, so I was 5, and this costume was the best.  I was a princess on horseback, I can't believe my mom actually made a HORSE for me to ride since the princess dress wasn't enough! True testament to how great she is.

And on that note, goodbye February!

And after grad school, we read.

That is my not-so-super-clever take on, "And on Wednesdays, we wear pink."  So as I mentioned, I kind of "quit reading" during grad school.  Pants on, people.  It was more of a hiatus...I guess.  But then it lasted until December or so.

The Lost Symbol by Dan Brown
Ok, so I love conspiracy theory/mystery/religious intrigue/government conspiracy-type books.  I have read almost all of Brown's other books-Angels and Demons, The Da Vinci Code, and Deception Point.  I think I started the other one, Digital Fortress, at some point, but never finished it.  Anywho, this one centers around the Masons, Washington D.C., questions about our founding fathers, the power of thought, and spirituality.  It kept me thoroughly engrossed like all of the other ones have, and if you're into this genre, it's great.

The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern
When I started this book, and maybe through the first part of it, I really hated it.  I just didn't know if it was ever going to go anywhere, and there were time jumps, and a large cast of characters woven in together.  By the end of it, I could honestly say it was a wonderful read.  The book centers around a circus that pops up overnight around the world and the people who visit it, control it, and create it.  Any more information and I'd do you the injustice of giving it all away.

Silver Linings Playbook by Matthew Quick
So St. Nick put this gem in my stocking in early December, and I read this while also reading The Night Circus, which made for an interesting contrast.  We all know this is already a movie (I haven't seen it yet) but this book was really fantastic.  I'm not kidding when I say that maybe 20 pages in, I had already teared up a little because Pat's character is just so infuriatingly sad to me.

Same Kind of Different as Me by Ron Hall and Denver Moore
This is a book I read last fall.  It is amazing.  I could probably go on and on about how frequently I cried while reading it, but I will just say that you should read it if you're willing to go on a seriously amazing spiritual journey.  The big theme is simply that God puts people in our lives unexpectedly and for good reason.

Cherries & Lemons :: H54F

In honor of this week, in which I've had dinner with my sister and her family every night, I've decided to make this week's post "Cherries and Lemons".  Every night they go around the dinner table and everyone gives their "cherry" or best part of their day, and "lemon" or worst part of their day!  It's adorable and the kids love it.

Here are my five cherries this week:

1.  My mom's amazing recovery.  If you've read my previous post this week, you know that my mom is recovering from a stroke, seizure and brain surgery that occurred about two weeks ago now.  She is doing so well, and it's been a blessing to be here with her as she recovers.

2.  My runs have been great.  On Tuesday, I took five minutes off of my previous two-mile time by just pushing myself a little more.  Felt GREAT.  Still nothing to brag about time-wise, but it's just about getting out there and trying, right? Right.

3.  Finishing another book this week-The Lost Symbol by Dan Brown.  Ok, I know millions of people finish reading books every day.  But since finishing grad school almost a year ago (!!) I went into decompression mode where I did not want to read anything, even mindless crap.  I tried 50 Shades and immediately despised the writing so much that I quit.  Didn't even care that I had wasted $10 on it.  I  have now read multiple books in the last few months--post to follow soon on what those were.

4.  I will be seeing the hubstigation in about 36 hours, and I'm so thrilled since it's been about 12 days now since we have seen each other.  We will also get to have our belated Valentine's Day date at some point in the near future which I'm also pumped for!

5.  Today marks our five month wedding anniversary.  It's been a roller coaster of crazy lately, but we've pulled through, and for that, a few photos:

Bride needed a french fry stat after the ceremony!

Wind caught my veil at the exact right moment.

Favorite ladies.

Milwaukee River in the Historic Third Ward.

Our ridiculously gorgeous venue.  Grain Exchange in Milwaukee.

First dance.

Party time! 

 Linking with Lauren at FMGD for High Five for Friday! Happy Friday y'all!

Oh where, oh where have I been?!

Where do I begin with this?  I spent a week in Houston, not even a full week probably, before another serious family emergency came upon us.  My dad called me a couple Fridays ago to tell me that my mom had had a minor stroke and was probably going to have emergency brain surgery in the late afternoon.

.....shocked.  So, my husband and I left H-town that evening and drove through the night to Florida (not a great idea btw...exhausting) and were able to be in Florida by 6:30 am.  I'll spare all of the details, but my mom is doing great.  About 11 days since the stroke/brain surgery (which was caused by a  hemorrhaging melanoma tumor) and she is on her feet, slicing tomatoes for taco night, and enjoying the ocean breeze on the balcony.  And wow, are we grateful/blessed/overjoyed.  There will be some minor disabilities that could last, but for the most part she is really doing great.  We have had so many people praying for us, it's overwhelming.

I have been running here on the beach and front beach road, so that has really helped to alleviate the stress and anxiety of the situation.  I am even considering training for and running a half marathon in a few months!  And wow, did I used to think I hated running...seriously just ask anyone who has known me at all over the last 10 years.  Despite my perceived hatred, I love seeing the constant improvement and push I can give myself when I'm on the road.

Florida's weather up here is slightly cooler than the temps in Houston now (thanks a lot, ocean breeze), and the hubstigation (one of many nicknames) will fly back here Saturday morning to drive back with me on Sunday!  I feel relieved and ready to go home knowing my mom will soon be back in Wisconsin and on the mend there with her team of doctors who she has known longer.

Rainy Day

Been missing for a couple of weeks now, we had a family emergency that took us back up north for about nine days, but we are glad to be back in good ol' Texas now.

This week I am working two sites to make up for the unexpected lost time, and today on my way home, I got caught on the busy freeway in what can only be described as a "Houston monsoon"....if you have ever been party to one of these, then you know what I'm talking about.  What a refreshing welcome back.

As a side note, I'd like to add in here that I am 100% obsessed with two of the products from last month's Birchbox.  The first is Clark's Botanicals Smoothing Marine Cream, which has made me a believer in a beauty cream that is so pricey.  My skin is softer, smoother, less pore-y looking, and overall more glow-y.  The second product I need to rave about is theBalm cosmetics Put a Lid on It, which is a shadow primer.  I have used Urban Decay's lid primer, as well as the Smashbox primer on my lids, and this is hands-down THE BEST.  Nothing budges, all day.  Even when it's humid like today.  It's a miracle worker!!