weekenders

The weekend was filled with so much fun and friends I'm sad that it has come to an end.  It was packed with activities and hanging out that it flew by so fast.  On Friday I got to meet up with some of the girls from work and enjoy good drinks and ridiculously good tapas.  I love tapas!  You get to sample many flavors and get stuffed off of mac and cheese and calamari, but in small quantities so you don't feel like a total pig.

 Up next was a dinner at our house with some dear friends who just got back from their honeymoon.  I love seeing couples after their wedding and vacation.  It's so fun to hear about the amazing time they had, and David and I get to reminisce about ours.  A win win!  I made a whole chicken from scratch in the dutch oven for the first time.  It was tasty and I'm now going to use a dutch oven whenever possible!  The night ended stuffed and relaxing on the couch with a glass of wine in hand.  Perfect.

Family doughnut date.  Enough said!!

My favorite part was Sunday.  We celebrated summer and friends with a fabulous garden party, and did a little grocery shopping while enjoying the most delicious food.  The only thing missing was daddy.  The weather was good, the company was even better and Quinne ate a whole watermelon to herself. (well, not a whole one but pretty close!)  My dream in life is to have a garden to live off of and chickens and a goat.  I was in heaven at this party and saw my future and how much fun we're going to have.  Thank you Palmers for being such amazing hosts!  

Until next weekend,  hello Monday!

Love, 
Noelle

Number 32

"a portrait of my husband, each week, every week in 2013"

Our relationship has had many struggles in the last couple of years.  And I'll admit that a lot of them stemmed from me and my selfish, non-budging ways.  I was stubborn and unwilling to admit that I was wrong in most situations.  I still struggle with that, but it's on such a smaller scale.  Giving the silent treatment and not breaking down was one of my strongest qualities.  Being unwilling to meet him halfway and giving him a chance to have a say was something I fought with both fists up.

I'm happy to write today about my accomplishment on backing down from my high-horse.  On seeing Davids side and willing to talk things through.  Over the last four months or so a lot has been happening in my heart.  I'm seeing things and people in a different light.  I have had clarity about things that I have been struggling with and a fresh pair of eyes to see what is going on around me.  I'm so thankful to be in a place of love and respect.  Being with David is the best part about me.  He makes me laugh and teaches me to calm down and relax.  He has so much love and kindness towards everyone.  He never talks bad about others and would never want to make someone uncomfortable.  These days I'm taking some lessons from the book of David.  Our relationship is worth every effort in making it better and stronger and that is my focus.  We still fight, we yell, we get mad.  We are a work in progress and one that might take years to work out.  But it's a fight worth fighting and I know there are great things in store for us.  Together as a family we are strong.  

I love you man-baby! 

Love,

Noelle

corn on the cob first timer

There are so many things that scream summer to me, and one of the top contenders would have to be BBQ corn.  I could eat about ten of those things and still want more.  I love it so much with a little salt and pepper.  Quinne had her first cob all to herself the other day and I died laughing watching her eat it!  She loved it, I mean how can you not, and was so funny about eating it.  After a long day at work it was just what I needed.  

David and I wine sampled.  

and ended the night with popcorn.  Obsessed!

a picnic

Sometimes you don't feel like dressing up and going out to dinner.  Especially after working all day.  Sometimes you don't want to talk to anyone else but your date, and for these nights picnics are in order.  It's so fun to lay out a blanket, lay out and munch on good snacks.  Add some wine and a crystal clear sunset and it's heaven.  

diapers have many uses! 

yuuummm

checking the swell 

sushi to go.  my new favorite.

a perfect ending

If you haven't picnic-ed in a while I highly recommend it! 

Love, 

Noelle

MId State Fair

Every summer the fair comes to town and I can't help myself but go.  I love the fair, but then I sort of hate the fair.  Being that it's in Paso means between the hours of 11am and 5pm you're going to be miserable from the heat.  And you are going to spend an arm and a leg for things like deep fried oreos and half pound corn dogs (which David got both of and I was mortified).  The carnies are all drunk and totally creepy, yelling at you as you walk by, trying to get you to toss the ring in a bowl with goldfish, who are all wishing they were anywhere but in that bowl.  Or ride the rides that make me wonder it the man operating it was the one who put it together.   But, it's all part of the experience!  And that is why year after year we go and make sweaty, upset stomach memories.

And that is why we took Quinne for her first fair experience.  It would've been magical if the temperature was under the 100 degree mark and I wasn't about to pass out or barf from the beating sun.  I had visions of her riding little baby rides and petting animals.  In my mind sweat wasn't dripping down our backs and Quinne didn't have a beet-red face that people walking by commented on.  It was nuts people!  We hid under canopies and stood in front of misters every chance  we got and prayed for some onshore breeze.

But, with all the craziness it was a good day being together.  We learned that going in the mid day was a bad move and next year we'll be arriving with the sane evening crowd.  It's so fun trying things together as a family and making these memories even when they don't match up to the ones you've created in your head.  Another lesson I am learning in this life.  My struggle with control and expectations is finally easing and I'm able to find joy in disastrous moments. Yay for that!  

Until next year!

Love, 
Noelle