still afloat with an addiction to lemonade

Holy moly. I think when it comes time for everyone else I know to get married I'm just gonna shout from the rooftops, "Hey! One order of emotional roller coaster coming right up! With a side of crazy brain, unceasing excitement and a running tab of a cash flow 80 times larger than normal life." Planning a wedding is no small feat, people. And whoever pays for a wedding planner is not a wimp. They're genius.

That aside. I thought I'd pop and and let all ya'lls know I'm still afloat over here. Regardless of the lie that creeps up every so often that I/we are doing this alone, we're not. There is a whole slew of people with us in this journey and we are grateful.

I wanted to share a few things that have been particularly essential during this seemingly eternal whirlwind season. And I'd love feedback about what keeps you going and encourages you through crazy seasons of life and transition.

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1//  I don't think I can speak enough words to say how thankful I am to do life with this man of mine. I actually get to be his wife in, oh, 24 days. And when I step back and actually let that sink in I really am overwhelmed with thankfulness and in true awe of what the Lord has created in us and through us. This is why the crazy season is happening. And let me tell you, it's so so worth it.

2// Our community has been SO helpful and SO graceful with all the whining that undoubtedly accompanies this planning process. I'm really trying to put on my strong face but sometimes you just can't and our people are always upholding, praying, advising, and loving.

3//  Have I mentioned my obsession with flowers? Because I think I have a problem. We, the Fillmore girls, are not cat ladies. We're plant ladies. and it is out. of. control. But it's summer and we love flowers so let it be. People are happier with flowers at their desk. For real. I just read it today.

4//  I'm slowly learning how to translate my processing strategies to life with little free time. College is an easy season to spend a lot of time reading, praying, reflecting, journaling, and hashing though feelings with friends. And I am still figuring out what it looks like to process through things in that way during a season with less free time. But the times I've done this have been so life-giving and refreshing and right now I am vowing to do that more often.

5//  The All Sons and Daughters album...it's working at my heart and always on repeat lately.

6//  You may be wondering why the carton of lemonade has invaded the blog post and I am here to tell you that that lemonade is the most delicious and refreshing thing anyone could ever drink ever. And I don't exaggerate. I can't get enough of this stuff and will probably find out about 8 more cavities at the dentist next time but I just don't care. So there it is.

Bottom line, this too shall pass. And before I know it we're gonna be through about 4 major life changes and taking a walk in our new neighborhood laughing at all the seemingly life or death moments about how the centerpiece bows need to be tied and what color ribbon to buy. BUT. I do not want to wish away these last 24 days of life in this current season because they are so precious and sweet and full of love, anticipation, hope and preparation. And one day soon I'm gonna wish JT had just as many earrings and skirts to borrow as the Fillmore girls have, yes? Yes.

the to-do parade

Hi. My name is Erin and I'm addicted to to-do lists.

After ordering a beautiful new family planner from Plum Paper for our future married life, I no sooner found it covered in sticky notes and these way too cute notepad pages with a zebra on them that I totally needed all vandalized by little check boxes and scribbles of items to get done. Lately it's gotten so severe that I can't even see the calendar itself. To give you a visual...

Now you may be asking why wouldn't I just write directly on the planner. Well, the answer is simple. See the planner's got dividers for different categories like things I'm doing that day, finances, blog schedule, meal planning, etc. So even though there's enough paper space to be writing all these things, I forgot to include a section for to-dos so...yeah. Make sense?

When I spotted the same item on three different lists the other day, I admitted to having a problem.
BUT. It isn't a problem if it helps you get all this schtuff done, right? I decided it's okay because this is how I deal with wedding planning pressure and it makes my head stop spinning for a hot minute. And sometimes that's all ya need. But it still has the potential to resemble something out of A Beautiful Mind and that scares me.

Am I the only one who's swimming the deep blue ocean of check boxes?
How do you deal with pressure and managing your time wisely?
Who's got some advice for this lady?

In other news...

I switched back to non-water susceptible mascara after ditching the stuff that doesn't flippin' come off your eyelashes and makes you pull each and every one of them out in attempts to un-clump. So things are looking up around here.

Also, I accidentally washed a stuffed giraffe that somehow ended up in my laundry basket? He went in there and seemed to have survived the spin cycle so we gave him a go at the dryer. So far so good.

A new sleep pattern has been discovered -- nap 2 hours after work when you don't feel like doing anything and then find yourself with 2 bonus hours of productivity at the end of the night! That explains why this post is happening at 1:43 AM. Happy Thursday Friday?

the fourth and other items

Anyone else thing it's almost entirely useless to blog about the 4th after the 4th? It's like trying to write something about Christmas after it's all over. Alright, maybe not. But you get the idea. 

Regardless, here's the semi-obligatory post about the 4th of July, which, for the first time in 3 years I actually celebrated off work and at home. Success. 

What was really strikingly awesome about this day was that it felt like maybe my most productive Thursday in months. Sometimes I struggle with the 9-5 work day trend we've all got going on here, mainly because there are only so many hours in the day and so many things I'd like to accomplish that really excite me. But there's also a great argument for honor found in hard work and diligence at a regular, full-time job. I'm finding out that variety might just be my key to a balanced life but this is totally and completely a thought process for another blog post. Moving on.

So this Thursday was just fantastic. So much of what I wanted to work on got worked on besides the dirty downstairs bathroom that's staring me in the face to clean. We'll get there someday, we'll get there.

I made coffee, drank almost the whole pot myself (which now that I think about it, may have a strong correlation with the productivity factor), turned on some favorite playlists and just enjoyed the majority of the morning. 

By the time two pm rolled around, I realized that I really hadn't stepped foot out the door which, for someone who stars out the window all day at the sunshine and doesn't take the opportunity to enjoy it when she's free to do that, seemed like a real true crime. So I stepped outside. To get the mail.

Afterwards I whipped up an all-american grilled cheese sandwich, pulled on some clothes more acceptable for public viewing, and took a chance on the hammock in the backyard strung up between the deteriorating clothesline posts from about 100 years ago. 

The J-ster and I left a wee bit early for the downtown fireworks but got a slammin' parking spot which automatically rationalizes any decision. While it was still light out I managed to get schooled at cribbage (how does this keep happening??) and put down more portable snack items than a toddler at the zoo. The fireworks were great and not to get all sap-fest on you but it was really really nice to get to celebrate with J after 3 July 4ths of knowing each other. 

Hope you had a restful and fun Independence Day!

good for the soul

Sometimes in the midst of transition you just need to get some of your favorite people together and storm the streets in search of all things fun and beautiful. I'm feeling so thankful for old and new friends, weekends, birthday celebrations, afternoons off, picnics in the park and lots of sunshine all the time. 

//Those fancy straws sure are fun, but they make your drink taste like wood chips. True story (above). //

//Birthday girl below wearing the most ridiculous and endearing head gear ;) //

 

This summer is so good for the soul. In the midst of the crazy is an anchor of growth, trust, anticipation and lots of grace. Thanks to all ya'lls who came up to visit, it's always a blast!