Oh, Hi!

Sweet friends, thanks for all of the anni love yesterday. We didn't do anything special or fancy this year, so it was just our style. :) Mark surprised me and came home from work early. (That was the best!) We had a cookout at my sister's house. Oh! And we put up a swing my sister got for the little Pie. She looked so cute swinging!

(Romper)
Cheers to 3 years (even though Nancy is not amused)!
ANYWAY! Did anyone spot me on Talk of the Trains the other day? Lauren is someone who I wish lived in Charlotte because I look up to her as a mama. She's doing this fun series called "The Talking Mom," and it's still cool to me that I get to be a part of it because I am, in fact, a mama (pinch me!). Pop on over and take a look!
Side note: this if my favorite post Lauren has ever written. It resonated with me. I think of it often. It's just a beautiful story, and I am so glad she wrote it down. (...and I so look forward to figuring out "Nancy's song.") :)
Happy Wednesday, y'all! Thank you for being a part of this little space--this creative outlet--of mine. I just want you to know that I appreciate your love, support, kind words, and readership with all my heart! I hope you have a great day today!!

3 Years

I do promise and covenant.Today we celebrate 3 years within the covenant of marriage. Don't mind me as I take a walk through memory lane through these wedding photos.

 If you're a CLT gal, you must LRT it up. 

 T-BIRDDDD (even though we didn't manage to collect everyone)

If I could do it all over again, I'd pick you every time, Marky. You make me happier than anyone else in the world. I love you, I trust you, I am proud of you, I am yours forever. Cheers to us! Happy anniversary, babe.

Read more on our wedding + our marriage here.

Anniversary Eve [Life Stage Films]

Because when our anni is on the horizon, all I want to do is watch these over and over. I can't get through them without cheese grinning the entire time. Life Stage Films, y'all are the best [as always]! Now excuse me while I have these on repeat much of today. And tomorrow. And randomly throughout the year just because.
 Wedding Film

Highlights Film
Read more on our wedding + our marriage here.

(Maybe?) Our Last Weekend Pre-Nancy

Only the good Lord knows if this truly was our last weekend pre-Nancy or not. I very well could go 41+ weeks. Who knows! But just in case...we treated it as our last "just us" weekend. Regardless, I'm so glad we did because it sure was lovely!

FRIDAY

Marky got off work a little early, and I met him at Diamonds Direct to pick out a push present (and take advantage of their twice a year 20% off sale). Perfect timing, right?! The store was jam packed...straight up bumpin' before 5pm with catered food, drinks, decorations everywhere, and a 45 minute wait list. We wound up waiting over 45 minutes to be seen, but we just sat on the couch and happily chatted. Our patience paid off (literally) because we got an extra 5% off for it! Cheers to that!

I knew I wanted another band that looked completely different from my wedding band, as this one is for a different occasion. I wound up picking the same band Mark had chosen for me during his lunch break. I like that we both decided on the same thing without even meaning to do so -- that made it even more special. Also - diamonds are Nancy's birthstone, sooo... ;) Fancy Nancy indeed.

39 weeks 3 Days 

My sista snapped this family picture for us before we headed out on the town. I wore an old Susana Monaco dress of my mama's...Susana Monaco is great for pregnancy. Mark looked so handsome. Loved his outfit that he picked out by himself. Well done, hubby! Yow! :) Tina, per usual, looked quite pupalicous.

For dinner we headed to one of our most favorite Charlotte restaurants (that was also the venue of our rehearsal dinner!), Dressler's. We opted to sit outside and enjoy the band, crisp, cool air, and skyline view of our home. [CLT folks - There is an awesome Living Social deal going on there right now! Snag it!]

Jam band + Dressler's patio view

Home sweet home, Charlotte, North Carolina

The living social deal allowed us to order 2 apps, 1 shared salad, 2 entrees, and 1 dessert. We had every intention of eating all of the food, but we both made it home with to go boxes. There was just too much goodness. :) We ordered thai peanut calamari, crab dip, the "wedgie" salad, NY strip with fries, duck (random, but I went for it!) with the best mac & cheese I've ever tasted, and key lime pie. Man, oh man. 

Cheers to this hot Daddy-to-be!

SATURDAY

We didn't sleep most of that night. Mom's AC was out upstairs, and I was up almost every hour with a tiny puppy crying and scratching her ear (and prepping me for baby, I know). Our baby girl pup got her first ear infection. I took her to the vet as soon as it opened on Saturday morning. I was so thankful that this happened before Nancy's arrival so I could give our first baby all of the mama loving and snuggles she deserved. Apparently pups can grow into allergies? Amelia has never had them before, and now she has some medicine for hear ear and steroids. Bless her tinypup heart!

Sick puppy in the kitchen. Broke my heart!

 Sadpup snuggles with Daddy. She was pitiful. Our sweet first baby!

We spent much of the day with our sick little pup. Marky and I installed the car seat bases in our cars, so we are ready to bring Nancy home from the hospital. (Crazy! That was a very "this is real" feeling moment.) I also managed to make a mani-pedi date with my mommy and sissy happen. I'm not one to splurge on my nails--I'm the gal who prefers to save the bucks and paint them myself--but I decided that this was a pretty darn special occasion. :) Us three Davis girls had a grand time together. I chose neon pink for Nancy's arrival.

SUNDAY

Since we made it to church on Saturday night, Sunday was perfectly lazy. I did manage to squeeze in a 9:30 workout at Hilliard because it's my favorite class -- bands & gams. I just love it. And then the rain led me to Starbucks afterwards...

Cheers to a rainy, rainy, rainy day of rest and relaxation! Just what the Sabbath is for!!

And now, we wait. Tomorrow is my due date, but homegirl has consistently measured about 4 days behind through my entire pregnancy. Maybe she'll come sometime this week. Maybe next weekend. Maybe on Hopey's bday! And, goodness knows, maybe I'll hit 41 weeks. Time will tell. Stay tuned! Until then...we're bursting at the seams knowing we get to meet our baby girl face to face SO STINKIN' SOON!!! Mark keeps saying, "Hurry up, Nancy. We're all ready to meet you!" There is wonderful joy ahead indeed...God is good. He is so, so good!

2 Years and 8 Months of Just Us

Elizabeth Scott Photography

The one who makes me laugh...

Isn't God's grace an amazing thing? Understatement of the world, I know. I've been thinking: in the days when I used to name the 5 "non-negotiables" that I would never settle on regarding a husband (yes, I did that), sense of humor was never one of them. Ever. I don't consider myself a funny person. And it's not that I don't like "funny" in others--it's just never been super important to me.  

But God. He blessed me with a bonus in my husband. God knew my every need and then blessed me with more. My Marky. The one who makes me laugh like no other. (Like you read about yesterday?) An undeserved gift. Grace.

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Oh goodness, y'all. Does this happen to a lot of first time mamas? In the past weeks, I've found myself not necessarily nostalgic but super reminiscent of the past few years with my husband since we've become man and wife. Our 2 years and 8 months of just us are coming to a close. My thoughts of our adventures in that time have been running wild. We have grown so much individually; more importantly, we've grown exponentially as a couple.

In a world where marriage is hard and all too finite, I know I'm extremely blessed in my marriage with Mark. I was telling him this in the car last night, actually: Our marriage absolutely isn't perfect. And there are always things we can and will need to work on. But you know what? It's strong. Our marriage is strong. I believe so much in us, the ways we love and serve each other, in the family we're creating, and in the legacy we'll leave through it. How precious a gift I have been given to do life everyday with someone like Mark.

I know, I know. I'll cut the sap. But it has been on high gear these past few weeks, and--per usual--I'm owning it. The best part of all my reflections? The fact that 2 years and 8 months as The Houstons is still our beginning.  Let the adventures continue. With Mark by my side, I look forward to all that the future holds--the good, the bad, and the ugly. Just as the Bible states, it is a divine mystery how two lives absolutely become one.

Okay LAST THING (for real). What better to do when reflecting on your marriage thus far than rewatch your wedding video!?! I watched this last night and was either BIG cheese smiling, laughing, or crying throughout the whole thing. To remember how much I loved him on this day...to process how much more I love him now...and to imagine how much more deeply and intricately I will love him as I watch him become the father of our children (so soon!). God is good, y'all.

Feature FilmIt's longer. So many of my favorite songs. And I was total mush listening to Mark, my sister, an our vows all over again.  

 Highlights FilmShort and sweet and the perfect little epitome of our day.  

Videos by Life Stage Films. Thank y'all for your beautiful talent that still makes me giddy!

You can read more about our wedding right here. :)

 

Maternity Photos

I knew I wanted to capture these last moments of Marky and me as just...Marky and me...before we're "mommy" and "daddy" forever. But I knew I didn't want anything fancy either. (We'll save that for the newborn photos with Nancy. ;)) So I recruited my sister as photog, grabbed the camera Mark bought me for Christmas, and together we spent about twenty minutes snapping some pictures at one of our family's most treasured locations--my grandparents' farm in Waxhaw, NC. Easy peasy. We were headed out there for a dinner date with them anyhow! Amidst the quality time, homemade crab cakes, and Mimi's famous banana pudding that I so adore, this little "photo shoot" in the mix of that evening shall forever capture our final days as just us. 

Nancy Hope Houston, Mommy and Daddy cannot wait to meet you!April 11, 201538 weeks 4 days pregnant

First Home Favorites

 35 weeks pregnant | Our last week in our first home

[Past Posts: The Story of Our First Home | Homeowners]

I'll be the first to admit that moving back to Charlotte is a lot more sweet than bitter, but I have to say that I've felt especially nostalgic this week as we have packed up our first home. Sure, we only lived here for a year. But this space was ours. It was very us. And--heck--we grew a lot here as our own a little family. We learned a lot about each other. We found beauty in the dependency of marriage. We made new friends and enjoyed hosting beach weekends with old ones. I watched my husband begin a brand new career and thrive in it. We spoiled ourselves with walks on the beach and laughing at Amelia as a beach pup. We learned how much a roof costs (ouch). We decided to add to our family here...and thought our #1 would be joining us in this very home! We fell in love with our daughter here, felt her kicks, and documented her growing in my tummy. There is so much to think about and cherish. I can only imagine the flood of memories after spending years upon years in a home....which we hope to do next. (For real this time.)

So in the spirit of nostalgia, gratitude, and sincere love...this Friday's post is dedicated to [a few more than] 5 things that I am going to miss about our first home.

ONE | THESE WINDOWS
Our house was always filled with amazing natural light. These windows were my favorite. I took this picture a couple of days ago. I love how these windows captured green leaves and blue skies, sunsets, and even the moon at night.

The picture doesn't do the cotton candy sky justice.

(And oh the preciousness of a little tinypup silhouette guarding the house!)

TWO | BUILT INS

Yes, I will miss something as simple as the built in shelves in our den. I adore them and the way they so effortlessly housed our beachy + family accents.

[Original Post: Beach Accents for the Home]

THREE | OUR FRONT PATIO
I love this space. Marky and I loved this little date night spot for two. We would light the tiki torches, grill out, sit, rock, sip on some vino, and talk. I'm cheesy smiling just typing about it.

[Original Post: Home Tour | Exterior]

 

FOUR | MY CLOSET

Y'all know I would be straight up lying if I said I wasn't going to miss this girly thang. Ohhh this space! :) Our favorite areas in Charlotte are filled with older homes...which come with small closets...so I think this goodness will soon be a distant memory.

[Original Post: Home Tour | Master Closet]

FIVE | MY COLOR PALETTE

I picked out paint colors that were me. My "seaside neutrals." I swooned over our dark doors that contrasted against our light walls, found the perfect gray that I will continue to use for years (SW Silverplate -- it reminds me of my bridesmaids' dresses!!!), and had my mom pick out "a color for the guest room that will hopefully some day be a little boy's or girl's nursery and not need repainting." :) She nailed it with SW Sea Salt. We'll use it in Nancy's nursery in Charlotte.

[Original Post: Think Before You Paint: 7 Thoughts to Consider]

SIX | THE MUDROOM

This is an amenity I don't forsee us having in Charlotte either. Maybe it sounds silly, but I loved this little space! A tidy place for shoes and coats and purses and things. (Because boy do I love tidy.) 

[Original Post: Home Tour | Mudroom]

SEVEN | ...AND EVERYTHING ELSE

A little compilation from our listing...because the homebody/interior design/home decor lover in me could keep this post going for days...

 "My" kitchen....because it's very me. My favorite shiny chrome hardware. White. The perfect shade of gray on the walls.

Our bedroom...so light and airy (though one day I will paint that furniture white...!).

Double ceilings in our main living space. So many windows. So much natural light.

The guest room/nursery that housed so many of our favorite people.

And our bathroom. Not the most updated bathroom but with that space...double sinks...and a jacuzzi tub? It was heaven to me!

Thank you, Jesus, for our first home and all of the memories, lessons, and love in it.

Thank You for our time here in Wilmington.

Thank You for moving mountains to get us back to Charlotte in time for Nancy's arrival.

Thank You for the gift of family and knowing how we want our little girl to grow up as close to them as possible.

And most importantly, thank You for making a home in our hearts. Help us to seek and know You as our one, true home. 

Amen.

 

FRIDAY means I'm linking up with...5 on Friday: Darci, April, Christina, + Natasha | Friday Favorites: A Little Bit of Everything, Momfessionals, + Grace and Love | Oh Hey, Friday: September Farm + The Farmer's Wife

 Head over to meet Laura at The Ozinga Outlook...!