Back from my vacation!

I am back from Seattle and Bellingham!  It was so nice to get away for a week and I was so proud of myself for letting go of my work, reading {and finishing} a book, and just enjoying my vacation time!  I can honestly say I don’t remember the last time I finished a book, and it felt good!!!  {In case you’re wondering I ready Gone Girl, by Gillian Flynn}.

Lows of my trip were the crazy amount of airline delays.  I spent way too much time in airports for flight delays, layovers, etc. and I think that our local airport, as well as United, run shady, undependable flight schedules.  I could have actually driven to Seattle in the time it took me to fly there!

Highs of my trip… where do I start?  The biggest highlight of my trip was getting to spend the week with my friend Renee, in Bellingham. 

Renee and her husband moved to Bellingham six years ago, but not before Renee and I developed a deep, lifelong friendship.  She is awesome and I love her, and her sweet family, more than I can say.  She’s the kind of friend that I don’t talk to for months but when we finally do we chat for an hour and if feels like it was just yesterday that we talked.  She’s the kind of friend that I can not see for two years but when we finally get the chance we feel like hardly any time has passed.  She is such an encouraging, uplifting, God-fearing friend and I don’t know what I’d do without her presence in my life.

Here are her two precious kiddos, I just love them!

This picture of Renee and I is a little blurry but I love it!  We had so much fun getting dressed up, going out and talking until all hours of the night!  Sometimes it’s fun to pretend you’re young all over again.

When I was leaving Bellingham the other day her husband joked that he was going to have to give her a curfew when I came to town next time because we were up so late every night.  This was definitely not a trip for me to catch up on sleep, it was a trip for me to catch up on my friend’s life.  I am ending my vacation a little tired but I feel rejuvenated, loved and so incredibly blessed.  I wouldn’t want it any other way!

The next high of my trip was a weekend in Seattle with Matt.  On Tuesday, August 21st, we celebrated 8 years of marriage, only we weren’t together.  I celebrated with Renee and Matt celebrated with a bunch of his buddies at Banking School.  So last weekend was our chance to celebrate our eight years together.  Eight years… it seems like so much longer because it’s hard to even remember a time that he wasn’t a part of my life. 

Here we are going out for our late anniversary dinner:

We love Seattle.  Every couple has the town they love or the place that’s special to them, Seattle is our place.  I don’t know what it is about the city but we love it, we crave it and we always miss it when we leave.  If you’ve never been to Seattle you have to go!  It’s a beautiful city, it’s clean, the air is always fresh, it’s easy to get around and it’s filled with incredible restaurants.  Whenever I leave Seattle I feel like I should fast for a week because I’ve eaten so many delicious meals and drank so much incredible wine.  Here are two examples: smoked salmon, caper and avocado omelet…

…and flaming sushi.  YUM!!!

This time we are leaving Seattle in the wake of our eight year celebration, excited for what year number nine is going to hold for us.  I am tired but rejuvenated, stuffed from all the good food but anxious to get home to my green smoothies, I have also enjoyed my vacation from mommy-hood but I can’t wait to hug and kiss my sweet baby girl!!!  I am also refreshed and ready to write!  I’m not sure what I’m going to write about but I’m ready!

I also want to say a big thank you to all the fabulous ladies that took over and guest posted while I was out of town!  If you didn’t get a chance to see their posts it’s not too late, click on the titles to take you to the posts.  A decadent recipe for Gluten Free Salted Caramel Brownies, learn 6 Habits to Keep your Home Clean, learn How to Make Fabric Rosettes, great tips for how to Organize a Hall Closet, and inspiration and ideas for how to be a DIY-er, DIY: A Creative Process.

It’s so good to be home!  I can’t wait to catch up with all of you!!!