Black & White NYE

"It's weird, there are only black and white in this room, and yet everything's so…so colorful." 

-J Harvey Vanderbilt 

Black and White Ball 1966

When I got word from the lovely Rebes & Ash that they would be hosting yet another New Years Eve party in their dreamy Chicago apartment, I couldn't imagine anything as spectacular as Great Gatsby NYE 2013, because after all, in the words of the great 
F. Scott Fitzgerald, "You can't repeat the past." But if anyone is capable of re-creating a party as classy and epic as Truman Capote's Black and White Ball of 1966, these girls are. What better way to welcome the new year than with friends you love and live life with near and far, and we did just that in the form of The Modern yet Classic Black and White NYE 2014. 

With any fabulous party comes a photo booth to capture the faces of friends, old and new, so to make sure to keep the memory of Black and White 2014, I put together a little video.

And a few other party pics…

pre-party set up

the balloons have arrived!

ready to party

Little Louie made his appearance in the photo booth 

Love this Rebes 

Brittters!

Auld Lang Syne  

Happy 2014!

Reflecting on Christmas

This holiday season was different than any before, and spending a part of that season in Dayton was unique and magical in it's own way. Reflecting on Christmas 2013 and and the memories made, there were several moments that built lasting impressions in my heart and mind. For example, that moment that I realized we have friends in Dayton :) The Lord has been so faithful in providing those meaningful relationships & genuine friendships that A and I both prayed we would find. 

The people of Dayton that made this season so merry and bright...

We kept Christmas going all the way into January and made more memories with family in Texas...

Thankful for time spent and memories collected with family and friends this Christmas. And may the true meaning of Christmas, the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ, illuminate my heart and dwell in me richly throughout the year. 

Happy Winter

"In the midst of winter, I found that there was within me, an invincible summer." 

-Albert Camus

Embracing every warm moment.

A Snowy Saturday

I always get this excited/nervous feeling when I hear snow is coming. Growing up in Texas, those mornings that you wake up, peek outside your window, and discover a winter wonderland, were far and few between, but here in Dayton, Ohio, we have already seen that there is no shortage of snow and I'm excited for the many winter wonderlands to come!


This snowy Saturday was off to a great start when we traveled to a nearby Christmas Tree Farm and cut down our own tree, something I had never done before. I was super giddy about this experience and couldn't help but to frolic, skip & weave in and out of all the trees as we were trying to pick which one we would chop down and take home. 

The day continued to get better when our Baylor Bears played their last game ever in Floyd Casey Stadium, sported the coolest 1950s throwback uniforms, stomped UT, and won the Big 12 Championship!!! BCS bowl here we come!!!

The day ended on a high note with A's ENT Christmas party. Andrew feels extremely blessed to be a part of of this incredible group of surgeons and he is truly learning from and working with the best. In addition to being a talented and smart group of docs, this group knows how to have some serious fun!  

ENT Residents

Residents & Attending Physicians 

Ready for another snowy Saturday! 

Brokenness Aside

The worship team at our new church home in Dayton, has been leading with several songs from the group All Sons & Daughters recently. I'm loving this group and their music. Their lyrics are so relevant & relatable. They sing a lot about brokenness, freedom in Christ, grace, and hope.  Here's one of my favorites, "Brokenness Aside".

Chorus: "I am a sinner, if it's not one thing, it's another.

Caught up in words, tangled in lies.

But you are a Savior and you take brokenness aside, 

and make it beautiful."

True

“My feelings are not God. God is God. My feelings do not define truth. God’s word defines truth. My feelings are echoes and responses to what my mind perceives. And sometimes - many times - my feelings are out of sync with the truth. When that happens - and it happens every day in some measure - I try not to bend the truth to justify my imperfect feelings, but rather, I plead with God: Purify my perceptions of your truth and transform my feelings so that they are in sync with the truth.”

-John Piper, Finally Alive

Reminded today of His truth...

God Bless Texas

A few months ago Andrew let me know that we weren't going to be able to visit our families over Thanksgiving or Christmas this year (the life of a first year resident who gets to work on Holidays)...but being the sweet & smart hubby he is, he quickly followed up that statement with "so you should pick a weekend sometime in November or December and fly to Texas to see your family, otherwise, you'll be a complete disaster." And he knows me so well! :) So last weekend I jumped on a plane to Cowtown and spent much needed time with family and friends.

A day with the Lees...

How lucky am I to be Aunt Gigi to these two? 

Never a dull moment. 

My sweet sister-in-law who has always been a sister, a best friend and a role model to me.

My bro gets the best dad of the year award. 

Doing a little house hunting with Jen...she needed to make sure the bath was cozy enough.

That's right we have matching overalls! 

Swag. He let his Gigi put together an outfit for him at the Gap.

8th grader playing on a team with seniors. I'd say she's a baller. 

More family time...

Silly Sawyer 

Lunch with Mom & Mar 

Reunited with childhood friends...

Got to see one of my oldest and dearest friends, Lincoln, marry
the girl of his dreams. 

Old friends reunited. 

God bless Texas and everyone there who is dear to me.