I was so excited when my friend Nani asked me to take pictures of her little guy Kayode. I got to take her maternity pictures before he was born, so we thought it would be a great idea to go back to that same park for Kayode’s pictures. This little guy is just too adorable. Big huge eyes and such a sweet personality.
Here are some of my favorites from our shoot. You can see the rest of our shoot album here.
So glad for this time of the year, the gorgeous light and pretty friends.
October is my favorite month of the year…its always been the month when I feel most like myself. I find comfort in scarfs and hot coffee and falling leaves. I love how the light changes and how the air feels. And this little quote has kind of become my mantra for the autumn season. I am so glad that its October again!
To welcome in the fall I’ve created a little “October looks good on me” download for your computer and your phone.
Download here
Desktop Wallpaper
Phone Background
What is your favorite thing about autumn?
What makes you feel most like you?
Life lately…yeah, I think now is a good time for a post like this. My life has been crazy lately! But mostly crazy good.
I have been able to spend a ton of time with my mom this last month and its been such a treat. There were hard circumstances that brought me there but we took full advantage of the chance to visit. We talked and we painted our nails and we did mom’s hair and bought cute earrings. It was hard to be away from Chris for so many days, but a treasure to spend time with my mom. She’s such an amazing woman, and I only wish we lived closer and could spend more time together.
At the beginning of September I gave my two-week’s notice at the credit union and took the position of Project Administrator that was created for me at NICA. I have enjoyed working for NICA for almost 2 years now, and my boss and I make a really good team. We’ve got a lot of big projects in the works and she wanted me completely on board, not splitting my time between the 2 jobs. So she made me this amazing offer and I’m still a bit in shock that this is what I do now! NICA is a non-profit organization and I’m so excited to be coordinating classes, creating and curating curriculum, updating our website and staying on top of our social media campaigns, and so much more. I’m the admin for our flooring apprenticeship program and all the behind the scenes stuff for the company. There are exciting times ahead of me here where I will be able to use my creativity, my passion for people and multitasking skills to their full potential. This is my first full week, and I’m loving it already! I was with the credit union for almost a full year, and I know I will miss everyone there. I learned a lot and enjoyed being a part of such a great company. They got me flowers and a card on my last day to say goodbye. So sweet.
Chris and I are rocking our weight loss!! Chris is down 90lbs and I’m down 55lbs. It has been an amazing journey together and its brought us so much closer. I am proud of the progress we’ve made and excited for what’s to come. Being healthy feels so good!
And finally…we bought a new car!!! It’s a 2012 VW Beetle. I’ve named her Golden. Chris found her online and we drove 4 hours to get her. We got such a good deal…she has under 4000 miles, heated leather seats, Bluetooth and is sooo much fun to drive! I’ve wanted a Bug since forever…but especially since my dad gave me a toy one as a gag graduation present. I’m so glad that everything worked out and now I get to drive this darling car everyday. I love the retro styling and that the inside dash is yellow too. It just makes me smile!
So there are some of the things in my life lately. I’m feeling eager for autumn and getting settled into all these new changes, but I’m happy. Really, really happy. Grateful for the big things and all the everyday little things too. Like Thomas Hammer coffee when I was visiting my mom, and being able to go on a long drive with my dad and just talk; taking Gibson with me to work everyday and seeing my husband reach his goals. And wearing size 14 pants again! Man that feels good!
What’s new with you?
#blogtember
Day 15 Prompt: A ‘life lately’ post. What you’re up to and how you’re feeling.
Chris, I have been thinking a lot lately about our love, and the reasons why it works so dang well and why I love you. There are so many reasons that come to mind, but I wanted to write some down…I wanted to tell you.
I love you because you are my friend first. We genuinely liked each other as people before we became anything romantic, and so in many situations I find myself asking “What would a best friend do in this situation?” A lot of times the answer is “A best friend would let him sleep.” I think we’re both a lot happier when we’ve had enough sleep, and that lets us be better friends and the best marriage mates to each other.
I love you for saying yes to so many of my ideas, and for fully committing to them and helping me see them through. And for supporting me when I get doubts and you have to remind me that I am capable and strong and worthy. You are the best partner, and I love the life that we have created together. I am amazed by the adventures we have and the new things we try and the joy that we find in every day. I love how we make decisions, little ones or big ones. We are so in sync. Its how we choose to see things, and we look at life the same way. I am reminded of a favorite quote of mine: “Love is not to just look at one another, but to look together in the same direction.”
I love you for wanting to get healthy with me and going on this journey together. We have made such amazing progress and I know that its completely changed our feelings about food and that we’ll take the changes we’ve made with us for the rest of our life. Food has been a huge part of our relationship these last 7 years…and you’re the best cook. But now we don’t live to eat anymore; the food we eat fuels the amazing life we get to share. And we feel so much better about ourselves. There is nothing sexier than that!
I love you because of your heart. One of the first things I fell for was your eyes…you have the kindest eyes. And they speak so loudly about your heart and the person that you are. You are kind and giving and hardworking; you are smart and skilled and passionate; you are spontaneous and joyous and full of life. I love who you are. And I love the part of you that you only share with me. It has been such an amazing privilege to truly get to know your heart and cherish it. You gave it to me to care for, and I’m never letting it go. Promise.
So, thank you Chris, for being my best friend, my husband, my support and my inspiration. I love our love and the life we have together. You’re the best thing that ever happened to me.
I love you to life.
Your Shai
#blogtember
Day 10 Prompt: Write a public love letter to someone.
