our mini vacay

A few pictures that Daniel and I took in Paris, TN

the eiffel tower was about as tall as a two story house, on a platform

those bales of hay were tall!

Hope your weekends were great!

Liv

how does your garden grow?

This spring I asked Daniel if we could start a small pot garden. Since I have never had a garden before, I wanted to start small. Something I couldn't kill.

Well,

when we got to Lowes to get the supplies, Mr. Pippin got a bit carried away. We (he) ended up digging two plots beside our porch, which we planted the minimum in. You know, just some onion, cucumbers, jalapenos, and (brace yourself) NINE tomato plants!!

Now be aware that we were forewarned by the sweet woman that helped us at Lowes, I just thought that I would probably kill half of them. But, guess what? I didn't! And now look at it...

The tomato plants are as tall as I am!

I got to harvest the first fruits of my labor this past weekend, and boy was it rewarding. There are probably going to be 300 more so I guess I shouldn't get too excited.

But, fruits and veggies aren't the only thing growing in our lives. We are so lucky to have wonderful friends and family surrounding us. Here we are at my aunts house on the 4th of July. I love our little family!

Weston with my sweet Nanny

After a fun cookout with family, we headed downtown to meet up with Jess and Andy for Pops in the Park.

Monday night we had some old friends over. This is a series of pictures that Rusty took. Haha, love Meg's faces! We so enjoyed hearing about Gerry and Jananna's new adventure, their baby on the way, Catie Grace!

Oh, and I have picked up a new hobby! I received a hand-me-down bike from a sweet couple at the SB and boy, have we been puttin' that baby to use! I really love going to spin class, but being outside is totally different. I am learning how to motivate myself to go a little harder and a little longer. I was so proud that our first time out, we biked over 10 miles! Daniel is super pumped that I have picked up a new outdoor activity (bless it).

Lovin' life as Mrs. Pippin! Who ever said your first years are the hardest?! Make it an adventure!

Liv

the house that built me

Recently I had a huge complement come from one of Daniel's employees. Well, actually it was about my brother, who is working at the SB for the summer. This sweet woman came up to me and told me how much she had loved meeting Weston for the first time. She told me how she felt he and I were alike in the fact that "we get it." She continued to explain, she meant that Weston and I know what life is all about. What is important and what isn't in the great scheme of things. But what she said next was the kicker..."you must have had great parents..."

Yes, you're absolutely right.

Have you heard that Miranda Lambert song, The House That Built Me? (country I know...) Well, I cried. CRIED when I first heard it, thank goodness for big sunglasses. This song talks about a girl going back to her roots to try to find herself again. Maybe it's because I grew up in the same home for pretty much my whole life, but this song really touched me. I am so blessed to have the parents I did. The experiences they gave me and how much they gave up for me will be something I am forever grateful for.

Do you ever wish you could just go back to being that little 6 year old girl that walked with your daddy on top of his shoes? Or bake cookies in the kitchen with your mom for the first time?

...I so do...

It makes me think of what kind of house Daniel and I will build for our family. I want it to be happy, full of love and laughter. I want to have slumber parties like my brother and I did. Bedrooms facing one another with our sleeping bags in the doorways, laughing at something our dad said at dinner. I want to have the family vacations, the christmas memories, I want it ALL. But most of all, I want to make my parents proud. I want them to look at my life and know that they raised a good person.

I wish I could go back and make those memories, knowing what I know now. I would tell myself that everything will be okay. The bumps and bruises will heal. The knotted Barbie hair won't matter. Your brother will actually be cool one day. Your first broken heart can always be mended by your daddy. And always always remember to feed you hamsters so they will not eat one another.

if I could walk around I swear I'll leave

won't take nothing but a memory

from the house that built me

Liv