created.

The design for blank notecards I'll be ordering to keep up with my favourite people while I'm gallivanting in the outer rims.

beautiful girl.

Finally had the chance to do my sister-in-law's senior portraits today. She came over and went through my bags of clothes I'm culling for the move to Edinburgh. Consequentially, every outfit she wore for these photos either came entirely from my things or partially. She's one beautiful girl. Knock 'em dead at Mars Hill, Caitlin. Love you, sister.

rainy spring morning.

I really love mornings like this. I sit, cup of tea in hand, windows flung open, and just breathe and listen. I breathe in the fresh scent of fallen spring rain and listen to their brethren continue to fall upon the newly green leaves. That smell and that sound are two things that put my heart to ease and my mind at rest. When I drove Jeremy into work this morning, there were rivers of low mist snaking through the mountain passes, laying gently upon the new forest, following the rises and falls of the mountains perfectly. It's a beautiful and breath-taking sight that never fails to bring wonder into my heart. A rainy spring morning is what I was made to enjoy, and I thank God he has given me yet another one in which to revel.

irish breakfast tea.

I'd forgotten how much I love a good cuppa in the morning. Especially damp, cool mornings with the mist hung low in the trees. Here's to remembering. Sláinte.

comings and goings.

New things have been decided, for better or for worse, in regards to moving to Scotland to September. Jeremy will now be coming with me on September first, and our beloved Cael will be staying state-side with our good friends Chelsea and Andrew, who are getting married this summer. I'm so glad that Jeremy and I get to begin our new lives in Edinburgh together, rather than a month apart. It'll be hard to leave our cavalier little pupper, but I know that it is for the best, and that we'll be better able to do what we're meant to do over there, and be free to travel and experience living in a big city. Since we're only guaranteed one year there as of right now, it would be silly to spend the amount of money we'll have to spend to ship Cael to the UK for merely a year then spend more money bringing him home again. So once we know if we'll be there a good amount of time, we'll spend the money to bring him over. I know this is the right decision, after hours on the phone, one plane ticket purchased and returned (losing about $100 in the process), and much prayer and consideration, I do know that this is right. But it's hard. So here's to Cael, my loving pup, and here's to Chelsea and Andrew who love him as well as Jeremy and me.














Chelsea and her best-doggie-friend, Cael.

in photos.

birthday cake, birthday husband flipping birthday burgers, biltmore pergola, biltmore tulips, chelsea hydrangea, jeremy's mexican birthday, and yummy tilapia dill cream cheese grilled sandwich with lemon-dill green beans                                                  

as promised.

I am updating this morning because I realize that I am in dire need of it, not because I have come prepared with stories, tales and photographs with which to regale my readers. I'll probably put up a photo post within the next few days to supplement this one, since this one will be photo-less.
Anyway, many things have gone on since my last post, my birthday, Jeremy's birthday, springtime arriving, tulips, a day frolicking at Biltmore with Chelsea (yes, we frolicked.) Among other things. Photos shall be posted, never fear. When though, that might be a tricky part.
My birthday was nice, full of family, friend, and red velvet cake. Jeremy's birthday was much the same, except cheesecake with fresh strawberries instead. Spring has most indubitably sprung, and I love it. Flowers are exuberantly beautiful and the trees are resplendent in new green. Festival of Flowers is well upon us at Biltmore and the tulips have just finished in a flourish and the snapdragons and foxgloves are in their stead. It's beautifully inspiring, the house, the gardens, the ground. I've written four poems in as many days, and begun a new novel. Which is all rather exciting, even if I'll probably not finish the novel, and not do anything with the poems. But writing for myself is enough for me, and that's important as a writer I think.
Edinburgh draws ever nearer as I have just purchased my plane ticket to fly over on September 1 (gasp!). Jeremy will probably be following me over in early October with Cael. We'll try to see if he can come earlier, but things aren't for sure yet--I'll be calling the airline this week. So it's official, we're definitely going. I've started some online Scots-Gaelic lessons so I'll have some background when I start school.
I've also gotten a promotion at work, more responsibility, new places to work, and a raise which is nice for my morale, and for my Scotland savings-fund. Hurrah!
I'm sure there's probably more to say, but I'll have to add it later, maybe in my photo post. Talk to you chumlie-wumlies later.

Mar sin leibh!