Newbies

I'm linking up today with Kelly's Korner or 20-something's with no kids who blog. I love that she did this link-up because I think she made a great point. There are lots of connections for young moms but not many for those of us who aren't quite there yet :)

Anyway, if you are stopping by - heeeeeey! (Imagine that in a slow southern twang) I'm Claire, late twenties, married to my Jr. High sweetie Justin (or Jay) and live in a very tiny town in southeast Missouri.

I'm an attorney by day. I have two degrees in social work as well, and focus a majority of my practice to providing high-quality legal services to women who are victims of domestic violence. It's a pretty stressful job and sometimes takes quite the toll on me.

I'm a follower of God, a striver to become more connected to His word each day. I believe with all my being that Jesus died for my sins so that I can have eternal life. I'm blessed to be married to a Godly man who leads our spiritual life and family.

I love watching Jay coach sports and spend a lot of time at his games. His students all become our "kids" rather quickly and I am their den mother as they like to say. We have a precious pup named Oreo who I know God created just for us - because there is no other way we'd have a dog so perfect for our personalities.

Life is changing for us, and I'm excited and nervous for what lies ahead. Stick around because I'm sure to share more of this journey soon.

Also, you can click the links above to read all about our wedding and also some pretty thoughtful posts on my favorite quotes and scripture.

Please say "hello" if you wish, and I can't wait to meet y'all!

SUYL: Pinterest!

Today I am linking up with Kelly's Korner Show Us Your Life! It is all about the best website ever - Pinterest! Who doesn't love Pinterest?

I thought today I would share some of my latest pins. They are pretty random!

Source: projectnursery.com via Claire on Pinterest

I love these colors! I think grey and yellow with pops of bright colors are super sophisticated but still cute for a baby's nursery.

Source: negativepleasure.tumblr.com via Claire on Pinterest

All dog-lovers unite!

Source: someecards.com via Claire on Pinterest

Let's be honest. Who doesn't have these days?! Ha!

Source: Uploaded by user via Claire on Pinterest

I have been looking for ideas for my niece Sophie's 3rd (!!!) birthday. She is all about the Princesses right now. I think this shabby-chic, vintage inspired princess theme is ADORABLE without being over-the-top or cheesy.

Source: rstyle.me via Claire on Pinterest

I think my southern sweet tea would taste SOOOO much sweeter in these! Anyone? Bueller?

Source: onegoodthingbyjillee.com via Claire on Pinterest

I did this and it worked. Fantastically! I need to do it for the other pillows on the guest beds.

Follow me on Pinterest by clicking on the link below or by clicking here!

SUYL: Vacation

Once again, I am linking up with Kelly's Korner Show Us You Life. Today is all about favorite vacation spots!

Last year was what we dubbed "the year of fun" and believe me - it was! We rang in the New Year in the Carribbean, went to Disney World in April, and went back to the beach to Destin, Florida in May. What can I say? We took advantage of every vacation possible!

Instead of writing a blog post trying to condense all that travel down into one - I will include the links from each!

**And as I went back, I realized I never recapped our Honeymoon! What was I thinking?**

Here are a few pictures. We went on a 6-day cruise to Ochios Rios, Jamaica  the Grand Cayman Islands, and Cozumel, Mexico. Despite all the problems cruise ships seem to be having now - we loved it.

Moving on to Disney World. Let me just say - NOTHING tops the magic. Nothing. Nada. I can't wait to go back. Again and again and again!!!!!! Everyone should go to Disney World once in their lifetime - and I am a big BIG advocate that everyone should go once as an adult without children!

The Magic

Magic Kingdom
Hollywood Studios & Animal Kingdom
Epcot

If we could go back right now, I would drop everything and RUN LIKE THE WIND people. I don't run - so you've got to understand how much I love me some Disney!

We have also visited Destin, Florida twice now with Justin's family. We stayed both times at the Emerald Grande which is right on the boardwalk. You take a little boat to a private beach. I really love the area and would go back in a heartbeat! There are lots of great restaurants and shops right there - so really, you would never have to get in your car (if you drove) and if you flew it would be no big deal!

Destin, FL

We just really enjoy vacationing. We feel that we work very hard for our money - and this is how we like to spend what little extra we have! 

I am feeling a little sad that, with what it looks like our future holds in regards to becoming pregnant, I don't think we will manage a vacation this year. At least not this summer. I am sure, however, it will all be worth it. Justin promises me a "babymoon" when we finally ARE expecting - so I can wait!

Oh - we have also traveled to Gatlinburg, Tennessee for vacation. We had a blast! Definitely more of an outdoorsy type summer vacation - we white water rafted and also ziplined. WAY out of my comfort zone!

Nieces and Nephews

Today I am linking up with Kelly's Korner: Show Us Your Life. Today is about nieces and nephews!

We are blessed (seriously) with 2 beautiful nieces and a nephew. I cannot imagine life without being a Baba to these precious littles. They make my days happier, brighter and so much better.

My sweet Sam was born when I was only 13. My sister lived at home with us for 6 months of her pregnancy and again when Sam was 6months to a year old because my brother-in-law was on deployment with the Navy. I read every. single. book. Possible on pregnancy/babies when Miste was pregnant. I knew Sam's weekly stages of development - had it memorized. I read and talked and rubbed her belly. When Sam was born, at 13, I spent weeks in Virginia with Miste and Clay helping them take care of a newborn. Needless to say, Sam was like MY baby too.

Circa 2010

My handsome Sam-Sam. 2011.

Sam & Jay

Sam & Poppy. Circa 2008.

Circa 2009.

There years later my sweet as sassy Ella came along. I went to visit as much as possible, considering Miste and Clay lived in Rhode Island and later Florida. I was so blessed that Miste and Clay loved the relationship I had/have with their children - and I was elated to be their BaBa. Sam frequently tells his Miste that if his Mom can't be there, his BaBa is the next best thing.

Circa 2008.

Circa 2009.

2011.

My sweet girl!

Samuel and Ella have been a part of our lives for what feels like forever!

About a year before I married Justin, his twin brother Dustin and wife Casey found out they were expecting. I was so happy o have another baby to love! Sophie came along and once again stole our hearts. It's so amazing to see her little personality shine through. We love spending as much time with her as possible - though she has a very busy social schedule for a 2 year old!

Sweet baby. 2010.

Spring 2011.

Summer 2011.

Happy Birthday!

Flower Girl.

We spend as much time with our nieces and nephews as possible. We love each of them like they are our very own. We have an open-house policy. Sam and Ella are really old enough to take advantage of the now. They often scheme and call us asking to come stay. They know that unless we aren't home - the answer is always yes!

Our favorite littles.

A Day in the Life

Today I am linking up with Kelly's Korner again for Show Us You Life. Today's theme is a day in the life.... Obviously, since we don't have children or anything such as that (unless you count Oreo) our daily life isn't that crazy or fun.

I always think it is really fun or interesting to see what other people do on a "normal" day though!

On a normal weekday, my alarm is set for 6:36am. I hit snooze about 7 million times. I finally roll out of bed sometime after 7:00am, usually when Justin hollars at me that I am going to be late. I take a quick shower, send him off to work, feed and water Oreo, and pick up the house.

I am obviously running late by then. I hurry up to get my makeup and hair done, and fly out the door like a bat out of you-know-where.

I slide into work around 8:30am and go straight to my office after checking for messages. I brew myself a cup of coffee and usually grab a pop-tart from our mega pop-tart stash. Healthy. I sit at my desk and take some time to acclimate to work. I am not a morning person. I drink my coffee, eat my pop-tart, catch up with CB and check emails.

If I have morning court, I will prepare. If not, typically my mornings are more of returning calls, emails and working on paperwork. I try to schedule appointments in the afternoons. I usually take a lunch break at some point. If I have afternoon court, I sometimes don't get the chance. Afternoons are usually busy and filled with appointments and phone calls.

I am usually home by around 5:30pm at the latest. I typically come in and pick up the house and start dinner. We are super exciting at night, laying around on the couch and relaxing. I try to be asleep by midnight. CRAZY.

I can only imagine how this will change for the better one day.

SUYL: Photos (Couples/Wedding)

Once again, I am linking up with Kelly over at Kelly's Korner. Today's SUYL if favorite photo poses.

I LOVE both our engagement and wedding photos. I am enamored with them. We were bound and determined that we would not have "stuffy" photos for either and I think we hit the nail on the head.

Our photographer for our engagement photos sadly passed away this past fall after a very long and courageous battle with breast cancer. She had such a talent and an eye for photography.

We showed up and said "we want relaxed pictures outside" and this is what we ended up with.

I love this - she caught us laughing.

Again - I love the casual feel.

We have this framed and hanging on a wall. I think the colors are amazing.

We chose an amazing photographer for our wedding. He got some of the most interesting, impressive, FUN shots. You can see a lot of them by clicking on the Wedding tab at the top of the page. However, here are some of the more unique ones!

I love this. All the girls.

Again - caught in a moment.

First look.

This picture makes me SO happy. I think the looks on everyone's face are HILARIOUS.

He had our poor wedding party RUNNING in circles in sweltering heat to capture this.

It was SO hot on the pavement and our photographer was laying on the ground to get this shot.

Again - so fun!

All wedding photos copyright Tyson Zahner Photography. Visit his website to see even more of our photos (check his wedding gallery - many of ours are used as examples!)

I also wanted to share a couple of more recent photos we had made for Christmas cards. We decided to have pictures made with our one and only child, Oreo!

She caught us in a moment - we were not posing for this!

Christmas photos copyright Colson Photography.

What can I say? I really like having professional photos! I also love looking at others. Our engagement and wedding were "BP" - before Pinterest. Since then, I have pinned SO MANY PHOTO ideas for the future, though! I can only imagine what I would have been like if I had Pinterest to plan the wedding!

Happy photo looking :)