Oh, Ollie

Just wanted to share some updated photos of the current love of our lives, Oliver Scott Redick. We LOOOVE him. Oh, be still my heart. Here are also some photos of our trip to Anna Maria Island during my parent's visit this past week. We already miss you!!

xoxo,
Emily

Updates and new additions

Yes, I am still alive. So sorry for the delay. Our lives have been absolutely crazy lately. For instance, we rescued both a dog and a kitten over this past weekend. Thanks to a wonderfully compassionate co-worker, the dog is well on his way to finding a FURever home, however, he left his mark and his fleas upon our lives. The kitten, whom we named Oliver, is still very much a part of our little family. He is just a tiny little bundle of joy, and joy is something we could all use a little more of in our lives. So, without further adue, here's my new furbaby son.

xoxo,
Emily

Two-faced

Today, a new friend taught me a lot about myself, and about life. He taught me how a person doesn't really know himself until he has seen himself through another's eyes. How, the best way to learn about ourselves as humans is to see ourselves reflected in someone else. Sometimes, viewing ourselves through the "mirror" of a stranger is the only true way to see our true selves. Not the self we want others to see. Not the self we feel we are supposed to be. The self we really are. My friend shared a thought-provoking quote with me today. It reads:

"No man can show one face to others, and another to himself, without becoming dumbfounded as to which is true."

This quote, by Dante, stopped me in my tracks. Who am I? Who are we? Who do we want to be..to ourselves, to others? I think I am starting to finally learn who I am, like it or not. Not the "me" my family wants me to be. Not the "me" my friends want me to be. The real me. After all, what is society with a bunch of soul-less pods wandering around with no thoughts, opinions, or desire to make a difference in this life?

It's funny how we think we know so much about ourselves, and yet when we look into a stranger's eyes, we don't recognize the person in the reflection. Just something to think about. Thank you, friend.

xoxo,
Emily

"Senior" Prom

Tonight, Tyler and I attended the "Senior" Prom at The Palms for the ALF/ILF residents. They really seemed to enjoy it, and we enjoyed watching them have fun. I'll just leave you with some pictures from the night.

xoxo,
Emily

Way Back Wednesday

Today, I feel really nostalgic. Not in a sad way, just that I can't believe I'm...here. I can't believe my 16 year-old, baseball/soccer/basketball playing, scrawny boyfriend with the spikey hair no longer exists. Taken his place is an almost 24-year-old, mature, handsome, sexy, self-confident man. I don't miss this 16-year-old boy, nor do I miss the dorky, ugly duckling that was my 14-year-old self, I just can't believe we aren't them anymore.

We aren't only out of the brace, pimpled face stage (ok, I still get some pimples..leave me alone), but we're graduated from college, living in FLORIDA, and have grown up jobs. Not only that, we've been married for almost a year and a half. Where the heck has the time gone? I love my husband, I love this life we've created for ourselves, but I can't believe we're..here. I stumbled upon a Brad Paisley song I L-O-V-E today. It reminds me a lot of where we've come from, and where we're going. I love you, baby.

"I remember, trying not to stare the night I first met you. You had me mezmorized.
And three weeks later in the front porch light, taking forty-five minutes to kiss goodnight. I hadn't told you yet, but I thought I loved you then.

Now you're my whole life, now you're my whole world. And I just can't believe, the way I feel about you girl. Like a river meets the sea, stronger than it's ever been. We've come so far since that day, and I thought I loved you then.

I remember, taking you back to where I first met you. You were so surprised. There were people around, but I didn't care. I got down on one knee right there. And once again, I thought I loved you then.

Now you're my whole life, now you're my whole world. And I just can't believe, the way I feel about you girl. Like a river meets the sea, stronger than it's ever been. We've come so far since that day, and I thought I loved you then.

I can just see you, with a baby on the way. I can just see you, when your hair is turning grey. What I can't see is how I'm ever going to love you more. But I've said that before.

Now you're my whole life, now you're my whole world. And I just can't believe, the way I feel about you girl. We'll look back someday, at this moment that we're in and I'll look at you and say, "And I thought I loved you then."

xoxo,
Emily