USA Holiday 2014 Photodump

Attempting to take a family photo with a VERY BIG (AND SQUIRMY!!!) fur child // A Sequence

Three More Weeks

I can't believe it's come down to our last weeks in London.

Officially, our Islington lease is up December 1, but we plan to be up in Aberdeen the week prior. We haven't nailed down flights, BUT—James and I—will be enjoying a pint—in a local pub—in Aberdeen, Scotland—in approximately three weeks.

My bets are on November 25th.

It's so weird. I'm excited and anxious, yet only slightly stressed (surprisingly)—all the standard emotions involving moving—but I just don't think it's truly hit me.

James keeps telling me, "If there is something you want to do in London, you need to do it now."

I just kinda blankly stare back at him. What do I want to do? What do I still want to see?

I mean, you can live in London your whole life and still never see everything...

I had all intentions of dominating this city; exploring every last alleyway and shop, yet I have fallen so, so short. It's so easy to fall into a routine, make excuses, or say "I'll do it tomorrow."

So, these next three weeks, they gotta count. No excuses.

The time is now. Because if I don't do it now, then when?

***

An update to our Stateside friends and family: We will likely be Stateside mid-December through the first of the year. We will be splitting our time between Charlotte and several other NC cities. Please contact me so that we can make sure to see everyone while we are home! 

This photo was taken by Alex Hering.

Scenes from Halloween 2014

"Love at First Strike"

He's CRAZYYYY ELECTRIC!

Witch, Dead Man Pirate, Struck by Lighting, Bank Robber, Dawn of the Dead, Tinker Bell, Flapper, Gretel, Top Gun

Hey Ladiesssssss!

Mwahahahaaaaahhahahaha!

Gretel and Lighting Bolt in deep convo.

Mug shots.

Happy Halloween!

shiver.

very deep.

please don't eat me!

oh yeah, oh yeah, oh yeah, oh yeah, oh yeah. DANCE PARTYYY!

yeah, I'm dancing. WUT?

Mr. Lighting Bolt is VERY popular.

THINGS ARE GETTING WEIRD.

What can I do about it?

Whateva...

Super Awkward.

WHAT IS HAPPENING BACK THERE???

Pushed out completely. Introducing the new Mrs. Starnes.

I think the Bank-Robber had a little crush on Mr. Lighting Bolt... Not that I can really fault her.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN EVERYONE!

Team Starnes Takes Scotland

By now many of you have heard that we have decided not to return Stateside after our year in London. Instead, we are continuing our stay in the United Kingdom, and we're heading up north.

25 Fun Facts You Don't Know About Me

Photo taken by Alejandra Hering.

#1:  As a baby, I started walking at six months old.
#2:  My favorite bands/singers are FleetwoodMac, Florence and the Machine and Billy Joel.
#3:  I was a competitive cheerleader all four years of High School.
#4:  ANDDDD, I honestly believe that if it came down to a life and death situation, I could still stick a standing back-tuck.

THE ADVENTURE HAS JUST BEGUN.

After ten glorious weeks of silence, I'm officially back in the world of blogging. It's crazy to think that my last post was about Week 41 and currently, we are entering Week 52...

Week Thirty-Six | An Anniversary Weekend

James and I celebrated our first wedding anniversary this past weekend on June 8th! YAYY! We made it!!  :)  James handled Saturday plans and I handled Sunday plans and together we created a weekend full of fun, love, laughter, relaxation and I even had a leeettle bitty health scare just to give it a little dimension and, you know, round out the weekend!

James Starnes, my life with you is never boring. I can't wait to see what round two brings! 

Love you babe! Happy Anniversary!

SCENES FROM 27 BDAY

Food. Fun. Friends. Family. 

All the makings of a fabulous night! xo

me: birthday! birthday! birthday!  ::  james: make it stopppppp!

team  ::  lamb starter

frens

the al's: ali, alejandra & alexandra

hey ladiesss

allie, ali, kristen & val

expat life

three brits and  j

things start to get a little weird

LATE-TWENTIES

Team Starnes | March 5th, 2014

Dear James,

It's official. Gone are the days of your wife in her mid-twenties.

Does it feel different? Does it make you see me differently? 

This last year of my life absolutely flew by. Between buying the house, the wedding, moving to London, all of my fondest memories encompass you and starting our life together. Without a doubt, twenty-six was an amazing year.

It terrifies me as we get older that time just seems to slip away. The days are long, but the years are fast; like we have stepped into a time machine that dares you to blink and instantly you are one year older.  Five months we have been in London. Can you believe that? Where will we be in seven? Where will we be in twelve?

Starting this blog was scary at first, but I am proud that I've stuck with it. I want us to be able to look back on this amazing experience that you, and only you, were able to give our family, and remember all the insignificant details that surely were forgotten. Our life together is special. 

As time goes on, as we grow older together, I know I am exactly where I am meant to be. I am blessed to have you in my life and would not want to celebrate my birthday with anyone else.

There are so many unknowns surrounding our situation, our life, but no matter the ups, the downs, the all arounds, there is no one else in this world that I would want to share my life, this experience with, but you.

Yes. Twenty-six was an amazing, but twenty-seven is going to be good. 

It's going to be really good.

I love you.

-W

FLASHBACK TO CHRISTMAS MORNING

Sir Winston + Christmas Onesie = Happy Happy Happy

James cheated by putting on "real" clothes. Grrrr.

J and I spent Christmas morning lounging around with big boy. I couldn't ask for a better Christmas present than having this guy at my feet all day. Such a sweetie! xx

REUNION

It was very important for me to capture our reunion with Sir Winston. I knew that we would want to have something to look back on once we got back to London and oh boy! am I glad that I did. We talked to James' parents about keeping Winston inside and away from any windows so that we could greet them without any chaos. After a few minutes with James' parents, we regrouped, got in position and waited for the big baby to run freeeeeeeee!



I CAN NOT describe to you how full my heart was after seeing my sweet angel for the first time in three months! Our family is not complete without our dog and every day I look forward to the time where we will all be together again. Winston has the sweetest disposition and he is truly a dog that aims to please. It was so special to see him so happy and excited to see us!

Here are some of the first moments back with our babe!