girls trip | new orleans

Six years strong this trip. Six years of planning, saving, making lists, searching, finding, resting. We mark this weekend on the calendar a year ahead of time to make sure it happens. And, our boys are so gracious to make sure it happens. 

New Orleans was already imprinted on my heart, from 13 years ago, cleaning up devastation from Katrina. I was surprised by how often Katrina was mentioned, especially once people found out we were from Carolina, fresh off of Florence ourselves. We marveled at how other-worldly New Orleans is. She's got a culture, a language, a history, rich and thick (just like the heat & humidity) - all of her own. Jazz fills her streets from sun up to sun down. Beignets are hot and ready, any time you want 'em. Sazeracs are shaken on demand. 

We wandered on foot, up and down, and back again over five miles of Magazine street. We dipped into cafés for lavender infused lattés and peanut buddah brotha donuts. We scouted antique shops for souvenirs. We wore our bodies out, walking the streets, breathing it all in. We wishfully regretted not having a few extra days to take in more of everything. 

We talked of life and dreamed together, as we always do. And my heart left more full than it was when it arrived. always 

celebrate | nine

We celebrated NINE whole years of being married last week with massages and dinner at our favorite spot, Stella's.  This year has been a year of self discovery for both of us, a year of doing life with our babies, a year of traveling and being at home at the white house a little more, a year of starting new things and growing old ones. What a simply ordinary life we've been given, but how extraordinary it is with you. 

Michael Alan Martin, you are my home and my adventure, all at once. 

Now, take me to Cuba. 

Photos from an anniversary shoot with Michelle Rojas Photography! Putting my wedding dress back on, hiking around in the Appalachian mountains with my boy felt like home. These photos will be printed, "nine: traipsing in the mountains, playing with our babies, traveling to Cuba (just the 2 of us)" scribbled on the back and tucked away for safe keeping for all the years to come. What a treasure. 

Solomon is FOUR!!!

Solly Mack, you're FOUR! We had the best time celebrating you on your birthday. We continued the tradition of donuts for breaky - only this time, daddy scored them before you guys woke up so we could eat them at home and send Mosie off to school. Daddy picked out a super cool skateboard for you (want) and you've totally rocked out on it. We scooped Amos up from school for an early dismissal and headed to the new trampoline park in town. Let me just say, it didn't disappoint. Even Oscar loved it! We took back to the house for a rest time after jumping for over an hour, then loaded up and went to Sidewall for cheese pizza + ice cream and then to the park so you could check out your new skateboard. A birthday well spent, I think! 

You've seemed so big to me lately. You're confident and sassy. And independent. You love PJ Masks and your sleepy dog. This past year you've added stamps to your passport, learned to swim, driven the East Coast, and learned to ride a bike without training wheels. 

You are so wonderfully you. I have loved watching you grow over the past year and am admiring who you're becoming. We call you our poet ... you have an appreciation for fine things that is uncommon in a boy your age and this does not go unnoticed. You're a fierce fighter (always have been) and run towards battle. 

I sure do love you, Solly Mack. Keep growing big and strong! Cheers to the past 4 years!