2 years of marriage

This past Sunday Austin and I celebrated two years of being married. Two Years. Time seems to have flown by, because I swear we just had our ceremony like a few months ago.....

Our wedding day is still, hands down, one of the best days of my life. I remember sitting at our dinner table, looking around thinking "So many people that I love all in one room together... my heart could burst!"

Flash forward two years and here we are.... one dog more, different jobs (well for me anyway), a new car (for him) and still living a good life.

Marriage isn't easy (they say).
The first year is the hardest (they say).
The second year is actually the hardest (they say).

And yea... if I'm honest I don't know who *they* are either. But I swear these are things people constantly tell you (right, I mean, you've heard them too, right?!?).

But if I'm being 100% honest, no, marriage isn't easy (good things never are). I've had to learn how to put someone else first. How to make my wants way below his needs. But even still, it hasn't been hard. I married my best friend
 and I feel that when things have gotten difficult, we've talked through it and worked on it together. And that's what makes this relationship of ours so great.

As for the first or the second year being the hardest... eh. They've both been great. I hope they all are. Although, I do find it fun to respond to the  "How's married life?" question with "Well, we haven't killed each other yet." Of course, Austin isn't a fan of me saying this, but I feel like it gets the point across. We're good. We're still alive. We still have our humor.

So where did we celebrate this year???? Disney of course (the same as our honeymoon). And if you know us, yes this is Disney trip #339392 for us, but really who is counting (not us!!!)!

Here's to many more my love!! (Oh, and I will forever love the above photo, because we had just gotten poured on in the Africa part of Animal Kingdom, so we danced and sang "Africa" and then headed to the bar fro drinks.) WIN!

xo, kel

Father's Day

There have been times when Father's Day has been one of the hardest days of the year to get through.

When you no longer have your dad around, especially after having been so close, it can be a painful time. 

A fellow blogger that writes for The Grace Scripts (a blog I've also been writing for recently) summed it up so perfectly on their instagram feed. There is grief and joy in these days. And in more recent years, I've finally been able to see the joy.  

While I still miss my dad and think of him often, I also am to the point where I can see the joy in things as well.  I also have the incredible fortune of having three amazing dads in my life. My dad, my step-dad, and my father-in-law. Each have had an incredible impact on my life and taught me so much. 

So on this day, where we celebrate all the father figures in our lives and what they've added to our lives, I have three men in particular to be thankful for. 

Thank you Dad, Joe, and Ronnie for helping me understand more of what love looks like and how to be a better person. 

love always, 

kel

the whole royal wedding thing...

Let me first go ahead and say that I am a total nerd when it comes to anything Britain, so when Prince Harry announced his engagement I was all over it. 

Flash forward a few months and my momma-in-law and sister-in- law and I began planning for a Royal Tea Reception (ha- did you get that... Royalty.... ROYAL TEA). Yea, I love how cute we are too!

So last weekend was the big day. And honestly, there is no other reason I would ever get up at 5:30 am on a Saturday except for a Royal Wedding. Our Tea Shop also decided to host our special event honoring it. So. Much. Fun. 

I seriously love this job! (It might have something to also do with who I work with!) 

Just a few photos of the day (in between serving tables and such)!

What did you do for the BIG day?!

-kel

31

May 5th, also known in my household (and to anyone that knows me) Cinco de Kellie was also Cinco de Derby this year as well. 

Last year I went all out for my 30th, but this year was exactly the opposite. I wanted low key and personal. (Plus I'm one of those people that LOVE my birthday, so the more days I can celebrate, the better). I'm also one of those people that as soon as it strikes midnight I scream "It's my birthday!!" (I may also be channeling my inner Lilly from How I Met Your Mother......)

 My kiddos (and parents) spoiled me this year. It was a great start to my day!

 Austin and I both had to work on my actual birthday, so we weren't able to actually celebrate on Saturday. But Friday night we went out together for a date night, just us. We had Middle Eastern food followed by macaroons at a French place for dessert. Talk about amazing. 

 Saturday Morning before I had to head off to work though, my amazing hubby made me breakfast in bed (the pups were just a tad jealous).

My actual birthday night I went to dinner with some close and amazing friends and my parents. Since we couldn't go out with Austin, we went to his work for dessert. (And maybe also for the AMAZING bread pudding!) 

Sunday after church we went to lunch with the in-laws to celebrate and got to try out this new Southern Bistro. 

All in all, 31 started off amazingly. Hopefully the rest of the year will follow suit!!!

-kel

my niece's graduation photos

I can barely believe my nephew is in college (remember when I took his graduation photos?), but now I'm posting the photos I took of my niece. How are they growing up so fast?????

Faith definitely is rocking this pixie cut and a gorgeous cinderella (as I call it) prom dress (which is amazing since for awhile if it wasn't black, she wouldn't wear it).

I love this kid and I'm so proud to share some photos of the gorgeous woman she's becoming!!!

xoxo, kel

song #2// Everything Now

This song (and band) are amazing. And something about the music in one part reminds me weirdly of the  Rains Down in Africa song, which Kristen Bell and Dax Shepard totally rocked by the way. 

Yea, don't judge.....

And also, how is it MAY (and my birthday) and yet I have only done one other song for my 2018 soundtrack? I need to up my game. 

-kel

links, links, links.....v//31

Just like this tree's placement (and branches) this post is also pretty random. But I love it....

The less often seen side of random things....is amazing!

If you're a fan of The Office (and especially Pam) then you have to check this site out!! Items only for sale for a few more days though!!!

Have you checked out my mother in laws shop yet?? I've been working there and cannot to make it full time!! PS- the newest product photos were done by me. :)

Have you seriously ever seen a cuter pregnant lady??? 

THESE DOGS are hilarious. If you need a good laugh- look no further.

And Mindy Kaling does it again. (I know, I see The Office theme too guys-- I can't help it).

This mug is just so stinking cute! I can't even.

I've thought about getting a tattoo that had my mom and dad's handwriting on it... but until I'm ready for that commitment, I think this bracelet is the ideal thing! 

These rings!!!!

This baby picture is everything. Like coolest mom ever!

And because why not, this The Office pillow for every Dwight fan out there! 

craftiness of late

I am sooo excited be taking part in the #100daysofallaboutme. I'm way behind (what else is new?) but honestly, I am just happy to have a specific thing to be working on. I feel like I have been out of my crafty element for way too long. It got to the point where I couldn't even think of what to do. 

With that, I also signed up for the FREE scrapbooking workshop. So be ready to see some of that being posted here too. 

I also have a few other things I'm working on and can't wait to share (when the time is right). 

What crafty things have you been up to???

-kel

ASHES!

Last year I started working part time at my mother in laws shop. I absolutely love it (in case you were wondering). It's given me a chance to work on my marketing and social media skills and I've also gotten the chance (lots actually) to pick up my camera more often. 

A few weeks ago we did out first photoshoot of some of the new clothing. I am so excited for how the photos turned out. Plus it was an incredible day with some of my absolute favorite ladies!!!

You can see more of the photos and products on our site Ashesboutique.com or on our facebook page. 

Stay tuned for more fun things happening over here!!!

-kel

Chloe + Luna

Because I can..... 

And also because I'm trying to take more photos.

Yea... they definitely need hair cuts!!

-kel

Breckenridge 2018

This year for Spring Break we went to Breckenridge, Colorado (again). The last time we went was this time 4 years ago. I started looking through the photos before we left and it brought back so many memories (and we looked like babies--- how does that happen after just 4 years?). 

 (ps, above photo of my "skiing" is from 4 years ago.....)

While this year I didn't go skiing (I'm that person that has tried soooo many times to like it, but I just can't) I did enjoy a lot of R&R. Lots of naps, three books read, and I had time to wander the city with our friend Amy. Honestly, it was the perfect way to spend my break!