What I'm Loving Wednesday

 

Here are a few things I am loving this Wednesday. I am basically feel Halloween, and I love it!

 

 

Britney's new song, Work Bitch. I love it.

 

This gif:

My feelings about my infertility journey.

 Source

 

Thanks to my mother-in-law I've been going to weekly acupuncture appointments! I can not express how much I enjoy them.

 

I know this picture is small, but I love this jacket found here.

 

What are you loving today?

All About Anna

 

This weekend we celebrated Miss. Anna on behalf of her second birthday. I spent the day playing outside in her bouncy house with her, swimming in her mini pool, and then there was the running around. It's moments like that that I cherish. She is so bright, and loving. Even at an early age she has an appreciation for cupcakes, that's my girl!

 

After two cupcakes it was time for an actual cake.

Anna & Mommy.

Mymy and Boot made her this rocking chair.



Labor Day Weekend 2013

   Having a three day weekend made it rough to get out of bed this morning. I miss my summer vacation, and I want it back! My sister, Claire and her husband Cameron came into town with one of my favorite people, my 2 year old niece, Riley. We spent quality time together at the pool, and then celebrating my Dad's birthday. Both of my nieces were together and I was able to capture some cute pictures. It is such a blessing to have all of my family live so close and I think it's very cool that my brothers and sisters also just happen to be my best friends. I wouldn't have it any other way.
   I am now hoping this four day work week goes by quickly because I can't get enough of my weekends! No big plans other than relaxing and maybe going to the river.

OH, meet my first nephew, Nathan. He's Anna's little brother!

Riley is the blonde, and Anna is in pigtail braids!

Sweetest picture ever!



5 on Friday 8/30/2013

 

 

1. College football begins tomorrow with A&M playing Rice. Blake is the most excited for this event, while I have come a long way.

 

2. I survived my first week back at school, 182 more days to go until sweet summertime.

 

3. My sister, niece, and brother in law are coming to visit tomorrow which means the whole family will be getting together to celebrate! Yay, I love family time!

 

4. Labor day means a three day weekend, and nothing could be sweeter.

 

5. After several months off, I am back to blogging, hopefully. I've been in a funk about sharing my life with the blog world lately. I want to get back into it, and possibly just keep some stuff private, we'll see.

 

 

Weekend Updates

  I'm back after a few weeks away. We had an incredibly busy past two weeks and rather than update on every little detail I will let the pictures do that for me.

A spider bite on the bottom of my foot had me off my feet for a week.

We traveled to Dallas for Blake's sisters wedding!

I gave the STAAR test, so happy it's over.

I lightened a few ends of my hair in preparation for the summer!

Seriously this is the only picture from the wedding that we took. Classic.

The lovely couple and her brothers.

We of course went to our elementary school for photos. This is where my crush began!

Easter Weekend 2013

   We had a fantastic weekend full of sun, fun, and family. Blake, my best friend Linzie, and I drove down to Port Aransas early Friday morning to meet my parents at their beachfront place. The weather couldn't have been more perfect. We enjoyed boogie boarding, quality time with one another, and good food! Thank you again, Mom and Dad, ya'll are so generous! On Sunday morning we left super early to get back home to see my niece Riley, and her parents (of course).

  Poor Anna was sick all weekend and didn't want any visitors so she missed out on the egg hunt. It's only ok because the weekend prior I went to the city lake egg hunt with her! Feel better quick, Anna!

When tragedy strikes

   I don't have the words to express how I am feeling as I write this post. A sweet pledge sister of mine unexpectedly lost her four month old daughter Clara on Monday. The Lord needed Clara as her purpose here had been served. There's nothing I can say to Clara's mother to make things better, all I can do is lift her up in prayer. All I want to do is take away her pain, grief, and possible anger at what has happened. I have found comfort knowing our Lord is now cradling sweet Clara in his arms and that she will now have a perfect everlasting life with Him and will one day be joined by both her siblings, and her parents. I imagine there is no pain more far-reaching and deeper than losing a child. Clara will be missed by all who knew her and she will not be forgotten. I found this quote, and sent it to Clara's mommy: "Losing a child is a pain; So high you can't get over it. So low, you can't get under it. So wide you can't get around it. You must get through that door. Keep the faith, sweet friend." I know in my heart that they will be together again in the most glorious place. I ask you, my prayer warriors to lift up Lauren, her husband Perry, Clara's sister Isabella, and her brother Will in this most heartbreaking time.

 You can visit here to leave some encouraging thoughts and condolences.

 Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; Proverbs 3:5 NIV

one night in austin

Riley is 19 months!

Blake was really digging the music

  On Saturday we traveled up to Austin to stay with my sister, Claire. Blake and my brother-in-law planned to attend a concert on Saturday night so we all went to dinner before. It was quite the family affair as my sister Caroline and her husband Robbie also joined us dinner at Moonshine. My niece, Riley was hilarious and surprisingly clingy which I of course enjoyed. Before leaving on Sunday Riley and I had a mini photo shoot for her 19 month picture. My personal favorite is the one with Riley wearing my sunglasses. Adorable.

   Now I have four days left until spring break...bring it.

I'll Never Be...

 

   This post is inspired by this Carrie Bradshaw quote: "I know I’ll never be the girl with the perfect hair, or be able to wear white without spilling anything on it, but that’s okay.” Someone in the blog world asked the simple question "Why do you blog?", and it got me thinking. Do I wish I were as cool as Carrie Bradshaw? That's a hell yes. But, I didn't ever begin to blog because of her. I am not that eloquent. My posts are sporadic. My passion for writing doesn't run that deep. To be honest I prefer writing poetry but who wants to read a blog about someones poetry? I blog to escape, heal, and record my feelings. Thus, a tailspin went on in my brain and I realized some things that I will never be. First, I will never be the outfit of the day girl, I will never have a spotless or perfect home (and I am one hundred percent ok with that), I will never not worry about my purchases, I will never have it all together, and I will never look like I did in high school. Also, I'll never be the wife who cooks dinner for her husband every night, the decorator who has everything perfectly matching, or the girl who looks perfectly put together at all times. It's taken me nearly thirty years to realize that I am who I am and I'm ok with that. I'm not perfect.
  I will however, always be the girl who puts Christ first, the woman that loves with all of her heart, the giver of her family, and the girl who tries her best to be happy in any given situation. All I can ask for is His mercy and grace in all that I do and am.

  Are you struggling with whom you might never become?

Weekend Shenanigans



Friday night began with my daily FaceTime with my niece Riley. She learned something new, how to blow her nose and it was freaking adorable! After she showed me that she could she couldn't stop! Thus the night was already a huge success. Blake was on the grill getting the veggies started, we were having family over for some dinner and fun. Before everyone got there, Blake and I had a little goofy photo shoot in the bathroom while getting ready. I decided that I had dressed like an Indian Princess and took some instagram worthy pics. Birdie (our morkie) was outside gathering pecans which I assume was her contribution to the party. You'll also see a picture of my handsome brother, Garren, and his lovely girlfriend, Claire. I can't get enough of my family so anytime they come over I want to keep them there forever.

Saturday was spent watching movies and vegging out on the couch which is nothing new for us. We needed to catch up on our rest as much as we could because of the previous weekend.

Sunday was about the same as Saturday except we watched the Oscars Academy Awards. I personally thought it was lame and boring. Anne Hathaway was my worst dressed, can we say nipples? I don't think I had a best dressed, I wasn't impressed. Maybe Brandi Glanville, I don't know.

 

Take a Picture, It'll last Longer

Really I was and have been in serious meal prep mode.

Just your typical Tuesday night at the Dryden's.

Tuesday's pinterest win: spaghetti squash.

Oh, hey there natural hair, for the first time in my life I like you!

I have been wearing these glittery Toms for close to three years and they have holes in the toe now. On Wednesday I thought they looked disgusting... thoughts?

All of these are pretty much on instagram, if you don't follow me you should @hohodryden.

Fun fact/Favorite of the week:
Monica and Chandler's twins would be 9 this year, Pheobe's triplets 14, Ben 18, and Emma 11. Let's just take a moment to let that sink in.


This is how I feel about Today: