October Family Fun!

        This is our first fall season here in Cali and we were able to squeeze in some festive family events.  We went into the wine country of Temecula to Peltzer Farm and had a blast! There is pumpkin picking, petting area, pig races, train rides, pony rides, food and plenty of memories to be made. Its only open the month of October, but there is a winery located at the farm as well and they host weddings and much more throughout the year. 

    This past Saturday we drove down to Fallbrook and enjoyed the Myrtle Creeks Fall Festival . It is a two day event where there is local craft vendors, food, a hayride, goats to pet, and pumpkins to enjoy. It is much smaller than Peltzer Farm, but it makes for a nice easy morning outing and being able to enjoy the season. 

       Our church hosted a fabulous Trunk or Treat and Payton had a blast! We thought she might be hesitant with all the costumes and such, but once she caught on that going to each car she would get a treat we were more or less following her lead. Awesome family time and great way to reach out to the community. 

All cowgirls need some shades!

    Hope ya'll are having a blessed and wonderful fall season full of memories, and family time. 

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Summer Get Away

      The Williams have pitched our "short term" tent in Fallbrook, Ca since the beginning of June.  Despite the situation not being ideal the location really is a huge blessing. We were able to find a lovely tucked away airbnb in the hills of Fallbrook. The owners are an "more mature" couple who have graciously opened their one bedroom detached mother-in-law cottage to us. 
   We have use of our own living space, kitchen, laundry facilities, outdoor dining, and pool area. What made this place attractive to us is they had several weeks in a row open for renting so we would not have to move around a lot. Also, they are working with our flex closing date so we won't have to move to another place before we move in to our Temecula home. Sweet peeps! 

      Fallbrook is a smaller community, but can boast of some really lovely hidden treasures that Payton and I visit on a weekly basis. We love going to Myrtle Creek Botanical Gardens and Nursery.  It is literally 5 minutes down the road from us and is truly such a tucked away treasure. It is a gardeners inspiration and Payton loves walking around the grounds and feeding the goats! Even though it will be a 20 minute from where we will be living I'm still planning on coming to buy some of my plants, and just to hang out and enjoy the gardens.  
     According to one of the employees they decorate for the fall with pumpkins and go all out for Christmas with real trees, and fake snow... defiantly will be checking that out

Out the back of the store, which is super cute!,
they have an area where you can build and buy your own fairy gardens.
This would make a super cute date for Payton she loves going back there
and arranging the fairy homes and furniture. 

         The nursery is also right next to a local park that we visit regularly, Live Oak Park . We usually go there for the play area, but there is plenty of shaded pavilions, and eating areas as well as across the road a designated enclosed dog park. 
        You know when you have those mornings when the sooner you can get out of the house the better for all involved, well on those days Payton and I go to Fallbrook Coffee Company. They use fair trade coffee and their net proceeds to back to supporting the Fallbrook community. Its a relaxing, local shop with great coffee and food. Payton loves watching the fish that they have in their out door fountain area. 

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Other places we loved to eat  ... Oink and Moo 

                                                   Fire House Que and Brew 

                                                                             Vince's Pizza 

I have no doubt there are plenty more hidden gems in Fallbrook we spent a lot of our day in Temecula with house hunting and general errands that we were not able to do more in-depth  searching of Fallbrook. 

     

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The Golden State

           We have been in Cali going on seven weeks now and living in our second airbnb. Our first 10 days my parents come out with us, my Dad driving with Greg, and the ladies flew. Driving from Sc to Tx with a two year old was enough for me flying the second leg of the trip was a life saver! We were able to snag a quaint cottage in Oceanside, Ca about a block over from the beach. 
    Despite having our house hunting hats on and being laser focused we were still able to relaxing to the sound of the waves and enjoy the ocean breezes. It was such a blessing to have my parents for the time that we did. As a mom I define luxury so differently now, while my mom was with us she made me coffee in the morning and breakfast! WHAT!!! it was like a warm blanket and on par with an uninterrupted great nights sleep. 

   Our time in Oceanside seems like a life time ago, but it was sweet and filled with wonderful memories. When we were not house hunting we ate at several great restaurants and the farmers market on Thursday morning is worth a stroll through. 

We were also able to go to Birch aquarium and La Jolla beach to see the seals


   
   





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The journey is half the fun!

South Carolina > Texas 

      I tend to just want to rush through the journey and hurry up and get to the destination. Even though that is my default setting I have learned, multiple times, that some of the sweetest experiences, best memories, and ah-ha moments happen during the journey. 

     This particular PCS began in early May going from Beaufort to Texas where we spent most of the month of May with family. 

    We were blessed to spend some time in Dallas with the Whites!! dear military friends who were stationed with us in Japan... and fellow Texans. It was such a sweet time and good for the soul. 

Mr. Jack being a gentleman and driving the lady around 

.... AND who am I kidding of course we went from Dallas to San Antonio via Waco... 

  

 Our little gal turned 2 when we were in TX so we got a rare opportunity to celebrate with both sides of the family and Paytons' birthday got extended over 2 weeks .... she did not mind especially if she got double the cup cakes. 

      Also, its soooo nice to be around family especially when you get to go out on a real date! like not an anniversary, birthday date like a real, just cuz, date. We went to Whiskey Cake in San Antonio, recommended by the sis-in-law, it was amazing! totally recommend. 

     Get the whiskey cake! it was life changing... or maybe just eating a wonderful dessert with out a toddler was amazing. Either way it was divine.

Also, found this recipe on Pinterest for a copy whiskey cake recipe so once we settle down
I will attempt to make it and let ya'll know how it is. 

        Sadly I did not take nearly as many pictures of all the time we spend with grandparents,Uncles & Aunts, and cousins. But we loved every moment! and miss being with everyone and seeing them daily. Come visit!!!  

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Zoo-tastic!

     We ventured out today to the San Diego Zoo and had a blast. Payton's first trip to the zoo and she was on a sensory high. It was a lovely cool morning and we got there right when it opened which is not hard when your kiddo is up at 6:30 ready to play! 
    It is an easy zoo to navigate with plenty food, shade, and rest areas. User friendly maps to help you figure out what animals are where and despite some hearty hills it really is not a bad walk. 

Guys I really need to work on my selfie skills!

    {FYI: Since Greg is active duty he and Payton are free and then we purchased my ticket on base so were able to get it at a more reasonable rate. Just for future references for other military} ... We are really considering doing a year pass. 

        We got tons of compliments on Payton's dress and how "appropriate" it was for the occasion. I purchased it months ago, sadly not available anymore, because I just could not handle how cute it was. So thought I would do some online shopping to find some other stellar threads that would  set your little one up for zoo-tastic success

        *Most of the above items are currently available at Gap, Old Navy, H&M, and Etsy. 


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From Coast to Coast

       Well its been a LONG time since I have written, (like 2014...) and life has been busy, but I am trying to rededicate a portion of my time to blogging more. If nothing else to keep friends and family up to date on our crazy life.

       Location, Location, Location - good place to start! 

 

    We have moved from Beaufort, Sc to Pendleton, Ca. In all honesty we are still moving.... since we have not landed in a home yet in California. Because of the constant shuffle from place to place I still do not feel like I have fully processed our move from Beaufort. I do know that I deeply miss our friends, church, and community there. Other military friends and people who move often can sympathize with the emotional drain it takes on you building friendships, memories, and connecting your lives to those around you just to have that taken away and to start all over again. 

       BUT on a more positive note if we never moved to Beaufort we would never of made those sweet friendships, grown spiritually, and have the community there who stood beside us and walked with us through life and our entry into parenthood. 

 So as we are  just beginning our time here in California I want to start by remembering our final week in South Carolina. 

The last week was super busy, Greg was finishing his last series with 3rd Battalion. Graduation on Friday - Movers coming on Monday .... EEK  

Our Beaufort home all packed up, We were blessed by amazing owners who were such great people to rent from and a lovely home to make memories and bring our baby home to. 

During our last week P and I were blessed to spend our last play date
 with amazing friends at Fripp Island!

On the Road!!! We drove from Sc to TX our first BIG drive with little bit.
She did amazing!! really, super surprised! we cut the div in half stopping overnight with great friends in Alabama.

We were also on a tight time frame because we had to be in TX by early May
because Greg was graduating from Texas A&M with his Masters.
Shout out to a brilliant, hard working guy who rocked his final presentation!
Love all he does to provide for us and grow as a person. 

      

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Me Time

          Being a new mom these days I find myself daydreaming about free time and mourning the "me time" I use to enjoy copious amounts of. I treasure my precious baby girl and feel blessed to witness all of her nuances and to see the miracle of life and growth in her. 
   It has got me thinking about what a couple of free hours to refresh my spirits would look like. I love cafes, flower shops, old book stores, farmers markets, antique shops, and boutiques. The ambiance of these venues allows me to unwind and tap into my creative side. 

I feel like I could sit at this window for hours after getting a great mystery novel from the shop next store... and of course a latte 

    Maybe the brevity of personal time these days will actually allow me to appreciate the moments I do get and really soak in my environment, and tap into my creative side.   SINCERELY,

Memorial Day

         

             

      Very thankful for all the men and women who serve and have served our country and who preserve the freedoms we have today. I am personally very proud of my husband who serves in the USMC and I feel privileged to witness his dedication, service, and  the sacrifices he makes daily and the amazing men and women he serves beside. 

     I am also proud of both my grandfather who served their country as well and lived a life of honor and integrity. 

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Doing Something Good

        I have been recently introduced to a wonderful organization whose mission is simple, but profound. Sole Hope is an organization that saw a huge need in Uganda and did something about it. There is an epidemic that runs rampant especially among children in subtropical countries it is called jiggers. This is a flea that burrows into the feet of their carriers and lay eggs that become infected and cause serious pain. The egg sac can be removed and the area treated, but unless the problem receives a permanent solution it will keep happening again and again. 

Sole Hope has met this challenge by organizing teams to go into Uganda and clean out these little ones feet, and then provide them with shoes to prevent further infection. This is where you can help. You can get a bunch of friends and family together and throw a shoe making party! It is simple, fun, and a practical hands on approach to helping those in need. 

http://solehopeparty.org/portfolio/party-planner/

Above is a link to how to plan your party and the tools you will need to be successful. Items include ...

• Blue jeans – They can get them from their closets or purchase a very cheap pair from Goodwill!
• Fabric scissors and Pinking Shears
• Large Safety pins
• Black sharpie markers
• Plastic – items such as milk jugs, thin plastic folders, laundry detergent bottles, 2 liter soda bottles, etc.
• A 10.00 donation to sponsor a pair of shoes. (I also always make it clear that if they can’t donate the 10.00 I still want them to come, because they are ministering with their time!)

Below is the link to Sole Hope where you can learn more and see all the wonderful effective things that are being done to bring health and happiness to so many little feet! 

http://www.solehope.org/

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Tidbits

   I have just returned from visiting a friend in VA and her new precious baby boy. So my posts have been a bit sparse and I feel like bouncing back from trips takes more time then it use to. I hope to get back on track soon, but in the mean time I hope these tidbits hold you over.

       Love this retro jacket


      Nursery inspiration for the clean modern look


      Quick freezer crock pot meals


      Spend a lovely Saturday here


     I could always do with more glitz in my life


    Get some wonderful fall inspiration 

  
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October has arrived

      Beginning of a new month and open to so many new opportunities and discoveries. Sometimes it might feel like we are being dragged from one month to another and it feels like a never ending race between work, family, and just living life. Try and take some time to step back, take a deep breath in, see all the blessings that you have in your life and give thanks. See the beauty in the small things in the changing of the seasons and the time with family and friends. 

10 Great Things About October 

1. Everything is flavoured Pumpkin Spice 

2. Football is in full swing 

3. National Seafood Month

4. Fall Beers

5. Fall Festivals

6. New Season of TV shows 

7. Baseball Play offs 

8. Boots, scarves, & cool weather

9. Beautiful colors of falling leaves 

10. ....um, did we talk about pumpkin spice already :)

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I Like Adoption

    This is an amazing, stunning, beautiful video! Thanks Stacey for sharing. We can always use a reminder of what unconditional love is like and how beautiful it is to open your home and hearts to the unconventional beauty of adoption.

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Downton Abbey Season 4 Trailer

        

   I am so excited about this being aired in the states!!!
It airs in the states January 5th 2014 .... that's 111DAYS, 8HRS, 11MIN .... Just FYI SINCERELY,

Wonderlust

Just my feelings at the moment... adventure anyone?

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