our ritual valentines day

In 2011, Aaron and I started going on a getaway (aka Aaron's fishing spot), Santee Cooper, SC.

This started the year we were planning our wedding and I wanted nothing more but Valentines to be about him therefore we stayed at his parents home away from home for the weekend.

It ended up being an amazing weekend that I wanted to continue as long as

we could. Soo...

I did not take many pictures when we were back at the house

however I manage to capture a few pictures on our first day on the lake.

It was a beautiful day. The water was so smooth. The sun was shining.

However, it was chilly. Very chilly - which is expected in February.

headed out for the day.

Jackson wanted nothing more than this donut.

My wonderful, amazing, 'everything I continue to dream of' husband.

Our first Buttercat of the day. We were pretty excited - he was trilled.

However, after weighing it Aaron was a bit disappointed. Weighing in at 37.5.

He's caught every 30 lber, every 30 + ounces but can't quite reach 40lbs.

So we continued.

My turn next. I prayed that CAT did not come off the hook.

17lbs, I don't know who was more proud - him or me.

&& that's about it with the fish pictures.  As I explained, it was really cold. You can see both of us adding more clothing as the day continued. The only one content was Jackson. We caught 2 more buttercats in their

teens before we wrapped the day up.

I absolutely love fishing days like this with Aaron.

Its incredibly relaxing. We don't do a whole lot but I think that's what I love about it.

There are no distractions. Just me & him (well... & this time we had Jackson) with all the time in the world.

... until the line goes off. HA!

Other happenings throughout the weekend:

We saw four different bald eagles on this day. Wow. Crazy.

They were all fishing too.

We eat dinner at Coasters, which was an excellent seafood bar/restaurant

that.... was connected to a strip club. Weird?

No. We did not spend out love weekend in the strip club.

We ended up NOT fishing on Saturday after due to the rough water &

weather forecast.  It snowed that night, how fun!

Jackson is so spoiled he is used to getting something delish when one

returns from 'dinner' (a steak bone) - he thinks he is human.

Well... we dined at a seafood place therefore we thought, " he'll get a bone tomorrow night. We will

get some chicken at KFC && he'll be fine".

KFC && Bojangles (the ONLY two fast food restaurants around) both had NO chicken

for 20 minutes. WHAT? So Jack got a personal steak from Waffle House... yeah, he's THAT spoiled.

Amazing weekend. Perfect way to spend Valentines.

No roses. No chocolates (except from my nieces/nephews). Just QT with Aaron.

EXACTLY how I want it. It's always perfect. I look forward to it every year!

XO, j

well hello world.



Holy Moly.

Its' really YOU.

You're back in my life?

Where the crud have you BEEN?

Yeah, yeah, yeah - I know. That's exactly what you are saying.

Well, the truth is. It's instagrams fault. Yep. Ever since that brilliant mess has entered my life... this life of mine, I've been a slacker.

Damn you instagram. But really, find me. You may see the quicker version of what's happening - jessicalyndrew

I sure hope you haven't given up on me. Please don't.
I'm back and ready to capture.

Okay, so where have I been?

I know I haven't REALLY blogged in ... a reeeeeeally long time.

You know I got promoted last year. And it took over my life.

You know we bought a house, in which has taken over our life ... for the good. Duh.

But where have I REALLY been?

Well. Here is goes.

♥ I got depressed because I became thicker.

My clothes were being extremely mean and making me incredibly uncomfortable.

Changed? Nope. I found new clothes but hope to go back and find my other ones.

A struggle... yes.

♥ I fell in love with the color purple.

Yes. I'm a lover of ALL shades of purple.

♥ I quit my job.

Yep! I said it. I'm pretty much making money off my husbands salary now

and ... it hasn't been to tough yet. Actually, he loves it. I haven't gotten bored yet & I plan to not get bored.

Yes. You are thinking correct. I'm not going back. I am officially a SAHW as of 01/07/13.

♥ I've developed an insane love for chocolate.

Is that weird? I've always liked it. But I'm like obsessed with it.

Weird, right?

Did anyone happen to get some Valentines chocolates from Victorias Secrets for spending a certain

amount recently? TO.DIE.FOR!!!

At first I thought, ewww gross. Cute but ugly. They sat there for days and I actually was going to give them to Aarons Grandma until I thought... weird? && had NO chocolate in the house && just took ONE.

opps. Holy Moly. They were AMAZING!

... clearly explains my pants issue. ugh!

♥ I went to New York for a week.

Almost embarrassed myself to death by pretty much keeping myself from completely throwing up

all my delish candy that I famously posted on instagram stating I NEEDED these to survive the plane and yeah... let's just say the people next to me were sweating for me. The wind on the outside of the plane and I were NOT friends that day. Nor was it friends with a lot of people on the plane to say. BUT... I did get to visit my amazing family, be apart of my cousins (whom I'm a bridesmaid in her 01/2014 Greek wedding) engagement party, spend a few days with my daddy and step-mom &&...

drum roll

visit the city of Manhattan. YES! No I did not drive this time. Yes, I had a better experience. And I also marked a few things off my bucket list in which I'm dying to share.

♥ Had a Housewarming Party. SCORE!

With all my amazing friends and family. It was great having them break in our new home

in which YES... I STILL need to do a blog tour. I've promised many of you. Hugs?

Love me still, please?

♥Friends of ours have had babies and several have become pregnant.

YAY! My love and joy is full and energized for these families. Love them.

LOTS and LOTS and LOTS of little girls have come and are STILL coming.

♥The Bachelor. Yes... I always have time for that show.

I'm still hooked. Basically Sean is great but really has me completely lost.

Am I the only one who has NO clue who he is REALLY into?  By this time I have a pretty good idea who the two last finalist will be. Let's just say after seeing last weeks preview DES (whom I love) will NOT be one of them. Thanks Brother ya big deush.  Along with The Bachelor/ette

we've gotten into Walking Dead. Okay so yeah. YIKES! Not really my thing. This gal aint gonna lie.

I had crazy nightmares for about two straight weeks (we didn't start watching until Season 3 was airing so we played catch up while the world was pissed about having to wait until February 10th). No joke. I'm still freaked out by the zombies and I may or may not run out of the room screaming "tell me what happens" as I plug my ears because lets get real - the music is scarier than the show... right?

Moving along.

So for five months I worked without a day off and had NO time... and I mean NO time to blog.

Remember all the times I stated, "I should be fired"? Yeah well.. they got their moneys worth. So much Aaron needed me back. My marriage needed me back. I needed me back. Everyone around me lost me and needed me back. And since I've become a SAHW, Life really hasn't slowed down. However, I will say I'm not crazy exhausted. I'm not ill or fighting to keep my eyes open.

&& no... I do NOT sleep in. I'm still up at 7am every day. Life has been good. I've been cooking every night. NOT struggling to make it all happen && working in a daily routine for myself.

I have a happy husband and as I've always believed that was my #1 priority && quite frankly it still is and always will be.

You're thinking kids?

HA!!

Not yet. I'm not pregnant and it doesn't come up for decision.

Do I think we are ready to become furparents again.. DUH!

Does that count?

peace.love.happiness

love you ALL.

miss you and glad to be back.

XO, jess