I. SAID. YES!

Today was.... LOADED.

Holy friggin' COW, ya'll... I'M ENGAGED!!!!

Nononono....

WE .. are ENGAGED!!!!!!

WHAT?! YES... I SAID YES!!

Let me slow down for a moment and start at the beginning of what is now officially one of the greatest days of my life:

First things first, Santa - bless his jolly soul and all the overtime he's putting in this year ;) - well, he made another stop as expected last night here to the Dren Lodge, and what Sydni found under the tree this morning was a stockpile of wrapped goodies!

santa was here!!!! :D 

As is customary with Christmas presents, very little time was wasted before it was all hands on deck for the mass demolitions of paper, bows and packaging. Fortunately, Sydni's got a firm understanding of the "take turns" concept, which is very difficult to follow when it comes to spoils from Santa - I was very proud of her patience this morning!

nana & pappy took their turns :) 

sydni's biggest gift - a 4.5 ft tall dollhouse! O.o 

To say that Sydni was beside herself is a HUGE understatement; even we were impressed with the elaborate design - and size! - of this dollhouse that my sister and parents found asked Santa to get Sydni :) :).

Here's the part I did NOT see coming. I usually have a pretty good intuition about these things, and it is very difficult to surprise me [it's a curse more than a blessing, most of the time], but my man delivered and managed to blast my expectations of the day completely out of the park.

Guys Guys Guyssssss.....

♥WE ARE ENGAGED!!♥

How it happened [an entirely "us" story, too]:
I stood with Rob's arm around my shoulder as we watched my mom & Sydni tear into the dollhouse box. Dad, off to the side, had purposefully removed himself from the pit of the action, a move I of course didn't find peculiar. Rob kissed the side of my unceremoniously bunned up head and said, "I love you," as we often tell each other. I thought nothing of it, even when he repeated the phrase and hugged me tighter. I smiled at noone in particular, engrossed in the bliss of being with my family, in my parents' home, celebrating Christmas.

And then came out the box. He pulled it casually out of his pocket and held it in front of my face, to which I did what every movie-perfect recipient of a diamond ring does:

I cupped my perfectly-manicured hands over my pristinely-madeup face and nodded an emphatic Yes, YES! while tears welled up against my life-proof mascara, backed by the frizz-free, symmetrical waves of my red carpet hair. 

Uh.... yeah.

So what happens in real life in situations like this looked a lot more like what actually went down here this morning:

He held out the ring. I immediately started crying, but not the type of crying that makes you wish you looked like Rachel McAdams from The Notebook. Nope. The kind of crying I did was more like the ugly crying that Fat Amy does in Pitch Perfect when Bumper hits her with a flying burrito.

yesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyes &....... yes. 

That's not an exaggeration. I buried my makeup-free [thank HEAVENS] face into Rob's shirt and sobbed. Snot and all. This is life, guys. This is real life. I bawled, for lack of a more sane response, because I could not process the idea that this man wanted to commit everything in him to one person for as long as he walks this planet.. and that that one person is somehow... me.

xbox one controller | dollhouse piano | engagement ring
looks like we all got the best for this year! ♥♥♥

I cried. Mom, who is more the emotional basket-case in the feely situations, stopped what she was doing and started crying. That's now two of us ugly crying. Sydni, who's now been left to her own devices to destroy the dollhouse packaging, slips and cuts [the.tiniest.cut.ever,btw..] her finger on a stray cardboard edge, and starts her crying, for the obvious & entirely unrelated reason. Dad, who by this point doesn't know if he's tearing up because of the engagement or because of Sydni, just stands there in between the two decisions.

Rob,
This is our life... welcome to it ♥♥
Hahaha... This was exactly how everything transpired, and in hindsight several hours later, I can honestly say that I would not have changed it. I'm one heck of a lucky girl, and when it actually hits me that I'm marrying this insanely amazing guy, I'll really start freaking out :).

For now, it was a morning to be envied here at The Dren Lodge: Mom's breakfast, followed by the sun pouring in through the gable windows to illuminate a Christmas morning marked by the sounds of my happy family.

dad & sydni : card games! 

Thanks to Rob's dedication to the cause for three hours, the dollhouse was finally erected and moved to its home in Sydni's room. The addition of nearly four boxes of my Barbie stuff from my younger years completed the furnishing of the new house, which was complete with a campground, thanks to the tents, grills and miscellaneous outdoor accessories. 

the house. + side garage. +campground. 

^ Oh, and the cards were moved outside to of course accomodate the horses, which obviously took precedence in residing in the garage stable. She's my mother's grandchild, I can say that much ;).

Mom & Dad took a short trip out together to complete a few errands and one of Mom's petsitting stops; we stayed back to hold down the fort, which added to the perfectly made-up agenda for today.

tickle. giggle. belly laugh.
repeat. 

[just] hangin' out @ the dren lodge! ♥

I'm still not over today. I won't be for a very long time.
I'm here in the house that [literally] built me, in which another irreplaceable memory was made today. I wouldn't have chosen any other place on planet earth for that to happen, but I didn't know that until it happened today. I'm here now, nestled in a bundle of blankets and tiny toes, surrounded by my family. This is perfect.

Good night from here, and from the proud-to-be future Mrs. Stokes! ;)
[it'll set in, eventually!]

xo | cmd

And On To The Next One [Christmas Destination, That Is!]

Rob had to work today, which is one of the reasons we didn't get moving north until the late afternoon. Sydni and I took advantage of the opportunity to finish up some last minute Christmas shopping, clean house and tackle some laundry before his return.

First order of business was breakfast!

breakfast date with my little ham! ♥♥

Sydni and I are the ultimate team; between the two of us, we managed to knock out the final gift shopping, clean the house up, paint a few pictures, play a card game, watch a movie, play with dolls, finish laundry, pack everything for the weekend and relax a little bit before it was finally time to load up and head north. Phew!

Oh, and we learned this today:

harry's

Looks like we'll be set for Harry's for NYE in St. Louis! More details on that a little later, but the list of things to look forward to is growing! :)

We made it Mt. Vernon safe and sound, and we're about to call it a night. Santa's making another stop here tonight for all of us, so off to bed it is, so the jolly man can do his work!

xo | cmd

Happy Thanksgiving, from Ohio!

First things first:

from our family to you & yours, with love! ♥

In the spirit of giving thanks, here's my little two cents on the things for which I am without a doubt grateful on this day:

God's Graciousness! 

Say what you will on this one; I know for a fact that I don't deserve anything that I daily consider to be mine, and I sure as shine didn't do anything to earn the life of liberty & happiness that I have. If there's one thing I do know about this day, it's that the road to comfortable life was one paved well before my time, through the promises of Christ. If you may doubt my resolve in this arena, I would love to talk with you! ♥

My FAMILY. 

That's a given, yes, but let's face it: Family ties are what can bring out both the best and worst in us, and at the same time validate much of why we do what we do. With my family being as blended as it is, I am beyond grateful for the bonds that've been created by way of our unique little collection of family that sometimes supersedes those created by blood. We love, banter, disagree and resolve with the best of them, but at the end of the day, we are there by choice for one another, and have zero doubt that we won't ever fall without being caught.

Sydni. 

She's 5 now and brings to the table everything I apparently did when I was 5. I can't say that I remember much of my single-digit years, but from what the older family members tell me, she's a spitting image of little me. Never in a million years would I have ever imagined learning as much from such a tiny person as I have through my daughter. I see the world through an entirely different light when I'm with her, and am reminded of the innocence, compassion, unconditional love and forgiveness that is clearly missing in so many adult lives. 

Rob.

I am dating my best friend. Time has sealed much of the emptiness and emotional static that had taken over me towards the end of my own failed marriage, and at that time I wasn't sure that I wanted, let alone would ever want to invest myself into another person again for fear of reliving the same set of disappointments. With the patient, compassionate honesty from which he himself stems, he helped me reach into and focus on rebuilding the deepest parts of me that had been so damaged. He was patient. He was kind. He was funny. He waited until I was ready to start over, and when I was, he was there to ensure that not one second of insecurity would find its way in. He is still that person, and has given so much of himself not only for my sake, but for Sydni, and for us as a family unit. I absolutely am dating my best friend, and although he might say he needs me, it's me who has grown and continues to grow because of him. 

Our Uniformed Men & Women

Life in America  hasn't been a calm ride over the last few months; the national headlines reflect the chaos and boiling tempers of both sides over the altercation between a Black teenager and a White cop, that left the teenager dead. Emotional turmoil has erupted into nationwide riots, looting, destruction of property and violence. I've never personally experienced life on the front-lines, but whether it is overseas defending the same freedom of speech privilege that we here at home are abusing, daily endeavoring out into local law enforcement, or anywhere in between: Men & Women are risking their lives, safety and inclusion in their own families for the rest of us. I have seen so much hatred in the last few weeks alone, directed in its majority to the police forces around the country, and it makes me sad. Yes, there is corruption in nearly every organization, but to those men and women who choose to exercise honesty, integrity and dedication to the oaths you took, I applaud you and want to remind you that you are greatly, greatly appreciated. 

My.. AND Your Employment.

I take my job for granted sometimes, but more often than that, I take other people's jobs for granted, too. We are one giant circle of service, and I fail a lot at recognizing that without the HVAC repair tech, we might be cold this year. Without the Electric companies, we'd be sitting around in the dark. Without the grocery store clerks, we wouldn't have anything outside what farms could directly produce [which, imagine that... I love the thought, but that's for another day!]. NO job, no matter how menial it seems, should be taken for granted; I am thankful for mine and the lifestyle it aids to provide me, and for you, your employer & the work ethic you clearly have to maintain your job. 

Good Health. 

Cancer SUCKS. Muscular Dystrophy SUCKS. Autism SUCKS. There is a seemingly endless list of sucky conditions that strike maybe when least expected, and rock families and individuals to the core. I've seen the ripple cancer causes to a family; within my own family, we've seen it. I've watched incredible people deteriorate physically - though not mentally - at the hands of MD. I've enjoyed the company of Autistic children, and realized they are sensational humans. I have experienced the shattering heartache of suicide resulting from unresolved depression. I wish NONE of those people had to suffer by way of affliction, but I know the lessons we derive from their journeys are hard-fought and usually well-applied to the prevention, treatment and education to others. As an adoptee, this is an issue that has always been in the back of my mind; I do not have extensive knowledge of my biological medical history, and at any moment, I could lose the health I have to something genetically-predicted. I am blessed, I know this, to have my health. That my daughter is healthy. That my parents, sister, cousins, aunts, uncles and friends are, for the most part, in stellar health. 

********

There's a multitude of other things for which I am grateful this year [and every year, for that matter], but that's a solid start and I'll leave it alone for now. Tonight, I was fortunate to spend Thanksgiving with part of the family on my mother's side. My cousin Stephanie cooked a dinner that was not a speck short of divine, and we celebrated my birthday.

It's Thursday, so it's fitting to throw out a #TBT in honor of this Lego table! Sydni found it in the basement in no time, and as it happens, this is the same table my cousins and I played on for hours when we were the same age. Love! 

mini me @ the lego table we had as kids! 

And this..... is a memo for myself for a later date, to remind my cousin Mark that we'll need a few things for the house ;). These are just two of the pieces he's crafted for his own house - 3 if you include the wall shelves behind the bar. Mark's a wood-working mastermind and I'm thankful for that, too! :D 

Happy Thanksgiving, to you and yours. I hope it's been incredible, just like ours! 

xo | cmd 

F A M I L Y

Today started off with breakfast, which needless to say, perfectly complimented the space in which we sat together as a family to eat it.

We ventured out to Foundation Park after breakfast, where we accomplished my main objective for the day: Family pictures [for Christmas cards!].

Since they're for the cards, I'm not going to share those just yet, but I will give some sneak peaks to a few other shots we took today:

syd & her grandparents! 

Goshhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh dangit I so want to share the others, but I just.. can't. YET.

YET. Haha.

After our time at the park, Rob, Syd and I hopped back on the road and headed back here to Cincinnati, making it much sooner in the day than we'd originally anticipated.

That meant the work got to continue, until the daylight was gone. Sydni decided it was her turn to roll up her sleeves [so to speak] and take a stab at some housework:

go, mini, go! 

^^ And no, she didn't do the whole yard.. And YES, she eventually put on headphones so she wouldn't go deaf.

And YES, she did an awesome job raking up and piling the rest of the leaves for collection. That's my girl ;)

And NOW..... we rest. It is Sunday, after all.

xo | cmd

A Day In The [Lodge] Life

When you come to the Dren Lodge to stay, chances are.. you'll wake up like I did this  morning:

#HOME.

I somehow got up early and did a round of sun salutes [surya namaskar!] beneath the giant gable windows, and breathed in the traces of cedar and lavender that are permanent scents here. Every detail of the decor here has been deliberately set in its place by my mother's creative mind, inside the log home that is nearing its 30th year of fulfilling my father's dream to build it from the earth to the chimney. Everything about my childhood can be tracked back to this house, and the lyrics to Miranda Lambert's song, House That Built Me may as well be tattooed on every surface of the place.

No matter where I end up in this world, THIS.. is my home.

And because it's my home, it's where I get to work.
I'm a knucklehead for not swiping my mom's memory card; Sydni had a hayday with the camera while we were outside stacking wood for two hours. My mother, whose mind and body very clearly defy their age, was even found at one point about to bush hog the entire space behind one of our fences.

I mean, a family who lumberjacks together... stays together. Amiright?!
[And yes, once I steal mom's pictures, I'll share.]

We managed to finish our day's to-do list in a considerably short amount of time, which left room for showers, naps and play time before dinner. Post-dinner meant some solid time with my family, and I would not have traded this night in for anything the city could ever offer me.

love these three! 

.... EVEN.. if that means we grit our teeth while Ohio State contested MSU - for the win, might I add. ;) [Sorry, dad].

Mom brewed some Teavana, which served to warm us up, as well as provide comic relief.

dad & rob.. haha.

There's nothing better in life than family.
Aaaaaaamen.

xo | cmd

And Off, Off We Go.....

Fridays are always so much better when they are BEAUTIFUL!

Today was just that; Carri, Elisa and I took advantage of the seasonal bliss and ventured out for our lunch hour. We decided on Northside, a zone we rarely frequent for lunch because... well, because we're dingos who didn't think before to consider it.

northside tour! 

Lunch of course was just.. terrible ;) 

yyyyeah right; lunch was incredible.
y-u-M.

We took the long way back to the office, shared some moments so funny that I was in tears [I've determined I have overactive tear ducts, anyway... ], and finished out our week on a high note of team camaraderie. 

Following work, it was only a few short hours before Rob, Sydni and I had our gear together and were piled in the truck en route for a weekend at my parents. 

Clearly, it was a rough journey for Syd: 

♥♥♥♥. 

Haha.
We're here, in good old Mt. Vernon, and ready to get to business tomorrow. Word on the street is that my dad has a list a mile long of things Rob and I get to do over the next two days. Then again, when is that new? ;) 

See you then! 

xo | cmd

Office Boogie

It's probably been at least six months or so since Sydni's last been in my office while we were open. The couple of times when I had to stop by on the weekends with her don't really count, so today she was super excited to show Nana & Pappy where Mommy works.

My parents are taking her this weekend for a showing Shrek: The Musical up in Mt. Vernon. The theatre company with which I, and just about every other person who grew up in Mt. Vernon participated at one point or another. The current director is my elementary school art teacher. :)

Anyway, they stopped by my office before heading back up north, and Sydni proved that she could probably do my job just as well, if not better than me.

look at this girl..

hahaha ♥♥♥

And of course, some yoga.

like mama, like mini

Haha. LOVE. Her. Have fun this weekend, you three!

Rob and I just got back from Hibachi Master on Beechmont; it was recommended by one of his co-workers to be tried, and we weren't disappointed. Sushi's always a fail-proof option, haha.

JASON ALDEAN & MIRANDA LAMBERT ARE PLAYING TOMORROW... + FGL + TYLER FARR.. but if I'm being honest, I'm primarily amped for Miranda & Jason.

ONE MORE DAY!
G'Nite!

xo | cmd

Easter Eggs & Kites!

I slept on the couch in our greatroom last night, and I don't regret that decision at all. This house, the house in which I grew up, boasts an open greatroom with gable windows, and when the sun rises, so do you.. in a great mood. I was up and moving before the rest of the house; the first thing I did was step outside onto the deck. The trees have yet to sprout their full sets of leaves, but that barely detracted from the beauty that always surrounds this place.

** Deck morning pic

My mom is a machine. I think we'll all be shocked if I actually outlive her. Haha. Seriously, though: My mother is the definition of a healthy woman, and I'll never get over the fact that she can run circles around us. She had us up and going as soon as her feet hit the floor this morning, and we haven't looked back since. ;)

|| ONE ||

First, it was an Easter Egg hunt & the unveiling of Easter baskets.
[The Easter bunny was busy this year!]

egg hunt...... go!

basket o' eggs

nana & pappy!

With all the eggs collected, we noticed there were some strange prints on the deck... [yes, this Easter bunny walks, like a human... haha]

where did he go?

easter baskets, of course!!

ransack.

easter basket goodies!

Showcasing some spoils:

new sock-shoes? lol (:

ninja bunny here....

little capsules that become sponge animals

|| TWO ||

We survived the explosion of Easter basket fun and gathered ourselves together for a trip to the new and still in-progress development of Mt. Vernon's Foundation Park. They still have some big work to do, but it's already beautiful and I'm excited to come back in a few months to see how it's finished.

Our reason for the visit today?

butterfly kite!

I didn't realize until today that my mother has never before flown a kite. Never. This won't sound like much to most, but today will stay special if for no other reason than the fact that I was with my mother and my daughter for their first time flying a kite. How.. awesome (:

she's good!!

she insisted she could do this herself ;)

but finally enlisted mister rob's help ♥

heading out to get started

my girl ♥♥

mom!!!

showing mister rob how it's done ;)

she's a pro now!

mama, reeling it in after an hour of flight time (:

We flew that thing for almost an hour before finally bringing it down. Luckily for us, we also brought snacks... and bubbles.

snacks with pappy

bubbles with nana



ribbons!

Soon it was time to go...

getting chilly ... zip up!

my love...

... and the love i most admire ♥

|| THREE ||
We headed home after the park; Dad, Rob and our neighbor Fred got together to switch out the dryers and hang out for a bit, and Sydni and I took to the yard.

in love with today

her snarly monster face

if you guessed that she's singing the frozen soundtrack, you're not wrong...

more bubbles!

This picture, which is now one of my favorites:

baby girls being raised right ;)

Before long, it was time to settle down for dinner. Mom, as usual, outdid herself and left the family with bellies so full we didn't know what to do with ourselves. Dad's solution? Teach Sydni chess. 

ok, so maybe it wasn't by real chess rules, but hey, it's ok!

After dinner, we forced Mom out of the kitchen and took away all her dishtowels and parked her in a seat with the family to watch................. you guessed it.. Frozen. I'm fairly certain my parents are were the only two remaining people in the U.S. to have seen this movie. Haha.

it's movie time!

hey pappy! dooooooo you wanna build a snowmaaaaan?

They loved it. She recited it. We just laughed watching them the whole time.
Oh, and when you're here at the Dren Lodge, this is how you end Saturday movie nights:

homemade chocolate & caramel sauce!

Whoa. Saturday = SUCCESS.
We're aiming for the same thing tomorrow (:

xo | cmd