T-Minus FOUR MONTHS: The Bridal Gals

Ya'll..... we're down to FOUR MONTHS on the dot. Whoaaa! 

#tribe!

I thought it appropriate for the four-month countdown marker to take a brief second and introduce ya'll to the ladies who'll be by my side in October when Rob and I tie the knot. This isn't relevant info for a lot of you, I know, but I'm proud to call these women part of my tribe, so it's a credit-where-due thing.. just bear with me! 

Drum rollllllll...

Ladies & Gentlemen... My TRIBE! 

Maricor | Matron of Honor

If you have one of those friends that can make you laugh over something just by making eye contact, then you'll get [for the most part] the relationship I have with Maricor. Oh, and she's my cousin, so there's that, too. She's one of my first and oldest friends, and she compliments me in the areas where I fall short. Sometimes I look back on our lives together and apart - we've never managed to live in the same city for more than 6 months, I laugh at how long it took me to realize that she led a parallel life oftentimes to mine so that I would have someone to lean on to justify or reason through whatever emotions, joy, doubt and fear I may've had along the way. There's not a single life milestone that seems to go by without sharing it with her, and I'm not about to start now! Cousin, best friend, makeup artist extraordinaire. The list goes on and on, but in October, she'll be my matron of honor and I'm so proud to have her up there.

Becky | Maid of Honor 

This woman's had my back since I was a freshman in college, and she hasn't stopped since. There are role models and good examples, and then there's Becky. It's rare to say that a single person has legitimately, literally saved your life, but I can say that about her, and to this day I will owe her more that I'd ever be able to express in a single blog entry. She was a guardian angel for me through the unusual college experience I had, and hasn't stopped being there for me since then. We've shared plenty of laughter, an equal amount of tears and heartache and a mutual love for prayer and of the great wide wilderness to heal and rehabilitate the soul afterwards. From long talks as we hiked our way over miles of the Appalachian Trail, to the backyard camping outings at your parents', I am not the same person I was before, but a much better one after. I owe her so much more than a spot in my bridal party, but for now, I hope she'll make do with Matron of Honor.

Heidi | Bridesmaid

What's better than being adopted? Having a sister who's also adopted! One of the things that weighs often on the psyche of adopted kids is that gray what if? area that hasn't and won't ever be answered about what our alternative life would've been like if we'our home countries, families, cultures had been all we'd ever known. Biologically, I was born into a family of double digit sibling count; as an adopted child, I was raised an only child. There was always a subtle ache that couldn't be quite thoroughly appeased... until Heidi. She is more my sister than I could imagine anyone being, from the way we think, to the way we agree on nail polish colors and how to hand wash dishes. She amazes me with her youthful, carefree but discerning approach to life that I often envy, and am constantly impressed at how she embraces the simplest beauty around her. To top it off, she's raised 3 children to adulthood without strangling any of them [or herself], and I am just.. taking notes for the future ;) I love you, sister, and I am honored to have you up there with me! 

Marianne | Bridesmaid

Yes, I was a tomboy growing up. I had my dolls, yes, and my dresses and my sparkly nail polish. What I also had was a neighborhood and family brimming with boys and boy things, from dirt and worms to battle-scarred action figures, Barbies missing hair & limbs, every Nerf toy created in the 90's and a healthy track record of scrapes, bruises and unexplained grass stains. I envied the girls who had lots of other girl friends, and awhile I had a few good ones throughout high school, I really never got it when it came to girls and their tribes. Marianne is most definitely part of my tribe. I've learned so much in the short 4+ years now that I've known  her, about overcoming adversity as a woman, recovering from the deep, dark emotional wounds as a human, and relentlessly pursuing your life's dreams in the way of someone you'd want your children looking up to. Whether it's that 8th cup of coffee we're both on, or a 10-mile hike through the woods with only our cameras making conversation, she's helped me grow as a person and realize that I am enough for exactly who I am and who I am not. Bridesmaid? I think so! 

Kalyn | Bridesmaid

There's a chapter of my life that many of you already know is very much closed in many ways, and I have no interest in revisiting it. Though it's a season of my life well-respected for the hard-fought lessons I learned as a result, there were some absolute trophies I gained from it. Sydni, of course being the biggest, but a friendship forged that I've treasured since the day it started. Kalyn is the free spirit, fiercely devoted sister/daughter to her family, creative genius and fun-loving center of attention that never fails to unite the like-minded for a good time. We laugh a lot over the happenings, the drama, the irony and mostly the characters in that closed chapter [yeah, it's closed for both of us.. haha], but looking back at it, again, I know the road back to finding myself would've been a lot harder without her. She's an adventurer, so much like the other phenomenal women I'm proud to call my tribe; she loves the outdoors, can climb anything in the gorge & beyond, and will be there when you need her. This may not be our cross-country road trip from Ohio to Phoenix, but it'll be a party on its own in October & I'm super pumped to have her as a bridesmaid!

Brittany | Bridesmaid

Not only is she Kalyn's sister, she's one of my favorite women! It seems some days like it's been ages since her wedding, when I was honored to stand with her and Wayne as they exchanged vows. Other days it feels like it was just last weekend! I don't see this gal nearly as much as I wish I could, but that's only because she's four states away making big moves and showing South Carolina what a woman in charge can bring to the office! She's paving her career and chasing her dreams as a successful business woman, wife and southern belle! I love Brittany because she's that perfect mixture of someone who remembers her roots and embraces everything new that comes her way. She was the girl who came back from a shattered wrist and provided me encouragement and humor while I recovered from a shattered collarbone. She's the witty, sassy, organized friend that every girl needs and wants, but is rarely fortunate enough to have. It was a true blessing and a terrific time being a part of her wedding party, and I can't wait to have her as part of mine as a bridesmaid! 

Ali | Bridesmaid

Oh goshhh.. Last, but far from being least! Ali is my favorite Ginger, for reasons that far exceed the obvious fact that she is in fact a redhead. I met Ali through work, and the rest is history. I'm a firm believer that the people in our lives are put there for one of three distinct reasons: to teach us something, to become a permanent part of our lives, or to introduce us to things and/or other people that then become permanent fixtures. Ali is all three of those. She has a heart on fire for Christ; the strength and resolve of her faith and hope are admirable, and for that alone I have an enormous amount of respect for her. As a friend, she's been miles away from me for a couple of years now, but never further than a text or a phone call. She's candid, honest and tells me what I need to hear in instances where most people would just slide by telling me what I want to hear. We've built an impressive foundation in the short time I've known her [what, like going on 5 years now?], but I couldn't imagine life without, and that's precisely why I couldn't imagine this life moment without her.

Maricor, my cousin. 

Becky, my advisor. 

Heidi, my sister. 

Marianne, my soul sister. 

Kalyn, my fellow wanderluster. 

Brittany, my professional goal. 

Ali, my ginger counterpart! 

Assembling the ideal troop of equally-bizarre, quirky and absolutely wonderful in their own individual ways women was an easier concept to imagine than to execute for me -- or so I thought. Now that I'm here, staring down the last 4 months of pre-wedding everything, I can't envision doing this without these women and the rest of the our family and friends who've supported us so far and so much. These ladies are incredibly dear to my heart, and while they're not the only ones I would coin as such, I am truly and immeasurably grateful that they will be standing by me in October. ♥

Four. Months. To. Go.
Whoa.

xo | cmd 

Once Upon a Hiatus [31]

Oy.

So as I sit here in front of my blog for the first time in nearly 3 months, I have mixed emotions. I've been completely resigned from my previously diligent daily scribbling here, a point I didn't intentionally make, but it happened. It'll be to my own chagrin when I try and look back at my activity on a specific day, but hey, whatever.. :)

I turned 31 on Sunday. That carves the first full year of my 30's in stone, and had I in my teen years set any idea of what I believed my 30's would be, I'm not sure this would've been it. A lot has happened since the last time I sat down at a computer outside of my day job. I've not penned a memo here since August; that means nothing to what small, general audience bothers to come here, but I realized that this blog has become my crutch for determining exactly what I did or where I was on any given date within the past 3-4 years. This is, after all, a journal of sorts.

So as I reach back into the past 3 months in an effort to chronicle the memorable moments, what I managed to find looks a bit like this:

[[august2015]]

* We celebrated birthdays of family and friends: My father - the staple of our family. Shayne - a friend we met serendipitously along with his wife in Jamaica. My cousin Maricor - one of my first and truest best friends.
* Just in time for a new school year, Sydni lost her first tooth and we had the first visit from the tooth fairy! She's a lucky kid; the tooth fairy's in an economic hotspot; that $2 reward is a far cry from the fare we as 90's kids saw ;).
* Sydni started first grade. It was a momentous day for her, and an emotional one for us. We're entrenched in another year of intellectual and social development, wishing all the while that time would slow down and we could relish the drooly, babbly wobbly-legged darling that has somehow began blossoming into a spunky, unique, charismatic and compassionate child who has a budding social circle and homework.
* We visited our families in their separate cities, each a handful of times. Our parents, family and friends laughed and fellowshipped around dinner tables and living rooms, parks and bandstands. We visited new landmarks, listened to live music and put miles upon miles on our cars to make sure we enjoyed it with those family members and friends.

[[september2015]]

* Day 1: Sydni turned 6. It was a hilariously bittersweet task executing a DIY monogrammed shirt for her to wear to school in celebration. We listened to her recount the experiences of her birthday from school, her dad's house, her friends. We played games, shared a special night out and tore through wrapping paper  to discover wishlist birthday items. I'm amazed by her compassion and selflessness as she shares her hope to give her old toys to kids who don't have any, so she can enjoy her new inventory - but in moderation.
* Buffalo Wabs & the Price Hill Hustle, a Cincinnati-based folk band, played a free concert in my hometown. My parents, my sister, my fiancé, daughter and I danced and laughed a night away.
* My company attended the annual corporate gathering: Sales Summit. My office's FOC and Owner had their first Sales Summit experience. I saw, fellowshipped with and learned alongside familiar faces from past offices, and celebrated change with the faces of leadership I've followed that have led me to where I am now, nearly 7 years into this job.
* There were date nights with Rob, outings with friends, movies seen and outings completed.
* We joined a new life group with some folks from our church, and immediately started feeling the benefit of community with a refreshing group of people!
* Fall officially began, and ushers in the expected though unseen hints of crisper weather, fire-infused leaves, and everything pumpkin-spiced (okay, maybe that part was seen, though wished to stay unseen, haha...)

[[october2015]]

* A new staffing consultant finally joined our team, after months of delegating the duties of the desk in a circle that started and began on the same desk - mine. Krista was an answer to prayer, and proved to be the influence and presence that was so desperately needed.
* My beloved Subie wound up in the care of Rob's team of autofacelift experts. Goodbye, blemishless insurance, but hellloooo wrx facelift! ;)
* My family attended the Ohio Renaissance Festival, in full medieval attire, to fulfill our commitment of making this outing an annual tradition.
* Marianne and Damanji rendezvoused in Cincinnati separately, in a chance of good timing. Having two of my dearest out-of-town friends gather with me here, joining forces with Rob and Becky in a weekend Cincinnati take-over was just a short couple of days, but a refueling that was much needed. Mariane and I took a day's worth of timeout to venture off the grid into a trail matrix, and managed to find coffee and music on the other end.
* I let Olivier at Beelistic scribe ink into my back along lines that comprise a mountainscape scene on my back: my 3rd tattoo.
* Halloween arrives in the form of office-appropriate costumes, followed by a weekend in Mt. Vernon: trick-or-treating with Sydni, chopping & stacking wood and enjoying the sights of mentors imparting the gift of rhythm, carpentry, literacy and fine motor skills to my daughter.

[[november2015]]

* It's decided against our highest hopes that the office staff will be again reduced to a roster of 3. Growing pains that have festered unaddressed for weeks finally reach a boiling point, and in an emotional culmination of honesty and determination to accomplish the same common goal, a new course of action: attitude, drive and desire for compromise was birthed and thrown in motion.
* I obliged an invitation to serve another year as a volunteer judge for the Distinguished Young Woman scholarship. I'm continuously amazed by the talent and vision of these girls - high school seniors, and am renewed through every experience that with the right influences and involvement, my own daughter will have a chance to excel as a person, an athlete, a musician, an artist, a scholar, a humanitarian, or whatever other or combined realization of her own potential she sees fit to follow.
* Kaitlyn joined the office staff as the newest staffing consultant, and a hopeful final addition (for now).
* Thanksgiving weekend provided a very much needed departure from the daily work grind, and allowed us an extended opportunity to visit our St. Louis area family and friends.
* More birthdays are celebrated: Nikki, Clark - hometown, highschool friends - one of them 19 days older, and the other 9 days my elder. My cousin Caridel and our friend Matt, both of whom had Thanksgiving Day birthdays this year. My beautiful friend Brittany, with whom I'll stand during her wedding next year, and her in mine.
* I share in the birthday streak, and turn the page of 30 to land on 31. I am now wholly immersed in my 30's, and blessed to have ushered it in in the company of some incredible friends and family.

I realized also in the past 48 hours that not only have I launched into the meat of my 30's, I will have celebrated that, along with this year's Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years as my last.... as a Drenning! I can't help but look forward to this time next year, when another band is added to my ring finger and my last name migrates to the other end of the alphabet, that I will then be married to the man who has managed to bring me so far from the place I was before I rediscovered the confidence to take advantage of my blessings rather than allow the shortcomings to take me. I owe him more than he'll ever know, and the thought of becoming his wife is the one thing that excites me as the rest of time whizzes right by us without much other thought.

I am here, though. Future me is going to reflect on this entry and remember the times of change, adjustment, busy schedules, road trips and landmark events, but probably not the fact that I skipped out on blogging them every single day.

It is now DECEMBER [holy crap!]
Even just sitting here now typing this up has renewed my spirit of journaling, blogging, chronicling, whatever it is I call this caboodle of thought that winds up on my blog. I don't do this for you, my dear audience [although I love you, don't get me wrong!]; it's tough to keep the pen sharp and step outside of my limited daily vocabulary if I don't actively do it.

[[december2015]]

* So, dear December, I'm imploring you to be the satisfying zenith to 2015, and usher in this next year with a smile, if you don't mind :).

This time next year, I'll be a married gal. Sydni will be 7. Who knows what the year will hold, but I am hopeful that through the mountains and valleys (& everything in between!) that I'm sure this next year will hold, I'm already praying for grace and gratitude to absorb whatever comes down the line.

Happy December, blogbots! It feels great to be back. Maybe I'll take to sharing some imagery from the past couple months once I sort through the hoards of pictures I've got, too.

31, & feelin' great!

Until then - be well, find happiness and encourage someone else to do the same!

♥♥♥!
xo | cmd 

HELLO, OCTOBER!

Yes, I realize that by loving these, I am, by certain standards branding myself as a 'basic White girl.'

Here's the thing: I'm all about Instagrammed Autumn-esque pictures. Bring on the filters, even though really, they're not always needed.. not when it comes to October.

Here's 3 of the 3bajillion that are floating around out there [thank you, Google!]

hello 

october

welcome! 

 YES, I am absoLUTELY excited that it's October! Am I anticipating the cold weather and crappy driving conditions that inevitably follow? No, of course not.. but for now.... we're here in the midst of changing leaves and pumpkin everything [I digress.....] and bonfires and BEANIES. 

[[[Be reminded.. it's BEANIE season.]]]

Anyway, happy October!

Here's how we celebrated: 

sand in our toes @ hahana beach! | cincinnati, oh 

It's starting to get a little chilly out there - this season will be drawing to a close soon and we'll be finding new ways to occupy our winter days.

Brrrr.. Get ready for Autumn!

xo | cmd

It is OCTOBER. Holy Moly!

My sister posted this on her IG this morning and I had to share...

hello, october ♥

^ This is outside my sister's house back in our hometown; I'm in love with that countryside. There's so much peace in this picture; I had to share it! Welcome, October!! (:

Some other things that I realized today:
Halloween is this month! I need to start scouting a costume.

More importantly, my birthday is 2 months away; this year it falls on Black Friday, the most notorious retail day of the year. I'll tell you where I won't be on my birthday, but other than that, who knows. For now, I'm starting to compile my birthday wish list, and I think this would be a good first addition:

peeeeeeeeeerfect.

Hmmmm.. Looks like I have some October work cut out for me, building a birthday wish list and all.... & I'm kidding... I'm not a picky person on presents, but thought that was funny nonetheless.

It's OCTOBER, ya'll. I dunno how that happened.. but it's here. Holy cow.

Time to enjoy it!

xo | cmd