Terrific Tacos + Sweet Sundays

I am kind of convinced that Shauna Niequist is my spirit animal (can another human BE another human's spirit animal?!) She said, "If the home is the body, the table is the heart, the beating center, the sustainer of life and health." If you think about it, where does MOST of your household's laughter come from? Sure, there are sweet family walks, backyard sports, board games, and if you're anything like mine--the tickle parties that ensue nightly; but truly, isn't most of it around the table? I am blessed to have married a man who not only loves to cook, but one who loves to bless PEOPLE by his cooking. This particular Sunday we declared a taco night, and had some amazing friends over to enjoy the meal with us.

Do you see the darling table runner in these photos? Our 9-year old niece Lily who lives in Rhode Island made it by hand for us!!! She even embroidered a sweet little message on the back of it. Maybe you've made a table runner before (for an 8-foot table?) but I haven't, so I'm clearly very impressed. 

We've known Kris and Lisa for a long time, and Lisa even used to babysit the kids for quite a long time! They were the ones who introduced us to our new church, and I am so glad that we all go there. The kids loved playing games and showing them their new rooms, Sundays like this one make me so happy! 

Tim made the carnitas (pulled pork) and it was delicious. We had guacamole, bean dip, salsa, and lots of chips, obviously ;) Team work makes the dream work, and that's always so evident on these get-togethers! 

In today's devotion that I read, Shauna writes: "When we consider how many stories in the Bible involve food, perhaps its not something to be treated so lightly as we often do." Reclaim the table. Invite others in. Laugh, talk, and enjoy being real with the people you love. Gather. And tell me all about it. You can comment below your favorite mealtime memories or send me an e-mail. I'm so thankful not only for the people locally I have relationships with, but also here in this space. You all make what I do SO much better, and I believe community happens everywhere--not just where you live. 

Princess Reese and Her Fourth Birthday Party

Every time I scroll through these photos my heart just kinda flops. Four years ago, I gave birth for the last time. The waiting was painful, because I was always an anxious pregnant person. For over a week, I was at 3cm dilated, and I thought surely she would be earlier than her brother (who was born five days before his due date.) Finally, when I decided to give up on all the natural methods of inducing labor, well, she came (three days before HER due date!) In five short hours from start to finish, Reese Elisabeth-Morgan was welcomed into this world and I'm sitting here today wondering HOW? How was it that long ago? How did she go from newborn to baby to toddler to KID, so fast?! 

Well y'all, this weekend we threw her a party, and it was a great one to say the least. Her actual birthday is this coming week, on the 14th, so you better believe I'm holding tightly to these last few days of her being THREE! 

Over the last year she has fallen in love with the Classic Disney princesses, so this year, that's what she verbalized wanting party wise. Last year, she had a Frozen themed celebration, and she was very clear that she wanted ALL the princesses for this one. We are so grateful to Proflowers to providing her with gifted bouquets, they were (and still are) absolutely stunning. The Day Lillies have made our home smell like heaven, oh my goodness! And we're also thankful for Sharis Berries for the complimentary strawberries, miniature birthday cake, cake pops and delicious cookies! As a blogger, I am most grateful for the lasting relationships that are built, and by far, those companies are two of my absolute favorite. 

Nords Bakery has done our cakes EVERY single birthday for both Pierson and Reese, and this one did not disappoint. Raspberry filled vanilla; our favorite!! And a Kroger Bakery win for the cupcakes. They threw in the princess ring cupcake toppers and the kids were in LOVE. We are so grateful for both bakeries for being prompt and doing such a great job with all that I envisioned for Reese's big day. 

Reese was so well celebrated and loved by all who came; though I missed my blood relatives immensely. My big brother Sean and his wife Beth, my parents, and my oldest brother Nathan--I am so grateful for my husband's family (who most of are local and able to come!) but you can't help missing your own mama and siblings right? :) Her friends from church are so good and sweet to her, and her cousins of course; we are very blessed by all! 

My mom sent her a Belle dress and when I opened it in the mail I literally almost cried. It is GORGEOUS. I decided to surprise Reese with it, and after everyone ate the desserts, I told her to come with me. I led her to my closet and asked if she saw anything that may be a surprise for her, and she shrieked, grabbing her face, "OH MY WORD!!!!!!" To say she was elated is an understatement. I dressed her in the beautiful gown and together we made our way to the family and friends waiting for her to open her gifts. 

She was so thankful for ALL the presents, and with each one opened she exclaimed all the squeals and giddy banter with those sitting around her. Really I can't express enough how thankful I am for the friends in our lives, and for everyone who came to shower our baby girl with love and memories! 

Last but not last least; it was time for the big surprise. Kent Bikes reached out to me about a month ago and offered to gift us with some bikes in their line, and I couldn't resist. The rest are coming a little later, but Reese received hers before her big party. We decided to assemble it and to have that be her very last present of the days. She got a bike last year for her third birthday but she's grown SO fast, that we knew it was time to get her a taller one. When I saw Pinkalicious being an option, I couldn't resist! Reese has SO many Pinkalicious books and even I am obsessed with her character. Thank you, Kent Bikes, for such an amazing moment we were able to capture. We can't wait to ride together as a family soon! 

Do you think she's animated enough? Ha ha ha!!! This girl, I tell ya! The life of the party, the most expressive and articulate three (almost four)-year old I know... there's never a dull moment.

Some current favorites of Reese's: 

-Her gray blanket, that she's had literally forever 
-Her bitty babies, Lizzie and Toby, both original American Girls of mine
-Drawing stick people with straight ("smiley") faces
-You are My Sunshine (still, from day one) 
-She adores all the cousins, but Idina, the middle kiddo of Asa's brother, is who she claims as her "best friend..." even though sweet Deena is four years older! 
-Princesses, clearly 
-Going to preschool; she's excelling and thriving by leaps and bounds!! 
-A BOY, named Mark (currently in her class, omg) who she refers to as her boyfriend? Oh heaven help me! We don't make it a huge deal however, since she currently goes to a Christian academy and I'm convinced every single tiny human in her class is wonderful 
-Cuddling
-Queso; YES...QUESO (that's our girl!!) 
-Going out to eat at restaurants (in particular, Chilis. Thanks, Uncle Clayton!!) 
-Dancing and singing and dancing and singing; I'm pretty sure she's half Troll
-Clothes shopping (YAAAAAAS! We will have so much fun!!!!!!) 
-Her dad's homemade 'Alfie Pasta' and all things pasta in particular (yup, she's mine!) 

Reese Elisabeth, we are so proud of you. There aren't enough words in this blog post or anywhere that can express my love to you. God knew what He was doing when He scared the heck out of me with you, and I am so glad that He did. You're a natural born leader, one tough cookies, and you have THE best laugh. You can make anyone smile, and you're an excellent friend. You're intelligent, brave, courageous and fierce. YOU, dear, are my princess, and the greatest one at that. Happy fourth birthday (officially in a few days), thank you for being YOU. While yes, I partially mourn the days of your babyhood, I also can't wait to see the good you will continue to do for this world. 

xoxox, 
Mama

Food + Fellowship: Another Sunday Gathering

If there is one thing I want to be remembered by, it is for having an open and loving household. My mom recently shared how every Sunday at their house growing up included having people over for meals. She said my grandma cooked the best food and that my grandpa was always inviting people in. It was sweet to hear that piece of her childhood, and I am excited that my children will have similar memories of their Sundays at home. 

You can always find Elsa curled up under the table when we are in the dining room. She's done that since she was a puppy and I love that goofy trait of hers. This dinner was my husband's homemade manicotti, fresh salad and warm bread--aka, pretty much ALL my favorite foods. If you didn't know, my husband has his own website where he shares recipes, and you can check that out here. Our friends Tim and Stephanie joined us, and it was an amazing afternoon of food, fellowship, and lots of full bellies. 

I always like to have fresh flowers in the dining room (thanks, sweet husband!) and you can always find Humphrey, our Lab, begging at our seats. We have a full house, but I wouldn't have it any other way. Five pets, two kids, friends here often, and us: a husband and wife who have been married almost NINE years! (How did that happen?!) 

When we finished eating, the kids got to coloring. I'm obsessed with their artwork, and love watching how their drawings develop over the years. 

What do you love about Sundays? Anything cooking in your house this afternoon that you want to share?! Leave a comment below with your favorite dishes, and some of you have asked for recipes from past posts; feel free to e-mail me anytime or let me know of a specific dish to post for you. Happy weekend, friends. May it be as yummy as ever! 

Gather: A Sunday Dinner with Friends

I've missed Sunday dinners for a long time. They weren't ever a huge or elaborate affair in my household growing up, however there was still something sweet and wonderful about them. I have a lot of nostalgia remembering the things Mom would cook; I'm pretty sure mashed potatoes were my obsession? But I tell Asa often that I miss Michigan (okay, ALL the time...) and one of the reasons I wish we could be closer than the six hours that we are, is because I wish we could pop in on Sundays after church to eat a meal with my family...

Sigh. Who knows where the Lord will take us in the years to come, but as you can see, meals and fellowship are important to me--to us. We've been blessed by the church we joined last September and with it, some truly amazing friends. Tim and Steph are ones that it's been so evident, God is just using immensely to be a part of our village. Y'all know the familiar saying, 'it takes a village,' in regards to raising kids--as cliche as it may sound, it is TRUE! So these two had the brilliant idea of getting together on Sundays to come around a meal; to eat food, hang out, and to just spend time together. Of course we said YES! Our kids love them, they love our kids, and both Tim and Asa love to cook. So duh. 

Not only am I obsessed with mashed potatoes (pictured above!!), I LOVE Asa's deviled eggs. He adds a piece of bacon on top and they are creamy AND tangy. I could have literally devoured the entire plate but go figure, Tim and Steph loved them too. Tim made the fried chicken (omg!!) and the greens. The whole thing was a giant Southern dream. 

It does my heart good to be able to just carefree sit around the table with friends AND our kids. Let's be real...eating with children is not exactly stress free. They whip their utensils around, spill 90% of what's on their plate, and talk/bicker LOUDLY. Oh wait, I have some proof of a big table spill below! Ha!

Reese had been playing with the salt shaker on the dining room table prior to dinner, but obviously we weren't aware. When one of us went to USE said salt shaker......well, you see what happened. It dumped ALL, OVER, THE, TABLE!!!!!!!!!!! So the second photo was everyone scrambling (minus me, oops) trying to clean it up. Oh my word, I love these people.

And last but not least, I *finally* made a homemade blueberry pie for the first time in a VERY long time. (Remember when I made a new pie a month for 12 months, a tribute to my Grandma?)

Tonight we just had our second dinner together, that I'm sure I'll get around to blogging here soon as well. On my list of must reads is Shauna Niequist's book 'Bread and Wine,' but from this book there is this magical quote that speaks to my soul: 

“The heart of hospitality is about creating space for someone to feel seen and heard and loved. It's about declaring your table a safe zone, a place of warmth and nourishment.”

Now that you've seen OUR Sunday dinner, what do you love about Sundays? Or maybe what is a nostalgic meal you remember from your childhood? Leave a comment below and I hope you have the greatest week! 

xox