Doing Life With Community

Community:  a feeling of fellowship with others, as a result of sharing common attitudes, interests, and goals.

How great is it to find people you love. People who share in your interests and your goals; people you call friends, wait, family. Over the past year and a half Cory and I have been figuring out who we are as a married couple and what our mission is for our marriage. Along this journey we've wanted to surround ourselves with friends who we can share life with. Friends that we can laugh with over nothing. Friends that will give us insight into the struggles we are facing in our marriage. Friends who will lovingly admonish us and tell us when we are wrong. Friends who we ultimately consider family. I think over this last year and a half we have found these people. 

There are two couples that we meet with once a month to talk about life. What we love in our spouses; what struggles we are facing in our marriages. We talk about our missions and how we are finding them or living them out. We eat, drink, and talk. We talk and talk; we cry sometimes, and talk some more. There is something so real and meaningful about these relationships and conversations. 

Finding community can be hard. When you've found it it takes work to develop those relationships. But work that is so worth it. Whether you are young marrieds, new parents, single girls, finding a community and letting each other in is a beautiful thing. Opening up can be hard at times, but its raw and good and what helps us grow. Doing life with community pushes us to be the better versions of ourselves. 

For my life I want something more. Something more than just doing it and figuring it out by myself. I need these people. I need them to tell me when I'm wrong. I need them to tell me yay we're proud of you. I need them to tell me I'm being selfish in my marriage. I need them to tell me I'm a beautiful woman.  As people we are drawn to people. Living life can be done alone, but why? Why not share it with those you love; people who can build you up. 

I'm beyond grateful for the friends we have. The couples above are two of a few that we have grown to call family. I'm grateful for where we are now. I'm cherishing this time. 

How great it is to do life with community, 

xo leah

All photos taken by Pamela Montanez 

(who you should hire for any photography related things, just saying')

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Dinner: The Best Lasagna Ever

Dessert: Little Raspberry Bites

1 c. smashed raspberries + 1/4 c. sugar mixed together

Place in packaged Phyllo dough cups (similar)

Bake according to package instructions

Top with whipped cream when slightly cooled

Twins

I love being a twin. It's slightly magical. Something about having a built in best friend. Someone who not only likes doing what you do, but looks like you…and dresses like you. So many perks like the perfect company all the time and a whole second wardrobe. 

We really make sure we indulge in each other whenever we are around one another.  Our visits are usually short but they are meaningful and full. We trade off visits between fun and busy to visits that are relaxing and laid back.

It's been more than fun to see how each of our personalities have changed and developed over the years. We look very similar and sound similar. We have the same sense of humor. But we can be totally different. Her louder and me quieter. Her more outgoing and me more shy. Funny how that works. 

Makes me think of the Mary-Kate and Ashley twin song… two-two, totally-totally, utterly-utterly, opposite-opposite, different-different, identical twins, dee-dee-daly dum. 

Love you sister!

xo leah

Three Little Dogs

Three little dogs have stolen my heart. Two of them are ours and the other is my parent's pup. Gretta, Lucy, and Charlie. 

Gretts, Loose-Lou, and Chuckie as they are also referred to as. When you mention one of the other dogs name to another pups they get so excited. It's like they actually know who I am talking about. 

They love to cuddle, they love to play, and they all love to give kisses. Something about coming home to a smiling dog just makes the end of the day that much better. 

To puppy breath and endless days of playing fetch,

xo leah

Father's Weekend

To celebrate my dad for Father's Day, the family decided to take him downtown for dinner. My dad is the type who rarely goes out. He'd rather cook to save a few pennies. He loves trying new foods and dining out, but his cheap pollock ways (I'm Polish I can say it) stop him. So we told him to think of a cuisine he'd like to indulge in and we'll find a spot. He told us "something I can't or don't make often at home". 

So with that my sister found the perfect spot. 

Photo of my sister and my dad. 

We decided to take him to The Parish . It is located right in the middle of the Pearl district. An area well known for lots of great restaurants; and this one did not disappoint. 

My sister and dad started the meal out by trying some oyster shooters. This place was known for their oysters. My dad loved them and decided to get a whole other plate of them after the shot. My sister on the other hand wasn't quite sure about them. Cory tried one and said "they tasted like a blob of salt-water"..hmm to each their own I guess!

Everyone ordered different things from the Jambalaya to the Boar Gumbo and the Fried Chicken Dinner. It was definitely all Louisiana-type foods and it was delicious.  Best Fried Chicken I have ever had. Seriously. 

It was so great having the whole family there to celebrate my dad. He's worked so hard for our family and it always feels really good to celebrate him. Dads truly are special and it has been a privilege to be able to call him my dad. I love how we've always been close and how our relationship deepens and grows as I get older. 

Love you dad!

xo leah

Our New Nephew

Welcome to the world Clive Clarke. 

My sister-in-law had an amazing home birth that brought our nephew into this world. We have been so anxious to meet him and see what he looks like. He made his mama wait and at 10.5 lbs and nearly 2ft long…made her work to get him into this world! 

He is perfect. 

I am so excited to see his little personality come out. The Lord has His hand on his life and we are so looking forward to seeing the blessings that come out of this little man. Babies are such miracles and watching this miracle unfold was such a blessing.

 We love you little man!

xo leah

Joyful June

We have some new house rules. Okay, maybe not new, but a new sign telling what they are. I have been trying for a while now to be more joyful. More content with the right now. Less complain-y. I saw the aforementioned sign during my most recent Seattle visit. I had to get it. 

I want to focus on being joyful. Thankful. Rejoicing through life. Not just counting my blessing during Thanksgiving time, but all the time. 

These little rules are a great start. 

To  hugs, smiles, & warm fuzzy feelings,

xo leah

Goodbye May, Hello June

1// Lucy and I    2// 2nd Annual Mothers Brunch

3 // Gretta helping with yard work  

4 // Good laughs with friends

5 // Peonies from the Garden  6 // Seattle Trip

Wow, is it just me or did May fly by?? I can't believe it is already June. We are just about half the way through the year and I'm not complaining. I love summer. It's my absolute favorite time of year. It being this close just makes me smile.

May was full of fun. Spending some quality time with my mothers and having some good get togethers with great friends made it so special. This month has also been all about the yard. We've started tackling the oversized job of the front yard. We've made small dents and it feels pretty good. It's been even more nice to see all the flowers in bloom this month. We are finally figuring out what everything is!

This month Cory and I have started to become more active. We got our bikes down from the garage and bought some tennis rackets. We've gone on several bike rides and have played some tennis games at our local middle school tennis courts. It's been so fun and feels so great being a little more active.

June, I'm ready for you. Bring on the mojitos, more sunshine, and bike rides. But also, this next month is bringing us a nephew! Our sister-in-law is due any day now and we cannot wait to meet little Clive!

Happy June,

xo leah