This Gal is Now a Southern Mama in the Making

It has been so long since I have posted anything. I don't know where all the time went but it sure went fast, and somehow it brought us to Nashville, TN. For those of you who didn't hear, we moved to Nashville just a couple of weeks ago. Jason applied for and took an amazing promotion within his company, which brought us here. It was about 3 months in the making and boy did we struggle with all that moving entails. From joy to tears to desperation to more tears, it was a lot of work, but here we are. June was here and there and everywhere, with me, as we moved out of our house in Ventura, stayed with my parents for 2 weeks, stayed with Jason's family for 4 days and then flew to Nashville to our new home; all while Jason was already in Nashville. It was really tough being away from him and we definitely learned the lesson that 2 weeks is just too long for our little family to be apart.

We are actually living in Franklin, TN, about 20 minutes south of downtown Nashville. We are in an apartment while we look for a more permanent home to hopefully, purchase. Its actually bigger than our house was and honestly, I am really enjoying it. I think June is enjoying not having to crawl on hardwood floors, so that's a plus too. If you have not been here before, you should. There is SOOOO much to do! And there is so much amazing U.S. History here, from civil war battles, to famous plantations and homes, to the Grand Ole Opry, to museums, to amazing southern food, to great antiquing, to the best music on Earth (duh), this city has it all. Fortunately, so much of all these amazing things are just miles from where we live. I am so glad we chose to live in Franklin in particular. There is so much new and so much old, its a perfect balance, but I have to say that downtown Franklin is my favorite. Even though its hotter than sin (imagine me saying that with a southern accent), I still love walking around and window shopping and exploring. Most of my time has been spent unpacking, so we haven't had much time to make friends and such yet, but I know all that will happen in due time.

June is now 11 months old and well on her way to walking, talking, eating big girl foods and having a personality of her own. And let me tell you: she has a mind of her own and she doesn't mind telling you what she wants. This little lady has somehow figured out what a tantrum is at the ripe ole age of 11 months. She will kick and scream and yell when she doesn't get what she wants, which usually is one of our iPhones. She loves looking at pictures of herself on there and even knows how to zoom and scroll through them. I know it sounds crazy, but its true. Have we created a monster? I don't think so. I like to think that she is just independent, smart and now a sassy southern girl. June's favorite game is peekaboo. Jason and I crack up when she hides behind one of our couches and then pops up, she actually jumps. We yell peekaboo and she falls on the floor laughing. I have to admit, she's not the only one who loves this game...

Jason and I have struggled with the ups and downs of all that comes with being parents, adults, married, etc. These past few months have been tough as we have struggled with our choices and whether or not we are doing the right thing. I just love that we are able to embark on this adventure together and really feel so blessed that we were given such great opportunities and that God has really watched over us through all this. I look back to a year ago- I was just a few short weeks from giving birth to Junebug and we had no clue what a baby was going to bring to our lives. We were so anxious and nervous. Just look at us now. Living in a city and state so foreign to us, away from our families and friends, facing huge decisions and embarking on new journeys. I have to say that I am really proud of us and I am so so proud of my husband. I hope that doesn't sound too... ya know. I'm really liking this new change and thank goodness both of our families are coming within the next few weeks.

I think about June, obviously, with all that I do. I don't know if we would have moved if we hadn't had her. She has made us stronger and more independent. And I just couldn't imagine being in Nashville without her. She just makes all this so worthwhile and fun! I think she is born to be a country star, maybe not a singer but something just as beautiful as a star here in the Nashville sky. Ok, but isn't it just so perfect that June has an old-fashioned, country name? Something big is written in the stars for that little cowgirl and this southern mama is so excited to be part of it.

Don't worry, just because we live in the south (kinda), doesn't mean June is doing pageants. Absolutely not.