Getting to Know Us Q&A Part 1: The Q

I don't know about you, but there are a handful of blogs that I read consistently, and out of those blogs, I like to feel like I really know the people who write them.

Like what their stories are, what they like, how they met their husbands, how their homes operate, where they like to travel, what they cook, how they organize and clean, what they like to do with their kids... you get the picture.

Does that make me a stalker?

Probably. But I kind of feel like that's what blogs are for. For keeping track of memories for yourself of course, but then for getting to know other people too.

I would even go so far as to say that I've learned a lot by reading other people's blogs and have even incorporated ideas into my own routines based off of what I've read works for other people.

SO, that brings me to the point of today's post- get there, Heather. 

At the risk of me coming across as taking myself too seriously, or thinking that y'all care WAY more than you do ;) I'm opening this up to y'all:

What do you want to know about us?

Since I do all of the writing on here, maybe there's more you'd like to know about Matt, or our house, our daily routines, where we like to shop, what we do for fun, our favorite dates, foods, activities...

It can be totally random or completely serious. I'm an open book; and Matt, well he's become more of an open book after being around me for 12 years. ;)

So ask away! Or don't ask, and I'll get the picture that this was really not a good idea AT all. 

Either leave a comment below, email me at notesftn@gmail.com, or ask your questions through Twitter, Instagram, or Facebook.

We've got a 6 hour drive ahead of us tomorrow and lots of time to come up with answers to your questions and a plan for how to post them.

Happy Friday, friends!!

First day of the next stage...

It's here! The first day of what I would normally call summer break. It's 8:45 and I've got a pot of sauce cooking on the stove, a load of laundry in the wash, and a fresh cup of coffee by my side.

This is what I love.

It's strange though to think that this is not just my summer break, but the start of something new. A new stage of life- a stage where I'm called "mom" and not "Mrs. Nelsen" begins (sort of) today.

I'm thankful for the timing of it all. And if you know our story, I don't think I would have ever anticipated having those words come out of my mouth. But I'm thankful that I have these next 8 weeks, more or less my "regular" summer break to prepare and rest (we'll see how well I do at that one) for the arrival of our little guy.

I can't wait- yes I am starting this sentence this way- to go through every room and clean out closets, make Goodwill and trash piles, put together the little man's stroller and car seat and all of the other "necessities" that are still in their boxes, reorganize kitchen cabinets to make room for the babe's goods (i.e. downsize the wine glasses to make room for bottles), pack my hospital bag, set up the diaper bag, and, last but not least, go on some fun dates with Matt to soak in this stage of no-kids that we're still in right now.

Ahhh... it's going to be a good stretch from here to the end of July. And then the real fun will begin. ;)

Memorial Day Weekend + a WINNER!

We spent Memorial Day weekend outside in the beautiful weather. On Friday, Matt came and surprised me at school (my last day as a teacher for who knows how long!) when my kids were finishing up recess before dismissal. They spent the last 10 minutes hounding us about names and making all kinds of suggestions on what they thought it should be. ;) It was a really sweet way to end my time with them. Matt snapped some really cute pictures and took a video of them standing around me offering all of their suggestions- wish I could share them on here!

The next part to Matt's sweet surprise was that he took the afternoon off! So after my kids left, we grabbed a quick lunch and then took Tally to a new hiking spot that Matt found near our house. It was so pretty! I'm always amazed that places like this exist right around the city.

The next morning, we headed out to Raven Cliff's Falls, right outside of Helen, GA. Matt had researched the best hiking spots in Georgia, and this one came up as the best spot to hike with a dog, especially if the dog likes water. SWEET!

So we set off for the 1.5 hour drive, and made a quick stop about 2 minutes in when Matt's shoes flew off the roof and landed in the middle of Peachtree Road. Hahah! I reminded him before he got out that I would rather buy new shoes than have him die trying to get them, as Peachtree isn't exactly a quiet street. But he was determined, and got both shoes back, and off we went again.

This is how Tally rides- body in the back, head in the front. Sweet pup.

And this is when I knew we were out of the city- when I heard cows mooing while Matt was pumping gas. Tally and I couldn't figure out what the noise was until Matt told us to get out and see the two baby cows attached to a trailer on the car next to ours. HA!

Lunch stop at Chick-Fil-A

The hilarious thing is when we pulled into the entrance, we realized that this was definitely the exact same trail we attempted back in January when we stayed at the Dahlonega Spa Retreat. You may remember it as the one where we went on a 10ish mile hike to nowhere, BECAUSE WE WEREN'T ON THE PATH. You can read about that story here. Needless to say, we cracked up when we realized we were back in the same spot to try it again. This time with a LOT more people to follow. :)

Tal met a puppy friend along the way- Lily Bell. What a cutie!

After our hike, we stopped at Nacoochee Village Tavern & Pizzeria. Matt read that they had the best pizza in town, and it was GOOD!

Monday, we went to the dog park at Piedmont Park, went to Jeni's for icecream, and then headed over for a cookout with friends.

Tal met a mini version of himself at the park

And of course I forgot to get a picture of the cookout with friends- bummer!

Hope you guys had a great long weekend too!

And now for the winner of the Stella & Dot giveaway!!!

THE WINNER IS:

ELLE!

Congratulations, Elle! You will love these earrings!