Feeling Springy!

Zrytec has become my new bestfriend....goodness grief, the pollen is outrageous and on a vengeance! But all the luscious scenary is what I've been yearning for months, so many pretty shades of green everywhere. And the flowers. Bluebonnets, Indian paint brush, and milkweed galore! Even our lone cactus in the backyard ( I thought for sure the ridiculously cold winter weather had killed it off) has prickly pears budding...I'm envisioning some homemade margarita's early fall ;)

This past weekend was glorious. Our church, Gateway Community Church had several activities planned for the Holy week. We were able to enjoy a wonderful Good Friday service :) Of course the ONE day I actually want/need to leave work a little early, things got a little crazy the last hour of my shift...nurse problems 101. But as always, God made a way! What would have been a 30+ minute commute ( rush hour traffic in Austin is wicked insane), turned out to be only 15...I walked into the sanctuary as they began the first song of worship :)

My little kitchen helper :) Look at those calf's!!

Easter service was soothing, refreshing, and we left feeling renewed! John 15: 12-13

Christ is risen! He is risen indeed!

1st annual backyard Easter egg hunt was a success!

Before Mom and Dad joined us for dinner, Nelson and I enjoyed a relaxing couple of hours by the creek while Lorraine indulged in a nap. Sunny skies with a nice cool breeze, chips & salsa, and a fishing pole. It was simplicity and perfection all wrapped up in one pretty bow!

Nelson and Dad by the creek, Mom swinging Lorraine, and Gesabelle catching a scent....what a beautiful view while cooking Easter dinner!

4/22/2014:

I love all the greenbelts and trails just minutes away from our home. But most of all, I LOVE having super sweet friends to enjoy them with. Ashley and I took our little ones for a stroll earlier today. The air was super crisp this morning, and the sun a shining. Even though we only made it to the first park along the way, Lo and Brodie we're more than satisified!

There is a HUGE shaded sand box you can't see in this picture because it's behind me. Lorraine of course wanted no parts of it, she perfered running barefoot everywhere else. I tried to convince her otherwise, but she won. I'm learning to pick my battles wisely :)

And Lorraine is awake. Round 2 starts now.

XoXo,

Corri

It's time!

11 months and 3 days to be exact since my last post on the blog. Over the past several months I've found myself becoming a regular follower of other blog writers, many of which I've simply come to adore. And every time I read someone else's post, I get this little nudge in my heart to sign back on to my all time favorite blog (slightly biased)...Lewis Lane. So here I am! It's been too long. It's time.

Little miss Lorraine keeps us busy, and for that I am so thankful. Each day is a little brighter and the grass a little greener with her sweet soul in this world :)

So instead of 'catching up', I'm going to 'switch it up'. I take a ridiculous amount of pictures when I am with my family. Pure bliss. And although I enjoy looking at snap shots, I love the 'story' that goes with it most. That is where perspectives are shifted and others are able to 'see' what you see. We all have our own chapter/book/novel we are writing. My hope is that you'll enjoy reading our picture book :)

Last night at MOPS ( only the greatest organization for moms with small children EVER....I'll have to save that for another post all together), our guest of honor was lovely Rebecca, creator of RoundtheRocktx.com. I had subscribed to her website about a week before I found out she was going to be at our next MOPS meeting...super random, crazy and ironic ( story of my life). Anyhow, her website is an amazing resource about upcoming community events for all the ages. Last night's meeting was just a condensed overview and she also listed off some other blogs/websites that advertise fun ideas for moms with preschoolers. Which finally leads me to my main point for today...sorry I know this is a long introduction, bare with me, I'm getting there!

Rebecca happily shared some exciting tid bits last night:
Forbes ranked Austin the #1 city to live; Round Rock #4 best suburb in the country for 2014 (#2 & #3 on the suburb list are just 15 minutes east and west of us) I have fallen in love with this area for many of reasons, and apparently so has everyone else. Rebecca listed tons of things to do locally (her condensed version was over 100), and I had only heard of maybe 10-15 on the 'short' list! The cream of the crop is literally at our finger tips, and we are going to welcome it all with open arms.
 
I love love love having weekdays off. Tuesdays & Thursdays have officially been designated mommy/daughter days in the Lewis home. Bonus: a lot of places offer discounts or free admissions on weekdays! Rebecca reminded us all last night just how important that one on one/ hands on time is with our toddlers. AND how exposing our children to the world around them helps define their character and perspective in the many years to come.

Oh these precious years...they go by too quickly. So we're going to soak it up day by day and make memories that will have us smiling in our dreams. My family and I live in one of the greatest areas in the country (arguably the world), and I want Lorraine to enjoy it with us!

4/15/2014:

Lo and I went to  The Contemporary Austin- Laguna Gloria to see the 2014 exhibits.  Are you familiar with the artist Charles Long? Honestly, I'd never heard of him. May I suggest google. His exhibits are here in Austin at the Laguna Gloria and Jones Center until Saturday.

3yr olds and under are always free, but Tuesday is free for all :) Laguna Gloria is breathtaking. I wish I would have snapped some photos of the Driscoll Villa on site.

Charles Long's Pet Sounds exhibit: there are 5 of these fiberglass sculptures with these super long railings that wrap around in crazy directions. They have electronic components that vibrate and will make musical percussions when touched. It's pretty incredible, Lorraine was intrigued.

This was my favorite exhibit. Ever heard of the artist Marianne Vitale? Google search her railroad piece, very neat :)

It was a perfect day in the beautiful city I am lucky to call home, with the beautiful child I am lucky to call mine.

Blessings to all,
XoXo

It's been awhile...

* Disclaimer: I started this post almost 3 months ago...and just now getting around to finishing it! Needless to say, we've been BUSY!!!

March was a busy month for the Lewis family. Pops Lewis came for an extended visit the beginning of the month and all four of us (Gesabelle included) really enjoyed having him here! Him and Nelson visited the Texas coast for two days while Lorraine and I stayed behind. We'll go next time when the weather is a little bit warmer. But before they left for their road trip, we took Lorraine to Austin's annual kite festival, what a site. I've never seen so many kites flying at once, and some really big ones too!

Nelson and I decided next year we'll bring our own...I'll leave the flying up to him :)

Lorraine loves her Papa Lew :)

Cousin Leigh came to visit us as well, and we sure did have a fun time!!! Of course her visit coincided with SXSW...the best time of year here in Austin ;) I managed to scoot away from work for a couple of days so we could enjoy sometime downtown, take in all the city had to offer and see lots of up and coming bands/artists. It's absolutely amazing the crowd SXSW brings, so much innovation, style and just plain uniqueness. People from all walks of life, near and far, travel to the "live music capital of the world" to embrace all things encompassing art, culture and music. It is an experience I think everyone should have at some point, words alone cannot describe it!

I think this picture was taken just minutes before we were slammed  in the back of our pedi-cab by a fourrunner...CRAZINESS!!

Love her :)

beggin' Lee Lee for some of her pasta!

                                       

having some drinks at a nook and crannie bar Nelson found ;)

My best friend Lauren got married as well, Nelson and I are so thankful we were able to celebrate with her and Shane. It was such a fun weekend!!!! The golf cottages at Oldfield Plantation were amazing, the scenery was breathtaking and the weather held up considerable well. All in all it was simply perfect!

Lorraine & Auntie Lauren in Charleston

The venue was absolutely breathtaking!

my best friend was a stunning bride! 

My girls :)

The Clevenger's est. 03/23/2013

While Nelson and I enjoyed all the wedding festivities, Lorraine enjoyed some quality time with her Grandma  Jo, Pops Lewis, Auntie Erin and Uncle Redmond. Lorraine and I surprised Grandma Jo a day early at work, took her to lunch (Lorraine behaved surprisingly well), and she was able to show off her granddaughter to all her co-workers :)

Of course Lorraine has a tight grip on Grandma's necklace, haha!

kisses for Uncle Redmond :)

Auntie Erin showing Lorraine her daddy, haha!

Loves her some Auntie Erin!

Papa Lew and Grandma Jo (and Uncle Redmond trying to sneak in)

 We finally got to meet baby Charlie! He is the sweetest little munchkin!!! He will just cozy up into your arms and snuggle...my kind of baby! Josh and Crystal are so lucky, we are so happy for them. :) I cannot wait to hold him again, and I just might not let go!!

And I got to snuggle up on my favorite set of sisters in Bluffton, Ella Rae and Caroline Jane. These two cuties are such dolls! It was so fun having all three of them together again, I wish this was a regular occurrence :/

My bestie Leslie and her beautiful girls, love them!!!

                                

Ella Rae is a super sweet big sister!

                                                   

Lo and Caroline :)

Of course as we predicted, Lorraine started walking the beginning of April...and now she runs! Her little buns fly all over the house, she is a handful :)

Speaking of house, Nelson and I just recently became homeowners!!! I never knew buying a home could be so stressful, but we are so glad there were no 'bumps' in the road and we're in our own home :) We are so thankful for all of my parents generosity, just pure unconditional love. My mom helped us clean the entire home, paint several rooms, and decorate Lorraine's room. There is no possible way we would have managed without their help, they are nothing short of just plain amazing :)

There are still so many boxes in the house and we are literally just taking it day by day. But words truly cannot describe how fortunate we feel to have been able to purchase a home. We really are living the American Dream :) I will post pictures as we set up room by room...we're in no rush, we're not planning on going anywhere anytime soon!

05/22/2013: Closing day :)

Lorraine found my old girl scout vest  my mom had kept while we were  moving...this picture cracks me up!!!!

part of the backyard...YES, we managed to find a home in the city limits with live oak trees AND a steady flowing creek (hard to see right now) on  it, both a rarity in central Texas! (backyard is being cleared all the way down to the creek tomorrow, FINALLY!)

it is such a tranquil view from the dinner table...looking out to one of our two porches and just seeing trees :)

And we did manage to move into the house just in time to celebrate Lorraine's 1st birthday!! I made her a yellow cake ( Better Homes & Garden cookbook), cream cheese icing (Martha Stewart) from scratch and it was DELICIOUS, my Grandma Smith would be so proud!!

had to top with some fresh purple daisy flowers for our princess :)

For some reason I can't rotate this picture, sorry :/

And between moving and Lorraine's birthday, we were still able to meet up with my parents, sisters and all the grandchildren in Houston for the Memorial Day weekend. It was so fun and such a treat to be with my family for a few days! And Lorraine had a blast with all her cousins :)

Jalena and Lo

Lekari and Lo

all the grandkids :)

And, Nelson and I are so excited have another nephew as of 02/24/2013!! Baby Joey decided to come a little early (just like his big brother Jeffrey) and he is Lorraine's 4th boy cousin :)  

We hope they'll be able to visit us early next year, because I just want to hold and squeeze this little cutie pie for days!!!

Well, Lorraine is up which mean it's time for the pool. It's one of the few outdoor things you can do during the day/eveing to combat this Texas heat. Until next time...wishing you all continued happiness and prosperity, and remember to always 'look for the good' in life!


XoXo,

The Lewis's