Graduation!

I was going to include graduation in my last post, but who am I kidding -- this is a big freaking deal! My husband worked his tail off and graduated from Covenant Seminary in three years!

These past couple years in St. Louis have been such a melting pot of experiences, emotions, trials, blessings, etc. I really couldn't sum up what they have meant to me in one post, but I'm hoping years from now I can read my blog from these years with a thankful heart.

This guy... be still my heart. I am so incredibly proud of him! We did it babe and you are a rock star!

It was such a festive time -- Cam's parents, my mom, and Cam's brother and sister-in-law all came in to our big city to celebrate this huge accomplishment!

We had to say see you soon to so many good friends -- not good bye, just see ya soon. These people have all had their own special place in our lives and we couldn't have made it through without each one of them. 

I forgot my camera for the picnic the next day which would have displayed a beautiful outside celebration of Cam and four other guys that finished Covenant with him.

I will miss so many things about this time in our life. Seminary was hard and it was good. It was our first two years of marriage. Our first child. Our first full time job. Our first home. Our first friends as a couple. Our first church together. Our first city together. So many first things. STL you will always hold a special place in our hearts. 

Life lately...

Things have been kind of crazy for the Smith family these past couple of weeks. We threw a shower, had our last dinners with STL friends, GRADUATED SEMINARY, packed up our first apartment, and moved across the country to FL. 

Phew...

So hang in there with me through this season of blogging. We are trying to avoid buying internet for the summer since we don't really need it. That being said, my blogging will happen when we come to the local McDonalds. Oh life :)

Cat and Taylor's Shower:

The day was beautiful along with all of the people who came to celebrate this very special couple. Cat and Tay get married in less than a month and I'm so excited we were able to throw a party to celebrate them -- who they are and what they mean to so many people. 

We themed the party "Game Night". I'll admit it was confusing at first, but turned out great! Cat and Tay received all kinds of games and gifts to host their own future game nights. 

These ladies were great partners in hosting. Abby and Ally are both bridesmaids in the wedding as well. Looking forward to the big day in less than a month!!!! (June 22)

Picnic in the back yard

Picnicking has been one of my most favorite things to do in St. Louis. I'm sad we're leaving right before picnic season hits full throttle this year. So as one last hurrah we picnicked in our back yard.

I must admit that I go slightly over board when it comes to our food selection. This wasn't even all our it. Disclaimer: Picnic foods are my favorite!

We had some visitors/beggars that joined us for dinner. 

Overall a beautiful night in our back yard with delicious food and perfect company!

Food trucks and The Seven Gables Inn

This weekend was filled with fun. Cam played in a basketball tournament Saturday morning -- I got to watch 3 out of 5 games. They came in 3rd over all and honestly it was just exciting to watch the hubs be competitive. (wish I had brought my camera)

Quickly after, we met our friends Glen and Audrey at a food truck festival! I had never heard of these before, but I will be sure to look them up from now on and possibly never miss another one if I can help it.

It was like going to the fair, but for grown ups ;). All I really want to go to the fair for these days is for the food -- in abundance. These trucks not only had food, but delicious food! We had some soeul tacos (spelling?) and Cajun food. I was slightly bummed that the cupcake truck had sold out by the time I made my way over.

We left the food trucks, headed home, packed our bags, made a quick stop at Trader Joe's (for treats), and ended up here, The Seven Gables Inn.

Last month a sweet couple from our church overwhelmed us with an incredible get away gift. They paid for us to stay a night here, at this sweet little inn. We felt so privileged, honored, cherished, celebrated... just lavished in a way I anticipate in heaven :) 

Our room

We don't sleep in a king size bed normally so this 5'5 girl and 6'6 boy were little kids on Christmas morning entering into the room!

The cute little bathroom

A little study nook

We're so thankful for the way the Lord gives abundantly to us and others. Matt and Katie have always been so generous to us. They've modeled being good stewards of money and displayed what it means to give away what you've been given. Thank you for this beautiful gift and this beautiful memory. 

Dessert night

One of the many great things about our time in St. Louis has been our home and it's location. In short, we've been spoiled. Recently, I feel like I'm scrambling to soak in all the benefits before we leave.

So the other night I met a close friend at the dessert bar right by our house. (Literally you walk out the gate of our street to get there) We ordered little chocolates, hot chocolate, AND a delicious chocolate scone. Needless to say, we rolled ourselves out of the place. 

I so enjoy this girl and my time with her. I love her heart. I care for her story. I'm honored to be called her friend. 

I'm thankful for these moments that come in abundance during this stage of life. They are some of the places, people, and times I will treasure and hope to share as we move on. 

PS: If you haven't yet, you need to run not walk to Bissinger's in the Central West End. 

If it's the beaches

We have been on vaca for the past TWO WEEKS!! (prepare for picture overload) With family currently being so far away, this was the first time Cam and I have retreated on our own! The first week was spent with 9 other seminary students in Isle of Palms, SC.

We had a house right on the beach and it was beautiful! Though the weather was a bit shady, we still had a blast enjoying our friends as we all prepare to scatter in a few short weeks!

Humble abode

vaca on the east coast means Yuengling for this guy 

We celebrated two years of marriage during our time with friends. It's hard to believe this trip started two years ago when a group of friends came here for the week following our wedding. We enjoyed our day with lunch over looking the water and taking time to talk about our story thus far and our hopes for year three. 

We only got one day actually on the beach and these boys took full advantage of it -- football, bocce ball, reading, and the most entertaining game, "king of the log"

On one of our last nights we all drove into Charleston for dinner. Since Cam and I have never explored downtown Charleston, we bundled up and brought our camera. 

It was great having these friends as our tour guides -- Cam and I really enjoy stepping into the stories of our friends. It makes places like these more unique; we appreciate Charleston more seeing it through the eyes of our close friends.

The architecture of all these buildings blew my mind. My amateur photography skills do not do this place justice, but I tried. 

After our week in Charleston, Cam and I headed inland to a lake house. We were incredibly thankful for the sweet couple that let us stay here for free!! Trips like these would not be possible with out others giving so graciously to us. 

I was so happy to see these bikes ready and calling out our names to be ridden. Cam laughs at my desire to ride bikes -- one because I really am terrible at it, two because 6'6 men look silly on bikes, and three because my amusement with them runs out quickly. Luckily, for Cam's sake, we couldn't figure out the bike pump so these bikes were simply photographed.

The last day I saw this budding flower out of the corner of my eye. Glory, hallelujah spring is coming! We caught wind from STL that they received 12 INCHES of snow this past weekend. My thoughts were "good get it all out before we come home". 

After a couple days by ourselves we headed back to our old stomping grounds. This place draws us back time and time again. In a way, it's where we come from.

We spent sweet time with the Patricks and the other families we've missed in SC. This time is always bitter sweet for me. I get highly emotional just driving down the dirt road towards the Patrick's house and towards "the barn". They are such vivid reminders of being adopted as a child of God. As time carries on the memories are only sweeter, this family even more cherished, and thankfulness is overwhelming. 

God is at work, and you Patrick family remind me of that each visit! God has been so good to me through you and I am left humbled and grateful every time we leave. 

Easter Sunday was spent here, in St Louis. Vacation is such a luxury, but boy am I glad to be home! I'm thankful for such a tangible reminder today that the Lord provides. We're in a season right now of feeling completely out of control, funny since the reality is we're always out of control. But this morning as we celebrated Jesus' victory over death I am comforted to know our future lies in the hands of a man who CONQUERED DEATH for me, and I can sing with confidence -- praise God from whom all blessings flow!