Fencing Us In.

Our fencing in project is nearly finished. All that is left is staining and selecting the perfect latch for the gate. I think we'll hold off on these tasks until the weather becomes more consistently clearer.

This was our yard before we began the fence project. As you can see, there is no "in" for ourselves. This is a problem for us private people.

But...we blamed it on the dog when it came time to explain to the neighbors.

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This is where we are currently at with fencing ourselves in. I love the progress we have made. I love the privacy. I'm planning on installing some planter boxes around the bottom of the lattice on the fence to grow my herbs and spices.

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**Why thank you, Miss Indi, for sticking your cute little nose in my picture of the lattice we will be using to block you out from under the porch this spring.**

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Indiana wanted to play so badly while we were outside in the fresh snow today, I couldn't resist her cute little face and her snow-covered nose.

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**Muah**

This girl is irresistable.

-Jess.

A Good Day....Sunday.

Blake and I spent Sunday evening with my family, watching football and celebrating my niece, Fatima's eighth birthday. She was ridiculously cute and patient waiting for the time to open up her gifts. She was perfectly happy with the results of her patience. The waiting was definitely worth it. I can't believe she's eight. I love this girl so much. She makes the world a better place. She brings joy.

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When I think of my family, I have a hard time believing that Blake and I now have five nieces and nephews; just on my side. 

Like most things in life, this happened in a blink of an eye. All of my nieces and nephews are so adorable. It was so much fun spending time with each of them.

My newest nephew, whom I call Bey-Bey and is otherwise named Keenan, spent the evening snuggled up in his blanket, mesmerized by the lights and people surrounding him. We napped together. And it was wonderful.

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What a genuinely good day.
The absolute perfect way to end a long and busy week.

I love my family.

-Jess.

Lullaby-Jack Johnson.

A Sunday at Home.

Indiana and I lazied around the house tonight, enjoying our Sunday off together. She's been sick lately, which makes me sad for her, but I'd be lying if I didn't say the break from her daily energy isn't welcomed.
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Even though the house is just too quiet while Blake is away at work, I still love the serenity of it all. I love hearing nothing but the wind softly brushing against the trees outside the windows, bundled up in a blanket with my book and Indi by my side.
We had a really nice evening together.
~~Recently I've taken an interest in house plants, and I'm looking forward to hopefully cultivating a green thumb this coming spring.
I have many plans for our yard running through my mind, and I'm only hoping that the execution will be possible.
~~I would love to have a little garden this spring filled with my favorite vegetables and spices, but every time I daydream, I quickly remember that Indi is a digger. A digger of random. Our yard is filled with random little holes. She digs. She gets bored. Then she digs again.
Maybe my green thumb will be limited to household plants after all.
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Thanks to her.
Cute, right?
Happy Weekend, everyone.
I hope it was wonderful.
-Jess.

MLK Jr. Day

My niece recently had a second grade performance at her school in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr.

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MLK Jr. is an American historical icon that I find so inspiring.

This man deserves to be honored.

It made me so happy to hear that Fatima's school was honoring him. This is nothing I have ever personally done as a student, and his 'I have a Dream' message is one that needs to be shared and cherished, as it is just as current and relevant today as it was when delivered in 1963.

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It was so cute watching all these little children talk about the Civil Rights Movement as well as sing their little hearts out.

Of course, Fatima was the absolute most adorable kid there.

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Uncle Blake and I surprised Fatima with flowers after her performance.

She loved them.

-Blake and Jess.

Spring.

As much as I love the winter, I'm getting excited for the upcoming spring season.
Today was beautiful. The sun was out and provided just enough warmth to venture out in a cardigan.
Thinking of spring makes me think of sunny days, green grass, laughter, and play.
I was looking through some pictures from last year and came across a couple of my niece, Cora Lynn, playing soccer. She's such a good little player...Way better than I was at her age.
I can't wait to watch her play again this coming season.-Jess.