I feel like I need to introduce myself again, as I blow off the dust from this blog after, hmmm, 8 months? Hi, I’m Clarita. I used to blog here, ummm, years ago? Remember me? :)
The past months have brought big changes to our family – some wonderful and lovely, some adjustments, some tears, but all in all, we know we are where we are supposed to be. Even if it’s no longer at our beloved Southern Cottage (affectionately known as “The Cottage at 341 South”) but instead at our little city house in the north. Perhaps another post will be about the move, the changes, and what it’s been like for us.
But for today, I’m just going to jump right in as though I never skipped a beat since last July. :)
As the post title suggests, yes, there is a baby coming to our family – and very soon! Actually, a due date of tomorrow, March 19th. :) We are so thrilled about meeting this new little Lovie, and getting to know this active little kick-boxer! We haven’t found out the gender, so that is a huge anticipation as well. Our little guy, Hudson, said that he isn’t going to even like the baby if it’s a girl; that’s how badly he’s hoping for a brother. Thankfully, within the past week he’s reversed his response and said, “Mommy, I’ll be okay if it’s a girl.” Oh, thank goodness.
Ben and I celebrated our 10th anniversary last summer, in June. Just before our big move, and although we spent a lovely 24 hours on the Georgia islands, we wanted to do a little more. Ten years is a big deal!! And so worth celebrating, especially since we not only love each other, but actually like each other more than ever before. :) Being married ten years is fabulous. It only gets better, you guys. It’s the best it’s ever been. Not perfect, since he’s married to ME, but so very wonderful, and I am the luckiest woman ever. Okay, it sounds like I need to write about being married ten years. :) Moving on…. We had talked about a big trip internationally, but guess what. Moving 800 miles, remodeling yet another home, and having 3 kids isn’t exactly the prime time to travel international. Especially when our passports are both expired and we couldn’t have taken a quick trip had a good deal even popped up.
So at 34 weeks pregnant I suddenly realized that we hadn’t planned anything yet, and that if we were going to do something, we had to do it within the next week lest I not be able to fly on a plane anymore! So we did some quick searches, found some amazing deals, and booked our weekend to San Antonio!
I had been there years before (13 years before? Does that make me sound old or what?!) with some friends, so I was as familiar with the city as one can be after a day trip as a 20-year old joy-riding. :) I basically remembered that I LOVED it there, and that was it. But it seemed like a fun place to visit, and it was warm – a big plus when the weather was predicted to be below ten degrees at home.
And we LOVED IT. My mom, my sisters, my sister-in-law, my friends, and so many people helped with our kiddos to pull the weekend off – it really does take a village, folks. And I’m so grateful for every single person who gifted us by loving on our kids while we were gone!
The Riverwalk was a place we visited, of course. A big tourist attraction, and didn’t seem like a place that locals would go, but just lovely nonetheless.
Both Ben and I love history, so we really enjoyed all the history that is tied in with San Antonio. I knew that the East Coast has a lot of old beginnings, but didn’t remember that Texas did as well. Some of the buildings from the 1700’s were so fascinating to tour, and hearing about the Alamo was even more amazing than it was during my school years. Such a brave, dedicated army that gave their lives at this beautiful spot.
We got some local recommendations for good restaurants around town, and walked around until late at night, trying to make the most of our few days. My pregnancy has been AMAZING and the best one I’ve ever had, (thanks to some life-changing supplements) and at 35 weeks in my pregnancy we walked for miles and miles during the few days we were there. It was a great workout. :)
La Villita was another little area we spent some time in… a very old part of the city. There is so much beautiful Spanish influence there, so many old missions founded in the 1700’s. The bravery of the early pioneers and settlers amazes me, as I think of what it meant for those families back in that day.
Aaaaaaaand, while we were in Texas anyway, how could we not visit the Magnolia Market? I mean, it was only two and a half hours away. Our whole family loves Fixer Upper, but my husband was very kind to oblige me in my wish to visit the actual place. :)
It really was as amazing as I expected. Chip & Joanna, I love what you guys have done, and are doing!
(I mean, seriously, THE most adorable little crepe truck I’ve EVER SEEN. All the heart eyes. And I loved the collaboration with Magnolia Market and local vendors ~ very noble and inspiring.)
A super fun surprise in my trip was getting to see a dear, sweet friend that I hadn’t seen in years! Not since we’ve both been married and have babies. She is just as beautiful and dear as ever. Lindsay, thank you so much for meeting up!!
And just to document that we visited San Antonio at 35 weeks pregnant, my husband took a few pictures. :)
So fun to write on this white space again, and I’m looking forward to reconnecting with my friends here again in the future!
For those of you who have written and send messages or commented in the past months, you are so dear. I apologize that I haven’t been able to respond to each person, but your words have been so thoughtful. Thank you.
