change of address

A month into marriage and I still feel just as excited!

A friend of ours recently asked me, "So how is it now that you have to spend every day together?" I smiled and said, "It's great now that I get to."

So after years of storing some memories away onto this blog, it is with great excitement (and just a bit of a bittersweet move) that I get to join forces with my husband and "talk to the world" at a new spot: Slice of the Sintos Life!

Please come and visit!

photos by the amazing husband and wife team of Matt and Kate Altmix

This blog began as a way to catalog the wonderful adventure of working abroad and keeping up with my family and friends stateside. The new address also proves to be the start of an amazing journey (and perhaps begins in just as small a living space:)

So I shall not bid adieu, but rather à tout à l’heure! Having this blog has proven to be perhaps more fun for me than for those it was originally created for. But in any case, I say with much humility and love, thank you for coming by once in a while, thank you for the comments and many thanks for the love and support. See you at the new place!

great anticipations

overflowing joy. bucketfuls of blessings. unending love.

this was our weekend...

On Saturday, April 17, I officially became Mrs. Sintos!
We had a beautiful day (well, several days), but before I share any wedding photos, I should probably change the name of the blog (and the crowd shouts, "Finally!")

The photos for this post were generously taken by my beautiful Canadian sister, Vanessa, and my dear friend, Patti Futrell at the rehearsal dinner at the Chupp house. Their roles in the week's events extended way past photographer, but I'm thrilled they were able to capture these pics for us!

The knot of great anticipation that was in the pit of my stomach slowly released as everyone arrived into town, and I couldn't have asked for a more wonderful time.

Pawpaw regaling the crowdthe originals:)

beautiful flowers arranged by a talented florist (another hat for Patti!)

my dad and bryan's mom--welcoming guests

filipino food!

These dishes came from Rico's World Kitchen--amazing stuff! I had leftover pancit again last night for dinner--delicious! "Mama" really did some wonderful cooking!

enjoying the evening on the deck

dearest lauren (another woman of many hats! like mother, like daughter)

Kyle and Vanessa--LOVED having them home for a whole week!

friends from Jacksonville

still Chupp and Sintos here....but very, very excited to have everyone come together for such a wonderful weekend. We're blessed beyond measure!

in spring, all things anew

my beautiful friend, michelle, and her husband, ben holding baby boy monk outside their Alabama home

even the horses knew she was due any minute!

and on Tuesday, March 30, God gave us Daniel Reid Monk--6 pounds, 15 ounces and 19 inches!

welcome to the world, little one.

one proud father

beautiful are the feet that bring good news

not a bit camera shy...even at three days old:)

a mother's love

mister daniel, you've stolen my heart.

bryan and i had the wonderful pleasure of driving to birmingham last week to visit some of our closest friends as new parents and meet their precious miracle.
congratulations, monk family!

and speaking of big spring events, i can't believe we'll be getting married in less than two weeks! my how it's hard to blog when you can't put up pictures of shopping for a wedding dress or trying out things to do with your hair:) but this past thursday gave us one great reason to blog away before the big day!

(as a p.s. yes, we're thrilled for our friends and their new baby boy...and no, we're not looking to give him a little friend right away! :)

seeing green

this St. Patty's began in a great way, like many others...with my mom's famous green buttermilk biscuits

this year, Bryan and I got the chance to celebrate with my lovely former college roommate, michelle...as well as her husband, two doggies and a very special little boy who is due any minute!

The crazy thing is remembering that last year at this time I was reading at least a book a week-completely enveloped in completing my master's-and my mom and I were visiting my sister studying in Singapore! Funny what a year can do.

If I keep this blog for no other reason than to look back at pieces of my life, it would be worth it. I've really enjoyed looking back at where I was when this whole thing all started. And for that, I think I'll keep it up. (Plus, like my friend Lauren, I like reading the blogs of other people, so it's slightly less stalker-like behavior if I do my fair share of--sharing.)

Cheers to the years of blogging that provide for some great memories.

first flower

Not too long ago, I remember laying in the hammock in the backyard and grazing on sweet muscadines as the leaves fell off the trees. I hated that this was a sign of the upcoming winter, but I knew I couldn't wait to see fresh buds and spring blooms--this would be the sign of warm weather and the nearness of our wedding.

Thus I introduce to you: the first flower of the season. A sign of new beginnings all around.

don't like the weather?

it will change tomorrow!

a few more flakes

snow angels:)

snow devils?

we had to call in re-enforcements--perhaps we got a little ambitious with our snowman building, but it was exciting to see how easily it all packed together!

snow by the bank

this bridge has seen quite a lot in less than a year!

master charles

ta da!

I've also enjoyed celebrating two very special birthdays in the past week: my dad's and sintos'!
Part of the celebrating included birthday mister's choice of eating out, so I've enjoyed a night at Ted's Montana Grill and Taco Mac:)

I also think they both win an award for other birthday activities: my dad spent part of his day filing taxes and sintos spent a good couple hours with me on his day picking out wedding invitations. Three cheers!