/ AUBREY KINCH

A few more years

There are days I'm dying to expand. Days all my thoughts are consumed with baby and what it will be like having a mini Andrew running around. Drake is no longer "mini". He's growing up too quickly and it breaks my heart. I want to grab him and hold tight erasing the last few years taking him back to the innocent toddler days. But I can't. That's what happens.

Life.

Life is crazy and ongoing. You are never promised tomorrow or promised happiness. You create your own happiness, create your memories and small moments of gratitude and moments to cherish. They come so sparingly when working and always having a million things to do. You're challenged to take two days out of your month to have a night out with friends, or a date night with your husband or even a pool day with the family. Those moments are so hard to pencil in. And with a baby?? Don't even think about it for quite some time.

This weekend we're going up to the cabin with our greatest friends, David and Holly, and we cannot wait. We've been looking forward to this get-a-way since before it was even planned. Those two keep us sane and grounded and remind us daily that life is all about enjoying it. They remind us to slow down, smell the air and hug a littttttle tighter. They are a couple we've planned out many years with.

So babies? Although they consume my heart and mind frequently, and Andrew's too, that's just not in our cards in the next few years. We're embracing life and all the random last minute nights out, all the BBQ's that last until 3AM, all the game nights that included much tooooo much alcohol and all those sweet blissful moments of freedom.

Because when we do welcome our first Little together, I will take all those nights out in exchange for just a cuddle with the life I'm responsible for. Wouldn't any parent?

Welcome.

Welcome to all the new faces out there!

I wanted to give you a little insight to last year of blogging around here to all you newbies. Below are the most impacting posts I've written in my opinion and are a small outlet for you getting to know me quickly. It shows the good and bad times and that's what a blog is all about; being transparent and being able to express the highs and lows of life.

Enjoy:

just drive.

There's something so sweet about a fresh rain and all the cleansing it brings along with it. The smell, the sight, the feel. It's contagiously rejuvenating and good for the soul. Being lucky enough to experience a down pour in Arizona is something that's precious to us as we aren't graced with those small moments frequently.

Saturday night was one of those moments. A moment I wanted to embrace and run to with arms wide open. The sweet smell of a clean rain and sight of puddles had me itching for a calming, exciting night with hubs.

We hopped in the truck, went old school with me in the middle seat, his arm wrapped tightly around mine and we drove. Rolled the windows down, blasted the tunes and drove. There's nothing like those moments. I mean, nothing. I had two sweet things I enjoy and appreciate grasped tightly in my hands. Time with my husband and the beauty of a fresh rain.

I'm feeling blessed by this small gesture from the Big Guy above. We Arizonans never know how often our rain will be or how long it will last even in the monsoon season. So I'm happy, content and feeling even closer to my hubs after this quiet, relaxing night of driving together.

Reminders.

Going through old pictures is always so consuming for me. I'll intend to take 30 minutes sorting and organizing and realize 3 hours later, I've been scanning through albums dating back to 2005.

This last week I've made it a priority to archive and re-organize my current digital photo album situation. But while spending the last few days engulfed in memories, I've come across some items that I can't help but document.

The Engagement Session

Church marriage

Recommitted.

There are times of life where my heart just explodes with love. There are small moments that take place that bring me so much peace and contentment with where God has placed me today. My marriage has so much to do with my happiness and without God's great kingdom, I know my marriage wouldn't be as blessed and fulfilling as it is.

Sunday at church we talked on the seventh commandment: adultery. Marriage is a sacred promise holding two people for all eternity. Marriage isn't meant to be taken lightly and it's something to always be celebrating. It may not be easy. It may not be peaceful but it's beautiful.

How beautiful is it that I can call my husband my one and only. The man I'll spend the rest of my days with; an eternal bond. God designed marriage to be pure, wholesome, rewarding and precious. He designed our days to be united by His grace. I just can't wrap my head around how great He is knowing how He'd be touching so many hearts with the single organization of marriage. Knowing He'd mold us into forgiving and honorable individuals. Honorable and loyal to my husband, forgiving of those burdens that may come between us in times of struggles.

Our church did it a little differently Sunday. They asked all married couple to stand, take hands and recommit to your marriage. Say your vows, kiss your bride and continue your days honoring, loving and committing to your spouse.

This is definitely where my heart burst with emotion. I was overcome by how sacred God has made the bond between Andrew and I. I was wowed by the beauty it has developed in such a short period of time and ultimately, I'm so thankful God aligned my path with Andrew's when he did. We are one blessed couple and constantly feel fortunate by God's mighty power.

DIY

DIY instagram coasters

A package I've been anxiously awaiting arrived on Saturday. It was full of instagram pics I had printed through the app on my iPhone-- Postal Pix.

I knew I wanted to do something fun with these 4x4inch pictures to hold onto those memories that mean so much to me. So I thought why not make some coasters with these prints? They may not last long but they sure would be cute! So I grabbed some Mod Podge ($8), a paint brush ($1), cork liner ($2.50) and went to town.

I started by laying them across the cork liner. Order and placement doesn't matter here cause you'll be cutting them out later-- just make sure to have enough space between each print to cut a border around each.

I then brushed Mod Podge across the back of each print adhering them to the cork. Make sure it's thick so your picture will stick long after applying. Let that dry.

After it's completed drying and is adhered completely to the cork, brush Mod Podge over the front of each print. I did 3 layers letting each dry before applying the next. I wanted to make sure they'd be durable and not likely to lift after usage.

Dry. Cut each print leaving a thin border of cork to add a textured element.

ENJOY.

I had 10 prints ($3.60) and made all of them coasters. They're spread around the house on different end tables and a few are sprawled across my desk at work. So far I'm loving them and they're so easy to flip over or the cork to absorb any excess water or face up for decoration.

TOTAL COST:

$15

Good luck on your adventure making these.

Feel free to email me with any questions on the process:

aubreykinch [at] gmail [dot] com

& please tell me how it goes!

rebel every now & then.

I have a little something to share with you about our New York City trip.

I was completely intoxicated flying back to PHX.

I posted this lovely picture on instagram and was feeling slightly rebellious walking on that plane feeling.... gooooooood. Hubs and I had a few laughs, actually enjoyed the take off and past out the rest of the flight.

I'm just going to throw this out there, but flying is sooooo much easier when alcohol is involved. Especially if you're a person like me who can't stand taking off, turbulence or landing those wings back on safe ground; my poor husbands hand is pale white when I'm done squeezing it up in the air.

I just wanted to share that with you.

Also wanted to share our best day in NYC was while visiting SOHO. Most of the time spent in SOHO was at bar....drinking again.

BIG SURPRISE.

And this bar has ridiculously cool bathrooms that you must see when going there, but that's besides the point.

after the bar with the ridiculously cool bathrooms

told you we felt good

My point.... enjoy those little moments of rebellion you find yourselves in. Snatch up a draaaank and enjoy every empty calorie it provides. One day you might not be so lucky to down a beer or freshly squeezed cocktail cause people deem it to be "trashy" or "immature"-- so do it while it's accepted. You have my permission.

What's your drink of choice?

Enjoy my favorite recipe:

RPSS

The Rocky Point Sorber Special

madarin vodka

red bull

cranberry juice

lime

Get a little crazy with a 4...5...or 6 count of vodka. Roughly half a can of red bull, a splash of cranberry juice and a squeeze of lime. Top with the well deserved umbrella and sip til your hearts content. I'd recommend 3 and you'll be feeling like a rock star.

family

Eventful.

RYLAN

turns 6.

I had a moment this weekend. I grew up watching my cousins (pictured above) and grew up as one of the "kids" with them. Now that I'm married and have kiddo myself, I'm an adult of the group.... WHAT? It got me thinking how weird it can be growing up so close to these munchkins as their best friends and here I am now with my own family celebrating their birthdays. I'm old and so happy to be involved in their lives so much. Those girls mean the world to me and I love seeing Drake now spend time building relationships with his cousins. Obviously, it results in one tired Little Man.

Get on the list!