A DAY IN THE LIFE

A typical day in the life of a first-year teacher and wife of an executive looks a little bit like this sometimes.

5:30 Wake up
6:30 Down your coffee + enjoy the morning commute
7:15 Review lesson plans, pick up the classroom, and pray
8:00-3:00 Teach 7th grade students, not just history, but how to greet, how to praise, how to take a risk, how to organize, how to thank, how to be responsible, how to respect others, how to respect themselves.
3:00 Email parents, log behavior issues + student concerns, grade papers, enter grades, fix grades, make copies, plan tomorrow's lesson (real life), and tie up loose ends
5:00 Wind down during that 1 hour commute home
PM: Switch out the teacher dress for a cocktail dress, throw on a pair of heels, touch up hair and make up, zip out the door, walk into a banquet, find your husband, kiss your husband, smile + shake hands, zip home, throw on PJs, go over tomorrow's lesson plan, collapse into bed, steal a kiss good night...

And all the while, between the 12 hour work days and the seeing my husband for maybe an hour a day (maybe) and the lack of sleep and the 150 tweenagers I get to call mine, I just think "God's got us." Because He does. He always does. And that's my last thought before I fall asleep and my first thought when I wake up. We are exactly where He needs us, and there's no greater purpose, no greater joy, than walking right in His will.

OUR LITTLE GILLEY NOOK

This past weekend we moved out of our little newlywed apartment to a new home, and man, am I glad moving weekend is over! Ever since Travis started his new job in September, we knew we'd eventually move further into Orange County, and when I was offered a teaching position last month, things started falling into place. Our new apartment is such an upgrade (hello dishwasher, laundry facilities, and garage), and we feel infinitely blessed by our new space. But, our old Bixby Knolls apartment holds such treasured memories for us. My new husband carried me across the threshold almost 18 months ago, and we settled into married life together. Those walls have seen highs + lows as we learned how to do life together. Many a conversation was had right on the kitchen floor when we knew things had to be talked out. We ate enchiladas after learning Travis had been laid off from his job. We shared homemade pizza and wine on the living room floor after long days apart. In that little space, we prayed for direction and celebrated new jobs for both of us. I spent countless hours at our dining table working on the TPAs and creating lesson plans. We spent evenings with friends, sharing meals + playing board games for hours. Most nights, we cuddled on the couch and marathoned first through Friday Night Lights, then the Office, and lastly all 8 seasons of House. 

Before we started packing everything away, I wanted to capture this little space we called home. Who knows, later on down the road, kids + grandkids might wonder about this place. These photos are exactly as our home was the weekend we started packing - unfussy + simple, but cherished to us. 

Happy weekend, friends! We'll be hanging pictures, shopping for decor, and nesting into our new home, all the while happy + grateful for this life we get to share. God is good, so so good. 

PALMDALE BACKYARD WEDDING: SEAN + TESS

Sean + Tess are among the sweetest people you'll ever find. We met serendipitously at a mutual friend's party last year, and after hearing that Tess was planning on wearing a blush pink tulle gown on her wedding day, it was done deal. I wished with all my heart to be the lucky wedding photography to capture the unfolding beauty of a new life together, and just a few short months later, we gathered at Tess' family home to celebrate the joining of these two as husband and wife. While details + setting certainly matter to a wedding, it's love - wild, tender, unbreakable love - that makes a wedding day truly unforgettable.  Sean + Tess surrounded themselves with the people who mean most to them, lifelong friends and family, who filled their day with joy, laughter, and a commitment to support this sweet couple, no matter what life brings. Marriage is such a special gift, and Sean + Tess are the kind of people who make you believe in an everlasting love rooted in the most sincere and tender friendship. Mr. + Mrs. Estes, it was an absolute honor to capture your wedding day - it is a day I'll never forget. 

With gratitude + affection,

Deb