The Big Easy

Before Nathan returned to work in February, we took a mini-vacation to New Orleans, Louisiana. At only 7 hours of driving away, NOLA was a great getaway. Though we only stayed a few days, we were there just in time to catch the beginning of Mardi Gras and enjoy much of what this fascinating city had to offer.

We left before Mardi Gras went into full swing but we still got a little taste of it! When we first arrived in New Orleans, the street our hotel was on was actually blocked off for a parade. Once our car was parked and bags stowed in the room, we were able to spend the evening watching the parade and walking around. By the way, those beads hurt when you catch them.

We stayed at The Pontchartrain Hotel on St. Charles Avenue. The hotel was nothing to brag about, but it couldn't have been in a better location! We were able to valet park my car and take the streetcar everywhere we needed to go. The Pontchartrain was right across from a trolley stop, a tourism center, a Walgreens, and several great breakfast spots.

The Garden District was a short trolley ride away from our hotel. Holy moly I have never seen so many homes as magnificent as the ones located here! Nathan and I walked for hours, just gawking at their elegance. If you are ever in New Orleans and want to feel like a peasant (or just enjoy the scenery) I highly recommend taking a stroll through this neighborhood. You won't be disappointed (unless you're wealthy and already have immaculate gardens surrounding your mansion).

Also located in the Garden District was one of New Orleans well-known "cities of the dead." This particular cemetery was Lafayette Cemetery No. 1. If you're familiar with Anne Rice's novels, they were inspired by the tombs located here.

In the opposite direction of the Garden District was the infamous French Quarter and Bourbon Street. I can assure you that this area is nothing like anything you have ever experienced. It's sketchy, smells like sewage and spoiled alcohol, but you will enjoy every minute of it. Bourbon Street is the life of the party! Perhaps one of my favorite characteristics was its abundance of talent. We stopped many times to watch musicians, dancers, and other street performers.

St. Louis Cathedral in Jackson Square

The French Quarter is also rich with culture and home to art galleries, vibrant architecture, and historic landmarks. We spent a lot of time just wandering its streets!

We tried a lot of new restaurants while in New Orleans but our favorite was Acme Oyster House. As someone who has been deprived of seafood by living in Arkansas for three years, I could've eaten here until I made myself sick! I tried my very first cup of gumbo (delicious!), chased it with some crab cakes, and split a fried seafood platter with Nathan. Heaven!

If you know me, you know I'm an American Horror Story fan. Our trip wouldn't have been complete without adding a few locations from AHS: Coven onto our agenda.

1. Buckner Mansion (aka Miss Robichaux's Academy)

2. Marie Laveau's House of Voodoo

3. Lalaurie Mansion

4. Gallier House

Until next time, NOLA!

Welcome Home!

It's the moment we've all been waiting for... Nathan is home from Afghanistan! He and his comrades arrived safe and sound around 4:30 am Friday morning. Because the weather was cold and rainy, they had us wait in a building and bused the Airman over rather than watching their plane land and meeting them by the flight line. After nearly five months of waiting, I finally got to hug the love of my life!

Special thanks to Dao for braving the early hours and cold weather to photograph Nathan's homecoming! These photos belong to Dao Standridge Photography and The Carolina Wife. 

If you don't take a selfie, then did it really even happen?

An hour of waiting for his bags later, we were on our way home to see our sweet furbaby! If you know Kuzco, then you know he's very talkative and energetic. To our surprise, poor Kuzce was in shock! He would give Nathan a few kisses and then come running to me to see if everything was okay. After he got used to his daddy being home, he couldn't get enough of him! He's been climbing in his lap and playing ever since.

Of course Nathan requested that his first real meal in Arkansas be Whole Hog! Believe me when I say that he cleaned his plate. Earlier that morning we had a light breakfast of waffles and bacon, and you would've sworn that I'd cooked a gourmet meal haha!

My good friend and college roommate was in town to see her husband arrive from deployment with Nathan. Chris and Jess have been some of Nathan's best friends for years. We celebrated the men's homecoming by meeting up with another couple at the Flying Saucer in downtown Little Rock.

Rose, Clay, Chris, Jessica, Nathan, and I at the Flying Saucer. At this point I had been awake for about 37 hours lol.

After a night out, Nathan and I had to take a moment to stop and enjoy the view and appreciate the life we have built together. I couldn't have asked for a better person to spend the rest of my days with. Our time apart truly put how wonderful we have it into perspective. As always, thank you all for your love and support these past few months. We couldn't have done it without our family and friends!

And God bless America!