three new things for august

Did you ever play Don't Wake Daddy growing up? This is what I picture when I think of July this year. It completely sneaked by.

Where did it go?

It was here and then, just like that, rabbit, rabbit. It's August!

I want to cultivate more awareness this month in an effort to slow time down. Nothing makes my heart as happy as extended hours of daylight, high humidity, airy sundresses and instantly melting popsicles. With greater awareness I'm hoping to hold onto these things a teeny bit longer before sweaters, football and crunchy leaves take over.

And so, three new things for August. Here's what I'm doing this month:


1. I'm going dairy free. As someone who lived with a lot of food rules for a long time, I've worked hard on giving them up - and I really don't believe in them anymore. Everything in moderation is best. However, I need to be realistic about the fact that my digestion isn't exactly at its finest right now (I'll spare you the details) and my skin isn't looking as good as I'd like it to either. The truth is, I've been eating dairy like cows are going extinct. I just love it! So I'm taking a break to see if it helps. I'll be sure to report back.

2. I'm taking on blog sponsors. Eek! This one is scary, but I think it's time. I've read a lot about the point at which you should take on sponsors and I've passed that threshold, but have since just been afraid to do it. Risk and reward, though, right? Details on this to come. 

3. I'm finishing my frame wall. I've been talking about making one forever and have finally made some headway. Now I need to order the right pictures so my room feels haphappy and homey. 

they're here...!


For two and a half years I've been solo in Atlanta, without family at all. My friends have all been new, which is fun and exciting in a wonderful, wonderful way. And for them I am so very grateful. They have made Atlanta feel like home in a very real way.

But there have been days where I have yearned for someone - anyone - who knows me beyond my life in Atlanta.

Days where I wanted just one person who knows the ins and outs of Zionsville. Or who has been to 100 Willow. Just one person who understands why the Indy 500 is racing, yes, but so much more than that. Or who gets why things are funny from childhood, without the back story. Just one person who knows me, my home and so many details in between.

And then, just like that, there were two people.


In what feels like the blink of an eye, Duke and Sam have arrived. After months of talking about it. Planning it. Will it happen? Where will they live? Should they live together? Anticipation - excitement - waiting, waiting, waiting.

And now, they're here.

And I couldn't be happier.

People keep asking me: are you so excited your brothers are here!?

Yes! Obviously.

But yet, it doesn't seem real. I keep feeling like they're just here for the weekend - like it will be taken away. I told my mom multiple times, "I wish you guys didn't have to leave." Only to remember that those guys don't have to leave.  They're here. And staying!

I'm so excited to have them here and to create a new normal that includes them. To factor them in to my life here. It's going to be an exciting, new Atlanta chapter - I just know it! 

Welcome Duke&Sam!

And PS: Atlanta, you are one lucky city to have them, you thing you.

this is really happening!

Guess who is moving to Atlanta today!


Guess who is really happy about it...


And guess what we're going to do!


That's right! High five! And thumbs up!

Couldn't be happier!

Welcome to Atlanta, Duke and Sam! 

They arrive tonight to kick-start a weekend of unpacking, rearranging and merry making! 

Bibers multiplying in Atlanta! Wahoo! 

{doing your best}


There are things you're supposed to blog about, like fun weekends, cool workouts and tasty recipes. 

But what happens when you seem to be overrun my non-blogger-topics, like the new shirt you bought and the chocolate popsicle you accidentally dripped on it?


{this guy!}

Or the sunflowers you bought and forgot to cut the stems so they died right away?

{RIP}

Or maybe the toilet that broke and you couldn't use for four days, so you ran to the coffee shop down the street every time?
{I'll spare you the photo}

Here's what I think you do. 

First, you laugh. Because who spills coffee and a popsicle on a new shirt, day one (did I mention the coffee before? Coffee, too!). 

Second, you say a little baby thank you prayer for bleach. 

And then you realize that life is not perfect. It's a series of highs and lows and in betweens. The lows make us grateful for the highs. And the in betweens make us grateful for the variety.  

Life isn't supposed to be perfect. You spill things, break things and catch frozen bananas on fire when you try to thaw them in the microwave and leave them in there for too long (uh huh). 

And you know what else? Sometimes we really mess up. Like real stuff; not just bananas. We make mistakes at work. We hurt people's feelings. We make the wrong decision. We are immature. Act selfishly.

But it's OK. 

Grace, not perfection.


My life seems to operate in a cycle. First, I say yes, yes, yes! to everything. I can do that, be there, deliver on this and lead that, too. And then all at once I hit a wall. A kind of exhaustion that leads me to dream of a week at the beach without my phone, and then immediately change my mind because I can't bear the thought of all of the things that would be waiting to be checked off when I get back. 

It's at this point that I get it in check. I declare Whitney Wednesdays. Unplug for one night. Say no to approximately one activity. And then I feel under control for a few weeks. And begin again.

It happened this week. I started Monday completely overwhelmed, and we all know overwhelmedness shouldn't hit until at least Tuesday. This impacted the feeling: should I feel like this on a Monday? You're supposed to be recharged on Monday. 

And then began my clean-up regimen:
Cleaning out my purse
Opting out of bible study this week
Saying no to breakfast with a friend Tuesday
And no to leading a new committee at church
And no to volunteering next weekend
And making six lists to organize all of the thoughts in my head

The no's and super organization felt way better. But I was mad at myself. Because this keeps happening. Why can't I get the hang of it? Why can't I just know my limits? 


And then it hit me:
Grace not perfection.

This is my issue. Some people struggle with getting stuff done. I struggle with an obsession with getting stuff done. And this is my battle. This is the area in which I will have to learn, time and time again. And that's OK. I will keep trying until I get it; until I break the cycle and learn that downtime is good. Unplugging is great. Nights alone are beautiful. 

But until I learn it, I will remind myself that it's OK to strike out sometimes. It's OK to say yes just one too many times before we learn to pause and say, "Let me think about it before I commit to that. Let me check my schedule."

And until then, I'll just keep trying - with beautiful highs and lows along the way. Because you know what? The popsicle was worth it. And the flowers were beautiful while they lasted. And the quick trips to the coffee shop? Just meant more excuses for iced coffees.