Visitors in Poland

Last week, we had some pretty great visitors...Roberto's parents! They traveled all around Poland and then came to stay with us in Lublin for the week. They were able to see Rob play two games (and he kicked booty), we were able to take a fun day trip to Warsaw and we explored all around Lublin...even parts that Rob and I had yet to explore! We had such a wonderful time exploring, eating plenty of Polish food and enjoying quality time together. 

The Polish culture truly is beautiful. There is so much history and beauty all around and it was so great to share that with Mark and Julie. Not only that, but they were able to get a feel for what our life is like here. Robert and I talk about how our life here in Europe is so different than life back home in the states, and it is so hard to explain that to people. So when we get visitors, it is so nice to be able to share our daily life with them and let somebody besides ourselves really understand what it is like to be an expat in Poland...all the ups and downs.

 These two really enjoyed Poland and that makes me so happy. This place will always hold a special place in our hearts, it has been our home, where we have done life for the past 8 months, and I am so glad they got to experience such a wonderful place...a beautiful part of the world.

We truly treasured all the quality time we got with them and all the exploring we were able to do together. We had such a fun time adventuring around Lublin, showing them some of our favorites and then exploring new parts together. Not to mention, eating the best that Lublin had to offer. The combination from above? Makes for a pretty perfect visit in my book. 

And can we talk about the fact that spring, precious spring, is starting to show?? That almost makes me as happy as having visitors...almost.

We are so grateful for those two and all the fun and joy they bring! The time here in Poland with them is time we will never forget and always treasure. We already miss them but we will see them in less than a month when we head back to the states. Yes, back home, I can't believe it is already that time! We are so glad we had company and for all the adventuring we got to do together. Thank you Poland for showing us a wonderful time.

5 Favorite Pictures of 2014

Happy New Year, friends! 2014 was such a good one and I am ready to see what 2015 has in store!

Earlier this week I recapped our year- a look back at what 2014 was all about {check it out here and here}. And today, I want to share a little more! As if  haven't shared enough pictures already.

I originally titled this my top 5 favorite pictures of 2014...but then I had wayy more favorites than I realized. It was so hard to choose! So, here are just 5 of my favorite pictures from this past year...ones that bring a huge smile to my face! Warning: it's a little sappy...just roll with it :)

O N E
This picture was taken at the end of our time in Germany last year. It brings back so many sweet memories of such a sweet time. Nuremberg, Germany was really our first home as a married couple and it was so good to us. This picture speaks of the beauty of Nuremberg and the beauty of our first year of marriage...a time if our lives we will never forget.

T W O
In May, Roberto and I went on an Italian Adventure. And oh man, we can not say enough wonderful things about those 2 weeks. It really was the best. Really every picture from that trip is my favorite, but this one in particular is a special one. It was taken on our first day of the trip in Venice {possibly our favorite stop}. I  remember taking this picture being in such awe. 

T H R E E
Family is something that is so incredibly special to me, something that I truly cherish. This picture brings the biggest smile to my face, love these faces so incredibly much.

F O U R
This man. I just really love him and this picture of him. He really is the greatest.

F I V E
I'll end with a picture that was taken just last week. Roberto and I had a blast playing in the snow together and this picture pretty much sums up how I feel about him...I simply adore him.

Happy, Happy New Year!! Here is to a great 2015!

Also- Currently I am in London and leave for Paris tomorrow! This weeks posts have been prepared ahead of time, but I am checking my email, so please continue to comment with any suggestions or must do's! Thanks for all the advice so far!!

Linking up with Oh Hey Friday, Meet at the Barre, Five on Friday, Lauren and Jennie.

Our 2014 {Part II)

Happy New Year, friends! I hope you welcomed this new year in with loved one and lots of fun!

Yesterday, I shared what our January through July looked like last year. It was very busy and very wonderful. I have such a fun time recapping our year, it is a neat way to remember and reflect and it fills me with such joy!

Now let's take a look at the rest of 2014...

August
This month was full of fun and also really bittersweet. We celebrated Roberto, my brother and my sister's birthdays..

We went to Breckenridge with Rob's family and had the most adventurous and best time.

We celebrated Jocie at her bridal shower and bachelorette party in Austin.

We spent a lot of time with my little brother and sister...it is time we love and cherish so, so much.

And we said our tearful goodbyes to this hunk as he left for Poland, our new home.

September
This was a busy month and a month full of weddings! And a month of missing my husband...

He was working and practicing hard in Poland, preparing for the season! I was able to enjoy my cousin's wedding with a lot of family and it was such a sweet time...

I got to hangout with these goobs a lot and man I seriously love it.

Then we celebrated our best friend getting married!!

 And had the greatest time. The husband continued to work his booty off for the first game of the season!

October
This month we celebrated more birthdays, enjoyed fall with pumpkin painting and the corn maize and snuggled lots of sweet babies.

 I had the best time traveling to Colorado with my mama and Gigi to meet the newest member of the family...sweet baby Norah.

The basketball season got started in Poland...

And back home we enjoyed watching Rob's brother Pat play football and lots of sweet family time.

Once again, sad goodbyes and happy hello's. Hello Poland! So glad to be reunited with my man.

November

I started to get settled here at our new home in Poland, we painted our apartment a little, waited at the bus stop a lot {which we are now total pros at}, celebrated Thanksgiving with friends and decorated for Christmas!

Look at that babe! He played and I watched lots of basketball this month.

 And we traveled to Warsaw, Poland! Our first travel adventure here and we had such a wonderful time. Fall was in full bloom and it was gorgeous.

December
This month was a glorious one. We made a weekend trip to Krakow and it was just plain wonderful, Roberto played his heart out, we had a wonderful Christmas Date night and we celebrated Christmas together at home...pure bliss.

 

And on the 26th it snowed, so of course we played in it.

I am so grateful for 2014 and the sweet year that it was.Was it perfect? Of course not but it was wonderful. I thank God for this year, all the joy that it was filled with and all the loved ones it was spent with. I am so thankful for a God who loves unconditionally and for my joy that comes from Him.

2015 has a lot in store for the Lews, I feel like it will be a year of growth and change and lots of fun. Here we go!

Linking up with Annie, Natalie and Joey