About

Hi! I’m Allison and I’m so happy you’re here. I was born and raised in Georgia, married my college sweetheart, hopped on a plane to Italy, and have been an Army wife for twenty-five years. I’m the grateful mom to a miracle boy we begged God to send for six long years.

Growing up in the south, I watched life, motherhood, hospitality, and service lived out in the everyday lives of my mom and grandmothers. Every Sunday was spent gathered at my grandparent’s dinner table where fried chicken and life lessons were served up by strong southern women. I had no idea the values learned there would sustain my family, inform my mothering, and guide me as I created a home from which to love and serve others.

No matter where you find yourself in this season of life, you are welcome here as we seek to be faithful stewards of the families entrusted to our care, to create sacred spaces that nurture, restore, and reflect all that is good and where we pay attention to the beauty and miracle of our ordinary, everyday moments.

Both of my grandparents lived in humble white southern homes set under majestic oaks. These trees not only symbolize our beloved south, but they also represent deep roots which lead to a matured strength. Our lives are shaped by our people, our homes, our heritage. One thing I am certain of as I reflect on my life is that deep roots don’t just happen. They are always the result intentional effort.

Welcome to the Under the Oaks blog where you will find me writing about my southern heritage, tidbits I’ve learned as a military spouse and holding myself accountable for what we build between these four walls we currently call home.

“To be deeply rooted is perhaps the most important and least recognized need of the human soul.” Simone Weil