My Photography

Just some pictures I took last week that I like and thought I would share. :)

Happy Anniversary!

Today was my husband and I's 2nd wedding anniversary, and it was awesome! We went to church, went swimming, saw a movie, and ate out. :) I can't tell you how long it's been since we had a real date, or just had some laid back fun like that.

Here are some reasons I love my husband:
He's a strong, tough, sweet, silly, funny man of God.
He prays with/for us.
His smile and the way his eyes twinkle when he does.
His full hearty laugh when I do something exceptionally funny.
He lets me be me and loves me inspite of how controlling I can be.
His support of me and my dreams.
His dreams for our future.
How we can have so much fun just quoting movies together.
He lets me get away with A LOT.
How much he helps at church.
And mostly how much we've grown together even in the very hard times we've had.

We've come so far, my love, and I can't wait to see where God takes us and how he blesses us and our family in the future! I love you!

Celtic Heritage Festival

Yesterday the family and I went to the local Celtic Heritage Festival! We heard a band of bagpipes play, which was amazing! I LOVE bagpipes! Everyone seems to think they are only for sad occasions but I would've had them at our wedding! Listening to the bagpipe music made me feel one with my heritage and like we were actually in Scotland! My dream of going to Scotland (or even living there) just got stronger. It felt like the music went straight to my soul and it was awesome. We also got to see some arts and crafts inspired by Celtic tradition, including clothing! Last year we went and I bought a tote purse, I still use it today! We also got to see a Celtic horse show. :) Let me tell you I found my new favorite horses! They are just majestic looking: Clydesdales, and other draft horses and ponies, all with long tails and manes and hair around their hooves! Ugh I just love them! :) Yet another piece of history we got to witness...the hammer throw, weight throw, weight over the bar, and sheaf toss! We did miss my favorite one though: the caber toss (a tall trunk of a tree and men throw it!)

I love being Scottish! I have other bits of heritage in me, some bigger than Scottish, but I feel most in love with Scotland.

My grandma is awesome too, she knows our family tartan (the pattern on kilts, it tells which person belongs to which family) and she can make it! When I have the time in August she said she'd help me learn to make it and make a scarf! I'm very excited. She can and has made other patterns of tartans for other families! One time she (along with one of my aunts) made fabric with someone else's pattern and they had it sent off to be made into a kilt. When they got it back the company sent a letter saying that was some of the finest fabric they've ever worked with!! I think that is something to be very proud of! Which I am.

I am sad and I'm sure you all are too that I did not get any pictures of the bagpipe players or anything else, but soon I will have more pictures up of our adventures!

It's Official!

We'll be moving on the 30th! It'll be a little odd moving on a Wednesday but I think we'll manage. :) AND starting in August I'll be a stay at home wife/mom! I'll also be taking 6 classes (=17 credit hours) in the fall! Wish me luck!!

Some new phrases Aiden's been saying:
"Gue' what?!"
"O my goodness"
"Hold on" with his pointer finger held up

Other goings-on...I finished my classes for a little while this summer so I don't know what to do with myself during naptimes! My husband is the best husband ever because he said I could add another class to my fall schedule and quit my job and he would work 2 jobs! He's amazing! I guess that's all on my mind right now...catch ya later.

MicroMissions!

This past weekend our lifegroup and others in church gathered together to make a difference in our community. Some mowed lawns, others cleaned houses, and still others (myself included) took single moms' cars to get a free oil change and a car wash. We met some nice people on our rounds and surprised a few people too. :) Everyone had a lot of fun and felt very moved by the situations we found some in. Others were moved by our actions and hopefully we will see them at church soon! Baskets we gave out to people in the community!

You can have fun while doing work for others too! Hopefully another micromission will be planned soon!

O and Aiden spent his first morning at his Papa and Allie's house. He said he had a fun time and now we have one more person to call when Mommy and Daddy need some time! Thank you both!

ORANGE TOMS!!

What could be better than orange Toms?! My 5th pair!

In His Name

This weekend we have served our Lord, by serving others. (Sadly I have no pictures)

We (along with a life group member) woke up early to go to the local homeless shelter and cook and serve breakfast for the kind people there. Then later on we went to the youth shelter and had a water fight with the kids there. Driving away from those places made me think about why those people got there...possibly just had hard times, abuse, or something else. It makes me want to do more. I need to brainstorm on how to give back more, the problem I'm running into is I'm busy (which is a horrible reason), I'm also going to school, raising my son, and I literally don't have time or money. My husband and I have talked about things we want to do when we have the land/time/money etc. but when will that be??

Today, we got to spend some fellowship time and say farewell to some friends that will be leaving for Uganda this week. There were some tears, a few laughs, a lots of prayers. They told of why they are doing it (because God led them to it) and of their training (including killing, preparing, and cooking a chicken) and how much all of it means to them. Which also led me to think I really want a chance to do God's work too! I want to be able to spread the good word where it's not so easy to come by. All I ask now is to have time and means to do God's work everyday, in any way possible.

I Love...

God-He blesses us everyday and is a constant in my life that I'm so grateful for!

My husband-he asks everywhere he goes if they fry their fries in a different container, just so I can eat there :)

My son- for his hugs and kisses, his ritualistic tendencies towards bedtime, even when he demands "Mommy, talk to me"

my son's quotes "Hmm...let's see...um...." "I know that!" "Mommy, I talk daddy!" (while holding up his hand towards me)

the dog training lessons- because they are my new "me times" that I appreciate so much, plus it's good for the pup too

the new GLUTEN FREE COOKIES that are delicious!

practicing my photography

air-conditioning!!

our new life group- all married people that are a lot like us!

Our larger involvement in the church we love!

Memorial Weekend Fun!

The first part of this weekend wasn't traditional fun but it was very rewarding! We all got together to help my dad clear up his land over 2 days. It was hot, hard work but we got a lot done! I did have some time to reflect during the time spent, since we had to wear ear plugs (due to the chainsaws, chipper, and skidsteer). I realized it broke my heart just a little bit by the end to see how much destruction to trees 7 people can do in 2 days, mainly I thought about those logging companies clearing out hundreds upon hundreds of acres of beautiful wild land. But the reason we did it was because there were tons of cedars (which are very flammable) and overcrowding so nothing could survive underneath the trees. One eventful (scary) thing that happened was my dad tipped the skidsteer on its side! He was fine, or so he said ;) he just had a cut on his nose and jammed his elbow and shoulder.

The before and after pictures.

While we were working, my mom had my little guy, and they ended up driving by a flipped over car at an intersection and apparently it really bothered him. All weekend he kept asking "Car okay?" or "Car upside down" and ended up bursting into tears. It just broke my heart while I was trying to explain that everyone was ok and that he was safe. :(

On Memorial Day, we finally had a day just for us! The hubby, little guy and I (and the dog) all went hiking! It was very nice, except for the mosquitos. I loved just hearing nature at its purest, watching my son and the pup running down the trails, and walking hand in hand with my wonderful husband. It was just a pleasant start to our day.

My new favorite picture!

So what did I learn most about this weekend? I am in love with nature!! O wait I already knew that ;)