more maternity pics

I bargained with a friend for another maternity photo shoot.

I found some inspiration on Pinterest and my friend ran with it. 

Of course, Chris bored out really quickly with all the ideas and many photos.

But, it was fun nonetheless and we got some sweet shots.

thirteen years

In thirteen years,

there has been a whole lot of sunshine and a little rain,

abundant joy and some pain,

but through it all our love has sustained and remained!

 

He knows me. 

He "gets me."

He makes my heart flutter.

I love him more now than ever.

And I'm still absolutely crazy about him.

beach photo session

Since our "babymoon" was planned at the last minute, I didn't have much forethought of this ...

but after we arrived at the beach I thought about having our picture and a few maternity shots taken on the beach.  So Saturday morning, I randomly searched on Facebook for a few photographers in the Myrtle Beach area ... found four and sent each of them a message asking about the possibility of a last-minute session.

Despite the last-minute decision of choosing a photographer with little research, putting the orange and pink together, and the cooler evening brisk breeze on the beach ... I'm happy to have these pictures for the memory.

Prayers do get answered (baby on the way after 6 years of waiting).

And dreams do come true (maternity beach pictures).

These pictures remind me of that.

God is so good.

babymoon weekend

What a wonderful, wonderful weekend away!

It will definitely go down in our history books as one of the best.  Ever.

We had originally planned to take a little vacation with my mom and brother;

but plans fell through.

So since this was our last available weekend to travel before I'm no longer allowed to travel, 

we decided to take advantage of the free weekend and head to North Myrtle Beach.

Our plan was to do only what we wanted to do, rest, relax, sleep in, and enjoy our time together.

And we did exactly that ... which really amounted to a whole lot of nothing.

(I should note here, that I'm glad Chris and I share the same idea of a vacation)

Last Thursday, I was packed and ready waiting on Chris to get home.

As soon as he walked in the door, he ate dinner, changed his clothes, and we were on our way.

Along the way, we stopped for a few snacks.
Actually we stopped often so I could stretch and walk ... and almost every stop included snacks.  =)

I wanted to try these ... but they didn't do much for me.  Too much "stuf."

One of our "walk/stretch" stops included a dozen Krispy Kremes.
Nothing beats a fresh, warm doughnut.

We arrived around midnight,  found a pet-friendly hotel room, and settled in for the night.

Friday it drizzled rain and was a bit chilly, so there was little beach time.

But, we did take a stroll that evening.

Here's the bump on the beach - Josie's "first visit."

 

We shopped at the outlet stores.

"Shopping til you drop" doesn't take long as an 8-month pregnant lady.

Needless to say, Chris was happy that it didn't last long

Friday evening we enjoyed dinner at Outback.

Saturday was our day on the beach.

I never get tired of this view ... something about it soothes my soul.

Chris attempted to feed the birds.  He threw food to them. 

And here he is trying to get them to take from his hand - but no such luck.

This was Thumpy's first time to hang out on the beach.

Clearly, she enjoyed it.  She loves sunning.

Saturday evening, I ran into a few stores looking for a scarf.

When I came out, Chris was once again feeding birds.  

I grabbed this picture of one of the birds riding on top of our car as Chris came to meet me.

At 6:30 PM, we had a photo session on the beach with a local photographer

and finished the day with dinner at Chili's.

Sunday morning, while we were packing up our hotel room, 

Thumpy took the opportunity to lay on the big king-size bed.

Obviously, she thought she was the queen.

Sunday, we drove about 1.5 hours away to meet with friends who moved to North Carolina last year.

We thoroughly enjoyed catching up and spending time together.

They've got two sweet little kiddos.

I'm grateful, that I had no problems or anything to scare me or make me worry 

while we were away from home.

This restful, peaceful time together was such a blessing.

It was exactly what we needed.

Now, June 2nd can hurry up!!

We are more than ready for our sweet babe to be in our arms.

throwback Thursday

This week marks 17 years ago,

that a dark and handsome teenage boy walked into my church and stole my heart.

He immediately had my attention.

The feeling was mutual ... because it wasn't too long after that he told his grandpa that he would "marry that girl" and we started "going together."

Go ahead ... laugh!
This is our first picture together.
Easter Sunday 1996
15 years old and 14 years old
I have no idea what Chris is doing with his mouth.
(before digital cameras -- so of course, we didn't know a re-do was necessary)
Check out our hair and glasses ... both BIG!

 and here we are today ...
Married (soon to be 13 years).
Still "going together."
Actually, "together" is our favorite place to be - we do very little apart.
Happy, happy with a few extra pounds, smaller glasses, smaller hair, and a baby on the way!
More in love than ever.
And absolutely crazy about each other.

Every day, I'm so thankful that our paths crossed again in 1996.

throwback Thursday

I love digging up the oldies, yet goodies!  

That is a sign I'm getting old, I guess ... cause I have "oldies."

Church Youth Group Trip to Gatlinburg, TN

Year 199__

Chris looks so mean.

I look like I'm 12 years old.

Sisters @ annual beach weekend

Maybe 2002 or 2003

And sweet little me.  :-)

filled with love

Today, I'm thankful for love.

All love.  All year.

My life is filled with love.

To feel loved is a deep desire in all humans.

And to be loved indeed brings happiness.

Love of my husband.

He shows it in many ways.

Taking care of me.
Making my bowl of chocolate ice cream each night.

Providing for our home and family.

Hiding love notes.
Taking out the garbage.

Sending random sweet text messages throughout the day.

Turning on my side of the electric blanket early, so it's toasty warm at bedtime.

And on and on.
 

Love of my family, both immediate and in-laws.

My mom prepares Sunday lunch for us almost every Sunday.

She does so many little things for us ... all our clothing alterations, thinks of us when she is shopping and finds a good deal, allows us to store things in her outdoor building, gathers sticks in her yard for us to use as kindling, and much more.

Chris' parents love me like their own.

My "other-mother" texts me occasionally to check on me.

They've ran errands for us.  And Chris borrows tools from his dad often.

And the rest of the bunch shows love in many ways.

Nothing says love like a big sincere bear-hug when I see my family that I haven't seen in a while.
 

Love of my friends.

I am blessed with true, encouraging, real friends.

Friends who aren't after a "return favor," but genuinely love me for me.
Friends I can be real and honest with.

Friends who send random text messages, sweet emails, Facebook notes, cards, and make phone calls.

It means so much to know I am thought of, cared for, and loved by others.

These friends I know I can count on through thick and thin!
 

Love of my God, most of all.

He gave His son to die for me and my sins.

That's true love.

Real love.
Unconditional love.

And nothing ...  not death, life, angels, principalities, powers, things present, things to come, height, depth, any other creature ... nothing will ever be able to separate me from the love of God.
 

May your day, your week, your year, your life be love-filled (with all kinds)!
Happy Valentine's Day!

happy birthday, love

You make me laugh.

Your hugs are the best.

And you care about me. 

 

I'm so blessed that when we were just teenagers, well, older teenagers --- you knew first, then my Daddy knew, and I finally figured it out - we were meant to be! 

 

15 years later, the best part of every day is sharing it with YOU! 

There's no one else I'd rather do this life with than you.

 

Happy Birthday to the most special person in my world.
I love you, MORE!



14 years

Tuesday marked 14 years of dating for Chris and me.
Even though we are married, we're still dating -- right? =))

We celebrated with a date, of course.

Out to dinner (Mexican, is there anything else??), 

a little shopping (got some new cologne/perfume),

and some yogurt (@ Yogurt Mountain).

We laughed and reminisced about the day we started dating.

Chris has an amazing memory about stuff like that.

It's hard to believe Chris and I have been together almost half our lives.

That means we're getting old.

... but there's no one else I'd rather grow old with.  ;)

*thanks for the picture, Miranda*

crazy busy

a hectic, month-FULL

Chris' outpatient surgery

week-long church camp

follow-up doctor visits

jury duty

yard work and garden work

attempting to finish a re-model started long ago

my 30th birthday

swim time

extra hours at work - lots of catch-up

brother visits from New York

celebrating 4 other birthdays

search for a new car

campmeeting

along with many unplanned interruptions, of sorts

therefore, I haven't taken time for blogging

so, I'll start back-tracking and re-capping

a Friday funny

Chris' pajamas hanging from the light fixture.

At least Chris thinks this is funny. The other day, I asked him to put away and hang up some clothes he left around the house. Since I wasn't specific in where the clothes should be put, he, being a smarty-pants, just hung the clothes here and there and everywhere. Cute? -- I don't think so. :)

new glasses and contacts

We recently had eye appointments.
And Monday, I picked up my new glasses
and Chris picked up his contacts.
Afterward, we headed to the local Mexican restaurant.
We had the best afternoon talking and laughing together.
Sitting close together on one side of the booth.

a hard-working husband

I take great pleasure in watching him work.

He loves building.
And he knows his stuff.
He enjoys developing 'cool' ideas for building.
He works hard. All the time.
At times, he works 16 hours out of the day.
Working 8 hours on 3rd shift.
Driving to a construction job.
Working another 5-7 hours.
Coming home to sleep 6 or so hours.
And then doing it all over again.

He's tough. He's rough.
He's awesome. He's amazing.
And he's all mine.I love my hard-working husband.

a funny

Last night, I took a drink out of my water bottle,

and Chris started 'grossing out.'
And he said, "I am never drinking after you again.
Look at all the 'floaties.'"

I then informed him that
what he saw was lemon pulp and seeds.
I had made fresh lemonade with my water.
And I do not backwash.

Happy 30th Birthday, Babe!

Wow! The big 3-0!

We've been together half of your life.
And even after all these years,
I've still got the biggest crush on you!
You're talented - amazing - hilariously funny - and MINE!I don't know what I'd do without you.

I wish for many more years together!
(at least another 30 or 40)
I hope you have a happy day!

Can't wait to party on Friday. ;)
Love you bunches!

October Recap - Nashville Part 1 - Sights

Just a few sights from our trip to Nashville.

Heading in ...Music and musical references are everywhere.Singing in the big microphone ... Our hotel:There's always a concert ...
This sign indicates Live Music every night.This is the Cumberland River which flooded
in Nashville's Flood of 2010.
And I believe that I overhead someone say
that the water reached the stadium across the river.Ernest Tubb Record Shop
Lots of interesting finds here.
Chris LOVES this shop.This was our 3rd time to visit Nashville.
And it never gets old.
We always find something new and fun.
More to come ....