Bobbin' and Weavin'

... is what I've been doing a lot of these days.

Between working hard, running hard, a very in depth Bible study, housework, and family, I haven't exactly made much time for blogging... or taking pictures for that matter. I have noticed that most of my posts capture events and every "happy little thing" that goes on in our lives and while those are the times I definitely want to document I also feel the need and dare I say, conviction, to be more REAL with you strangers readers also. I guess I just assume that the mundane will not interest you and you will x out of this screen... and quite frankly, I don't blame you! So, if you're really bored and desperate for something to read here ya go! :)

I am a "lister"... meaning, I prefer organizing large amounts of information into bulleted form...you know, to simplify it. I guess I could admit that it calms me to do so. Any other OCD people like that out there?? {Well actually, I have so much to say today it'll just be split up into mini paragraphs. Sorry, I just have a lot to catch you up on!}

I have been a very busy working girl these days... This little Monday-Friday 8-5 job is something I am extremely thankful for. The people I have met, both coworkers and patients, the experience I have gained, and not to mention the little extra padding in the bank account is always sweet. However, I have figured out that the absolute latest I can go to bed is 10:00 or I'm no good the next day... How pitiful is that? I am so dad gum high maintenance when it comes to sleep! I hate it! Arg!{Can you tell?} But other than that, I really can't complain... I'm just thankful to have a job in my unique situation of a life.

Marathon training has influenced the high maintenance of my sleep habits a little bit I think... When your body has run for twenty miles straight or even ten for that matter, it tends to tire out a little faster for a few days afterward. Courtney and I have been chuggin' on along training for these 26.2 miles we have to endure in a couple of weeks. It hasn't been painless by any means, but the quality time training together has been so good for both of us. And you may wonder how BORED we must be to run for hours and hours but when you've got the company of a best friend, a bunch of cute coastal cottages to drool over, and this view of Mobile Bay most of the way... I'd say we stay pretty entertained!

On a beautiful day for a long run, we set out for the open trail and it looks like this...

When we are finishing up it looks more like this outside...

Let me just {bitterly} brag on my husband and father for a moment. Last week they up and decided that they were NOT going to be spectators in this half/full marathon that me, Court, Mom, and Jessica are running in so they decide to start "training" for it. {Please keep in mind it's in 2 weeks}. They both don't even remember the last time they ran more than three miles... it's sickening. But oh wait, it gets worse! Last Sunday Dad goes out and runs six miles like there's nothing to it... {Mom tried to be happy for him.} And one day last week, Aaron up and decides to just see if he can run a half marathon {13.1 miles}. Well 13.6 miles and 1hr and 50 minutes later, I get a phone call {at work, mind you} that he's ready for the race! I didn't know whether to be pissed off or excited... I was a little of both I admit. I guess I will just swallow my pride and admit that my husband and my father are both pure bred athletes and I am very proud of and disgusted by them.

This past weekend, Dad and Aaron threw their duck hunting plans out the window when the girls {Julie and Jessica} announced they were coming home. Sometimes girls just have that affect on boys... :) The weekend was restful, busy, hilarious, and when you put all six of us together, it's non-stop entertainment. If only you could be a fly on the wall. Saturday night we all went out to eat at this Italian cafe at the beach and had dip cones from Dairy Queen for dessert... We get to do really fun things like that when the guests of honor come home. Well, at least we think it's fun!

In other news, I have just started this Bible study... "A Woman's Heart, God's Dwelling Place" by Beth Moore and each day I do the reading and studying, I learn something new. I need Bible studies to keep me in the Word daily, otherwise I find myself filling that time with other things that I think I "need" to do. The main concept we are realizing as we study is God's pursuit of man. We are being shown examples of this all throughout the Old Testament and what is so comforting is that although the world has changed, God is still the same and he still actively pursues fellowship with us. Mmm mm mm... that simple concept blows me away.

"The eyes of the Lord range throughout the Earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to Him." 2 Chronicles 16:9 I want His eyes to land on my heart... that's all I can say.

Well, it's past ten and my eyelids are getting verrry heavy. And since this has been an extremely "verbal" post, I will end with a pretty picture for your viewing pleasure.

Thanks for reading readers!

Favorites on Friday

Since I've been a busy bee all week and my brain is fried... and since I loooove playing with my camera... I thought I would show you a few of my favorite things.

And it's only fitting that I start with something edible...

cupcakes... I don't know why they taste so much better than a slice of cake to me, but they do. I usually prefer fruit desserts but when these are around, I always take the {cup}cake!

magazines... I have always loved magazines- particularly home decor issues- since I was little. Just ask my family, there are few things I love more than curling up on the couch with a big stack of magazines to browse through. 

apple... As a proud owner of a mac {that I've owned since before college and now I have a new one!} I can attest to the saying, "Once you go mac you never go back!"

flowers... If you've been around the blog for a while you know how much I love flowers-well, actually you can't even fathom- but I love them, particularly in my favorite color. {These are Pottery Barn fakes but they're still beautiful... you get the picture!}

lipstick... Oh my, I'm a lipstick/lipgloss/lip balm lover. I'm addicted to having something on my lips at all times and you are looking at about a third of my lip collection. {Contact A&E, but I'll never stop hoarding lip products... they're my weakness!}

lemon water... with all the running I've been doing these days, I've been trying to stay hydrated and this is the most tasteful, healthy and refreshing way I've found to do it.  Not to mention, when we're on the road and on a budget, I always order "a glass of ice water with a BOWL of lemons please." Sure I'd rather order a sugary, caffeinated $3 coke, but I've found that water dressed up a little bit really isn't that bad! {Sometimes I even prefer it!}

anthropologie candles... Oh I love the smell of this store and rest assured, when you buy their candles, your house really will smell as good as the store does.

cold weather... I have to admit, I'm more of a summertime girl... but there's something about being all cozy inside when the weather outside is frightful that I love. {And skiing is awesome.}

a good planner... I am a "planner" by nature and I looove to be organized. I love to make lists and schedules {I guess it's a personality thing} but it's not fun when you don't have a planner that is #1: cute and #2: spacious.

Jadite... My mom and sisters and I have been on an antiquing kick for a while now and Fire King Jadite pieces have started "collecting" over the house. I've loved it for years and years and sometimes I make and bake things just to use it! {See cupcakes above}.

I could show you many many more of my favorite things but these are fun for today. I hope y'all have a wonderful weekend... TGIF!!

One Year of Blogging

Before a year ago, I barely even knew what a blog was. Actually, to be totally honest, I just flat out didn't have a clue about blogs. {I really do not like the word "blog"... it's so nerdy!} Sometimes I refer to it as my "online scrapbook"... and come to think of it, that's even worse.

I, a technologically ignorant person, started this "online journal" out of coaxing from friends, the realization that Aaron and I are currently making some pretty cool memories that I want to always remember, and the fact that I am not a "scrapbooker" nor a very good facebook updater {is that even a word?}.

Blogging has become a creative outlet for me and an opportunity to channel my inner "yearbook nerd." I was on the yearbook staff all through high school and ended up being the Editor my senior year and I loved every single minute of it... the writing, photography, layout design, and even stressful deadlines. Did I mention our book won state and national awards??! Gosh I'm a nerd.

I really and truly appreciate each of you readers and it always makes my day to hear from you {comments, facebook, and email}. I am humbled that you would want to take the time to see what we're up to and "follow" us on our journeys.

My goal is to tell "Our Story" in words and pictures so that I will always be able to look back at the ways God has blessed us in where we've gotten to go and who we get to meet... not to mention recording the little "everyday" details of life that I know I will quickly forget.

And yes, blogging has turned me into: "the dork girl with the camera around her neck always stopping to take pictures of every little thing." Oh well, I am what I am! {and I have a very patient and understanding husband}.

I hope you have as much fun reading it as I do writing it!

Starting the New Year Off With a BANG

And no, it wasn't Aaron or Dad this time... it was Jessica and I! 

We made perfect shots... Mine at 100 yds and Jessica's at 60 yds... You can call us both Annie Oakley.

While Julie was cheerin' on the Bulldogs in Jacksonville this weekend, Jessica and I set out to hunt some deer. Bucks were on the agenda, but they aren't rutting just yet so we settled for some good eatin' instead! As you can tell in the picture, there is no blood on either of our faces... meaning, this aint our first rodeo!

Isn't dude camo so flattering? The belts do wonders for our waistline!

We had a ball! I just love good 'ole quality time with family.

Aaron and dad were so proud of their girls.

The horses didn't really know what to think of it all.

We spent the weekend at my in-laws and when we weren't hunting we were eating, napping, visiting, and watching the Dawgs tear up Michigan! {GO STATE!!}

Not to mention, Mrs. Vickie knew exactly what we needed after a cold morning in the woods...

I am so thankful for a safe and memorable start to this new year... I hope yours was happy too!