August 2016

Highlights Include:  Colorado Vacation, Watching the Olympics, Indoor T-Ball, Reading to Grandma Betty, Meeting Brooks, Baptizing 4 of our youth, Shoe Symmetry, Zoo with Duncan and Arlen, Getting a New Nephew/Cousin Austin, Pig Tails, Daddy’s New Old Truck, Mother’s Day Out, Cleaning out the Dryer Vent, Duncan’s 4th Birthday Party, and Grumpy Claire.

Nate’s New Old Truck

For what seems like forever, Nate has wanted to buy an old truck.  Not just any truck… a ‘65 Ford with a bunch of other specifications.  My thinking was… when we are old and Mollie is through with college, he can have at it.  This “hobby” seems like it would take a lot of time and money… two things we don’t have enough of.  That is why for Father’s Day, in June, Mollie and I started a nice little savings account for his dreams to come true…. in the far future.

Little did I know, he couldn’t wait.  Whatever makes him happy, makes me happy…. and as my dad would say, “It’s just money.”  So on August 27th he found a deal that he just couldn’t pass up.

So…. he is now the owner of his dream ‘65 Ford.  Although I am still in a little shock…. I pray that this truck will bring Nate happiness and escape from work.  I pray that this new “hobby” will be something that he can fiddle with when he is upset with things at church, or maybe feeling depressed.  I will always support his dreams and stand behind his decisions… even when I have to start parking outside.

I’m looking forward to seeing him turn it into everything he wants… and all the cruising we will be doing to go get Dr. Peppers.

First Day of MDO {Pre-Pre-K}

 

You are beautiful inside and out, sweet girl!  Dream big and go conquer the world!  We will be behind you every step of the way.  We know that you will love “school” and learning new things!

“It is the Lord who goes before you.  He will be with you; He will not leave you or forsake you.  Do not fear or be dismayed.” Deuteronomy 31:8

11th Anniversary

8.19.16

I love celebrating our marriage!  It is one of my favorite days for sure!  I am beyond grateful for my Nate and so love standing beside him.  We have been through so many things that could have pulled us apart, but we have never fought… always having one mind and one heart.  It is just beautiful doing life with my one and only love.

We spent the day out and had a blast.  Pedicures, Cheesecake Factory, Movies, and More….  Good times for sure.  I can’t believe I didn’t take a good picture of us before we got all comfy on the couch.

Also… my mom pointed out that with being married 11 years + dating 5.5 years, I have now been with Nate longer than I was without him.  That blows my mind to think about…. I am so grateful for all the shared memories we have growing up together.  Together is definitely my favorite place to be.

I posted some throwback pics to celebrate.  These last 16.5 years have flown by.

Colorado Vacation 2016

August 1-6

We had planned on taking Mollie to the beach this year…. But as summer was coming to a close we were, as always, exhausted and tired of traveling.  The beach seemed too far away and too expensive.  We’ll go next summer.

So, for the last 11 years my dad has been asking Nate to go to the mountains with him, and my Papa, brothers and nephews.  This year, Nate decided to go for it and Mollie and I tagged along.  We camped with Dad a couple days and then stayed in Colorado for a couple days just us.

We decided to drive through the night and just get there.  It was so dark when we got there, we couldn’t find the camp site and there was no cell service to get help, so we slept in the jeep.  It was a memory-making start.  It wasn’t the best sleep, but it was fun…. and we enjoyed being cold!

Dad found us the next morning and our mountain adventures started.  We camped in Pitkin, CO and drove all around, every pass there was.  I couldn’t believe Mollie was ok with all the bumpiness, but she was just perfect…. hanging in there all day, riding in the ranger with Uncle Brian, Papa Bill, Landry and me.  Papa and Brendan were in the razer, and Nate and Tommy were on 4-wheelers.  It was quite the journey to two different continental divides and Mirror Lake, but I loved being with my girl and all my favorite guys.  Plus the mountains were beautiful… we weren’t used to seeing them with no snow.  It was a lot of fun!

After we left the fam… we ventured to Colorado Springs.  We spent a lot of time in the hotel pool.  That seemed to be all Mollie wanted to do, but that was ok.  Chill time was great!  We checked out the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo.  It was our favorite zoo ever!  We fed the giraffes, walked with the kangaroos and found out I was terrified of ski lifts when there is a bear cage underneath you instead of nice fluffy snow.

We also went downtown for some ice cream and souvenir shopping.  It was awesome!  We definitely want to go back sometime and check out some other places.

Then we drove back home with our happy girl!  I am so blessed with my sweet little family.  Love spending this sweet time together!