so long summer

The end of Summer is always so bittersweet.  Okay, maybe it's a lot more bitter than sweet.  With such a wet June and July, the warm, sunny weather arrived just in time to tease us, and run away for another 8 months.  I hope she returns on time in 2014 and leaves the dreary rain south of the equator.  Luckily, we were finally able to get on the water in August and September before greeting Fall.

The lake is our happy place.

and Brigdet's, too.

Byron landed a new trick this summer -Wake to Wake 180.  Whoop!

I'm not hitting Wake to Wake yet. . . but I am a lot closer! :)

Our good friend, Ralph, doin' his thing.  We love spending our summer weekends with him!

How sweet is Ralph's pup, Georgia?

Bridget and Mookster are completely exhausted and need to rest-up for next Summer.

Byron & I both ended the summer in need of new sunglasses.

So long lake weekends filled with wakeboarding.  Until next year....

As we wave good-bye to Summer it's time to embrace all of the pumpkins, apples, mums, and cool, crisp air. Happy Fall, y'all!

sweet summertime

I am so thankful that my job allows for me to enjoy summers -- time to relax and enjoy the warm weather as I've recuperate from last year, while also preparing for the upcoming.

I began the summer with a quick trip to Birmingham to cheer on Stephen as he pitched in the oldest Stadium in the country and a Braves game.

Memorial Day Weekend

We were also able to spend some good days on and at the lake --  wakeboarding, relaxing and hanging out with family and friends.


The puppies sure love being at the lake.  Mook absolutely loves the water, while Bridget hasn't been as much of a water-dog.  [I think it's partially because she's not exactly shaped for swimming, so she always wears her life-jacket.]  The days at the lake were unbearably hot and the water abnormally high [because of the rain, duh!], which resulted in sweet Bridget voluntarily plopping herself in the water!

We love weekend with Cal and Ashley.

The lake has always been my favorite place.  I'm thankful I was able to spend  a few weekends there.  Although we didn't get to do as much wakeboarding as we would've liked, when we enjoyed the time we did get on the water.  Maybe the rain will hold off and allow for some more time at the lake for a few more months!  

Blueberry picking off the bush at the lake is one of my favorite things of summer.

After spending quite a few days at school, some days working and planning with my new grade level, others sorting through the items kindly given to me, I can finally think about school starting without hyperventilating!  [I do still have a good bit to accomplish, but at least it no appears that a tornado hit my room!]  In addition to being incredibly thankful for the sweet teacher-friends' generosity, my mom also spent a day with me organizing and sorting through the rummage of the teacher supply tornado that seems to have hit my room, and I honestly couldn't be more grateful!  I should have taken before and after photos -- maybe I'll take one before the first day of school!

With just short of a week left of my summer, I plan to enjoy the last days to the fullest.  Off to the beach we go!

it's like we're married or something!

Byron and I have been able to see each other 5 of the past 6 days . . . What a joy!  It's like we're married or something!  Sometimes I forget just how much I love spending time with him.  I'm more joyful and energetic around him and I love doing all of the normal things together, like running errands and eating dinner, as well as what's fun and exciting.  My husband is one of God's greatest blessings in my life and I impatiently anticipate resuming our lives together in the same city.

Love this man.  Every week I look forward to our Sunday night dates.

The Lord said, "It is not good for a man to be alone.  I will make a helper suitable for him." 

Genesis 2:18

weekends are never long enough

Yesterday, more than one person at school commented on the amount of black clothing the teachers were wearing.  Were we all mourning the end of another weekend? Obviously, we all look forward the break from work.  Even when we love our jobs and we’re not stressing to the max, we still long for Friday afternoons and dread Monday mornings.  Then, after waiting impatiently for those two special days, they pass at an incredibly rapid rate before you can accomplish anything, and you’re back to work with an abnormally large amount of coffee. [Oh, is this just me?!]

For the past month those two blessed days each week are even more anticipated and seem to end before they actually begin.  Simply put, being away from my husband blows.  It is no fun at all and I wouldn’t wish it on my biggest enemy. That being said, we take every possible moment from weekends [making Mondays all the more excruciating].

Cooking, movies, date nights, family time, shopping, and traveling fill our weekends.  Of course, we make time to wakeboard, too! You didn’t think I’d leave that one out, did ya’?!

 August 11

Lake Tobesofkee

Just incase getting to spend my weekends with him isn’t great enough, Byron surprised me with an early birthday present: a brand new wakeboard and bindings!  Woo hoo!

My sweet husband [who does not enjoy running] even ran a 5K with me over the weekend.  The course was horribly difficult and not much fun at all, but it was great to experience together, though we won’t be running there again!

Before... 

After!!  

Sunday marked our 3 month weddiversary!  We spent it at the lake [is there a better place?!] breaking in our new boards.

And I was able to see Mer!!!

Sometimes it’s difficult to see simple joys when away from my husband, but I’m realizing that my weekdays away from Byron pass more quickly and pleasantly when I focus on the good things rather than the bad.  The blessings rather than the trials.  We’re enjoying the stress-free time days together instead of pouting about not having weeknights in the same town. For whatever reason, God has a plan for our temporary distance and I’m intentionally working to become more optimistic about it.  I’m definitely not letting the lack of days together ruin the time we do have in the same city.  God blesses us with a couple days to rest and laugh and love without the hassle of paperwork, alarm clocks, and meetings – so let’s get through this week, noticing and singing praises for the small joys, and get to the next weekend!!!

premature fist pumps

Before Byron and I started dating, I’d never wake boarded before.  I’d always wanted to, but never had someone to teach me.  As a wake boarder, Byron offered his advice and we’ve since found a hobby we enjoy together.  We love the lake and head there as often as possible.  Let’s be honest; is there a better way to spend an afternoon? [the only correct answer is: no]

This was my second summer wakeboarding.  And I finally mustered up the courage to attempt to jump the wake [. . . my first time behind a wake board boat].   I’d tried a few times before, but always chickened out at the last minute and ended up absorbing the wake instead of using it to pop out of the water.  It’s nerve racking! 

But a few weekends ago I did it! I actually got the board into the air.  And in that split second my only thought was, ‘I hope I don’t wipeout when my board hits the water!’  Even though I only got a teeny, tiny bit of air, I was so excited when I landed without toppling over.  So excited.  As soon as I realized what’d happened, I did a little cheer inside my head, telling myself how great of a wake boarder I am. 

Byron played photographer and caught a picture -- like I said, I was only inches in the air!

This all happened so fast.

Then, I looked to the boat and let out a squeal that was accompanied by a fist pump.  What happened next was tragic and hilarious at the same time.  Before I knew what’d hit me, my hips turned to face toward the boat, the front of the board dug into the water, and my face smacked the water.  Hard.  I can only imagine what the guys on the boat and my facial expressions were as it happened.

I was laughing before I could lift my head out of the water.  At the same time, I was [and still am] proud of myself.  Although my face hurt pretty bad, I hopped back up and tried it again, and whatta ya know?  I didn't pump a fist in the air and I didn't plummet face-first into the water.  Success.  For the rest of the afternoon I continued to successfully land without taking a spill -- it was great!   

Let’s just say I’ll keep my celebratory fist pumping to a minimum from now on.

1 day down, 179 to go!

It is quite unfortunate that the 1^st day of school and last day of summer go hand-in-hand.  I love summer – warm, sunny days playing in the lake, taking long walks with the dogs after dinner.  Today one of my students even said, “It seems like each year summer gets shorter and shorter,” to which I agreed.  

@ Oconee

Before I kissed summer good-bye, though, I enjoyed some time on the lake and a relaxing weekend with Byron [yay!].  I’m blessed to have had a relaxing summer as a newlywed, and even more blessed to have an end to my summer – because that means I have a job!!  

A night of shopping for wakeboards, followed by a stop in the Lego store,
and finally to TBM for dinner... great date :)

This morning I greeted the school year with a big mug of coffee and a smile.  In the midst of greeting students, sorting school supplies, and trying to lead lessons, I mixed up my twins … which allowed the perfect opportunity for them to further trick/confuse me.  Sneaky, sneaky, sneaky.  There were no major mishaps for the day; all of my students made it safely to their bus or car in one piece, whew!

I'm incredibly excited to see what this year will bring.  God's blessed me with such an incredible team of teachers and some very special students.  It will be a new experience -- fun, challenging, rewarding, and exhausting.  I'm not sure if when my head will stop spinning.  Life's about to get crazy -- here's to the new school year!  Cheers.

Understated, Overlooked, Everyday Blessings

Our weekends have been crazy!

Breaking in Brad's new board [literally, apparently] on Father's Day weekend.

After spending Father's Day at the lake, and every other weekend since we've been married doing something other than staying put, we finally stayed in our new city for the weekend. It was nice to just sleep in and relax.

It's no secret to Byron that our current location isn't my favorite place in the world, but in the past week I decided that I would stop being such a Debbie Downer about it all, and actually try to enjoy it.  And whatta you know?  It's been great!  I hate it when I single-handedly ruin things for myself, simply because I'm unhappy about where God's placed me.

Always be joyful.  Be thankful in all circumstances, 

for this is God's will for you who belong to Jesus Christ.

1 Thessalonians 5: 16 & 18  

Am I ever going to realize that He has it under control and there is a reason for where I am?  Because He does and His plans for me are better and much more interesting than my plans for myself.

In their hearts humans plan their course,

but the Lord establishes their steps.

Proverbs 16:9     

Understated, Overlooked, Everyday Blessings:
- Saturday brunch dates.
- Walks in the river with the pups.  Mook killed a bird and Bridget actually swam --and LOVED it!
- Monday night home-cooked dinners with my husband.

Hawaiian pork chops with brown rice & sugar snap peas, Mmmm!

- Meeting for lunch with college friends.
- Shopping with our wedding gift certificates.

Did you buy this new pillow just for me?! 

- Late night cooking!

- Runs along the river.

- Delicious summer desserts breakfasts.

Fresh Fruit Parfaits, Yummy!

- Mid-week trips home to spend time with my family and friends.

Rachel's 1st time climbing the Mountain of Stone!

Byron and I are headed to North Carolina this weekend [to see my brother, Stephen!!!], so I decided to come into Lilburn early to spend some time with my sweet family.  I am blessed to have such a wonderful family and I absolutely love them.

Spring Break as a Grown Up

Spring Break: One of the many reasons [including Summer, Christmas, and Thanksgiving Breaks . . . oh, and the whole working with children!] I became a teacher.  I will have Spring Break, in addition to those previously mentioned, as long as I work.  Woooo!!  By the time it rolls around each year, the weather's begun to warm up and it's the perfect time to take a hiatus from work.  This year, my break is a little different than it's ever been; it's my first one NOT as a student.  Instead of heading to the beach, I stayed at home to tackle the ever-lengthening wedding to-do list.  I must say, I do feel very accomplished.

Don't worry, I did have some time to enjoy myself, too.  Byron and I were able to spend some time together at the lake.  The weather was perfect.  It was great to get away from wedding planning and just enjoy each other.  I cannot wait to marry this man.

We play outside like 10 year olds.

I also went to the Passion City Good Friday Service with my Mom and my brother's gorgeous girlfriend.  What an incredible night.  Louie Giglio delivered the message and worship was led by Chris Tomlin, Kristian Stanfill, Christy Nockels, and David Crowder.

Mom, Lindsey, and I waiting for the service to start.

I know God doesn't only reveal Himself at large gatherings, but His presence was undeniable on Friday night.  Easter is a time to celebrate what God did.

But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought 

near through the blood of Jesus.  Ephesians 2:13 

After an incredible Good Friday, Lindsey, Rachel, and I ran The Color Run [a 5K where color is thrown on you at every kilometer mark!] at Atlanta Motor Speedway.  So much fun!!  Two days and three showers later, I still have a few blue streaks in my hair and purple-stained skin :)

Before...

AFTER!!

Byron and I welcomed Easter bright and early at the Sunrise Service on top of Stone Mountain, praising the Lord, enjoying His glorious creation, and thanking Him for all He's done for us.

The heavens declare the glory of God;
the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Psalm 19:1

What a week! Filled with small and large blessings, I've really enjoyed it. While I wasn't working I made it a priority to seek the Lord and spend time in prayer each day.  Although I still have a lengthy list of to-do's and many stressful things approaching, I am at ease and have more faith in His plan for me than I've had in a while.

Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. Colossians 4:2

weekend blessings

I spent the weekend with Byron in Eatonton.  The weather was perfect, as was everything else.  It's tough living in two different cities, although I am glad he's not here to see Bridezilla's sporadic appearances. I miss him terribly.  Only having one or two days a week together is not enough.  I am definitely counting down the days until May 19, but I am also trying my best not to wish days away.  We had a magnificent few days together, which excites me for the future, but made me ever so thankful for the blessing of a weekend together at the lake.

Bridget enjoying the daffodils and Byron's humongous taco.

Yesterday we went apartment shopping, which was exciting and surreal at the same time.  We didn't decide on anything, but it was fun to look around.  Since the weather was marvelous, we did some browsing through shops at an outdoor shopping area before stopping for lunch.  With full bellies, headed back to the lake where we set up the hammock to watch the sunset.  We love cooking together, so we decided to cook something I'd never had for dinner before: a sophisticated feast of popcorn and candy, which was quite possibly the most perfect choice for the day.  What a weekend. 


I get wrapped up in the wedding and planning for the future, so it was nice to get away from that and just enjoy my incredible fiance' this weekend...since I do only get to have a fiance' for about 3.5 more months!  He makes me laugh like no one else and loves me better than I could have asked.  He is one of the biggest blessings and joys in my life, even if he does count Sour Patch Kids as a vegetable!