Happy 13th Nate!

Sunday, August 25, was Nate's 13th birthday.

We celebrated on Saturday with Geeg and Papa.

We met them for dinner at Smokey Bones.

(Oooh, what did Geeg and Papa get him? $$$)

Both of our boys have summer birthdays, and so we gave them their "main" gifts at the  beginning of the summer so they could get more use out of them.  Gifts included Nooks and bikes.  Here, Nate is opening an "extra"...
"The Story"...The Bible written in story form so that it's easier to read.

We gave each of the boys a "big boy" Bible on their 13th birthday.

Nate's has his name engraved on it!

In our house, we always do something special for the "non-birthday" kid as well.

Evan got 2 new devotionals from us.

Geeg and Papa gave him his favorite snack...beef stick and sweet tea!

Nate didn't let me back/decorate his birthday cake this year.

He wanted an ice cream cake from Dairy Queen.

Nom, nom, nom!  

Make a wish!

Happy 13th birthday Natee!
We love you!

20 Years Of Wedded Bliss...

 Last week, on August 7, my husband and I celebrated our 20th anniversary!

We are celebrating by taking a little weekend getaway to Chicago later in the month.

It probably sounds cliche', but in some ways it seems like we've been together forever and in other ways it feels like our wedding was just yesterday.  But it's true.  I think when you meet your soul mate, that's the way it goes.   It feels like you've been together forever, because you can't imagine your life without them.  Yet it only seems like yesterday, because time flies when you're with someone you love.  Our life has been filled with ups and downs just like anyone else.  We've moved many times, had a variety of jobs, several pets, two kids, and many other adventures (good and bad)...but we've stuck it out and honored our commitment to God and each other.

I can't imagine spending my life with anyone else...honestly I don't know if anyone else would put up with me, haha!  But here's to many more!  Happy anniversary to my soul mate!

Growing Out The Pixie...Post 1

 

 So, I have always been in love with the pixie haircut.

Last summer, I debated and debated on whether or not to get it done.

I wasn't afraid.  I have NO FEAR when it comes to cutting my hair.

I LOVE SHORT HAIR.

And nothing scares me.

However...

The only thing holding me back was the fear of growing it out again.

I know.  I'm the complete opposite of most people.

Most people fear cutting it.  I fear growing it out.

You see...my hair grows about 100 times slower than the average person's.

Well, that is, except when it's short.  Then it "feels" like it grows non-stop and I need a trim every 4 weeks (though I wait 6).  So I waited and waited, contemplating whether to go ahead with the pixie.  Finally I said, "Whatever!  I'm doing it!"

And I did it.

I loved it.

I still do.

Except...

All of a sudden, I'm starting to notice fine lines around my eyes...a lot of them.

And wrinkles on my forehead...a lot of them.

Well, having a pixie is fun...but once your hair is cut, your FULL face is on display, FRONT & CENTER!  People don't notice your hair as much (though they will tell you what a cute cut it is), but it's your FACE that is OUT THERE!  And because I'm noticing all of these wrinkles, I'm thinking I now need to have a little more hair framing my face to hide them.

And so here goes the scary part...growing it out.

Ugh.

I honestly don't know if there is anything I hate more (well, except doctor visits) than growing my hair out!  HATE IT!

So...I've been studying online, all these ways to keep your healthy and speed hair growth.

I've been reading blogs on how to style your hair while growing out a pixie.

I have a feeling headbands, scarves, and clips will be my best friend for the next year (or more).

I'm going to apologize now...because things are about to get ugly, my friend.

I LOATHE the ugly awkward stages of growing out short hair.

So please bare with me...I promise I'll do my best to keep it styled as best I can.

I promise to get timely trims to keep it shaped (we don't want any mullets taking place).

So here we are ONE MONTH (six weeks to be exact) into the growing out stage.

 I'm due to go get a trim now (I go every 6 weeks).

But when I go, I'll just have her take a bit off the back and shape it.

No length off the top or sides like normal.

Stay with me friends...and promise me...

If I EVEN mention giving up and going back...feel free to cyber-slap me.

I've GOT to grow this out.

Here we go!

I'll be back next month with another picture!

TTFN!

Senior Pictures...Sneak Peak

Evan had his senior portrait session done on Mackinac Island!

What better place in the world (for us)?!?!

They are still being edited, but I thought I'd share just one and give a sneak peak of what's to come!  I'm so excited!  They ALL turned out SO amazing!  It was so hard to choose!