And the winner is...

Thanks so much to all the girls who entered my give-a-way! It was really fun to hear about all of the things that keep you busy in the sun! I'm so glad that all of you find time to stop by and see what's going on with our little family...thanks for caring! For those of you who commented for the first time I'm glad to know you're "here"...being that you know so much about me I consider you friends! So, enough of the small talk I know you're all excited to find out who the winner is, and by the process of "random selection"... it's comment #4, which belongs to MARTA! Marta and I were friends in High School and she is, to this day, one of the sweetest people I have ever met. Congrats Marta! Email me and let me know which design you would like! This was fun...I'll do it again soon!

P.S. For those of you who will notice I just want to mention that I wasn't planning on being up at 1:00 in the morning just to post this! I was excited about giving something away, but not THAT excited! Sleep is definitely one of my favorite things, but there is something I just happen to love more and that's my adorable hubby! We just had one of those conversations that accidentally lasts over an hour. It's the kind that you're enjoying so much, just laughing, talking and babbling on to each other; flapping your gums about a lot of things that matter and some that don't, and then all the sudden you look up and can't believe you've been at it for so long. I remember having lot's of those when I first met him and it's nice to know we haven't lost that "loving feeling". Even after 7 years of knowing each other we can still tie up the airwaves with a great conversation...I love you for that Nate, thanks for the visit.

Give-A-Way!!!

So, I've been wanting to this for a while and now that I'm home the time is now! I love the idea of "giving away" some of my creative endeavors that can be found of my website. Future Give-A-Ways may include baby announcements, Christmas cards or even a photo session. Today's is for a set of 30 mom or pop calling cards! I love these and think they are a hip and fun way for mom's, dad's or families to share their information with people they meet! The winner will get their choice from the following designs:

For those of you who couldn't put these cards to use for yourself, think about gifting them to a new mom or dad in your life, sure to be a hit! I love the idea of hearing from everyone who checks this blog so entering is going to be easy with a capital E! We spent the morning doing one of my favorite summer activities here in Whidbey, Berry Picking (post coming soon)! So, to enter the contest just leave me a comment and share your FAVORITE summer activity. There's no right or wrong answers! I'll use Random Integer Generator to choose a winner. All entries must be received by midnight on Wednesday (Pacific Time)!

God Blessed Texas

We arrived back in Whidbey this week. I always have mixed emotions. I love being back "home", familiar things, our own beds, seeing friends, etc. Hate not having Nate here...it always seems a little harder to put out of my mind that he's gone when I'm sleeping alone every night. (Technically if I'm being honest Carter usually makes her way into my room at some point in the night, but still...) It's nothing against Whidbey either, it's absolutely gorgeous! Green, surrounded by water, and thank the Lord right now SUNSHINE! Her beauty can't sway me though...I'll always be a Texan. I love the military for the life it has afforded us, the friends it has brought us, and the lessons it has taught us. I also love the thought of living in the state we both call home, near family, familiarity, etc. Who knows maybe someday we'll wind up back in the great state of Texas, but for now my extended visits give me a fix. There are lots of perks and one of them just happens to be that my childhood best friend lives in the same town as my parents! It's always fun to see Mindi and Jerod, and we just couldn't wait to meet their new baby Hudson! He is adorable, and you can tell by the look on Carter's face she just fell in love with him:

The only thing better than being best friends, is being best friends with babies!
Several of the coaches on my dad's staff had babies right before we left. My mom was busy painting a gift for one of the girls rooms and Carter loved watching it evolve!

Is my mom talented or what!?
Ready or not it was finally time for us to leave. We took advantage of my mom's cheerful front door for a few photos before we headed out of town.

One last picture with Roxi and Pops...
We headed out and on to Dallas. We planned on seeing my grandparents, my aunt and uncle and cousins before we flew out. Being that it was HOT swimming was definitely on the agenda. Carter had a great time in both Aunt Lynette and Mimi and Papa's pools. I was really proud of her because she has been a little scared of jumping off the side of the pool. The night before she was jumping like a monkey on and off the couch, so the next day I told her she should do the same thing off the side of the pool. Much to my delight it clicked and she had so much fun!

Proud Mama!

Mimi and Papa...

That smile is like sunshine to me...

After our swim we had worked up an appetite. Much to my delight we headed to...

I have many a fond memory of this place and always like going! In High School (before the days where kids had cell phones) our friends would often come looking for us around dinner time at Luby's...that's how often we were there. When Nate and I started dating he would kindly indulge me and we ate there often. Most days we would share a piece of chocolate pie, so on our most recent visit I got some in honor of him (and well I really just wanted to eat it, but it makes me feel better to say he's the reason!)

And, since he wasn't there to share I made up a little poem regarding his absence...

Going to Luby's, something we love to do.

Sharing a piece of pie made for two.

But, when you're not here...

it's bad for my rear....

'cause I eat the whole thing without you!

And, unfortunately the pie wasn't the only thing going to my rear on our visit! We were "fed well" everywhere we went. I was also highly anticipating what will become a stop I have to make every time I'm in the Dallas area. The last time I was in town we checked it out and I wasn't disappointed! It's Sprinkles Cupcakes and they are worth every penny of the $3.25 it cost to eat one! I have loved their website and marketing for a while, but had never been able to make it to any of their far off locations. I was so happy when they put one in Dallas! We shared the fun with my mom, Aunt Lynette, cousin Natalie and Granny (GG to Carter):

That evening we managed to squeeze in one more quick dip in the pool at Granny's house. Carter was tired and we had this sweet magical little moment. She just laid her head down on my shoulder and snuggled with me while I sang to her. I'm learning to appreciate those moments where she will be still and just let me hold her. She's such a ball of energy I feel like they are few and far between these days. As the saying goes all good things must come to an end. I felt good about heading home. It just felt like it was time to get back to life here in Whidbey. Carter and Lamb were all set to brave another airport! She's seen quite a few in her short little life!

We had a pretty long day of traveling and were getting a little stir crazy on our last flight. I pulled out my camera to try and amuse Carter and we are pretty good at creating our own fun if I do say so myself! Here's a photo she snapped of a snazzy dresser a couple of rows up:

She also found another way to amuse herself...

Pure TALENT people...we're raising this one right!

Our good friends Janelle, Connor and Cooper were waiting for us when we made it to Seattle and Carter was thrilled to see her buddies! Thanks again Janelle for going the "extra mile" to welcome us back home!

Sometimes it's hard because there is something about being with my family that is comforting and helps pass the time quickly. Not to mention we have just always been close and I enjoy getting to spend time with each and every one of them. There's a part of me that wants to hide-a-way in Texas every time Nate is gone. It feels safe. But, there's the other part of me that says, "You're twenty-seven (AHHHH) a real live adult, put your big girl panties on and be a woman!" So here I am. And I'm not complaining. I have a great group of friends here. We have a good church. A wonderful little house to call home. It's a happy life. There are just those days (and they seem more frequent when I'm home) that I feel like I fight being consumed by missing Nate. I want him here to love, share and parent with. I find myself comparing (never a good thing) our life to those of the average American. The ones who didn't choose the military as their path in life. I'll just be honest...I'm jealous of them. I want my husband to come home every night so bad it hurts. I think the lesson I'm learning over and over is I just have to give this to God. I have no choice and no control...there aren't many things in life that you can truly say that about, but this is mine. Hold onto it and be miserable...give it away and receive peace and joy as your reward. Sounds so easy, for some reason it's just not. Refiners Fire.

Am I a Bad Mom?

This is what my child just had for dinner. Cheese with Saltine Crackers, Cereal (Grape Nuts and Rice Chex mixed together), and Carrots with Ranch Dressing.

Bloom

Right around 7 years ago my world got rocked. What started out as an innocent trip to Starbucks with friends turned out to be the moment that would change my life forever. I was standing at the counter ordering my drink of choice. I remember turning around and looking out into the room while I waited. There was a table full of people I recognized and one I didn't. He stood out to me in the way you sort of imagine that "person" your meant to be with will. Sort of like God spotlighted him from heaven. Of course I didn't really know the moment I left that night that the good looking, blonde haired, blue eyed guy with an amazing smile would be the very same one I now call my hubby...but maybe deep down I had a twitch of an inclination that my life would never be the same. From the moment he came into my world Nate's love has made me bloom. It's not that I deserve it, but he has never made me feel anything less than adored. Sometimes it's not in what a person says, it's just in the way they look at you...That photo was taken the day we officially started this adventure, almost six year ago, but the look hasn't changed. Nate still smiles at me with that twinkle in his eye and makes me feel like I'm the only person in the world. When he's not around I miss just having him look at me. But, being the guy that he is he somehow manages to make me feel just as special. Carter and I made it home safe and sound late last night and then spent the morning hanging out with friends. When we arrived home I was greeted by this happy little bouquet of flowers...The flowers in and of themselves were enough to make any girl feel special...his perfect timing is what made me feel adored. He somehow just knew that the first day back in our home without him here might be a little tough. Now every time I glance at my kitchen counter top I'm greeted by a cheerful little bouquet that is about as close as you can get to a smile and a wink from my sweet husband. Thanks Nate for showing me your love...God uses you everyday to show me His.

The Goodman Family

Right before I left Abilene I had a chance to do another set of photos with the beautiful Goodman Family. We have done pictures before and they are, to say the least, very easy on the eyes! What a gorgeous family. Just thought I would share a few of my favorite pictures from the day.

I also wanted to say thank you to my mom's sweet friend Janna who has let me use her beautiful backyard on several occasions. You couldn't pick a nicer spot to take pictures! It made for a really fun evening with a great family!

A Visit With Nonna

Carter and I had a visit from Nonna this week! She was so sweet to make the trip up to Abilene and spend a few day's hanging out with us. We had so much fun and Carter relished all the attention. Nonna showered her with love and kisses and she just soaked it all up. We made a trip to the zoo. We were able to feed the giraffes (always a hit) and also got to see a Horn Bill and it's nesting babies (cooler than it may sound). Carter enjoyed it all and I loved snapping her photo. The lighting was great, she looked cute as a button and I couldn't pick my favorites...so get ready for a lot of photos!

These Lions reminded me of Nate and I...So in LOVE!!!

This is the stuff nightmares are made of...100's of fish fighting each other for food!

We also made a trip to the Grace Museum and had fun playing in their children's area. Maybe Carter will grow up to be a really rich Doctor who supports her mom and pop!

We enjoyed dinner at the Olive Garden and I think I might be rich really soon after I send in this video to America's Funniest Home Movies. Think this....

Now watch this...

Thanks so much for the visit Nonna! We love you and had so much fun!

P.S. A BIG thank you from Carter to Daddy for "her movies"! She was literally jumping for joy when they arrived! Thanks for making her day! We love you!