morning at the ZOO with two of my very favorites

last week Jackson & I went to the ZOO. we dragged Johnny along :)
I couldn't imagine a better morning at one of my favorite places with two of my favorite people!


{it was a little warm}

Johnny saw his favorite, the tiger up close & personal. {the tiger was pissed about something.}

He's going to be the best uncle :)

the bears were awesome & playing the water right in front of us


doing some exploring...

right before we left {after Jackson's tantrum}

a great morning :) ended our trip with chik-fil-a. happiness all around.

gifts...

so i did this great bible study. with some great friends. we read through a great book. and learned the value of gifts... and a few months later. i've stopped thinking about gifts. i'm easily overwhelmed and frustrated. i'm forgetting to notice all these gifts. gifts that come straight from my Heavenly Father. so back numbering my gifts....

sunshine.
jackson as a seal.
a relaxing day by the pool-
the pool she never thought she'd be at.
finally finding a good spray paint
this baby in my belly.
options.
yogurt covered raisins.
lotion for my dry skin.
communication throughout the day through a simple plastic box
rainbows {the shoes}
rainbow tan lines
summer
"like parched land, my soul thirsts for You."
gifts 318-332

Tuesday Thoughts

yesterday was so hot. i don't even understand how it got so hot inside this house. i put jackson to sleep naked {except a diaper}. because i was so hot. i'm convinced this baby inside me was very hot as well. kept kicking me. a lot. seriously we were so hot.

my mind is spinning. i want so much for myself. i want to glorify God with every moment of my life. i want to be more. do more. live more. FOR CHRIST. i want all this, yet i don't do anything about it. i fail. every.stinking.day. i don't understand. {i mean, i do- yes, we're sinners living in a fallen world} but i feel like i'm just stubborn and dumb. i look around and see these women of God, full-heartedly chasing after their Savior with all that they are. and here i am, sitting, wishing i was in such great pursuit. and it makes no sense that i sit here and complain. that i let these thoughts stir in my head. sending me into a depression of sorts. and yet i do nothing. it makes not sense. i need help. and i think i need the help of someone else.

BUT that's not what i need. I NEED CHRIST. i need to rely on Him. not on my own selfish-lazy-dumb self. yes, it's overwhelming. but through Him, all things are possible.

too many thoughts for this tuesday...

2 perfect years

2 years ago I married my love. It was a perfect day. It's been a perfect two years.
look at this handsome man. goodness, I LOVE HIM.

walking down the aisle to meet my husband.

those who stood by our side. so thankful for them.

our incredible ceremony.

yahoo! we're married!

we're all really excited!

so that was our wedding. the reception was perfect too. goodness, we've done a lot in two years...

we've gone to disneyworld
traveled to new york, california, tahoe,
and soon san fransisco for an anniversary/ babymoon trip! {can't wait}
we went on the craziest bike ride of my life for our one year anniversary.
we've graduated college. and i started my masters.
we made it through an entire, miserable volleyball season.
we moved.
we left a steady job to help start a church.
we've left other jobs & started new ones.
we've had cars break down, have borrowed cars, and even bought 3 cars!
we got active & cheered each other on in half-marathons & triathlons.
we got pregnant!
we've trusted the Lord every step of the way.
I am so thankful for this day. for the day I promised my life to the love of my life.
Manny, you are beyond greatness. I love you too much.
I can't wait for a billion more perfect years!

{p.s. weren't we so cool on this perfect day 2 years ago?}

Tahoe: a great vacation

so here are the rest of the pictures from this great vacation.
seriously it was fun & relaxing. we did plenty & rested plenty.

the view from our deck. awesome.

just arrived at the cool house!

celebrating Grandma Joan's birthday!

everyone hanging out.

fourth of july! fireworks over the water. we stayed up at the house to watch.

so great.

manny & the guys getting some epic bike rides in.

manny & I went on a great date.
great food on the deck overlooking the water at sunset.

everyone.love it.

what a perfect summer vacation.

Tahoe: 3 perfect days at the beach

i love the beach. it is my favorite place in the world.
the tahoe beach was no different.
crystal clear water. soft, warm sand. slight waves~ a lovely sound. relaxing in the sun.
ahhh so perfect.
we rented a stand-up paddleboard & a kayak. so fun!
the water was a little chilly, but we braved the water
and we warmed in the sun.

figuring out the paddleboard

out on the water!

my mom even made it out on the board!

kayak! {wishing I had a picture of manny & I}

in the cold water.