Saturday Photos

I had a photo shoot this morning at Old Salem. We had a good time, regardless of the heat... and I think we got some good shots!

9 Years

Today is Michael and my 9 year anniversary. Wow!

Time sure has flown by. 9 years ago today I was an 18 year old girl who, nervously and excitedly, was about to make a commitment that would alter my life forever. Yup...you read that right...18! I remember thinking to myself that I was young, but that Michael was grown and older. But, he was only 23. And, to add to the shock factor we only knew each other 9 months before getting married! Looking back, I'm almost appalled that my parents were as calm as they were about their freshly-turned 18 year old daughter getting married. In fact, calm is not the word...more like encouraging. They say it's because they knew Michael was a good guy and he would take care of me, but still... 18 years old! I'm glad they didn't give me grief though.

Life with Michael is wonderful...interesting...funny... He keeps me on my toes, and inspires me at the same time. He has been my best friend, lover and caretaker. (I know caretaker is an odd word to use, but lets face it...getting married at 18 meant I still had some growing up to do.) The first two years were Horrible...and I do mean Horrible, with a capital H! We fought, we fussed, we cried... I dreaded coming home.. I dreaded waking up... A lot of it had to do with being so young and not knowing Michael very well... but I'm convinced most of it was because we weren't putting God first in our relationship.

Now, 9 years, 2 kids, a new home later we are doing great. God has blessed us tremendously and just like I told Michael this morning, I love him more now than the day we got married.

Photographic

I had a fun photo shoot with a beautiful little girl yesterday. I just have to share a few from the session. Aren't her eyes amazing?

After the shoot, my friend and I went into down town Winston Salem to find a spot for some photographs. I was wanting a picture of me to load to my website. After driving around we found a great mural that we took a few pictures in front of.

Aubreigh meets World

Today my best friend of 13 years gave birth to her second daughter. I was blessed and honored to get to be with her during the labor and delivery. Birth has always fascinated me... and when you get to be in on a birth that's not your own, you actually get to take in all the details. I can say that birth, itself, just reminds me of how amazing God is.

World. Meet Aubrey.

Summer

Tonight, we went for a ride on the Polaris...something we typically do 3 or 4 nights a week. We ride through the woods behind our home, up the hills, through the pastures. The boys enjoy seeing the cows, horses, donkeys and other random wildlife... Michael and I enjoy smelling the fresh air, and just taking in the beautiful scenery.

the horses, Ginger and Bo

One of the donkeys

After coming home the boys caught some lightning bugs. Dylan is better at catching, than Hayden...

Dylan 3 vs Hayden 1

About a week ago I talked with Dylan about something that has been on my heart lately. Dylan see's me cleaning the house, sitting on the computer, painting my nails, and just being lazy at times..but he very rarely seen me reading the Bible. I felt it was truly a disservice to him, considering the fact that he is so moldable right now...and his heart is pure and really wants to learn more about God. Both of my boys are gifts from God..I know it is Michael and my job to teach them about him, and there is no more perfect time than now. So, last week we started reading a chapter in Proverbs...with the goal being five chapters a week. (I will admit that we only managed to do it three nights, but I guess its better than zero.) But, I bought a book that I'm excited to start with tonight... Step into the Bible, by Ruth Graham. It is a book filled with 100 Devotionals for families. I think this will give me more of a guide, and help me to answer some of the questions he may have.

Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.

Proverbs 22:6 (KJV)

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