Girls Night

On Monday nights, we usually host our Life Group at our house, but this week the guys had Football and Wings at church. So we decided to do a ladies night. Turns out, it ended up being just me, Abby, and Gina, but we had a lot of fun! We ate, did pedicures, watched Dancing With the Stars, and had a great time! Everyone needs a night like that now and again. So thankful for all the wonderful ladies in my life!

Carson's Head

Carson's head has had quite the week.

Last Thursday, he fell of his skateboard and scraped his face next to his eye.

Wednesday, Abby came down the stairs to tell Aaron that Carson had cut his own hair. Sure enough, two big chunks were cut out of his hair. Aaron told him that we were going to have to shave his head. He cried and cried as Aaron buzzed his hair. Aaron told him, "Don't worry, it's gonna grow back." To which Carson replied, "But yours didn't!"

Then the next night as Carson danced around the living room, he busted his head open on the window seat.

Poor little guy. :)

This Week [10.23.10]

This week...

• We got to hang out with Jason and Natalie and the kiddos, all of whom I've been missing dearly.
• I baked four times. Muffins, scones, cookies, and cobbler. It's so easy (and relatively cheap)! Why haven't I done this more?
• Shot my last wedding of October.
• Carson decided to give himself a haircut. He is now very nearly bald. This deserves it's own post.
• We finally found a location for the new campus! And we had three new families visit. Very exciting!
• Saw a movie (Wall Street) with Candace and ate at Bin 555 with her and Adriana.
• Spent a fun evening with the Azzaros and other pastors at RCCC eating together and being mentored, which I value highly.
• Finished "The Help" and read "The Poisonwood Bible" via audiobook download from the library, and "The Hunger Games". Extremely well written books.
• Bought three Christmas gifts.
• Laughed with my husband. A lot.
• And enjoyed life :)

Just Another Day in Paradise

Just about every Monday starts the same. I get up. Very (very) lightly tidy things up a bit. If Abby has school, I get her ready and take her. Then I sit with Carson a while and watch cartoons. I make coffee, and not long after, Aaron comes downstairs. He watches ESPN for a while. We don't do much. Then around 10:00, one of us will inevitably ask, "What do you want to do today?" To which, the other will reply, "Mmm... I don't know. I'm up for anything. What do you want to do?" Neither of us ever knows anything beyond the fact that "it'd be nice to get out of the house for a while." So, we hop in the car and go. In the car, Aaron will turn to me and say, "So I have no idea where I'm going. Any ideas?" I never really have any... But we always seem to have fun, whether we end up at Costco or Target or a burger joint or just driving around.

Today, we chose to drive. And it made for a perfect day. We drove out 471 towards Medina Lake. As we drove, if we saw a road that caught our eye, we'd take it. We spent the better part of the day exploring the backroads of the Hill Country, and it was fabulous. The weather was gorgeous, the music seemed to hit the spot (Aaron's "Chill" playlist), and the company, of course... it doesn't get better (well, unless Abby had been along). It was refreshing and awe-inspiring to see such beautiful scenery, breathing in the autumn air. We began dreaming of the day where we might have our own little piece of hill country heaven, far from the hustle and bustle, where we might only need to step out onto our front porch to be blown away by the beauty of God's creation. And we had a great time. Just being together.

We serve an awesome God -- maker of trees and rivers, blue skies, and my beautiful family. I am so thankful!

Feels Like Fall

Yesterday was a really good day. Did I clean the house? Nope. Did I get much work done? Nope. But I had fun. Carson was itching to get out of the house yesterday morning and said he wanted to "be in nature", so we headed up the road to Helotes, where we found some walking trails and went to check out the Nature Center (which was closed). We explored and had ever so much fun making discoveries and trying to solve small mysteries ("Where do you think these tire tracks came from?!") Carson was in heaven. Walking behind the Nature Center, we discovered a rope swing that was good for half an hours worth of entertainment. Made me wish we had a tree in the back yard to hang one from.

On our way home, we saw a pumpkin patch at Helotes UMC, and decided we'd go pick out a few pumpkins to decorate after Abby got done with school. It never ceases to amaze me how much fun kids have at a pumpkin patch.

Last night, we hung around the house, had risotto (a family favorite) for dinner, and then we all decorated our pumpkins together. Even the grown-ups had fun!

Here's the final result. I love how everyone's pumpkins came out totally differently :)

Happy Fall, everyone!

Sacred Sunday

Sundays have a pretty special place in my heart. There's something sort of sacred about them. Sunday mornings at church are always so powerful, refreshing, challenging, and inspiring. When it's all over, there's something still sacred in just coming home, sitting on the couch, reading the paper, watching a ball game, or taking a nap. Relaxing. It's peaceful and quiet and there's nothing else going on. Generally Sunday evenings are spent with Aaron's family, the whole lot of us. Those evenings feel sort of sacred too -- filled with lots of noise and laughter... and far too much food. Can't be beat.

Treats that made today extra special?

• After last night's wedding (and with the kids spending the night at Ammie and Poppy's), I slept until 10:00 this morning. (I never do that!)
• After church, Jackson came over to play. It was so much fun! I've really missed that kid. He's so fun!
• Abby got to spend the afternoon with Ammie. They went to see a play at the twins' school and then went to Starbucks and to see Ammie's gallery. Abby was going 90 miles an hour when she got home. :)
• Poppy made hamburgers. Back in the day when we were dating and first married, burgers were the weekly meal at the Powers' house. We haven't had burgers over there in ages, but it brought back good memories from back in the days when we all fit around the small table in the kitchen.

Fortunately/Unfortunately

When I was in 5th grade, my teacher, Mrs. Richardson, had us write a book entitled Fortunately/Unfortunately. I don't necessarily remember what I wrote about then, but I've come up with a newer version -- a true life tale of my day yesterday.

Fortunately, I've been busy lately with work.
Unfortunately, I've been busy lately with work -- which apparently makes me a little distracted and all over the place.
Fortunately, I had a wedding Thursday night.
Unfortunately, along the way I realized the black dress shoes I needed to wear were not in the car like I thought. And then when I dropped the kids off, Aaron mentioned he could see my stripey bra through my two layer shirt. (Is it okay to talk about my bra on my family blog?!)
Fortunately, I was able to make a quick stop at Cato, where I found perfect shoes and a perfect bra both on clearance for cheap. In and out in five minutes.
Unfortunately, when I arrived, I was horrified to discover that in my rush to get out the door while helping a frustrated and tired Abby with homework, I somehow left an entire case (one of three) containing a crucial piece of equipment at home. (I am a total idiot. I can admit that.)
Fortunately, my wonderful photographer mother-in-law lived close and brought me hers to borrow.
Unfortunately, I was 35 minutes late because of my mistake.
Fortunately (for me. Unfortunately for her), the bride was 30 minutes later than I was.
Unfortunately, my eyes were itching like crazy.
Fortunately, they waited to get really bad until the wedding was over.
Unfortunately, my husband was asleep when I got home last night. (I always love getting to hang out with him when I get home.)
Fortunately, I have convinced him to shoot tomorrow's wedding with me. #1 Because he's actually really good. #2, I really like having him around. And #3, he will help me make sure my head stays on straight! (No small task!)

Fortunately, two people committed their lives to each other forever yesterday. And it was beautiful. And they chose me to document it... and I get to do it again tomorrow for another amazing couple. And at the end of the day, there's nothing unfortunate that can really overshadow that.