My life, as usual, has been faily uneventful. (Hence the lack of postage)
BUT this weekend Tyler and I have some VERY exciting plans! We will be spending the weekend at Lake Maumelle on our very own SAIL BOAT!
Random. I know.
But Tyler and I have spent a lot of time talking and looking and sailing and we fell in love! We found a great deal and just coulnd't pass it up! Tomorrow our very own boat will be delivered and we are planning on spending the whole rest of our marvelous weekend outside. Cleaning. Fixing up. Sailing. Eating. Cleaning. Church. Sleeping. Deep cleaning.
We haven't picked a name yet... but I'll keep you posted on that.
Here are a few pics!
I'm sure I'll have much more pictures and details after the weekend...
I hope all of you have a very safe and happy holiday weekend!!!!! :)
I was just going through old pictures and came across this beauty.
I went with the Herriman family on vacation to Glacier National Park in June 2008. It was an amazing place. SO BEAUTIFUL! We all had so much fun exploring God's beautiful creation.
On one of our many hikes, this happened...
I hope this makes your day better, like it did mine! :)
Tonight I can't help but think about Rachel and her Pre-Wedding Busyness. All I have to say about that is EEESH! I do not envy her at. all.
Poor thing, this week has been so busy for her (and Jo Anne) and all she wants to do is be married already! I remember that frustration so vividly, and it was probably the biggest ball of mixed emotions I've ever felt.
You want to make sure and treasure every moment, every detail you plan, all the time you get to spend with your wonderful and patient Mom, the last few days as a Miss Ware. But at the same time all you can think about is the freedom you will soon have after getting thing whole, blasted thing over with! AH!
So tonight (and this whole week, really) I'm saying a special prayer for my Lil' SIL... because I know her feelings are so much of what I felt, I have so many prayers I'm praying!
I love you Rachel and I'll see you on the other side! :)
Also, I recieved another Blog Award! (Round of cheers and fist pumps from the Herriman residence!!!! And no, not from Tyler. Ha!)
Stylish Housewife gave me the Sweet Blog Award! Thank you S.H. I love love love your blog and always look forward to what you have to say next. :)
And now, I pass this award to one special friend, Whitney. She is by far the sweetest friend I have!
I am so thankful for the wonderful women I have my life! Not only do have an amazing mother, who selflessly gives to everyone around her, but I also have two wonderful, God-fearing grandmothers, an aunt that I consider to be a 2nd mother, and a mother-in-law that I absolutely LOVE! Seriously, God has blessed me beyond belief!!!!!!
First off, My Momma... This woman is hilarious. And the best part is that she doesn't even mean to be! It's not her one-liners that crack me up (she's not really the one-liner/stand-up comedian type), it's just her entire personality.
For example.....
The Ware Family likes to play games. A. Lot. We play pretty much every game you can think of. One night we played Guessture (basically charades and hot-potato mixed together) and it was Mom's turn. Halfway through her turn, she runs out of the living room and completely disappears for a good 10 seconds. And the clock keeps ticking. Everyone on her team was stressing, trying figure out where she would go and why she would leave in the middle of her turn! Well Mom comes charging around the corner, holding up a bag of carrots and shaking them profusely!!! ***In case you didn't catch it, Mom's word was "carrots" and instead of trying to act them out, she just decided to race into the kitchen and grab a bag from the fridge.*** WHO DOES THAT?!?!? haha!!!! Well, my mother does! :)
My Mom is so giving to everyone around her. I think the fact that she works for hospice explains that perfectly.... Not a lot of people can get over their own themselves or their own problems and really help others during a time that is so painful. But she can. I know she has been a blessing to so many people and touched so many lives through her work. But she doesn't just leave that attitude at work-- she carries that spirit of compassion to everyone she meets. My momma love her family (ok, well what wonderful mom doesn't). But my mom is truly the glue that binds us all together. She can't get enough time with her grandbabies and absolutely LOVES when we can all get together. I love getting to go home now, because I know how excited she gets, and I know she actually wants me there (unlike a few time when I was a teenager, I'm sure ha!!!)
If you want the worlds best shopping buddy... this is your girl. You want to play games? You have a partner. You want to ride the biggest roller coaster? Go to the movies? Eat chocolate till you explode? You are looking at your partner in crime.
I love how much she loves coffee, the way her head perks up when she really belly-laughs, her dancing when she gets really excited, and the way she always sings "Happy Birthday to you, You belong in the zoo" to me on my birthday! :)
I catch myself sometimes doing things I know I got from my Mom. I can't help but laugh at these moments, because I know all those funny things that she does is carrying on to me. I only hope I can be the life of the family to my family one day, like she is to ours. :) I love you Mommy!!!
Next up, my Grandma and Memaw....
Wow these two ladies are so inspiring. They have lived their entire lives serving others, giving selflessy and looking to get nothing in return.
My memaw has spent the better part of her life volunteering at the hospital, nursing home and countless church activities. This woman can NOT sit still. :) She still gets out at least 3-4 times a week to orchestrate some activity at church or spend time at the nursing home. She is the leading lady for her church's "No spouse in the house" group. I wish I could be a fly in that gym when they all get together, because I just know she is walking around making sure everyone is doing what their supposed to be doing. She is definitely an organizer (hmmm, wonder where I get that? ha!).
She is a talented artist. She quilts, sews, paints and crafts with the best of them. (Again, wonder where I get my craftyness from?)
She is a strong, no nonsense woman that has so much pride in her family. She continues to give to everyone around her.
My Grandma is so similar in many ways. Grandma taught me to sew (not that I remember much of it now) and made so many of my cute smocked dresses growing up. She continued her sewing up until recently and made the cutest burp cloths for practically every child under the age of 2 in our church.
Grandma started our church's World Bible School program. She took on hundreds of students from all across the world, sharing God's message with each of them through mailing Bible courses back and forth. There is no telling how many people became Christians because of her!
Both women have read their Bibles from start to finish countless times. They are encouragers, selfless and love their families more than anything on this earth.... although I'd have to say crossword puzzles would come in a strong 2nd place. :)
Oh Annie, Annie, Annie....
I think if there is anyone on this earth (besides my momma) that truly understand me, it's you. Maybe that's because we are so much alike? Ya... that's probably got a lot to do with it.
Some people may call it no-nonsense, others may call it straightforward. But that honesty is something I know I got straight from you. :)
My years at Harding were blessed because I had you there. You and your endless supply of Nutella Crescent Rolls kept my heart and stomach happy. Plus, you always made sure I had clean underwear! ha!!!
You are my biggest chearleader! You never told me how you thought I should live my life, you just let me live it, and love me through everything.
And last but definitely not least, my Mother-in-Law, JoAnne....
I don't know why God decided I should be the lucky girl to get to be a part of the Herriman family, but for some reason He picked me!
Of course I love the entire family beyond words... but this post is all about JoAnne :)
I have some friends that didn't get so lucky in the MIL department. I have heard horror stories.... straight out of this movie...
Although this trailer is stinkin hilarious, I can't imagine feeling like my relationship with my MIL was "kill or be killed." ha!
I have had so many friends ask me "Is she really that nice?" And I LOVE being able to look them in the eye and say "She is so much better!" :)
She is the most positive person I know. She is always smiling, always encouraging, always upbeat. I know I will be uplifted after spending a little bit of time with her. She is a great listener. I always know that she is ready to listen to whatever is going on in mine and Tyler's life, big or small.
JoAnne is the best mom. Ever. Tyler and I talk about it all the time! She always gave Tyler and Rachel the freedom to live independent lives, but gave them boundaries when it mattered. Tyler and Rachel are both hard-workers and very independent and I know a lot is due to JoAnne. She is such an encourager. And she gives us support and will do anything to help, but also wants us to go and experience things for ourselves. I love that! Joe and JoAnne have really instilled a sense of adventure in Tyler and Rachel.
I am so incredibly thankful to have a MIL that I respect, admire and love as much as I do! Her compassion and serving attitude are such an example, and I pray I can be a mother like her!
So here is a special post to all the women in my life, both my real mother and "other mothers" who mean so much to me! I love so much and am so incredibly thankful for you!
Per my last post, most of you know we have been looking into sailing. So today, we decided to check it out first hand!
Our plan? Drive to Lake Maumelle (about 30 minutes away), walk around the piers and hope to goodness we could shmooze our way onto someone's sailing adventure for the day.
And the plan WORKED! ha!
We saw a middle-aged man setting up his sails on next pier over, so Tyler and I made a dash over there-- you could say we were slightly stalking. :)
We slowly walked by him, casually said hi and started watching him get ready. Tyler started "sailing" talk with him and before we knew it we were on board! SCORE!
This man was the perfect guide-- he has been sailing since he was little, had several different sailboats in his lifetime (this one he has had for 20 years) and takes his boat out at least 3-4 times a week! (did I mention he was retired) Seriously, all this man does with his time is wood-work and sail... I think Tyler met future-Tyler in 45 years! ha!
We went sailing for about 3 hours. The entire time was filled with this man's sailing stories. We learned all the sailing lingo. And we got to heel, tack and jibe! (Eh? EH??? Come on, I was dying to show off a little :) )
The trip was perfect for some many reasons... 1)I had never even seen a real sailboat before, let alone sailed. I got to see if it was something I absolutely hated and never wanted to do again, or if it was something I loved! (I think I'm currently leaning more towards the latter) 2) Tyler hadn't been sailing in a long time, so it really solidified Tyler's love for sailing. Love may be an understatement-- more like obsessed! :) 3) If we decide to purchase a boat, we really learned what to look for 4) We made our first sailing friend! Jim even gave Tyler his number in case we wanted to tag along again sometime. And you bet your booty Tyler will use one of his Friday's off to do so! ha!
After sailing, Tyler and I walked up and down the piers to check out all the sailboats. We talked about what we liked and didn't like. It really helped us know what we want if/when we make a purchase.
Our favorite so far?
Catalina 22
This little beauty seems like it would be the best for us. On the smaller side, good quality boat, and a very popular "starter" boat for people.... so we think we could get a really good deal on an older one!
Even though the tops of my legs are burnt to a crisp and Tyler has permanent sunglasses burnt on his face, we really really had fun!
Oh goodness, now I'm just getting a little excited! ha! Who really knows what will happen, but hey, this was such a great day and fun adventure I just had to share with you all!
If we do end up with a boat, I promise you are all invited for a day of sailing! :)
Well I think it's fairly safe to say that my life is pretty boring. And I am quite ok with that. The only problem with this?
No life = boring blog.
So here are the latest things going on my life (and just some random thoughts as I sit here blogging) :)
1. I recently remodeled.... you like?? :) I think I needed a makeover to get more in the blogging mood.
2. My family is going to Navarre Beach in..... um..... 4 1/2 WEEKS! Excited is an understatement. It has been 3 years since the fam has gone on vaca so this trip is long overdue.
Last time, this was our group.....
Looks like we will have an addition or two, eh?? Or maybe 3! :)
I'm so excited for Tyler to be a part of our family trip, B & H will be SO fun now that they are older, and GK and MK will be so stinkin cute in their little swimsuits! :)
3. I just found out my office "roommate" is moving home to Pennsylvania. :( Sekea and I share an office and keep each other quite entertained. At first, I wasn't sure about the whole sharing spaces concept, but that girl cracks. me. up. I will surely miss her!
4. If you would have seen me in the past 3 days, I would look something like this....
Not too cute, huh? Unfortunately, I haven't been feeling too cute, either. I feel like I am in a constant state of about-to-sneeze. With my nose running, eyes bugging, and throat scratching, I have been one. unhappy. camper. (Just ask Tyler, ha!)
5. Tyler is seriously contemplating buying one of these.... Don't worry, we aren't jumping at the first available sailboat. We are taking our time, in no hurry at all. We are just keeping our eyes open for a great deal. We have seen some pretty good deals so far, but not in our area. So maybe the next year or two (or 20) we may find our perfect little Sunfish Sailboat.
I mean, COME ON!!! How much fun would it be to hop on one of these for an afternoon! They really aren't very expensive and it would be SO FUN to learn how to sail! Oh... I'll just keep dreaming.....
5. Baby fever... I've got.
(I think my mom just peed a little when she read that! haha!!!)
Ok, let me rephrase. I am NOT ready to have a baby RIGHT NOW. NOPE. NOT EVEN CLOSE. So let's get that straight. What I am saying is that is seems everyone and their cousin Susy are having babies! And if they're not having babies, they're talking about it.
All that talk has me excited for when Tyler and I do decide to have babies. **Again, let me repeat... NOT ANYTIME SOON. (We're shooting for like.... 15 years :) )**
I'm just saying, I'm already praying for our babies to be healthy and happy. I'm already picking out names. And I'm already thinking about how great it will be to raise children with Tyler.
Thank goodness I have a 3-year, no-baby contract shoved up my arm.....
6. Rachel is getting MARRIED next week!!!!! I am SOOO excited for her! It's going to be BEAUTIFUL and everything will be perfect! EEK! Pictures to come!! :)
So that's all the randomness this girl can take for one night... maybe when I'm not constantly sneezing and sniffling I'll be a little bit more entertaining.... :)
Tyler and I have been married for over 4 years. We are beginning the next phase in our lives and are expecting our first baby in May 2014!
And here is our life...
