4 Wheelers and Horseback Riding

Twice a year one of the mentors for our adult class at church invites us all out to his farm for a day of fun (this is us there last October). This past Sunday was the big day! First up, some of us girls headed out on the 4 wheelers to explore!

Mandy and Lilly on the left and Abigail and I on the right. Abigail grew up driving 4 wheelers and I was really impressed with her ability to navigate so quickly and safely through the woods on one. I’m pretty sure we would’ve been going at a snail’s pace if I had been driving. {photos courtesy of Mandy}

After the 4 wheelers, Abigail and I decided it was time for some horse back riding!

Headed off for one of the trails, waving like princesses as we go. Because you know… princesses can wear shorts and ride astride. At least these two can.  {photo courtesy of Mandy}

As you can see, of all the photos above only one is actually mine. I got busy talking and not taking pictures. Which is okay with me. I mean, I love to have the pictures to go with the memories, but I’m also not one to beat myself up over missed shots. Some days I’d rather just live in the moment and not behind the lens and some days I like to juggle both.

After half an hour on the trails horseback riding, we headed down to the lake to watch some of the kids fish. After that it was dinner time and I chatted with my mommy friends and held babies. There was a bonfire with hot dogs, chili, and s’mores. And so much good conversation. It reminded me how blessed I am to have such a great group of friends.

I must be getting old

When I was in college I did an internship for a local church and part of the deal was that they would provide me with housing. Well… they got busy and on my first day I found out that they had totally forgotten to line up a place. Next thing I knew, I was standing on a stranger’s porch and without giving them any prior warning, the youth minister asked this couple if it would be okay with them if I moved in for the summer. They didn’t hesitate at all. They welcomed me with hugs and took my bag from me and  walked me to my new bedroom. I still remember Debbie running around trying to put things away so I would have space to live for the summer. And I especially remember how overwhelmed I was that these complete strangers would take me in on the spur of the moment for an entire summer without knowing anything about me other than that I was the new youth intern. 

Since then, Doug and Debbie have only continued to bless both Christopher and I. Honestly, I can’t even begin to name all the things they have done for us over the years. Letting me live with them for TWO summers as I interned for their church, late night conversations, mentoring us, loving on us, Doug hiring Christopher for the summer and teaching him how to fix up an old house, helping plan our wedding, helping us move after we got married, and on and on. Christopher and I decided way back then that we wanted to serve and love others the same way Doug and Debbie had served and loved us.

We got to see Doug and Debbie this past weekend because we were in town for a wedding and it was so so so good to catch up with them!

Speaking of that wedding… it was actually the wedding for one of the girls I was closest to during my days as an intern. I’ve known her since she was a cute little 8th grader and now she’s all grown up and married! I must be getting old if these girls I used to mentor are all old enough to be getting married now.

Us nearly five years ago at mine and Christopher’s wedding and then us this past Saturday at Kylie’s wedding. Love love love this sweet girl.

Many things have changed about Kylie as she has gotten older, but her height is not one of those things. Her wedding was fun and so sweet. I couldn’t be more happy for her.

No More Hurting People…

I’m sure many of you saw this photo of Martin Richard (the 8-year-old victim of the Boston Bombing):

 {source}

Just this past week, Vapor featuring Marc Martel (from my favorite band Downhere!) released a song inspired by this photo of Martin Richard. See it here:

The sign for love, a cry for peace from a city’s child to the grieving streets. With simple phrase the banner pleads what heavy hearts want to still believe. 

Let the dreamer’s dream never be in vain. Let the words ring out for heaven’s sake: “No more, no more hurting people. No more, no more hurting people.”  

The tears will dry, the wounds will heal. We’ll always live with the loss we feel. Make no mistake, we’ll run again ’cause the light won’t ever let the darkness win! 

Let the dreamer’s dream never be in vain. Let the words ring out for heaven’s sake: “No more, no more hurting people. No more, no more hurting people.”

Love is still the answer. Love will conquer all. Light will overcome the darkness when it falls. 

Oh, I believe there will some day be no more, no more hurting people. No more, no more hurting people. No more hurting people…

{Lyrics to “No More Hurting People” by Vapor featuring Marc Martel}

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You can download the song for free here. There is an option to donate to the artist with 100% of the proceeds going directly to The One Fund Boston (to help the victims of the Boston Bombing & their families).

Those Neighbor Kids

Will, the little boy that I nanny, asks me every now and then if we can go play with “those neighbor kids” who live in the house by mine. Every time he asks, I remind him that “those neighbor kids” moved to Florida with their parents a few months ago. Weeell… this week, they were back in town! Their house sold so they came to sign the final papers and such. When I told Will that we were going to see those same old neighbor kids he was SO excited! However, he couldn’t wrap his mind around the fact that we weren’t actually going to Florida in order to see them. I kept trying to explain that they were back HERE visiting, but geography is a tricky thing for a four-year-old.

Anyway, we met up with everyone at My Big Backyard at the Memphis Botanic Garden. All in all, there were 10 kids with 6 adults so we were quite the crew walking around.

The kids had a GREAT time! There was so much to explore and see and they loved it.

Will and Judah saying goodbye. They kept calling each other “Best Buddy” which I thought was pretty much the sweetest thing ever. I knew Will had missed “those neighbor kids” but I didn’t realize how attached he was to them.

Speaking of those neighbor kids… they have grown up SO much since I last saw them. On Wednesday evening, our old neighborhood friend group all got together again.

 Baby Amos is nearly a year old! And he has so much hair!

Rivers is still a mess and never stops going, but he has only gotten cuter as time goes on. Check out all those blonde curls!

Judah is still just as adorable. I’m not exactly sure where his shirt went, but well, these things happen.

And big sister Elizabeth is still trying to fend for herself with three younger brothers.

Tim & Stephanie (who are still our neighbors!), Rachel & Tony with their four kiddos, and then us. We miss this sweet family, but are so thankful that Tim and Stephanie still live just two houses over.

Garlic Cheddar Biscuits

You know those delicious Garlic Cheddar Biscuits from Red Lobster? Right well, Kelly from Eat Yourself Skinny has recreated them and they really couldn’t be easier. I mean, the main ingredient is Bisquick so most of the work is done for you already! I’ve made these a couple of times and they are always a hit! The first time I made them was the only time I took a photo and I completely forgot the parsley, ha! They are good like that, but they are even better with that fresh parsley on top!

{original recipe here}

See, super simple. So make them. And impress your friends.

Save the Date Photo Shoot

As I’m sure you’ve noticed, I really like taking pictures. I’m definitely not a professional, but I am learning as I go and having fun along the way. You guys have seen some of the fun little photo shoots I’ve done with the kids I nanny… well, one of their mom’s friends saw the pictures on Facebook and asked if I would take photos for her Save the Dates. So this was my first official paid photo shoot!

Kathleen and Joey were great! We shot these at Shelby Farms and I can’t tell you how many runners/bikers yelled “Congrats!” as they passed (especially the shots of her holding out her ring). It was definitely a fun experience!

Tee Ball and a Graduation

Last night we had quite the busy evening. Right after Christopher got off work we headed out to Will’s Tee Ball game.

Mallory flying with her daddy

We had fun watching the kids play and hanging out with Will and Mallory’s parents and grandparents (Will had a huge cheering section, haha!). I love the kids I nanny and I love their family as well so it’s great fun at events like this. Right after Will’s game we drove to the school our teens attend for their graduation!

Christopher with his mentee, Willis. It has been really cool to watch him grow up and mature over the past couple of years.

When we first started working with the teens 4 years ago Christopher and I decided that if we had to pick a husband for our future daughter from one of the guys, it would be Ryan. We told him that and ever since I have been his “future mother in law” and he is always bugging me about when I’m going to adopt an 18-year-old for him to marry. He was a good kid back then and he is a good man now. He still is the kind of man I would hope my future daughter will marry.

It was a busy evening, but definitely a fun one. Before I know it, little William will be walking across the stage at his own high school graduation… time is flying!