Friends, it was a good weekend indeed.

This pas weekend, was really one of the best weekends we have had in a long time. 

Perhaps it was because Caleb was not there, so there were no tantrums, throwing food, changing diapers, or alarm clock. 

Perhaps, because we weren't thinking about all of our work responsibilities. 

Perhaps because we were surrounded by Lake Michigan. 

Perhaps because we went to Mackinac Island, biked around the island, ate ice cream and had fun with 30 of  our friends. 

Perhaps it was because it was the wedding a dear friend, with an amazing love story. 

Perhaps it was because I was the wedding photographer...and well, let's be honest, taking pictures is so life giving to me, albiet, stressful at times. 

Whatever the reason, we had a blast!!! 

Here are some pictures from Mackinac Island. 

Hey look!  I made it into a picture. This is a rare occasion! 

We went hiking to Arch Rock with some friends. HUGE hills friends, HUGE hills. This is Brendan, Jon's college roommate and close friend..... 

And because Caleb was not with us, I had to take pictures of someone's kid! Meet Breslin (his daddy is Brendan). 

No cars on the island! You can only get around via bike, foot or horse:) 

We made it all the way to Arch Rock!! 

I love this family! Good friends! 

Just a street view

Soon, I will post some wedding pics:) 

November 26

So thankful for Chic Filet Play place....even if Caleb did get stuck and I had to climb up and get him. It broke up our drive a little and we were able to play before many more hours of driving!

Noemeber 25

We had breakfast at a restaurant on the beach today. I am thankful that they sold mimosas. I didn't have one, but it made me chuckle and I was glad they sold them.

I love the water. Having breakfast oceanside was wonderful.

Speaking of ocean, we had day #2 at the beach and it was great! I got some much needed rest and sun. I took some awesome pictures and I cannot wait to get back home and start editing!

Most of all, I am thankful for a quiet place in Starbucks, time to work, time to be an introvert and time to recharge.

November 24

On thanksgiving Day, should I write a "more thankful than average post?"  Let me just type and we can see what comes out, ok? :) Deal. Because it's my blog, I can type what I want.

I am thankful for a bathroom in our bedroom. This will only last one more day, but it is so wonderful to climb out of bed and walk right into the bathroom to shower and get ready for the day. It is such motivation. I love it, even if it is just our vacation room.

I am thankful for Krista. A friend that I love deeply and have been walking through life with since college. I sat on the couch while everyone was watching football today and wrote her a really long letter. I am so glad that we are still writing letters to each other and pouring our hearts to each other.

I am extremely thankful for Ruth Hayley Barton--an author that is kicking my butt. I am finishing up a book of hers, and it is a very hard read. I read a chapter tonight that I just wanted to throw across the room, because I knew if I applied the truths in that chapter it would be a lot of hard and painful work. I am not sure if I want to do it. Even though this is frustrating, I am thankful that God uses people in my life to challenge me, even if they are authors I have never met.

I am thankful for the text that Wendi sent me today. I am very grateful for her friendship and our chance meeting. So glad that God brought us together and looking forward to many years of life together. 

I am thankful for my sister in law. I am thankful that I can count on her texts making me smile during some hard times. I am thankful that we are coming together as family, and not just "Jon's brother's, girlfriend." (Er....now wife.....but when I first met her). 

I am grateful that I have a job that I love, a job that is flexible, a job that has eternal meaning, a job that brings such joy to my life.

I am grateful for my external bounce flash. Taking pictures inside are much easier with my bounce flash pointed at the ceiling.

I am thankful for a chance to go to bed early today.


Thank you Lord, forgiving me so much to be thankful for.

November 22

Jon and I are staying at his grandparents house, 2 hours away from Orlando. Jon's brother is flying into Orlando tomorrow, and someone needs to come and pick him up from the airport. We were sent on an overnight away from Caleb. It was fabulous.

I booked a hotel room last night. I don't know if it was because it was so late in the game, or if this is off season, but we had a BEAUTIFUL hotel room for $60. I could end the thankfulness post right now. But I am not done being thankful!

I am thankful for family that wants to stay with Caleb and wants to give us time off. I am thankful that our families love our son so much. I am thankful that Caleb slept through the night we are told behaved well (though one can never tell with those grandparent colored glasses).

We went to Downtown Disney to an Irish pub and had some food and drinks. It was great to be together and to talk. We walked downtown holding hands and capped the night off with some ice cream. Everything was fabulous about this night.

Thank you Lord for giving me a great night with my husband.

November 21

I love water. I love to be in water and to watch water. I experience God's power, beauty and majesty in water.

I was walking along the crashing waves on the Atlantic Ocean today I was worshipping the Lord as I gazed in wonder. The waves were crashing along side of me. How can this body of water both be so peaceful, and yet so incredibly fierce? I was in awe.

I loved seeing my baby enter the ocean for the first time. He was timid, but before long he was quickly giving me panic attacks, wanting to run straight into the ocean and get caught in the undertoe. "No hands mommy." No, honey. I am afraid in this fierce, powerful body of water, and when you weigh 21 pounds, mommy and daddy will be by your side. You will not be shark food.

Giggles and sheer delight! I loved every moment of being at the ocean with my baby boy. Can't wait to get home and edit those pictures!


Thank you Lord for creating bodies of water. Thank you for the refreshment that it brings. Thank you that it demonstrates your power! I love it!

November 19

After close to 30 hours on the road, with a four hour stint/nap/shower in a hotel room, we made it to Jon's grandparents house in Florida. I am so grateful that we are here safely. I am thankful that God protected us and kept us safe on the road.  I am thankful that it wasn't until Orlando (2 hours away from us) when Caleb started saying, "All done car, all done movie, all done snacks, all done car," as if he was making up a song sharing his disdain for lengthy travels. So grateful to be here.

Bring on the vacation!!!!

November 18

Today is easy! We are packing up for a nice long vacation. We haven't had a vacation since our honeymoon:)

I am thankful that Jon has family in Florida, so that we can have a relatively cheap trip.

I am thankful for my awesome neighbor driving me 20 minutes to get a rental car.

I am thankful for Jon's parents who are paying for us to get a rental car.

I am thankful that our car is packed. We have food, clothes, and stuff to entertain ourselves. I am grateful that we have the means to do this.

I am thankful that Jon can get some vacation time.