{Happy Monday}

(M)

{via ThxThxThx}

And something that really made me laugh..

And from one of my favorite sites for a good laugh...

BIKINI BOTTOM

Well, it’s a good thing you put that hoodie on, because without it you might have been a tad underdressed.

Utah

Free, Free, Free!!

(M)

David and I have recently taken to eating free meals out.  Yes, I am keenly aware neither of us pay to eat at our own houses, but we have taken a liking to pretending to be desperately poor college students.

Exhibit A:  Free "VIP" Chick-Fil-A for their new Spicy Chicken Sandwich. We scored a free sandwich, soda, french fries, and a sample of a fruit parfait.

P.S. I promise David really does have this large of a head in real life.

Exhibit B: Free Red Mango grand opening.  This time, we got a free t-shirt, chap stick, and unlimited ice cream.

Maybe this is so David can save up to buy Heather and I special treats to leave us outside of our gym class :)

And it sure is a good thing we aren't having to pay for anything.  I'd hate to have to bust out this awesome Twilight credit card to pay for my I <3 Edward/Jacob t-shirts haha.

Stillmotion Sunday

(M)
Yes. We have become slacking bloggers. Maybe it's the heat getting to us. Or maybe it's the fact that with our free time we oil up with our favorite Maui Babe suntan lotion and lay by the pool instead of curling up inside to try to catch up on blogging.  Or maybe, it's that the Bachelorette has started and Grey's Anatomy has been shipped to our house, and now even at night we have something to do.  Regardless, my addiction to stillmotion videos is not slowing down.

This one was seriously so sweet.  Although after this weekend of babysitting I'm swearing off of ever having kids, I think the idea of getting married still sounds pretty awesome, especially after watching couples like them.


jc plus esther // all 7d highlights from stillmotion on Vimeo.

Mother's Day

(H) I was told by a certain Miss. Hailey Weldon (also known as our biggest fan) that we were slacking on the blogs.  This is oh so true.  I think I've gotten to the bottom of it though.  Once you get too far behind..you feel like you need to devote a lot of time to catching back up all at once.  Well I am going to ignore that mindset and just write as I can.  As such, we will pretend this blog is not several weeks overdue.

Happy Mother's Day Mom :)  Haha.

Seriously though, we had an excellent day together, celebrating all my Mom means to our family.  I don't know what it is like for other families..but my Mom is the glue that holds us together.  Without her we would be one big blob of miscommunication.  What would I do without being e-mailed Google calendar invitations? My abs would be flabs without my Mom's use of foul language to describe one's face.  I certainly wouldn't know the proper way to pronounce Haiti, diabetes, hurricane, or battery.  I wouldn't enjoy breakfast with fabulous company. My floats on the pool would become lonley..and my cell phone destruction days would cease.  I would have to truck through hours of ER alone..and have no one to make awkward looks at when Dr. Green gets too frisky on camera.  Let's face it..life just wouldn't be life without my Mom.  I have the best one on the entire planet and I am so glad to call you not only my Mom, but one of my best friends.  I LOVE YOU!

L.o.v.e.

(H) Tonight is another night of restlessness for me.  I am lying in bed right now, contemplating love.  What is looks like..what I feel like it should be.  I am thinking about being afraid of moving..because I hate goodbyes more than anyone on the planet. I am thinking about being sad.  Sad to leave heartfelt conversations on the car ride home.  Sad to leave the sweet puppy kisses I am showered with every time I walk through the door.  Mostly, sad to know that the four people resting inside of this house right now will not always be two doors down.  So I believe it is a good time to write down all the ways I look at love.  I can read this when I am hurting in a new place.  And I can use this as a ruler for my future relationships.

Love is. Comfortable. Walking out of bed Saturday morning with a shiny face and frizzy hair.  Morning breath. Running beside someone with sweat pouring down their face and still thinking they are beautiful. Quality time.  Errands, Mountain Dew & Snickers.  Someone always willing to wait while you get your oil changed. Breakfast.  The simple pleasure of looking across the at the same beautiful brown eyes while you eat Special K cereal and discuss the rest of the days plans.  Surprises.  Walking out to your car and seeing the words “I love you this much” written on a Ziploc bag.  The way an unforeseen icee and jumbo Cookies & Cream bar can make a long night at work fade away.  Knowing that someone thinks enough about you to take the time to do the little things..all the time. Additions. Opening your heart to new people brought into the family..and being excited each time you see a tan or bronze car in the driveway.  Admiration. It is respect.  It is knowing that you could not possibly be more proud of not only the brilliant mind..but the depth of compassion second only to Jesus.  Black & White photographs and Friday night movies. Best friend.  Knowing the same person who hears every unkind word you speak also thinks you have a compassionate heart.  No matter how wrong you may be, you ALWAYS have someone in your corner.  The same person can be both your biggest critic and your biggest fan because you know they love you one hundred percent.  Fights.  An entire day can go by consisting only of glares and slamming doors.  Somehow...sitting in your seat at the table..you realize it doesn’t matter.  Years from now, you will be sitting next to the exact same person..and nothing will be the same.  Save for the four faces looking back at you.  It is at this moment in time you realize.  This is what matters.  Choosing someone who gives all of these things. Because in the end..the faces you see first thing in the morning are the ones that count.  Everything else will change..because life is not static.  People die. move. graduate. get married.  But love.. the kind of love that only God can give. Is a gift. A handcrafted treasure involving countless moments of decision. Seemingly everyday choices and pathways all leading to these specific relationships.  It is hard, even painful at times.  It is a fight.  It is laughter.  It is the desire to freeze time.  It is inside jokes.  It is hurt feelings.  It is dirty dishes and pollen filled porches.  It is pre-party frustrations and totally clear refrigerator doors.  It is everything you could ever imagine..and all you will ever need. 

Sunday Afternoons

(H) Today I enjoyed a lovely day with my Mom. We were able to finish my long awaited apron! How the ladies of the Atkinson house were able to cook without these beauties is beyond me. Maybe we will whip up a delicious meal for dinner tomorrow night..or..not. Haha :) The funny thing is, I don't really mind how little or much I am able to use my apron. If I end up having to move to Maine, I know I will pull out my gorgeous apron with the big red bow and think about the two best ladies in my life. The best thing is..forever is a long time to enjoy afternoons like today :)

mobley & me

(H) As you may recall, I met a guy named Jeff on the December trip to Haiti. He came down here to visit over spring break, so I decided to repay the favor with a trip to Ohio. Much to my surprise, the season known as "spring" actually exists somewhere. It is this period of time where the weather is actually enjoyable, and flowers bloom. I was delighted to not only experience that for the first time, but also enjoy the scenery while I was there. It is beautiful!

Our first day was spent enjoying the outdoors. I played my first game of disc golf..despite the windy day. While Jeff is a pro..I kind of was not. Let's put it this way..he is left handed..and played better with his right hand than I did. I'm sure that brought out the best in me..hahaha :)

That night, we went to a bonfire at Riverbend Park. We also spent some time star gazing. There was a large reservoir next to the hill we were on..if you closed your eyes it sounded like the ocean..at least that's what Jeff thought..haha :) The only thing missing at the campfire: Mellie, Davie, and the bullet.

Saturday was spent caving and visiting a castle. Little did we know, we were also able to enjoy roller coaster belly drops during the hour long drive. Another time I was a delight I'm sure. It was during this ride that I learned the whole world knows about "Don't tase me bro." Crazy! We finished off the evening with another lovely bonfire. I was a little bit cold..it was 60 something..haha :)

Sunday we enjoyed a great service at Jeff's church. After that, we hit the 4-wheelers and went mudding. Before and after pictures. Wow. Luckily, I was born a girl..because I would obviously make an interesting looking boy.

We were able to spend some time with Kurt & Julie during our visit. Saturday night we had a fun time seeing their new house and all the cool things around the property. Monday we brought lunch over to Mission Possible's main office and enjoyed a yummy meal with all the staff there. I can't wait until next visit when I can meet their kids!