355 Days of Loving and Being Loved

Two years ago today, at sunset, my boyfriend asked me to be his wife. We have been newlyweds for 355 days and he is still making me laugh and smile everyday - I'd say we are doing pretty good! 

I want to share one of my favorite verses from a framed photo mat we got as a gift for our wedding, and I doubt this is the last time you'll see it on the blog because I enjoy it so much. 

"I Do" By Bonnie Mohr:

This is your love story, come true… Your journey of marriage begins with 'I Do' Cherish this bond, it belongs to only the two of you. Start each day with gratitude and compassion for each other, and unconditional love will follow. Believe in each other; support each others dreams. Remember to dream together too. Always give more than you think the other needs. Say, 'I love you' and 'thank you' every day! Trust, respect, and appreciate each other. Be spontaneous, be fun, be romantic! Stand together, but let there be space in your togetherness. Know when to listen, to talk, to let your heart feel. Apologize. Forgive and forget - doing so will make you feel better! Work together. Play together. Pray together. Allow God to be the foundation of your marriage. You have been chosen for each other … it is His plan. With each passing year, you will grow closer together, drawing strength from one another … and two will become one. You will be blessed with the greatest happiness in life, To Love and to be Loved.

I just think it is beautiful and true in so many ways. 

I'll leave you with that short and sweet post for this Thursday.

Warning:: If you follow my Instagram you might see some pics of a new little stud named Ryan and some of my best friends. Yesterday one of my Best Friends had her baby - I get to meet the little guy today and I'm beyond ecstatic. Crazy to think we are at the stage in our lives where we {and by 'we' I mean 'they'} are becoming moms!

 

Wedding Bouquet Shadowbox

Did you love your wedding bouquet as much as I did but weren't quite sure how to preserve it or what you were going to do with it after the wedding? I have your solution {hoping you still have it somewhere}. And if you are an upcoming Bride this is definitely something I'd recommend. 

Photo By: Milestones Photography

Wedding Bouquet Shadowbox. 

The day after my wedding I hung my bouquet upside down in my closet. You don't want to store it in direct light because the petals could get a really bad burned look to them. I didn't spray it or anything and it dried very well, I was impressed. 

It has almost been one year since we got married and I finally got around to making this wonderful keepsake. {I may have some issues with procrastination, oops. Thank goodness for my sister coming home to help make this}

What You Will Need:

:: Shadowbox {mine is 12x15 and 3in deep}

:: Decorative paper {or whatever you'd like behind your flowers, I know some like to use their wedding program}

:: Double Stick Tape {I used this to tape the paper to the back of the box}
:: Hot Glue Gun {used to glue in boutonniere}

:: Your bouquet and whatever other keepsakes from your special day {I used my garter; my husband's boutonniere; his cufflinks and wine corks}

I had to trim my bouquet down in the back because it was initially to thick for the box; it is still in there tight enough so I didn't have to mess with gluing it. The only thing I glued in the box was the boutonniere and then our wedding date. The corks, garter and cufflinks are just placed in there loosely. 

If you make one of these let me know, I'd love to see your finished product!!

Linked up with Mandi & Tiffany

The Little Things

I just looked at my instagram profile and my photos over the last few days and thought "I really am blessed" - no really I thought that, not just saying that to add some words to this blog post! I have been having a blast this past week and a half with my family and friends, they remind me what living is all about. I'm actually heading to the good ole County Fair in a few minutes to have our nieces show me their bunnies. There is even a Grand Champion bunny in the family now, talk about royalty - purple ribbon and all! I'm so proud of those little girls and can't wait to see them at the fair. 

1.. Wine Women & Baseball with 3 of my girlfriends was so fun. We had a blast in the cities and I think the only thing we wish we could change was how we felt on our 4 hour ride home! 

2.. Hanging out with my friend Meghan before baby El graces us with his/her little face! She is 38 weeks today, can't wait until baby is here!

3.. Go check me out in this post on Simply Clarke, she even has a great freebie and reminder for you.

4.. Kaylee Marie turned 3 on Tuesday. Wow it is really hard to believe the girls are getting so old. 

5.. Last night I brought the hubby supper {harvest is in full swing}. I couldn't leave the farm without saying hi to these two boys! 

6.. Photos of the girls after showing their rabbits earlier today … they are so stinkin' cute! 

Speaking of those girlies I have a date with them so I'm gonna run. I'll leave you with one last picture from Monday. Me with the men in my life - Husband & Daddy! 

Let me know The Little Things you are blessed with Lately!

Steer Showing Farm Girl

I've feel like I've said this a million times on the blog already but when I was growing up I wasn't exactly into the farm life that surrounded me {I know, shame on me}. I was one of those girls who would rather be with her friends in town and not with the cows on the farm. Now, when I go to a country concert and see girls in cowboy boots and hats I have to chuckle because as much as they like to play the part of the 'farm girl' or 'country girl' I know they wouldn't last 5 seconds out on a farm getting their pretty boots full of cow poop! Then I look at myself and remember back in the day when my sister and I, with our bare hands, would mix cow poop, gravel and water and make cow cake & pies {haha don't worry we didn't eat them}.

I'm still learning every day how to be a farm wife but all it took was this one boy to change my mind about living back home with the cows. I started to really appreciate all the things my parents provided me while I was growing up and knew I was never really meant for city living.  

While I was growing up we had cattle but dad never had show cattle and that, I think, is a whole different world; seriously these steers had seen more hairspray and shine spray than I had. My husband's family raised {and still raise} purebred Black Angus cattle and showing was highly encouraged {if not forced from time to time}. After I had been around for a little while Steven asked if I'd want to show a steer in one of the upcoming shows.  I was a little hesitant to lead around this animal weighing 1000+ lbs but we had time to halter break him and to get him use to me and other steers walking with him, plus the fact that children half my age were doing it made me feel a little better.  

Now when word got around and back to my hometown community I don't think a lot of people believed I was really going to show a steer. Of course my parents were there to watch me show and there was someone else there I'll never forget. His name was Kenny, a good family friend, and I remember him saying to me that he 'had to come watch me get some dirt under my finger nails' {see, it was a known fact that this was out of character for the girl who grew up at 4930}. Kenny was an amazing man and last Thursday he lost his battle with cancer - today we laid him to rest. He was a dear friend to my parents and our whole family. I'll never forget how I learned some basics to the game of pool from him and how his smile and laugh would easily spread to your face. He will be so missed but we can be at peace now knowing he is no longer in pain and smiling down on us from Above. I am really glad Kenny was able to meet the boy who turned me into a steer showing farm girl!

Gwen Sebastion - Time to Go Home

6 Things You Should Know

This little question post has been floating around blogland and I was happy to be tagged by the ever so sweet Casey from Aslan's Auspicious Albany Adventure. 

I've been asked to fill out 6 questions to help you get to know me a little bit better so here we go...

1. If you could pick up and move anywhere for 6 months, where would it be? Somewhere on the West Coast. My husband and I always say if farming ever fell through we would move to the Seattle area. 

2. How long have you known your best friend? I've been friends with this lady since 1st Grade and she is getting married in 62 Days and I can't wait for all the fun activities to come!! 

3. How has blogging benefited your life? I have met so many amazing women through this little online community! I've won giveaways, made lasting relationships, and learned how life is pretty similar all across the country. It is fun to find such a giant group of women who are so similar and probably wouldn't have met if it weren't for them publicly sharing their stories. 

4. What accomplishment are you're most proud of? At the moment I'm really proud of myself for taking one of my biggest passions and making it a side business. I've always been someone who loves taking pictures and the fact that people actually like my photography makes me feel pretty awesome! 

5. What is your biggest pet peeve? Hands down people making annoying noises with their mouth. I can't stand people chewing with their mouth open, smacking their lips, cleaning their teeth with their tongue…ahh the list could go on and of course my Husband and His Cousin {our old roomie} would make these noises on purpose just to get me irritated! 

6. Were you part of a "click" in high school? Hmmm I guess an outsider may have called us that. The group of girls I hung out with were probably considered the more popular ones in our huge class of 30. I hope we weren't like Ms. George on Mean Girls but I have no doubt we probably had our days! 

Wow, maybe after finding these pictures we just thought we were cool ... oh well it didn't matter to us, we had {and still have} a great friendship!

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Now I want to know 6 things about these lovely ladies and I hope you'll check them out too!

Lauren

Cassie

Kate {and Adam}

Brooklyn

Karli

Ladies please choose 6 of these questions to answer on your blog:

1. Is this how you imagined your life to be?

2. Favorite evening out drink?

3. Favorite movie, song or tv show?

4. What is your guilty pleasure?

5. How long have you known your Best Friend?

6. What is a current dream you hope to achieve?

7. Who inspires you?

8. What is your biggest pet peeve?

9. Why do you blog and what do you find most rewarding about it?

Happy Day of Rest

It is Sunday. The Day of Rest. The Day that is dreaded because it is followed by Monday. 
Well today I'm not really doing any of that. Currently I'm on my way to the Cities for a Girls Trip. A couple girlfriends and I are going to a 'Wine, Women & Baseball' event on Monday at a MN Twins game. We are pretty excited and have lots of shopping and relaxation planned. 

So today I'll just leave you with some songs I'm currently loving...

Sidewalk Prophets : Help Me Find It

Florida Georgia Line : Round Here


Sidewalk Prophets : Live Like That


Keith Urban : Little Bit Of Everything


Let me know what songs you are currently loving...

The Little Things

You won't hear any complaining coming from me, my life has been pretty great. I'm blessed by all The Little Things God offers in this Life.

Lately this is what I've been up to:

Photos, Photos and More Photos. This has been what is consuming my life lately. I'm overjoyed that people are asking me to be their photographer and would be even happier if I could devote all my time to it. Unfortunately my little photography business isn't going to pay our health insurance or offer profit sharing so I'm still sticking it out with the full time job.  I have, however, invested in a new photo website and apparently just in time for them to have an AMAZING new system update. I am really excited to have found SmugMug and now have a new way to provide services to my clients. You can check out my site at www.LBPhotography-ND.smugmug.com

Last weekend was the first time all summer we got to go canoeing, the river was too high all summer but at least we are taking advantage of the Sheyenne now while we can. The trip down the river was a blast and over before we knew it. Steven and I decided to set up our tent at the cabin and hang out there all night, such a great idea and we woke up to a nice cool morning and the river in the background. 

Steve and I are Celebs again. Okay not really but we are shown in the Fargo-Moorhead Area Woman magazine on the Photography We Love: Wedding page; thanks to our wonderful photographers at Milestones for using our photo!

We got some much needed rain so Wednesday Steve and I had a much needed date night. We went to the movie '2 Guns' it was really good, always kept me guessing, I highly recommend it {plus Mark Wahlberg is a nice bonus}! It was an absolutely gorgeous evening and we enjoyed a delicious supper on the patio at Doolittles. 

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I hope you have had a great weekend. Let me know what you've been up to, any good movies that you recommend? 

I don't want your money...

What would I work for? This is such a great random linkup by the ever so lovely Erin at Living in Yellow. Go check her out, she is awesome! 

... 

Well more often than not I wish I didn’t have to work. I could be a stay at home wife and actually pursue my photography business full time, well I guess I’d still be working then, but I’d be doing something I love.

 

So here it is in no particular order a random list containing the things “I would work for…"

 

New Gadgets. I’m a little obsessed with technology, always have been. I love the newest items technology has to offer; even if I don’t need them I have to have them

 

Pasta. Oh my goodness I can’t even describe to you how much I love pasta. Almost any type of noodle and I could eat for every meal. Add a little salt with some fresh parmesan cheese and I’m a happy girl

source

DVR. I'm not really sure how I used to watch TV when I couldn't fast forward through commercials. Seriously the inventor of DVR is amazing and if you don't have it I consider it a wise investment if you watch TV as much as we do; or if you are never home you can record everything you must see later! 

Wine. A glass of wine makes everything better {except for the next day hangover}. Well either way it always tastes delicious going down and I love being part of a wine club that sends me wine every 3 months, don't even have to go to the store.

My Toes in the Water, Ass in the Sand. This plain and simple = I love vacations and relaxation and usually the getaways by the water are the best!

A housekeeper. I don't work enough for this right now but, oh man, would I love someone to clean my house. For one I just hate cleaning and two I usually find better things to do with my time {like write this post}. Any takers on this I'll pay you in wine and pasta

Unlimited Spending on Amazon. I'm an Amazon freak, but seriously what can't you get from Amazon?! Prime is my best friend because whenever I see 'Free Shipping' I think I'm always getting a deal

My own Personal Stylist. I hate doing my hair in the morning how awesome would it be if someone just did it for me?! Plus your hair never looks as good or exactly the same as when you leave the salon.

More quality time with my Family and Friends. No explanation needed … 

Let me know, instead of getting paid with Benjamins, what would you work for?

I hope you all have a great weekend. HaPPy FrIDay!!

Tight Pants, Twins Hats & Color Galore!

Wow what a weekend it was. No, not this past weekend unfortunately I'm a little behind here in blogland but I still like to update and give you some pretty photos to look at. 

My sister and I have started a little tradition. 

The Color Run.

Now I don't run very well  Ever. But last year I was talked into my first ever 5k, which also happened to be the 1st annual Color Run in the Twin Cities. It was Awesome!! I Ran more than I thought I was going to and the experience with my sister and some great friends was truly an amazing one. 

We had so much fun with our cousin and his wife last year that we all decided to run again this year. The run was on Sunday but my sister, Eri, and I headed to the Cities on Friday to make a weekend of it ... and that we did!

Just so happened that our cousin's wife had tickets to the No Shoes Nation Kenny Chesney concert at Target Field, so Eri and I decided we were going to try and scalp some tickets and go to the concert as well. Our plan worked and we got some nose bleed seats but that didn't matter at all to us because who wants to sit at a concert?! We were up dancing all night and had a blast listening to the awesome lineup! Man am I glad I could see Kenny rocking those tight jeans and a MN Twins hat ;-)

Sister and I

Ran into an old college friend at the concert!! 

Saturday we hung out {aka: told our hangovers to take a hike}; got addicted to the TV show Weeds; found an amazing jam at a local bakery/cafe {seriously you could eat this stuff on anything}; and had a great supper at Bagu Sushi!

If you ever go to Bagu you will see a similar looking photo on their photo wall!

Sunday was Run Day! If you have never experienced The Color Run … Go Sign Up Today! It is worth it, you can't help but smile while you run through the color stations {seriously I tried not to because, well, it doesn't taste the best, yep impossible} it is happy happy happy! Everyone has such high energy and the purpose of this run is fun, there aren't many people out there to get the best time, and if they are I think they are missing the point. We had an absolute blast and I can't wait for next year!

Cousins before the run

Have you participated in The Color Run?