Saturday, September 26, 2015

Beachin' & Preachin'

This past fews days we had the opportunity to head to the beach with our friends, Rachael & Matt Gregson! There is just something about the open air, sand, and waves that gets me thinking. No better place to write it down than here, right?

No matter who we are or what stage of life we are in - we all have weaknesses. And I don't mean chocolate or french fries. I am referring to flaws in our minds and hearts.

Greed. 
Impatience. 
Pride.
Selfishness.
Ignorance.
Envy.
Animosity.
Laziness

Every day we go about our lives trying to be a little better, and every day we are challenged to give in to these flaws. After all it's easy to be prideful and harder to be humble. Easy to be selfish and takes effort to serve others. Easy to be envious, and more difficult to have gratitude. But these are the traits that matter! 

Kindness.
Service.
Humility.
Diligence.
Patience.
Gratitude.
Forgiveness.

How easy it is to focus on our flaws though- because we are constantly striving to improve and constantly falling short. No one on this earth is perfect. We all miss the mark on something. 

Because of this, 
we need to be kind.

Kind to ourselves. Kind to others. 
We are all trying in this world and wouldn't it be nice if we all recognized that a little more? 





















I can not for the life of me ever figure out how to line the pictures up nicely.
Sorry, all you OCD people out there...

Friday, September 18, 2015

The Long Hair Club

The long hair club. 
It literally takes years to be initiated. 
And once your in, you have nightmares about being kicked out. 
Oh, just me? 
Cool. 
But seriously. I've posted before how changing my hair gives me anxiety. 
Like that time I got serious bangs or that other time when I used Walmart product to go brunette. 
By some miracle, in these instances everything turned out and I actually loved both of those styles! But in case you haven't noticed, change seems to be a frequent friend in my life and it was time.

So, worried that officially expelling myself from the long hair club would leave me with feelings of deep regret, I contemplated the decision for quite a while. 
A long while...
 I think Austin just stopped responding after a couple months.
"Would this cut look good?" 
"HEY! Look at THIS picture!"
"Is this too extreme?"
"Oh, wait is this going to look terrible??" 
Thanks for the support, Aust! 
After much debate and lots of research (aka: weird virtual haircut websites. It's a real thing people) I took the plunge and chopped it off! 

But first... I compiled a bunch of pictures of my long hair to commemorate, (yes, I said commemorate) my years as a member of the LHC. 
Weird? Yeah, but it's a pride thing. 
All you LHC ladies out there know what I mean. 
Am I right?

 Hold out for the big reveal at the end. 















 Annnnndddd the reveal. 
I know this doesn't qualify as short to most people, but it feels so short to me!!








Wednesday, August 26, 2015

Coming Home & the Missing Piece

I would like to take this time to give a little brief on what is currently/will be happening in our lives. Let's start with the "will be happening" portion.

I'm pretty sure to the outside world we look like complete nomads. Contrary to popular belief... there is a plan! We have been living in England for the past year or so while Austin earned his master's degree, but for the past few weeks I alone (hence the missing piece) have been back home in Oregon visiting family. Austin has returned to Ghana to finish up his dissertation and do some research on a business idea. Nothing is set in stone but yes, this means we very well may be moving to Ghana.  *Cue gasps and the following questions*

1) Q: WHY? Can't he start a business in America?
A: Yes. He probably could, but helping people through business in developing countries is his passion. I also like to tell people that everyone should experience Africa. It is nothing short of amazing.

2) Q:"You're moving there? Like forever???"
A: Yes and no. We would be there for at least a few years.

3) Q: "You CAN'T have or raise a baby there. Can you??"
A: hahaha this is my favorite one. I know most people are only asking out of legitimate concern, but it gets me every time. I usually try to be polite and reflect an answer appropriate to their level of shock. I know it would be different and provide challenges not regularly experienced by your average American mother, but it's been done.  << I don't know this girl personally but her blog excellent. Worth a read.


Soooo now that we have that out of the way.... back to the "currently happening" portion of the post.

I've been back in the good ole US of A for a few weeks now and it has been one adventure after the next! I love coming home.

 Kelly Clarkson & Pentatonix concert



Mama planned a week at Eagle Crest in central Oregon. Every time I come back to Oregon I realize how in love I am with the place. The trees. The mountains. The rivers. The smells. And yes, even the rain. Oh boy, how I love Oregon. The week was jam packed with activities. We had an absolute blast. We started the week of with a day on Lake Billy Chinook. Aw... my happy place :)







The only thing missing was this guy.



We also spent a day at Smith Rock State Park doing some climbing. Casey wasn't able to join us until mid week and Marcus & Dad went golfing the first few days. They missed out though because it was STUNNING.











The only thing that could have made it better is if Aust could have joined us!

Day 3 and the whole clan went on a moonlight canoe ride. Nothing but us, the stars and the lake. It was amazing! I forget how beautiful this world is sometimes. 





One of the highlights of the week for me was the Paulina Plunge. It was a downhill mountain bike and waterfall adventure. I never thought I would be one to enjoy mountain biking (maybe it's because it was mostly downhill...) but I LOVED it. The rush from zipping down the mountain, dodging trees and rocks was exhilarating! The freaking freezing waterfalls were a large bonus. 













Meanwhile, Austin has been doing a little waterfall chasing of his own in Ghana...



Annnnddd I can't forget our white water rafting experience. The pictures say it all!











Did I mention how much I wish Austin was here?

Literally the day we got back from Eagle Crest our friends from England came to visit for a few days!! It was lovely to have them. Josh and Jenna we miss you already!!!!!












 Finally, Marcus and I hiked in the Oneonta Gorge yesterday. I really need to invest in a better camera for all these amazing places I get to experience. And so I don't end up taking terrible pano pictures as show below.











Miss you Aust!! Wish you were here for all of this. 
13 days until we're reunited! #kissmethroughthephone


 Annnnnnd EXHALE. Longest post ever.