A walk downtown

I took a camera class this summer. Loved it, I learned so much. Now I'm anxiously waiting for Christmas when hopefully I will be getting a new lens. We took a walk downtown the evening of the class. I enjoyed putting some of my new found knowledge to use. I still have a ways to go in getting the pics that I really want but I'm enjoying the process.

Museum of Life and Science

The middle of August we took a half day trip to Durham Museum of Life and Science. One last trip before Ryan started his senior year at college which also means less family time. It was so HOT, but we made the best of it. The first pics are from the butterfly house. We were there in time to see them release the butterflies that had just come out of their cocoons. The last pics are from an outside exhibit, Into The Mist, it was refreshing to feel the mist on our warm skin.

Luray, Va with the Martin Fam

A week and a half later in August we went with my family to Luray, Virgina. We had a cabin with a hot tub (where we hung out 2 hours each night with Del and Andee), went to a water park, checked out Skyline Drive, went on a hike to a waterfalls, canoed and tubed in the creek. So much time spent outdoors, we loved it.

Cape Charles, VA with the Weaver family

 A few days spent with the Weaver family is always fun. We enjoyed being in the water, fishing, playing games, relaxing, and of course eating lots of yummy food.

Pictures from the past few months

These are from NC State Farm days back in March.

A Saturday morning at a local garden. Hayden made binoculars and he loved using them.

A family date night out to eat in May.

Pennsylvania for a few days in May.

City of Raleigh Fire Department celebrated 100 years and had a big birthday celebration in June.

 

Hello!

Hey there! I had a issue with blogger and uploading pictures that took me forever to figure out, but I got that problem fixed so I'll start posting pictures again soon. For now I'll write a little update on what's going on in the south.

Ryan finished up his junior year at NC State in May. For him to graduate in May 2013 he had to take a few summer classes, which went well. Ryan does an amazing job at balancing school, work, MANY hours of homework, and being a husband and dad all at the same time. If I remember correctly he has had only 2 B's in his engineering college career. I should stop bragging about him before I get myself in trouble but I am so proud of him! He started school full time again in August. I'm so excited for 2013 and to see where God leads us! It's hard to believe that we are close to the end of the school journey.

We had fun in Raleigh this summer and also went on a few family vacations. Time away from the ordinary routine of life is so important to keeping perspective as to what really matters in life. Since I last posted we made a trip to PA in May. Ryan and I were able to get away for a late anniversary/school's out celebration to Emerald Isle while Hayden was able to be with his North Carolina grandparents in New Bern. We were in Virgina in July and August for our family vacations. The Weaver family went to Cape Charles, VA for time together and to make memories. The Martin family went to Luray, VA and explored Skyline Drive and the area around it. Some other things we enjoyed this summer and fall thus far.....hours spent by the pool with friends, Hayden becoming an excellent swimmer and going off the diving board unassisted, walking around downtown, grilling out, watching the Olympics, a night out to a local music venue, Durham Bulls baseball game, going to the train station, storytime at the library, fireman's parade, VBS, new friendships through church, two weddings, playing with the neighbor boys, bug bites, being challeneged in parenting,starting preschool, ahh yes this summer has been good!

What about myself? I keep our home running smoothly and work approximately 25 hrs a week serving. I was asked to be a small group leader at the local MOPS group that I attend which I know will be rewarding and a place that I can help other moms. I recently took a camera class where I learned a ton and have been fun praticing how to shoot in manual mode. I'm anxiously waiting for Christmas when I hope I will get a new lens. :)

Something I've been thinking about. Every fall when Ryan goes back to school and isn't able to work full time I tend to get a little nervous with how we'll make it and such. I was praying about this and I had this thought- we've been through 3 years of school and we have always had what we need(not that there haven't been challenges) so what makes me think that this year will be different? God will provide, He knows exactly what our needs are. So I'm walking out this truth and not going to spend my time worrying about what could happen.

Hope you are enjoying the beginning of fall!