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Today, I turned 25.

Saturday, September 17th, 2011

Well technically, to some of you, I didn’t. But as long as it’s the 17th here, it’s still my birthday. And I’m still milking it. (and also being the nerd that I am, was rushing to make this post before midnight so that it still counts)

Today was all in all, amazing. I am quite surprised that I didn’t crack and shed some tears over the fact that I’m in my mid twenties. I just simply enjoyed it. Got treated to a manicure by one of my besties here in Alaska, then came home to my sweet and selfless husband who is still recovering from his post wisdom teeth surgery and in a good amount of pain, who was determined to make sure my birthday was a memorable one. We went to a relaxing dinner, I got spoiled with some presents (a new lens that was used to take the pictures above and some home decor goodies) and came home to set up our new things. A great day indeed. I am thankful for my 25 years of life, my wonderful husband, the amazing friends I’ve made in our new state of residency, and most importantly, my God, who gave me life and well, everything.

So yes, today I turned 25.
But I still don’t look a day over Sixteen

Posted in Love, Thoughts | 17 Comments »

Only In Alaska…

Friday, August 19th, 2011

Will you look out your window to find a Moose happily eating off your neighbors tree. No big deal. We’ve been here about two months now and never tire of seeing Moose outside our backyard gate, on the side of the road, and walking around the commissary parking lot. I’m sure I can think of more places, too. My record so far has been 4 Moose sightings in one day.

For the first month after we arrived, we would see only cows and occasionally their little ones. You gotta watch out for those ones though, they are protective of their little Mooselings. For the past two weeks, however, there have been more manly bulls roaming around with their growing antlers. While it’s quite obvious that you shouldn’t walk up to one and try to be it’s bff, they’re actually peaceful animals and don’t seem to get phased by 10+ cars pulled over on the street to take their picture. They pretty much mind their own business. And on days like today when I have somewhat of the Weather Blues and I look out my window to find a little fella grazing on the grass, it always makes me smile.

And yes, I just dedicated a blog post to Moose. Is it obvious that I’m in a bit of a writer’s block?

Posted in Random, Thoughts | 16 Comments »

In a nutshell.

Wednesday, August 10th, 2011

This is what a good day looks like for me.

Pretty simple, yes. But there’s nothing that relaxes me more than sitting down with tea or coffee, reading, writing down thoughts and prayers, and maybe swooping in on some cuddle time when that strapping husband of mine comes home from work (asleep or not, but usually…he falls asleep eventually. See last post).

Simple is never boring for us.

Posted in Food, Hubby, Married Life, Photography, Thoughts | 11 Comments »

Weather blues.

Wednesday, August 3rd, 2011

Yesterday was a gloomy day with consistent rain. While Jimmy was working, I ran a couple errands with my friend Kristen and as we sat in Starbucks talking for a while, we talked about missing California and the sunshine. Here in Anchorage, summer weather is rainy weather. Overcast, gloom, and rain. After a week of amazing sunshiney weather, the rain yesterday had me feeling rather melancholy. I began to think about the fact that if I’m already feeling gloomy and it’s not even winter yet, I’ll be in trouble come November and on, when the first snow will fall and there will be less than 6 hours of light a day. For some reason, it started to really bum me out. We’ve been here for a little over a month now, and yesterday was the first day that the weather actually got to me. I began to worry about the future and learning to adjust and handling my emotions, as well as my husbands. I came home, sat on the couch and stared blankly at the wall for a good 20 minutes. I wanted to cry, but I couldn’t. So I grabbed my laptop and began to look through pictures. I was tempted to look through photos that were taken in California, but felt like that wouldn’t do me any good. I felt an urge to look at recent photos instead…and thats when the unexplainable sadness that was weighing on my heart began to lift. I realized that I am surrounded by so much beauty here. A view such as this…

…less than 15 minutes from my house.

The fact that I am lucky enough to be making a home with the love of my life and sharing this journey with him. A journey of unmade beds, piled up dirty dishes, and leaving lights on. But also a journey of slow dancing in the kitchen (yes, we ARE that couple), decorating with what little we have, and quality time in the AM before he goes off to work.

Getting encouraged by some wonderful wives here and my sis-in-law back home to pursue my love for photography further…(not to mention having them be my guinea pigs and pose for me so I can get the experience!)

and last but not least, taking full advantage of it when the sun does decide to pop out and say hello.

By the end of the day, I realized that this won’t be the last time I’ll get the weather blues. But God will remind me once again, how good He is and how much He has blessed my tiny family. So once again I will say, we are blessed. So. Incredibly. Blessed.

Bring it on snow and darkness, I’ll be welcoming you with open arms.

Posted in Adventures, Married Life, Photography, Thoughts | 12 Comments »