Peaceful

The last few evenings/mornings have had that hint of autumn feel in the air. I am a summer fiend, as I've said many times...but there is something so, I don't know, comfortable and peaceful about the change from summer to autumn.

I'm sure there is going to be more of the warm weather I love before summer makes it's official exit, but it was actually kind of nice to sit outside and enjoy the cooler temperatures with Billy and the kids. It had such a homey feel to it, like we should be headed to a football game or like I'd hear some crunching leaves underfoot if I was to leave my lazy spot on the porch.

I think I'm really actually starting to anticipate the change of the seasons this year. This summer has been wonderful, and I have thoroughly enjoyed the time with my family, my camera and clients, and working on our new home. But looking forward to this fall...so many good things to come. A new baby, settling even more into the new routine/area we are in now, a bit more down time as weddings slow down a bit for the season. Its sounds pretty peaceful to me.

I adore fall decorations and colors, and one of my most favorite holidays is coming up. (Halloween...I mean, tons of candy everywhere and my kids dressed up like something absolutely ridiculous. Who could resist?) Pumpkin flavored everything, everywhere you look...I would pretty much eat anything if you add pumpkin to it. As Wild would say..."duuuhlishusss."

As we change from one season to the next, what are some things you are looking forward to?

Check out more shots at YouCapture. 

The first shot is for Texture Thursday and Show of Your Shot.

Come on, Irene...

So recently the area we live in has experienced several natural disasters. We missed one of them while we were on our cruise. (An earthquake that was 5.8 on the scale.) The second was the infamous Irene. She wasn't the kind of lady you want to mess with. Kind of like Tirzah...I can totally see there being a hurricane Tirzah.

Most of the city we live in lost power (about 75% was the number I heard...we were one of the very grateful and lucky ones who never actually lost our power. I am still doing a happy dance over that.) and there were trees down on houses and roads all over the city as well. I heard of several deaths in the area, too. So much damage was done, and so many people are hurting.

We were really blessed to not be effected at all, other than the have to eat Burger King for dinner. (The only open restaurant Billy could find during the hurricane) We even got to sit at home together all day and just enjoy each other's company. After the week away from the hooligans, I was both grateful for that, and reminded of how easily they wear a person out. The kids kept reporting to me that it was still "wind-in and rainin outside", and that the trees "leaf-es" were going to blow off.

I hope that everyone reading this is safe, as well as their property. I am continually thankful for all of the people we know coming through the storm with no physical harm. There are trees to deal with, and houses to patch up, food gone bad in not-so-cold-anymore refrigerators, but those are things we can deal with. We've been blessed, so we can in turn bless others. Come on over if you need a hot shower, some A/C, and an outlet or two!

The first shot is for Sweet Shot, Second is for Pulling My Mask Off, Third is for Communal Global.

Free is Fun

Recently I was contacted by Canvas Pictures to do a review of their canvases. They offered me a free 8x10 canvas in return for writing about it when I received it. Um, heck yes.

So I was a little skeptical at first. I mean, free? This can't be but so good. But I got it in the mail a few days ago and it's safe to say that it's something I would have paid for.

I love canvases, and have been wanting to put one of these awesome TTD shots taken by my friend Rebecca (of RT Armstrong photography) onto a canvas. This one is great quality and is doing a good job making our mantel/headboard look spiffy.

So not sure how I am as a salesman, (I failed as a jewelry salesman at Macy's back in college) but I definitely recommend checking out Canvas Pictures. I'm a pretty happy customer, and I am a pretty picky girl. ;)

The last shot is for I Heart Faces

Home Again, Home Again

We're finally back home after our very much anticipated, and thoroughly enjoyed, vacay to the Bahamas. I'm so sad to not wake up to this view, but so glad to be back with my hooligans.

We stopped at two different islands on the trip, and had one "fun day" at sea where we could just lay around (aka sunburn our Caucasian behinds) on the deck by the pool. We were kind of attempting to outrun Irene on the trip back, and are hoping the islands we were just able to enjoy (and the states) don't see much damage!

We really did have a fabulous time. We both agreed one of our favorite days of the cruise was our shore excursion to Atlantis in Nassau. They have a water park and more pools than I could manage to get my toes in, as well as gorgeous beaches. And also an aquarium with sharks, as well as other various creatures my hubby ate while we were gone.

Speaking of eating, I think one of our other favorite things was THE FOOD. Billy was in heaven, and I'm pretty sure he managed to get his money's worth out of that buffet by the pool.

And also make me kind of jealous drinking fruity stuff that BabyB3 is not allowed to ingest. Thank goodness for endless Sprite Zero for the preggo...oh, and unlimited cheesecake. That's always nice. It was an awesome trip, but we are glad to be back home and able to kiss those kiddos. How was your week?

Check out more shots at Scavenger Hunt Sunday.

The last shot is for The Paper Mama.

Characteristically Random

This week, I am going to be purposefully MIA. We are finally going on our much awaited cruise...our delayed 6th anniversary trip that we have looked forward to all summer. So the ol' blog will be uncharacteristically quiet, and this post will be characteristically rambly and random.

While we're gone this coming week I'll officially reach the halfway point in this pregnancy...20 weeks! I cannot believe how fast it's flying by. That's both exciting and scary. (3 kids...I'm already exhausted thinking about it!) At this point BabyB3 is doing great, and has me eating caramel rice cakes topped with PB and honey constantly. Cravings are so weird, and God has been so good giving us this third blessing.

Everyone has said they'd love to see the "finished product", so I finally took some pictures of the mantel we put up in our room. It was great to have it all finished and done before we head out this weekend. I love how it looks! Hoping to find some cool Bahamian nicknacks to decorate it with while on our trip.

I am still able to run with this baby...SO thrilled about that. I love to read while I run on the treadmill, (yes...it took some practice, but great for passing the time. Can't even count the times people have stopped me mid run and asked "how do you DO that???") and just recently finished up The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. Thought it was pretty good. Any good treadmill-reading suggestions for me that you've enjoyed recently?

I'm definitely going to be missing the kiddos while I'm gone this week. I told someone recently it takes me 5 minutes away to miss them, and 5 minutes back with them to remember why I wanted a break to begin with. I can't win. ;) I do know this break is going to be good for us, but they're just so darn cute. Even with their new habit of climbing the banister.

I should probably be packing, and instead I'm writing this (it's Friday night). Which means I've pretty much avoided actually putting my clothes into my suitcase for as long as humanly possible. I should probably go get on that. Hope y'all have a great week; catch ya when we get back!

Check out more shots at Scavenger Hunt Sunday