Happy Monday!

I'm really not that peppy about Monday but I thought maybe I could persuade myself to get excited. I made it through the morning workout though!! After trying to convince myself back to bed this morning, I finally just got up & tried not to think about my warm bed I was leaving. I have to admit it felt really good to get a good workout in before leaving for the day. I am tired, but we stayed up late talking & I'm not as tired as I thought I would be. This is good news for me.

We had a really fun weekend with Jay's Mom...one of the highlights being a Summit brewery tour in St. Paul. We got all the history on Summit, found out how beer was made, & toured the brewery...very interesting & lots of fun. Then we each got to try 3 beers. Lets just say the boys loved it. It was a hit! The best part is that it's completely free. My favorites were the Hefe Wiezen & the Oktoberfest. Both were delicious. Be careful though, the Oktoberfest is 7.7% ABV! That's pretty strong for me.

After the Brewery we headed to the Mall of America for some shopping & dinner. Living in Two Harbors, Cheri doesn't get much shopping variety....so I know she had a great time shopping at the largest mall in America! Sunday Jay & I got up and had a date day. We got some lunch and then headed to the Twins game for the afternoon. Too bad the Twins couldn't pull it together & win against the Indians.

After the game I was needing some motherly & sisterly bonding time in a major way. Luckily, they were thinking the same thing! I had a few missed calls from my sister during the game so I went over to Mama's & hung out with them for the night while Jay ran some errands for us (grocery store, etc.) He's so good to me. Tonight I'm having coffee with a friend & then we are headed back to my Mom's to celebrate her birthday !

Positivity

....I finally broke down & agreed to work-out in the mornings with Jay. I always admire him (from the bed) as he gets up with dedication every day to work out in the mornings before heading into work. He has amazing discipline & he always keeps himself in shape. It's time for me to join his team. I'm soooo not a morning person & I have to admit I've had a pretty bad attitude about committing to it....so I need to think positive. I know I can do it with some motivation. Wish me luck! Tomorrow is my first morning session =) I better go get some sleep!

Las Vegas

Here are a few pictures from Las Vegas. What a great trip!!

The Venetian awesome light show!
Beatles cover band
Paris. Can't wait to go to the real one next summer!!
hippie nation =)

too bad we couldn't get any pictures of Cirque Du Soleil ....what a great experience!

Random Fact Friday

RFF: Best. Band. Ever.(we think) Nothing beats a live acoustic concert by OAR.

Link me!

Sooo a funny story...but a little background first. I have two facebook accounts-one for my photography & one personal. Ok so a few days ago I get a friend request for my photography account & I always accept them because I'm assuming they are interested in my work. I always check out their profile just to see who they are etc. Well this particular person's profile was a spitting image of my personal facebook (which is private). When I say a spitting image, I mean she copied word for word my interests, activities, quotes, ect.! It was the weirdest thing & a little creepy...but also kind of funny....I'm really not that cool I don't know why someone would want to copy me. hah! She had taken the quote from our blog header which was the main tip off because I created & made that quote up about our lives....not just some random quote I found. What I can't figure out is how she got information from my personal account (the two aren't linked in any way) because it's private unless we are "friends" -which we weren't. Very weird! Anyways, that brings me my next request =) please link back to my site if you take anything from my blog to share. While all the ideas may not originally be mine, I do change them to be my own & they are unique. I always try to give credit where it's due & would appreciate it in return. Thanks guys!! =)

I can't believe it's already thursday!! wow this week is just flying by. Last night on a whim Jenni & I went to the Melting Pot for dinner. It was so delicious but left us both feeling stuffed (but satisfied) It was a nice choice because it was really a treat & we were able to eat slowly & get a lot of talking done =) Tonight I have a session in a field (yay!!) and then I'm getting a much needed haircut. After that it's time to prepare for the weekend and all the festivities happening. Today is the thursday farmers market on nicollet mall so I think I'll grab some fresh fruit & vegetables to make some yummy food over the weekend!

Sacred.

Jay & I finally started Sacred Marriage together...we have heard so many good things about it & we ordered it months ago but never cracked it open. The message of the book asks the question what if marriage is designed for God to draw us to holiness instead of an instrument used to bring about our own happiness? This really hit me deep, because naturally as humans we are always looking for others to fulfill us & make us happy & that is why we are continually searching-because it starts (& ends) with God. It puts the meaning of marriage in a whole new light. I am so lucky that I have a husband who desires to grow in our relationship & more importantly strive for a relationship with God. When I got home tonight, he met me at the top of the stairs, barely holding back his excitement to share his day with me. I silently smiled & thanked God for him as he told me all his news for the day. He sure is wonderful. On that note, I'm off to bed! More feedback on the book to follow!!

Simple Woman's Daybook.

August 11, 2009 from the Simple Woman's Daybook again. (she does it every Monday, but I just do it when I feel like it =)

Outside my window...
a hot & hazy day.
I am thinking...

what is Jay doing right now?

I am thankful for...

toe nail polish.
From the kitchen...

kitchen's closed today =)
I am wearing...
a purple t-shirt, jeans & flip flops.
I am creating...

a new playlist.
I am going...
to go home & enjoy my free night =)
I am reading...
Dragonfly in Amber by Diana Gabaldan
I am hoping...
the day goes by fast so I can be on my way.
I am hearing...
david gray sing to me.
Around the house...
it's kind of messy today!
One of my favorite things...
real laughter (the kind that hurts your stomach)
A few plans for the rest of the week...

enjoy every busy day!
Here is picture thought I am sharing...simple but beautiful.

"There was just enough heat to enhance the value of the breeze, and just enough wind to keep the whole sea in motion, to make the waves come bounding to the shore, foaming and sparkling, as if wild with glee."~Anne Bronte