A City Life For Me

Four years ago I sat on a rock at South Mountain in North Carolina and took a picture of this waterfall… I was sitting next to a boy named Ben.  We were on our last Saturday date before the end of the school year.  That day he asked me a question, and I said “yes”!  He placed a beautiful diamond ring on my finger and told me for the first time that he loved me. :: so happy together! :: :: one of my favorite pictures from that day :: :: the official engagement picture :: Almost six months later, I got my first kiss {yes – the first ever!} … …and it’s been “happily ever after” ever since! I am so thankful for the husband that God gave to me!

Grandpa Godby, or Grampa Hamilton? maybe we shouldn’t go there…

Some of my blessings this week (and it’s only Tuesday!) Hazelnut coffee…with half and half (instead of milk!) Pumpkin chocolate chip muffins Sunshine to dry my diapers A happy, healthy little girl who is cute as a button (not biased or anything), and loves to do everything that Mommy does Being married to Ben for 42 months today.  (I remembered before he did – a rare occurrence!) Tulips in bloom all around me The disappearance of Mt. Laundry Only nine more weeks in this pregnancy Sandals and flip-flops A visit from a college friend coming next Friday.  Can’t wait to see you, Shanaynay! Ceiling fans Leftover mashed potatoes These adorable little pants waiting to go to the hospital and be worn home on a little boy.  Just wishing!  My bloggy friend Marah made them.  See her Etsy shop here.   I still have to pick a coming home outfit for

Today is Resurrection Sunday (I like that name better than Easter ).  I think it is becoming one of my favorite holidays.  The time surrounding it is not hurried and busy like the Christmas season.  The spring time is refreshing after the winter cold and snow.  It’s such a nice Sunday to take and reflect upon Christ’s finished work at Calvary and His resurrection from the grave. Our Sunday started with beautiful sunshine and warm weather.  The afternoon boasted rain and humidity.  It was so warm at church that we turned on the air conditioners! When I was growing up I usually got a new spring dress and wore it for the first time on Easter.  Many years my mom made me a dress, and several times we had matching dresses.  Now that I’m “big” I don’t need that many new items in my closet.  The first year we were married Ben bought me a new outfit.  This year he surprised me with a shopping trip for a new maternity blouse!  (I needed something dressy for Kenny’s wedding in June anyway).

I decided to take some more home-portraits of Elaine today.  She will be 18 months in about a week.  We did three outfits today.  Elaine is hard to capture lately, because she moves so much and is easily distracted.  I shot over 400 pictures (using a continuous shutter mode) and these are the best pictures… this is Elaine’s Easter dress this year – it is perfect because of the matching coat in case the weather is cool! well…every photo shoot has it’s trials… my favorite! getting a little pouty… our neighbor/landlord gave Elaine this dress as an Easter gift. in an attempt to get her attention, I stuck a flower in my mouth.  My little copycat did the same! I used a manual camera setting, and some of my shots came out grainy.  I guess I need some more practice!  Maybe I should take a class…

Today is the 41st Earth Day celebration.  Many people around the country are focusing on this celebration this weekend.  While I believe that we should do our part to be good stewards of this world that was given us, I also understand that when God is finished with this earth nothing we can do will stop Him from destroying it and creating the New Earth. You see, while most people are focusing today on how to save the trees, as Christians, my family is remembering a Tree that saves.  Today is not only Earth Day, but more importantly it is Good Friday.  Around 2,000 years ago, my Savior Jesus Christ gave His life on a tree called Calvary so that the entire earth might be truly saved by placing their faith in Him.  I know that it is not really the Tree (His cross) that saves, but rather what He did on the cross that brings salvation.  I am so thankful for my Jesus, and that He was willing to pay the price for my sin, to take my punishment, so that He could save my soul.  The salvat

I love purses.  Elaine has picked up on this “vice” of mine, and she loves to be carrying a purse or a bag too.  For a one year old little girl, she has almost as many purses as I do! We share this little love with another special lady – the Purse Lady.  She is JoAnne Neiner, the wife of Ben’s pastor when he was growing up. Mrs. Neiner is probably to be blamed for Elaine’s obsession even more than I am!  She sent Elaine her first purse at the ripe age of 3 days old! When Mrs. Neiner saw my Wordless Wednesday post last week of Elaine’s cowgirl diaper and boots, she decided that Elaine needed a matching purse.  This week Elaine received a special package in the mail – a stuffed cow purse!  The little note made me smile.  I hope she doesn’t mind if I share… it said, “The Lord even provides purses!” Thank you Mrs. Neiner for loving and spoiling Elaine like a grandma.  These pictures are for your enjoyment!

I know – we live by faith , not by cash.  However, Ben and I recently decided to switch to a cash budget in order to track our spending in a better fashion.  Life in NYC truly is by faith, especially when your income doesn’t meet your out-go.  But God is faithful, and He has never let us down! I guess it took me a while, but I have finally figured out that most of New York City works on cash transactions.  Especially the little stores and grocers that I shop at!  Most of these places have a minimum purchase of $10, $15, or $20 in order to use a credit or debit card.  I found myself constantly going to the bank ATM for cash.  The bank is close, but it is the opposite direction from most of my shopping. I also found, to my great frustration, that I was constantly going over my food budget.  I would get to the store, shop my list, sometimes add a few extra items, and my total was never what I wanted it to be!  It was time to rethink things… After discussing things and crunching numb

I have had these pictures in my “To Blog” folder for some time now, but I haven’t taken the time to actually blog them.  Back in March I “taught” a “class” on card making to the ladies at our church.  I made a lot of example cards to show for ideas and inspiration.  These cards then were boxed up and sent to Grams who had requested some various handmade cards.  These are pictures of my favorites… This card was made with my Cricut, from the Just Because Cards cartridge.  I love the background paper, and the ribbon in the piggy’s ear! I’ve just started using paper flowers and decorative brads on some of my cards.  This one was super easy, but I thought it turned out nicely. I believe this idea came from a Mojo Monday sketch.  I like that one corner is rounded – it makes it stand out.  I made several cards like this and sent them to the grandparents and great-grandparents in February. This card was so easy to do, but I just love the way it looks.  I recently added a