Summer Flora

Now that it's actually warm here and the rain has subsided enough so it's not raining every day, the flowers have had a chance to really bloom. And let me tell you, there are flowers absolutely everywhere. I'm sure most of them are actually weeds, but it's such a nice change to see color decorating all the fields and houses up here instead of snow, dead grass, and just plain grass. We have a decent drive into town when we need to go, so being able to look at flowers and all the hues of blue, purple, red, and yellow is very welcome.

Our house is no exception, really, and within the past few weeks, these gorgeous orange and purple flowers bloomed around us. I knew that I need to get pictures of them while I could (and just take advantage of the weather, too), so out I went with my camera (I really should name it - repeatedly saying "my camera" is so boring). Unfortunately, we don't have any of my favorite ones in our yard, but perhaps that's a good thing because I'm pretty sure it's a weed. Regardless, I'll have to take a picture of one somewhere so everyone knows what I'm talking about. I wish, too, that I could've taken all of these at sunset. I'm such a sucker for the golden hour and the flare/haze I get, but not all the flowers were angled to let me take advantage of it and my other option was to take them at sunrise. For those of you who know me, that's not an option. So during the day it was, but since it was overcast when I took them, I think they turned out just fine. 

Sunday Funday

On Sundays, I coach two little boys and we go over skills and drills for about an hour every week. Obviously, I enjoy it. It's incredibly rewarding for me to be able to pass on all of the knowledge that I've acquired over the years from so many skilled teachers and it's neat to find myself emulating those people that helped me go so far. I have such a high respect and regard for my coaches, and I'm honored to find myself now in similar shoes. 

Since we got Atlas, we've been bringing him along to these sessions to get him out of the house and let him run around. We have a baseball diamond close to where we live and sometimes he take him there, but he's much more interested in eating all the clumps of mowed grass than actually playing and it's usually not a very successful trip. It should go without saying that he doesn't practice with me or the boys, but we go a little early and run around with him. If he has enough energy afterward, we'll stay and play with him some more. Much more fun than the two walks he gets every day. Plus, I'm completely on board with playing soccer longer with our little runt. I love watching him run and chase the ball with us, barking when he starts to get frustrated because the ball won't cooperate and go straight into his mount. 

He and James are really cute together, too. Obviously another plus. 

Atlas and George

This past Sunday, we spent some of the day at the Jefferson County Fair where James won a stuffed toy monkey from throwing darts at balloons. He also won a giant stuffed pig, but that's a story for a different day. 

Anyway, this monkey became Atlas's new favorite toy (aside from his "baby" - a stuffed turtle that got ripped to shreds within 48 hours). He loves it. Every morning when we come downstairs, the first thing he does is pull it out of his crate and whip it around whilst running back and forth from the living room to the door. Even during nap time, he grabs the monkey, which I've named George, and cuddles with it while he sleeps. The same goes for night time. I've caught him snuggled up to this guy a few times when I've taken him out of the crate at night to use the bathroom. 

You can really tell how much time he spends throwing George around and chewing on him by the amount of holes he's created and how much stuffing is peeking out. He also enjoys eating the stuffing, which Mom and Dad don't enjoy at all. Even though he does that, though, he's quite adorable with his George.  

Sweet Morris

My sweet Morris. Even though we have Atlas, Morris will always be my first fur child and my favorite, especially when he flaunts his personality. This adorable little guy loves his Momma so much that he starts rolling around on the ground and begs to play when I come to see him. Some times, anyway. Most of the time he chirps and runs away, wanting me to chase and follow him, but he stayed put this particular time. 

Morris turned on his "model face" and posed for me while I snapped pictures of his cute little self, pausing for loves and pets every now and then. He's a Momma's boy, that's for sure. 

Happy Anniversary to Us!

Template from Birdesign. To see in full view, just right click and open in a new tab.

Yesterday was our two year anniversary! We celebrated the occasion by keeping it very low key. Dinner and then home for some cookies. Very different from last year, but I truly wouldn't have had it any differently. It doesn't matter how we celebrate it, all that matters is that I'm spending the day with the person who matters most to me. I couldn't imagine spending the last two years with anyone else, and I wouldn't want to. My best friend, my biggest supporter, my loudest fan at soccer games, and the person I so blissfully call my husband. We've had ebbs and flows, time together and time apart, but every bit of it has been worth it because it's been with James. It's always been him and it always will be. I look forward to more time and more years, more cheers, more tears and more smiles, and all the milestones we have ahead of us.

I found this awesome template from Birdesign a while back that was originally used as a end of the year newsletter, but I knew I wanted to do something a little different with it. So, it became our "anniversary newsletter" and it holds some of the best things we've experienced together over the past two years.