*Vacation*

So we went to the beach again from Monday to Tuesday. But this time it was Me and Noni with Petey. Our first family vacation since Noni was born. And mine and Peters first vacation (besides camping) since our honeymoon. We have taken day trips to the beach every year since we were together (except last year b/c I was prego and couldn’t take the heat). It’s something we both really enjoy to do together but agree we don’t need to spend the money and spend the night. But this year we figured we’d try it since this is our only vacation of the year and maybe our last time to the beach for a while.
We left early Monday morning and got to the beach by 10am. I got to try out our DVD player on the way down which was fun but totally made me car sick. Yuck. We had beautiful weather both days and the water was cold but bearable. It’s a whole new experience with a little 11month old. She really dealt with the sand and sun well but drives me nuts because all she wants to do is throw sand or sit in it or walk across the blanket and get sand everywhere. Peter and I had to keep reminding each other that we’re at the beach of course theres sand everywhere. That’s one thing I don’t love about the beach is having sand everywhere.
Then we of course went on the boardwalk which is always fun but the kind of thing you only have to do once a year. The stores just all seem to be the same by the end. But I decided to do something a little crazy and I got my nose pierced. I had been thinking about it for a few months now but wasn’t sure where to go and I thought Id wait til closer to my birthday but I suggested it to Peter that I should just get it while we’re here and he said go for it. So I did. AH! Its like the craziest thing I’ve ever done. It was pretty cool how the guy did it and was intense. My eyes watered like crazy but it wasn’t too bad. I love it and so does Peter. He thinks its hot!
Then we had dinner and went to our hotel. The next day we went to a different beach we had never been to before. It was beautiful! We realized on this trip that we really don’t need to go to the beaches with boardwalks anymore. The stores are mostly trying to appeal to teenagers and there’s a lot of dark stuff going on. We especially don’t want to take our kids there. Also the other beaches without the boardwalks seem to be much prettier and more naturey. (I know its not a work but you know what I mean) Anyway. We took turns going in the water because Nonah didn’t like the waves too much. And we took lots of walks with her in the sling for her to get somewhat of a nap in. Shes such a trooper. We had a blast!

Dinner date at home!

Our anniversary celebration was quite different than any of our other anniversaries. Last year on our anniversary we were anticipating the birth of our baby girl. But this year she joined us in our celebration. We went to Wegmans to pick out some fun, maybe a little fancy (fancy for us anyway), delicious food for dinner. Noni fell asleep on the way there and actually slept the whole time in the store. It felt like Peter and I were actually on a date by ourselves so that was nice.
We chose 2 rolls of sushi: California roll and Eel and avocado. Mmmmmm! Its been so long since we have had sushi. Then we of course got shrimp. Peter wanted some grilled fish so we got Tilapia. Yum! We each picked out a block of cheese. But not the regular cracker barrel stuff, the kind that you really don’t know what it is or tastes like but man it looks good. I picked a Fontinella, hard sharp cheese is my fav, and Peter picked a peppercorn mozzarella string cheese. We LOVE cheese! We got some fresh hummus eaten with grilled bread and I made bruschetta with our homegrown basil. Overall it was an interesting combo?We each made something and we kind of ate it in stages which is what I love. I love picking and having a little bit of everything. Oh yea and we had ice cream for dessert. It was all very good but I had to laugh because its so not a typical romantic, candles and wine anniversary dinner which we used to do. We were passing Noni back and forth taking turns feeding her to keep her happy, (she had her first taste of sushi and tilapia) then taking care of a messy diaper, conversation being interrupted constantly but its okay because that is our life right now. We love it. And I think we are really adjusting well to this new way of life. We’ve had some bumps and rocky spots but we are doing okay. We wouldn’t change our 5 years for anything!

5 year anniversary!!

So today is our 5 year mark! I cant believe how fast its gone. We both remember our wedding day like it was yesterday. So fun. Its been a pretty normal day for us both but we are celebrating by going to Wegmans and buying some dinner. We love cooking together and used to do that together almost every night when we first got married. These days we havent been buying the extras like shrimp, tilapia, and really yummy cheese so tonight thats what we are doing. Eating lots of yummy food. Probably looking through our wedding album and I think even watching our wedding video.
We are also sort of having a second honeymoon. Peter starts his vacation this week which is the same week of our honeymoon 5 years ago. We are going to the beach Monday to Tuesday and have lots of things we want to try and do, so we'll see!
A little info on how we met for those of you who don't know. We found each other through family/friends. Long story short...our moms talked and I went to Peters 20th Bday party and he asked me if I wanted to hang out. For Peter it was pretty much love at first sight but not for me. I thought he was cute but kind of a dork. It was totally Gods doing because within about 5 months I totally fell in love. Peter proposed to me out of nowhere a year after we started dating and we got married 10 months later. Its been wedded bliss ever since. Haha! We've had our trials, tribulation, up and downs, excitement and boredom, fun, laughter, tears and struggles but we have stuck together through it all! I love my Petey so much and have no idea (i dont want to know) where I would be without him!!!!!!
A special thanks to Sar who took our wedding pics. Still love them and am so impressed!!

Finances

I have never ever stressed about finances in my entire life until now. Its crazy. That’s always the husbands job to worry about the money right? Not the wifey. But now I am a SAHM, (love the title) and things are tight. I knew they would be but not this tight. Its never been like this. I feel like I was a little bit spoiled as I was growing up. Not a spoiled brat but I never really needed anything. I started working at 14 but I didn’t have to save or budget my money I could do whatever I wanted with it. So now when I have to be careful with every single penny because we have bills, bills, bills, it’s a whole new thing for me. I get peace about it for a while and just surrender it to Him but then I write some checks and think about it and realize “ahhh we are broke” and Im back at the beginning.

BUT…I have had a total break through last week. I have prayed about it numerous times and one day I just was remembering life when I didn’t even think about it. It didn’t concern me basically. Peter usually paid the bills and I didn’t even know what we had. I decided I am going back to that. Ignorance is bliss right? Now you might be saying “how juvenile” but ya know what if it gives me peace Im gonna take it. It doesn’t mean Im just going to spend whatever whenever. Not at all. But Im not going to worry about the little things. I guess Im just surrendering it to Him. God will provide and we know that full well. He always has and He always will. Worrying will not add another day to my life let alone more money to my checkbook. So to sum it all up we are broke, Peter handles the bills, and I am at peace with it all!! (for now anyways…hehe)

Weekend Favs!!

Watched a ton of Lost repeats!!
Went to a farmers market and flea market! I dont know what it is about them but I just love the markets. I guess because I grew up going to them with my parents they seriously are fun for me. All kinds of good deals, local produce, and unique homemade treats. All kinds of unique people as well. I just love it. Peters been dropping me off at the one at the end of our road and I take my canvas bag and pick out a little something from each vender (theres only 2 or 3) and then walk home. I feel so old fashioned or something. Anyway, it was fun!
Had a chimanea fire with family!!
Mowed the lawn, picked weeds, baked brownies, lots of laundry, ate BLTs.
Oh yea...and I got dreads!!
BEFORE
Yes dreadlocks. I got dreadlocks. Im so thrilled and excited about my beautiful dreads. Now they aren’t that beautiful yet but they will get there. It takes time so I hear. It was about a 2 hour process today. My 2 friends got them started and separated but then when we got home Peter went over them again and really hard core backcombed them to the point where I screamed a few times he was hurting me. Its okay though its worth the pain. My hair is pretty think to begin with so right now my dreads are massive puff balls but sleeping on them should tone them down a bit.
.AFTER
You may be asking WHY? Well I’ve always liked them first of all. Ever since I was young I wanted to be a hippy. Im just drawn to the hippy style and look. I don’t know why but I can’t help it. Its who I am. I guess my mom has something to do with it. But she hates dreads so you can imagine how she felt when I told her I was getting them. Anyway. I always was too scared to get them but then I stumbled across this blog walkslowlylivewildly.com and was totally inspired. She wrote about her dread journey and said that she didn’t want to be 80 and think back to all the things she didn’t do in her life. And it totally connected with me and I was like YEA, You’re right!! Now is the time to do it and hello its just hair. So I’ll chop it off when Im done with them and it’ll grow back. Peter actually wants to see me with a shaved head. I don’t know if we’ll go that far but when the time comes to get rid of the dreads my hair will be pretty darn short. Oh well. That’s a long way off. For now I love my dreads. It will take work and time to get them to the point of truly loving them but Im committed to it. It shall be fun.

I also feel like the dreads are part of my spiritual journey. I don’t want to sound cheesy or new age or anything like that but I seriously feel like I was supposed to get them at this time in my life. God is doing so much in me right now and one thing has to do with my self image. I have confidence and self esteem issues, I always have. Its kind of a girl thing but I think mine is a little extreme. I care a little too much about my looks and what people think of me. And with dreads people have their opinions and they are different but its me and I can’t change them as soon as I get a little self conscious about them because they are permanent. I am learning to not worry so much about what others think and to see myself through Gods eyes. Dreads are helping me step into my identity which is a daughter of the King…who likes dreads!

So I’ll keep you posted on the journey!! Let me know what you think!!

Wash weekend!!

Yup its that kind of weekend! Three loads today and maybe one more tomorrow!! Of all my housework I think laundry is my favorite thing to do. Its so much better than cleaning!! Especially now that Peter put up a wash line for me. It took 2 summers of me patiently waiting. Its an interesting way he set it up and it is flourecent green but hey it works great! What more could I ask for!

And it gives me and Noni something else to do outside. She loves being outside and walking in the grass. She always dumps the clothespins and stands on the cement well cover thingy thats in our yard. This is her favorite position. We call it her little sumo(splg?) squat.

Have a....

beautiful, lovely, fantasticly fun weekend!!!