pink high heel for a lil boy dog.

poor lil guy.

this is what happens when you let others pick your toys for you.

love him!

parades, pupusas, and peoples.

4th of July happenings! 

The 4th of July is the biggest event in this small town of Iowa.

It's actually pretty fun with the many different activities and events that the town provides for the celebration of our country:).

Ryan and I rode on the Bridge float, holding the Afterschool program sign and singing along with the music. 

The Bridge float won the Admiral's float award for the Parade. 

It consisted of many of the Bridge Kids, Summer Sizzle (camp for tween girls) and Coordinators for the different programs within the Bridge.

after the partying down there at the parade, we walked around and did some things here and there and for dinner, ryan and i sat down for a Mexican meal of pupusas and some salad thing and spicy salsa. mmmm...yum.

fireworks happened on the 3rd of July, so Ryan and I went out to a friend's house to watch the fireworks on their dock. (which I accidently broke when I stepped onto the dock! I tell ya, I gotta start working out!!)

 It was a delightful time, but to be honest, the alchohol-flowing neighbors at the dock next to us had better fireworks because they were closer to us! 

Anyways, I really didn't get as many pics as I had planned to get over this parade weekend, but for now these will do:)

I am so proud to be an American. 

I am proud of those that serve our country, proud of my daddy and many others who have served for our freedom. I get emotional when i hear the National Anthem, the Navy or Marine anthem, and I envision the many events I have been at with American military soldiers that stand tall and proud during those songs.

Happy Independence Day, ya'll!

teens on the lake

we had the senior send off FCA gathering tonight. It was a fabulous time with these teens.

i tell ya, each time i spend with them, i just enjoy them so much more!

we did alot on the lake-jet skiing, tubing, swimming.

oh, such fun.

we got around the fire, encouraged and prayed for our seniors, and then the dudes pelted each other with marshmallows.

it was fun.

Ryan and I got to know the seniors over the past couple years, and I can honestly say, we're definitely going to miss this group of young men in FCA. They led our group and did well.

Best wishes to our seniors!!!

We'll miss you!

Late evening @ Kingspoint Park

Gorgeous night to go 

climbing,

surfing, 

 sky gliding,

 and horseback riding!

summer nights are so enjoyable.

what do some of your evening activities entail?

happy weekend,ya'll!

yellow hoop earrings and green summer grass

Bible study outdoors check list:

1) girls with hoop earrings.√

2) blanket to sit on. √

3) Starbucks coffee. √

4) Bibles and journals. √

5) hot hot sun to tan our backs and legs. √

yay. summer is finally here!

there's just something oh, so sweet

about a group of boys playing baseball.

Maybe it's from watching The Sandlot too many times in my life.[which is one of my all time favorite movies.]

It's these kind of pictures though, that I hope these lil men will look back on the memories of being a boy playing ball.

 [yep, can't get over how cute this is.]

 and of course, the ladies had to get pictures with this star ball player!

riding in the car with my head out and my tongue sticking out...

It finally feels like summer is starting to take place here in Storm Lake.

When it's summer, i like it hot. like hot, HOT.

it's getting there! today's sunshine was the perfect motivation to get out and get lots of errands done!

What are some of your wishes this year?

We have a couple. Actually, we're really just praying more and more about things.

One is a house. We're really praying that something will open up soon in the near future. 

something above ground.:) 

with BIG windows that let's in sunlight. 

(I know, i know, can't be too picky, but hey, that's the ONE thing that i hope for!:)) 

Another is that when we get settled in a house is that we'll soon after get kiddos to join our family.

can't wait.

we're already praying for you, kids, whomever you are!

We enjoyed the late evening after a full day's work, at a baseball game. 

Our dear friend, Deeanna provided us with suckers during the game! 

i love blow-pops.

 and at the game, i had a pleasant surprise!

I got to see my dear friend, Molly! 

We had a nice chat and talk about our summer a little bit. 

It was SO nice to see her!

it was a wonderful way to end a productive day. 

I feel blessed when I get alot done.

happy sunshine day!