A Black & White Bowling Bash

     My older brother, who I admire and love, was on a bowling league when he was younger. While I know that may encourage you to draw all types of conclusions about the type of person he was, let me just assure you that he is one of the coolest people I know. Anyhow, he won a trophy one year and when he showed it to me, I joked him for being on a bowling league. Then my mom grounded me. Not one of my finest childhood moments, just being honest around here. I HATED bowling when I was growing up. I struggle with whole ‘patience is a virtue’ thing, and had a hard time waiting for my turn. It is a looong wait when you have as many siblings as I do. Plus, I was horrible at bowling. And no matter how much I begged, my dad wouldn’t let me use the bumpers. Something about me being too old. I was 15! I needed all the help I could get!  Yes, bowling is a painful memory for me.

     When my aunt came for her annual after Christmas visit, everybody wanted to go bowling. {Well everybody besides me, but I’m the middle child and don’t get noticed much around these parts} I decided to make the best of it & brought the beloved D300 to keep myself entertained. Well, bowling was a ball, pun completely intended, {only because i am really impressed I came up with that} and I’ve got the pictures to prove it!

Bowling shoes & skirts. They just go together, right?

Check out our forms!! You can obviously tell I am a professional!

Wow, Dad….dainty hand there

Could he be any cuter?!

My cute little niece & very cute sisters {my mom on the right, my aunt on the left}

Being an aunt is the best thing ever! And they don’t judge me for my bad bowling

And what is a trip to the bowling alley without getting some candy from the quarter machines?!

We saw this beautiful sight {minus the Mickey D’s} when we left. We went bowling on base, and I love seeing the ships against the sunset

oh! I should mentioned I bowled a 106! This was a huge improvement than my normal 40. There is hope for me yet!

Love,

Laura

Domestic.

Whew! I am exhausted. I spent all afternoon cooking in the kitchen. I would list all the things I baked, but I am WAY too tired to brag. Since I am preparing to be a good wife, learning to cook is essential. My fiancée eats approximately 9 meals a day {no exaggeration} So, like I said..I have been getting very Domestic. My grandmother must have heard about this, and that is why she sent this adorable apron to me for Christmas. Thanks Nanny! It’s beautiful :)

It has gotten A LOT of use. Barely taken the thing off. Cook, cook, cook. Bake, bake, bake. I’ve sent my mom into retirement. Below is a picture of me resting with a cup of tea after a long day of cooking.

And below is a picture of me laughing at you if you believed anything involving me and cooking in the same sentence.

But I tell a good story right?! Okay..so I have not had the courage to break the apron in yet, but I like strutting around the house in it. It is getting me in the mood to start thinking about maybe learning to cook. Baby steps.

Praying for the gift of domesticity,
Laura

A Reflection

A very, very cute reflection of Marcus & I in the living room window on one of the last days of the year :)

Jan: Started of the first day of the year in North Carolina for my cousin, Kelly’s wedding. My sister began a radioactive Iodine treatment for her Thyroid cancer, spent time helping to kick-off a new Catholic young adult group, enjoyed 8 inches of snow, got my first root canal

Feb: taught lots of swimming lessons to preschoolers at work, celebrated Marcus’ 24th bday, prayed during Lent, went to baby shower for Marcus’ first nephew, and got my brand- spanking new Nikon  D300 DSLR

March: more chilly swimming lessons, more Lent fasting & praying, did my first maternity shoot, enjoyed the daffodils,  saw Marcus off to a conference in California, visited my aunts in Williamsburg, spent time with Brian home on spring break, began working with a girl who had a severe brain surgery & was re-learning to walk & talk {best part of March—she amazed me!}

April: Wonderful Easter, Baby Jack made his appearance, friends married, visits from grandparents & uncle, bike riding at Sea Shore State Park, visit from best friend from high school, Marcus begins applying for local fire departments, did a senior photo shoot, Mindy’s birthday

May: first beach trip of the year, Dad & Brian get older, helped with a photoshoot for Regent University, had fun at a friend’s bachelorette party, another friend’s bridal shower, celebrated my mom, danced at a wedding in The Gardens, took pictures of a sweet baby girl, took pictures of a dimpled baby boy, celebrated 2 years with Marcus, rejoiced when my best friend from high school got engaged and spent more time at the beach,  had my first Memorial day weekend off from work since I was 16!

June: I turned 24 {my favorite birthday yet!} celebrated with both Marcus’ family & my own..and ice cream cones from Doumars :) Took maternity pictures of my beloved friend Whitney, spent lots of time at the beach, spent lots of time with Marcus on a bicycle built for two, got tanner & tanner from work & play

July: Marcus gone a lot on missions and conferences and retreats. Lots of dinner dates with girlfriends, got some use out of our new canoe, gave a talk to the pro-life group I work with, celebrated with friends at more weddings, visit from my Dad’s family, took more senior pictures, played late night Scrabble,  had an amazing visit from my dear friend Heather, visited handsome Marcus at the firehouse, watched old movies with mom at the Naro

August:breakfast date with my dad, lots of babysitting, photo shoots with various little ones, had blog & logo designed, watched a movie outside at the Hermitage, spent a glorious week with my grandparents & cousins in Ohio, more canoeing

September: Got chicken pox for the second time in my life, watched my handsome man play softball, watched my friend Sam get married, went of day dates with Marcus, gave another pro-life presentation to my little sister’s girls group, Marcus sold his SAAB, Marcus’ sister, Becky get’s engaged!

October:did a photoshoot with baby Pierce, wandered around Williamsburg with Marcus, said YES to my beloved boyfriend when he asked for my hand in marriage, then spent the weekend in the beautiful mountains camping with our close friends, Marcus interviews for fire depts, I spent a week watching the kids I used to nanny for a couple years ago while their parents went out of town..this included lots of walks on the beach, went to weddings, engagement parties, two more photoshoots, and watched my niece & nephew trick or treat. {{OCTOBER, you  WIN!}}

November: engagement dinners, photo shoots, wedding dress shopping, teaching lifeguarding classes, Marcus says goodbye to his big truck, watched OSU kill Michigan, ate TWO thanksgiving dinners, basked in the happiness of being a fiancée,  Mindy’s thyroid cancer is gone, felt grateful

December:worked lots, fell in love with blogging,  marveled at the snowfalls, Christmas caroled, Christmas shopped, White Christmas, my aunt’s annual visit. AMAZING

If you read this far.. I am SO impressed. 2010.. I loved you! 2011—while I am partial to even numbered years, I’ll give you a chance ;)

Blessings for your New Year,

Laura