step by step for getting your ears pierced

Saturday I got my ears pierced for the first time in all my 26 years! Kevin and I had talked earlier in the summer about me getting my ears pierced, but we hadn't found the time to do it (or I hadn't gotten up the courage yet ;) So while he was out of town this weekend I asked Sam to go with me and didn't tell Kevin my plan... I wanted to see how long it'd take him to notice the change! I couldn't go by myself b/c I needed someone to catch me when i passed out take pictures. Sam took such good pictures you're going to get a step-by-step on getting your ears pierced - in case you also find yourself at 26 years old and clueless! :)

Here's me explaining to the lady that I pass out at the eye doctor in addition to the regular doctor - yeah, i'm a bit of a wimp. :)

Here's my piercing earing options: you have to have these in for 8-12 weeks and you should get gold in case you might have a nickle allergy.

Here's my before shot (I forgot to look all sad and depressed like before shots are supposed to look) :)

the next step is cleaning the piercing area

Then they make a mark on your ears to show you where the earing will go and see if that's where you want it. During this process I found out my ear lobes are differet sizes just like my feet! I've never noticed this before, but I guess it's pretty common!

left ear mark

right ear mark

the piercing guns... they didn't look too scary.

it didn't hurt at all! it didn't even feel as bad as a shot (yes, I pass out when I get shots too)

notice how my smile got bigger on the second ear cause the first ear didn't hurt!

once the earings were in they taught me how to sterilize my hands and ears to protect against infection.

you have to clean the front and back and twist the earing to make sure it's not getting embedded in your ear.

all done!

I didn't even pass out!!!

Kevin noticed the earings within 2 minutes of being home and within 5 seconds of looking at me (he had to pet the dogs first) - I even had my hair down over my ears! He wins major points for being such an observant husbad! Now I just need to start working on my earing collection. Feel free to help me out!

doggie sitting

We had a housefull of dogs this weekend!

Harley & Zozo came to visit for a couple of days and while it was fun I probably tripped a dozen times on some furry little body sprawled on the floor!

Zozo

Harley

Mia

Calllie

And here's just a cute pic of my parents dog, Taffy, she wasn't here, but it seemed like this pic would fit with the other doggie pics :)

chillaxing GC style

GC = Gospel Community. GC's are how our church, Charis Community, does bible studies. We spend time as a group learning together and investing in each others lives. We've made some great friends through our GC and are very thankful for them being in our lives!

We spent Saturday evening hanging out with our GC (and friends) and enjoying the beautiful weather on lake Bloomington. There are lots of pics of children and water sport... note I had/did neither so I was free to take as many pictures as I wanted! How's that for a change?!

Kevin chillaxing (and giving me a funny look for taking his picture)

The boats looked so fun... next time I'm gonna play in the water for sure!

The water was nice and warm for even our littlest GCers to enjoy :)

"O yeah... says who?!"

fearless!

synchronized diving!

chillaxin defined :)

time for tricks

I love this picture! It totally says "summer fun"

trying to coax out crazy face

more coaxing

there it is... crazy face!!!

best buds

pretty girl

What a fun fun evening!

I have lots more pictures so check out my facebook album (in a day or two - when I get it up) for more fun pics!

j's dedication

This past Sunday my nephew, Baby J, was dedicated.

I'm really proud that my brother and his wife stood up in front of their church and commited to raising their son in the knowledge and love that Jesus offers us. That's a big deal!

Aren't they such a pretty family?!

Auntie Abby!

Aunt Marsha

Aunt Angie!

Proverbs 22:6 Train up a child in the way he should go;
even when he is old he will not depart from it.

going to eat a lot of peaches

While in southern IL for the 4th weekend we picked up some Calhoun County peaches on our way out of town. These peaches are grown on a peninsula between the Mississippi River and the Illinois River. They are usually pretty big and very juicy and they go fast cause everybody down there knows how good they are!

See......

We got enough to eat fresh and put some in the freezer to enjoy later in the year.

On Saturday I made peach blueberry cobbler to share for a cookout at Lake Blm

Here's the fruit in the sauce (see recipe below)

Here's the cobbler ready to go into the overn!

And here's the yummy results!

I also cut & sugared enough peaches to freeze for 5 more cobblers!

This week I'll be using the rest of the peaches in a pie - mmm!

Peach Blueberry Cobbler

(yes, it's going in the favorites folder!)

1 tablespoon cornstarch

1/4 cup brown sugar

1/2 cup cold water

2 cups sugaraed sliced fresh peaches

1 cup fresh blueberries

1 tablespoon butter

1 tablespoon lemon juice

1 cup flour

1/2 cup sugar

1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup milk

1/4 cup soft butter

Mix first 3 ingredients; add fruits. Cook and stir till mixture thickens (see picture above). Add 1 tablespoon butter and lemon juice. Pour into 8 1/4 x 1 3/4 round overware cake dish (I just used a pie plate).

Mix dry ingredients. Add milk and butter all at once; beat smooth. Pour (more like drop) over fruit (see picture above). Sprinkle 2 tablespoons sugar and 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg (I used cinnamon) over batter. Bake at 350 for 30 minutes. Serve with ice cream.

Side note:

I sang the peaches song for the entire hour and a half that I worked on freezing the peaches and making the cobbler. fact.

Moving to the country
Going to eat a lot of peaches
Moving to the country
Going to eat me a lot of peaches
Moving to the country
Going to eat a lot of peaches
Moving to the country
Going to eat a lot of peaches

Peaches come from a can
They were put there by a man
In a factory downtown
If I had my little way
I'd eat peaches every day
Sun-soaking bulges in the shade

Taking little naps where the roots all twist
Squished a rotten peach in my fist
And dreamed about you, woman
I poked my finger down inside
Make a little room for it to hide
Nature's candy in my hand or can or a pie

Millions of peaches, peaches for me
Millions of peaches, peaches for free

Look out!

some items on my wish list

The bathroom redo project has really been inspiring me with the decorating direction I want to move in for various other parts of the house. Here are some items that have caught my eye recently.

Really digging the colors and pattern on this rug from West Elm.



Pretty sure I'm going to get this sofa table from ikea if it looks as good in person.

Can't believe I still don't have any apothecary jars since I've been wanting some for forever.

100% in love with this sheepskin rug from Pottery Barn.

Certainly need more throw pillows to add color, but it's so hard picking favorites to spend money on! These are from Pier 1

My list could probably go on and on, but I do feel like i"m starting to make progress in weeding through all the things I like vs the things I want to decorate my house with! Someday I'll get there... maybe.