Dog Beach Time!!!

Here are some pics from last weekend. We took the dogs to their favorite dog beach to burn off some energy.

Happy boys on their way to the dog beach.

Ty and I in the middle of a swim race. We're getting ready to turn around and go back to the beach.

I let the dogs win at the end. I wanted to stay in and enjoy the water.


Here's Josh's crazy hair. Yes, he finally has hair again!!!

Enjoying the sun.

Random Pic of Skyway Bridge

Another random Florida view on the way back from the dog beach.

Hillsborough County Traffic Cops

Working within the legal system on a daily basis, you find yourself weighing the justice in each situation you see. One of the sad injustices I've come across while in working within the legal field in Texas, was misuse and abuse of authority. Namely, favor being secured by "generous" contributions to certain campaigns.

Anyway, today I came across another blatant misuse of authority. When my husband was in Hillsborough county, stopped at a traffic light, the cop behind him decided he was bored and would run my husband's plates. He then proceeded to pull my husband over and tell him he was writing him a citation for expired vehicle registration. Our registration was still valid, as reflected by the vehicle stickers. This cop was obviously bored or just felt like harassing someone. Upon realizing his mistake, and that he couldn't write a ticket for expired tags, the cop began to survey our vehicle, and wrote my husband a citation for a burnt out light bulb. The cop told my husband that the fee would only be $7 if paid within 30 day. My husband made the ridiculously long drive to the sheriff's office to pay the fee within the 30 day period, and it turns out the cop had obviously lied to my husband, or was simply dumb, because they charged my husband $91.00. Yes, $91 freaking dollars for a burnt out light bulb! My husband and I didn't even know the bulb was burnt out, so it must have happened that day. What about a warning? Not a $91 ticket, just because you accidentally pull someone over by mistake?

So, stupid Hillsborough County got nearly $100 out of us by abusing their authority. I can't stand people who are supposed to represent justice being unjust.

A New Season

I have been enjoying the cool breezes of fall, but the fall breezes have more to bring with them than just relief from the warmth of summer. Along with them comes the fragrance of life unfolding the wonder of a fresh, new season. The fall winds have caused my mind to stir, just like the trees, rustling in the winds' blissful wake.

The newness in the air has awakened my senses to a newness in life. Following that parallel, I have been challenged to analyze the spiritual, mental, and physical status of myself, and to strive to create new life in each of those aspects. Just as a tree cannot go year around without dropping leaves, neither can a soul go on holding onto each "damaged leaf" it bears without those leaves slowing sapping life out of them. There are some things we have to let go. Only after letting those things go will we find the motivation, grace and strength to grow in other areas.

There have been times when I've associated my damaged leaves so closely with my identity, that I've mistaken one for the other. I have damaged leaves that I am in the process of dropping. So many, in fact, that I'm thinking if I were a tree, I'd be naked of leaves and wondering if I was still a tree. Yet, I'm aware that hanging onto damaged leaves causes decay, even in our relationships with our spouses.

Whether it be spiritually, physically, or mentally, I think there are some damaged leaves the Lord would like to see us drop, so that He can revive newness of life within us.

27th Birthday

I really enjoyed my birthday yesterday. Thanks to all of you who contributed to making my 27th b-day so wonderful. Below, is a pic of me expressing my excitement. (yes, that is a Christmas bag. Josh had to use what we had :)



Thanks to my awesome husband who spoiled me with a 3 day birthday weekend, and made me feel like a queen.

It all began on Thursday night, when Josh gave me some pre-birthday gifts.

My very thoughtful and wonderful husband drove all the way to the Tarpon Springs sponge docks to bring me this beautiful necklace and earring set. He also gave me a lotion that one of the shops at Tarpon. I commented on the lotion once, and Josh remembered. What a great guy! And the other gift in the bag was a gift card to America Eagle. Yay! Not to mention, Josh had booked a massage for me.

Here are beautiful birthday flowers sent from my family in Saipan.

Below is Joe giving me some birthday love.
We ate lunch at Cracker Barrel. I love their kids vegetable plate! I was talking to my sister while trying to pose for a quick picture.

Josh and I split the Apple Dumpling dessert. Though it was soooo good, I just couldn't finish my half.

After lunch, we went to the mall where I bought some new pants. At last, I have pants that aren't falling off of me. Thanks to Brit and Steve for the Old Navy gift card, and thanks to Josh for the American Eagle gift card. Thanks to my Mom, my Dad, Mamaw, Debbie, and Sarah for the spending money. Thanks to Saipan Mom and Dad for the beautiful birthday flowers.

After I got a massage, we went out for a pizza dinner since I haven't had pizza in a very long time. This is how I look with part of my head chopped off. lol

We ended the night with a dip in the swimming pool, which was the perfect end to a perfect night.

Thanks so much Josh for working so hard to make my birhtday memorable and wonderful. I'm blessed to have such a loving husband.

Life

I'm supposed to be cleaning the house right now, but I decided to take a break to do a new post. Josh and I have been working ourselves so much that we seem to have worn ourselves thin. Me with working extra hours, taking care of home repairs, house upkeep, grocery shopping, and taking care of our zoo. Josh with work, school finals, home repairs, pool maintenance and also caring for our zoo. We've gotten tired lately. Our marriage has grown to the next phase where instead of having excessive physical affection to express, we're just fall down in an exhausted heap together. Happy that at least we're together.

Though Josh had to work this weekend, we managed to make a quick get away to Tarpon Springs on Saturday for a lunch date. We ate at a lovely little Greek restaurant, right off the water. Our time there was reminiscent of when we had the time and the freedom to play earlier this year. It was also a good reminder to, whatever happens, make sure we both take a few minutes just to play together, and enjoy being together.

This would be me, making the stupidest face possible for the camera. This has become a common occurrence.
Here is Josh, rejoicing over the bed of lamb meat before him.

I must say that I married well. Despite how worn out we get, Josh still makes me smile. I am happy to be married to him.

The chaotic schedule of life lately has made me aware of how often we forget about the blessings in our life, just because we get too busy to think about them. I'm praying that even though I'm busy, I don't get too busy to thank God for every day that Josh and I have together....and that I don't forget to enjoy the little things, as well as the big things.