Life Through a Camera Lens

Lots has happened since I blogged almost a MONTH ago. I'm terrible at this, I know. Anywho, instead of taking up most of your day with having to read about my life, I decided pictures would do. Boy, do I love pictures.

My fantastic boyfriend went clean shaven for one of our dates. The first time in over a year. :) 

My little man got bigger. Which is unfortunately not going to stop anytime soon.

I got bangs then got my hair highlighted. 

Geese decided to overtake my yard. 

AJ came for a few days and we met his awesome girlfriend. 

Then we went to Cracker Barrel.

Mom had surgery and got beautiful get well soon flowers. 

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I did my first fishtail! Along with a stupid duckface. ;)

Ryder smiled GREAT for the camera! 

Lydia and I went out to get one of Ryder's new toys. 

Jesse, Lydia, Sebastian, and I went on a double date. You can be jealous.

We went to Water Country and Chickfila. If you're wondering what this picture has to do with that, I have Water Country hair and I'm in the Chickfila bathroom. ;)

Ryder got a new outfit. 

I fell more in love with him then I was last time I told you. 

More than that happened, but I can only take so many pictures, you know? :)

Mighty is Our God

You know what I love? The fact that I have such an awesome, all powerful God. The fact that, no matter what I'm going through, God is there. Always. Not sometimes or only if it's important enough, but always. I'm thankful for that.

The devil has really been trying to make his way into our church. It seems like for the past few months, Sunday has been the day when everything crumbles. Yesterday, some things happened that really made me think. It has also made me grateful to not only have a godly father, but a pastor and all around spiritual leader who lives his life for the Lord and no one else.

In my life, I often want things done my way in my timing. I'm a super impatient person that hates to wait around for anything. Maybe even without knowing it, my dad has taught me how important it is to put all your faith in the Lord. Not some of it, but all of it. I get frustrated with my dad for not dealing with things right when they happen, but he is so much more wise than me in every aspect.

I'm someone who likes to write letters. If I'm upset with someone, hurt by someone, or even worried about someone, I put my pen to the paper and let the words flow. My dad has always told me not to send a letter the day that I write it. He says to put it away, pray about it, and if I still want to send it a few days later, go for it. Do you know how many letters I've written and thrown away shortly after? A whole lot more than the ones I've sent.

My dad does nothing in his timing. If something happens, he prays about it and waits for God to speak to him in some way. Sometimes it's a few hours, sometimes it's a few months, but he always waits for God's perfect timing.

I'm so thankful for my dad and the godly example he is to so many. I'm thankful that the Lord gave my brother's and I a father who has taught and continues to teach us how important it is the press into Jesus Christ. Who knows where Seth, Jesse and I would be without our parents guidance. I'm so thankful serving and glorifying the Lord has always been the number one priority in our house.

So, if you get a chance to pray for our church and our pastor {who I proudly call my daddy}, that would be great. God is doing some mighty work within our church family. Having a leader who's a man whose soul purpose is to follow Jesus Christ is going to take us nowhere but up. I have complete peace and comfort in knowing that the Lord's will will be done at Calvary Temple Church.

95 Degrees

Right now, it's 95 degrees with a heat index of who knows what. I'm inside a nice air conditioned house babysitting all while wishing I was at the beach. Some people can't stand the heat, but I love it! It's times like these that I'm thankful to be living next to the ocean and water parks and having a pool in my back yard.

Time Flies

You know what I haven't done in awhile? Blog. I see those people who are "on again off again" bloggers and always say I'm not going to be "one of those", but here I am. But hey, I'm blogging now! ;)

Ryder is almost a month old. It's crazy how time flies! Not only is this little man growing outrageously, but where did June go?! I remember being at the hospital on June 6th, blinking, and being at game night last night. Again, time flies.

I've gone to the beach once this summer. Definitely something that needs to be changed. With Sebastian and Katie having such busy work schedules, the beach isn't necessarily a priority when they are off. Oh, and I'm not much for going by myself.

Well, I'm eighteen, a high school graduate, and a brand new aunt. I'd say life is going pretty well. :) I could honestly not be any happier with what's happening these days..unless someone showed up with a Ford Fiesta that had my name on it. ;) It'll happen one day! We're going out to dinner for my birthday tonight since on my actual birthday we were all a little preoccupied. Maybe I'll tell you about it later...

Maybe not. ;)

Water Parks, Birthdays, and a Beautiful Baby Boy...Part 3

{Click here for Part 2}

At 10:47pm on June 6, 2012, Jesse Ryder Amos came into this world. He was 7 pounds 12 ounces and measuring 20 1/2 inches long. After all of the waiting that had been done, his perfect face lit up the entire family.

How cool is it to have the same birthday as your first born nephew? For me, it's amazing. He's the best birthday present I've ever gotten! Seeing him for the first time was something I'll never forget. Again, so blessed.

I love that I can call that little guy my nephew.

Water Parks, Birthdays, and a Beautiful Baby Boy...Part 2

{Click here for Part 1}

We got home and mom and I left for the hospital. We got a call from Jesse saying they wanted Chick-Fil-A...what's new? ;) So, after stopping to get two number five eight counts with sweet teas and Chick-Fil-A sauce, we were on our way. I was already filling up with pride as I walked through the doors and into the maternity ward. Just knowing that the next time I left the hospital, I would have a nephew, made me a super happy camper. But anyway, they got their Chick-Fil-A. :)

Lydia had a looong labor. By the end of June 5th, we knew Ryder wasn't coming on the "scheduled" timeline. So, mom and I parked ourselves in the empty waiting room and waited for the morning. After all, if there was a change in events, we didn't want to miss anything. :)

When the clock hit midnight, it was officially my birthday. Eighteen years earlier, my mom was in the same position Lydia was; waiting for their little miracle. At 12:00, mom sang to me. While she was singing to me, my amazing boyfriend was calling me to do the same. With all of the hustle and bustle of the day, it would have been natural for everyone to "look over" my birthday. For me, that wasn't the case. When Seth and Stacey {brother and sister-in-law} came to the hospital that night to wait for the baby, they surprised me with a balloon and cupcakes. Oh, and candles that we could have set the smoke alarm off with. I'm so blessed to have the family that I do.

A few hours later, the two mom's ran down the hall and into the delivery room. The time had come. :)

And you can see part 3 here...the best part in my opinion. :)

Water Parks, Birthdays, and a Beautiful Baby Boy...Part 1

Tuesday morning was cold and rainy. While most people would want to grab a good book and their favorite soup, Sebastian, Katie, and I were getting our bathing suits on and our lunches packed. We were going to Water Country USA to celebrate my eighteenth birthday. I think there was a slight moment when we contemplated going a different day, but what's a little rain when you're going to a water park?

We got there at about 12:30. We got up to the ticket place to buy Katie's pass, and they told us they were closing at 1:00 due to the rain and 60 degree temperature. I can't say we were too upset; it I was cold. So, we went ahead and got Katie's season's pass and went to the bathroom to change out of our bathing suits and into our jeans and jackets.

While we were changing, I got a text saying Lydia's water broke. I guess it worked out Water Country was closing early. It would have been terrible to get in there, get all wet, then have to dry off and leave ten minutes later. Not to mention freezing!

Although the water park was a bust, there was something much much better waiting just around the corner. :)

You can read part 2 here. :)