the brightest miracles on the block

Since the sudden arrival of summer (no one is complaining over here), the roommates and I have conjured up a little appreciation for some green in the house. We recently stocked up on plants of all sorts and terra cotta pots to brighten things up a bit. And let me tell ya, those shiny new leaves that unravel out from a stem really set off some sort of happy hormone in me because I. Am. Obsessed. Plants are just the coolest, brightest miracles on this block and boy are we loving the new look around here.

I think now would be the appropriate time to admit I've got a thing about mini plant life. Just look at those guys up there! And the small cacti...well, I don't have words. The artwork in the background is from the incredible Jessi over at Naptime Diaries. (In case you didn't know, you are one inspirational lady!)

What are you growing this summer? Any tips on not killing plants? 

engagement snaps

Last week JT and I got our engagement pictures done by the ever so talented Jonny Edwin. He comes highly recommended by us and I'm sure all the other couples up on his website. 

I was having senior picture flashbacks trying to choose what to wear and clouding up the bathroom with hairspray. Actually, that didn't happen for my senior pictures because I hadn't cut my hair in oh, say, 5 years or so.  That's a story for another day. 

Anyway, without boring you any longer...

The last two are some of our favorites, just because I don't think we'll ever change our minds about our football loyalties. Our teams play each other the first game of the season two weeks after our wedding and we may just be watching the game in separate houses. We'll see.

Can you believe I get to marry this man? I will be such a proud woman getting to stand with him in front of all these people we love and promise my life to him in just a few short months. For now, we are doing our best to soak up this summer and time of transition, getting to spend some extra time with friends and enjoy the wedding planning that is supposed to be stressful but is totally not.

the overdue post about honduras and guatemala

Oh hello and welcome to the most overdue post of the century. Between this trip to Honduras and Guatemala a few weeks ago, a quick buzz over to California and all this wedding planning, time seems to be ticking by extra fast these days.

I didn't want to miss the opportunity though to show you some of these shots from our trip to Central America. This was primarily a work trip but I was lucky enough to be able to go back and visit most all the people who became my family last year while I volunteered down there at a children's home.

So here we go, in no particular order. And by the way, I can't take credit for most of these -- they were oh so graciously shared by other trip participants with far more patience than I have to carry a camera around.

>> Bridge to a village called "El Mango" where a church plant was started by a local missionary in the area. This is right outside the city of San Pedro Sula.

>> Lilian and Juvana, some of the younger girls doing a craft project outside.

>> Monica below is one of my dearest that I left behind in Hondo, she and her husband and baby live there long term now. Here's her in front of the school where she teaches English class 3 days a week. (And does an incredible job! This lady was meant to be here.)

>> The next two are just a little taste of Antigua, Guatemala. Cobblestone streets, old buildings..the city constantly gets built on top of itself. It's always a pleasant surprise when you walk into an average looking building from the outside and enter into a beautiful, spacious, green courtyard or restaurant. There's a best kept secret behind every door.

>>This is real life. Sometimes I stare out at the view and just can't believe it's not a movie scene. This place is gorgeous.

So there you have it. Just a little flavor of the trip. I don't want to abuse the fact that you actually cared to check these out and turn it into a "hey look at my florida vacation pictures for 3 hours" sort of deal. 

We were so blessed to visit as many schools and orphanages as we did and were so encouraged by all the work that is being done down there. It sure was a pleasure to visit. Maybe one of these days I'll have to grab that JT down there and show that man off. Until then...I'll be dreaming of another night in the jungle.