Gone Fishin'

Early last week Kyle received a few packages in the mail from his great uncle Arlan. Arlan & his wife live in Vermont, and are in the middle of cleaning out their home. Guess who is lucky enough to get some of uncle Arlan's fishing gear?
Kyle has been on one of his busiest rotations the past few weeks, so this has been his first free weekend to chill (aka, fish). He was so excited to try out his new fly rod and trinkets (trinkets = a lot of random fishing things that I don't know all the names of). Since I haven't seen him a lot lately either, we decided that I'd go with him & we'd  have a little family outing. I brought some camera gear & snacks, having this romanticized picture in my head of laying out by the river bank watching my man catch some fish while I soak in the sun, wander around and take some pictures. Sounds like the perfect Sunday afternoon, right?

Well it would have been, except for the following:
This kind of weather:

Iphone.

 Mixed with this unexpected storm:

Iphone.

Makes for a lot of humidity, sweat and bugs. A LOT.
Not to mention that Kyle hadn't been to this location since Spring; when the grass was low and the weather a bit cooler. He was anticipating that kind of wonderful.

We ventured out to the country, about an hour away from home. Mossy Creek is known for it's trout, but  is on private land; so you have to park on the side of the road, then venture down the private roads to find different parts of the creek. I couldn't even tell you where we were, but we did pass a horse and buggy while walking. Should have asked for a ride.

Fear not, there will be plenty of corn come Fall.

We were right out of a country song. Holdin' hands, walkin' down a back road with fishing gear and a blanket. Perfection only lasts so long.
About a mile down and a pound of sweat later, we found a gate that leads to part of the creek.

Then we had to walk down a large hill, dodging one million crazy grasshoppers and prickly bushes. Did I mention we wore flip flops? We made our own path to the water, dripping sweat and itching like mad. Kyle was too excited to be bothered, but my romantic 'laying along the river bend' idea went to poop, fast.

There was one rock large enough to sit on, so I made it my temporary home.

We were in the middle of nowhere. 

It was a gorgeous view- never ending fields & skies. I could understand why it would be so peaceful, say, in 70 degree weather before the landscape gets out of control and you can't see if there are snakes lingering in the weeds.

Thankfully (!!), Kyle didn't like that location as much. So we packed up within a half hour and started heading back. Until he found another location that we must have overlooked on our way in...
Second try wasn't as bad. It was a five second walk away from the road and shaded. Can you see the steam coming up from the water?!

Three times the charm. We ended up trying one more location. I stayed in the car for a while on this one- just to stop my legs from itching. By then it had began to cool off outside and it became much more enjoyable.

Two hours after arriving we decided to head home. Thankfully there was no storm to drive through, so it took about half the time to get home as it did to venture there.
Despite what it may seem from our other outdoor adventures, I really enjoy the outdoors.

It was still a perfect Sunday afternoon... after we removed ticks from our legs, of course.

Thankful.

We were never promised tomorrow. I've been reminded of that all to often in the past few weeks.

Because you can never say it enough...

 "...Have I told you lately, that I love you like crazy..?"

Remembering Kotomor

The chickens wake us in the morning to the rising of the sun over the treeline. You swing back the mosquito net and walk out of the one room mud hut, covered with thatch roofs and a piece of fabric protecting the entrance. The windstorms coming across the prairie make you hide for cover as you watch the cattle wander across the camp and realize there isn't enough meat on their bones to feed the people who need it. In the distance you see the school house's three brick sides barely standing and the blue roof of a new building that displays the hope of future education. Resources were few and far between. We were staring in the face of war demolished northern Uganda.

 

This past Spring marked 3 years. Three years since I saw the sun so close it felt like you could reach out and touch it. Three years since I ate cornmeal as a way of survival. Three years since I showered under the Ugandan sun in open air and slept in a mud hut with only a mosquito net separating myself from the hungry mice. Three years since I sat around a tree on a Sunday morning, listening to handmade string instruments make music, watching woman dancing in their colorful, dirt-ridden dresses. It seems so close but yet so far away.

Kotomor made a mark on heart, deeply. While there, it was emotionally, physically, mentally and spiritually exhausting. So many questions without answers, frustrations with no solutions. The simple reality was that we couldn't come in and fix the years of a deadly war and the repercussions it caused. We could give hope and show love, in very practical ways. The refuges left everything they had to escape a war. They were victims of rape, abuse, brainwashing, and murder. Not one was left unaffected.

I am positive that I was much more affected by living in Kotomor than the people who we went there for.

I could truly write forever about this very subject, for this simple post only throws a stone into an ocean. But none of this is about me. Because these people who I admire are the ones that deserve a platform and a voice; for people to fight on their behalf. Martijn, a friend who was there in Kotomor with us, reminded me of that this morning.

 (this picture is after we left Kotomor and stayed in Jinga)

He sent me the following video:

It gave me chills. Not because it covers gruesome details, but because it was so familiar. So close to my heart that goosebumps filled my legs and arms as I sat and watched. Recognizing faces like Michael & Dr. Tim, uniforms, homes, the school building, those long dirt roads, the water pumps that we gathered around, that tough red dirt, and the process of grinding nuts to make peanut butter. I also see hope. Passion for justice, and  evidence of a faithful God- no matter the situations which sin has created.

Distractions!

As of late, I've discovered a few too many distractions in life. Here's two.

First Culprit: Pinterest.
I've been quite hesitant to sign up for Pinterest, mostly because who needs another website to cater to?! That idea flew out the window and now I'm in love. Seriously. It's way too fun. It get's my creative juices flowing; makes me dream of decorating our next home, gives me glimpses into some of the most beautiful places on earth, supplies with me with endless food recipes, has countless event ideas, and dresses & purses to swoon over. Not to mention the ridiculous ideas of organization. The OCD in me is overflowing with excitement!

You also tend to learn a bit about yourself as you scour through thousands of pictures;
Want to see some things that I keep "pinning"...of course you do...
 I tend to lean towards rustic/vintage accent furniture that has a splash of color(namely turquoise, blue hues or yellow!)

 My eye catches recipes that either include fruit, bread or sugar. In other words, I may try to eat healthy & exercise but I'm still a fat kid at heart.

Really, who can resist this goodness? Cheesecake in a jar! IF there is anyone, I need to meet them. And they need to share their secret. In the mean time...

We've always knew this since I was 5 and enjoyed cleaning my room. I thoroughly enjoy organizing things.

Yes, Please. That is all.

There are so many white kitchens, interior brick walls, vintage furniture and wrap around porches that I can't stop staring at.

In other words, Pinterest is my new gathering place for all things creative; paintings, photography,  home decor, sewing (I just admire those who do that), DIY projects, party ideas, cooking how-to's, decorating, landscaping, etc etc etc... I believe I am becoming more domestic, don't you think?




Second Culprit: Instagram

So I mentioned that I got the iPhone. It has a camera. Should have been my first sign to run in the other direction. But again, I signed up for Instagram. It's a fun little tool to use random filters on your camera photos. I follow photographers whom I love, and scroll through photographs that are being taken all over the world. Fun, right?! Nod Yes.


Here's a quick snapshot of our life this week:

This popsicle made my entire week. I kid you not. The Schwan man would come to our house when I was little, and we'd always buy the Pineapple Popsicles from him. Always. When I was 6, the dreaded day came when they discontinued them (the nerve!) I have been searching for them ever since. (Why I never made my own is beyond the point). This picture certainly didn't warrant a paragraph but I'll continue none the less. When Kyle and I were in NYC two years ago, I found them!!! From a vendor in Central Park, and it was a beautiful thing. But of course, I couldn't buy all of them as I would have wished. Then this week, I spotted them. Edy's now makes all natural pineapple popsicles.. the skies opened and I heard singing. I swear.

We let our kid become the smelly kid in class on the block. Bath Time.

Highly suggest this book to anyone. Especially the Money and Success chapters. It's written by Tim Keller (a personal fav)

Okay, back to more distractions.

4th of July!

We ventured back to the mitten over the 4th, with Maizy in tow (once again). Per usual, we try to split our time between both sides of the state. We visited the East side first, with breakfast dates, a family cookout, baby shower, golf and maternity pictures. Then we ventured over to the West side to celebrate the 4th with some friends and enjoy the lake. It was of course a whirlwind, but well worth it when we are able to see so many people who mean so much to us.

I took about 400 photos over the 4th of July- who knew there was so much to take pictures of ;) I tried to condense. Sorry if your mind gets boggled and your eyes tired. Theres a lot of visuals here.

It was incredibly hot on Saturday- we ate too much, laughed too much, and played some means games of cornhole. In between the storms we got serenaded by my brother and danced in the kitchen. Typical cookout.

The boys won the cornhole tournament and were clearly very excited!

Sunday we had a baby shower for Baby Hotchkiss.

The best part was explaining to Emily what each gift was for. Why I would know this is beyond me- but I have a feeling it has to do with the 21 (!!!) girls I know that are pregnant right now.  Yupp, I'm down with mamma lingo.
My aunt makes these incredible quilts for big occasions. We got one when we got married and it sits on the foot of our guest bed. She handmade the one below for Baby H, he or she's first baby blanket. (I still have mine. Is that weird?!)

(I'm so tired= awkward photos)

But the fun doesn't stop there folks. We arrived on the West side after the party and were greeted by lots of food, family & friends ready to celebrate the fireworks a day early.

Alayna wins the cutest 4th of July outfit. They need to make that in my size, with the matching bow of course. I also would like to steal her dance moves, she can shake it like nobodies business. In other words, she is ridiculously cute, I couldn't even stand it.
Oh, and Maizy saw the lake and instantly flew down the hill. Wet dog smells really good.

Fireworks!

On the actual 4th, we spend the day soaking up the sun, tubing on the lake and keeping Maizy away from the dead fish that she always seemed to find on shore.
Each year, their lake has a contest as to who can be most creative in decorating their boat. Then they have a parade around the lake...that would explain the most random picture below of the floating deer. We voted for that one, considering they dressed in bright orange and even had a deer stand set up. They had my husband at the first grunt. (that's the noise that hunters make to attract deer. I know, I'm very educated in the hunting department- ooorrr Kyle is sitting next me correcting me)

We got to relax a bit our last day. I even gave in and purchased the iphone. I know, I'm such a sell out;  and now a complete sucker for Instagram (photos to come!).

Then we drugged Maiz, hopped on a non-delayed flight (that seems to be rare these days!) and slept in our own bed again. The end.

Matthew & Emily Maternity {lifestyle photographer}

They met at a small coffee shop while watching a friend play guitar. A week later, my brother brought this girl named Emily over to his birthday barbecue; she walked in with her joyful smile, cute curly hair, and contagious laugh. I knew that she was going to be my sister one day. Sure enough, months passed and her and my brother became quite smitten; that "one day" came eight months later. They got engaged, tied the knot and bought a house all within a year. They lead worship together at their church, run the food program for their local community, are busy finishing renovations on their home and working full time. In the midst of all that came more exciting news- Baby Hotchkiss!

Emily is just over half way to her due date of October 20th, just shy of their two year anniversary. As her growing belly is revealing the life inside, her smile reflects the excitement for it. Matt & Emily, it's going to be such a joy watching you raise this child. Baby Hotchkiss will be surrounded by so much love!