13th Anniversary Week @ Pictured Rocks U.P.

Since it's still July I thought I would post some photos I took at Pictured Rocks during our July 4th week up north.  We had talked about going for awhile and for some reason we have never made the trip to the Upper Penninsula. It's a 3 hour trek after you cross the Mackinac Bridge. We took a boat ride and it was absolutely gorgeous! It reminded me of our boat ride to Capri, Italy. If you are considering the trip it is totally worth the drive.

 

We had just bought our new Tamaron 70-200 lens and were anxious to try it out. It's a bit heavy and bulky, but I just love the photos it produces! We took a picture of each other so we could test out the blurred background (which I love!). I wanted to try to capture the fireworks in Harbor Springs, but they didn't turn out well. It's hard to practice in the dark when there isn't a lot of time to make adjustments to the camera! 

The coolest part of our Anniversary is that I've officially been a Baylis longer than I was a Williams. That's huge! XO

 

Check out my photos... :)

 

28 Years Later... Still Love Our Home

 

 

 

Au Gres 2014 with the Gang

[caption id="attachment_1354" align="alignnone" width="660"] Boltens-Mehaffeys-Parrotts-Carlsons-Carrolls-Howards-J. Randall & us.[/caption]

This past weekend we went up north to our friends' cottage in Au Gres. It was so much fun! I loved every part of it really, but I think my favorite part was Friday afternoon when we were down at the beach visiting and listening to Bob's music collection. He has the top 100 songs from the years 1950-2000.

I love how we handle meals up there; each family takes one and two couples share dinner. For dinner the M. & P.'s made amazing pork tenderloin with an amazing gravy (out of the marinade boiled for 10 mins.), smashed redskin potatoes, green beans w/bacon and a wonderful salad. Oh yeah, first we had appetizers on the beach, which were: caprese mozzarella cheese balls, cherry tomatoes and basil on skewers, grilled turkey sausage with mustard dip, hummus & crackers. Marty made the best cucumber vodka drinks! For dessert we had a Costco four berry pie.

We made breakfast before our golf scramble that included bagels w/cream cheese, salmon (cut in strips from Costco), tomato slices, chopped red onion and capers; a big fruit salad with cantaloupe, raspberries, blackberries, strawberries & pineapple; orange juice & coffee.

When we got back from golf the H.'s made sandwiches with all kinds of breads, cold cuts, cheeses, salads, pickles & pickled cucumbers, and chips. We also had left over fruit salad.

Dinner Saturday night was compliments of The B.'s and The C.'s. For appetizers we had deviled eggs, Marty's crab dip, pizza dip & crackers. For the main meal we had whole chickens on beer cans, cheesy potatoes, sweet corn & salad. For dessert we all went for ice cream at a cute little shop in town.

For breakfast Sunday morning the C.'s made scrambled eggs with peppers/onions/mushrooms, sausage, bacon & english muffins. We actually had to take off early so we missed this one.

I loved our beach dance party/talent show and playing the corn-hole bean bag game & charades. I also loved our boat ride & coffee in the morning while reminiscing about past trips and planning future ones together.

Each of those couples have been married for many, many years and we are so grateful for the opportunity to spend time with them for a fun-filled weekend.  We first met them through Meghan and they are the parent's of many of her high school friends. We laughed until our stomachs hurt. We sang so many songs together, but when this one came on it touched me in a special way. I hadn't heard it in a very long time...

(The Wedding Song by Peter Paul & Mary)

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aZbhrO4IEtI]

Family Fun

[caption id="attachment_1344" align="alignnone" width="560"] Naze, Diane, Bekka, Shannen, Me, Liz, Cali, Patricia[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1345" align="alignnone" width="560"] Joe, Leo, Jeremy, Tim, Jake, Josh, Tim, Kayden, Trevor[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1346" align="alignnone" width="560"] Joe, Leo, Naze, Bekka, Dianne, Trevor, Liz, Tim, Jake, Cali, Patricia, Jeremy, Josh, Shannen, Kayden[/caption]

On My Mind this Monday Morning

Thirty years ago I married my kids' dad. (I'd be lying if I didn't tell you it crossed my mind more than once lately.) This July Linc and I celebrated our 13th Anniversary and it also marked the year that we surpassed the amount of years I was married to my kids' dad. I am here to tell you that it is only by the Grace of God that I am healed; and I can barely even see the scars left behind. When I saw this amazing photo posted and stepped back to analyze how I felt, it didn't sting one single bit.

I can honestly say that I couldn't have chosen a better father for my kids.

I remember when M. & J. were young it seemed I had to... BEG him to play sports with them and play with them. At the time I attributed it to his age, since he was quite a bit older than me. I won't go into all of the details, but... it really made me happy when I saw the photo in this post and when I heard the excitement in my son's voice when he was telling me all the details how together they discussed each shot and in the end they took second place (and came close to winning!).

When I step back and consider if I never would have gone through what I did, I never would have had to learn to totally rely on God for His comfort, His healing, His constant presence, His guidance, His security, His arms wrapped around me, His patience, His control of my tongue, His gift of the people He brought into my life or His loving kindness.

It was so nice to hear my ex-mother-in-law's voice on bluetooth yesterday. She is the most loving Granny and I'm so thankful for her.

This morning when I was on my elliptical machine (It's strange how loudly God speaks to me when I am in that room!), I heard this song on my playlist. I heard it completely different than I ever had before. He is God... ;)

He Ain't The Leaving Kind by Rascal Flatts

They tried their best to drag him out
Of a courthouse down in montgomery
Now they want to kick him out of school
And take him off our money
They can take those words off of paper and stone
But he aint gone, no

He ain't the leavin' kind
He'd never walk away
Even from those who dont believe
And wanna leave him behind
He ain't the leavin' kind

She stayed mad at him for a lot of years
For taking her husband
Started losing her faith and thinking that
Her life meant nothin
But when she looks at those kids
She raised all by herself
She knows she had some help
Yeah she knows

He ain't the leavin' kind
He'd never walk away
Even from those who don't believe
And wanna leave him behind
He ain't the leavin' kind

No matter what you do
No matter where you go he's
Always right there
With you

Even from those who don't believe
And wanna leave him behind
He ain't the leavin' kind

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8s9GN9_P940&w=420&h=315]

"Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” ~Deuteronomy 31:6

What's your Contribution?

This week this 50-something is changing her words... "My Purpose" to "My Contribution." When all is said and done, what do I hope to contribute to this beautiful world before my days are done? It is a game-changer and a very important question. I am sure it can only be done by being intentional.

Thankful Throwback Thursday

"In the end, it's not the years in your life that count. It's the life in your years." ~Abraham Lincoln

[caption id="attachment_1294" align="alignnone" width="560"] Angela R.D.H. (With the most supportive people in my life!)[/caption]

Recently I had a conversation with my sister about photos and how she hates getting pictures taken.

It got me thinking...Is it vain of me to post photos of myself?

Yesterday it was my mother's birthday. I did something some might think was just plain weird. I posted on her FB page, asking people to share their favorite memory of Mom. I'm pretty sure three of us shared something and they were all brief. Have they already forgotten my beautiful mother?

It got me thinking... If I died tomorrow, would everybody forget about me in four short years, especially if there are no photos of me?

This past week while I was working I realized it has been 30 years since I graduated from dental hygiene school. I wondered if it would be good or bad of me to share that fact with others.

It got me thinking... Am I getting too old to do my job? Will they want someone young to clean their teeth?

It was time for my yearly physical exam and time for the necessary tests that the doctors think are smart, considering my family history.

It got me thinking... Will it be my turn to get a scary diagnosis one of these years?

My oldest daughter just celebrated her final birthday in her 20's this week. My husband realized he was her age when he started dating me.

It got me thinking... I. am. getting. OLD!

Anyway, I probably think too much; and over-analyze too much; and worry too much. Long story- short, at the end of the day none of these thoughts/things will matter. I've been reading a book and so far two words hit me like a ton of bricks: So. What?! I decided I would post a bunch of photos that I may or may not have posted in the past. At the end of the year (and at the end of my life), there will be photos of me with people I love, and moments where I was having fun.

I only have one or two decent photos of my parents and my sister and brother that have gone before me. I want there to be enough that if those I leave behind start to forget what I was like, they can open my books. So, please don't judge me by the amount of photos I share here. They are all for the long run and they are the story of my life.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oW6vx5AOMqM&w=420&h=315]