black balsam + tennent mountain | hike it baby.

A few weeks ago, we adventured to a place we had never been before off of the Blue ridge Parkway. Oh my! It was almost as if I had entered into heaven.

We joined our Hike It Baby crew for a day of exploring, and we got to see two spectacular places: Black Balsam Knob and Tennent Mountain. We were surrounded by bright green the whole way up and back, and there were bursts of color everywhere. We hiked under blue skies to Tennent Mountain, and we started our trek back just as rain clouds rolled in. A little rain couldn’t take the smiles off of our faces though!

Bethany rode on my back, and Braxton walked for a good while before TJ put his long, lanky body in the carrier. This hike is probably the last one that we’ll go on with two babies being carried, and if that’s the case then it was a good one to go out on. Even weeks later, I’m still reliving all the beautiful scenes we got to live out in the midst of so much beauty. Every time I hike, I’m reminded of how creative my Maker is — and this particular area made me offer up extra praises.

We even witnessed a wedding happening at the peak of Black Balsam, y’all. Yes, I’m serious! And they were so gracious towards us crazy parents toting our crazy kiddos as we walked through their small wedding party to cross over. We all added “wedding crashers” onto our resumes. Ha!

I sincerely hope this won’t be the only time we venture to this spot. I’d love to see it when the leaves are changing colors, so maybe we’ll mosey back up there in the fall. The older I get, the more thankful I become to live in a place that’s so rich in adventure and beauty. I could hike the world every day for the rest of my life and it still wouldn’t be enough! There is so much to be discovered, so much to see — I suppose I’ll simply try to see as much as I can for as long as I can.

our fourth.

We ended up at one of our favorite waterfalls yesterday on accident, hiked through screams and whining and falls, and got an up close and personal view of one of nature's most beautiful spots in our area. We've been here so many times that I know it like the back of my hand, and yet it still makes my heart beat fast every time. There were a lot more people here than usual, which made me feel a mixture of emotions -- including but not limited to being annoyed that we didn't have the spot to ourselves and feeling thankful that so many people chose to spend their Independence Day outdoors. It was, also, pretty cool to see such a great age-range of people out on the trails; you're never too old or too young to spend time in the open air!

Braxton walked most of the trail on his own two feet, only having to be carried as we were nearing the end of the trail, and Bethany took turns smiling and snoozing to the falls and back again. Yellow Branch was pouring out like water from the spicket, and we climbed big rocks and splashed in the puddles and threw little rocks into those same puddles. Basically, it was the best. Even when Braxton slipped and fell into the water, soaking his shorts. And again, even when Bethany screamed at the top of her lungs without stopping for about thirty minutes.

We began our day chasing a waterfall, continued it at Mimi and Pops' pool, and ended it with our kiddos in their beds and Teesh and me watching Blue Bloods on the couch in our pajamas. Just another day in paraside! Seriously, y'all. This life we are living isn't anything spectacular from the world's perspective, but it's a life I've always dreamed of and prayed for -- having a husband who loves me and our children so well and so wholeheartedly, being a Mommy to kiddos of my own who make me so proud (and crazy, but that's another post for another day), and spending my days making the most of this life I've been graciously given. God has blessed me, and my family, and we've got lots to be thankful for. The biggest mistake I could ever make is to ignore or not believe that.

Happy Independence Day to you and yours from me and mine. I hope you made the most of your day -- and that it becomes a habit to keep doing so. Life is short,  but it's, also, what we make it.

father's day | with two.

We spent a few hours at the pool to celebrate Teesh on Father's Day, and our kiddos had the best time. We've got two water babies, and it's so fun to watch them splash and smile and have fun. Braxton jumped in the deep end about a hundred times, proudly used his new goggles, played with his cousin (aka his favorite person), and cried when it was time to leave. Bethany went back and forth between being in our arms and floating in the water seat that used to belong to her big brother, and she grinned for most of the time she was in the water -- even when Braxton splashed her in the face, she just kept on grinning.

TJ and I got to celebrate both of our daddies this day, too, which is something we both take for granted less and less as we grow up. We especially love how much our own children love them, which makes us appreciate them all the more. And there is no denying how much Braxton and Bethany love their Pop and Pops!

Just like there's no denying that they love the water.

Or the man they get to call Daddy.

He's the best man, best husband, best father, best worker, best friend --  not because he never messes up or lets us down, but rather because he always owns up to his mistakes and tries to right any wrongs he has done. He does plenty (plenty!) of things right the first go 'round, too, and all three of us are so thankful to benefit so much from his good heart, ability to think smart during tough times, driven spirit, and the way he serves so many people well while asking for nothing in return. We are blessed to have a front row seat to all that this man does, and we'll never get over it. He makes all three of us better. And we love him so very much!

sprinkler fun.

Because what's better and more refreshing than running through the sprinkler on a hot summer day? I can't think of anything either. Braxton's joy instantly took me back to the days where I found joy in the same things. I loved these few hours so much -- we all did.

And don't worry -- Bethany was just out of the water's reach, watching her big brother jump and hoot and holler. She was grinning as she looked on, too!

Of all the seasons, summer will always be my favorite. Especially now that my teacher husband and I have two kiddos to raise and show them all the important things in life. You know, like running through the sprinkler on a hot day in June.