Our first trip out was to the landing at Belvoir.  We took the dogs with us to try to see how they liked it.  In less than 30 minutes Jim had turned over 3 times.  Some help with Pink our dog.  We decided maybe our first test should be without the dogs so we took them home.  We had so much fun kayaking and chilling in the river.

Next trip was in Whitaker's.  We had awesome company.  Around 20 were kayaking and we had a blast!

Rainy weekends slowed us down for a while but finally we were able to get in the river on July 4, 2019.  We drifted from the Ol Sparta landing to the Bevoir landing. 

So what to talk about today?  Surviving the cold weather!  lol  To a certain extent,  I like the cold weather
it makes hard work a little easier since you aren't sweating to death.

So much fun on our photoshoot this past weekend.  Started on our way to the Crawfish Shack to shoot their annual Fear Fest and made it about ½ mile down the road when the truck started only going about 25 miles an hour max so we turned around and went back home.  Got home truck started acting fine so we started out once more.  We made it to the big bridge around Edenton when we had a blow out on the trailer.  We limped down the road until we could pull over.  No jack so we rigged up something and finally got the tire changed and on the road again we went.  Made it to almost Hertford when we had another blow out!  Pulled into a church yard and looked at each other wondering what to do since now we have no spare.  The preacher of the church came out and we told him what was going on and he was so nice and said everything was fine and do what we had to do.  Oh! by the way let me tell you how I was dressed.  We were going to a Halloween event.  I had pink hair and a Halloween shirt on, not something you want to have on in the church yard!  I explained to the preacher where we were going so he wouldn’t think we were freaks.  He laughed and said everything was fine.  We called our friend, Teresa, and she came and picked Jim up and took him to go buy a tire.  We changed the tire and on the road again we go.  We finally made it to the shack with plenty of time.  Good thing we left early! Lol

Now let me tell you about the Fear Fest at the Crawfish Shack.  It is a very cool event with lots of scary things!  I am not a scary person at Halloween events but let me tell you there were a few things that made me a little scary.  People showing up from nowhere, walking behind you.  Clowns that looked like they would eat you.  Scarecrows staring at me with bad looking faces.  Nurses working on mutilated bodies.  My helper, Brooke was running from these scary creatures.  They definitely, scared her to death.  Shrew!  I didn’t know if I would make it.  But I survived to tell the story.  Oh, and you could also dance with the witches.  If you didn’t go to this event you better make it next year because it is a blast! 

I was there when her dad saw her for the first time in her dress.  I think it is the first time I have ever seen Danny Hardy speechless!  The love and admiration in his eyes at that moment could only be described by the best poet.  For a moment I thought everyone would have to have their makeup redone.  Too much love in that little room.  Well there is never too much love but I thought the walls would explode trying to hold all the love in that room for the moment.

The bride arrived on horseback with her Dad.  Can we say WOW!  The look on the groom was priceless as she walked down the grassy isle.  I love these two people so much.  I have known Dana and her parents for a long time and was so blessed to do their wedding.  The wedding was just like a fairytail.

Words can't express the love I saw between bride, groom, parents and friends.  The weather was beautiful as if it had been ordered. 

Looking forward to the next chapter for these two because I see so much fun and love in the future.

Enjoy your honey moon!

Thank you so much Dana and Kensil for letting us do your pictures!  See you soon!

Today we did pictures for Brittany and Jason’s wedding.  Most beautiful and emotional wedding we had the honor of doing their pictures.  So thankful we got to do them.  I am lucky that I know Jason pretty well.  He rode horses with my daughters when they were growing up.  His son looks so much like him.  Boy I could tell some stories back then.  Ha ha.

 The day started out going to the hair dressers to take pictures of them getting their hair done.  I enjoyed the morning banter and the nervousness of the bride.  She was beautiful as she walked in the door to get her hair done.  Her bridesmaids were laughing about their times together and of course the fun they had at the bachelorette party.  It was so enjoyable to listen to the laughter and watch Jason and Brittany’s son, Triston, run around and play with toys.  He is such a cute fella.

Jim took on the project of picture taking of the groom and all the men in his party getting ready.  Clyde was generous and let them use his house to get ready which is so beautiful by the way. 

The bride, the bride’s maids and I got back to the Crawfish Shack to start getting ready.  If you have never been to the Crawfish Shack you do not know what you are missing.  This place is beyond beautiful and if you want to do an event you should check this out.  One awesome place for weddings and any type of event you could think of.  It also has a seasonal restaurant that you should check it out if you ever get a chance.  Well enough of that.  Lol!  Everyone was running around and Jim and I chasing them trying to get pictures of everything going on.  People doing makeup, touching up hair, and nervously laughing.  Misting rain outside that I know was stressing the bride out.  But as Jason is, a miracle, why would we be surprised that the day would not be a blessing too.  As the wedding time neared the rain stopped.

After the wedding, we did all the wedding pictures and guess what no rain and as soon as we got back from doing all our pictures and got back under the shelter the misting rain came back.  You know, that it is good luck if it rains on your wedding, but the angels spread their wings and held off the rain so Jason and Brittany would get their pictures of their dreams. 

As I was walking back with Jason, when we were finished, I watched Jason and I just wanted to hug him into.  He makes me so proud.  If you don’t know, Jason was in a terrible accident and was not supposed to be alive but God had other plans and he is here today living life to the fullest.  The next thing  he was told, he would never walk, but here I was walking right beside him and talking to him.  I told Jason that whenever my belief in God faltered I would think of him because he is a sure sign God is great.  I also told Jason I was so proud of him, because part of the reason he is walking is his determination and not giving up.  I know he had to have times that he wished he wasn’t here and how frustrating and all the pain he endured.  But look here, there he is walking beside me and talking to me and it made my heart so happy.

Once we got back we did the normal wedding day pictures, you know, eating cake announcing the wedding party, etc.  I think the most memorable moments to me was when Brittany danced with her dad, Jason danced with his mom but the best moment of all, was the dance with Jason and Brittany.  Husband and wife at last!   I don’t think there were many dry eyes and that included mine.  Glad my camera can auto focus!  Jason defied all odds and there he was dancing with his beautiful wife.

So, when you think there aren’t miracles, my friend, think again, because you will be so wrong!

Thank you, Jason and Brittany, for letting us do your wedding pictures!  It was truly an honor!

 

October 1, 2017

Erin Ericson invited us (Julia and I) to go riding with them at Occoneechee park.  It was so beautiful.  Road with Erin Ericson and I learned a lot about her today.   Never been close enough or around enough to really know Erin but today I realized just how much a gem she is.  I was waiting at my trailer and saw this trailer pull in full of horses!  I thought holy crap that is a lot of horses in there.  A few minutes later a cute young lady with boots on looking all ready to ride running toward us.  I thought she must be going to the rest room and look she is staying on the trail.  Definitely tell she is a trail rider!  But, nope, she was heading straight toward us and I thought, oh my, something must be wrong!  And of course another nope, she stopped and said Erin wanted to let you know she is here.  Lol!  She had the trailer full of horses!

WE put our bridles on and mosied down where they were parked.  She had 5 children, 3 adults and her!  She said welcome to my world with a beautiful smile! 

Everyone got ready and off we went.  Throughout the day I watched and listened to everyone talking and enjoying the beautiful scenery and weather.  I also noticed that Erin never missed what every horse was doing on that ride.  She gave kind guidance to the young people helping them learn the best way to ride and handle a horse.  She felt one horse’s hooves because she was acting like she was a little off.  She was always interested in your questions and giving superb answers and I realized wow she is so smart about equines on so many things.

Erin thank you for being a wonderful person inside and out and most of all, thank you for letting us ride with you.