Life is good right now. We are living on less that we ever have, but I'm doing what I love and that is worth it.
My recent trip to Virginia Beach with Jen and her sister Karen was unbelievably fun. It was a short trip, but we laughed almost the entire time! We ate some great sea food, listened to some good music, and played in the ocean. We all want to go back next summer and stay a little longer.
The job is strange. They went from scheduling me 10 hour days to only scheduling me one day a week. I'm not sure if that is worth the time and effort or not.
My tomatoes are HUGE! I can't wait for them to ripen up. The Dahlias are blooming. The black raspberries have all been picked. Life is good.

Just a glimpse into the silly antics I put my friends through.

I think I'm so funny. Really. I make myself laugh all the time over the most stupid things. Yesterday Jen and I were in Hallmark looking through cards. I showed her a card and she asked me how much it was. I told her it was $2.99 and then added ..unless your Canadian. It's $3.99 if your Canadian. Then I dared her to tell the sales associate that she was Canadian and needed to pay more for the cards. She wouldn't do it though. Yep, I'm a dork.

My sisters visit was so much fun. I don't think I can describe our relationship in words. We've been together since conception and it seems that no amount of time or distance can take away from our bond. We are literally like to halves that make up a whole. I miss her desperately and am so hopeful that she'll move back here very soon. This visit with her was exactly what I imagine life to be once she moves here, campfires in the evening, our kids running around like they've eaten an entire bag of sugar, and the two of us laughing just because it feels good to laugh.

Life at the Jackson house hasn't slowed down one bit. The new job is a job. That is the best thing I can say about it at this point. It's a brand new store and the kinks are still being worked out so I'm sure it will get better. The photography business is taking off slowly but surely. I'm having so much fun photographing families, couples, and weddings. My next wedding is this coming Thursday on the beach! I can't wait!

Hayden is growing as fast as ever. His two top teeth are coming in and they are adorable. He's so close to walking we're all holding our breath for those first few steps. He's also learned how to crawl up the stairs. Luckily he hasn't attempted it without adult supervision. Time for a baby gate!

Erin is enjoying the lazy video game playing days of summer. She'll be leaving with my dad, step-mom, step-sister, and nephew for a trip to Atlantic City, Six Flags New Jersey, and the beach next week. She's going to have an amazing time.

My house is a hurried frenzy of children running this way and that and I love it. My sister and I went through old photos this morning and laughed so hard we cried. It feels good to feel this way again. I am thirty, still young compared to many. More of my life stretches before me than lies behind me and the future remains as big a mystery as it always has. Tomorrow my family will be here to celebrate Independence Day. We'll have lots of food and even more laughter and I will soak it all in. I will treasure each second because they will leave soon and I will miss them like crazy.

Because there are so many who need a good tickle.

Not Yet Tickled

How did those priest ever get so serious
and preach all that
gloom?

I don't think God
tickled them
yet.

Beloved- hurry.

St. Teresa of Avila