A Year Already?!

July 11 of this year was Billy and I's one year anniversary. Time has really flown. It feels like yesterday that we were, mostly I, stressed about the upcoming wedding. We have had so many blessings this year. First we were able to move out of our mold-infested apartment into one that was much better. We then decided not to put any more money into my old Monte Carlo and we were able to purchase a 2006 Nissian Murano, which was the first car that I got to pick out and I still love driving it. We also were blessed with a house which we get to move in this coming Thursday. We have also went through some rough times. Billy's dad had major heart surgery and was hospitalized for a total of 2 weeks. My cousin, Matt, who was only 22 years old, was killed in a car accident. But in all the year was amazing because I am married to an amazing Christian man.

After paying for a new car and a new house, money was a little tight so for our anniversary we decided to keep it inexpensive. We ended up deciding to camping at Lake Jordan which I wouldn't have traded that for the world. It was a lot of more fun than I was anticipating!! We left right after Chad and Raeanne's wedding on that Saturday and stayed one night and left on our anniversary. Below are some pictures we took, along with a few life lessons we learned.

Life Lesson #10: Don't go bike riding in a suit.

Actually before we could head for our getaway we had to drop off our bike at Billy's parents. We were heading to the beach with his parents after our camping trip. Mr. and Mrs. Keown had a bike rack they were going to take their bike on so they said they could take my bike as well.

Life Lesson #9: McDonalds does not classify as a romantic meal but works when crunched for time.

We were in a hurry to get to the campsite before they closed. So we didn't have a lot of time between Chad and Raeanne's wedding and when the park closed so we opted for McDonalds.


Life Lesson #8: A lake-side view is wonderful during the day but the bug population triples when the sun goes down.


We had our choice of which campsite we wanted to pick and I choose the one next to the lake.


Life Lesson #7: Always place a tarp underneath the tent.

This lesson we actually followed and were very happy because it kept the tent dry.



The tent is finally finished. Now for the air mattress.


Life Lesson #6: BIGGEST LIFE LESSON!!! When bringing along an air mattress with a pump, make sure you charge the air pump before you bring it with you.

We were able to get half the air mattress blown up before the air pump completely died. So Billy and I took turns blowing up the air mattress. Next time we will be sure to charge it up.


After some hard work, the bed was finally made. It looked very comfortable when we were finished.


Life Lesson #5: Lanterns are a must when camping. Keeping the bugs away from the lantern...an even bigger more difficult must.

We purchased this lantern before taking our trip. Even though we had to spray it with bug spray and turn it off once in a while, it was very nice to have.


The sunset was gorgeous off the lake.


The sunset and me

The sunset take 3


Life Lesson #4: Setting the lantern so close to where you sit=a lot of bugs where you sit

For some entertainment we played Monopoly. This was the first time I think I have ever won a game.


Life Lesson #3: When camping, there is no a/c and it is extremely hot in July.

This was our homemade air conditioning for our tent, a battery-operated fan Some air is better than no air.


Life Lesson #2: Taking down a tent is a lot easier than putting up a tent.

Billy was a very good husband. He did a lot of the grunt work while I took the pictures.


This was the tag we hung in our car. Notice anything special??


Finally the campsite is clean and we are headed now for the beach.


Number 1 Life Lesson of our First Anniversary: Set your cake topper out a few days before you want to eat it and not just a day before.

When we went to pull our cake out of the fridge to take a bite, it was solid as a rock. Billy even accidentally dropped it on the ground and it made a huge thump. (It was completely covered in aluminum foil.) So we had to take it to the beach and hope that it would thaw on our way there.


Later on that night when we had arrived at the beach and unpacked everything, we were able to cut into it and enjoy a piece of our wedding cake that was a year old.

In all I would say that this anniversary was the best we have ever had!!!