I haven't done it in 15 years. I've just been too scared.

Shortly after meeting Anderson I learned that he LOVES riding his bike. He thinks of reasons to run to the grocery store or Target just so he can ride. When we met he thought it was strange that I lived at the beach - the perfect place for bike riding - and didn't even own one. I told him simply, "I don't like riding bikes." I soon learned that a simple answer is never sufficient for my husband. He wants to know why. He wants the whole story. I finally told him about my bike accident when I was 12 years old. I was so scared that I never rode one again. I know it's crazy, but I just couldn't do it! He can be very convincing, and he knows it, so he's relentless sometimes. But I'm just as stubborn as him and have yet to give in to his pleads for me to give bike riding another chance.

Until the other day...

just like riding a bike.

I had to share this, because well...I think it's funny. And I'm pretty proud of myself. :)

So now I'm looking for the perfect bike. I'm thinking something bright and retro with a basket. It must have a basket!

So far the Gypsy Cruiser is my favorite.

And I'm thinking about planning a trip that revolves around bike riding. I hear Seaside, Florida is the perfect spot for it. Yeah, I know. I obsess a little.

I want to end this week with a big "THANK YOU!!!" Every day that I update this blog it gets around 500 visitors. To some people that's not a lot...to me it is! I have no idea why ya'll keep coming back, but I'm glad you do. Thanks for reading. Keeping up a blog would be a bore if no one ever read it. Happy Friday!

Girls' Lunch then: Three spunky girls meet at a swanky restaurant in the San Marco area of Jacksonville once a week. Price isn't an issue and time is abundant. They sit and leisurely chat about what they've missed since the previous week- funny stories, shopping scores, husband and boyfriends, celebrity gossip...you know, the important stuff.

2007-I was in the habit of carrying a camera around back then, so I have a lot of pictures of the three of us together!

Girls' Lunch now: Three busy girls meet every other week (or month) and rush to the closest, most convenient, child-friendly restaurant in the area. (Tidbits is a favorite.) Eat and talk quickly while trying to catch flying objects before they hit the floor, guard their food from grimy little hands and leave as soon as the little people are finished eating. Cause they can't just sit there and join in on the big girl conversation...yet. :)

The cracker thief himself.


He looks very calm and docile, right?!


Out cue to leave-The natives are getting restless.


And an attempt at a group picture like the good ole days. Yeah, a five year old took this.

Here's a sneak peak from Ryan and Marie's beautiful wedding...because I'm scared the bride is going to show up on my doorstep if I don't post something! So many favorites from this wedding. Not sure how I'll choose images for a full blog post. It will be a long one!
More to come.
LOTS more to edit.
Must get back to it. :)

Oh, one more thing-Ryan had the best Groom's Cake I've ever seen. I caught Anderson drooling on it. Just wait!

It's been a while since I've posted much personal stuff here on the ‘ole blog.

I have a few excuses...they're lame, but I'll share them anyway.

1. I'm busy. And frankly, I've been a workaholic over the last few months. Sometimes I get so caught up in trying to clamor to the top and make lots of moolah, so I can do all the things I want to do and have all the goodies I want to have. And you know what? It's worked. We live a very comfortable life, but lately I've started finding my self-worth in what I do rather than who I am. And it's an empty, icky place to be. The other day I was reading my Bible (quickly of course, since I'm so busy and all.) And I read this:

Matthew 6:25-33

Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes?

Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?

Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?

And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin.

Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these.

If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?

So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?'

For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.

But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

Obviously, this slapped me in the face. It stung a little too. It was like God was saying to me, "Lyndsay, slow down and stop chasing after things that don't matter." It's funny, because I know better than this. These principals were ingrained in my little pea-brain since birth, but it's so easy to lose focus and become distracted. I'm making a concerted effort to slow down, and it feels so good!

2. It's easier to stay in "work mode" and just edit and post other peoples' pictures than to take the time to talk about my world.

3. There's a strange pressure (that I place on myself) to only post high quality pictures which takes the fun out of spontaneous, personal moments. Have I mentioned that I'm a perfectionist?!

4. I've developed a bad habit of not taking personal pictures the way I once did. Someone told me one time that you can tell how busy a photographer is by how many pictures they take of themselves and their family. So true! The busier I get the less I carry my camera around. Part of it is because I don't wan to work in my down-time and taking pictures for pleasure has started to feel like work. I don't like it though, so I've started taking more personal pictures again. It's been fun!

Before this turns into a web-novel. Here are some pictures of my family from the last month that I LOVE:

I have to explain this...we were in a store. My brother came up to my Mom with something behind his back and said, "I found a cute hat for you Mom. Put it on, so Lyndsay can take a picture." Did I mention that he's evil? Always the good sport, Mom let him put it on her head. And here it is...

Yep, I almost didn't put it on the web. Mom's wearing a bunny. She had no idea, and the fact that she's trying to throw a gang sign makes me laugh so hard I can hardly breathe. And look at my sweet brother. So proud of himself.

L: Don fixing a dinner plate at our house that included green beans. I was so proud.
R: Mom, Don and his "friend" Jennifer. I don't think my Grandma knew what label to use, so she called anyone we dated a "friend". Anderson was my "friend" until our wedding day. :) Oh, and would you please check out Mom's purse?!

Last week we celebrated Dad's birthday at our house. He turned 35. Can you tell he was excited?!

I made him a German Chocolate cake (his fav), but it completely fell apart. See, I'm not lying when I say I'm not a cook!

We tried to take a family picture with a tripod. It didn't work well.

So...Anderson stole the camera and took a few himself.

The birthday boy picking his nose.

Mom and her hands again...:)

Still picking.

Told you he was excited!

Keepin' it classy.

This is an old pic (from about 6 months ago) that I never posted. Spike is getting old and tired. :(

Ashley is the last of the Three Amigas I worked with in Jax Beach last week. I think she's secretly a model.
She told me she's not.
I don't believe her. :)