Dreamwork's Maiden Voyage

On March 10, we celebrated our 8 year wedding anniversary and 11 year together anniversary. We were in Florida visiting Dynamo's parents for the week, but we are now back in town and picked up our anniversary present. It's a Cannondale Tandem 29er.



For years I've been asking Dynamo for a tandem bike so we can do some rides truly together, and finally he surprised me with one. I was so surprised that I started to cry. At first I just couldn't fathom how I deserved such goodness. I just couldn't believe it. What a huge blessing God gave me and us. Dynamo continues to shower me with so much love and kindness truly exemplifying God's love. Once I stopped crying I remembered what Joel Osteen says about learning to accept God's blessings and favor and how we deserve goodness. That is part of our journey here. We have to accept goodness. And, we have to have grace for ourselves.



Not only has God given me the most wonderful man in the world, but He also continually blesses us with all that we need and more. As I reflect on our years together and us taking our first ride yesterday, I am reminded of just how similar riding a tandem is to trusting God. When we ride the tandem, Dynamo is the captain, which means he rides in the front. He is stronger and makes all of the decisions. When to stop. When to start. When to stand. When to shift. Where to steer. EVERYTHING. My job is to be the stoker in the back. I just sit down and pedal. That's it. All I can see is what's on either side of me and his cute backside and I have no idea where we are going. I have to have complete trust. Trust in my captain and partner. Do you find that sometimes you struggle to have complete trust in your captain? I think most of us do. It's about learning to grown in our faith and ourselves. And, it ain't always easy!



Marriage, too, is much like riding a tandem. You just have to trust one another. Sometimes one of you will need to be the captain using all of your strength to pedal forward, make the decisions, and pull the other along...and sometimes you'll be the stoker. Either way, it's about teamwork. It's okay that sometimes one person is going to need the other more. That's just life. I've learned that most of the time things aren't 50/50. That's just not how life is. No relationship is 50/50. Love doesn't keep score. Whether it's your husband, your friend, your parents, etc. just let it go. Don't always keep track of who called who and who did or didn't do what. Just pick up and always focus on giving more. Give of yourself completely and with your whole heart. For your whole life. Our favorite pastor said years ago that a good and successful marriage has two givers. So, I'm going to give my heart out and just enjoy the ride. We are only given this very moment, nothing more, nothing less. I'm learning to live in the present and see where this journey takes us.



And, our beautiful new tandem has a name. It's called "Dreamwork." Dynamo named it. If you want to know why, check out this church sermon from the church we've recently been attending. Whether you're married or not, it's all about how it takes teamwork to make the dream work! The dream should always bigger than the team! Enjoy! Be blessed!


Dynamo, I thank you for loving me when I needed it the most. I thank you for being my rock. I thank you for being my soulmate. You make me a better person every. single. day! I can't wait to ride off into the sunset with you on Dreamwork! I love you forever and always.

Love for a lifetime...

On this Valentine's Day I wanted to share this church sign. It has spoken to me at a time when I needed so much love. Oftentimes we think that we are always the ones in the relationship that need the love and support. I would often say to Dynamo, "I feel bad that I need you way more than you need me." But, love isn't about keeping score. And, sometimes you may be giving love in ways that you don't realize, but it was somehow just what your spouse or friend needed at the time. Sometimes in our lives we are the ones that need the love and sometimes we are the ones being the rock. It doesn't matter how many times you need something, God doesn't want us to keep score. Give of yourself completely and wholly to the ones you love and care about. Don't expect anything in return. Don't expect a thank you or keep track. God wants us to be loving, kind, compassionate, faithful, and giving of ourselves always. Love is truly enough. Do everything with a happy loving heart. ALWAYS!

I'm so thankful for my wonderful, devoted, kind, gentle, and strong husband. This is our 10th Valentine's Day together. There's no one on earth I'd rather grow old and wrinkly with than him. Hold onto those you love with all your might. Protect them, care for them, and show them you love them. Enjoy each and every moment together. I love you forever and always, Dynamo!

Fall Adventures Part 3

On Sunday we decided since we were so close to Crabtree Falls that we would take the ride up there. We had never been before and heard so many wonderful things about it that we just had to check it out!

On the way up there we saw the biggest pumpkin patch ever! I mean EVER!



And, the most beautiful scenery on such a gorgeous sunny day!



Dynamo knew that I had been wanting to see some waterfalls for a very long time, so he tried so hard to make sure we saved Sunday to fully experience them.

We packed our lunch before we left our cabin and had a little car picnic once we arrived at the Falls. It was quite chilly this past Sunday. So, we bundled up ourselves and Charlie.



There were quite a few people out enjoying the day at the Falls. We wanted to go all the way to the top - 1.7 miles.



We arrived at the first set of falls and stopped to take some pics and take in the beauty.

Some kind person offered to take our picture, which was so nice!



Charlie was fascinated by the rushing water. Dynamo had to hold him when we got to the overlook because he wanted to get in the water and play! He would hold him up and turn him towards the water to see. He just looked amazed!



When we looked above there was waterfall after waterfall and we knew we had some hiking to do.



In several places the trail had hand rails and rock walls.



Charlie climbed like a pro leaving me in the dust! People couldn't believe the little guy was hiking like he was.

The trail did get a little tight when we had to pass other hikers! I can only imagine how busy it must have been a couple of weeks ago in peak color season.



The views were simply amazing!

We stopped at each turn to enjoy the waterfalls.

And hiked some more!



Dynamo and Charlie waited for me at the turns! I was a little scared of the height and was really worried about slipping or tripping on the rocks.



It really wasn't that bad once I got the hang of it and became a little more comfortable.





As we got closer to the top the people below got smaller and smaller. And, it got colder and the wind blew harder!





But, it didn't matter to us! We wanted to make it to the top! And, we started to be able to see more in the distance as we climbed!



Oh, the rocks!



Charlie had to stop for a drink!



At one point along the trail you could veer off through two big rocks!



And, more climbing...



I started to get a little better about picking my route through the rocks...



We saw lots of rocks piled here where people had obviously stopped to rest...



And, then we were there! Some of the water had frozen on the rocks here!



Ta da!

And, the view was far...





The selfie at the top!



I'm so glad that we made it to the top! We saw it all TOGETHER! We couldn't stay too long at the lookout since it was chilly and windy. But, it was glorious!

Then, we had to make our way back down.



Dynamo was right that going down went a lot faster than up. I was still really cautious, but it was a pretty quick hike down!





The guys made pretty quick time heading down the switchbacks and stopped here and there to wait! Charlie jumped over the rocks swerving in and out at lighting speed.



Things look a lot different when you're heading down versus up!



I just love the green slippery moss on the rocks!



Before we left we headed over to the bridge that used to be the start of the trail. I was excited that I could snap a pic without anyone standing on it!

Here's a little bit about the bridge courtesy of Hiking Upward...

"Take note of the footbridge that crosses Tye River, a laminated arch that was shipped from New York state in one piece and installed in 1978. Until the mid 1980's the footbridge was the starting point for the hike up Crabtree Falls. Today the parking area is on the other side of the river, and the bridge now serves primarily as a decorative addition to the hike."



Well worn and loved...







Of course we had to check out the water and rocks below!



Charlie loved it!



A picture postcard!





Charlie said "no more pics, mom!"





We ended the hike with a couple of cupcakes while warming up! And, we stopped to grab some apples on our way home!



We are so blessed to have our health and one another to share these adventures together. I am so thankful for these gifts that God has given us to enjoy. I would most definitely recommend this hike. I only wish I could put all that we saw and felt into words. It's a sight to behold and well worth the trip. And, thank you, Dynamo, for taking me to this beautiful place and going with me always to explore these beautiful parts of our world. Sunday was the perfect end to our beautiful fall adventure! I love being with you ALWAYS!