Weekend Adventures!

Well, my husband finally was off this past weekend!  I was so excited!  We had a plan of just taking it easy and seeing where the day would take us!

First stop on the list was 30A.  Now, for those of you who do not know much about it let me tell you it is a nice place!  My husband and I love to go and walk around to the stores and see the Gulf.  I love it because there are palm trees everywhere!

We were headed there to attend the Farmer’s Market!   My husband and I love to shop at Farmer’s Markets and hope on day to be able to sell at them.   Plus, you never know what you will find while you are there!

We like to get goat soap!!  This time the kind we got was oatmeal and goat!  I absolutely love it!  A few other items we got were some bread, tomatoes, peppers, and of course the thing he can’t live without, honey.

It was a nice day so we walked around for a little bit and then started to get hungry.  My husband, being the great husband that he is, got me some crab claws!   It is one of my favorites! So, we sat by the beach and enjoyed each other’s company, the weather, and I really enjoyed those crab claws!

After we spent some time there my husband decided that he would take me to Panama City Beach, because I have never been.  So, on the way I saw it; A MERMAID SHOP!!!!!  My husband immediately said his famous line, “now don’t pee your pants.”  It was all things mermaid so I felt right at home while we were there!

We were back on the road again and on our way.  We got to Panama City and it was ok.  I was not as big of a fan as I am of my Fort Walton Beach/Destin area.  So, after we spent some time there we were headed back to our part of the Emerald Coast!

It was an amazing day!  We did not have much of an agenda and just took our time throughout the day!  I got to spend the whole day with my best friend and I couldn’t have asked for a better person to spend my day and life with!

I hope everyone finds that person to spend their days with!  It is my wish that you all have a blessed day!

~Mrs. Read

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Sending Some Love

Well, today I received my first care package.  It was from my family back home.   I was very excited to say the least.  My husband had to use his famous phrase with me, “now don’t pee your pants.”

My niece and nephew made me books that made me shed a few tears!  I really miss those kids!  The box was full of snacks, coloring books, colors, other books, and of course things that I forgot when I left home a few weeks ago.

I have sent care packages before but I have never received one until today.   If you have never sent one I highly recommend that you do.  It doesn’t have to be anything extravagant just a little something.  It can even just be a small note saying that you care and are thinking about them.

You never know how much that even the smallest little gesture can mean to someone.  For me, getting the package was like getting a little piece from home.  Home has a different meaning for me now than it did before I got married, but it still has a place in my heart to where my family is.

If you know someone who is off somewhere, whatever the circumstances, I highly recommend you send them something just to let them know you care.  It can make the world of difference and bring joy to their day.

Now, don’t get me wrong, I am very happy with my husband and would not trade our marriage and time together for anything, but a part of me does miss people from back home.  They are the people I am used to seeing all the time and I haven’t seen in weeks now.  My husband is worth every second of this journey and I love him with all my heart!

This post is not very long.  I just wanted to write y’all and hope that you can spread the love and send it out into the world!!!  Love you all!!!

~Mrs. Read

 

A Proud Moment

Well, I knew it would have to happen.  I had to drive in Florida by myself for the first time Sunday.  My husband had drill this past weekend so on Sunday morning I had to drive to worship service by myself.  I was very nervous but it was not that bad.  It could have been because it was early in the morning, but hey I will take it.

We had to get up early because he had to be at a different base than usual.  He drove to the base and I dropped him off.  I had some time to kill before Bible study began so I did what any other girl would do early in the morning, Wal-Mart run!  I needed to get a few things while I was out and I knew that this would be the perfect time.

Now, I was not able to do this drive on my own.  I had the help of the very lovely Moesha, that is my GPS.  She helps me when I get lost, although me and her did not see eye to eye once and she kept getting me lost out in the middle of nowhere.  It is all water under the bridge.

I got to the church building early but I did not care because I made and was not lost so I decided to stay put.   It was a nice sunny morning, then was time to go in.   This was the first time I had been without that husband of mine.

It was kind of funny because a lot of people did not recognize me without him.  Every time they see me is when I am with him but I did not have my name tag (husband) that morning.  I started just introducing myself as Nathan’s wife and then immediately it clicked who I was.  It was funny.

One of the members there snatched me right up and had me to sit with her and her husband.  So, I moved from my normal area that I sit in and off we went.  I was sitting there wishing I had Nathan with me.  I love having him next to me in worship!

I was listening to the message that was being given and the lady poked me and said, “Isn’t that Nathan?”  I quickly turned my head and there he was.  He had gotten there late so he went and took the Lord’s Supper.  After a few minutes I look up and he was on his way over to me.

I was so excited that he came!  They had gotten dismissed early and he was there even though he was late and could have very easily gone home until I got there.  He had gotten one of the guys that he works with to drop him off.

Let me tell you, I was a very proud wife in that moment.  My heart was very happy!

I am blessed to have that husband of mine and I would not trade him for anything in the world.  I am very blessed that God brought that man into my life and I am eternally grateful!  He makes me proud of him on a daily basis but that was one moment I won’t forget.

I know that it might not seem like a big thing that he did to most people, but it was a huge moment to me.  What may seem like the little moments to most people are the big moments that I cherish!   I hope that everyone has a blessed day!!!

~Mrs. Read

 

 

Simple Adventures

When you hear the word adventure you usually think that something grand and marvelous happened.   Well, not all adventures include big trips or exotic scenery.  Some of the greatest adventures are the simple ones; the things that nobody else gets to experience with you.

Today is a day that I love.  The husband and I get to go grocery shopping.  I know what you are thinking, who likes to go grocery shopping?  Well, when you have spent most of your time apart you look forward to the everyday things that you get to do together.

Nathan and I had a long distance relationship while we were dating.  Let me tell you right now it was not easy.  There was a lot of traveling, loss of sleep, and lots of money spent all for us to be together.  It is not for the faint of heart.

I never thought I could do this whole long distance thing until I found the one who was worth every second of the adventure.

There were times where we did not get to see each other for a couple of months and that was hard.  Sometimes we would drive hours just to get to see each other for less than a days time.  I remember when we first started dating, because of his job, we would talk at 4 in the morning because that would be the only time we could communicate because our schedules did not match up.

We were always on the go.  That is a big part of the reason I am so glad the traveling has slowed down and we get to do the simple things in life like grocery shopping and cooking.  Believe it or not one thing that we always wished we could do while we were dating was cook a meal together.  We were always on the road and never had a kitchen to work with.

I love getting to see him when he comes home from work for lunch and even better when he comes home for the day.  We have games nights and Bible studies together and enjoy walks with each other.  The simple adventures are my favorite.

I honestly never thought that I would be excited going grocery shopping or doing laundry but that man of mine made me appreciate the simple things in life that you can’t see or experience when you are always on the go.  I know it can seem overwhelming when you do it day in and day out but I hope everyone can appreciate and treasure the small things that you do in life because they are truly  grand adventures!!!!!

~Mrs. Read

 

 

Oh, I Don’t SNAKE So!

It was Friday, and you know what that means, we were leaving Florida to go home and work on our house!   I know who leaves the beach?  We have our own little slice of heaven, as we like to call it, a little over an hour away.  My amazing husband bought about 20 acres a few years ago and has been working on the land whenever he can.  He has built a small little cottage on there that we call home.

The property is out in the middle of nowhere and I do mean nowhere!  It is on a dirt road, that I got stuck on a few weeks ago while bringing my stuff down before we got married.  There is hardly anyone near where we live.  We live out in the country!!!

Well, when we got to the house the first thing that was started was the hearth, this is what our wood burning stove is going to sit on.  Nathan, is cutting and laying the stones himself and it looks amazing!!! I will post more as we finish it.

I started the cleaning.  My husband has been a bachelor for a while.  Oh, me ladies that is all I need to say.  Although was not a horrible messy man, he just did not have a woman in his life to help him, bless his heart.

The sun was getting ready to start going down and was time to cook supper.  It was grilling time!  I love me some grilled burgers, but we decided not to cook them on the grill.  Instead, Nathan, got a camp fire going and we cooked them over that.  The fire was just about ready and so I went to make the patties.  I was so excited about eating them I forgot to thaw the meat.  So, I yelled out the door at my husband, because when you live out in the middle of nowhere that is how you have to communicate.  He told me it was fine and said to just soak it in some water for a few minutes (he teaches me things that I have forgotten lol).

After thawing and seasoning the meat they were ready to be cooked.  We sat outside under the stars and cooked our food, and let me tell you some of the best burgers I have ever had!  I actually would love to be eating one right now since I have been thinking about them.

After we ate we went outside and sat by the fire under some amazing stars!  I love living out in the country to where you can just set up a fire and star gaze.  We talked for a while and just sat out there and enjoyed each other’s company.  I almost fell asleep because I was so relaxed.

It was time for  some sleep, or at least we thought we would get some.  A storm came through that night.  It had very strong winds and heavy rain.   We cannot forget the very loud thunder that scared me half to death.  It was so intense it set off Nathan’s car alarm a few times.  He laid there hoping it would go off itself so he would not have to go out in the storm to cut it off, which it eventually did.

The next morning started off with a yummy breakfast.  Nathan, who loves to cook, made cheese scrambled eggs with maple sausage.  It was some kind of yummy in my tummy.  The rest of the day consisted of more work and then it was time to make that journey back to Florida.

I was “trying” to be a good wife and start loading stuff in the car while he was still working on a few things.  Nathan was around the property taking care of some stuff and I had my arms full and I step out the door and what was about 2 feet from me?  A Big Snake!!!!!  I do not like snakes one bit!!!  It scared me!!!  Of course I screamed (so loud that it got the neighborhood dogs going, which we are no where near) and it took off.  Here comes my husband and asked what was wrong.  At first I could not get the words out and just pointed.

I finally was able to say that it was a snake.  So, this amazing husband of mine’s first question was where did it go.  It was not to kill it but he just wanted to see it.  It was a black racer, or at least I think that is what it was.  I don’t like any of them, even if there are good ones and bad ones.  He found this all funny.  I would not go outside for a while and if I did he had to go with me.

Before we left he wanted to pick some blackberries.  So, off he went.  I have some with me right now that I am not supposed to eat and let me tell you it is very hard.  I am under strict instructions they are for something else other than me eating them all right now.  Anyways, he was gone for about 30 minutes.

While he was gone I found my mermaid bell, yes mermaid bell.  He got it for our house that way we can ring it on the property and hear it if someone is out on the other side of the land.  So, I decided to try it out and I am a fan.  It is very loud and of course my husband came running.  Ladies, everyone should have a mermaid bell!!!

I think I am going to wrap it up and not let the thought of the burgers or blackberries get to my hunger or the thought of the snake make me want to pee my pants.   I hope everyone has a blessed day and finds the joys in the simple things of life!!  Until next time, who knows what will happen??

~Mrs. Read

 

 

 

Year By Year

I remember it just like it was yesterday.  It was a day that was full of nerves and fear of the unknown.  I didn’t know then what I was getting into, but I am so glad that I let this man come into my life.  He has changed me in ways that I did not know that I could be changed.

Today marks one year since this husband of mine and myself first laid eyes on each other in person.  He was training with the military and had the weekend off.  So, he decided that he would make that drive from Florida all the way up to northeast Mississippi to meet this girl who would later become his wife.

As I look back now I feel sorry for those who had to deal with my nervousness and freaking out moments that day.  I knew there was something about him, but I was coming face to face with the man I had waited for and I thought only existed in my dreams.  Everything had to go right.

I was helping with a Vacation Bible School that day, so that  was where he was going to meet me.  I was in a another part of the building when he got there and can still hear the girl’s voice when she came and told me that he was there.  Very anxiously I hurried to see him.  As I turned the corner my nerves all went away.  From the moment that I first met him, he has always had this calming effect on me.

Now, when you are going on a first date, attire is important.  I, of course, kept it classy.  I was in a millenium Falcon t-shirt and blue jeans.  I had to look good for my man!  I have always kept it real with him and have never changed who I am.  He has loved every bit of me, one t-shirt at a time.

The adventure that day had us start off meeting people at VBS and then on to meet people at work.  Then we were on our own not knowing where the day would take us.  He suggested that we head off to, Florence, Alabama.  So, away we go.  As we are going passed an exit I am telling him about what all is around the small town where I live.  I just so happen to mention there is a state park that has a swinging bridge.  He decides he must see it.  This is the part of the story where you que the U-turn in the middle of the road.

We went to the park, went hiking around, and he got to go across the bridge.  After about an hour we were back on the road again.  We stopped for lunch at an Italian restaurant and walked around downtown Florence.  We stopped at a few antique shops/ flea markets, which is a favorite stop that we always like to make.   He wanted to go see a movie, so we got some frozen yogurt and then sat through a movie that was very boring.  I can say that because that man of mine fell asleep and slept through most of it.  When he woke up he tried to pretend like he did not.  I did not want to wake him because I knew he was so tired from all of the driving.

Well, we went back to Mississippi and parted ways for the night.  The next morning we went to worship together and then he met my entire family for lunch.  The first time he ever held my hand was in front of my family while we prayed for the food.  Yea, I got goosebumps.   I thought to myself man he is brave.

After that would come the first of many goodbyes over the next year.  I was not prepared to say goodbye to him.  He gave me a big hug and kissed me on the forehead and we parted ways.  Of course I cried on my way home.  I would not see him for another month.

Fast forward a year and here we are.  I am married to that wonderful man who one year ago today I took a chance with and have fallen more and more in love with  every day since.  I know this post may seem like a lovey dovey post all about my first date with my husband and you would be right.  Our first date was not an over the top affair, but if you know either one of us, you know we are very simple people.  I hope everybody  is as blessed as I am to find the love of their life someday.

Everyday is an adventure with this husband of mine and I would not trade him for all the mermaids or cheesecake in the world!!! I hope for many more years with this man of mine!!!

~Mrs. Read

 

A Grand Adventure Begins

Well, I have started a new adventure.  It is not one that I thought that I would ever be blessed with, but God, being the amazing God that He is knew better.  He has blessed me in ways that I would have never thought I could be.

I began my new adventure a little over a week ago.  It all started the day that I became Mrs. Read!  I still have to get used to saying that.  I remember the nervousness that I had the day of the wedding.  I kept pacing back and forth.  I was so excited and could not believe that I was blessed to be marrying my best friend.  The moment came when  I would get to see him for the first time since getting ready.  All of my nerves went away the moment his eyes met mine.  I was looking into the eyes of the man that would take me on the greatest adventure I have ever been on.

The next week was a week to remember.  On our honeymoon we did something that not a lot of people do.  Of course if you know me at all the given place that I would have chosen would have hands down been Disney World.  What can I say, I am a mermaid at heart! Although, I would not have traded what we did for the world.

My husband is serving in the military and we knew we had to be back on base at a specific time.  So, what we did was make the journey from northeast Mississippi all the way down to Florida stopping at some of Alabama’s best kept secrets.  We saw everything from the Dismal’s Canyon to random dinosaurs on the side of the road (yes you read that right).  I got to step foot on  the movie set of Big Fish and visit the home of Bubba Blue (Bayou La Batre, Alabama) from Forest Gump.  It of course was filled with lots of seafood, ocean views, and let’s not forget MERMAIDS!

Everyday I got to witness something new that I had never seen before.  My husband, who planned the whole trip out without me knowing where the stops were, would tell me when we would stop, “Now don’t pee your pants.”  It may sound like something that you would tell your child, but I am just a big kid.  My face lit up a lot on the trip.  The places we stopped at were amazing and I would not have gotten to see them otherwise, but the best part was not the things I saw, but was the person who I saw them with.

It doesn’t matter where I go in this life because I know I have the most amazing man in the world to go with me.  Everyday is an adventure and I am glad he chose me to go on it with him.  I hope you will join us on our many adventures.  There are bound to be tears of laughter and tears of sorrow, but trust me it will be An Adventure Worth READ-ing!!!!

~Mrs. Read