Ready?

Well, after thinking for awhile, I decided to blog once again. I would apologize for the delay, but I do think it's quite past that point. I'd much rather spend my time writing new things than back-tracking and side-tracking; accounting for all the reasons I haven't blogged for almost the past year.
It seemed quite necessary to freshen up the place though! :)
I really am just going to jump back into this, and try to be regular about writing because it is simply so thrilling and enjoyable.
Fall is really wrapping up around here and I rather wish it wasn't, because I love this season so very much. I've been in the mood for apple cider and pumpkin cookies lately....maybe this weekend....and not to mention chai tea! It's one of my favorite things to drink while trucking away at school....What I really can't wait for though, is pie season. I absolutely LOVE making homemade pies. Seriously, it puts me in my happy place. Right up there with gardening and canning. And reading, and writing and cake decorating.....
God is so good to give us autumn as a picture of the wonderful creativity He has. It's like the universe is His canvas and he's not only drawing beautiful masterpieces, but filling them with colors so gorgeous I could yell and jump for joy! What a glorious Father we have. It makes me want to desire Him even more than I do now. I never ever ever ever in a thousand million years want to think that I could stop learning about God. Sometimes, my heart goes through periods of not longing as fiercely as I want it to, and reading the Bible and seeking Him out can be hard. But isn't it wonderful that He pursues us? Even when I'm being a disobedient, rebellious child He still loves, and He still seeks after my soul. How amazing.

We've been up to so much lately, from pumpkin patches with friends and couuuuuuuuuusins, school, costume parties, plays (my sister starred as Cosette in Les Mis....and totally ROCKED it!), bible studies, and much more....

 Oh boy. Gotta love those crazy pictures...we seriously didn't get a single 'perfect' one, something about the hands on the chin...but honestly, I think I enjoy the real life pictures better, they're much more meaningful. :)

 The Oggie is about an inch away from being taller than me, and he's all the sudden mr. strong guy. I like to take advantage of the piggy-back rides...I figure he owes me for all I years I gave them to him!

 Our halloween costumes this year...(left to right: clown, 50's girl, hippy, 50's girl, the cutest lion in the whole world and Flash)

 We've already had our first snow....I love it!

 More to come....hopefully sooner than later!
~Bugg

Yes, I'm actually posting :)

'Tis true! Thanks to some faithful blog readers relentlessly asking me to post again, here I am... :)

I haven't been up to much lately, in fact, this post may seem rather uneventful to you, dear reader....nevertheless, I will try...

I had my birthday in earlier this year which happened to fall on our church's annual retreat, so we celebrated there :) It was a blast!

Our grandpa retired this year and we have had the privilege of going on a few field trips with him!

We also took a trip to MN. On the way to our favorite store, IKEA, Oggie and Erin couldn't help but pose next to their least favorite sign! Go Packers! No hard feelings to all my friends out there who are Viking fans :)

I just had to post this picture of my super handsome brother Oggie...He's growing up! I remember when we used to play all sorts of silly games together, Rescue Heroes, Dolls, Dress-up, build a house in the backyard, ect. Good times :)

 I love photography...And I love the fact that I can take pictures that can't even contribute to the enormousness of something, and yet capture the intricate detail of something else. More importantly, I love the fact that my God created huge, vast things, and also the teeny, tiny details humans seem to miss.

From the deep colors of fall and the large forests that are the showcases for those colors, to the paper thinness of a butterfly's wing. He is an amazing God.

Thanks for reading! Trust me, I am going to try and post more often! I seem to have forgotten how relaxing it is...
~Bugg

20 Blessings...

I thought I would take the time today and write about some of the little blessings God puts in my life that mean so much to me.
1. A little sister who loves shoes way more than I even do!

2. Brothers who eat anything I cook or bake, whether it tastes good or not...=)
3. My own room
4. My black striped mug filled with coffee.( I was brave the other day and just did black coffee with a little sugar, LOVED it!)
5. The cd of my grandma and her sister singing
6. Reading my bible when the whole house is quiet and the sunlight is just peeping through my window
7. Books and ipods
8. Grandma's (Mema and Bopie) Who let you spend the night at their house and teach you how to knit and sew
9. Inside jokes
10. MegaMind!! and other good movies (right now mega mind is my fav...)
11. Extended family who loves God
12. Taking pictures
13. Knowing that Belle wore my nerd glasses to work today.... And that she makes fantastic pumpkin mini muffins
14. Watching God open up doors for working with refugees in the area and getting to be involved in it!
15. Crisp fall weather and beautiful leaves

I probably looked funny taking this picture because I had to lay on my stomach(in the front yard) and hold as still as possible. Slightly uncomfortable, but the picture turned out okay. =)
16. Having guy friends that treat girls like they should be treated (opening doors, not being inappropriate, encouraging you, carrying things for you, ect..) I know that might sound weird, but I have met some people who have really backstabbed guys for dumping them, cheating on them, telling them that they are ugly or other girls are prettier, stuff like that. (Not that I have a boyfriend or anything, just something that I have taken for granted in the past, realized that having guy friends who love the Lord is a rare thing and wanted to be thankful for in the future)
17. Having girl friends who you can trust, giggle with, talk about God with, and talk about life with.
18. MUSIC!!!! 
19. Long walks, especially in forests or on nature trails
20. A younger sister who looks up to me and makes my life much more bouncy, giggly and butterfly-ish!

                                                                    I love you Erna!!
And, I have a question, Does anybody know how to publish the pages for that little gadget at the top of my blog? I've seen other blogs with it and I thought it would be cool. But, I just can't figure it out. Any advice would be much appreciated......Thanks!

     ~Bugg~

Some of my Favorites

I went on a hike with my family and some friends a few weeks ago. I took a ton of pictures and these are some of the best ones.

Fall would have to be my favorite season. There are so many breath-taking colors, the trees are stunning, bushes burst into flaming beauty, the sky turns a blue unlike any other, I could go on and on. I love the way God makes each season so different, yet each so wonderful.
            I saw this video on my Uncle's blog and you just have to watch it. But before you do, go run and grab a box of kleenex's or something, because (if you are anything like me) this will make you cry. Here it is.
Thanks for reading!!
~Bugg~