Love // Learning // Together: Sleeping Bear National Lakeshore

"God's grace is sufficient for you" and "God never puts you through a trial you can't handle" have been my words to live by as of the past few months. It seems like hardship after hardship has crept up on our family + church and turned our lives upside down. How real and close your relationship with God comes to life more when you are tested than at anytime. It is the purifying time when you are tested. The "actors"-impure-weak in Christ will be sifted and fall by the way side while the strong in the Lord keep focused on one thing - God and bringing Him glory.

 

"Trust in the Lord with all thine heart, and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all they ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct thy paths". Has always been my favorite verse but I have never had it be as real to me as it has been the past few months.

 

I don't usual like to be doom and gloom in my blog but this is real life right now. Trials. It is a nasty 6 letter word but everyone has do go through them. My constant pray is that the outcome will be "...when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold." and that I will be even stronger in the Lord once the trials have pasted and that I will depend solo on HIM and that my faith will be increased and my life will be a living example of His faithfulness. Because He IS faithful and has been faithful to Reed and I. We are blessed beyond measure with all the things the Lord has done for us and I know these' trials are just to make us stronger individuals and together.

 

Amongst all the hussle and bussle of life we took a little weekend trip to Sleep Bear National Lakeshore in Michigan to spend some him and I time alone. Our relationship has blossomed so much over these' trying months. He has been my shoulder to cry on, my sound mind when mine wasn't, my listening ear, my best friend when it seemed I had lost so many "good" friends in the past few months, my support, and most importantly my leader. He gave good council when controversy was brought up. He knew what my limit was and what I could and couldn't handle. It is a true beauty when God brings two souls together as one in a marriage relationship.

We had such a wonderful time together climbing the dunes and seeing northern Michigan. We are both a big fan of MI now.

 



Love // Learning // Together: Niagara Falls + Toronto, Canada

Back in June Josh and Eastlyn + Reed went on a weekend road trip headed north. We were headed to New York to see Niagara Falls, and Canada to see the city of Toronto. It was nothing short of amazing. Four best friends with a map and a mini van full of campfire wood (lol)--what else do you need? 

The trip was so refreshing. Having our best friends with us spending the weekend traveling (which we all love to do) and having a blast. Taking SO many pictures and laughing so hard we cried, literally, several times. Mostly at night while talking in fake accents. Walking by the Falls at night and finding a rainbow, but then got worried because the guys couldn't remember where they parked (lol).  Switching drivers because my husband sometimes drives like a crazy man (bless his heart). Staying up like 2-3am talking about everything and anything under the Sun. Getting to know each other on a whole new level--even though we've known each other for so long. Sweet friendship is what I call it. Reed and I wouldn't trade their friendship for the world.   

Niagara Falls is spectacular. I was speechless at the beauty of the Falls. Toronto was full of adventure and life.

(While we were in Toronto Taylor Swift had a concert going on at the convention center so there were people with "Red" shirts on everywhere. EVERYWHERE. I was conveniently wearing red also, even though I'm not a Taylor Swift fan, at all. I felt like I was deceiving everyone lol). 

Love // Learning // Together: Our Home Via iPhone

 Many of you know Reed and I recently purchased a house--which we call Home. It is a work in progress but it is coming together. We've already made SO many wonderful memories in this house and we love hosting parties and sharing our home with others. It is the PERFECT space for us and we are very thankful for it. We have a cornfield to the right of our house where the sunsets every night and we have a perfect view of it from the loft upstairs, which I've always said I wanted to live in a place where you could see the sunset every night (God cares about the little things). A little preview of our work in progress we call Home.

(All photos taken with iPhone)

{Part 5: Love//Learning//together} First Anniversary travels

I started planning our first anniversary trip 6 months into our marriage. I wanted it to be amazing, fun, warm, adventurous, and something we hadn't done before. At the time neither of us had been very far west at all, and we really wanted to explore a little bit of the west. So we decided to go to California for a week and see the three major cities and drive along the coast on Route 1 and just make a road trip of it.

Day 1

We flew into San Francisco for our first stop. We rented a car for the week so we could go where ever we wanted. Our first stop was the local grocery store (haha), yes I said the grocery store. We bought a cheap, disposable cooler to put food/snacks/treats in for our lunch and breakfasts while we were on our trip (to save a little bit of $$$). The smartest thing EVER! We just pretty much explored all day. We were thrilled that is was 63 degrees instead of 25 degrees. Everyone there was wearing coats(some even had hats on lol), but us Ohioians were lovvvinnnggg the temperature.

Driving over to Treasure Island, then we went to Lombard Street (the street that has the most hair-pin turns).







Our first sighting of the Golden Gate Bride

This is kind of what we pictured San Fran looking like tracks in the road, houses smashed together, and HILLS. There are soo many hills. We'd be mega fit if we ran in San Fran like we do in Ohio. That's a good excuse to move there right??!



Oh and we can't forget the Trolley. We never ended up riding one...but aren't they cute?





So many cool buildings and color!



One of my favorite views of the coast.





Our view from din din, spectacular. Oh, and I ATE SALMON! A whole, big salmon. I'm not a fish eater, but it was actually really really good.

Day 2: Our Anniversary Day!
This was probably my favorite day of the trip. We woke up rested, we told each other Happy Anniversary (made out a little bit ;). I gave him his anniversary gift, which was a book I made of all our favorite memories from our first year marriage and wrote a little bit about each of them. It was precious going through the book with him and looking back on all our favorite moments over the past year.









This is Twin Peaks. I'm pretty sure I took like 2x's the pictures on this day then any other day. lol. What can I say, I wanted our first anniversary to be well captured.









Some amazing views!







The Presidio of San Francisco.





Reed trying to get the Pigeon...."Take a picture Lydia, take a picture!!"

We were both really excited to see the Golden Gate Bride. You know you always see it in the movies and all those chick-flicks...its way better seeing it in person.

















Driving on the bridge...was...prettyyyy sweet.

"Reed its RED dirt!!!!" "Yes, Lydia, *laughs* it's red dirt".









Carrying my camera bag everywhere for me XOXO. He's the best! (Don't you love how he flipped the cover over so it wasn't showing the floral design haha).

The pathway to Point Reyes Lighthouse was my favorite part of the day.

I went a little picture crazy with my camera when I saw this gorgeous light.



 My man is smokin' hot!

We are fun together.

He makes me silly and giddy.

Hotness

Point Reyes Lighthouse



You could feel the bridge swaying back and forth in the wind when we walked acrossed

Our first time in the Pacific was pretty awesome.

Our retro hotel room :)

All the Piers were beautiful!

Reed and I "pretending" to dodge the "pretend" pigeon poo that was "supposedly" falling from the sky. Yeah, wasn't the most mature moment of our life. ;) *slaphappy*. It was a beautiful night together. We ate at a seaside-american place. Talked a lot about our first year married. (Man, I love him more and more everyday).





Day 3 we had a long drive ahead of us, but we wanted to walk on the Golden Gate Bridge before we left. It started out with us being yelled through a microphone by the State Police. Apparently you aren't allowed to walk on both side of the bridge, who knew?! lol. Well we did make it on the right side of the bridge (litterally, don't try and walk on the left side! lol)







Reed wanted me to take a picture of our feet actually ON the bridge. I tell ya what...he is going to work me out of a job here soon.

Driving the coast was pretty amazing. God is such an artist to think he designed it all. We were on the coasts for about 7 hours this day and it was constantly beautiful views.

Los Padres National Forest









The photos a little fuzzy, but we were actually inside the Los Padres National forest here.

Day 4 we had spent the previous night in Morro Bay, CA.  This was right outside our hotel. We didn't stick around much here. We were headed for LA which was still a few hours away.

This is in Malibu.





We made it to LA. Our first stop was Hollywood.







So we were walking down Hollywood Blvd. and Captain America wanted a picture with Reed. After the picture we started to walk away "where is my money?!" he said. "Money? We aren't giving you any money for being in a picture!!". So apparently you are supposed to tip them if you take a picture with them. He is the one that wanted a picture with Reed so he should have tipped us if anything. :p

We did a little bit of shopping in Beverly Hills, let me rephrase that, we did a little bit of "looking" in Beverly Hills.

Reed's favorite star.



On the St. Monica Pier

Day 5 we were going to Universal Studios. It was very warm and we were stoked.



We took a tour of the actual Universal Studios lot. This is the actual street where they filmed Desperate House Wives. We saw a lot of cool stuff.

This is all part of Universal Studios lot where they film a majority of their TV shows and films.

Downtown LA. This is the Disney Concert Hall.

















Nightlights of LA









Day 6 we woke up early and drove down to San Diego, our final stop. We spent most of the day at Sea World. We got to pet dolphins, watch Sea Lions bark for food (it's pretty hilarious), saw 4 different shows, and ate chicken that was not too tasty.



A litte fuzzy again..

Ohhhh, the cutenes part of Sea World was Shamu and his Mommy. It was addoorrraable!



This was the view from our hotel on Shelter Island.

Day 7 we spent AT THE BEACH most of the day. Even though the water was freeezing it was so much fun to be in the ocean and get a little sun ;)






You can see the city of San Diego across the water.

We flew out early the next morning headed back home. We really couldn't have had a better time. It was such a great/fun time. The best part of it wasn't that were were in a beautiful place or that we saw a bunch of cool things, the best part was being together and celebrating our love, just him and I.

{Part 4: Love+Learning+Together} Las Vegas, NV

Here are a few photos from our little trip to Las Vegas last month. Reed had to go for work (they have a big conference there every year) and I was able to go with him. It was pretty exciting for us both because we had never been that far west before. It was really nice going to 65 degree weather from Ohio's yucky, cold, and snowy weather. Reed was in seminars some of the time so I got to kinda explore the malls and shopping centers in Vegas and let me tell you "I wasn't in Dayton Ohio anymore" lol. We were able to go to our very first Broadway show while we were there "Jersey Boys", even if I had to talk Reed into it a little ,tiny bit ;) He ended up really enjoying it. We went up in the Space Needle Replica and watched the Fountain show at the Bellagio Hotel (was super cool!).

We mostly enjoyed the time together. I did pick up my camera a few times though ;)



The view from our hotel




Our hotel




This one inside one of the malls.

{Love+Learning+Together} Part 3 (Dec.-Jan.)

Christmas and New Year came and went fast! It didn't disappoint though. It was a wonderful "first" Christmas married (I know, I'm big on "first"). Our Christmas celebration started the Sunday before Christmas. We all (immediate family) went to mom's house. We exchanged gifts, and each couple also made a ginger house together. We played games and of course took a family picture :) (I'm a little shamed to admit that my camera was setting on our mom's trash can because I forgot my tripod--GUILTY).

Have you ever seen such an awesome family??!

On Christmas Eve we always go to Grandma's house! It was going to be the last year there (sadness). Christmas Eve has been at Grandma's ever since I can remember. We'd go about noon and spend all day and most the night there. A few years back when Grandpa passed away it was never the same. It's still special + fun + exciting, but not the same. My grandparents were married for over 60 years. When he passed away it took a huge part of Grandma's heart with him. Their lives together was such a demonstration of what God intended for married/love to be.

My Grandma was in the hospital when Reed and I got married so she couldn't attend the wedding. Made me very sad, but what can ya do? Once I received my wedding video from our fabulous videographers I gave a copy to her so she could see it all and know that we missed you SO much. Since we didn't get a picture with her at our wedding we wanted to make sure we got at least one at some point in time.

Lol. Our traditional picture on grandma's couch. You should see this room when we have all the grand kids huddled around grandma for a picture every year. It's pretty awesome!

Speaking of marriages-- have I mentioned how much I admire my parents. I have never appreciated their love and marriage as much as I do now that I'm married and know how much work it takes. They've taught me consistency! You can't just give up when you have a fight or you don't "feel" in love anymore. They've taught me to "trust in the Lord with all thine heart: and lean not onto thine own understanding...". When they got married they said they weren't going to prevent themselves from having kids--that the Lord would give them as many kids as He wanted them to have. If that is not faith/trust demonstrated I don't know what is.
They took a leap of faith to home-school, back when that was a "no no". The list could go on and on. I'll come back to this conversation later my blog...

Aren't they perfect!

Christmas Day we spent running back and forth to families houses. It was so much fun! Being married and giving gifts labeled "From Reed & Lydia Campbell". We ended it with going to a movie with a few of my siblings.

(All the grand kids on Reed's side of the family.)

We took a trip last minute trip to Chicago, just because. Reed had never been and I wanted him to see a real city. We spent two days and a night there. I showed him all the cool spots. He loved it! We ate at a pizza place and had Chicago pizza and learned that taxes make a killing :p We went to the Chicago Art Museum--wasn't really Reed's thing, but I really enjoyed it. We discovered I'm a better driver in the city (lol)and he's a better highway driver...long story lol.

It was freezing cold, but so worth it. Oh and the pool on top of the hotel was pretty cool too.






New Year's Eve we spent at Church. We always have a New Years Eve service and gift exchange. We were at church until 3-4am playing "Things" with some friends (awesome game BTW).
(Photo: Courtesy of my iPhone)


The past few months we've been looking to buy a house. We found one we liked a lot, but by the time we were ready to pursue it it was taken. Strike one. No biggie, God obviously has something better in place for us. So we kept looking...and looking. We found another house. It was a fixer-upper, but we were in love with it. It was built in 1843. So much character along with five acres. We thought "this is it, this is our house". It had just been posted and was listed for a very low price, so we knew it was going to go fast if it sat long. We went home and prayed about it. We had a peace about it. We signed the contract and when our Realtor went to submit it he found out that on THAT DAY they accepted a different contract. We were bummed! Strike two! But when we prayed about it we prayed that God would close the door if it wasn't his will, and he closed the door. Well, back to square one. Looking for another house! The next week, on Sunday afternoon we went looking at a few houses I saw listed online. None of them were us..none of them were right. A few days later I discovered one house online that peaked my interest. Tim, our Realtor, showed us the house, Mom and I. Reed had to work. We looked at the house and were pleasantly surprised--it was beautiful inside, but yet was listed for a very low price. Actually, it was listed for the exact same price as the other house we wanted. Once we left that house I quick texted Reed and told him all about it, sending pictures along with it. Right after work he met me at the house to look at it. Tim met us there with a contract because I knew Reed was going to love it. Well we signed a contract again, in high hopes. We submitted it last Tues.  and heard back on Weds. with a counter offer. The next day we sent in our counter offer and then no news on Friday...and then it was the weekend. Of course, we had to wait Saturday and Sunday...then Monday (today) is a holiday. God is really working our patience, which I know I need. Thank you Lord for the trials you give us, I know it's making us stronger.

Anyway, tomorrow we will hear (hopefully) on whether or not they accepted our contract. I was discouraged the whole weekend, thinking that it was going to be just like the other two houses--someone else was going to get it first, then my mom sent me this text "I know it's hard to wait, but I know from experience that the Lord wants you to have that house it will be yours. God doesn't deal in fate or luck. If it goes to someone else he has one even better for you than that one." Man, my mom has SO much wisdom and always has the right words to say. It made me realize this is such a small thing compared to God. He can do ANYTHING he wants, and he knows the desires of my heart better then I do. Also, my sister posted this verse on Facebook this morning that was exactly what I needed. Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies; Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's." Psalms 103:1-5.

God can do all things!

I wouldn't mind if you said a little prayer for us though... :)

{Part 2: Love+Learning+Together} Tis' the season

November was a very busy month for Reed and I. We went to Indianapolis for a half marathon. My very first half marathon, I might add. It took a lot of hard work, but so rewarding and satisfying. We both completed in great time too.(Iphone photos for the next few pictures).


Then we went to Seiverville, TN. I was volunteering as a photographer for the National Bible Bee and Reed was also on the volunteer staff. This was a first for Reed and I. It was such a blessing to see so many children memorizing the scripture and quoting it perfectly. It was a great week there. It was beautiful having the mountains as our background everyday.




Well shortly after was Thanksgiving! Our first Thanksgiving married...I'm inserting an "Awwww" right here.




This Thanksgiving we started a new tradition with all the married siblings-- an ornament exchange. So much fun!! :)


Thanksgiving was at Mom's house like usual.






...then there is December-- the Christmas month.
(more Iphone photos)




We got our very first Christmas tree to call our own. I've had so much fun decorating the house all Christmas"y", making Christmas cards from us, the Campbells, snuggling under warm blankets with the hubby, hanging Christmas lights outside on "our" porch, getting Christmas cards addressed to The Campbell's, listening to Christmas music--it all warms my heart, especially to share it all with Reed. Every day that goes by I love him more and more, and he shows me how much he loves me. You think when you get married you couldn't ever love that someone more, but you do, oh SO much more. I'd recommend getting married to anyone ;) lol

Isn't it purttttyyyy?!

{Part 1: Love+Learning+Together} My favorite Autumn

I'm going to start a new series of photos/blog post called "Love+Learning+Together". It will be all about Reed and I's journey together. May not be a huge post every time, but just a little post showing you a peek into our life.

So here goes Part 1:

Our 8 month anniversary was a little over a week ago. It seems like just yesterday that he proposed to me. It's been the best 8 months of my life, yet trying at times.
We learn more and more about each other every day...every single day. We have made our house a "home". We've made big decisions as one. We grow closer together daily. He's pushed me to try new things..like running a half marathon (which is tomorrow, EKkk!). So proud to be able to run it with him! He has encouraged me to pick up old things, like my violin, and rekindle my love for it. He's good for me. He has made me a better--stronger person. Life is sweet with my husband!

Well Autumn is my favorite season. I love the bonfires, hayrides, pumpkin spice candles,hoodies , Fall parties, the COLOR on the trees, the crunchy sound that the leaves make when I walk on them ;) but this Autumn has been unlike all the other Autumns of my life. This Autumn I'm a married women, and I must tell you it's been my favorite Autumn of all.

(these' were taken on our 8 month anniversary)