oh, hello spring!

I really enjoy watching the landscape around me change with every season. It's a visual reminder that our lives, our experiences, our joys, our pains - they will change. Not only will they change but in difficult times we begin to grow.

Let's welcome in spring together... 

with joy,

Aneta

thrift store treasures // globes, I like globes

A few weeks ago, my friend and I went thrifting together but our first stop was at this antique mall. I saw globes that I liked - they were more than $30 so I stopped liking them!

I really wanted a globe. That sounds silly, I know but I remember playing with a globe when I was a bit younger. I would lay my finger down on the globe and spin the globe. The exciting part was when the globe stopped and wherever my finger was, well duh, that's where I was going to live. It  was fun!

Anyway, my friend and I stopped at a thrift store and within minutes she held up a globe for me! $7 - now we're talking and now it's in my home! I heart thrift stores. Why shop anywhere else?!

Oh, and I found a scale. "Is it accurate - does it work?" Oh husband, I don't know. I just liked it and it was $2.

A SO-CAL Tour

I was lucky enough to have a conference in sunny California! I was even more lucky when they tootsies were deep in the sand - it's been awhile since I was at a beach so I took advantage - I did some running!

...And just when I thought my week couldn't get any better - the sweetest man joined me for a California adventure!

Steve and I did a grand tour of SO-CAL! We met up with my older sister and her boyfriend in San Diego (they happened to be visiting a friend in CA)! The rest of our trip consisted of driving Pacific Coast Highway, going from one great beach to the next, walking the streets of Hollywood and Beverly Hills and eating! It was nice to be away from every day life - just to enjoy each other's company with no distractions (cleaning and cooking!).

Here a collection of my favorite photos from the trip (the hubby forgot the camera so I made things happen with the iPhone).

Santa Monica Pier

Hollywood

He was excited to stand outside Rob Dyrdek's Fantasy Factory

Saw this bird enjoy his breakfast - fresh caught crab

Well that's it!

with joy,
Aneta

>>> oh, the places you'll go >>>

Hey guess what!?! My shop, give with JOY has hit 100 sales! YAY!!

I like to celebrate milestones in life because it gives me a boost of energy, inspiration and appreciation for the process. Running my little shop on Etsy is both enjoyable and discouraging (at times) - especially when I already have a full-time job - but it's worth EVERY busy moment.

Now through Feb. 14th, I am running a promotion - 15% off and a free card. I chose to give away "oh, the places you'll go" because this was an original design when I first launched the shop. It also represents what I believe: I believe that God will take you places that you can't ever imagine when you combine obedience and faith. This shop isn't always sunshine and flowers, but it's always worth it. I know that there's a greater purpose for this shop. In fact, one of my customers told me that my shop inspired her to send a card to a friend. Turned out that her friend received the card when she was facing a difficult week.

So, together we are going to celebrate this milestone. Thank you for being part of this journey with me and allowing me to do what I love.

SHOP NOW & use coupon code YAY100 for 15% off and a free "oh, the places you'll go" card!

Celebrating Two Years of Awesomeness

Happy two years, to us!

In just a few days on {9.4.12}, my hubby and I will be celebrating our two year wedding anniversary {YAY}!! I still can't believe that I married my high school sweetheart. Every morning, as I turn over - I murmur four words - I love this man.

When I think about this past year together, I think of all the little, sweet moments. They are simply amazing and worth remembering forever! For instance, moving together from our precious home state - Wisconsin to Colorado. What a leap of faith that happened before we hit our first year marker! Our second year was spent in Colorado. Moving to a state as newlyweds alone made for a quite an adventure.

We spent the year learning how to start our family - we were forced to do this very early in our marriage. Being thousands of miles away from family will do that you :)

We've traveled to numerous mountain towns, hiked the beautiful rocky mountains,  took a desert road trip to the lovely Santa Fe, spent 10 amazing days in Cambodia serving the most beautiful people I've ever met, spending time with two young people, made amazing, inspiring friends and so much more.

But mainly, the second year of our marriage was a period of growth for us both. It was growth in our faith and in each other. We truly built a strong foundation on a God loving marriage.

This week, I am going to reflect on all the beautiful moments that marked us as husband and wife forever and ever!! Take a trip down 9.4.10 with me!

Kurt surprised me by playing and singing our first dance - love Kurt! 

nothing like a mother & son dance! too sweet.

is that grandma shakin it?

seester & Mickey (I will cherish our hug)

uh ya, my husband has sweet moves

look at those amazing dancers!

lovely parents & now sister-in-law

mom's have the special touch

we are family!

handsome fellas

mom & her girls

symbolizing the importance of God in our marriage and in each other

parents praying over their kiddos...

all my sisters!

my parents - XO

Mr. & Mrs.

looking forward to an amazing third year of awesomeness....yahoo! 

much joy,
aneta nina