One year ago we walked into OUR home. After many many months of contemplation/conversation/prayer about this little light-filled condo, we finally signed (many times), were handed the keys, and became immediately doe-eyed in wonder and joy and exhaustion.
Read MoreJMadventures: Family Beach Trips {Summer 2016}
Double the family = double the fun = double the beach trips!! :) We were lucky enough to spend 2 consecutive weekends at the beach with each side (Yanigas for about 24 hours + Windons for more of the next weekend). Since a few of the drives were in the dark we actually caught a meteor shower and saw a handful of shooting stars!! <-- One of our favorite things to do when we were dating. No pictures of the stars this time so you'll just have to believe us!
Rolls came with us on our first trip and although we couldn't take him ON the beach yet (specific rules on what months dogs are allowed) we did drive the extra few miles to a state park beach where he could test out the waters :) Our little amish pup's first visit to the ocean was -- as one might expect -- kind of intimidating haha see a video below!
During the second trip Rolls stayed with great friends (thanks again Bethany + James!!) while we escaped the heat into a little bayside cottage to watch the Olympics, take daily naps, and play bananagrams + left right center with the Windon6. I caught the sunrise one morning with my Dad (our beach tradition), the guys took a spin on the kayaks (no doubt inspired by the Olympics), and we shared many great meals + even better conversations. God has truly blessed me with this family full of people who inspire, encourage, and laugh!
Not every moment was captured by photographs, but here are the iphone memories of our JMadventures!
JMadventures: Hello Rolls!
Sometimes things just work out in the best possible way (#thankYouJesus) and Rolls is exactly one of those things :)
How I Met Rolls
We woke up at o'dark-thirty... 3 am to be exact... to go get our Rolls from Ohio. We had only seen a couple pictures and had a few phone call exchanges before our big introduction. Yes we had just bought a home + yes we were in the midst of planning a wedding! But for some reason Rolls was the right choice :)
Minutes before arriving to Rolls' first home, we saw a horse and buggy. Right then it hit me that we were in fact in Amish Country. This should not have come as any surprise since I had attended college at Messiah and even lived in Lancaster for a few months. However my galaxy printed leggings, fake uggs, and hair in a top knot screamed "I didn't know we were going Amish today."
The culture shock competition was fierce: Jessica + Matt in an amish home vs. Rolls in a Honda Civic for the first time. Rolls quickly adjusted to his new life of car rides, Fixer Upper on Netflix, and electricity in general.
Our very first day with Rolls!
Rolls is Teaching Me
1. To get up and move: Dogs need to go outside and since we live on the second story of our building we get lots of steps in everyday!
2. To meet new people: It's impossible to go outside with Rolls and not meet at least one dog and their human! Our little community has great sidewalks which means lots of walking people + dogs :)
3. To value naps: I already believed in naps, but whoa Rolls is a napping-king!
Pros + Cons of being a Dog-Mum
Cons: Picking up poop. Sometimes he smells bad. {Rarely} he barks loud. We can't take him into stores.
Pros: He is house trained! Sometimes he smells good! He loves to cuddle! We go on long walks outside! Everyone says he's pretty cute :)
Before + After!
Little fam <3
Rolls' Adventures!