Haunted

Loyd and I spent 2 nights in Las Vegas relaxing by the pool, sleeping late, and just being lazy before returning home after our vacation. We walked around the Strip and had a great time looking at all the lights, attractions, cat fights, and all the new buildings. (The last time I was there was about 6 or so years ago.)

On the first night we were walking the strip, and we came across a homeless guy sitting on one of the bridges. I saw 3 homeless guys the whole time we were there. I believe Las Vegas wants "their ugliness" hidden away. Well this guy looked like a kid - maybe 18...20 max. He was sitting there so forgotten and discarded. He was dirty and looked so tired and worn out slouched against the fencing. His sandy blond hair was dull with grime and a dusty film covered his tan skin. Everyone walked by without a glance, ignoring the reminder of sorrow and  pain that was marring their bright, glittering opulence and decadence.

Something about him grabbed my heart. We walked by and I couldn't look away from him. I looked back and saw him looking at a passing group that had made a disparaging comment about his presence. The way he looked up at them...it was hopeless and ... apologetic. I said to Loyd that we should have given him something. We went back up the escalator and I gave him some money. He looked me right in the eye and said thank you in a soft, raspy voice.

I am still haunted by his eyes. There was an innocence and softness in his clear, light green eyes. They were such sweet eyes. I wanted to hug him and take away his sorrow! I wanted to find him a home...ANYTHING to make his life better! But what could I do except give him some money? I don't know what I could have done. And I can't stop thinking what I could have done for him!

I started crying right there. It took a bit to move him to the back of my mind. But I moved on...went back to my hotel room, had a hot shower, was held in the arms of my love, surrounded by love throughout the night (and my whole life). Now I am home; secure and safe and well fed...and I am haunted by that boy on the bridge.

I know you weren't there; didn't see him...but offer up prayers and thoughts for him and the millions of others like him.

Sequoia National Park

Angela and I just got back from a great camping trip in Sequoia National Park with my brother's family and extended family. I'm too lazy to pick out select photos from the trip, so here are all 212 of them. If you click the slideshow it will take you to an album for easier viewing.

You can also see some of the panoramic photos I shot on my blog.



Thanks to my brother and sister-in-law for inviting us!

Fourth of July

Finally got my camera back. Enjoy.

Engagement video

We were recently notified of a discovery of a short little video that was made when our engagement photos were taken. Short, but sweet.

Great Day in SoCal!

The beach is always a wonderful place to spend time. Even when it is overcast and far to cold to brave the waters, it is always a soothing experience. (However, the drive home might undo all those soothed nerves.) But Friday, June 18th was a beach day on steroids.

About an hour after we arrived we watched dolphins swimming in the distance. They were just beyond the break. Close enough to be near the surfers. We mainly saw their fins, but every once in a while one would jump out of the water and you could see its head and body.

A few hours after the dolphins swam off, a crowd was forming on the beach looking at the water. And then I noticed a large brown something with fins rolling onto the beach. Turns out it was a seal. It wasn't dead and didn't look to be hurt (it wasn't bleeding). So we joined the crowd and took pictures. A few times the seal sat up and waddled further onto dry sand.

It just looked around assessing the situation, then took a power nap. I suppose it was just resting because a few hours later, long after the crowd had grown bored with a sleeping seal, it waddled back into the water and swam away.

While the seal was making his departure, the dolphins returned. This time they put on a little show for the admiring crowd. We saw them surfing the waves. We could see two or three dolphins clearly in the wave riding it. Once we saw them jump out of the wave. To bad  didn't have my camera with me. My phone couldn't capture anything that far out.

It was so fun seeing these animals in the wild. Much better than a zoo or aquarium, but also a little freaky. No telling what could swim up next to you!

Some recent photos

Here are some recent photos from some of our adventures this year. Also, if you haven't yet, be sure to send us some of your memories from our wedding day here.

Wedding Journal

I need your help!

I am putting together a journal about Loyd and my wedding day - June 19th. I want the experiences, memories, thoughts, feelings, etc from all those in attendance. If you wanted to be in attendance but couldn't make it, add that! I want as much information about that day as possible.

We had a friend who ended up being lost for an hour or so with grumpy kids in tow, and ended up not being able to find the reception. I want that story!

Somebody about kill themselves preparing for our day? Write it down for us, PLEASE!

It doesn't have to be about Loyd and Me, but about whatever you remember about that day. Reunions? kids getting dirty and thrashing their clothing...what do your kids remember about that day?

So yeah, I really need all of your help!

Email it to me or post it here.