One Year Celebration! 3.10.13

  March 10, 2012 was the day we said "I Do" ! The happiest day of our life and we got to spend it with those we love on a beautiful farm out in Pungo, VA. So to celebrate our One Year Anniversary Michael and I decided to do what we love best: Go on a road trip! We decided to head up to Staunton and Natural Bridge, VA!

In Natural Bridge we of course took a hike to see the "Natural Bridge". It was a beautiful day for a hike! So the first thing we did when we got there was visit the Butterfly House. I'm not sure how many of you have been to one of these, but you must go. Beautiful butterflies everywhere!!

 One of the large purple ones landed on my face, yes my FACE within 5 minutes of me being in there!..If I wouldnt have been slightly startled and holding my camera I would've gotten Michael to take a picture. That little booger sure did scare me haha. We walked through and saw all sorts of butterflies and toward the end Michael and I finally had two separate butterflies land on our fingers. I was beyond thrilled, yes I'm a nerd. After our butterfly house experience we ventured out on our hike. As soon as we made it down the stairs and as we turned the corner one of the most beautiful sites just smacked us in the face. The Natural Bridge was breath taking!! If you havent been, you must go. We sat in amazement for a good while, just taking in God's beautiful creation. How anyone can see such beauty in the world and not believe there is a God, is beyond me.
We followed the river trail all the way to what they considered a waterfall.. I would say it was a slight river incline. After that long of a hike, I was slightly disappointed to say the least haha. On our hour long hike we got to experience and see so much so that definitely made up for the waterfall. After our hike we drove about a mile up the road to the deepest cavern on the East Coast. I had previously been to Ruby Falls and Michael and been spelunking . so we both were excited to experience another cavern especially since we were together to experience it!. The cavern is just another amazing creation of God because a cavern is basically a shallow mountain with rock growth inside. As you walk deeper and deeper into the mountain there is so much beauty you almost forget how far into the ground you really are haha. After our mini adventure was over we headed to the little downtown of Staunton. Such a cute and quaint town, we were surprised its not more popular than it was. We went into a few shops, one being an antique store where we bough our first antique! :) Afterwards we just walked around until we found a neat little place to eat dinner. It was called The Clock Tower Restaurant, the food was delicious and the staff was so friendly! If you ever get a chance to visit this little down, you should!
What better way to celebrate our Anniversary! We love to be outdoors and experience new things and we did just that!
I love my husband beyond words! And I cannot wait to see what God has in store for our Journey!



Much Love<3 ,
Leslie

Snow!, and Not That Crunchy Ice Stuff

January 2013, Michael and I got to experience snow in Virginia Beach!.. Yes many people would say that "you experienced snow when you were little. Its all the same." oh no no my friend, it is NOT. Snow back home in Greer, SC = Crunchy ICE snow, snow in Virginia Beach, VA = Soft powdery Snowman making snow!! So what were two 22 years olds suppose to do in a time like this you ask?.. Well go to the beach of course!! How many of you can actually say that you've been ON the beach when it has snowed? :) Michael went out to scrape the windows while Roxx and I just ran around, no lie, we literally ran around. I attempted a mini snowman but it was a fail, so off we went! The roads were icy/snowy, good thing for 4wheel drive! Although we didn't use it except for crossing over the inlet bridge, NO ONE wants to go sliding off that thing! haha. When we got to the oceanfront we got out and walked across the boardwalk and down to the water. It was an pretty awesome experience! Our feet never touched sand and when we got down to the water it was: snow, ice, crashing waves. We didn't care how cold it was or the fact that we could possibly leave with phenomena or the flu, we wanted to enjoy the moment. But once I couldn't feel my toes off we went because I am no happy camper beyond that point... it was hot coco time! <3

 

Much Love<3
Leslie

Cesmat Christmas Blogged In March

Cesmat Christmas 2012! We had our first Christmas tree! and although it was quite small it made it feel more like Christmas to me! Funny story we actually didn't have this tree until 2 weeks before Christmas! One night we were sitting on the couch and I told Michael "it just doesn't feel like Christmas to me.." and 20minutes later we were in the car headed to Walmart because he knew how much decorating meant to me, its one thing i loved doing growing up. We picked up the cutest small tree, stockings, garland, lights and a few other odd and end things! We went home and stayed up until 2am decorating our 810 sqft apartment with Christmas decorations; all while listening to Christmas Carols (family edition) which included The Chipmunks haha. And at the end of the night Michael looked at me and asked: "How do you feel now?" and at that moment I knew that no matter how much decorations we had up or how many gifts were under the tree, that our first Christmas would be special because we were spending it with each other.  I cried and said "I love you so much, it truly feels like Christmas now." 2 weeks later we preparing for The Christmas service at church and our trip back to South Carolina! I'll admit I'm the WORST last minute shopper there is and I'm the BIGGEST complainer of crowded stores; so lets just say my present buying adventure was one Michael steered clear of haha.

Cesmat Christmas was most certainly an adventure and one of the best parts was spending time with our besties! Whom we miss so much and its mandatory that we see them every time we are home, its just that simple! So like every MAWL christmas tradition we opened gifts, ate snacks, took many goofy pictures and played a game of LOGOS. Which I'm pretty sure Ashley beasted us at. One thing for certain is that our MAWL besties are the best and we are beyond blessed to be gifted with their friendship!!

 Next was time spent with our Amazing family!, And I finally got the chance to meet sweet Kaylee. And one thing about this Auntie, is that I loveeloveelovee my nieces and nephew very much so this was truly an exciting day for me! She is going to grow up to be such a smart and beautiful young lady! The picture in the top right corner is by far my one of my favorite pictures from the trip back home. You can just see the love Michael has for Kaylee!!! We also got to spend time with Jessica and Kyle for Christmas! The guys played guitar and us ladies just had some girl time to chat away, I'm pretty sure that's what we do best, right jess? :)

McKinnley, Mallory and Mason. 3 of the most beautiful fun loving kids you'll ever meet! They made Christmas even more special because I got to spend time with them 2 times, hehe, my heart needed it and we made sure that happened. Thats the first picture I've gotten with Mason that he's actually looking at the camera smiling! I looked at Michael and said, "Take a picture of Mason and I while he's eating his ice cream.." and Michael says: "say cheese" and BAM, this picture happened :)

Sister Time! I'd lie if I said this wasn't a happy evening for me. My sisters and I were so close growing up and with all three of us being in 3 separate states it makes it difficult to have us all in ONE place. So Christmas at the Waddells made that happen! With a million family pictures (atleast thats what it felt like) taken, it was finally sister picture time.. and as you can see, I just had to give baby Hayley some Auntie kisses... I told you i loveeloveelovee being an aunt!

All in all, it was a great Cesmat Christmas adventure in SC. Visiting family and friends and being able to spend it with the love of my life made it even better. Christmas isn't about gifts, its about the Celebration of Jesus's birth, so why not celebrate it with the ones you love?.. Isn't that what you do at Birthday Parties?.. Next year, I'm bringing the cake! woo

Much Love and Happiness<3
Leslie Cesmat

Our Thanksgiving !

Michael and I decided to spend Thanksgiving in Virginia Beach and have a small dinner with just the two of us. We woke up on Thanksgiving morning and Michael made turkey and I made sides. It was good to be able to spend our first Thanksgiving together and be thankful for where God has brought us this past year.
After we stuffed ourselves full we went to Bobby and Dawn's house for a Euchre Tournament with a few people from the church. Usually I'm pretty slow at card games but I picked this one up pretty quickly! (only because it was VERY similar to Rook!_) We had a lot of fun and ate a lot of finger food but overall it was good to be able to hangout with friends from church!

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Black Friday Lines, Shoving People and Sales have never been mine or Michaels thing. So while everyone was out standing in lines for the best sales we were at our warm house, in our jammies, plotting our Black Friday Road Trip Adventure.
We decided to take a drive up to Baltimore, Maryland. We heard the harbor area was pretty in the fall, so on we went Friday morning!.
We got to Baltimore that afternoon. We at lunch, walked around the harbor area, watched street performers, got starbucks and just enjoyed being together in a beautiful town. After a great day in Baltimore we left and had dinner in Richmond (halfway point, hehe) and then made it home in enough time to lay on the couch and watch a movie before bed!, I love my husband<3

Pictures from Baltimore!:

Much Love, 

Leslie<3

A Little Something For Michael

Election Day 2012

Today was my 2nd time going to vote for the Presidential Election. Voting for me is super important especially as a woman. And thanks to the amendment passed in the 1900s I can go out and have a voice because my opinion matters too.
I went into this election with an open mind and I voted for the candidate that was best for mine and my husbands future. I didn't go into it with the mind set "I was born in the such and such party so thats who I'm voting for." ,or "the most popular candidate" or even for the  "candidate with the most signs out and political ads on tv." To me this election was for who  would be best fit for me and I stand by my vote. Ultimately, In God I Trust and its sad to see that this nation has stepped away from the view of God and become so divided. But again, I stand by my vote and I hope you went out and voted! Every vote counts! 

much love, leslie<3

Giving Thanks

Happy November ! We should take everyday of the year to be thankful for all the things we have in life that God has blessed us with. Because what if you woke up today with the things you thanked God for yesterday?, What things would you have?
But since November is the month to be "thankful" because of Thanksgiving, I am going to take each day to list the different things I am thankful for:) This will be updated everyday.

Day1; I am thankful that Jesus died on the cross for my sins and that I have the chance not only to have a relationship with him but to also share his love with others!

Day 2; I am thankful for my handsome and AMAZING husband. Michael works hard to take care of our family and he supports me in everything. He is the strongest and most loving guy I've ever met and I thank God everyday for blessing me with my other half and my best friend.♥

Day 3; I am thankful for the family God blessed me with. Even though families have their ups and downs not many people have the opportunity to have family in their life. So I am thankful for each and every family member I have, both the family I was born with as well as the one I married into. I love you all♥

Day 4; I am thankful for my bestie friend :) "friends are the family we choose" and Ashley Brinkerhoff Brannon is just that, she's like another sister! We've only been friends for 3years-ish haha but it feels like I've known her my whole life! She's there when I need someone to talk to and no matter how far away we may live, we will always be best friends! Love you lady!♥

Day 5; I am thankful for our church family; Essential Church. I'm thankful to have the opportunity to work with both K3 and K4s and Middle School Youth, each are the biggest blessing you could imagine! I am also thankful for each member of Essential who welcomed us with open arms a year ago. Each of you make us feel like we are home and we are beyond grateful for everything you have done!♥

Day 6; I am thankful for the right to vote! Many years ago women weren't equal and didn't get a chance to vote and voice their opinion. So I feel its my womanly right to go out and vote especially for those who fight hard to get the amendment passed in 1920.. Take the time to vote, your vote does count. #election2012♥

Day7; I am thankful to have a job as a nanny! Working with Jonah is definitely preparing me for my future youngins' ;) I am blessed to have the Yungs in my life and that they've given me the opportunity to work with them!♥

Day 8; I am thankful to have a home to live in! Although its a small 810 sq ft apartment that has occasional problems, its a nice and cozy first home for Michael and I. We are thankful that God provided us a home in Virginia Beach!♥

Day 9; I am thankful for my dog Roxx:) He is probably one of the best and most well behaved dogs (unless he feels threatened or sees a bird or rabbit. haha) Even though he'll take up the whole bed and ruin every toy you buy him,I  know he will always take care of me if something harmful or threatening happens!♥

Day 10; I am thankful for the freedom of religion. In a lot of countries people aren't allowed to share different beliefs. And I think it is super important not to take the ability to go to church and go out to share Gods love for granted.  ♥

Day 11; I am thankful for those who serve and have served for our country! There are men and women who are out risking their life so that we can have our freedom and I am more than thankful for them! ♥

Day 12; I am thankful for having food to eat 3meals a day. This is something a lot of us take for granted while there are families in 3rd world countries who die of starvation everyday.♥

Day 13; I am thankful for having a car to drive, one that can get me back and forth to work and places I need to be everyday. ♥

Day 14; I am thankful for  dates with my husband ♥

Day 15; I am thankful for yoga and the stressless and rejuvenating results it brings♥

Day 16; I am thankful for warm showers and bubble baths.♥

Day 17; I am thankful for a closet and dresser full of clothes, not many people in this world have much to wear and their are days I complain about not having something to wear.♥

Day 18; I am thankful to be able to have and read my bible whenever I need guidance or encouragement.♥

Day 19; I am thankful for my nieces and nephew (McKinnley, Mallory, Mason and Kaylee). Whom I love so much and miss dearly!, There's nothing like being an Aunt.♥

Day 20; I am thankful for the ability to travel and see the world.♥

Day 21; I am thankful for clean water.♥

Day 22; I am thankful for Thanksgiving and spending time with loved ones and friends!♥

Day 23; I am thankful for not having the urge/want to go out and shop on black friday. I'm good with what I have and I don't mind buying something full price if I need it. Black Friday is not worth the crazyness and insanity. :) ,its just not ! hehe. (if you go, more power to you. I'll sit back and thank about you from my nice, warm and cozy home.. while in my jammies ;])♥

Day 24; I am thankful for road trips with my hubby♥

Day 25; I am thankful for the ability to go to church and hear God's Word♥

Day 26; I am thankful for my comfy bed♥

Day 27; I'm thankful for hot showers and bubble baths.♥

much love and thankfulness, leslie<3