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

Hurricane Sandy

Hurricane Sandy was Michael and I's first experience to "hurricane" weather and thankfully it  never got to horrible in Virginia Beach. There were some areas of flooding and power outages but luckily our apartment wasn't affected. Sunday after church we went out and took pictures of the crazy waves down at the ocean front! And yesterday we drove out to see the damage out at Sandbridge Beach, there was definitely some flooding in roads and sand. 

But our prayers go out to those severely affected by Hurricane Sandy in NY and NJ and all other states around it because the affects from the "eye" of the storm where a lot crazier than the affects here. 

Family Beach Day ! 10.19.12

Michael finally had a Friday off and we took advantage of the nice Autumn Day! If there's one thing about Michael and I, we only really enjoy the beach if its not hot and sticky. How can you enjoy your day if your sweaty?, sandy?, smelly? crowded? hot? and irritable? haha.. Friday was mid 70s, absolutelyyy perfect. We took lunch with us and as we sat and enjoyed our food we looked for dolphins and unfortunately there wasn't any.!(boo) 

After lunch we took Roxx for a stroll on the beach. Our dog lovess nature and being in the water, and did I mention he LOVES chasing seagulls? haha. 

It was an absolutely perfect day! One were we could sit and watch God's creation and beauty without all the hustle and bussle of a "typical summer beach day".

After a few hours at the beach we headed home and we decided to have a date night, and of course I was all for it and grinning from ear to ear because I finally had a WHOLE day with my husband! A whole day meaning from morning to night! Not just for 2hrs between work shifts or late at night when he gets off, but a WHOLE day(:. So we went and at Las Palmas (mexican food, I wonder who picked that? *cough michael *cough) haha. and we went and seen a movie, Taken 2! ( I wonder who picked that?, haha me:]) 

I absolutely love my husband, and my dog:) haha. I am truely blessed with the family God has blessed me with.

xo, Leslie!

heres some pictures! (eek!) :

Pumpkin' Spice and Everything Nice

So Fall by far is our FAVORITE season! Not only because we met in the fall but because its also perfect weather.. especially to be in the mountains (if only.. sigh*) haha. 
Wednesday night we decided it was time to put out fall decor! So now its offically "Fall" in the Cesmat House!.

 Dinning Room Table^

 Kitchen Bar^

 Place Settings^

 Pumpkin Spice & Apple Pie Candles^

 End Table In Living Room^

 End Table In Living Room^

 Coffee table Center Piece^

 Coffee table Center Piece, Again haha^

Much Love, And Happy Fall

<3 the cesmats.

Kaylee Elizabeth Hughes!

On October 1, 2012 our 3rd niece was born! Kaylee Elizabeth Hughes was born 6lbs 6oz & 19inches long and she is as beautiful as can be!!<3
Michael got to fly home and to see her and his family. When he would call and describe Kaylee to me or talk about her you could hear the love in his voice for her! The first picture he sent me had these words attached: ":D I have a niece" ..and of course McKinnley and Mallory are his nieces but this one is his sisters baby and the first one he got to experience in the hospital!
Today I got to see her for the first time "in person" on skype! I cant wait to hold her in person. She's so tiny with a head full of blonde hair and long fingers!
We already love her so much!<3

Michael's Birthday In D.C! 9.15.12

Michael had to work the night before his birthday, so when he came home about 1am on his birthday I surprised him with a cake and the house decorated with streamers!! haha:) 
I asked him what he wanted to do for his birthday and he decided he wanted to go to Washington D.C!. So we went to bed and got up 3hours later so that we could have all day in D.C. This was both our first trip and were superrr stoked. This blog consists of pictures of that day!. We walked around from one end to the other and seen so much and by the time 7pm came around we were Exhausted! But we wouldn't change a thing! The only thing we would change is the shut down Tunnel Bridge on our way back home that delayed us over an HOUR and A HALF! But here are the pictures, Enjoy! <3

Streets Of D.C!

The Washington Post.

Thought This Building Looked Cool!

One of The Main Streets of D.C, Do you See The Capitol Building?

 In Front of The White House!

 The White House

 A View of The Washington Monument

 Horse Cops

 Pshh Not Heavy At All..

 Washington Monument!

 Why Yes We Sat in The Field Between The White House & The Monument.

 White House

 Flags at the Base of The Washington Monument

 Fountains Surrounded By State Statues.

 Between SC & VA, Convenitently Beside Each Other;)

 Atlantic Wreath

 The Pond In Front of The Lincoln Memorial

The Lincoln Memorial

 The Lincoln Memorial, And Those Steps Were STEEEEP!;)

 The Statue Was Way Bigger Than I Imagined

 <3

 Washington Monument.

 Lincoln Memorial

 The Metro!

 Down Town

 Starbucks

 Down Town

 The National Archive Building

"What is Past is Prologue"

 National Archive Building

 The Smithsonian, National Museum of Natural History .

 Smithsonian, National Air and Space Museum

 In Side The Air and Space Museum 

 Look at All the Different Types of Money!

 Walk to The Capitol Building

The Capitol Building.

Love,

Leslie and Michael<3