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