The Birth Plan

I've been pushing this off for a while now, but there is no time like the present - especially since I spend most of my day with my puffy feet elevated on the couch. WHO knew there were so many details to iron out before the exciting/stressful labor trip to the hospital?!

::Praise hands:: Kaiser allows its users to complete pre-admit forms and get that pesky co-pay out of the way... so check.

Next- the perfect birth plan that may or may not be referenced or used, but it makes us first-time mamas feel like we have a bit of control over a situation we clearly have no control over. Thank the good Lord He promises in 2 Thessalonians 3:3 that "the Lord is faithful, and He will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one." In this case the evil one will be labor pains and fear of the birthing unknown.

Like any millennial, I conducted through research through my pregnancy tracking app and Pinterest. I compiled my favorite questions and those that hadn't even crossed my mind into a document and started there. One of the best resources I found came from The Bump. {Not only questions/sections BUT the answers too!} Bonus note: Mama's! Include your partner in these plans. This is a great way to keep them connected, informed, and better prepared to be the enforcer on D-day.

The most important part of the birth plan {so I've read/been told} is to educate yourself on what can happen and be aware of what possible options are. Some great advice I received, non-pregnancy related, but works here too, is to be stern about your goals yet flexible about your path. This goes for the birth plan as well. Know what your preferences are, but go with the flow on how to get there. At the end of it all we'll have healthy, happy babies snuggled up in our arms thinking knowing we've never seen anything more beautiful or perfect in all our lives.

A few helpful resources just for you!

Helpful and with pictures :)
This
This too

Next up... packing the hospital bag.

Impatiently Waiting for our Little One

The past 260 days have been some sort of concoction filled with joy, bliss, pain, realizations, stretching, discomfort, joy, pain... but mostly acceptance and gratitude for a wonderful blessing from above.

It's not lost on me, and many prayers have been said, that Hubby and I are experiencing one of the greatest gifts of our life. Our happy little family of two will soon stretch to three. With the joy and wonder comes stress and comparison. What will Baby G be like? Will we be good parents? God, are you sure we can handle this? How exactly will our marriage change? What if I never fit back into my pre-prego jeans? How am I going to react to all the advice and "suggestions"?

I spent most of my pregnancy on Cloud 9 enjoying the heck out of this journey. I LOVED the cute little bump, Hubby teasing me for my food cravings, foot rubs, all the questions, and daydreaming about what was to come. THEN... ish got real.

The foot rubs became a daily necessity because my feet are so swollen it hurts to walk or put pressure of any kind on them. Sweet Baby G gifted me with pregnancy induced Carpal Tunnel {still looking for the joy in this one}. Hubby now has to help me put clothes on because my hands and wrists are too weak and my balance is laughable. Speaking of clothes - this baby bump is no longer the cute little basketball it once was. Now that I spend most of my time at home, impatiently waiting for our Little One, my choice outfits consist of granny panties and Hubby's t-shirts {just doing what I can to keep that newlywed spark alive}. My pseudo-nirvana is Epsom Salt baths and just before the depths of hell is a place where I have to try and get my 9 + month pregnant body out of the tub without breaking someone or something. All while keeping a smile on my face and stress and frustration tears at bay. :::so many sighs:::

--Back to the good--

Over the weekend we took some maternity photos at a local park to remember these good times {poor Hubby just came off an overnight shift, but sucked it up for me}. Here are those wonderful memories we'll have to look back on forever and ever. If you look close enough you'll see my beautiful cankles and puffy hands. :) Joy!

#couplepreneur | Elevated Aerial Photography

Part of being a wife is supporting your husband in all his crazy endeavors- this paraphrased portion of our vows has become a frequented space for The Gough's.

Allow me to introduce you to our new baby... Elevated Aerial Photography. Hubby has been busting his buns to make his dreams turn to reality.

This has been a fruitful and challenging season for our new family. Balancing overloaded lives with a small business and keeping God at the center has been so rewarding and at times crippling. How do you do it all? How do you know where to go and what to do first? Simple- we don't. We trust that we serve a God who is bigger and better than us; especially when it comes to planning and executing goals. Prayer, prayer, and more prayer. That is the only reason and rationale as to how we are making it all work, and we are so, so thankful for that!

We are so blessed to capture and share the beautiful places and things God creates. How can you not be thankful to be involved and included in something like that?

Here are some stunning photos hubs took

Just SO MANY incredible images to share, right?!

Take a look at our gallery for more. 

Small business owning is no joke. There are some incredibly rewarding days where clients are a dream and love the finished product; those are the days we get up for. Then the others where we're powered by blood, sweat, and tears. 

Let me share a little about what we do...

We specialize in High-Definition (4k) photography and videography aerial packages that include:

Residential & Commercial Real Estate Marketing
Let us help take your listing to new heights with aerial photos and videos of your home - we can even give stabilized video walk-throughs with the listing agent or homeowner. Multiple listings=price break.

Construction & Land Development Projects 
You did the work, let's show it off!  We can accurately measure your property and give you 4k Ultra-HD Google Map quality images of your property or land development project in REAL TIME!

Virtual Tours 
Whether it's a college campus, neighborhood, or scenic landscape, we can create a project that will allow your client to tour the prospective area from the comfort of their own home!

Weddings
Commemorate your special day by adding beautifully shot video of your venue and guests. This is a great accompaniment! We'll work with your wedding videographer to include our footage into your final wedding video.

Custom Projects 
Because we are only limited by our imagination, tell us about your project idea, and let us bring it to life!

If you or someone you know is interested in discussing your project with us, click here and share your concept! {Let Kyle know I sent you for a special discount}

Current Obsession and Last Nights Dinner

Is it appropriate to say 'Season's Greetings' yet? Because I really want to!

I can't tell you enough how much I'm loving this mini-fall. I'm currently adorned in leggings, plaid, boots, and couldn't be happier. Last night the hubs and I slept with the windows open and down comforter tucked in tight. It's the little things. :)

Lately we've been go-go-go and life has seemed like a blur. We're trying to take advantage of alone time at home before the holiday season is fully upon us and we're racking up those miles making memories with the fam's. Our chosen method of post-work relaxation: Friday Night Lights, Netflix binger-style. 

Oh how I crave coming home from work, whipping up dinner, and snuggling up with my hubby on the couch to see what Tami Taylor is going to do tonight. <3

Last night I had a Pin-Win for dinner! I thank the Good Lord often for the similar palates and food cravings Kyle and I have. It may or may not be true we had Mexican food for six days straight, multiple times a day. I found this gem and pinned for a rainy day. Last night was that pseudo-rainy day. Super easy one pot meals {which leave more time to love/hate Riggins} have quickly become a family favorite.

I didn't take photos, because well, I was hungry and Coach Taylor was waiting. I assure you, this meal is super simple and looks beautiful. :) PLUS Jamielyn is a much better photographer than I...

Please, please try it! You'll love it. I'm sure this will be gracing our weekly dinner menu. It's super easy to throw in your favorite things too, Emeril-style BAM!

Enjoy! And rain, I hope you come back soon. I love my new windshield wipers {thanks husband}!

Spiritual Gifts- What's Yours Like?

Spiritual gifts are an amazing and wonderful thing. Honestly, I get a tad confused sometimes though. What exactly are they and how do you know what yours are? Do they ever change and how can you tell if that happens?

I've been thinking a lot about my spiritual gifts and wondering what they really are and what to do with them. I've done surveys that tell you what your spiritual gifts could be {Here! you can too}, but I still find myself with questions. 

How do I really know for sure? Can someone else point out my gifts or is this between God and me? Does it take others talking about their gifts for me to know what even constitutes a spiritual gift in action? So many questions- and so few instant answers. Maybe God's testing our patience together, if so- let's band together friend. 

Spiritual Gifts |  Or charismata are endowments which may be given by the Holy Spirit. These are the supernatural graces which individual Christians need to fulfill the mission of the church.

Charismata |  χαρίσματα  plural for charisma; in general denotes any good gift that flows from God's love to humans.

Below are some passages where we can find biblical references to the gifts listed {I love using The Message translation when I'm having a tough time with a topic}.

Romans 12:6-8 | 1 Corinthians 12:8-10; 28-30 | Ephesians 4:11

Administration	Faith	Knowledge	Prophecy
Apostleship	Giving	Leadership	Service
Discernment	Healing	Mercy	Teaching
Evangelism	Helping	Miracles	Tongues
Exhortation	Interpret Tongues	Pastor/Shepherd	Wisdom

HERE is a great interactive visualization of categories and which gift is included in that category.

Okay! Now we know what our options are. What's next? I hone in on what I identify most with. This part is tricky for me; I get tangled in looking to where I think I fit in best and where I want to fit in best. 

I'm confident one of my spiritual gifts is Administration. I love to track things, make lists, coordinate, and find new ways to share important information. My heart lies in events; it overflows with joy when others come together and experience a well thought out/planned/executed event. I love and am thankful Our Father has blessed me with this. 

So why do I get confused? I guess confusion is the wrong word- I get frustrated. My ego puffs up every once in a while and I want to do more. I want to be more. I get lost in the ways of the world and think I deserve better than what I have. Oh goodness do I need Jesus. My heart knows I've been placed where I am to help others; to do the little things that help add up to the big things. But then my mind thinks I've been doing these things for much too long, I need to spread my wings and deserve to have more. 

What's to be done at that point? More questions arise and I get confused, which leads to frustration. Am I wasting my gifts by acting ungrateful and missing opportunities to best work for the Kingdom? Am I stifling what God has planned for me by passing up other opportunities out of comfort or stubbornness? Do I convince myself I need to make the most of what I have because God placed me here and is counting on me to make a difference? Again- too many questions and not enough answers. 

Here's my resolution- more quiet time with God. He's the one with the answers, the plan, and is well aware of our purpose. When I'm confused I need to go to Him. I think He loves for us to ask Him questions about His plan. So let's do it!

Friend- if you're in this place, can we pray for each other? I'd love to encourage you in this journey and would greatly appreciate someone to hold me accountable and covered in prayers. Let me know in the comments below!

Can't wait for Can't Wait Date Night

I can barely suppress how excited I am for Can't Wait Date Night. I've literally been waiting since Hillside added them to the event's calendar.

For anyone who doesn't know, our church created these wonderful date nights for married couples a while back and I really, really wanted to go. Thing was, I wasn't married...YET.

I think God had me in mind while He was planning these fun nights; the first time Kyle and I can attend happens to be the BEST one {in my freshly married, first time attendee, professional opinion ;)}.

Fantasize with me... dinner al fresco under market lights overlooking the city, caramel apple bar, line dancing lessons, and some special time with your sweetie and our Father. What more could you want?

Click on the image if you'd like to attend with us. It's $40 per couple. 

Yay for fall! Yay for falling back in love!

Maybe I'm just extra excited because it actually feels like fall today?! 

Stagecoach 2015

Stagecoach sure has evolved from those early years. You can't just grab a beer from a random cooler in El Dorado 1 and slip n' slide to the next game of slosh ball. You've changed Stagecoach. Those were the days.

Luckily, we've adapted. This last trip was unique in so many ways. Hubby-to-be had never been, and although he's not much of a country lover, he is a lover of mine - so he sucked it up and came too. Since we didn't make a plan early on, we squished together on an air mattress held up by the Motel 6 hardwood floor. Remind me not to do that again. ;)

BUT- the show must go on. We had a blast reuniting three fourths of the Sister Cousins for a pre-tailgate pool party where games were played, gainers off roof's happened, and metallic temp tats were given.

Here are some highlights from our weekend. Now, I think we've done about all we can do at Stagecoach, it might be time to give Country Thunder a go. Since 2016 is sold out - any other suggestions?

Blasts from the Past

I tried to find one picture from each year attended- this was the best I could do :)

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2015

Sincere apologies for the low quality photos; no good excuse really. ;)