We're out...

Today we are headed to one of our favorite places for a week's worth of fishing, blobbing, archery-ing, mission impossible-ing, awesome costume wearing, bible studying, dancing, kid hanging (meaning we are hanging out with kids...not actually hanging them..didn't know how to end with an -ing.) horseback riding, smash ball-ing, sno cone eating, swimming, and tribal competing fun!

I am really looking forward to it but I am also logical about it. With this being summer #5 of camp for me, I am aware of the pointless late night meetings, sweating, terrible food, and non-stop exercise that camp is. Brad, who is happy-go-lucky about 24/7, is over-the-moon pumped about this week at camp. He claims that camp is his #1 favorite place on earth. I really need to get him out more.

Either way, camp is a special place for us. Brad & I met each other and 12 of the people in our wedding party at camp. I wish everyone could experience the friendships and bonds that are built when you spend an entire summer serving together at a secluded little camp. We are so thankful that God sent us there and (even if it is just for a week) continues to send us back.

Here are some pictures of our years at camp:

My first cabin. These girls are in their teens now.

My sweet Molly! She was in my cabin 3 summers in a row. 

Let the rivalry begin! 

Glad Brad got that hair chopped.

Yes, her face does say "I (heart) Nikki"

When I say "awesome costume wearing," this is what I mean.

Little Ingrid schooling Brad.

Good times, seriously. 

All 7 of you readers, please pray for Brad & I this week! 

Marriage is a team effort.

In the past 3 months I have learned that marriage is almost always a team effort. At the Ringler house, every night around 8 pm, its every man for himself. We are out to defeat, slaughter, embarrass, and battle one another. Its exactly what it sounds like. Yep, we go head-to-head in 5 games of speed.

A few weeks ago we decided we should play 5 games of speed everyday for 40 days. Why? I don't know. Even if there is no reason (and at this point, no reward), we are having fun.

The scoreboard does show that someone is having a little bit more fun though. Don't worry, it won't last.

Any suggestions for the winner's prize? My vote is that the winner gets to pick all of the TV choices for a week. Goodbye Swamp People & hello Secret Life of The American Teen.

“Home is where you can scratch where it itches”

*This is especially for the grandparents who read this blog.

Now that our little apartment is home to us, we thought you should have a tour. We sure love it. Hope you do too! And if you don't, oh well. You don't live here.

So without further adieu, welcome to our 750 sq. ft. of home sweet home!

Moving day! 

We like to call our decorative style shabby/thrifty/Nana's old stuff. Thanks for the treasures, Nana!

Going through the big D

...but I do mean Dallas.

This weekend the Ringler's made the long 5 hour trek down to Dallas. Luckily we had the company of our good friends, Stephen & Sarah Paul. Having the Paul's with us made the trip feel much shorter than usual. Brad & I have made the trip together too many times to count. I guess eventually you run out of things to talk about...kidding...but not.

The purpose of our trip was to see our camp friends, Alex & Brittney, get married. But with the wedding in my hometown, we were able to kill lots of birds with one stone. We squeezed in as many Allen/Texas things as possible in just 42 hours. We ate all meals with family and friends, sweated, napped, ate at Rudy's BBQ and Uncle Julios, sweated, drank Jan-the-man's real sweet tea, wore cowboy boots, speed shopped at the outlet mall, two-stepped, sweated, and drove extra fast until rush hour (or at least thats what Brad says about TX).

Back to the wedding. It had all of the requirements of a good wedding: good food, moist cake, friends, various types of dancing, cute centerpieces, candy bar, beautiful bride, and a mechanical bull.
Ok, the last one wasn't a requirement before this wedding, but I think it will be now.

Y'all are next! I'll be looking for the mechanical bull.

This is the Sarah Paul that spent 10 hours with me in the car. Lucky girl.

Our good (single) friend CJB spittin' game. Look at all of those ladies!

And last but not least, a special shout out to Bill & Jan for sharing their home with us this weekend. We are so grateful for friends that become family. We love y'all!

"The ultimate camping trip was the Lewis & Clark Expedition." Dave Barry

I disagree. I would say "the ultimate camping trip was this weekend." Nikki Ringler.

Yep, the Ringler's loaded up the ice chest, sleeping pads, sleeping bags, tent, swimsuits, & the Morgan's & hit the road! We were headed for Lost Valley campsite on the Buffalo River. Unfortunately, when we arrived at Lost Valley there were signs saying that the flooding we had in April & May had ruined the campsite & it was closed. Bummer.

The Lost Valley disappointment was a little easier to handle when we found this gem:

Is this place beautiful or what? Our new campsite was Steel Creek at the Buffalo River.

We set up camp....

Although I am pictured here, I am not the real hero in tent-setting-up. In 1999 Brad was the fastest person in the state of Arkansas at setting up a tent. 

The things you learn about someone you think you know....

We went to the swimmin' hole...

For dinner we made pizza pockets & smores...

By about 10 o'clock it was pitch black & us old marrieds were tired. Its too bad we went to bed though. We had to peek out of our tents to watch the group of guys, who were celebrating not one, not two, but four bachelors, get caught by the Park Rangers for having weed. The Park Rangers made them pour the weed into the fire. Is that a good idea? Did everyone around them, including us, get high off the fumes? I guess I'll never know because I just went to sleep.

The next morning 10 yr. veteren Boy Scout Brad made us breakfast. 

What a man!

Since it was 100 degrees by 8:30, we hit the swimmin' hole again.

Soon after, we loaded up the car & headed home. It was a quick but great trip! The trip was so short because it was my first camping experience. Brad wanted me to try it out to see if I liked it before we committed to a longer trip. Fortunately,  I really enjoyed it and am ready to plan our next camping trip. I guess I am a natural at nature.  

Out With The Old & In With The New

A big change has happened.

I cut off 10 inches of my hair. Well, I didn't. My amazing hair stylist (& friend), Elizabeth at Freshair, cut my hair off.

Why 10 inches? I donated to Locks of Love!
Locks of Love is a simple way to bless a child who suffers from alopecia, cancer, & various other diseases that cause long-term hair loss. Locks of Love kids are of all ages & both boys & girls. Its very cool to think of a child who was without hair will now get to wear mine. I can't imagine being a teenage girl dealing with all of the "normal" insecurities, plus having to face the judgmental world (other teenage girls & boys) without hair. Breaks my heart. So, I donate. You should too!

Interested? Go here

Brad likes the shorter 'do & said my haircut reminded him of when he started to like me {aww}.He followed that compliment by saying my short hair would also mean less drains to clean & less hairs everywhere. I guess I can't blame him.

Photo proof:

Before

After

Here are some pictures from last time I donated. This was my sophomore year of college.

In other news, I am now legally a Ringler & an Arkansas citizen. 

Big changes, people, big changes.