A Backwoods Boy and a Fairytale Princess.

Well, I might not be a Fairytale Princess, (please tell me you've heard the song I'm referencing in the title... Please?), but the more time I spend in Josh's hometown in Pennsylvania, the more I am convinced that he is more of a "backwoods boy" than I had originally thought.

We've spent the past week here PA and it's been a great time!  Saturday we went to a family wedding, Sunday we spoke at two churches, and we've been meeting with friends and family for lunch and dinner almost every day this week.  It's been very productive week for us and overall a very encouraging time.

At a picnic with family.

Weylin

Josh and his cousins.

We are heading down to South Carolina for a family vacation tomorrow.  The whole fam is preparing and packing and getting things ready around the house for our departure.  Yesterday, we both spent some time helping out around the house.  I mowed the lawn while Josh did the most backwoods-y thing I've ever seen him do.  Split wood.

Hubba Hubba!

It was pretty hot, if I'm being completely honest.  So naturally I took some pictures of the action.  As I was photographing, he asked me if I wanted to give it a try.  Being the delicate flower that I am, of course I didn't! (ha).  It looked terrifying and dangerous, but I am easily persuaded to try new things and before I knew it, I was wielding the heaviest axe I've ever held.  Quite possibly the only axe I've ever held, but that's not the point.  After expressing my concern over missing the wood and cutting my foot off at the ankle, Josh encouraged me ("Have a little more self control than that, Les") and I was on my way.

As I'm sure you can tell, I didn't actually split any wood.  It was worth a shot, though, right?

Tonight we end our adventures in the backwoods of Pennsylvania.  We're going to a bonfire with a few of Josh's high school friends.  I feel like I need to send a warning out to all of the animals within a 2 mile radius of the bonfire.  Warning!  Boys with guns! They will kill *you'ns! (*'you'ns' being the slang word for "you guys" or "y'all" in this area).  But I wouldn't want to squelch his backwoods heart now would I?  So I will resort to sitting close to the fire with the ladies (or maybe even inside) and praying for the survival of the chipmunk and raccoon population in Central Pennsylvania.  Will you join me?

(*Backwoods Boy Edit and Disclaimer:  Josh would like me to publicly acknowledge that he is aware that the above pictures of him splitting wood are not proper wood-splitting form.  The form depicted apparently is a "I'm kidding around and splitting wood" form.  While still an effective way to split wood, I, Fairytale Princess, have been informed that this is the "stupid looking" way of doing it.  I hope you can forgive me for potentially misleading you in your own wood splitting endeavors, dear reader.)