Christmas Memories

Of all the memories that fill my head I think the bank marked "Christmas Memories" would be the largest. Every year I take a step back and look around me only to realize, once again, that I am so very blessed to be surrounded by so many loving faces. Every year is a little different than the year before but never the less, we are all together and we are all laughing and sharing and rejoicing in the season. I've included some of my oldest memories and like everything else they are different each year but each year they are present.

-Stockings...I've had my stocking as long as I can remember. Mom sewed my name on it (as she did with all of our stockings). She's a part of it just as she's a part of me.

-'Twas the Night Before Christmas'...Every year on Christmas Eve we all get into our pj's and lay around the appointed reader. We listen with wonder to the story of jolly St. Nick as if it's the first time we've heard it.

-The Tree...filled with Santa's wonders below. Yes, even though baby brother is now a teen and all of my sisters and I are in our 20's Santa still comes. It's the magic of Christmas and it still lives in all our hearts. Christmas Eve is the only night of the year that we leave the tree lit all night long. (How could Santa see to get around if we didn't?) I like to get up a little before dawn and lay on the sofa and look

at the gloriousness of it all. The tree gives off a soft glow of light that bounces from gift to gift and it still seems like magic that the presents are actually there. It is beautiful and for those few minutes before dawn I feel like I am 5 years old again and there is nothing in the world that could harm me because Mom and Dad are asleep in the next room and it is Christmas.

Merry Christmas Darling

Fa, la, la, la, la! La, la, la, la! I love this time of the year...I love this day. It's the last day of work for me in 2009. Yay! Colby and I are super PUMPED to be loading up the Tribute and heading north to spend the holiday with our much beloved family. I've talked to my sisters and brother, Mom and Dad no less than 5 times a day for the past week. I can't wait to pull into the drive and immediately feel ease rush over me. There is something about spending Christmas at home that takes me back to a less hectic, less stressful time. A time when we all cuddle in bed and read a christmas story. A time when we laugh for hours on end as we reminisce years past. A time when we say, "yes, I'll have another cookie" and "I think I will have seconds." I love this season because it reminds us to love...

And because all posts are better with pictures, here is one of Colby and another of little Miss B. I had the pleasure of spending last weekend with her and she stole my heart. Aren't those cheeks awesome! :)

Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!

Beautiful Things

I like to find beauty in simple things. I believe it can be found anywhere...sometimes you just have to look a little harder. I found these little guys at Crate and Barrel and they have brought me much joy. The way they hang there, they bounce around...they just look cheerful. Don't you think? Anyway, I wanted to share some of the joy with you.

Baby D's Room

Last week I got to stretch my creative muscles. I painted a tree on my niece or nephews nursery wall and it was so much fun! It came together quite nicely (if I do say so myself). If I had to give any advice it would be to use a pencil first...very LIGHTLY. Go ahead...take a look.

Time for Thanksgiving

I love Fall. Mostly, I think, because of the colors. Have you ever seen such vibrant oranges and reds? It's absolutely breathtaking. It reminds me of the awesome powers of God. Who else could paint such a wonderful canvas? I am completely grateful that I am able to lay my eyes upon such a sight. Here are a few images of outside my front window. Enjoy!

Me

Such a short word. Me. Only two little letters...yet so important. I am me and no one else. What is so wrong with that? Why do we all fight it and try to be someone else? Now, I don't mean that we shouldn't explore; try new things and push ourselves. But, we should always stay true to 'me'. Who am I? What defines me? Where am I going? When will I get there? How will I know? I've asked myself these questions for many, many years. I hope I will continue to ask myself these questions for the rest of my life. Because I don't think we ever really find ourselves. I think life is a continuous voyage and if we're lucky there will still be a few surprises after we're old and gray. Now, what about those questions...

• Who am I? I am happy. I am courageous. I love to laugh. I love to dream. I am scared as hell. I am driven. I am (just a little) goofy. I love smiling until my face hurts. I love blue skies and green fields. I am spunky. I am true. I am…I am...I am...The way I see it, every experience I've ever had has built me into who I am today.
• What defines me? Really, there isn’t much that doesn’t. Colors define me…every color in the fan deck. Every hue and shade is somewhere inside me. My family defines me…every funny home video, ridiculous smile, camping trip, spirit that is lifted, laugh that is belted, eye color that is shared, and hand that is held. My home defines me…both of them. I am a country girl at heart with big city dreams. God defines me...I live first and foremost for Him. As long as He is in my heart at all times I will not be lead astray.
• Where am I going? Forward. Always moving forward. The rest will take care of itself as long as I set my sights in front of me and keep striving to move forward.
• When will I get there? Who knows…hopefully ‘there’ is never reached because then what? Why keep driving if you’re already there?
• How will I know? This is a tough one. I find that warmth and aroma are my biggest indications. A warmth that existing in my chest, right between my shoulder blades. An aroma that fills my senses and no matter how deeply I breathe in I can’t ever get enough of it. That's how I know.

I am me...who are you?

Hello world! This is me!

It's that year. The most exciting year of the last 18. The year you do it all. The year you feel like you have to make every important decision all at once. The year you ponder who you are and where you're going to go. The year you say goodbye to childhood and hello to your future…this is me! I was so very privileged to be asked by my good friend Stephanie to photograph her son Colton for his senior year. We had a blast running around Independence and I wish Colton all the luck in the world as he runs head first into the future saying ‘Hello world! This is me!’

Color+Couture

Friday I participated in Color+Couture and it was simply amazing! I met fabulous new friends and just had a blast. I have a new respect for all the models out there in the world. Really, I don't know how they do it. At the end of the day my body was saying, "Get me out of this thing and into bed!" But, I have to say I'm kind of proud of myself, not to sound cocky. I did it! I worked that runway as best as I could and didn't embarrass myself...well, kind of...until the end...ok, so I took a knee! But I took the best knee in the history of fashion shows! Although I'd take it back if I could I still feel good about my performance. Because, sometimes in life you slip and fall but it's how you get up that makes you who you are. And that's me...I jumped back up, smiled through it, and gave a big wave. :) Oh, I also have to give some mad props to my team at ScottRice who helped in making my attire. They did an outstanding job and if I looked good at all it was entirely because of them. Love you guys!

Coming Soon...

Coming soon...a blog about my ventures in photography and life!

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