Friday, January 29, 2010
A Day for Enjoying
This morning I woke up and didn't feel the need to get on the computer and work (perhaps I should have?). Instead, I sat on the couch, bundled up in a blanket, and watched Project Runway. After that, I stayed bundled up, and sat down with my current read, A Tree Grows in Brooklyn (love it, by the way!). The rest of the morning, Carson and I just hung out and played together. Just after lunch, Natalie called to see if I wanted to hang out. We decided to drive out to Gruene to walk around for a bit and have some coffee (well, actually chai lattes and chocolate cake). We sat in the warm coffee shop talking and laughing, and then we found the old game Battleship and decided that we must play. It was hilarious and silly and fun. :) It's nice to have a day like today now and again, where you set the agenda aside and just enjoy.
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Austin
I'd been looking forward to yesterday for a long time. My friend Nicole and I had decided to spend most of the day in Austin, shooting, exploring, and then going to the Sandy Puc 2010 Tour (a family portrait seminar). Well, turns out Nicole couldn't go because her sweet baby was sick. So sorry, Nicole! I was really bummed that I'd be doing Austin all alone. :(
I knew the drive up would be kinda long, so I called my mom to chat, because that's always nice. :) I wasn't sure where I was headed to in Austin. By the time I got up there, I only had an hour and a half or so to kill, so I went to SoCo (South Congress St.). It's kinda my default since I discovered it a couple years ago. I walked up and down the street, went in and out of shops, and sat down at a little Italian cafe and had a yummy Italian Soda and an out-of-this world cannoli.
My plan was to take a lot of cool, artsy pictures, but by the time I finished my cannoli and managed to shake off the Greenpeace reps on the street corner, there really wasn't a lot of time left.
There was, however, time for my favorite SoCo store, Uncommon Objects. It's just such an interesting antique store! What I especially love is that a lot of the objects aren't really all that uncommon (at least they used to be quite common).
I don't know why (or maybe I do) I am so drawn to old photographs. Always. They fascinate me! I could look all day through pictures of people I don't even know. It always makes me laugh, because I always see a lot of pictures of people in front of their homes or cars... and as a photographer I tend to shy away from that. It's just so common. I need to start remembering that someday they won't be. Someday, "common" photos like that will be a glimpse into a time that is long passed. Definitely food for thought.
The seminar was really great! Sam offered TONS of knowledge, tips, tricks, and ideas for when it comes to family portraits. I am excited to implement some of these things over the next couple of years as I ultimately begin shooting more portraits again. It was fun because it just made me fall even more in love with what I do. Not just the photography/art part of it, but even the marketing and business aspects were really exciting too! At each of the breaks, this is pretty much what things looked like... me pouring over my pages and pages of notes (and Tweeting... with a Diet Coke).
I knew the drive up would be kinda long, so I called my mom to chat, because that's always nice. :) I wasn't sure where I was headed to in Austin. By the time I got up there, I only had an hour and a half or so to kill, so I went to SoCo (South Congress St.). It's kinda my default since I discovered it a couple years ago. I walked up and down the street, went in and out of shops, and sat down at a little Italian cafe and had a yummy Italian Soda and an out-of-this world cannoli.
My plan was to take a lot of cool, artsy pictures, but by the time I finished my cannoli and managed to shake off the Greenpeace reps on the street corner, there really wasn't a lot of time left.
There was, however, time for my favorite SoCo store, Uncommon Objects. It's just such an interesting antique store! What I especially love is that a lot of the objects aren't really all that uncommon (at least they used to be quite common).
I don't know why (or maybe I do) I am so drawn to old photographs. Always. They fascinate me! I could look all day through pictures of people I don't even know. It always makes me laugh, because I always see a lot of pictures of people in front of their homes or cars... and as a photographer I tend to shy away from that. It's just so common. I need to start remembering that someday they won't be. Someday, "common" photos like that will be a glimpse into a time that is long passed. Definitely food for thought.
The seminar was really great! Sam offered TONS of knowledge, tips, tricks, and ideas for when it comes to family portraits. I am excited to implement some of these things over the next couple of years as I ultimately begin shooting more portraits again. It was fun because it just made me fall even more in love with what I do. Not just the photography/art part of it, but even the marketing and business aspects were really exciting too! At each of the breaks, this is pretty much what things looked like... me pouring over my pages and pages of notes (and Tweeting... with a Diet Coke).
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Beautiful Prayer
Tonight our church had the first of three prayer nights as a congregation, and I have to say... it was amazing. God's presence was undoubtedly there... I've had the sense over the past month or two that God is getting ready to really work in our midst. Not only in my life, but my family, our church, our city... in your life. Excited to see what's in store this year!
Someone in our congregation shared this prayer tonight and I thought it was really powerful.
A BEAUTIFUL PRAYER
by Miss Joanne Gobure from Uaboe in Nauru
I asked God to take away my habit.
God said, No.
It is not for me to take away,
but for you to give it up.
I asked God to make my handicapped child whole.
God said, No.
His spirit is whole,
his body is only temporary
I asked God to grant me patience.
God said, No.
Patience is a byproduct of tribulations;
it isn't granted, it is learned.
I asked God to give me happiness.
God said, No.
I give you blessings;
Happiness is up to you.
I asked God to spare me pain.
God said, No.
Suffering draws you apart from worldly cares
and brings you closer to me.
I asked God to make my spirit grow.
God said, No.
You must grow on your own,
but I will prune you to make you fruitful.
I asked God for all things that I might enjoy life.
God said, No.
I will give you life,
so that you may enjoy all things.
I ask God to help me LOVE others, as much as He loves me.
God said...Ahhhh,
finally you have the idea.
Someone in our congregation shared this prayer tonight and I thought it was really powerful.
A BEAUTIFUL PRAYER
by Miss Joanne Gobure from Uaboe in Nauru
I asked God to take away my habit.
God said, No.
It is not for me to take away,
but for you to give it up.
I asked God to make my handicapped child whole.
God said, No.
His spirit is whole,
his body is only temporary
I asked God to grant me patience.
God said, No.
Patience is a byproduct of tribulations;
it isn't granted, it is learned.
I asked God to give me happiness.
God said, No.
I give you blessings;
Happiness is up to you.
I asked God to spare me pain.
God said, No.
Suffering draws you apart from worldly cares
and brings you closer to me.
I asked God to make my spirit grow.
God said, No.
You must grow on your own,
but I will prune you to make you fruitful.
I asked God for all things that I might enjoy life.
God said, No.
I will give you life,
so that you may enjoy all things.
I ask God to help me LOVE others, as much as He loves me.
God said...Ahhhh,
finally you have the idea.
Monday, January 25, 2010
Monday, Monday
This morning was so pleasant. The sun was shining brightly and the calendar was clear. I love days like today.
We lounged around a bit this morning, cleaned the house some (working on finishing that project right now), and then I sat out in the front yard with Carson and read a book while Carson decorated the sidewalk with chalk drawings. It was amazingly relaxing.
We got together with Jason and Natalie for lunch and they took us to a fabulous restaurant to try some El Salvadoran cuisine at La Playa Seafood. Delicious! My personal favorite... the fried plantains with sweet cream and refried beans. Sounds strange, I know, but don't judge. :)
The rest of the afternoon has been pretty low key. Aaron and Jason suggested stopping by Furniture for a Cause on our way home, so we hung out there for a good while. Jason and Natalie had a very humorous exchange about one very awesome green desk chair (and Natalie won). Should've taken a picture of the chair, but I did get a picture of us all lounging around on the furniture. We were sitting there for probably 20 minutes discussing the "beautiful" surrounding artwork and, of course, the green chair. Read Jason and Nat's count of the Green Chair Incident here. It's hilarious!
We lounged around a bit this morning, cleaned the house some (working on finishing that project right now), and then I sat out in the front yard with Carson and read a book while Carson decorated the sidewalk with chalk drawings. It was amazingly relaxing.
We got together with Jason and Natalie for lunch and they took us to a fabulous restaurant to try some El Salvadoran cuisine at La Playa Seafood. Delicious! My personal favorite... the fried plantains with sweet cream and refried beans. Sounds strange, I know, but don't judge. :)
The rest of the afternoon has been pretty low key. Aaron and Jason suggested stopping by Furniture for a Cause on our way home, so we hung out there for a good while. Jason and Natalie had a very humorous exchange about one very awesome green desk chair (and Natalie won). Should've taken a picture of the chair, but I did get a picture of us all lounging around on the furniture. We were sitting there for probably 20 minutes discussing the "beautiful" surrounding artwork and, of course, the green chair. Read Jason and Nat's count of the Green Chair Incident here. It's hilarious!
Saturday, January 23, 2010
Daddy is Awesome
I don't take time to do it all that often, but I just gotta say... my husband rocks.
It's true.
Today after we got home, he sat and listened to me ramble on and on about crafts, my hair, and who knows what else. All the while, his bright blue eyes smiling. And he told me he loved me and I knew that he meant it. We took a nap (a rare occasion in our house) and spent the afternoon lounging around. When it came dinner time, he took over the kitchen and made his amazing burgers (one of many different varieties). Abby sat on a chair and watched her Daddy cook, just glad to be in his presence, while Carson was in and out of the kitchen showing off his muscles and declaring his strength and the fact that he thinks he could probably take his Daddy down in a fight if he had too. It was funny.
Nights at home where we're all together lately have seemed few and far between. It just felt so good to be here... together and happy.
I wish with all I have that this picture wasn't blurry, but I love it anyway...
It's true.
Today after we got home, he sat and listened to me ramble on and on about crafts, my hair, and who knows what else. All the while, his bright blue eyes smiling. And he told me he loved me and I knew that he meant it. We took a nap (a rare occasion in our house) and spent the afternoon lounging around. When it came dinner time, he took over the kitchen and made his amazing burgers (one of many different varieties). Abby sat on a chair and watched her Daddy cook, just glad to be in his presence, while Carson was in and out of the kitchen showing off his muscles and declaring his strength and the fact that he thinks he could probably take his Daddy down in a fight if he had too. It was funny.
Nights at home where we're all together lately have seemed few and far between. It just felt so good to be here... together and happy.
I wish with all I have that this picture wasn't blurry, but I love it anyway...
Craftiness
This morning I had the chance to hang out with two good friends, drink coffee, and be crafty while the boys were out playing golf. I loved it. Natalie I rarely take the time to bust out the sewing machine, fabric, and miscellaneous other crafting supplies I have and I never seem to have really clever ideas. Today, Jenn taught us how to make these really great necklaces AND hairbows for our girls! I'm thrilled. Besides that, it was just super relaxing, fun, and inspiring. Thank you girls for inviting me!
I was trying to make a necklace (above) that would coordinate with this top (below) that I bought this week, but it may not quite coordinate. Even if not, I'm thinking it'll be cute with a black tee!
Natalie and I brought all of our kids to play with Jenn's four and they all had a blast! You'd think eight kids all together would be crazy, but they had such a great time.
I was trying to make a necklace (above) that would coordinate with this top (below) that I bought this week, but it may not quite coordinate. Even if not, I'm thinking it'll be cute with a black tee!
Natalie and I brought all of our kids to play with Jenn's four and they all had a blast! You'd think eight kids all together would be crazy, but they had such a great time.
Friday, January 22, 2010
Girls'/Boys' Night
It's become a tradition in our house that every couple months Aaron and I will each take one of the kids out for the evening... so sometimes it's Date Night and other nights (like tonight) are Girls' (or Boys') Nights. The kids get to pick where they want to go or what they want to do, and a good time is had by all.
Tonight Abby wanted to go to a movie, to the candy store in the mall, and to Taco Cabana. We started the evening putting our makeup on in the car (what's more girlie than that, right?!) Because we were running a little late (also a girlie thing to do) I convinced her that it'd be even more fantastic to go to the gas station and pick out candy there ("You can pick out any kind you want to!" We then made our way to TC (talking all the way) and the movie theater where we saw Planet 51, and where I discovered that Abby isn't necessarily a movie theater girl. We left a little before the end. She was frustrated by the people laughing too loud and the volume of the movie itself. And I think she was a little tired/bored. (She still said it was her favorite thing all night though!) As we headed home, Abby insisted that it was NOT time for girls' night to be over with and that we should go to the mall. So we did. I mean how can you resist the mall? Especially one with giant cowboy boots in front of it? The night was really a lot of fun and came to an end at probably just the right time (a.k.a. cranky... tired... BEDTIME)
They boys had a great night too. They've been planning it for days. Carson said he wanted pizza, ice cream, and to go look at the toys at HEB(?!?) So that's exactly what they did. Pizza Hut, Dairy Queen, HEB. Good stuff. :)
Tonight Abby wanted to go to a movie, to the candy store in the mall, and to Taco Cabana. We started the evening putting our makeup on in the car (what's more girlie than that, right?!) Because we were running a little late (also a girlie thing to do) I convinced her that it'd be even more fantastic to go to the gas station and pick out candy there ("You can pick out any kind you want to!" We then made our way to TC (talking all the way) and the movie theater where we saw Planet 51, and where I discovered that Abby isn't necessarily a movie theater girl. We left a little before the end. She was frustrated by the people laughing too loud and the volume of the movie itself. And I think she was a little tired/bored. (She still said it was her favorite thing all night though!) As we headed home, Abby insisted that it was NOT time for girls' night to be over with and that we should go to the mall. So we did. I mean how can you resist the mall? Especially one with giant cowboy boots in front of it? The night was really a lot of fun and came to an end at probably just the right time (a.k.a. cranky... tired... BEDTIME)
They boys had a great night too. They've been planning it for days. Carson said he wanted pizza, ice cream, and to go look at the toys at HEB(?!?) So that's exactly what they did. Pizza Hut, Dairy Queen, HEB. Good stuff. :)
Aaron's Blog
I'm very excited that my husband is finally picking up blogging again, so check him out and let him know that he needs to keep it up!!! :)
http://churchcanstillbecool.wordpress.com/
http://churchcanstillbecool.wordpress.com/
Funny Boy
Carson was a sweet boy yesterday and endured shopping with me the better half of the day. He was a trooper and we had a lot of fun walking around The Rim and La Cantera before meeting Aaron for a yummy lunch at Pei Wei.
This picture makes me laugh. :)
This picture makes me laugh. :)
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
My 28th Birthday!
Friday I celebrated my 28th birthday. It's strange because 28 is the age that I thought my parents were for the longest time.
The kids woke me up Friday morning with hugs and kisses and cheerful birthday greetings. Aaron surprised me the night before by telling me that he had arranged for the kids to stay the night somewhere (Thank you so much, Jason and Natalie!!!!) and that he was taking me out to dinner at the restaurant of my choosing AND we were going to go stay at my favorite Riverwalk hotel, the Hotel Contessa! Friday night, as we walked along the abandoned Riverwalk in the pouring rain (without an umbrella), we couldn't help but smile. As we sat down to our table (under a heater) at Paesanos, we were pretty soaked... but it was romantic and fun and memorable. :) And, of course, dinner was AMAZING! After dinner, we headed to Starbucks for some coffee. We had the place all to ourselves and we just sat on the couch, talking, laughing, and reflecting on life. It was a great night. Saturday morning we slept in (!!!) and when we woke up, the sun was shining and everything was beautiful, so we spent the morning walking around downtown and stuffing ourselves silly at Mi Tierra. Friday was a great birthday, and thanks to everyone who made it, not only a great birthday, but a great birthday WEEK! Wednesday, Natalie kicked off birthday week by showing up on my doorstep with a Carmel Apple Spice from Starbucks! Friday morning, she brought me doughnuts! I didn't get to see my parents for my b-day this year, but I found packages on my doorstep on a couple different days (of which, one of my favorites was the America's Test Kitchen Family Cookbook. In a word, amazing!) On Sunday, we got to celebrate my birthday again over at Bill and Sandy's, where Bill made a delicious pot roast with all the fixins. My mouth is watering just thinking about it!
Thanks to everyone who made celebrating year 28 fun!
Sidenote: I just realized I haven't been putting pictures in my posts much lately. Sorry! I just haven't picked up my camera much. The camera and I will be getting back together soon, I think we just needed a break from each other for a while. You know, so we can appreciate each other more. Once I get through all the stuff I have to do this week, I'm hoping to get out there and just shoot for fun. Take a road trip, take pictures of random objects/places... rediscover the "art" of photography. I didn't mean for this to be such a long "sidenote" (I don't know that I even realized a lot of that was going on in my head!), and I'm sorry you have to endure my somewhat rambling thoughts. :) But thanks!
The kids woke me up Friday morning with hugs and kisses and cheerful birthday greetings. Aaron surprised me the night before by telling me that he had arranged for the kids to stay the night somewhere (Thank you so much, Jason and Natalie!!!!) and that he was taking me out to dinner at the restaurant of my choosing AND we were going to go stay at my favorite Riverwalk hotel, the Hotel Contessa! Friday night, as we walked along the abandoned Riverwalk in the pouring rain (without an umbrella), we couldn't help but smile. As we sat down to our table (under a heater) at Paesanos, we were pretty soaked... but it was romantic and fun and memorable. :) And, of course, dinner was AMAZING! After dinner, we headed to Starbucks for some coffee. We had the place all to ourselves and we just sat on the couch, talking, laughing, and reflecting on life. It was a great night. Saturday morning we slept in (!!!) and when we woke up, the sun was shining and everything was beautiful, so we spent the morning walking around downtown and stuffing ourselves silly at Mi Tierra. Friday was a great birthday, and thanks to everyone who made it, not only a great birthday, but a great birthday WEEK! Wednesday, Natalie kicked off birthday week by showing up on my doorstep with a Carmel Apple Spice from Starbucks! Friday morning, she brought me doughnuts! I didn't get to see my parents for my b-day this year, but I found packages on my doorstep on a couple different days (of which, one of my favorites was the America's Test Kitchen Family Cookbook. In a word, amazing!) On Sunday, we got to celebrate my birthday again over at Bill and Sandy's, where Bill made a delicious pot roast with all the fixins. My mouth is watering just thinking about it!
Thanks to everyone who made celebrating year 28 fun!
Sidenote: I just realized I haven't been putting pictures in my posts much lately. Sorry! I just haven't picked up my camera much. The camera and I will be getting back together soon, I think we just needed a break from each other for a while. You know, so we can appreciate each other more. Once I get through all the stuff I have to do this week, I'm hoping to get out there and just shoot for fun. Take a road trip, take pictures of random objects/places... rediscover the "art" of photography. I didn't mean for this to be such a long "sidenote" (I don't know that I even realized a lot of that was going on in my head!), and I'm sorry you have to endure my somewhat rambling thoughts. :) But thanks!
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Thoughts at 7:52 pm...
It's 7:52 and I just laid the kids down for bed and sighed a great sigh of relief as I closed the door to their bedroom. Aaron is at College Group and the silence as I walk back into the living room is in stark contrast to the noise in my head. I have a huge long insane list of things that really need to be done...
-Edit and post photos from a portrait session (OVERDUE)
-Clean house. It's truly awful.
-Respond to client e-mails.
-Make a meal plan/grocery list (one of my least favorite things lately)
-Finish wedding album for a couple who got married in October (LONG OVERDUE)
-Laundry (it's all piled up on the couch in a giant mess)
-Pay my taxes (OH CRAP, I forgot about that! Due in the morning!)
The list goes on and on (I've been keeping track of it with the "2Do Lite" app on my iPod -- which I have a love/hate relationship with at the moment) and the "Overdue" section is stacked full of things I was supposed to do last week and didn't.
But I think instead of doing all that, I'm going to go sit in the bathroom and I'm going to fix my hair... well, after I pay my taxes. Is that strange? Ha ha, I know it is. But I crammed a shower into the middle of my day and didn't have time to fix it before going to pick up Abby from school, then grocery shopping, then to the Library, then cooking dinner, cleaning up, going on a long overdue walk that I had promised the kids, and helped with homework. I just want to feel like a woman. A woman without frizzy hair.
Working from home is exhausting. Being a mom is exhausting. At times, balancing it all feels impossible.
I'm tired.
Hopefully, everyone is aware of the fact that I absolutely love everything about my life. I can't imagine anything better than being able to spend so much time with my family AND to be able to have such an amazing job/business. I'm not looking for a pity party or for sympathy. I feel kinda bad for "dumping" all of this, because even on my worst days I am amazingly blessed.
I'm EXTREMELY thankful for Aaron who, in his short time home tonight, saw the desperate look in my eyes and offered up all sorts of assistance. When all I see are things in the way, he starts moving boulders. He is amazing.
And then there's the ultimate Helper, whom (in a moment of painful honesty) I have given very little thought or attention to today. Father, I'm sorry for not coming to you with the little things.
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
Matthew 11:28
-Edit and post photos from a portrait session (OVERDUE)
-Clean house. It's truly awful.
-Respond to client e-mails.
-Make a meal plan/grocery list (one of my least favorite things lately)
-Finish wedding album for a couple who got married in October (LONG OVERDUE)
-Laundry (it's all piled up on the couch in a giant mess)
-Pay my taxes (OH CRAP, I forgot about that! Due in the morning!)
The list goes on and on (I've been keeping track of it with the "2Do Lite" app on my iPod -- which I have a love/hate relationship with at the moment) and the "Overdue" section is stacked full of things I was supposed to do last week and didn't.
But I think instead of doing all that, I'm going to go sit in the bathroom and I'm going to fix my hair... well, after I pay my taxes. Is that strange? Ha ha, I know it is. But I crammed a shower into the middle of my day and didn't have time to fix it before going to pick up Abby from school, then grocery shopping, then to the Library, then cooking dinner, cleaning up, going on a long overdue walk that I had promised the kids, and helped with homework. I just want to feel like a woman. A woman without frizzy hair.
Working from home is exhausting. Being a mom is exhausting. At times, balancing it all feels impossible.
I'm tired.
Hopefully, everyone is aware of the fact that I absolutely love everything about my life. I can't imagine anything better than being able to spend so much time with my family AND to be able to have such an amazing job/business. I'm not looking for a pity party or for sympathy. I feel kinda bad for "dumping" all of this, because even on my worst days I am amazingly blessed.
I'm EXTREMELY thankful for Aaron who, in his short time home tonight, saw the desperate look in my eyes and offered up all sorts of assistance. When all I see are things in the way, he starts moving boulders. He is amazing.
And then there's the ultimate Helper, whom (in a moment of painful honesty) I have given very little thought or attention to today. Father, I'm sorry for not coming to you with the little things.
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
Matthew 11:28
Books I Read in 2009
I've never been a huge reader, but over the past few years, I've come to really enjoy a good book when I have time. In 2009, I still didn't read a TON, but it was a lot for me! :)
-The Love Dare [Kendrick] ♥♥♥♥♥
-Austenland [Hale] ♥♥♥
-The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society [Shaffer] ♥♥♥♥
-Their Eyes Were Watching God [Hurston] ♥♥♥♥♥
-The Count of Monte Cristo [Dumas] ♥♥♥♥♥
-Ramona the Pest [Cleary] ♥♥♥♥
-Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (again) [Rowling] ♥♥♥♥♥
-Purple Cow [Godin] ♥♥♥♥
-Fast Track Photographer [Sanders] ♥♥♥♥♥
There are a whole lot of half-read books that aren't on this list... I'm the world's worst at picking up a book and then being distracted by a better book or just something else entirely! :)
On my 2010 List of books to read???
-Same Kind of Different as Me [Hall/Moore] (JUST FINISHED!!)
-Bible (a good chunk of it at least... Aaron and I are going through a Chronological reading plan and have finished part of Genesis and all of Job so far)
-The Post Secret series [Warren]
-A Tree Grows in Brooklyn [Smith]
-The Glass Castle [Walls]
-Grapes of Wrath [Steinbeck]
-Boys Should Be Boys [Meeker]
-Shepherding a Child's Heart [Tripp]
-Permission Marketing [Godin]
-Tribes [Godin]
I'd love any other suggestions you have, especially along the fiction line!
-The Love Dare [Kendrick] ♥♥♥♥♥
-Austenland [Hale] ♥♥♥
-The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society [Shaffer] ♥♥♥♥
-Their Eyes Were Watching God [Hurston] ♥♥♥♥♥
-The Count of Monte Cristo [Dumas] ♥♥♥♥♥
-Ramona the Pest [Cleary] ♥♥♥♥
-Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (again) [Rowling] ♥♥♥♥♥
-Purple Cow [Godin] ♥♥♥♥
-Fast Track Photographer [Sanders] ♥♥♥♥♥
There are a whole lot of half-read books that aren't on this list... I'm the world's worst at picking up a book and then being distracted by a better book or just something else entirely! :)
On my 2010 List of books to read???
-Same Kind of Different as Me [Hall/Moore] (JUST FINISHED!!)
-Bible (a good chunk of it at least... Aaron and I are going through a Chronological reading plan and have finished part of Genesis and all of Job so far)
-The Post Secret series [Warren]
-A Tree Grows in Brooklyn [Smith]
-The Glass Castle [Walls]
-Grapes of Wrath [Steinbeck]
-Boys Should Be Boys [Meeker]
-Shepherding a Child's Heart [Tripp]
-Permission Marketing [Godin]
-Tribes [Godin]
I'd love any other suggestions you have, especially along the fiction line!
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Being Entertained
Carson can pretty much always be found doing one of these things: eating, sleeping, watching a "kid movie", or playing with his cars. Lately he has spent hours upon hours playing with his matchbox cars. He lines them up on the back of the couch, then on the rug, then somewhere else... Little cars. Everywhere. All the time. He loves them so much. It's really cute and I love that he's so easily entertained. :)
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Reflections on 2009
My friend Amanda had this on her blog and I thought it'd be interesting to share...
1) What did you do in 2009 that you’d never done before? shot my first destination wedding in Cabo San Lucas!!!
2) Did you keep your New Year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year? I didn't do my best at keeping my resolution to draw closer to God. I had my moments, but didn't pursue him as much as I wish I had. It's still a goal this year!
3) What would you like to have in 2010 that you lacked in 2009? balance.
4) What date(s) from 2009 will remain etched upon your memory, and why? Hmmm.... I have a lot of wedding dates stuck in my mind... which seems silly, but they're all special to me. :) And Christmas. And Aaron's surprise 30th b-day party!
5) What was your biggest achievement of the year? Happiness and contentment. :)
6) What was the best thing you bought? my purple purse and my green pea coat :)
7) Where did most of your money go? besides home/bills? my totally awesome camera, computer, business stuff...
8 ) What did you get really, really, really excited about? Pat Green concert!!! Awesome! Getting to hang out with Aaron and have a mini-vacation in Cabo (and getting paid for it)! Abby starting school and watching her "grow up"
9) What song will always remind you of 2009? "I'm Yours" by Jason Mraz, "Then" by Brad Paisley, and "How He Loves" by Dave Crowder
10) Compared to this time last year, you are: more focused.
11) What do you wish you’d done more of? Prioritizing. Balancing. Being PRESENT instead of being halfway into a lot of different things.
12) What do you wish you’d done less of? mindless time in front of the computer
13) Did you fall in love in 2009? I'm always falling more in love with Aaron. I feel like we got to know each other on a whole new level in 2009.
14) What was your favorite TV program? Community and Lie to Me (and The Office... and Top Chef)
15) What was the best book you read? Fast Track Photographer by Dane Sanders, Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston, The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas
16) What was your greatest musical discovery? Taylor Swift, Fearless.
17) What did you want and get? iPod Touch
18) What did you want and not get? a point and shoot camera, shelves for my living room, Kitchen Aid Stand Mixer
19) What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you? Aaron and the kids took me out to dinner at Houlihan's. I turned 27.
20) Which celebrity/public figure did you like the most? Brad Paisley... he writes amazing songs (Letter to Me, Then, Waiting on a Woman) and he's just a good guy
21) What kept you sane? Conversations with my husband and Monday night date nights at home. Reading. Prayer. The Internet. Awesome friends.
22) Who did you miss? Friends from "back home" in Howe. The good news is that I reconnected with some of my best friends in 2009 after a lot of years! Also, our best friends, the Phelps' moved away. I still miss them.
23) Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2009. I'm not sure I can sum up some of my biggest lessons from 2009 in short. But I learned a lot this year about balancing my family and my business. I began to really soak in the idea that I could build my business to fit my life. I could go on and on, but it's been freeing.
24) What did you gain this year? I learned a LOT of things from a lot of really awesome, really smart people. I had a lot of time with my kids, and especially with Carson since Abby started Kinder and he's home with me. I feel so blessed about all that I've gained this year. Except all the weight I gained!
25) What did you lose this year? Not a lot! Towards the end I did lose 8 pounds! Hope to keep that up!
My Little Worry Wart
Abby has been in this phase lately where she worries... about... EVERYTHING.
Every day, we are asked a million questions that always begin with "What would happen if..." and seem to usually end with "Would it kill me?" For instance, this morning, she wanted a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. I informed her that we were out of peanut butter. She then suggested that perhaps just a jelly sandwich would be delicious, to which I replied that it might not be the best idea. "Why? Would I die?"
A minute ago, I picked up an egg roll and broke it in half and handed it to her. Just prior to that, I had rinsed my hands off at the sink. Before she would eat her half of the eggroll, she said, "Did you just wash your hands? Did you use soap? Are there any chemicals on your hands?"
The other day, she walked into my room, very concerned and said, "How hard is it to break your fingers off?" She was extremely worried because she had been playing with Carson and his fingers "cracked" and she thought his finger was going to fall off.
A couple days ago, I picked her up from school and she had put hand sanitizer on her hands and then on her lips. I told her not to, that hand sanitizer was just for hands. I then had to spend the next 30 minutes convincing her that she was not going to be deathly ill because of it.
It's a little bit funny... a little bit exhausting... :) Is this a normal phase?! How do you teach kids about not worrying. So far it's mostly health related, and hopefully all of her questions are born more out of curiosity than fear. But I know how gripping worry and fear can be and I hope that we're able to show her that she can trust God in ALL things big and small.
Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?
Matthew 6:27
Every day, we are asked a million questions that always begin with "What would happen if..." and seem to usually end with "Would it kill me?" For instance, this morning, she wanted a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. I informed her that we were out of peanut butter. She then suggested that perhaps just a jelly sandwich would be delicious, to which I replied that it might not be the best idea. "Why? Would I die?"
A minute ago, I picked up an egg roll and broke it in half and handed it to her. Just prior to that, I had rinsed my hands off at the sink. Before she would eat her half of the eggroll, she said, "Did you just wash your hands? Did you use soap? Are there any chemicals on your hands?"
The other day, she walked into my room, very concerned and said, "How hard is it to break your fingers off?" She was extremely worried because she had been playing with Carson and his fingers "cracked" and she thought his finger was going to fall off.
A couple days ago, I picked her up from school and she had put hand sanitizer on her hands and then on her lips. I told her not to, that hand sanitizer was just for hands. I then had to spend the next 30 minutes convincing her that she was not going to be deathly ill because of it.
It's a little bit funny... a little bit exhausting... :) Is this a normal phase?! How do you teach kids about not worrying. So far it's mostly health related, and hopefully all of her questions are born more out of curiosity than fear. But I know how gripping worry and fear can be and I hope that we're able to show her that she can trust God in ALL things big and small.
Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?
Matthew 6:27
Saturday, January 9, 2010
Saturday
Earlier this week, I thought today was going to be a crazy and busy. It somehow worked out though, that all of my appointments and/or shoots were cancelled... and I have to admit... I was excited. It seems that since we got home at Christmas, we've just hit the ground running. So this morning, we got up, relaxed, and took it easy, then headed out for an early lunch/late breakfast at Checker's Diner. We'd never been there, but we loved it! Great comfort food. Carson spent most of lunch squealing about the Dallas Cowboys game and telling Aaron that he was his best best friend, and giving him lots of hugs. :)
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After lunch, we went and got Aaron new glasses...
... and we spent a large part of the rest of the afternoon just driving, talking, and laughing while the kids slept in the back seat. Really good times. :) I love hanging out with my husband. He's so awesome.
On the way home, Aaron informed me that it just wasn't acceptable that I was the only one in the family without a Cowboys shirt to wear for the big game tonight, so we had to make a stop for that. I will say, that last time I wore Cowboys shirts, they went to the Superbowl... so we'll see. ;) Hopefully this brings a little luck to our 'boys!
Nothing extraordinary happened today, but these are the days I hope to remember for the rest of my life... Days where love abounds and laughter comes easily.
Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy. Then it was said among the nations, "The LORD has done great things for them." [Psalm 126:2]
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After lunch, we went and got Aaron new glasses...
... and we spent a large part of the rest of the afternoon just driving, talking, and laughing while the kids slept in the back seat. Really good times. :) I love hanging out with my husband. He's so awesome.
On the way home, Aaron informed me that it just wasn't acceptable that I was the only one in the family without a Cowboys shirt to wear for the big game tonight, so we had to make a stop for that. I will say, that last time I wore Cowboys shirts, they went to the Superbowl... so we'll see. ;) Hopefully this brings a little luck to our 'boys!
Nothing extraordinary happened today, but these are the days I hope to remember for the rest of my life... Days where love abounds and laughter comes easily.
Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy. Then it was said among the nations, "The LORD has done great things for them." [Psalm 126:2]
Monday, January 4, 2010
Holiday Highlights 2009
- FAMILY. We have such great families. It was awesome to get to spend a lot of time with our parents, siblings, nieces and nephew. I've said it before but we are so very thankful for them. We also got to spend time with Aaron's extended family this year and it was so nice to see everyone!
*Photos from Sandy :)
- Aaron's iPod got stolen (from church) several months ago, so he finally got to go buy himself a new one. He came home with the Touch and it was just so cool that a few hours later, I just had to go and get one. I finally feel like I'm one of the cool kids. :) It's not an iPhone (we seem to be stuck Sprint contracts for life), but it's still really awesome. I'm loving all the apps and the cool stuff it can do.
Some of my favorite Apps so far...
1. Bible (from YouVersion.com) - comes with reading plans and all sorts of cool stuff.
2. AllRecipes.com - love it!
3. LiveStrong.com - we've been tracking our diet/fitness through their website, but I like the app even more
4. Matching Zoo - keeps the kids entertained on long car rides, doctor appointments, etc.
5. WordPops - fun word game
I'd love to hear what your favorites are!
- In other news, I finally got a food processor! Ha ha! I feel so dumb even caring, but we've been wanting one for probably five years and for some reason, never went and bought one. Next on the list... Kitchen Aid Stand Mixer
- We just got back from Winter Retreat with the youth last night. It was a really great camp. The theme was "Labels" and I feel like that is something that applies to everyone -- the labels people put on us, the ones we put on other people, the labels we place on ourselves. I thought one of the coolest things was the t-shirts. Each student was given a t-shirt with a huge blank label on it, and then all of their peers and other leaders wrote how they see them on there. I'll try to find a picture and post it later. (I didn't take my camera *gasp* but hopefully some people will share with me!) The kids went with us, as always, and the three of us had our own cabin with a couple of bedrooms, living room, and kitchen. It was right over the river and it was beautiful and relaxing. I didn't get a lot of time to spend with teenagers, but even so, I feel like this retreat was a gift from God. No TV, no internet... I had time to read, pray, and stare at the ceiling. When do I ever slow down enough to do any of that. It was such a blessing.
I know there's more, and I'll be updating this later, I'm sure. :) Thanks to everyone who made the past few weeks wonderful, fun, relaxing, and memorable!
*Photos from Sandy :)
- Aaron's iPod got stolen (from church) several months ago, so he finally got to go buy himself a new one. He came home with the Touch and it was just so cool that a few hours later, I just had to go and get one. I finally feel like I'm one of the cool kids. :) It's not an iPhone (we seem to be stuck Sprint contracts for life), but it's still really awesome. I'm loving all the apps and the cool stuff it can do.
Some of my favorite Apps so far...
1. Bible (from YouVersion.com) - comes with reading plans and all sorts of cool stuff.
2. AllRecipes.com - love it!
3. LiveStrong.com - we've been tracking our diet/fitness through their website, but I like the app even more
4. Matching Zoo - keeps the kids entertained on long car rides, doctor appointments, etc.
5. WordPops - fun word game
I'd love to hear what your favorites are!
- In other news, I finally got a food processor! Ha ha! I feel so dumb even caring, but we've been wanting one for probably five years and for some reason, never went and bought one. Next on the list... Kitchen Aid Stand Mixer
- We just got back from Winter Retreat with the youth last night. It was a really great camp. The theme was "Labels" and I feel like that is something that applies to everyone -- the labels people put on us, the ones we put on other people, the labels we place on ourselves. I thought one of the coolest things was the t-shirts. Each student was given a t-shirt with a huge blank label on it, and then all of their peers and other leaders wrote how they see them on there. I'll try to find a picture and post it later. (I didn't take my camera *gasp* but hopefully some people will share with me!) The kids went with us, as always, and the three of us had our own cabin with a couple of bedrooms, living room, and kitchen. It was right over the river and it was beautiful and relaxing. I didn't get a lot of time to spend with teenagers, but even so, I feel like this retreat was a gift from God. No TV, no internet... I had time to read, pray, and stare at the ceiling. When do I ever slow down enough to do any of that. It was such a blessing.
I know there's more, and I'll be updating this later, I'm sure. :) Thanks to everyone who made the past few weeks wonderful, fun, relaxing, and memorable!
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