Woohoo!

Long time, no blog. WHEWEE....I've been busy! Photo shoots galore...whoop! I just returned from a trip to Sky Ranch with my Drew and her entire 5th grade class....double woohoo! If you have not ever been to Sky Ranch, you must get there as fast as you can. I cannot tell you how much fun I had minus the sleeping in a bunk bed and being away from the rest of my family part. I rode the zipline....not once, not twice, but three times! I learned all about Limnology, The Scientific Method, Fossil Fuels, and Rockets! I went to a rodeo and ate barbecue in the bleachers. I watched my girl ride a mechanical bull. I went on a cattle drive....yessiree bob....a real cattle drive.....on a real horse (named Huckleberry)....driving real cattle in to their real pen with real wranglers aka cowboys and cowgirls and a real cattle dog too. I got to spend a lot of time with some really sweet kids and some that were a little high maintenance as well. I got to hang out with my Drew too. I got to enjoy God's beautiful creation in all of it's natural beauty....complete with a sky full of stars every night. All in all....it was grand. If I could, I would live at Sky Ranch. As a matter of fact, when I grow up I want to be one of those wranglers aka cowgirls! Woohoo! Glad to be home, but I can't wait to go again!

BE OUR GUEST

I have the privilege of serving at a ministry in our church called Be Our Guest. Every third Tuesday, many church members gather to serve dinner to folks in our community. Some cook....made from scratch cooking, some set the tables....with real table cloths and fine dishes, some serve....bring the food and drinks to the table, some host.....sit, eat, and fellowship with the guests, some stay and wash dishes and put tables and chairs away. Live entertainment is also provided, and all of this is FREE! It's open to anyone in the entire community, and we usually serve about 150-200. I am always a host....great job....get to sit, eat, and fellowship; and I'm pretty successful at all of those. I always bring Addi....my 14 year old....who is my table server, and Drew....my 10 year old....who is my table's drink and dessert server. Tonight was the first time, I brought Bryna....my 8 year old. I told her she could start coming when she turned 8. I've been apprehensive about bringing her, because she is a little bit of a "bull in a china shop" type of child. But when I asked the volunteer coordinator, she assured me Bryna would be fine; and this was an opportunity for families to volunteer together; so I brought her. She has been excited about it for a month, since her 8th birthday. Tonight I sat with 4 regular guests and 1 new guest. I sat down at my table to wait for Pastor Cindy to invite the guests in, and I realized I had forgotten my name tag. I then got up to get it; and when I was walking back to the table a sweet looking older woman was there. At first I thought she was a host who didn't realize I had agreed to host that table, but I quickly realized she was a guest. When I went back to sit down, she greeted me with a big smile. I sat and attempted a conversation but was quickly met with these words: "Poquito Ingles"! I smiled at her and replied: "Poquito Espanol"! She giggled and so did I. I handed her a name tag, and she wrote her name....Elisa....on the name tag. Then she told me she was a student at our church, or at least that's what I think she told me. We managed to chat enough for me to figure out that she lives in the government housing next door. As other guests approached our table and sat down, some introduced themselves; and I would tell them that Elisa spoke "poquito Ingles". She would smile. One guest said what I had....that he spoke "poquito Espanol"! She giggled again. As we ate, she didn't say much, but she would clap after one of Josh's songs...he was providing entertainment. She especially liked the Elvis song Josh sang....maybe because he is sort of universal in all languages. When dessert came, she was still eating her dinner. So most of our guests had eaten and were getting ready to leave when Elisa was just about to start her dessert. She ate about half of her dessert, and she looked at me and said...."Beautiful!".....as she pointed to her pie. I told her she could take an orange that was part of the centerpiece on our table (I was very proud that I remembered the spanish word for orange was naranja), and she was thrilled to take one with her. She motioned for another dessert which she was served, and she sat and enjoyed every single bite. When she got up to leave, she thanked me in Spanish; and we hugged. Then she looked me square in the eye, took my hand in hers, and again said with so much emotion...."Beautiful!" I realized that what she was saying was that the whole experience was "beautiful" for her. I don't know if she knows many other English words, but I couldn't help but think if there was only one descriptive English word to know...."Beautiful" was certainly a good word to know. I felt the Holy Spirit so full in that place tonight, and I am so honored to be able to serve others. It's "BEAUTIFUL". As I said....tonight was my daughter, Bryna's, first time to serve; and as I said she is sort of the "bull in the china shop" type of child. But everytime I saw her skipping, prancing, or running by, with a pitcher full of water or a tray full of desserts, and that big bright proud smile on her face.....I never once thought....I hope she doesn't drop something or break something, or I hope she doesn't spill something. Instead what I thought was...."BEAUTIFUL!"

Little Pieces of Advice

This is the day that the Lord has made, I will rejoice and be glad in it. I have a few things that I repeat over and over when I run into certain circumstances. When I begin to worry about things that are going to happen in the future, I repeat "Fear Not, For I Am With You!" When I find myself feeling less than satisfied with a certain situation, I repeat "Rejoice always, pray continueally, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. Don't quench the spirit." When I find myself feeling tired or discontent, I repeat "This is the day that the Lord has made, I will rejoice and be glad in it!" Actually I sing that one....you know like the song?? My very dear friend, Kenda, taught me about 5 years ago that it's good to know scripture by heart....so that when you are in a tough situation....or in my case a mood or a funk....you can repeat scripture that brings you back to what's important. I can never thank her enough for telling me that, because it truly helps me. She also told me about reading a Proverb every day....there are 31 Proverbs, so you always have enough to cover you for the entire month. If there aren't 31 days in the month, then just double up on the last one! I love it when simple pieces of advice, like these, turn out to oftentimes be life changing things. Pass it on....read a Proverb and have a good day rejoicing in the Lord!

Hiliary and Daniel

So I love shooting weddings....they are a lot of work, but so much fun to do. There is nothing better than sweet, honest, pure love. But....I have to be honest, I love doing bridals a little more; because you get to capture the bride when she is ready to be captured but in a non invasive way....does that make sense? Since this gorgeous bride decided against bridals....I captured some on my own at the wedding. Call me obsessive, but a gorgeous bride in a corset gown with cowgirl boots.....I couldn't resist. For more wedding/bridal photos, click here! Have I mentioned that I am a little obsessed with silhouettes lately? Well I am!

TWINS!

Oh Me, Oh My....Identical twin baby boys! Numbers 4 and 5 in this family who already have 3 boys....can you imagine having 5 boys? Why yes, I can....thank you for asking! You know I have twin envy! For more photos, click here!

LOVE....AND DON'T LOVE!

Things I love/Things I Don't Love:

BABIES/CANCER

MY FAMILY/BULLIES

MY CHURCH/POVERTY

LIVING IN AN OLD HOUSE /THE CITY

THE OCEAN/BUSYNESS

ORGANIZATION /CLUTTER

PERFECT WEATHER /EXTREME ANYTHING

BABY'S FEET /ANYONE ELSE'S FEET

LIVING CLOSE TO EVERYTHING I DO /TRAFFIC AND CONSTRUCTION

MY CHURCH FAMILY /MY PASTOR HAS BREAST CANCER

LIFE/ MY PASTOR DIED

MY BLESSINGS/CHALLENGING RELATIONSHIPS

TEACHING/HOMEWORK

FLEA MARKETS/MALLS

PHOTOGRAPHY/DELAY ON A CAMERA

A BIG YARD/AN UNKEPT BIG YARD

THE CABIN AT THE LAKE /WE DON'T GO OFTEN ENOUGH

SWEET FAMILIES AT OUR PRESCHOOL /THAT WE CAN'T KEEP THEM THERE FOREVER

THANKSGIVING /MATERIALISM

PARENTS/MISSING MY DAD

TO DO LISTS/TO DO LISTS THAT DON'T GET DONE

NO CAR PAYMENTS/CAR REPAIRS

SECOND HAND/BRAND NEW

CREATING /STIFLING

HUGS /ABUSE

MY FRIENDS/ I RARELY SEE THEM AS OF LATE

A NEW DAY /TIME PASSING SO QUICKLY

CARMELITAS/COLD COFFEE

HEAVEN /HELL

LOVE /HATE

TEACHERS /NON-COMMUNICATORS

BEING HOME/ HAVING SOMEWHERE TO BE CONSTANTLY

JESUS/THAT NOT EVERYONE KNOWS HIM

Control Freak

I'm a control freak....who else is a control freak? You can tell me. I won't tell anyone. I've noticed that my blog has been all about me these last few posts, so does that mean I am becoming a self absorbed control freak? I'm a self admitted control freak but a self absorbed control freak? Naaaaa ;) . Honestly I find being a control freak a little odd, because really I'm very laid back. But I have noticed that when things seem a little out of control for me, I really NEED to control the out of controlness (I know that's not a word....I'm just using it for effect). Things have been out of control for me since August, and instead of becoming more and more frustrated....I'm becoming more and more exhausted! I feel like I would like to cry, and I don't know why....of course you have to take in account that I am also a self admitted cry baby. I think what it boils down to is this.....

I'm easily overwhelmed by busyness, and I am definitely busy.

I feel like my days are flying by...which can be good....but for me, it's sad.

My oldest started high school, and I NEVER see her.

My baby is having a hard time adjusting to the new schedule....she is also easily overwhelmed by busyness.

Some sad things have happened in the last several months.

My oldest started high school, and I NEVER see NPayne on the weekends anymore....he's either helping with band stuff or watching football.

My boy is having some challenges at school, although he did learn to tie his shoes....I'm cheering loudly right now!

My Pastor died.

My other Pastor has breast cancer.

I rarely see any of my friends....unless it's at work....and then we are working.

AND....it's that time of the year....that time when I feel melancholy....that time when 6 years ago, my Mamaw died....and just a day later my Daddy died. I think what it boils down to is this:

I'm not taking enough time to rest in the Lord....I'm not taking enough time to read His Word. I need to take some time! I don't feel His Presence as present when I don't take the time to rest in Him. Rest in the Lord and wait patiently for Him! Psalm 37:7....that's what I need to do!

I'M WEIRD

Sometimes I think I'm weird....okay a lot of times I think I'm weird. I've decided that being "weird" is okay with me. "Weird" is my general term for ecclectic, unique, unusual, neurotic, obsessive, and many other words that I could use to describe myself. It's easier to just say, "I'm weird!" and be done with it. Here's why I think I can be weird....

I can't stand to go barefoot....never at all....never....except when I'm forced to like while showering, but I don't care to wear socks either.

Not a fan of crowds, waiting in line, loud noises....pretty much nothing worth waiting in line for or being in a crowd to me.

I like the sound of silence....complete silence.

I love the taste of pickle juice, but I'm not a huge fan of pickles.

I would be 100% okay if we didn't have a TV in our house....anywhere in our house...but I have to have a radio.

I could survive on cereal, yogurt, coffee, and laughing cow cheese.

I like the towels to be folded a certain way and put on the shelf with the fold facing out.

I like tea sweet or unsweet....not particular about this one.

I only drink black coffee when I'm eating breakfast foods. Any other time, I need it to be flavored up.

Must have my toe nails painted but rarely have my finger nails painted.

I am easily annoyed AND easily humored.

I'm extremely sentimental but barely sympathetic.

I would be okay if I didn't leave my house for a week at a time.

Not a fan of dusting, sweeping, grocery shopping; but I enjoy doing laundry, cleaning the bathroom, and mopping.

Only wear make up, because I need to wear make up; and I'm not very good at putting it on.

Can't stand to be cold, can't stand to be hot....need to be "just right"!

Absolutely loved my body when I was pregnant....any other time....not so much!

Prefer my dishes to be put away in a certain way on a certain shelf.

DOES NOT like eating on paper plates when I have perfectly good dishes to eat on.

Not a fan of party favors for kids at birthday parties.

I love living in an old house that looks old and feels old.

Prefers hand me downs and second hand to just about anything brand new.

I love fancy shoes, but I usually only wear flip flops.

Doesn't mind my style being referred to as "granny" or "old lady", because I loved my granny and all her stuff!

Really wants to be in better shape but really HATES to exercise.

Loves my family and friends....actually I think this one is pretty "normal".