Today I...

Today I...

Folded laundry

Washed dishes

Cooked

Dusted

Cleaned

Baked sugar cookies

Had a tea party

Put away stocking goodies

Cleaned some more

Read

Traced hands on paper and decorated them

 

Today I...

Hung out with T. Lynn

Kissed my handsome husband

Laughed at America's Funniest Home Videos

Saw my Pawpaw and Nana

Saw my in-laws

Sat on pillows on the floor

Cuddled

Slept in

 

Tomorrow I'll...

Go to church

Go to a Christmas Party (last one!)

See friends

See family

Finish last minute wrapping ;)

Finish the last bit of housework (yay)

 

Monday I'll...

Start housework all over again!

Love,

Our First Christmas (Excerpt)

Christmas was great. Family all gathered together with big meals to eat and gifts to exchange. Chad and I spent Christmas Eve visiting our families and then had Christmas day all to ourselves, which is exactly what I wanted. We took advantage of our first and last Christmas alone. Next year we'll have a little six month old! We slept in and whatched movies and I ended up taking a long, well needed nap (the week before Christmas wore me out) and we had a nice supper and it was all great and cozy. Gosh I love quality time with my husband!

Read More>>>

Merry Christmas

To everyone! Hopefuly all of your last minute shopping is done and you are contently staring at wrapped gifts just waiting to be handed out - I'm not, but I hope you are! (well I'm done shopping, I'm just not done wrapping.) Hopefully you're staying warm and loved. Hopefully you're dreaming sweet dreams of sugar plums and nutcrackers :) Hopefully you're all happy and healthy and most importantly with people who love you! And even if your not any of those things, remember the holiday is about a perfect man who came to this earth just so he could die to save you, so you are loved by someone, even though you can't see Him!

Merry Christmas!!

Be A Princess

I always wanted to be a princess as a little girl - well along with being the first woman on mars, a ballerina, a scientist and a cartographer. I apparently wanted to be an accomplished princess!
Anyway back to the point. I wanted to be a princess. Not necessarily a disney princess per-say, more of a modern princess. Please don't let your mind jump to Princess Kate - it did, didn't it? Ugh. Ok no, not modern princess as in Kate - honestly, not a fan of her style. I'm thinking maybe more socialite style minus the tacky short be-glittered dress and huge jewelry. More Blair from Gossip Girl (minus the silly hats she wears on occasion which are more Princess Kate). My idea of a princess was more like this:

Light, airy and regal

 

Simple and sophisticated

 

Classy and stylish.

 

And of course, poufy!

 

And princesses were supposed to have stunning jewelry.

The all important tiara

 

Lovely bracelets

 

And of course the matching necklace.

 

I'm not sure why, but when I was little I got it into my head that princesses wore sapphires and diamonds and I wanted blue and silver jewelry so badly, convinced that once I had it I would be a princess.

 

But I no longer wish to be a princess. Yes, I'd still love to wear beautiful clothes and stunning jewelry. I still would like a house with a spiral staircase (the kind I swore all princesses had when I was little), it would be great fun to have all the money in the world, but being that kind of princess is no longer my wish.

 

I am a princess in many different ways. Instead of ballgowns and sapphires, I have boots and gold wedding bands. Instead of a castle, I have a warm comforting home. Instead of classic dresses, I have giant sweaters. Instead of a prince, I have the sweetest man in the world. Instead of maids, I have a baby on the way. You see I don't need expensive jewelry, fancy clothes, lots of money, a castle and servants to make me happy, I need my husband and my family. I am a princess because I've decided that riches don't make you royal, contentment does.

 

 

 

Your princess content wife,

Oh Christmas Crafts (excerpt)

I've been keeping busy making Christmas gifts. I'm on a (very) limited budget, so most of my gifts will be handmade. Some of the things I'm making are:
Christmas ornaments - not for my tree, I don't have a tree. But as small gifts for other people.
Baked goods - An easy gift for men! Who doesn't like cookies, breads and other Christmas-y desserts??
Articals of clothing - sorry can't be specific here, never know who is reading!!

Chrismas sewing has been crazy, thankfully the baking hasn't started yet. That'd be pretty gross - two week old cookies?? Ugh

Read More>>>

Love. Marriage. Baby.

Hey y'all! I just opened my new personal blog, Love. Marriage. Baby! Check it out pleaseeeee??

Love y'all!

At Home

So lately I haven't been the best house keeper and I haven't cooked much and my poor husband is usually stuck taking care of me. I have a million excuses of course... Nausea, round ligament pain, fatigue and the latest one: a cold. But I have managed a few things and my loving, sweet husband has been so understanding.

My "pantry" filled with canned goods, baking goods, tea and recipe books.

 

My stove and white pantry thingy. We live in a 1940's farmhouse which explains the green stove and not so lovely wall paper (thankfully this is the only wall with this particular wall paper).

That's bread dough rising for cinnamon rolls on the stove top there.

 

Thanksgiving center piece that Lys and I did for the big Thanksgiving dinner my family does every year.

 

Cinnamon rolls I made one day when I had an energy spurt (please let me have another one of those).

 

The view from my back door. Lovely, huh?

 

 

 

Your sorta home-maker,

Changed...

Is it real that this time last year I wasn't even married? Now I'm married, three months pregnant and about to graduate college. No more school for me (until I homeschool that is). It's kind of weird that I've moved past school now. No more studying, no more freaking out about a test... nothing. Three more assignments to turn in and I'm done. Graduated with a diploma in photography and ready to try and get some work published. Crazy huh?
Life moves so quickly, but I find that sometimes the change is subtle and sometimes not so much. Changing from a homeschool elementary student to a homeschool high school student wasn't that big of a difference, but going from unmarried to married felt like a major one and a subtle one. It wasn't different because I already cooked and cleaned, but it was different because I had to budget the money for the food and it was my house to clean. So it was the same but not.
Being pregnant is a major change, but originally an unbelievable one. I couldn't see the baby, I couldn't feel the baby, I couldn't hear the baby, but there was a baby. My body hadn't changed and originally I was just tired, so all I had to go on was this little blue line on a pregnancy test. Of course the evening sickness came (I didn't have morning sickness) and the tiredness increased and I just felt ugh so there were more symptoms and it finally began to feel real. Now I'm 14 weeks, showing a bit (not much but still), have heard the baby's heart beat and am having all the not-so-fun ligament pain.
So bascially everything has changed, but somehow in the midst of it, it never really felt like it... Here is hoping for some not-so-subtle changes in 2013 (ehem - actually having the baby out here).

The same, but some how not,

My love

Photography is my love and nature photography is my favorite of all types, although basically if you can photograph it, I probably will. Here are some of my newest photographs.

Out behind my house - please pretend my car and that bin are not in the corner... I took this when I was in a hurry to get to Mom's to cook for Thanksgiving.

 

Lemon pound cake. One of the many desserts being served at the dinner (made by moi).

 

My handsome husband!

 

A cake that tasted super awesome (and help me get a 10/10 on my last assignment).

 

Apples on our annual apple picking excersion.

 

An interesting flower taken at the Zoo a little before our wedding.

 

 

 

Hopefully more pictures coming soon!



Oh Wednesday

Reading Red by Ted Dekker

Writing a letter to Amber

Washing Dishes (not fun but hey)

Going through the "homework" the birth center gave me

Painting my nails Pure Ice Splash blue

Wishing I could text Lys

Knowing I can't due to her shoots

Trying to convince myself that if I just get up and move I wont feel as tired

And losing the argument with myself

Pinning on Pinterest

Texting my dear husband

Smiling everytime I think of the baby

Having a good Wednesday

 

 

 

 

Happy day before Thanksgiving,



Beautiful Songs

Ever heard a song that was so beautiful or so heart wrenching it made you just ache? Ever listened to a song over and over because it made you soar just to hear it? Because it was so important that you just have learn every single lyric? Ever listened to a song that just perfectly fit the moment or what you are going through, or perhaps just made you remember someone you love? I have. I have ached and laughed and cried and smiled and rocked out and danced around my room or my house listening to music. Happy, sad, it doesn't matter. Music is an important part of my life. So I thought I'd list a couple of songs here. (click on the names to hear the songs)

Songs that make me ache:

My Heart Will Go One (aka the Titanic movie theme song) Celine Dion. I don't even like the movie Titanic (too much Jack and Rose crap), but the thought of the Titanic its self makes me ache and so does this song.

Once Upon A December from the disney movie Anastasia. The sad end to the Romanov family always makes me ache. The disney movie did too (including the ending where she sails away from her newly found grandmother to go off with her boy friend).

Just A Dream by Carrie Underwood. So so sad. As a WWII history fan this makes me feel physical pain.

When Your Gone by Avril Levine. The music video litterally makes me cry.

Songs that make me happy:

Bad Day by Daniel Powter. Alot of times my sisters and I play this if we're having a bad day or all stressed or if we just need a pick up.

Smile by Uncle Kracker. Mine and Chad's song.

I'm Yours by Jason Mraz. Very sweet, very happy!

Bubbly by Colbie Caillat.

Haven't Met You - Michael Buble

Songs that make me feel awesome:

Rolling in the Deep by Adele. Very strong song.

Stronger by Kelly Clarkson. Just very fun :)

Don't Stop Believing by Journey. It's so fun and makes my think of Losers everytime I hear it.

Potential Break Up Song by Aly and AJ. Just a fun rock out song.

Songs that make me feel full of praise:

Exalted One by Elevation Worship.

Running by Hillsong Live

Forever Reign by Hillsong Live

Sing Sing Sing by Chris Tomlin

(all subject to change at all times)

Life :)

So in the last several weeks I......
Found out I'M GOING TO BE AN AUNT!!!!!! (Yay Riah )
Got asked to go back to my old Lifeway job... I accepted (as in on top of my other two jobs, not quiting any of them) -
Helped a friend of mine who was in a bad car accident... someone ran a red light and hit her. It's been 3 weeks and she still needs a lot of help, but she didn't have any broken bones or anything too serious!! Praise God!
Decided to move into my sisters old room (she got married in September). I'm wanting to paint it grey and have white, yellow, and black decor. So excited.
Saw Wreck is Ralph and Pitch Perfect. Both good!
Got a cold :/
Started the Lifeway job on Tuesday! After almost a year of being gone from there, everything came back to me pretty fast!
and last but not least....
I got a phone call today from my Photography boss. She asked me if I would be interested/comfortable lead shooting a wedding next year!!! That's HUGE! I told her yes :) I'm really excited!
That's whats been going on (in an overview) lol.
I'm off to sleep now :) I have a full day tomorrow of non-stop work!

So Much Going On (Exciting News)

Life is taking so many turns for me right now. Not bad ones, just lots of them. It feels like everything has happened so quickly.

December 2009 - Started seeing Chad.
Spring 2010 - Lost my dear Grandfather (who was a really close friend as well and Grandfather).
Summer 2010 - Graduated.
December 2010 - One year with Chad.
Feburary 2011 - Engaged.
Fall 2011 - Started photography school and wedding planning.
December 2011 - Two years with Chad.
February 2012 - One year engaged.
Spring 2012 - Bridal Shower/Uncles Wedding.
Summer 2012 - Married!!!
So far Fall 2012 - Moved to a new house. Almost completed photography school (got my first perfect score on an assignment) and...

 

Little bit - what we're currently calling the baby - is estimated to be due June 3rd (just 13 days before our first anniversary). That would mean I am currently 10 1/2 weeks along! I've not had anything but blood work done though, so the due date could change.

 

Well, as I'm currently feeling a bit sick (I don't have morning sickness, I have all-day-comes-and-goes sickness), I'm gonna run.

Love your new mom-to-be,

Wedding photos!

Y'all deserve this: wedding pitcures! It's been long in coming, but here are a few:

Bridal portrait (Alyssa M. Photography)

 

Groom's portrait (Mariah M. Photography)

 

A decoration that was on the cake at our pounding - we used it at the wedding. The wedding photographer used it as a place to photograph the rings :) (Photography by our wedding photographers)

 

My dress (wedding photographers)

 

Bridal portrait (Alyssa M. Photography)

 

Bouquet and dress (wedding photographers)

 

Sand Ceremony - instead of having Unity Candles we had Unity Sand. Less dangerous in my opinion :) (wedding photographers)

 

After the wedding portraits (wedding photographers)

 

Another one (wedding photographers)

 

Another (wedding photographers).

 

 

 

 

Sorry it took so long. But there some are!



Crisis Averted

OK so it wasn't REALLY a crisis but it was close. There is an annoying guy that is the son of a woman I work with. He has been TRYING to "hang out" with me since I first met him, however I have no interest in him and I'm busy.
So, the last couple of weeks he has been in town visiting his mom (he just graduated high school and lives in VA with his dad) and he keeps asking and asking when I'm free to "hang out".
I'm really busy...so even if I wanted to (which I don't) I wouldn't be able to! Today, when asked again, I told him I had work all week.
"You're breaking my heart." He says...
I don't reply. Then he says "When I come back into town I'm going to take you on a date."
Um. No.
But I hate to say no and hurt people... so I was thinking of ways to nicely say no without leading him on...
Riah (who I was txting) and my friend Rachel (who I was with at the time) both were telling me to JUST SAY NO!
Needless to say it took me a while to work up the nerve to be so...blunt. But to make it sound better I said, "No... I'm actually out with someone right now." I was! Just not on a date... lol.
He said "Oh cool, i was just using a date as a cover.. I have a girlfriend. HA! sure....
Anyway... that is my one girly-omg-annoying-guy post.
Carry on, people, carry on.
:)

Hello Cold

hello scarves

hello boots

hello quilts and fuzzy blankets

hello hoodies and cute sweaters

hello electric heaters

hello hot cocoa

hello tigger sweater

hello snuggling

hello soup

hello falling leaves

hello socks

hello long sleeves

hello unpainted toes

hello cold jewelry

hello chilly walks

hello thermos cups

hello warm tea

 

This photo just makes me ache from the beauty of it.

 

 



Just one of those days

it's a:

 

lowercase day

 

cotton candy day (particulary maple syrup cotton candy).

 

watch movies with Chad day.

 

sonic cherry limade day.

 

This morning honey had to get up at 6am to go to work for a few hours. I slept :) When he got home I made us something to eat and then we went out and ran errands. Now we're home and having a good ol' time!! I love weekends!