::Prom 2011::

Here are a few photos of an impromptu photo shoot. Thanks to my father-in-law, I now have a few more bookings.

Long overdue

Hello blogging followers. I would like to inform you of a few changes and because life changes it is necessary for blogs to change. First, I got married this year! I also have moved from Illinois to Indiana. We have a dog, a Beagle, her name is Bella. My husband and I are building a house in the country, talk about stressful. As some of you know, my interests include photography. "Why is that worth mentioning?" Well, photos are going to start being posted and a background story about them. Why? I figure this, the more publicity they can get, the better. It all starts with you.

You come, browse, look at some recent pictures and, comment. Please, enjoy.

The picture was taken a few weeks ago on the property we own. Those sets of legs are my husband's children, 10 and 13. The boys were having a great time enjoying the weather, so much so, they decided to run barefoot. I just happened to capture the moment.

A Sunday Afternoon

Oh the joys of being "grown up." I paid my first rent bill yesterday and thought about the sadness that I'll be doing this the rest of my life. It's an interesting concept to me. I pay to live and yet life is free. Well, minus the bill to the OBGYN and the hospital. I am starting to understand more and more that our world really does revolve around money. Obviously human, I grasped the concept of money at a young age but to be on my own now, totally different perspective. Although we can't get away from the hold money has on us, we can definitely control it. I don't understand how having lots of money is a good thing. It is my opinion that when one has lots of money it is easier to take things for granted and not show appreciation for them. I can only speak about my own experiences, but when I was a pre-teen I remember mom scolding me for throwing around my toys and not taking care of my stuff because I thought that she would just go out and buy another one. As I got older and when especially when dad left ,and money was hard to come by, I started taking care of my stuff. Anything from clothes to my toothbrush because I knew we were broke. I appreciated my things a lot more. When I was in high school I remember thinking my sister was so cool because whatever I needed she would buy me. Missy had an endless amount of money. She is still well off, don't get me wrong. But rather than idolizing her, I feel sorry for her. The grip that money has on her is sad. Obviously she's not the only one that is serving the master of money. All you have to do is take a look around your world. Countless amounts of people have a very unhealthy love for money. I'm not saying money is bad or we need to protest against the use of it. I am making the point that re-evaluating the control you are allowing the green stuff to have is imperative. I struggle with it and there have been times I have analyzed it and needed to shift my priorities. I urge you to do the same and take the time to evaluate your priorities and make the necessary changes. 

I apologize for the late blogging and not keeping you updated in my life. It's been crazy these past few weeks. I've been in the process of moving into an apartment...eh moving. I vow never to move until I get married, and even then he should be open to moving in with me. I have most of my stuff here at the apartment but still have to go back to the dorms today to clean and get the rest of my stuff. In which I am seriously contemplating throwing away. I started this moving process last week and will finally be in by this weekend, crazy right? I assure you it's not because I am that slow. As I said earlier, last week was nuts. I graduated a week ago! I still can't believe that I am a college grad. All the glory goes to God because it was He who got me through this. Anyway OK so graduation, as you can imagine it's stressful to graduate. There are a thousand things going on in order for one to walk across the stage. Like calling in and pronouncing your name, turning in a thousand papers to the records office, oh yeah and trying to round up the family! Graduation day finally arrived and that day was nuts. A few of my family members were supposed to be at my apartment with my bedroom furniture at 9, they did not show up until 12. Yep....that's right they were three hours late. But despite all the running around and stress we got it done and I was on time to the arena. 

The next day my grandpa called me to say that one of my aunts died that morning. Friday and Saturday was a weekend home. Along with Sunday being my graduation party and I had to speak at a church back home because I'm going to Armenia in September and need support. I stayed with my uncle Tim and aunt Rebecca last weekend and it was a lot of fun. Aunt Rebecca was really busy but I got to hang out with Timmy all weekend and I really enjoyed it. He spoiled me, lol. I also went to a book sale and got a lot of really interesting books that I'm so eager to read. That's what I want to do this summer in celebration of being a college grad...finally reading what I want to read. I've been reading a book about Mary Tudor, the bloody Mary girl. And let me tell ya...wow she was an interesting person along with her father. 

In honor of the storm that is happening right now, literally and not figuratively, a good song for the week would be one by Todd Agnew, Grace like Rain. If you're not familiar with Agnew, I suggest that you download a few songs by him. Some of my favorites include the Martyrs Song, Better Question, and Grace like Rain. 

On a side note...this guy on the food channel is an odd one. Enjoy your weekend and again I am really sorry for not being on top of this blog like I should have been. 

Fried Green Tomatoes

First and foremost, Happy Easter everyone! In Laue of the respective Holiday, here's a little history. Oh don't worry, I'm not going to bore you with the history of the Easter Bunny (although I did google it) or the Easter eggs, or any of the other silly stuff. Actually I searched YouTube for a John Piper video on the Resurrection....didn't find one. But I do subscribe to his blog and bookmarked his website, therefore here is the link to the sermon notes from last year's Easter Sunday sermon. 

http://www.desiringgod.org/ResourceLibrary/Sermons/ByOccasion/4/2694_The_God_of_Peace_Brought_from_the_Dead_the_Good_Shepherd/

To be honest, I'm not quite sure what to type in this white box. I know that my font is messed up right now but I can't seem to fix it. That sounds so silly to blog about. It's been a rough week. I had a fight with my best friend and we still haven't seemed to resolve the issue. Frankly, I don't know if we will. Maybe it's one of those move one arguments, ya know? The kind that you bicker about for a few hours, maybe a few days, (in our case, a few months), and although you both know neither one is happy, you don't do anything to fix it. Not that you just refuse to but outside circumstances seem to prevent it or maybe you just don't want to. Heck, I don't know. I am the type of person that when I see a problem I want to fix it. Well, I can't fix this one and let me tell you, it's frustrating! I am learning patience through this though, that I am certain of. Sorry, I didn't want to spill that out on the Internet where everyone and their dog can read this but I'm sure someone out there in cyber space can relate, right? 

New topic:

Tomorrow after church I'm going to my sister's house where the rest of my siblings will be, along with my mom. That should be fun, I'm looking forward to a salad my sister makes. We aren't certain what the name of it is so we call it "The Ugly Salad", charming right, haha. Whenever she is generous enough to give me the recipe I'll post it so you all can enjoy it. I'll be knocking out two birds with one stone though, spending that quality time with the family and working on graduation invitations...yikes! And the count down begins...G-day minus 16 days, or however that is said :) I'm really excited to be moving in the apartment though! And my roommate is going to be amazing. But I am still looking for a full time job, or another part time job. Whatever I can get at this point. I'm pretty sure I've applied or inquired about a job at about 20 places now. This is like fishing...but I like to fish. I don't like this. Anyone know of a business hiring??? Hello anyone? I hear crickets...not a good sign. Wow God is really teaching me to lean on Him and to trust Him with everything. I have trust issues though, doesn't He understand this? I know it sounds like I'm talking to myself right...OK so I am just a little. But I saw a diagram a few weeks ago and I really wish there was a drawing option on here bc I would love to post it. However, the point of it was that you have your comfort zone and everything else is outside of that. How true! That is where you are sensitive to God's working in your life, definitely NOT in your comfort zone. I'm learning that...slowly I assure you.  I had a verse I was going to put in this space, but I completely blanked out. Wow, more tired than I thought. OK I have to go to bed now otherwise I will be worthless tomorrow. Good night! Oh yeah...the song the song, I'm sorry I almost forgot~Embracing Accusations by Shane and Shane, warning though...it's a slap in the face. OK Good night again :)

Say no to dresses!

Old Jeans are the Best

I don't necessarily dress to impress people, I dress for the occasion. For example, if I'm just hanging out with friends then it's jeans and a T-shirt. However, if I'm going somewhere nice then I will dress appropriately. When the occasion arises, I usually wear dress pants and nice shirt or a skirt. I try to stay away from dresses. Those are the times I tend to use make up as well.

I bought a journal this week for a few reasons however, this is no ordinary journal. The title is "Wreck this Journal" and the author is Keri Smith. On every page there are instructions for what to do to the page. Instructions like, burn this page, a page for circles, take the journal in the shower with you, go on a walk and drag the journal, etc. I have only done a few pages and nothing too destructive, yet. The authors website is kerismith.com and I would encourage you to check it out. There are also other activities available on the website. I warn you though, if you do decide engage in this activity, people will give you funny looks trust me. All in all, it's a great way to pass the time, develop the creative side, and just have some fun with a book (sorta sounds like an oxymoron). Besides having fun with it, another reason I wanted to buy it was to blog about all the things I'm doing to this book. As silly as it sounds, I bet it's going to be very therapeutic. So far I have covered a page with office supplies, paper clips, tape, post-it notes, and a thumb tack. I have colored on the outside edges of the book, and tried to connect dotes on a page from memory. 

Therefore, because of this journal and how random the instructions are, the song of the week has to be a goofy song. That is why I'm picking Muchkinland Musical Sequence (Ding dong the wicked witch is dead). If you don't know what movie that is from I'm not going to tell you. Instead I'm going to laugh at you. Have a good week!