Thanksgiving '12

Thanksgiving was fun this year as Mom and Dad came for a visit!  And since my neighbor was out of town, it worked really awesome for them to stay there!!!  The kids need down time and that gave us all a chance to rest better!

We laughed, ate and had a grand time!

If all of life was this great:)

Dad or Kevin? took this I think...we look awesome:) 

Here's the Latest

My bday girl...wow, she's 5:)

 Just add leaves!

 Mom and I took a break at Pier One...fun:)

 How cute are we:)

 Brotherly love...knock out a tooth!!

 Badminton...game ON!

 Two little farting reindeer

 My Tues/Th am date...lucky me:)

Trip to W town

So I took a trip to Wichita and here's the nitty gritty:)  I've actually been twice in 2 weeks so the pics kind of blur together....but who really cares?

So, this is some Dr. Oz thing that my fab mentor Paula made me.

Enough fiber for a MONTH:)

So is was windy that day.  That flag is enormous...

Fabulousness by the soon to be great

Gracie Hutchison.  For real...great.

Landed on a fave's porch...she's so stinkin great.  I mean, been good to me from day ONE.

Her porch is always decorated fun and festive...just now noticing the rocks...those are just amazing too!!!

And cute Grace was home...I tell you what, she is cute:)

Loves to be outside and just be.

We ate one of these, well we tried.  Rockstar Katie and I had breakfast for a nice long time.

Pretty certain she is an all time fave person.

Me & Karah...we're kind of cute!!  Her hair was uhmazing that night.

She is so kind, single?!!, & fun!!

 And we hung with some friends the second trip...when the kids were in tow.

The familiar is so sweet.  So good. And man, hard to leave.

Pretty sure I tear every time.

Erin is a fabulously genuine & such a faithful, super cool person.

And our kids play really well together...rare.

No pics of the older boys...they were busy:)

Bike Riding/Skateboarding

Someone is NOT camera shy:)

 When did he grow up?!  Aggh!!

 So proud of himself!!  Great pic!!

 An all time fave...look at that face;)

Thoughts in My Head

I've been thinking alot lately.  I mean on and off when the time allows.  

The past 5 months have been most interesting for me.

It has been painful, good, challenging and sweet all at the same time.

Someone asked me recently how I am transitioning...good question!!

I've come to the conclusion that when you value people, invest in others deeply, 

connect with them often, it is super painful to leave them.  Everything shifts.

The kids are good.  Kevin works alot and is tired.

I am making my way.  I feel the need to read the Word more.

To remind myself of my purpose...of His plan for me:)

Being new forces you to spend more time alone.  That has been different for me.

And instead of jumping in and leading or serving, I am resting.  

Not sure what to do here:)

I have alot to learn in life.  I need to be a more consistent mom.

As Barrett grows, I am reminded of my need to discipline him. 

There are a 100 other things I would rather do.  

But he needs it.  And I will:)

I got a new phone.  I tell you what, those darn things are distracting.

I am forcing myself to have timeouts from it.

For real.  Who cares what the rest of the world is doing.

My business is growing, slllowwly but surely.  It is strange having to put myself out there.

I want to grow in my posing and my metering.

There are a TON of people who do it...completely saturated market.  

However, I am challenging myself to continue to be teachable and

to not compare myself, my images, or my gear to anyone else. 

To be free to enjoy creativity.  

I love to write.  Hand written letters, blogging, encouraging others.  

I'm not sure when it started, but man I love it!!

And people just do not know what to do with a coolio letter in the mail.

It's getting to be a lost art which makes me super sad.

It also kind of makes people think you  REALLY like them if you do.

I mean, I do, but just sayin'

I am so very thankful for so much.  Just as I was watching the CMA awards show 

and Blake Shelton talked about coming to Nashville for the first time and his goals/dreams.

 I decided I need some dreams too:)

1. I want to take a trip with my husband in the next two years.  Alone.

2. I want to know the Bible more.

3. I want to read more period.  Magazines count:)

4. I want to be voted McKinney's best photog.  Watch out world...I'm a-comin'!

5. I want to play with my kids more.  They grow up toooo quick.

That's it tonight...just some thinking:)