Car-Crying

What a winter it has been...

It's been quite a time of struggle and sadness for our little family over the past several months.

I have days when I say aloud with a sigh of relief, "Okay, we're getting back to 'normal' life now.."
and moments later, our view of normal life crumbles again.

I'm realizing that this is life.

This is the ache that we will forever feel in a life away from the presence of our perfect Creator and the Eden that He gave to us.

I feel this in a very real way.
I feel it like I feel hunger at dinner time or I feel love when I'm holding hands with Adam or snuggling with Atticus.
I feel it in ways that make me try to fill this ache, this void.
I try to fill it with a beautiful home, a life of organization (ha!), exercise (ha! again),  new clothes, things, food, relationships... the list could go on forever. But it's not abstract that we miss the physical presence of God... it's a real, painful part of life.

It's like we're just desperate for perfection. And we should be. We were created for it. It's really a beautiful beautiful thing in the end.

I've been listening to a CD by Phil Wickham in my car. His words are so thought out and beautiful. I cry pretty frequently in the car anyways, but his music makes it pretty certain tears will be shed.

So, here are the lyrics that turn me into a blubbering idiot in my car: Cheers to car-crying! *wink*

Eden

"When the first light brightened the dark,

before the beating of the human heart, there was You and there was me.

Innocence was all I knew, 

'Cause all I had to know was You, We were running underneath the trees.

I want to see You face to face,

Where being in Your arms is the permanent state.

I want it like it was back then, 

I want to be in Eden!

I remember how you'd call my name, 

And I'd meet you at the Garden gate, How the glory of Your love would shine.

And I remember when the stars were young, 

You breathed life into my lungs,  Oh! I never felt so alive!

To be naked and unashamed, 

In a sweet downpour of innocent rain.

I want it like it was back then, 

I want to be in Eden!

Where my eyes can see the colors of Glory,

My hand can reach the heaven before me.

Oh, my God! I want to be there with You!

Where our hearts will beat with joy and laughter,

And love will reign forever and ever,

Oh, my God! I want to be there with You!"

12 before 2012

I was reading a blog the other day and came across a challenge: 12 before 2012.
The writer was challenging her readers to join in on completing twelve projects before they rang in the new year.

Anyone who really knows me, knows that I LOVE to dream up projects, buy (trash pick) for projects, and never finish them...some I don't even start. So this sounded like a fun idea to me and maybe, just maybe, enough motivation for me to finish some of the projects I have laying around.


I have pinned some things on Pinterest that I am hoping to get completed.
It's fun to have goals *wink*.

So here are a couple pictures of the 'beginnings' of my projects for the next two months... oh, and a kitchen make-over... ha!

(don't judge me for the 'state' of my garage)

I plan on doing a post in the near future about my recent thrift store purchases and 'curb finds', but since this is part of the challenge, I included the price of these lamps. I also got a shade for one for $1.90.
(disclaimer: They look a lot cuter in the picture than they actually are. *wink*)

Five Years

My husband, Adam, and I have been married five years now... five wonderful, growing, hard, delightful years.

We received a card from his parents that summed up marriage in the most terrible, yet truthful words I've heard:
"The best mistake I've ever made."

Adam and I met on the internet. People we know often want to make an 'example' of us that internet dating is successful. We loudly scream "NO!":) We think it was one of the hardest things we have ever done... moving across the country, not having a 'normal' dating time. Sure there are perks: getting to know each other better than we would if there was physical contact, etc., but that's what relationships are meant to go through, to overcome!

We work. We are terribly in love. We passionately pursue life together, BUT that's not a product of the internet, it's a product of a really big God who used the internet to bring two like-minded people together. We don't work because of the internet... believe me, we met based on attraction like most everybody else, not based on a great list of all of our goals, character and aspirations.

We work because God gives us strength to put up with each other's crap and gives us a great example of His beautiful love that loves us when we are defiant and ugly in our spirits.

The past year has come with many challenging times (as do most years)...
we felt like a 'break' was needed more than ever before and my dad was kind enough to book a vacation for us that we could have never dreamed of going on.
We returned to Hilton Head, SC, where we honeymooned... It's so beautiful and peaceful there... a great place to  get a little rejuvenation!

So, back to life... a  bit more rested, and a ton more grateful!

Press on! <3

Oh! I love this man!!!

{Sneak Peak: Columbus Area Weddings}

I've shot three weddings since we've last spoken... I can't seem to keep my head above water with editing, our awesome new responsibility with our youth group and my ornery little two year old...
BUT here's a little peak of things to come!

{Bloom}

I don't have a green thumb. Oh how I wish I did, because I really love plants, flowers, etc., but it just isn't the case. I remember my first plant...and it's demise, like it was yesterday.

My dear friend Michele was moving to New Zealand, and asked my to adopt her lovely Jade plant. I kept it in my office at work and it grew and grew and I was so thrilled that I went and bought it a beautiful new planter to live in. And when I drove it home from work, I was in a bit of a hurry... and forgot it in the car. It was a wintery-Ohio night and the poor little thing froze to death, literally.

 Needless to say, I was a bit overwhelmed when we moved into our house, and spring came along ushering in ten (plus) Peony bushes, several rose bushes and countless other beauties. But this spring I was ready for them and excited for the color they bring to our lawn. So, this was the week they finally bloomed... and now they fill our home with a little bit of summer.

{Tim & Ashley: Married}

As Ashley sat in her pajamas in the cabin where they would be married, Tim walked in with the appetizers. She hopped up and hugged him, not a single thought of the 'not seeing your bride/ groom on the wedding day' tradition.

I knew at that moment, this would be the most relaxed, simple wedding I would ever photograph. 

What a blessing with it being my first, that Ashley and Tim were both so gracious and accommodating.

They showered their closest friends and family with attention and a lavish meal...

It was refreshing that their love for each other made for the center of the day!

Tim and Ashley, I smile thinking of your wedding day... A lovely beginning to forever!

May your marriage adventure be as exciting and lovely as you two are!

{boring}

Yeah, I know... the blog has been super boring with only a post here and there lately!
Life has been super busy in our family, and I don't want to miss a second of it! 


Thanks for sticking with me...

Yeah, I know this picture is out of focus... but it seems pretty in character with a yawn *wink*

{Allison & David: Engaged}

{Ainsley: Newborn}

Even though little miss Ainsley had no intentions of going to sleep during our shoot, she was completely content. She literally didn't make a peep. I imagine having two older brothers makes you quite aware of what's going on around you! Lucky me gets to follow this sweet little girl for the next year, so keep your eye out for Ainsley's future shoots!

Enjoy!

{Jan: Professional Headshots}

Jan is a writer. I am not. If I wanted to become a writer, I would contact Jan. I imagine I should have some writing talent before contacting her, but Jan helps aspiring writers realize and reach their goals. Pretty cool, huh? (Check her out here if you'd like to know more.) I was asked to do a shoot of more 'approachable' headshots for her website.  She may be the most un-stuffy business woman I've ever met (Is that a word?)  Either way, we had fun!

Enjoy!