Who are you??

Ok.. I have been wanting to do this post for a long time. To my complete surprise, a few weeks ago I discovered that there are actually people - many of whom I don't know - who read this blog, at least occasionally. So who are you?? Please, either leave a comment or email me so I know who you are. I am dying of curiosity! I can't tell you how much it means to me that you take the time to see what is going on in my world and look at my pictures. Thank you!

I have another favor. I am in the process of having a logo and a website designed, and I need some help defining my "style." So, when you look at my pictures, what words come to mind? What emotions do they evoke in you? Again, leave a comment or an email...

Thanks for doing this!

Like father, like son

Chris really is a "mini Mark". Yesterday Mark was out cutting the grass (with Chris following his every move, of course) and he stopped to work on the edger. Chris was right there, watching intently the whole time. So finally Mark handed him his tool... but then Chris did not want to give it back! We ended up having to find Chris a "replacement" so that Mark could finish the job. I guess we have another future mechanic on our hands!

Here, Dad, let me show you how to do it.

But I need that tool!

Ok, this works too.

He is Risen!

Happy Resurrection Sunday! He is risen! He is risen indeed! What an amazing God we have, that He would send His only Son for us. Oh, the depth of His love for me... for you. I pray that today more than ever you would KNOW the love of my Jesus.



I couldn't help but cry in church today when I thought of my Dad, who was welcomed into the arms of Jesus in December of '01. I thought of him because several of the songs that were sung were ones that we had sung in church when I was young, and I can still hear his strong voice singing them! It made me think of holidays growing up, and how special they were. My dad made a HUGE deal about holidays. And while he was generous with gifts, that wasn't the reason for his excitement. He was genuinely excited about the meaning of the holiday, whether it was the birth of Jesus on Christmas or His resurrection on Easter. So many of my most treasured holiday memories center around that. I am so thankful for those memories! What an amazing example he set.





Here's an old picture from '94...

And here's some from today.

One of our old holiday traditions was frosting sugar cookies. We all had to participate, whether we wanted to or not! So I decided to continue the tradition. (Yes, I know these are hearts and not Easter shapes... my cookie cutter collection is kind of lacking)

Mark's mom got Chris a toy wheelbarrow with some toys.. but he was most interested in the bag of goldfish crackers! Go figure.

Licking the frosting off of one of the cookies :)

Just me..

During our last full day at Love Affair Workshop, the four photographers who were running everything actually took some individual shots of us, so that we would have them for our websites/blogs. Mine was taken by the fabulous Millie Holloman. I haven't figured out yet how to put either of these on my header, but I thought I'd share them regardless. So these are just me...

Funny picture

I thought this picture was pretty funny... one of the girls at the workshop, Sarah, took this during our second photo shoot. We had this couple literally down in the swamp, and we were all "fighting" to get the perfect shot. Plus, it was FREEZING outside! Lots of fun :)

A first haircut and a bit of randomness...

Ok, so we were WAY past due for Chris's first haircut! We took him to the place to get it cut today, and let's just say he was less than thrilled - he cried through the whole thing! I think the poor guy cutting his hair was a little nervous, so I think I am going to have to do a little bit of touch-up...

A "before" shot

"Please stop!"

The next two shots are "After" shots.

He's a big boy now!

OK, so now here is a bit of randomness. I know, I probably take way too many pictures of Chris. But seriously, I can't resist!

I love his face in this one!

I love this one of Mark and Chris.

He was working so hard to get some linking cubes apart!



A really random, but pretty, shot of the beach on Bald Head Island early in the morning .

Second Shoot

While at Love Affair Workshop last week, we did two formal photo shoots with some models. Here are some pictures from the second shoot. There were four couples, all in wedding attire, as well as Erica, who is a fabulous model! I was so impressed with all of the models, though, as it was FREEZING (well, at least for a Florida girl!) that day and they were all in strapless little gowns! But they didn't complain, and willingly went along with whatever we asked them to do. We even had one couple down in the swamp! Anyways, I would love feedback on these.

Balance

Today was a good day.

For one, except for a walk to the park, Chris and I didn't go anywhere. The weather was gorgeous, so the park was nice. I loved watching him play! It was nice to not be out running all over town. I even got to completely clean my kitchen. Chris took a 3 1/2 hour nap - nice!! And I took a 2 hour nap!

I think what made my day seem so peaceful was balance. Last week, we talked a lot about having balance in our lives. So I am making some changes that I am very excited about. I think the biggest one is hiring a babysitter to come once a week for a few hours. I feel pretty guilty - after all, I only have one kid for crying out loud! But I feel like I am not getting the time that I need to run a business, run a household, and still spend time with my family. Just knowing that there is someone coming Monday morning to play with Chris while I get some time to work is very exciting! I already feel less pressure to work during other times, especially while Chris is awake and/or Mark is home. I found myself today living "in the moment" while I played with Chris. Instead of trying to keep him occupied while my mind rehearsed my ever-growing to-do list, I was able to drink in the sweetness of my baby. The warm softness of his hand in mine as we walked down the stairs of the playground (he won't want to hold my hand much longer!), the funny sound of his little voice exclaiming "Uh-oh!" (his newest word!) as he dropped one of his prized trucks, the toothy, trusting grin he flashed me as I scolded him for wandering away... oh, I thought my heart would burst with joy!

And I am excited about being able to concentrate on my business during the appropriate time. I have learned a lot, and hope that continues.

I pray you all find balance in your lives today!

Some of you have been asking for some more pictures from my week at Love Affair Workshop, so here they are! It was such an amazing week, and I learned so much. I am still processing everything! And, of course, trying to edit all the pictures I took. I am SO grateful that I had the opportunity to go. And also very grateful for the people who made it possible, namely Mark as well as his parents. Mark has been so busy with work, overtime, the house, us, and school, and yet he never complains - he just keeps going and doing everything he can to help me. And his parents are wonderful as well - they came up so that they could be here with Chris while Mark was at work during the day.


This was from our "marketing" session where Lauren, Millie, Davina, and Kelly showed us all of their albums, business cards, forms, etc.

This was the house I stayed in. When I took this, the beach was behind me.

We got a bit silly one day... this one is Candi "working it" for the cameras. And yes, we all took a turn (including me)!

My friend Maari. A few of us were forced to put down our cameras and be the models for a bit...

Another shot of Candi being a model :)

Then it was my turn... it is strange to have a bunch of cameras in your face!

The dock outside our house.

My roommate Averi is on the right. She was a lot of fun, and we seemed to have a lot in common.
There were no cars on the island; only golfcarts. I drove one for the first time!
I loved this one of Candi.