Put A Lil' Love In Your Heart!

MERRY belated CHRISTMAS everyone!!!

Ive had a good few days surrounding Christmas. A week or so ago Jamie's mom asked if I would take their family portrait while everyone was together. Wednesday Dec. 23rd was the only night everyone was going to be at the house, so that determined the when.

I absolutely LOVE Jamie's family, almost so much to where they feel like my own, so I was excited to go up and be apart of their Christmas, even if it was just for a picture. I broke out my studio lights for the shoot, beings the best time for them was in the evening... and I literally... broke out my lights. After fiddling around with the stands trying to remember how to put them together, giving away how long it had been since I used them, two bulbs blew after I finally figured it out. These aren't cheap regular bulbs either! Then, while trying to take out one of the burnt bulbs, it broke off inside! Trying to not panic, I tried my last bulb and light socket praying that my last chance wont let me down. After thanking the Lord that it worked, then came the fun part! Getting 16 people to all look at me, smile, and keep their eyes open is quite an interesting challenge.

It's really funny that I became a photographer and want to photograph weddings. I've never really been one to be center of attention. Standing in front of that many people staring at me, trying to get them all to smile made me feel like standing up in front of a classroom full of students looking at me waiting for the punch line to come, aaaand it never comes.

The best part of the night... knowing everyone's name! Having 11 outa 16 names all start with "J" I feel that, that is a huge accomplishment! haha

Thursday night, Christmas Eve, my mom was having a family gathering with tons of food after church. Throughout the day, I asked my mom several times what time church was, and she repeatedly told me 7. For some reason that didn't seem quite right, but I went with it. I get ready and head out, drive the 30min drive, park right by the sign in front of the church that reads "Christmas Eve Service 6 & 8pm" to realize that that not quite right feeling was correct. Having an hour waiting around wouldn't have been a problem if family wasn't coming over when the second service was supposed to start! So, I call my mom making sure she saw the sign and turned around to go back home. This year is the first year I have ever missed a Christmas Eve service! Its definitely one of my favorites with the songs, the Christmas story, candles and seeing the church packed with people you only get to see once or twice a year! It's great! So, believe me I will never let my mom live down getting the time wrong, and never let myself live down that I didn't double checked! Next year, I'm going to triple check, no, quadruple check, so I don't miss it again.

Family came over and we had a good visit with the kids running... yes, running, around! So very entertaining! I am really going to need to work on the not-laughing-at-something-when-its-wrong-and-I-need-to-be-serious part of parenting! haha

Christmas went by without a hitch. Before driving back home the night before, I made sure I knew what time Christmas morning service was. 10:30am. So got up, got ready in the same thing I wore the night before and headed for church again, making it on time. Came home, relaxed in my moms house, ate an early dinner, had my favorite, pumpkin pie, and then watched old Disney classics the rest of the night! It was a good day!

Today is my moms birthday! Happy Birthday Mom!!!

With no money, I didnt do Christmas presents this year. So with no money, I had to come up with SOMETHING that was meaningful and FREE for my moms birthday. So, I grabbed a box I had lying around, took strips of paper, and wrote tons of little messages on them overflowing the little box for my mom. I also took daughter/mother songs and made her a CD. All very time consuming and meaningful with no money attached. The best kind of presents I think!! Full of Love!

Happy Birthday Mom! I Love You!!!

I hope you all had a very Merry Christmas full of Love!!!

So until next time... Go love a little! :)

Inspiration...

Hmmm... well, not too many baby steppin people out there. But thanks to those who did respond. It means a lot knowing that there are people who actually read this thing. And to those who are like me, who read and don't respond... Thank you too! :)

I'm really not feeling the whole blogging thing lately. Not sure why. Maybe because I havent taken any pictures recently... or this talking about myself thing is waring off... who knows.

BUT! I did tell you that I would post every Monday for an update. So here I am!

Things are going well. The weekend was great, starting off with friends coming over and making a really delicious dinner and watching a movie. Then... had a GREAT Sunday. After I find out the outcome exactly, I'll give more of an explanation. And then today... I woke up to discover that I've lost.... dun dun dun.... 7lbs already!!! Kinda exciting. Im making myself eat breakfast in the morning, and then a lunch. Rather then going all day without food and then eating dinner. Bad Bad idea.

Ok... boring boring boring, I know. Im sorry! I really would love to that person who is alway inspiring! Someone who you can look to when you are feeling down, uninspired, or just wants to read a good story! I wish I had one for you today.

I have though received my new business cards. After the first of the year, I'm going to go plaster them all over Portland. Anyone reading this down in that area, give me a shout if ya wanna help me out! :) Also going to start seriously looking again for a part time job. I think I've mentioned this before, but I'm not giving up! I guess that can be my inspiration. I really thought I would be somewhere other then sitting here in my tiny little studio writing this by this time. My goal was the first of the year. God had other plans, and I am really grateful for them. But I do not want to give up on my dream! I really believe I can do this and I want to at least try. Then if I fall flat on my face, I could say that I at least tried and it was worth it! Going back to what seems like centuries ago, to my little dock, or well... not so little dock anymore, standing and wondering when it will happen. I refuse though to take my feet off of it, even if I am standing still at the moment. I'm not going backwards! Don't give up on your dreams!!!

The last time I did get my camera out, was a week or two ago. I started playin around with all the settings and fancy things it can do. Very fun by the way! It has a double exposure option and so I tried it out. These are no where NEAR what I was trying to get, and definitely need to work on it... but here are my first tries at double exposure!

Ok... I know... I already said I need to work on it! lol

My personal favorite, because it looks like my Christmas tree in on FIRE! haha oh goodness

This isn't a double exposure, but its the only one I like that I've taken so far this Christmas. The birds are on the inside of the bulb.

So until next time... be inspiring and don't ever give up!

Merry Christmas!

Baby Steps...

Ok, so the last time I posted, I had a great... no, GREAT day.

Right after that, I had a terrible day. Things came crashing down on me that I was trying to ignore and keep high up on the shelf. Life lesson, the higher up on the shelf, the higher they fall and the more they hurt. Lesson learned.

I'm trying a lot harder to listen to what God is saying, and do His will. After my lil break down, I had a good cry and talked with a truly amazing friend making me feel better.

For a while now, my laptop had really taken a beating with all the pictures and programs and files I had on there. I transferred most to my external hard drive to clear up space, performed everything I knew how to do to try and make it run faster... no luck. It kept getting slower and less responsive every day. Can you say Frustration!?!?! I wanted to scream and throw my once beloved computer out of a 23 story building and watch it shatter to pieces as it hit the concrete right before a parade of elephants stomped those little pieces into nothingness. Extreme? Well, trust me, you would have felt the same way if you are trying to finish 4 photo sessions and things kept getting undone after taking 20min to complete one function in your editing program.

Needless to say, I needed a new computer with the non-existent money I had. :)

The next day I made the decision to make changes in my life that I could control. I couldn't control my computer, but I could control how to feel about it, how to react to it, and how to learn what God was teaching me from it.

I also made a conscience decision to really take control of my weight.... Phew, I did it, I said it! This is really hard for me to talk about, but I figured if I talk about it on here, and people read this, then I have to stick to my guns and keep myself accountable.

I did weight watchers several years ago and lost over 30lbs and then quit. I started again with the online version when I started working at the Y because I also had access to working out. I quit WW because I couldn't afford it anymore and I knew the points system, so from there I could do it on my own. That didn't last long doing it on my own, but I was still working out twice a day, 5 times a week. I reached a plateau and then my ankle started acting up. One thing after another, and now here I am... Not working at the Y anymore, working from home, sitting most the time, and having a really messed up ankle. Let’s just say I have not exactly LOST any weight.

Thursday I started writing everything down again and calculating points. So far so good! I'm going to weigh myself every Monday and *holding breath* Post weight loss, or gain, here! That’s so scary! But I'm hoping ya'll will help me!! If you have any inspirational quote and/or story, a healthy recipe, or anything, you can post in a comment below. I'm really hoping to get inspired and to help inspire you. Not just in weight loss, but in everyday life! What can you change to make you happier??It doesn't have to be huge... start with baby steps!! Start with waking up, smiling, and saying out loud, "Today is going to be a good day!" And when things don’t go the way you want them to go, what can you take from it and learn?

So, the reason for the post.... Drum roll please....

I got a new computer!!!!!!!!!! This is how God works... Waits to see if you truly trust in Him, and then He blesses us in unbelievable leaps and bounds.

Friday my mom WON a computer. Entered in a $5 raffle, and WON! Not knowing what she was even entering, just knowing that the money was going to help others.

A brand new, HP Pavilion, all-in-one computer, with wireless keyboard and mouse... Knowing I needed a computer and have been trying to get one for a while, she unselfishly gave it to me for my Christmas present!!!! Between her and God, I am so blessed and still can't believe the miracles God can do and how He truly provides for us! Seriously??? I'm still in awe.

So here’s to baby steps! Trust in God and He amazingly provides!

Until next time... what's your baby step!?

Phones and Lenses and Me, Oh My!

Are you all nice and warm and cozy in your home? I am! The Lord is good!

How thankful are you right now that you have HEAT! Oh man its cold outside, I cant even imagine having to be out there for more than 5 minutes and its not even that cold here compared to some places.

I haven't posted in a while, so heres a little update on what I've been up to...

Dec. 5th was a good day. No, it was a GREAT day!

A lot happened on that day. Nothing exciting or ground breaking, nothing that changed the world, and definitely nothing that changed my life, but still... something. Lots of somethings that together made me one very grateful and happy girl.

Why the exact date you ask? Cuz thats the date Ive been waiting for, for a long time! A new phone upgrade!!!! I am so overwhelmed with all of the choices though, I still haven't made a decision. And, well, I am HORRIBLE at making a decision.

For example; I went to breakfast yesterday with several friends and we had, oh, a good 20-30min looking at the menu before we were asked what we wanted. I was the third person in line to order and I was still looking, I got skipped, and when it came back around to me, I still sat there for what seemed like eternity frantically reading the same things I read about 20 times already. (Seriously, I could tell you exactly whats on there even now I read it so much) Pressure, the pressure of 6 people staring at you waiting to see what you are going to get! I almost had an anxiety attack until I finally buckled under the pressure and blurted out the last thing my eyes landed on. Then even after that I spent a good 2 LONG minutes contemplating my decision and wondering if I should change my mind... Nope! Dont do it! Take the menu and walk away! Good thing I liked what I got! haha... So, long story short, I can't make a quick decision to save my life.

Ok, we got a phone grade, WooHoo!!!

Then I got excepted to a pro lab online! See, I told you not very exciting, but to me(!) I find it rather thrilling.

A while ago, a friend gave me some lenses from her SLR film camera when I first got my Nikon D50. Unfortunately they didn't work because of the crop factor. With that result, they sat on my dresser for the longest time. 2ish years actually. Now that I have a new full-framed SLR, suddenly I rediscovered the lenses sitting on my dresser while cleaning and tried them on my D700, and OH MY WORD THEY WORK!!!!!! I was/am so ecstatic! Instantly I became an owner of a 28mm prime lens (WOO!!!) and a 135mm prime (HOO!!!) and I couldn't be more happier! It was like Christmas already. (Thank you Karen!)

We have a new phone upgrade, an acceptance to a Pro lab, and TWO "new" lenses, what more could happen you ask? Well... Im not sure if you have read/heard/saw this, but I have recently upgraded my website. I love it! I have the ability to have password protected proof galleries for my clients, who can also order straight from my site. And, get this, I accept Credit Cards now through PayPal! This just makes me jump up and down with joy!

Its still a work in progress, but I have all of my galleries up now and the only thing really that I need to get up is the "Kika" section. Talking about myself, ha! This is going to sound like a HUGE hypocritical statement, but I am really horrible at talking about myself. Hard to believe I know, looking at how LONG this blog is so far (Oh mylanta why'd you let me write this much?!?)

ok, so, anywho, I have to write the about me section, but for the most part its done. Just like this Blog!! haha

So, until next time... Check out my website!

OH!!! AND! I made a new business card... I will share with you! :)

What do ya think??

Favorite Things

...Snow flakes that stay on my nose and eye lashes, silver white winters that melt into springs, these are a few of my favorite things...

I have been feeling very stressed and overwhelmed lately, well... the last few months I guess you could say. But now with no news on any jobs down in Portland, money very quickly dwindling away, computer going slow as snot, not responding and shutting down and undoing all my editing, and a whole lot of other things I wont bore you with by listing, I feel like just giving up....

...No... I wont, dont worry!! I will just sit here singing my favorite songs about my favorites things! I dont know if thats just me being stubborn, knowing God has a plan for me, or me just being completely ignorant of real life... or all three... but I am actually happy!

Today was a good day :) The littlest things can amuse and entertain me, I'm simple. A certain song, listening to the rain outside, a character in a Pixar movie, watching the laughter and joy come from two friends, busting out in song randomly about your favorite things with the Von Trapp children while dancing in a field on a hill... or wait, no, thats the Sound of Music. But still!

Michael Buble's new song "Haven't Met You Yet" is one that I can just sit and listen to over and over again. It has stopped raining for the moment, but I love listening to the sound "Drip Drip Drop lil November showers!" (I swear I live in my own little personal musical!) and Wall-E!!! I absolutely love him! Bowling with the youth group today and just sitting back enjoying how spirit filled and amazingly goofy they are and that I can be myself in all my goofy glory right along with them! Yes, today was a good day.

The simple things in life. I am so incredibly blessed that I have a place to live, food to eat, clothes on my back, amazing friends and people all around me, then on top of that all those things listed above. Those are the extras in life that we all take for granted. No matter what situation you are in, where you are in your life, what you do or dont have, there is something to be grateful for and to put a smile on your face. If nothing material or earthly comes to mind, then what about the love of Jesus Christ? Thats all you really need to be happy because thats all you need to get into His kingdom. Not the best clothes, the biggest and most stylish home, and not even food to eat and Lord knows I can go a day or two without food. You need HIM. He gave His life for you so you can spend eternity in paradise, so what are you going to do about that? I ask myself that all the time and I am always humbled by the love He gives. So in return, no matter whats going on in my life, I can be happy and truly mean it thanks to Him!

So one of my favorite things most definitely has to be Jesus and His love!!! It puts a smile on my face :) How more simple can ya get? So...

When the dog barks, when the bee stings, when I'm feeling sad... I simply remember my favorite things, and then I don't feeeeeeeel, sooooooo baaaaaaaaaad!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Last Saturday I took pictures for my church's pre-school bazaar. We had a live nativity scene.

This is my pastor and friend Roger with his lil boy Ryan and the "mooooo" cow. hehe

I say this all the time, but I can't get over how adorable he is!!! Definitely one of my favorite families :)

So until next time, I urge you to think of your favorite (non-material) things!

ready, set,

GO!

Starting The Conversation Over

Pumpkin Pie

Sweet Potatoes

Turkey cranberry sandwiches

Oh My!

I absolutely love November and December! The smells, the lights, the sounds... Why cant it be like this all the time?!

You know why? Because then it wouldnt be special. It would be just like every other day, and we all know what we think about "every other day." Boring, rushed, stressed, crazy, loud... need I go on?

Thanksgiving and Christmas gives us two months outa the year to look around and actually maybe see life as we should all the time. Love a lil more, listen a lil harder, hug a lil longer. But even now this time of year is getting to where its worse then any other. Stressed out even more, running faster, spending larger amounts, totally getting lost in 'things' and making these two months just as special as any of those 'every other days.'

I was talking with Jamie the other day and came up with a way of explaining how I'm feeling.

You know when you're talking with someone, and you think you know what they are going to say so you try and finish their sentence, only to be denied, then they have to try and gain back their train of thought? Then "Oh! I know what they are saying now!!" and try to finish it again, and wrong again! aaaaand, repeat...? And it turns out you really have no idea what they are talking about and by the end you both are so confused you forgot the whole point of the conversation?

Well, thats how I feel right now with God. I am so worried I am going to miss something and so anxious and excited that I think I know where God is leading me, so I jump ahead, interrupting, only to be denied!!!!! Over and over and over again! I think I know what He is trying to teach me... to SHUT UP and LISTEN!

I'd like to think I am a very good listener when it comes to people... but when it comes to God, man I suck! lol

Taking a step back, calming down, chilling out and taking a deep breath, lets start the conversation over. No matter where I am, what I'm doing, what I eat, what I wear, who I hang out with, God is there and doesn't care as long as I put Him first and start listening.

During this Thanksgiving and Christmas season... lets step back, chill out, take a deep breath, and start the conversation over and put Christ first. Then after we do that, lets start speading that around to those 'every other days.'

Those every other days are so amazing and full of God's beauty. Can you see it? Look harder! Look with both eyes, smell life, stop talking, and listen with both ears... you'd be shocked what God shows you.

I'm still anxious and still trying to learn patience, but I am getting better. I am shutting up and starting the conversation over so I can give God my full attention.

Here are some perfect examples of one of those every other days. While out on a family photo session, I shot these as the sun was going down. Just amazing. My camera and I can't do it justice.

Until next time... hows your conversation going?

A Taste...

...of my life...

I did something I dont normally do. I filled out one of those, "fill this out and send it to everyone" things yesterday. It was 25 random things about yourself so I thought I would post it here so those of you who want to, can get to know me just a little bit better.

So, here it is, 25 random things, facts, and goals...

1. My nickname is Kika. It came from my friend from Slovakia. It means Kristina and I hear its a popular name over there! I also have my own name day :)

2. My favorite color is Yellow, but I sometimes tell people its the rainbow. I just love all bright fun colors!

3.I lived on a boat for the first 4 years of my life, and my long term goal/dream has been to always own a yacht someday to spend weekends/summers on.

4. I dont think I could live anywhere where the ocean is not at least an 2 hours away.

5. I love shoes, but its so hard to find cute shoes that are size 12!

6. I have a specific pillow that I have a hard time sleeping without.

7. I play the trumpet and band was my life in high school. My most fond memories were the Lionel Hampton Jazz Fest. in Moscow, ID.

8. I hate onions, peppers, carrots, and anything spicy.

9. Absolutely LOVE to cook and make up my own recipes.

10. Ellen Degeneres is my favorite!

11. Out of everywhere I have been, I still think Port Angeles is the most beautiful place and feel very lucky and spoiled to have been born and raised here.

12. I have a strong relationship with my Savior Jesus Christ who died for my sins and by His mercy I am saved and am able to go to Heaven!!

13. I dont like to read but I Love the Twilight series!!! It's actually gotten me to try reading other books.

14. On the rare occasion you catch me watching TV, I will most likely be watching the Food Channel or HGTV.

15. My dream car when I was younger was a yellow Mitsubishi Lancer. 4 cars later, I now own one :)

16. I work very hard for what I have and wouldn't want it any other way.

17. My friends are my life and family and don't know what I would do without them! I feel so blessed to have as many as I do that truly care about me.

18. One of my brothers died when I was 5 and still remember the long night when my mom found out.

19. One of my favorite bands is still Hanson and proud of it! lol

20. I have a best friend who lives in Norway, Ida, who Im gonna go visit one pretty day!!! :)

21. Smiling is my favorite thing, but I hate my teeth and am going to get them fixed as soon as I get insurance!

22. I'm a natural blonde, but haven't actually been blonde in over 5 years.

23. Since 5th grade all the way to my Senior year I wanted to be an architect. I still would love to build my own house that I design.

24. I want twins. (I know Im crazy) One boy, one girl.

25. I am going to be a successful professional international photographer one day! :D

And... a Taste of the Peninsula...

Saturday, Nov. 7th was the 3rd annual Taste of the Peninsula and it was a sold out success! It gives people and couples a night out to dress up and sample the best wines and menus across the Olympic Peninsula. Truly an amazing event that would not happen without the driving force of Communications & Development Director, Getta Rogers. With the help of the YMCA staff and an amazing turn out of sponsors this year, it went off without a hitch!

I was privileged enough to be able to go the whole evening and capture the night that will be unforgettable. There was live jazz front and center on stage, art from the YMCA Community Art School proudly displayed, a silent auction and of course the incredible food and wine tasting. What a great night and so glad that I could be apart if it!

There was a "Twilight" basket, so of course had to get a shot. ;)

There were amazing baskets decked out in bright colors and fun arrangements.

DELICious food! This was my favorite of the evening for sure. Italian bread topped with bacon, lettuce, salmon, tomato and this brilliant sauce on top. MMmm!

One word.... Cheeeeeeese!!!

I love this picture. I makes me all warm and fuzzy inside!

This one too! Would it ruin the picture if I told you that beautiful cake is fake? If it does, I'm just kidding ;)

Even DESSERT! How can you go wrong?!

And chocolate thats soooo amazing that you have to have a ticket to get one. It pretty much is equivalent to a golden ticket. Pretty much.

And of course the lovely, the talented, the beautiful cashier ladies, Mrs. Tonja and Mrs. Candi. You're Fabulous!! Thats all I can say :)

Live jazz from the "Taste of Jazz Quintet"

MMmm, food!

I really wish I would have gone up here during the middle of the evening. This is towards the beginning and doesn't even come close to showing how many people were actually there, not including the dining hall.

So it just goes without saying... you definitely need to go next year and find out the fabulousness of tasting the peninsula. It's deLISH!

So until next time, make sure you enjoy all the tastes of life.

~Kika

Hold On

So much has gone on since my last post I don't know where to start and what all to talk about!

Let’s start with me not getting that bank job. After calling everyday for a week and everyday getting "Tomorrow you will get a call," and yet to have received a phone call, I gave up on them and had to start all over on the application process.

I went down to Oregon for about a week and stayed with a good friend. Had a great time and I really can't wait to move down there. I'm not giving up, that’s for sure! I drove around and just stopped at every place I saw that I would want to work at and asked if they were hiring. I got a lot of "yes's" but most everyone has an online application. The Hillsboro Costco is hiring, and the application online took forever and a day. I would love to work at Costco though! Costco is my favorite place to shop!!!

I left Thursday and spend a night with another friend in Puyallup and met up with some other friends for dinner Friday night. I wanted to be back home Friday night to get a good night sleep and relax and get ready for the Taste of the Peninsula Saturday evening. I was the photographer for the evening which was so fun! (That will be my next blog)

This week now is solely dedicated to photography. I am trying to get SO many sessions complete it's unbelievable. I need to stop saying yes until I get caught up. I'm getting there, but oh my word! Sorry to those who are still waiting. I promise I am doing my best to get them done :)

I was at a friends house tonight for a change of scenery (Shout out to Jamie who made an AWESOME Thai chicken curry this afternoon! hehe) and was workin on pics and then taught her how to play cribbage, which btw, if you don't know how, let me know and I will teach you! It's an awesome game!... Where was I? Oh yeah, while teaching her cribbage I turned on music and played one of my favorite bands right now. 33 Mile. LOVE them! The song one my website is from them. The song "Hold On" came on and it fits so well with life and how I am feeling right now, so I thought I would share the lyrics. And if you have time, you should so listen by clicking HERE...

I've been there a thousand times
Felt the rain like a thousand knives 
and it hurts
I know it hurts

I've been there like a fighter plane
Trying to fly my way through a hurricane 
and it's hard
I know it's hard

Don't be afraid
You'll make it through
Just call out to me
And I'll come running to you

Chorus

And hold on, hold on
When the current pulls you under
And your heart beats like thunder
Just give me your hand
And hold on, hold on
Until the storm is over
And I'll be fighting for you
Just give me your hand
And hold on

I'll give you hope, I'll give you faith
And if it's dark, I'll light the way
For you, for you
  
I'm by your side until the end
Until you're standing tall again
I'm here, I'll always be here
 
And if the tide sweeps you out to sea
When your strength is gone
And it's hard to believe

I did a family session Sunday afternoon. They wanted to go out to Salt Creek and I was more than happy to oblige. It did not rain, which was amazing, and we actually had good lighting considering. I just love their family! I had a great time and received a lovely email afterward thanking me.

Until next time, Hold On! :)

*Edit*

Ssshhhh, the Family pictures are a secret!! hehe

Close Your Eyes and Hold On!

Ok, so ya know how I was all anticipating a phone call on Monday for the bank job? Yeah well, it never came. So I called and found out the manager who was supposed to call me took the day off. Of course he did! Waiting and making myself sick worrying about what was going to happen. Do I have the job? When do I start? How much should I have packed and ready to go? What if I didn't get the job? Then what do I do? How much longer until I find another job? What, How, When...

Question after question racing through my mind and no answer until I get this one little phone call, which is so unimportant on the other end, obviously. "Tomorrow he will be here and call you."

"Tomorrow."

"Tomorrow."

Tuesday comes, I'm feeling a little better after going through scenarios in my head and praying and knowing the Lord is taking care of me. So I wait and call around 9am. "Oh, the manager is in a managers meeting and he's not here." HA! of course he is!! Why wouldn't he be? "I will give him your number and make sure he calls you."

3 o'clock rolls around so I call again. "He's still in a meeting and I PROMISE you he will call you(Guess when! Yep!) TOMORROW"!

Guess what?!?!? It's TOMORROW! haha and, well, still no phone call. Are you kidding me?!?!

Sigh. Can you say Frustration?!

Now, I loooove amusement parks with all the rides and roller coasters! My favorites are even the ones that go upside down! Love the feeling of slowly, slowly, click....click...clicking your way up to the top of the very first plummet towards the earth. The anticipation causing your heart to race, clenching your teeth, holding on for dear life making you sick to your stomach adrenalin rush, you're eyes are closed, not knowing when you're getting to the top, not knowing when you're going to drop, waiting...click...click... ANY DAY NOW!!!!!! Goodness gracious I can't handle this anymore! This must be the largest drop in history and I'm not sure I'm ready. I just want to get to the top already so I can scream out all of these emotions that I have built up. One little phone call will determine so incredibly much.

Sad isn't it?

I'm feeling more at peace with whatever happens though, no matter what the outcome. Either way it's what God wants and I have to figure out what I am supposed to learn from everything and just enjoy the ride. I'm closing my eyes, holding on for dear life and I'm going to enjoy every minute of it while giving God the glory and trusting He's not going to let me plummet towards the earth without a seatbelt.

One way to enjoy the ride is with friends and pumpkins. I went to a pumpkin carving party at Donella's tonight. Had a great time with food, friends, and pumpkin guts everywhere! MMmm Nummy! Trying to decide what you are going to carve into the pumpkin is that hardest part! I finally just figured I would carve leaves all over. I ended up just doing one detailed leaf and I LOVE how it turned out. So of course I had to take a picture to share with everyone. :)

Enjoy!

And until next time, just close your eyes, hold on and enjoy the ride!

A Day Away

Tomorrow, tomorrow, I love ya, tomorrow, you're onlyyyyy a daaaaay aaaawaaaayyyyy! ...as Annie would say. Tomorrow is only a day away but couldn't come soon enough.

I was hoping to hear from the bank Friday to see if I got the job or not. In the interview last Tuesday I was told I would be contacted Friday, or at the latest Monday. Well, to torture me even further and make me wait even longer, they are supposedly waiting until Monday. "At the latest." The church job fell through sadly enough, so me moving is kind of riding on this job at the moment. That freaks me out just a tad bit. If I don't get it, I'm not really sure what I will be doing.... other then praying more, continue looking and applying for jobs down there and work as much as I can in the school district. And if by God's grace I get the job, I will be starting Nov. 2. which oh my word is fast!

So taking a deep breath, going back to my childhood, and belting out, Tomorrow! You're only a day away!!!!!!

I did another senior session yesterday with Gloria. I love this time of year and yesterday's weather was perfect for pictures!! Between her hair and her bright smile, she was a blast! By the end of the session, she was a pro at smiling, not smiling, and even laughing on q. It was fabulous!

Gloria, thank you for a great time and hope you enjoy your sneak peak! :)

Until next time, No matter how things are going, tomorrow is only a day away!!