Bridal Portraits on the Farm...

In another life I'd possibly be a lifestyle photographer.  In my real life, I'm a self-taught gal who loves photography and setting up little vignettes to photograph.  So when my very best friend (who also happens to be my twin sister) asked me to take her picture in her wedding gown for an anniversary gift I jumped at the chance to do so!  

This kind of thing is just my kind of treat-so much fun for me. 

 We took these at the cabin on the farm where we spent the night and had a little retreat the night before.  The amazing thing is (well, one of them at least) is that my sis is a mom to three kids.  And she still fits beautifully into her dress! 

 My twin is smart, kind, organized, a teacher (she homeschools), and the most giving person I know.  I have so much to learn from her for the rest of our lives! 

 I remember when she met her husband-to-be in college.  I think they had started "talking" but maybe weren't officially dating yet.  She pointed him out to me at a football game and we tried to play it VERY cool so he wouldn't see me staring at him.  I remember squealing "He's cute!" and being so excited for my sis.  Her husband is very funny, very smart, and a perfect match for my sis. 


 I have to say the farm makes it so, so easy for me to get a good shot. 
I mean, all those wildflowers?! Heaven.



This photo shoot has inspired me! 
It definitely helped me remember how much I truly love love,
and love photography. 

Happy anniversary to my sis! You and your hubby are heaven-sent. 

If we're being honest..... (oh yeah, and I opened the shop already!)

If we're being honest I am thoroughly exhausted today.  Betsy Grace is teething majorally and has been up all hours of the night.  My inner Pollyanna is like the Energizer Bunny though and just keeps going and going and going.....so even though my tiredness brought me to tears earlier here came Pollyanna, reminding me how sweet the cuddles are with Betsy Grace and how well I can handle two toddlers on very little sleep.  Mighty well I'd say. Minus the tears from earlier.  I was attempting to do a simple task-water the garden. I had two helpers and the dog.  Enough said. :)  
 I usually try not to post about being tired or weary or anything negative.  Or at least sound ultra happy writing it.  People are quick to jump on the band wagon of "You should count your blessings" and I give you my word, they've been counted indeed today.  I know just what will perk me up though. In fact, it already did.  Things like these favorite pictures on my Iphone I've been saving, a trip to see my new nephew this afternoon, and an adventure to the creek with my girls earlier this morning! 

Something else I'm doing to promote complete health (physically, mentally, emotionally) is eating much, much better.  I was having some crummy health issues (think sluggish) and decided it was time to get back on my own bandwagon I'd jumped off of.  The clean eating (for the most part) wagon.  I'll blog more about this later.  But, I'm on Day 4 of no extra sugar... meaning no ice cream, pie, cookies, or peanut m and m's.  And I feel great. I've even started running again. 
 Getting outside always connects my soul to God immediately.  One night I was mowing the lawn (since I've designated myself the lawn girl this summer) and saw this beautiful sight.  
 The girls and I are trying to fully embrace all that is summer-
watermelon popsicles,
sandals,
homemade lemonade. I'm already looking forward to celebrating Anna Ruth's THIRD birthday, hopefully another Branson trip, the 4th of July parade, and the rodeo. YEE-haw.

 Wildflowers galore on the farm.....
the hay blowing in patterns across the pasture, sounding like the ocean...these make my heart go pitter-patter. 
There are thistles to admire, even though Brett hates them.  Our photographer and stylist friends from California told us people sell thistles for a hefty price there.  And here?  They're actually a total nuisance. Isn't that funny?!



Oh little creek, how we love you so. 
The loggers tried to dam you up
but your water continues to flow. 
We leave our agenda at your side,
we breathe a lot deeper when you're near. 

Last but certainly not least,
THIS happened today. 
I opened my shop a bit early. 
It's full of 8 x 10 art prints with a message-To treasure the rosy in the routine.

Now go wake up your inner Pollyanna and have a great day! :) 


Antsy.

I am extremely antsy this afternoon.  I have a new nephew that is in the process of making his arrival into our big, grand world today.  This time is very different for me since I get to be the one to wait and hug and squeeze the sweet little man and am NOT the one having the baby.  It feels good, this being on the other side.  For reasons I cannot explain this little guy's arrival is especially exciting and a bit emotional.  We're just so, so excited to meet him.  And so, if you're the praying kind please lift everyone up in prayers, that sweet baby boy can arrive quickly and safely.  
There's nothing like the arrival of a new baby.  Nothing on the planet I can think of that even comes close....there's just something about a baby that gets to me.  I haven't necessarily had the easiest of times with the arrivals of either of my babies.  A bit of a difficult delivery both times and the "baby blues" following after.  Tears upon tears from both me and the babies!

Yet here I am, still standing and still convinced at how special a baby's delivery is.  
They're so fresh from God, these babies and toddlers.  They're unique and fiercely confident.  They haven't figured out the "rules" that society seems to place around teenagers and adults, that this is better than that or these thoughts trump those.  And thank goodness for it.  

I watched Anna Ruth break it down in a dance at a birthday party last weekend even though not a single other person was dancing and she was so totally unaware that she was the only one getting her groove on.  I wanted to stomp my feet and clap and cheer as if she'd just won the Olympic gold medal. My girls are growing up to become confident of themselves.  If they do that, my heart will burst with pride.
And if somewhere along the way they lose this freshness from God and their confidence waivers I'll still stamp my feet and clap my hands and cheer loud enough to drown out the discouraging voices they may listen to.  I will always, always be my kiddos biggest fans.  My girls are neither one laid back or easy-going.  They know what they want and when they want it.  They're smart and playful and thinkers.  

They like to look fancy but know how to get messy (well, at least Betsy does!) too.  
They're farm girls AND possibly city gals some day. 

They're challenging, lovable, a bundle of surprise, exhausting, enjoyable, 

the biggest heap of blessing and joy and hard work that ever landed in my lap.

I've heard people say before it's wrong or bad to say your children are "hard work".  But isn't loving someone 24 hours a day a bit of work sometimes?  Brett would agree that it is, and me too.   :)  

It's hard learning how to put someone else's needs above yours every second of every day.  It's hard disciplining over and over when you'd rather give them a cookie and Curious George.

But then you hear words from Anna Ruth like "When I grow up I'm going to be a mama"
and you want to run a million more miles for your girls,
give a bajillion more hugs,
make two million more pb and j's. 

So this having kids business,
isn't for the faint of heart. 
Whether you're a mama at heart, a mama to littles or bigs, a foster mom, an adoptive mom, a birth mom, a mom to be, a mom that wants to be...........thank-you. 

I'm so glad there are so many mamas in so many capacities that give these fresh bundles a chance.  

Our world is about to be rocked a bit with a new BOY cousin that my girls will grow up around and become best friends with.  He might not know what to think at first, with my whirlwind girls swirling and twirling around.  He's a Torbett though, and my guess is he'll only fuel the fire. 

Baby T, we can't wait to meet you. You have made me reflect on the sweetness of the arrival of a new bundle.  Thank-you sweet boy! (and come already so I can hold you! )

Playing.


We woke up to the most gorgeous, soft rain this morning and then the clouds parted a bit and we were treated to this sight! The puffiest clouds and prettiest blue sky.  The girls and I immediately headed outside.  I think it's the place we're all happiest. 

I used the timer on my camera to capture these.  They're not perfect, I'm wearing something I threw on because I was up waaay too much with a teething gal, and I'm not wearing any makeup.  Yet, they're some of my favorites.  The girls didn't realize the camera was snapping away so this is truly us just being us. 
Playing football and throwing totally and completely like girls. 
And nothing beats a good 'ol fashioned game of chase.  It's a nightly ritual around our house!  As soon as the last bite's eaten at the dinner table Brett and the girls enjoy a rousing game of chase.  It was fun for me to join in on the fun this morning.  
Looking at this picture makes me realize my little girl isn't so little and my big girl is bigger than ever.  I have a post coming soon of all the clever and funny things Anna Ruth says throughout the day.  It's mind-boggling and joyful. 



Of course, the playhouse and tricycle remain huge hits around our house.  
Today was a very uneventful morning outside and I must say, it was nice. 
Does that make sense?  To me I enjoy a small, quiet morning at home much more than running errands and unloading everyone a million times.  We are more free at home, outside and I like that. 
And this, I'm very proud to say, is my art print!
You can read more about purchasing one of these prints in my shop here on my art blog!

This week we're looking forward to play time and learning about water,
watermelon slices,
a visit to my grandparents,
maybe a park play day or two. 
Soaking up summer, that's what.

How about you? 

We're on our way..







Something about these images (my own) with this quote (not my own, but understood) are sinking down deep in my mind, seeping in to my thoughts, goals, and daily practices.

(art update here)
Practice, time, hard work, learning, and prayer are all some of my biggest behind-the-scenes friends right now.  OH, and my least favorite (if we're being honest)-discipline.  Discipline is a tough one to swallow.....but we can do hard things. And easy things. And all the in-the-middle things. 

We're on our way to being transformed into beautiful butterflies....
if we'll only stick with our hearts in the energized times and the tired times. 
The "feeling it" times and the not feeling it.  
Butterflies you and I, we will be. 
You with me? 

I've got a new blog! Come see. :)

Room for the Rosy  is my new blog. I hope you'll come see.