Help me design the studio!

Husband and I had some good chats this weekend. My favorite talk was over fleshing out an actual shed studio for my little photography biz! One side would host the backdrops and lighting equipment but the other would be a small seating area and the little loveseat would pull double duty as a prop for family pictures. So here's two inspiration boards I whipped up, which do you like better? 

Favorites Friday: Little moments

If my 6 month old could speak he would say, "I got it" in other words I can do everything by myself....sit, stand, and eat! I'm just left to watch in awe and wonder, but also reminded to revel in these little fast moments.

Moms and their babies in pretty homes.

A great explanation with pictures of different lenses

Man food for the superbowl and the walking taco

Ikea dresser hack

Our new bible study has been life-changing.

Wishing you a sweet weekend!

A Valentine's day dress for you {shabby apple giveaway}

The kind and generous people over at Shabby Apple boutique are offering you a lovely dress, perfectly in time for Valentine's day. I knew you had nothing to wear and figured one of their darling dresses or skirts would fit the bill.

To enter the giveaway there are two requirements:

1. "Like" their facebook page

2. Leave a comment here on my blog telling me which dress or skirt you would like!

Good Luck, giveaway will be open until next week.

Baciami

Bali Hai

Nothin' like a dame (my fav)

Pineapple princess

Spanish steps

Teacher's pet skirt

Who's Rv'd before?

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2012 is gonna be a year of firsts, I hope. So to kick that off I'm thinking a Rv trip to NY to see my Mom and attend my cousin's wedding is in order. I have been Rv'ing a few times before as a kid and its with fond memories minus the time my dad backed that thing into a rock and broke off the step!

With two very hyperactive boys who have a undying love of the outdoors, an Rv might be the perfect solution. Thoughts, opinions, advice? Go.

Casting vision #2 {I need an allowance}

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Sometimes its good to return of the teenager years of allowances and accountability. I'm very good at spending money without batting much of an eye and need to put a stop to that stat. So my solution is putting myself on an allowance, where I have an actual card that has a set amount of money on it per month and when its out of money then I'm out of money! Of course my card is cute and pink every little bit  of encouragement helps! My husband always says we need to spend less so we can give more, so true.

Favorites Friday: Relaxing

I've earned a slew of nicknames during my little lifetime. I was affectionately called "spunky" on my first job as a nurse in Washington D.C! It was most likely due to my bubbly personality but also the speed at which I moved! Relaxing and slowing down doesn't come natural to me, but I'm working on it.... like starting this weekend!

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Thanks for the marital encouragement, you guys are inspiring.

Living colorfully

What a Valentine's photoshoot

I will never tire of kale

A lesson in layering

Have a relaxing one, dearies.

Wanna see some cute valentines?

Aren't these darling? I wanted something sweet for Gideon to pass out a school and the talented Rebecca of Pedaling Designs whipped these up in a day, she's amazing.

  Shoot her a message if your interested in these, I love mine!

The secret to marriage

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My husband and I are currently listening to a series called Love & Respect and its been a game-changer for us. He shares about how women just need to be/feel loved and men need respect and if neither needs are met a vicious cycle ensues.

Its been 8 years of marriage and I finally just learned the secret to not just a mediocre marriage, but a great one. Do you want to know too? 

Everything you say or do unto your spouse you do unto Him. So when your in the middle of a spat and tempted to stonewall or say things in anger, remember you do it unto Him. I thought, really? But yes its true if we do everything for the glory of God and to please Him then it makes perfect sense that how we treat our spouse matters to God. This was heavy and convicting for me friends to say the least. 

Here's to going deeper in our marriages and remembering whatever we do, we do unto Him. 

Bring on the life change.

My favorite kind of pictures {mommas & their babes}

We just passed about a year for our little photography adventure and I learn something new every time. I've learned that my favorite picture hands down is mom's and their babies. Also, lifestyle photography (candids of families being themselves) is my niche and love.

My Mom sent me a photo album and most of the pictures included my siblings and even my Dad, but not my Mom because she was taking the pictures. I know this is the case for most Mom's or they don't like getting their picture taken. But I promise you will treasure and stare at the pictures of you with your children for a lifetime. It is the fiercest of bonds and should be captured on film. So mommas get in the picture by learning to use the self-timer on the camera or have an older sibling take the picture, you need to capture the beauty of what you do every day....raising your precious children.

Here's my little photo session with baby B that hubs captured.

 Also, one Gideon (my 5yr old) took for me, not a perfect picture, but perfect moment captured.

Now, go get in the picture, Mommas!

Favorites Friday: White

If January had a color, it would be white, don't you agree? We've only had one dusting of snow here, but even without it the sky is white. Frankly, I think its quite beautiful.

(this is my obvious attempt at embracing winter!) 

I'm putting the finishing touches on my winter wreath today, its simple and pretty with touches of white!

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White chicken chili, thanks Mom.

White done right in a room

White on white outfit

Who needs flowers for their winter wedding, pick these!

Dear friends, thank you thank you for the amazing scripture you sent my way regarding fear. I've tried to personally email some of you back, but emails aren't provided at times on the commenting format. So I would love to keep the conversation going or at least thank you here! You can also friend me on facebook because commenting is much easier there then in blogland, click on the "f" on my right hand column of my blog. Thanks and happy white weekend.

Sitting & standing {6months}

And now we are pulling up to stand and attempting steps, this kid is crazy! I would love it if he just sat there and was a baby, but no he's got places to go people!

My latest enemy

The nature of my husband's job lends itself to frequent trips and my extroverted people loving self struggles a bit, particularly in our non subdivision country home. Let's just say late at night my mind becomes consumed with ridiculousness like kidnapping, burglary, and the such. Seriously how did this happen? When you've been giving much like two beautiful, crazy, hyper boys you can begin to fear much, but I MUST remember ultimately they are gifts from the Lord and belong to Him. Here's some scripture for battle in combating fear.

"Now have come the salvation and the power and the kingdom of God, and the authority of his Messiah. For the accuser of our brothers and sisters, who accuses them before our God day and night, has been hurled down. They truimph over him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony."

Revelation 12:10-11

Baby products that make your life easier {4-6 months}

1.Baby Bjorn travel crib- Our packnplay finally died and I say good riddance! The bottom was so hard and that thing was such a mess to open and close. So behold this travel crib comes complete with soft mattress weighs 11 pounds and takes 20 seconds to open. The only downside is the steep price point, but we travel alot so I felt it was worth the money.
2. Bo is in the pull up to stand on everything phase, kind of a nightmare for me because once he's standing then he tries to walk and falls. But this toy keeps him occupied while standing and what kid doesn't love a ball?
3.When we lived in Okinawa they had amazing baby products like this which is essentially tupperware for babies. I'm a Mom on the go and these work great for storing baby food as well as little snacks plus it all fits in my purse, perfect.
4. I've professed my love for these crib shoes before, but I wanted to mention specifically I buy mine at target, not the expensive brand. Also, if you can't find the cute designs in store, check online.
5. This baby food is genius. Not only are the flavors amazing like spinach, pears, and peas but its organic and the contaniner closes with zero mess. Hallelujah.
6. Meet the to-go spoon. Put your baby food in the purple end, screw the spoon cap on, and voila your out the door, so brilliant.

Casting vision:#1

A couple of years ago, like eight to be exact I heard a sermon that changed my life based off the bible verse, "Without vision the people will perish." The pastor encouraged us to make a life list, akin to a bucket list, but I prefer his title! To make a list of things you want to do however great or small over the course of your life, but most importantly write them down. So my list began and would you believe I've actually crossed off at least 20 things, things like ride an elephant in Thailand to learning how to play the guitar! So I reserve the month of January for thinking of new things to add to the "list." 

 Here's my #1 for 2012: to spend time with the Lord in prayer in scripture before blogging!

Favorites Friday: Two tone

Loving all the two tone things I've been seeing pop up lately from home to fashion. Also I'm excited to share some of my goal/visions/resolutions next week here on the blog. 

I adore this picture.

If I had girl she would need this outfit stat.

A great way to organize stuff.

Winter weekend wear.

Stay tuned for two winter DIY projects and a Valentine's day idea!

Happy winter weekend.

Dear Winter

Due to our extended time on the balmy tropical island of Okinawa Japan I dread and struggle all winter long which is pretty lame considering we live in Virginia, not exactly due North. Pretty sure my time on the island made my skin thinner and tolerance for cold non-existent. But I'm looking to change that this year and embrace every ounce of winter and nip any complaining in the bud. When I thought hard there were many favorite winter things I called to mind.

"And everything in time and under heaven
Finally falls asleep
Wrapped in blankets white, all creation
Shivers underneath
And still I notice you
When branches crack
And in my breath on frosted glass
Even now in death, You open doors for life to enter
You are winter"

Nicole Nordeman

On the Texas ranch

This is us frolicking around on my Father in laws's Texas ranch over our vacation. Gideon was in heaven.

A variety of things

I'm in weekend recovery mode! It was a full crazy whirlwind weekend that landed Bo with his first cold, but were having success with the plug in vapor in his room, essentially aromatherapy!

Had to pop in and say happy monday and leave you with two things....I finally found and purchased the basket I've been wishing for at target online. Then came upon this delicious looking recipe (thanks Taryn) in honor of my sister leaving for India today, que sadness. And because no post is complete without a picture, here's some unbelievably adorable twins I had the delight of capturing this weekend. 

More of them here.

Favorites Friday: January

Hello winter! Our time in Texas was coat-free with high's of 67, but we came back to winter weather. My goal this winter is to keep the blues at bay....translation lots of cozy sweaters and hot chocolate.

Would you have an anniversary party? Love the idea!

Made this soup last night, perfect winter solution.

Nutella hot chocolate.

This book was such an eye-opener, must read for everyone.

2011 review and a happy new year too!

Were back from Texas and what a trip! Internet was sparse so I couldn't check in, but happy new year just the same! My husband could of charged for the firework display he put on in Texas, seriously good. We now know his second calling if the Marine Corps doesn't work out!

Here's the best of 2011 for us:

Our dining room got its finishing touches.

We spent spring break down south and ran into some stumbling blocks on our trip.

All the while, my bump (aka Boaz) was busy going on dates and dressing up.

Then time for the nursery and name reveal plus 6 month and 7 month bump.

Next it was off to our favorite place on earth, Ocean City NJ.

Gideon's birthday shirt may easily be my favorite DIY of the year or maybe it was the skirted console table?!

My sister and I became obsessed with Lush in Georgetown!

Our greatest spiritual battle came once upon a bad ultrasound. Then we were overdue with pregnancy, love that.

At last, Boaz was born. And our faith became sight and prayers were answered.

Gideon turned five with a fun fishing party.

Husband and I celebrated 8 years!

Who could forget the earthquake and crazy hurricane Irene, wowzers in the same week no less.

My lovely mom came to visit then G started kindergarten.

We scooted up to NY for my husband's reunion and attended our favorite October annual event, the State fair.

I was blissfully overwhelmed with photoshoots in the fall and we had a ball at the ball.

Boaz got tired of watching it all and started to crawl! And the year was capped with the best ever Christmas day.

The Lord kept us and blessed us through it all, He is so faithful.

Blessings to you and yours for 2012!