Photographic Bliss

LOVING these moments I captured at my sister-in-law's wedding. I wish I could have been the photographer, but such is life. I still managed to get these fantastic shots for my portfolio that will probably make the bride and groom WISH they had hired me :)

Tradition!!

Yes, I sang my blog title just like Tevye from Fiddler on the roof as I typed it, so what? You know you're singing it just like that now too.

Anyway... I've been thinking a lot about traditions lately. Growing up we didn't really have a lot of traditions, and I want to change that when I have kids. I want to have things that my kids look forward to on holidays, something they can count on. A food, an activity, a story... something that is uniquely ours. The trouble is that I don't know what I want those traditions to be.

So here is my question of the week: What are some of your favorite family/holiday traditions? Beware, I can't guarantee that I won't steal them.

I need your help, please!

Nick's car is broken. It's going to cost a lot of money and work to fix it. Does anybody know of a cheap, reliable car that we could buy? We need one ASAP. Please let me know if you know of anything.

The Boy is Mine

Tomorrow is our 3rd anniversary! Its been a fun three years, and I'm looking forward to many more :)

Here are a few reasons why I LOVE my hunny!

- He makes me laugh

- He tells me how beautiful I am everyday

- He lets me buy lots of shoes

- He puts up with my tantrums

- He lets me know when I'm acting like my mother

- His favorite thing is cuddling with me

- He lets me be in charge

- He sends me flowers for no reason because he knows how much I love them

- He encourages me to do the things that make me happy, from my photography to hanging out with my girlfriends

- He wakes me up every morning with a kiss

- He is so good with our Primary kiddos and is going to be a great dad

Un-Pretty

For a while now, I've had this nagging feeling that I needed to write about this topic, but I've been putting it off for a number of reasons... 1. I don't like talking about it 2. It's a sensitive subject 3. I don't want you to think this is a fishing expedition 4. I haven't felt much like writing at all. But the feeling just keeps on coming, so I sit here writing, wishing I would have worn waterproof makeup today.

All my life I've stuggled with self-esteem and self-worth issues. I've wrestled with that inner voice that screams I'm not good enough, that whispers words of self doubt, that pokes and prods and points out all of my short comings. As I look in the mirror, I have a hard time seeing anything but those things I'm self-conscious of. These feelings of insecurity and self doubt have subsided over the years, from a tsunami into a gentle wave lapping at the edge of a lake, but they are still there. Still under the surface making it difficult for me to look in the mirror and see myself as pretty or beautiful. Sometimes making it difficult to believe my husband when he tells me I'm "smokin' hot."

I know there are other women out there who feel the same way I do. Society has convinced us that we have to be a size 4 to be beautiful, that we have to look and talk and walk a certain way. Lately I've been focusing less on society, and more on myself, trying to see myself the way my sweet husband sees me. As I've focused on self improvement, I've noticed that I have less days when I look in the mirror and sigh, and more days when I look in the mirror and smile.

I know that the Lord has created each of us to be unique and beautiful in our own ways. I know that every single one of my girl friends is a gorgeous, strong, inspiring woman. I know that as we focus on brightening the light that shines within each of us, improving our talents, our health, our spirituality, our charity, we will become more beautiful on the outside as well. Everyday is a struggle, but it is also another opportunity to shine.