post three

February 15, 2007

I almost didn't make a post today - but, I then I did.
That's my story.
ps. I did originally post this on thursday night, but on friday morning I added a few more pictures. there will be another post later today.

:: The Winter::

The winter is just beautiful. It really is. As much as I rant about summer, winter really is breathtaking.

"I love to tell the story; more wonderful it seems
Than all our golden fancies of all our golden dreams":

"I love to tell the story, because I know 'tis true
It satisfies my longings as nothing else can do":

"I love to tell the story, 'twill be my fame and glory
To tell the old, old story of Jesus and His love":

"I love to tell the story; 'tis pleasant to repeat
What seems, each time I tell it, more wonderfully sweet":

"And when, in scenes of glory, I sing the new, new song
'Twill be the old, old story that I have loved so long":

I Love to Tell the Story - A. Katherine Hankey

"Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine!
Oh! What a foretaste of glory divine!":

"Heir of salvation, purchase of God,
Born of the Spirit, washed in His blood":

"This is my story, this is my song
Praising my Savior all the day long!":

"This is my story, this is my song
Praising my Savior all the day long"

"Perfect submission, perfect delight,
Visions of rapture now burst on my sight":

"Angels descending bring from above
Echoes of mercy, whispers of love":

"Perfect submission, all is at rest;

I in my Savior am happy and blest":

"Watching and waiting, looking above
Filled with His goodness, lost in His love":

Blessed Assurance -- Fanny Crosby

ps. summer has its perks:

See the mailbox? The driveway goes about two feet past that. And there is a good 15 feet behind me that isn't in the picture. Basically, the driveway is a nightmare to shovel. But, we did it. And we're all pretty proud of it.

Oh, what a beatiful spread of snowless pavement! *sigh*

post two

February 14, 2007

:: Bearliest Bear ::

the prettiest princess in the whole kingdom

-dad

I'm about to go outside and take some pictures of her in the snow (i'll add more to this most later today), but here a few more that I liked from earlier this winter.

"It isn't easy being big" -- title of her favorite book

"Umm. Kristen, I really like your eyes, but I don't like your bumps (acne)"
Thanks, bear. Me, neither :D

"I want some mer." (She doesn't say the sound "or" like in "score." She say "er" instead. So it sounds like "scer." Or "four" sounds like "fer" or "door" is "der." It's so funny.)

She is terrified of our team bus. She thinks it's the worst thing to happen to this world. With some of the singing that goes on inside that thing (courtney...) I might have to agree ;D

"Kristen, I'm sorry. Will you please forgive you?"

Remember when I posted this before? It's one one of my favorites, but it took me a while to get.

These are some of the outtakes. They make me smile.

"The prettiest bear in the whole forest!"

Big news: We asked Lauren what her name was and she usually says "Bearface" but, yesterday she said "Cup." Okay. random.
"You're the prettiest cup in the whole kitchen!"

post one

February 13, 2007

::My Weekend (two weekends ago) Adventure::

This post brought to you by chocolate (ugh)

First, I need to say something. This was Colleen's breakfast. Microwaved M&M's. Why? I can't understand? Whhyyyy?

These two were watching a intense TBS Saturday morning classic, and I didn't want to watch it, so I went upstairs to watch my favorite TV show online.

Natalie and I both love the show, so the following pictures are in honor of Natalie and The Office:
(sidenote: Natalie made a drink with milk, coffee creamer, liquid chocolate and powered chocolate. And loved it. It seriously had the consistency of smooth mud.)

"If you need you anything I will literally be standing right here."

"Would you like to pull a prank on Andy?"
"Umm...I'm kind of in the middle of...YES. Please."

"Where were you working before this?"
"Dunder Mifflin"
"I've never heard of it."
"Oh really? Have you heard of paper?"

"Maybe your cellphone is in the ceiling?"
"Maybe you are in the ceiling!"
"Um. Okay."

he rocks in the treetop all day long
hoppin' and a-boppin' and a singin' the song
"I think we broke his brain."
all the little birds on J-Birde street...

"I think I could go for some tunafish right about now. Ohohoh. Got my rod here. Zwiiiizzzz. Boop. click. click. click. clickclickclickclickclick. Oh! Whoa!"

*Caution: "The Office" is very funny and typically appropriate for probably 16 and up. However, there are certainly episodes I don't watch and I don't want anybody to think I'm advocating are completely supporting the show.*

sheepish grin

February 07, 2007

Hi.

I'm back :D

Here are some more pictures from this summer.

"You're all smiles and silly conversation

As if this sunny day came just for you"

"You twist your hair and you smile

And you turn your eyes away"

"Now, it dawns on me probably everybody's talking

And there is something here I'm supposed to realize"

"Cause, your secret is out

And the universe laughs at it's joke on me"

"I just caught it in your eyes
What a beautiful surprise"

"When did you fall in love with me?"

"Was it out of the blue?
Cause I swear I never knew it"

"When did you let your heart run free?
Have you been waiting long?
When did you fall in love with me?"

"I bet my face is red and you can hear my heart my heart poundin'
Right there before my eyes, you're my beautiful surprise"

"When did you fall in love with me..."
Chris Rice - When Did You Fall

Sarah Anne Barlow (a cousin of BarlowGirl and a wedding photographer) used this song in a slideshow for one of her weddings:

http://www.sarahannephotography.com/blogslideshows/MorganWed/

For all you photography people, you should check out her stuff!

good day

January 30, 2007

"Walking on sunshine! Ooohooah!
And don't it feel it good! Hey!"

After our last class on our last day of our Junior year, Lyd, Courtney and I headed over to Kelley Park. I had just gotten my camera, I had my first job with the new camera that night, the sun was shining, summer had just begun and I was with two of my favorite people on planet earth. This was one of my favorite days ever.

"You've got a friend in me
When the road looks rough ahead":

"And you're miles and miles
From your nice warm bed":

"Just remember what you're old pal said
Boy, you've got a friend in me":

"You've got troubles
Well, I've got 'em, too":

"There isn't anything that I wouldn't do for you":

"We stick together and we see it through
You've got a friend in me":

"Some folks might be a little bit
Smarter than I am
Bigger and stronger, too (maybe)":

"But none of them will ever
Love you the way I do":

"It's me and you
And as the years go by
Our friendship will never die":

"Because, you've got a friend in me":
Song from "Toy Story"

*sniff* look at my long hair *sniff* oh well...

Grandma - In heaven when we worship, we will sound immaculate
Nachos - In heaven when you call me, Timmy won't answer first
Both of you - Thank you for living for that day and for putting up with me until then
I love you!

the babies...

January 23, 2007

...make every 3rd Sunday amazing.

I love going to Children's Ministry at church and I finally brought my camera. It was just getting too precious.

Somebody invented a miracle. The invention? A bubble-blowing-machine. Yes. Back in the day, we had to blow the bubbles ourselves. It was quite a feat - bouncing the baby on your hip, holding the bubble jar in your pinkie and index finger, then trying to get the bubble-wand with your thumb and then blow and blow and blow until you are light-headed and panting "Seee-hu. Muhhmy's comink soohn. huh.huh blow blow. pop the bubbles." You would end up with bubble film and goop all over you and it just wasn't fun. The bubble machine is the way to go.

Oh. I'm sorry, buddy.

This was my view for about 20 minutes. A fussy girl rocked on my lap and sucked her pacifier while I sang along to the "I am a C. I am a C-H. I am a C-H-R-I-S-T-I-A-N" many times, because the CD player was on repeat. I am the "C, C-H, etc" song champion.

She finally was doing good enough to get off my lamp. Isn't she a cutie?

Then, life become difficult again and she needed some love.

I love being with Ms. Crosby! She is the best Children's Ministry worker ever and is so, so much fun.

Liz got a kick out of this guy.

She had the smallest little peice of cracker left, but she was determined to eat it. It was slimy and stuck to her hand, but she finished it.

See them all again on February 18th! Woohoo!

"And I will L-I-V-E E-T-E-R-N-A-L-L-Y!"

it's beginning to look a lot like christmas

January 23, 2007

Finally! It snowed! Even I was starting to wish it would snow. I need to sled -- desperately.

"In the lane
Snow is glistening":

"A beautiful sight
We're happy tonight":

"Walking in a winter wonderland":

"In the meadow we can build a snowman":

"And pretend that he's a circus clown":

"We'll have lot's of fun with Mr. Snowman":

"Until all the kiddies knock him down":

"When it snows, ain't it thrillin'?
Though your nose gets a chillin'":

"We'll frolic and play
The eskimo way
Walking in a winter wonderland":

eeeee!

life is just too wonderful

January 19, 2007

a post dedicated to one of my favorite parts of life:

-Laughter -

I love to laugh
Loud and long and clear:

I love to laugh
It's getting worse every year:

The more I laugh
The more I fill with glee:

And the more the glee
The more I'm a merrier me:

It's embarassing!
The more I'm a merrier me:

Some people laugh through their noses,
Sounding something like this: "Mmmmhmmmhm":

Some people laugh through their teeth, goodness sake
Hissing and fizzing like snakes:

Some laugh too fast
Some only blast - ha!:

Others, they twitter like birds:

Then there's the kind
That can't make up their mind:

When things strike me as funny
I can't hide it inside:

And squeak!
As the squeakelers do:

I've got to let go with a ho-ho-ho-hoo
And a hahahaha, too:

We love to laugh
Loud and long and clear:

We love to laugh
So everybody can hear:

The more you laugh
The more you fill with glee:

And the more the glee
The more we're a merrier we!:

(photo credit: my mom)

Thank you, Lord, for laughter.

song from Disney's Mary Poppins

happy 100th post!

January 19, 2007

Yep. This is the 100th one. Clap for it, please. woop, woop

So, what is life if you don't do crazy things every once in a while? Spontaneity and daringness (yes, that is really a word) are vital parts of life.

Does having your 13-year-old-sister (who has never cut hair. ever.) chop off a good 7-inches of your hair at 11:00ish at night count as being adventerous? I did cross of an item from my dream list, so, that is special. Let's recount the evening

My Big Hair Cut

a tale told in black and white photographs

hmmm.... this is annoying.

what can i do about it?

ah ha.
a female's worst nightmare. hair scissors. gulp.

oh snap. that is a lot more than i thought i was cutting off.it's different. i think i like it.

i won't ever do it again, but i like it right now.lydia cut her hair, too. we wanted to surprise courtney (because it takes courtney 47 days to actually decide she wants a haircut and we decided in about 20 seconds, tops.)we snuck into her room and she was *surprise* doing school. not known for her observant eye, it took her a minute to realize our hair was shorter.what are you talking about? we are definitely NOT posing for the picture...

yay! that was fun.

so. much. fun.

January 14, 2007

*EDIT* sometimes I lose at life and I do dumb things- like not post all of my pictures at the same time. So, throughout this morning I've frequently been adding pictures to this post -- make sure you see all of them. There are some killer ones of Julie and Ellen in the photobooth section *ENDIT*

"I can only imagine
When all I will do
Is forever, forever
Worship You"

The annual Senior High Banquet for our youthgroup was last night. It was unbelievably fun.

My senior class all-dolled-up (er. most of us anyways)

I have gobs of these type pictures. I think that is enough for now. I'm not as brave as Lydia to put up the hysterically bad ones.

The "banquet hall" was beautiful. Not too shabby for a basketball court, eh?

We had a brilliant pianist who earned some big bucks :-)

Here she is with her super-smiley friend:

And the 10:31 awards were given out...

... to two students who are running hard after God. Emily and Bryce are both exemplary models of living for Christ alone.

"Surrounded by Your glory
What will my heart feel?
Will I dance for you, Jesus?
Or in awe of you be still?"

I am honored to know both of you. Really - I don't say that lightly. Both of you have impacted me in ways you will never know.

You are following in the footsteps of some of the greatest:

To each of my friends (especially the seniors): I am praying for you and I can't thank God enough for having cross-centered friends who bless and challenge me daily. I hope that no matter what you do after highschool - whether it is being an author & senior pastor, or homemaker, or math teacher & youth pastor, or proposal developer & coach, or highschool history teacher or golf instructor, or student, or spouse, or parent, or anything - I hope you do it wholeheartedly for God.

May we stay on our knees in humble adoration of our King forever.

After the banquet, there was a...

What kind of party? Well, it was a:

"Will I stand in Your presence?
Or, to my knees will I fall?
Will I sing 'Hallelujah'?
Will I be able to speak at all?"

And...there was a photobooth. *smiles*

classic...

some pretty stinkin' awesome litte brothers:

"I can only imagine
What my eyes will see
When Your face
Is before me
I can only imagine"

ps. on the way to church I had an amazing and heart-wrenching conversation with my hero about her hero.
Julie - I love you more than words can say and I am praying for you every day.

...

"so, this is love"

January 02, 2007

Gracie Brin and her mom stopped by today for some pictures.

"Oh, it's a beautiful thing
Don't think I can keep it all in":

"And if you asked why I changed
All I gotta do is say your sweet name":

"It's your love
It does something to me":

"Sends a shock right through me
I can't get enough":

"And if you wonder
About the spell I'm under
It's your love":

Tim McGraw & Faith Hill -- It's Your Love

Pray for Gracie's dad as he continues to serve our country in Iraq. I know both his ladies miss him terribly! Actually, I'm sure Gracies' mom would appreciate prayers as well, while she waits for him to get home.

Thanks to my total stupidity I deleted about 80 pictures from today, so I need to wait for my only copy of the pictures to come later. More precious-ness to come!

eeee!!!

January 01, 2007

"So, teach us to nunber our days that we may get a heart of wisdom"
Psalm 90:12

I almost fainted when I saw myself in my cap and gown the other night. Oh my gosh. I'm graduating this year. Oh my gosh.

2007 begins...

We celebrated the New Year with a small caregroup party:

My parent's CG leaders have a gorgeous home:

One of the many intense games we played (I discovered that what I lack in Charades, I gain in Catch Phrase. That's my game)

When girls see me taking pictures of them, they either say "No, I look terrible right now" or, they pretend the are watching something very sweetly, trying to candidly pose. When guys see me taking pictures of them, they usually make this face: (I'm serious, I have so many pictures of that face...)

My very first picture in 2007:

Happy New Year, everyone!

May the "Lord bless you and keep you; make His face shine upon you... and give you peace" this year. (Numbers 6:24-26)

a little pretend

December 29, 2006

Today my drop-dead-gorgeous sisters modeled for me for a pretend bridal/flower-girl shoot.

see? i told you she was gorgeous. exquisite, actually.

- and they only get prettier :-)

just for a little fun...

"Pause a moment and consider the wondrous works of God" Job 37:14
Today, I got to pause and thouroughly enjoy my sisters.

Christmas Update

December 28, 2006

The most beautiful family room in the world, thanks to my mom:

So, Christmas was, wonderful, as it has been every single year my entire life. Each one has been different, but each has been so special.
Once, we spent Christmas in a cabin in some California mountains with my mom's family. One year we were in an empty home with only a Christmas tree, presents and one mattress (we moved to CA on New Years Day, so the holidays were a little rough). Another time, about 20 ladies came and wrapped our presents because my mom was preparing for surgery and chemo. Once we had a newborn baby (Ladybug!) and once we went swimming outside because it was 80 degrees . This year was more low-key (which makes me so grateful!)

Does anybody in the world have a good Christmas morning picture? We never do

More sports games! Yes!

Lauren reading the newest "member" of our family, Emily, the Christmas story. Emily is the most spoiled baby-doll ever.

Looks like December 25... in San Diego!!! This had been the best Maryland winter ever.

These raindrops should've been snowflakes, but they weren't. Because it was 68 degrees outside!

This sidewalk should've covered with snow because Timmy wouldn't have shoveled it yet, but it's wasn't. Because it was 68 degrees outside!

I was cleaning the fridge out and this caught my eyes (These always scare Katie - seriously, ever time she opened one and it "popped" she gasped and jumped back. Gotta be smarter than the dough, right Katie?)

And...I got to talk to one of these lovely ladies for about an hour (or more...)

The last time I saw her we did this:

How we got from the first picture to the second? You wouldn't understand, even if I tried. But it was so. much. fun.

(I trick myself. I pretend it's spring by putting fake flowers in my room.) I liked all the different blues in this picture:

And, thus, ends my Christmas post.
Oh come, let us adore Him!

sigh, then shiver

December 27, 2006

"...but, how do you wait for Heaven?"

-- Sarah Evans Born to Fly

"The day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar." 2 Peter 3:10

Oh. Wow. Can you imagine just sitting in school or playing in a sports game and all of a sudden seeing the sky rip open like cheap-paper? And then see Jesus coming down? The sky is supposedly going to melt. Melt! aaah. I wish I could see that.

check out her pictures from last night --> http://www.lydiajanephotography.blogspot.com

I have no transition. Here are some pictures from school:

"Someday my [car] will come..." Snow White
So far, waiting around at school has been fine, but I am rapidly running out of things to photograph there.

Christmas day over-view: COMING IN TWO HOURS

"and they shall call his name..."

December 24, 2006

"Immanuel"
(which means, God with us)

Last night our family went to go see "The Nativity Story" and for the first time this Christmas season, I was moved to tears about the unbelieveable miracle of Jesus' birth. I cannot believe that that is how the Savior of the world was born. I can't believe that Mary obeyed, despite the cirsumstances she was in. I can't believe Joseph remained faithful and trusted God, even when it seemed crazy. I can't believe that prophesy after prophesy was fulfilled as Mary and Joseph made their way to Bethlehem and had Jesus. God is simply amazing. He truly, truly is.

Last day of school in 2006: Some classes went all-out to decorate their room:

After going outside in the drizzle and mild coldness...

... for some American and European football with Mr. B (I won't put up any other pictures - way too embarrasing!...)

...we went to the rockin' Christmas party that student council put together.

The party featured a bake-off (Julie got to fulfill a dream and check it off of her list! She was a food judge!),

... some special, festive costumes...

...DDR...

...Leo...

...and a moon-bounce!

It was super fun, to say the least :-)

Later that day, Skweegy and I pooled our building-skills together and constructed two gingerbread houses with the kids.

The icing was sooooo hard. My arms were sore the next day from trying to keep the mixer in it the bowl.
(Lyd and I broke into our own version of the slightly-sad-country-classic "Concrete Angel": "Through the water and the sugar, it stays hard as a stone, in the bowl that we can't lean up on... Concrete Icing!")

It stayed up! It stayed up!

The kids were relatively patient while we constructed the homes and they were so excited when we finally called them up to decorate!

Looking good...

Priceless. Possibly one of the ugliest little things ever, but I love it so much. And so do the kids. And, most importantly, it is still proudly standing in the kicthen (with fewer and fewer candies on the roof as each day passes...)!!!

hmmm. yep, that's the way we do it...

Merry Christmas everyone!

pure bliss

December 20, 2006

I had so many of these, I decided to post some more:

"The smile on your face
Lets me know that you need me":

"There's a truth in your eyes
Saying you'll never leave me":

"The touch of your hand
Says you'll catch me whenever I fall":

"You say it best
When you say nothing at all":

And, a few more from their wedding:

"If I gave you my hand
Would you take it
And make me the happiest man
In the world?":

"If I told you my heart
Couldn't beat one more minute without you, girl

Would you accompany me to the edge of the sea?
Help me tie up the ends of a dream?":

"I gotta know
Would you go with me?"

Some details:

recognize that picture in the frame?
i was pretty excited to see it on their guest-book table
:-)

songs by:
Alison Krauss "Nothing At All"
Josh Turner "Would You Go With Me?"

bum-dadada-dum, bum-dadada-dum...

December 18, 2006

We English-Country-danced the night away last night. I stepped out for one dance and while I was out I took a few pictures:

(the caller was great. he gave us a brief history lesson, patiently watched us botch the "turn single" [i prefer the term "turn signal" - like in a car] and, most importantly, didn't laugh at us. i don't know how he did it, because i was sure laughing.)

pretty much my favorite punch-bowl-fountain ever.

I do have a few more from the party, but I have a history test to study for, thanks to Mr. B.
Speaking of Mr. B (like my smooth transition?), I took some family pictures of them this weekend:

(finishing up Martina McBride's song Blessed from two posts before this)

"Across a crowded room, I know what you are thinking
No words have to be said
I think to myself, I think to myself
This love is a beautiful gift":

"I have been blessed
And I feel like I've found my way
I thank God for all I've been given,
At the end of every day":

"I have been blessed with so much more than I deserve
To be here with the ones that love me;
To love them so much it hurts":

"When I'm singing my kids to sleep
When I feel you holding me
I know...":

"I have been blessed":

I had so much fun with their family! They remind me of my family, which is always great.
Hopefully their pet, Cubby, was safely found. They discovered it's disappearance while I was over doing the pictures. It was so sad!
I cannot even tell you how much I love history class with Mr. B! And his family is pretty awesome, as well.

:-)

"i'm sorry..."

December 18, 2006

so sorry, please accept my apology." -brenda lee

I've been a bad blogger this week. Hopefully I'll redeem myself in the next 24 hours with the plethora of pictures I have planned to post, starting with these:

"I get kissed by the sun each morning,
Put my feet on a hardwood floor.
I get to hear the children laughing
Down the hall through the bedroom door":