Girls Weekend. Creepy dolls. Exciting News.

Time to update of you fine people on what's been going on!  This past weekend we had our annual Girls Trip, and it was SO fun. Not all of the aunts and girl cousins could go, so we ended up with only 8. But it was still so great and amazing to have quality time with my Meemaw, mom, sissy, aunts and cousins :) We went to Fredericksburg, TX for a weekend away. 

On the trip there we made a detour for Gruene, TX (pronounced "Green", who knew?). In that cute little town there are cool antique shops, a nice place to eat lunch (The Gristmill), and the BEST cupcake shop! The Gruene Flour Cupcakery was so incredibly yummy. 

(Click image for full size)

While in Fredericksburg, they had their Trade Days that same weekend. Some booths and areas were packed with cute, fun, and creative things to buy! And some areas...well, I thought they would be a perfect setting for a horror movie. And in case you need proof...

But of course, it was all fun! I feel like I should warn everyone of something, though. When eating out with my dear cousin....let's call her "Tina", you have to have your wits about you! Because she WILL tell the waiter that it's your birthday, for 2 main reasons. To embarrass you, and to get a free dessert (duh). The first victim was Meemaw, who told us that she prayed for forgiveness for accepting it haha. And if we would not have had such horrible service at a particular German restuarant then I am sure Tina would have pulled the same shenanigans there. So the next victim was my aunt, at Mamacitas. I pity her because she had to endure a sombrero, singing, and an encore. But hey, we got sopapillas. Now, I do not condone this behavior...but I also do not condone turning down free dessert.

I LOVE my Meemaw :)

And now, on to the exciting news! I am shooting my first wedding tomorrow night! I get to be a second-shooter for Open Window Photography for a wedding at the Frisco Heritage Chapel. I am beyond excited for this opportunity. Wish me luck and stay tuned to my Website and Facebook Page for Sneak Peeks of the wedding next week! :)

Stuff Happens, So Eat Cupcakes...And Read Your Bible.

Sometimes, stuff happens.

I'm walking up to my front door from work today, trip over a weird spot in the sidewalk and watch as my keys and phone go flying into the air. A nasty cracking sound is all I need to hear...I knew my phone was toast.  I pick it up to see the top left side of the screen completely shattered. I guess the only positive thing is that the entire screen isn't cracked, just partially. And it stills works. BUT STILL.

So I did the only thing I knew to do. I made cupcakes. Diet cupcakes to be exact! I'm sure some of you have seen this, but for those of you who haven't...I must share! I found (on Pinterest of course) different blogs on the MANY different variations you can make.

Basically, you take 1 box of cake mix or brownies + 10oz of any diet soda + 2 egg whites. That's it, there is no need for the oil, water, and eggs called for on the box!  I have seen some blogs use 1 cake mix and 1 whole can of soda (12oz), but I think the egg whites really help to make the cake/brownies rise. The best part is that diet soda and 2 egg whites are 0 points! So you just calculate the points for the dry mix :) The possibilities are endless (chocolate cake & cherry coke zero, white cake mix & diet cream soda, etc)...tonight I made this combo:

Peach Citrus Fresca + Strawberry Cake Mix

Depending on how many points you want to hit, add Fat Free or Light Cool Whip...or crack your phone screen and go for the real icing! Depends on how your day went really.   

Here are some other things that make me feel better when my day isn't so great:

I lovelovelove this new blanket I bought, it's ridiculously soft and the perfect companion for when you just need a nap. Sometimes, a nap is the only answer for a difficult day. (Or cupcakes)

Nespresso maker = lifesaver. Lattes, Cappuccinos, etc. Mhmm

And last but not least...every Thursday I meet with my Meemaw, some aunts, and some girl cousins to have a bible study/book study together. The women in my family are amazing, I am truly blessed to have such great role models in my life. This week is the 3rd week of us doing "What Happens When Women Say Yes to God".  I hope to grow and strengthen my ability to be a good wife to my husband, a great future mother to my children and a strong follower of my Creator.  Eating, laughing, learning, and praying with these women keep me sane, challenges me to be better, and gives me hope for each new day.

Prayers and blessings to everyone-- eat cupcakes and read your Bible!

Maternity Session

If you know me, you know that I LOVE to sleep.  If I don't get my 8 hours of beauty sleep a night I can be a teensy bit...cranky. So if something causes me to not be in bed at an exact time to ensure that 8 hours gets met, it must be something important.  I mean, it has to be very important. Yesterday I had the honor of taking my dear friend Fanny's maternity photos. Our friend Iza even did her makeup beforehand, it was such a fun time.  I was giddy with excitement after looking at each shot because I just knew they were absolutely gorgeous. Fanny makes it easy to get great pictures, this girl knows how to work the camera! I told myself that I was only going to edit one and then before I knew it, hours had passed! I had to force myself to go to bed, which is usually never a difficult choice. My heart gets so happy when I see the results from a shoot and even more so when the client loves them too. It truly feels like a high that I don't want to come down from.  And to feed that fire I'm attending another workshop tomorrow! Scott Kelby's "Light it. Shoot it. Retouch it. Live!" I'm super excited. But for now...off to edit :) Enjoy the pics of this gorgeous mama!

Harry Potter, The Wonders of Pinterest, and Photography.

Long time no see....Sorry about being away for so long! The Fall semester is finally over, and I must say it has been a tough one. But let's forget about the lows and focus on the highlights of Fall 2011!

For my Fall Break my in-laws, husband and I took a trip to Disney World! And of course, the most exciting part was The Wizarding World of Harry Potter! It was great. My only complaint is that I wish there was MORE. I want an entire city...no, country...no, PLANET to be based on Harry Potter. *Sigh* The hotel we stayed at (The Grand Floridian) was amazing and the service was excellent. One event that ranked pretty high on the awesome-factor was swimming with the Dolphins at Discovery Cove. Dolphins are officially my new favorite animal.  And lastly, the Cirque Du Soleil show was the best live entertainment I've ever witnessed. No CG, no stunt doubles, just fascinatingly difficult talent right in front of your eyes. You if you EVER get the chance to see a show, you must!

The Grand Floridian 

Apparently Stephen met a new friend!

Ok, let's now address how fabulous and wonderful Pinterest is to me. I discovered this fabulous website this semester.  Only those who use Pinterest know just how incredible it can be. I wish I had it as a resource for planning my wedding over a year ago. There are many, many uses for Pinterest, but one in particular is the ability to find awesome recipes! Especially, recipes for my Crockpot...which I love. If you don't use your Crockpot, I can guarantee that Pinterest will inspire you to dust it off and use it to its full potential.  There are also yummy desserts, drinks, appetizers and made from scratch meals just waiting to be tried out!

Healthy Lasagna Soup! I am always looking for healthy recipes and this one was delish!
Link: http://thedeenbros.com/index.php/recipes/recipe_detail/
bobbys_lighter_tastes_like_lasagna_soup/

Crockpot BBQ Chicken! The Hubs loved this one and it was soooo easy. Link: http://forkinit.blogspot.com/2010/09/crockpot-barbecue-chicken.html

7 Up Biscuits! Stephen almost ate the entire pan by himself. They go with almost any meal....SO good. I will say, mine did not turn out looking like the picture at all though. haha. Link: http://monstermama-monstermama.blogspot.com/

And this is on my list of things to try ;) Cherry Coke Float Cupcakes! Link: http://passthesushi.com/cherry-coke-float-cupcakes

Pinterest is also provides great inspiration for DIY crafts. (I have never been a crafty person but this website stirs something within me that I cannot deny!) Not to mention Teaching Resources, Fashion inspiration, unique items, Home Decor tips and SO MUCH MORE. But reader beware....It will suck 4 hours out of your day faster than you could ever imagine. In a nutshell, it is addicting!

This semester I have also found myself enjoying my new hobby: Photography. It has been so fun and I love practicing on my family! I should have started this years ago!

vacations, hippos and sweet surprises

Finally getting to sit down and have some blog time! Well, I'm making it a little break from the mountain of homework that is slowly melting my brain.  

summer school books*

I've been missing Peepaw a lot lately. It always hits me at quiet times, like in the car when my mind starts to wander. Sometimes it seems like I don't want to believe it. Like, if I were to drive to Meemaws house right now he would be in his usual chair at the kitchen table.  

Wasn't he handsome?

I especially missed him 2 weeks ago when some of my family and I took a weekend vacation to Hot Springs, Arkansas. It was a great time and I couldn't help but think of how much he loved to take trips. He would've really enjoyed this one.

I didn't know what to expect on our trip (I usually only hear "Arkansas" come up when there is a joke about hillbillies or incest). But I have to say that it was beautiful! The scenery was wonderfully green and we found cool little places to eat and shop. My husband was out of his comfort zone with waking up early and being on the go ALL day, but he was a trooper :)

my family! i loved this wall we found in a parking area.

Boat tour*

super old elevator at the tour of the Bathhouse

the guys (and mom) ready for the mavs game that night

I also received an unexpected surprise that weekend! It started about 3 years ago when I was attending Abilene Christian University I was a member at Southern Hills Church of Christ (wonderful place to be!). I met a young married couple and their son visiting church that morning.  Their son was sitting next to me and he was probably around 5 years old. He started getting restless and fidgeted in the pew so I got out a little notepad and started drawing stick figures and silly things and passed it to him and he was entertained for awhile.  Once the fun in that faded away for him I remembered that I had a little toy Hippo in my purse (I know I know, you're thinking why does a 20 yr old college student have that? Well my cousin gave it to me, and we happen to be sentimental about weird things). So I let him play with the little toy hippo until church ended. Once services were over I talked to his mom who thanked me for being nice to her son. I could tell that he did not want to give up that little toy so I told him he could keep it.  I knew that they were from out of town and I would probably never see them again, but hey he liked it so I was glad to make his day. Well that night I get a picture-mail of the hippo on their dashboard! It made me laugh and I felt so glad that I met them.
WELL....On our trip 2 weeks ago I get a picture mail from them and its her son with the Humphrey the Hippo! How randomly wonderful and sweet is that? Things like this don't happen very often and certainly not with 3 years passing in between them.  I feel so blessed to have met them and so thankful to God that people like this still exist today.

Humphrey the Hippo and my old friend :)  (*picture and name of child withheld)