Thankful Thursday {Link Up 17}

Gratitude turns what we have into enough.

~Author Unknown

 

Things I am Thankful For this week:

... the rain stopped after the wedding just in time for me to take my bride & groom out for beautiful pictures.

... Sketchers Go-Walk shoes. They keep my feet from crying from a long day of standing.

... Chasity helping me through yet another wedding. She keeps my mind straight, thinks ahead for me with areas to go to & poses on her phone, talks me down when I get ready to freak out & is the best at reminding me where I put my keys.  She is just amazing. I'd be lost without her on wedding days.

Someone took OUR picture at the wedding
...we said we never get our picture taken... it felt funny

... Seeing familiar faces at the wedding.  The bride was cousins with one of my past brides so it was good seeing family members that we grew to love at the first wedding.    I love when I go into a wedding & people all know how I work & know my loud voice :)

... a calm bride.  It makes a world of difference in a wedding day.

... meeting up with Ricky after the wedding for Penn Station. The BEST sandwich I had ever eaten.   I'm sure its because I had nothing to eat for 10 hours.

... Medals. I love race bling.

... Hair appointment days.  I think if I didn't have these days every 6 weeks, my hair would just keep growing in frizz.  I don't know how my hair stylist tames it back down, but she does.  I wish I possessed the magical powers she had.

...Sharpie markers.  They really are the best markers.

...8 days in a row of making over 10,000 steps!

... for a blog friend Mia sending me a sample of Advocare Spark Energy Drink. I'm all about trying products that will help me preform better & gives me a healthy boost.  I love trying a product & testing it before I have to commit to buying it too. I've bought a few things with high hopes only to see my wallet just got a lot lighter & nothing worked with it... sigh...

... as always, thankful for those of you that link up with me! I love seeing familiar faces every week that take the time to share with me the blessings in your life!!!

What are you thankful for this week?

My latest books....

I haven't done a book update since the end of my Winter Reading Challenge.

Wh-wh-WHAT?

 

I didn't give up on reading.  Just have forgot to post any updates on it.

 

So here's my latest reads that I have gone to take in....

Maybe One Day - 4 out of 5
The story of 2 best friends in high school, who grew up together to be ballerinas & where dance was the center of their lives.  They get kicked out of their ballet school & that seems like the most dramatic thing that could happen.  It would soon be forgotten when one of the friends is discovered to have cancer.  Oh mercy. This book just tugged at my heart having been through the experiences of having a friend who has cancer. I may have gotten teary eyed during this one. I did have one issue with the book & the way it made it seem like God was no where near during the pain, leaving one of the girls just angry at Him for it all. 




The Unveiled Wife - 3 out of 5
I was given this book by the author to review.  The story of a young woman looking for the right man to marry & to become the wife the Bible calls for.  When they start having issues with intimacy, it effected their whole marriage.  I was expecting this book to be more of a book on how to be a better wife, as the devotionals that she sends out daily are.  This turned out to be more of a biography with the problems that were in her marriage & how they had to work on getting them resolved.  Not what I was expecting.  Not that it wasn't good - but not what I was going in thinking it was.





Not That Kind of Girl - 1 out of 5
Oh my goodness. I kept seeing everyone reading this book & thought, I love a good autobiography.  Especially after coming out of Tina Fey & Amy Poehler & Neil Patrick Harris.  This one for me?  NO no no and NO.  I didn't enjoy this book one bit. I thought it was crude, harsh, & just cringe worthy in areas.  I just chalk it up to Lena Dunham being a totally different person then I am.  Things that are normal conversation with her would not be with me.  I just honestly didn't see how anyone could be entertained with this book.






The Sweetgum Knit Lit Society - 4 out of 5
A story about a group of women who get together & knit & talk about books?  Yes please.  OK - this book is exactly what you would expect it to be.  The stories of all the women in the group, all different, all intertwining.  Add in a 'troubled youth' & how all the ladies each touch her & how they come together in the end. You know how it all goes.  But I still loved everything about it.








You'll Get Through This - 5 out of 5
I just love Max Lucado & his writing.  Something about it is easy for me to understand.  This one was the same. This was the story of Joseph & the story of his relationship with his brothers who betray him & the life it led him to in the end.  Max Lucado takes every situation & ties it back to situations we may be going through & reminds us that we can make it through the things life throws at us.  I'm not even sure why I picked this book up, but I'm glad I did.  I really do recommend it for anyone going through something hard in life right now.





Yeah, Maybe - 3 out of 5
This is another book I saw everywhere popping up in blog world.  Written BY a blogger, which is cool.  It took me back to the drama of the high school & all the different ways that being a teenager can be so hard.  This was another story of 2 friends, who have always been close, even though they are 2 different people & have different values.  Their friendship is tested when they both end up at the same school & their 'outside' lives clash with their 'school' life.  Would the friendship hold up when other people step in between them?  I thought it was a cute, easy read.  It wasn't the most mind blowing book I've ever gotten my hands on, but it was totally worth reading just for the fun of remembering the drama of high school. Only in books.

 

So what books have you read lately that

I NEED to get my hands on?

The weekend that my feet hurt...

I'm sitting down... whew... it's been a weekend.

Friday had me glued to the TV... Bruce Jenner interview.

Anyone else stuck to the screen to see it all?

I was so intrigued by it all.  I will say, I still don't completely understand it, but I'm happy that Bruce can live the life that he feels like he needs to live.  And in the end, I know when my life is over & I stand before God - He's not going to ask me one thing about Bruce Jenner :)  Live your life.. let others live theirs.  That's how I feel about most people & the choices they make.

Anyways...

Saturday had me up & at 'em early.  Mainly to see the beginning of the Ky Derby Marathon starting.

I had registered last year without giving it any thought that I had something on my calendar already.  Oops!  But in the end, I was glad I missed this race.  It was cold & rainy. I probably would have decided to skip it anyways.

I had my car packed up with all my camera goodies & I was out & at 'em by 8:30 ...

let the fun begin.

A wedding day is so crazy, busy, hectic... this one was no exception.
With rain falling most of the day & small issues popping up - like a best man being late, a missing dress, music issues - it all reminds me that as a wedding photographer, you have to be flexible, but you still have to get it all the work done.

It's an interesting gig.  I always say you have no idea the pressure & work that is involved in wedding photography unless you get to work behind the scenes of it yourself.  It's an adventure, that's for sure.

But it all came together... wonderfully.

Chasity & I celebrating another successful wedding

With the rain, we could NOT have been in a better church.  They had a beautiful foyer with gorgeous lighting & gorgeous seating areas... they had a covered drive up area for cars that kept people dry.  And after the wedding, the rain stopped long enough for us to take the bride & groom out for some of my most favorite bridal pictures ever. 

Even at the end, when Chasity & I were leaving, the rain held off... & as soon as we got in the car, pulled out of the parking lot - the heavens BURST!  I mean torrential downpours.... I just had to high five God in my car at how well He takes care of us during a day!

Sunday, I was more then happy to sleep in.  I think I got up around 9:30.  YAWN! 

I headed to Merge & got to hang out with the kiddos - talks of the new Avengers movie opening this weekend being the main topic.

After church was out, I had a 10K to do.

Ricky kept telling me not to do it because my foot was so sore from the day before. 

My foot has something going on with it... I went to the podiatrist about it years ago & he told me that I have an area in my foot where the bone shifts causing this pain.  It's extreme.  Nothing can be done about it.  It will actually shift back in place & no pain at all... but when it slides out.  Oh mercy.  That's how it had been after the wedding.

But I was determined.  If anything, to prove something to myself.

So I grab my gear & off I go....

Add another medal to the collection!

Sunday night, I was just ready to finally sit & start editing pictures.... where I'll be most of the week now.  It felt good to just sit for a bit.  Ricky even went out & picked up some pizza so I didn't have to cook or go out for dinner.

& now, we're back to Monday... time to start a fresh new week.

Let's make it a good one!

What was the best thing about your weekend?

 

Did you watch the Bruce Jenner interview?

 

Get lots of rain this weekend?

Friday Favorites

 

 Favorite Health Article:
Best Bottled Fruit Juices

 

This article is great on telling you what fruit juices you can buy in stores & the health benefits of each one.  A handy little guide.
Check it out HERE  

 
Favorite Video
Shut up & Dance with me... movie edition



I have watched this quite a few times.
& have loved it every time.
I can figure out most movies too
... & I think you'll know my favorite in there...

 

 

 Favorite Recipe
Naughty & Nice Vegan Enchilada Casserole



This looks AMAZING!
Combining the best of both words - Italian & Mexican food.
Yes please!
& for the record, Ricky & I are addicted to Quinoa pasta - so good for you!
Link for recipe HERE

Favorite Beauty & The Beast of the week






Favorite Save the Earth Blog Post


Kristen is one of my favorite Aussies/KY/Blogger gals around!!!
& loved she did a post on simple changes you can do to help out our little planet.
Take the time to read it - its full of info plus, you'll just love how Kristen writes - she's FABULOUS!
Blog Post right HERE

 

 

 Favorite Funnies

 

 

When I tried my new protein powder in a smoothie

 

 

 

 

When I have to go to a meeting with all the "Big wigs" at work

 

 

 

My face during Grey's Anatomy last night

 



My face AFTER Grey's Anatomy




 

My relationship with Cadbury Eggs

 

(Though I am down to my last dozen... PANIC ALERT!!!!)



 



Happy Friday everyone!!!!

Thankful Thursday {Link Up #16}

 

Gratitude is an opener of locked-up blessings.

~Marianne Williamson

This Week I'm Thankful For:

... that my nieces just know how obsessed their aunt is over Beauty & The Beast.

... a new DVD player in my home office.  Bring on my old 80's movies on a loop. Xanadu, I'm talking to you.

... funny people.  They just make life so much better.

... our electricity bill dropped $100 this month!  Good bye bitter cold!!!

... God's words of comfort in the Bible.

... for Facebook bringing back old memories.  A girl I went to KINDERGARTEN with found me on Facebook (I'm not that talented at finding people on there) & she posted a pic of us on our graduation day.  What fun memories.  My mom swears I never had a dress like that.... I can totally remember this dress. It was one of my favorites. I remember wearing it for Easter too.  It came all the way down to the ground.  I was cool in maxi dresses before maxi dresses were cool!!! .... so thankful for memories.

I still wear my hair the same way
(I'm 3rd from the left if you didn't know)
Fun Fact... the girl on the left of me - she came to my grandmother's funeral... how sweet was that?

... My Bluetooth shower speaker so I can pump up the jam while I'm in the shower.  No other place sounds better to sing then in the shower.

... Pepper Jack cheese. #yum

... for 4:00 each day, Monday - Friday

What are you Thankful For this week?

Happy Earth Day... & other random stuff

 

* Happy Earth Day!!!   The whole earth deserves a day to itself - don't you think?  I don't know about anyone else but I worry about little ole' planet earth.  I don't know if I'm the only one who thinks about how much garbage we produce, or how long items will last before they decompose & where is all of this going to go?  I worry about the trees getting cut down & animals having no where to live.  I worry about the air we breath & the way we've messed it up with all the toxic things.  I believe in Global Warming & don't understand how when its freezing people say, "Where's your global warming at now?"... do they not understand Global Warming affects EVERYTHING - all seasons.  I worry about the planet for my grand dudes.  I wish more people cared.  #ChangeNeedsToHappen

* I have my first wedding of the year this weekend.... & the forecast is now at 70% change of rain.  BOO!!!!  I hate that.  It doesn't ever take away from how beautiful a bride is, but I hate it for her & the expectations a girl always has for her big day.  #PrayingFor Sunshine #IblameGlobalWarming

* A young man in the area that I had been following his battle with bone cancer passed away this past Sunday.  I'm so heart broken for this family.  Death is always hard to understand but when you see it take a young person, I think it just a double dose of sadness.  Pray for this family as they say goodbye to their son & brother.  #RIPKeaton

* Ricky & I are HUGE HUGE HUGE fans of The Flash... there was a new villain this past week & I thought she looked familiar but I couldn't place my finger on it.  I was shocked when I heard who she was.  Beth!  From The Walking Dead!  I was glad to see her on another show.  She was so sad when they interviewed her about getting killed off TWD.  It was good to see her cleaned up & looking adorable too!

* I was cracking up seeing everyone posting about & sharing that the latest married Duggar is now pregnant.  Is anyone surprised?  I mean, its apparent the Duggar's want to populate the world solely all on their own.  Honestly, I love the Duggar gang. I think they are an amazing family. I just don't understand how they smile & are so happy all the time. I want an episode where someone gets upset about SOMETHING.  How about a cross over... the Duggars meet the Real Housewives!  Now there's some good TV!  #LovetheDuggars #CongratsBen&Jessa

* Anyone else on Royal Baby Watch? .... Fingers crossed it's a girl!  #NameherDiana


* Just saw this morning where Sandra Bullock is the Most Beautiful of 2015.  LOVE IT!  Love seeing a woman in her 50's taking the prize!  I think she is just all sorts of adorable - personality & all... still don't get why that ex husband of hers cheated on her.  So messed up.  I bet he's kicking himself a little bit more today seeing her face on the front page! #inyoface #MissCongeniality

Tell me something Random that's on your mind today

Word Up!

If you were a TRUE child of the 80's, then just reading that title would make you instantly start thinking of Cameo ... & if you don't know who Cameo is, well, I can't help that you missed out being a kid in the greatest time ever.

OK - maybe the 80's were a little weird too... moving on.

I was able to talk to the youth kiddos this past Sunday about words & the power they hold. 

Oh mercy.  Do they ever. 

Something so simple - something we do every day - something we give not much though about.  Words that come out of our mouth.  The things they can do.

They can build up.
They can break down.
They stick to us... either way.

I saw a little video that had the words someone was calling someone else & they were just landing on the person & sticking all over them.  The painful words, like stupid, dumb, ugly - those stuck, but with more of a punch.

It really does sort of work like that.

I can remember being these kids age.  Even though it was so long ago.  I was at a party with my 1st Stephanie, meeting up with other friends & at the party was my 'boyfriend' - I put that in air quotes because that term is so funny to me when you are a teenager.  Bygones.  A whole other post.

So we've been at this persons house for most of the night, we played games, card games, board games, charade sorts of games - it was a great night.  Now, Steph & I never drank at these parties - we were usually the only ones but everyone just excepted that's how we were, who we were & they were fine with it.  But everyone else was sort of dabbling into drinks & we're all sitting in a room & someone, right in front of everyone said to my boyfriend, "You know, you have a really cool girlfriend."

Nice, right.... wait....

The next words were, "It's a shame she's so fat"

Talk about a punch to the gut.
Talk about embarrassing.

I remember the world just stopping. I ran out to find Stephanie & just asked her to get me out of there.

She had no idea what was going on but she grabbed her keys & we left, all the while me trying to explain what happened in the middle of gasping breaths.

You can imagine how dramatic it was - I was a teenager.  Teenagers are dramatic by nature.

I can still remember every feeling from that day.

I can also remember another time, not too many years ago, & I was singing... only to have someone comment that I wasn't really that great at singing & should probably keep it down.

Talk about a punch again.

I know I'm no Mariah Carey but I am one of those people who sings all the time. I can't help it that I want my life to be a real Broadway musical all the time.

But I can still remember someone saying that to me, so now, when I sing, I'm careful whose around.  I'm careful of how loud I sing. I'm remember those words spoken to me & they are still stuck to me.

I'm sure you can think of words that have been spoken to you that just cling to you every day.

Words don't go away.

Ugly.
Stupid.
Useless.
Disappointment.

& man, kids today use words I won't even get into.  Words that don't even punch, but words that gut.

Add in the power of social media & those words are even louder... get people to join in & agree with those words by a "like" or a comment & you might as well just give it up.  A whole other level of the power of words.

I challenged the kids this week to take account of their words - just be more
aware... I want to challenge myself to that. I want to challenge you.

What kind of words are coming out of your mouth on a usual basis?

Encouragement to someone?
Or is it sort of a jab?  A little quiet dig at someone?

Words make a difference.

For those 2 examples of harsh words that stuck to me, I have examples of words that stick to me that also makes me smile.

Words that someone told me they were proud of me.
I did a good job.
I made a difference.

I want more words to stick to me like that.

I want to make those kinds of words stick to others.