A birthday, Christmas & a burning face... thanks jalapenos

I can't believe Christmas is over...

& I can't believe we still have 2 more celebrations to go to.

It's the gift that keeps on giving. Literally.

Saturday, Ricky let me "sleep in" & by sleep in, that meant I had to be up at 7:30... it was his birthday after all & much to celebrate.

I made the birthday boy a big breakfast & it wasn't long before we were headed out to the stores for some final shopping.

I always tell everyone, we are the ones who no matter how early we start, we'll be out on Christmas Eve still going.  It never fails.

In all honesty, I had given Ricky a birthday gift that he loved so much, he wanted my dad & brother to have one too. I had actually gotten my dad one too so Ricky was like, "we've got to get your brother one"... & headed out to Sam's Club to find out they were sold out of this item. GREAAATTTT!

We have a tradition with Ricky though that he gets to pick out his place of choice to eat - I can't give any grief over it no matter how badly I want to.... & this year, he chose Outback.

I dont complain about that. They have a great salad & even better sides. I swear, I dont know what they do to their broccoli but its gotta be something to make that healthy food really not healthy - it just tastes so soft & buttery. Forget the blooming onion - get the broccoli when you're there.

It was so cute when our waiter was like, "Merry Christmas" & I said, "No sir - not yet!  We are here celebrating his birthday" & the waiter was so kind to him about it. Asking him if he wanted a drink since it was obviously his 21st birthday.  He really was the best waiter.  When he came to take our order, Ricky had run out to the car to get kleenex (poor guy STILL isn't 100%) & the waiter asked me, "Did I scare him making him think we'd come embarrass him for his birthday?"... Ricky does get a little fearful of that.  Me? I'm like, EVERYONE - LET'S SING & DANCE!!! We are cut from 2 different cloths, for sure.

But they did give him a little birthday treat...

We left & headed over to my brother's for my families Christmas.

We got there at the perfect time... they were making Peanut Butter balls. MMMMMMM....

Sophia is such a little baker

My family usually orders chinese take out & eats while we go out for Ricky's birthday but they got a late start.  So while my brother & dad went to go pick up their food, we got into an intense game of HeadBandz Act Up.  It's such a fun game. A cross of HeadBandz & Charades.



We had the best time...



That picture makes me laugh because my sister in law couldnt get it & the twins, in all the blurry movement, was jumping & rocking back & forth that she couldnt get PLAYGROUND (its harder than you think)

Games are just the most fun.

Except when you have the word JAPAN... ask my niece- that's not a fun game to her.



We also took some time & I let Sophia play a little with my camera. She always tells me she wants to be a photographer one day so we walked around & I let her use my camera to snap some pics.  I love sharing the love of photography & cameras.

I had to take the camera over though & get a picture of the girls with my mom.

I had to laugh a little when I saw that Sophia is almost as tall as my mom is now



My dad & brother got home & time to grub down...



Finally time to get to some gift giving....

The girls favorite time of the year.

#AllTheGifts!!!

... except Sophia wasn't too excited when her Papaw wrapped up a tiny pair of earrings in a few dozen boxes.

She found no amusement in this....

Her face cracks me up.. & this isn't even the final box

My favorite gift of the year was giving the girls the whole collection of Harry Potter.

I've waited for this day since they were born.

They are finally readers & we were out one night after a movie night & they had said they wanted to read it. You dont have to tell me twice.

Their reaction when they opened it up was so priceless to me too.  I wish I captured that, but I was too busy beaming myself.



... but the real stars of the Christmas was my SIL's new little brother & sister.  Her parents live on the front part their property so she drove up & got her new babies & brougt them back..

two little poodle puppies.

OH MY GOODNESS!!!

His name is Teddy

Ricky kept telling me, "No... no... no... no ... no... Rebecca, we're not getting a new puppy"

But by the time they were leaving to go home, he was pulling out his wallet & asked if he could buy them from her.
yeahhhh  - like that was going to happen.

My brother's dog not too sure of this little fella
... & BTW, that's my brother's hand... he really does exist... he just isn't a picture person

We got home just in time to settle in & watch A Christmas Story until we both fell asleep on the couch in front of the tree... a perfect ending to Christmas Eve.

Christmas morning - I loved so much it was on a Sunday.  We were heading to church - the perfect place to celebrate Jesus birthday.

I guess most everyone else went the day before on Christmas Eve because this huge church was nearly empty... but I loved it because it made it feel really cozy & personal.

It was just so beautiful in there - & the music was simple & heart warming...




It was so nice too because our friends were there & we got to give some hugs & kisses to our Grand buddies on Christmas morning.

Emerson loved being in the front row, she was dancing & swaying to the music... & yes, those are her little stuffed animals on the floor. They need to give Jesus a Happy Birthday too.

They headed off to family after the service & we were going to head home to meet up with our youngest girl but she ended up needing to go somewhere in a few hours so it wasn't worth her to drive all the way out to our house- we said we'd do it the following day & then we ended up at Steak & Shake for lunch.

A Christmas Mocha Milkshake

That was a new one for us on Christmas day.  It was PACKED too!  People were waiting for a seat.
& good Ricky - he gave a 100% tip to our waitress for working on Christmas day.

We actually were going to go to the movies & see Rogue One, but Ricky still hasn't felt the best - bless him... so we said let's just go home & relax for the day

... & that's exactly what we did...

until I thought I was going to have to go to the hospital.

It started off innocently enough.  I wanted to make some sweet potato, quinoa crock pot chili....




Everything is going in the crock pot - even the jalapenos I had to cut up & un-seed.

All smooth enough. Except the onions made my eyes water so much, it made my nose run. So I got a kleenex & blew my nose & I guess my fingers rubbed around my nose through the kleenex because all of a sudden, it felt like I had dipped my face into the pits of HELL!!!

My face was on ON FIRE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

& then the cuticles of my fingers were burning - & then I couldnt stop touching parts of my face - like the corner of my eye (because my eyes were freaking watering like a faucet)

& I couldnt get it to stop burning.  It just kept getting more & more intense.

Of course, anything medical, you MUST go to Web MD... & I found out I'm dying...

no, not this time..

but I did see people said to put milk on your face.  Well, we dont have milk in our house.  So I read on & someone said yogurt works - so I opened a new container of greek yogurt & nearly gave myself a full facial.  I put it on & it totally did calm it down.

Can you see the tears in my eyes?

& as soon as I wiped it off, it would burn again - so more on my face.

Ricky had no idea any of this was happening. He was in the back barn - & walked in to yogurt on my face & just looked at me, shrugged & walked on.

You never know what I'm up to... its just best to walk on.

Let it be known right here - I'll never touch another jalapeno as long as I live.
That's a Christmas promise right there.

We finally got it where my face didnt burn anymore - & I sat with my hands burning the rest of the night for HOURSSSSS which made for a good reminder to not touch my face again.

The night ended though on a happy note though when Beauty & the Beast was on TV.  it was like the perfect ending to Christmas Day for me.

Ricky had said, "This isn't going to be a Christmas tradition they put on TV, is it?" ... poor guy has had to watch this movie more than any man should be allowed to watch it.  #goodsport

But the chili ended up getting done - & it wasn't even too spicy...

We ate in the living room - something we never do - sung along to the movie (OK, I sung along... Ricky just shook his head) & we gave a toast to another wonderful Christmas Day.

What was your favorite gift to give this year for Christmas?

Have you ever been burned by a jalapeno?

Did you get to make it to church for Christmas morning?

The weekend I got to go to a wedding 5 years in the making....

What a weekend....

as usual - busy. Surprised?  Me either.

Though I am hoping for some slower weekends after this one because it was my last scheduled photo session for the year.  I always try to take off during the holidays so I dont have to rush & fill up time editing all weekend long, when instead, I can stress over holiday things like gifts & decorations & parties & celebrations... normal stress.

But the last one for the year was a wedding... & not just any wedding... but a wedding that was five years in the making.

Let me back up.

Most of you know that I serve in Middle School Youth Ministry - a true passion of mine.  & something I've been doing for a long time apparently.

These kids... they grow up... fast.  & I dont feel like I'm THAT much older from when I started working with some of these kids.

But these babies... BABIES... at least to me... they're now full fledge adults & getting married.

& this isn't my first youth kiddo to get married. I actually did one of my special girls wedding a few years ago....

& now, another one of my girls has taken the path of becoming a Bride.

& I love this precious girl. Heck, I love all my girls.

Lacy has been in my life for the longest time. I remember her coming into youth ministry when she finally hit the 6th grade BIG LEAGUE... & she was always inseparable from her best friend Lindsay.  You never saw one without the other. Never.  The way that every 6th grade girl should have a best friend.  One always with the other.

Believe Youth Conference in 2007

Through the years, I have laughed with them, taught them, cried with them, prayed with & for them, sang with them, been on my knees with them before God.  I have some special memories with these girls.

So when Lacy got engaged, she made sure I was going to be there to photograph her wedding. Actually, she told me YEARS before her wedding that she wanted me.  See, her & her boyfriend got married on the actual 5 year anniversary date that they started dating. How cute is that?  But truly, she asked me years ago to make sure to write down that date - November 5, 2016... & I did.

It was such a blessing to be with her on her wedding day...
& to be with her family.
I ADORE her family... all of them.  Her parents, her grandparents, her brother's family.
Love her groom, love her grooms parents.

This wedding was made for me & Chasity to be there.

Chasity was happy to be there too apparently :)

The bad thing - when I'm emotionally involved, I'm a sap. Well, let's get it clear, I'm a sap on a GOOD day - or bad day - however you look at it - but when I have emotional ties to someone, I'm a sap to the 20th degree.

So by the end of the night, Chasity had to take a napkin & get water on it & clean up my face where my mascara was out of control. #SotheTruth

Some of the things that made me tear up....

... seeing this girl I still see as a little girl get in her wedding dress.  & when her momma started tearing up, I had to join in.

I have to laugh at this picture because momma there is trying to hold her tears in by keeping her head back #funniestmomma

... when her momma teared up from getting a card & gift from her daughter
... when the bride got on a swing that her dad made for her to take pictures on.  He tried it out with her to make sure it was sturdy enough & he pushed her.  Watching him push his little girl, oh yeah... cue the tears
... when the bride & groom exchanged letters with each other before the wedding (without seeing each other).  The groom said he had a 'lump in his throat' all day long & it was just swelling up.  I cry when any man cries anyways - so when he would cry, forget it - pass the Kleenex.
... when she did a first look with her dad.  I LOVE LOVE LOVE a daddy/daughter relationship & she is a total daddy's girl ... what a special first look.

... I HAD to take the opportunity to pray with these two before the wedding & their families. To be able to pray with Lacy before this huge moment?  It was so special for me.  I loved being able to hold her hand with her future husband's hand & pray for God to be the center of their marriage.
... when her dad looked at her before the wedding - literally as they were lining up to walk down the aisle & said giving her away was the hardest thing he had ever done in his life.. & then had to leave because he got choked up. OH MY WORD... just push me over at this point.
... when the groom saw his bride.  It was what EVERY bride wants their groom to look like - just floored with emotion at seeing his bride.
... during their pictures after the wedding. They were just so happy to finally be together.  I would pose them in certain ways & the groom couldnt help but kiss his bride. It was the sweetest thing.
... Dances of all kind get me - bride/groom - bride & father - groom & mother.... so precious.
... Speeches. I love a good heart tugger speech from maid of honors & Best men. The Maid of Honor is just like me - crying at every little thing - so when she got choked up at the end of her speech (which I was proud she held it together so well) I got a little choked up with her.
PLEASE NOTE:  Saps dont leave other saps hanging

& one of the most special things I loved about the day - remember when I mentioned earlier about Lacy & her friend Lindsay?  They were together for this amazing day.  Lindsay has made the move to New York. She's going to be a culinary star! Watch out for her one day on Top Chef!  But she made her way to come back home for her friend's wedding. I know times have changed & their relationship isn't like the 6th grade years through high school, but that they have stayed in contact with each other & that they could share this special day together?  Made me choke up even more.

Me & my girls

I think I just loved seeing love... in all forms.
With the bride & groom
With the families supporting them both
With friendships that never end... old & new.

& for me, with girls that I am cheering on in life & will always love & am so excited to see what God has in store for them...

It was such a blessing to be a part of this amazing day.

So needless to say, it was a pretty darn good weekend....

A magical mushroom, a happily ever after & a captured fur baby.... {Project Life}

I haven't done a picture post in the past few weeks - but I've still been clicking away.

I've actually even incorporated some photo challenges that are out there that give you a word for the day & you need to try & find something that you can SNAP that goes with that word.

That's been a fun way to find inspiration.

So anyways - here's a little collection of some of my favorite pics of the month

& the #Hashtags? ....that's the Photo Challenge Word issued.

___________________________

#SILHOUETTE

Oh, we are nearing the end of my morning bridge shots.

The sun was barely peeking over the horizon when I was driving into work today.

I'll be looking back at these pictures in the dark & dreary of winter when I'm driving in pitch blackness... whoa is me

#PASTEL

Is it me, or does this look like an Eagle in the sky?

I was trying to point it out to Ricky & he thought I was nuts....

#FLORAL

Our little rose bush has been going nuts lately. Its like it has a whole other rose bush growing up inside of itself. It's giving me some beautiful roses right now.

#SMALL

I looked outside my office window right before a storm &it was lined with birds all across it.

Something about birds on a wire together, always draws my attention

#EXCEPTIONAL

Why this pic for that word?  Because when I drive by this place every morning, at 6:50am there are usually about 2 dozen young ladies that are on that track or some part of that field & running & doing drills. Every time I see them, I think of how awesome they are to be dedicated to be up & moving so early... & I think about those young knees.  I get a little jealous of that thought.

#CAPTURED

Meet my mom & dad's new cat. Or as the twins would say, their cat.

My brother's MIL is always helping with finding homes for rescue cats that are around her mother's house.  There were a brother & sister that my mom & dad decided to take in.

Here is Woody coming to his new house.  

He was most definitely CAPTURED. Such a nervous guy.

But he's realizing that he's going to get some snuggles & spoiled with food at this new place.

#CLOSE

Doesnt the inside of that rose look like worms?

I actually stared at it for awhile to make sure it wasn't... ewww.. 

I would have ran if tiny worms started wiggling around there

#GROWTH

My parents had sent this plant to Ricky after his brother passed away a year & a half ago. 

Can we stop & stand in amazement I've kept it going this long? 

I have no green thumb.

But its still growing.

Too much actually.  I need to re-pot it. Which is probably going to be the end of this plant

#FROMWHEREISTAND

This is basically what every day after work looks like.

Harvey Dent brings ALL the toys. Anything you can throw or toss, he's all about.

#STORY

I have no idea who this lady is but while I was waiting for a client to do a photo session with, I watched her play with her baby for about 20 minutes.  The joy & happiness from both of them.

Just watching them afar, it was so beautiful.

To me, it just made me think of the word STORY because it looked like a "Happily Ever After" sort of moment.

#MAGICAL

My dad called me to come over & see this mushroom that was growing in his field.

IT WAS HUGGGEEEEE (in the words of Donald Trump)

I had my niece get near it so the size could be referenced against something...

& I loved the way this picture turned out.  Totally Magical.

The way she's looking at it? I just envision a little fairy sitting on it talking to her

... hey, I should photoshop that to make that happen :)

Which picture is your favorite?

Do you do photo challenges?

Have you ever seen a mushroom that big in your life?

Birthdays, beauties, basketball & bridges ... Project Life Week 8

It's been a busy week.

October has usually been our busy month with birthdays & celebrations but July has become a new busy month. My Mother in laws birthday last week, with my parent's anniversary, & this week was my dad's birthday AND let's not forget Harvey Dent in that mix now.

Lots of moments to capture

Hope you enjoy WEEK 8 of Project Life

I sat behind this bus going out to lunch one day & was like, WHAT DOES THIS EVEN MEAN?

But then reading it, some of it is just good life motivation.

Thanks bus for the random weird advice.

#DrPhilBus

Last week's picture was the sun setting on one bridge

... this week,  I got a sun rise over another bridge.

I think I may print out both of them & put up in my house somewhere

#RiseAndShine

Thursday was our baby boy's birthday

3 years old. Can you believe it?

I can't.  

We looked back at his pictures when we got him. Such a pup.

He brought so much happiness in our house - especially after we lost Sydney & Buffy.

Dogs are just the best creatures.

#3yrold
#itsmypartyIcanstickmytongueoutifIwantto

Friday held head shots of our girl & I know I put up one the other day, but I had to share another one  (I could share another dozen really - its hard to pick just one)

but proud of the changes she's made in her life & the beautiful person she is. Inside & out.

#greeneyes

OK ... this sign & this place looks totally shady, right?

But I'm telling you - if you're driving down Dixie Highway & you see this sign.

STOP!  Get out & go in.

Don't be afraid of how old & run down the place MAY look

because it holds lots of wonderful memories from many years of people going in & getting the best pizza in town. 

Seriously - the best!

#FormerlyShakeysPizza
#Atleastinthe70s

This is what Saturday held when it was 100 degrees out.

Harvey wanted to play - which lasted all of under 5 minutes.

It was like 3 ball tosses in the yard & he ran right past me with the ball in his mouth & came back inside & laid down on the cold floor right by the air vent.

I dont blame him one bit.

#MeltingDog

It was a Happy Birthday on Sunday for my daddy.

He's one happy man when he has his girls around him

... & his horse..

#PapawsGirls

This girl right here? 

I'm predicting it right now - she's going to get a scholarship for basketball one day.

She's so good.

Always has been good with the B-Ball... but she can really play with the big girls.

She may not have the height, but she's got the skills.

#Drills
#did100
#AuntBecCouldntDoOne

This girl... it freaks me out sometimes with the things she says or does

or the way she moves.

I really do see myself in her.

Watch out world.. 2 of us out there!

#BigTwinSister
#By2minutes

Madi is working on spinning the B-Ball on the tip of her finger.

She's doing it really good too!

But I love this picture of her proud Papaw watching her.

#BiggestCheerleader

I could have sat here & listened to the 2 of them talk, or argue, all depends on all you look at it - for hours. They are so funny together.

Growing up.  Almost teenagers.

I just can't deal.

#TotalOpposites

Told you - SKILLS!

#PianoFingers
#OrBBallSpinningFingers

Her sister is spinning a ball... 

Sophia was happy that she was able to just catch  a ball that was thrown to her. 

We're on the same level of sports ability.

#Sheisarealcheerleader

I have so many containers of yarn... & I think they all are so beautiful.

But this one? That green hat has been sitting unfinished for probably 2 years.

I really need to get this baby done.

#ChunkyGreenYarn

Hope you've had a lot in your life to capture this week!