Easter Weekend

I love Easter.

Not only because of the meaning behind it,

but because of what it means to my family.

Easter was always a big deal for my grandparents. 

My grandfather had the greenest yard in the world-no lie.

And my grandmother made every single dish known to our family.

I have fond memories of eating rolls until I was sick

or eating boxes of Peeps with my aunt.

Although they're in heaven, it's still a great holiday.

Any time spent with family is good time.

Hope you and your family had a blessed Easter.

Here's a look into ours.

Marigrace had her first vegetable...

And my aunt and I kept with tradition.

We thought MG would love to try one, too.

She's my new, most favorite photography subject.

And I think she knows how much I love her.

My favorite people on the planet.

Little Reminders

The picture below is from the corner of my grandparent's porch.

For many years my grandmother would walk out there and a dove would be sitting in one of her hanging ferns. The dove would lay her eggs and would sit there for hours.

My grandmother slowly gained her trust and was soon able to pet her.

I can remember standing in a chair at this very spot to see her.

I can remember the awe in the fact that she would always keep her eggs there

and that she always came back.

It was a fond memory of my childhood and of my grandmother.

This morning I walked on my back porch and saw this.

I was in shock but so happy.

She just sat there and I stared at her for what seemed like forever...

then I realized I needed to grab my camera.

I opened the door and just gazed at her.

I was immediately reminded of my grandmother and our fond memories.

It also reminded me of the peace I have that surpasses all understanding.

I just soaked in her beauty and the fact that she was two feet away from me.

And she sat there and just stared back.

Love little memories and grateful for reminders.

Holy Week Beginning

Yesterday began a very sacred and holy week. It was Palm Sunday and began the momentous occasion of our Lord's last week on this earth. Palm Sunday is to remember and recount his entrance into Jerusalem.

He began his last week by coming to Jerusalem. He rode in humbly on a donkey and the people laid palm leaves on the ground for him to walk on. I find it interesting how he rode in on a donkey. It reminded me immediately of how Mary rode a donkey while she held Jesus inside of her womb. As he came into the city, people waved branched, laid down their coats, and yelled "Hoseanna!," as our Savior entered in. They needed to be saved and were yearning for someone to save them.

They would soon find out that he would indeed not be the king that they had hoped. He would soon die an unbelievable death and their hopes of a mighty king, in their eyes, would die.

What they didn't see was how his dying on the cross would save and give life to so many.

His death saved me and continues to save.

Every day I'm given life because of his death.

I'm in awe as I write, 

but read the account of his humbled entrance.

1 As Jesus and the disciples approached Jerusalem, they came to the town of Bethphage on the Mount of Olives. Jesus sent two of them on ahead.2 "Go into the village over there," he said. "As soon as you enter it, you will see a donkey tied there, with its colt beside it. Untie them and bring them to me.3 If anyone asks what you are doing, just say, 'The Lord needs them,' and he will immediately let you take them."
4 This took place to fulfill the prophecy that said,

  5 "Tell the people of Jerusalem,*
  'Look, your King is coming to you.
He is humble, riding on a donkey—
  riding on a donkey's colt.'"*

  6 The two disciples did as Jesus commanded.7 They brought the donkey and the colt to him and threw their garments over the colt, and he sat on it.*
  8 Most of the crowd spread their garments on the road ahead of him, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road.9 Jesus was in the center of the procession, and the people all around him were shouting,

"Praise God* for the Son of David!
  Blessings on the one who comes in the name of the LORD!
  Praise God in highest heaven!"*

  10 The entire city of Jerusalem was in an uproar as he entered. "Who is this?" they asked.
  11 And the crowds replied, "It's Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee."
(Matthew 21)

April Daze

Happy April Fool's Day!

I'm so happy to see April come.

It's a new start and a month closer to May.

I've been looking at this a lot lately.

More than just my birthday, I cannot wait for May 23rd to start off the best summer ever.

I wrote before (here) about Winshape and getting the job,

and I never thought I'd be so excited to get it started.

This summer, in 52 days, I'll be traveling as a photographer and teaching photography to children.

Words cannot explain my excitement.

It's what I want, and I didn't know it until God laid it in my lap.

Such grace.

I'll be traveling from May 23-August 7.

10 different cities in 5 different states.

The Lord has something amazing in store and I can't wait to experience it.

My March Madness

I can't believe this month is practically over.

It has flown by.

It's been a long one for me.

My business is growing, 

I've been dealing with some personal things

and preparing to travel for work all summer.

So writing has sadly hit the back burner.

But no more. 

April is a new start and writing is thrown back up into place.

Here's a look into some of the fun this month held for me...

Seeing my cousin in Glee.

Great show, Willy!

Spending time with this cutie.

Ice cream with some of my crazy family.

 Checking these pink ladies out at the zoo.

Getting great new products from my new print company!

Enjoying my new blue shoes.

Falling in love with a new craft, Shink-a-dinks.

Given this by the sweetest little boy.

Playing a life-size game of Angry Birds.

Group hug from some awesome kids at camp.

Finding some real luck.

Hanging out with my peeps.

Stuffing my face with these gents.

 Believed in this quote.

Got spoiled by my secret sister.

So happy to spring.

And my favorite color.

Loved the idea of these.

Maybe next year.

Getting ready for a summer with Winshape.

Seems I'm more prepared than I thought.

Rocking 2002 high school days.

Completely addicted to Draw Something.

Please, play me.

Officially 30 days without coffee.

As you can see, I don't miss it at all.

Happy to see you go, March!

Come on April!!!

Second Chances

Have you ever been given a second chance?

First, what is a second chance?

Wikipedia defines a 'second chance' as, "an opportunity to try something again."

I found myself dealing with second chances this week. One was in a difficult situation. In a moment of anger and frustration, one of my actions hurt one of my dearest friends very deeply. The entire situation has broken my heart with unanswered texts and unacknowledged phone calls. I've found myself in tears over the thought of possibly losing this friend for good. I've been praying and seeking help from Father, and while writing this friend a letter, I found myself asking for a second chance. I so desperately need and want a second chance.

In another completely different situation, I was given the opportunity to give a second chance. A few months ago I was seeing this guy and through a few events, proved himself to be the type of guy I didn't want and found myself throughly disappointed and sad. He has recently popped back up in to my life and even after my chewing him out and he apologizing, I have the choice to give him a second chance. Or not.

Why do we ask for second chances?

I think we inherently care for people, and I think we are all prone to make mistakes.

We ask for second chances to make things right and be the person we really want to be.

More so than that, I think it is just natural to want a second chance.

We were all created in a likeness of Christ 

and deep down we all have the yearning to do and be like him,

therefore, righting our wrongs and asking for another chance.

If we compare ourselves to Jesus then you have to look at the opposing side also.

Not only do we ask for second chances, but we should be giving them too.

In living like Jesus, we should forgive wrongs and give second chances over, and over

and over. 

Giving and receiving second chances are a hard subject,

but when you look at Jesus and past the situations you can see the trueness to it.

Jesus gives us second chances thousands of times each and every day.

Even more, we can luckily ask for second chances over and over and he gives freely without hesitation.

If that doesn't give you enough reason to give or receive a second chance,

then I don't know what is.

And if that isn't hope then we've all lost ours.

Up for Air...

I haven't written in almost two weeks.

The stress and busyness of life has clearly taken over.

You can see it in my face,

my pile of laundry 

and my covered calendar.

BUT...

I am sitting at my computer to write.

Just to write.

Not to Facebook, edit photos,

Skype or check my email.

Just clear my head and gather my thoughts.

I. can't. wait.