I feel like I have been in a season in my life where things are simplifying. I’m realize what’s most important and celebrating the simple joys God sets before me each day. It’s been a really sad morning, but I know it’s most important to celebrate a life rather than mourn a death. Well at least that’s what I know Nana would want me to do! I got a phone call this morning from my mom informing me my grandmother, Nana, passed away in her sleep last night. I was extremely close to my Nana, and it had been rough several months with her sickness, but I guess you never feel prepared to loose someone you love. So as I was laying in bed thinking about all the memories I had with her, I thought I should celebrate them on my blog!

My Nana was a character. She saw little value in “keeping her thoughts to herself.” She often blurted out observations she made with a sincere heart but offended many to the chagrin of those within ear shot. She was a sucker for small vanilla malts or Coca Cola’s in a bottle. She could read a good ole’ western book cover to cover in one day. If you put a stick of butter in front of her during meals, she would sneakily cut off a chunk and eat it whole when she thought you weren’t looking . She loved the color red and believed every woman should own a pair of red shoes. Bird watching was a hobby and while living with my parents for a few years, she hated that she never saw any birds outside her window! Nana loved apple pie, especially on holidays (even though she claimed to be full from dinner). She avoided conflict at all cost. Nana made the best angel food cake — her homemade icing was out of this world! Every time she came to visit, she would clean out my mom’s kitchen and organize her cabinets. You can only imagine how my mom felt about that! She loved her Bible and wasn’t shy about writing in the columns and taking sermon notes in the empty margins. If she didn’t like you, she saw no need to talk to you . Nana was very shy but once she knew you she would melt your heart. She loved drinking cold coffee — weird, I know! She would give you the clothes off of her back. Her favorite times were spent in the desert… and if you spent much time with her you would hear stories about Victorville and dancing in the desert. Nana loved writing cards. When she got flustered, it was common to hear a little *beep* here and a little *beep* there…haha. Nana had a sense of humor that would make you chuckle. She claimed to be a night owl who stayed up until one o’ clock every night but we noticed she conveniently fell asleep instead at 9pm in front of the TV. Nana loved watching Jeopardy. I think if she went on the show she would have been one wealthy woman! And one thing she made known to all is she loved me very much.

I have so many fun memories with my Nana. I remember when I was little and I had a horrible ear ache. My mom had to take me to the ER and Nana held me all night. I will never forget that. I would spend summers with Nana. She had a basset hound named George and she let me bring him inside the kitchen. I built a fort with her kitchen table, chairs, and quilts so George and I could play. It was at Nana’s house that I was most creative. I sewed Barbie clothes and made shoes out of cardboard, material and staples. I created a ski ball game out of a Christmas gift box. I “baked” mud pies and put them in pie tins. The oven was the back of Nana’s car and I forgot to tell her I put them there while she drove to the post office! She knew I was a picky eater so she always had pickles, raisin bread, Blue Bell vanilla ice cream, and green beans at her house when I came to visit. She took me to Putt Putt Golf and Games in the mall every time I came to visit her so I could play Ski Ball. When we went to church on Sundays she gave me a $1 bill to put in the offering. I thank her for teaching me early in life about giving to God. I had the opportunity to help take care of her for the 2 years I lived in Stephenville. That was one of my greatest joys to see her everyday . She hated when I took her walking, but after she bleeped a few cuss words, we were good to go! She affectionately called me “Nubbins.” To this day I don’t know what that name means, nor do I think I want to. Once she moved to Good Tree, we would play Scrabble together. I took David with me one afternoon to play with her, and because of her love for words, she wasn’t ashamed to tell David his word wasn’t a real word!! And she loved playing Dominoes. Dad wanted her to be healthy but I snuck her sweets when he wasn’t looking. We would promise not to tell Dad . She loved marmalade jelly, so when I travelled I would bring her home little jars of jelly. I remember when I came back from Cancun and David was helping me unpack my suitcase. He asked, “Why do you have jelly in your suitcase?!?” I told him I brought them home for Nana!

I know there are so many more memories I have with her, but I think I will stop here. You know, loosing someone makes your perspective change. You realize how life is short life and how you should take advantage of loving the people God put in your life. I’m so thankful for Jesus dying on the cross for me and for my Nana… and for this whole world. He gave his life so we — even you — can spend eternity with him. I have hope. I know my Nana accepted Jesus Christ as her Savior and is with him right now. I love how I will get to see my Nana again. It’s because of God’s perfect love for all of us we can see our loved ones again in Heaven — once they believe in their heart and confess with their mouth Jesus is Lord. My Nana left that heritage for me. For that I am eternally grateful.

Here is my absolute favorite picture I took of her! I love you Nana. You will always hold a special place in my heart … thanks for leaving your fingerprints on my life .

Baley’s wedding was B-E-A-U-T-I-F-U-L. Judy, her wedding planner did such a wonderful job, down to every single detail! I love how she captured both Baley and Gary’s personality . The day started out at Valley Grove Church in Stephenville, TX. The sanctuary was decorated with a rod iron archway laced in pink/peachish gerber daisies. Candles lit up the room and made for such a wonderful mood for the ceremony. Everyone was all smiles, anxious to get to the reception. I was warned that these 2 families know how to par-tay and YES they do! They know how to have fun . We concluded the evening at City Limits and danced the night away, I mean they danced the night away! Baley & Gary, many blessings on your new life together!!

Photographing Whitney was like a breath of fresh air. Whitney is a Senior at Tolar High School ready to spread her wings and make a difference in this world. I absolutely love seniors who bring props and come with a spunky attitude. I fell in love with Whitney’s hat, so you will see how those pictures were my favorite . I could have edited pictures all day because there were so many I loved (but I had to control myself)! Thanks Whitney for being so fun and not being shy in front of the camera. You are beautiful inside and out. God has a wonderful plan for your life!

Today was full of sunshine and giggles. I love being around a mom and dad who are in love with their kids and ENJOY being parents. Three girls, wow I feel for the dad, Johnny!! But Johnny loves every minute of it… what a great dad! We can all guess how excited he is about the arrival of their fourth child, Hezekiah. And so ‘curiosity won’t kill the cat’, they are expecting a boy!! Yipee!

It was a pleasure playing with the girls and getting to see you interact as a family! Thanks for letting me share this time with you .

I wish I was better at blogging… I have so much to say but I never say it!! I was determined to document our Valentine’s Day this year because it really was a celebration of our new life in Abilene! As many of you know, we moved to Abilene in July. It was a total step of faith and our life was totally turned upside down. We knew very little… just that we were supposed to move to Abilene. So David got a job and we packed up our belongings and said goodbye to our life. We knew the transition would not be easy because we left our heart with Chi Alpha. It seemed like the days slowly ticked by because we were so ready to start doing what we loved most — serving and loving people. Our life felt so empty but yet we knew God moved us here. We waited very patiently (well that’s a lie because there were some days we wanted to take our lives in our own hands) and knew at the right time a door would open for us. Just this past week David started his first day of work as our Pastor’s Assistant at New Hope!  All we wanted was the opportunity to serve and this was the perfect opportunity! I was so happy for David, I made him a cookie cake to celebrate the conclusion of this chapter of his life .

And OH it was a HAPPY DAY!!

Then came  Valentine’s Day. If any of you know David, he’s not the most romantic guy in the world but he sure does listen!! He knows me so well. Spending money is not the way to win my heart; spending quality time with me IS! I love being together, so David surprised me with something he said he had been planning “all day”… haha. (I gave him a heads up a month before Valentine’s Day so that statement made me smile). He walked in the house with Wal Mart sacks. I had no clue what he was up to. He said, “Happy Valentine’s Day! We are gonna make pizza.” I was so upset. I didn’t have my contacts in so from where I was sitting, I thought we were cooking a frozen pizza.  He began unpacking the grocery sacks and I realized he meant MAKE a pizza. Like REALLY MAKE it. So here are some pictures from our fun in the kitchen… any time David is in the kitchen it’s super comical!

(Above) This was the most confusing item of all. I asked him why in the world he bought a pineapple and he looked at me like I didn’t realize what I was saying. “Because you love canadian bacon pizza and pineapple!” he said. I laughed so hard… seriously, a whole pineapple?!?
So David got to cut the freaking pineapple
And the funniest thing is he forgot to cut out the core!! He chopped the pineapple — core and all — for my pizza! Needless to say he had to dice some more

He bought this amazing Basil Pesto Sauce for the pizza thanks to Steve!
So I spread it all over the pizza crust (and as always, when I’m cooking, I forget “Less is More” )
Next was the yummy Alfredo Sauce
While I was putting cheese on the pizza, David was busy slicing the canadian bacon!
We made the pizza half pineapple and canadian bacon…
And half pepperoni and cheese
We put it in the oven on 450 degrees
And it was delicious!! Thanks babe for loving me how you know I love to be loved!! And God thanks for the simple life I live… I wouldn’t trade it for the world!

Don’t forget to enter the contest to win a FREE ENGAGEMENT SESSION!! Go to http://doubleknotphotography.com and submit your story or nominate someone you feel is worthy! The deadline has been extended until FRIDAY, so don’t miss out!

Since David and I moved to Abilene it was as if everything changed for us! New town. New apartment. New friends. New church. New LIFE. Not only have I been busy developing my photography business and our partnership, Double Knot Photography, for all wedding, bridal and engagement photography, but a huge chunk of my first 6 months in Abilene has been devoted elsewhere!

God gave me an amazing opportunity upon first moving to Abilene. WYIM Publications wanted to start a magazine in Abilene called Abilene Living. Since I conveniently moved to Abilene, I was asked to start photographing the businesses advertising in the magazine. It quickly turned into more — and I was soon asked to start writing! I interviewed some AMAZING people! Dorsie Wallace is a designer who designed the flag that went to the moon, presented a ruana to Sonny & Cher when they toured through Abilene, and had one of her designs printed in Vogue Magazine. This article is called Falling Into Fashion. Frank & Della are proud parents of the famous western artist Jack Terry and my article Sons of Oil tells the story how God preserved his life while he was still in the womb, as well as contrasting the relationship between Jack and his brother Brooks. My last article printed in this publication is Love With A Smile about Dr. Christie Leedy, a dentist in Abilene. She serves on the Texas Governors Commission for Women with Anita Perry and is making such an amazing difference in the community of Abilene!

I love writing but only make it a priority when I’m pushed to do so. So the magazine was a wonderful incentive to do what I love! So after 6 long months and lots of time, the Abilene Living Magazine is finally in print! I am so humbled my picture made the cover, and to have 3 stories printed that I wrote and photographed is equally mind boggling! This is a wonderful magazine that highlights Hometown Living At Its Best and is full of articles written about people in Abilene. I have taken a few pics to share ! If you would like a copy, you can contact the Abilene Chamber of Commerce!

Ashley and I have been working really hard lately… and we are so excited to let you in on the secret

Click below:
http://doubleknotphotography.com

Lensie & Drew tied the knot at First Baptist Church in Stephenville. They are such a lovely couple — Lensie was laughing and smiling through the whole day. I love seeing how two people look gaze into each other’s eyes, especially when they love each other! I don’t have much to say because the pictures will tell the story of this special union!

I had the privilege of attending a photographer’s workshop with Erin from ee-photography and Chad & Tressie from Two Pair Photography. Check out their blogs, Two Pair & ee-Photography, and see me and the other 8 photographers from the workshop! We had a great time… I definitely admire these photographers and hope to be where they are someday We spent some time shooting 2 brides and an engaged couple (my favorite part of the workshop). We realized half way through the shoot that we were in a dog park!! By the end of the shoot we all stepped in dog poop! Oh and you have to check this awesome hair stylist in Abilene. She did all the brides hair –simply amazing. Be sure to visit Maloree Munn @ Incognito in Abilene. She rocks! Here are a few pics from the day!!