Bucket 'O Genius

So Friday night we rented Wall-E and I cuddled up on the couch with my two guys. Yes, literally cuddled up all under one blanket...little blonde head on my chest and a strong man hand around my shoulder. Does life get better?

Anyway, Landon loved Wall-E. And, to be honest, so did Kirk and I. It was the sweetest little movie! Landon was begging to start it over again once it ended, but given that it was 8:45 we had to head him off to bed.

Since we have moved him into his toddler bed, our morning routine is a little different. i.e. I cant lay in bed the extra 20 minutes I sometimes need to wake up, listening to him singing "Oh Mama!" from his crib. Once I hear him up and playing around, or more likely pounding on the door saying "Hell-O??" I have to get my mommy butt out of bed and mosey on down. Saturday morning he must have entertained himself for a bit before letting his vocal chords free because when I opened the door he was sitting on the floor with this:

"See mama? Wall-E!"

Im not even kidding, he has never played with this toy before. He never really showed interest in it before. This is what it looked like, in a basket, when he went to bed.
His little brain bring so much joy to my heart as I watch it develop more and more. It gives me a.) pride and b.) fear for future science projects when he asks "Mama can you help me with this?" and in my head Ill be thinking "No, actually I cant. Lets call Auntie Lisa."

What in the world?

Ok so occasionally after a long season of the same type of shoots (ie family) Ill google images just to get some new inspiration.

This time I googled "Family Portraits."

This is not a joke. Its flipping hilarious, but no joke.

Unreal.

FREEDOM STONES

'Tis the season to STOP INJUSTICE! Freedom Stones is an organzation that is stepping in the gap and helping women, men, and children be freed from sex slavery. They are rescued from unfathomable circumstances and given the opportunity to have a career making this beautiful jewelry. Which, is than sold to raise money to... help more people be freed. I am so proud of my sister in law who is part of this orgnanization and who infact leaves THIS THURSDAY for her 3rd trip to Thailand at the heart of the injustice to bring CHRIST to these people.

Last month I went to Seattle to volunteer my time along with 5 other photographers to raise money for this same cause and I cannot tell you the joy I felt to be apart of it all. You can be apart of it to by purchasing one of these necklaces for yourself, or for a loved one for Christmas. They range from $12-$42 and are honestly BEAUTIFUL pieces. This year, give 2 gifts at once....a necklace to someone you know love and FREEDOM to a complete stranger.

I will be havin a "party" THURSDAY DEC.3rd from 6:30-8:00 if you would like to come buy and purchase one (or more!) of these pieces! Leave me your email in a comment and I can send you the invititation!

(My sis in law will be bringing the pieces with her when she comes for Thanksgiving and I will mail what doesnt sell back up to her the weekend following the party so feel free to contact me and stop by anytime inbetween if you cant make it that Thursday!)

WARNING: Polictial Post

Ok, so I dont ever make policital posts. Mostly because all of my opinions root from the same place; 'How would God feel?' So to make a political statement, it scares me at the chance of some fired up political guru to throw stats at me and he-said/she-said crap. Because my response? "Its what I believe Christ would want."

I definatly have opinions. For instance, logging. When I met Kirk and found out he was a logger I pictured Paul Bunyon. That's all my mind had ever thought about logging. I slowly learned that loggers were generally not liked and it seemingly came with a negative connotation. I wasnt the type to take on Kirk's side mearly because he was my boyfriend. If I didnt agree with it, I would tell him. And as the more time passed, I did form my own opinion. Luckily it was by education, not my gossip, stereotypes, and assumptions. I know now that logging is NOT raping the forests. I know that they replant after every harvest. That they leave specific trees for the birds and owls. Perfect brush for the streams. I know that this world would hardly function without wood products. I know that loggers, in general, care very much about the forests and their health. Probably even more than the enviromentalists standing on the corner picketing with signs (made of paper on a wood stick, mind you). So, in a few topics, I do have an opinion I guess. But still, Im not usually the one to start a discussion on it. But this topic I heard on the radio this morning...its a topic I WILL start a discussion on.

"Officials say that this year the white house will be putting up a Christmas tree, but no one is allowed to put any ornaments on it signifying religion. Specific ornaments depicting a manger scene with Jesus is what spurred discussion leading to the legal decision."

Are you kidding me right now? I think of the quote by Billy Grahams daughter. When asked by Bryant Gumbel why God didnt stop or intervene during a recent disaster she said,

"For years we have told God we didnt want him in our schools. We didnt want him in our government and we didnt want him in our finances and God was being a perfect gentleman did exactly what we asked Him to do. We need to make up our minds- do we want God or do we not want Him? We cannot just ask him to be there when disaster strikes."

Well, it looks like our president and government has listened to this lady. They have made up their minds; God or no God? They chose no God. Lord help us. Literally, Lord. Help your children survive what is going to become a hell we cant even fathom.