My heart is Thankful...its amazing.

Over the last several weeks Ive been thinking back on the last year. Amazed at how time has flown by. And, amazed at the storms we've weathered.

In all {or I guess most} of our lives, we have rings of friends. There are those that are in your inner circle...your besties. The ones you do daily life with and your hearts are mended together in a special way. Than there is the ring of casual friends. Friends that tend to be at the same get togethers as you and you see often, but your hearts just arent as close as your inner circle. Than there are the very casual aquaintanaces that you would say hi to at the store, but you dont really know what's going on in their lives. And nowadays, you have your FB friends. People who you may not actually know, but is a friend-of-a-friend that you have since been connected to....and those who really arent your "friend," you just went to elementary school with them.

Atleast for me, those are my rings of friends. And, I am so THANKFUL for all of them. But I am most thankful for my inner circle. People who's heart are honestly mended to mine. The people I do daily life with. And for me, my inner circle stems from college, church, neighbors, and some randomly placed in my life from the Lord. Friendship has always been such a deep and profound thing to me....part of the reason why growing up, I didnt seem to have a lot of close friends. I think its something that comes with growing up. I, for whatever reason, 'developed' it early. Anyway, now...in my life....I have so many amazing friends I am undoubtedley THANKFUL for. My heary bursts with joy.

And yet....as I look back over the last year I cannot believe what we have had to weather {in our INNER circle. The people who's hearts are mended to mine.}

Death of a parent
Job loss
Cancer
Miscarraiges
Divorce
Questioning of faith

In one year! I look back at this year and Im stunned. Did we really just go through all of that? What a horendous year. I mean really. The tears that were cried. The hearts that were broken. The anger that formed. The fear that was festering.

And yet...I am truly THANKFUL. Not because I dont care about these people. I do. With all of my heart. My heart went through each of the trials along with them...becasue I love these people just like family. No, I am THANKFUL because through all of it....we had the Lord. That everytime we didnt understand why things were happening or we wondered if we would get through it, we could go and lay it at the foot of the cross. And, we did it together. I have an inner circle that does life together. Not just the good, but the horendous too. And I am amazed that after reminising the last year....my heart can truly find JOY. Not a forced joy, but a true JOY. Because despite all the hurdles that have been climbed....God is good, all the time. All the time, God is good.

The way I see it, this last year may have been a heavy one....but I have a feeling this is what life is going to be like. Life isnt easy. Sin is in the world. But knowing that I have a God to turn to every step of the way who is crying along with me...and friends who are going through life together with me....I can whole heartedly say that I AM THANKFUL.

Plus, my JOY comes from those same people who in the last year have expereinced:
New Jobs
Pregnancies
Renewed faith
Remission
Hope

Of course, Im undyinglying thankful for my smart, sweet, creative, polite, quirky, chatterbox little man and my devoted, hard working, kind hearted husband, too:)

HAPPY THANKSGIVING EVERYONE!

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!)