August 25, 2012
be back soon.
(in the foothills, 2011)
We are off to Denver on Saturday morning, so posts may be sporadic and short.
But I’ll be back with lots of pictures and hopefully some good stories!
August 22, 2012
stamps for sale.
In case everybody didn’t hear or see on some other site, stamps are for sale at my Etsy shop!
Go over and get one (or four)!
August 21, 2012
The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern.
I adored this book. Absolutely adored. I have been known to love books (and hate some too *ahem* Tucker Max *ahem*), but this book was one that takes you into its world completely. It makes you feel close to the characters and cheer them on. It makes you hope they find what they are looking for.
I was slow starting out, but once I got about 150 pages in, I was hooked and finished the rest of the 366 pages in just three days. I couldn’t stop reading it. I didn’t want to. In fact, I wish it had been longer because the characters were just that likable.
Another book that will be pulled down time and again, I’m sure.
August 20, 2012
newness.
So I mentioned I am slightly obsessed with designing my own stamps, right? I love it. I love having stamps that nobody else has, anywhere.
A lot of small shops have been popping up lately with stamps designed by some of the most creative and stamp-savvy women I know. They are inspiring, and they make beautiful stuff.
Check out:
Elise Blaha Cripe
Amanda Rose
Kelly Purkey
Ann Marie
I’m probably missing some (feel free to put links in comments if you want), but those 4 are the biggest ones I’ve seen recently.
My own are not for sale, but the thought has crossed my mind. We’ll see if anyone shows interest. Otherwise, I’ll just stick to designing for myself. And that’s okay with me. :)
August 18, 2012
welcome, little one.
Kaden Matthew was born Friday morning at 3:24am, weighing in at 8lbs 6ozs. He’s got a crazy amount of thick, soft hair, and he smells like a new baby should. He is a tiny Matt with cute Morgan cheeks. Adorable.
Matt and Morgan are both new parents, and they are a little bit timid and scared of him. I think they are afraid to hurt him, but everyone has assured them that he is far tougher than they are giving him credit for.
August 17, 2012
dayton.
Dayton and Layla spent Tuesday evening with us because their momma was helping Matt and Morgan get the house ready for baby Kaden (who arrived at 3:30 this morning!). Layla fell asleep so Dayton and I went outside to make sure that she could at least get a little bit of a nap. Cranky babies aren’t all that much fun, so the longer the nap, the happier the Layla.
And I, of course, had a chance to snap some new pictures of Dayton. He is growing up so fast, and I don’t know where the time is going. 
August 16, 2012
thoughts.
+ Denver trip is soon. I am halfway looking forward to it, halfway dreading it. Doctors are not my favorite. Hard beds that aren’t my own are definitely not my favorite, but I am excited to get measured for a new chair.
+ Stamps. I am sort of addicted to designing my own. So easy and so much of just what I want. Love that process.
+ Project Life continues to keep my attention. I don’t think I have kept up and kept interest in something like this in quite a long time. I am already noticing things I want to make consistent next year.
+ Seriously considering doing portrait shoot as a very small side business. Fun? Or stress? I can’t decide. The Fire Starter Sessions is getting me a little bit pumped, just to see what happens.
+ I’m having a hard time believing that school is ready to start again. It feels too early. I am so off since I don’t have a school schedule of my own anymore.
August 15, 2012
looking forward.
It’s been a whole year since I’ve seen my older brother, Donnie, and next weekend will be the first time I go to see him with the feeling that finally he has seen some sort of light and understands that life can be good.
It’s a long story about why he is where he is and how he managed to land himself there. I won’t go into details for his privacy, but even at his lowest low, he is (and was) still a good person. I think anyone here knows him can tell you how easily he can make you laugh.
I used to just deal with the worry and fear about what he was doing, but lately he’s been better. He’s had to work out his own issues. And he is clean, has a job, and he is paying back restitution and fines and plans on staying west instead of coming home. This place, these people are bad news for him and the habits that he could so easily fall back into. He needs to stay west, and we all agree.
I am almost nervous to see him. A prison, no matter how minimal and lackluster the security is, is still a prison in my mind. An uncomfortable place where criminals live. Not the ideal place to visit family.
Hopefully we can get pictures (I don’t know the rules on that yet) and everyone can get to actually see the progress he is made, the fat he has put on. Even last year he look like a happier, healthier Donnie. We can only hope that it continues.
August 13, 2012
8.12.12
We had Morgan and baby Kaden’s baby shower yesterday, and even though it was small (it was just our family because she’s had a few other showers too), she got some cute stuff. Really cute stuff actually.
Kaden should be here in the next few weeks (due on September 11), but we are all pretty sure he will be early. We hope anyway, and I know Morgan is praying he comes early.
Can’t wait to meet the little guy.
August 11, 2012
sweetheart serenity.
Isn’t she just the cutest thing, even when she feels like crap?
She had her tonsils and adenoids out on Thursday, and from then on went on a throwing-up spree all afternoon and night. Then she spiked a fever, but it broke pretty quickly so the hospital let her go home.
Makinna and Raelyn missed her. They drew pictures for me to take to the hospital, and I’m sure they did enough talking for her while she’s healing.
Here’s to hoping she is back at it and ready for school!
August 8, 2012
wedding wednesday.
In only 8 and a half months, this man is going to be my husband. Can you believe it?
We have started out guest list (drafts) and have found a photographer. Chris Gharst is fantastic (I’ve known him for a while), and I cannot wait to see how he captures us on our big day. It makes me smile to know that he is going to make this day beautiful forever for us.
Also, I’ve found the dress. It’s going to be a surprise so I don’t want to post links or pictures here, but I will make assure you that it is beautiful and exactly what I imagined in a wedding dress for me.
sigh.
Things are going so well with this planning. I am not stressed or feeling pressured to get things done (yet), but I am also refusing still to be a procrastinator.
April 27 is going to be perfect.
August 7, 2012
new lens.
Oh I love this lens.
So amazingly great at focus and so sharp with the quickest movement.
love. love.
love.
What a good way to start year 27.
August 7, 2012
8.7.12
The sun shines in
through dark curtains
on a Sunday morning
and your breath against my shoulder,
arm stretched across my chest,
holds me clinging to sleep.
You are the calm
that brings my heart
to life,
slow and steady.
August 6, 2012
recent.
While at the camera store the other day, a guy approached me that I have seen before. At the library. And he creeped me out. Followed me around, and I had to ask my friend who works security there to walk me to my van. He is one of those guys that just give a bad vibe, a creepy feeling, and makes your skin crawl. He makes me uncomfortable in a way that I do not like.
He made me acutely aware of just how vulnerable I am. As a disabled woman, no matter how independent I am, men like that, that don’t back off or get a hint, do not feel safe to be around. Maybe I’m being judgmental or paranoid, but you can tell a lot about a person’s intentions by the way they approach you.
I have met thousands of people in the past 9 years of being disabled, and he’s only the second guy who has made me feel so creeped out in that way, like I would be in some kind of danger if I were ever caught alone with him. And even for as tough as I am, it makes me feel very insecure and open. It scared me.
And instead of doing what I am good at, ignoring or suppressing it, I talked about it with my mom and Greg. And now I have pepper spray. I never thought I’d need to carry it before, but it isn’t a bad idea.
I’m not sure exactly why it has bothered me so much, but it has. So of course, I am just writing about it to process it. No comments needed really. Just me rambling.
August 2, 2012
project life : week 30
I love Project Life. No lie.
It’s still so easy and fun looking at the week’s events in such a different way. A way that documents every little thing that has happened..
I’ve been using a lot of Instagram pictures, so most of my last 2-3 layouts have seemed to contain a lot of yellows and dusty filtered colors. That’s fine with me, but for next week, I am hoping to get away from that.
August 1, 2012
august goals.
+ find a caterer and book them.
+ dress shopping.
+ finish The Night Circus.
+ frame a Script School print of my own.
+ take a ME day.
+ get measurements for a new chair.
+ guest list.
+ take. photos. of. everything. <3
In The Process of Living 