Rambles from a thankful heart.

Phew. This has been a week! It started out pretty crummy with a terrible migraine, and then work yesterday afternoon turned out to be really frustrating! But I'm thankful for this cutie, who surprises me with Nutter Butters and long hugs...who lets me vent my face off until I have nothing more to say. Who tells me how amazing I am even when I don't feel like it...and who poses with the cutest little yellow penguin there ever was, because he knows I'd laugh about it (and would turn into one of my favorite photos - hehe)!!

Caleb and I have worked pretty dang hard this year, and although I'm excited for these last couple weddings this year (only two more!!!) its about time for a break! I'm so excited that after work now I can come straight home and just BE! If I want to relax, I totally can! If I want to be productive, I can do that too!! It's something I'm definitely NOT going to take for granted.

Before this free time hit, I had been doing quite a few sessions with my church family! My love for family photography is rekindling. There's just something SO special about family portraits. Getting to freeze a moment of a cute kid with the most adorable belly laugh? There's nothing like it. It's pretty cool when I think that these are photos these families will have for the rest of time. I have to remind myself of that when I have a long, crazy day. No matter WHAT it is I'm photographing, that I'm helping document someone's story. That's pretty killer.

I'm also feeling extra thankful this week after last weekends wedding. Leah was so sweet and messaged me ON HER HONEYMOON to tell me how much our presence on their big day meant to them. I mean!?!? I seriously do feel so lucky to get to be a part of so many amazing moments!!

*non obvious transition in post topics*

Can we all just take a second and talk about how scary fear is?!? It's been on my mind a LOT lately. About our future, our jobs, our lives...where do we see ourselves in 5 years?! It's crazy how much life can change in just a matter of months, and its scary when you have no idea what your exact "plan" is, and if you have one - whether or not it will work. I'm struggling a LOT with giving it all up to God, but I know that's what has to happen for me to be at peace. I need to believe in myself more, and KNOW that God has bigger things in store for Caleb and I than we can even imagine right now.

This post was insanely random, BUT that's just the kind of week I'm having. Thanks for sticking through the rambles :) happy almost-Friday!!

Laughing at yourself.

The other night before bed Caleb and I were chatting about our days, and I started laughing so hard thinking about something so random...and I literally couldn't stop. Like, I started snorting at myself for no reason. In turn, it made him laugh and we just cracked up for about 10 minutes straight together. Call us kookoo, but I think it was pretty awesome.

I think its a real gift when we can learn to laugh at ourselves.

The other day at work, I straight up tripped over my own foot and totally got caught by the owner of our company...and we both just laughed for a moment...I had no explanation, it just happened.

Then I started looking through old, embarrassing pictures.

Ohh the memories.

Like when I look at this lovely shot of Caleb and I from my 21st birthday party...we are so attractive.

Or like the time at our wedding when Caleb and I had a (loving) cake war and these pictures of me turned out heinous!? As horrible as I look, this moment makes me laugh so hard.

Like the time I spilled my pomegranate tea on my cream colored blouse right before a big meeting.

How about when I took a drink of my brand new water in said meeting & completely missed my mouth, leading water to drip down my neck...and leave drop marks on my shirt, and got called out by a top advisor? Yeah...

I think my point of this post is...we all have some crap in our lives, in one form or another...but if we don't learn to take life a little less serious, we won't have that much fun. & life without fun doesn't sound like much of a life to me. If you haven't laughed lately...I hope these silly pictures did the job...and remember to never get too embarrassed of yourself. Its just life, anyway :)

In other news, my training is going well. I'm running up to 3 miles without stopping (which is already killing me) but considering the half marathon isn't until May, I've got plenty of time to build up more endurance. Two nights in a row Caleb and I killed it at the gym, and my body is sore everywhere, so tonight I'm taking a much needed "rest day", and we are making pasta for dinner. Mmmm....carbs.

Happy Hump Day, folks!

Laughter.

I'm still in complete shock that this year is nearly over with. This year vows were made, new cities were visited, and many challenges arose. Marriage has proven to be just as incredible as I knew it would be, and its only getting better. Bonds with those closest to me have become closer than ever, and adventures I've always wanted to embark on are finally happening. Things have been insanely busy this year, but during those stressful, busy times...some of my favorite memories were made.

I got an email from the wonderful Jena, announcing her one-time link up...she challenged us ladies to pick ONE photo from our entire year that sums it up best. I thought at first, "wow, this will be really hard", then I thought, wait...what was the happiest day of my life?

May 25th, 2013. 

Just one of my favorite shots of my husband and I on the day we promised to be each other's forever. Life hasn't been easy, and our marriage isn't perfect, but I truly believe that when we find time to laugh, we are happier people. We have to MAKE time to make each other laugh, to make others laugh, and mostly, time to make yourself laugh. There will always be those unusual never-ending work days where you want to crawl in the corner and cry like a baby...and there will always be another heartache you stumble upon, and there's always going to be those silly little let downs in life...but until you can laugh at what's ahead, or at whatever ridiculous scenario you're stuck in, I don't believe you can truly appreciate life to its full potential. So, that is the shot I chose. Laughter. Cause truly, its the best medicine.

Embarrassing ones

So yesterday I showed you all the beautiful details and moments of my bridal shower. Well, here I am today to say there were some HILARIOUS and straight up embarrassing moments. I won't go into too many details (unless we email and I might slip some funny details), but I will let my ridiculous faces below do the talking.

Back story -- the women in Caleb's family literally go ALL out with gifts, and at the last two showers I've been too, even I was embarrassed for the bride-to-be...so now that it was me, I knew it was gonna be bad...and oh, I know think I caught the worst of it.

...in a good way.

All of the above were hilarious, embarrassing, but awesome gifts. Use your imagination, ladies.

See? They were funny.

As embarrassing as it may have been, I think I learned that its important to be able to laugh at yourself. & boy, did I learn!

*awkward transition*

My random's of the day:
Last night I addressed probably 100 invitations, which I think is quite the darn accomplishment!
Work is slowing down, sadly. Which means my days feel longer.
I'm slightly obsessed with Ashley & her adorable boys.
It is now officially 59 days until I get married. (woo woo!)
I am obsessed with my new pink and yellow post-its at the office.
I'm so ready for the snow to be gone. Bring on Spring!
I hate the tights I'm wearing today, I want to be in sweats.
I am loving miss Anna & her blog so much! Check her out nowww.

Happy Wednesday, every one!

Ohh little Katnip...

SURPRISE. Since Caleb moves into our apartment this weekend, he needs a TV. So guess whose big screen he is taking?? Mine... and guess whose entertainment center he's taking with it? Mine.

So because of that, guess whose cable box my family cancelled at the last minute??

YOU GUESSED IT.

Mine.

So I had to resort to friends and YouTube to recap what I missed from the Oscar's and let me tell you...I'm so sad I didn't see this live. I love her. This is why Jennifer Lawrence is one of my favorite people on this planet.

No, not because she tripped UP the stairs, which I may or may not be famous for...but because she brushed it off like "psshh.. those stairs, trying to steal my show?!" and almost laughed her dress off. I seriously love this girls spirit. Not only did she play the PERFECT Katniss... she is adorable, dorky, and seems SO down to Earth.

This got me thinking... man, JL and I would for sure share a best friend necklace.

Why, you ask?

Girl loooves to eat.

She's hilarious.

She breaks out in random dance...

She's so awkward.

See? Down to Earth.

My random thoughts about J LAWR;

-Girlfriend can rock any hair color!

-She pulls of a better smokey eye than Tyra Banks.

-I wish her and Bradley Cooper would either date, get married, or just have babies already.

-Her facial expressions are perfect

-Sometimes I wish she and Liam would just get together... (woops, sorry Miley!!)

-We almost share a birthday.

-She's the youngest person ever to be nominated for TWO "Best Actress" Oscars.

-Um. The girl is gorgeous.

Let me just say, her Oscar dress was gorgeous. Her "girls" were tucked in, her hair was beautiful, and her speech was short and sweet. I think if her and I were to hang out... she'd realize we were soulmates, bring me along to the next Hunger Games series filming and we'd stuff our faces with burritos and sweet tea.

ANYWAY... it cracks me up what some ladies ended up even wearing to the Oscar's? Like it's not one of the biggest nights of the year for them...what were ya thinking Kristen Stweart!?!

Also, did you know those nominated... yes, you heard me... simply NOMINATED... got a goodie bag worth over $45K?!!?!? As if those people can't afford all of that themselves and then some. This kiiiind of made me sick.

Not only because I'm slightly jealous... but because at least SOME of that money could've gone towards things that really matter... like charities, starving children, research... *wake up world*

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Last night was Insanity day #9. Whew! It killed me. I mean my arms literally gave out on me while I did Shaun T's famous "in-and-out abs"... maybe one day I can handle 3 push-ups in a row? Oh well, I gotta deal... my wedding dress will probably be in by mid-April and I'm trying to rock the crap out of it! Only 88 little days til we say "I do"... ahhh.

Another plus? We're another day closer to Friday!

Friday laughs!

Omg, I have to share this with you all. Please tell me you all are as pumped for this below video as I was when I saw the title. I'm not kidding, this should brighten anyone's day. HA!

                  

Now that THAT is out of the way.

Dear week; you literally went by so quickly. Maybe because I stopped looking forward to Friday so much... and tried a little harder to enjoy each day for what it is! Dear Insanity; you suck. JK. I love you, but I also hate you. My muscles are sore, all the time. I know this will pay off... just keep swimming... Dear Anna, getting to know you better these past few weeks has been a blast...I just love you and your sweet, positive spirit.  Dear Ashley, our funny picture messages, novel-long emails, and friendship mean SO much to me. Can't wait to meet you! Dear weekend, YAY! You made it. Dear brother, I love you so much bud, you mean so much to so many people. You are hilarious, valued, and I'm so proud of who you are. Dear readers, you guys are awesome. I don't know what I'm doing to make you come back every day, but whatever it is... I'm going to continue, because you all rock my socks off! Dear new apartment, Caleb will be slowly moving into you in 6 little days. I am going to apologize in advance if he trashes you, or doesn't treat you right... I'm sure his intentions are good... but lets be real, he is a man. Dear eyes, I'm sorry that I put off making my eye appointment, I know you're getting dry, but things will be better soon. I promise! Dear Saturday, Caleb and I are tux shopping for he and his guys! So get ready. We're going with grey suits... so handsome!

Enjoy your weekend everybody!

Time to get embarrassed

Haaaayyy Friday, haaaay. You took entirely too long to get here! Here is that awkward transition where I try to just dive into today's post :)
.........

I'll say it...I have a fun life. I'm not afraid to admit that.

This doesn't mean my life is perfect, far near that actually. I just make a conscious, and daily decision to fill my life with people who bring joy to me, who will relish in my happiness beside me. I also make a daily decision to not let the small things get under my skin (for too long).

To realize that when I have a bad hair day; at least I have hair to complain about.

Even when my nails don't look great; at least I have hands to use.

When my car acts funny; I still have one that gets me from A to B.

Whenever I'm sick; I still have insurance.

Even if I don't feel like working; I'm incredibly blessed with a full time job.

I know that you know how easy it is to let life get to you, or get you down. Next time that happens, I challenge you to find it within yourself to embrace the messy hair days, those terrible gas prices, the spilled coffee, or whatever your crazy days may bring you.

When you find yourself stressed about something (I need to take my own advice sometimes), take a few seconds, and breathe. Aaaahhh... better?

Then, have yourself a dance party, make a fool of yourself, jump around just because, or sing at the top of your longs even if you suck. What, you don't know how? See below, and take notes.

I understand that most of these pictures include me and someone else acting completely dumb, but hey... its my life, and I like it that way.

So I shall continue...

Pretty much.... I just want you to choose happiness.

Every

single

day!