One Way to Beat the Football Blues

Oh boy, our Tennessee Football team is putting a hurting on our hearts. Today was almost too painful to watch. Marlee was in a super good mood, so as soon as the game was over I asked if she wanted to dress up and go take some pictures by the lake. She jumped at the opportunity. She picked out her outfit, shoes, and bow. She did a great job. The photo shoot op I was hoping for sizzled once they saw sand. But I think I snapped a few good pictures.

I've been inspired by my friend Elizabeth. She's so dang talented. She's embraced photography and it has been amazing to watch her picture quality improve week after week.

I can't wait to come back in a few weeks to see the changes in color.

Yes, that is the General Lee from Dukes of Hazard. Chad was a huge fan as a child. Coop is carrying on the family tradition.

He heard a boat and was so still looking at the water for it to zoom by.

She got her first real "knee scrape" from running in high heels outside.

Here's where the sand took over.

Closer.

Holding her skirt so it doesn't get wet.

Uh-oh, pant legs need to be rolled up.

Rolling them up didn't matter. He went all the way up to the zipper. It was FREEZING!!

Still has baby hands and baby feet.

Got to shake out the sand and rocks.

A Puzzle and a Key

I was messing around with the camera and these images got me to thinking. My life has felt like a jigsaw puzzle these last couple of years. I wrote a post awhile back about life not always turning out like you had planned, but I didn't really put a lot of thought into why. When I put a puzzle together, I always look at the box to show me how the finished product looks. Then I proceed to put the outside together.Easy. The hard part is placing and replacing the many small pieces that make the puzzle complete. Isn't that life though? Trying new things out to see how the fit into your world? Sometimes I feel like I am forcing one piece of the puzzle to fit when it doesn't belong.

 To me, life is truly a puzzle and the pieces are the key to unlocking who we are and what our purpose is. I find it interesting to reflect on life these last 15 years. I have spent nearly half of my life trying to figure things out. Who I want to be. Where I want to be. What I want to be doing. Turning 30 this year really made me think about those answers. I have tried out so many puzzle pieces along the way that I finally feel comfortable with who I am. Where I am. And what I am doing.

When I unlock the key I see a Mother, a Wife, a Daughter, and a Friend. I see home. Which isn't a city on a map, but rather comfortable, cozy, warm, and full of love. And what am I doing? Living.

What does your key unlock?

Wordless Wednesday

Dabbling

You know I love to take pictures. I would love to take some classes and start taking professional pictures at some point in the future. Well, this past weekend I was able to play photographer. A family friend was looking for someone to take pictures of her son's wedding, and I offered to help out. Now, I'm not a professional by any stretch of the imagination, but I was pleased with my first attempt of something so big and grand. I hope the family likes them. Here are a few of my favorites. :)