Everyday Life

It's easy to forget about the fun, exciting, simple, peaceful and worthwhile moments in my life and even easier to focus on the stressful, mundane and chaotic ones. But when I stop and reflect I realize how truly blessed I am. Looking at these pictures from the past few weeks of my life reminds me how lucky I am! Take time to be grateful. It makes a BIG difference. 

"Gratitude turns what we have into enough."

Another Graduation and a very special birthday!

Congratulations Dominic on graduating high school! We are all so proud of you. Thank you for letting us be a part of your special day!

And a Happy Birthday to my sister! I'm so lucky to have you as my sister. Thank you for always being kind and knowing how to lighten the mood and make things fun. You are funny, beautiful and one-of-a-kind! I love you!

My dad thinking he's a GQ model!

Happy 25th Birthday Gabriella!

Pearl Farmers Market Photo Shoot

A few weekends ago I met Allie and Chris and the Fishers at the Pearl Farmers Market. Unfortunately I forgot my camera, so I couldn't take pictures of the all the fresh vegetables, bright-colored fruits and adorable dogs running around. But thankfully I have an amazing photographer as my best friend, and of course she was not without her camera! Here are a few glamour shots of some of my favorite people! - Thanks Allie!

***Photo Credit: Allison Russell

Here's to new friends!

   

To Brooxie and Austin!

I'm so happy to have meet y'all!

Friends come in all different types. There are the ones you've known for years, and others you've only just met, but feel as if you've know them for years. There are the friends you can count on to always have a good time. They always know the coolest, newest place to go to and always seem to have a plan. Then there are the friends who you call when you don't feel like really doing anything but sit at home on the sofa in your comfiest pajamas and just hang out. There are friends who are good at listening, and friends who are good at talking and giving advice. Some friends are perfect at making bad days feel a whole lot better. And then there are friends who are so generous and make you feel like a billion bucks whenever you're around them. And what's really amazing is when you know someone so well, and they know you so well that they can be all those types of friends for you and you for them. 

What I've learned in life is that good friends are few and far between. The great, fun, caring, loving and selfless friends are hard to come by, but when you do find one they are worth holding on to. 

Learning to be a good friend takes time and hasn't come naturally to me. Through trial and error I have slowly started to see what makes a good friendship stand the test of time. I've learned to easily forgive, and say sorry when necessary. I've experienced that when I share and open up about my fears, my dreams, my mistakes and all the other things I'm worried I'll be judged for something magical happens---a bond is formed. 

"Friendship is born at that moment when one person says to another, 'What! You too? I thought I was the only one." - C.S. Lewis

Because I'm naturally a private person I tend to keep my feelings to myself, but the few times I've let my friends see the real me I've been blown away by the growth that occurs in that relationship. So as I continue in this life long journey of being a good friend I want to be more transparent, more available, more patient, more giving, more accepting and most of all more loving.

 "A friend is a hand that is always holding yours, no matter how close or far apart you may be. A friend is someone who is always there and will always, always care. A friend is a feeling of forever in the heart." - Unknown

and yes it's true, a dog is a man's best friend!

Happy Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day to all the women in the world! But especially to those who have made an impact on me (Aunt Barb, Mane, Mrs. Beyer, Mrs. Fisher, Mrs. Flora, Mrs. Lutrell and Mrs. Rafie). Thank you for all that you do! I am so inspired by each and every one of you! I've learned so much just by watching each one of you live your lives. The way you treat your spouse, raise your kids, encourage others, juggle a busy schedule, remain calm in crazy situations has set an example for the type of mother I want to be someday. You are all amazing! 

Here is a bit of what we did Mother's Day weekend. Enjoy!

My curly headed siblings that I love so much!

^^Apparently these are no longer called a moon bounce, but a jumpy house. 

So precious!