giving thanks

It's so hard to believe that Thanksgiving has come and gone. We got out of school early on Tuesday and it has been nonstop ever since.

There are a lot of things that I have to be thankful this year. I am blessed to have three healthy children, parents and inlaws that love me through it all, supportive friends who are always there to pick me up when I am down and the friends and family that I could not make it without. I am especially thankful for peace that passes all understanding.

We spent Thanksgiving lunch at my Mamaw and Papaw's and then headed to Plano to see Jared's family since he was working. For lunch, I was in charge of making a dessert - which was successful - but the green bean casserole - not so much. (Probably was not a good idea to double the recipe before making sure I had enough of the ingredients to do that, especially green beans.) Oh well. I've never claimed to be Paula Deen.

I made a 4 a.m. trip to the Wal-Mart on Friday morning for a laptop but returned home at 4:30 a.m. with detergent, chocolate donuts and a Dr. Pepper. There were no buggies and no parking places. There was not one bit of room to walk up the main aisles but the detergent row was empty. Tide obviously did not make it into the black Friday ad.

On Friday we got all of the Christmas stuff out and by Saturday night the tree was decorated and most things have been put in a place but my couch still holds things that I cannot figure out where to put. They may have to go back into the tote because I am overwhelmed. I'm sure there is no such thing as having too many Christmas decorations but I'm out of ideas.

I am hosting bunco here tomorrow night so it has forced me to clean and decorate and has not left any time for editing. I currently have seven shoots to edit and deliver. After tomorrow, they become priority. Busy is good.

Here are some pictures from Thanksgiving. Hope you all had a great one and remembered to give thanks to the One who makes it all possible.

rockin' along

I have not blogged since November 9th because I have been ... hmm, let's see ... swamped, overwhelmed, busy, tired, beat down, shuffling boys back and forth to practice, taking pictures - all while enjoying life and everything in my little world. It's been a wild ride this month. Grab your seatbelts and let me give you a glimpse.

Football: Yesterday was the Superbowl, and final game, of our little league. Clayson and Trey's teams both made it after winning their playoff games during the week. Trey's team lost in the final seconds. Clayson's team got 1st place for the season, going in with an 8-1 record, and came out winners in this Superbowl game. Both teams were from Crandall so the announcer had them gather and pray together before the game and then he had all of the 6th grade players stand together and told them that they were playing against each other for this game but next year in 7th grade, they would be one team of Crandall Pirates. It was a great tribute to these amazing boys.

I'm glad that the season that started in July has finally come to an end. Now, I will have my Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Saturdays back. Things might actually get done around here.

The most important thing that has happened in the meantime is my first born turned 12. Clayson is growing up (literally) so fast. He is turning into an amazing preteen and makes me so proud. His coach deemed him the nicest guy on the football team. He does make us very proud. Here he is in all his twelve year old glory, starting to like pictures because he thinks he "looks good" ... and he does :) Now that football is over, it is time to plan his birthday bash.

Can't leave out miss Ashlyn. She is doing great - loves school and loves her baby doll, Aaron. (Aaron was recently diagnosed with swine flu but he stayed with Nana for a week so thankfully none of us were exposed. She has an imagination gone wild. )

And now, we will just rock along until Thanksgiving and into the Christmas season. It's my favorite time of the year!

seasons change

So, you want me to blog.

Not much has changed since the last post: football, photo shoots, work, repeat.

Despite the lack of changes in my life, seasonal changes are evident. What a mighty God we serve. He has made all things beautiful in His time and it's the most beautiful time of the year.

I have enjoyed photographing kids and families in the crisp air with leaves everywhere.

Amazing, huh? I don't remember Fall in Texas ever being so vibrant.

And, yeah, well, it's November. It's my month to have bunco and Clayson turns twelve. Plans have not been made for either event. I'm not trying to be a slacker but I haven't made any progress for taking care of either one. I haven't always been such a spontaneous kind of girl but it is how I roll these days.

Last weekend was little Pirate football homecoming and I bought both the boys a garter, neither were worn. How come the year I don't buy them everyone has them and the year I do, no one has one? I guess I will store them until they are old enough to play on the school team and I'll just change the numbers, if needed. Their names won't change but their numbers might. They hated having to walk with the cheerleaders, one day we won't be able to keep them away from them.

It's the start of a busy season. I look forward to some time off of work, lots of time with family, Christmas shopping and turkey & dressing - it's my favorite.

Notice God's grace all over the place...

not this year

Last week was so very frazzling. I had so much on my plate, along with the pressure that I put on myself and add to that 58 students excited about Halloween and a son having major school issues. All of this lead to a mini-meltdown and an inability to make decisions. I don't break down easily but Friday was definitely a breaking point.

I am so thankful for my friends who made me stick to the original plan that I had set into motion earlier in the week - dinner and movies. I tried desperately to get out of those and go to the football game but they were not having it. We went to Texas Roadhouse for dinner. Laughter truly is the best medicine. After dinner, they drug me to see Paranormal Activity. I hid inside my shirt once it started and was part of the reason that we were getting shushed before it began. We dropped by Target on the way home to enjoy the last ten minutes that they were open and then it was back to the theater to get my debit card that had fallen out of my purse. Story of my life.

Saturday, Clayson and Trey's football games were cancelled and I was happy as a clam. I got to sleep late, had two photo shoots and enough energy to go to Wal-Mart, where I had to pretty much start from scratch with the groceries. Our cupboards were bare. It'll be just a couple of days before the typical "there's nothing to eat" starts again. Don't make me go postal...

Halloween night: Ashlyn decided that she did not want to trick-or-treat this year, she just wanted to stay home and carve a pumpkin. That was music to my ears. For some reason, the whole part of walking around and getting candy is such a beating to me. We waited for Jared and Trey to get home from hunting and by the time they got home from this excursion (with the biggest dead hog I have ever seen), Ashlyn was fast asleep on the couch. Halloween just didn't work out for us this year and if it is the beginning of the end, I am more than happy with that. (I'm also glad that we only spent $5 for a witch hat and gloves.)


Sunday, we went to church and then I loaded up in the pick-up truck with my mother-in-law, aunt-in-law and a friend. We headed east to Canton's First Monday. We had so much fun. It is a laugh a minute with these girls. I bought a couple of small gifts, a corny dog, a coke and some Christmas decorations and was completely satisfied. It was a beautiful afternoon and we had such a good time. I'll leave out some of the details :)

And now, it's a new week with a new "to do" list, on which I am marking things off of faster than last week. I am up to 12 photo shoots and counting for the month of November. I have truly been blessed. I look forward to all there is to do with the sessions, the family gatherings and some shopping. Retail therapy is good for the soul.

So, frazzled or not, life goes on and thank goodness that it does.