LilyWhite. Designs

Hey everyone! Holy Moly it has been a WHILE since I have blogged! Yuck! I hate the feeling. I really wanted to blog but I have been a) way too busy to do anything other than work or school and b) I haven't really had anything important to write about!

Tuesday of this week I had the opportunity to take some amazing pictures of some really great people. I have been working directly with a Christian clothing company called LilyWhite. Designs. Check out their facebook page here. Their blog website here. And Lastly their website here. I am working with them on making their website new and better. This week we did the photo shoot to take pictures of their clothing and some of their accessories. Enjoy the pictures I took and if you need a good Christmas present please look to them for it. They are amazing and I love their clothing. My friend Leslie has a dress from them as well that is absolutely adorable.  Check out here blog post about her dress here.

Anyway, back to the photo shoot...please enjoy the pictures that I took and please go to their blog or website and give them some love. Abbie and Jordan are such God loving women and it is so nice to get to work with them. They truly are beautiful both inside and out.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Guest Blogger!

Hey All! I know it has been FOR-EV-ER since I have posted anything but today I was the guest blogger for my friend Leslie! Please head over to her blog here and check out today's post that I wrote about my
FIRST BIRCHBOX OPEN!

Thankfulness

This video is one of the reasons why people now a days should never take anything for granted and always be thankful not just around Thanksgiving but all year long. If there is one thing that I have learned it's to always make sure the people around you know they are loved. I appreciate my family so very much and I hope they knows that I am SO thankful for them.

My mother has taught me so many things just by being who she is. She is one of the hardest working women that I know as she burns her candle at both ends. She is so selfless and is always willing to go that extra mile even when it's only a few feet that those people deserve. She has taught me how to love even when it's really hard not to hate. She has been such a great friend and teacher to me and my sister and I'm tankful every day for her.

My dad has also been a beacon of light in my life. I have been a daddy's girl ever since I can remember. He taught me how to be like one of the guys when it came to hunting and fishing. He taught me that even though you still may be mad it's ok to say I'm sorry. He also taught me when it was better to keep your tongue between your teeth instead of saying what you felt. I will always be a daddy's girl now matter how old I get.

My sister is now one of my best friends and I'm so very thankful for that. When we were younger we did NOT get along. I think it was because we were such complete opposites. She is very much so a Type A personality while I am very much so a Type B personality. She has to have everything orderly and in it's place. I on the other hand live in a constant world of "lost" objects and "small messes."  She truly is one of my best friends not though and I'm glad we could finally see past how different we are from each other and really appreciate each other for the person they really are. I love her to death and I'm so glad she is and forever will be in my life.

My sister in law Steph. She is another one of my best friends. She is such a wonderful and loving person that anyone could learn something from her. She doesn't judge and she is always willing to help in anyway that she can. She is a great mother and an awesome aunt to Stratton. She has taught me how to be a better person when it comes to forgiving and forgetting. Especially when we were having the family issues with our other sister-in-law and brother-in-law. She was the last to judge and the first to forgive. 

My Grandma Marge is the woman in my life that I have truly learned the most from. She has loved and lost and still maintained her faith and love for Jesus. She lost both my Aunt Linda and my Uncle Mark within a few years of each other but from that loss she has stayed strong and kept her faith. I have learned to never take anything for granted because of her. She is such a giving person and I have learned to be gracious because of her being such a wonderful roll model. If there is anyone in my life that I would like to be most like, it would be my Grandma Marge. I am so lucky to have her as a grandma.

My wonderful husband Derek. He has taught me more in the last 4 years than I could have ever learned in a lifetime without him. He has taught me how to be patient in even the most stressful situations. He has taught me how to forgive even when I'm still mad. He has taught me that it's ok to be mad but it's not ok to not say "I Love You" before we go to bed. He has also taught me how to look past the "little" things in life that make me mad and appreciate the good things. He taught me that it's ok to jump in head first because sometimes the water is deeper than you thought and if you have a little faith you'll always be able to come to the top for air.

My little man Stratton. I would have never appreciated the love I have for my mom if I had never had him. He has taught me how to truly love unconditionally. In my eyes he is the definition of heaven on Earth. He is my whole world and I am so thankful for him because he truly made my life complete. I'm so thankful for him too because I wouldn't have the relationship that I have with my family now without him. He has brought my entire family together and I'm so thankful for that.


What are you thankful for and why are you thankful for it?

Friday Confessions

I confess I have been in a bit of a writing/attitude slump. I just have not had anything to talk about and I don't want to just get on here and bitch for the sake of bitching.

I confess I am thankful though. I'm thankful for everyday that I get to wake up next to my best friend, be greeted at 5:30 in the morning by the cutest most snuggly little man ever and getting my face laid on by my loving and adorable hairless wonder.

I confess that all though I have been in a bit of a slumpy attitude, I'm trying and succeeding in being grateful.

I confess I love this time of year (but really who doesn't). I love that I get to celebrate my and Stratton's birthday, then weeks later Halloween, then weeks after that Thanksgiving, then a few weeks after that Christmas then a week after that New Years! It's like the best most awesome time of the year!

I confess I like the holidays the most because I get to see my family. As much as Derek complains about my "family time" that I have with my family...I wouldn't give it up for the world. I love my sister and Marcus, Mom and Dad, Grandparents, Steph and Garret, Dale and Lisa, and I cherish every time that I get to spend another day with them.

I confess that I bit a gigantic chunk out of my bottom lip and it has been causing me to be cranky for the last week. It just will NOT go away.

I confess I am SO happy for my friends Lauren and Alex. Not only are they expecting a little bundle of joy but they moved into their new house this week! Derek and I are SO blessed to have such great friends like them and we are so happy that they have a new and beautiful home.

I confess I am more than excited to go to Breaking Dawn Pt. 1 next week with my sister-in-laws and Lauren. I have been having dreams about Edward Cullen and Jacob Black.

I confess I'm almost finished with my Christmas shopping and it feels SO good to almost have it done!

Being Thankful

This morning I was given some news about a girl that I worked with at one of my favorite jobs. Her name was Brittney Seabaugh. We worked together as cashiers at Buchheits. She was always a sweet girl and always super nice.

She passed away this morning.

If you could take just a minuet today send a prayer up for her family. I know they are hurting really bad right now. Also be thankful for the family and friends that you have. You never know when it might be your last day with them.

Rants in my Pants

I haven't done this in a while and I am in dire need of a little ranting.

-Today I was told that because I was of the female persuasion that I would not be able compete with the male web developers out there because women aren't as good at mathematical equations like men are. I should probably just stick to design and not try to actually code the beautiful websites I design.

How's this for not being able to code? Actual screen shot from yours truly thank you very much!

-I was pulled out in front of by a woman on her cell phone today while her son was in the front seat turned COMPLETELY around in his seat! I could have killed him if we would have actually gotten into an accident!

GET OFF YOUR CELL PHONE AND DRIVE!! Not to mention put your kids butt IN their seat with their seat belts ON!

I'll keep this Rants in my Pants short today.
I just had to get that off of my chest.
Thank you for reading.
This now concludes today's Rants in my Pants.

 Stratton Iron Man was talking to his Aunt Casey on the phone about how we were getting ready to go Trick or Treating! He loves talking on the phone now a days.

 He looks like such a big boy!

 First stop with mom and dad was Grandma Marge's house. He walked in the door and the first thing he wanted to do was play with his blocks.

 Of course he HAD to ring the doorbell too. Dad helped a little with this one.

 He also knocked.

...then he said "Trick or Treat!"

He was loving all the attention but he DID NOT like being called Iron Man. We would say "Hi Iron Man!" and he would come right back with "I'm NOT Iron Man, I'm Stratton!"

 He liked showing his muscles though.

 Family Photo! Derek as a Gwar Fan (not really), Stratton as Iron Man, and me as Minnie Mouse.

 

 John, Grandma Marge and Stratton for a family picture. Love them so much.

 Making our way to Aunt Casey's house for more Trick or Treating. Sage didn't like my ears. She barked at me until I got close to the door and started talking to her.

 He was SO excited to see Aunt Casey and Uncle Marcus.

 Aunt Casey had "shark" teeth in. (He thinks I'm saying shark instead of sharp. I don't have the nerve to correct him just yet)

 First tantrum of the night. He didn't want his picture taken. I totally understand though. I would rather have candy then a good picture any old day too.

 Still pouting and wouldn't look at me for the picture.

 Aunt Casey and Uncle Marcus with their "shark" teeth and Uncle Marcus with his Warrior hat!

 Don't bite! That's not nice!

 Aunt Casey and Uncle Marcus with their favorite nephew Stratton (also their only nephew ;) )

 Sisters on Halloween with the pretty tree in the background.

 Happy Halloween from the Brennan sisters!

 Stratton refused to wear his mask so Aunt Casey was showing him how cool it was.

 ..and then Uncle Marcus showed him too. It was to no avail though.

 Sage the attack dog.

 Cousin Payne as Plex and Uncle Garrett as DJ Lance Rock.

 He could not run fast enough to the front door to see Grandma Mona.

 He LOVES his Grandma Mona.

 She gave him a goody bag filled with candy.

 I love this picture.

 This one too.

 a little editing. 

 This cute little guy came to the door dressed as a werewolf and Stratton really wanted to give him candy...until he saw his mask. He just kept his hand reached out with the candy in it and he kept backing away from the door. He was so scared of him. Haha. We walked by him later on while we were out Trick or Treating and he saw him and got scared again and asked me to carry him.

 Uncle Garrett, cousin Payne, and Aunt Stephie on Halloween!

 Uncle Seth as Fred Flintstone

 All the dressed up ones for Halloween.

I'm sad we didn't get to stop and see my parents on Halloween. Next year we decided we are going to have a Halloween party at our house and then after the party we're going to go Trick or Treat. Mark your calendars family! Hope everyone had a safe and happy Halloween. Keep your eyes peels the next couple of days for another blog look change. :)

Happy Halloween!

Personalize funny videos and birthday eCards at JibJab!

A Day of Pondering

So, for a while now, Derek and I have been "talking." It's been a roller coaster of a week this week though, especially when it comes to emotions. There has been tears, there has been anger, there has been joy, there has been disappointment, but most of all there has been a lot of fear.

I talk about having baby fever pretty often. I like the idea of having two kids, another big pregnant belly, all the happy times that come with pregnancy and a growing family. But at the same time I also have to think about everything it takes to have the baby, the bills from the hospital, the dr visits, the baby sitter cost, the diapers, the clothes, the formula (if you don't breast feed), the bottles, the tough nights, the lack of sleep, the fighting from being tired.  But one thing that I think I would have to give up on for a little while is....school.

As of right now I'm considered a junior in college. I've been in school for 6 years now and I'm barely seeing the end of the tunnel. I would love to be able to quit my job and go back to school full time but I just don't see that happening. Even if I did go back to school full time I wouldn't see Stratton or Derek as much as I do now. Not to mention I still have a few years of school left before I can get all my classes finished. Derek won't give me a few years to wait to have another baby. Derek wants our children to only be a few years apart (when he does actually agree to have 2 kids) and Stratton is 3. The closest I can shoot for at least is 4 years apart.

So, the trouble I have now is making a decision. A very very hard decision. Which if I know my mother she will be the first to answer this for me.

Option 1: Quit school, make my family bigger and work full time, finish school later.

Option 2: Keep going to school, work part time, and make my family bigger.

Option 3: Keep going to school, work full time, make my family bigger. 

Option 4: Go to school part time, work full time, no growth in family.

Option 5: Go to school full time, work part time, no growth in family.

Any of the options are going to be hard either mentally, financially, emotionally, or physically. Option 4 seems to be the road I'm on right now and I'm ready for a fork. I have got to move onto the next stage in my life whatever it may be.

Friday Confessions

I confess I went out last night...with some of my professors. It was kind of cool and kind of weird all at the same time. They're actually really cool people outside of class.

I confess I have truly forgotten how much my life used to revolve around art and how far I've strayed from that lifestyle. I'm thinking it is about time to start getting back into the passion I once adored more often.

I confess I feel like I got run over by a Mac truck this morning. Haha. I am so not used to this whole going out and staying up late thing anymore.

I confess it's depressing only getting like 20 minuets of sunlight a day. I hate getting off work when it's already dark.

I confess I am STILL loving my Erin Condren planner that I finally got in the mail last week. :)

I confess I have been on a roll lately with my homework and keeping up with classes. It really makes me question why students younger than me don't get their work done. Oh wait...I remember now. It's called beer.

I confess I bought a new scarf the other day and it's simply amazing. Keep your eyes peeled next week for a post ALL ABOUT IT! You're seriously going to run to Bloom Studio and Gifts to get one.

I confess I am going to STL for the weekend and I can not wait to get out of town!

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend!