Evenings in the backyard...

I'm staying with my friends Lori & Chris this month, just outside of Nashville. I have been enjoying my time here with them so very much! They are some of the most fun, kind, and loving people I know. Their backyard has become a favorite hangout spot for me. I sometimes spend my mornings there eating breakfast, or nights playing my ukulele. 4th of July weekend we set up some lights in the tree and enjoyed an evening of beer and conversation. I grabbed my camera and snapped these next few photos.




















My first 2 weeks in Tennessee have been filled great people, delicious food and drink, and adventure. The following is a little something I wrote while I was laying in bed this morning, slowly waking up…

Eyes wide. Wind blowing. Feet bare. Tongue tasting. Drink poured. Hips swaying. Heart wide open. Music playing.

So much goodness. So much newness.
I'm navigating streets and exploring the hearts and minds of people.

I've never been so happy to be so terrified.

w a k e. u p. s l o w.

I love mornings.
I love that initial feeling of coming out, almost from an entirely different world. I love having a fresh, makeup-less face, and hair a bit wild (and not caring at all). I tend to snuggle a little deeper under the covers as I slowly realize there is an entire new day ahead of me. Most of all, I l o v e morning light.
This morning I woke up to an eastern window that was allowing little bits of that life-igniting, bright and warm sunshine to poor in through the cracks of the shades. And then the day commences…




I spent today with the kids that I nanny. It was a pretty easy-going day - two of the four munchkins were sick.
This evening I roasted some potatoes in the oven with coconut oil, fresh garlic, rosemary, and salt. One of the simplest things to make, but OH so delightful to the tastebuds!

It's still early, but I can already feel sleepiness overcoming me.

Slow mornings and cinnamon rolls.

The first month of the new year is through, and I can hardly believe it. February 1st comes with a bone-seeping cold and a powdery snowfall. I've been enjoying the Kings of Convenience Pandora station, and letting my mind wander from thought to thought. 2014 holds big plans and big changes for me. I've been realizing lately that things don't stay the same forever, whether good or bad. I already knew this, but never fully understood. There is only One who is constant, and He has been my rock throughout all of life. I'm embracing the newness ahead of me, and am more than a little excited for what the next months hold.

I decided last night that I was going to make cinnamon rolls for breakfast. But not only was I going to make something tasty to eat and savor for a few minutes at the table, I decided I was going to enjoy the process and try to capture moments of it with my camera. Both of my parents passed on to me their love of baking and cooking, and for that I am thankful. God is the great Creator, and us being made in His image, I believe that love of creating (whether food, music, art, etc…) has been instilled in each of us, in various beautiful forms. So here are a few of the easily forgotten moments I captured in the midst of creating a tasty something.




All ready to go into the oven.



The makings of frosting.





Fresh out of the oven!



The frosting has been drizzled, and the pecan pieces sprinkled on top.









Perfect.

sweet disposition

"Sweet Disposition" by The Temper Trap is probably one of my most favorite songs.
It's one of those that I love to listen to when I'm driving on back roads, windows down.
It's one that kind of just makes me feel alive.
Yesterday's beautiful weather provided the perfect opportunity to go out for a drive, and I brought my camera with.




Sweet disposition. Never too soon.
Oh, reckless abandon. Like no one's watching you.
A moment of love
A dream
A laugh
A kiss
A cry
Our rights, our wrongs
A moment of love...














This whole weekend has been so wonderful! I spent a lot of time talking with God, catching up with friends and family, exploring the beautiful part of Wisconsin I live in (trying to capture it with my camera), and baking/dancing with a lovely girl who makes me laugh.
All of these moments were small, but they are now memories stored up in my heart.
After hearing some sad and discouraging news, I am reminded of the importance of these small joys that fill our world with love and fulfillment. I'm not guaranteed another second of life here on Earth, so I need to remember to live in each moment, love people extraordinarily, and never forget the One who is the reason and purpose for it all.
I think moments are what I love most about taking pictures. Each of our lives tells a story, and a camera can capture small parts of those stories.
I'm so very thankful for all of the ones I've been able to experience and capture! There's many more that I hope and dream about, like falling in love & having a family, exploring places I've never been to before, and so much more! Only the Lord knows when.

Fall in Wisconsin

This has been one of the most memorable fall seasons I have experienced in a long time. We've had b e a u t i f u l, sunny days with highs in the 70's and cool, crisp nights. With the change of seasons there has also been some changes in my life. Despite how crazy it can all seem, life is still good- and even more importantly, God is still good. I can't imagine life without Him in my life, and I love that I keep on learning more about Him and continue to draw closer.

I went out with my camera a couple times last weekend to capture some of the color and beauty in the part of Wisconsin I live in. Here are some of those photos...

a walk about in the cemetery.

We're getting older.
I appreciate our times together more now than 
I did when I was a child, ignorant and care-free.
Sometimes I wish I could return. Go back to those days of 
basking in the sun, building forts in the woods and 
pretending to be indians. Having slumber parties.
But there's so many privileges that go along with growing up.
Given the chance I don't think I would go to Neverland.


Our beloved Sierra will be coming home from India 
at the end of next month. Then the four sisters 
will be reunited... for a little while. Life pulls us in all different directions.
Anna will be getting married this fall.
Who knows what God has in store for all us.