Sweet Marshall

"I need to know my life,

as its meant to be..."

-Mumford and Sons

Marshall is senior and is reminds me about all that life had to offer.. 

She is ready to grab life by the horns and be the person she was meant to be. 

You already are. 

If you ever want to remember what is you were like in high school; hang out with a high school student.

Any of them. 

The promise of the future, their fresh faces, the hope that is within them. 

It sustains you, enlivens you and you literally want to breathe them in-they have SO MUCH LIFE in them. 

Look over these pictures again! 

Marshall is a girl that anyone would want to spend the afternoon with.

I can't wait to see what is next for her. 

The Spirit of Tour de France Fans

The new Tour de France route was release last week. There is no Alp d'Huez this year. Which gave me a sad face. How could race organizers not want more of this?! Yes, that is Matt and Kyle. The Spirit of Tour de France Fans

Pumpkin Lighting

At our elementary school we have a fundraiser every year called "The Pumpkin Lighting Festival". It is not a joke.

Every grade picks a theme based on literature or pop culture. Then each class mom and teacher select a direction to move in within that theme.

Then you have three weeks to turn this puppy around.

Kindergarten was Smurfs.
First Grade was SkippyJon Jones.
Second Grade did If You Give A Miuse A ....books
Third, Angry Birds
Fourth: Lion King
Fifth: The Whipping Boy

These displays were impressive and I am not kidding when I say it took all my artsy craftsy skillz to pull this o e off. But I think it was accomplished. Take a look at these things!

We are walking out the door to head to the fundraiser now! I can't wait to see ALL the displays!

Fussbudget

I am feeling this way today:

fuss·bud·get

 noun \ˈfəs-ˌbə-jət\

Definition of FUSSBUDGET

: one who fusses or is fussy especially about trifles

— fuss·bud·gety adjective

 See fussbudget defined for English-language learners »

Examples of FUSSBUDGET

1. fussbudget about wanting her food very hot>

First Known Use of FUSSBUDGET

circa 1904

Related to FUSSBUDGET

Synonyms: baby, bellyacher, complainer, crybaby, fusser,fusspot, griper, grumbler, kvetch, kvetcher, sniveler,whiner

Am I always going to be a fussbudget? 
I sure hope not. 
Lord have mercy on those around me. 

Asheville

If you watch/listen/read the news, then you've been hearing about Asheville in the last 24 hours because President Obama has been here talking about his jobs plan.

The creative director from my ad agency and his wife managed to snag tickets to go hear him and because of the nature of the gathering, this was the picture he snapped:

No matter your politics, it is always exciting when the President comes to town.

My kids have been asking lots of questions about the President. But #1, "Is President Obama in charge of the world?"

To which I answer AND I believe, "No. God is in charge of the world. Because He is sovereign. Right now, He has let President Obama help take care of our country."

Can everybody say "sovereign"?

sov·er·eign

   [sov-rin, sov-er-in, suhv-] 

noun

1.

a monarch; a king, queen, or other supreme ruler.

2.

a person who has sovereign power or authority.

3.

a group or body of persons or a state having sovereign authority.

Right Now

Meet Hunter.

Senior in High School.

Playing Football.

Dating the Homecoming Queen.

Life is good.
As it should be in the best years of your life.

I was so excited for this photo shoot.
It was literally the most beautiful weekend of the year. No lie.

I am officially open for business.
:)
Shoot me a message if you would like to schedule a session!

This Happened

This morning, Lucy got upset over what I had picked out for her to wear to school. No big deal. Pick out another cute outfit.
She wasn't happy about it but agreed after some convincing and I assure you she looked cute in her plaid dress, jeggings and cowboy boots. As cute as a college student.

So we get to her preschool, walk into the class and a table of four-year old girls sees her and one pipes up and says "eww. Lucy is wearing that dress again." And she said it in that voice that you've heard since you were in middle school.

Except this isn't middle school.
This is preschool.
4-year old preschool.

How is one supposed to battle this the rest of our days?

My job is to keep filling Lucy with he truth that our value does not rest in what other people think of us. But wow. This is a tough one for me to fight, I can't imagine the nature that will need to be within my daughter to grow up with these women and battle this on a daily basis.

The same voice that rang out at Lucy is the same dark voice that tells me that I'm not good enough, or smart enough, fun enough etc to belong to whatever clique or group I am longing to be a part of. Popularity is such a powerful tool and it is one that takes me down. I think that is why it hurt me so to hear it.

The truth?
I am fearfully and wonderfully made.
So is Lucy.
So are you.
No one can say anything different about that.
Your value is not measured in what others think about you.
It was measured on Calvary.

I have to remain there. And remind myself that daily. Now I have to add Lucy to the list of people to tell.

I Want to Be Cool About This

cesspool of Sin Radio Spot

About a month ago, a state senator in NC referred to Asheville as the "cesspool of sin". It was very judgey and ridiculous. He made no real point except to alienate an entire city to whatever point of view he was trying to make and now my fair city has actually positioned itself as the "cesspool of sin" which is super fantastic.

Now my favorite station in town has just released a promotional campaign for a fundraiser by one of my favorite on air personalities, the host of "Wait, Wait Don't Tell Me" on NPR, Peter Segal has produced this spot for WCQS that actually says "stay demonic Asheville."

Sigh.

Why?
WHY.
It just continues the anger, the fight and has crafted a feeling of alienation by this bit of nonsense. I want to laugh and look past it. But my conscience is pricked by this and I dislike it. I think it is poor positioning and branding simply as an ad campaign. But moreoever, I would like to acknowledge that I am a sinner trying not to contribute to demonic activity. What choices does ts ad campaign leave me with? It sounds like 1. Don't fund the station & 2. Don't listen. Neither of which I want to do.

I can take a tongue in cheek poke of fun. I am all about irony. I get it. This just feels undermining and like someone got too loose with the copy at the end of the promo.
In fact, this actually feels like being poked with a stick. A really sharp one.

A Months Worth of Pictures

With my camera lens having broken while we were in France, I haven't been very motivated to take any pictures. But that changed when I replaced it with an upgraded 50mm lens. 

This glass is SOOO much better its unreal. 

Example 1.

This is inside with no flash.

 Example 2.

I have not been able to get pictures of Ranger because his coat is such a weird color it doesn't show up well in pictures. NOT ANY MORE!

Look at my beautiful dog. 

 This is a ridiculous picture of Lucy just to show you how much she's grown this summer. 

This was a suit that fit her in June. 

She insisted on wearing it. 

I laughed the entire day. 

 Our prizes at the state fair. 

 Asher is now playing flag football. 

I have always used the line "don't smile" to get him to smile. 

So now that I am trying to get a picture of him being "tough" he can't help it, he has to produce the biggest grin you've ever seen.

 Gah, I love this handsome boy. 

 Lucy is as silly as ever. 

We were hiking and she got herself next to a rock and said "Mommy, this will be a good one."

 Then struck this pose. No lie. 

 A boy and his dog. 

I am so glad I captured Asher's expression here. 

Priceless. 

Sandwich Debate Update

I caved.

While running last week, a moment of clarity came over me.

This is probably a "thing" like so many things that we have encountered with Asher that I beat my head against the wall about, spend months grinding my teeth over and then as soon as HE decides he wants to go along with my plans-everything goes smoothly.

So, I bought the Iron Kids white wheat bread. And I bought the bread that I like.

And today?
He ate the whole sandwich in about two minutes flat. With the crusts.

I'm going to take a nap and learn a lesson about grace.