Chase Your Dreams

choosing to serve

2012-01-28T12:16:00.000-08:00

My school has service projects planned for our class throughout the year. I think my favorite service project will always be working at the food drive at my friend's church. We helped give hundreds of people clothes, food, toys for their kids, and tell them about the love of Jesus Christ. We have so much fun serving others and joking with each other. On the last service project I brought my camera with the solemn vow to take pictures and not worry about if I disturb someone with my shutter or the simple fact that I have a big camera pointed at them. I want to learn to take pictures of real moments, not something staged like mine so often are. The results were beautiful.

"For I was hungry, and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me something to drink; I was a stranger, and you invited Me in; naked, and you clothed Me; I was sick, and you visited Me; I was in prison, and you came to Me...Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me."

Matthew 25
The feet of a servant comes in many sizes.

"I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. "And whoever welcomes a little child like this in my name welcomes me."

And while blessing others, we laughed until our sides hurt.

We showed our love for really big glasses.

And passed it on.

Even teachers got in on the fun.

And me of course!

I praise God for the opportunity I have every year to touch a person's heart with His love. I come back so blessed when I serve. And serving with some of my favorite people on the earth makes it even more of a blessing.

a discovery

2012-01-22T16:07:00.000-08:00

I have discovered that I have a love for sports photography. I like that it is such an unpredictable way to shoot. You can shoot a hundred pictures and only end up with ten really good ones. And your pictures are never the same. But as much as I love it, I'm still lacking a lot of experience in the sports photography department so if you have any advice, at all, please leave a comment or you could even email me! Just look to the right and hit the "contact me" button. Thanks a ton.
Oh, and did you notice my new header? I am loving the change! What about you? Anything else I should change?
We have a student or "Cornerstone Crazies" section at our basketball games now. They all look excited don't you think? You gotta love the crazies.

Getting ready to reach for the sky.

Will it go in? Will it roll out? Now that is the question.

I have a problem when I'm at a basketball game. I'm a little more than crazy. Actually, I pretty much am the meaning of crazy. I yell the whole time and I seriously think I get more into it than 95% if the people there. I'm pretty positive I get it from my mom. And I get told I should be a coach all the time because I tell the team what to do even though I don't even play basketball. So, if you ever stop in a basketball game in east Tennessee and see a girl that looks a bit like me going crazy, well, now you know.

There's my favorite nephew (or one of them) shooting free throws. He's pretty good considering he has to play with high schoolers most of the time. He and his best friend, Seth are my favorite people on the team!

There's Seth waiting for the ball. His brother, Aidan, is the blur. The blue guy, well, I have no idea who he is. haha!

Christian preparing for his one shot.

team huddle

sitting on the bench

What's your favorite kind of photography?

Christmas at my house...

2012-01-02T16:37:00.000-08:00

This Christmas was nice. Had all my family there and my brother, Ryan got to come too. It was a little bit weird though because it was in the 40-50 degrees and there was absolutely no snow. In fact, we're getting our first real snow right now...maybe we'll have a delay on school tomorrow. That would be great!

My mom's antique ornaments that hung from the chandelier this year.

I finally took time to try out bokeh this year! I love this effect so much!

Pretty ornaments.

colorful bokeh.

looking through our old family albums for pictures of my dad in the 80s or something!

Here comes Batman!

We have these glasses that when you put them on it changes the lights into shapes. I think it worked just as well with a camera!

This looks like a bunch of inchworms!

This is my favorite picture of the holidays. Kenzie was throwing out reindeer food. It's one of our traditions.

Jett giving Nate a head scratch...he's probably happy that he is using it on someone else instead of us doing to to him all the time! Jett doesn't like it that much...haha!

Ryan working on his lottery ticket and Nate's priceless face! He's such a goofball!

The next morning, I woke up at 6:23 on the dot and after laying in my bed for a while, I decided to go spy downstairs. So, I turned on the heat to cover any sounds of my footsteps on the stairs and made my way down the stairs. What did I find, you may ask. Well, sure I found plenty of presents, a half eaten cookie, and a big tree but I also found...NATE! He was asleep on the couch and he'd been there since 5:30. So, I tiptoed back of the stairs and woke up my parents. I then proceeded to wake up everyone else.

Kenzie had made me promise to wake her up because she was afraid that she would miss it. First I woke up Nate from his bed on the couch and then I headed for Ross. I tip toed in and whispered, "Ross! Ross! Wake up!" and he replied, "What do you want!" I guess he's not a morning person?

When I woke up Kenzie, her eyes popped open and she jumped a mile. I scared her very badly. It was funny though. And she was just glad she didn't miss it!

The boys with their new swords. Surprisingly, I still haven't heard anyone scream about getting hit with those.

My present to Ross.

Cookies, carrots, and letter.

Jett and I playing with the toys Nate made for Jett. They're amazing!

Kenzie's favorite present---Kit, the American Girl doll. She's been wanting her for months! She was pretty excited!

There's my favorite baby in the whole-wide-world!

My big brother, Ryan. He just got accepted into the Special Forces. He's pretty excited about it.

I'm in love with Sharpies.

I was SUPER excited about getting this! Anyone have any tips on how to use it?

I L-O-V-E this necklace my sister made. She's so awesome! But I mean, this just fits me so well! I legally shoot people! How awesome is that?

I hope you had an amazing Christmas and New Years! I'm excited to start a new year and I can't wait to see what God has for me this year!

Hopefully I won't be so long between posts in the future! I love you guys! Happy 2012!

autumn

2011-11-06T13:13:00.000-08:00

"Our family is a circle of strength and love…
With every birth and every union the circle grows…
Every joy shared adds more love…
Every crisis faced together
makes the circle grow stronger."

"It is one of the blessings of old friends that you can afford to be stupid with them."
Ralph Waldo Emerson

But even if I'm left high and dry at the end of this wild journey, just taking it is a great feeling.
Olivia Wilde

I try to maintain the perspective that life is meant to be laughed at.

Nicholas Brendon

Faith is the strength by which a shattered world shall emerge into the light.

Helen Keller

Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower.
Albert Camus

"Let's find a beautiful place and get lost."

All I have seen teaches me to trust the creator for all I have not seen.
Ralph Waldo Emerson

I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I,
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.

Robert Frost

A day without laughter is a day wasted.
Charlie Chaplin

At the height of laughter, the universe is flung into a kaleidoscope of new possibilities.
Jean Houston

A friend is one who knows you and loves you just the same.
Elbert Hubbard

wesley woods

2011-09-29T18:18:00.000-07:00

A few weeks ago (sorry, school has been crazy these last couple of weeks) my 9th grade class of twelve went to Camp Wesley Woods with two of our teachers and the best chapel leader ever, Sir Brett. :)
In the car my bestie, Hadley and I had to double buckle {shhhh} and when Isaiah opened the door I almost fell out! haha!

Goofing off in the car.

Checking it out.

Kaylee and Isaiah are the ones looking at the map and Andrew and Josh are the two looking at the camera!

Kaylee from California!

What the guys do to pass time---spar with really big sticks.

A team challenge we did there. We had to get everyone in order of their birthdays without talking. It was SO funny.

From right to left Courtlyn, Kaylee, Hannah, Hadley, Anna, Hope, Josh, Andrew, Me, Karlie, Isaiah.

Catch me!

Standing on Isaiah to get Andrew over "the wall."

Practicing our skills on this baby. This one was so much fun! We had to get so many people on each side to balance it out and it could only touch the ground three times. Really interesting!

Trying to somehow get Isaiah under and over the Giants Table. It didn't work....he fell...just saying. haha!

Hannah!

Walking back after hours of team building!

"THE BEASTS"

Campfires and S'mores!

Before the GIANT'S LADDER!

My partner, Hadley.

This picture doesn't even begin to show you how HIGH the Giant's Ladder was. Isaiah ended up doing it all by himself and I couldn't let a guy make it to the top and not me so...

Hadley and I made it to the second last, and with um---a little help----uh---from Hadley, I made it all the way. The only thing I've ever done more challenging than this was the Via Della Rosa. It was so much fun and I felt like a superhero after being climbed on, using muscles I never knew I had, hanging upside down, and all other manners of things to get ourselves up. I love a good physical challenge. How about you?

I'm on top of the world

Top of the world

Feeling fine

I can't promise I'll be posting anytime soon since my weekends are booked for the rest of the month but I'll try! Cheerio!

Oh, and I got a hair feather! Finally! I wanted one before everyone else even knew what they were and I got them after everyone...but that's okay. Love it!

i'm a freshmen :)

2011-08-28T09:16:00.000-07:00

yes, you heard me right.

And this is what this freshmen wore on the first day of school.

minus the guitar of course. i love playing the guitar. love it. i just learned how to play the song, Hallelujah and i love it! i'll have to post a video of me singing it for you all sometime. :)

oh, and don't you just adore polaroids?

i spent a lot of time with my new best friend Hadley this summer! i've only known her for around six months but i feel like i have known her for years! love her!

this picture was taken with my sister's new Ipad {yay} when Hadley was over some time this summer. we were trying to do our cheap imitation of freerunning and look like gangstahs at the same time. we are so cool.

i also got to go back to Doe River Gorge for a day with a bunch of my friends! we did a bunch of ziplining and yes, i even got blobbed...you should have seen my face...that's all i'm saying.

when i got out i started taking pictures with my new ipod {i'm in love} and this is what came out. isn't it interesting? i love it!

and then my friend, Morgan joined in on the action and we took some really cool sunglasses photography. and yes, i was in a way copying D.J. sorry...i couldn't resist, his phone photography is so amazing!

that's it folks! i'm going into the third week of school tomorrow. I adore my class---all eleven of them {i go to a tiny school but it's a jump from eight} and i think i'm really going to like all my new subjects and my teachers.

one more thing. i probably won't post for a week or two. my class is going on a retreat to Wesley Woods on Thursday and Friday and then i leave to go camping. Oh, how i love camping. i promise to bring back lovely pictures to show you all when i get back!

cheerio!

random

2011-08-10T07:55:00.000-07:00

I have a ghostly hand! haha!

Have you met my siblings?

"boom, boom, boom"

I love "Crackle" so much I just had to express myself!

I'm telling you---Theodor is scary! haha. It's a joke, don't worry---Hadley will get it.

I like paintbrushes. My new best friend.

blessings

2011-07-31T19:59:00.000-07:00

I am extremely blessed. I have a wonderful family, who love and encourage me. I live in a big, crazy, old house and have plenty of friends to keep me laughing. God has given me so many blessings this summer.

a new perspective

reminders of Himself

time away from the chaos

inspiration

new beginnings

crazy friends

my photography "eye"

color

family

change

more than 441,794,304 ticks of a clock on this earth

music

happy notes

great parents

a past and a future

big smiles and loud laughter

new friends and beautiful experiences

challenges

a direction

simple beauty

love

squeel

2011-07-28T19:18:00.000-07:00

Guess what is going to be coming in the mail for me very, very soon. A TELEPHOTO LENS! Hip Hip Hooray! Now I can stop borrowing Mrs. Jessica's! haha! I am so excited about this! Can you tell?

I'm especially glad that I am getting this lens before Autumn gets here because I want to take a ton of pictures of wonderful birds and animals. I always think of them coming out in Autumn for some reason...haha.
Here's one the pictures I took with the telephoto lens that I borrowed, along with all the swim meet pictures from my last post. I'm in love...

Hope your day has been as fabulous as my day of painting. *grin* Cheerio mates!

swim meet at UT

2011-07-23T20:20:00.000-07:00

Ross, Nate, and Kenzie are all part of the local swim team and today they went to their last swim meet at the UT professional pool. Yeah, you heard me right. Totally cool! Nate and Kenzie had meets today and I borrowed my sister's friend's telephoto lens. Man, do I want one of those things!

Nate's awesome dive. This picture made me very proud. haha.

Love this picture. The framing is so original!

The pool...and the diving boards, and that massive thing they do flips off of in the Olympics...Farthest pool was 17 feet deep and the other two were 8 feet. Let's just say that it was VERY impressive.

Kenzie swimming past the flags.

Nate's swim coach telling him...something. I'm not quite sure what kind advice he could have been giving.

Travis wishing Kenzie good luck.

Kenzie's "oh no" pose. That big blur just happens to be someone's foot. It looks pretty cool actually.

Kenzie's swim coach encouraging her before she went.

Kenzie taking off. She came in an un-official first once actually. It was un-official because she didn't hit the wall where she was supposed to so that the timer went off on her lane. But it was first none-the-less.

And I shall leave you with this warning.

AIDA

2011-07-15T11:35:00.000-07:00

Before I started cleaning this morning, I was looking for a CD that I haven't listened to in a while and I found this. The soundtrack to the Broadway musical AIDA.
Encore Theatrical, the theater in my town that I did White Christmas with, did AIDA a couple years ago and it has remained my favorite one they have done. So, I'm glad I found the CD.

Here's one of my favorite songs from the soundtrack!

Maybe one day, when my ship comes in (haha,) I can see AIDA as well as The Phantom of the Opera on broadway. Ah, I'll just dream.

from blah to yeah {from the racks of the GW Boutique}

2011-07-12T08:52:00.000-07:00

My family loves the GW Boutique (a.k.a. Goodwill.) We don't have the best Goodwill in the world but every so often we come upon something pretty awesome. Now, I admit that this does not look awesome--in the least. It is definitely a blah moment. So, my mom was pretty lost at where my sister and I saw any sort of potential for this.

It has--ahem, had--these awful shoulder pads. *shudder* Why those things were ever "in" is beyond me. Who wants to look like a football player---unless you actually are one? It just never made sense to me.

It was missing a button as well.

The Plan.

And it was turned into THIS! Thank goodness we dumped those shoulder pads is all I have to say! haha. I wore it as my Fourth of July outfit.

short+top mixture thing-Goodwill, bag-Liz Claiborne from Goodwill, necklace-Cameo from my grandmother, shoes-Hartstrings

What do you think about it?

Do you have any clothing makeovers?

Do tell!

more pennsilvania trip

2011-07-09T13:52:00.000-07:00

Just a couple more pictures from my trip!

We visited more than one vintage stores and Goodwills!

Hayden looking at the sights.

A super cool church---one of many.

trying something new

2011-06-30T18:14:00.000-07:00

While I was in Pennsylvania, I tried my hand at some wedding photography. My cousin, Joey, was getting married to a very nice lady named Dana. It was a very nice wedding. I was pretty proud of my first attempt at wedding photography!

It was a beach-themed wedding. I loved the bridesmaid dresses.

I think Dana's dress was the prettiest I've ever seen.

The cake was beautiful as well.

cake and kisses

At the reception this cute old lady decided that she was going to teach my mom some of the dances. Oh, it was so funny. She was the cutest old lady!

pennsylvania video

2011-06-28T17:58:00.000-07:00

Like---me?! haha!

I got back to my house last night after being away for a week and a half. First, I went to a camp for five days, which I'll post about later, and then I left straight from there to go to Pennsylvania. I went for a family wedding, which isn't in this post but will be in the next also. Then we went to Kennywood! That was SO much fun! The next day we went sightseeing in Pittsburgh and then we left for my Uncle Mike's house. Had a ton of fun and made a video to show you!

Came upon this guy cooking in front of a store in Pittsburgh.

Went to Mt. Washington, where my mom and her siblings used to live.

Found this sign in Pittsburgh! Isn't it great?

I've never seen people so into their team as the people in Pittsburgh. I thought the people in Tennessee were into THEIR team!

A cool sign!

My next post will tell even more about my great time!

the barbed wire pool and too many braids

2011-06-12T16:21:00.000-07:00

My Summer

diving boards and swim suits

interesting dives and cute kids

jumping up and down

VBS and sticky tape

a lot of crazy third graders

staring contests

little kids and juice boxes

two and a half hours worth of braids (27 to be exact)

barbed wire protected pools and interesting faces

very talkative little boys

jumping pictures

and

CRAZY FRIENDS

Went to the mall yesterday and bought a ton of stuff that I'll show you all later. Going camping tomorrow and I'll be gone until Wednesday. I'm going to try to capture the fireflies mating in the Smokey's with my camera...I hope it works! Fingers crossed!

Cheerio!

i heart faces-from a distance

2011-06-07T16:10:00.000-07:00

Well, I've been absent from the i heart faces challenges for weeks now and I believe that it is time for my reappearance. That's just my opinion at least.

When I saw that the challenge was from a distance I was a little bit stumped until I happened upon my folder of pictures I took while babysitting a couple weeks ago, as some of you may know.

I just thought that this was the perfect picture for this challenge. It was definitely one of my favorite pictures of the week.

I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.

Cheerio!

Go check out some of the other entries HERE.

bohemian dream

2011-06-01T17:30:00.000-07:00

I got this shirt yesterday at Ross. I love it! It looks kind of bohemian if you ask me. Olivia at Horsefeathers is to blame for my new found interest in all things bohemian, hippie, or gypsy looking. I'm sure it's the same for others as well!

I had fun with an old walking stick by attaching feathers to it with some string....looks pretty cool.

I also experimented with braiding today. I learned how to do the fish tail braid! Yesterday, I did the braid that just goes across your forehead...it looked very cool. I'll show you some time.

I really want some of these! Twenty-five dollars at Sephora! I want some so bad! hehe

Source~Condition Culture

Me want!

Love this!

source unknown

Love this hair. Maybe, just maybe I can figure out how to do it...

PS I HAVE NO BRACES!!!!! WOOOHOOOO!

photography captures a moment

2011-05-28T13:28:00.000-07:00

I babysat Ross' classmate, Mary Katherine, all week. She lives on some beautiful property full of horses, dogs, chickens, creeks, tall grass, and sunshine. It will come to no surprise to you that I brought my camera along for the fun.

Every closed eye is not sleeping, and every open eye is not seeing. - Bill Crosby

My eyes are an ocean in which my dreams are reflected. - Unknown

The camera makes you forget you're there. It's not like you are hiding but you forget, you are just looking so much. - Annie Leibovitz

"You can fly, but the cocoon has to go."

As I have practiced it, photography produces pleasure by simplicity. I see something special and show it to the camera. A picture is produced. The moment is held until someone sees it. Then it is theirs.

~Sam Abell

The camera can photograph thought.

~Dirk Bogarde

There is only you and your camera. The limitations in your photography are in yourself, for what we see is what we are.

~Ernst Haas

Never look down to test the ground before taking your next step; only he who keeps his eye fixed on the far horizon will find the right road.

~Dag Hammarskjold

"The simplest things are often the truest."

When I'm ready to make a photograph, I think I quite obviously see in my minds eye something that is not literally there in the true meaning of the word. I'm interested in something which is built up from within, rather than just extracted from without.

~Ansel Adams

a bit giddy

2011-05-22T19:17:00.000-07:00

Do you know that giddy feeling you get when you realize that summer is finally here? If so, you know how I feel. Just a bit giddy.

I didn't go anywhere at all today. Just stayed inside making bracelets and taking pictures. I'm building up my summer bracelet collection. So far, I have five or six...I need a whole lot more! haha.

This lovely bracelet that my mom bought me at Bliss in Knoxville on Friday. I'm still trying to duplicate it. My first attempt was, well, a first attempt...haha.

I love my sunglasses! That's Forever21 for you! Lovely!

The start of my summer bracelet collection...I made all of them except the Red Team one. My friend made that one so that I can sport it in front of all my friends on the blue team when we burn them this week...mwahaha...red team will win Blitz Week...

Well, any-who, I'm hoping to have a ton of bracelets soon.

And I drew on my hand...my whole hand. My mom was thrilled---not. Let's just say at least I was smart enough to use a gel pen---they wash off easy. I do like drawing on my hands though. It's so much more fun than paper!

This image was some of my inspiration for my hand except for the fact that I think she is using a Sharpe...infinitely harder to wash out....haha.

just a little bit fancy...

2011-05-22T09:14:00.000-07:00

My class of eighth graders turned ninth graders had a sort of celebration---on a boat! We went on a river boat cruise in Knoxville. We got to dress up and it was an all around great time.

From left to right: Courtlyn, Tessa, Hope, Karlie.

My best friend, Courtlyn and I acting crazy.

My class minus one. Josh was missing but his brother Joseph came instead.

From left to right: Tessa, Joseph, Courtlyn, Hope, Karlie, Andrew, Andrew, Isaiah.

My mom, dad, and I all decked out.

Shoes! I loved my shoes. I felt dangerously tall. When you go from 5'4" to 5'7" you feel a little off kilter...just saying.

We love each other....can't you tell?

Joseph and I on the deck.

Courtlyn and I imitating the progression from talking on the phone to texting....nice, huh?

I had a great time. Can't wait to spend another year with these crazy people! Just leave me alone until summer is over---okay, guys?

whew!

2011-05-20T09:45:00.000-07:00

SUMMER is officially here! I am so happy. School was, well, starting to get old. hehe.

Yesterday was field day and since the girls lost the change wars at my school the guys got to pie them---or in other words slam them with shaving cream. Let's just say that my friend saying that he was going to pie me was a total understatement.

I got slammed. Literally. With shaving cream. The fight was on...too bad I'm a little shorter than my friends who slammed me....hehe.

See what I mean? I got it the worst out of every girl there....sigh....

Then we went to Panther Creek Park. Supposingly, Swanny was kicking a ball but there's some speculation on whether he was really just practicing his ballet skills or something to that effect.

My friend Carissa at the bat. Please pray for her. She broke her wrist yesterday. Not a good way to start your summer.

Abby was pretty excited for summer too!

What's the start of summer without a football flying? I mean, seriously? It's incomplete without a football!

Ignore that amazing hairdo...That's all I could do after it got filled with shaving cream...eww.

Just a random/really cool picture I took this morning.

And a sneak peek to what I will be wearing to this fancy river boat cruise for the eighth graders who are now ninth graders! yippee! I'll update you on it tomorrow!

so "glab" i'm back

2011-05-07T10:51:00.000-07:00

Well, as Kenzie so apply put it--I'm "glab" I'm back.

So much has been happening lately and school is almost out!

YAY!

Yes, I know that Easter was weeks ago but still.

Aren't they all just so cute?

My Easter dress and my sister's totally amazing vintage bike.

LOVE!

Isn't he just a cutie?

Group hug!

Isn't this just adorable? It's a mess and probably hasn't been used in years but it is so cute!

Self-portrait!

I love graffiti!

just a taste

2011-04-17T11:56:00.000-07:00

Spring is slowly starting to spread her wings for Tennessee. Giving us a taste of her and then folding her wings and letting old man winter continue to harass us. Quite rude if you ask me but I'll forgive her.

I can not wait until I can go barefoot everywhere,

stay outside playing basketball until nine or ten,

play hide-and-go-seek in the dark,

sit on the porch sucking popsicles,

push my friends in the lake,

fly of of tubes,

camp with my best friends.

Obviously, I have quite a long list of things I want to do but until spring decides that she is here to stay I'll have to be content with this. Blooming flowers and a little girl wishing on a dandelion.

There is something magical about the feeling that wishing on a dandelion gives you that no star could ever evoke. Thank you, Lord for dandelions and little girls.

i'm just little old me

2011-03-28T17:09:00.000-07:00

The song Lovely by Sara Haze spoke volumes to me today. The beginning goes like this:

"I don't wanna be her
I just wanna be little old me
I shouldn't have to think
Who am I supposed to be today
And what gave you the right
To tell me who I should be
Who gave you that right
Cuz, I feel LOVELY just the way that I am
Yes, I feel LOVELY the way that I am"

I look at the culture today and I see girls molding themselves into what they think OTHERS want them to be. We try so hard to fit in and fit the world's model of what a girl is supposed to be but there is so much more to us than that. Why should we have to try so hard to find the world's approval? Why can't we look at ourselves and see a creation of the Creator of heaven and earth? He created us in His own IMAGE. Shouldn't that be enough for us? Why do we feel the need for the world's love when we have so much more? We have to love of a wonderful Savior who died for us. Do you hear me? He died!
And you know what is really amazing? He looks at us everyday, looks through the mistakes we have made and the imperfections and tells us that we are lovely. Everyday. Even when we have makeup running down our faces. Even when we are wearing the worst outfit on the face of the planet or even if we are having a bad hair day. He tells us everyday that we are lovely daughters of His. I think that should mean so much more than something any guy could say or any compliment people could ever give.

Stop being the stereo typical girl! Break out and show your true colors. Live your own life with no restraints. Love freely and dream big. Reach for the sky girl because there is one guy who will always tell you that you are lovely---and that's Jesus.

I want to see His love through all I do. Thank you Jesus that you think I am lovely. Thank you so much.

musical fashion

2011-03-27T15:33:00.000-07:00

I've been listening to music basically all day. Honestly, that is not very strange since I always say that I "live my life to music." I'm quite literal when I say it too.
This is my last day before spring break is over and school is back. Oh joy. Well, instead of working on my biography paper like I could have been, I decided to raid my closet again. So, over the course of several hours I bring you this post by yours truly. hehe.

How many of you can guess what song the name of this collection of pictures is from? I am almost positive that most of you should know this one. No, it is not from Toy Story. Sorry, it is not by Christina Perry even though I love her. Okay I'll give you a hint. Owl. What? You still can't get it? It is Vanilla Twilight by Owl City of course! You really should have known.

Only one of the songs that I adore at the moment. Sigh. It's just so beautiful. I'm just not sure why Shaq is in the video but---well, it's a good song.

And don't you just love the outfit! I was so excited to find out it had pockets! Dear Weather...please get warm.

{dress-goodwill, shoes-unknown, cover up-unknown}

Now this name comes from the beautiful song by Sara Haze called Lovely. It truly is a great song. This outfit is slightly less summer-ish and a lot more casual. I really like it.

t-shirt-unknown, cream (i don't know what it's called)-Forever 21, jeans-daisy fuentes

And the song that I chose for this adorable outfit was Sound of Sunshine by Michael Franti and Spearhead. A really great song. I found this skirt at the Goodwill in Myrtle Beach. Do you like it?

skirt-Goodwill, shirt-Walmart, shoes-unknown

I really like this picture. In fact I like it so much I made it my profile picture on Facebook. Don't you just love having a tripod?

Just one more thing before you all leave me! If you've ever heard The Band Perry you know that they are amazing. I've been listening to their songs You Lie and Double Heart for two days straight. I don't usually listen to a ton of country music but they are definitely the real deal! Their song If I Die Young always makes me think of Ophelia in Shakespeare's Hamlet. Well, I hope you all take my music suggestions because every one of these songs are absolutely amazing.

Cheerio!

the beach - take two

2011-03-26T13:32:00.000-07:00

I think it is kind of strange when you find me sitting by the pool reading "Novelist's Boot Camp." Wouldn't you agree?

Jett turned six months this week {oh, what a big little boy} and I got to take his picture. Isn't he adorable?

He didn't think this picture was quite as funny as Kelly and I did. Haha! He's so cute.

"Don't leave me here! What did I do? Hello? Anyone?"

Just kidding. We didn't actually leave him on the beach. He's too cute to waste on the beach. Nope, we took him with us.

I adore this picture. I had a stroke of genius at the moment that I found this foam-filled shell---if I may say so myself.

The sky looked like a painting that morning. God was feeling especially painter-istic that day I suppose and I am just thankful He let me witness it.

The sunrises were gloriously captivating every morning.

More seagulls---I have a weakness for seagulls and cameras. What can I say? They make really fascinating subjects.

This sunrise flyer helps prove my point---birds are just fun to photograph. I think you can tell I got slightly camera happy this week.

Don't you love the beach? Sadly, it's back to reality for me but this little escape from life was delightful. Thank you Lord for this opportunity and for the beautiful sights I witnessed there.

Cheerio!

Oh my! Look at my signature. More seagulls. I'm turning into a seagull fanatic!

Have a beautiful day all of my wonderful followers and commenters!

I'm a beach girl

2011-03-23T17:59:00.000-07:00

You heard me right. I am a beach girl through and through. Yes, I know I live in Tennessee and yes, I know there are no beaches there but I'm a beach girl none the less.

Don't you love the style I'm sporting?

Okay, I have two words to describe this week so far.

Refreshing. Loveliness.

The beach was utterly amazing. Absolutely beautiful.

Oh, I love this girl. She is always so happy to do whatever crazy or weird thing I ask her to do for a picture.

This poor lonely shoe was missing its mate on the beach today. I feel sorry for the kiddo who lost it because it has most likely flown away in the wind by now. It did make a great photo prop though. One of my favorites so far.

I think I took over fifty pictures of seagulls in two days and only a few came out great---like this one.

Shell lovelies.

I'll be posting part two coming later. Love ya'll. That's what most of my real Tennessean friends say.

Spring Fever

2011-03-19T17:51:00.000-07:00

Spring break has finally arrived and to say that I am pumped doesn't even begin to describe me. On Friday I walk out of my last class, looked at two of my friends and we all started screaming. Let's just say that we scared a couple of people.
When I got home I sat on my fire escape {one of the interesting parts of my room} and "basked" in the sun. Soon though I was convinced to take pictures of Kenzie and somehow got grass stains all up my legs. haha. Dirty feet in the summer time is a given for me and apparently it's the same for Kenzie. Yes, I am well aware that it is not summer yet but it feels like it.

Balls are all over our backyard. We love throwing, kicking, tossing, and any other thing possible to do with a ball.

I loved this one. I just snapped and the two of them were in the same position. Love it.

Handstand attempts.

Perfect.

LOVE!

Iheartfaces-anything BUT faces

2011-02-28T14:30:00.000-08:00

I only have a minute but I had to get this up before I forget! This is one of my all time favorite pictures of Jett that didn't star his darling little face. A father's hands along side his little baby's---what could be more perfect?

Go check out some more entries over at i heart faces!

the closet shopper

2011-02-26T16:24:00.000-08:00

Well, now you all know what I do in my free time when I'm not blogging or making something---I'm tearing my closet apart. I'm a little saddened that I forgot to wear any jewelry. Maybe next time.

I love how I posed for this picture. It's just so---I can't think of the word. I'm sure you know what I'm talking about though.

Sorry if some of the pictures are blurry due to using the tripod.

I adore this dress! I love the grey and the ruffles. And I absolutely love, no adore and love the shoes! I've poured over this style of shoe on Chictopia for a while now and now I have some of my own! Oh, bliss.

Dress-Forever 21

Shoes-Clarks

Headband-I made it.

People should never underestimate the power of Goodwill. Goodwill is a store we frequent often in my family. Sadly, East Tennessee doesn't have Goodwills like they do in Florida or Connecticut but we still have great finds. You just have to be willing to look.

I love the skirt so much! I always wanted a pocket skirt or dress.

Pocket Skirt-Goodwill

Vest-Goodwill

Shirt-Unknown

Shoes-Clarks

This has to be the best Goodwill find ever! This is a legit vintage shirt in perfect shape! For the last couple of weeks I have been scouring the racks for vintage pieces but I never though I would find something this good.

And it worked out perfectly for my school's Truth and Treasure event that I got to talk at.

Vintage Top-Goodwill

Pants-Ross

Shoes-Clarks

Bag-Unknown

I love the simplicity of this picture. Its out of focusness adds so much to the picture. I think it has a delightfully peaceful and simple feel.

Come and Go

2011-02-26T10:18:00.000-08:00

Monday, was a very special day for all of my family. It was the day that my brother was coming home from Afghanistan. It was the first time we had seen him since July. We all lined up outside the plane exit and there he comes. All dressed in his uniform looking handsome (as usual) and we all start clapping. Some other people join in and my mom runs to hug him.

The mother's first hug.

Ryan finally getting to meet little Jett in person.

And then on Wednesday Ryan came in and answered questions at my school and we prayed for him.

My class got a great picture with him.

Right to Left:

Andrew, Andrew, Karlie, Josh, Me, Isaiah, Hope, Mr. Lawson, Courtlyn.

And Ryan.

Sadly, the fun only lasted until Friday, which was the day he flew out to Texas to visit one of his Army friends who had gotten sent back to the US because of major injuries.

My last hug.

He will be going back to Afghanistan in about a week. Would you please pray for his safe return and for God's protection on him and his comrades?

A little bit before Ryan came home Jett turned five months old! The big 05!

And I got the privilage of taking his darling little picture!

I adore this picture! I am so glad that this idea popped in my head. I am loving this chalkboard look here.

But isn't he the coolest little guy?

Well, this was a great idea until my sister informed me that the J was backwards. Oh well, better luck next time. In the mean time, my excuse is that it's supposed to be that way. hehe.

He's such a cool little guy with his awesome hat and his skull shirt (compliments of his dad's shirt and Kelly's sewing.) This has to be one of my favorites. It just pulls the whole I AM COOL look together.

precious little boy

2011-02-13T12:57:00.000-08:00

I think I see some family resemblance. Don't you?

fifty, fifty, fifty!

2011-02-12T10:29:00.000-08:00

That's right folks! FIFTY followers!

Subsitute a lot of squeals of joy and a ton of woohooing.

Should I have a giveaway to celebrate? I think it's appropriate no? I'm talking French-ish. hehe.

Be looking here very soon to see a great giveaway!

Adios! Cheerio! Salve!

closet love

2011-02-10T14:20:00.000-08:00

Yes, I have probably lost my mind. And yes, I have been jumping up and down. Do you want to know why? I finally cleaned out my closet! I know, that's like unheard of. Literally. But I'm just loving the neatness of it. And then of course I had to turn my camera towards the shoes. I mean who doesn't go into their closet and see shoes? You gotta love them!

Like I said, I'm really excited about this!

I adore this picture! I think it might just make it in my pictures for room folder. What do you think?

I was quite infatuated with the boots n{yes, this is part of my boots} in case you haven't figured that out by now.

Boot love galore!

And then some cute heels. A girls gotta have some.

Alas, another boot!

And this totally random shot that somehow or another tied into the closet. I like it.

And another beautisimo {I don't even know if that's a word but I like it} shot.

I heart shells.

Are you ready for Valentines Day? In case you haven't noticed, I'm pretty hyped. For absolutely no reason. Well, maybe the fact that our class is the bringer of food class has got me hyped just a smidgen. I love that word. Okay, now I'm going to stop rambling and let you go on with your life.

Cheerio!

Oh, wait! Don't leave me quite yet. Have you by chance glanced over at my followers gadget? Yes, I have

FORTY EIGHT FOLLOWERS!

I think this might just be a cause for celebration. I'm almost there. Please, you couple of stragglers who read but don't follow break yourself from your pattern of obscurity and follow! Following isn't all bad now is it?

Okay, now you may leave with my blessing.

Adios!

iheartfaces-hearts

2011-02-08T16:22:00.000-08:00

This one was very hard for me! I had the idea but I just could not decide which picture to choose! They all were adorable! But I ended up choosing this one because it really emphasizes the heart and I love her blurred facial expression as she reads out the I heart you on the other side. I'm in love. Are you?

Come on over to iheartfaces to see the rest of the entries!

L O V E your valentine...

2011-02-08T14:28:00.000-08:00

Okay, these have to be the best valentines I have ever made or seen. I mean not to boast or anything but they are just so darn cute!

The funny thing is that all the paper is from the book Buffalo Bill. Not quite lovey dovey if you ask me! haha.

L O V E

And this was a picture that a adore! I took it when we went through the car wash after it was dive bombed by a bunch of crazy birds! I heart it so much! hehe.

I love...

2011-02-04T20:04:00.000-08:00

My eyes.

Finger puppets.

Polyvor.

Random fashion.

Taking pictures for friends.

Basketball games.

Feeling professional taking pictures for my mom's etsy shop.

Blue shoes.

My promise ring.

Old jewelry that, oddly enough, look like lips.

Funny faces.

Winter weather, hats, and binoculars. Oh, and don't forget words!

Playing sports with Ross and Nate.

New angles. And trees. And blue skies. And mirrors.

Tennesse Sunrise

2011-01-29T15:57:00.000-08:00

My school has the most amazing views in the morning. The sky is absolutely beautiful. I don't think that any picture could ever do justice to how truly beautifully God paints the sky each morning for us. I do think that this picture could come close though.

Since God displays such vivid views for me every morning I have decided to take a picture of every sunrise that I can every day that we have school. Maybe by the end of the year I can have a huge collection of pictures to display God's great painting skills!

I just couldn't resist showing off a pictures of my expert snowboarding skills! Okay, I lied. I am anything but and expert snowboarder but we can pretend can't we? Let's just say I did the whole stop, fly, drop, and roll maneuver. It was quiet funny if not painful the next day. hehe. So, how are your snowboarding skills?

Fluffy Snow

2011-01-25T16:17:00.000-08:00

This was probably the prettiest snow I've ever seen.

Have I ever told you that I adore Cross Process. Well, I do. Absolutely adore it!

Basketball Photographer

2011-01-23T13:22:00.000-08:00

A while back the yearbook committee asked me to take pictures at the basketball games and any other school occasion. Well, this game I just decided that I'd sit and take some pictures and they came out really great! I mean, not to brag or anything... hehe.

I loved this picture of Isaac and Ross before the game started.

I love these boys!

Levi, Celeb, Seth, and Paris.

Warming up some more since the other team was an hour late because their bus broke down.

Wow, what kind of face is that? I love it. It's so action-y.

This is probably my favorite one. I love how they all came in, framing Levi in his shooting pose. It went in the basket by the way.

Go Ross!

My bestie praying to win.

I couldn't resist putting it up in black and white. It just looks so good!

I'll probably have some more basketball pictures coming up soon. You gotta love watching your team play.

photoshoot with Abby

2011-01-12T15:54:00.000-08:00

Today was yet another snow day, which was perfectly fine with me. I personally don't want to go back anytime soon. haha. Well, after going through every post on Roz's blog Clothes, Cameras, and Coffee I was inspired to go outside and take pictures but alas, I had no model. So, I called up my friend Abby and we had a ball, as you will see.

This is probably my favorite picture of me in a long time.

The picture says it all.

Me trying out the tripod that I never knew we had. I love it! Now I can get some pictures of myself in a cute outfit. I love the shoes. That's all I gotta say. haha.

I love these pictures of Abby. I think they are my favorite picture of the photoshoot.

I really wanted to incorporate the old binoculars in this shoot. I like it. Don't you?

Abby. You. Are. Gorgeous.

More binocular shots!

I think I was a little cold. haha.

I have nothing to say about this, so I'll just write this.

Iheartfaces-smiles

2011-01-10T16:21:00.000-08:00

I love this picture of my friend Abby. I especially love it in B&W.

Check out more entries at iheartfaces.

Unheard of...

2011-01-08T18:37:00.000-08:00

This much snow is virtually unheard of where I live in Tennessee. We've already used up all of our snow days which has never happened this early before! Luckily we did get some really good sledding snow but right now we have this wet snow that's perfect for snowball fight! Mwahaha. Let's just say that one of my friends got a huge snowball dumped on her head. On Thursday we played the stop the car, get out, take a picture, get back in, do it again game!
On Thursday we had the prettiest snow I have ever seen. This is my personal favorite out of all of my pictures. It looks like a welcoming winter pathway to who-knows where!

I love this one with the snow and and the beautiful steeple.

My school blanketed in snow.

I l-o-v-e love this picture! The sky is so clear and blue and the snow looks so beautiful with the barn.

Gorgeous {except for that annoying car!} haha!

Oh, and all of these pictures are SFTC {straight from the camera} and absolutely no editing! Aren't they great?

Wishing you a---

2011-01-04T04:37:00.000-08:00

{picture not mine. i only claim words}

I hope you have a blessed birthday Mrs. Edie.

Just found these two pictures of your girls and I thought you might want to see them. :)

iheartfaces-best of 2010

2011-01-03T10:05:00.000-08:00

Oh, this was just too hard. I've taken so many good pictures of friends and family and I've grown so much in my photography over the course of 2010. I am so grateful that God allowed me to go on the Atlanta mission trip and meet these wonderful kids. They will forever be held close to my heart as one of my best memories of 2010.

Head over to iheartfaces to see some more great entries!

My Favorite Pictures From 2010

2011-01-02T11:24:00.000-08:00

Yikes! I can't believe it's already 2011! It's so weird. I can remember the new years eve last year like it was yesterday. In fact I think I was right here. How funny! Well, I just wanted to share my top 16 favorite photos from 2010. {this is in no particular order}

This is the picture that inspired my resent blog theme, hence the header. Dreams and dandelions just seem to go together perfectly. Don't you think?

Aw...this one makes me smile every time I see it. I'm especially proud of it since got me rated fourth in Just Teens week on I Heart Faces!

This one will forever be my favorite memory photo from the Atlanta mission trip. It is absolutely priceless.

There's no real reason for this one except that I really like it. That is reason enough.

Aw...who doesn't like those little baby toesies?

Boat memories...how I love them.

This is my favorite photo of Katja, our German exchange student for those who didn't know. I love it. It shows the calm and peace of the moment before all the other kids started doing canon balls {not really!}

I think this one is absolutely priceless. I will forever love this photo---even if Nate might be slightly embarrassed.

I love this picture of my little cousin Hayden or Hayhay as I call her.

This one reminds me of my brother fighting in Afghanistan. I miss him a lot but I'm glad we got to talk to him the other day.

This one is just so simple and perfect. Gotta love it.

Who doesn't like camera self portraitish photos?

Yes, yes. I know you've seen this one a couple of times but I can't get over how nice it turned out!

This one too! haha

I love this picture of Isaiah in my new Bible with my new Kodak. Perfect. Timeless.

You gotta love Jett-ster's face!

Okay, I think this is the best. Don't you?

Well, there's my top 16 pictures of 2010. Now it's time to start making memories in 2011.

{CLICK}

Snow, snow, snow...

2010-12-29T18:36:00.000-08:00

The day after Christmas we got a lot of snow! A couple inches at least. {Sadly, it's melting} I took out my camera and went for a snow walk.

Experimenting.

On monday I had a game party at my house and invited a bunch of people from school!

Top: Abby and Morgan playing Imagine If, Luke and Nate playing Just Dance 2, Courtlyn and I deciding what our answer will be, more Just Dance 2, Hope and Courtlyn.

Bottom:Ross, Jett, and Kelly hanging out, Kenzie and Ashley playing Just Dance 2, Abby, Just Dance 2 fun!

Luke and I looking at Nate while he told us something. Probably about how good his juggling skills are. I'm just kidding!

Morgan, Hope, I---the bunnies.

The three stooges Luke, Swanny, and Josh.

Group picture!

Top row: Swanny, Luke, Josh

Bottom Row: Morgan, Courtlyn, Tessa, Hope, Abby.

Friends+Camera=AMAZING PICTURES!

2010-12-29T16:24:00.000-08:00

There is this house down the street from me that no one lives in. I don't think anyone ever has since we've lived here but the grounds are still maintained. I always thought that was weird. I used to play in this house's backyard but I'm pretty sure that it was trespassing...oops! I thought that it's entryway would make a great picture and I L-O-V-E how it turned out! It reminds me of a commercial I saw or and advertisement.

Here it is in color.

I have very swiftly become addicted to B&W. Can't you see why?

Hannah posing at the gate of a house down the street from us.

I really love this picture!

Abby and Hannah at the end of a very cold yet glorious *wink* photoshoot.

haha! Just joking Abby!

Vintagey Photoshoot

2010-12-23T11:40:00.000-08:00

On the last day that we were supposed to have school (we didn't) a bunch of people went to my friend Hannah's house. Hannah's dad has a ton of old rusted tractors and trucks and we decided it was time for a vintagey photoshoot! My friend Abby is very photogenic and she shows that great in this photo. I love it in black and white. Makes it look even more vintage. You're beautiful Abby.

Love

I L-O-V-E this picture! It's so old looking and has a lot of personality.

I just wanted a picture "driving" General Lee!

Hannah!

An old broken windshield.

All the goofballs decided they wanted to see what Jett would look like as a girl. haha!

Holiday Pictures

2010-12-21T12:23:00.000-08:00

Enjoy!

The Ending of White Christmas...

2010-12-15T20:21:00.000-08:00

As I mentioned in my last post, I was in our local play White Christmas. Well, Sunday was the last night and that made me really sad. Here are some pictures from the closing show.

Dilyn my faithful partner in crime.

On the last two performances we ran out of snow to dump on the audience so we improvised---we made it ourselves. Let's just say I never want to make snow again and that will never be my profession. :D

Oxydol, For Purity!

Paige and her Oxydol box.

Tara giving Doug a hug.

Dilyn the princess (i think) and Ben goofing off during "Falling out of Love can be Fun." I love their faces! Don't even ask me what Bed is doing!

Tara apparently forgot that this chair fell back when you sit in it and went feet up and came down laughing!

Justin is my tap and Irish dance teacher and Tara is his wife. They're the ones who got me into this amazing show!

Tara and Robbie having fun backstage!

Sharon and Dilyn posing for their closeups!

Sharon (Betty) and Tara (Judy) doing "Sisters." This was one of my favorites! Backstage Dilyn and I have our arms in the sleeves of their next outfit and are dancing away!

Justin (Phil) and Travis (Bob) on the train to what Bob thinks in Florida.

Tara and Justin singing about SNOW, SNOW, SNOW, SNOW, SNOW!

I love this!

What in the world is Justin doing? Checking her wig for lice?

Love!

Rita and Roda showing Phil their new "costumes for the show."

"We're bells! Ding dong ding dong!

Tara and Justin singing in "I Love a Piano! This is where I come in!

We all decided to get amputations...haha.

What's up with their faces?

Travis and Justin's version of "Sisters!"

Daddy and me at the end!

Don't go outside for a picture in bare feet---you can't feel them afterward! haha! This is still my favorite shot!

Giving Ben a hug! We always were joking around!

I think they were around Ezekiel a little too much. Thanks you two! You were great!

And that was my amazing White Christmas experience! I had a great time getting to know you all! Love <3

November is flying by!

2010-11-20T19:10:00.000-08:00

Since the last time I posted (more forever ago than forever) A LOT of fun stuff has happen like Camp Your Face Off, Spirit Week, and basketball started! Well, from this picture, you can tell I didn't get any less weird. :) Come on, it was tacky day! Give me a break!

Okay, I'm going to start with my favorite: CAMP YOUR FACE OFF! If you're thinking along the lines of she's crazy or she needs to get out of the sun, don't worry. It wasn't my idea anyway. My youth group spent a weekend in the "wild." By wild I mean the church's lake property. Only two words describe this retreat: cold and epiliptical. Now for those people who don't know me personally, you probably don't know what epiliptical means. It simply is every word that describes something more than awesome/you love rolled into one. We played capture the flag in the dark and froze while we had tons of laughs together. The speaker, Jay, and the music guy, Forrest, were awesome! <3 The picture below is my amazing kickball team, The PINK UNICORNS! Do not ask me why that was our name. I have NO idea.

And this was our cheer squad. They cheered for us because we are awesome and they didn't want Rob's team to win! I mean come on! Who wants Rob to win? Just kidding. His team won anyway. :P

All of us Pink Unicorns in our losing picture.

Front row: Cody and Spencer
Middle Row: Jamima, Tessa, Katy, can't remember her name, and Josh.
Back Row: Luke, Alex, Daniel, Logan (I think), and Michael a.k.a. awesome hat dude.

Kick, Michael, kick!

Then it was SPIRIT WEEK! I got to take pictures of our basketball teams. You all are awesome!

Hope and Morgan crack me up! You are strong girls!

Hillbilly Day was really fun! Hopery, my bestie, making a weird face at me before art!

I don't know what I was shooting for in this picture. Gangsta? I don't think it worked. LOL

Candice, Danielle, Karlie, and Morgan wanted a picture; and Mr. Lawson and Luke decided they'd just jump on in!

I don't think this is a good message to be sending. I guess this is what we do in our spare time: we strangle friends and teachers!

Then it was TACKY DAY! My absolute favorite. It even beat Disney Day (that was weird! I was so mad because I left the camera on the table at home!)
Back row: Mr. Lawson, Andrew, Isaiah, Josh, and Andrew.
Middle row: Karlie, Hope, and Courtlyn.
First row: ME!

And my little cutey nephew Jet-ster! Doesn't he look smart?

I have no idea what Isaiah was trying to be right then.

Basketball started and since I'm one of the biggest loudmouths going, I am the cheerer. I like my job! Ross looks so focused! Go Ross!

The older boys stretching. I love how Ross is leaning on Luke instead of balancing!

Running to meet and beat! We won by a lot!

It's been extremely busy around here since I'm going to be in Encore's White Christmas! I don't have an acting part, but I do two dances. Justin, my tap and Irish teacher, asked if I wanted to do it and since I was the only one who wasn't in Nutcracker, I said yes. If you have been in a show before, you know how much work it is and how late you have to stay, so I am extremely sorry about not posting in so long! Our opening night is the day after Thanksgiving and it goes on for two weekends after that! I'm so excited! I love my cast photo!

Jett Alexander--my new nephew!

2010-09-28T15:02:00.000-07:00

A week-a-go tomorrow my sister's little boy Jett Alexander was born! I love this little guy! I praise God that both he and his mother are both safe. Isn't he the cutest little baby EVER?!

I love the expression on his little baby face. His nose is SO tiny and his fingernails are almost non-existent!

Look at how tiny his toes are! And he sure can curl them up! I love you Jetster (he has many nicknames: Jettster, Jettpack, Jettski, Jetti, {like Jedi} and many more!)

Katja's visit part 1

2010-09-27T16:23:00.000-07:00

Katja was a German exchange student who stayed with us for six weeks for those of you who haven't heard about her yet. Well, in this first picture we're in Knoxville with Katja and Kristy.

From left to right: Abby, Katja, Kristy, Tessa. We're walking downtown Knoxville.

Katja's first volleyball game with the Lady Warriors! Go Lady Warriors!!!!!

Making Spätzle (a German noodle.) It was extremely cool!

We went to Washington, DC for the rally. It was really cool hearing Glen Beck and Sarah Palin!

This was as close as we could get to the Lincoln Memorial. It was a dum idea to try and get that close. Trust me!

Isn't Katja pretty?

I love this picture of Katja and the Washington Monument and the Reflecting Pool!

Okay now this is a VERY interesting story! My brother had an army friend who was in the hospital in DC and we were going to visit him. So, we got on a bus and asked a bunch of poeple if they knew which stop we had to get off at. Let's just say they weren't very helpful. One said this and the other said that and so on ans so forth. Finally the hospital's name came over the speakers and we thought "Yes!" and we got off. You want to know what? WE GOT OFF AT THE GATE THAT WAS CLOSED ON WEEKENDS! So we start lugging our chairs up the hill to find another gate. Well, this guy in a 1980 something Mercedes and asks if we were at the rally. We say yes and tell him we're trying to find the open gate. So, he said that we'd never make it and to climb in. And, of course, we all pile in. My dad jumped in the front and the rest of us climbed in the back. Okay, imagine playing twister with four people in the back of a car with a bunch of chairs. That's what it looked like. I'm on my mom's lap, legs everywhere. Katja's squeezed against us and Mike, my brother climbs in. HE CAN'T CLOSE THE DOOR! Then this guy decides he's going to give us a tour too! Finally we get to the gate and the guard asks for the parents IDs and mom tries to reach her backback which was under me, two chairs, and who knows how many legs! The guard looks in, looks at the ID, looks back in and says: "What you trying to do? Play Twister in the back seat?" Needless to say, I'm still laughing about it!

Then after we visited we walked out and walked up to two police men and this black guy. We told them all about getting picked up by this random guy and they laughed thinking it was a joke and we asked them where the metro station was. After talking for a bit he offered to take us to the metro in his new white van that he transported the veterans in. He informed us that we could only use it if this was "Official Government Business." We told him it was official government business (with our fingers crossed) and we drove on. He was SO funny! We got two rides in one day. One in the lapse of luxury and the other--not so much! LOL This would only happen to MY family! :)

For this trip we stayed at my Uncle Mike and Aunt Mary's house (right) and hung out with my Aunt Pat (left.)

I love this picture of the Washington Monument. So pretty reflecting in the reflecting pool!

I'm so sad!!!!

2010-09-10T13:33:00.000-07:00

Katja left to go back to Germany today! I am so sad! Yesterday we took a ton of pictures with her and her friends!

From right to left: Kristy, Katja, Danielle, Candace, and Haley.

(sorry if any names are misspelled! :P )

I love this one!

Katja and Luke. :) I think it's funny cause she's laughing and he's SO much taller than her! LOL Miss You Katja!

Mrs. Castle and Katja. :)

Ach! I've been gone a long time!!!

2010-09-08T14:21:00.000-07:00

Yes, yes, i've been gone for the LONGEST time! Well, here's why...my computer CRASHED! Quite aggravating to say the least! LOL Well, now it's all fixed thanks to some people at school and my mom. I'll post something interesting later because I haven't uploaded the pictures from D.C. (yes, I got to go to the rally!) and school and camping! So here's two random pictures...

It reminds me a lot of Camelot...

Chase Your Dreams

choosing to serve

a discovery

Christmas at my house...

autumn

wesley woods

i'm a freshmen :)

random

blessings

*squeel*

swim meet at UT

AIDA

from blah to yeah {from the racks of the GW Boutique}

more pennsilvania trip

trying something new

pennsylvania video

the barbed wire pool and too many braids

i heart faces-from a distance

bohemian dream

photography captures a moment

a bit giddy

just a little bit fancy...

whew!

so "glab" i'm back

just a taste

i'm just little old me

musical fashion

the beach - take two

I'm a beach girl

Spring Fever

Iheartfaces-anything BUT faces

the closet shopper

Come and Go

precious little boy

fifty, fifty, fifty!

closet love

iheartfaces-hearts

L O V E your valentine...

I love...

Tennesse Sunrise

Fluffy Snow

Basketball Photographer

photoshoot with Abby

Iheartfaces-smiles

Unheard of...

Wishing you a---

iheartfaces-best of 2010

My Favorite Pictures From 2010

Snow, snow, snow...

Friends+Camera=AMAZING PICTURES!

Vintagey Photoshoot

Holiday Pictures

The Ending of White Christmas...

November is flying by!

Jett Alexander--my new nephew!

Katja's visit part 1

I'm so sad!!!!

Ach! I've been gone a long time!!!

squeel