brain dump

I have lots of random thoughts bouncing around that I need to get out, so…….

 

-We got the camera in this weekend, and I’m not completely happy with it.  The colors just seemed a little off, the flash was insanely bright, and I decided I didn’t need many of the features it comes with.  I guess we will be sending it back Tuesday and waiting for a refund so that we can order another one!

Any suggestion on a great point and shoot digital camera??  I have read so many reviews that my head is spinning.  I can’t even keep them straight anymore… but I’m so ready to have a camera again!

 

-In other news, it’s HOT!  The temperature has been reaching into the 100s, and it’s only May!  I cannot even imagine how scorching it will be this summer.  I’m kinda dreading the moving process at the end of June.  Yikes!  We will be needing LOTS of ice water, that’s for sure!

-Good news…  I am working on a new website for my photography business!!!  It’s almost finished, and I cannot wait to share it with everyone!  Justin and I have been taking some big steps in regards to this little hobby/business of mine.  I am registered now, so nobody else can use the name “Melissa Perkins Photography” (in this area anyway).  I have set up a business checking account so that all business expenses are kept separate from personal expenses.  I am working with someone on creating a logo for me.  I have a few sessions set up for June and really, really hope to get more soon!

Anyone in DFW or West Monroe need new photos??  Hit me up!  I will love you forever!!! haha :)  www.melissaperkinsphotography.com

 

-My mom-in-law, dad-in-law, and sis-in-law will all be in town this coming up weekend.  I’m very excited to see them and very excited that we are going to the Fort Worth Zoo!  I have heard such great things about it and have been wanting to go for a while now.

 

-I’m most likely trying a new recipe tonight for dinner.  If I do and if it’s any good I will share it here.  It seems like it has been a long time since I’ve posted a recipe.  In all honesty, I just haven’t been cooking much lately.  I’m not sure why.  I need to get back into that.

my lil miss

A few weeks ago I was reading on Kingdom Twindom that a wonderful girl named Katie could use some financial help to do wonderful things in Africa.

I made a small donation, which in turn entered me into some fabulous giveaways!

I was very happy when I found out that I actually won something.  And I was even happier when I found out what it was!

Aren’t those precious?!!?  You can check them (and tons of other adorable stuff) out here:  www.mylilmiss.etsy.com.

You won’t regret it!

our new obsession

Justin and I have never been big coffee drinkers.  When I was in college I would occasionally have an iced or frozen drink to give me an extra burst of energy, but nothing more.  I don’t think Justin has ever liked it. 

Oh, how things change…

During the last few weeks of the semester, with homework, papers due, sermons to be written, books to be read, etc.. Justin turned to coffee.  We bought a little coffee pot at Goodwill.  He has been drinking at least a few times a week ever since.

Then I made a mistake and ordered a mocha frappe from Mcdonalds.

Ummmmm… heaven in a cup!  Seriously.  I’m addicted, and so is Justin. 

The problem?  Our little pocketbook cannot afford us to have daily coffee trips to Mcdonalds or Starbucks.  :(

Enter garage sale blender:

We went shopping today at some local garage sales and found this precious baby for $3.00.  Put it together with this wonderful recipe.. and voila!  Delicious mocha frappuccinos at home + major $$$ savings = Bliss!

oh happy day!

I’ve had a few people ask me lately where I’ve been and why I haven’t been blogging.  Being busy has a little (or a lot) to do with it, but it’s also because I haven’t had many pictures to post.  And posting without pictures is boring to me!
Justin took our little point and shoot camera with him to El Salvador, and something happened to it while it was there.  It came home broken.  I’ve still been shooting with my xsi, but it’s just too big to take everywhere all the time.
But happy days are here again… Justin sold his Wii and games and all that, and we used the money to get a new camera!!!  With our limited budget and limited knowledge of what it takes to make a great camera, we went with Justin’s dad’s recommendation… the Samsung SL820.  I cannot wait to get my hands on it!
Samsung SL820 12MP Digital Camera with 5x Wide Angle Dual Image Stabilized Zoom and 3.0 inch LCD (Black)
Hopefully with the help of this little beauty, I’ll get back into the swing of blogging more regularly.  :)

life lately

Life lately has been super busy for us.  I feel like I just need a day to do nothing, but that day never comes!  There is always something going on. 

We’ve spent a good bit of time lately looking for another apartment.  Our lease runs out in June, so we will be moving closer to the church/school.  We finally settled on a place in Las Colinas.  It is a good bit smaller than where we are now, so we have been selling a bunch of furniture on Craigs List.  We still have a few big things to get rid of, but we still have time.

I’ve still been working (slowly) on getting more into photography.  I’ve been busy snapping and editing photos and meeting up with local photographers trying to learn whatever I can.  I am excited to see where it goes, but I’m leaving it in God’s hands.  Only He knows the plans He has for me. 

Justin has completed his 1st year of ministry school!  I’m so proud.  He has made it halfway!!!  This past Wednesday night, he stood in front of a huge room full of youth and leaders and fellow classmates and gave his testimony.  It was very powerful.  Some of his classmates and our friends also spoke and shared different things.  At the end of the service, the front was packed with people that wanted to see more of God in their lives.  It was awesome!

Last night we went to the graduation at Justin’s school.  It was hands down the best graduation ceremony I’ve ever been to.  It was not boring AT ALL!  I couldn’t believe it.  It was very neat to see some of the girls that I have grown close to step into the next phase of their lives.  It’s also very cool to think that one year from now Justin will be walking across the stage!  Woohoo :)

The girl in the picture with me above is one of my good friends here.  Her name is Kaitlin, and her family lives in Mexico and does missions work there.  Justin and I met them today and plan on getting to know them more, and eventually going to stay with them for a little while to do some Mexico Missions.  We can’t wait! 

That’s all for now…..

Happy Mother’s Day

First of all, Happy Mother’s Day to all the Moms out there!

Today was a little sad for me.  I didn’t get to see my momma or my mamaw or my mom-in-law or any of the other special ladies in my life.  I am so truly thankful for all of them, though.  I would not be where I am or who I am today if just one of them had not been a part of my life.  I made sure to text and/or call each of them to let them know how much I love them and honor them today.  :)

At church this morning we had a baby dedication.  It was wonderful.. 8 families dedicated their little ones to the Lord.  I was so happy for them, but at the same time I had tears streaming like a river down my face.  It can be so hard to celebrate this day when you want nothing more than to be a mother yourself.  I made it through though! 

And I had two happies today… 1.) God worked it out so that I could give away sessions to the families that dedicated children today to help promote my photography . And 2.) I had lunch with some of my favorite people from Heartland.  I really have come to love the people that God has placed in my life here.

I didn’t take any pictures today, so I’m gonna leave one of my newest tiny friend and tell you to check out my post here!

family

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again.. I LOVE my family.  I could not do life without them. 

Yesterday I met up with my sister and Ava for a lunch/play date.  We were supposed to do some mommy/daughter pics, but the weather man predicted rain so we didn’t. 

Anyway, we met up at my favorite fast food place, Chick-fil-a!  Yumm…  We had lunch then tried to let Ava play, but the playground was not toddler friendly at all and was super crowded.  Being the resourceful girls we are, we loaded up with our Chick-fil-a cups and headed down the street to McDonalds! Ha!

 

We had so much fun watching Ava.  She went from being a little apprehensive and timid to being very bold and making a new friend!  She was so proud of herself for going up the stairs and sliding down all alone.  And then even more proud when she discovered she could climb up the big slide and slide back down.  :)

And just because I can’t resist her perfect little profile…

At this little lunch date, I also gave my sis her birthday gift.  I have had it for about a month, and it’s been killing me not to give it early or at least tell her about it.  But I kept the secret!

I took a bunch of pictures from her pregnancy all the way to Ava’s second birthday and created a book for her to keep forever and ever.

It was a perfectly good day, and now I can’t wait to do it again!