about time

Today I finally went and got my hair cut.  I can’t believe it had been since July ‘09.  Yikes!

And because I waited so long, I had to cut off a little more length that I really wanted to. 

The end result… shorter, some layers, and the bangs are back!

These after pictures aren’t the best, but you get the point!  Hopefully tomorrow I’ll be able to fix it a little better myself.  For some reason it never looks right when styled at the salon.  It definitely feels lighter and healthier though.  I’m a happy girl :)

double date

Tonight Justin and I met up with Candice and Dominic for a dinner date.  You would never believe how much trouble four people can have choosing a restaurant!  We finally decided on Salt Grass Steakhouse.  It was so yummy!  We had a really nice time just talking and catching up on life.  It’s so nice to have them closer to me now!

 

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PS- HAPPY BIRTHDAY, AVA NICOLE!!!! 

It’s my Ava’s 2nd birthday today.  I can’t believe it.  Her party is tomorrow, so I’ll do a birthday post after going to the party and taking some pictures there!  :)

guess who!

Tonight was a very special night around my house.  I had some very special visitors.  It was their first time ever to come to my house.

Guess who..

My sister, Dominic, and Ava came to see me!  I was so excited that I ran outside to meet them and greet them and snap this picture of Ava.  It melts my heart that she is always so excited to see me :)  Just look at that big grin!!!  ahhhh….  I LOVE that girl so much!!!!!

We didn’t do much.  Just sat and talked and watched AI while Ava played in the floor.  She was obsessed with our kitty-kitty.  She fell in love with Mrs. Potato Head.  She was afraid of Bobo.  She got about 15 children’s books off the shelf and read only one of them.  She built a tower out of Jenga blocks.  (Aunt Lissa needs to have more toys!!!)  I was amazed by how much her hair and her vocabulary have grown since Christmas.  I still have not come to terms with the fact that she will be 2 on Friday!

Sylvester kept trying to hide from Ava.  She stayed right on his tail though!

Ava had us cracking up because she was using the pieces from Mrs. Potato Head for herself.  She put the tongue in her mouth, the hat on her head, and the glasses on her face.  Too cute!

 

I think I must have told Candice and Dom a million times how excited and glad I was that they came over.  I am so thrilled to have family around!  We have plans for a dinner date on Friday which is also Ava’s birthday.  Hopefully I’ll be able to make it to her birthday party this weekend, too!

She’s so pretty :)

surprises!

Last night while Justin was at work I decided to work on a little surprise for him.  He had been doing all his reading/studying/homework at our little dining table with bar stools.  Not very comfortable.  So last night I decided to move the table out and move his desk and office chair in!  I organized all his stuff and was so excited for him to get home and see it.  He loved it and is much more comfortable there now :)

And a surprise for me…

I have heard so much about Beth Moore’s new book “So Long, Insecurity”.  I really wanted it for my Valentine’s gift, but didn’t get it.  I was thinking about buying it for myself, but just could not part with that much money on a book right now.

Well, when we checked the mail today it was waiting on me!  My precious mother-in-law loves to spoil Justin and me.  I talked to her a few days ago about how down I was feeling.  I told her much of it stems from me being insecure in different areas of my life.  I briefly mentioned that I wanted to read this book sometime soon.  I was so shocked to get it in the mail today!  Yayyyy!!!! :)  Can’t wait to read it!

leave some love

One of my in-real-life friends started a blog today!  I’m excited about it and hope she keeps it updated with pictures of her new baby boy and family.  Everyone that reads my blog should hop over to her blog and leave her some bloggy love!  Maybe this will encourage her to keep it up!  :) 

getting to know me

After a rough week and the advice of a good friend, I have decided to make a greater effort in taking care of me and doing things that make me happy.

Too often I get caught up in the busyness of life.  Work, cleaning house, laundry, cooking dinner, church, different ministries, etc.  I forget that I need to take time out for myself. 

While talking to this friend this past week, I realized that I really have no clue what makes me tick.  She asked what makes me happy, and I had little to answer.  I know that my family makes me happy.  Taking pictures makes me happy.  Cuddling babies makes me happy.  Being in the presence of God makes me happy.  But what else?  I want to find out.  I want to get to know ME better.

So, I took some time to put on worship music and paint my nails and give myself a pedicure.  It was nice.  Relaxing.  It had been too long since I had done that.  And today I put on a pretty dress and makeup and even some matching jewelry and heels.  I felt pretty.  I know everything is not about physical appearance.  This wasn’t about that.  I just wanted to feel good about myself.  It was nice.

And like I said in my last post, I’m getting a haircut soon.  Can’t wait.

Oh, and I get to take some more pictures soon.  Lacey is having Hudson Wade sometime within the next two weeks!!!  I will be doing some newborn pictures of him.  I may get to take some more pictures of John Tyler.  And I will be taking some senior pictures for a friend sometime soon, too.  I can honestly say that I feel so “in my element” when behind the camera.  I love it.  I love taking the pictures and editing them.  Even if I never make a dime off of it, I think I will always keep photography around.

Some of the biggest news that makes me happiest of all right now…. My sister, Dom, and Ava have made it to DFW.  They now live only about 25 minutes away from me.  I could not be more excited about spending time with them.  We already have a double dinner date set for Friday.  Ava’s birthday is this week, too, so I’m sure I’ll be seeing her soon.  :) :) :)

Thank you, Jesus (and Jenna), for opening my eyes to this area of my life.

 

so, what makes you tick?  when are you happiest?  what is your passion?

hairy issues

It’s that time again. Time for a hair cut.  I can’t believe that I have not had a haircut since JULY!  Holy cow.. that is just wayyyyy too long!  It’s just so easy to ignore my hair when it’s long.  It doesn’t require much maintenance.  That along with the fact that we don’t have extra money laying around and the fact that I don’t trust just anyone with my hair= 7 months without a haircut!  Yikes!

So, I’m planning a trip to my hometown sometime within the next couple weeks.  While I’m there I’m determined to get something done with this mop on my head.

But what?!

Every time I make my appointment, I agonize over what to do.  I always want to be bold and chop it off.  Right now with it so long, I don’t have time to fix it, so it usually ends up in a ponytail.  Boring.  Not cute.

But every time I cut it off, I want it long again.

I need help!!!!

Short:

Long:

 

please, please, please feel free to cast your vote in my comments!