Thanks to Giving...

Thanks to giving, many were able to eat a hot meal at the Nashville Rescue Mission Annual Turkey Fry.  I couldn't have been more happy to have a small part of it by taking photos of all the action.  All the volunteers were fantastic, and there was so much good, happy, and thankful energy permeating the entire parking lot.  I met another local photographer, and it was so fun to share our love for all things photography.  He, too, enjoyed being a part of something so important and necessary at this time of year and all year long.

There is NOTHING like giving back to others, to the community.  It is really hard to stay focused on yourself and wallow in misery when you look at the faces of these people who have nothing.  I encourage each and every one of you to step outside yourself, your bubble, and get involved with organizations which are doing so much good.  You will never regret it. 

Life is messy.  Life is raw.  Life does not stop.  Give.  Happy Thanksgiving!

Faith-FULL! Not Fear-FULL!

I wrote a blog post earlier, but I somehow deleted it! I'm so bummed. I will try to remember what I wrote and share again. :0(


Being fear-FULL is pretty easy these days, but I want to be found faith-FULL.  It seems that fear is always knocking on my door, sounding the trumpet, crowing in the morning and howling at night.    Please tell me when our faith is not getting tested? Seriously.  I know I am not the only one who experiences this.  It seems like every time I turn around my faith is being tested and stretched.  Just call me Gumby. lol.

Life can get so challenging.  We get distracted.  The kids need us.  We feel the need to control everything and everybody which doesn't make us happy.  I know it is so easy to get caught up in talking about life and then never do anything to make it better or make ourselves better.  I know I do.  My hand is up and admitting it.  I think what is important to remember is to continue the good fight.  Keep learning to love ourselves, keep loving those around us, learn to forgive ourselves and others and continuing to navigate through life with God's never-ending grace and mercy.  I never want to be the kind of person that stops growing and never admits that I need help with something.   

I know God allows to go through things to be found faith-full, full of faith not fear.  Fear is like a front runner, a family member at times.  Sometimes I wish fear was human, so I could throw a few punches!  It can beat me up so much at times and cause paralysis.  I have times where I just don't want to be stretched, challenged and tested. It can be so exhausting!  Why can't we just BE? I know.  Wishful thinking. 

Fear can be a good thing at times.  It can move us to change, jerk us back to reality and push us to think and do things differently.  This is what I want.  This is what I choose. 

The great thing is that the sun still rises and sets every day, regardless of what we do.  I just hope and pray that with each new day, I can find the strength to have faith, continue to believe that ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE, and be found Faith-FULL. 

I hope this helped someone today.  Stop beating yourself up, and I will try to do the same.  :0)

Keeping it Real

I shared with many of you on my facebook about this amazing project I was able to be part of with some very close friends of mine.  I am still blown away when I think about this day.  The Rescue Mission is an incredible organization that helps men work through the troubles that life can bring.  They have organized a Rescue Mission Choir, and I had the honor of sitting in on one of their rehearsals as they sang "How Great is Our God." It was hard to keep it together behind my camera when their voices rang out in unison.  It was beautiful! These men sang their hearts out and their performance was nothing short of moving.  I felt so honored to be in the company of these very brave men.

Life can bring many challenges, and it is wonderful when there are organizations that are committed to helping people find their way back to a healthy and manageable existence.  I am excited to do more projects such as these to helps raise funds for a place so worthy of so much.  What a blessing! I challenge anyone to get involved and do something amazing for your community.  It changes your perspective and allows you to continue to be thankful for so many things.  Thank you to all the men at the rescue mission and all those involved to make this all happen.

Go Away Sniffles!

I am definitely not feeling on top of my game today, but I am hoping this will pass soon! Living in TN for the last fifteen years, I have been able to escape most allergy-related things but today? NOT SO MUCH! Thankfully, my Mom sent me home with some awesome lemon eucalyptus essential oil the last time I was home and some Sinucheck to help with this CRUD! lol. (I am definitely not a good sick person!)

I am tired of being sedentary, but oh well! I will be up and moving soon enough.  Phenix has been a little trooper by keeping herself busy and snuggling with Mommy lots (without trying to kiss her too much or breathe on her, which is difficult to do!)

I am excited to see some extended family at the Lodge this weekend, so I need to get well ASAP!  I hope it all works out.  Say a little prayer for me and send all your good, healthy energy my way! xo

Grandma is Coming!

This post is dedicated to my fabulous Mother who has been my greatest cheerleader since the first time I heard her voice rise above the crowd in t-ball! Lots of my close friends have been through ups and downs with their Moms, but when it all comes down to it, your Mom will always be your Mom. 

I laugh like my Mom, talk like my Mom, get excited about things like my Mom, CRY over everything like my Mom.  There are so many amazing things about my Mom.  She loves people the way people should be loved, and her warmth and kindness is extended to every stranger.  My Mom worked for a boys home for a brief time, and the strength and courage she had to love the brokenhearted, the abandoned, the abused was absolutely beautiful.  She still keeps in touch with several of them until this day, and I know they are better young men because of her influence in their lives.  We are SO excited to have her come spend some time with us! 

She has always been there through every heartbreak and every victory and that is why today's post is for my Mama.  I love you Mama, and I am thankful every day for you.  We can't wait to see you! Phenix sends big hugs and kisses to "GrandmaPop" (which is what she calls Grandma and Pop, she just puts it together!)....:0)

See you soon! xoxoxo

Thankfulness

Being thankful is very important in life.  Trials will come and go, but continuing to be thankful keeps everything in perspective and keeps me us out of the pitty pool. I find that when I focus on all the good things in life such as: healthy children, a cozy home, loving friends, the kindness of other Mothers; life is so good.  There are plenty of things to complain about in this crazy world, but I am reminded to continue to stay thankful and quiet my spirit to all the noise that can steal the joy right out of you.

I Thessalonians 5:16-18
Be joyful always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.

I hope this helps someone today as it has helped me. :0)

Mommyhood

My first blog post! Yay! I always thought blogging was cool, but I have not ventured into it until now.  I must make my first blog about my sweet baby girl! She turned two years old just a few short months ago, and she is such a joy!  My husband and I laugh so hard at all the new things she says and discovers! It is truly magical, and she makes our world so bright when things get crazy.  Some of her favorite things to say are: What color is it Mommy? This is delicious.  I like chocolate Mommy.  Da-eeeee (daddy) go to work? It is endless. :0)

She is finishing up her six week infant survival swim course.  It has been a great experience for both of us, and I highly recommend to any Mom.  Her self-confidence has soared, and it has been so wonderful to watch her enjoy something so much.  The skills she has acquired from her fantastic instructor Kennette Pyles is unbelievable! These skills could save her life, and this makes my husband and I feel that much more confident about her being around water.  I almost gave up on day two, but I hung in there with her.  I am so glad I did.  I feel it is my responsibility to not only push past my own fears, but also her fears as they arise.  She follows my lead.  Now, we can hardly get her "out" of the water!  I look forward to growing with her more every day.  What an amazing gift to be a Mom! :0)