{ meet mr. charlie. atlanta, ga }

I know I haven’t posted lately and that’s because I’ve been out of town but this has been one great week! I love my blog and I love my readers (if there are any of you out there) but there may be some slow times on here as I get my ducks in a row. I’ve got to take time for myself, ya know? So just be patient. I promise I'll be back.

This week I spent a few days in Atlanta (more on why I was there later) and it was amazing. At some points in time I thought it sucked, mostly because I was believing the negative thoughts in my head, but looking back, it was truly wonderful. While I was there I stayed with an old coworker who had moved to Atlanta, and let me tell you, cute apartment, yummy yummy food, and adorable dog!

Mr. Charlie, their boston terrier, would be waiting outside my door when I woke up in the morning, I would let him in, he would then wait for me to let him know it was ok to come up on the bed (which he was obviously waiting to do), and he would just burrow his way underneath the covers. Uh! Will he fit in my suitcase? He was too cute. I have to say, I don’t let dogs in my bed (and really I never do) but this was one I couldn’t resist. Charlie, I hope to come back and see you one day. Keep the bed warm for me.

Happy Friday!

{ Our Not So Boring Night }

“What do you want to do?” I asked.
“I don’t know. What to do you want to do?” He replied back.
“I’m bored.”
“I’m bored too.”

Michael and I were sitting on the couch after dinner on Friday night no clue what to do with ourselves since this was the first weekend in I don’t know how long that

a. I haven’t had to work over the weekend and
b. we both had off the same weekend

No sooner did our back and forth questioning end that I received a text from my friend, Whitney. “I think I am in labor….they are 5 minutes apart. Are you available??”

“Yes!!” I replied to her. “Michael, we’re going to the hospital!” I said to him.

And who knew the crazy experience I was going to take part in that night. I rode down Carolina Beach Road with Whitney and her husband Michael going 70 mph in a minivan on the way to the hospital (speed limit 45mph).

It was indeed one of the fasted labors I’ve been a part of, but it sure did seem like the longest. It was so hard to watch a friend be in that much pain and be helpless to do anything for her. Michael was amazingly strong and continually comforted her and whispered in her ear words of encouragement. I could never be that strong. She may have felt like she was totally weak during those moments but all I was thinking was that she’s stronger than I’ll ever be. And only Whitney can keep her sarcastic comments going during a time like this. Then, amongst all that chaos, out pops this beautiful baby boy, Zeke. We had been waiting to meet him for so long. He was no longer “tiny teel” inside her belly but a tangible human being. We all took turns holding him and then we eventually headed home and left them to be alone as a family. Our boring night turned out to be not so boring after all.

Whit, you are incredible. Thank you for letting me be a part of such an amazing and intimate experience. I will look at you differently now :) But definitely for the better. Enjoy your little bundle of love. He is absolutely beautiful!

28 Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble,
and he brought them out of their distress.
29 He stilled the storm to a whisper;
the waves of the sea were hushed.
Psalm 107:28-29

{ inspiration monday : 07.25.11 }

{ hannah's bridal session . walnut creek. goldsboro, nc . }

Hannah + Nickoli are married! And now that they've tied the knot, we can oooh and awwww over her bridal session. Hannah is like a sister to me and the wedding over the weekend was very emotional. Nickoli is a great match for Hannah so it was certainly tears of joy for the two of them. Hannah spent 10 years of her life performing at the Paramount Theater so we definitely had to get some shots there as well as the neighborhood we grew up in which has so many awesome backdrops in one spot. Plus I had a great model so it was a perfect shoot for me! And the motorcycle? It's what they rode away on through rows of sparklers. It was an awesome exit. Love you, Han, and I hope you are enjoying the Dominican Republic right now!

Hannah, I can't wait to hear about your awesome honeymoon and I am excited to see what life has ahead for you and Nickoli! Love you!! xoxo

{ inspiration monday : 07.18.11 }

{ word on the street is that i'm normal}

So I feel like I left you hanging. I could have cancer for all you know. Because I'm not a good friend and I'm a slacker and I haven't given you a health update. I know! I'm sorry! I've been meaning to write a personal post for a while but things have been so busy this season, good busy, that I haven't gotten around to it. But today it's Wednesday, prayer night, and it makes me think about the things I'm grateful for. Health!

Well, the word on the street in that I'm normal. My blood work was normal, my MRI was normal, my MRA was normal. Just plain normal. And yes this is a good thing, it just puts me farther away from finding a solution. BUT no surgery, no dying, no cancer. Yay! I still have a pituitary adenoma (small tumor) but since it's not causing any problems (because it's been proven that I'm normal, remember?) they're not going to remove it. I'll need to have an annual MRI to track it and make sure there are no changes. But right now the plan is to try different things, one at a time, to see if we can find a "trigger"for my headaches.

Tonight, after finally being relieved of a 48 hour headache, it's things like hanging out with my girls at the Little Dipper and sitting outside watching lightening shows like this that make it seem so insignificant. I mean look! We're not as big as we think we are!

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." -Jer 29:11

{ newborn : sweet baby troy }

Michael's cousins Marie + Chad just had their second baby. First male grandchild! I was hoping the cycle would never be broken. Girls rule. But sweet baby Troy has warmed our hearts already so I guess we'll let him stay. Dang, the girls were just finally starting to catch up!

I took advantage of the morning light coming in their windows, praying the sunlight wouldn't wake him up. He was such a good model minus the not wanting to stay posed. He sure liked to squirm, but I'll take squirming over crying any day. His big sister, Lilly, has the funniest personality so I can't wait to see what little Troy will be like!

Daddy is a sports fan!

He kept smiling and I was finally able to catch him!

He's awake!

But not for long.....

Going....

And gone.