Saturday, September 10, 2011
Puppy Love...
Check out this precious puppy (and super cute family)! I'm glad I already have dogs, and kids, or I would want more!
Saturday, September 3, 2011
LAAF
LAAF, a photo by lm_gittings on Flickr.
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
The worse the wedding, the better the marriage...
Right?
So, believe it or not, it is true, I am actually old enough to have been married for 8 years, and to have 4 children... HOLY CRAP when did that happen?
Today marks 8 years of marriage for Cute Hubs and I. It really has been quite the journey, and an interesting ride. Any plans we had are long gone, nothing is what we expected, but it has turned out better than we could have imagined (I think!).
Things got off on a really rocky start for our marriage, looking back it was humorous, but at the time, it was just overwhelming!
Carl and I chose Valley Falls State Park for our wedding. Since we are both fairly low-key people and we weren't looking for a big wedding, it was perfect. We planned on getting married at the water, rented both pavilions, and were excited that the children were going to have a playground to play on while the adults enjoyed time together...
Well, if you know ANYTHING about us, you know that nothing we ever do goes as planned. It really is true that God laughs whenever we make plans for something.
About 5 days prior to the wedding, I find out that the caterer decided not to do our wedding... the best thing was, he never told me! I found out because he wouldn't return calls, nice huh? So I rushed around, found a buffet restaurant that was in my budget, and fixed all of that. I figured, that was the worst of what would happen and we were all set.
Wrong.
Two days prior to our wedding I got a phone call from someone who 'claimed' to be the park ranger about a horrible storm that had ravaged the park, knocking down hundred year old trees on the the playgrounds, killing the electric grid, and leaving the park a disaster. I assumed it was a friend of ours, Dave K., who is known for his practical jokes... so I made a crude comment, hung up the phone, and made a mental note to try to figure out how to screw with Dave the next chance I got... Well then the phone rang again... it really was the Ranger, and the park was really a disaster! But being the people we are, we decided it was not a big deal, the prison workers were cleaning it up, and really, we didn't need electric for a day-time wedding.
We had a wonderful cook-out style rehearsal dinner with Carl's parents and our friends and family the night before the wedding. It was great, even my Granny and GrandPa from Illinois were there, which was quite the trek! Things were fairly uneventful, other than a cheese shortage, which went undetected by almost everyone, and we all had a great time.
The next morning came with heavy fog, and a forecast of rain... I went to the salon to have my hair done, and then went to my In-Laws' house (which is a half mile from the park) to dress. I got to spend some really special time with Frank (my mother-in-law's father) that morning. I had been sitting with him daily for months and really become close with him.
Then, as I sat there, it began to rain.
It rained the hardest I have ever seen it rain, and I am not kidding. Finally it stopped, or so we thought, and then it began again. I was so glad I had rented both pavilions! There was no way with all that rain, that a wedding standing on the side of a waterfall was going to happen.
I was driven into the park, the rain had stopped and then I noticed that only one pavilion was set up, that the buffet tables had been pushed apart to allow for the flowered arch... My Aunt (the florist) came running to me, dripping wet, in her 'work' clothes offering to move it all back out to the water edge, and explaining what had happened.
She had set everything up riverside when the first rain came, so she quickly moved it all to the second pavilion, where the rain all of a sudden caused a small mudslide into said pavilion, rendering it unusable for the wedding ceremony or for the meal afterward! Our only option at that time (since it was pouring rain) was to move it into the dining pavilion and make the best of it...
My poor aunt was so wet, and tired, that I told her she had better not move anything, it was perfect, and would be fine! So, my dad walked me to see my soon-to-be husband, and all of 4 minutes (maybe 5?) later, Carl's father had finished the ceremony, and we turned to our guests (who were sitting at their meal spots) and said, "Well, now we are married... Let's eat!"
It did clear up for some pictures, and really, what mattered was that all of the people we love were there to be with us and celebrate our love for one another... but man, that day was a disaster!
Now here we are, 8 years and 4 children later, and stronger than ever. I guess "The worse the wedding, the better the marriage" is true... because our wedding couldn't have been much worse, and our marriage couldn't be much better.
I love you Cute Hubs. I can't wait for the next 8 years of our lives, and to see where they take us.
So, believe it or not, it is true, I am actually old enough to have been married for 8 years, and to have 4 children... HOLY CRAP when did that happen?
Today marks 8 years of marriage for Cute Hubs and I. It really has been quite the journey, and an interesting ride. Any plans we had are long gone, nothing is what we expected, but it has turned out better than we could have imagined (I think!).
Things got off on a really rocky start for our marriage, looking back it was humorous, but at the time, it was just overwhelming!
Carl and I chose Valley Falls State Park for our wedding. Since we are both fairly low-key people and we weren't looking for a big wedding, it was perfect. We planned on getting married at the water, rented both pavilions, and were excited that the children were going to have a playground to play on while the adults enjoyed time together...
Well, if you know ANYTHING about us, you know that nothing we ever do goes as planned. It really is true that God laughs whenever we make plans for something.
About 5 days prior to the wedding, I find out that the caterer decided not to do our wedding... the best thing was, he never told me! I found out because he wouldn't return calls, nice huh? So I rushed around, found a buffet restaurant that was in my budget, and fixed all of that. I figured, that was the worst of what would happen and we were all set.
Wrong.
Two days prior to our wedding I got a phone call from someone who 'claimed' to be the park ranger about a horrible storm that had ravaged the park, knocking down hundred year old trees on the the playgrounds, killing the electric grid, and leaving the park a disaster. I assumed it was a friend of ours, Dave K., who is known for his practical jokes... so I made a crude comment, hung up the phone, and made a mental note to try to figure out how to screw with Dave the next chance I got... Well then the phone rang again... it really was the Ranger, and the park was really a disaster! But being the people we are, we decided it was not a big deal, the prison workers were cleaning it up, and really, we didn't need electric for a day-time wedding.
We had a wonderful cook-out style rehearsal dinner with Carl's parents and our friends and family the night before the wedding. It was great, even my Granny and GrandPa from Illinois were there, which was quite the trek! Things were fairly uneventful, other than a cheese shortage, which went undetected by almost everyone, and we all had a great time.
The next morning came with heavy fog, and a forecast of rain... I went to the salon to have my hair done, and then went to my In-Laws' house (which is a half mile from the park) to dress. I got to spend some really special time with Frank (my mother-in-law's father) that morning. I had been sitting with him daily for months and really become close with him.
Then, as I sat there, it began to rain.
It rained the hardest I have ever seen it rain, and I am not kidding. Finally it stopped, or so we thought, and then it began again. I was so glad I had rented both pavilions! There was no way with all that rain, that a wedding standing on the side of a waterfall was going to happen.
I was driven into the park, the rain had stopped and then I noticed that only one pavilion was set up, that the buffet tables had been pushed apart to allow for the flowered arch... My Aunt (the florist) came running to me, dripping wet, in her 'work' clothes offering to move it all back out to the water edge, and explaining what had happened.
She had set everything up riverside when the first rain came, so she quickly moved it all to the second pavilion, where the rain all of a sudden caused a small mudslide into said pavilion, rendering it unusable for the wedding ceremony or for the meal afterward! Our only option at that time (since it was pouring rain) was to move it into the dining pavilion and make the best of it...
My poor aunt was so wet, and tired, that I told her she had better not move anything, it was perfect, and would be fine! So, my dad walked me to see my soon-to-be husband, and all of 4 minutes (maybe 5?) later, Carl's father had finished the ceremony, and we turned to our guests (who were sitting at their meal spots) and said, "Well, now we are married... Let's eat!"
It did clear up for some pictures, and really, what mattered was that all of the people we love were there to be with us and celebrate our love for one another... but man, that day was a disaster!
Now here we are, 8 years and 4 children later, and stronger than ever. I guess "The worse the wedding, the better the marriage" is true... because our wedding couldn't have been much worse, and our marriage couldn't be much better.
I love you Cute Hubs. I can't wait for the next 8 years of our lives, and to see where they take us.
Monday, August 29, 2011
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
For the love of G
For the love of G, a photo by lm_gittings on Flickr.
They have just given birth to their first daughter, and I was blessed enough to be asked to share in those sweet moments that the first days of parenthood bring.
Baby G is beautiful and perfect in every way! I can't wait to take more photos of this gorgeous and fun family in the future... I'm already planning her 3-month session!
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Sweet little M...
Don't you think she and Arden would make the perfect little couple?
It isn't too early for an arranged marriage, is it?
It isn't too early for an arranged marriage, is it?
Sunday, August 21, 2011
I have been waiting for...
someone to let me try to get this shot! I wanted to have it while I was pregnant, but it being February and all, that didn't happen! (Although I did try, and succeeded in getting in the creek -this is a link to the blog with those shots-, I couldn't bring myself to float in it, lol).
R was kind enough (and brave enough) to bare her belly in the cold creek to let me indulge in my need for this shot. Thanks Love!!
R was kind enough (and brave enough) to bare her belly in the cold creek to let me indulge in my need for this shot. Thanks Love!!
Thursday, August 18, 2011
More from a Beautiful Mama...
I was lucky enough to get some more photos of R. this week as she grows closer and closer to the arrival of her twins.
Here are just a few, I have many more to edit and choose from (think close to 400!). It is amazing how few "bad" photos I got! She is very photogenic!
Here are just a few, I have many more to edit and choose from (think close to 400!). It is amazing how few "bad" photos I got! She is very photogenic!
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
Changes...
Life changes so fast. I can't believe Arden headed off to school with his big brother today! It seems like yesterday that I was laying in bed holding him, feeling the love that only new motherhood can produce.
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
Sunday, August 14, 2011
I am a Procrastinating Mom...
10:10AM:
I have been putting off going to the grocery store since the week before we went to visit Grammy and DadDad.
At first it was because I didn't want perishables in the house when we were leaving; once we got back it was because I was too tired to go; this week the cute hubbie has been out of town and I didn't want to take all 4 kiddos to the store. Alas, I am officially out of my basics and have worked my way through most of my stash of food. There is no sugar, no brown sugar, no bread, and pretty much besides a half jar of peanut butter, some canned salmon, lentils, and a few condiments, I am out of food.
Now, since I procrastinated, I am looking at the grocery trip of all grocery trips.
Please pray that I make it back in one piece... and with just one cart of food...
1:15 PM
I have successfully made it back from the store; Everleigh went with me, she made it back as well... it only :insert sarcastic eyeroll here: took 1 double sized shopping cart to complete the shopping, and then the trunk of the van, front seat, and all the floor space to get it home.
There is food in the house, and if I hear one complaint that someone doesn't like what I bought, well, they can start cooking, cleaning and shopping.
Have I mentioned that I hate going to the grocery store?
I have been putting off going to the grocery store since the week before we went to visit Grammy and DadDad.
At first it was because I didn't want perishables in the house when we were leaving; once we got back it was because I was too tired to go; this week the cute hubbie has been out of town and I didn't want to take all 4 kiddos to the store. Alas, I am officially out of my basics and have worked my way through most of my stash of food. There is no sugar, no brown sugar, no bread, and pretty much besides a half jar of peanut butter, some canned salmon, lentils, and a few condiments, I am out of food.
Now, since I procrastinated, I am looking at the grocery trip of all grocery trips.
Please pray that I make it back in one piece... and with just one cart of food...
1:15 PM
I have successfully made it back from the store; Everleigh went with me, she made it back as well... it only :insert sarcastic eyeroll here: took 1 double sized shopping cart to complete the shopping, and then the trunk of the van, front seat, and all the floor space to get it home.
There is food in the house, and if I hear one complaint that someone doesn't like what I bought, well, they can start cooking, cleaning and shopping.
Have I mentioned that I hate going to the grocery store?
Saturday, August 13, 2011
My Kindergarten Boy.
Arden is in kindergarten this year, can you believe it?! I am amazed at how big these kids are getting. I don't know that I am ready for all of the coming changes.
Arden seems excited about starting school, has already met some friends and has all of his supplies. His first day will be this coming Wednesday!
Arden seems excited about starting school, has already met some friends and has all of his supplies. His first day will be this coming Wednesday!
Thursday, August 11, 2011
5 Months Old...
Can you believe that the bean is already 5 months old! It seems like it is going much faster this time, and really it kind of is because she is hitting her physical milestones much faster than the boys did.
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
Beautiful Mama...
Pregnant women amaze me; they are beautiful and curvy, and have this sensuality about them. I just love to see the babies moving in their bellies and to see the joy that is pregnancy.
I have been lucky enough to photograph my good friend R. She is currently 32 weeks pregnant with twins and still rocking the skinny jeans!! I wish I was so lucky!
I have been lucky enough to photograph my good friend R. She is currently 32 weeks pregnant with twins and still rocking the skinny jeans!! I wish I was so lucky!
Monday, August 8, 2011
Baby Feet.
She sees toes..., a photo by lm_gittings on Flickr.
The Crew
The Crew, a photo by lm_gittings on Flickr.
And here is another of the kids this past week:
Sunday, August 7, 2011
2nd Grade already...
I can't believe Rory is already starting 2nd grade!! When did this happen?! It seems like it was just yesterday that I was cuddling him and toasting the New Year in the hospital...
Oh my darlin...
Isn't she just perfect? I can't help but take photo after photo of her! Her little mouth and eyes are just yummy!
Evie Sitting, a photo by lm_gittings on Flickr.
Thursday, July 28, 2011
Oh how I have waited...
my love , a photo by lm_gittings on Flickr.
I know...
I know it has been a while, I know I owe you all photos from the last few months, and they are coming, I promise. Right now I am without a working computer, and have no way to edit photos.
In the meantime, enjoy this one. Bean is already sitting unassisted... oh boy (well, I guess in this case 'oh girl').
In the meantime, enjoy this one. Bean is already sitting unassisted... oh boy (well, I guess in this case 'oh girl').
a photo by lm_gittings on Flickr.
Sunday, May 22, 2011
Oops!
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