I'm hanging in there...and still smiling.

I am still having a rough go of it.  It, being life. 

One thing I know for sure is that it can always be worse.  So I am not throwing a pity party for myself....I'm just not very enthusiastic.  So while I have a lot to post about...because life does go on.  {Thanks for that lesson, ma.}  I hurt a lot.  And I still dream so vividly it's draining. 

But everyday I put my smile on anyway. 

Hope you all are well. 

Today I Remember....

...my friend, Juny!  Because today he would be turning 34!  Instead, he will always be FOREVER 31. 

I miss you friend....

And I still pray the person or people that cut short your precious life are brought to justice.  I will never give up hope for that.  I love you.

{via}

When you were born you cried and the world rejoiced. 

Live your life in a manner so that when you die the world cries and you rejoice!

*We are crying, and I know you are rejoicing with your Lord and Savior!

Manic Monday - Quotography - Friendship

Prayers for Kelcee and momma and daddy too!

{Is she not completely adorable!?!}

Well, this lil' completely adorable love muffin could use our prayers.  Positive thoughts and loving light.  Could you spare some?

Click here to learn more.  And while you are at it, could you include her mommy and daddy too? 

Hope you all have a fabulous weekend.

Be strong and of good courage; be not afraid nor dismayed for the Lord is with you wherever you go.

~ Joshua 1:9

Hope deferred makes the heart sick; but when hopes are realized at last, there is life and joy.

~ Proverbs 13:12

off ta da beach!

Layla's Oklahoma cousins are down visiting for their Spring Break this week and I am taking a day off to join them for a day at the beach!  I could NOT be more excited.  While I am sure there will not be any more moments like these....

#1 - because daddy will be there too

#2 - she's a bit too old for that to be appropriate

But I do intend to get more moments like these....

Why do we love the sea?

It is because it has some potent power

to make us think things we like to think.

~ Robert Henri

Quotography - Spring

:::::

Manic Monday - 03.19.12

March on. Do not tarry.

To go forward is to move toward perfection.

March on, and fear not the thorns, or the sharp stones on life's path.

~ Khalil Gibran

the busy-birthday-photographer blogger/slacker!

So I have sooooo much stuff that I haven't posted because I have been so busy with shooting birthday parties and going out of town.  But today I am doing a fast-up-to-speed post about it all.  No, I won't be including all the fabulous details I want, but there will be reminders of everything we have been up to. 

I hope you enjoy this warped speed post!

And this is the overall theme.  BIRTHDAYS.  BIRTHDAYS.  and more BIRTHDAYS!!!

I left off promising more pics from my sweet nieces 2nd bday party...so here are some to tickle your fancy, I hope!

ADDI MAE'S 2ND BIRTHDAY - STRAWBERRY SHORTCAKE

EMIA'S 4TH BIRTHDAY - COSTUME BALL PARTY

{the happy HAPPY birthday girl!}

{with a fabulous Castle Cake to boot!}

MICHAEL'S 5TH SUPER HERO BIRTHDAY PARTY

{the birthday boy!}

{my super girl, rockin' on...}

{birthday boys lil' sister!}

{getting her play on...}

{his momma made his cake...I think I should hire her this summer!}

Speaking of summertime...I think we will be joining them frequently!  Oh yeah...

JACQUELYN'S 5TH BIRTHDAY - BARBIE PAJAMA PARTY

This was over the top and completely out of this world!!!  So fantastic and fun.  The party started with "Barbie" - the real life one - doing the girls "make up." 

{the sweet Barbie Birthday Girl!!!}

{just a portion of the fabulous party set up}

{dreamy...and oh so lovely!}

{Barbie Make Up}

RILEY'S 2ND BIRTHDAY - MONKEY JOE'S

{the sweet birthday girl}

KENDAHL'S 5TH BIRTHDAY - PUMP IT UP!

To be continued.....for San Antonio Birthday Parties.  To say I am all partied out....is a HUGE understatement.  Whew...

Manic Monday - 03.12.12

Yesterday is ashes;


{via}

tomorrow is wood.


{via}

Only today does the fire burn brightly.


{via}

~ Old Eskimo saying

{p.s. I realize I am a day late {and a penny short, ha!} but I really love this saying.}

Mini Threads - Model + Matilda Jane

I am linking up with my gurl Lindsay again for another Mini Threads feature.  If you are a cool mom...or aunt...or grandmother...you catch the drift, you should link up!  But ONLY if you are cool like that!  *wink*

My good friend, Monica, asked to borrow Layla at lunch time yesterday because she just landed a Day Care gig...taking the Day Care/School pictures and she was creating a flyer to put up at the school to show how the pictures would be set, etc.  I am eager to use Layla for Monica's amazing talents because then I get a few fabulous pics.  Okay!!!!  Sign us up...

Here are some of the super cute and playful captures Monica grabbed! 

{love this one!!!!}

{I whip my hair back and forth...she is a Willow fan!!!}

And here is the shot Monica will use on the flyer for school pictures.  Nice and tame.

See the below post for some of the beauties I captured!  I adore this dress!!!!! 

What Layla is wearing:

Matilda Jane - Fruit Punch Dress

Target - Xhilaration Gwendolyn Western Boots

 

p.s. Matilda Jane - we would LOVE to be YOUR model!!!!  Heeeeyyyy!!!!

MY sunshine!!!!

Everytime I am feeling glum and yearn for a lil more shine in my life.....I just have to think of my baby!  Layla, you are MY sunshine!  And when I sing this song, I think of YOU!  And I immediately smile.  Thank you for that, baby girl.  I don't know if you will ever understand how important you are to me...I love you. 

YOU ARE MY SUNSHINE

MY ONLY SUNSHINE

YOU MAKE ME HAPPY

WHEN SKIES ARE GRAY

YOU'LL NEVER KNOW DEAR

HOW MUCH I LOVE YOU

SO PLEASE DON'T TAKE MY SUNSHINE AWAY!!!