BE {engaged}

I have a few days off, so I'm trying to get caught up on photo editing.
This is a very fun shoot from November.  A COLD day in November.  Like close to 0 cold.  Wind cold.  Just plain cold.  It was really good for me because it pushed me to step outside my comfort zone.  We actually shot quite a few photos inside, which I tend to avoid at all costs.  I found enough natural light to get some beautiful pictures, and I jumped a mental hurdle.
Yay!

Many of the outside pictures tended to have a bluish tint.  My favorite color is blue, so that works.  But I think it was the tone of the sky and the cold day.  After editing the photos, I ran the Pioneer Woman Warmer action on the blue ones, it was just the right touch.
Enjoy, the full album is linked here.

Happy. Sappy. Mushy. Gushy. {love}

A wedding I shot back-up for this summer for some of my very extended family. 
Why, you may wonder, did I wait 6 months to put this together?
Suspense!  You've got to build the excitement.

Whoop! Whoop!

Palms up

Lately, I've been considering money quite a bit.  The future hinges on it.  I've been telling lots of people that "It's all God's money anyway, He just has it deposited in different accounts that He can access easily."

David Gibbs once said, "Never resist a generous impulse." and I have never forgotten that.  I hear him say it in that signature voice, probably on a weekly basis.

I am saving any extra money I get for something very special.  A plane ticket for my next trip to Moldova.  This week, on two different  occasions, I gave money to people who needed it much more than I.  I did so happily, but hesitated for a nano-second.  Some of it was extra money destined for my airplane ticket, and some of it was set aside to pay for my health insurance this month.  The Lord spoke my own words to me..."It's all God's money anyway, He just has it deposited in different accounts that He can access easily."  Do you believe that Anna?  You said it, but do you believe it?  Can I access YOUR account easily?

"Yes Lord, its yours."  This all occurred in a nano-second.  Nothing makes me happier than giving.  Well, today, God gave back to me.  TOTALLY unexpected.  Out of the blue.  The EXACT dollar total that I had given away this week.  Haha.  He is SO GOOD!

I can't stop marvelling.  On my way home tonight I was thinking about it.  Its like Abraham laying Isaac on the altar.  God gave him right back, he just wanted to know if Abraham would give him first. 

Palms up.

Domestic lil' me...

Steph taught me how to knit today.  It is EXTREMELY fun!
I might be making a scarf, we'll see how this progresses.

Photo Shoot: Baby Doll

A quick peek at this morning's shoot. Isn't she BEAUTIFUL?!

The ingredients of this shot:
On the floor close to a sliding glass door with LOTS of natural light.
Backside of a baby quilt held up behind her.
Canon T1I, AV mode, 18-55mm lens.
Super cute baby.
Photoshop Action: Coffee Shop's Perfect Portrait with lots of tweaking

This little one is a twin, her brother looks totally different.  We did a family session this morning with Grandma, Grandpa, the Uncles, the family Dog and Mom and Dad, of course.

I've been so blessed with jobs lately, its good for me.  Each one makes me very nervous, but my confidence is building.  God is good.  I'm saving every penny earned from these jobs for something very special.  God knows... I am certain He will send me the work I need to save enough. 

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving.  Every guest we've invited has other plans.  I think it will be just our family.  I'm looking forward to it.  I know it will be special.  For reasons unshared, I treasure this Thanksgiving especially much this year.  Family, together.  We are going to do family pictures tomorrow, and I'm pretty excited about that!  Its been years.

Out of the mouths of babes

In 2 & 3 year old Sunday School today, we made prayer pages for Moldova.
I was explaining to them what an orphan is.  Little Turkey, my 3 yr. old nephew, never having heard of orphans before, stopped me and matter of factly said "God is a Daddy for the orphans." Oh sweet, sweet child. You fill my heart to overflowing.

When I explained what Missionaries are, Little Turkey jumped up, struck his superhero pose, and proclaimed "Missionariessssss....to the rescue!" He has been repeating "SuperMan and Missionariessssss....to the rescue!" ever since. He's got the right idea. Thank you Lord for allowing me to see life through the eyes of a 3-year old.

Small Miracles, Hope

Remember the man I've asked you to pray for?  Tom.

I want to share with you a Facebook update from my precious friend and his wife, Susie:

I believe this may very well be the first time I have ever posted on the so called "wall" but I just have to share.....WE HAVE SHRINKAGE!!! Finally the news we and so very many others have been praying for. Tom had another MRI here in Salt Lake at Hunstman and the tumor has shrunk considerably. We are so excited and happy, and just want to thank everyone again for all the love and support shown to us. The power of prayer and friendship is AMAZING!! THANK YOU - THANK YOU - THANK YOU!!

 

My God is SO GOOD.  Please continue to pray, especially for his soul.

Departure soon

Moldova: the journey begins technically on Wed. night, Oct. 12th.

Please pray for us, my heart already loves them so much.

Pictured: {friends} girl time

Such a fun photoshoot.  I hope to do more of these picture parties in the future, I just need to figure out how to charge for them.  You really should look at this album.

I didn't have time to retouch any of these, and you know... I guess I'm okay with that.  I love retouching, but now I'm starting to get more busy than I expected and I've got to speed up my post-shoot workflow.  A lot.

Check them out, I don't think you have to be a facebook member to view these.  If you have trouble, let me know.

When did he get so grown up?

Tonight, I had a very VERY fun photoshoot.
It was pretty special.  This kid that I used to babysit everyday for a few years when he was little is a senior this year.

I adore him.  He is funny.  He is SO stinkin' cute.  He has one of the kindest hearts I've ever come across.  He is 165% boy, always getting in trouble.  Its endearing. 

He is motivated.  He's a pilot.  He runs his own lawn-mowing business with official caps and everything.

He is always kind to the underdog, or the shy people.  He is so sweet.  He's a gentleman.  I admit, I was crying while going through his pictures.

If I had a 16 year old little sister, she would marry him.  Period.  End of story.


Jadon.  I love this kid!

sneak peek!

I've had some extremely fun shoots lately.  Take a peek. (click photo to view full-size)

Ten on Tuesday: Modge Podge

 

1. In 1 month + 1 week, we will be in Moldova. I need this trip. I need this perspective. I am getting excited and nervous all rolled into one. My usual crazy dreams have started, about every 3rd night I dream about Moldova. I dream about orphans. I dream about James Bondesque missions. I dream of being kidnapped. I dream of loving them.

2. We're having a massive BBQ on Thursday. I love it. Its just understood that if you hear about one of Kristy and Anna's BBQ's, you are invited. That's been our policy. It makes me so happy so just stand back and watch tons of young people enjoying life in our yard. No drunken emptiness. No cussing. Just enjoying life because God is good. Sometimes people show up that we've never met. I think lots of college kids are coming this time, including some of the football players. A few of them have been coming to church this year. I have such a wonderful church.

3. Please continue to pray for my friend's husband, Tom (he has terminal cancer). My heart is too overwhelmed for words. "...groanings which cannot be uttered"

4. Conversation with my nephew yesterday: Aunt Anna, tell me "You have a nice sandbox!" Me: You have a nice sandbox Little Turkey. Nephew:"Oh thank you!" Where does he come up with this stuff? He makes me marvel and laugh daily.

5. My niece has beautiful blue eyes rimmed with long, dark red lashes. Oh she's sweet. She smiles so dreamily when you smile at her. I can smile at her from across the room and watch for her face to mirror mine.

6. I'm whitening my teeth. My teeth are already quite white, I know. But I need the practice in lab work. I HATE learning things on patients. I don't like gagging them, or making them cry, wasting their time, etc. So I practice on Kristy and myself. Its good experience. Now I understand why we don't fill the tray very full in the back when taking an impression... because it slides down the throat and takes an impression of the tonsils. I made Kristy gag and cry. I now understand why we trim the trays below the gumline... because if you don't, the bleach sits on the gums and burns them. Been there, done that. I have the burnt white gums to prove it. I now understand what we mean when we tell the patients "You may experience some sensitivity while whitening..." drinking a cold glass of milk is currently murder. By the end of this experience, I hope to have a boatload of helpful knowledge that will enable me to care for my patients AND obnoxiously white teeth. :-D

7. I backspaced. That was really none of your business. I used my filter, yay!

8. I am learning no one is perfect, ESPECIALLY myself. I haven't arrived. I wish I could write this idea out, but its not quite to that point yet. Its kind of about looking back at life, and seeing a period of time when I knew everyone else was wrong, and I was right. Guess what? I was wrong. Weird, I know.

9. I have some big months coming up. I have a few photoshoots before Moldova, and after we get back I have decisions to make. I'm hoping God gives me the perspective I need while on the missions trip. Pray for me please. I don't want to just lazily let life happen. I have some ideas, but I need wisdom and thought and prayer to decide which ideas to act upon.

10. Remember the Facebook thing? How I was gonna stop using it? Lame. I lost. I shouldn't resolve stuff, it just makes me look lame. Anytime I ever resolve ANYTHING, I lose. I have been enjoying real life immensely lately though, and find Facebook to be less interesting. My best friend was without internet all summer and I have found myself jealous of her a few times. If I didn't have 1300 wedding pictures to process, I could just abandon my computer for awhile.

couch time

Couch time with my niece and nephew makes me so happy I could burst.

At my parents' new place.  Vacation morning.  No work to leave for.  No alarm clock.  Family.

Pitter patter of little boy feet up the stairs.  He and I made cinnamon rolls together while no one else was up.  It was such the best time.  Little giggles.  Licking fingers.  Bed head.  Pajamas.  Sleepy eyes.

It felt like Thanksgiving.

And it was.  My heart gave thanks for... togetherness.  A home.  God's goodness.  Cinnamon rolls.

Popcorn and rootbeer and movies.

Campfire.

"All this and Heaven too!"

Good Stuff: rent this DVD

My family got together out at Mom and Dad's new place the other night.  We rented a couple of videos, and one of them was one of the best movies I've seen in years.

I watched it twice.  It had us laughing and crying.  Its a clean family movie.  No cussing.  No sex.  Its not religious really, but an AMAZING story.  I wish everyone could go through this in real life.

At a crucial point, my nephew was falling asleep on my brother's lap, and wanted water.  My brother asked me to fill the sippy cup.  Upon giving it back to him, he said "Did you put anything in it?"  Of course I did.  "An inch?  Anna, are you serious?  You couldn't spend 3 more seconds and FILL the cup?"  Absolutely I could not.  This is an important scene Dude.  Besides, do you want him to pee the bed?

Rent it.
"The Ultimate Gift"

Wedding Presentation

I have a few days off this week and am trying to tie up some loose ends for photography jobs.
Below is the presentation for the wonderful wedding Mom and I had the priviledge to capture in June.

It turned out beautiful.  Enjoy!

Ten on Tuesday: Shutter Happy

1. I shoot with a Canon T1I.
2. My go-to lens is always the 18-55mm.  I LOVE my 50mm and 75-300mm, but the 18-55mm is pretty reliable in most situations.  I'm usually pretty close to my subjects, which leads me to...



See? Much more powerful then a flat far-away shot of the whole gift table.

3. GET CLOSE.  Seriously.  I read in a book once to set up your shot to where you think it looks good, then take two big steps closer.  I'm telling you, detail is where the magic is.
4. "Show me your teeth!" works good when trying to get little kids to smile.  They're eager to show off the new pearly whites.
5. Photographers get to go anywhere and everywhere.  I had the best time at the wedding last weekend.  I was at the salon documenting hair and makeup.  I was at the groom's house documenting the guys bonding and straightening collars.  I played for awhile in the yard with his dog waiting for the guys to be dressed enough for me to invade.  When you act professional and confident (and have a fancy looking camera), no one questions the fact that you are obnoxiously in the way and in their face.  They just hope to be Facebook tagged in an awesome photo of themselves.
6. Natural light is where it's at.  Avoid using the flash.  Avoid indoor lights (unless its studio lighting).  Stick to windows, outdoor morning or late afternoon light, or full shade.
7. I shoot 85% of the time in AV mode.  The full name for it is "Aperture Priority."  You set the aperture you'd like to shoot at, and the camera automatically adjusts your ISO.  I use auto white balance as well.  Manual is awesome, but I can't usually afford the risk of having something set wrong.  Things happen fast, especially at weddings.
8. The batteries that came with my camera are ahhhh-mazing.  One battery lasted me 2 days, it lasted longer than my 8gb card actually.
9. In another monthish, without trying, without charging nearly enough, without seeking ANY jobs... my camera will have completely paid for itself.  In about a year.  This is without trying.  If you love photography, I would encourage you to invest in a nice camera.
10. Make sure you get in a few of the pictures too.  :-)

Ten on Tuesday

1. I love my job.  I get to assist an oral surgeon from time to time.  Also, the other day, I assisted my Doctor with placing a dental implant.  How do I, un-college-educated Anna, get to have a job that is on the cusp of the latest and greatest technology?  God.

2. I started teaching Sunday School.  2 & 3 year olds.  I have discovered that 2 year olds have half the attention span of a 3 year old.

3. I want to sing SO BAD.  I do.  If I could name only one totally selfish desire in my heart, I'd say it is to sing.  A man came to our church this week and taught us some new songs and a little bit more about singing.  It whet my appetite.  I want to learn 4-part harmony.  I'm looking around for private voice lessons.  Kristy too.  I want to sing around the campfire with a guitar and some deep bass and some sweet melody, complementary alto.  I WANT TO SING!

4. The blog needs more of a purpose I think.  I'd like to start posting some photography tutorials than anybody can use with a basic point-&-shoot camera.  I think I'll start with Sillouhettes, and have a contest.  Watch for this.

5. I miss Dana.  I need to visit her again.

6. I am learning some things.  I've been proud, ungracious, without understanding in the past.  Maybe I will develop this thought more in another post.  I'm talking about traditions and stands.  Sometimes I take a stubborn stand on some 'conviction' and lose a friend... or worse, become a stumblingblock to someone that is without Christ.  What core principles really matter?  Do 'they' love God?  Is God using them?  Are they helping bring lost and wandering souls to Christ?  Enough said.  Scrap the rest.  Now, you need a balance, I know.  Its just something I've been thinking about.  A LOT.  Maybe more to come on that.  

7. An organization has contracted with me to publish a book for them.  HUGE undertaking.  This will keep me busy in the winter nights.  Its a history book.

8. Moldova is about 2 months away.  I'm excited.  I'm nervous.  Kristy and I are going, as well as a younger girl from our church.  We will be in Moldova 10 days, and will visit friends in Germany for 4 days.  I know this trip will impact my life.  Maybe that's why I'm nervous.

9. I'm trying not to use Facebook for a month.  I can't cut it out completely because that's how a lot of people communicate with me about photography jobs.  But I'm going to try not to use it for ANYTHING except that for the next month.  I think Facebook really confuses my reality and my relationships with people.  I'm not done with it, but I need a break.

10. Heels.  :-)  I've started wearing them again this summer.

{M} family photos

"Call it a clan, call it a network, call it a tribe, call it a family. Whatever you call it, whoever you are, you need one."
~Jane Howard

Another family shoot recently.  This happens to be part of my extended family.  More photos linked here.
I'm shooting another wedding on Saturday in Missoula.  This should be a lot of fun, because I'm the backup.  So I get to catch all the getting ready stuff, behind the scenes and otherwise unnoticed details.  It should be fairly stress free.   I'm really excited to get dressed up for this one.  Its part of my extended family and fairly formal.  My plan at this point: 'THE' classic black sheath, long pearls and red nails and toes... also these killer strappy silver heels.
:-)
I was born to dress up.

God smiled

The other weekend, most of my family (minus Kristy and I) were in Idaho.  My brother's in-laws have a ranch there, and they had the governor of Idaho over for a big, fun weekend.  They branded longhorn cattle, had a team roping, a pitchfork fondue and just generally a good time.

They sat around the campfire at night.  The governor had his guitar and was singing old country songs.  Our Little Turkey, my two-year old nephew, asked the Governor if he could sing "Peter, James & John in a Sailboat."

Isn't that SOOO precious?  I know it had to put a big grin on God's face.  Little Turkey's favorite song is "Peter James & John in a Sailboat."  Its on of his Sunday School songs, and he sings it constantly.  He sings it in the car, he sings it to Baby Sister.  He was surprised that the Governor didn't know it.

Apparently Little Turkey was singing "Jesus Loves Me" for the crowd around the campfire too, at the top of his lungs.

Just writing about it makes me wanna cry.  Life is so sweet.  God is so good.

Light Show

You really should look at these pictures.  Its this amazing light show I drove through tonight on my way home from a photography job an hour away.

This link is to a FaceBook album with 30ish more pictures, but you don't have to log in or have an account to view.  Just click on the pictures to advance to the next one.
LINKED HERE

Have we forgotten?

hair

The new haircut.
Yay!

"Heartland" Photoshop action by Pioneer Woman.  It's in Set 1 I think.
LINK to DOWNLOAD here

I really like this action {and} haircut.

"Vintage" action by Pioneer Woman, Set 1 again, same link as above.

I was playing around and turned off the "monochromatic-or-something-like-that" layer.  I like the effect.










Anyways.  Pretty stinkin' cute summer haircut.  I think I'm going to have another inch taken off here soon so it doesn't grow out on me.  Allison is amazing.  She's been my friend for years before she went to beauty school.  She's the first hairdresser I've ever felt comfortable with.  She is the owner of a new salon, and I'm thinking about making a package with her.  Senior Portraits: her hair and makeup, my photography, happy kids... good advertising for both of us.  What'dya think?

please pray

Dear friends.
If I know you, if I don't.

Please pray.  My former boss of 7 1/2 years, probably my closest friend outside of family on this earth, is going through a dark valley.  Her husband was found to have brain tumors two months ago.  I've been praying for them fervently, brokenly.  Somehow the last few days it has really gripped me.  Time is short I believe.  I don't even know what to pray for.  I guess that he will make peace with God before he goes.  That the family will enjoy the time they have left.  That I know how to be there for her.

Today I can't seem to pull myself together.  There has been an endless stream of hot tears running down my face since I got off work.  I don't understand why heartache must be.  I'm not questioning God's goodness.  My frail human heart just can't comprehend.

participating

No sitting back and watching summer go by.
Nope!  Not for this girl.  Not this year.

The BEAUTY of my new job is that I have Fridays off.  Every Friday.  I usually fill them with paying work of some sort, but not lately.  This summer has been the funnest of my life.

I am LIVING it.  :-)

• Bible Conference... check.
• Hiking in Glacier with Kristy - 12 miles... check.  (it almost killed me, but what an accomplishment)
• Camping - in a tent.  In bear country.... check.
• Yellowstone National Park... check.
• Bigfork Summer Theatre... check.
• Yellowstone Playmill Theatre... check.
• State 4-H Congress... check.
• Dairy Queen - frequently... check.
• Tons of Montana summer road miles on my car... check.
• Returning to a backroad I found last summer when I got lost and hiking around in the most beautiful woods with huuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuge boulders... check.
• Tan... kinda check.
• Over 3,000 photos from July so far... check.
• Chopped my hair... ch-ch-check.  Ahuh, that's right.  I'm loving it!
• Painted my toenails... check.

I kid you not.  Great summer.
I don't know what's come over me, but I am totally participating in life.

Its still crazy busy.  The dental office is booked.  Mom and Dad are moving soon.  Photography shoots are rolling in.  Freelance design jobs are popping up.  I stay up past midnight every night working on these extra paying projects.


Mmmmm.  I love life.  God is good.

Tall Dark and Handsome Man

Introducing...
Tall Dark and Handsome Man (with an awesome Australian accent) in the red shirt

Nice.
Funny.
Accent.
V-E-R-Y cute.
Tall.
Accent.
Black hair.

Sigghhhh.... be still my heart.

Kristy and I ran into him and his racoon skin cap clad friend in Yellowstone National Park several times this morning.  We took pics for him, he took pics for us.  Then we lost him when we took a paint pot loop.

Sad.

But!  A few hours later we pulled up to take pictures of more buffalo, and parked right beside them.  I got to listen to a little more of that stinkin' cute accent. 

I had to leave TDH Man from Australia in West Yellowstone, he wouldn't fit in my backpack.

3rd paragraph is where it gets interesting

We had a great Bible conference.  I needed it bad.  My whole family did.  When I was little, I always thought the conference meant BIG things.  Big decisions.  Big ideas.  Being called to the mission field.  Surrendering your life for full time ministry.  Its not like that for me anymore.  The older I get, the more I realize that the Christian life is not about the big things.  Its just little things, day by day.  And the conference is a week set aside every year when God pulls me back in the boat just when I feel like I can't keep my head above water anymore.

Change is in the air.  My dad retired this month.  Yeah.  That's big.  The conference this year was perfect timing because I am finally realizing that change is okay.  I don't know what God might do with my family... maybe nothing unusual.  But... maybe....  just maybe... change is in the air.  I could be living in Kalamazoo next year for all I know.  Pastor Fisher's message on not knowing the goal was just what we all needed.  You don't ALWAYS get to know what the goal is, just follow God.

Dear Tall Dark and Handsome Man.  Where were you?  Everyone kept asking me if I met you this week.  No.  I did not.  Finally I told them that you weren't there because you were out working hard.  You were probably out roping cows or building houses, or maybe saving lives or flying an airplane.  And I like that about you.  But good grief man, someday you should take a break from all that work and meet me.  Some preliminary things you should know... I like flowers, particularly daffodils.  Manners make my heart go pitter-pat.  I hang out at Safeway and church a lot, you might run into me there.  Brush your teeth.  I am stubborn.  Don't buy me low-fat ice cream.  Don't make me compete for you, because when it comes to matters of the heart, this girl is extremely insecure.  Don't make me guess or I'll bolt faster than you can blink.  Make me laugh.  I'm a gusher; do something nice and I'll gush every time.  Teach me stuff, like how to catch a football. I look pretty stinkin' cute in my dental scrubs.  Do stuff with my brother.  Let me hang with your family.  They'd LOVE me, you don't even know!  K.  Got all that?  See you around TDH Man. 

My photography "hobby" is turning into a bit of a geyser.  Its gonna blow.  Its just a matter of time I think.  This is scary for me, its like waiting for toast to pop up.  I jump everytime unless I walk out of the room.  To be quite honest, I think I'm scared of success.  Stupid girls.  We just don't make sense, do we?  :-)

Well, goodnight my 2 or 3 readers.   I don't think it really matters if anyone reads this, its more of a "dear diary" kinda entry, so even if nobody sees it, I got to write it out.

its the most wonderful time of the year

Bible Conference.

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhh.

That's a big sigh of rest and relief.  This is always a good week in my life, in everybody's life.  We get recharged, re-aligned, rested, rejoicing.  It started last night and will go all week.  Lots of great speakers.  Lots of great food.  Its all free.  Its fun.  Its life changing.  Come if you can!  (starts at 7:00 every night).  There are morning speakers too, starting at 9:00 a.m. (I'll be at work except Friday)

Seriously.  If you are coming, give me a call so I can save you a seat.  It gets packed out.

flowers from a good man

~ It was my 10th birthday. I came downstairs to leave for school,
and on the kitchen table was the old blue coffeepot filled with daffodils. For me. ~

My daddy came up from behind and gave me a hug, and this is what he said.
"Anna, I wanted to be the first man to buy you flowers."

And that is why daffodils are, and will forever remain, my favorite.

stunning

Of all the photos I've taken with my new camera, this is one of the top 10. 
An album is linked here.

A & J wedding photos

A & J wedding, a set on Flickr.  Go to this link because they're are several more photos than those thumbnailed here.

Each wedding I get to shoot gets a little better and a little easier. Its definitely a learning process.

I LOVE THESE PICTURES!
I posted them on Facebook and had a request to shoot a wedding next summer less than an hour later. My life may be headed in the photography business direction. Who knows?

sneak peak

I use Facebook for photo networking so much now that I forget to update my faithful few blog readers.  I have been working on wedding photos until 1:00 a.m. for the last few nights and will soon have a presentation of them.  But here's a sneak peak... :-)  Click to view full size.

diggin' up bones

There's an old song I remember by Randy Travis called "Diggin' up bones."  Its exactly what I am trying to say in the following rambling.

Do you ever have a situation in life that consumed you, probably in a good way initially, but then it became necessary to walk away?

Sometimes its a job.  Sometimes its a relationship.  Sometimes its a dream.  Sometimes its a circle of people.  I'm not necessarily talking about ugliness and bitterness, sometimes its just time.  Sometimes its just the healthy thing to do for all involved.

I've always thought I was good at letting go.  Completely cutting ties and moving on.  I've found that a shredder does wonders on letters.  DELETE works great on digital reminders.

We have no control really though.  When I think I've moved on, God tests me.  With a phone number on a sticky note at the bottom of my purse.  With news headlines.  With a song.  With a patient today from a very specific place.  In the old excitement of the familiar I start asking my question... "You're from _________?!  Really?  I have a friend that lives there, maybe you know... er, (I stumble on my words as I remember that I let go), actually no, uh, never mind. Wrong town." 

Apparently, below the surface, I kinda suck at letting go.  I guess that's life in all aspects.  We have to deal and grow and be challenged constantly.  That's God's way.  We'll always be faced with the past and the temptation to "dig up bones."

desktop bg

Dana's post reminded me of another thing I was going to tell you.  Or share I guess.
This picture fascinates me.  Its been my desktop background since I visited Dana.

I don't know why, but my style of photography is capturing the otherwise unnoticed details.  I LOVE details.
Like this picture.  I personally think its so captivating, but normally when you look at flowers you never see the stems.  This picture is powerful without the flowers.

What do you think?  (texture applied, courtesy of face-to-face lesson with Dana)
Click to enlarge.

I remember!

I KNEW there was something I specifically wanted to tell you...

I shot, or rather my Mama and I shot another wedding.  OH MAN GUYS!  I love these pictures.  The entire 45 minute drive by myself to the chapel the morning of, I was reverse pep talking myself.  "Anna, are you retarded?!  What are you doing shooting another wedding?  What on earth possessed you to take these people's money??  You don't know what you're doing.  The pictures will stink and they'll all know you're an imposter.  Shouldn't you pull over and throw up?"

Haha.

It turned out so so so wonderful though.  Can't wait to share the photos, but I have to cut them down from 1300+.

Probably the funnest part of the day was following around the guys.  I've known them forever.  They're buds.  They're my buds too.  We laughed and laughed until I thought I'd pee my pants.

still here

I'm still here.  I just haven't felt like writing lately.  I've logged in.  Started a post.  Sat here with fingers poised to type.

I don't know what to say.

Happy Thursday I guess.  :-)

the end?

Do you know what's going to happen Sunday? Our hearts will continue to beat, our breathing will effortlessly continue, the grass will continue to grow, the flowers will continue perfuming the air, the birds will sing on. God will bring the sun up yet again as he has done for thousands of years. The world is not ending on Saturday. But if it were, would you be ready?

special

I just spent 5 glorious days with Dana & Co.
"Is this your sister Dana?"  Close.  My cousin, my friend.
"Are you Mommy's sister Auntie Anna?  Because you talk like my Mommy."  Close.  Mommy's cousin.  Mommy's friend.

We...

• Went to Cabela's, my first time ever!
• Stayed up waaaaaaay too late every night talking and watching movies.
• Laughed in the kitchen at 11:30 at night cooking for Easter Dinner.
• Drank 1-2 cups of coffee after 10:00 p.m. nightly and still managed to sleep soundly.
• Watched Audrey Hepburn.  Classy is the word.
• Plotted various ways to convince each other to move.
• Laughed.  A lot.
• Found out Dana is left handed. (well, she already knew)
• Found out Dana likes creamy peanut butter.
• Painted our nails.
• Played cameras, photoshop and blogworld.
• Played piano.  That girl can play.  Man!  I am all about the broken chords now.
• Discussed what is wrong with Channing.  As in Tatum.  Dana says his eyes are not the same size.  I think its his ears.  They're too small for his head.  But there is definitely something off. (discussion stemming from watching "The Eagle" with AJ)
• Remembered childhood.
• Did you know Dana is an ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhmazing cook?!  I gained 7ish pounds.
• Painted Easter eggs.
• Had Easter dinner with AJ's fam.  I love borrowing families.  Even though mine is terrific.
• Flew kites.  Sort of.
• Jumped on the trampoline.
• Picked flowers.
• Prayed.
• Discussed the Bible and God's goodness. (The depth of a friendship that has become acquainted with adversity is unmeasurable)
• Discussed my pitiful attempts at finding Mr. Right.  Stinkin' girliness, I need to learn to reign my heart in.  I seriously am defective at dating.
• Understand each other.  Childhood was a selfish time of friendship.  I liked her because it was convenient and she had cool Barbies.  She liked me because... well, I'm not sure why.  :-)  This season of life is so different.  Hymns make me cry.  She gets that.  Playing the piano stirs her soul as if God himself is gently tugging on it.  I get that.  Our family is really special.  We get that.  God is good in everything, has a beautiful plan in everything.  We get that. 
• Shopped.
• Discovered that our precious little Grandma made each of us a bonnet girl quilt (one of our favorite childhood possessions) when we were young.
• Hated to say goodbye.
• Made plans to meet again.  6 hours.  Pff.  I'll be back!

Pictures to come, I promise.

:-)