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.

:-)

Little Cupcake

Here she is, our perfect little Cupcake. I shot these with my new 50mm f/1.8 lens, it was the first time I used it. They are all SOTC (straight out of the camera), aside from the watermark applied in InDesign. I have too many projects lately to spend much time editing photos. This picture. Man. I think it has to be one of the most beautiful photos I've ever taken in my life. Please click on it to enlarge, Blogger makes it look all choppy below. (14 extra-special photos linked here)