Right Now I'm...

Listening: I discovered JUST TODAY a song called "You Part 2" by a new (I'm assuming since I've never heard of her before) Country artist Olivia Lane. It's my new jam! 

Watching: I started watching "When Calls the Heart" from the Hallmark channel. We watched the movie the other night, and so I decided to check out the TV show. Quite good... and completely outside my usual TV choices.

Reading: I think I'm going to take my copy of "Killing Kennedy" with me on vacation in a few days.  Either that or one of my giant Twilight books. Or a good Nicholas Sparks selection. I haven't decided....

Working on: I just {almost} finished my "Cameras & Canvas" project for Prairie Cherie. The fundraiser will be in late August with the proceeds going to the Salem library, I believe. Anyway... it's another chance to display my photography AND help a good cause, so why not!?

Wishing: honestly? I think I'm wishing for nothing. There are many things I could wish for, but I'm really trying to focus hard on enjoying the NOW and the HERE.  Stop waiting for things and start embracing the life I have!

Needing: An extra day off between now and vacation? Haha... can you even ask for that? I mean... I just feel like I have a handful of things that still need done, but I DID make quite a bit of headway tonight... hence taking the time to "play" on the internet for a few minutes.

Rejoicing: I was SO encouraged Sunday evening when my pastor texted me to let me know that his 5-year-old daughter could recite to him the Fruits of the Spirit! We've spent 9+ weeks in Children's church learning the 9 Fruits (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, & self-control), and I'm beyond ecstatic that the youngest children's church goer (that was present for all 9 weeks) can say them without help!! How rewarding! Still praising God for that!

Reflecting on: the fact that no matter what happens in my life I can be assured that (1) it didn't take God by surprise (2) it's for MY best, even when it hurts and (3) God has a plan for what's next. So comforting amidst the turmoil that life sometimes throws at us!

Picturing: Vacation. In 3 days. We won't be going the same place, but... here's a snapshot of what we did LAST year...

29/52- Hats

I took some Senior Pictures for my sister and cousin the other day, and this one is PERFECT for the "hats" assignment! Lucky me!

28/52 - Unusual

Yesterday, I did something completely unusual for me. I went to the rodeo.  On one of the hottest, most humid days of the year. Willingly.  And in a cowgirl hat I purchased myself!  For anyone that knows me even just a little, this activity is completely outside my "approved activities" list.  And truth be told, I had a BLAST! I love cousin time with my girls!  The only thing(s) missing were Helen & Leah.

I would also like to mention two things: (1) I took this picture with my old digital camera because it fit in my bag and my nice camera didn't. (2) I did in fact take this picture myself.  I had quite a humorous discussion with someone yesterday morning about the "selfie stick" fad, and I was quite adamant that I definitely did not need such equipment because I've been the master of the "selfie" since middle school... without a stick.  I also said that I couldn't possibly cheat on my somewhat expensive camera by using a selfie stick.  Well... I kinda cheated by using my old camera, and while the quality isn't nearly as good, I think the selfie part still works just fine! 

27/52 - Generations

Once again, I'm a week behind. This summer is killing me! I didn't take this picture, but last weekend, we had a party to celebrate my grandpa's 90th Birthday.  Here is grandpa with all his grandchildren (that were able to be there):

I did, however, take this picture of my youngest sister Leah with Grandpa and his siblings. We just love our extended family.

 It's a rare and welcomed blessing to have a family (extended family, too) that spends as much time together as we do! Like I told my mom in church this morning: It's no wonder I believe in fairy tales... I grew up in one! (And no, for the record, this morning's sermon had NOTHING to do with fairy tales. But we did talk about broken homes etc. and how so many kids out there have no concept of what a real home/family looks like. Which my mind translated to: those kids think family like ours is just for fairy tales.)

26/52 - Props