So that’s what we’ve been up to…

*sigh* I hate it when life gets this crazy. So, I figured Miscellany Monday would be the perfect opportunity to give the snapshot version of the last month.

Warning: my brain is way to scrambled to do this in chronological order!!

.skiing.

We got to go skiing in Utah on Easter. A super special memory with my college roomie and her husband. Too bad the rental guys didn’t believe me that I had humongous calf muscles and I had to go back and exchange my boots.

.pride.

Said skiing trip was a huge milestone for me personally. My first skiing trip (in high school) was quite emotionally scarring, so the fact that I gave it another go was a huge win in the pride and anxiety columns. More on that later.

Also, it was pretty awesome to show off a couple times because Keith had a picture in his head of me being a terrible skier, but it helps that dancing muscles and skiing muscles are the same :)

.resident retreats.

We got to hang out with these awesome people on a 2nd Year Resident retreat a few weekends ago. Always good times! And I love the little photo bomber in the background :)

.valley of fire.

The retreat was our first time to Valley of Fire. We had a great time discovering a new place and I had fun trying some night time photography!

And Keith enjoyed some quality time with a flashlight.

.family photos.

I loved taking pictures of these two cuties. I’m so thankful for all the family and friends that have helped me build my portfolio! Huge giveaway coming soon – I think it’ll get posted the last week of school. Be ready!

.moving.

We moved two weekends ago. For some reason this picture is my favorite.

This was my absolute favorite moment of the day – the truck pulled around the corner with the chair precariously balanced right on the edge. Physics at work!

We feed our people well.

.gphltb.

Several weekends ago, our church had Sunday morning service outside in a local park. It was called “Grace Point Has Left The Building”. I was really thankful to take some pictures to document the event.

The worship team rocked it in the great outdoors!

It’s always a huge blessing to serve with so many people. And I get all nerdy excited that we all have matching t-shirts!

A huge spread of food for some time to relax together and enjoy Sunday afternoon.

.baptisms.

I’ve had lots of opportunities lately to take pictures for our church events. I LOVE IT! It’s been a fun little niche and a great way to keep honing my skills. We had baptisms yesterday and I am really happy with how the pictures turned out.

.flowers.

I just love how simple and beautiful these flowers are.

.gluten.

So, at one point I thought my gluten intolerance had cleared up due to pregnancy. Definitely false. My symptoms are not nearly as bad as before I was pregnant, but it still kicks me in the butt. No daily dose of gluten for me, but at least I know I can survive if my only choice for a meal has wheat!

I guess that’s all for now! Linking up with Carissa at lowercase letters:

 miscellany monday at lowercase letters

Are You Gonna Be My Girl? and other random song lyrics…

It’s official – I started choreographing for the Spring Dance Concert today, so I’ve got random song lyrics stuck in my head. In true Miscellany Monday fashion I will be presenting my miscellaneous thoughts in the “order” they pop into my head.

.1 2 3 take my hand and come with me.

One of my Dance II classes is using this song for their tap piece. I’m about to evict it from my head.

.etsy finds.

I’ve decided I would really really like to add the following two pieces of jewelry to my collection.

[found in this super cute Etsy shop]

This one is pretty self explanatory – it’s definitely become my non-scripture life motto. How cute is it in teal?!

[found at this lovely Etsy shop]

Oh, I don’t swoon very often, but these earrings have done it. I have always had a special place in my heart for birch trees (they’re almost as special as willow trees!). Bring me to a grove of birch trees and all my cares will wash away. I’ll be saving my pennies!

.pink tux to the prom.

This is a favorite song from college that my Dance I kids will be using. I’m hoping they get into it :)

.falling leaves.

I’m still working on Necessary Endings, but I stumbled upon this book the other day and decided it’s next on the list for the Mother-Daughter book club! Can’t wait to read it!

[buy it on Amazon here]

p.s. It drives me crazy that every time I search this book the color looks different.

.new blog look.

How do you like the new blog look? I’m all about simplifying things these days and that includes the blog! I love the clean lines! The only thing that’s driving me crazy is the icons in the side column that aren’t centered. They’re HTML, so I’ve got no clue how to fix them!

.doo dee doo doodle doodle doo.

At least that’s what I think the words are at the beginning of Singin’ in the Rain. My 1st period class got to watch the entire movie in November, so I thought it was only appropriate they got to pay homage to one of my favorite tap dancers :)

.shrimp curry rice.

I’ve been craving it for a few days. I got some asparagus to throw in too and seasoned seaweed to throw on top. That last one might be kinda gross. Maybe I’ll just have it as a snack.

.extraordinary measures.

We just watched this movie the other night (I finally got a library card, so I brought home a whole stack of movies!) and it’s fantastic. All you need to know is that it’s based on a true story and is so wonderfully done.

.oreo truffles.

I made these for Super Bowl and can’t wait to make them again. I even found completely GF oreo-type cookies!

[check out the recipe here]

.captain smith and pocahontas.

Yup, those are the first lyrics that pop into my head when I think of this song. Oy. Anywho, my Dance II kids are totally blown away by my tapping skills and have taken the challenge to heart to be super Fred Astaire smooth by May :) Since tap is my favorite genre of dance, I’m so so proud!

.rice cooker.

Ah, the rice cooker is finished cooking. I love that little machine. It’s amazing for making sushi. I’m thinking of making an instructional “how to make sushi” video since so many people have asked. What do you think?

.77 likes.

That means I only need 23 more on Facebook to hit 100!! Will you help out?

 …

Miscellany Monday @ lowercase letters

Portrait Session Promotional

I’ve been waiting until I got the new lens to try a promotional portrait session weekend. The basic idea is that I set up a limited number of 1-hour sessions at a designated location and give a huge discount to whoever schedules an appointment! It’s a great way for me to continue to build my portfolio and get practice running portrait sessions. Feel free to pass along to all your Las Vegas friends!

Gilcrease Orchard + Clara = Best Saturday ever (period)

Ana and I went to Gilcrease Orchard today. It was amazing :) We ate apple donuts, took lots of pictures, and bought cider and sweet potatoes!! The beauty of the day can only be summarized with my favorite pictures – most will be listed on Dancing Willow Photography by the end of the weekend.

Keep your eye out for these photos on Etsy!!

 

Friday Favorites (featuring Bling Day)

Yea, I know this post is technically Saturday Favorites, but I’m a big fan of alliteration, so I’m sticking with Friday.

first. Vanna’s Choice

OMG. I love this yarn. It’s what I’ve been working with most lately. It’s stocked with all the inexpensive yarns at Michaels, but wowee, it’s so soft and wonderful. I <3 it.

So many gorgeous colors, too!

image from google.com search

second. Christmas!

I’ve started working on some Christmas hats for the shop! Here’s a little preview of my current project

It's going to be an extra long santa hat with a bell on the end for toddlers :)

third. Pancakes

I’m having pancakes for breakfast this morning. No, they’re not gluten free. I had my first GI appointment on Wednesday, and the doctor agrees that it is some kind of wheat allergy. Which means I’m eating wheat like a mad woman so I can retake the Celiac panel again. And then I’m never ever eating wheat again. I’m dead serious. So today is my farewell to gluten-filled pancakes.

Yum.

fourth. Could You Do Me A Favor?

Would you please share my Etsy shops with all your friends and shout it from the mountain tops? The Dancing Frog is starting to fill up with children and babies’ hats and toys (all hand made). I’ll be adding more dolls soon. Dancing Willow Photography is full of my photography – you can order prints, metallic finish prints, black and whites, and note cards!

Don’t forget to like each one on Facebook (special discounts for “likers”).

I might even send you a special thank you for helping out!

fifth. Bling Day

Some of you know the tragedy of the Bling. She was the best car a girl could ask for. She was killed by a falling tree (in technical circles we like to say she was “hot-dogged”. I missed my annual memorial to the Bling when I was in Utah last weekend. I hope she is being used well to help other Ford Tauruses live on.

She could still turn on, the radio still played, and the doors still opened :(

Gosh, I miss that car (Elle, don’t be jealous). To see more pictures, check out this post.

Well, I guess that’s all for this week. It’s been a great party:

friday favorite things | finding joy

Shooting Babies

I hope you’re laughing because you realize I mean “shooting” babies with a camera!

Got to do another baby photo shoot today and it was an interesting experience. My battery died halfway through, which was a great thing since baby boy D needed a break – he was so angry to have his picture taken!

As a celebration, I’m showing you some of my favorite all time baby photos.

Sweet little baby girl M - one week old

baby girl M

baby girl M's mom bought some beautiful flowers that personalized all the photos!

baby girl M

baby boy Z - 7 months

baby boy D was not too pleased to have his picture taken

baby boy D - 2 months

How sweet are those eyes?

A smile!

Loving capturing all these memories!!

Made a new little creation to use with baby boy D, but it was a little small – definitely newborn sized! Anyone want to let me use their newborn as a model!?