bittersweet

This week Eric and I were discussing how in the world I can begin getting clients for sessions.  There are so many options.  What to do?!

The first thing I decided was that I needed a second camera.  It's great to have multiple lenses, but often a pain in the midst of a session to switch lenses out.  I have a great Rebel xti that I love and that has treated me oh so well for many years.  I also have a great Rebel t2i that I am currently totally and completely head over heels in love with.  I would love another one, but you see...they are a bit pricey! 

I am selling the sweet beginning to the my love of photo taking.  The Rebel xti has done me well.  I bought it just over three years ago for a trip to Rwanda Africa.  It shot some amazing shots!  I also got to take it to Ecuador this past summer; once again I was not disappointed in what it captured.  It is time to say good bye and allow someone else to capture amazing moments in their life with it. 

Needless to say, it has been a bittersweet week as I say good bye to my sweet camera.  In honor of my xti I have been shooting it this week to simply remember....

Enjoy some of it's sweetness!

I'm so glad this camera taught me so much!  I look forward to what the new one will teach as I collect money towards it. 

L

This week's YOU CAPTURE was things that begin with 'l'.  What fun I had.  I know it's Friday and all, but better late than never; right?!

My lensbaby lens

Old school little people and Luigi from Cars; how fitting that Nash threw him on the baggage carrier.

One of my dearest friends Luella on her 81st birthday.  What a gift she is!

Laughter

Laramie Plainsmen Girls and their legs...

faithful

He is so good.
So faithful.
Real.
Honest.
True in His very nature.

For that I'm thankful!

Psalm 90:14
¹⁴ Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love,
   that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days.

I love that God constantly asks me to reflect. 

It is in my nature to ponder things.  I sometimes find myself pondering too much.  In that reflection I'm often moved in ways I was not expecting.  Life continues no matter what we desire on the side.  God continues to be near to the broken hearted and the victorious.  He is so beautiful that way! 

Yesterday I spent much of the day playing with Nash and watching Eric work hard laying new tile in our shower.  I was reminded at how incredibly blessed I am.  I have a loving husband, a practically perfect son, a home, and so many blessings surrounding me.  I am loved by the Father -- the Creator of Heaven and Earth; can it get better than this?! 

I was able to spend some time reflecting through photographs as well yesterday.  I love pictures.  They move me in ways I cannot explain.  My emotions are entranced by them.  My heart actually leaps for joy when I get to be behind the lens and then later those memories captured.  Here are some recent shots that found my heart in the leaping moments...(a glimpse of my joy if you will)

I know, I know...my photos are constanly of this boy we call Nash.  He is currently one HUGE glimpse of joy in my life.  I love him and am so thankful for him!  I'm sure if you knew him well, he would be a HUGE glimpse of joy in your life too!

warmth

This week's YOU CAPTURE is warmth.

Coffee is one of the loves of my life, so of course it had to be featured.  I have busted out my lensbaby again to begin practicing some more shots.  The photo on the left is taken with a 50mm and the photo on the right is taken with my lensbaby.  I'm working on some of the fine tuning as I continue learning.

I also captured some flowers that were brought to us with dinner one night.  Life sometimes throws curveballs, but thankfully there are always friends to add warmth through their thoughts and prayers. This photo was also taken using the lensbaby.

Enjoy your week!

watching

Our life is filled with watching.

We watch Nash eat.
We watch Nash play.
We watch Nash talk to the cats.
We watch Nash read.
We watch Nash race his cars.
We watch Nash run, stomp and jump.
We watch Nash sleep.
We watch and watch and watch his every move.

It's really great entertainment.
I never knew becoming a mama would require so much watching.
It's FABULOUS!

(We personally feel that he is one funny little man!)

I wouldn't want you to miss out on a glimpse of what we get to see daily...enjoy!

traveling

this road we will continue to travel.

not in our own power or control.

we choose to walk each day because we're asked to go forward.

i rejoice in knowing that God is the only constant in my life; in my family's life.

He is REDEEMER, RESTORER, COMFORTER and HEALER.

for that i'm thankful!

today I'm finding rest in these promises left by Isaiah.

Isaiah 43
 ^16-21This is what God says,
   the God who builds a road right through the ocean,
   who carves a path through pounding waves,
The God who summons horses and chariots and armies—
   they lie down and then can't get up;
   they're snuffed out like so many candles:
"Forget about what's happened;
   don't keep going over old history.
Be alert, be present. I'm about to do something brand-new.
   It's bursting out! Don't you see it?There it is! I'm making a road through the desert,
   rivers in the badlands.
Wild animals will say 'Thank you!'
   —the coyotes and the buzzards—
Because I provided water in the desert,
   rivers through the sun-baked earth,
Drinking water for the people I chose,
   the people I made especially for myself,
   a people custom-made to praise me.

Wow!  His power is ALL consuming!

living through trials

Our life has been quite chaotic lately. 

It all began February 1st when the hot water valve in our our shower froze and later burst.  Thankfully I have a husband who is very capable of fixing these kind of things.  He however has been incredibly busy at work lately.  Through a text I gave him the update of 'we have a frozen valve' to help with the 'you won't be getting a shower tonight' news.  He worked a 16 hour day and wanted nothing more than a shower.  After getting home late and shutting off the water to our home he was able to get some rest.  The next morning we got up in order to turn the water on and see just how bad this scenerio was.  The hot water began rushing behind the cupboards in the kitchen.  The pipe was damaged.  Thankfully we still had cold water.  We both got ready for work using cold water and prepared ourselves for a long day. 

Eric was able to fix the pipe that evening and thankfully we had hot water again.  He's the best!  In the midst of fixing the shower he had to break a large hole in our tile to access the pipes.  This now means: Cooley bathroom under construction.  After spending a large sum of money on new tile and planning our new renovation, the bathroom is definitely "Under Construction."  It will be wonderful when all is said and done!

Our life is full of ups and downs.  It seems that the month of February has brought a few downs our way.  Eric and I had recently decided to begin sharing our BIG news with those we love.  We were expecting another little one.  I was almost 11 weeks along and we felt that we were in the safe zone to share our news.  So many embraced us with such love and encouragement.  For that we are so grateful! 

I have had two miscarriages before.  The last one was in September.  We were thrilled for another opportunity to be parents once again.  All had been going really well and I felt awesome.  Many of our friends are in the midst of expecting and I was feeling rather fortunate to not be dealing with morning sickness as they have been.  We spent the weekend sharing our news with more friends and family.  On Sunday the 6th I began bleeding.  Immediately I internally began to freak out a bit.  I knew that bleeding was never a good sign and was definitely not ready to lose this baby!  I was already growing attached in many ways.  The dreams had begun and my heart was involved. 

With a call to the dr. I was satisfied with the possibility that I simply ruptured a few blood vessels.  No big deal, I thought.  Monday began like any other day.  My best friend and her daughter drove to our house for a visit and we hung out just as planned.  After dinner Eric, Sarah and I decided to lounge about for a bit.  During our lounge time my body kicked into full miscarriage mode.  Not what I was expecting at all! 

After a long duration of coming to the realization of what my body was doing my heart began to ache.  I was so deeply saddened by this loss.  Why me?  Why again?  We can't do this; the pain is too much! 

God is so gracious and so loving and so amazingly calming!  I love that about Him!  During my time in the bathroom where my heart was breaking and my physical body seemed to be failing I was reminding of the unconditional love of my Father.  He was not going anywhere and would continue to be the comforter I was in need of. 

There were many emotions that evening and the next several days to come.  We went to the dr. on Tuesday and it was decided after exams, ultrasounds and the such that surgery was the best option.  Nash was home with Sarah and Selah and all I wanted was him close.  Thankfully Eric's dad is working in Laramie and was able to get Nash and the bags that Sarah packed for us.  I went into surgery for a DNC at 9pm and was able to be back to Eric's parents house by 11:30.  We were exhausted, but okay.  It's been a journey of growth as it will continue to be I'm sure.  The emotions will continue as I continually process what happened.  We are reminded daily as a family that our strength is not our own and that we are so thankful that God is the supplier of the strength needed. 

As a family we will continue to process and pray about what God desires for our future.  We are so blessed with one amazing son and cannot thank God enough for giving him to us. 

I am constantly reminded of James' words during seasons such as this...

Consider it pure joy my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance

We serve a HUGE God and for that I rejoice!

15 months...

How can this be?!  He'll be 15 months old on the 9th...crazy how time flies!

life continues....as it does for all.

we can choose to embrace all that comes or simply pretend the mundane moments don't exist.

in our home the mundane occurs; sometimes often.

i am so thankful for those moments. 

they are making my life that much richer each and everyday.

our son is growing and changing so quickly.

what a blessing to be home with him to know his personality so closely and to be able to be the person he chooses as his safe place.

it's a gift that words will never completely describe.

this life is constantly changing in ways not always expected, but i'm so grateful to share it with an incredible husband and son!