Halloween Week

This week has been full of Halloween festivities, and lots of chances for Barrett to wear his Halloween costume. THANKS to my sister-in-law, Kim, who helped me make the chaps and vest for his cowboy costume. The Wrangler jeans and cowboy boots came from the big consignment sale I go to every Fall and Spring with my girlfriends. The boots were brand new when I got them, and they fit him perfectly!

The kids were invited to wear their costumes to our PAFT playgroup on Tuesday morning. Funny...Barrett, Lydia and Norah Kate were the only ones in costume. We tried to get a few pictures of them together after playgroup was over. Easier said than done!

Tuesday evening was the annual Spooks Parade down Main Street. It's always a bit chaotic, but there were some super cute costumes! It's so fun to see all of the creative ideas. Barrett did NOT want to leave my hip the whole night. He's usually a momma's boy, but not to this extreme. He wouldn't even go to Mimi, Gigi, Grandma or Daddy! I was worn out by the end of the night, and not able to get many pictures. I had to hold him while we waited for the parade to start, and then carried him for 2 blocks (I think) in the parade. Lydia was out of sorts too, and wanted to be carried. I think Norah Kate was the only one that wanted to walk. After the parade, they awarded prizes to all the age groups and gave out goody bags. I love that our little town has such great events for kids and families. Hopefully Barrett will walk next year!!

Tomorrow, Barrett gets to wear his costume to KDI (Kids Day In)/school. That reminds me, it's almost 11, and I need to pack his lunch! Goodnight, friends!

I hope to get some better pictures of him in his costume on Saturday when we set out to trick-or-treat! Happy Halloween!!!

just for {FUN}

October and November are my BUSY months for portrait sessions. I have sessions booked every weekend through the first of December, and several during the weekday evenings. I LOVE all of the fun families and children I'm meeting...but it's a LOT of work!! I spend all of my nights and Barrett's nap times editing images and corresponding with clients. I keep reassuring Justin that this is my busy season, and as the weather gets cold, things will slow down...or I just won't book myself so solid :)

I've been working on updating/polishing my photography blog & website in the midst of all the sessions and editing...so, if you haven't been to visit them lately, let me know what you think! Are they easy to navigate, information clear, not too cluttered, anything you want to know that you can't find, etc. I would love your feedback. Especially on the new menu bar at the top of my photoblog. You can leave comments here, there or email me: elephantjuicedesigns@gmail.com

AND now...just for {FUN}
a sprinkling of my current favorite things!

And you would know you have my heart...

All of my life
I have dreamed
that somehow love would find me
now I can't believe you're standing here

If beauty is all
in the eye
of the beholder then I
wish you could see
the love for you that lives in me

And you would know you have my heart
If you could see, what I see
that a treasure's what you are
if you could see, what I see
Created to be
the only one for me
If you could see, what I see

I know there are days
when you feel
so much less than ideal
wondering what I see in you

It's all of the light
and the grace
your belief in me drives me to say
that I promise you
a faithful love, forever true

if you could see
then you'd understand
why I fall down to my knees
and I pray my love
will be worthy of
the one who gave His life
so our love could be

You're created to be
The perfect one for me
If you could see
What I see

if beauty is all
in the eye
of the beholder then I
am beholding...
true beauty

Seven years ago today, Justin and I were married in front of our friends and family. This beautiful Geoff Moore song played as we lit our unity candle. I wanted to do something special for this part of the cermony, so each of our guests was given their own candle when they came into the church. During the song, our candle-lighters lit the candles at the back of each side of the sanctuary. The guests passed the light, up and down the rows, until it reached our moms at the very front. It was so amazing for us to stand up there and watch the glow of the candles take over the sanctuary. And it was so symbolic to have the light that traveled through all our friends and family, be the light that we used for our unity candle.

Our usual anniversary tradition is to take a little weekend trip together. We've done it every year since we were married (1st-Oklahoma City, 2nd-Branson, 3rd-Tulsa, 4th-Manhattan, 5th-Branson, 6th-Branson). BUT, with my photography business booming this time of year, I WAY overbooked myself for the month. Next year I'll be sure to leave a weekend open for our trip! I did have Saturday night free though, so we celebrated with dinner out together. My mom was out of town visiting Mamo, so Papa (my dad) kept Barrett for us. Tonight, we'll probably pick up some $6 Gambino's 'beat the clock' pizza, and snuggle on the couch to watch Monday Night Football.

Happy Anniversary, Babe! It's hard to believe this all started at the mini-golf during the summer of 1995...now here we are 14 years later. We've been through so much together, and I love you more every single day. You are my best friend. Seeing you as a father, when our baby boy was born, made me fall in love with you all over again. Having our Little Bear has been the sweetest chapter yet! Thank you for always being so kind-hearted, encouraging, funny and supportive. You have my heart...I love you!

THIS is my man...

...created to be, the only one for me.

(and he will probably not like that I'm posting this picture...but I love it)