You're mine!

As a little birthday (Aug. 23rd) present to MYSELF I bought this guy today. I've had my eye on him since they came out and I cannot wait to get my hands on it! My 5D has video, but 1. I haven't used it and 2. who wants to lug that around? No one, except I do, for 8 hour weddings and portrait sessions. I also got a nifty underwater case because my husband is quite the fish and thought it would be fun to so some silly underwater videos.

I am really trying to get back in the blogging world here and so there is a chance you may see one of our videos next week :-)

Making Effort

Sadie is not allowed on our bed. We love her dearly and if my husband had his way she would snuggle up next to me at night (and I don't like to snuggle at night!) but Sadie always manages to find her way to me and maybe it's because her Daddy is all muscle and her Momma's got a few comfy curves. Sadie sheds..a lot.. and THAT is the main reason she is not allowed on the bed- I don't like waking up with a blanket (dog hair) on me!

Recently as I am getting into bed and about to say my prayers I am distracted by the amount of hair on the bed. How can this be? She is not allowed on the bed! Our rotten little girl is sneaking up on the bed during the day and taking herself a nice nap. How do I know this? I came home the other day and she was sleeping (on the bed!!) so soundly that I didn't wake her up when I came in the door, shut the door, or dropped the groceries on the floor. I even got to take a picture before she decided to wake up. What a stinker!!A few weeks ago we went to my in-laws for a cook out before my BIL went back to Afghanistan. This is the first time I've been IN a picture in a LONG time! David & I have a session scheduled with a friend next week so when we get those pictures back I will have a reason to blog and will be sure to post some! I cannot wait for the session! That's one of the best things about being a photographer, swapping sessions!!

Our nieces & nephews with their water balloons & guns.. How fun is this picture? :) I want to put it on a canvas and place it above the fireplace.

...until next time!

New Orleans

Last month I went to New Orleans/Biloxi for a business trip.

I am not a good flyer- So on the way down I took some pills [Nerve Tonic- CVS!] that worked WONDERS and I wasn't a mess at all. [they also do NOT make you sleepy! Just...calm] However, the day we were leaving to fly back I did not feel anxious and decided I didn't NEED the pills. Big.Mistake. Halfway through the first flight I was throwing up and decided I couldn't take the 2nd connecting flight (only 30 minutes!) home so I instead paid $300, rented a car, and drove 4 hours home. What a trip. Next time I'll KNOW better than to try and play it cool. Just take the meds, Meg.

I wasn't going to lug around my big camera so I purchased a Nikon Coolpix (and i'm a CANON shooter! Gasp!) to snap a few pictures while I was there. When I got there I honestly wanted a break from shooting so I hardly pulled out my camera, however--there were a few times that I remembered this was my first time in the area and it should be documented and this is what I got:

As soon as I decide on sizes & placement I will be blowing up a few of these for the walls at home!

Listen to yourself

Those that follow me on Twitter or Facebook know that for quite a while now I have been dealing with migraines. My first one was in June of last year. I went to the doctor the next day because I had never experienced such pain. I started a new birth control, the Nuva Ring in May and had a check up sometime early July to discuss how it was going and if I had experienced any side effects. I told the Doctor (obgyn) about the migraine and the constant headaches, but he assured me it would have happened sooner if it were linked to the Nuva Ring. Over the next 9 months the migraines would become more frequent and I would have many tests done to see exactly why the migraines were always in the same spot. In March I had 2-3 a week with the final one lasting 4 days. I took every medicine I was prescribed and nothing would knock that migraine. It would go away for a little, but the pressure was still there, and I honestly didn't know how I would live my life with such constant headaches. It was very frustrating because I just wanted to know why I was getting them and even keeping a food & headache journal provided no insight on pattern.

After the 4-day migraine I had the mentality that "I don't care what you say (Neurologist, OBGYN, or Family Doctor!) it has GOT to be the birth control!" so I stopped taking it. I had a one withdrawal migraine and haven't had even the slightest headache since. I've gone headache free for a little over a month and it.is.glorious.

Now, this could all be a big coincidence and I could get more migraines in the future, but for now I'm just thankful that I decided to take action against something and for now it as worked. I've had issues with every sort of birth control I've ever taken (mostly just break through bleeding) so at this point, we're just being careful :)

(p.s. I really enjoyed the Nuva Ring, besides the whole idratherdiemigraines. Medicine effects everyone differently, i'm not saying they should ban the Nuva Ring, it just didn't work for me.)

Look what arrived { Mamarazzi's Swap!

I have been a part of a few swaps that Mamarazzi has hosted.. and this one (much like the others) was So. Much. Fun. When I got home I had a package on my door step and I knew just what it was.. :) my swap package from Random Musings!! Which is pretty neat because I actually read her blog!

Here's what she sent.. I can't wait to use it all!

1. A beaaaautiful pink pashmina scarf.
2. Four nail polishes (going to put the purplish one on tonight! We've had a touch of Spring around here and that color will be very fitting!)
3. Candy! I LOVE Swedish fish too <3 style="font-weight: bold;">candles. And a set of refills for the Glade!
5. Nail polish remover pads.. I have never used the pads- looking forward to it!
6. Loreal Voluminous Carbon Black Mascara. Now this is where it gets interesting. She sent me "the best mascara ever!" and I sent HER "the best mascara ever!" looks like there's gonna be a little battle :)
7. Lipgloss. I have already tried the Nivea.. and it's GREAT! There were actually 4 in the box but they somehow fell between the cracks when I took the picture..so here's another one:
8. Loreal Skin Genesis (Cleansing Towelettes). Guess what I JUST ran out of last night (it was a different brand though!) now I don't have to run to the store for more.. you rock!
9. (which somehow didn't make it into the picture) The cutest note cards.

This was a great swap~ Thanks SO much Musings!

Favorite things Swap-- I'm doing it, you should too!

Mamarazzi is hosting another favorite things swap! I have done a few of her swaps and they are always fabulous! Click below to see how you can join in!

Sweet cuddles!

My NIECE is HERE!

She was a little chunker.. 9.5 lbs!

John has yet to post any quality pictures (which is making me crazy!)

but we did get a few sneak peaks from his phone.

I am flying out there in 2.5 weeks and CANNOT WAIT! It's going to be 4 days of cuddles, kisses, and photographs! John is a firemen (and a pastor too!) and has some new (hasn't been in a fire!) turnout gear that he wants to incorporate in sweet Abbi's newborn session. Ideas are swirling and I'm so excited to have a couple days to do some creative shooting. I have already sent her a birthday box filled with essential goodies that a new baby needs.