:: i {heart} faces photo challenge - framed ::

...it's been quite a while since I entered one of these great i heart faces photo challenges. When I read what the theme is this week (framed), I knew exactly the picture I wanted to use. Enjoy!!

iheartfaces

I am 41...

...this is not new. It's been this way for 2 months now. On a day when I'm feeling less than positive, I figured I should sit down and write...something I haven't done in a really long time. I am 41. I have wrinkles and gray hair (which gets colored quite often!!), aches and pains that never used to be there, a body that is taking on a shape that I'm not familiar with, and skin that is not as glowing as it once was. I am 41. My brain seems to take mini vacations at times, scaring the daylights out of me since my grandmother was afflicted with Alzheimer's. I worry about things that could happen to me...cancer, heart attack, aneurysm...you know, the light stuff. I have a teenager who will soon be driving, mortgages and bills and so many responsibilities that at times it's nothing but overwhelming. I am 41.

{PERSPECTIVE}

I am 41. I am able to see another year. I am not fighting a horrible illness. I am physically able to get out of bed every morning. I have family and friends who I adore. I have a job that brings me so much joy. I am 41. I am proud of my kindness and empathy for others. I am helping to raise an amazing child who also possesses that same level of kindness. I have saved animals, helped friends and strangers, and championed causes which I find important. I have seen the Grand Canyon, lived in Alaska, traveled to England, white water rafted down the Snake River, gone to two playoff football games and one playoff baseball game (those who know me, know that my love of sports borders on obsession). I have seen the Magna Carta in person, stood in front of and pondered the beauty and questions of Stonehenge, and walked on the hallowed grounds of Gettysburg. I have been with the same person since I was 23 years old and been a mom since I was 25. I get to witness this amazing boy turn into a young man and will hopefully be around to see so many wonderful things that I wish for him in his life. I have a roof over my head, food in my refrigerator, and clothes on my back. I am 41.

It's so easy to get caught up in what seems to be the drudgery of every day. And sometimes we need those days of blah to right ourselves again. It's okay to feel what you're feeling, but you must also be aware of the blessings that you have and keep it all in perspective.

I AM 41

:: October Wedding Extravaganza(s) ::

...October was THE busiest month I've ever had. Ever. How great is that??? In the craziness of senior pictures, single parenting and baseball games were 3 weddings. 3 weddings within a week of each other. Saturday, Sunday, Saturday. THAT was insanity. It was exhausting and wonderful all wrapped in one. Not sure that I'll ever schedule 2 weddings in one weekend again, but I really love these couples so there really wasn't a choice to be made this time. So as not to inundate you with 20 pictures from each wedding, I've chosen a few from each to share...I hope you enjoy!

:: Cameran & Ryan ::

:: Kimberly & Tom ::

:: Laurie & Joe ::

:: SURPRISE ::

...bet you'd forgotten that I actually have a blog! It's been an absolutely INSANE fall. As most of you know, my husband was deployed in early May to Kuwait/Afghanistan...it was 6 challenging months, but he returned last week unscathed and happy to be home. This fall, actually starting in August, proved to be my busiest season ever...which is wonderful, but also difficult while trying to be a decent single parent...hence, no blog. It's still pretty crazy busy for me, but I feel the need to start getting things back to the way they were...updating you all with the goings on around here, whether you like it or not :)

So here is round one of my update...next round will be my fall weddings! 3 within a week of each other...makes me tired just thinking about it! Thank you for sticking with me through this difficult yet wonderful fall...I truly appreciate it.

:: {H} family goodness ::

...I truly have the best job. No lie! Think about it...I get to take pictures (which I love) of truly interesting and wonderful people. And 99.9% of the time the pictures are of happy occasions. What could be bad about that??? I'm not going to lie - it can be a lot of work and it is taxing on my poor, old body, but it's still fantastic. There really is no better feeling than making someone happy with something that you did. That makes the sore back, the creaking knees and the cramped hands well worth it. I love my job and I hope to be doing it for a long time to come.

So on to yet another favorite family...you may remember this picture perfect family from Christmas time. I've had SO many comments on the adorable Christmas baby...well, she's 1 now! Crazy how fast that goes. I went back down to the city to document this new stage in their lives which, with a 1 year old, meant a flurry of pics and running around and then a lot of chatting because she was done. Don't get me wrong...she was fantastic! But what 1 year old wants to sit around and deal with the likes of me? She's walking now...she's got far more important things to attend to. I was a bit of an overstay-er because I so enjoy catching up with her parents. Like I said...I meet the best people!

On a side note, I think I mentioned this in their previous blog, but this wonderful Mom has a GREAT blog with tons of DIY projects and recipes and just fun stories. You should totally check it out!
Click on this to get to it --->  It's a Baltimore Life

"I THINK I like this...maybe"

it was WAY too hot to stay outside!!

ruffle butt =)

here's what I love about this photo...you can see Dad in the mirror jumping up from behind a chair to make his girls giggle

I had to put this one in...LOVE the death stare!!!

:: me time ::

...definitely something we don't get enough of...any of us. This deployment is difficult. It's lonely. It's scary. It's frustrating. And while it would seem as though I'm alone A LOT, there's something different about going away to be alone. No phones, no pets to feed, nobody needing you for something...just ME. My son has been visiting my inlaws for the past few weeks so I decided to pull the trigger and go away...even if for just a few days. I boarded the dogs, my wonderful neighbor/friend took care of the cats and the bunny, I packed my car and off I went. Don't worry...I did plan ahead and reserve myself a room. I wasn't THAT spontaneous. 

I have a deep love for New England...in particular, seaside New England towns. I will live up there someday...I'm not sure where...but I will definitely live up there. I set my sights for Mystic, Connecticut. Being the child of the 80s that I am, I've wanted to go there since I saw the movie Mystic Pizza. Corny, I know. I can now say that I am in love with this town. It's quaint and beautiful and full of interesting and wonderful characters. No phones...no pets...no kids...no spouse...a lot of me. I feel at home in the salty air. A peace comes over me that I cannot begin to explain. I will live on the New England coast...mark my words. It is inevitable.

This was where I stayed...highly recommend, although be aware that it is right next to the drawbridge which has a crazy loud whistle when it's getting ready to go up or down...the good thing is that it's not too bad from inside and it doesn't go through the night

I love the dog at the front of the boat

ummm...okay

I do love details!!

Mystic Seaport had a 4th of July parade

I need one!

I love the period costumes

I met this wonderful couple who own a bakery in Mystic. They are from Iran and this is his dream...he has worked 7 days a week for the last nine years! His wife helps out more on the business end but is also a PhD Chemist. Wonderful and incredibly interesting pair. If you're ever in Mystic, stop by the Lighthouse Bakery

ahhh...the drawbridge. It's actually pretty cool to watch

waiting for the drawbridge to lower

yep...it does exist!

cool and interesting shops

yep...the ice cream WAS amazing...although I didn't get the Smurf flavor

I love old cemeteries

I could live here!!

many of the houses had plaques like this to indicate what year they were built and who lived there or built it

:: OpLove | Homecoming ::

...oh poor, sad, neglected blog. I apologize for my absence...inexcusable! But I'm here now, so that should at least count for something. 

I had another wonderful homecoming today for Operation: Love ReUnited. What an amazing family!! The little one is only 11 months old and she did SUCH a great job. We arrived an hour early and the flight was an hour late...that's a whole lot of waiting when you're not even a year old. They are truly a picture perfect family and, like all of the others, I'm so lucky to have met them. 

Welcome home Major Dad  

(and happy birthday Mama! What a perfect birthday present!!)

Thank you all for the sacrifices you have made for the rest of us.

stunning

a beauty just like her mama

F.O.T.S = father of the soldier

waiting is SO hard...but peek-a-boo with grandpa helps!

L.O.V.E.

Hey...I know you!

Daddy's funny!

**The photos and other content of this publication do not constitute or imply any endorsement or recommendation by the Department of Defense**