greener pastures?

What a crazy week and a half! I don't even know where to begin! I started my new job last Monday. That seems like it was two months ago! I am really unsure if it will work out. I usually have a great intuition about things and a great determination to "make it work," as Tim Gunn would say. I think my hunch on this one may have been totally wrong! I don't even know what to do about it. All I can do is keep looking and pray that God gives me direction on this. I have already learned a great lesson that maybe I'm not so smart after all and I have a long way to go before I know it all! There I said it! {That hurts!}

I have always been an advocate of "the grass isn't always greener on the other side" mentality. But, sometimes you just have to take a risk. You never know until you jump in with both feet. Well, I know that my feet need to keep looking and I need prayers for another opportunity to come my way. And, in case you're in the area, I am taking any and all photography appointments! I'd love to make that my full time job! So, it starts here!

Love to you all! I pray many blessings for you!

anne's first date

Anne Pea is now 14 years old! I can't believe my baby girl is fourteen! She is such an awesome girlie; I can't even begin to tell you how amazing she is. She has this magnetic personality. Every one loves her; she is just stunningly beautiful inside and out. I am so blessed to be the momma to this glorious creature!

King Pea and I started a small tradition in our family {I say small because we only have two girlies}. On their 14th birthdays, Dad took our girls on their first date. Like a real date with flowers, suit and tie, a fancy dress, a beautiful restaurant, dessert, jewelry...the whole nine yards. It's so neat for me to let him take over their celebration! I just get to take photos and leave the rest up to him!

The time will soon come that someone else will be taking them on dates. I don't like to think about it too often (yikes!), but I know the time is coming. They now know how they should be treated on a date; with respect and love. It doesn't have to be expensive; it's not about the money. It's about how they're treated. And they better be treated well!

For each one, we gave them a James Avery ring. Nothing super fancy or expensive. They're not necessarily purity rings; just symbols of our commitment to make them realize they are loved unconditionally by us and they deserve only the best life has to offer. It's a symbol of our hope that they stay true to themselves, respect themselves, and make good choices for themselves. Abby Pea actually considers hers a purity ring and she is proud of it. Anne Pea doesn't and that's okay. It's just her ring that her dad gave her with love. And every time she looks at it, she'll reflect on that.

I now have two little women in my house. It's a blessing, but I don't want to let them go in a few short years! Time flies when you're having fun....

Happy birthday, my darling Anne Lauren. You are loved more than you know. May God bless your life always. 

big week ahead!

Yesterday was my last day at Geomap Company. I have a new job that starts Monday morning! I am definitely excited and nervous! It's hard for me to change, so this is a pretty big deal. Queen Pea is moving up! Pray for me (and the family) during this big change!

So, speaking of a big week, our baby girl is turning {FOURTEEN YEARS OLD}!!! Yes, you read that correctly! 14! I don't know how this has happened! Anne Pea is such an awesome girlie and I can't tell you how blessed we are to have her in our lives! You will see photos on her big day!

I also have a photo shoot for a sweet, special family tomorrow! I am excited to photograph this family in beautiful Waxahachie!

Last week was also a pretty big week. Abby Pea performed at another *winning* football game! The Marquettes were amazing as always! I knew they were good before, but seeing the other drill teams compared to the Marquettes...well, there just is no comparison! I was able to get a press pass and got some photos from the field. That was a pretty awesome experience! Hopefully, the pics were good enough that I'll get to do it again!

See the McKinney Marquettes website here! It has photos, information and the game schedule.

we're back!

Our first week of school was hectic, scary and fun all at the same time. Getting our wacky schedules coordinated has definitely been a task! These peas are everywhere!

Anne Pea started her cross country practices this week. Last year she was gung-ho for cross country and this year, well, her enthusiasm is lackluster. I think it's because they lost their amazing coach after last season (even I miss you, Coach Martin!). Hopefully, once the meets get going, her competitive spirit will kick in to overdrive! Even though the meets are on Saturday mornings, early, they really are so much fun! She's also in yearbook and band this year. {She has a few actual classes, too, I think.} Overall, she's having a blast! She said she knew it would be a great year when she walked into lunch the first day and her friends were saving her seat for her from last year! :)

Abby Pea is a sophomore in high school! {Yes, you can all gasp!} Her livelihood is still dance, but this year it's with the Marquettes! McKinney High had a football game on Friday and it was so much fun to see her down on the field! They are really awesome and a great group of girlie peas! The game itself was a blast! McKinney High won their first game in over a year! I was so excited for them! My throat was sore the next morning from all the cheering! I can't wait for the game next week!

Of course, I had to take a few photos (okay, more like 100)! By the time I actually found Abby on the field, their performance was almost over! But, there are only about 10 more games left to go! :)

Here's a little pea-k!

She's in there somewhere!

This is Lauren Em, the Captain! She's also Abby's Big Sis! We're pretty proud that out of all the girls, she chose Abby to be her Little Sis! Huge honor!

I could watch her all day! Although, I did most of my watching through the camera lens. I think I'll have Anne Pea video the next performance so I can see it later!

"New Year, New Record!" And they started it off right!

Even sitting in the stands they are in sync and precise. Very cool!

I'll give you ten points if you can find her! :)

Dancing in the stands to the band was her favorite! You could tell by the look on her face! They were having a blast! (It probably helps when your team is winning!)

See?! We won! :)