Its Mobile Monday…. and a very special shout out to my one KNOWN reader Annetta B- who always shows these posts love on FB (not watch, today will be the only day she doesn’t read the MM post because I shouted her out-LOL).
Last week was a ton of fun….
We started our week off with a visit from the amazing Karen Stott, photographer extraordinaire and creator of Pursuit 31, a forum for woman photographers who encourage and support each other while making God their priority both in their homes and businesses. I had been following Karen for a couple months and we became instant friends, well we took our online friendship to the next level as we spent two days on a old school slumber party, complete with snacks, giggles, a little bit of cuddling and a few tears (on my part). I absolutely love Karen- her heart is pure and the call on her life and her family’s is amazing. I am honored to know her from afar and feel blessed to call her one of my newest friends. While Karen was here we took her to Glass Museum-it was so excited to watch her face light up as surprises lay around every corner. If you have NEVER visited Tacoma’s Chihuly Glass Museum, you definitely need to add that to your bucket list. Recently our good friend’s Matt + Kristal took us to happy hour at Stanley + Seaforts- and we talked about it for days….. just think how happy we were when we were able to take Karen last week as our guest- you can only imagine how excited we are to host the next person who comes thru town- you can count on a visit to Stanleys!
I also did a bit of traveling this week and head to Boise Idaho for a quick surprise visit to one of my friends and one of our 2011 brides. Late last year as we were building our Facebook fan page, I noticed posts from a beautiful woman out of Idaho with the most striking blue eyes. I remember wondering who she was and how she found us and why she was a photographer when she could easily be a model. After weeks of FB posting, we took our conversations to Skype and then she came for a visit. Another sleepover situation, led to our trip to Vegas at WPPI, her hiring Isaiah and I to be her wedding photographer and a very close friendship. My dear friend Annie and I have walked this photography owner self employment thing out day to day the last six months. When I say day to day… I’m not talking a couple of times a week and a few prayers- I’m talking day to day, hours of company as we wake up everyday and meet at our computers to Skype thru our work days. She is my co-worker, the person I bounce ideas off of, my confidant. We eat lunch together, we encourage each other, cry together and push each other to be better. Annie is the 3rd member of the LHP team based in Idaho WA and I know that she feels the same about me when it comes to her business. As her bridesmaids were prepping for her bridal shower, a tea party theme, they contacted me and asked if I would be willing to surprise Annie and to show up. They talked about how valued I was in Annie’s life and how they knew it wouldnt be complete if I didnt show up. I am so thankful for her good friends who admire the good friends in Annie’s life and I am so thankful for the opportunity to finally rock Annie’s world and meet all the people who make her who she is. I flew into Boise Saturday morning and surprised my sweet friend. With my summer dress and tea party hat she screamed when she saw me and it so validated this bond we have. When I got to the airport that morning, one of her best friends Sonia was carrying a sign “Nikon Gangsta” so that I would know who she was… as I made my way down the escalator I screamed with excitement at how clever and thoughtful she was. Needless to say, all of Annie’s friends ARE NOW my friends too and I am even more thankful for her then I was before.
We closed our weekend with our small group, called CONNECT from our church, we laughed and celebrated birthdays and prayed together and made ice cream sundaes, because really, what’s better on a Sunday then sundaes??!
Every week as I write these posts- I become more and more thankful for a life that is full of abundance. Even in trial, even in frusturation, even in disappointments (because there are plenty of those too) God is faithful in delivering new mercies and putting it all in perspective. We get challenged. We get hurt… it isnt all sunshine and rainbows, but every Monday I get reminded of how good it really really is. Even if no one reads these posts (although we know Annetta does) I am thankful for them- its just what I need for a life check.
Thank you for reading my post! Until next time.
