my mom's a photographer too

I have 3 brothers... all of which have some sort of science degree. I pride myself in the fact that my worst subject in school was chemistry... 2 of the 3 brothers are chemistry majors... um, ya.

So thank goodness for my mom. Because she gets it. She loves photography about as much as I do. My dad too, he's the one who started it all! He taught me how to use his Minolta SLR when I was 14. I'm a good balance of the two of them I think :)

So when I decided I wanted some fall pictures with my new family (hehe :) I asked Mom to help us out! We all worked together, but I couldn't have done this without her. Thanks for these beautiful pics Mom, I am so happy!









and since this is my faaavorite of the bunch it's just gonna have to get up here twice... bw or color, I couldn't decide... I just love it :)

besties :)

Alicia and I go waaaaay back. Met in the hallways of the Elim dorm summer of 2003. We were instantly connected by a picture on her dresser of a girl I knew... and the rest is history.



We've been through a ton together... more than I have been with any of my friends. We are kindred spirits... the kind of friends who get eachother when nothing is spoken.



These pictures were taken while we were on vacation last summer 2009. The top one was the pier on Carolina Beach in Wilmington, NC the bottom was in Myrtle Beach, SC.





Truly, I couldn't ask for a better friend. I love you Alicia!!!

this is my body

I have always always always struggled with my weight.

There, I said it.

I would venture to say that most women do... especially those who've had children. Want to know what I feel most guilty about, more than anything else?

The fact that I struggle with weight and I've never carried a child.

I feel like I have no excuse.

I predict that you're thinking what I hear people say, "oh it's fine! you look great, you don't need to worry about anything..." Honestly, if you're thinking something else that's ok ;) I don't really need to hear it!

But the point is, this is a huge point of insecurity for me.

Well it hit me a few weeks ago... the fact that I do intend to have a baby one of these days... I've always intended for that... but I haven't always been in a place where that was a good plan. Now I'm married and life moves along... that day will be here sooner than I know it.

And I'm totally freaked out that if I don't do something I will just gain and gain and never lose anything as I go through child-bearing years...

I have had ups and downs for sure. I know where I'm comfortable, where I think I look fabulous... and I know where I'm very uncomfortable and think I don't looksogreat.

Now is one of those times. I mean, if I was somehow sentenced to stay the weight I'm at right now for the restofmylife, I think I could come to terms. But the fact that I have a choice to either go forward or backward, up or down, totally scares me.

Out of all the things I've done to lose weight there is only one thing that I've loved, stuck with for a long period of time and actually been effective.

Running.

But it's a love-hate relationship! I love the results, love the freedom of running but hate the getting in shape and making your body hurt part of it... blah, who doesn't.

Anyways, I started out today. Small, but enough to get me goin. I had a goal of 1.5 miles in 20 min which worked out to mostly running and a little bit of walking... I surprised myself being able to actually do it... it's been awhile lol :P

So I begin... I feel the need for accountability... or is it my need for pain... if I fail, posting what I'm doing hurts so much more. But I know what's against me and I need to just face my giants... or I might end up being one!

Here's to losing the 30 pounds I gained since last fall!

Ben and Nicole finally tie the knot!

I can hardly believe that my wedding was almost 5 months ago, but really, what's even more amazing is that at my wedding, Ben and Nicole still weren't sure that they were getting married this year. Then all of a sudden, after dating since 11th grade they made it happen :)



If I were to have had a fall wedding, this is what I would have wanted. Nicole's artistic side really showed through in every aspect of the wedding... from her asymmetrical train on her dress to having the reception in a barn. Just so beautiful!



The ceremony was held at the north end of Hemlock lake. It was windy and a bit chilly, but altogether perfect :)













The barn was transformed into a spectacular display of fall beauty with these concord grape centerpieces and old twisted vines.







So happy for you guys :)

I really did just post a happy birthday to myself

Yesterday afternoon I got home like every other day and checked the mail. It looked boring. Some stuff from State Farm, a flyer, latest Sports Illustrated... I set it down and forgot about it.

And a few minutes later I walked past the pile again and thought maybe I should give it a more thorough look-through.

Whereupon I found this.



Not only my first birthday card this year, but the first birthday card with my new married name on it :D AND it's from my new Grandma.

It's the little things that make me smile more than anything :)

love and hate

You'd think after almost 26 years of winter I would be less inclined to complain about the things I can't change.

But this year, I'm trying desperately to forget that autumn means winter is coming... and enjoy the heck out of it.

I eternally am in love with fall. The cool crisp air. The way smells travel through the air permeating the senses with a feeling of warmth even in the midst of a chilly day.

The leaves changing color is a beautiful reminder that we get a chance each year to brush ourselves off and start again new.

I love the season, hate the reminder of the dead cold winter. Winter's one redeeming quality in my book is that there is a lot of white. And I like white. Also, Christmas is in winter... but I'm a fan of hibernation January-March. Who's with me?

hot-mama photo shoot!

You might remember I mentioned a potential hot-mama shoot in the works over at lovelikethis, well it's here! The details are all worked out and I'm happy to present all you lovely ladies with a phenomenal offer.



I don't think I can emphasize enough how excited I am to do this. Crystal is a good friend of mine and will be doing all the styling for this shoot. Her services alone are worth about $100! Take into consideration that this will be done at the Woodcliff and youknowho is the photographer ;) we're talkin' amazing.

There are only 8 spots available so please contact me as soon as possible if you are interested and would like to book!

strawberry acres

one would think strawberries would be found at strawberry acres, but not this time of year! At this time of year the whole northeast is picking apples and making scrumptious apple-y baked goodness.

We are no exception.

Steve and I are at his parents' house visiting for the weekend and one of the things we planned was to pick apples and bake a pie.



this is the chop-top school bus that carts people back and forth from the orchard to the main part of the farm. Pretty fantastic huh.











These are my new in-laws! They're really great, I couldn't have asked for better second parents :)





This apple picture is one of my very favorites. I need to print it... yep, definitely print worthy



and this is the yumtastic pie that we made with the apples we picked!