Family Photo Shoot: The Not-So Newlyweds

This past weekend we had a family photo shoot. It consisted of me setting my camera on a tripod and running back and forth to try to capture a somewhat appropriate picture of my family. And to top it all off, I made us coordinate our outfits.

Take that, siblings.

In theory, a family photo session is an excellent idea. Your goal is to capture a moment (or an hour) in time that you hope to cherish for years to come.

In reality, it is like herding cats who argue with you.

All you really want is one solitary photo that will make your family appear almost normal. Sometimes, that is just too much to ask.

Thankfully, this weekend we got our stuff together and made it work. It was nothing short of a minor miracle.

Throughout this week, I'll show you some of the obnoxious precious moments we captured for all eternity.

Exhibit A: The Not-So Newlyweds

Yesterday was their first anniversary. Aren't they adorable?

I know. It's ridiculous how happy they are.

So stinking happy.

Blech.

However...something was lurking in the shadows.

A stealth photo bomber was creeping in on their love fest.

 And...*BOOM!*

Photo bombed.

Totally worth the chaos.

My Fall Fashion from Pinterest

Pinterest is a virtual gold mine of ideas and inspirations this time of year. I find that any time the seasons change, I spend hours sifting through recipes, decorations and fashion trends.

Pinterest is also an excellent time waster and a perfect distraction when you are waiting for your online pseudo-boyfriends to cyber smile at you for the fifteenth time.

So, here are some of my latest finds in the fashion world. As you can see, I love feminine details, sparkle, and tailored clothing. I also love something funky thrown in, just to keep things unpredictable.

What are you loving from Pinterest these days?

Oh, and HAPPY FRIDAY!

A Real Cowgirl

Last week, my friend Majil introduced me to a real, live cowgirl (as opposed to a fake, live cowgirl). She wore boots that were not bedazzled and were used for more than just line dancing. And she threw words around like "round pen" and "tack room" and "manure removal."

In other words, she spoke my language.

SIDE NOTE: I also speak "shoes," "homemade baked goods," and "international travel." But that is neither here nor there.

Majil and I listened and absorbed every word she said. I became her instant fan and secretly wished we could go home with her and sleep in her barn. Instead, she invited us down to her ranch next week to meet her horses.

Formal introductions are a must in the horse world.

When Majil and I went to Argentina four years ago, we spent an entire day riding horses on the Pampas. I sang "Oklahoma" at the top of my lungs and Majil petted their pet water buffalo named Tito. Obviously, it was magical.

Our wrangler was named Alejandro, of course, and was every bit as gorgeous as you can imagine. And I did my absolute best to flirt with him. However, we both realized it could never go anywhere since I had to leave by 3:00 that afternoon.

The three of us rode for hours, across the plains, through the trees, and I remember thinking that life could not get better than this (unless, of course, I was actually dating Alejandro and he brought cookies for a snack).

Horses are something you breathe in and never breathe out. Trust me, that is not a weird sentence.

Many of you may not know this, but I owned a horse at one time. For a brief, shining time in my life, I, too, was a real cowgirl. My horse's name was Honey and she was a registered Quarter Horse and a register Buckskin (for those who speak horse). She was a long-awaited surprise and I loved her immediately.

Don't judge my perm. It was 1991. Totally legit.

I had grown up taking riding lessons and finding any opportunity available to be around horses. I love their smell. Love their ears. Love their soft noses. Love their spirit.

So, it was a wonderful, fantastic surprise to meet someone who feels the same way Majil and I do and can actually breathe them in for a living.

Our new cowgirl friend is starting a ministry on her ranch where she rescues horses from abuse and neglect and pairs them with children who have experienced hurt or loss. In a way, they help to rehabilitate each other. And in the middle of all of it, you see powerful analogies of how God has rescued us and is in the process of rehabilitating us back to Himself.

It is brilliant.

And horsey.

And just exactly where I should be on the weekends.

 Now all we need is Alejandro. And cookies.

The Weight of October

October carries a lot of weight in my world. It is filled to the brim with memories and milestones and days you wish you could relive and others you wish you could forget.

October is like a very large speed bump on the calendar. If you approach it too quickly and do not take your time to get through it, you may come out on the other side battered and bruised, and probably without a  muffler.

October can make you dance like a lunatic. It can also make you sleep for days. It is just that kind of month.

***
First, there is the celebration of Claire and Carr. I cannot believe they have almost been married a year! I am pretty sure my little sister should still be in 7th grade, but she is actually quite adult-like and living a blissful married life with the man of her dreams. They are such a beautiful couple. They love each other in ways I have never seen. And after nearly 12 months of wedded-ness, they still hold hands even when sitting on the couch.

I have a feeling they will be like this for the rest of their lives. Some couples are just like that, they need to be near each other always.

It is breathtaking to watch when I am not totally annoyed mesmerized by it.

***

And then there is my Grandpa. I had a dream about him last night. I do not remember the details but I remember he was there and I was at his house and life was simpler. My world was safer. My heart was lighter. I do not understand how some people can have that effect on you. Their mere presence in the world anchors your soul, mind and heart. In a way, they are your home. He was that way for all of us. He equaled home, a love-filled, laughter-brimmed home.

On October 20, it will have been two years since he left this earth for something unbelievably better.

Now he is home.

***

Finally, there is that Monday.

That Monday in the courtroom, surrounded by friends who held our hands and prayed like warriors. That Monday where the judge read the verdict and I sucked in my breath and my brother squeezed the fingers on my left hand. That Monday where my mom and I drove his truck home without him and I could have sworn that God had abandoned us and let the enemy win.

That Monday where my head and heart both screamed but my soul remained silent.

That Monday where God whispered:
"Oh, the plans I have for you, my child.
I have not left you. I have not left them.
I am right here, sitting right next to you, squeezing the fingers on your right hand.
I am working on something that is bigger than you.
Something that will change you for the better.
Something that will draw you closer to me.
Something that screams of my unbelievable love for you.
I am fighting hard for you, my daughter.
I am fighting hard for all of you. 
Trust me in this.
I am trustworthy."

I am just now hearing this. He has been here all along.

We have come a long way since that Monday.

***

Oh, the magnificent weight of October.

Wedding Marathon Anniversary

Can you believe a year ago we were here?

And that resulted in a 10-day marathon of epic proportions that still boggles the mind and makes me want to take a nap.

Holy matrimony.

Time flies really, really fast.

Thankfully, the outcome was blissful.

They still look like this, by the way. All dreamy and lovey-dovey.

However, they have moved on to stretchy pants and sweatshirts.

So romantic.

In Other News

I am happy to report that the fire drill went off without a hitch or an actual fire. No cats were thrown into the ceiling tiles, no vending machines were vandalized and no overhead projectors were thrown out windows.

It was civilized, underwhelming and safe, which is kind of what my hair looks like today.

I would also like to report to you that very little action has occurred in the online dating world. While my handlers are hard at work, the pickings are slim. Some may call this "picky," but I call this long-term mental health. I only decided to do this for a month and we are almost half-way through, but here is hoping that things will pick up. I could really use a free cup of coffee.

Do you want to hear something awesome? Of course you do! My brother is taking my darling nephew to Disney World for his fall break. They left today. Oh, how glorious it is to be seven years-old.

Back in May, I posted this picture of the view out of my office window. I was a little bummed that they decided to build something directly in front of my view of the mountains but hopeful it would only be a parking lot or something low to the ground.

I was wrong.

Today, my view looks like this:

I realize this is a first-world problem, but now I have nothing but building material to look at when I decide to be less productive at work.

And lastly, to all those who do not live in the Denver area, be very thankful. The presidential debate tonight is being held at my alma mater and let's just say that traffic is going to be less than stellar. On the news last night, I saw someone driving on the sidewalk because they could not get to their house.

Really, political people? Do you think shutting down our major highways is going to get us to vote for you?

I am rooting for everyone to work from home this afternoon and for both campaigns to pay for ice cream for the entire city.

That only seems fair.

Fire Drill

On Monday nights, I help teach a Bible study to high school students.

And tonight we are having a fire drill.

Let's hope it looks nothing like this.