Can someone tell me....

how they grow up sooooo fast!!! It's like I've blinked and she's 5 and a half going on twenty! She's hit another growth spurt and if those legs grow any longer...finding pants will be difficult. (absolutely no idea where she gets her long legs from!!!! umm yeah that would be from her Daddy because it sure isn't from me. My heart beats with joy to see the little lady she's growing up to be, but then it squeezes a little tighter at the same time to see how fast she growing and changing. Wouldn't have it any other way.

Happy December...

It's hard to believe that it's already the beginning of December. Our year has seemed to have flown by. Aaron and I were talking yesterday about how to try to enjoy this Christmas season as much as possible amid the hecticness and craziness that the holidays seem to bring with it. So we're trying to find a way to simplify and keep more of the focus on Christ. After all that is what Christmas is about...right!?!

love it...

I'm currently working on a couple set of pictures right now and I love this one of Sam and her upcoming little one...can't wait to meet her!

Just me...

I realized again this evening after going through a bunch of pictures...that I am very seldom ever in them! Anyone who knows me, knows that I would rather be behind the camera than in front of it. I really need to remedy that. I think we all are our own worst critic when it comes to how we think we look...at least I know I am. I should be more willing to be in pictures, so looking back there will be "photographic evidence" that I was here and a part of my family! Definitely need to work on this one!

Just for fun...

Unbelievably blessed...

My sister asked me for a certain picture this evening. So as I've been looking through this past years pictures I ran across these two pictures that were taken back in June the evening before Aaron had to deploy. My heart just ached when I looked at them...my two peas in a pod as I call them...to see the joy in Morgan's face as her Daddy plays with her...the security...the trust. And I realize even more how priviledged I am to have them in my life, my heart and my sunshine. Even though Aaron had to miss almost 5 months of our lives, these two are now back together with their special father and daughter bond, spending time laughing and playing again.

On a greater level, it made me think that I have such an awesome priviledge with our Heavenly Father of having that father and daughter relationship. There is such security in His arms and in His hands as He guides me and loves me. To know that He never leaves me. And even when I walk away from Him at times, He is still there waiting for me with open arms, with even more love, just waiting for me to come back to walk and talk with Him. Truly Amazing! I am so unbelievably blessed!

Enjoying...

Having Aaron home again. It's hard to believe that he's already been home a week! The week has had a few ups and downs as we adjust to being back together again as a family, but we've had a lot of laughs and smiles around here. We have also tried to take some time this week to just enjoying "being"...being ourselves...being with each other...being outside enjoying fall as much as possible with the chilly weather. I have quite a few more pictures from the week to post later, but these are two of my current favorites. Morgan's been glued to her Daddy ever since he walked in the door. It's so good to see my "two peas in a pod" together again. And Morgan was loving all the leaves falling down on her. Some due to the wind, most due to the fact that Aaron was shaking the tree!!! Enjoy!

a bit of encouragement

I think we all need and can use encouragement every day. I'm always blessed everytime I read the Incourage blog and Sarah Markley's blog (both of which are listed in the side bar of my blog.) They always have food for thought and some bit of encouragement.

As most of you know, it's always a hurry up and wait game when it comes to the military's time table- so as we have to wait for another couple of days for my other half to finally be home...I found great encouragement in this verse. "Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me." 2 Corinthians 12:9 (NLT)

I encourage each of you to find something that encourages you today and then pass it on to a friend or someone that you know needs encouragment. A little goes a long way!

Long "Winters" Nap

This cold weather has everyone in hybernation mode! These two always make me smile. Morgan crashed in the chair and Buddy decided to join her. He likes to sleep as close to her as possible. Do you think he could get any closer? Morgan named him right, her little buddy (even though he's not so little any more) Too cute!

Happy 10th Birthday Little Sister

Can't believe you're already 10 Kissy-bug. How did you get so big and grown up so fast! I remember the morning you were born. I was sooo excited to finally get to meet you. Unfortunately, I had to work the day you were born, my boss wouldn't let me off . So almost everyone got to hold you before I did. When you finally came home from the hospital, I took you to my room and we snuggled for a really long time. I marveled at how perfect you were...all 10 of your little fingers and toes. Your little nose and lips and your grey eyes. I couldn't believe that I had such a little sister. Being almost 21 years older than you, you could have passed for mine! (And some people did think that you were mine!) I love you so much little one. I'm truly sorry that we've always been stationed so far away from you, because I sure would love to be closer so that I could watch you grow up in person. I know that I'm always the big sister that lives so far away, but I'm always here for you and I love you dearly. You hold your own special place in my heart. Don't grow up too fast, enjoy being 10! I hope you have an amazing birthday filled with fun, smiles, laughter, and a few presents -of course! We all send you our love. And Morgan is ecstatic that it's your birthday! Happy 10th birthday, Carissa!

Found this

quote today by Mary Jean Iron on another blog, and I really liked it sooo I thought I'd put it on my blog as well. We've been having quite a few "normal" days around here so I thought this was a really nice perspective!

Normal day, let me be aware of the treasure you are. Let me learn from you, love you, bless you before you depart. Let me not pass you by in quest of some rare and perfect tomorrow. Let me hold you while I may, for it may not always be so. One day I shall dig my nails into the earth, or bury my face in the pillow, or stretch myself taut, or raise my hands to the sky and want, more than all the world, your return.

oh my....

It never ceases to amaze me how photogenic my daughter is. Since I hot rollered Morgan's hair for the first time today, we took a bunch of pictures just for fun today-just playing around. This is what this picture looks like coming off my camera...no editing or touch ups needed. She makes my heart stop. And somehow I don't think I'll be the only one in her life that she'll mesmerize. We're going to have our hands full when she eventually starts dating -way, way, down the road!!!! I love you so much little one you are beautiful inside and out!

Can't wait...

to meet you little Caroline...hopefully it'll be sometime next week!Alyson, I know you're more than ready to meet her too. thanks for asking me to take this picture for you!

one of my favorites...

of Kaleigh. Love this little one!

Happy Birthday...

Mom Rae!!!! We love you so much. Hope you've had a really good Birthday. Sending you a lot of hugs and kisses across the miles. Love, Cherith and Morgan

There is something about...

Fall. It's the cool weather that starts coming in and the pre-winter smell in the air. I have always loved the fall, the way the leaves change, and the beginning of wearing a little warmer clothing (but still warm enough to wear flip-flops!) I start getting the urge to bake stuff and then give it to friends (since I sure don't need to eat it all by myself.) These were the little pumpkin cakes that we baked last week and I thought they turned out really cute. Morgan was ecstatic to eat hers!

love these two...

This is one of my favorite pictures from this summer. I actually got a real smile out of my sister, Sarah, and Morgan at the same time...amazing!!!! Miss you bunches Sarah!

In a perfect world....

A babysitter would have been hired, I would have gotten a little more dressed up than usual, been taken to a really nice restaurant, and would have gotten to spend the entire evening alone with my husband in celebration of our 7th anniversary. But since it is an imperfect world, this year we are separated by over 17000 miles of land and sea due to duty and obligation. Things are imperfect and I am definitely imperfect, but in it all God has still granted his perfect grace and for that I am very thankful.
Aaron, I love you even so much more than the day I married you. You are one amazing man, and I am so blessed that you are mine. The relationship we share, the way you make me laugh (even when I'm mad at you), the laughter and life that we share, and the home and family that we have built together are precious and priceless. As cliche as it sounds, I truly married my best friend. I'm looking forward the rest of our lives together and the many anniversaries ahead. I miss you so much. I love you. Happy Anniversary!

My two peas in a pod

Mmmmm.....

Doing this whole single parent thing while your husband is away is anything but easy.  I know I have a lot to be thankful for and I am grateful.  Aaron hasn't even been gone a week and I'm already exhausted.  Life/time definitely doesn't stop regardless of the circumstances.  Being a mom is already by far the most intense non-stop work possible and of course it has it's rewards, but trying to fill two parents shoes some days, just seems impossible. Some days are definitely better than others.  So far the only thing that has blown up has been my rather expensive blow dryer (and I do mean that it literally blew up while drying Morgan's hair!  and her response was "that didn't sound good Mama, I think it's broken!")  I would like to think and hope that that will be the only thing that will blow up over this TDY......hopefully!!!! Only time will tell.

Tonight...

was our monthly squadron spouses meeting and we hosted it at our house this month.  As always it was good food and company.  Thank- you to all of you who were able to come...it was good to see you again.  An incredibly huge thanks to my wonderful husband who lovingly put up with my stress and helped with whatever needed to be done, my sister who was invaluable in the kitchen with the food and cleaning, and to Amy for bringing over two large pots of coffee.  I'm not usually one to host larger get-togethers, but it was good to step out of my comfort zone and do something different.  And I must say that it felt good to get some "spring/deep" cleaning done in preparation for it.  Now to sit down with a cup of coffee and relax for a few minutes! 

A beautiful evening...

An unplanned baseball game took place in our backyard this evening- kid style- and it was great! Morgan wanted to play with her new bat and ball which in turn ended up attracting some of our neighbor's children and a couple parents. It was so much fun just to watch them play and of course the dad's went easy on them so they could run the bases! I love it when the weather gets warmer!

For those of you who have been wondering...

what I've been painting and up to the past couple of weeks...well here you go! Below is our closet at its worse. This house has the smallest closets of any place that we've lived so far and the fact that Aaron and I have to share a closet makes it even more interesting! So the first 2 pics are of the messy closet and half of the mess dumped out on my bed so we could work in the closet!

After pulling out the old shelves and rods we had to patch the walls, sand, and then paint -and here is Aaron after sanding the spackling in our closet...you would have thought that there was a dust storm in our room!

And finally after 4 days of a complete and total mess- here is the finished closet...it is so nice to be able to actually walk in and find what you're looking for! Aaron calls it his superman closet because there's actually room to changed in there! And we actually have done Morgan's closet and the office closet, so they're functioning spaces too-thank goodness!

Yes I love shoes! this is only half of them...the rest of them are hanging on the back of the closet door!(they're just not in the picture!)

And our room restored back to functioning order!

Then here's a little sneak peak at the office which is almost done...still working on the window trim. Yeah, being a southern girl, I really like white trim work in houses, so after 2 years I decided that I didn't really want to live with the wood trim work in our house so I've begun painting it room by room (It's a royal pain, but worth it) The green is a little softer in person. (And since someone asked me what the color was...it's jalapeno pepper by Benjamin Moore Paints picked by Pottery Barn for the Fall pallete.)

And I finally finish painting Morgan's bathroom tonight. The yellow is softer than the picture shows. It turned out nice. So that among other things is what we've been up to over the past couple of weeks!

He lives!

This verse and chorus from a hymn has been running through my head this evening, so I thought I'd share it.
"I serve a risen Savior. He's in the world today. I know that He is living whatever men may say. I see His hand of mercy, I hear His voice of cheer, and just the time I need Him, He's always near. He Lives...He Lives...Christ Jesus lives today. He walks with me and talks with me along lifes narrow way. He Lives...He Lives...Salvation to impart. You ask me how I know He lives, He lives within my heart. "

What an amazing gift that God gave to us through is Son, Jesus, the gift of eternal life. And how amazing to serve our risen Lord. I'm so thankful that He is Risen!

90% done...

with my office. For the first time in 4 weeks I can see the entire floor of my office. The walls are painted, the trim work is painted white, the closet has been updated with awesome shelving, and almost everything has been organized and put in place. The few things left are painting the window and window ledge white, installing bi-folding doors, hanging the blind, and putting some more artwork on the walls. I can't wait. For the first time, I can finally say I have a room that is all my own -sanctuary- in which to create to my heart's desire! I will gladly post pictures when it is 100% done! (Now if only the rest of the house was this put together!!!)

Spring????!

ok so the only sign of spring around here is the completely opened tulips on my kitchen table...did I mention that they are in a vase of H2O?! It was actually cold enough again today that it tried to snow-even if it was just a little and it didn't stick. This should be spring with flowers blooming and the world starting to turn from grey to green. And the sun should be in it's full glory-shining all the time!!! ok, so it was a dull drab day here. Maybe tomorrow will start to look like spring...I'm ready to plant flowers in my planter outside...real flowers with roots!

The Airforce Ball...

this is my favorite picture from the ball Saturday night. We had a really nice time...will post more pictures later on in the week. (I think we both clean up alright...what do you think?)

A beautiful day...

Both yesterday and today have been absolutely beautiful weather. It's amazing how sunshine creates energy and really happy people around here. Yesterday I opened all the upstairs windows and a few minutes later I found Morgan sitting in her window singing to the neighborhood and her doll. Too Cute. Now if only spring would just decide to stay!

Congratulations....

little sister for making the front page of the Valdosta Daily Times! I'm so proud of you and happy for you. Ok ...so it's my right as an older sister to do a little bragging! Love you Kissy-bug!

A favorite place...

Like everyone else here....I'm so done with winter and the bitter cold, the crazy weather that will be 60 degrees one day and then below freezing the next....it's insane. As most of you know I was born, bred and raised in the deep south and I do miss it!-especially the warmth and beaches!.. So I thought I would post these pictures that I took in December in St. Augustine,FL. This town has a very special place in my heart and I always enjoy spending time there. I love the lighthouse...not all that crazy about climbing the 8 stories of stairs due to the fact that you can see through them down to the bottom, but I do love the view from the top. So I thought everyone could use a bit of sunshine today! Oh and just to let you know, when I took these pictures it was a beautiful, balmy 73 degrees that day in the middle of December! Spring hurry up and get here!

aaaaahhhhhhhh.....

Ok so I had no idea how hard it would be to find a song for my website. Due to licensing and copyright, you can't use just any song that you like...you know the ones that you hear on the radio or off of your favorite cd...no you have to listen to hundreds of clips off of royalty free music web sites in an attempt to find one that you like...and then you still have to pay for it. After listening to music all afternoon, they all start sounding the same. gggrrrrr. Ok, just needed to vent, now I'm off to cook dinner. yeah.

website is on the way.....possible logo!

I have finally sat down and started working on my photography website, and it's going pretty good...it's extremely time consuming. I'm really excited about it and I'll be posting the link for the website when it's up and running.

saturdays...

Today has been a relatively quiet and uneventful day= a really good day! Morgan's still getting over this cold mess that absolutely refuses to let go. I'm so ready for spring!!!! I'm beyond done with the crazy weather around here. This week I'm suddenly in the mood to sew...so there's been a small pile of fabric accumulating in the office around my sewing machine. Trying a few new different things and it's been fun. I frequently have the urge to do something creative, and so sewing it is for right now! lol It's been a good week catching up with friends via phone and e-mail, and then we had our good friends Jay and Jessica and Emily come and stay with us for a week. Hope you all have a great Sunday! Goodnight!

seriously...seriously!!!!!!

Ok, I know I'm not alone in this....but tell me why, why, why, why, why, is it that everytime my husband walks out the door for a TDY that things just fall apart! Aaron hadn't even been gone 24hours and both Morgan and I are sick, running fevers and coughing our heads off! And then bless our neighbor, Ryan, (who said it would be no problem to bring Aaron's truck home from the base since I couldn't drop Aaron off yesterday morning due to being sick,) who hit a patch of snow/ice only a mile from our house and hit the curb which resulted in a flat tire. So now the poor guy has spent his day trying to get the situation resolved, since the jack for the truck won't work to get the tire off! I feel so bad that something that should have been so simple for him has turned into such a mess! Heaven help me when Aaron has to be gone for 4+ months later on this year! Now, I have to make a quick run to Target to pick up some soup, gatorade and some cat food, definitely an interesting combination. I think I'm going to make " I Will Survive" my theme song for this year!!!

I know, I know....

I seriously need to catch up on some blogging! Sorry everyone! We really weren't home much throughout the holidays! We left for GA Dec. 10th to visit my family and to be home for my mom's wedding. It was a non-stop week, but it was fun to see everyone and spend some time with my sisters and grandparents. Aaron graciously watched Morgan and my little sister who's nine, so Sarah and I could do some shopping and errands. My grandmama retaught me how to crochet again which I picked up easily and then she tried to teach me how to knit ...I still can't seem to get the hang of it. But since then, I've crochet 3 scarves and have started on 2 throws, and so now the yarn section in hobby lobby now calls to me too! Poor Aaron! Anyway we got home right before Christmas. Aaron finished his 2opage paper for a Masters class and I finished edited a photography session. We had a nice quite Christmas day here, repacked our suitcases again and headed off to my in-laws in Mo (along with 1 kid and 2 cats in the car!) the day after Christmas. We had a really nice time, ate more food than I ever care to see again, and finally got to meet our 2 little nieces for the first time. I have to say that I fell in love with them and I fell in love with being an aunt! Both Evelyn and Brianne are precious, and it was wonderful to get some baby snuggle time. Needless to say both my sister-in-law and my brother-in-law are seriously sleep deprived, but they are doing an amazing job with both of them. It's hard to believe that they'll be 12 weeks on the 14th. I was also priviledged to be able to take their pictures, so I'll be posting some soon. We finally returned home this past Sunday the 4th and started back to the everyday rat race on Monday. So this week has been a catch up week as far as laundry, unpacking, sleep, grocery shopping, etc. And I still have to take down our 2 Christmas trees!! It will eventually all get done! I'll have a lot of pictures to post in the next couple of days, so stay tuned!