Lunching in Cars with Books

Somedays I like to go by and pick up a salad for lunch, go to a parking lot near work (often in front of Joann's and behind Olive Garden :)) and read. I only get a single itty bitty hour for lunch. Why is it some hours DRAG by while your lunch  hour flies on a rocket ship at wharp speeed?! Anyway on some days I would rather save the gas driving home and grab a quick meal and a good book. I don't like to be at the office if I absolutely do not have to be so a parking lot seems to be my resting place some days.

Today after waking up an houra and a half earlier to get three kids off to school on time I was too tired to do anymore driving than neccesary. I found myself at Rosa's for a nacho salad and a parking lot with my new book in hand.

Drew think's it is dangerous for me to be in a parking lot alone in a car, but I always lock my doors and am always surrounded by busy people coming and going from the shops whose parking lots I am borrowing.'

It is incredibly refreshing to sit, alone, usually completely uninterrupted for an hour a day. It reminds me of the feeling I had when I went to the movies by myself. Sometimes I just need to be reminded that I can do anything I want all by myself.

I have been on a book scour ever since finishing Bossypants. I tried to get into another Emily Giffin book but it just was not there for me. I went to Hastings the other day to see what they had going on and came across a book that my Nana has been reccomnending to me...
 it is a story about a 50 something woman's progression with Early Onset Alzheimer's... sound familiar?!  Nana found this book to be very inciteful and hopeful so I picked it up on sale.

However I am headed to the lake this weekend and did not want to spend my weekend in a ball of tears (I save that for my nights) so I came across a lovely Nora Roberts book (also on sale)...


 promsing to be romantic and light hearted... and the main character is a wedding photographer, just what I am looking for to relax with.

Tonight I am making chicken and rice for the kiddos and Kelsey and I are off to her Cheer Texas meeting!

update

I was called out for my lack of blogging this morning, (or last night, still not sure what time) from my sweet friend in Africa. THANKS WHITNEY!

This past week and coming weeks have been NIZUTS! I have shot weddings the last two weekends and am so excited with the new photos. Everywedding brings new challenges and allows for more learning. This past weekend a precious couple was married and I loved their enthusiasm while taking their photos.... Pictures to come soon!

(iphone picture from Starlight Wedding Saturday night)

I was suprised last Friday by a call from my Nana telling me they have a house here in Amarillo. Let me prefacee this by saying, that I often look at my family and am in such awe of the giving spirit that is spread throughout. We are the most tightknit group of people, sometimes we don't get along, but I am continually blessed by the immensity of Love that is shared. I have never seen another huge, extended massive family that keeps in such close contact as ours. Blessed! Well one particular amazing member of our family decided to purchase a house that was up for auction as an investment, and guess who gets to live in it.... My MOM and NANA! Upon hearing the news that they had a Home here in Amarillo, they hopped in the car and were here the next day to see their new digs. It is such a blessing for them to have their own place to live and for them to be FINALLY here close to a group of people to help keep them active and allow them space. God is Good! The best part is they could be in it within the next two weeks!!

It is true though that whenever one area of your life starts to get figured out, the puzzle pieces start falling into place, the rest all falls apart. Last night I was faced with someother challenges that I had an incling was coming but goodness it was like a typhoon. I am not quite ready to discuss details but am praying that God will help with my anxieties and remind me that HE IS IN CONTROL!

This week I am staying at My Aunt Tammy's house watching  Kelsey, Max and Emmee while their moms are in VEGAS celebrating Rhonda's 50th. It is going to be a very busy week but I am excited to get to hang out with them for a little while. Their mom's will come home Friday night just in time for me to pack some lake outfits and Drew and I will drive to Lake Texoma Saturday to spend Labor day with my Dad and Christie.

Busy busy busy!!

VEGAS!

So excited for our FIRST plane trip together!

 

Had to try the slots in the Airport for his first time in Vegas!

 

 

 

 

 

 

The spot where 10 months ago in Vegas I texted him to accept his offer to make our relationship official... best decision I ever made.

 

 

 

Family meal at the Cheescake Factory! Everyone but Drew ordered my FAV... Lousiana Chicken Pasta

 

 

 

 

 

Cosmopolitan, definitely where I want to stay next time.

 

Fancy night out on the town!

 Then we had to fly home.

 

He

He cleans the house so I don't have to deal with complaining.

He reminds me to stay positive.

He comforts me in knowing that I do not have to go through it alone.

He feeds and waters Cooper.

He fixes things.

He tries to better himself.

He suprises me with flowers.

He holds my hand.

He listens to my advice.

He is the life of the party.

He makes me smile.

He just moved to Amarillo, no more hour-long distance relationship for us! So excited to venture into this new part of our journey together!

Home.

We are home from Vegas!

We had an AWESOME trip full of fun with friends and new adventures. Drew and I made it through our first real trip together without killing each other... we decided there will definitely be more in our future! We came home with shopping bags from Urban Outfitters and Forever 21 to kick start our wardrobes in the fall. I am back at work to a mess of quotes needing to be done and leads needing to be called. Tomorrow we have a big-o wedding to keep our Saturday busy. Vacation is definitely over!

I will post pictures as soon as I can find the time to do so, in the mean time... check out some new wedding photos over at my Photo Blog.

Gone

I am off for a wee little Vacay with my friends. If needed, I can be found here...

 

See you in a few days!!

Weakness is a blessing

I will admit I woke up this morning and thought, "I can't do this anymore." I am soo tired of what is going on in my surroundings. So exhausted from having to fight for what is right. So weary of putting on a strong and happy face to those around me so they don't think I am changing. Tired of dealing with the selfishness of this world and trying to carve out a place in it. Weak!

I have NEVER thought that my getting bogged down by lifes many hiccups as a gift from God but it is. He knows that I am the kind of person who has to be broken under the weight before I can turn it over to him and therefore he has gifted me weakness so I will be drawn closer to him. I am not made to be the person who skips through life with ease, I am meant to struggle and through that my relationship with God has and will continue to blossom and grow.

Today I am thankful for the weakness, I am not alone.