Summer Hair Cut and New Camera

The other day I realized that I had not had a hair cut since November of last year!!  I decided it was time and this time I'd get a REAL haircut.  I've never been bold enough to go and get anything more than a trim.  Layers if I was feeling super daring.  But this time I went to see Heather- she is the stylist that did my hair for our wedding- and told her to freshen me up and make my hair match my personality.  She did a phenomenal job and I am uber happy with the end result! 

I also got a new toy in the mail the other day!  After being incredibly disgusted by the quality of the pictures my old Nikon point and shoot was taking Josh and I decided to get me something that would produce some better quality pictures.  We already have his DLSR so I just needed a good point and shoot.  We ended up going with the Canon Powershot SX210 IS.  I've been playing around with it over the past couple of days and it really takes some great photographs.  The true test will come when I'm inside in a low light setting, which is where most of my pictures take place anyway.  Here are a few shots I took the first day with my camera.  I still have a lot of playing around to do but I think I'll be very happy with the purchase. :)

Here's the camera right after I opened it.... I was so excited!

A few pictures...

House update

It's been a while since I've posted anything about the house.  We've had a few changes lately and plan on a few more in the coming months. 

Decorating has been a fun project for me.  I find myself spending way too much time at Hobby Lobby, Kirkland's and Pier 1 these days.  I'm just thankful for the opportunity to get to make our house a home.  Here are a few pictures of the house.  I'll be doing a LOT of painting in the next month and curtains will follow shortly.  It's fun to see everything slowly coming together! 

There are more rooms that I haven't had the opportunity to photograph yet but as soon as I do I'll get pictures up.  :)

Father's Day

My dad and I have been through a lot together in the past several years.  I've been a daddy's girl for as long as I can remember.  Always curling up with him on the couch during Cowboy games and going on Daddy Daughter Date Nights at DFC in Colorado. 

At the end of high school and the beginning of college he and I hit a rough patch.  We are a lot alike and therefore butted heads quite a bit.  I was bitter about a lot of things and ignorantly resented him for some things our family had been going through.  It took me a long time to find the strength and humbleness to forgive and move on.  We had many "Come to Jesus" talks over the past couple of years but this year has been incredibly different.

I'm not sure if it was the wedding, me leaving home, or just an overall newness of understanding but something changed in both of us this past year.  I've never felt closer to my dad.  Never felt more loved, appreciated, adored or understood.  I feel like, for the first time in my life, my dad has become my best friend. 

If you recall in my new year's resolution blog, one of my goals for 2010 was to have more breakfast dates with my dad.  I am proud to say that despite our busy schedules we have managed to have a couple.  We've been able to relate on such a personal level and I have a new found respect for all of the things my dad has been going through over the past few years.  We are so much more alike than I could have ever imagined and for that I smile. 

This past Sunday was Father's day.  We've shared 24 Father's Days together over my lifetime.  Many cards, many ties, books and little papers with drawings of hearts.  But this Father's Day was different for me.  I'm seeing my dad through different eyes and my level of love and respect for him is out of this world.  I continue to pray daily for closeness with my dad and am increasingly grateful for his presence in our lives.

His gift this year was simple... It was a framed picture of the two of us.  This picture represents a newness in our relationship. The moment he let me go as his daughter and picked me back up as his friend.  The emotion in this photo is raw and deep.  I had pictured this moment my entire life, all of the dreaming and the hopes didn't add up to how incredible it actually was.  This picture shows his adoration and love for me and my deep respect and love for him.  As he has always said, "A picture is worth a thousand words." 

I love you deeply, Daddy.  I thank God for choosing you to be my Dad.

June 2010

Wow!  It has been so long since I've posted that I'm actually having to go back and look at my calendar to see what's been going on lately.  That's pretty sad. :)

June has been an incredibly busy month so far.  We've had something going on every single weekend!  The first Friday I was able to go watch some friends play a show in Denton.  I never get the opportunity to go to concerts so it's been really fun to go out and watch them rock out.  Their show was incredible and I had a blast kicking tail in Foosball!  I thank my dad for my Foosball skills. Here are some pictures I snapped with my iPhone during their show.

The next day, Saturday, was Jamie's bridal shower here in Fort Worth.  It was great getting to spend time with grandparents and family and to see Jamie so happy.  Her wedding is just around the corner and I couldn't be more excited!

The following week was full of work and softball games.  Josh's team won first place this last season winning most of their games by run ruling the other teams.  The summer season should be starting up shortly- I've got my bottled water and sweat towel all lined up.  It's gonna be a hot one!

The second weekend in June I drove out to Keller to babysit my favorite kiddos over night.  Josh and Bekah have known me since I was about 12 years old.  When they had their first baby 9 years ago I was his very first babysitter.  It's fun that I still get to be a part of their lives.  They now have four precious kiddos.  Brogan- 9 years old, Callie- 5 years old, Addy- 4 years old, and Gavin who is about to turn two. We spend our days swimming, going to the park, coloring, building puzzles and hanging out.  It was a blast!!

Gavin at the pool

Addy and me on the swing

Gavin was all tuckered out after all the fun things we were doing

The next night Josh took me on a date to Outback and then we rented Alice in Wonderland.  I had been dying to see it when it came out in theatres and he never got around to taking me.  I was really surprised when he offered to go rent it.  The movie wasn't too bad, but the food and company were great!

The following Sunday my family and I went to see Wicked for the first time.  It was AMAZING!!!  Josh isn't really into the whole musical scene so he stayed home.  Boy did he miss out on a great night.  The musical was fantastic, I cannot wait to see it again!

Let's see... The following weekend Josh and I were a part of our friend's, Lee and Beth's, wedding.  Their rehearsal dinner took place at the Reata in downtown fort worth and was followed by drinks on the rooftop that night.  

Their wedding was the following day.  It was a BEAUTIFUL wedding and the reception followed at the Colonial Country Club.  Beth and her family did a fantastic job with all of the details and we were so honored to have been a part of their big day.

Amanda and me at the wedding

Beth and Lee cutting the groom's cake

Josh and me at the wedding

Beth and Lee leaving in style

Josh and I have been praying about our church home for quite some time now and recently made the decision to leave Trinity Chapel where we had been attending for about a year and a half.  It was a difficult decision for many reasons but mostly I was afraid that I wouldn't find a church that had an opportunity for me to serve in worship.  God is so good though and has proven to be faithful to us in our decision to follow his path.  We've been attending Travis Avenue Baptist Church now for about a month and doors have already been open for me to be able to serve.  Our friend Ashley Cook spoke with the music minister about my passion for singing and it wasn't two weeks later that I was meeting with him.  After talking about my journey and singing a little for him he decided to make me a part of the worship team.  This past Sunday, Father's Day, was my first time singing at Travis. 

It was a wonderful service and I had so much fun getting to serve.  It will definitely take some getting used to as it is completely different than TCBC, but I know that God has a plan and that He will see me through every step of the way if I'll just continue to give him the authority over my life. 

SO!  Needless to say we've been incredibly busy!  I have much more to write about but I think it would be safe to keep it for another post.  :) We're so thankful for all of the opportunities that have been placed in front of us and continue to count our blessings daily.  Thanks for keeping up with us!