Tuesday Tunes

I've been thinking a lot lately about how truly blessed we are to have the parents we have. We got the best parents. They've all played tremendous roles in shaping the people we've become and continue to do so. When Jake and I got married, we decided to combine the traditional father-daughter & mother-son dances. Saved time and saved our guests from having to watch two separate dances. I think we can all agree that after the first 60-90 seconds of unchoreographed dancing, you've seen all there is to see. ;) Here's our dancing with our parents song...

You Raise Me Up by Josh Groban

When I am down and, oh my soul, so weary;
When troubles come and my heart burdened be;
Then, I am still and wait here in the silence,
Until you come and sit awhile with me.

You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains;
You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas;
I am strong, when I am on your shoulders;
You raise me up... To more than I can be.

You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains;
You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas;
I am strong, when I am on your shoulders;
You raise me up... To more than I can be.

There is no life - no life without its hunger;
Each restless heart beats so imperfectly;
But when you come and I am filled with wonder,
Sometimes, I think I glimpse eternity.

You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains;
You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas;
I am strong, when I am on your shoulders;
You raise me up... To more than I can be.

You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains;
You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas;
I am strong, when I am on your shoulders;
You raise me up... To more than I can be.

You raise me up... To more than I can be.



Thanks parents for raising us up.

Yes, ANOTHER giveaway!

A couple of weeks ago my friend Andrea of Andrea Roberts Photography shared that she was selected as a beta tester for a new plug in from the awesome folks at Totally Rad Actions - Dirty Pictures. Don't worry, it's all family friendly around here! ;) The new plug in is a set of fabulous textures. You can check them out at TRA or on Andrea's blog. They'd be soooooooooo fun to play with!

It's giveaway week!!!!!!

One of my photographer friends, Jessica of Memories R Precious is generously giving away one of her bear hats! Check them out here! She does an awesome job making hats, has four of the CUTEST little boys out there AND is a rock star photographer!

I've got another giveaway post coming right up!

Tuesday Tunes

I just got to listen to a wonderful album, Don't Get Comfortable by Brandon Heath. My favorite track on this album is called I'm Not Who I Was. On his website Brandon includes not only the lyrics but a note about each song. I LOVE his message here. In so, SO many ways, I'm not who I was. And that's okay. In fact, it's probably a good thing. ;) He speaks some powerful truth in this song. My favorite line is that there's nothing more amazing in amazing grace than the opportunity to share it with others.

I'm Not Who I Was by Brandon Heath

"I found an old photograph of a person that I hadn't seen in a long time. There was some hurt that came along with the memory of that person. Looking at the picture, it inspired me to write a song about forgiveness. I was able to speak my heart through the song and move on in the freedom of forgiveness. This is a personal song and I wasn't sure if I wanted to put it on the record. Now that I have, I'm glad that I did."

I wish you could see me now
I wish I could show you how
I'm not who I was
I used to be mad at you
A little on the hurt side too
But I'm not who I was

I found my way around
To forgiving you
Some time ago
But I never got to tell you so

I found us in a photograph
I saw me and I had to laugh
You know, I'm not who I was
You were there, you were right above me
And I wonder if you ever loved me
Just for who I was

When the pain came back again
Like a bitter friend
It was all that I could do
To keep myself from blaming you

I reckon it's a funny thing
I figured out I can sing
Now I'm not who I was
I write about love and such
Maybe 'cause I want it so much
I'm not who I was

I was thinking maybe I
I should let you know
I am not the same
But I never did forget your name
Hello

Well the thing I find most amazing
In amazing grace
Is the chance to give it out
Maybe that's what love is all about

I wish you could see me now
I wish I could show you how
I'm not who I was

Check out the video here!

Another awesome giveaway!

A friend of mine tweeted this morning about a contest being held by The Savvy Photographer. The current giveaway is an amazing set of frames. I hope I win!!!!!

ICE CREAM GIVEAWAY!

Need I say more? Probably not if you've spent any time around me... We all have our indulgences, mine happens to be ice cream. I looooooooooooooooooove ice cream. My friend Andrea is celebrating her birthday today and by doing so is giving a present! Check it out here!!! Mmmmmm, I want a bowl now!

I've got a little crush... {tacoma baby photographer}

And his name is Logan. My poor husband. ;) Jake doesn't have too much to worry about since Logan is barely 6 months old! I went to college with his mom and had a great time with his family on Sunday getting these images. Here are a couple of my favorites!


Isn't his face totally irresistible?!?! I just love him.

Tuesday Tunes

A couple of weeks ago I updated my facebook status that I had cried at the same movie AGAIN. There is something about the end of A Walk to Remember (with Mandy Moore) that gets me EVERY TIME. I know the end is coming... I know how it goes... And still, each time I'm wiping away tears. I found that not only does she sing one of the songs in the movie, but another band covers it as well.

Only Hope by Mandy Moore OR by Switchfoot

There's a song that's inside of my soul
It's the one that I've tried to write
over and over again
I'm awake in the infinite cold
Would you sing to me over and over and
over again

So I lay my head back down
And I lift my hands
And pray to be only yours
I pray to be only yours
I know now you're my only hope

Sing to me the song of the stars
Of your galaxy dancing and laughing
and laughing again
When it feels like my dreams are so far
Sing to me of the plans that you have
for me over again

So I lay my head back down
And I lift my hands
And pray to be only yours
I pray to be only yours
I know now you're my only hope

I give you my destiny
I'm giving you all of me
I want your symphony
Singing in all that I am
At the top of my lungs I'm giving it back

So I lay my head back down
And I lift my hands
And pray to be only yours
I pray to be only yours
I pray to be only yours
I know now you're my only hope

Have you checked out MCP Actions?

If not, you definitely should! Jodi's running a contest this week to get more free time. I could definitely use that!

Tuesday tunes are coming right up! :)

Lucile Street Summer Festival

Again this year my brother hosted a wonderful festival. Lots of good food grilled up by my wonderful husband, games, good people, excellent conversations, the whole nine yards. Oh yeah, and the beer. Adam and his housemate brew their own beer (more about that here) . I wish I'd gotten a picture of the chalk board with the details, but I forgot. SUE ME, I don't drink beer! Here are a few images from the day...


Sans Absol did a set in the evening and were AWESOME!

Also have to give a little shout out... HAPPY 50TH DAD!! Yeah, this picture might have been 20 hours early, but I'm calling it a birthday picture anyway. Love this shot of him with his little sister. :)


LOVE this! The crazy talented Morgan of Nomura Love (who I blogged about here) put together this awesome t-shirt design and silk screen shirts on site! I brought a white T and got the design in the bright green you see here. It ROCKS.

White design looks AWESOME on brown too!
There was lots of rib eating... And paper hat/crown making...

I think that all in all, the festival was immensely enjoyed. Thanks Adam!

Another late edition of Tuesday Tunes, or I guess you could call them Thursday Tunes...

I have spent two of the last three evenings in a truck, keeping my hubby company on down and back trips to Portland. Last night this song came on the radio and I was reminded that I really do have all I need. I'm so blessed.

Alright by Darius Rucker

Alright, Alright
Yeah it's alright, alright

Don't need no five star reservations
I've got spaghetti and a cheap bottle of wine
Don't need no concert in the city
I've got a stereo and the best of Patsy Cline
Ain't got no caviar no Dom Perignon
But as far as I can see, I've got everything I want

Cause I've got a roof over my head,
the woman I love laying in my bed
And it's alright, alright
I've got shoes under my feet
Forever in her eyes staring back at me
And it's alright, alright
And I've got all I need
And it's alright by me

Maybe later on we'll walk down to the river
Lay on a blanket and stare up at the moon
It may not be no French Riviera
But it's all the same to me as long as I've got you

It may be a simple life, but that's okay
If you ask me baby, I think I've got it made

Cause I've got a roof over my head,
the woman I love laying in my bed
And it's alright, alright
I've got shoes under my feet
Forever in her eyes staring back at me
And it's alright, alright
And I've got all I need
And it's alright by me

It's alright by me, yeah yeah
When I lay down at night I thank the Lord above
For giving me everything I ever could dream of

Cause I've got a roof over my head,
the woman I love laying in my bed
And it's alright, alright, alright, alright
I've got shoes under my feet
Forever in her eyes staring back at me
And it's alright, alright, alright
And I've got all I need, yeah
I've got all I need
And it's alright by me
Oh yeah, it's alright by me