30 Things: If I Could Have 3 Wishes

If you're somehow just falling into my 30 Things series, here's the inspiration behind the challenge. Here are the first five from the blog if you're interested in playing catch up:

1. 20 Random Facts
2. Three Legitimate Fears
3. My Relationship with Your Dad
4. 10 Things I Would Tell my 16 Year Old Self
5. 5 Things that Make me Most Happy

And now for #6. Three wishes. This is a good one.

1. I'd wish for all the money I'd ever need.
I phrased this one deliberately. All of the money I'd ever NEED. Not ever WANT. I'd wish for the money to make sure my family was well cared for...proper home, safe cars, future education, food, health care...the good stuff. I'd wish for enough to make life simple, less stressful, but reasonable. Money can be dangerous and if you don't pay attention, it can ruin everything. I don't want all of the money in the world. I just want enough to cover our needs and remove the stress of not always knowing if we'll be able to provide the future for you that we hope for as we stare at those tiny brains and personalities at work and know you are meant for greatness.

2. I'd wish for cures for all major diseases and sicknesses.
At first, I thought to wish for the cure for cancer, because it's a disease I hate and know so personally. Then I thought, wouldn't I want to wish for good health and an end to all medically related issues for all? And I figured that would tilt the cosmic balance of the planet and we'd all live forever and there would have to be 60 people to a house because there was no room for us all. And I don't want to wish for something that makes the world implode (and yes, I'm taking my wishes very literally). For one, death is a part of life, we all get sick sometimes, and learning to cope through difficulties is an important character lesson. Secondly, when it comes to "afflictions" (I use that term loosely, because it offends me)like blindness or deafness or Down Syndrome...well, in short, I think life is more interesting with those people in the world and I think they are some of the most beautiful people I've ever had the pleasure of meeting and their uniqueness makes them amazing and teaches us how to stay human, among a million other lessons that we desperately need to learn. In so many cases, they are the standard to which we should measure our own lives. So, with all that in mind, I settled on wishing for a cure for the big stuff. Cancer, AIDS...the ugly stuff that rips lives apart. Oh, and the stomach flu. Nobody needs that.

3. I'd wish for everyone to know and love Christ.
This probably should have been my number one, but I write how I speak and sometimes it takes me a minute to get around to the important stuff. This wish has two parts, one, that everyone could know and love Christ and be intimately aware of the hope that comes from a personal relationship with Him. It's like feeling the warmth of the sun after the darkest night. But two, that those who know and love Him would act as He would, truly, in love. That the word Christian would no longer be synonymous with hate and judgment, and that all Christians would wear their faith and beliefs as a banner of love and encouragement, not a war cry for their own egos and perceived injustices. That's a big wish. I'm probably cheating by including it here. Wishing away the fractured state of the church and the poor example so many have set for the world really deserves its own spot. Oh what a tangled web we weave.

What's up next for 30 Things? Stay tuned for What is Your Dream Job and Why?

Allison & Anais - Cape Charles Rustic Barn Wedding

You all know how much I love my clients. Each and every one is such a blessing to me in their own unique ways and the journey that we walk together as we head towards their wedding day is one that I cherish beyond anything I can properly articulate. Allison and Anais are no exception. They are, simply put, good people. The kind of people you are happy to be around, happy to serve, happy to know. I again marvel at my great blessing in being a part of such a special time in their lives. And struggle to properly express my happiness for them in words.



They are meant for each other. There's no other way to say it. It's a beautiful thing.







Their wedding was a simple affair. It had all of the details and delicate touches of a much larger event, but somehow felt small and intimate in this perfect moment in time kind of way. I remember Somer and I looking at each other and going "This is how you do it right." Every bit of the celebration, from the homemade pies to the homegrown flowers to the hay bales and patchwork quilts, the sweet tea and cowgirl boots, it was a hearty reflection of all things good and of people who love and are loved.























Lots of exciting moments to share from the day, but a special tidbit that's worth mention is that this fabulous homegrown venue is in the process of working itself towards becoming a regular home to weddings and other special events. It's in the very infant phases of creation, so keep your ears to the ground and consider this your top secret peek into what's coming to Cape Charles and Eastern Shore weddings sometime in the very near future! This post is a bit more detail-heavy because I'm super thrilled to share this great little spot with you.



Allison and Anais (and Abigail!), I have no doubt that your life together will be full of merriment, love and good stuff. Thank you for letting me share in your journey!






Wedding Location: Cape Charles, VA (Venue sharing to come later!) ;)
Hair and Makeup: Behind the Veil
Wedding Gown: Jim Hjelm, JLM Couture

30 Things: 5 Things That Make Me Most Happy

Well, this one's easy. 5 things that make me most happy.

1. My family - Hands down, without question, the obvious number one. I could never have guessed the joy that my children would bring into my life. The sunshine that streams into my heart with the tiniest smile or the happiest giggle or the silliest joke or the sweetest moment. In truth, you are beyond being life-changing, you are life-saving.

2. My faith - Being a woman of faith is no small task. The believing is the easy part. And I'm the first to admit, I do better on some days than others. But my happiness, my pure joy, comes from knowing that God celebrates and loves me for who I am and that He created me in His perfect image and cups me in the palm of His hand. Seeing His handiwork in my life in so many different ways and understanding the countless simple touches He has made to adjust my sails back to the right path. Yes, this makes me very, very happy.

3. My job - See #2 as to how I ended up where I am today, but this still deserves a stand alone on the list. You spend more time at your job than you will at any other activity or part of your life. I will spend more time with my coworkers and clients than I will with my own family. With this in mind, I hold firm to believing that you should be happy at your job. You should love what you do and it should be fulfilling and challenging. Aim high for this luxury. Don't be afraid to dream big to achieve that job that truly makes you happy. There may be moments in your life where it's just not a reality, but you should always be working towards it. Don't be afraid to make a change to up your happy. I did and I am beyond grateful. Again, see #2.

4. Hope - Yup. Hope. Hope means there is always light at the end of the tunnel, that a bad day can turn around. Hope makes me happy. Hope means anything is possible.

5. Hard work - Feeling that I have accomplished something brings me great joy. Digging in and tackling a problem or task, putting my head down and focusing on getting the job done, and then reaching that moment of completion and going "Awesome. Done." That makes me happy. Never underestimate the value of hard work.

Funny thing, this challenge at first seemed a bit trivial and cliche. I figured I'd pump it out and move on to the next one on the list. And then I realized something interesting. I'd forgotten how happy the things on this list truly make me and it brightened my day. I need to remember this.

Bridal Portraits: All Your Own

Allison and Anais are happily married now, so you know what that means! I can finally share the bridal portraits! You'll remember their beautiful Cape Charles engagement session and naturally, we couldn't get enough of this beautiful place, so it was home to our bridal session as well. Before we get started, here is a sneak peek from their wedding. It was the perfect combination of Southern charm, simple touches and the carefree, relaxed couple we all know and love.





Allison's bridal portraits were a fun little foray all over Cape Charles with her Mama in tow, and with a smile like hers, it just makes my job easy. And when a bride is rockin' an amazingly stunning Jim Hjelm couture gown...heaven.















Stay tuned for more from this amazing couple, and maybe even a little sneak peek at a super quaint, soon-to-be-public rustic wedding venue for all of you Eastern Shore lovers. ;)