Teaser

I have been B to the U to the S-Y lately! But I wouldn't have it any other way. I'm much more productive when I have lots going on. I feel like it helps me maximize my spare time. Anybody else like that? I will admit, though, I enjoy a good break. I can't wait to crawl into bed in a few minutes, and I'm itching to lounge in my PJs with just me and a good book sometime soon.

We spent our Memorial Day sprucing up the house a bit. We replaced our mushroom lights with canned ones--is that what they're called? And we put hanging lights over our island, painted our ceilings white and put a fresh coat of satin paint over our previously flat-painted walls. It was go, go, go, but we were able to get most of it done! A huge thanks to our electrician friend Nick, my sweet husband who takes the brunt of my home improvement projects, my awesome, awesome mother-in-law for watching the kids all day, and my father-in-law who suited up and helped us paint!

But moving on to the reason for this late-night teaser. I really wanted to post at least one picture of this beautiful family today! I love these people!

It Just Keeps Getting Better

♥ there's no question, she's in love

♥♥ he couldn't have chosen prettier

♥♥♥ and together--mama mia!

♥♥♥♥ Scarlet's little brother Sam married them with the world's sweetest words.

♥♥♥♥♥ It got emotional {for myself included! sheesh!}.
♥♥♥♥♥♥ kisses♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ dancing♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ singing
♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ smiles around every corner
♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ her signature giggle to top off every happiness

♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ pure country

♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ scarlet and bruce

forever in love ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥!

A Country Bride In Love

My cousin Scarlet is truly one of the most beautiful girls I've ever met, and to get to photograph her so in love and happy at her country wedding was pure delight for me. Here are the some of the bridal pictures we shot right before the ceremony!

After the bridals we went and found her cowboy so he could see his beautiful Scarlet in her dress for the first time. I ain't gonna lie, I kept getting choked up behind my camera. These two were so cute! Stay tuned for my favorites of them together. :)

My Mother's Day

One of my favorite parts about Mother's Day last week was watching Maggie and Magson play in Grandma Rise's beautiful garden of flowers with the evening light gently illuminating what childhood is all about. Maggie danced in her favorite white dress and showed me the birds a way up high in the treetops. Magson laughed and smiled at me as he proudly tromped through the dirt in his new suit and tie. They chased each other downhill. Played peekaboo from behind the leaves. It was a heartwarming sight and the perfect close to a really good day.

Swirl of Pink

Here's a photo of little Miss Magnolia in a swirl of pink chunky yarn and a bonnet that I think I must've worn as a little babe. My sister Emma made the blanket (love!) and while she was visiting, she and I had a good ol' time raiding the drawers for all sorts of little accessories for Magnolia's one-month photoshoot. We didn't end up having the time for our long list of ideas and all the little flower bows and ballerina slippers, but that's okay. I will get to it again another day.

Magnolia has started smiling at me when I coo at her and tell her how much I love her. I think it's her Mother's Day gift to me. It's the best! Maggie has been dying to give me the Mother's Day present she made for me at preschool today. I convinced her to wait until Sunday. It's so cute how she lights up with a gift to give.

So, anyway. Things around here feel scatterbrained and choppy. One minute I'm bouncing a fussy baby, the next minute I'm chasing my feisty and independent boy down so I can change his stinky poos. But right now I'm feeling happy that all three kids napped at the same time so that I could enjoy some picture editing. Next, I'm off to bake some cookies and clean the house. I'm all over the place. but such is life with three!

I Love NieNie

Perhaps you've heard about the oh-so inspiring survival story of Mrs. Stephanie Nielson. Maybe you've seen her on Oprah or read her wonderful blog: nieniedialogues.blogspot.com

But in case you haven't, I thought I'd share this video about her that so perfectly shows what real, lasting beauty looks like. It's a beauty that radiates from people who embrace the knowledge that God has a loving and individual plan for each of his children, a loving plan that doesn't care about how pretty we are, how well-dressed we are, what our house looks like. It's a plan that works to beautify our character and has little to do with outward appearances.

Thank you, NieNie, for showing me and reminding me what true beauty looks like. I think you're amazing.