Witness

“Love in such a way that the person you love feels free.” – Thich Nhat Hahn

Last September I was asked to be part of something amazingly special.

An intimate ceremony of love between two people I admire greatly.

The most wonderful thing about it, was that the Bride was also my cousin, 

someone I love and respect with all my heart! 

Her and Ezra, her groom, asked me to capture their special day on camera and I couldn't 

have been happier!

They were graced with amazing sunshine and weather, and the day was one I will hold

fondly in my memories forever.  I have rarely, if ever, felt like I was in the presence of 

such great love and happiness!  Every detail of the day was important and had meaning.

Every person present was truly invested and happy to be a part of the day! 

And the Bride and Groom... never have I known two people to be a better match for each other.

Because the ceremony was so intimate and personal, I haven't shared these photos.

Angie, the bride, just recently posted them on her blog and I now feel I can share as well.

~Ang and Ez, again, I am so happy for you both!  This was such a wonderful day and I can't

express my gratitude for allowing me to be a part of it!  Thank you, and I hope your days are

adventurous as always!!

These beautiful invites were handmade by the Bride's sister

~I met these two at a park prior to the ceremony.  Just the two of them, and me following along with the camera.  ~

~The ceremony was beautiful and simple.  Elegant and meaningful.  It took place in my Aunt's backyard that had been transformed into a beautiful romantic oasis! Every person in attendance was family, and many of them spoke words of kindness during the ceremony. It was an honor to watch.~

~The whole day was graced with love and joy and happiness. ~

My beautiful Grandma

Made by family!

Me and my Grandpa!

~Perfection~

Valentines

So we aren't much for celebrating Valentines in our house

Its just not a holiday we feel a huge need to participate in.

However, the girls like it, and I remember enjoying it as a kid!

We do a few little things for them to make the day special and they usually

get a small gift or treat that day!

This year was no different.  Ryan and I decided to make a nice dinner at home on friday

and just stay in and be mellow! It was awesome!  Saturday, we woke up, made some 

heart shaped french toast for breakfast, and just spent the morning getting a workout in

and hanging out with the girls!  Just after lunch, they were excited to go and see Ryan's

parents and hang out with their cousins for the night!  

Ryan and I tried to do a little shopping at MOA, but it was so dang busy, we tired of that

in a hurry and bailed.  Quick lovely dinner at home, and it was downtown bound for us!

The night was lots of fun and we had some interesting experiences! We met up with some

friends, had some drinks, had some laughs, and came home! We blissfully slept in on Sunday 

and the day was spent pretty much doing a whole lot of NOTHING!  It was great! :) 

The only downside was that little Ellie got sick at the tail end of her visit with Grandma and 

Grandpa.  So she went to bed early after a massage from mommy!

Oh, and my Mom and Stepdad celebrated their Anniversary (off in a warmer climate)!

Happy Anniversary you guys!  We love you so much!

there were love notes from Lila all over the house when we woke up Saturday morning! :)

We let the girls pick a special sweet treat from Byerlys... Canolli's and eclairs... can't go wrong!

Me and my love before heading out for the night!  

Feb stuff

I was really excited for a quiet month, and oddly, it turns out February has been

anything but quiet and mellow!  So much going on, the month is just flying by!

~My babies are avid music fans and I believe firmly, that the headphones they were given

for Christmas are likely my sanity saver!  I won't deny, I do love a little Taylor Swift, but

if I have to hear Shake It Off one more time, I might go officially off the deep end!! 

I Love Headphones!

~We celebrated our friends Birthday!  Hit Vine Park Brewing Co, and helped make some wine, then

off for dinner and drinks at The Twisted Fork!  The night was fun and I'm reminded how lucky I am

to have moved to the neighborhood I did!  We really adore all these guys!~

This photo makes me laugh every time I look at it!  Fun times!

~Lila continues to color, write, draw, and create on a daily basis.  It is not unusual to wake

up to some form of note or letter from her... and often it requires us to sign off, just to 

be certain we saw it and follow through! Haha!  Such a silly girl!

She has decorated her bedroom walls with some of her favorite projects from school!

~ Random loves notes are the greatest!!~

~After a particularly rough night at work, I was surprised to learn I had received a "Shining Star" award.  Basically, a patient wrote a very nice letter about me, and I was recognized for doing a good job.  I was completely stunned, and frankly quite embarrassed, but it made me feel pretty great and after the shift I had... reminded me why I do what I do.~

Me and a few of my fellow ladies!  This is after a long rough night... don't judge! Haha

~I picked up "The Never-ending Story" for the girls and let them watch it.  It has now been watched once or twice a day since then, excluding Valentines day.  Lila struggled with a few scenes the first time she watched it... (The Swamps of Sadness were just a bit too much for my little tenderhearted girl)... but little sister Ellie was there to pat her back and tell her it would all be ok!  ;) So cute!~

~I've started attempting some beginner yoga at home.  I'm not gonna lie... I'm not good at it.

AT ALL.  But I'm trying.  Ellie, on the other hand, has a great Crab pose! Haha~

~Ryan has taken the girls skating multiple times and they love it!!!  I haven't gotten to see them all

that much, but one of the trips, I did snap a few pics!  They go many nights when I'm at work, and I

am so happy they have something special to share with Daddy!~

~Ryan has also been skating a bit more.  He's taken up playing with some coworkers on Thursdays and I can tell it really does make him happy!  He loves being out, and it's good for him to have some social time!  However, last week he decided to try and give himself a shiner.  He now looks like he's wearing bright purple eyeshadow!  So pretty, right?! ~

Looks even worse now... got progressively more purple as days went on! Haha!

I'm not enjoying this bitter cold, and yes, I know we got spoiled so far this year... but I wasn't complaining!  This single digits and sub zeros can go ANY DAY! I'm anxious for spring and warmer temps... a little sunshine wouldn't hurt either!