crazy sister || sibling series #4

crazy // full of laughter // curious // beautiful // learning every day

This girl has been a joy to our house.  As much of a challenge she is sometimes, her loud laugh and flashing smile makes me happy.  She loves to help.  She loves to snuggle.  She loves to play house.  Oh, and she's dramatic.  It's been six months since she has been home. Her English is still mixed with an accent and the words get jumbled sometimes, but she has learned so fast.  And she's pretty cute too.

p.s.  I guestposted over here yesterday.

tough boy || sibling series #3

tough // preacher-to-be // sweet // adventurous // lover of StarWars and Spy Kids

These pictures are not my best, but I think I have a good excuse:  this kid.  On the day I took these photos, he was having a battle with his imaginary enemies and I was not allowed to take pictures because more important things were going on.  But I followed him around and snapped a few.  I love this kid. He has the vocabulary of a twenty year old, and sometimes says things so profound I just have to look at him to make sure he's the same boy.  He is so smart, hilarious, goofy, and not to mention cute (or handsome, either one fits).  And I feel like I have a special connection with him because I was able to be in the hospital room when he was born.  I held his hand while he was breathing his first breaths and crying his first tears.  He's grown up since them, and I love him so much.  

finding inspiration again

Some photos as of late.

I feel like the drought going on in my state - dry and bare, struggling to push my way through cracked ground.  Creativity lacking.  Inspiration gone.  I love to create new art, but without the passion, nothing makes sense.  Like bricks on my shoulders - a burden - are the questions of my future from those around me.  "What do you want to do?"  "Where do you want to go?"  I wish I could tell you, but I don't even know.

The art I love to make isn't mine anymore, and the dreams are fading.  But maybe, with reconsideration, these dreams of mine are worth so much more, worth pursuing with my very being.  Lacking in inspiration for one week is not enough to stop these dreams.  Searching for that inspiration doesn't have to be hard - in fact, it should be fun and rewarding.  Here are my tips for finding that inspiration again.

 //GET OFF THE COMPUTER

//LISTEN TO NEW MUSIC

//SLOW DOWN AND ENJOY THE LITTLE THINGS

//STEP OUTSIDE, TAKE A WALK, BREATHE DEEP

//PUT ON A NEW OUTFIT

//TALK TO YOUR GRANDPARENTS

//READ A BOOK UNDER A SHADE TREE

//GO ON AN ADVENTURE

//DO HARD THINGS

//WORK HARDER THAN BEFORE

//KEEP A JOURNAL WITH LISTS, THOUGHTS, DREAMS

//MEET NEW PEOPLE

//BE COURAGEOUS IN ALL THINGS
//TRY SOMETHING COMPLETELY NEW
//REVAMP+RENEW

What do you do to find inspiration?

The design looks terrible, I know. It's only temporary.  Working (slowly) on a new one!  The new one is up!

jelly making

freelensing + different editing

I've concluded that my blog is a combination of memories and thoughts, all mashed together in separate posts that show you bits and pieces of my life.  This is one of them:  jelly making.  If you ever stop by our house on the first weekend of June, you'll be sure to find the kitchen exploding with the process of this jelly making.  Pots, pans, and trays will be covered with sticky red, spoons and mashers will be dripping on the counter.  My grandma is stirring the final product, and my mom is at the sink cleaning the fresh strawberries.  And the smells?  The house is full of the smell of jelly making, a smell I can't describe, but as soon as it hits you, you know.  They're making jelly.

My cousin started a blog! Go check it out and give her some love!

ten on ten || june

It's been one of those weeks - the busy, feels-so-good-but-so-crazy kind of weeks.  I was only home one full day, and the rest were spent with friends and family in other places.  And now we're settling down into our Sunday evening (read: watching Food Network Star) and plans for the week have been made (there might be a photoshoot in there too!).  Summer is in full swing and I'm happy.

Click around and check out the other 10 on 10 posts, including Madeline's gorgeous post!  These talented girls have asked me to do this project with them, and I'm so thankful...not to mention excited!

little girl - sibling series #2

rambunctious // giggler // curious // sassy // full of life // bold // fluent in English 

In adoption, you learn things about your siblings over time that you might never had known.  This girl right here is lucky.  She was and is so loved there and is so loved here.  Maybe its her beautiful smile or her squeaky, girly voice, or it could be that her Ethiopian name means "beautiful"; but wherever she goes, she receives hugs and smiles from the people who see her.  She has gone through more than most four year old's have, but still she has that smile and love for everyone she meets.  It's a beautiful thing to see.

baby girl - - sibling series #1

cutie pie // stubborn // curly headed + blonde // almost three // silly and sweet // gives big hugs // independent // our baby

I love this baby girl so so much, and this small series of photos has become my favorite of her.  When I thought about her personality, I couldn't narrow it down.  This girl loves all things girly, but has light saber fights with her brothers.  She likes dress up and playing house, and wrestling too.  She's girly with a touch of tomboy.  And maybe she's a little bit spoiled, but her cuteness easily makes up for it.

Throughout the month of June I'm going to be taking photos and writing about each of my siblings - a little project of sorts.