summer lake trip + memories

It's taken me a few days to compose this post. The words have been stuck deep down where I can feel them, but when I go to pull them out, they won't come.  As if the memories are too fresh to share  As if those words stuck deep are telling me to savor the time instead of share it.

It's ready to be told now - all about this place my family and I simply call "the lake".  If you've followed along for a while, you have probably seen it before. (See here.)  This place seems to never change, yet each time I go, I enjoy it more and more in new ways.

It was a hot few days, and the water became two layers.  The top was hot, where the sun could penetrate.  The bottom was cool, where we went when the heat became too much.  Arms hot, feet cold.  That's how the water was. 

The only disappointing part?  The ban on any kind of fireworks due to the lack of rain this summer.  Though there were no lights in the sky that night, the holiday was still celebrated.  I mean, really, how can three days at the cottage with twelve of my favorite people not be fun?!

We spent the Fourth of July at the lake, sharing the small cottage with family, good food, hot, sticky air, and good friends.  Time seems to have no presence at the lake, if you don't count the setting of the sun and meal times.  After that, it's endless hours of swimming, tubing, kneeboarding, and more swimming.  If you asked me what we did during those three days, that's all I would remember. 


And that's all I want to remember.  This place is my favorite.   

june in photos

As I sit here, my mind is still trying to grasp the fact that July began three days ago.  Summer is passing too quickly.

So, because it's summer, because we're spending four days at the lake, and because I don't exactly feel like posting, you get a look at my June through photos.  Enjoy!

Also, check out Sealed for Redemption!  It's been revamped!

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!