Hello thar, Monday! Is it just me or did this weekend in particular go by way too fast? During wedding season I usually pine for Mondays so that I can dig into the wedding photos from that weekend’s wedding, but with everything slowing down, I’m realizing wedding-free weekends are JUST as awesome! This past Saturday I drove down to Richmond to be a part of Help Portrait, a day around the globe when photographers come together to bless those less fortunate with photos. It was my first time participating and I loved it!! Sometimes I find myself wondering what sort of lasting, significant impact I’m making as a wedding photographer, and then things like Help Portrait remind me that we CAN making a difference. It was so excouraging!

As always, things that transpired over the past week/weekend:

• When purchasing our Christmas tree, we were expecting to have issues with Lily knocking ornaments off. What we weren’t expecting was for her to develop a palate for pine needles. She scoots her way under and around the back of the tree and gnaws off twigs and needs- it looks like a pine graveyard back there.
• Also regarding our Christmas tree- remind me to get one with softer needles next year. Holy COW. I can’t even pick up twigs Lily’s chewed off without impaling myself.
• I know I’ve said this a million times before, but I am so blessed to be married to Matt. He got up early yesterday morning before church, and when I finally rose too I walked out into the living room to find him arriving home with a bag of fresh Panera bagels. Cinnamon Crunch bagels, to be specific. “I thought we’d start your birthday week off right!” he says. I freaking love him.
• Yesterday I had a three-year-old at church guess that I’n turning 35 tomorrow. Then I went home and applied copious amount of wrinkle cream to my face. (just kidding)
• I have a love affair with garlic. If a recipe calls for it, I’ll double whatever they call for. And if a recipe doesn’t call for it, then I’ll usually add some in anyways. I love garlic so much I doubt I’ll ever be in danger from vampires. Unless they’re the Twilight-y kind, because apparently garlic doesn’t bother them.

Hey look! Our Christmas tree! I was going for “1940’s”esque, hence the bulbous colored lights and tacky star at the top :). Next year, I think I’ll add gold tinsel!

I made that bear ornament on the left in kindergarten- it’s one of my favorites. And look! Coke in a glass bottle!

Obligatory “puppy’s first Christmas” ornament.

Happy Monday!