100 minus one- love y'all forever.

my two most favorite people in the world.
my boys.
my heart.
...
“If you live to be 100, I hope I live to be 100 minus 1 day, so I never have to live without you.”

girl gets nerves of steel tattoo'd.

How does she do it?!?

I’m feeling a bit lazy today even though I really haven’t stopped working and doing stuff around the house I’m just in one of those moods where I feel like what I’m doing just isn’t enough; it’s a Monday, enough said. The fact that we stayed up super late last night watching a movie probably doesn’t help the “mood” of today either.

Tattoo’s are on my mind today, addicted? Ya think! It has been the topic of our conversations for a while now-my mom has been wanting me to design some things for her and today I decided that I would work a little while on it. I have a couple ideas for what I am wanting, I have been thinking about it for a while but I’m quiet sure just yet, but the urge has hit and I am ready to go. The hubs is ready to add to his, I never thought he would get the last one but he did, it’s awesome, now he wants to add to it- although, it may take him two years to figure out what he wants, he’s just like that. I (we) like to get things with meaning, however, I feel like I may be running out of places that I want one, which is a seemingly sad thought actually. There are a lot of places that you can get a tattoo of course, just not where I want or am comfortable with having them at.

On a more serious note: Mid-way through this year our life changed what I think was drastically and well it seems like things, good things, keep happening for our family, but recently something a little bit more personal… I have ALWAYS loved photography and enjoyed practicing the art, took a couple classes in college to enhance a God given talent. A little over a year ago, a minute after Logan was born and I became a stay at home Mom, I decided that I would start or open a photography business, that I would be a free-lance photographer, do something that I love with freedom and contribute to my family. Never did I imagine that people would respond to my work, my art the way they did. God has truly blessed it! I built a nice clientele who I was eager to get to know and work with for years to come. Well, the move came and I basically was leaving behind what I had really worked hard for, had hoped for. It was heartbreaking thinking about having to leave behind something that I loved so much, all the people I had met, to start over! My husband has been so wonderful to take lil’ ole’ me back and forth two hours down and two hours back to make appointments with clients that so graciously did not want to give me up, which I’m so very thankful for. We have been so busy trying to get settled and the business up and running that I haven’t really had lots of time to put myself out there, get my name out in the Great Smokey Mountains. My grandfather has recently build a new building for B and my brothers store. The way he built it is kinda like a strip mall with separate areas in the one building. One section for the parts, one for motor home sales, and one for…”drum roll please!” b.L.c Photography’s new studio. I have been offered the location and I guess I’m gonna take it. I say that, but I am really nervous about it all and excited at the same time. My nerves give me mixed emotions about the whole idea. I have a few ideas of other things I would like to do and incorporate, my indoor studio equipment, I, of course, will still be doing outdoor portraits (because those are my favorite), on location photography (meaning, in peoples homes or special spots that they want portraits made, weddings, special events, etc…) andddd I was thinking that I could also offer a place for “artists” to consign their products. For example: jewelry, paintings, pottery, anything unique and different that out-of-towners or even locals would love to have. I want to reach tourists and the locals, those who travel to the mountains for the beauty of it and want to remember their time here and those that live here and are constantly surrounded by its beauty. I am up for anything and everything within my power. I am excited about doing what I love, expanding my business, contributing more to our family and the best part, I still get to be a full-time Mom while doing it, pretty much a dream come true. Everyone is pushing me and behind me 150%, if only I could just get behind me that much. Now, if everything just goes as planned! You never know about my crowd, always changing their minds…however, it seems as though it’s all on me, it’s all my decision. I’m eager to see where the future is taking us; it’s exciting and nerve racking all at the same time. By the time my life does a complete 180- I should have nerves of steel.

sketti in the belly.

Only my child could eat two hot dogs, a plate of spaghetti, an oreo, some lucky charms (marshmellows only), goldfish and two handfuls of chips, all since about 5:30p.m...Did I mention that all ribs are visible?!?! I so wish I had his metabolism.

(Sketti:Lo's favorite meal)

the sound of music.

"That's the beauty of music. They can't take that away from you."

(These are my favorite(s) from the day- I couldnt resist putting them all up, so here's a three for one. My Logan "singing" as he calls it. It's his love, a daily thing off and on. He is quiet good in his way, of course. We can't wait to enroll him in lessons...we are expecting big things from our little music man.)

a daredevil of a day.

Being a stay at home mom has to be the best job in the world, the most self rewarding. I couldn’t imagine life any other way. The thought of having to share my kid and all that sacred time with someone else makes me cringe. (No offense at all to the Mom's that do work!!) I consider myself beyond blessed to be able to. I sit and watch him play using his imagination and I am so thankful for the time that I have been given with him, all the extra time that I get with him, the bond that we are building, he is my lil’ best friend. Our days consist of breakfast, some Scooby-Doo, some Phineas & Ferb, some play, music time, ABC-123-colors time, of course lunch and then nap time rolls around one of the sweetest times I get with him. We go and lay down together nose to nose, he has his arm around my neck and mine is draped around him and we lay there until he sweetly falls asleep. How I cherish the moments, I am such a sap if you hadn’t figured that out already.

Today... lets just call it a daredevil day…Logan is such a scared-y cat when it comes to some things and so brave when it comes to others. I guess you could say he is a very cautious kid, I guess he gets it honest- I have always been cautious about certain things. Well, today he decided to do one of his first “living life on the edge” things. We have two ottomans (or box, as Lo calls them) in our den, a bigger one and a smaller one. He at times will sit on them and watch TV or sit and play- today he decides he would like to try and stand on the box. So he climbs up there, first he sits on his knees, gives a sheepish grin then proceeds attempting getting up on his feet which he does successfully, then quickly realizing THIS IS HIGH. He drops down to a crouching position, sits there for a second grins and looks determined to do it, after all he has come so close. Let’s do it again- so here we go crouching, holding on, letting go, STANDING high in the air, on top of the box, facing his fear of heights. This HUGE smile came over his face and he says, “Did it Momma!” He was so proud of himself, his arms were stretched in the air he had done it, this small daring step- his first “breaking the rules” if you will. I was there- and while it may not seem like a big deal to you and aside from the fact that its really not a good idea to climb on furniture, I was there! I was there for his first risk taking experience and in mommy-land that’s a huge deal. Today he learned a little something about determination, courage, excitement, accomplishment, success…all on his own, and I was there. I wouldn’t trade my “day job” for any monthly salary, 401k, retirement, insurance plan, nothing. I get to see my son grow every minute of everyday and for me that is all that I need to feel accomplished.

Continuing on with his imagination and...determination: I guess my son thought that part of my walls could use a little, how would you say it? Makeover…a little more pizzazz…a new art piece, possibly?!? And being the loving son that he is he decided to do just that and he made a very unique design with his crayon under the window seal just at sitting eye level beside his “seat”- and while it is very unique and I am sure creative, his choice of color wasn’t that great. Purple, really child?!? Now, if it was red that would have been a different story it would have went so well with the décor of the room. While one part of me wants to just leave it, put his age and the date beside of it because I am such a sentiment, I guess that it would really be executed better on paper. So the left over paint shall come out to cover up Logan’s work of art. However, it shall not be erased from my memory because I will forever have a picture of my colored on wall. Just a day in the life of me, a Mom, and loving every minute of it!

Well, I guess I better go, I must finish getting ready- it is Friday, the weekend time to have some fun. Margaritaville downtown tonight…Cheeseburgers in paradise and I’m getting hungry! I will end this entry with soak it up, treasure everyday, capture the moments and have a terrific weekend.

the son's my favorite planet.

Something about that face of his makes me utterly and divinely happy. Bad days, sad days...one look at him chases the darkness away- he is truly my sonshine. He is my most favorite person on the planet.

...

(I thought I would go ahead and do my pic for the day- even though I already incorporated a pic into my last entry, I just couldn't resist. I hope that you have someone in your life who at a glance can make you something better, who without words can instantaneously make you feel happier. They are nothing less than God's little gift to us; happiness in a shell, if you will.)

cool breezes, tight squeezes and the passing time.

Ok…Ok…Y’all are gonna have to forgive me- I am obviously a terrible updater- I don’t take the time often enough to do it, therefore it just ends up not getting done. I guess the busy-ness of my life is a fairly good excuse. I don’t guess I really ever have too much to update about because my life is simple there are no great adventures except for the ones in my head, I don’t do great things everyday, no gossip that I would like to share. Even though it is a simple life that I lead there are those moments that I do find extraordinary. I cannot believe that this years end is ever so close- I mean really how does that happen? They always told me that once I had a kid that the time would just zoooom by, and let me tell you my dear reader, although I am sure you already know; that statement is very much true. I don’t remember the days, weeks, months, years going by quiet as quickly as they do now. With everyday I wake up and discover that my son has changed, grown a little more. He is developing his very own little personality that is larger than life- he is full of wonder, pure zest and excitement. I love experiencing life all over again with him, seeing life thru his eyes has to be my favorite perspective. It’s not clouded with negativity and the knowledge that beyond these walls is all the beauty that you can take in yet all the ugliness that if you allow it will eat you alive. Everyday brings about an new discovery, something new to learn. It’s crazy to think that there is already memories that are being remembered about his short life. It’s such a gift being able to be a part of something much bigger than myself. I sit and think about all that he will do, all that he will become and I am so excited that I will play such a huge roll in the unveiling of his life. He LOVES to dance and play the piano of which he calls, “sing.” He has a love for music just like his Momma and I wonder if he will be our little prodigy. He is so smart just like his daddy, (although every time I say that B says, why do you always say me you are just as smart, although I know better!) They learn and retain information rapidly, it’s amazing to me. We are working on counting to five which as of right now goes a little something like this…1, 2, 5 and then somehow 9, adorable if I do say so myself- we are getting it though. I have started throwing in the ABC’s just to put that information in there because in my mind that’s a bit more of a task than counting to five, but maybe not for him. He see’s the world in red (again like his Momma, lol- that being my favorite color and all, lol!) What I mean when I say that is we have been working on colors and although he knows what they are like: red, blue, green, orange- everything is red. We ask him what color is the sky? Red! What color is the grass? Red, he says! Sometimes, I guess if he is in the mood the world has a little bit more color than red. None the less, it’s precious and it’s one of those things that I will remember forever. Scooby-Doo is his first love, it’s his favorite show to watch at home and in the car- what can I say, he loves a good mystery! I so wish that y’all could hear him name the characters- it’s really quiet precious! I know, I know I am like every other Mom or parent who thinks that their child is the best, most beautiful, the smartest- but seriously, mine is! Don’t hate- that’s just how I feel! 
On top of all the greatness- he is a sweetheart…he is so loving, he gives hugs and kisses freely, he is enough to melt hearts! I soak up everyday, cling on every new word, laugh, capture every smile, because the moments are fleeting. I am a really blessed girl to have such an amazing person in my life.

First comes Halloween…I am eagerly thinking about Halloween as it’s one of my favorite Holidays- it’s a super fun holiday, especially now that I have a kid- it makes it that much more fun. I gave him some choices on what he might want to be and out of them he picked one over and over again- so that’s the one decided upon. I have really got to get on the ordering train and get it ordered, I don’t know what I’m waiting on. Which reminds me, again, I wish y’all could hear him say “trick or treat” it is A-dorable…with a capital “A.”

Then comes….BIRTHDAY! Oh my, I’m gonna have a two year old! Wow, that just seems insane that two years, TWO YEARS have already (almost) went by. People, I’m like, “Where, how, what just happened!” So birthday means celebrating and celebrating means party and party means extravaganza!!! I have been “thinking” about his party for quiet some time now, but now it’s time to start some serious thinking, planning and preparing. Notes are being made, ideas are in the making, items are being purchased and soon and VERY soon they will be executed. Readers if y’all know me then you know I love a good party- I am a party planner…any excuse to plan a good shin-dig I’m gonna bite. I love it. So, of course I have to keep all my creativity and ideas on the D-L, I wouldn’t want to ruin a surprise- I know, I know I’m a little weird- but that’s just how I am. You gotta love me! Of course you will have to stay tuned for the little mans birthday portraits and then of course pictures from the party- I swear you will feel like you were there if you won’t be!

Thanksgiving, Christmas- which is in four months as of yesterday- WHAT?!?! Seriously, it has got to slow down! But enough about all that lets focus on some more about:
The Here and Now…
Home front update: We are settled in nicely and we LOVE our home, it’s so nice to actually call something your own- it’s our little piece of the Great Smokey Mountains! Wow, we own a piece of Tennessee- that’s pretty exciting stuff. We have started work on the outside and have it almost completed and it looks much better if I do say so myself. The inside is more my thing- but you gotta have good curb appeal. We have plans to in the near future close in part of the basement and have it as a family room/theater area (per the hubby), I am really excited to get that project underway. It will be a great use of space we will probably end up “living” down there and of course it will add great value to our home. Speaking of living in Tennessee, my grandma and her husband are making the move- we are really excited and it’s going to be so much fun to have them here with us! We recently had a family day…LOVE THOSE! B spontaneously suggested that we spend the day in Gatlinburg this past Sunday, so that’s exactly what we did. It was the perfect day, the weather was just perfect and it was like the first un-busy day! We went to the aquarium and spent the greater part of the day there- Logan…well, lets just say he was in fishy heaven! His newest obsession is “Sharks” which he says with much emphasis and growl. The smiles were endless and his excitement gave me and his daddy a little high. It’s really fun doing things that he loves and enjoys so much. I have never had so much fun at an aquarium before, like I said- it’s a really great view. We then walked around town, had our pictures made in an old timey photo booth (my most favorite thing) I only have a mobile photo of it but I will surely share it with you. I had never been in one of the OLD ones so I was thrilled that I found one and probably would have paid whatever to get it done- luckily it was only three dollars and is now one of the most priceless things that I have. I am planning our upcoming family day trips- those are just the best. I am also thinking we need to go and stay overnight somewhere, I am obsessed with traveling and going places, as if you couldn’t tell. Fall is vastly approaching- there are sure signs that it is on it's way, although I haven't had that "fall in the air" smell just yet. The mornings are so cool up here, and the days are breezy as well, it's getting darker sooner, before long it will be dark at six o'clock (I am not looking forward to that part). I love the smells, the coolness of the air, the clothes, decorations and speaking of fall I am excited that all of our shows are starting back and we will probably be adding some new ones to our list of Ti-Vo’d shows. Over the summer I have become obsessed, well maybe just semi-obsessed with Supernatural. I love it, great show, cute guys, good story lines- a little creepy, a little weird at times but that’s right down my alley. I am caught up to this past season and am eagerly awaiting September 7th when they release the season so I can get caught up before the new one comes on TV. I am eager to go to the pumpkin patch, I have done my research and have found us, what I think will be a great one and I am excited to find a place we can build a tradition at. Anyway, that’s probably enough rambling updates. I am going to TRY and do better with updating as often as I can. I am thinking about doing “picture a day” type entry thing. A pic a day of Logan along with a thought, quote or short entry- it will be neat to look back and see how much he has changed and grown. So bare with me as I get into a better updating habit- much love followers and readers.

Writings that are Captured.

I love to write, write anything. Everyone says that I need to write a book, but what would I talk about, what do I have to say that's important for others to hear or that would make a good book? I guess that its the lack of self confidence that would push me to write anything, the "I can't do it" factor. Enough about that- the other day while playing with my little one I had to urge to write. Write what, I didn't know but I put pen to paper and this is what followed... a poem about something that I love, kinda an abstract writing- but I think that it turned out pretty good. Enjoy!

Snap a shot

Blow it up

See the tiny details

Surround yourself in circles

Scattered all around

Study the ones that have gone before you

Hold tight

Make them last

Remember what it was...just remember.

Freeze a frame in a box

Buying memories by the lot

Then, now, here, there, tomorrow from today

What was it that you longed to say?

A place, a time

Something was on my mind

Where boys and girls stay forever young

And the smile never die.

Dressed in white by candlelight

A little ones cry of life-

A day that leaves you hopeful.

Tradegy, heartache and all the in-between

Cut in half, all balled up, burning them might erase.

Life at it's greatest

Tomorrow's the dream

Finally, what a place to be.

Brick by brick

Power line- a birds high wire spot

Walk the line

Dare to be

See what you are made of.

Ancient life, history

Let's relive it.

Awaken a spice

That sparkle in the eye,

Re-define-

Who am I?

Larger than life

You're on top

This is where it's at.

See them grow

Watch them fly know you were a part.

Pale frail hands

Hold the past

Of memories that were made

Breathe it in

Soak it up

Before it's too late

You've become a legacy.

Flash back

Black and white

One last time

What a ride.

Smile

Strike a pose

Take the time to stop

And say, "I was here!"

Time is moving ever so swiftly.

Tell your story

Write a song

Tell your truth

You can't hide.

Life

Day by day

Captured

In a tiny frame...

August 2010

(c) Crystal Hull