admit one: more about me.

I am always a sucker for those "tell a little bit about yourself" survey things. For whatever reason I like doing them and then of course I like reading others. I guess that part of it has a lot to do with the nosey side of me, its like a (free) pass to learning and knowing something more about another that you may or may not already know. So, readers here is your free ticket to knowing a few (well, twenty fiveto be exact) lil' things about me- that you might not already know...

1. I have this...thing, I guess you could say with patterns.
2. I am a photographer. (love, love, love my camera.)
3. I laugh easily and a lot.
4. There are several "jobs" that I would like to do, or try... For example: wedding planner and owner of bridal shop, interior designer, chef.
5. Party planning excites me.
6. Birthdays are a HUGE deal to me.
7. I love to cook and try new recipes.
8. Only sometimes, am I creative.
9. I was a great student but hated school.
10. I am a world traveler. I have been to several different countries. I long to resume the adventures- I want to see the world and capture it.
11. I am extremely hard on myself- I set high standards for not only myself but the ones that are in my life.
12. I rock myself to sleep. That is when I can finally go to sleep...I am a night owl (man thats three in one!)
13. I rub my feet together when I am waking up. (my dad does this, my brother does this and now my son does this!)
14. Being a GREAT mom is my life's goal.
15. My trust- isn't easy to come by.
16. I LOVE all types of music, seriously. (well, except for screamo).
17. I am addicted to Supernatural- I could watch it over and over. It has to be one of my all time faves. I dont know why I didn't start watching it sooner!
18. I believe in ghosts and LOVE all things scary.
19. Thriller and thought provoking movies are my favorite.
20. I doodle on everything and about everything- thoughts and conversations (sometimes a bad thing, lol)
21. I am anal about my handwriting.
22. I am a really thankful person.
23. I find old homes and buildings captivating.
24. This girl LOVES history.
25. I want to change our last name to "Bass"- I just love the way it sounds all ritzy like! :)
Surprisingly I could have added more to this list.

inner.sight.

"A couple of hundred years ago, Benjamin Franklin shared with the world the secret of his success. Never leave that till tomorrow, he said, which you can do today. This is the man who discovered electricity. You think more people would listen to what he had to say. I don't know why we put things off, but if I had to guess, I'd have to say it has a lot to do with fear. Fear of failure, fear of rejection, sometimes the fear is just of making a decision, because what if you're wrong? What if you're making a mistake you can't undo? The early bird catches the worm. A stitch in time saves nine. He who hesitates is lost. We can't pretend we hadn't been told. We've all heard the proverbs, heard the philosophers, heard our grandparents warning us about wasted time, heard the damn poets urging us to seize the day. Still sometimes we have to see for ourselves. We have to make our own mistakes. We have to learn our own lessons. We have to sweep today's possibility under tomorrow's rug until we can't anymore. Until we finally understand for ourselves what Benjamin Franklin really meant. That knowing is better than wondering, that waking is better than sleeping, and even the biggest failure, even the worst, beat the hell out of never trying."-G.A.

the times.

So I haven’t done a lot of “life updating” recently, not that there isn’t anything going on I just haven’t taken the time to do any of it, I touch base on some highlights, but that’s about it. We stay so busy during the days and then this week all our shows are starting back up on top of the play time with Lo the evenings are filled up, then bed time rolls around and B puts Lo down and I am trying desperately to get caught up on Supernatural before this Friday when the season premieres, YAY! (It is my guilty pleasure, lol.) I can’t believe that September is almost over- it just doesn’t seem right, time is moving so fast and unfortunately there is nothing we can do about it. The year is almost done, but I must say that I have done everything within my power to soak up all of its moments. The husband came home the other day and proposed that we do something “fun” this weekend…hmmm. Fun- what would that consist of? He said that he was going to surprise us and then decided that maybe we would like to be a part of the deciding what to do process, but you know how that goes when you involve more people- such indecisiveness (at least in our household). So we are undecided on choosing one out of these three things: Going and staying the weekend in Nashville, Going and staying the weekend in Charleston (our most favorite place), or staying here and doing lots of fun activities that we have been wanting to do. You would think that it would be an easy decision, right?!?! Charleston, of course- but staying in town and doing all the activities that we want to do is appealing as well. We definitley want to visit Nashville- I just don’t think that right now is a great time due to all the flooding. Several of the places that we want to visit while we are there are closed due to it, no fun! Hopefully soon those places will be back up and running and we will be able to check that one off of our list of things we want to do! It is quiet exciting thinking about what we might get into, I’m good with anything as long as I get to do it with my two favorite persons. Decisions, decisions… I guess we will just have to wait and see!!

On the home-front: I have gotten all of our “fall” décor out and I just love it, the colors so warm and the candles smell just heavenly. Although, I must say the weather has been very unlike fall these past few days *insert sad face here. But the hindsight is promising- it isn’t supposed to reach over 70 next week, “Glorious” (sang in an opera like voice). I haven’t said it in a while how much we love it here- we really, really do!

The rest of the year is going to be busy, busy, busy with all there is to do and all the extras that we have planned. It’s so nice living in a place that has events scheduled all the time, family friendly that are free….The holiday’s are going to be simply wonderful. It’s a whirlwind in my mind thinking about all there is to accomplish in what will seem like no time- I should probably get started. I do believe that is all that I have for you right now, readers. Sorry if I disappoint- soon there will be lots more where those updates came from- Until then...

love at it's greatest.

We have a little chatter box on our hands- he can say, will say and does say anything and everything. "Love you" is not something that he doesn't hear like a million times a day- so one would assume that it would rank up there on the list of "things Lo says." Well, one would be proven wrong. Of all of the things for him to say he has waited what seems like so long to say the words we so longed to hear. (Lo has always been one to do things in his own timing and not a second sooner.) Sooo...last night while watching some t.v., we became once again the happiest people in the world...YES-he said those (in this case) two little words that...leaves me speechless, its something that can only be felt. "Wuv ooo!" he says. Our heart swells then melts, our faces beeming- the most beautiful thing our ears have ever heard. I immediatley reach for the phone and video camera to record this moment that we never want to forget, the moment that we will never forget. September 20th 2010: love at it's greatest, life so beautiful. Here are those ten seconds...our ten seconds captured. I just can't help but want to share it with the whole world, I am SO in love.

swing.slide

Logan's new "Swing-Slide" as he calls it...needless to say it's his new favorite thing-he has a BLAST! Many props to Handy Daddy for putting it together to the highest standard; great job daddy! Here are a few pictures of the putting together process and then some of the playing process, of course not all that I took because there are hundreds- but you will get the "picture."

Helping daddy put it together.
What a great helper..just like daddy.

The finished product, again GREAT job, Daddy! The big boy swing. Daddy doing the "fast sliding." Going night night in his house- or so he said.

(LOVE THIS ONE!)

most valuable player.

My M.V.P.
Just a small video (from my phone) of Lo playing "ball game" as he calls it. He has gotten SO good at throwing, catching and of course shooting hoops. I can't wait until he starts playing for little teams- how sweet that will be!
(most valuable player, most valuable person.)

baby, he's a Rockstar.

The Kiddo sporting a hawk- yea, he's Rockstar!

Going out on the town last night-he got like a million compliments on it (him)- people were goo goo for Lo, and of course we were too...

inspired to inspire.

"Be Inspired" has been on my mind all day today. What I mean when I say that is- I love to look to things that are going to inspire me to be better at what I already am. I want to be me- just a better version of me, to continuously learn- be inspired by the life around me. Not only do I want to be inspired by things, I want to be an inspiration to others. Whatever it may be- thru my photography, my attitude, thru myself as a wife or mom...whatever it may be I hope that there is something about me that people see and get inspired by. Don't get me wrong- I don't mean that in a cocky way at all and a lot of times I don't see myself as anything to be admired- but I do hope that I can be. I do want to be the type of person that helps people or to simply be a part of something that they had longed to become or to learn. I am nothing special at all- but I do want to live my life that it might help to make someones life more enriched, if thats only one. So it's a goal...become as much of an inspiration as I have been inspired to be!

Here are a few things that inspire me (indifferent ways of course)...those things that envoke thought:
.my son
.my husband
.my photography
.others photography
.the right kinda music
.opera
.a good short story with long meaning
.antiques
.pottery
.paintings
.being "crafty"
.always learning something new
.teaching what I know
.instrumental music
.a good quote
.thinking creatively
.the ocean
.the sun at its most beautiful gold
and thats just to name a few...

I look for inspiration in everything around me that I may learn from it, do something with it and become something more than what I was. -Me

colors and you.

Hard at work, our little artist.

Really excited with the way it is looking, obviously!

What an AWESOME kid! The masterpiece proudly hung on our wall.My two most favorite works of art.

Lo with his masterpiece.

He was so excited when he saw it hanging on the wall-

I LOVE it!

"Happy 22 months of life, kiddo- you are just spectacular. You are brilliant and everyday you amaze us more. We are so happy, so lucky, so blessed to know you, be able to watch you grow and to love you. (insert three kiss here.)"- Momma (& Da-ee)

Note: I am a REALLY sappy momma- if y'all couldn't tell! You will have to pardon my mushiness, it really can't be helped.

the gorgeous one.

Logan: the Gorgeous.

Who would have ever thought and me and his daddy would have made something that looks like that?!? I sure didn't! My heart will forever go walking around outside of me.

barrelled out paper birds.

This weekend was semi-eventful in that we drove a ways for my hubby to "add" to his tattoo. We only trust one person, I guess it's because he is the only person that we have ever been to and he is awesome if I must say so myself- a super great guy! Here's the part where I will recommend him to you if you are in the market for any kind of tattoo: Marcus of Ink Link, Shelby NC. I could go on and on about great his work is, but the pictures of the hubby's tat will show just that. I never thought that he would get the one his first time around, and then after he did- much to my suprise he went back with an even bigger fore-arm tattoo...and now, well you will just have to see for yourself. It is pretty much and exact replica of two works of art by an artist that uses ink- thus the smudges and ink spills. He loves it, I love it, Logan LOVES looking at it, it's pretty much awesome. Leave it to my husband to be the only one in the world with this tattoo (seriously, there is no where online that anyone has this, although I'm sure not everyone puts it out there for the whole world to see, like us!)

bubbles, bubbles in a bath.

This boy LOVE(S) his bath

&

I LOVE(S) that boy!

to be or not to be...happy.

“Wake up every morning and realize how blessed you are to see the sunshinning and the raindrops dropping, to have family and friends that truly care about your well being, to know that some small act of kindness can change someone's perspective on the world for a day, or forever. No matter what God sends your way you will embrace it and learn from it. Know that you were blessed with this life, unique from all others and make it your own.”

So I ask my kid everyday, “Logan, are you happy?” he waits a minute and questions, “Happy?” I said, “Yea, baby are you happy?” and he repeats, “Happy!!” with a smile lighting his face and a little dance in his step, (there’s nothing like him I tell ya!).
We were going down the road the other day and it had been one of those “out of sorts kind of days” and out of the blue he says, “Momma- Happy?!?!” I answered with a bit of water in my eyes (and a heart literally swelling in my chest- I could feel it), “Yea- kiddo I’m happy, I am SO happy because I have you to love!” Beauty, felt right there in that moment. All you cynics out there- I know he’s young and I know he may not understand exactly what it means but something about that little mouth uttering those huge words was so… breath-taking, like the sun rising from the darkness.
I feel therefore I know- that it is so important to ask that very question on a continuous basis. I spent a lot of time not being happy in the past and no one knew, no one asked! So I have made it a point to everyday ask Logan- ARE YOU HAPPY? It’s such a small thing but can make so much of a change in a person and their happiness. I have met and know so many people who choose everyday to be un-happy to be negative and to view everything and everyone in that way. I am sorry, but I have a really hard time understanding that...them (maybe thats just me).
Nothing in this world makes me happier than giving my love away, having the people to give to. To find something good in everything. It took me a LONG time to find that happiness and there are those days happiness seems a bit questionable, but then I am reminded of all my blessings when a little voice beams through the darkness asking me…reminding me that there is ALWAYS reason to be happy, always! I hope you’re happy today- don’t spend the days always focusing on the opposite, remember that “something” that makes you happy and hold onto that- take a deep breath and know that was reason enough.

Happiness is so much better than the alternative- really, it is!

alot of feeling going on.

First off: Happy Labor Day, y’all- such a good excuse for cooking out, being off from work, in some of your cases being out of school and just hanging out. The weekend was nothing short of beautiful and the temperatures have me on edge for the fall season to hurry and sweep through. Fall brings such fun for us, for everyone for that matter. The decorations, HALLOWEEN and all the festivities that it brings, speaking of festivities- I am so excited and glad that we moved to a place that has events for children and families ALL THE TIME. We have already purchased Lo’s costume, of which was all his decision and we think he is going to be just adorable! Of course not to leave out Logan’s birthday bash- which I am steadily planning and already preparing for. Last and certainly not least, Thanksgiving: great food, great traditions, new traditions, great company, and great memories in the making; just thinking about it all warms my heart and makes me feel all giddy inside.

Lo is sick today- (insert frowny face here) he was slightly under the weather yesterday and by last night it was full blown! We had a rocky night of tossing and turning, waking up un-able to breathe and coughs. Bless his little baby heart! I always hate these times because he is just so darn pitiful, thankfully they are few and far between. “Nose,” he says in his pitiful little voice, and we just melt. Aside from not being able to breathe, watery/puffy eyes, and a terrible cough his spirits are still high, he has the best little attitude and it doesn’t hinder his playing abilities and WOW, what a helper he has been today.

I woke up feeling icky today myself, a little strange and out of sorts so I decided that I would spend the better part of the day getting the house in order because it too was out of sorts. So that is exactly what I or I guess I should say…we did! It looks and smells so wonderful. Lo helped me unload and load the dishwasher, pick up, clean the floor, gather and throw away trash. Even in his “state!” He has me saying, “WHAT A GREAT KID!” I love to have his help, and even though sometimes (most of the time) it makes extra work for me, that’s ok. If I didn’t let him I know I would one day wish that I had let him and had those memories of seeing him learn how to be such a big helper. A mixture of having everything in order and the huge excitement beaming from that little boys face in turn made me feel SO much better and more, put together on the inside. I guess when your surroundings are a bit dis-organized it can make us feel that way as well. Not to mention, I love having things checked off of my list, I am a ‘bit’ OCD.

On a different note, I do believe we have found us a Church; the WHOLE family. Yes, I know it’s an amazing feet that we all have found somewhere we all felt good about. After a LONG time of not going and having no interest in going, then searching for one once we moved, I do believe that I can say we have found one that we really like. A laid back, friendly setting, people with sincere good hearts, and NO weird-ness and believe you me we have had our share of “weird” in a church setting. It was so nice to go somewhere and really feel welcomed. Lo, surprisingly went right in the nursery, I of course could not believe it and stood on the outside for about twenty minutes until he started to ask for me, then I went in and sat while he paid me no attention and continued on about his playing. He played extremely well with others (he must get that from his daddy); he made a sweet little craft which is presently hung proudly on our refrigerator. Later yesterday evening when we were at home he asked to go back to “chuch” and “pay (play).” So needless to say we are getting back in the church swing of things.

B came home from work early today, which was exciting to us both and is presently snuggled up on the couch watching “Doo” with lil’ man; nap time is drawing near and as for me a shower is definitely on the books. We don’t have any huge plans or anything “special” to do today except for maybe some R&R, a little bit of shopping and possibly burgers, hotdogs and all those goodies, per the hubs. Enjoy your day and all the ones in it, it’s best that way!

you are my sweets.

My sweets loves his cookies- they are his absolute favorite. I thought it only fitting to do a "mini-photo session," if you will- with his most favorite "coo-ies." He is surely like his daddy, loves his chocolates and sweets. These were some of my favorites compiled together.

Enjoy...(he sure did)!

the blahs are better.

It has been one of those days…the kind where nothing seems right, the don’t look at me, don’t speak to me, definitely don’t touch me, spit fire kinda day. The weather outside suits my mood just perfectly- overcast, rainy, just over all blah. I hate this feeling, this kind of day. I honestly do try to change the way I feel because when I do feel so mad all that I actually feel like doing is crying. However, I am so very stubborn that I feel like I HAVE to see this “mood” thru. I don’t really like to use these entries for complaining, moaning or talking about bad, nobody wants to read junk like that, a war of words- yuck! It’s Friday for goodness sake, CRYSTAL, SNAP OUT OF IT!!! Count to ten, breathe, think about sunshine and rainbows. Done, done and done! Now, let’s see if that works…(watches the time pass). Maybe, it helped a little. Hopefully my ranting doesn’t rub off on anyone- that can happen ya know. We are headed to my cousins football game tonight in Marion- he is a varsity football player and I am excited to go (as excited as I can be in my state of mind), our clothes are all laid out color coordinated for team spirit, of course- camera laid out ready to snap some shots and get a picture of Lo and Ryan- after all it is his first football game! Tomorrow we are having a yard sale to get rid of some of our junk, it’s combined one my house and mom’s. It’s Labor Day so we figured it would be a pretty good time to give it a go. I’m not looking forward to getting up that early and then of course people wanting to just steal my belongings right out from under me, but what can I say- that is what a yard sale is. A bunch of thieves (I kid, I kid!) I have recently found out about some awesome new editing “plug ins” for Photoshop which I am in love with, you would have thought I was a kid in a candy store yesterday downloading free ones- yes free...now you see why it was worthy of so much excitement! They are expensive to buy, or seemingly expensive, so getting free ones (a lot of free ones at that) was just spectacular.
The sun is slowly coming out and I am feeling a little bit better; I reckon things are looking up on my end.

*This was wrote earlier in the day…therefore I can update in the same entry. The day did get better, much better. We had a great time at the game and always a blast at dinner afterwards. It’s time to call it a night and get prepared for a very early morning! Happy Labor Day weekend, readers hope yours is filled with lots o’ fun!

smaller version.

Look-a-likes, maybe?!?!

I think that I was, maybe, a little bit older than Lo in that picture but I thought it was too cute not to compare. Same look, same teeth. A little mini-me. I wish I had pictures of his daddy to compare him to because I know he has a lot of his features as well. It makes me so proud seeing how much he looks like me, I have showed it to everyone. Don't think I'm silly- but it really made my day!

a lesson...a blessing.

“It's a troublesome world. All the people who're in it
are troubled with troubles almost every minute.
You ought to be thankful, a whole heaping lot,
for the places and people you're lucky you're not.”

I stumbled upon this quote yesterday and it really made me think about some things, it made me put myself, my life and my inner thoughts into perspective. There are times that I wish for certain things, wish I could be going certain places, yadda yadda, you know the rest because I am sure that we all do it at some point. Aside from the fact that I'm not off backpacking thru Italy or a world renowned photographer, my life, is REALLY REALLY good.

I was talking with a "co-worker" I guess you could say (he worked for my dad) yesterday and he was telling me about his recent troubles. He has been unemployed since before Christmas- almost a year now, had been promised a new position which he was over joyed about. During a meeting yesterday he found out that the position was no longer available "due to lack of work." He was devastated. I was at a loss for words and really didn't know what to say to him. What could I say that would encourage him? "Everything is going to be ok, everything will work out in due time," just doesn't seem to cut it. I felt guilty for the "always wanting more" mentality that I have sometimes. I try extremely hard to be a grateful person, but when I looked back over my thoughts I saw that how could I be grateful when I am always wanting something more. I was, and am ashamed to admit that about myself, I feel so...selfish for having that type of mentality. Gratefulness immediately overflowed from my heart for all the things I have, for all the things that I don't have, for all that I am and for everything that I will be.

Back to back I have had an eye opener...Is there a lesson for me to learn?!? Obviously. I guess that I spend more time thinking about what I'm not doing or what I don't have then all the blessings that have been bestowed on my life. I am an overly happy person, I have the love of two completely amazing guys, a wonderful family, great jobs, a beautiful home, a means of transportation, quality time, memories and memories that are in the making. I don't (really) want for anything. I am going to make it a conscious decision everyday to wake up and show how thankful I am for...everything, and not take anything for granted. Life's little lessons to us are sometimes the things that we teach ourselves. I have a grateful heart and am counting my blessing one by one. I can't tell you how truly happy I am to be exactly who I am and exactly where I am.

Count your blessings, readers...sometimes they are in disguise or in the form of a lesson needing to be learned. Take the time to stop, take a look around and say thanks for it all.