Trees

Sick of these yet? I just keep wanting to share more and more of the ones I took in the park a while ago. Who knew "dead" nature could be so beautiful?

Just another simple photo.

It's so nice to feel the warmth of the sun.

Yes, the sky was that blue. Amazing.

Hurry Up Spring!

Family Pups

I thought I'd add some more dog pictures that are from the last few months. All of them are a part of my family in one way or another. They are all special and unique- some old, some young; some wise, some "not" so wise; some white, some brown, some black, some all three; some tall, some short; some big, some small- yet all bring joy and a sense of peace to our lives. (Not pictured: Basil, Olivia, Koda, Lucy, Bella, Buddy, Shiloh, Cooper, and Coda)

Spencer- Marlon's family dog

Hemi- Steven and Kate's dogDozer- Steven and Kate's dog
Miss Emma- Mom and Dad's dog


Layla- David's dog (I haven't really had a chance to get any photos of her- this is through a window but I still like it just the same)

Scooter- Lauren and Andy's dog (cousin)

More favorites of Miss Chloe Jean- Marlon and My dog (child)

If you ask her to look @ you, she will do the opposite. I think she gets sick of pictures :)

DOWNHERE

DOWNHERE and All New Creation will be performing on April 19th at LIFEPRINT Church in Prior Lake, MN. You can order tickets on LIFEPRINT's webpage or they are for sale ($10) during services on Sundays- they are also being sold at Northwestern Bookstore ($13). I am SO excited for this- hope to see you there!

This is my favorite song from the album... you can hear all of their songs on their website!

Downhere - A Better Way

From the album Wide Eyed and Mystified

I'm not alone, I really believe- You never go, You never leave. Here and now, You always stay, “I love you” could not be said a better way.

It's everything You've promised. There's no greater love than this. From prophets until today- A man laying down His life for His friends. Your sacrifice has spoken, You gave everything and “I love you” could not be said A better way.

I am forgiven, I clearly see. It's why You came to do all you did for me. Trading earth with heaven- You took my place, “I love you” could not be said a better way.

Because You redeem, I know what's to come. Everything I could lose here, You've already won. So You have my surrender, with passion obey, “I love you” could not be said a better way.

Beautiful

Just another reminder that no one is perfect. And everything you may not like about yourself, is part of who you are. Take that imperfection and let it shine.

I made this because I really like this quote. I also thought it went well with this photo I took in the park last week- these are very dead weeds, but there is something beautiful and unique about them. I love that.

The Furry Child

This is one of my best friends. This was a photo of her that I took when she was just a little thing- my all time favorite one of her. She was easily the cutest puppy I've ever come across- and she knows it :)

Not the greatest quality photo but this is also another fave.... from the tip of her nose, the curls at the end of her ears, her coloring, her paws, to the tip of her curly tail- she is perfect.

Interesting

I put this as my "political views" on Facebook.... This is the exact center of the Bible.

It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man. Psalms 118:8

OoOoHhH, the world we live in these days......

Miss Violet

I was looking through more pictures and came across a few more of Miss Violet Katherine. What a beauty! Her and her sister, Gloria are such amazing, growing, inspiring little girls. Crazy how time flies by...

These are both from the baby shower.

God Bless You Violet!

Fun for the Kids! And me :)

Backstage with the Bible! Anyone interested? LifePrint Church will be having Vacation Bible School (FREE, by the way!) August 3-8th, 2009. I'll be helping out with everything so I can get you more information if you would like to join in the fun! GO FISH and ANC will also be performing at the end of the week- Check out their website: GOFISH

ANC!

I haven't been on this website for a while now that Lifeprint church has been up and running. But I went on there today and this is what I found- UPDATES! They have their music playing now which is so amazing- just a few of the many songs which are from both CD's. They updated where they are going to be performing throughout the year, too if you're interested in a live concert! Check it out!

http://allnewcreation.com/ Take some time to just sit and listen to the words.... Pretty powerful! Literally, this is all I listen to :)

Hockey Fun at the Dietz's

This is going back again, but New Year's Eve was a ton of fun... Marlon and I went over to the Dietz's home to celebrate and have dinner. We met some of their neighbors and had some fun out on Bill's pride and joy- the ice rink. SO cool! It was freeeeezing out but it was fun to watch the kids get the puck past Marlon :)

Alexie trying to score a goal

These kids were better on ice than I could ever dream of being...

Me- on ice. Look at Marlon's face..... that explains a lot :)

My little friend Jack took a break from hockey and said "take a picture like this"- precious.

I told him to pose like Wayne Gretzky...

Look at Emma's form! On skates, too!

Emma taking more shots- she was really good

Mr. Jack Dietz. He can bring a smile to anyone's face.

Bill showing his skills

2 Years- February 3, 2009

I decided to attempt to bake something just for fun (this was last month)- mostly just to surprise Marlon with something yummy to celebrate our 2 year anniversary. Nothing spectacular, but it was something. Actually wasn't too bad tasting either! I used red velvet cake (just because they were heart cakes) and made my own filling. The writing on the cake didn't show up too well but everything worked out and it was fun to spend the evening together.

Anything is a little bit better with some pink, bright, sparkly sprinkles.....

I put some chocolate bars inside the cupcakes before they went in the oven.

The strawberries totally weren't intentional to look like hearts- while I was cutting them for the filling, I noticed that they'd make good toppers as well :)

Love

I should have cleaned my car, but I thought I'd share this picture so I can use my blog as yet another means of sharing this amazing church. I proudly drive around with this on my car in hopes that I can let others come and experience Jesus Christ. Not only that (most importantly), but you get to be a part of a LIVE concert, a comedy show, and life changing relationships with quite incredible people in the congregation. Check it out- I promise you it has the power to change your life.

More Park Pics

The first few are of the baseball diamond. Just waiting for kids to come and play...

Yea, I realize everyone has a picture like this... I just wanted one of my own :)

Details- love the colors.

Kind of gross, but I like the reflection. I made her stop immediately after I took the picture.

Chloe's backside again :)

This is a bridge tucked back in the trail going through the park. I'd love to bring people/kids back there to get some photos (hint hint- let me know!).

The Beginnings of Spring- Beautiful

These are more of the nature pictures I took on our walk. Some people would be like, "why would you want to take pictures of dead, brown things".... I thought about that and decided that it looks a lot like my life- "dead" nature is still beautiful, just on it's way to getting even better. It takes time. My life has been beautiful, but not to it's fullest "vibrant" potential. After having a relationship with Christ and after realizing the talents He has given me, it is slowly (but surely) getting to it's fullest, vibrant potential.

Simple, yet beautiful.

A pine tree... Up close and personal.

I believe I see buds on those branches!

I saw GREEN- couldn't help but capture that!

I can't find a reason why, but I really love these dead weeds.

Clearly a fire hydrant.

On a lot of these photos, I have found that I like the background even more than the object in focus...



I look forward to going back to this area again when it is just starting to bloom- and then again when it is in full bloom. To show that "dead" is still quite amazing.... The lighting was a lot different in this picture because of the amount of trees. I still am amazed at what this piece of equipment can do.

I picked this cotton tail off the ground... held it in the light- and that's what I got :)

I like this picture because it shows trees. Just trees. All similar, but all carry a specific color, size and shape..... yet all are equally as beautiful.

Just some fun lines....

The simplest of pictures can be the most interesting to look at.

More "dead" nature just waiting for rain and sunshine.



I was sad this picture didn't do the weeds justice- but then I noticed that Chloe was in the background. And then it became beautiful.

What a beautiful Spring day!

This might look jumbled and crazy, but the red in the branches had my eye drawn in.