{ the first week }

We're pretty well settled in the new place and loving it... I'm not sure what it is, but I don't miss the old place at all!  It was gorgeous, but that didn't add to our quality of life in any way.  The home we are in is nice, clean and simple without all of the extras, but there is something about this place that is even more home than the last...

The boys are loving it too...We decided to go ahead and let them share a bedroom and it has been going great!  Caden had been having a lot of fear issues related to going to bed when we were at the old house...to the point that he was fighting (with lots of screaming) going to bed for hours upon hours every night.  But, after the first few nights when they were rightly uncomfortable with a new environment, they've both settled down really well and Caden hasn't seemed scared in the least when it comes to going to bed which is a huge blessing! 

The move itself was excruciatingly tiring, but it was only a few days of torture and we had a lot of help getting settled.  I am overwhelmed by the grace we've been shown by so many people during this time!  Brandon's mom came to help watch the kids even though she was getting over a sinus infection. And, she even stayed up late one night cleaning the old house with us!   My parents drove up from San Antonio after a long work week and helped a ton.  My mom unpacked a bunch of stuff (including the entire kitchen!) and my dad helped with the million and one projects around both the old and new houses that had to be done.  We had dinner from people in our church small group for four nights and a bunch of people praying for us too!  It is awesome to see God's grace working through people...

I need to do a detailed update on the kids and I hope to soon, but for now, here are just a few pictures...excuse the low quality of these...every single one was taken at ISO 1600...

Caden found himself a "baby bed" in the moving van and announced he was going to take a nap...

My little couch potato watching some toons....

The many faces of Cole...this kid cracks me up daily...he's such a character!

{team-up thursday: self-portraits}

I amazed my self and kept up with this week's Team-Up Thursday assignment even though we are moving tomorrow (thurs)!  Photos of me are my least favorite thing on the planet, but I've been wanting to do one with my camera.  So, using a mirror, I did & it came out ok...I'd definitely like to try this one again some day when I have more time!  And, I have to say my Team-Up Thursday partner is just plain gorgeous!  Amanda, thanks for joining me again and thanks to Melody & Megan for hosting! 

{ the official me }

Finally got around to getting a website, facebook fan page & blog setup for my photography!  So glad it's done.  I've been getting one or two requests a month for info on my photography, and I haven't had a place to send people for information (or really any information to give!).  So, now it's up and ready to go.  I am not going to try to get a bunch of clients or market myself right now...maybe someday.  Right now I am happy with taking what comes to me.

I find it ironic that I am just finishing my doctorate (finished my LAST class this week! yay!) and all I really want to do is photography.  I just love it so much!  I want to do more and more.  I want to learn everything I can.  If I could afford it, I would sign up for a bunch of workshops and load up my photography equipment with everything my heart desires!  But, that would mean spending thousands upon thousands of dollars and I can't justify that right now.  And, in a way, I'm glad I can't do that because it would be impossible not to get emotionally invested in success that way and I don't have room for any more emotional investment right now!  I don't want photography to ever be a burden.  I want it to always be a passion.  If it becomes less than that, it won't be "worth it" anymore.  It's not about money, I can make good money practicing audiology....which I also love doing (at least certain parts of it).

{team-up thursday:snow}

Amanda and I chose snow this week...it was a given for me because we had SO much snow in Dallas this week! And, oh how we loved it!

Check out more collaborations over at Megan's place!

{our winter wonderland...}

This is what we will be out enjoying today....

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{team-up thursday)

Wow! Two posts in one week? I may be on a blogging roll!

Amanda and I have decided to partner for Team-up Thursdays (hosted by Megan). Here is our first collaboration...

Any guesses on the theme? Do you know us well enough to know who took which one?

{updated pics}