I got these super cute cupcake toppers from Elsie Flannigan's blog. I didn't want cupcakes though, so I put them on apple cinnamon muffins-yummo! We wrote things we're thankful for on the thought bubbles. And the mustaches are so funny. :)

I couldn't put all my blessings on the cards, so here's a few more:
-Anderson-Husband of the Year
-Family-Encouraging Parents...and Friends
-Good Health-I woke up with an eye infection this morning, and it reminded me how often I take my sight and health for granted.
-Our Church
-Jesus
-A place to call "home"
-Never having to go hungry
-Creativity
-Photography
-Color
-Transportation
-American soldiers and their families. They sacrifice so much for all of us.
-Fun!
-Thrift Stores
-God's Word
-People who live what they say and lead by example

This list could go on and on and on, but I don't want to be late for lunch. :)

Hope you all have a Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Like many of you, I'm frantically working this week to check off my to-do list, so I can relax over the long weekend! We'll get there...eventually. Right??!!

In the meantime, I have to share a few images from a shoot I did with the cutest little brother and sister duo last week. I took Sydney's pictures last year, and she was one of the funniest, smartest little girls I'd ever worked with. She doesn't miss anything. On the way to the shoot last week she asked her mom if Mrs. Lyndsay would be wearing a hat like last time. "Last time" was a year ago. How in the world did she remember that? Smart little thing! (And yes, I was wearing a hat-part of my Saturday uniform). It was fun seeing this family again, but Sydney wasn't the only star this time. She happily shared the spotlight with her new baby brother, Owen. He is such a sweet baby. And his big sister takes her role very seriously. She held Owen and showed me how she helps her Mommy and Daddy with him. She even patted his back and kissed him when he got a little fussy. Too cute!

I wrote a 3 in the sand and told her that's how old she is. She said, "No. I'm 3 and a half!"

These shots KILL ME! Is she the cutest "little mommy" or what?!

And just for fun...a few favorites from last year's session:

Okay, back to work. :)

Greg and Julianne are adorable newlyweds getting ready to celebrate their 1st anniversary next month. They wanted an anniversary shoot at the fair, because it's a special place for them. Last year they got engaged on the Ferris wheel! Isn't that romantic?! So off we went to the Jacksonville Fair for a fun (and entertaining) afternoon. Greg and Jules were such good sports. They put up with lots of curious on-lookers when I asked them to: sit in the middle of the street, make out in front of the game booths, "borrow" a funnel cake and even ride the carousel with me. They weren't fazed at all!

Happy Anniversary, Lovebirds!!!

PS-What is it about the fair (any fair) that makes me want a funnel cake topped with curly fries and fried chicken with a Polish sausage and a corndog on the side?! AND an ice cream for dessert. Any other time I would make throw up noises at the sound of those foods. (In fact, I'm turning a little green just writing this). But at the fair they sound so yummy. I guess it's one of those great mysteries of life. :)

We love this family! Eddy leads worship at our church and Monica is seriously one of the best singers I've ever heard. We've only known them for a few years, but they've had a huge impact on us. They're such an artistic, talented couple, with big hearts for Jesus and the people He puts in their lives... and they have the cutest boys EVER! Basically, Anderson and I want to be them when we grow up. :)

When Monica and I talked about their session she spoke the magic words: "We totally trust you, and we'll do whatever you ask us to. If you tell us to stand on our heads and clap with our feet, we're in!" Needless to say, I was excited about this photoshoot. And I knew we were going to have to pull "the couch" out one more time before it's retired to our bedroom forever. This was one of my favorite family sessions ever. We laughed a lot-the boys are little comedians! You'll see...

Thank you so much for letting me take your family pictures (and for cooking dinner for us!) We had so much fun hanging out with the 4 of you!

I was an OPAM slacker during October. We were out of town several times and just busy-excuses, excuses! But I couldn't completely abandon my to-do list, so this month I went for quick and easy. That seems to be a recurring theme, doesn't it? But you just wait for my November project, okay?! You'll be proud. :) Sometimes little changes really do make a big impact though...right?!

I've been looking for the perfect dining room furniture for almost a year. We found a table right after we moved, but I just couldn't find a buffet and cabinet that I loved. I finally decided I wanted a mid-century modern style, but it's hard to find retro furniture without sacrificing your first-born child to pay for it. A few months ago I finally found 2 pieces that were very similar to what I wanted (they're actually from the 1930's) for a steal on Craig's List! AND they were already painted black-we all know I have an obsession with painting my furniture black. The only problem was the insides of the drawers. They looked kind of gross. Just old. So I decided to line them!

Here's what you need to line drawers:
-wrapping paper, wall paper, drawer-lining paper, scrapbook paper, etc
-ruler
-scissors
-pen
-tape or some form of adhesive

I had some wrapping paper and left over wall paper that coordinated together, so I used that. I measured all the drawers with a measuring tape. This is the most "not fun" part of the project. Then I traced the back of the paper to the right size and cut it to fit the drawers. I didn't want to make a permanent commitment to the paper, so I just used double-sided tape to adhere it to the drawers. TA-DA!!!

The buffet.

Isn't it fun?! I love opening the drawers. It's like a little surprise every time. :)

The china cabinet. (Looking at these pictures makes me realize the room is in fierce need of some color. Another day...)

The bottom half of the china cabinet with it's pretty lined drawers.

We finally have a place to store our pretty wedding china that we only use when the Queen comes for dinner. :)