We become US

Ten years ago, our family............

met this family.

Right from the start, we just clicked. You know how that works? Some families come into your life and then fade out, and others stick. They stay. Sometimes........forever.

This boy.

At twelve years old, he made me crazy. I was far too high and mighty for my own good, and thought he was ridiculous and immature. 

But man, he had long eyelashes. 

Years passed, and we did everything together. Literally.

Rode horses..............

Shot guns.....

Butchered chickens..........

Attended political rallies and took weird pictures with weird people.......

Had water gun fights........

And whipped cream fights.......

Moved hay........

Did parades..........

Swam in lakes (and took more weird pictures).......

Went camping.......

Had camera wars.....

Kayaked in multiple little creeks in northern Arizona.....

Played in the water..............

Had  crazy birthday parties............

Birthed baby horses...........

Did some archery...........

  

Shot more guns..........

I took pictures and he drew them......

Did I mention that he's an artist? An ammmmmmmmmaaaaaazing artist?!? 

And somewhere, somehow over the years, the boy grew up.........into quite a man.

Strong.

Passionate.

Funny.

Loving.

Thinker.

Chaser after God.
And blessed with one seriously awesome set of hands.

Slowly, almost imperceptibly, I came to rely on this man.....for everything. I wanted his opinions, his approval, his humor - but most of all, I just wanted him. Anything we did was never complete to me unless he was along. 

Two weeks ago, to my utter shock and complete delight, I found out that he kind of liked having me around, too :) He asked to court me with the intention of marriage, and after finding my tongue again, I said yes!!

I'm still slightly in a state of disbelief, but it's becoming more and more real each day.

Oh, and get this - we have always managed to end up next to each other in group pictures over the years..........

And even wrote LOVE on a wall in Wickenburg! :D

So now, there's an "us". And we need you guys to be lifting us up in prayer....because there's no way we can do this without God.

I'm so excited. And so happy.

And the man still has such long eyelashes :)

An Adventure

"I'm going on an adventure!" 

Yes, yes......that is exactly what I'm doing. And, quite honestly, what I've been doing for the past week. One long grand, glorious (exhausting) adventure that will continue rolling for the next couple weeks.

It all began last Thursday with the set-up for the 2014 AFHE Homeschool Conference. For the first time, I had a booth there to advertise my photography, and man was it awesome!! Tons of interest, lots of business cards given out, and so much encouragement.......combine that with other amazing friends, giggles, chocolate, and marshmallow gun wars - it was something else! Here's a couple quick pictures from that.

My little helpers (aka comic relief, eaters of chocolate, causers of trouble, and more!)

The Great White Hunter...........I'd say I'm in a pretty dangerous position, doncha think?

We had too much time on our hands, made an epic dark-chocolate-kiss star, and got countless compliments on it!! 

So. Much. Fun.

  After a jam packed Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, I had a nice break on Sunday, then headed out bright and early Monday morning to photograph a wedding. Yup, a wedding! Ahhhhhhhhhh!!!!! My first one!! I was second shooting for Jocelyn Klotz of www.JoscePhotography.com and I honestly couldn't have enjoyed it more. The night before, I was so nervous that I felt sick, but it ended up going so smoothly and I came away with some of my favorite shots to date. You're going to have to wait to see them till Mrs. Klotz posts hers, though....then I'll put up mine :) 
Shooting a wedding was even more exhausting than I'd imagined.....mentally and physically draining. But it was also so much better and so much more rewarding than I'd expected. My absolute favorite time was when Mrs. Klotz and I got about an hour alone with the bride and groom just wandering around their property and documenting their love. It was one of the most beautiful things I've ever been a part of. Seeing their love for each other, their focus on Christ, and the joy they were so full of was amazing all by itself........but getting to photograph it? What an indescribable privilege!
I could do a whole bunch more weddings like that! 

Soooooooo.............I've now had yesterday and today off, but during those two days, I've been packing like crazy! Why? Because of the next leg of my adventure!

I leave for Reno tomorrow morning at o'dark thirty!!

This weekend in Reno is the Western Regional Championship show! Mom and Jessie left this morning with 5 horses and some other friends and they're driving up all day today. 

They'll get in late tonight, I'll get in early tomorrow morning, and Dad and Anna are staying behind to hold down the place here. I'll actually be working for some friends during the show, and then on Monday, Mom and Jess will go home, and I'll drive back with said friends to their farm in Salem to spend a week enjoying the cool weather and beautiful horses!! I. Can't. Wait. 

All that said, it's been and is going to be a whirlwind of a month. Prayers are greatly appreciated for safety for all of us traveling and those of us staying. God is so good!! 

I will be back in a couple weeks with hopefully tons and tons of pictures and stories!! Thank you so much to everyone making all this possible! 

xoxo

Lisa

The Right People

Do you have any idea how true this is? It constantly blows me away.

Sitting around on the front porch, drinking sweet tea, and flipping back and forth from having discussions about serious things like God's will and how it works in our life to silly conversations where we laugh our heads off....ordinary? Yes. But with special people....extraordinary. 

Moving hay, singing songs, working, playing, laughing, crying - all these things that we do on an everyday basis....how wonderful to do them with other people who are fun, encouraging, thoughtful, and trying to live for Christ.

God has blessed me SO MUCH with the amazing people He has placed in my life.

+David Ronsick, +Josiah Tech, +A Hoody, +Brennan Coccimiglio, +Macy Coccimiglio, +Jasmine Ruigrok, and of course +Anna Dales & +Jessie Dales ....

I am so thankful for all of you. Each one of you has been an incredible encouragement to me, and I love you guys so much!! 

*hugs*