Life Unexpected

Sometimes you just never know what life has in store. One moment you can be up, one moment you can be down. If there's anything that I'm starting to see trend in my life so far this year, it has definitely been control. No matter how convinced I am that I have some sort of control over my life, it's always proven false. No matter how much preparation and thought I put into something, in the end, if it wasnt on God's map for my life, it isnt going to happen. In light of coming to terms with that, I'm trying to remember to take advantage of all the moments placed in front of me. I'm trying to let go of some of the control that I'm clinging to and stop trying to figure everything out.

Dwell in Possibility...
Cassie

Bland

Life has been feeling a bit bland lately. Not boring, not sad, not anything bad at all...just a bit bland. I'm totally blaming the weather, just so you know, because this gray color that's always greeting me outside lately is making me feel like I need to go have a conversation with Miss' Dash. If this isnt me screaming for Spring, I dont know what is.

Last night, as Andrew and I walked home from the gym, my face buried in my fuzzy red scarf, I asked if he would hate me if we were to take a late night trip to Pier 1 Imports and Target. Because the bland was really doing me in for crying out loud! I half expected him to say no, that we dont need anything for the house, that we dont need to spend the money when I'm wanting to buy my office furniture next month, or just something along the lines of "you know its nearly 830pm right?" But that's not what I got. I got a smile and a sure. A smile and a sure! My husband loves me...just sayin. So, last night was spent in Pier 1 and Target finding a few new throw pillows, clear red vases, and a mirror to add some spice to my otherwise bland mood.

Oh, and flowers...because really, that was probably all I needed was a nice bunch of sunshine to distract me from all the gray.

Dwell in Possibility...
Cassie

Fear and Blank Page

There are moments in life when I'm afraid of looking forward. They dont happen often but they tend to leave me frozen in my tracks and afraid. This week I finalized my goals and aspirations for 2011. As I sat at my desk in my twirly red chair I tried to prepare a post sharing those goals with you all. But instead of my usual flow of words that comes when I try to write, I was only met with fear and a blank page. Fear that I was being unrealistic. Fear that I was trying too hard to have a life I was never meant to have. Fear that I was missing out on something. Fear...

I've avoided my blog for the past few days simply because I was dwelling in my fear and grasping hard to what I knew. I wasnt ready to let go of 2010 and start from scratch in 2011. Yesterday I stumbled upon the photos I took of the lunar eclipse. They're not that great...our photography equipment is for people, not for stars but I like looking at them...grain and all. They remind me of that night and one of the best conversations I've had with my heavenly Father in quite some time. And it wasnt until I looked back over these photos that I remembered that conversation and the incredible weight that I felt was lifted when I finally trudged back inside from the freezing cold to the warmth of my bed and Andrew's arms. That night I surrendered a lot of fear and a lot of control; and yet somehow from then to now, I've picked it back up again.

So now, on my inspiration board are the 4x6 CVS brand photos of that night to remind me of that night and to stop picking my fears back up. What are you afraid of this year? What are you secretly holding on to and refusing to let go?

Dwell in Possibility...
Cassie

Three Sides, Please

I try my hardest to order something different every time. I try to convince myself that an actual entree would taste just as good. I stare and stare and stare until our waiter asks what I'm having. Almost out of shame, I offer an apology before I order. "Mine's a little weird" I tell him. Usually at this point I either receive a laugh or a blank stare...I take a deep breath and I order my three sides.

My life with you has taken on that same sort of semblance. I timidly offer up an excuse or an apology as to why what I'm thinking or about to ask may sound weird. Usually you'll give me a smile or a blank stare, further prompting me to let you in on my thought process. But when it's all said and done, no matter how strange my request or reasoning, you always seem to accept me and make me feel like the most amazing person in the world.

As I go through life ordering my three sides, thank you for always being there, for loving me, for pretending that I'm perfectly rational and normal even though we both know rational and normal arent in my list of personality traits. I love you...in my irrational and totally abnormal sort of way.

Sarah and Rob: The Engagement

There's a first time for everything. The first time you fall off a bike, the first time you kiss, the first time you call your mother from college because you have no idea what a bundt pan is...and for us, the last session of 2010 held another first: engagement session with a dog!

Sarah first contacted me and genuinely touched my heart. Taking the time to tell me why she wanted us as her photographers, Sarah reminded me of why we shoot weddings and why every smile, every kiss, every dance, every tear, every hug just draws me in. As we got to know Sarah, Rob and their furry little baby Bourbon, and argued about the importance of that extra berry in the four berry smoothie I couldnt stop smiling. We have awesome clients. They're the type of clients that we can just relax with and be silly and talk about our perfect day. They're the type of clients that turn into friends...that on their wedding day, we feel like part of the family, struggling not to cry as the father daughter dance begins, feeling as if we've invested in their story and wishing them all the best.

Sarah, Rob, we cannot wait to join you on your wedding day! And tell Bourbon that he will be missed...his monstrously large nose included!

Dwell in Possibility...
Cassie

Julie and Thomas: The Wedding

She slowly slipped her hand around the door and tucked it securely into the hand of the man she was moments away from marrying. Those closest to her were silent as they held back tears knowing how precious that moment was. The two stood on either side of the door for just a few seconds, envisioning the other, waiting to say "I do". The longing etched onto his face as he slipped his hand from hers and took his place in the front of the church said it all. They loved; they were loved.

I didnt think the memories would be so strong. As Thomas slipped her wedding band onto Julie's finger, I remembered our own wedding day. Julie and Thomas pledged themselves to one another in the very church Andrew and I not only grew up in but the church that we were married in about two years prior. Seeing the look on Thomas' face as Julie was declared his beloved now and forever, I could barely contain the flood of emotions remembering the way Andrew looked at me as we said forever.

Julie, Thomas, cherish the journey. Take the time to lay in the sand, to eat all the sushi you can, to watch the sunset...enjoy one another to the fullest.

Dwell in Possibility...
Cassie