'Tis the Season!

To DECK the halls! My FAVORITE time of year! Time with family and friends, visiting and catching up...laughter, happiness and yuuuuuumy food! ; )

I *LOVE* red on a tree...as if you couldn't tell. I usually ALWAYS have the SAME tree every year but I love it.

[ignore that dark spot ; ) I have to fill that in somehow]

Hope everyone has a safe and blessed holiday season!

Happy 235th Birthday....

To the United States Marine Corps.

Past and present, active duty and reserve, stateside and deployed around the world.

On this day in Marine Corps history: In 1775, the Continental Congress authorized the creation of the Marine Corps, and it's been 235 years of showing the world why the Marines are the best ever since.

"The Marines I have seen around the world have the cleanest bodies, the filthiest minds, the highest morale and the lowest morals of any group of animals I have ever seen. Thank God for the United States Marine Corps!"

~Eleanor Roosevelt, ...1945

"Some people spend an entire lifetime wondering if they've made a difference.

The Marines don't have that problem."

~President Ronald Reagan.

Marine Corps Birthday Ball

Recruiting Station Dallas celebrated the 235th Marine Corps Birthday Ball this yearon October 23, 2010, this year in Frisco, TX.

The Guest of Honor was SgtMaj Carlton W. Kent.

The 16th and current Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps.

SgtMaj Kent told the story of how when looking to enlist all the other branches promised all sorts of things to him. The Marine Corps stood alone in promising nothing.

SgtMaj Kent stated...

"The Marine Corps promises you nothing but a title, if you can earn it."

We had some not so great weather join us before the ball, luckily we had already ventured out earlier that day and we were already there at the venue. We were under a tornado warning complete with screaming sirens, for quite some time. But it passed, thankfully.

My hubby & I...it's not a great picture but I'm happy to have it nonetheless.

And one of the greatest things about the RS Dallas birthday ball is getting to see our dear friends, whom we've been stationed with at every duty station since Preston joined, including RS Dallas even though they are IN the Dallas area and we're WAY OUT in Arkansas. The birthday ball gives us a chance to meetup.

HALLOWEEEEEN!

Here's a few of our little trick-o-treaters!!

ARRRRRRRGH!!!!
Cadence was a Monarch Butterfly!!

And because Oct 30th was our 11 year wedding anniversary....here's a pic of the husband and I.

Baby Asa

Most everyone that knows me know that I recently completed an amazing journey. I was a gestational surrogate for an incredible couple and family. It was such an amazingly life changing experience. Something I was so blessed to be able to do, to give their family the gift of life.

I'm thrilled to be a part of their family and absolutely honored to be able to watch him grow.

The pregnancy was SO good to me, the labor easy and the birth fast...everything went perfectly and I thank God for it all.

Asa, July 26, 2010, 8lbs 9oz.
Meeting his Mommy!!

Meeting me for the first time.

I am SO thankful for everyone that stood by me as I took this journey. My family, my husband, my children, Asa's family...EVERYONE!! It certainly was an emotional roller coaster and I'm thankful for the understanding, unconditional love bestowed upon me.

I am SO thankful for my sister, Monica, for being there the day of the birth to capture the memories for me. I can't help but smile every time I look at the pictures. I love you Sis, you are incredible!

I am beyond thankful to my step-mom, Stephanie, for hauling me to the hospital and helping make sure *I* was taken care of. SO thankful to her and our dear friend, Carroll, for bringing me REAL food after a LOOOONG day!

I'm beyond thankful to Baby Asa's family, especially his incredible Mommy. I couldn't have asked for a more kind, loving, understanding, caring, wonderful Mommy to go on this journey with. We had a crazy start but everything worked out and I know we're all blessed beyond words to have gone through this.

THANK YOU to my push coaches, Baby Asa's Mommy and my sister!!!!

First Baby!

I had the pleasure of photographing this precious 2-month old.

He was the VERY FIRST baby I've photographed! It was so much fun and he is just the sweetest little guy!

Mommy used MY photos for the birth announcement, which is such an honor! I was very excited when I received it in the mail.

Butterfly

May the wings of the butterfly kiss the sun

And find your shoulder to light on,

To bring you luck, happiness and riches

Today, tomorrow and beyond.

~Irish Blessing

I snapped a picture of this little guy at our recent playgroup, loved the PP so I had to share!

I'm totally in love with my 35mm 1.8 too!

My Mom's Wedding ((2.6.10))

Aquarium...

We visited the local aquarium, it's very small but they do have some gorgeous fish!

This guy was my FAV!!!

4th of July

First of the pics taken with the NEW D90 ((poor 300 is feeling lonely))!!

First...some firework BOKEH!!

So bummed this is OOF...but the crowd watching the show!
And the GRAND FINALE!!

I think this one is my FAV!!!

My Dad's Wedding ((5.16.08))