Wild Barracuda's

Have you ever learned something new, whether it be word or catch phrase, and all of the sudden you start hearing/seeing it everywhere.... well, I have had one of those instances recently. Pull up a chair, grab a hot mug of cider, snuggle up in your nice warm blanket and listen to my adventure in a northwest Ohio jungle.

It was a warm breezy day. I had scheduled a photo shoot for the beautiful Davis family at the 5-7-7 foundation. Wanting to be prepared for the photo shoot I went and scoped out the grounds for ideal settings and backgrounds. Now, I have been to the 5-7-7 foundation a couple of times in the past and knew there was a path that led down to the river, so I decided to check it out and make sure it was(n't) worth going down there to take pictures. First, I walked through a tall grassy area, and then proceeded down some gravel stairs in a wooded area. As I was walking in this wooded playground for the rabid squirrel and chipmunk folk, I remembered my fear of animals. I make it down to the water, not picturesque, and make my way back up the winding gravel terrain (while talking to my husband so someone could at least hear it if I start getting mulled by an animal). There was nothing sweeter than reaching the open prairie lands where civilization lay!

[See side note story below]

Sooo where is this wild barracuda, you may be asking yourself? I get back to work, and need to release the adrenaline from the anxiety of my forest frolic, so I go back to customer service to share my adventures (where the lovely Mrs. Davis works). Trying to keep my cool I begin my story with "I was almost attached by a barracuda at lunch" - not dramatic at all. My friend Heather asks, "did you get in the water or something?" Confused, I say... "no, why? do barracuda's like the water?" I hear laughter coming from the other cubicles.... So then I finally ask the question "What's a barracuda?????" Apparently it's a fish! And thanks to the wonderful worldwide web, I have posted a picture! Scary huh?? I think it might even be more frightening than the mountain lion type creature I was picturing mulling my face!



Since this day I have had multiple run-in's with barracuda's - the song, car, someone else sharing a story that involved a barracuda... you name it!

Side note story: The last time I was at the 5-7-7 foundation, which I think was roughly 6 years ago. I did actually have an encounter with the wild animal kingdom. I was walking down the trail mentioned above, and was pondering on my recent reading's of a book called 'Captivating.' The authors were sharing about their stories about how they asked God to give them a sign in that moment, and being the nature lovers that they are, a random animal appeared and they believed that was their sign from God. Well, me, the non-animal loving, nature (as long as there are not wild animals) enjoying, friendly self starts asking "God, I want an animal too... but God, you know I'm afraid of animals, so nothing scary, but something more than your average furry woodland squirrels & chipmunks because they are in abundance, and I might get that that's my sign. I kid you not, 5 steps later Bambi's mom has stopped dead in her tracks & is staring at me. "Woah God, I must have thought you were listening that close." But I was thankful, because I wasn't scared, and I knew it was God - I don't believe in coincidence.

So there you have it folks!

Material Girl

Oh Madonna, we are living in a material world, and I am a material girl. ha! Although, joking aside, I have never been more focused on money than I have been since Will has been born. Do I work? Do I stay at home? Do I try something part-time? What's the modern day mom to do.... I know it's different for everyone, and I don't really have a "choice" at this point in time, but as Bo & I continue to manage our finances, and pay off our loans... where are we headed? Will we ever get ahead? Will we be able to save money for our kids? It's a constant struggle, and emotional roller-coaster.

I have heard, and am now experiencing, that battle that mom's face - questioning what I'm doing, and where God has me right now; feeling guilty for making a decision one way or the other...

My soul is thirsty for still waters. Seeking out God's will & my desire is to be obedient.

Love is in the Air...

Since I'm blogging about it, and photographed the occasion, it is official - my brother is engaged! haha My brother, Mike, proposed to Kristen in August, and they have been planning away for their May wedding. I'm very excited to be adding another sister to the clan, but I have to admit I'm a little jealous... Kristen gets to become a "Conrad." When I got married I was sad to lose my last name - I liked it, it had meaning to me, was a part of who I am/was, and it was fun to write (y'know that girl thing). :) I think that Kristen is a great addition to our family, and it has been fun getting to know her better.

I've been blessed by getting the opportunity to express my creativity through photography. I really love taking pictures, and continuing to experiment with poses and settings. My sister's engagement shoot was one of my first photo shoots, and I'm so blessed to have had the opportunity to do other engagement, family, and wedding shoots since then. It's fun to engage with people's families as I take their pictures. Check out a couple shots below!

Jillian's 30 Day Shred

I'm on day 2 of doing Jillian Michael's 30 day shred workout video. 20 minutes (including warm-up and cool down) of strength training, cardio, and abs - the 20 minute part was what sucked me in. I'm a sucker for low commitment, quick result oriented things. :) Especially with having a 3 month old. We'll see if I make it to day 10. I hope so, because it does feel good to work up a sweat every now and then!

HOT-LANTA!

10 days, 5 states, 2 of the greatest grandparents, 1 kidnap-threatening auntie = 1 happy and spoiled baby!!! Will & I just got back from visiting my sister, Shauna, and her husband in Atlanta (Daddy joined us for a few days). We had a great time, and I got to do some things while PoPo watched Will - went to see Eclipse (go Team Edward!), did some outlet mall shopping, and hit up Starbucks! It was a great trip to finish up my maternity leave - only 1 more week left! God has been sweet, and I don't feel like my time has gone too fast. Don't get me wrong, I would love staying home more with my little guy, but I have really enjoyed the time we have had. Enjoy highlights below!

Here are some pics from some spontaneous photo shoots of Will.




Will with his Auntie Shauna & Uncle GW



This was both mine & Will's first time through the Smoky Mountains!

An Undivided Heart

Ezekiel 11:19 - "I will give them undivided heart and put a new spirit in them; I will remove from them their heart of stone and give them a heart of flesh."

I read this verse tonight I was doing the bible study, "No Other Gods" by Kelly Minter, that our women's bible study at church is doing. I found this verse refreshing because it is filled with hope, promise, and redemption. However, I also am finding myself saying "Really God? An undivided heart????" My heart feels far from undivided... This study has been really great, and I have identified a lot of idols that I've been holding on to. It's hard in our culture because I don't have to go burn down the golden calf or asherah poles... No, I have to purge the self-reliance, control, money obsessing, and many other things that I'm sure could match the number of Artemis statues floating around Ephesus, out of my heart.

It never ceases to amaze me, or baffle me, that God created us and allowed us to have freewill. He didn't just make us robots who do, act, and say, whatever He wanted. God gave us unique personalities, passions and desires to develop who we are and who he created us to be. He is gracious, is he not? Obnoxiously so. And I am ever so thankful that his grace and mercies are new every day, hour, second... He delights in my/our journey through these messy times, because they lead us to Him.

Long Time, No Bloggy

I wish I could come up with more creative titles, but I'm lucky I can spell my name these days... :) Pregnancy and childbirth really messes with your head! It should be interesting when I go back to work. Speaking of which - I'm really cherishing every day I get to spend with Will because I know it's going to be hard going back to work.

Will is great! Motherhood is crazy. I feel like I'm maintaining, but I don't function the greatest with the lack of sleep - which I was aware of beforehand. However, God is good, and provides everything we need each day. I have been very blessed to have a lot of help from parents. They have been awesome, and able to come up and visit us a lot!! :)

Something else I've been soaking up is the time I have gotten to spend in the Word while Will take's his long afternoon nap. Our ladies Bible study has been doing a study by Kelly Minter, "No Other God's." It has really drawn out where my heart has been over the last year, and the scripture we have been reading has been really relevant in life on several levels. It has been a great reality check, and has helped me start to journey back on really focusing on God, and His desire and truth for me.

"...with us is the Lord our God, to help us and to fight our battles." 2 Chronicles 32:8