The girl in the picture

In case you haven’t heard, we’re moving (to the Nora Ephron apartment, by the way). I’ve been fighting the temptation to throw everything in the back of the car and call it packed and so I’ve been digging through drawers and emptying shelves in an effort to consolidate things. And I ran across this picture. I have no idea when it was taken, although my mom thinks I was about two years old. Every time I started to pack it away with the rest of the photo albums, I kept pulling it out and staring at it.

I kinda love this picture. Somehow, I guess I think that everything that is essentially me is in this picture. The girl in the picture is serious but maybe kind of hopeful, too. And I guess I feel that way a lot. Serious and hopeful. The girl in the picture has no idea what’s going to happen in the next 23 years. Or maybe she does. She kind of looks like she might. I find this photograph comforting. Like maybe if we’re essentially who we are when we were little, we’re not that far away from our real selves. I find it reassuring to recognize myself in her.

love, elizabeth

A Reason for Blogging…

One of my favorite bloggers, Alana, recently wrote about why she blogs. You can go read about it here. Her post had me asking myself the same question. Why do I blog?

Source: annieee.tumblr.com via Elizabeth on Pinterest

 

Here’s a little list of reasons:

1. Having a blog is a good excuse to take pictures of everything.

2. My blog is my safe place. I work really hard to make sure it stays that way.

3. Blogging makes me a more adventurous person. (Hence the name of the blog…) I want to try new things and visit new places so that I have something interesting to write about!

4. Being a blogger has helped me practice introspection. Being able to confront my fears and struggles and the good stuff, too, is making me more self-aware (I hope).

5. My blog has given me the opportunity to connect with other writers and artists and creative people and I think it’s made me more open to learning about new things or ideas.

 

What about you? What keeps you blogging?

love, elizabeth

PS: Thank you, Alana, for prompting this post! Be sure to stop by and visit her at mrs. alana’s miscellany…

Church Gets Sexy

I knew that’d get your attention. I just need to share this.

We recently had to have our pictures taken for the new photo directory at our church. I felt very grown-up getting dressed in our matchy-matchy outfits and posing for our portrait. So sweet, so put-together. Until I saw this. Now, weeks later, it’s too late to say anything but THIS is our picture for the church bulletin…

Guys…that is the edge of my sports bra in that picture. And it’s going in the CHURCH DIRECTORY. The PERMANENT one. The one they give to MEMBERS. I had NO idea when I put on that very modest shirt dress that when turned at an angle, everyone gets a show!! I. am. mortified.

Maybe I’m overreacting. It’s just…not the dignified picture I was hoping we would have in our very first church member directory.

Omg, I hope no one from church reads this post.

Too late. The secret’s out. askdjfklasadjfk;lasdghu;oiwhaief!

Alright, lay it on me. How brazen of a hussy am I? Anyone else have an embarassing accident/misunderstanding like this? It’s time to make me feel better.

love, elizabeth

A Wedding 5 Years Ago

With Beth’s wedding just days away (and me packing to leave for it), I’ve been thinking a lot about my own wedding. It’s mind-boggling to me how quickly the last five years have flown. I imagine the next five will fly even faster. This afternoon, on an impulse, I pulled out the wedding cd our photographer made for us. I haven’t actually looked at it since the wedding and I found myself crying, especially seeing the pictures of my grandfather who passed away a year ago, seeing the tenderness on Kyle’s face, the look in my mother’s eyes. It’s hard to believe I could have this many wonderful, loving people in my life. I am so thankful for them. And I’m thankful to have these pictures…

 

 

via Candy Apple Photography

If you are a Colorado bride, be sure to check this amazing photography duo out.

They’re absolutely the best.

I love seeing pictures of Beth and Zach together at our wedding long before they started dating. My friend Kacey took this photo in a car on the way to the wedding. That’s Zach and Beth in the front seat! And five years later…they’re about to get married themselves. This picture makes me so happy.

Photo credits: Kacey Stamats

Two of my favorite people in the universe. I should have known then…If we could only see what the future has for us!

Have spent some good nostalgic cry-time this afternoon. Hopefully I’ve gotten it all out of my system and can stay dry-eyed through the entire wedding week. (ahahahahahahahahaa…)

What about you? What wedding memories make you tear up?

love, elizabeth

PS: I’ll be leaving Tuesday but I have some sweet guest-posts coming up that you don’t want to miss!

Oh, and the Don’t Worry, Be Happy Giveaway closes Sunday night at midnight…want some H&M accessories? ENTER HERE.