My first photography class

I attended my very first amateur photography class yesterday, and, dude, it was fun! The class was taught by Pam Jones, of Paris Mountain Photography, in her brand new studio space located in our hometown in Georgia. I couldn't have had a better teacher, and I can't wait until the next level class in April!

It was so pretty outside today (finally)...so, I had to put some of my new skills to the test. I'm shooting in Manual mode now, instead of boring old, easy-peasy Auto mode. Yes, I'm cool. I'm complex. I'm awesome. I'm famous. I'm a rebel. I'm actually none of these things, but Manual mode makes you feel special. Pam, I know the rules....and I'm breaking them. ;)

I don't have the editing skills yet, but I will get there. Here are some photos of Madilyn from today:
and, of course, I had to use our rusty vintage camper. I just love it so.

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xoxo

Let it go, Maryann

Letting go. Why is this such a difficult thing sometimes? 

When things in our lives don't go according to OUR plan (duh, it's not our plan anyway), when somebody says hurtful or untrue things about you, when someone just doesn't like you for no good reason, when you feel left out, when you get your heart broken...the best route, in most cases, is to move on. Focus on the positive things in life, and LET GO of the rest.

Ahhh much easier said than done.

I believe letting go takes time and prayer.
OH, and forgiveness...let's not forget that letting go takes forgiveness.
It also requires the acute awareness that everything happens for a reason...you all know that this is something I firmly believe.

The truth is, I have a heavy "situation" that I have been trying to let go of for months now. I pray for it to go away. I pray and pray and pray for the feeling of anxiety I hold to just disappear.

But.       The other truth is this....here it goes....I haven't forgiven the people who have done (and will continue to do) this to me...YET. Yuck. That's tough to admit. I will forgive them. I want to. I have to. (My heart pounds just typing this. Anxiety, I tell ya.) I know that forgiveness is the missing link to me finding the peace to move forward and not look back. I also know that these people don't really even deserve a second thought from me.

So, maybe and hopefully tomorrow will be the day that I wake up and don't think about "them" the entire time I'm drying my hair, like I have countless mornings. Letting go will be awesome.


With all of that said, I have so much to be thankful for. So, naturally, I'm going to share some photos now. What else did you expect?

 

 

We had snow last Tuesday, and then it was 72 degrees on Sunday! The kids played outside in short sleeves and tank tops.

 

Annslie is rarely caught on camera because she's a teenager, and I believe teenagers hibernate for the Winter. When I do photograph her she is normally A) frowning or B) texting. Here she is exhibiting pose B.

 

 



And here are the inevitable Wyatt pictures.

Peace.

 

 

scarves and mittens and boots and snow

SNOW!

We never get snow here. We NEVER get snow here. School dismissed early, worked closed early...it's glorious.

Did I mention that we never get snow here?

It's so much fun to see the kids' reaction to it. They couldn't wait to get their layers upon layers of clothes on and wander out into the magical land that used to be their boring yard.

Pictures, so far:

A little runny nose with that snow? :/



I love this picture. This little church (and it's blue door) is next to our house. If you look closely, you can see the white cross through the tree branches.



We have this old little building on our property....and one of these days, I will find something to do with it.

Captured this red headed, red cheeked guy in mid snowball throw. He was mighty proud of himself.

 

 

Selfies in the snow.

 

And this man.

 

It's still coming down pretty hard. School is already closed for tomorrow, and my kids have officially declared this the best day ever! More pictures to come, I'm sure. Happy snow day, y'all!

#7. I don't like milk unless it's in cereal

A recent Instagram post by one of my favorites, Natalie Fredrick, got me thinkin' -- People are so much more than what meets the eye. Of course this is not a new revelation, by any means. "Don't judge a book by it's cover" is something we are taught in elementary school. Even still, it's something we are all guilty of forgetting from time to time.

Natalie is the witty, sarcastic, drop dead gorgeous owner of Top Knot Goods, an online shop dedicated to easy going yet ever-so trendy clothing...you'll find yourself lusting over everything from furry jackets to trucker hats with vintage patches. Natalie is known as @topknotgoods on Instagram, and she is currently hosting a giveaway asking her followers to create a post titled "20 Things about me". After compiling my list, and laughing at how ridiculous some of them are, I couldn't help but read what other followers (even Natalie herself) had listed as their 20 interesting/random facts. I was surprised by many and was, again, reminded that there is no such thing as normal...no such thing as perfection. We are all really fabulous and unique! -- And, yes, I have written about this before, but it never hurts to have a little beginning of the week reminder. Right?

My list consisted of things like: veins gross me out, I don't like milk unless it's in cereal, and I really hate my waist long hair. -- Just to name a few.

I know....I'm deep. My #21 would be that I work in a pest control office (this one), and I hate bugs. I know more about bugs and termites than I ever thought possible. Just when you thought I couldn't get any more interesting...BAM!

It's a fun giveaway though, and reading other instagramer's facts has been entertaining! Head over to @topknotgoods to follow along and enter. Winners are announced Wednesday. You will NOT be sorry you ran across this store!

Speaking of GIVEAWAYS -- I am currently in the midst of a little giveaway too! I have teamed up with my good friend, Brandie of Oliver Ann Luke, to give one lucky winner some pretty adorable items for their little one. Head over to my Instagram feed, @xohappychance, to enter. Our winner will be selected at random and announced tomorrow. So, hurry!


Here's what the weekend looked like at our house:



Madilyn had a Birthday last Friday! #9 to be exact! She wished for guinea pigs, and guinea pigs she got. They are brothers, and their names are Buddy and Snickers. Bentley (the dog) pretty much wants to have them for dinner. 

 

 

Wyatt was just Wyatt--every little ounce of him.

And It was cold. What's new?

Happy Monday, Happy MLK day, and Happy picking your 20 things! xoxo