Photo of the Week

I'm implementing 'Photo of the Week' here on the andersonfam blog! This weeks pic comes from Kay English, a wonderful New York area photographer! Everybody needs a bit of inspiration, and this is mine for the week.

I very much love New York and I very much love this photo. Simple and romantic..
Also, it's Friday - just in case you forgot. Go do something fun! Our friends Ammon and Emma are coming over for Cupcake Friday tonight! We trying High Hats tonight - we made the cake part last night and let's just say that there is nothing wrong with trial and error.
My good friend Cindy is getting married tomorrow, congrats to her!
Love, E

I used to

   I used to be a more exciting, fun, carefree person. I don't know what has happened in the last five years, but I've made a switch - and I don't like it. I find that I'm irritable about everything, I used to drive down the road and not yell at other drivers. I used to not be bothered by the screaming children in church or at the store. I used to love the weather, no matter how gloomy - I used to have a great attitude about the changing seasons.

   I don't know if this is all coming about because I'm getting older, but I really don't like it. 

   I know that life can bog us down, literally, but there is no reason not to celebrate our lives every day. Maybe I'm just feeling like having a bit of a pity party today - nothing is ever as bad as I think it is. I suppose arguing with my husband about not wanting to go to work this morning was a bit juvenile - it made me feel like I was eight years old again, fighting with my mom about not going to school. It's possible that Mondays just bring out the cranky, crazy Erin.

   There is no way to say how much I need sunshine and warm weather, but for now I have to deal with our Cache Valley yuck. Pity party, pity party. Pity party.

   I did, however, buy jeans for less than $10 at Old Navy this week, and they were a size smaller than I usually wear :) 

   We all get bored. We all get complacent. The key is to learn how to dig our way out and find our own bliss. Maybe mine is not using up a sick day just because I don't want to get out of bed, but maybe it is.

   I will try my best to not put on my cone-shaped hat and pull out my noise maker for my pity parties - I will find a way to not complain, because my life is amazing. So, I guess what I'm trying feebly to get at is that I should never look down on all that I have, all that I love. I'm so lucky, and I should not take life so seriously.

   Life's hard, a big, messy challenge, and we are defined by how we get through it. 

   Now, something funny. I know I needed it.

Have a fantastic week!

E

We are Blessed

Today our family experienced a miracle! Our wonderful cousin Dale finally received a much-needed liver. It is a day to reflect on the many, many blessings we are given! We are so thankful. Thank you to all those who offered up prayers in his behalf.

Crazy

   It has been a crazy month. I feel like January has been more difficult, so far, than December - and December was lets-drive-everywhere month. We started paying off our very first large purchase, a car. We are starting to pay off my student loans - the worst decision I ever made. We haven't slept in in I don't remember how long. And it just dawned on me that my baby sister will graduate from high school this year.

   My grandpa fell and broke his femur about two weeks ago, so we've been spending a lot of time in the hospital with him. He's doing just fine, although if you ask him he might tell you otherwise - plus the hospital no longer smells clean, it smells like an old-folks home, yuck. Our cousin Dale is still waiting for a liver, he's been on the donor list for a long time - we pray for him every day (he's in a non-stinky hospital)!

   Matt and I have had little time to spend together - we try to stay up and hang out on weeknights, but I've been so tired lately I end up getting in bed way too early. We thought that maybe we could swing going on a vacation this year - we were excited to get our taxes taken care of so we could use the money to get lost, but Matt found out he has to take a class this summer - big bummer! The university let him graduate without taking Utah Geography, apparently a crucial class when trying to teach in Utah. Thanks USU! So, it looks like we'll head up Logan canyon for a picnic - that will be our vacation this year because of insane tuition prices for just ONE class.

    Photography has taken a back seat since I got a day job, but hopefully will pick up again soon now that the sun is sticking around a bit longer each day. Matt asked me earlier this month, 'Why don't you take pictures anymore?'

   To which I replied, 'You know, it would help if the sun wasn't down when I got off work - maybe I could squeeze in a few shots.' But no, it's still winter and I miss the sun. So much!

Even though I complain, I know that we are so lucky! What's another year without a true vacation?

  All I have to say is I want to -

eat this

travel around the country in this

vacation here

and here

and here

with him

We have some saving to do. But we'll do it all!
Happy Friday!
E

Something Beautiful

The awesome Ashlee Raubach took this gorgeous picture.
In the new year I resolve to search out why I love photography and why I do it for me! So often I get mixed up in the stress of everything and forget that I'm doing something I love - which is such an amazing blessing. There are so many people out there who hate what they do and I have the opportunity to explore what I enjoy - that's what it's all about.
In 2011 my resolution is to get back to the basics - get back to who I am.
What's your resolution. There are no dumb resolutions!
Loves :)