In Memory of an Amazing Man::

This weekend marked the two year mile stone of my maternal grandfather's death. Richard Symons was such an amazing person. I love him so much and it's weird not having him around anymore. He taught me what unconditional love is, because that's how he loved me. I have so many good memories of the times we had together. I feel like I spent almost every weekend at his house when I was little. I'm so thankful for the 15 years I had with Pop-Pop. I wish he was here to see me grow up; to see me turn 16, to see me drive, to see me graduate, to see me get married, to see me grow as photographer and as a woman of God. Thank you, Pop-Pop, for being such an important part of my growing up. Thank you for teaching me how to be a woman of God, even through your death. I LOVE YOU!

Pumpkin Carving!

I know, I know, Halloween isn't until tomorrow, but here in Lancaster City, we trick-or-treat on Friday. Thursday night, my family and I carved our pumpkins! It's our little family tradition to carve pumpkins on trick-or-treat eve. That way when the trick-or-treaters come, the pumpkins are fresh. My dad is super creative and so we always have cute pumpkins. Dad's this year is the Harry Potter one, Mom's is the face with the glasses, Mine is the camera, Maggie's the owl, and Ellie's the face (with hair). The front of our house looks so cute with our pumpkins!!

...This is how I feel....

So I've been here for ages...

...And I don't think I'm leaving anytime soon.

I'm sitting in Chestnut Hill cafe, watching Nanette make sandwiches and Nate make coffee drinks, doing school. I've been here since 4:45. It's 7:15. To be honest I'm so tired of being here! Sitting at the bar, drinking my mocha, and doing school is one of my favoritest things to do but seriously.. I'm not done my school yet. I'm getting anxious. And for no reason. I'm tired of reading. I'm tired of having to pee like crazy (thank you coffee that runs through my body way too fast.. . although you probably didn't want to know that...heh). I'm tired. I want to go to bed. But HATS homework calls! <-- a very mean call actually.

I'll be up forever. Thank you homework..and coffee..

On a happier note, my dear friend Amy is coming over tomorrow and we're going to take pictures. I'm excited.

This is probably a boring post and not needed but... I had to vent somewhere. Thank you blog.

...CHC I'm sorry if I hurt your feelings. I really do love being here. You make me smile.

xoxoCA

this makes me smile::

OH...

...And I forgot!!!

Check out Kate's Blog. It's awesome and beautiful and adorable. Just like her.

If I Were A Fish....

....I would have the most epic bubbles. Just sayin.

So. Uh. Again I have been neglecting to write here. But I have a very good reason. I don't reallyyy have anything to say. But here are some things::

• I just read Cry, the Beloved Country. Oh. Em. Gee. It's a must read. Really. It took me a little while and it was a little slow but so good!

• God has blessed me with the most amazing new friends recently. I'm so thankful for Kate Kelly, Bethany Taylor, and Nate Kaiser. They are so awesome. Really. Be jealous if they aren't friends with you. They are adding beauty to my life (literally, Kate and Nate are photographers. Kate is my second shooter! and Bethany just loves beautiful things.). Enough about them.

• I am also very thankful for Chestnut Hill Cafe..Where I tend to spend a least half of my week. I'm so regular I have my own special regular card. Bam.

• Listen to this:: In Christ Alone...awesome version.

• Im really missing Scotland right now. If you want to know why read this:: Moody Sunshine.

For the most part, life is pretty good right now. If I have anything insightful or interesting to say I'll post.

Happy Tuesday everyone!

xoxoCA

OhMy!

Well Hello there!

Yes, I do realize I haven't written in almost six months. But here I am again! I am sorry that I have left this poor lil blog in the lurch but I do have some excuses.

Excuse 1: I am so flippin busy. It's not even funny.

Excuse 2: I kind of forgot..heh.

Excuse 3: I am so so so busy.

Excuse 4: I kind of seriously forgot.

Excuse 5: I haven't really had anything to say.

Excuse 6: Heh.

Let me update you a little on some things that have happened in my life since I last wrote.

• I went to Scotland for 15 days. You can read allll about my trip here:: Moody Sunshine

• I got more hours at my uhmazing job. I also made a few more work friends :)

• My photography business has been flourishing. I have a Facebook Fan Page, a Blog, and *drum roll please* A WEBSITE!!!!! My awesome dad designed it for me. Check out his website. Here's another one.

• Imma Junior.

Lets talk about that point a little, shall we. I don't think I've ever been so busy or so exhausted in my whole life. Dude, Junior year is exhausting! I honestly just want it to be over, and it's just started.

There is a perk, though. It's hit me (quite a few times, actually) what an impact Juniors and Seniors have. I have freshies following me around. I have people asking my opinion on things. It's so weird!(in a good way). I never really realized how much impact I could have on someone. It's crazy. Apparently I've lived long enough and done enough stupid stuff that I can actually give advice to some of these kids.

A downside to almost graduating is the fact that I've been trying to figure out what I want to do after high school. I have so many ideas. and then I have No Idea What So Ever. Oh well. I still have a year (or more) to think about it.

Fact: I love photography. I thought I'd share some of my favorite photographers right now. Is that cool??

• The Wiebners:: These guys are a local husband and wife team who happen to live next to my best friends. We have been come friends. They are so cool. 'Nough said. I've liked them for awhile now.

• Brooke Courtney Photography:: Another local husband and wife team. These guys are cool. Sadly, I do not know them personally, but I do stay up-to-date with their blog.

• Jurina Photography:: Another local photographer who I happen to know personally. Al goes to my church and was my photography teacher. We've shot weddings together, actually.

• Amber Jacoby Photography:: Local photographer that I actually kind of work with! Amber works at Shenk's poultry in Central Market and I work at Lettuce Toss Salad. Our stands are almost right across from each other. Amber is one of the sweetest persons ever. I love her.

• Jen Blatgalvis Photography:: I do not know this photographer but she took one of my dear friends senior pictures. I love the way the eyes of her models are so sparkly.

• Navyblur:: This team is based in the UK and they are so. cool. I can't even describe how cool they are. check it out.

• Jeremy Cowart:: Oh. My. Gosh. This guy is good. So. Good. I didn't give you his blog because you just need to look at his whole website. Really I can't even describe it.

Those are just a few out of many many photographers I really like. I hope you like looking at their work! I know I do. I spend WAY too much time looking at pictures and getting idears.

I hope yall are good!! If I think of more things to say I will write them here :)

Here's one of my all time favorite quotes to leave with you::

"God does not give us everything we want, but He does fulfill His promises...leading us along the best and straightest paths to Himself." -Dietrich Bonhoeffer.

Good night everyone.

xoxoC•A