accountant by day...

There's one thing I don't talk about a whole lot on this blog... my day-job.

Mainly because I'm an accountant... and let's be honest... there aren't many people out there dying to read about general ledgers and payables and receivables. And the last time I checked, accounting blogs aren't exactly winning the popularity polls in the blogosphere.

But yes. I am an accountant. An accountant by day... and a photographer/scrapbooker by night (well, and weekends). Somehow both sides of my brain have learned how to work peacefully together. The left side of my brain works hard during the day... crunching numbers and analyzing spreadsheets... while the right side of my brain takes over at night... cutting scraps of paper and editing photos.

It works for me. There is this super weird side of me that enjoys the spreadsheets and numbers (I guess that's just the making of a true accountant). I am thankful that I pushed through and finished my accounting degree and MBA all those years ago, even on the many days I felt like quitting. And I am so, so thankful for my job. My current job has provided me with experiences and training that I never imagined possible at a "desk job."

So, there you have it... that's my 9 to 5 (well, actually it's 8 to 5)... I can be found working on reconciliations and balance sheets... at least when I'm not daydreaming of my next craft project;)

thankful thursday {link up}

{link up your own Thankful Thursday post below}

This Thursday I'm thankful for...

1) Photography lunch date. Yesterday on my lunch break I met up with a friend for a photography date. We basically just hung out at the park for an hour and played with our cameras until our fingers were numb from the cold. It was awesome. I played around with my 60mm macro lens and got some really neat nature shots that I hope to share eventually.

2) Project Life. Anyone even kinda-sorta involved in the scrapbooking community has probably heard about Project Life. Big time scrapbookers and paper-crafters all over are jumping on the Project Life bandwagon this year. And who can blame them... it basically allows you to make scrapbooking as easy or involved as you want. I'm not entirely sure what this project will look like for me, but I would love to incorporate this memory-keeping method into my life. I'll let you know more later... but until then, if you're interested in learning more about Project Life, go here. {image}

3) Creative date nights. Lance and I are learning to get creative in the ways that we spend time with one another... partly because of our schedules and partly because of our pocketbooks. We are learning that time together on the car ride home from community group can be just as valuable as a dinner date. Or a date night at the seminary school library can be pretty awesome too. It's all about what we make of it. If you're wanting some awesome (but affordable) date night ideas you should really check out the Friday Night Date Night blog... Mackenzie has tons of brilliant ideas.

I loved reading all of the Thankful Thursday link ups from last week... this one especially made me smile... I mean, who isn't thankful for hotdogs?? :)

What are you thankful for this week? Grab the Thankful Thursday button on the right sidebar and link up your own post below. Be sure to visit the other Thankful Thursday participants and share the love!!

Also linking up with:

Kate Says Stuff

The Fontenot Four

why i blog

Today I'm celebrating 2 years of blogging. I started this blog not entirely sure if I could or would maintain it... but here I am. 2 years and 530 posts later... I'm still here.

The Blogosphere is a funny place. You can feel strangely connected to people you've never met... or you can feel incredibly disconnected to real people. Blogging can leave you feeling completely inspired... or extremely discouraged. Blogging can help you relate to others... or leave you feeling like everyone has it together except you.

I desire to use blogging as a positive tool in my life... and the day it starts to feel like a chore or something I need to maintain to keep up with everyone else, is the day I will stop blogging. Don't get me wrong, there are definitely times I struggle with my motivations for blogging (which could probably be an entirely different post on it's own), but at the end of the day, blogging has taught me so much... and stretched me in more ways than I thought possible... for example...

1) Blogging makes me to step out of my comfort zone.

I have done things over the past couple of years that I probably would have never done otherwise if it weren't for blogging. I have gone on trips... slept in a tent... painted some furniture... expanded my photography skills... many due to the fact that I had already promised to blog about such-and-such.

2) Blogging holds me accountable.

This one goes hand-in-hand with item #1. Blogging makes me follow-through. If I say I'm going to blog about something, I usually do... instant accountability. Blogging forces me to put my thoughts and goals on "paper" ...instantly turning the simple ideas in my head into real action items.

3) Blogging makes me write.

I've never considered myself a writer... or even really liked writing. But jotting down a little post 4-5 times a week has helped me to enjoy writing. And I like that.

4) Blogging challenges me to step away from the computer.

Ummm, but don't you need to be on the computer to blog?? Well, yes. But if you don't step away from the computer and actually go out and LIVE your life, then you don't really have much to blog about, now do you??

5) Blogging has introduced me to new friends.

I have "met" several amazing women in the blogosphere... some that share my love for crafting... some that teach me about home design... some that challenge me creatively... and some that encourage me in my walk with the Lord. As strange as it may sound, I often feel as though I truly know some of these women, and genuinely hope I get to meet some of them eventually.

6) Blogging helps me appreciate real-life (in-the-flesh) friends.

While #5 is very much true, blogging has made me appreciate and value the real-life friendships I have. Interaction with real-in-the-flesh human beings cannot be replaced.

7) Blogging encourages me to finish my DIY projects.

I mean, who wants to read a blog post about an almost finished scrapbook or a half-painted table?? If I'm going to blog about it, then I need to finish it. This is a big deal for me. I am queen of half-finished crap.

8) Blogging allows me to relate.

For me this has been evident through some of my Dear Diary posts. I have been completely overwhelmed by the amount of "me too" comments and emails that I received when I was brave enough to share my fears and struggles honestly. This is probably my favorite part of blogging... how the Lord can use your words to greatly encourage someone on the other side of the world... making it feel a little less lonely out there.

9) Blogging encourages me to capture the little things.

I mean, I take pictures of food people! Since I have started blogging, I've noticed I'm much more likely to pick up my camera or my pen to help me capture those little things in life... Whether it's a picture of my favorite boots... a top 10 list of things I miss from the 80's... or a weekly thankful post... blogging forces me to remember the little things.

10) Blogging is a source of inspiration and encouragement.

The blogging world constantly inspires me and encourages me. Sometimes challenging me to do something different and sometimes just encouraging me to be where I am. To me, that is what this blogging stuff is all about.

What about you? Why do you blog?

Linking this up to Oh Amanda.

tactfully late christmas cards

January cards. Our version of holiday greeting cards.

I love them. They're like that last trickle of holiday goodness... Kind of like getting a birthday card a month late from Grandma... except our January cards don't have money in them... sorry.

I think this is about the 6th year we've sent out January cards... it's become quite a tradition for us. I'd really like to round up all of the January cards from year's past and put them all together... (hmmm, that would be a good project idea...)

We print a ridiculous amount... and every year I talk about cutting our list down... but then I think, "You know what? This is the one form of communication I have with some of these people for an entire year... forget it... I'm just going to send them all..."

And they're hitting mailboxes around the nation as we speak... be expecting your tactfully late Christmas card soon!!

my $12 alaska wall art

Several months ago I purchased a vintage school map of Alaska for $10 at my local antique mall. At the time, I wasn't quite sure what I wanted to do with the massive map, but after our most-amazing-trip-ever to Alaska this summer I thought it would be cool to incorporate the giant state into our home somehow.

Then, as I was sorting through some crap in the garage, I saw it. I knew exactly what I would do with the giant Alaska map. I would frame it. With a frame I already had...

Some of you may recall the horrible bathroom mirror tragedy. It was terrible. The mirror I had purchased for our old bathroom fell to the ground an shattered to a billion pieces just one day shy of me taking it off the wall for our move. It was awful. But... being the resourceful person that I am, I made Lance keep the frame... you know... just in case.

So. Back to the story at hand... Once I decided how to proceed, I just needed to gather a few simple supplies and get to work on my Alaska wall art...

My supplies were pretty simple... the Alaska map, the salvaged mirror frame, a piece of $2 plywood (cut to size by the nice man at Lowes)...

...oh, and spray adhesive.

This map was huge. What did I expect?? Alaska is a ginormous state, so obviously it needs a ginormous map... it only makes sense.

I needed to decide in advance what portion I wanted to include in the frame. Once I had that all figured out, I trimmed away at the edges.

Then I used the good ol' spray adhesive to glue the map in place. This was perfect for this project. But... someone asked about this glue in yesterday's thankful thursday comments... about possibly letting their kids use this for some art projects. Probably not the best idea... unless of course, you want every.single.surface in your home to be sticky... including your kids. Anytime I use this product, I always get it all over my hands somehow... and usually everywhere else.

Once I sprayed the map in place, I just used my hands to smooth out any air bubbles.

Then I slipped the plywood piece into place and used the existing staples to secure everything. This was probably the hardest step, only because I had to basically pull out the staples half way then press them into back of the plywood.

Then, tah-dah!!! My $12 wall art is finished! And this literally took me all of 20 minutes to do. I love it! I love the colors and I love that it brings back memories of our Alaskan cruise from last summer.

So, there you have it... our $12 wall art... I love it.

thankful thursday {link up} & embrace the camera

{Link up your own Thankful Thursday post below}

This Thursday I am thankful for...

1) Routine. Routine is a huge reason why I love January so much. I love the schedules and new calendars. Once the holidays are over, I'm always so ready to get back into a routine of some sort. I feel like this is even more true this year since I've been traveling more and more for work. I find myself getting giddy with excitement about consistency and monotony... sad, I know... the true signs of a control freak.

2) Kid's meals. Specifically ones that come with crowns. Kid's meals are the bomb diggity (yes, I just said bomb diggity)... you get a decent size portion of food for under $5 bucks... and a toy. You just can't beat it. (here is this week's embrace the camera photo... and also proof that you always look cooler with a crown, no matter what kind of weird face you are making.)

3) Craft projects. I have been itching to do some major crafting lately. I have a handful of projects that I am excited to finish and, of course, several more that I can't wait to start. But... I keep reminding myself that one of my new year's resolution is to finish more projects... not just start more. Oh, and don't worry... I'll be posting about this spray adhesive craft project very soon:)

What are you thankful for this week? Grab the Thankful Thursday button on the right sidebar and link up your own post below. Be sure to visit the other Thankful Thursday participants and share the love!

Also linking up with:

The Anderson Crew

Kate Says Stuff

The Fontenot Four

dear diary :: waiting

Dear Diary,

Recently I have started selecting one little word at the beginning of every year to help define and shape my upcoming year. Last year I chose delight. This year I chose the word wait.

Waiting. It's an odd selection for a motivational word. And it wasn't my first choice either. I tried to choose something different... really, I did. At first I wanted to go with the word hope... then I thought I'd use the word trust... And while those are both great options and I'm sure will hold meaning for me this year... I still kept coming back to the word wait.

Waiting... what does it even mean?

To stay in place in expectation of... To delay... To remain stationary in readiness or expectation... To look forward expectantly... To hold back expectantly... To be ready and available...

I've begun to realize how "waiting" normally has a negative connotation for me. Waiting means something is being withheld... my need for instant gratification isn't being fulfilled... or I am waiting for something that everyone else already has.

Sure, a big part of this word for me is waiting for a child... but it's much, much more than that... I often find myself waiting for acceptance... waiting for approval... waiting for comfort... waiting for answers... and yes, waiting for a child. But I've been asking myself some hard questions recently... Am I okay with waiting? What if I never receive the things I am waiting for? Do I feel that I need those things to be happy? Am I okay waiting for God? Or am I even waiting for God at all? Do I trust that His timing is better than my own?

But that's when it hit me. I'm not merely waiting for God... I'm waiting WITH God. Thankfully, He doesn't leave me high and dry to wait alone... He waits with me... gently reminding me that His plan is better. And I trust that. Some days it's hard to remember... but that's why I chose this word wait... not to remind me what I am waiting for, but rather Who I am waiting with.

Love,

Julia

......................................

I really loved this article on waiting on the Lord.

"Wait for the Lord; Be strong and let your heart take courage; Yes, wait for the Lord."

-Psalm 27:14

Linking this post up to:

Capturing Motherhood's Picture Me {Im}Perfectly

Jennifer Dawn McLucas' Memoir Mondays

The Lettered Cottage Word of the Year

my work week wardrobe

One of the many advantages to working from home is that you get to work in your sweats. It's a beautiful, beautiful thing. No one cares how greasy your hair is or if you still have last night's makeup on... and nevermind the fact that you've had the same sweatshirt on for the past 5 days...

But about once a month, I travel to Atlanta for a week in the office. Unfortunately, my company policy does not classify sweats as office-appropriate-attire... crazy, I know. So, for about 5 days out of the month I am forced to remember how to coordinate outfits, wear tights, brush my hair, and make sure I can still walk in heels.

My 5-day outfit selection usually incorporates some kind of color theme... mainly to cut down on the number of shoes I need to travel with. It seems black is usually the color-theme of choice as my black heels seem to always be office appropriate. And last week was no different...

Tuesday...

shirt: Forever 21

pants: Banana Republic (probably 5+ years old)

amazing necklace: pyrrah

amazing ring: james avery

Wednesday...

top: TJ Maxx

skirt: Express

necklace: Ann Taylor LOFT

Thursday...

top: TJ Maxx

skinny pants: GAP

cardigan: GAP

belt: Lucky Brand

Friday...

top: Michael Kors

jeans: Joe Jeans

shoes: Buddah

All photos compliments of my iPhone and hotel bathroom mirror:)

It was a great week at the office, but it always feels good to be working from home again... in sweats.

Linking this post up to The Pleated Poppy.

abi & jordan tied the knot!! {louisville wedding photographer}

Last weekend I photographed a beautiful New Year's Eve wedding in Louisville. The weather was absolutely perfect... as were the bride and groom.

My first time meeting Abi and Jordan was just days before the wedding... and I knew instantly their wedding was going to be special. I can't even begin to tell you the number of conversations I overheard from family and friends during the wedding... all talking about how kind-hearted Abi and Jordan are... they are perfect for each other and I can't wait to see how the Lord uses them together.

The entire day was magical. See for yourself...

We had perfect weather... you would have never guessed it was December 31st.

The church was stunning.

Abi lost her voice the day before the wedding, so she spent the morning sipping on vitamin C while getting ready for the big day.

I loved the detail on Abi's dress... it looked even more amazing once she slipped it on...

I think the bridesmaids agreed:)

I loved the simple wedding shoes...

Oh... and that bouquet!

You could practically see Abi glowing.

Abi had an amazing fur shawl that we used for some of her portraits... it's the only way you could tell it was a winter wedding!

The bridesmaids were a blast... such a beautiful group of girls. I loved the different styles of navy dresses.

And here's the handsome groom...

The rest of the guys cleaned up pretty nice too!

Jordan and the guys looked awesome rocking their shades:)

The inside of this church was amazing... just look at those intricate beams.

And the stained glass windows were absolutely gorgeous!!

The ceremony was so beautiful. Jordan and Abi wrote their own vows and I found myself tearing up behind my camera... seriously.

Oh, and did I mention that they had the cutest ring bearers and flower girl ever!?!

They look pretty good as a Mr. & Mrs... don't you think?

This is one of my favorite shots... precious.

Jordan could not keep his eyes off his beautiful bride... but I mean, can you blame him?

Another happily ever after...

This was one of the sweetest weddings I have ever photographed. It was such a beautiful day with a truly special couple. Be sure to show the newlyweds some love and tell them congratulations!!

Best wishes Abi and Jordan! Thank you for letting me be a part of your big day!