editing, chick flicks and chips and salsa for dinner...

tom got up before sunrise last friday, loaded his bike and headed to sturgis. this was his 8th or 9th year of riding up to the rally. he has ridden with the same base group of guys every year, until this year. this year, he rode alone. his buds all had conflicts. i really like all the guys he rides with, so i was pretty bummed for him, when it didn't work out for them to go. i was a little worried about him being on the road alone, in case of problems-and yet, we both had a sense that there was a reason he made the trip alone. not to get too philosophical, but our former pastor nathan and his wife kathy live in blackhawk, near sturgis, and tom knew he wanted to spend more time with them this trip. nathan and kathy were instrumental in our spiritual life, mentoring both tom and i. in fact, i'm pretty sure that if it weren't for them, we would be living a very different life right now. kathy was diagnosed with cancer a while ago, and although she had a time when she was in remission, the cancer is back and they are just trusting God for their future. tom spent quite a bit of time reconnecting with them. when he would call me and tell me how tender and sweet nathan is with kathy, it really touched me. to think they were such a big part of our lives at one time, and now they're dealing with this, and we're so far away. i would love it if you would pray for them.

tom is on his way home now-he just called from somewhere in the sandhills, and he says he keeps catching up with a nasty thunderstorm. i'm so glad that as close as tom and i are, and as much as we love to spend time together....we'll totally fine with being apart for a time too. i think that comes with complete trust and confidence. the first year he went to sturgis, i was a different person than i am now, and i wasn't very strong about his time away. now, i can say i actually look forward to it, both for him and for me. i had these grand ideas of all these things i would get done. i didn't take into consideration, how much energy 3 photoshoots in 36 hours would take. don't laugh. seriously, i was so exhausted on saturday afternoon. i did spend time with my mom, my sister, brooke, josh and the kids on saturday night, and then yesterday, we all swam again, along with beth and jared. it was a great, relaxing day. i got a lot of sun. thank God i had sunscreen on my face.

friday night, i went out to the lake, and had the opportunity to photograph a beautiful family. it is a milestone time in their lives, and i was honored to help them capture it. c & c are newly engaged, and with their upcoming marriage, they will be the parents of 6 children! i always adored the movie,*yours, mine and ours*! they are so into each other (which makes my job so much easier!) and they are doing a great job with all the children. and did i mention they are all beautiful?

 

it was just a great night! the beginning of something very special. and there are so many more fun shots that i could share! i'm sure that many of them will be in my gallery column to the left very soon!

so you know i have to mention the a-list photographer list again! the voting ends friday-and i've moved from 17th the first day (just last week) to 2nd! my competitive nature has kicked in! i really should just be saying thank you! thanks for voting-i'm actually thrilled to be in 2nd place! and thanks for taking the time to leave a review too : )

i always like to share cool things that are happening in the craft/scrapbooking world here. this week, you must check out the hero arts blog. first of all, hero arts is an amazing company. they are first class for sure. i participated in one of their contests a couple of years ago and they were SO generous. this week, my friend, leslie is hosting a week of fun on the blog. challenges and giveaways that you aren't going to want to miss! check it out!

also, you need to check out the basement sale at SIS. 50-75% off hambly, sassafras and lots of other great stuff! you know you NEED that stuff! get over there!

i'll admit that i'm a shopping enabler. i am easily enabled myself. just ask my friends. that's why i now have the canon 5D! and i love to shop with other people who know how to shop!

i had all these awesome links i was going to share with you today, but it's getting late and i want to get some things done before tom rolls in. so i'll save that for tomorrow. have a great day and God bless! 

Comments

[kimmie]

i love the holding hands street one...and you soooo deserve to win. good luck.

sorry i haven't been around. but i do pop in every now and then:)

[Mindy]

all of the pictures look great!! i love the one with the kids playing in the background!

[tara pollard pakosta]

awesome pics!
congrats to their start of their new life.
so sad about your friends, but glad that tom went to visit, that probably really helped theM!
prayers for his safe return!
ttyL!
tara

[metrochic]

these have to be some of my favorite shots of yours, becky! they are BEAUTIFUL! what a lovely family and they are so lucky to have you capturing them. YAY!

[Amber]

Hey Becky! Thanks so much for sending me the wedding magazine!! Your pictures ROCKED!!! I am shooting a wedding this Saturday, and got some good ideas. You speak so passionately about your photography, and that is exactly how I am! I feel at ease behind my camera...hard to explain to just anyone!
So, thanks again - you truly have inspired me!!!

[Tiffany M.]

What a small world. I was born and raised in Black Hawk, SD. Haven't heard of your former pastor and his wife before tho. Please post some pics of Tom from his Rally trip. Sounds like fun- you getting to spend your days filled with projects and loved ones. What a treat, huh?

[psmullican]

love the photo of the kids' feet hanging off the dock. great looking family. have a good week!

[Kelly]

What wonderful photos of this beautifully blended to-be family. It looks like it will work to me!
Kelly

[Maureen]

Becky these photos are so amazing! What a gorgeous family!!
I hope Tom makes it home safe and sound and I will pray for your friends.

[Vicki Chrisman]

Oh my gosh Becky..those shots are fantastic!

[{vicki}]

Man I love those feet photos--I don't know what it is about kids feet but I'm always finding myself snapping shots of my son's feet. Love it.
{vicki}