Little Photographer...

Maybe I've found my second shooter?

Kaden thought this $2 goodwill find was the most fascinating thing ever.

He was heart broken when we parted ways and the camera came with me.

Does that make me a jerk?

Tomorrow I'll show you a whole collection from the afternoon I got to spend with these boys.

Also coming up this week?

A few 'before' pictures of our place and a new feature!

See you soon!

xoxo

Joy

Here I am...

Thanks for waiting for me while I figured a few things out.

I'll be a little honest, okay?

I've been feeling super duper stressed, sad, and just completely overwhelmed.

I couldn't put a finger on any one thing that was dragging me down.

It's a strange feeling to not know what's going on.
But through prayer and reading my Bible, Jesus has been pointing a few things out to me.

For starters, I've been praying over the last few weeks that He would show me what's going on in my heart and that He would help me change it.
I was very proud in thinking that this revealing of my heart would be easy.
Hold on for a second - NEWS FLASH -
It's actually been rather disgusting.
My sinful thoughts, motives, attitudes, and actions have all been highlighted.
No wonder I feel so stressed, discouraged, and lost.
It hurts to be reminded of the truth - I'm a horrible sinner!

Thankfully, it doesn't end there!
This reminder of my death deserving sin is also reminding me of how gracious, merciful and loving Jesus is.
He knew all that nasty stuff was in my heart all along.
And He still loves me.
How amazing is it that, even after my sin put Him on the cross, He loves me enough to stick it out with me, work on my heart, make me better, and use me for His glory?
He's not giving up on me and realizing that is a humbling reality.

My heart - the center of my being - is being passed through a refining fire.
And, only by God's grace, the result that will come through to the other side will be a new, humble, thankful, compassionate, strong, courageous, woman of God.

He died for everyone so that those who receive His new life will no longer live for themselves. Instead, they will live for Christ, who died and was raised for them...This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life has gone and the new life has begun! 
2 Corinthians 5:15, 17

I am so thankful to know Jesus.
Otherwise, this sin would be tormenting forever.
Instead of living in fear, anxiety, and despair, I can be brave, excited, and hopeful because Jesus loves me.
He's in it for the long haul.
I've just got to hold on tight.

xoxo

Joy

Phew!

We finished our taxes!!

As a little treat, I picked up my favorite favorite favorite ice cream.

It only comes out this time of year and I've been waiting for months!!

Okay, maybe I got a little too excited about it and ate a little too much.

But after a lame day at work, I just needed to veg out for a sec.

Maybe next time I should do so with veggies instead of Tax Crunch!!

Tax Crunch® Ice Cream

Relieve the stress of tax season with our delicious Kona Coffee ice cream blended with a tasty swirl of crackling chocolate and rice crunchy pieces. A favorite since 2001.

Soo...I think for the next few days I need to take a little break from blogging.

I know, I know.

I haven't been around that much anyways but there's been a lot lot lot going on and if I can just disconnect from the internet for a bit, I'll get everything straightened out and be back fresh and new.

While I'm away can you guys do me a favor? 

Even if this is the first time you've ever read this little blog, tell me something you'd like to read about when you come over for a visit.

Fashion?

More DIY?

Photography?

Cooking?

Home Decor?

Tell me, tell me, tell me!

And thanks for understanding my silencio for a few days.

xoxo

Joy

Happy Friday!!

It's been a looong day.

But I'm feelin' good.

Do you guys have any plans for the weekend?

I'll be working tomorrow and singing with the band on Sunday.

Doing a little Ballard wandering, too.

Okay, well, just checking in.

I'm pretty exhausted so I'm going to go snuggle with Camillo and have sweet dreams.

Good night!!

xoxo

Joy

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

For just $7.99 you too could have an instant red beard and Lucky Charm Hat!

Camillo and I found this a few weeks ago at Target.

Shoulda bought it...

Anyways, hope you guys had a fun day.

And maybe an even more eventful evening.

I spent the day with this little cutie..

She has such a kind, compassionate, sweet heart.

She'll just sit by my grandpa's side for hours at a time.

Only to get up and stroke his hand or kiss his forehead.

It's so beautiful to witness their love.

I also got to see this boy...

He was more excited to see me in real life!

But even more excited about his three new air soft guns he got today.

With his own money!

He told me all about it.

A hug and a quick smooch on the cheek from this kid is enough to make my heart swell.

Before I left town I ate lunch with my mama and changed a head light with my daddyo.

Exciting, I know.

But between the 1.5 hour drive, Irish banjos and accordions at the nursing home, and reading stories to my gramma, 30 minutes with my parents was perfect.

I sure do miss 'em.

Anyways, now I'm back home and Camillo is getting nachos and Corona for dinner.

That's Irish, right??

xoxo

Joy

tick tock...

Woah.

This whole daylight-savings-thing is really throwing me off my game.

I've been rushing around for the last two days and time seems to be chasing me.

Maybe I'm just extra busy and the whole time change just coincidentally came into effect as soon as my schedule erupted.

I am not complaining.

It's nice to be busy doing the things I choose to be busy with.

Unpacking,

Reorganizing,
Editing,

Blogging,

Rehearsing,

Thrifting,

Shooting,

Cleaning,

Cooking,

etc.

Today I ran a few errands for Camillo while he was in a meeting.

Came home to clean/unpack for a minute (well, about 65) and then watched Ellen and Bethenny while taking care of some long over due editing.

It's a hard life when you get to hang out with two handsome boys and their Mommy and Daddy.
Let me tell ya...
More soon,
Pinky Promise!!

Off to another shoot.
Molly Moon's anyone?

xoxo
Joy

It's a cold, dark day...

There's a lot going on in this little heart of mine.

It's hard to put into words what's happening.

I've got a lot to think about and a few big decisions to make.

I'm learning a lot about myself.

I don't like conflict and I'm a people pleaser.

And I'm so afraid of making the wrong decision, that a lot of times I end up
not making any decision at all.

And then I end up unhappy.

Sorry to be a bummer.

It's been a hard few days.

I'll fill you in soon.

But for now, maybe just pray for me and my family?

Thanks.

xoxo

Joy

Good Morning!

Guess what I got to do last night?

That's right, I baked some cupcakes!!

You might not think cupcakes are a big deal but let. me. tell. you.

Said cupcakes were mixed with an electric mixer - in our kitchen - at 7:30 PM.

Please understand that 9 days ago, anything (I mean anything) we did after 7pm resulted in our grumpy 20 something downstairs neighbor pounding on the ceiling.

OR, coming up to knock on the door and asking 'politely' if we would be turning in soon.

At 7 o'clock.

No.

Woah, I get stressed out just telling you about it...

breeeathe.

Well, okay, anyways - the cupcakes were delish and let's just say I'm glad Josiah and my daddyo came over today to help us eat a couple - and take the rest home.

Phew, that was a close one!

Do you guys like to bake?

What's your favorite treat?

xoxo

Joy

The View From Over Here...

Camillo and I have been getting up [really] early to head to the gym.

With his new banker's hours, he heads to work by 8am.

Thank the Lord Camillo has ambition because let me tell you,

if it was up to me, we'd sleep 'til noon. 

I'm always a little grumpy with him at first.

But after a good work out and a little time to wake up,

I'm thankful that he drags me out of bed.

I'l admit early mornings have their perks.

Like, you know, the sunrise...

And having more time in the day,

And sleeping better at night.

So, we'll see how long this lasts!

When do you guys usually get up every morning?

xoxo

joy

Little by little..

We're getting the house unpacked!

The kitchen is all done and the living room is just about there, too.

Oh, and the bathroom is done.

Sweet.

This morning I went grocery shopping.

I love it when our fruit scale is full...

Thanks to Trader Joe's!

Okay, my online time is up!

On to the next thing on my agenda..

Have a good day, guys!
xoxo
joy

workin' hard...

or hardly workin'?

this is what we're doing...

 you decide.

and guess what?

the comcast guy came today,

i'm so glad to have interent again!

i've missed you guys!!

xoxo

joy

oh, ps...anybody know why my fonts are different from one computer to the other?!
curious....

note to self #46

when husband kindly makes a point that putting the craft desk back together in the living room is not a good idea, take heed. 

because if you ignore his advice and do it anyway, you will be stuck with an oversized table and four legs smack in the middle of your living room.

and because once your table top has four legs, it's much harder to finagle it down the hall, around the corner, and into your office.

okay.

got it.

xoxo

joy

on your mark, get set, go!

As promised, here are some photos from the 5K Kristie and I ran for Valentine's Day!

Did I tell you I beat my last time by 2 minutes?

Kristie is a good running buddy!!

okay, so we propped the camera on the hood of my car and set it to automatic.
it takes 3 shots.
quite quickly, i must say...

it took a few tries but we ended up with a couple goodies.

now we're contemplating this fantastic little adventure...
aah!
i wanna do it sooo bad!
hold on while i put on my big girl panties.
uh, well, figuratively speaking...

in other news, we're still moving in to our lovely new home.
comcast doesn't come until monday so forgive my sporadic posts.
can't wait to show you what we're doing with the place!!

xoxo
joy

ps..thanks, kristie, for theses photos!