Easter 2013

 Easter was nothing too special this year. All of my family members' spring breaks didn't match up, so it was hard to coordinate things to do together. We did make it to church together, "opened" our Easter baskets, and then had dinner at my cousin's house together. 

 As we're all getting older, it's harder and harder to get pictures together and a chance to go on a family trip. I love my brothers though; even when their mean, cranky, and selfish. They'll always be my brothers.

We're all unique in our own way and our personalities come out in pictures like the one above. Luke, my youngest brother, doesn't like pictures too much. Zach, the one to my right, isn't really shy, but he's the guy that will make you laugh at just about anything. Devin, to my left, is getting too old for childish ways and has a hard time being funny. :P Haha! And then there's me... I'm cute, awkward, and maybe just a tad dorky. Just a tad. Maybe. 

 These two pictures really bring out my awkwardness. I love cameras and all, but they bring out my inner awkwardness. That's okay though, I will cherish these memories. 

 Before we had an early dinner, my cousin Eva and I went on a little hike. We walked to their park, through the snowy trail, and even had to forge a river (jk, it was a pond). Our shoes were very wet by the time we got home. Eva and I are two months apart in age and if we lived closer, I'm sure we'd be even closer cousins than we are now. 

I hope you enjoyed your Easter and are still living out the Good News. 

P.S. My good friend texts I think three people "He is risen!" every single day. That is how she is keeping the Good News alive. When she forgets a day, she feels bad about it. ;) 

Zach | 2012 Graduate

These are just a few of the pictures that I took of my older brother Zach. He has now graduated and is working hard in college. I miss him like crazy these days, but I'm really looking forward to seeing him for Thanksgiving. We took these pictures on an early, summer day. We got to the location a little later than I wanted to, but we still got some pretty light. I haven't done many senior portraits before, so it was good that I had to opportunity to "practice" Zach. :)     Do you like taking portraits at sunrise?

2012 Independence Day {v.1}

 Yes, it has been a week since the 4th, but I'm just now posting about it.

 Our morning consisted of going to a  neighboring city for a parade.

Boy, was that parade long.My mom threatened to leave early because it was so long and the temperatures were unbearable.

 After our morning parade, my older two brothers went off on their own and did their own thing, so my younger brother Luke and I were home and completely bored.

 We begged mom and dad to take us somewhere, but because of the heat, there wasn't much outside that we wanted to do.

 So what did we do? We went on a house tour. Haha! No, I'm not moving, but we looked at all sorts of houses (the lake houses were my favorite) while listening to my new CD by Jamie Grace.

 We were looking at houses for a little over an hour before the sun went down and it was time for the city firework show {that apparently is the best in the Cities}.

 Let me tell you, this picture made my night. Gah!

 I never knew that fireworks were create such great bokeh! :P

The finale.

 So even though I didn't go out of town like I have every year, it was nice to experience something new and in my city for once. Last year was close to a once-in-a-lifetime experience. But this year, I just might have found some enjoyment in it.

What did you do for the 4th? Were you restricted from fireworks because of the drought?

My Life Story | A Challenge

   8. Pass 8th Grade

     Eight years ago, I moved from my hometown in Nebraska to where I am now. I was about six when I moved, just getting out of half-day Kindergarten. My family packed our bags and then it was time. It was time to say goodbye to my one and only best friend. I had to say goodbye to my family that also lived there. I had to say goodbye to my home and all of the memories I made there.

     When I arrived in Minnesota, we were unable to move into our house, it wasn't time yet. School was starting though. So what do we do? We stayed at my cousins' house for about a month or so. They were so generous to us and I was so blessed to go to school with them, with a dad as a principal.

     Eventually we settled in our own little home. We had some friends help renovate a room for my brothers; and everything was set. The next four years were alike, yet so different. I went to the same school, with the same principal, with the same classes. Teachers came and left, but one thing remained. No matter who was teaching, the Word of God was always being shared.

     Entering 5th grade {the start of middle school there}, I didn't know exactly what to expect. Middle school was a whole new world to me (even though it was just downstairs). I had a locker... two to be exact. I had to change classrooms and teachers. I now had a gym uniform to change into. Everything was different. Sidenote: Fifth grade was one of the best years of my life (so far)... it was also one of the hardest. Yeah we got a lot of homework, but then was the time when I was figuring out who I was and who I wanted to hang out with. It was not an easy time. In fact, I lost a good reputation for a little while. On top of all of that, my favorite two teachers told my class they were leaving to do mission work half way around the world (now that are pregnant with twins!). They were the best teachers I ever had.

     Time moved on and I grew older. I had the same teacher for 6th and 7th grade. Those two years were great, but nothing super dramatic and exciting happened.

     Eighth grade had finally come. I had one of the most stressful, but most fun years of my life. I grew as a person, and I grew more than ever in my faith. I received a higher learning than ever before. I experienced new things and places. I became more me, and a little less everyone else. I had a blast. When graduation and the last day of school came, I had mixed feelings. I've been with the same 9 people for years. I'd miss them like crazy, but it is/was the time to move on.

     Entering into high school in the fall will be a huge change for me. I'll have to meet new teachers, the new principal, a new {huge} school, and a new group of friends. Think back to the beginning of this story... sound familiar? I'll be entering into a public school for the first time. This summer, I'm determined to prepare myself as much as possible. I'll strengthen my relationship with Christ and I'll prepare myself spiritually, mentally, socially, emotionally, financially, and physically. I'm ready to leave my little private school and start ministering to others. My challenge is to share my faith in Jesus Christ to a few people by this time next year. I not exactly sure what to call it, but what about Jesus Christ Virus?!? Let me know your thoughts!

Will you take the challenge with me?

P.S. All of these pictures {except the first} are from my eighth grade graduation.

Graduation #1 | High School

 We stood outside the doors for 15 minutes, then made our way into the gymnasium. We then waited there for about an hour.

 The time finally came... the band started playing the special graduation song, and they all walking in, tassels flying all over the place. 

I personally really like this one because Zach (my brother) is the only thing in focus

 Then, the principal said his words to the class and announced all of the highly honored students.

 After many people already received their diplomas, Zach's name was finally called. He walked up the ramp, shook the teacher's hand, and grabbed his diploma.

He had officially graduated... kinda. It was a fake diploma, he had to go to another room to get his real diploma.

And of course, many pictures concluded our night of appreciation and congratulation.

Prom 2012

 Beautiful, professionally done hair. 

 ^FAV!

This year, I had the opportunity to take pictures for TWO proms! The first set of pictures is from my older brother's prom. And the next set is from my cousin's. My brother's a senior (graduating in a few days!) and my cousin's a junior in high school. My mom is a make-up consultant, so she was asked to do my cousin's makeup. I was blessed and was invited to go! So, we headed over to their house {about 20 minutes away}and I just watched everyone and helped where I could. I personally like taking pictures at prom because it's one step closer to photographing a wedding.

So for my brother's prom, he went with a good friend, not someone he's declared as dating. Sadly, the weather was absolutely terrible. It was a group of about 36 people, so we wanted to take pictures outside at a park. Luckily, we found a hotel that generously let us use their lobby with a waterfall-looking thing. Better than being outside, right? 

I also liked these "sessions" because it was the first dance I could take pictures of with my new camera (purchased last November). When I say dance, I mean my brother's high school dance. Next year, I'll be the one who's getting pictures done! :) Well, one can only hope. :P

P.S. All of these photos are SOOC. I haven't been in the mood to edit... anyways, my edits probably look kinda bad anyway.

Confirmation 2012

41. Get confirmed

42. Receive a new Bible

I look kinda creepy in this picture...

Last Sunday, I got confirmed. It was such a blessing to be surrounded by the people that love and care for me and my faith in Jesus Christ.God invited me to partake in Holy Communion. For a gift, my wonderful godparents gave me a beautiful Bible. It explains verses and it also has my name inscribed on the back. :) Overall, it was a really great weekend!