Today...has been a difficult day. And I am thankful.

Today is a difficult day for me. And I am thankful.

There is a ton on my mind and a ton going on right now...

and frankly I'm overwhelmed.

I don't know what's up ahead, you know beyond that horizon, 

And it's scary. I wonder if I'm making the right choices and decisions. 

I wonder if it's supposed to feel this difficult. 

I am so thankful for all that I have but on occasion the hustle and bustle and strife and stress just get me down.

Simplifying my life is key to this happening less and less. 

So today, when it feels so difficult and I want so badly to let myself slump down in the dumps...

Instead, today I will appreciate it all that much more, and focus on simplifying and on the things that matter. 

And be thankful. 

Moments like this

which I am privileged to witness

Are why I do what I do. 

wordless wednesday

September already?!

Ok guys how the heck did that happen? I swear I blinked and six months were gone. I really owe everyone who has been patiently awaiting their photos an apology. I was overwhelmed by all of the love and business you all caused me this summer. It was a blur of beautiful babies and gorgeous brides, a few adorable pups sprinkled in here and there and all of a sudden summer is coming to a screeching halt! But I loved every minute of it! Through all of this an incredibly talented friend of mine was busily building me what (and OK I might be slightly biased) I think is just the coolest website of all time! If you haven't checked it out yet--you should! :) 

www.rebekahsappfotos.com

A few photos for you all to enjoy....my summer in pictures...

I'm just so in love with this photo right now....

Here was Jack, six months and absolutely adorable in every way......

...and his equally adorable cousin Cora! This family just has the cutest kids....

Here we have happy expectant parents Chris and Cassie....

and their gorgeous daughter Audrey at just three days old <3

Garth and Whitney's incredibly original 80's themed wedding....LOVE the pink chuck taylors!

And glowing parents to be Royce and Tianna

....and their beautiful daughter Amira a few weeks later.

These two are so in love....I cannot wait to meet baby Rilyn sometime this fall!

Cari and Gabe's wedding brought tears to my eyes, so intimately them.

Happy pup Potato was born to be in front of the camera- she was cheesin the whole time and I loved it!

Meet Piggy, the newest and cutest addition to a good friend's family!

Busy as I was...I did manage to sneak away to Vegas for the weekend....view of an amazing sunrise from our room :)

You didn't think I'd let you go without showing off my handsome goofy guy did you? My little man is almost all grown up!

and lastly here's me (and the man) extremely busy and extremely happy!

 

I'm so excited...and I just can't hide it!

So many exciting things happening right now! Where do I start? I have a lot on my plate the next few months and some new endeavors that I'm pursuing at the moment. I cannot wait to reveal to you my new website! It is in the works and should be all ready to go in the next week or two! In addition my photos are now The Rok, at 7th and Willamette in downtown Eugene, they will be displayed all summer but Friday May 6th I will be there to answer questions, get to know people, hang out, drink good wine and.....one lucky guest of the evening will be taking home a print of their favorite image from my Signs of Spring collection! That's right I will be raffling off an 11x14 print of your choice! Here are a few sneak peaks from the collection!

Beauty.

Christmas.

Such a controversial word. What does it mean? Why does it mean that? Well if it means one thing to you and another to me does that make one of us wrong? What is Christmas really all about?

It's been a question that's been on my mind a lot lately. The cynics claim it is a commercialized holiday that has meaning no deeper then the glam and glitter of it all, I surely don't believe that to be true. But after a recent conversation I had I did find myself questioning certain things. I was not questioning if I believe Christmas to be a celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ. I do. I was also not questioning my love of the holiday. I love Christmas because to be it is a time that is filled with love and hope and miracles. Do I buy into the glitter and glam of it all? I do. I love that for one month a year the world seems a little bit brighter, I love decorating my house and the cheer that comes along with those decorations. Does this make my belief less? Does the fact that I enjoy putting up twinkle lights and snow globes and a big tall tree make me naive to the sadness and loneliness that can also surround this holiday? No I don't think so.

I was lucky, I grew up in a home where Christmas was celebrated for all that was beautiful about it, I don't take that for granted for a second. I know that for so many this holiday is something to be dreaded, something where the positive memories I am so fond of just aren't there. And it makes me sad. Makes my heart hurt for those who don't know the joy I feel from this time of year. And as easy as it would be to buy into the cynicism I just can't, I still want to make people love it, see it as I do. A special time of year for telling and showing your loved ones how much they mean to you. The presents, the lights and the tree. Honestly it's not why I love it. The glitter and glam are like the salt and pepper. It's not why you are eating the food, but it makes it taste that much better so why not.



 I had an amazing Christmas this year, filled with family and love and laughter. Merry Christmas to you and may your home be filled with love throughout this season!