Happy 4th of July! | Operation: Love ReUnited

Happy 4th of July!

Today is one of my FAVORITE holidays... I love everything about today. The summer activities, the fireworks, the cheesy attire I can get away with wearing once a year, the hot dogs and picnic blankets and bluegrass concerts! (I know, that's random... but for some reason I hear more bluegrass music played on this holiday than any other.) My family and I celebrated the holiday yesterday at a local festival. I am getting ready to head out here in a bit to go enjoy a big family cook-out with my sister and her kiddos, also. So fun!

I just wanted to take a moment real quick and draw attention to an organization I am proud to be a part of. I have been a vounteer photographer for Operation: Love ReUnited for over a year now and it has been such an awesome experience. This organization brings together photographers who are willing to donate their time and talents to give back to the troops and their families. If you or someone you know has a loved one that is deployed (or is getting read to deploy), you may qualify for up to two free professional photo sessions! This is a great way for photographers everywhere to give back to those who sacrifice so much for us.

Check out my website here for more information, or click over to the OP: Love website to find a photographer near you!

If you are a photographer and you are interested in getting involved, click here for more information.

Yay! I am so proud to be an American! Happy 4th of July, ya'll!

p.s. I miss you, Tommy!

my protector | unravelling project

I have a lot of Gratituesday ideas stirring in my head, but today's has been at the forefront of my mind for the past few days. Today I am grateful for creativity. I am thankful that I was given the gift of a creative mind (passed down from my extremely talented Grandmother, no doubt) and that I was encouraged to nurture and exercise my creativity by both my family and friends. I am thankful that exercising my creativity can be a healthy outlet for me during stressful times.

The Unravelling course started yesterday and my mind has been stirring since I read the opening message. I am LOVING the project already! This week Tommy is packing and then we're saying goodbye... so bear with me guys, I know you're probably so tired of hearing about his departure. But it's been right in our faces for the past few weeks and it's all we're thinking, breathing, and dreaming about. Naturally, my work is going to reflect all that is going on, right?

Week one of the Unravelling course is a focus on our feet. Where do they take us? What do they say about our lives? I have a few ideas in my head to further explore this area of my life I've never thought twice about - but this was the first one that came to mind.

My husband. My protector. Here we stand on our front steps. This photo says so much to me. It says that he is the guardian of both me and our home. It says that he is strong and trained well. It says that I trust him with my safety and my security.

This actually says so much more than just those few things. The last year of our marriage has been a crazy rollercoaster ride and we are both looking forward to the growth this deployment will bring. So without going too far into detail... I just want to say that this photo stirs up many emotions with me and I love it. I l.o.v.e. it.

I am so grateful for my creativity and that I have been encouraged to exercise and nurture it.