3 Funerals and a Wedding

So it's been a couple of busy weeks for the Bishop. He has dealt with three deaths (2 in the ward and 1 passing through in need of a bishop). It's a hard thing for him but he is compassionate and does well helping those who are mourning. This past weekend however he got to do somethng for the first time that was actually fun. He got to marry an adorable couple that will be in our ward for a few more months before the army moves them along. He interviewed them last week and learned that she had family driving in from Idaho and that his three children and some neighbors would be there. They did not have plans for pictures or a wedding cake.
"What?!?" Said I.
The cake decorating photographer in me cannot let this stand! So, I whipped up a wedding cake for 15 guests and took some pictures. It was raining and the Idaho relatives got there late but it was awesome. Her dad met the groom and his three new grandchildren for the first time 10 minutes before the ceremony and it was instant adoration on all sides. We met some great folks that are at Ft.Benning right now and hope they enjoyed being in our church building for a short time. I can't wait to see them all again and for my ward friends to meet Leanna and her new family. Please see the post below for photos. (Curse you flourescent lighting!!!) Oh, and just so you know that the Spirit was indeed involved here, I had no idea what her colors were going to be when I bought the flowers for the cake!

Rhodes Wedding Photos

                      

Whoever said a new business takes over your life wasn't kidding......And, the rest of the story.

Okay, it’s only been a couple of weeks for me but it is all consuming! I have not even had my first shoot yet but Oi!, the website, the business cards, the marketing…If I am not doing something with it I am worrying about it. Still, better than the ole 9-5 rat race if you ask me! I do have eight sessions on the books for the next month. Not bad for a $60 table at a consignment sale! I hope I can cut the six months thing a little short though. I’m hoping that once I have a couple of shoots under my belt I can quit worrying and just enjoy it. I can’t say thank you enough to those of you who have helped me prepare. I’m sure I will be calling on you again soon!

So, other than that, same old stuff going on around here. Translated that means:

I wake up in the morning and stay in bed for as long as possible just enjoying the quiet.
The quiet ends, not to be seen again until midnight.
Everyone off to school so that Brantley and I can start the party.
Party is over, time for the bus.
Fix dinner amid cries of ”I’m not going to eat that” and retorts of “I don’t really care if you eat it but you will not be eating anything else, this is not a fast food joint. And, you will be at the table with us until everyone is done eating.”
Everyone does eat eventually.
With full tummies the party starts again.
Party over, bedtime.
Now the real party starts (they just thought the real party was earlier!) Translated this means:
Finish up the dishes.
Save stray shoes from the puppy.
Kim Blogs while the Bishop checks his e-mail.
Maybe a bath, and if we are lucky the phone does not ring after 11:00.
The Bishop goes to bed, 11:00 is his limit (unless the phone does ring in which case the “bishop adrenaline” kicks in and he amazes me with what he can accomplish so late at night.)
This is when I edit photos, work on the blog, check the weekly schedule again, watch House, Lost, or Lie to Me online.
BED!!!

Now, what do I really try to get done each day? Well, I really feel like a day has gone well if: I get to actually speak to each of my teenagers (and tween) for at least five minutes (consecutive) about anything. I get to play with Brantley (this does not include taking her picture, she does not think that is fun!) and read with Mallory. I cook something for dinner. We actually read scriptures together before family prayer. The Bishop and I get to discuss the day.
That’s the goal. I currently have a 75% success rate. But the saying “Busy people get more done” does apply to me. You’d think starting a business would drop my success rate but it won’t. By requiring the need to be more organized I will be and I will get more done. (Shhhh, that’s the story I am telling myself and I am sticking to it!)

I Come by it Naturally

As you can see, my love of chocolate began at a very young age. I have at least learned over the years not to wear it on my face. I'm not sure how chocolate became so integral a part of the celebration of the Easter season, but I do know that I love this time of year! Bring on the chocolate bunnies. I'm not ashamed to say that I eat their heads first!

Photography Blog

Well, it's time. I have been in the process of obtaining a business license and setting up shop. While it will continue to be a work in progress, I am now officially in the portrait photography business. I have a blog that will serve as my business website for the time being. I have several new photo shoots posted there and I will put all of them there from now on. I'd really like to randomly ramble on this particular blog. I will be renting a booth at the Just 4 Kidz Consignment Sale the week of March 16th. Please come see me and do some smart shopping while you're at it. It's a great sale. Huge. You'l find everything you need for your kids and your home. It's all gently used and mostly you'll find great bargains. Here is the link to the new blog. 1000 Words Photography. Wish me luck! I am still undecided on my price structure but all of that info will be up on the blog before the end of the week.

Snow Day!!!

Oh yeah! It snowed in Columbus, GA. And not just a little bit either. At our house we got at least 5 inches but there may be more tonight. Schools are already closed for tomorrow so we are going to P-A-R-T-Y! This is a first for Brantley so she watched it fall, played in it, tasted it, threw it at her dad, and then took a nice warm bath after filling the freezer with snowballs. What a lovely surprise for us all!