Witnessing a song

Today I went to my girlfriends funeral. What a hard thing to go through.....I have been blessed in my life - I haven't previously lost anyone in my life - unexpectedly. I lost my Great-Grandmother when I was around 18, but we had been warned, and we all knew she was ready - so it was easier - not easy, just easier - because we knew she was tired of suffering and yearned to go home to meet the Lord.

Today I witnessed a song - my life was touched at this funeral - which I know is not the typical feelings after something like this - but this family was not typical.
Aundrea (my friend who went to be with the Lord) has 3 children. (all still living at home) These children are exactly how everyone wants their children to be (atleast how Christian's want their children to grow up)
I view them as the most near perfect children that I have ever met. (well 2 of them are almost grown and gone)
Today in the midst of tears and heartache, Aundrea's middle son, defined the song by Casting Crowns "I will praise you in this storm". I can't imagine the pain his heart must have felt today - but in the midst of this storm - he praised the Lord. I watched him as he lifted his hands and just praised the Lord.

Just thinking over this makes my heart skip a beat.......how selfless (Just like his Mother) was he for just turning it all over to God --- just praising God in the midst of storm - knowing that God is sufficient - he will mend your heart and will satisfy your soul.

I know that Aundrea has many crowns - what a faithful servant she has been.
We rejoice in knowing that we WILL see her again.



"I Will Praise You In This Storm" by Casting Crowns

I was sure by now, that You would have reached down
and wiped our tears away,
stepped in and saved the day.
But once again, I say amen and it's still raining
as the thunder rolls I barely hear You whisper through the rain,
"I'm with you"
and as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise the God who gives and takes away.

Chorus:
And I'll praise you in this storm and I will lift my hands
for You are who You are
no matter where I am
and every tear I've cried
You hold in your hand
You never left my side
and though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm

I remember when
I stumbled in the wind
You heard my cry
to You and raised me up again
my strength is almost gone
how can I carry on
if I can't find You
and as the thunder rolls
I barely hear You whisper through the rain
"I'm with you"
and as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise the God who gives and takes away

Chorus

I lift my eyes unto the hills where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth
I lift my eyes unto the hills where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth

Chorus

May, 24th

Tonight my heart if filled with sorrow.....words really cannot descibe the way I am feeling.
Today the gates of heaven opened for a very dear lady.
Loved and adored by hundreds.....a lady that's kindess was pure.
My life was changed by the wisdom of this woman.
Her friendship was truely a gift from God.....we will miss her dearly.



Please be in prayer for a special family tonight that losed their dear mother.........

Bike Day at Shiloh

Tuesday (yesterday) was Pre-K bike day.

All the K-4 students brought their bike and helmets for a fun morning of riding.

Here are some pics of the fun (Christian had a blast)

Patio Furniture anyone??

Funny how things are....I guess for the next few months or so Ryan and I will be in patio furniture sales.

LONG story short, Ryan and I have $20,000 worth of brand new BEAUTIFUL patio furniture to sell....for below retail!

Everything we have is top of the line.....wood, gold brackets and granite bottoms.

So if you or anyone you know needs patio furniture....let me know.

Ryan and his buddy Nick will even come over and set it up for you....for no additional fee.

I will try to post some pics of our stuff......e-mail me if you need anything!

Yipee!!

Well....you know it's getting close when you get these in the mail.

(yep! It's our cruise tickets!)

And yep...I am actually a BIG dork who ran inside-got my camera and came back out to take pics of our tickets in the mailbox!!

Only 3 weeks and 2 days till we leave!!!

Check us out!

Log in to see how we show our proofs!

www.collages.net

Under GUESTS:
username: Desiree
password: 16281


Let me know what you think about this setup!! I think our customers will love it! The customer can actually change the pictures (b&w, sepia, ect) themselves!
It's fast, easy and they can show their family members worldwide!
Plus it is restricted so they can't "steal" the photos of the site.



And GOOD news!! We got the job we bidded on (the Real Estate job)
Its next Thursday!! Woohoo!

Monday, May 21st

Well, this time last year I was on my way back from our cruise last year........
To see pics from last year....check out
http://burtcruise2006.blogspot.com/

Amelia is coming over today to get some things (paperwork) ready for this year.
Flight agenda's - hotel stuff, ect.
We are actually going to Miami the day before the cruise leaves....just to spend a little time in Miami (maybe we can catch some cool CSI stuff...hehe)
Here is a link to the hotel we are staying in....not to shabby for the price. We got an awesome deal.
http://www.airportregencyhotel.com/
Exciting times.

We are also posting our Senior Pics online....so come back later tonight for a link to see them.
We have decieded to post all of our customers pics online.
We found a wonderful sub-biz to help us out with that.
The site is really awesome....customers will view them online and even purchase them online....lots of time and paperwork is eliminated with this website.
We are excited.
Check back later for the link!

Investors already??!!

Starting a buisness is tricky, exciting and a bit scary all at the same time.
Up till now we really haven't had much to lose by starting this biz...but I guess now we do.

A friend (whom shall remain nameless) invested a great deal of money today by purchasing us a new SUPER lens and SUPER flash. I can't WAIT to play....

We are really excited and really it could not have happened at a better time becuase we are bidding on a job (taking headshots for a real-estate company)
We should find out in the next 2 days if we get it or not. (keep ya posted)

On the HOMEFRONT.....nothing really lifechanging going on here......Christian only has 1 more full week of school left then 1 day and then he is out for the summer!!
We are planning on enrolling him in karate...he is SUPER excited.

I think we are all "shopped up" for our big trip.....I just need one more pair of shoes.
I can hear Ryan complaining already about the 15 pairs of shoes I plan on bringing! HA!

1st Swim of the Season

Here are some pics from yesterday.

The boys had the best time playing in the pool...it was really a beautiful day.

The other pic is just of Joshua and Nick (Amelia's youngest - he is a few months younger than Joshua) They were lovin' on eachother after swimming and I just had to have a pic (sooo cute!)

Monday, May 14th

Busy day today.....by choice (and that is always better)

I had an appt. this morning at 10:30 - (picture appt) We have been staying pretty busy and we haven't even offically started yet!
Amelia and I are getting together this week to talk about our fall schedule.
We are planning on doing "fall" pictures on Mt. Sequoia (sp?) in Fayetteville in October.

If you haven't checked in on our temp website in a while...check it out!
www.picturesque-photography.blogspot.com

Let us know what you think!


Anyways....after my appt. we met some friends for lunch to let the kiddos play and then went swimming....it was rather warm today.
The kids really enjoyed it. I will post pics of them swimming tomorrow!

Good night!

The Mommy Test

I was out walking with my 4 year old daughter.
She picked up something off the ground and started to put it in her mouth.
I took the item away from her and I asked her not to do that.
"Why?" my daughter asked.
"Because it's been on the ground, you don't know where it's been, it's dirty, and probably has germs" I replied.
At this point, my daughter looked at me with total admiration and asked, "Mommy, how do you know all this stuff, you are so smart.
"I was thinking quickly. "All moms know this stuff.
It's on the Mommy Test.
You have to know it, or they don't let you be a Mommy.
"We walked along in silence for 2 or 3 minutes, but she was evidently pondering this new information.
"OH...I get it!" she beamed, "So if you don't pass the test you have to be the daddy."
"Exactly" I replied back with a big smile on my face.

Boy oh boy is SHE RIGHT!!

One of the best and "truest" quotes every spoken comes from my grandmother (a.k.a - Mimow).
From the time I was a little girl and even now she says:

"Women must suffer to be beautiful."

Is she right or what?? I feel like we do 100 more things than guys do to make ourselves look "presentable"
Waxing, highlighting, exfoliating, shaving, tweezing, curling, straightening...the list goes on and on.

I am currently suffering from a bit of a sunburn - ohh...the joys of getting ready for vacation. I must have changed clothes 14 times tonight trying to get ready to go to work at the church...everything was just a little to close to the skin - oooouch!!
Ryan watches and watches and keeps asking...why are you changing again.....(Must I explain everything to him?) He finally just looks at me and says..."Man, I am sure glad that I am not a girl."

Believe me buddy....I am glad you are not a girl too!! What a hairy girl he would be.....waxing would be a daily treat for him...haha!

ONLY 38 more days!!

Isn't it weird how when you book a vacation - the first couple of months after that seem to slowly go by - but when you get closer to the date you want time to slow down a little bit??! I am feeling a little nervous! It seems like I have so much to do to get prepared for our vacation!

I started tanning last week - so I should atleast have a nice golden brown tan before leaving :) I do need a few outfits still - and so does Ryan.

And I am working like a dog - everywhere - trying to save, save, save up money.

So...if anyone is sending us gifts for any reason...(haha) just send Cash....haha!!!

Don't get me wrong, we are both SUPER excited - I just worry about having everything done - you know - I think it really is a girl thing.

There's tanning, waxing (haha), shopping for swimsuits (yuck) and having the perfect cocktail dress. And I am going to have my hair colored before going too - I'm only 27 and the grey's are taking over (thanks Mom:)

Amelia and Spencer (our friends that are joining us) are busy getting ready too. This is their first cruise and they are super excited about all of it.

38 days....It will be here before we know it......I really am soo excited.

We are going to have a BLAST!!

I'm excited....are you?

This weekend is our first BIG shoot for the new biz - and we are sooo excited!
This week is crazy busy trying to get everything ready.
We have this weekend and next weekend booked - isn't that exciting!

Keep us in your prayers - I know this buisness will work ONLY if God is behind it. Pray that we are following God's will for our lives - and only that.



We did purchase our website - but it is currently under construction.
It probably won't be up and running for a couple of more weeks.
But the site we bought is : www.ameliaandrenae.com
I will let you know when it is up and running.
It is going to be awesome!!

I will post some pics of the boys tomorrow - today was rainy so not alot of good photo opps :)