Oh my goodness, darlin’! This past weekend, we had our first ever legitimate family photo session. This customer could not be happier. I want to share some of my favorites that weren’t already posted on Facebook.

We went to a sweet lady I know in the Bowling Green area. I met Allison through one of my close friends, Autumn. She’d actually taken her girls to Allison a few times, herself. I’ve checked out her website several times just for the fun of it. So, when it came time for family photos, I knew exactly who I wanted to do them. Especially when that very week, she notified me of a photo contest she was putting on. That really sealed the deal right there.

We picked the location rather last minute. Another good friend of mine had actually posted a drive-by photo of this old condemned house just outside of town. As soon as I saw the photo, I knew that was it. I hurried to pull the location out of her so Billy and I could go check it out for ourselves. It was love at first sight, I guess you could say.

I feel like Allison really caught the love and togetherness of our little family. We’re an intimate little unit. We’re definitely not the ideal or perfect family, by any means. A little rough around the edges. Its a result of divorce, remarriage, three last names, ex-military, every other weekends away, self-improvement, sometimes chaos, crazy schedules and any number of other things at any given moment. But I like to think of it as ‘character.’ Like an old house. Lived in, worn, enjoyed to the last drop…. seasoned.

You know the saying “home is where the heart is?” Well, my heart is with them. Where they go, I go.  Where I go, they go. Our family may be little, but its strong and so full of character and love. I couldn’t be more blessed.

So, if you’re ever in the Bowling Green area and looking for a photographer, look Allison Wicker up. I can pretty much promise you won’t be disappointed. I can’t wait to get her work up on the walls.

The other day I found a delightful surprise in my inbox. Ink361 is a web version of Instagram. I love using it to get a better look at some of the awesomeness on the mobile app. I also like to be able to save my camera photos, so quick and easily, to my computer for keeps.

Anyway, I’ve been a member for some time, now, and they sent me a gift. I received an amazing credit with Blurb to create a book of my Instagrammed photos. I paid shipping and handling and that’s it.

There are a few copy errors and some of the photos are a bit sketchy, but I was really cut on time and had no time to edit. The coupon code didn’t last for very long and I was rushed and up late trying to get it finished {amongst other responsibilities} at the last minute. Literally.

But I’d be lying if I told you I was disappointed. Its such a treasure, with the fading away of print in so many areas. I feel lucky to have so many things I love in my hand at once. Print is not dead, if you ask me. I do find it so very romantic, though.

I love it, really. Its something I look forward to enjoying for years to come.

I thought it would be really cool to do one of these, yearly, filled with my favorite moments/images from the year. Or do a yearly book filled with Lilie Jo’s art work?

What would you fill your photo book with?

p.s. Do you Instagram?? Follow me @littlewishball

A lot, yet very little, seems to be going on lately. We’re constantly running around with different schedules to keep up with.

Lilie Jo is on Fall Break this week and is spending part of it with Grandma and Aunt Ariel. Here, on the homefront, we’re planning and preparing for out little camping trip coming up this weekend. We’re taking Lil Jo to Mammoth Cave for the first time. Its the perfect time of year for camping and I’m stoked.  We’ll only being staying one night and day since we need to be up so early Sunday mornings, but I’m sure we’ll have lots of fun.

Work lately–deep breath–is not even going to be touched in this post. I’d rather keep only the good energy here.  Catch my drift?

Moving on.

One day last week, Lilie and I set off for a trip to the park. The air was a tad crisp, the wind was perfect and our moods were high.  Lilie Jo, her crazy curls and that blissful smile of hers had me reaching for my camera. I wanted to capture the pure essence of Fall in that little one. We didn’t try sprucing the hair of putting on the “perfect” outfit. We just grabbed the camera and climbed some trees.

I finally got my Five-years-old/Fall pictures.  Mama is pleased.

Lilie Jo is so full of life and every now and then I just need to borrow some of it to blow back into my sails. The energy is bad, at work, and its really hard sometimes most times to remember the reason I took the position. I like the job, its self, its just the mass amount of negative attitudes. There are so many of them and its so easy to get caught up in the mess.

But then I get to come home to this magical little creature–and pumpkin muffins. Some snuggles and silliness usually melts away the bad vibes–for a little while.

To finish my posts sharing about the town of Arthur, I thought I would invite someone in who really knew the town: my stepmom.  Teeyl was born and raised in the community and so I figured she could probably tell you about it better than I.  So please give a warm southern welcome to my lovely mid-western step-mother, Teeyl.

Growing up in a town with a population of 120 in the 70s and 80s was a unique experience. We lived on a ranch raising cattle, chickens and horses. My dad and brother rodeoed both amature and professionally. My sister rodeoed all through high school and college and my mom taught art and decorated Arthur homes with her student’s artwork for 20 years.  We were fairly self sufficient between the beef and my mom’s enormous garden.

We were always busy, whether we were helping mom or dad or the neighbors or participating in school functions. And when we tried to be sneaky behind our parent’s back, a neighbor always set us straight or informed our folks. This amazing village truly raised ALL children.

My kindergarten through 2nd grade years took place in a single wide trailor with one teacher, Mrs. Sizer. My class consisted of myself and a brilliant girl named Marjorie. She even napped better than me! In those days kindergarten lasted a semester and my parents sent me second semester 5 days a week.

I attended the “big white school house” grades 3 – 8. It was divided in half with grades 3-5 in the south room taught by Mrs. Helmer and grades 6-8 in the north room taught by Mrs. Corfield.

When we reached high school everyone participated in everything no matter your talent level. We simply needed numbers.  Arthur County H.S. had football/volleyball in the fall, basketball in the winter and track in the spring. After sports practice we all were involved in theatrical plays and during the school day we all participated in choir and band.

I graduated with 10 other classmates and we have all moved on to be successful in our own realms because this little village wouldn’t accept anything less.

Even though I would never move back to this small town because I’m too accustomed to the big city comforts, I am very proud to say I grew up in Arthur, Nebraska!

In the sand hills of western Nebraska, is a quaint little town village called Arthur.  Its home of about 140 people {the highest yet} and the nation’s smallest courthouse.  The residents use well water and old fashion windmills sprinkle the horizon.

Arthur is a town of six man football and cowboys.  The sandy roads are home of a “tavern” open to all ages and the historic church built of straw bails.  They are lucky enough to have their own public pool, but are forced to close it a few days a week due to a lack of life guards on staff.

They even have a fancy little hotel.  It might not have five stars or A/C, but its better than making the 45 minute drive to Ogallala each night.

I always enjoy my visits to to the town nestled in the hills.  Life seems more quite, simple and slow.  At least for us visitors, anyway.  Its refreshing and a great place to unwind and gather your thoughts.

I’ll share more photos another day.

Hello, there, honey-darlin’.  I’m back from my Nebraskan vacation.  Really, we were just visiting family.  Most times, though, that turns out to be more refreshing and inspiring than visiting some sort of exotic getaway destination.

I left my computer at home to make myself take a much needed break from the constant process of brainstorming and planning which seems to never end inside my head.  And I survived.  *shew*

I came home with more than the longing to be back with that precious bunch.  I brought new drive and vision, along with me.  I find myself, once again, thirsty for new inspiration and adventure.  I’ve been cleaning out my blog and twitter feeds to replace them with fresh perspective and information.  I’m planning and hoping for new projects.

New things are happening, around here.

My sweet little lady is quickly approaching her fifth birthday and the start of kindergarten.  More on that in a later post, I’m sure.

Billy has a wonderful new job, full of promise, and has also accepted the position as our Pastor’s new assistant.  The latter is voluntary only, but will no doubt pay off in other ways.  Real Life Church has been such a blessing for this family. I couldn’t be more proud of him and happy for the opportunities laid before him.  Its almost like I came home to a new man.  Perhaps the time away was beneficial for us both?

Anyway, I’m prouder than ever to be his wife.  I’m also very much enjoying this mindset I’m currently in.  I hope it lingers for a while.  What a wonderful feeling, indeed.

What inspires you, lately??

Curtis was a school-age friend of my little brother that carried over to adulthood.  His parents grew up in the same small country community as ours.  Little did we know, Ariel, my little sister, held a secret crush for the family’s favorite friend.  Ariel and Curtis started dating around the same time as Billy and I {Summer 2009}.  Because of how crazy they were about each other, no one was shocked {or upset} when he proposed.

They both glowed with happiness and excitement on their wedding day.  I’m so incredibly happy for them both.  I pray for happiness, communication, dedication and compromise in their relationship forever.

Welcome to round three of the wedding photos.  Today, I’m sharing photos of the whole wedding party {minus the flower girl}. I’ve just thrown a few of my favorites together, here, for you to look through.

Be sure to keep a close watch on the blog.  I cannot wait to share the photos of the couple together.  There’s so many, I might just have to break it up into two more parts.  You might even want to subscribe by email just to make sure you don’t miss out on these babies.

Happy Monday, darlin’!  Hope you’re week starts wonderfully.

I’m just checking in from our trip to drop off a few more photos from the wedding.  This batch will be of the groom and his party.  Curtis is definitely one of the best guys I have ever met.  I am so incredibly happy for my sister to have such a good man to call her husband.  We are thrilled to have him officially part of the family.

This last one is one of my favorites from the whole set.

See?  These guys were fun and easy to photograph.  They were so full of personality and fun. Check back in a day or two for another round of photos! We still have the wedding party, couple and maybe even some from the reception to look forward to.

In case you’re just joining us, my little sister recently got married.  After being so pleased with her prom photos {done by me}, she gave me the choice of being in the wedding or photographing it.  For the experience and as a gift {that would save her tons} I chose the photography.  The hair and makeup were a given.

For those of you who have been hanging around fo a while, I’m sure you’ve started wondering whether or not I’m going to share these wedding photos at all.  I decided to use them to keep you company while I’m out of town visiting family in Nebraska.  Lilie Jo and I will be gone for a whole week.  I’m sure Billy will be a bit relieved to clear out some of the estrogen in the house.

For today, I’m going to share photos from the bride’s side of the wedding.  Then next week, the fellas, the whole party and the couple.  That’s four days of posting, so I’ll start today, just to keep from making you wait any longer.

What do you think?!  Isn’t she gorgeous?!  Now, keep in mind: this was my first time photographing a wedding.  It was definitely a bigger job than I expected.

To see more of the wedding, check out the Facebook page.