i'm kristen + this is my photo blog

Alt Summit in Salt Lake City {Travel}

2012-01-20T01:20:00.002-05:00

“it's kind of fun to do the impossible.”

walt disney

Alright alright alright. See if you track with me on this one:

Narnia, in the winter. Trees and snow and castles in the distance? Great. Remember that.

Now go ahead and enjoy the Sultan's palace from Aladdin. Lavish and layered and courtyard-y, snuggled richly into a valley by mountains.

Okay, so, now, put them together. Narnia. Sultan's Palace. Narnia. Sultan's Palace. Narnia Palace. Chronicles of Sultan. Palace of Nartan. Narnia and Sultan. GRAND AMERICA HOTEL IN SALT LAKE CITY.

Hey? Heeeey? Yeah, hey. Do you see what I see? A child, a child... er- a town, a town high above the sea, with a view as "whoa" as could be? Heeeeey:

It even works at night. Let's do this thang again. Glowy, sparkly lights, tiny town:

Moody mountainous moonlit night?

GRAND AMERICA HOTEL AT SALT LAKE CITY.
I've been channeling my inner Disney Princess by sighing to myself and saying "Ooooh Rajah!" as I gaze out my hotel room window, longing to experience the real world - beyond these walls!!! But next thing I know I'm worried sick for my four-legged friends, hoping they don't turn into statues. It's extremely emotional being a guest at this hotel, let me warn you.

;)

Obviously I'm kidding. I'm really quite spoiled with the unreal quality of this town and establishment (great choice Alt Summit folks!), the stirring and sweet classes (good work Alt Summit folks!), the head-turning fashion of EVERYONE (nicely done Alt Summit attendees!) and the quality time with my Canadian bestie, Jamie Delaine (Also known as "Jamz" between 6:00am-7:30pm, or "Gramz" from 7:31 pm and on. She jams hard, then turns into a one-woman-old-folks-home.)

Once I'm home and my conference brain has turned back to normal brain, I'll tell you something actually helpful/interesting about this conference. I probably won't even use a Disney reference. Except that tomorrow I get to meet Anya from Project Runway (like how I said that so nonchalantly? Like I don't really care at all? It was smooth like the first shave of your life.) (Also, I care a lot that I'm meeting her. I'm not even going to pretend like I just want her to have a normal life with normal friends, like I'm not some crazy fan-girl who just wants to touch her maxi dress. I AM A CRAZY FAN GIRL.) Anyways, it'll basically be like having a real-life Jasmine in a Disney Palace. It was cool when I was five and in Anaheim, and it's still cool now!

Alright. Good night. It's been a long day and I am kind of feeling like I didn't give Narnia much facetime in this post, so why don't you read these last few words in a British accent and I'll feel better. Cheer up, darling! And go to sleep you blessed, blessed doll. (And go to Alt Summit next year everyone. You will truly love it.)

Six Weeks of Behr {Baby Photography + Personal}

2012-01-17T09:51:00.003-05:00

This is the main man on campus, Behr. He's large and in charge. Known as BehrBehr, Behrly, Barely There, Son, Monk, Chipmunk and Little Dre. He attracts fans in droves. He is a big deal around here. So popular.

Though we all fight for his heart, love and snuggles, no one can replace his favorite friend, his best friend: the bedroom ceiling fan.As Bedroom Fan dances, Behr waves hello! "Hey! Hey you! I like you a loooot. A lot a lot!" He coos, he reaches, he kicks... ... he sneezes.
Thaaaat's embarrassing. Don't worry Behr Man, you were just excited and got a little worked up. It happens to the best of us. Bedroom Fan will understand. "But where did Bedroom Fan go? I'm just a noisy, childish weight in this friendship. And I party-fouled all over the place. Humiliating."Look! Behrly...See? Bedroom Fan is back! Waving again! Bedroom Fan does think you are cool after all! You have not been forsaken, you have not been left by Bedroom Fan. Look up! Lift your eyes!A man and his Fan, it's a beautiful thing. The end.
On a more gushy note, I love all of Behr's little self. From his birthmark on his finger, to his Cabbage-Patch-doll arms, to his very strong legs, his fantastically shaped mouth, his stubby perfect nose, his neck rolls, his side rolls, his thigh rolls, and that big basin of a baby belly - I love it all. I miss him in the morning before he is "up" and I'm addicted to seeing his new faces and skills throughout the day.

Hey you.
You are very cute. And very loved. And so silly. And you probably will never love me as much as I love you (or as much as you love Bedroom Fan) but you make me smile a lot, so we'll keep you around.

Kyle + Sarah {Great Falls Wedding in Potomac, MD}

2012-01-16T14:58:00.003-05:00

you're a part time lover and a full time friend
the monkey on you're back is the latest trend
i don't see what anyone can see,
in anyone else but you
the moldy peaches | anyone else

"Our wedding will be quirky in 'us' ways. For example, this is the wording for our invitation:

1 Marriage

between 2 People

3, almost 4, years after meeting

at 5:06pm,

reception following at 7:08pm

on 9/10/11."

THAT is what I'M talking about. That's what's up. This couple is brilliant and adorable and dance machines and a little nerdy. I love them. Enjoy their story.

Fair Oaks Academy was a small private school founded in Virginia, and with a junior class of fourteen girls and four boys, it was ideal set for true love. A new "she" walked in, and a dark-eyed, moppy-topped, big-hearted boy noticed. That scene would stay stamped to his heart for years to come, for it was the scene when he first met Sarah.This Sarah is quite a character. Kyle tells me "She is not a detail-oriented person, she is more of... a big-dream kind of person. But with me? She wants to know everything. She cares about every single one of my thoughts." That is an impressive statement. Think about life with that sort of companion. It's like life with a detective, collecting data, compiling clues and assembling conclusion about you. Paying attention to the in-s and out-s of you... simply because they love, crave even, knowing as much as possible of you. It's truly a breath-taking reality. "When she surprised me with a gift on my birthday last year, her imagination effected the whole day - not just the gift. She puts an immense amount of creative thought... to effecting people for Christ. And she is adventurous! But I think the thing I love most about Sarah is her dedication to the life that she lives. She wears so many different hats - barista, fiance', Campus Crusade for Christ leader - and she gives all of herself." After reading about this all-there, creative dreamer named Sarah, I couldn't wait to meet her. As the minutes rolled along on wedding day I grew more and more concerned. We were literally minutes before ceremony time (at 5:06, remember?) and there was no Sarah yet. No bridesmaids. No dress. No shoes. So I waited while guests found their seats and milled about. I waited while lovely ladies put finishing touches on the dinner tables. I waited while the sun met the trees for dinner. And then *WHOOSH!* there were cars rumbling, doors slamming, girly gaggles, honks and "huurrrriy!"'s. I only managed to grab a shot of an adorable baby-faced bride's feet as she flew inside. "What time is it? Ah! Hurry! I need to put this on!" "Sarah, be careful of your hair. And someone is in here..." "Well, they need to get out! The bride needs this room!" "Did you leave the hairspray in the car? She needs hairspray." "WhAahhha. This is too crazy. Oh goodness. KRISTEN! Hi! It's so good to meet you!" "Sarah, hold still." "What time is it?"
A beautiful two-stall bathroom was raucous with one bride, her chiffon clad gal pals, an overjoyed photographer and someone else using the restroom. It was hilarious. It was fantastic. Though the pictures may seem serene and posed, the wooden room literally echoed and roared with women. I couldn't stop smiling. And all their scrambling payed off. At 5:06 the ring-bearer, Woody and the red-wagon were ready to walk down the aisle. Grandpa and his tale-telling eyes were ready to be seated. Best friends were in place.

Complete strangers were even ready.

As was the lovely Sarah. Lovely, lovely Sarah. She was grinning, her dimples were deep and her man was ready to give her his name and life.

"He gets SO passionate about his ministry, and puts his whole heart into it. I LOVELOVELOVE watching him love people. I love watching him teach people, continuously discover God, and opening up those ideas right to me."

"To him, who wants to be a youth pastor, every nugget of truth he studies about God is never as good until everyone else knows it. He cannot wait to tell the teens what he's learned. He is bold in faith. He is active in faith. He aims to lead us in an honest and effective journey to spread and live the gospel...... and goodness do I love him all over again for it." Years after he met Sarah, he designed a brilliant and sneaky plan to propose to her. He waited in the shell of the classroom where he first laid eyes on her, where to this day he remembers exactly what she was wearing, with two chairs arranged exactly as they were that day. He waited for Sarah to come with a friend to explore the building where Fair Oaks Academy used to run. He waited with the light on in a downstairs classroom. She saw his shoe. She saw him. He asked her a question. She said "yes" over and over.As the historical documenter for this day I want you folks to know something: I love Kyle and Sarah. Like, I actually love them. I have only seen them one day in my entire life. I barely spent six hours with them. And I love them.
I love their genuine and delightful way of enjoying their families.I love all of Sarah's girls and their witty senses of humor. I love Sarah's timely remarks and very, very quirky self.I love that they are just happy people. They know who they are and what they have been given, so they are happy. I love their awkward fish move.I love that they play together. A lot. I love that they get the fire burnin' fire burnin' on the dance floor. WhooOooa.

I love that Sarah was somewhat of a shy-public kisser. And I love that Kyle just consistently went in for the kill.

I love their heart together. Two of the biggest-hearted people I've ever met.

I love how they felt like lifetime friends or family to me with minutes. I love that God brought them together in Fair Oaks Academy and is now sending them out to the world. Together.

This wedding reminded me of some important life priorities. This wedding blessed me.

Though it was truly very simple and not elaborate, it was fantastically heart-warming and meaningful, even to a complete stranger like me. Guests chattered, dinner lingered, toasts were so kind, love reigned over all.

And Curly Kyle Kid married Quirky Sarah.

What bliss! You party-rockers :D

Lightfoot Triplets | Baby Photography

2012-01-13T12:43:00.003-05:00

"you better be prepared to be surprised."sondre lerche | to be surprised
I don't care who you are: at some point in your life you've thought about what it would be like to have a baby. Even if it was only for a split second. Even if it was in disgust thinking "That is just WAY too much work. I'm never having children." Maybe your first thought went to the lifestyle and body changes: not having freedom to go out or travel, gaining weight and stretchmarks - you get the picture ;)
But for many people (particularly women) there is a natural, nurturing, full part of your heart that can't help but think fondly of that day when you have your own child. Sometimes it seems bizarre to hold another person's baby, but what if this was mine? What does it feel like to have a person inside you? Is it as magical as some women claim? Is it as awful as other women claim? Is it a healthy dose of wonderful and terrible? Will my first baby be a boy or girl? Will the child look like me? Will he be a good baby? Will I be a sleep-hungry, smelly monster? Will I spend hours staring at the baby counting it's ten tiny fingers and ten tiny toes?
Maybe that is just me. I do have an extraordinary love for children, particularly babies. But I'll tell you one thing: I've NEVER imagined counting 60 toes and fingers after my first pregnancy. Nope. It hadn't crossed my mind. I'm told that giving birth to triplets hadn't crossed the mind of my smart, sweet and glowing winter 2010 bride, either. She was s.h.o.c.k.e.d. SHOCKED. How could you not be? SIXTY FINGERS AND TOES INSIDE YOU. Who prepares for that? Jennifer and David, though completely surprised, have been equally thrilled. They love all those fingers and toes.By winter 2011 this little lady and her kind man were holding Makenna, Noah and Emma, their firstborns. With an army of support, love, generosity, bottles, arms and adrenaline, these three siblings were welcomed into a Florida town. Hundreds of friends have prayed, waited, given and helped mom and dad take care of their little lives. And kiss all their toes. I've never seen baby triplets in person before. It was a very, very odd feeling. One baby gives me so many feelings and wonders in my heart. But three was just... overwhelming and beautiful. Their lives, though in every way a surprise to this world, were planned long before this world had a chance to be surprised. Their lives, like every life, entered this stage right on cue. God wanted them, and He wanted them now, and He wanted Jennifer and David to raise them. Not Katie and Bill. Not Sue and Todd. But Jennifer and David. He gave these three to them specifically. And they are spectacular.

From their rosebud lips, to Noah's "hound dog" eyes, to their pink little bodies, to their double chins, smooth bald heads, grunts and kicks and rounded bellies they are beautiful and miraculous and "planned." "As I have planned, so it shall be." Spending just over an hour with this little/big family gave me such a needed vision of God's ability, kindness and power over us. It's actually unbelievable that three humans grew inside one human, and now they are here: screeching, looking, breathing, wriggling, eating, learning and functioning. They have been joys to friends near and far, they have been blessings in their neediness, happinesses in their dependance. They aren't exactly productive or "useful," but they are people and are loved so much. They reminded me to love people in my life: the inconvient people, the "surprise!" people, the difficult people, the family-people (who are easily taken for granted), the unhelpful people, the sweet and innocent people. They reminded me to look at some wrinkly toes and see God. And to praise Him. In reality all people can and should do that to me, but there was something about touching and seeing three infants that hit that lesson home.

On that chubby, roll-y, soft belly note, let's call this post a day :D

Nicole + Kim {Weddings}

2012-01-11T20:12:00.003-05:00

“she’s kept her love for him as alive as the summer they first met."

nicole krauss | the history of love

Enjoy the moving writing of Nicole Krauss brought to life by Kim, who married the boy she loves (a lifelong friend) five days ago.

"Maybe the first time you saw her you were ten. She was standing in the sun scratching her legs. Or tracing letters in the dirt with a stick. Her hair was being pulled. Or she was pulling someone's hair.

And a part of you was drawn to her, and a part of you resisted--wanting to ride off on your bicycle, kick a stone, remain uncomplicated.

In the same breath you felt the strength of a man, and a self-pity that made you feel small and hurt. Part of you thought: Please don't look at me. If you don't, I can still turn away. And part of you thought: Look at me.

Well, once upon a time there was a boy. He lived in a village that no longer exists, in a house that no longer exists, on the edge of a field that no longer exists,...

...where everything was discovered and everything was possible.

A stick could be a sword. A pebble could be a diamond. A tree a castle.

Once upon a time there was a boy who lived in a house across the field from a girl who no longer exists. They made up a thousand games.

She was Queen and he was King.

In the autumn light, her hair shone like a crown.

They collected the world in small handfuls.

Once upon a time there was a boy who loved a girl, and her laughter was the question he wanted to spend his whole life answering.
”

Design + Alt Design Summit {Events}

2012-01-10T15:30:00.001-05:00

"i've been amazed at how often those outside the discipline of design assume that

what designers do is decoration.

good design is problem solving."

jerffrey veen

I'll be the first to admit that I know barely anything about fine art, graphics and design. I do know I like it. And I do wish I knew more about it. My mother has passed on to me her natural "taste" in design and her creative, ever-turning and imagining, mind. This past year I've become more picky with what I like in visual arts. At first everything on Pinterest seemed cute and special! No. It's not at all cute. Especially (mostly) what is on the home page. Blah.

With that in mind, my world-traveling friend Jamie asked me if I wanted to attend the Altitude Design Summit in Salt Lake City with her. I usually always say yes when she asks me to do things. She usually does all the researching, planning and take-action-ing. I usually do all the showing-up and paying her back for the hotel she booked. We're so compatible. Anyways, I said "Yes!" She had the hotel booked within hours back in October. I just confirmed my flight this morning. (But I have had my outfit planned for the Friday night mini-parties for six weeks. The dress code is "sequins." That is the kind of planning I can get into!)

Though I did buy my pass to attend before I had read much about it, I was thrilled with what I found when I did do some research. "If you're obsessed with lifestyle, food and fashion blogs..." Um. Check! "...fantastic images, smart ideas and great design inside and outside — all wrapped up with a social media bow — ..." Yes, that's me! That's me! Where do I need to be if this is me? "...Altitude Design Summit is the place to be..." Yahoo! Now I know where to be! "Because we feed those obsessions." Bingo. Winning. Wa-la. Snaps.Yes.Lovely.Thank.You.

We've created a place where design and lifestyle bloggers in all their forms— foodies, photographers, travelers, fashionistas, interior designers, product placers, adventurers — come together, share ideas and connect with marketers. Don't you want to come now too?! I actually had to double check that I had indeed registered because I was afraid maybe it didn't all go through and that I wouldn't be able to attend ;)

The pot only gets sweeter. This year's line-up of speakers looks simply hellacious (big word! used in context! ow ow!). I'm thrilled to spend hours sifting through the creative minds of this people through their words, wardrobe ;) and presentations.

Here is a sampling:

The genius and also down-to-earth blogger for the Jealous Curator blog is constantly inspiring me. Her "about me" section sums up her blog well: There is one moment, in the first few seconds, when you look at a piece of art and know that you love it. It’s the moment when, if you’re an artist yourself, you look at it and feel a rush of uplifting inspiration… and total soul-crushing jealousy all at the same time. It’s when you walk away thinking, “I wish I thought of that.”

She daily(ish) posts an assortment of one particular artists' work. I love her Amber Ibarreche post. Amber is brilliant at making the "everyday" become very visually and creatively intriguing.

Or how about this piece from Marlene Vergara? Never heard of her before! But I'm a fan! I would love to get my hands on fabric like this:

Any HGTV Design Star fans out there? Past season-winner Emily Henderson will be speaking it up! If you don't know who she is, check out a quote from her site: "Lastly, I believe strongly there is always a time and place for fresh flowers, and that nothing is more important than simply being nice to every person, every day."

Come'on. Just try to not like a girl like that! She and her husband are the sweetest pods. I have a couple crush on them. I love her blog greatly. My favorite recent post of hers was about "weird color-blocking in rooms." Deeeeelightful!

Are your design taste buds whetted yet? Mine have been for months. Eeek! Last but hardly the least is Miss Piper Toth of the online store One Sydney Road. I always feel cooler just looking on their site, let alone owning anything from them ;) To add cool-ness to cool-ery they were recently featured in Rue Magazine. Big props, folks :D

While I'm in Salt Lake City I'm also hoping and wishing upon a star that it works with to meet up with Melissa Blackburn. Whoooo is Melissa Blackburn? She is the "fine dressmaker and designer" most known for her Heidi Dress (shot by Amelia Lyon.) I'm one smitten kitten when it comes to her work. Go leave her some blog love or e-mail her and tell her she's amazing or do your own post about her. Every artist needs encouragement, especially out of the blue, right? Right. So go go...!

Even if you can't go, you should follow their twitter, enjoy the pictures, get excited about coming next year? and be inspired!

Music + Times | Part 1 {Personal}

2012-01-05T13:47:00.003-05:00

after all, my plans they melt
into the sand

band of horses | older

Have you ever noticed that music is strange and fantastic emotional time-travel? Have you ever listened to just three seconds of a song and instead of driving on the highway to a meeting you are tan, talking to your best friend late at night, alive and well? Though in reality approaching an exit in your frosty, rusty Corolla in a grey day, you instead smell warm night, tacos and fruity deodorant. Instead you hear glowing laughter, you are having lingering conversation, you are with very specific people on a very specific night. And the verse to the song hasn't even started yet! Am I the only one who has ever experienced this phenomenon?

Of course not.

That is why the world loves music. I don't mean why "artists" and "musicians" and the "intellectually understanding" love music. It's why all of us - even us who aren't trained in the art - love it. Music makes us feel. Music and smells take you back in time. Music and friends get you through current times. Music and dreams excite you for future times. What an enjoyable gift God gave us in music!

"Come into my arms, where a dreamer can meet the Lullaby Lady from Hushabye Street." Hushabye Street was playing on a cassette tape my entire baby and childhood. I never remember not knowing that song. When I hear it I'm laying on my back in my wooden, bead-cut, crib staring up to the dark ceiling. Through cracks in the door I could hear the muffled voices of my parents and the dishwasher starting up. I could see a haloed glow. And night after night sleep was victorious with me "till evening greets morning on Hushabye Street."

18 months after I was born, my brother Timothy entered my world. The closest friendship he and I ever had was when we were homeschooled in middle school together. Our "tradition" for lunch was to make a box of pasta with red sauce, eat half of it, throw the rest away, leave the dirty dishes out and then head to the basement for hand-stand contests. Yup. We were often in our parents pajamas, too. (I have no idea why...) We would spend up to hours on end before basketball practices in the underbelly of a home on Boxberry Terrace trying to walk on our hands. Tim always swore he walked 10 times when I went to the bathroom or wasn't looking. I always blamed him for distracting me - "I have better balance then you! You just distract me!" - (like I didn't distract him ;) haha). We got into a habit of taking our blue $14.99 boombox down with us, and we'd gymnast it up to Tim McGraw duets or Steven Curtis Chapman. One particular day I grabbed a hairbrush and dramatically belted Faith Hill's portion of "Like We Never Loved At All." I handed Tim a water bottle to join in. He didn't accept my offer. He just stared and shook his head "You are so weird." I sang the chorus alone. But by Tim McGraw's part in the second verse my own Tim had joined in with me. And we weirdly sang the rest of the song together. It was quite excellent and breathtaking and probably perfectly in tune ;)

Maybe that's just your way of dealing with the pain/ Forgetting everything between our rise and fall / Like we never loved at all

Tim, if you ever read this, I love you and miss those times. I've never forgotten them and would love to have more of them. Just promise you won't push me over if I get to nine hand-steps?

Jason Reeves came into my life a-la Colbie Caillat. His songs were songs I loved before I felt. I thought they were pretty and kind of edgy (give me a break. They WERE edgy compared to Selah and WOW Worship CD's). I played his album on repeat for months. Little did I know how I feel them. This song doesn't take me back to one place like the previous song did. This song takes me backs to a watercolor smear of years. The first piano notes "dun dun, DUN DUN, duuundun" make me feel 14 and 20, confused and clear, empty and full. And I have poetry and drawings of my life when you weren't on my side and I didn't know /

The person who introduced me to Band of Horses is now my "house-mate." If you've followed the blog a bit you know that I live with my friends-turned-family, Dre and Becca. You also might know that they just had their first child, little Behr. Dre is obsessed with Band of Horses. When this song plays I think about driving around in their blue SUV looking at townhouses. I think about priming the walls with Dre will Becca sat on a cushion on the floor, trying to keep her pregnant self moderately comfortable. I think about coming into a house with music already playing because other people live there - I don't live alone. I think about cleaning their kitchen, waiting for them to come home from the hospital with Behr for the first time, scrubbing to "Dilly" and "Older." I think about how "after all, my plans they melt into the sand."

I think about how so many friends have dreamed with Dre and Becca about this little nugget of life. I think about the Pinterest boards for his nursery, additions to his walls and shelfs from friends near and far, and watching that bump grow and lower as we imagined and talked about and analyzed what he might look like, what he might be like. I think about the way Behr's neck smells. I think about how he smiled right at me today. I think about how someday I'll be strolling along in a store and Band of Horses will pop on the radio and I'll jump into the emotional time machine... I'll be taken back to August 2011 - January 2012ish. I'll smile and love the memory.
If you find this post random at best, completely boring at worst, I do have a direction I'm going with it ;) No, these are not my favorite music recommendations for you. And if you listen to any of these songs you might think "Um. Okay?" I don't listen to these songs frequently at all. But when they appear, they stop me in my tracks. You have "those" songs too. Go find one of them today and listen to it and remember why that song affects your body. And then say "Oh, I see why Kristen posted those."

BUT. Someday on this blog I'd like to tell you folks a story. And I'd like to use songs in the story. In the next few weeks and months, as I plan on blogging more, if "random" music posts show-up, bear with me, and find some little thing to enjoy. And feel free to tell me about a song or two that takes you back in time. I'd truly love to hear. I'd love to know more about you. It would probably even make me feel less scared about letting you know more about me ;)

Power to Enjoy | 2012

2012-01-03T11:25:00.003-05:00

"...to whom God has given wealth and possessions and

power to enjoy them."

1 timothy 6:17

If you take even a hasty look through Pinterest boards, texts between friends, advertising and status messages you can't miss the exploration for happiness, being happy. "Life is to be enjoyed, not endured." someone re-pins the block-lettered yellow and gray typography art and "mmmm's" in agreement. "K! Talk to you later. Have a good day! :-)" "Open Happiness!" we watch. "OMG. Best day ever. Class was canceled!"

No one can deny, and everyone loves to note, how it's the little things that matter, happiness is lived in the daily moments. We are a crew of creation who love laughing, feeling good, being supported by other crazies, and enjoying what we are doing. I love that. We should want more of it. I believe that we were made to want the best, the happiest, the most satisfying things we can get a hold of. I believe we should not starve those desires but feed them. I also believe most of us go looking for happiness in all the wrong places, but I would never tell someone to stop looking. Go forth! And look! Look for happiness! Enjoy your life!

"Set [your] hopes on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy." When Paul wrote the first letter to Timothy and used the word "everything" I believe he meant it. Enjoy everything, for in God everything is enjoyable. Enjoy a glass of cold Coca-Cola! Enjoy your day off of school. Enjoy pins and words and boards and art that just make you smile a little bit. Enjoy conversation, texts and speaking with friends and people. Enjoy grocery shopping! Enjoy eating! Enjoy a change of plans. Enjoy being tired because staying up late with people you love was happy. Enjoy going to bed early and feeling great in the morning. Enjoy. Enjoy everything.

“And so taking the long way home through the market I slow my pace down.

It doesn't come naturally.

My legs are programmed to trot briskly and my arms to pump up and down like pistons,

but I force myself to stroll past the stalls and pavement cafes.

To enjoy just being somewhere, rather than rushing to somewhere.

I take a moment to just stop and look around me. And smile to myself."
alexandra potter

Enjoy being somewhere. Actually enjoy it. You have power to enjoy this world and these things. And note a fizzy drink or heavy drink or healthy drink will not make you fully happy. It will not satisfy you forever. Note that an extra day of break in school is not the source of all happiness. Note that being liked and feeling good and being productive won't eternally fill you. There is a greater happiness then these things, they all point to something else, they are tastes of a better, lasting happiness. But they are indeed happy presents for us! In God everything is enjoyable. In God.

So what is my point? Well, on my first work day of the year I'm openly admitting a few things to readers and friends and anonymous hate-aaaz (who actually make me happy because they make me laugh and I love to laugh!) Here's the deal:

- I enjoy good food and junk food and eating food.
- I enjoy being my ideal weight and fitting into a certain size.
- I enjoy the feeling after a run.

This year only one of those last three things were prominent. I enjoyed food a lot. But that leaves me today not enjoying my size. I'm not depressed or downtrodden about it ;) I'd just like to enjoy putting on an outfit and looking in the mirror. I don't enjoy leaving my warm house and going into the cold to pound around on pavement. But one of my favorite feelings in the world is to return to that warm home after a run. I feel great, I genuinely enjoy the feeling. So. I am determined to find a way to enjoy all three. It may mean prioritizing my enjoyment some, but I will enjoy savory food shared with friends, I will enjoy the way I fit in clothes, and I will enjoy that soaring after-run high this year.

- I enjoy the relationship I have with my parents. I don't just love them, I really really like them!
- I enjoy children, especially my siblings.
- I enjoy living on my own in Maryland and being "independent." It's fun.

Again, this year it seems that I have let one of the three of these categories take over to the point where I don't fully enjoy all three the way I'd like or think is right. I miss my parents. Yes, we text and talk and chit-chat. But, as anyone could tell you, keep a long-distance relationship with ANYone thriving and well is hard. I want a thriving, close, laugh-ing, fun, better relationship with my parents (and all those kids!) this year. Don't get me wrong: It's not like all of a sudden we aren't friends. But I want it to almost seem like they are here. I want them to be a part of my days and weeks like they are when they are sitting on the couch or around the table after a long day. That kind of involvement will take concentrated effort on my part, but I want it because I so enjoy and love and need them.

- I love writing, journaling, letter-ing and blogging.
- I enjoy means to remember and share "happy gifts" of life.
- I enjoy talking to, meeting with and learning about people in person.

Surprise surprise, one of these "things" has outweighed the others. The means we have this modern day of using Facebook, Twitter, texting, Pinterest, tumblr, Instagram, etc to share life with other people is good and enjoyable. But you know what I realized? I don't actually enjoy Facebook. Sure, it's fun to stalk. It's fun to get likes on statuses. But for whatever reason for me I really don't enjoy it. I LOVE Instagram. And Pinterest. And I have a growing love for Twitter. And I love love love love blogging. But Facebook? Eh. I look back this last year and don't think I wrote enough. I don't think I blogged nearly enough. I wish I had talked with more people - really talked with them. I wish I had fleshed out my thoughts on a verse or lyric or statement instead of just posting it on my status. For example, today I listened to a message and wrote this sentence down from it:

"He seems more bothered with complaining then self-indulgence.
Self indulgence may be misapplying the goodness of God,
but complaining denies the goodness of God."

My automatic thought was to post it on Facebook. Even though I had already started writing this very post. But you know what I would really enjoy doing? I would enjoy writing about that sentence. I would enjoy taking it to people and having a conversation with them about it - either in person or online. I would love to engage that sentence and make it meaningful in my life, not just inspirational for a second. Therefore, I'm getting off Facebook. (I will keep my business page.) In order to force myself to do what I enjoy, to use the power I have to enjoy things, I want to just get rid of personal Facebook altogether. The words and pictures I post on Facebook and the "likes" and interaction I get from there, I would like to move to my blog. Or to person-to-person storytelling and enjoying.

I suppose this is somewhat of a New Years Resolution, and I don't remember ever doing one of these ;) Typical me. But I feel very passionate about it this year. I'm fanatical about enjoying life and people through God. I have more to say on the matter, but I realize I have more time to say it. So we'll close off the first blog post of the year right here.

With love and joy,
Kristen

Parade of 24 Fairy Tales | Weddings in 2011

2011-12-31T19:50:00.002-05:00

“If I’m honest I have to tell you I still read fairy-tales,

and I like them best of all.”

audrey hepburn

It seems to me that vintage suitcases, Mason Jars, talking about getting a tattoo, tumblrs, and quoting Audrey Hepburn have become oh so current or "done" that perhaps they have lost some of their charm or special-ness. But I'll be persistent with this particular Audrey quote. I really agree... not just because it's the thing to do to agree with this Hollywood Classic.
I've been told far too many times that "life isn't like the movies." Relationships aren't as magical as they are on the silver screen. Love isn't fairy dust and giggles and moonlit walks in a beautiful wardrobe. We aren't princesses. Lower your expectations. Don't wait for "the movie moment." Real life isn't a fairy tale. Renditions of these phrases have spoken from preachers in a sermon, from well-meaning friends hoping that I was aware love is much more then how I write about it on my blog - it's not just cute, from anonymous commenters here and there, from the tired or the hurting who barely believe in happiness.
And I'm here to say: I just don't buy it. If anything, life is most like a movie. The beauty of a movie is that it happens in about 90 minutes, not 90 years. Movies can be nowhere near as deep or as beautiful or as painful as real life. But life is like the movies. The rise and fall of characters, the great problem with the hunt for the great solution, the unknown, the struggle, the desire... it's everywhere, from Cinderella to my highschool aged sister to 500 Days of Summer to Thumbelina to Kim Kardashian to my boyfriends mother to Pride and Prejudice to Jim and Pam, Noah and Ally, Sandra Bullock and Jesse James to 20-something couples who hired me this year.
Any one of us could take our lives to a talented writer and be a "movie." We could strain our lives to the most prominent times and come up with a decent tale of humanity. If I myself watched a movie about my life I would probably think "That did not do it justice. The movie just did not convey how bad _______ hurt or how wonderful ___________ is." No movie could quite reenact the guarantee I have that it will all be okay. No movie could express who awful it is to cry about the same exact situation for an entire day. Then an entire week. Then still be crying over the same issue a year later. Years later? Also, a movie can't show how boring most days are. How regular life is. "Normal life" looks so cute in a movie (and in a memory.) But it's usually just... boring. Then along comes something to make our life chilling or thrilling, terrifying or blissful. Our hearts sink and leap and quiver and fill. They flutter and empty and pause and yearn.
I love movies. I love stories. I love fairy tales, I love them best of all. I love them because they are like life. No fairy tale ever goes "Once upon a time there was a beautiful princess with all she ever wanted, with a pure heart and kind spirit. She fell in love at a young age, never felt any pain, and floated to heaven on a cloud at the end of her life. The end." Nor do stories go something like this: "Once upon a time there was a poor girl who was always sad. There was no reason to ever smile or have hope. Ever. She died and everyone forgot who she was."
There is always hope. There is always some reason to laugh and smile.There is always dissapointment. There is always some unmet expectation and hurt.In both the fairy tales and in life.
This year I spent many hours enjoying other peoples fairy tales. I spent time with Jim and Pam at Niagara Falls, with Allie when she shrugs her shoulders in the driveway and Noah knows she is home for good, with Him, with the skeptical Brittany who was relentlessly fought for by her too-kind-to-be-true policeman, with a girl who had to bake a cake to get his attention, with lovers separated by family and religious custom who made their way to each other at last. I spent time with Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy huddled under a blanket beneath dark skies whispering desperately cheesy lines, with two best friends who promised they would never ever date each other, with a girl running down the stairs with a glass slipper to present to the Duke, with a man who was locked to the world and found a way to trust one patient woman for life.
Their wedding's aren't the story, it's just a part of it. Maybe a line or two. Maybe a full chapter. Only a portion. But their wedding's are real, happy, beautiful, delightful, treasured and good. They had curls in their hair, they wore gowns, they feasted, they were surrounded by a crew of happy critters, they professed and promised love, they were married.
Enjoy a parade of their tales:

Christmas Activities | Personal

2011-12-05T14:26:00.003-05:00

there's a quaint little town
not a clock has been wound
for over a century

buon natale | nat king cole

It turns out my 8mm app addiction lasted longer then a week. As I was working on this little diddy last night, He suggested I make a "Sunday Series." "With a new episode each week!" He's smart, the Christmas Angel of mine. You can watch this now oooor watch it after you read the whole post. It might be a touch more amusing if you come back and watch after you read ;)

It's been about 10 days and our Christmas Activity Checklist is going strong! I just can't bring myself to miss a day when he gets such a kick out of it. It doesn't matter what we do - his little toes jingle all the way and his eyes sparkle like a silent night.

We made a classic garland for his tree. All we used was popcorn, cranberries, needle and thread!

We also bought His first real Christmas tree. He sat the tree in his lap and embraced it the whole way home. What a green, tree-hugger ;) ba-da-ching.

We turned on some tunes, and gave the little tree a merry makeover. It needed some bling.

When all was said and done, the decorations up, the stockings hung, He serenaded me with my favorite holiday carols. Precious Angel.

The only part of this experience that was really sad was the next day. He told me He had some "sad news." Uh-oh. "My Christmas tree fell down. I went in and it had crashed. Balls were on the floor. One ball broke. Someone ransacked Christmas." I tried not to laugh ;)

On a cheerier note! We went to a local Starbucks one night where some friends from church spent two hours singing carols! It was a happy memory to eat our chili and coffee-cake and watch the kiddos dance around.

Next up was the annual Remsnyder Christmas party with the ever intriguing Gift Exchange.

Christmas Angel took this very seriously.

He spent some time on his gift and ended up taking the present he brought home with him.

If you want to see what his gifts were check out the video

(one is cheap and weird, the other is expensive and... weird? ;) haha not weird. They are both fun!)

This morning I finished up last nights' craft: snow forest! This was another lovely Pinterest find.

SO stinking easy: bleach bottlebrush trees in a tub for 30 minutes, let dry over night, stick in glass jars and dump as much or as little sugar/salt over them as you'd like! I can't wait to see how these look with candles behind them :D

Only twenty days left and the fun has only just begun!

Audrey Turns Two {Child Photography}

2011-12-02T10:48:00.001-05:00

'cause you've got personality!

walk with personality, talk with personality!

smile with personality, charm with personality!
love with personality! 'cause you got a great big heart

lloyd price | personality

Meet Audrey.

24-months young, she tips the scales at barely 22 pounds. And she likes to "go-go-go shoppiiing" and "go get stuff at Michael's" (the craft store), sing her ABC's to try to distract her mom from putting her down for a nap ("ELMOENOPEEE! DUBUE EX! WHY! ANZY!") and she always wants to help (help stir food on the stove, help my baby in my belly feel better [even though I don't have a baby in my belly], and help make your hair not be "eeeew! yuuucky!")This child is extraordinary; that is, she is "unusually great." She the daughter of close friends and she lives about 60 seconds from my house. It's a sad day when there is no Audrey around. It just doesn't feel quite right. Everyone thinks their kid is smart and has an above-average personality, but this ain't my kid ;) And she IS so smart. And DOES have an above average personality.Just check out some of these faces:Accessories are the reason for the season in Audrey's world. Shoes, jewelry, sparkles, undergarments, "mock-sins" (moccasins) are her girly-girl treasures.
These make me laugh. I picture her talking in Dug the Talking Dog from Up voice: "Ooooh shucks. Just shtop it. Seriously. Ooooh my."

We all love her. What a blessing. What a joy. What happiness put into our adult lives. She cracks us up just by walking - because it's SO cuuuute! She snuggles up on your shoulders and dives in for a bear hug where she squeezes so tight it makes your soul just dissolve.Little Ham Chop. What a goober.One of our favorite Audrey-isms is how she collects and hoards little things like coins, cranberries, candy, crayons. After she leaves we'll find little stashes hidden around where she left her loot. Often she'll try to specifically put the coins in her pockets. Then she'll stand up and, to her dismay, the money will come bounding out of her pants holes and she drop to all fours, scrambling to gather her change back up. Oh it's precious.
"Eeeeew! Piggle! Eeeew!"Audrey spotted our daily visitor, Piggle the Squirrel. He's an obese rodent. And looks like a rat.

By the end there was yawning and "Hold you, Titi? Hold you?" and shivers, so we decided to be all done. Who can resist a little girl with knots on her head and bows on her feet asking to go inside? Not I said the fly.

How fun it is to be a part of a little life. She is so good for us all.Happy birthday sweet girl!

Caitlin + Scott {Maryland Engagement Photography}

2011-12-01T08:59:00.001-05:00

and the gale that fills our sailand the lights that shine tonight have always been aliveoh, my soul, one hundred million years,yeah the lights tonight will burn on when we diem. ward | one hundred million yearsThe very best of friends.The classic funny guy + sweet pretty girl combination.The ones who have stood the test of time. 10 years time.The one who has seen all of him, not just the loud, quick exterior of him.The one who has taken care of her behind closed doors.They are getting married.He wasn't taking himself too seriously.So we didn't either.Caitlin just shook her head and smiled, the special smile reserved for "I love him but wow."He rocked the tongue.She laughed.
He rocked the fierce.
She laughed.
They made me think about comfort and security in a relationship. Those are good things to have.He could be himself, she could just laugh and say "Yup, that's Scott."No pretentiousness. Just togetherness.And simple, sarcastic, committed, real love.

I'm also happy, pleased and persuaded-by-the-quality to report that I edited this shoot with VSCO Film.If you are a photographer and have not made VSCO a part of your life,then please make this day your day of photography salvation.
The truth sets you free.

Christmas Crafts {Personal}

2011-11-30T17:01:00.003-05:00

he puzzled and puzzed till his puzzler was sore.

then the grinch thought of something he hadn't before.

maybe Christmas, he thought,

doesn't come from a store.

maybe Christmas, perhaps,

means a little bit more!

how the grinch stole christmas | narrator

--

He is an Angel. Or at least that's His nickname around here. All my friends love to tease Him for His super conservative personality, over-the-top honest and kind ways, and His naive precious demeanor. They joke "don't taint the Angel's wings!" Sometimes when we are all hanging out and He's sleepy everyone calls Him "Baby Angel." Ladies and Gentlemen, we have entered a new season of nickname-ness: The Christmas Angel. This handsome mister I am dating is obsessed with Christmas.

And since this is his first Christmas away from his homeland, I want it to be super-definitley-marvelously wonderful for him. Beginning the day after Thanksgiving I've planned one Christmas activity per day. We'll see if I can actually pull it off. Since this blog has been a bit on the lonely side since He came along, I decided to show you some of our Christmas fun!

The 8mm Video App and ReelDirector App changed my life. At least my video shooting and editing life. We've been driving nearly every other Sunday to spend the day with some of our favorites, the Shorey/Baxter clan. Elizabeth (Shorey) Baxter had her first baby a few days ago. We spent the day driving, singing Christmas carols, talking, eating, watching football, holding a little guy, Muppet-ing and enjoying each other.

Then we got into craft mode. I saw these yarn-wrapped letters on Pinterest a while ago. I had the blessed idea to do this with a short holiday word. Good idea, huh?

No. These letters were Christmas Purgatory - temporary and unusual punishment. Word to those who think this looks fun: Use sans serif wooden letters. Those horrible, terrible, curvy serifs really make your throat tighten and pits warm up. He saved the day with His newfound crafting skills - but it even took Him over two hours to complete just the N. Boo to serifs. Booooo.
(This lady, however, took a different approach to serifs. Might be worth a shot?)

Thankfully neither of us were ruined for yarn-wrapping crafts. These yarn wreaths have been all over the inter-webs and homes the past few years. I decided to go ahead and make my first one. SO easy. So great. Love it.

What could be better then a big wreath? Mini wreaths! Made out of shower curtain rings! These are actually fast to make, the options are endless, they are darn-tootin' adorable, and they make great Christmas ornaments! We just had a ball working on them.

When you buy yarn and you can't knit, you must do something with it. I spotted some cute yarn trees made from styrofoam cones a while back. Even a gorilla could make these. By far the easiest and fastest craft yet.

Happily I did experiement with a different textile: feathers! This photo caught my attention and I loved the little white, fluffy tree on the right side of the table. I just hot-glued white feathers to the tree, sprayed some adhesive onto the feathers and shook glitter all over it! Eets maaaagical.

On the fluffier side of things, I modified a pom wreath to make my own version! I probably would have chosen to use the same size ball-puffs, but my local craft store only had bags with many sizes. I still how it turned out, though I would like to try to copy the "original" again sometime. This was also easy: hot glue, styrofoam wreath and fuzzy balls! (Restraining my inner Michael Scott...)Aaaaaand now we come to the best part. We are only at the very beginning of this "doing something Christmas everyday" event and I've already used my Hail Mary. We both got home on the later side of an evening because I had a basketball game (I coach in the winter). My mind was buzzing with all things time-out, full-court press, foul trouble and winning. When we got back to my house He said "What Christmas thing are we doing tonight?!" with His adorable, cheerful, eager voice. Oh snap. I forgot to prepare for the craft tonight. Shoot. "Let me run upstairs and change! Then I'll show you the special, exciting, um, awesome craft for tonight." In my room I grabbed a bag of popsicle sticks, hoping for success though I knew the chances were small. Popsicle sticks. Jeez. What a holiday wizard I am. Poor boy. He's used to multiple Christmas trees, home baked goods almost nightly, cozying up around the fire place and pretty ornaments. Not popsicle sticks (plus a few scattered clothespins). But it's all I had and I needed this for the win.
"Okay. SooOoooo. We are going to make ornaments for your tree out of these!" I hoped I was selling him. "We can make snowflakes! And letters! And we can paint them!" He looked at me. He took the bags from my hands. He asked "Can we put glitter on them too?" Touuuuuchdooooown!!!

But wait for it.
We spread out our sticks. We start gluing away. I'm all "Hey! Look, these could also be Stars of David!" like a first-grader making props for the Nativity Production where I have to wear a bathrobe and pillow case on my head. I was making snowflakes and "J's" like a boss.

I look over and see Him in a trance. Sawdust is everywhere. Sticks are broken. He has the hot glue gun in his lap, pencil behind his ear, tongue over his top lip. Christmas Angel was assembling a to-scale North Pole Wonderland Fleet.

His Saint Nicholas Sleigh of Delight is not only aerodynamic, it has a roomy seat for a big tushie with safety rails for the long, busy flight.

We haven't painted the Yuletide Caribou Squadron quite yet. But I'm sure Rudolph will have an actual red blinking nose and they will really be able to fly.

Psh. Popsicle stick snowflakes my foot.

I wish I could send you to a blog with a cute tutorial on how to make this Holiday Troupe for yourself, but, alas, I cannot. It's all in His Christmas Angel head. In a matter of minutes he can whip up the most sturdy, perfect, lovely crafts. And I'm over there burning myself on the glue gun.

Oh well.

What would this world be if everyone was really good at crafts?
All I know is that I'm having the time of my life making memories this cheerful season.

Like the Grinch realized:

Maybe Christmas, he thought, doesn't come from a store.

Maybe Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more!

How have YOU been making Christmas time be "a little bit more"?

Dre + Becca {Maryland Maternity Photography}

2011-11-15T22:11:00.001-05:00

sail away with me honey

i put my heart in your hands

sail away with me
what will be will be
i wanna hold you now
david gray | sail away

My housemates, landlords, best friends, and just all-around wonderful Kless' wanted to get some pictures taken of these last few weeks (or days?) before we meet Little Man. Though Dre made quite a mockery of my profession, we managed to have a great time ;) I love every single member of this little family! I just can't wait to meet all of them ;)

Dre's mocking laughter. Followed by Becca's loving correction. Good job Becs.

Up next in the Baby Kless saga is his nursery reveal ;) And then hopefully pictures of the day he is born!

How Much Better Could the Skies of Heaven Be? {Personal}

2011-11-14T19:29:00.002-05:00

"Change... had passed away."

christina georgina rossetti | from house to house

I read a very moving poem this week.

This sky looked like this this week:

pc: lydia jane, not me ;)

"Then earth and heaven were rolled up like a scroll;

Time and space, change and death, had passed away;

Weight, number, measure, each had reached its whole;

The day had come, that day."

I don't think I've ever thought about change passing away before. It's an interesting thing to think about. Dreams are made up of change "Someday I'm going to do ____! I'm going to change what I'm doing now and actually do _____!" Heaven will be perfect the entire time. It will always be right. A citizen of Heaven is experiencing all the best of God, all the time, with no nemesis or barrier to Him. Never will there be an unexpected turn. Rain on our parades. Nothing will be messed up. Things will always go according to plan. Every single time. But then again, time will be done away with too. Imagine the security you'd feel knowing that you will never be disappointed, frustrated, hurt or a failure again. No more change.

"Multitudes—multitudes—stood up in bliss,

Made above to the angels, glorious, fair;

With harps, palms, wedding-garments, kiss of peace

And crowned and haloed hair."

Heaven is going to be so happy. I long for the happiness of Heaven.

"They sang a song, a new song in the height,

Harping with harps to Him Who is Strong and True:

They drank new wine, their eyes saw with new light,

Lo, all things were made new."

"To be introduced, or discovered now for the first time."What a day it will be when we are introduced to that unguarded, unsparing happiness of Home.The day we discover Heaven for the first time.

Like Crazy 600 Posts {Personal}

2011-11-11T16:05:00.002-05:00

"i thought I understood it, but I didn’t.

only the smudgness of it.

the eagerness of it. the idea of it.

of you and me."

like crazy

He isn't a combination of all the "good" parts of the other guys. He isn't "all they were and more." He is nothing like they were. He is all they were not. Instead of the witty, strategic, heavy, uncertain romantic politics I had found myself endlessly running for, hoping to get elected, he offered me a job doing what I am passionate about. Like a retired senator who moves to the coasts and paints the sunrise every morning. (Don't some retired senators do that?) Somewhere in between borders I was not supposed to cross and the game I had learned how to play, he set me free to a world where I am known and loved. Good impressions, being hard to get, flirting, being considered hot - not even on my mind.

I had no plan to make him want me. Maybe that is why we fell in love. I didn't fall in love with him. And he didn't fall in love with me. We fell in love with each other. We drove in love, sang in love, talked mindlessly in love, prayed in love, adventured in love, laughed laugh's we'd never heard before in love, dreamed in love, watched reality TV in love, worked in love, cried in love, debated in love, made up new nicknames for each other in love, wondered in love, played in love, spilled water in love, got honked at in love, gave our time in love, stayed up way too late in love, hugged in love and fell in love. We're clumsy. Tell me everything that happened
Tell me everything you saw
They had lights, inside their eyes
They had lights, inside their eyes

Please please tell me what they looked like
Did they seem afraid of you?
They were kids that I once knew
They were kids that I once knew

Did you touch them
Did you hold them
Did they follow you to town?

They make me feel I'm falling down
They make me feel I'm falling down

Was there one you saw too clearly
Did they seem too real to you?
They were kids that I once knew
They were kids that I once knew

Happy 600th post, little blog.Today I am celebrating by going on a date with the boy who likes his scrambled eggs "unusually dry" with lots of pepper, whose shoulders have a mind of their own on the dance floor, who I trust more then I trust anybody else I've ever known and who makes my name sound pretty when he says it.(And who took me to see "Like Crazy" last weekend.)

ps. Seven twitter followers away from 600!

Geoff + Kelly {George Washington Hotel Wedding}

2011-11-10T15:24:00.001-05:00

here, my dearthis is where
we'll shake the nightmares free
i dream to hold you in my armsjon foreman | in my arms
Opening a clean, luxurious hotel room door, my eyes were directed to the only red object in the room. A red bouquet. A red bouquet of roses were waiting, with a note, for the bride. In all my years of wedding photography, I had yet to come across a groom who sent flowers to the bride just hours before the wedding. And I found the whole ordeal incredibly sweet.

And after spending the day with Geoff and Kelly, I would describe their love as sweet. They are very fond of one another. But there is more to it then just that. They value one another. Geoff really cared how Kelly felt on her wedding day. He didn't approach this as "Hey, I'm the groom! Just show up and put on my tux!" He went out of his way to make her day special; to tell her things privately and publicly that expressed his heart for her.
After getting primped, polished and perfect the ladies perched and mingled in the limo while Kelly read a multi-page-hand-written-letter waiting for her from Geoff. She also opened a gift from him.

In the dearness of those happy moments, no one noticed the first few raindrops. Or the second few.But somewhere between leaving the hotel and arriving at the church we were in the middle of hurricane-like rain.

The following images are exactly the benefits of working with a second-shooter. Because, you see, while my second shooter was taking these:

I was at a different place taking these:

After the very elegant and beautiful ceremony, we enjoyed each others company in the church courtyard. I may not have been the girls favorite human by making them walk through wet grass and drizzly air.But it was worth it, hey ladies?

Before long, and certainly not long enough for this thrilled photographer, we were moments away from the reception. I had to almost be pulled away from the portrait session with this couples. If only I had known what was in store ;)

Kelly told me at our first client meeting that Geoff had always wanted a winter wedding. They decided to meet in the middle and do a preppy, glamorous, winter-in-summer wedding. That is a first for me ;) Kelly put in hours of etsy-ing, creating, crafting, meeting with vendors and dreaming of the reception at The George Washington Hotel. It was incredible. Make sure you take note of her hand-made (bead by bead!) table numbers!

The first dance started happy, clap-py and fun.It turned into hilarious, roaring and fantastic.

The guests were thrilled, I was ending my day on a buzz, Geoff and Kelly were as happy as ever.What a wonderful world.
ps. check out their amazing wedding video done by my friends over at ClubHill Media! They are wow-impressive.

Jamulie {Maryland Engagement Photography}

2011-11-04T15:33:00.001-05:00

yeah, the road gets harder
but it’s not much farther
it’s gonna be alright
you know that it ain’t easy
please believe me
it’s gonna be alright

needtobreathe | more time

I don't know if you can quite understand just how afraid of the "M" word Julie used to be. She would admit she had no reason to be fearful. Her parents had a gloriously happy marriage until death they did part. Her sister is having the time of her life being a wife and mother. For some reason she just wasn't ready. She needed more time.

After fifteen months of dating (where "eeeveryone" knew they were going to get engaged soon) Julie called things off. I specifically remember stopping by her house on my way to a wedding the weekend "everything" happened. She was so mopey. "I've been playing NeedToBreathe on repeat." I need more time\ Cause I can’t figure out just what’s inside \ I hoped that you could understand \ That this is not what I had planned \ I need more time
She couldn't take down her pictures of them on the wall, or put away the presents he had made her over the past year. She was numb. She knew it was the right choice, but it didn't make it any easier. I also saw James that weekend. Just for a few seconds. He was as heartbroken as a boy in love could ever be. My heart sunk for him. The grey-ness, the ache, the mornings where you just want night to come so you can go to bed, and the nights you just want morning to come so you can wake up. It's low.

Then something really quite lovely happened.They both dove into what was right in front of them -
the people, the sports, the activities, the trips, the Word of God, the education.
They both even "talked" with other people (an important part of getting over someone, I think.)
Just a few months after the break-up I asked James how he was doing;
he looked me straight in the eyes and said "I literally am care-free and am doing so well."
I mean, he looked well. And he sounded well. And seemed well!
But somehow it just didn't seem done yet.

Please don’t worry now \ It will turn around \ Cause I need more time \ Just a few more months and we’ll be fine

And as it turns out, there was more to come for James and Julie (also known as "Jamulie.")
It turns out time did help.
(God's time is always perfect.)
They slowly started "being friends" again. They started laughing together again, longing to see each other "a lot a lot." Perhaps it had never really left for either of them, after all.

Before long these two were up to their necks in love.
Once I commented to Julie "You know, once you and James start dating again, you're going to fall in love so fast."
I think it was two weeks? maybe three? and Julie had been fully, totally and wholly carried away.
She was SO in love with James.
I think James had been in love for about three years ;)

We’re off to new lands \ So hold on to my hands \It’s gonna be alright \ It’s a whole lot brighter \ So stand by the fire \ It’s gonna be alright

They are both very brave. They really are. I didn't understand it so well back four years ago, but it's a terrifying thing to date and then break up with and then date again your best friend.

But more then being brave, they are happy.
They are happy not because it's been easy. Oh no. Much of their happiness comes from knowing it's been hard. They are not happy because now it's perfect. Oh no. Much of their happiness comes from accepting, loving and bearing with the imperfection.
They're happy because they are loved.
With no conditions.
No fears.
"Perfect love casts out fear."

They are free to enjoy their funny, brave, motivated, visionary, devoted, funny, servant, cheesy, half-athletic, half-brilliant, close, real love.

So they do.

I promised you the world again \ Everything within my hands \ All the riches one could dream \ they will come from me

Dan + Sara {Annapolis Bay Wedding}

2011-10-27T16:19:00.007-05:00

i give it all into your hands
do what you will with me
and i'll, i'll smile when you speak
oooo la la
foster the people | i would do anything for you
(listen while you read along! get you in the right mood. i promise.)

Sara told me that I shot two of her friends weddings. She said she loved my photos. In my inbox right now I have four e-mails from Sara. Only four. We talked on the phone once. E-mailed four times. Ba-da-bing, ba-da-boom. I told my second-shooter on the drive up to the wedding that I wasn't sure what to expect: I've never met the bride and I've never been to (nor heard of) the venues, and it was supposed to rain, so I was willing to bet everything was going to be inside. Sara had sent me a little photo-collage of the "look" of her wedding. It was all very pretty but let's be honest, people can pull some snazzy pictures off of Pinterest and not quite follow through on the execution, if you catch my drift?

Long story short: I didn't know what to expect.

After a whirlwind of custom-made PEACH dress-ness, Enzo Angiolini shoes, freckled laughter and pinning, all housed in Annapolis' Maritime Museum, it clicked.

I HAD met Sarah before! Why of COURSE. Everything fell into place. She was IN one of the weddings I had shot. Sara! The funny, outspoken, confident, loud, did-I-mention-funny? Sara! See her in this one? Hamming it up on the far right? Goof. I was so excited. I kept thinking "Man. Sara! I LOVE SARA! I can't believe I didn't know this was her wedding!" As she made faces at the guests coming in, and as I connected my dots, I knew this was going to be an amazing day.

Meanwhile, the boys chillaxed out back in the boats. I made a fool of myself when I met the boys (quick story: I came up and said "Hi guys! I'm Kristen" and one of the guys shook his hand and said "Nice to meet you, Kristen. I'm Kristen, too!" I made some sarcastic comment about how "original" that joke was. Told him to come back when he had a better one-liner. Told him how countless groosmen have used that one on me. "No, really, that's my name." I rolled my eyes. "It is! His name is Kristen America. We are being so legit." Oops. His name is Kristen. I'm Kristen, he's Kristen. Shaaa-weet.)

At this point I started to hear all about this "unique" ceremony. I was a little confused. Almost every bride says she wants her wedding to be unique, so I wasn't confused by that... I was just confused with who exactly was marrying them? And why were there "acts" on the program? And, well, I didn't have much time to dwell on it. The show started rolling and I was caught up to speed in no time.

Now up until this photo, everything has been pretty normal. Groom waits, bride walks, dad hands-off, couple unite. All is well. But here the ceremony took a turn for the different. One of two Ceremony Narrators explained to the guests what this wedding was going to look like. Personal, community-oriented, and very very unique. There would be readings, live songs, poetry recitation, story telling and more. They were asked to view themselves as participants, and also like an audience. This was like a show, a performance, a great work of art. Yet also very real, not fake and not pompous.

There was a little introduction to the 7 Tenants of Marriage that Dan + Sara wrote themselves. For each tenant there was a following "act." So the laughter, the singing, the hand-holding, ring-warming, joke-telling and ceremony began. Different friends and family performed different parts. They must have had 30 people involved, out-loud, in the actual ceremony.

One of the best parts of the entire wedding was a poem (haiku style) an unusually funny friend of theirs wrote. Dan and Sara didn't hear the poem until the very moment in the wedding. And it was hillllarious:

I could never repeat it as well as it was originally stated, but the big punchline was about "these red-heads and their hot, albino romance." It was pretty epic ;)

Circled by all their best ones, these fair-skinned lovers became husband and wife.

And they kissed! Just like all husbands and wives should do.

Now here is where it gets juicy. Mr. and Mrs. exited the ceremony right onto the dock. Guests clapped and cheered, everyone smiled and hoo-rah-ed!

The whole wedding party left the ceremony site and instantly boarded power boats for a ride around the bay. The guests, still high on the energy of the ceremony, were giddy and photo-happy as they watched the crew sail away.

Out at sea I was asked to take candid photos of the bridal party. Sara didn't want the regular "line up and say 'cheese!'" photos of her friends. So for about an hour we sailed all alone through the waters. There was champagne, heart-shaped sunglasses and much love.

Did you say "wow," even in your brain, looking through those? I was like a skipping disc in 2001. "Wow. Wow. Wow. Wow. Wow. Wow. Wow. Wow." With every single open-and-closed shutter I knew I was taking some of my favorite wedding photographs ever. As soon as we docked, the rain it came on down. So we had to wait a bit to continue taking pictures at the Chesapeake Bay Foundation (a fully "green" building).

You'll never find a pouty-Kristen if I'm on sand and near water. Especially after I had just experienced the boat ride of a lifetime with a funny man and his peach-adorned-wifey. I was exhilarated. I wanted to shoot till kingdom come. I occasionally have dreams of shoots like this: where everything is just working so well, where I know I'm taking shots I love, where I adore the couple... and then I wake up. But I knew I wasn't going to wake-up. I was as awake and alive as ever. Which is really great, because if I had been dreaming I probably wouldn't have thought to add a rainbow.

Glory of glory, sweet Aunt Bessie, what have we HERE?

All of a sudden flashes of the opening credits to Lion King and my imaginations of what Anne of Green Gables world looked like combined. I actually realized I wasn't breathing at one point. Made me laugh ;)

Yeah. I know. I don't know what to say either. It was beautiful. More then beautiful. The guests couldn't shut up about it, I couldn't stop thinking about it, Sara was as care-free and hilarious as ever, so was Dan. It was wonderful

Thanks for the literally magical honor of being your wedding photographer.
This was a day I will not soon forget.
Congratulations!

Ryan + Clairisse {Damascus Engagement Shoot}

2011-10-26T12:10:00.003-05:00

*REAL QUICK*(fix your readers to this new domain name:http://www.imkristensphotoblog.com/Thank ya kindly.)---
we've felt separate and we've felt the samewe've freed each offer and we laid claimoh yes, the butterflies are still theresua furler | butterfliesBehind his house was a highschool.He went to highschool.Highschool was dramatic, in the stupid ways.Highschool was fun, in the childlike ways.Highschool was full of sports, in the hometown hero, team spirit, community ways.Highschool was for meeting Clairisse, in the life-changed-forever way.Claire thought Ryan was something else.But what girl didn't?Tall, brown-haired, big-eyed, comfortable, funny, confident, kind, athletic and yet kind of dopey in an endearing, sweet way. Isn't that the definition of a highschool crush?In the meantime, Clairisse was beautiful but quite shy, gentle but private.She isn't the girl who is the center-of-attention, the life-of-the-party, the juicy-one-to-gossip-about.Her truer then true heart and happy contented spirit waved Mr. Ryan down.My dad used to tell me "When a guy goes out to a party he might hang with 99% of the girls there,but he'll go home thinking about the one he didn't speak with."It seems like that was the general effect happening over at Damascus High School.Until one fateful homecoming, when they danced.Ryan says he knew right then that something big had just happened.Clairisse just couldn't believe she was dancing with Ryan.She loves his confidence.He loves her awkwardness.She loves his jokes.He loves her laugh ("the cutest laugh I sure have ever heard.")She and he love music.She and he love talking to each for hours on end.She and he love their God.He loves the way she prays.She loves his daily intake of scripture.He and she love each other.

"Some people may look at us like we are crazy but we are having the time of our lives.""What I love about being with her is that we are not embarrassed to make a fool of ourselves when we are having fun.""What started as a high school romance has really become a lifetime friendship filled with love and laughter."There is an easy feeling with Ryan and Claire.As easy as rooting for your local team.It's just right.Her first kiss will now be the one kissing her good-night until death do they part.His homecoming dance will know be his partner until the end.

It's fascinating how highschool is such a stepping stone.Such a funny little transition in life.Like the train-station before you board a train.
And who would have thought they would find a companion for the rest of the ride in the halls of the Swarmin' Hornets Territory.
It's a sweet story in all the best kind of ways.

The Smart Family {Family Portraits}

2011-10-24T14:33:00.003-05:00

he's gonna act like he can't wait to leave
but as he drives out, he'll cry his eyes out
if he's anything like me.
there's worse folks to be like
aw, he'll be alright if he's anything like me
brad paisley | anything like me

It's "family portrait" time of year.
I haven't shot a family since last year.
And I've done me some thinking.
Portrait: A verbal picture or description, especially of a person or people.
A verbal picture.
Description.
Of a person.
Of people.
A description of people.

Sometimes I see very pretty pictures, of very pretty people. There are family and children photographers who are much more gifted then I am. They just know what they are doing and nail it. I've realized, though, that, just like in weddings, you can take lovely photographs that don't tell you a single.darn.thing about the subject. I've often shot families like I'm shooting for a Gymboree ad. I know the type of image I'm looking for and I try to make my mini subjects pose and smile and sit the way I think they should.

But, just like no two couples are the same, no two families are the same.
Neil and Jessica are relaxed, happy, opinionated, active, talented and loving in their own way.
Their children (and, man alive, their children's personalities) are striking, funny, dynamic and full of life in unparalleled fashion. So I would like you to meet them. I want to describe them to you.
Enjoy these portraits.

Neil doesn't get told what to do. He is smart and strong and a man. But he does not care what other people think about him. Kind of a "live your life, take care of your business" vibe. He is committed to his wife, committed to providing for her. Not because "so-and-so" says that is what you are supposed to do. Because he knows that's what men do. Man up, step up and live. He's one of those dads that changes diapers, ends fights with a single look, chases kids and yells right with them and is connected to his family.
Jessica is very sweet. She reminds me of friends from California (and not just because she has blonde hair and blue eyes ;) haha). Chill, kick back, do what you love, love what you do, laugh and enjoy. She works - don't get me wrong - she works. But her attitude is so elegant. I don't think I've ever seen a whiny Facebook status from her. Lots of happiness, heart and love. She doesn't complain. Her children really are some of her best friends.

These two are so great at shoots. They play with their children, just like they do at home. They don't fuss with fixing hair while I'm trying to shoot, or constantly calling their kids names. It's as crazy yet normal, loud yet peaceful to shoot them as it is to sit in their living room.

Nyah is a talkative, colorful, helpful little girl who also is going on 18 ;) She reminds me of Neil.
Ryder is a creative kid. He's usually some kind of creature when I see him. He obviously looks up to Nyah SO much, but loves to push her buttons.
Kylan has some spunk. He has places to go, things to do and not being able to walk is really slowing him down, folks. He's very curious and aware.

This shoot was filled with shrieking, tickling, running, growling, laughing and convincing Nyah it was okay to sit in the grass.
I hope you enjoyed meeting the Smarts.

Becca's Baby Shower {Event + Personal}

2011-10-17T13:36:00.001-05:00

“How did it get so late so soon?

Its night before its afternoon.

December is here before its June.

My goodness how the time has flewn."

dr. suess | a sweet quote becca is framing for her boy, due in december

I posted here about moving in with my friendly-friends Dre + pregnant Becca. And I posted some pictures here of my friends Janet and Audrey, her daughter.They are important characters in the story of this blog post.Just so you know. Thweet.
Now for the setting.A windy, sunny October afternoon in a spacious, window-ed home.Why were we there?To celebrate a little, long-awaited boy, to provide him and his family with all they will need practically,and to make Becca feel special, because we love her so.When Janet (Becca's "BFFAE") found out Becca was pregnant, she pretty much started planning right away. Janet is somewhat known for her amazing parties. I'm always game for creative ideas, and I'm especially game for doing anything for Becca. So Jan and I became the official Baby Shower Party Planners. After a number of meetings, brain-storm sessions, Pinterest-searches and e-mails, we had a grasp on our plans. We had a location.We had a color scheme.We had a finalized invitation.We had some craft ideas.We even had a pretty detailed menu(the menu theme morphed over time... started as "Becca's Favorite Foods" which became "Comfort Food" and we ended at a happy place of"Made from Scratch Self-Serve Delicious Food." Good theme, huh? ;) haha)We knew we wanted the shower to be consistent in look and color from start to finish. Inspired by the lines in the invitation, Jan thought it'd be great to make a "real life" copy of those lines at the house, everywhere we could.
So after the hours of crafting, shopping, creating and assembling, we are pleased to welcome you to:Becca's Baby Shower:| entry way |When guests arrived they were met by a thrifted + re-painted desk.They were asked to leave their best baby advice on a clotheslines,and to write their full address on an envelope so Becca doesn't have to when she does thank-you's,

I found another Pinterest-lifesaver in the form of these clothespin + popsicle stick airplanes. Airplanes have been a big part of Dre + Becca's story thus far(Dre recently got a job with air traffic control,but had to fly to New York, Chicago and Oklahoma... up to four months! to apply and receive the job.)It was nice to include such a personal element, without it being "WELCOME TO THE AIRPORT HANGER SHOWER! AIRPLANE WORLD! AAAH!" Subtle, sweet and not over-kill.)| drinks | Using baker's twine, gift tags and Mason Jars, we had the guests use "real" cups... which is much nicer then paper or plastic. Can I get an "Amen!"?They also got to make their own drinks! Ginger-ale or Lemon-Lime Soda :)Just add a spoonful of the pre-made concentrate to a glass of seltzer water and wa-la! (the concentrate was simply lemon and lime juice, honey and zested ginger.)| food | Everyone ate up, which is a great sign!Especially at a shower with 45 women ;)Women and their appetites are so hard to plan for!But with so many healthy, tasty, dairy + gluten free options, we had happy campers.Praaaaaise the good Lord.(ps. Love these bamboo silverware sets we sniped!) Kinda see the invitation inspiration? Maybe? :D

| desserts |

We had some yummy desserts made by our lovely friends. These pretzels were my FAVE, but we also had amazing rice krispie cupcakes, chocolate bars and more!(I got those bingo cards printed the day before the shower on cardstock. Last minute decision, but they worked great! Guests filled in the squares with presents they thought Becca might receive. First five with five in a row won! It was a great game that wasn't too cheesy or weird, helped guests stay interested in the present-un-wrapping part and didn't take up an extra time. Big fan.)

| the peoples |

| favors | Jan had the great idea to give the ladies a little bundle of fresh picked flowers as they left.It was super cute and everyone loved them.

But most important, more then any any any other part of this shower, we wanted Becs to know how much we love her and how happy we are to share in her joy.

"The one who has the bride is the bridegroom.

The friend of the bridegroom,

who stands and hears the him, rejoices greatly at the bridegroom's voice.

Therefore this joy of mine is now complete."

john 3:29

It'd be appropriate to say that Becca has been "the friend of the bridegroom" for a long time.She stands by her friends,hears and listens to their excitement about jobs, houses, babies, travel, etcand she rejoices greatly.
Becca is the kind of friend you want to tell everything.I mean that.Becca is one of the first people I go to when I'm excited. She is happy to listen, happy to talk, happy to carry your joys or your sorrows,happy to wait, happy to go.She'd be the first to say that change scares her, and that there have been tears in the past, present and surely in the future - for herself and her friends. But she's also the first to practically, emotionally and spiritually be there for us.Whether it be through e-mails, cards, advice, prayers, laughs, meals or her own personal time,she is so happy loving on those she loves.It's her turn to be the "us."

Becccccaaa.

This joy of ours is so complete.

To stand with you taping and painting Baby Boy's room.

To hear with you that perfect heartbeat.

To listen to your voice as you dream about meeting him.

We rejoice greatly.

Especially Audrey ;)

----

Shower Design: Janet Remsnyder + I'm Kristen

Photography: Ellie B + I'm Kristen

Food: Janet Remsnyder

Dessert: "Aunt" Jess

Flowers: Butlers Orchard + Rachie Rach

Chalkboard design: Lydia Jane

Invitation + Paper Good design/printing: I'm Kristen + FedEx Office + inspired by this invite

Pinterest Inspiration Board: Right here!

First Date Disaster Part II {Personal}

2011-09-30T10:14:00.001-05:00

{continued from part I)

This time of night, the Metro station was much more still and slow. I slid my card through the gate, and just like every other time, it worked perfectly. Brennan used the gate next to me, but his didn't work. In a fattened fury of guy rage, he took my card from me and went to the booth to put more money on both cards. "Okay, I put $20 on each card. They really should BOTH work just fine." After he added the money, his card worked and he was obviously pretty proud of himself. I just followed him onto the train, adding the $40 to Night's Tab. Eek.

On the Metro we stood and stared at the ground. We didn't sit because we were too full and we didn't talk because there really was nothing to talk about. Then, in a moment of absurdity, two guys started hitting on me. Not in a flattering way, or not even in a sick-o way… in a very challenging-to-Brennan way. "Well hi there. You are very pretty. And you have a beautiful smile…" "Oh. Thanks." "…does he tell you that you have a beautiful smile" "Uuuuuh…" It was just a bizarre awkward 30 seconds as the Smile Guy stood right in front of me looked me up and down. Brennan didn't say a word. He just stood up straighter.

Thankfully the men got off at the next stop. When they had exited and the doors had closed, Brennan blew up. "Oooooh, I did NOT like that at all. I did not like that. I'm sorry, I didn't know what to do. I didn't want to overstep my bounds and say something that would make you feel uncomfortable… I mean, we just went on one date… But I really, really didn't like that. I wanted to pop him in the shins. I should have said something. I'm sorry." No worries, Brennan. No worries.

Our train arrived at our station and we quietly walked off. I slid my card through the gates. And walked through. Brennan did the same, and his didn't work. He was not a happy Metro traveler. "This is ree-DIC-u-lus. I just can't win. Gracious." As he went from gate to gate, trying to get his card to work, a police officer came over. Then the police officer started writing him a ticket. Apparently, there was some technical-name-billing issue with the cards, and he couldn't use both of them at the same time, because it was "stealing" from the Metro.

Brennan went from bright red to pale. I was on the other side trying to explain. "He wasn't trying to cheat the system! He was just paying for me! He was being nice! He put a lot of money on those! I saw him!" The officer just gave him a warning, praise the Lord, and let him through the gates. I don't think Brennan will ever ride the Metro again.

The little boy tucked his defeated tail between his legs and walked back to his car. There still wasn't much to talk about, and I think he was getting the "vibes" that I wouldn't be going on a second-date with him. Once in his car I plugged in my ipod and put on some upbeat (but NOT sweet or romantic!) music to try to lighten the mood. Or at least to break the silence.

Rain still spit down from on high. And I leaned back in my seat, bopping my head to the music. "Almost home. I'm glad this guy is so nice. But I just want to be home." Brennan drove onto the curved highway ramp. Unfortunately, he did that a bit too fast. We hit a slick part of wet road which sent us sliding towards the concrete barriers on the drivers-side of the car. He obviously has better driving skills then I do, because Brennan actually got control of the out-of-control car before we hit anything. My heart continued to beat and I blinked again. Before I opened my eyes from my blink, we hit another bad spot (we were moving pretty fast) and this time, instead of getting in control of the car, the car spun ALL the way around - complete 180. We were now facing oncoming highway traffic, sliding back towards the concrete barriers - only now they were on MY side of the car. I braced my body and put my head in my lap and held it real tight with my hands. It was the slowest, fastest second of my life as we slammed into the rock walls.

By the way, concrete is really really REALLY hard. The car came to an instant, dead, eerie halt. Other cars flew by. "Are you okay?!? Are you hurt? Are you alright?!" I sat up straight. Why yes! I was okay! Praise God! My heart was in my knees and the beats from it echoed to my fingertips, but I was definitely okay!

Brennan was too, so he jumped out to assess the damages. And damages they were. His car was totaled. I could elaborate on this, but honestly, the point will be made: he called the tow-truck, we waited on hour, it never came, he called again, they apologized for forgetting to dispatch it, I sat in the back of the car listening to old Michael Jackson, my shoulder started to hurt, but I didn't dare tell him, he paced outside in the drizzle, I lamented my newly-cracked iPhone screen (which I also didn't tell him about), the tow-truck came, took us to Brennan's house, he took his roommates car and drove me to Target, I said a worn-out "good night" and drove home.

The next day my shoulder and neck were quite sore (but probably not as bad as Brennan's ego). Brennan wanted to pay for the doctors appointment. I argued, but he insisted. He also had to pay $1500 to insurance to total his car. He only owed about $250 on it. And he had to buy a new car. "Good luck with your whole no-debt thing! Glad I could help!

And when he met up to pay me for my doctor's appointment he had just gotten his eyes dilated at the Eye Doctor, so he was all blinky and bobble-head-y and bumble-bee-eye-y.

Poor Brennan. He's a very nice boy.

Bless his heart. And his debt-free plans.