Archives for December 2010

This past Thaksgiving was unlike most from the past. Yes, all the familiar traditions were intact. The difference was that our entire family- all ten of us stayed in a house all together and then drove the 25 minute distance to my grandmothers bed and breakfast in Helen.

leaving out details of how this occurred but noting that this was a vacation home for some special people with children. Needless to say, the home was kid-friendly and we were right at home

I thought we were going to a mountain cabin. I had never, ever been in a mansion- esque mountain cabin. The mansion characteristics were separate rooms and bathrooms for everyone in what seemed to be wings of the house. The wide screen theatre that seated ten, a game room complete with jukebox, pool table, and multiple other games. A huge table that we all fit at for meals,  a play room for my boys, a fire pit for s-mores, a wrap around back porch with a view that was sure to take your breath away.

Let me clarify that we would have been just fine piled on top of each other in a small mountain cabin. But Jesus wanted to pamper us and give us a luxurous few days together- something that is a rarety these days.

Both of my siblings will spend Christmas this year with their inlaws:(  So this was our only  “Holiday”  time together. The three siblings and spouses even snuck away a few times to enjoy the clubhouse and all its amenities. We rented golf carts and rode all over the mountainous golf course- which was our back yard!

We cooked together, worshipped together, watched movies, worked on puzzles. Laughed. Prayed for one another.

This is a fave memory:  more times than I can count my mom and dad would grin from ear to ear and acknowledge how great it was to all be together in a fairy -tale- of- a -place with a fairy- tale -of- a- view. Thankfulness abounded…..

This thanksgiving Shannon and I drew the words Thankfulness and Restoration.

I believe the Lord wants to restore my heart through thankfulness. This was the start… …

My boy likes to sing. He sings loudly and proudly. This thanksgiving performance was hilarious because I didn’t know whether to be proud or embarrassed that he was singing SO LOUDLY… SO BOLDLY. I mean at times it seemed he was the only one singing…. At times I think my assumption was true. Nonetheless his enthusiasm for singing the Lord’s prayer and doing the sign language was and forever will be a treasured memory. Here is a little Holiday Cheer!

Untitled from Shannon Lewis on Vimeo.

And a few pics of my little turkey! – I think that is what he was- I mean, he had a tail and all!

It seems that the entire world marvels in the joy of Children’s voices around the Holidays. What is simpler and truer than a group of kids singing songs about our Saviour? It truly is one of my favored delights of the winter Holidays.I mean what could be cuter than overhearing my Kenimer sing this song at Big Lots today:

ROUND YON VIRG- A- TEE  MOTHER AND CHILD.  Over and over and over

He was singing loudly- I tell ya- every little old lady we passed chuckled and smiled from ear to ear. It’s the little things that bring good cheer.

I have been venturing into the world of photo styling. It usually involves props, themes, arranging poses, moving furniture or anything that evokes originaityl and uniqueness in a photo. I have been working with a friend, Sarah .I first met Sarah at my sisters bridal session where I showed up with some chairs in my trunk- to use as props. It went something like this “ Hi, Im Cyle,  Bethany’s Sis, “Hi I’m Sarah, nice to meet you”.  Well, I have a chair I thought would be cool for a pic” . Ok- “That’s great lets put it in the road”  walla! You may have seen it in one of her adds.

I guess I kind of helped style that pic. The story unfolds to me packing vintage suitcases full of props and a journal of sketched ideas on paper and shared  over coffee. Then the styling collaboration of my cd cover. Then the fashion shoot two months ago. – and- Now. Its’ official. Sarah and I have dreaming up some mock shoots to showcase certain themes, ideas and most of all – TO TELL A PHOTO STORY! We have been brainstorming story lines and then executing the plan.

Last month I was reading the Golden  Isles Magazine when I saw a write up about a guy who had 33 acres of farmland in Brunswick. NO WAY- you might think! People do that in Brunswick?- that’s what I was thinking. Yes, they do. They live off of the land. Killing chickens and all. Our wheels started turning and before we knew it we were creating a pilgrim and Indian living off the land- thankful for the bounty photo story. Here is a pic from the photo field trip but for more click here to see Sarah’s account of the day.

I had a blast with this.  I was gathering everything I could think of that looked indian-esque or pilgrim -esque.  We came  up with the outfits out of our closets!

I admit it felt like I was playing dress up. When we were at the farm I lost track of the outside world. Suddenly I was completely immersed in the idea of a pilgrim and indian sharing bounty on this thriving land.   I often say to Shannon ” let’s pretend” … he always raises his brow a bit and laughs. I know that statement is juvenile in and of itself but there is so much liberty  in it.. so much fun… SO. MUCH DREAMING… now I just say, let’s dream that…….

What are you dreaming about? Sometimes “pretending” can get you out of your circumstances and off of the drudgery of what situations you find yourself in. My kids and I pretend every day. Try it.  It’s fun!

Mother- in – law.  It’s crazy how  nuptial agreements can inherit another set of parents, these elders we call in- laws. It’s even crazier to see the bonds develop between this other set of parents. My mother- in- law seemed to be extremely different from me at the time-six years ago.

Fast forward to present. We can talk for hours. She is quite the organic, do- it- yourself kind of women. She loves a good bargain, can bake like nobody’s business, sew, garden, grow flowers, uphoster furniture and more. She is extremely creative and resourceful- a women after my own heart. Her sewing skills have made my most treasured possessions of my childrens keepsake collection!

When Kenimer and Tucker asked to be Mario and Luigi for Halloween, I went straight to Wal- mart only to  walk straight out in disgust over the plastic cheap 30 dollar costumes. A phone call to my mother in law and an e-mailed pic of Mario and Luigi produced the most authentic costumes within days-and they were super cute!.

Halloween 2010 definitely goes down as a favorite. Partially because of the amazing costumes and the sheer excitement my boys exuded over wearing these characters. Great costumes – yes, but I discount the quality fellowship at our pastors home along with some dear friends. The neighborhood is called the commons and let me tell ya, it’s  Halloween times 1,000. It’s common knowledge that the Commons are the place to be. Those residents do not play and EVERYONE participates.

So back to my mother in law, every time I compliment her about sewing she says “ oh, if only I could sew like my sister”. I find this hilarious because I have not tackled sewing yet- it’s on the list for this year!- But my sister is quite the seamstress.  So, if I ever receive a compliment about my sewing I will probably say “ Oh if only I could sew like my sister”.Thus- The mother and law and I have a lot in common!

I am thankful that relationships and people have the ability to change and adapt. I am also grateful that my limited perception of people is often wrong, I am frequently blown away by what I discover in people and find my assessments to be none but true.

As tradition continues my husband and I drew a word right before our family Thanksgiving. These words have been prayed over and are to be prayerfully considered by the recipient of each word.

I drew RESTORATION Shannon drew THANKFULNESS

As we close the year we are reflecting on the past 12 months. I find myself stuck in the disappointments and personal struggles. The more I mull over them the more distance I feel from the Lord. Last night as the whole house was asleep, I felt a tug at my heart- that seemed to say this.

You and Shannon come together and ask me to RESTORE your heart with THANKFULNESS.

RESTORATION through THANKFULNESS.

Join me on a journey as I blog each weekday and highlight this wonderful and beautiful life I am privledged to live. A life of freedom and Grace.

Celebrate your Life

8 weeks ago I had a birthday. I forgot all about it until I was browsing through iphoto. I saw the progression of the day through my lens. I decided to collage my day in photos!

I got up early to try to catch the sunset and practice shooting manually. I was a little late and it was quite bright already. It was still breathtaking. I am so thankful for this beautiful place I call home.

We have a new birthday tradition which involves eating Dunkin Donuts on the morning of any family members Birthday. No one complains. The last photo is of the kids cradling their beanie babies in their shirts. You would think Mountain climber and Mountain lion were two more kids of ours. I regularly wash them because my kids try to feed them food. The beanies are not allowed near the dinner table.

I had lunch with my parents and sister at a new restaurant. My sister made me this lovely necklace out of cloth. I love this pic of me talking with my daddy.

The day smelled beautiful thanks to my husband and a dear friend who brought flowers.The evening concluded with a date at my favorite restaurant… with my favorite man! oh- and a visit with some dear friends!

I made a birthday list this year which consisted of 33 things I want to accomplish before I turn 34 !  It was a special day and I did indeed celebrate my life!