30 Day Photography Challenge ~ Self Portrait

In honor of Valentine's coming up, I thought I would post my "Love" self-portrait!

What I'm Loving Wednesday ~ Short But Sweet

I am loving the Godly friends God is bringing into my life.  I am meeting some amazing Godly friends to fellowship with and I couldn't be happier!

I am loving that I finally got to talk to my sissy for longer than just five minutes today!!!!  We've both been so busy that having a long conversation has not happened in a while!  I love my sissy!

I am loving that I can't write much more 'cause I need to get back to editing....have LOTS of shoots I need to finish up and THAT is a GREAT THING!!!!

xoxo,
Crystal

Sunday Social ~ Everything 2s

It’s Sunday again! Y’all know what that means on the blog- Sunday Social! This week’s questions are all about 2′s.

1. If you were stuck on an island what are the two material items you would want to have?
If I was stuck on an island I’d take my phone  and a one very sexy Bradley Cooper..... ;)

2. What are two TV shows you’d watch over and over?

Big Bang Theory....duh

AND.....

Beverly Hills 90210

3. If your house was on fire what two things aside from family, pets, etc would you grab?

my cell phone and camera

 

 

4. What are your two most favorite articles of clothing?

 

My yellow tutu.....DUH!

 

 

AND....

My Texas Tech t-shirt for obvious reasons!  WRECK EM!

 

 

 

 

5. What two movies that you saw in the past year would you recommend to us?

Wreck Em Ralph and Django

6. What are your two biggest guilty pleasures?

Starbucks Hot Chocolate

aaaaannnnnnndddddddd........

 

anything Bradley Cooper. Just sayin'..... he is one beautiful man.

High Five For Friday~ First Day of Love Bug Month, Yes Please!

This week has been a very busy one and AMAZING one so picking my top High Five is tough!

High Five Number One:

I am so thankful that my photography business is BOOMING!  I've been so busy this week!  God is AWESOME!  Thank you Jesus for your favor!

High Five Number Two:

The parentals are pretty awesome!  I have really enjoyed being home!  I'm pretty sure moving back home has been the BEST decision I have ever made in my life!  I'm so happy and God has done so much for my life!  His Favor is upon me and it's all because I obeyed Him!

High Five Number Three:

It is the FIRST day of Love Bug Month!!!!!!  LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE!!!!!

High Five Number Four:

I spent lots of GIRLFRIEND time with amazing friends this week!  BAM!

High Five Number Five:

Baby Andrew is feeling so much better!  Still in the hospital but he is WAY better!!!! THANK YOU GOD!

It's Ok Thursdays ~ Addictions and Crushes

It's ok that I'm totally craving a GIANT coca cola right now!  I am supposed to NOT be drinking sodas but I'm really craving one right now and I'm thinking about hopping in the car and driving to McDonalds for one.....

It's ok that I've turned into a night owl.  I used to be a granny and go to bed at 9 or 10ish but my granny days have been non-existent lately and I've turned into a night owl. 

It's ok that I'm still feeling cruddy after a week of being sick.....ugh, ready for this congestion to leave me alone!

It's ok that Daisy is snoring right now.  My dog is cuter than your dog. 

It's ok that thanks to being sick over and over again in my new surroundings of Lubock, Texas....I am now ddicted to Mentholatum.

It's ok that I've developed a cute little crush on this children's author from New York.

Check him out at http://www.laughalotpoetry.com/.... his work is amazing!  Clever guy!

It's ok that I'm totally digging being with the parentals all of the time now, never thought I would say that but it's been really nice being back home and with momma every day!  I know, I know.....grow up Crystal! HEHE

What I'm Loving Wednesday ~ Photography, Family, and Happiness

I am loving that I'm getting more photography clients!  I'm so excited for my business to grow!

I am loving being home and having home cooked meals made by Momma almost every night! 

I am loving the new season of life I am entering in.... so much to be excited about!  SO MUCH! Eeeee..... happiness happiness happiness!!!!!

I am loving the experience of watching God work so much out in my life!  It really has been amazing to see all He is doing for me and in me!  He's so amazing!  GOD IS SO GOOD!!! Thank you Jesus!

I am loving that I get to have lunch with two very special Godly women tomorrow!  Fellowship with amazing Godly women is always a fun time!!! 

I am loving working on these two beautiful people's portraits! 

Crystal's Rosemary-Infused Watermelon Lemonade

Ingredients

* 2 cups water
* 3/4 cup white sugar
* 1 sprig rosemary, leaves stripped and chopped
* 2 cups lemon juice
* 12 cups cubed seeded watermelon
* 8 cups ice cubes

Directions

1. Bring the water and sugar to a boil in a small saucepan over high heat. Stir in the rosemary, and set aside to steep for 1 hour.
2. Place half of the lemon juice, and half of the watermelon into a blender. Strain the rosemary syrup through a mesh strainer into the blender. Cover, and puree until smooth. Strain into a pitcher, then puree the remaining lemon juice and watermelon. Stir the lemonade before serving over ice.

Valentine's Day Photo Contest

Sunday Social ~ Family, Love, and God

It’s Sunday and y’all know what that means- Sunday Social!  

  What is your ideal way to relax?

Even though I have never been to the beach....I am assuming it is super relaxing and super beautiful, so that is my "ideal" way to relax.....someday, someday, someday... 

My general way of relaxing is my booty in front of the tube watching reality shows all day! Don't judge....

Where is your favorite place to be?

My favorite place to be is Seattle! I LOVE that place!  So much to do and the atmosphere is sooooo laid back!  I'm pretty sure I was meant to live there....

Who do you consider your biggest role model?

My biggest role models are these three lovely ladies!!! My Mommy in the pink, my Great Aunt (Sister Celine), and my Aunt Ofelia!  My Mom and my Aunt Ofelia lost their dad when my Aunt was a baby and when my Mom was still in my grandmother's belly.  These three women are amazing women who have endured hardship yet remain amazing!  My Aunt Sister Celine is the most amazing woman I have ever come into contact with.  Every time I am around her I feel so blessed and at peace.  I am blessed to just have her in my life, much less share the same blood as this woman!  LOVE HER and I miss her so much and can't wait to see her again! 

What does your life look like in 3 years?

Hopefully married to an amazing man of God with either a baby or one on the way and a successful photography business.

If you could go back and change one decision what would it be?

Not allowing God to take over my life sooner than what I did.  However, I did learn lots of valuable lessons and He has certainly used them for His plan either way!

What is your biggest accomplishment in life thus far?

I would say handing over my life to Christ and I mean FULLY handing it over to Him.  For the longest time I rode the fence but the day I made the choice to quit drinking and partying and to fully give Him ALL of me, that was the BEST day of my life!!!!!!  I owe that decision to these group of friends!  They each contributed to my growth with Him in one way or another and I'm SO THANKFUL to have been blessed with such amazing people!!!!!!! 

Friday Letters

I normally do High Five Friday but today, I decided to link up with this pretty lady http://www.thesweetseasonblog.com/2013/01/fridays-letters_25.html for Friday Letters!   Check out her blog, it's inspiring and she's a beautiful person inside and out!

Dear Candy Crush, I would really appreciate it if you would stop being so addicting.  I find myself wasting too much time playing every free second I get.  I even play while I'm falling asleep and doze off while playing every single night, this can't be good!

I need to Lollipop Hammer this addiction AWAY!!!!!

 

 

Dear Sickness, I'm really tired of you coming around and visiting me!  I don't like you....period. 

 

 

Dear Motivation, can you please come back to me.....I haven't been very motivated lately. 

 

 

 

Dear Weather, can you please stay nice and pretty?  Pweeeeeeeaaaasssseeeee.... Thank you!

 

Dear Dr. Pepper, you are yummy and make life tasty! Winning!