Pictures

I wanted to do something to mark my divorce, but I had a hard time deciding what to do. I contemplated taking a trip, but school made that impossible. Instead, I decided it would be fun to do a photo shoot. I love photos and I decided I needed some of myself. Something to mark this new chapter of my life. I did some looking on Facebook and found Tereza Thomas. I loved her work, so I contacted her and we set an appointment.

We were  supposed to meet the first part of November, but then something came up and she had to reschedule. When I saw there was snow, I decided it was worth the wait. She was so much fun to work with and I love how the pictures turned out. It was so hard trying to narrow it down to my favorite, so instead, I give you my top 10 favorites. 

This picture was actually the last one we took. I had let her choose the locations and the poses. But I couldn't resist a fun picture of throwing some snow in the air. I love how it turned out. That grin you see, that is from the Joy that Jesus has given me. 

This was probably the funniest picture. She told me to look serious, but instead I laughed. She got some fun pictures of me laughing, but somehow she managed to get a serious shot too. 

These last four are my other favorites. 

I'm so glad I decided to do a photo shoot. I think every woman should do it. I felt so beautiful and I love having proof of it. I also love seeing how happy I look. I plan to make this a yearly thing to do. 

Moon Lake

The day after Thanksgiving, I met the photographer at Moon Lake for my pictures. My heart was so happy to see snow on the mountains. After we finished the photo shoot, I decided to walk around a little bit. I remembered my lesson from my last hike, when I got lost, so I stayed close to my car. Because the campground is closed, my tracks were the only one up there. 

The pictures are a mix from my phone and my camera. The display screen on my camera has a spot on it and I didn't know if that would show in the pictures, so I decided to use my phone camera also. But the pictures from my camera turned out amazing. 

I love going to the mountains and hope to make that a regular thing. The world seems to fade away when I am lost in the beauty of the world God created. 

Christmas Tree 2016

Christmas is different this year. I was worried it would be depressing, given my recent divorce. Instead, I have found the opposite to be true. My ex was a grinch when it came to Christmas. He hated Christmas music and would only watch two Christmas movies, "A Christmas Story" and "Christmas Vacation." I used to like those movies, but when they are the only two you watch, they get old real fast. 

The other thing he would throw a fit about was when to put up the Christmas tree. I always wanted to do it the day after Thanksgiving, but most years he would want to wait until the first weekend in December. I'm learning I silenced myself often; it was just easier. 

But this year, the week of Thanksgiving, I realized, I can do whatever I want now that I'm on my own. I prefer a real tree, but now that I live alone, it seemed more logical to buy an artificial tree. And I was determined to have it up before Thanksgiving. 

So on the Tuesday before Thanksgiving, I went to Vernal with some friends and they helped me pick out a tree. I am in LOVE with it. Its super busy and if it were 6 inches taller, it would hit the ceiling. In the past, I was always limited to a 6 foot tree, or close to that. This one is over 7 feet tall!

I also bought several Christmas movies, book and CD's. I feel like I'm making up for 15 years of suppressed Christmas excitement. I wanted to buy new tree decorations, until I pulled out my old ones and remembered how much I love the red flowers and green poinsettias. I didn't use any of my other old decorations, but I did find some pretty white poinsettias to add to it this year. I think it is the perfect tree for me. 

 Of course, the cats think its for them. They sleep and play under it all of the time. It drove the ex nuts, but as long as they leave the decorations alone, I let them stay under there. There was a few days where I woke up to one of the green poinsettias on the floor each morning, and I have to fix the tree skirt every day. But other than that, they have been pretty good. 

I've been on the lookout for a pretty JOY decoration. It seems to be my theme these days. God has fixed my broken heart and restored my joy. Not only has He restored it, but He has restored it ten fold to what it used to be. I am in awe daily at how happy I am. I started the year married; my ex left in the summer, for another woman. I should be laying in bed crying. I'm so glad I serve a God who is always faithful. He has not only carried me, but He has given me new life. 

I did find a joy sign, but it looks Christmas-y. I wanted to find one I could leave up all year long to remind me of my JOY. The Saturday after Thanksgiving, I went to Vernal with Barbara and Melanie. Just another reason I am grateful for God and how He has found a way for me to keep in contact with those I love so much. 

While at a store, they helped me find the perfect JOY for my coffee table. I added some red poinsettias to it for Christmas, but the rest of the year, it will be perfect on its own.

I also found a small Joy sign. I bought one for my bedroom mirror and another one for my desk at work. I love being surrounded by this little reminder that God will give us joy, no matter our circumstances. 

I once thought I would dread the holidays. But I was wrong. With Jesus as my focus, all things are beautiful. I can't think of a better time to focus my joy on the birth of my Savior and all He did for me.