Sweet Victory

It's something we've always talked about.  Something I've always dreamed about as a kid.  Something I never really thought would happen.  You know, like when you really want something, but it seems too big of an idea, too much hassle or confusion... "Well why leave your family and friends, and go somewhere where you don't know anybody?" ...I could always hear them say.  "What's so bad about it here?"...and so on. And you know, they just don't get it.  It's not about Kentucky. It's not home that I'm running from.  Heck, I love Kentucky.  I really do, I even teared up when the song, "My Old Kentucky Home" played thru my iTunes the other day- got so touched I even made it my new ringtone. No lie. What it is, is the simple taste of adventure.  Something new.  Opening my eyes and mind to a different way of life, a new town, new people.  Not too mention the scenery to boot. I've just always seen myself running off with someone, doing what a lot of people can't seem to do.  Just let go of whatever it is rooting you, and set free.  The timing is right.  Nora is small enough that schooling isn't a factor.  We're starting our life together.  I just couldn't see a better start then taking off and having just ourselves to take care of each other.  I believe this is why the special forces of fate (if you believe in so) has put us together.  We're the same in one.  We both have the ideas and dreams, and Dustin is just the right guy to put them in motion.  I believe we need someone in life that says, "Why not?" as opposed to, "We just can't, it's not logical."

So here we are, in the great, wide-open, beautiful state of Wyoming.  I took a deep breath right thru my nostrils and the smell is of sweet victory.  I did it, I made into reality something that had been put in my mind was too far fetched.  The drive from the airport in Montana to our hometown of Gillette was my new passage to life.  The sky was a beautiful blue and the clouds were fluffy and perfectly weightless.  The scenery, wow, I can hardly sum into words.  Untouched, natural, spacious. Perfect. This was my new home.  My new home. Did I just say that! WAHOO!! I just had to let it out. :)

Our life together now seems nothing short of a million possibilities and lots of unknown treasures.  I love not knowing what's to come, it's what keeps me alive.

So... are you wondering what we're doing to survive? Thinking these crazy kids don't have a clue? haha. We're aren't that crazy, here's the rundown: Dustin applied for the paper in Provo, Ut for their Staff Photojournalist position.  He then received a phone call from the paper in Gillette, WY (that was affiliated with the Provo paper) and they were impressed with his website (http://www.altonstrupp.com)  and wanted to fly him out for an interview.  They offered him the job and he accepted.  So he is working here as a photojournalist for The News Record, (http://www.gillettenewsrecord.com/) and I am starting up my photography business here in town.  

P.S. How sad it would be, to be an old lady with a lot of "Shoulda, Coulda, Woulda's."- that just scares the daylights right outta me!

em :)

em

Nora's Nonnie.

Since the move, (which I haven't blogged about yet, but is coming very soon) I'm pretty sure Nora is missing her Nonnie.  (Dustin's mom).   She is so good with Nora, always reading to her, playing with her, teaching her things and putting that 'grandma' touch in everything she does with her.  So I thought Jody, aka Nonnie, deserved her very own blog.  We love and miss you, Nonnie! Hugs & Kisses from here to there.

**Nora misses all her grandparents equally. Shall there be no jealousy of this dedication. :)  For yours is to come soon.

I'm going to be a wifey!

So here's how it went.

It was the Thursday before our "big" move.  We had been to town that day, running errands, picking out plates, bedding, furniture, shower curtains & all, you know, the usual.  Dustin mentioned, "We should take a walk on the farm tonight." I'm pretty sure I said something like, "yeah, sure, that would be great, don't think we'll have the time. I'd rather go out to eat with TA & Cody one last time before we leave." something like that. And that was that.

So we return home from our outing, Dustin is watching Nora for me and I decide to do some editing, emailing, that sort of thing.  I'm upstairs, in my room, at my desk- totally oblivious to the fact that Dustin is downstairs scheming with everyone for the big Q! I take a break, call TA (who isn't answering), and start leaving her messages about not calling me back, and I'm hungry- I know you are too, let's go EAT! etc! I go downstairs and Dustin has changed and has Nora snapped to his chest and says, "let's go for a walk, please?" I decline, mention I'm hungry (for the 100th time). Say it's already 7 and I'm going to get all nasty and sticky out there in that heat and won't look good for our dinner. (what? I'm a girl. & Ky humidity is insane).  So after about 20 min. he talks me into taking a walk. (I know, I caved) he just looked so sweet strapped to our baby girl.  I put on a Carhartt hat, white tee & cowboy boots and grab my camera. Completely ready for nothing more than the farm, cow do-do and mosquitos.  before we are even halfway down the lane, my camera dies! Ah! & the light was glorious that evening, I look back towards the house, and Dustin begs, "noooo, let's just take the walk?!"...so again, I cave.  and slightly boo-hoo because I'm not kidding, the light was glorious.  Then I hear my Dad hollering, I turn around holler back, "Whaaaaattt??" and he hollers, "Have a good time!!!" - and that was really odd. My Dad never just says something like that.  Still, I'm not catching on.

We walk past the first barn, it is a worn black color, with a big Kentucky state pained white above the double doors.  I take a deep breath and get a little choked up.  I realize this is probably the last time I walk on the farm before the move. But, I fight back the tears and play it cool.  Then we walk past this old fort that had been standing until a couple summers ago that me and my cousins, brother & sister made when we were little. We spent everyday back there with Papaw while he worked, getting into all sorts of trouble and adventure.  And I mention to Dustin how beautiful Kentucky can be. Then play it cool before I get all emotional.  Moving along we're almost to the creek and I stop him.  Something in the air was just, (this is about to get corny, but I swear) magical.  Serene. Peaceful.  Something was just right. I hug Dustin and Nora and felt inclined to shoosh them and make them soak up the moment.  Grasshoppers were fluttering, the alfalfa was high enough for a cutting so it swayed a bit in the breeze. The sun was setting and the cloud coverage was amazing.  You could see the rays beaming thru on the grass and over the hills.  You could hear the crickets and the little bugs everywhere.  The cows were grazing and moving around, the occasional moo and the creek was right along side of us.  It was my heaven.

And then Dustin's moves me along in a hurry to get to the creek.  Opens the gate.  And I say, "You wantin' to cross that creek?"

"No. Just want to see something...."

"What? You're acting wierd...."

Then I hear a guitar.  I do a 360...

"Did you hear that?"

Then out pops Cody from under the bride singing and playing the guitar.  No lie, I say,

"Oh hey Cody!"

Then as I turn back to Dustin, he's on his knee!!! I immediately start balling. Then out pops TA with the video camera.  Then out pops my cousin Melissa with her camera. I can't seem to focus or hear a word Dustin is saying. He's wrote something and is reading it off a paper, but all I can think/hear/see is the moment.  I can't believe this is it.

& I said yes!

It was the perfect moment, the perfect night.  I am so happy to be engaged to my best friend. :) Life is so unpredictable. It takes so many twist and turns and before you know it, you look back and see how far you've come and can see so clearly the path you were on.  All while feeling lost and unsure of the future.  And to think, I'm still young, there is so much more to experience and treasure, but now it's certain that it won't be a lonely journey.  I am so blessed. :) Wahoo!!!

The Snapper!

Making good of my promise, here's the pic of the snapping turtle.

Needless to say, I now clinch my toes back and do a dance when shooting in the creek.  It's a rather sexy move, I must say.

Ciao!

my cup runneth over.

So much has happened in my life since I last blogged, that I'm just not sure how to start this one.  Should I blurt out my good news? My whereabouts? or should I leave you guessing, edge of your seats like a good book you can't put down? Or should I break it all up in different blogs so that each day for like, the next week you get a new chapter in  my life?...ehhhh- let's just see what happens...

So. First off.

Here are some photos from a few of my shoots within the last month.

Here is Miss Carlee Burd.   She is my dear friend Kim's little girl.  Such a sweetie.  This was a family shoot, and believe it or not, Carlee's Dad, Ben, pulled a GIGANTIC snapping turtle out of my creek with his bare hands.  & took it home to make turtle soup.  No lie.  I'll add the pic to prove it. :)

Whoops, sorry, these are out of order...this is from a Senior session of mine- Ethan Laha. His parents own the local hamburger joint down at the square, I mean circle, or "Squircle" in Hodgenville.  Laha's White Castle.  Good burgers, check 'em out.  Here's a couple from the shoot...

And here we are again with Carlee! We were changing her on the back of my brother's pick up...I just loved this one.

Her darlin' boots.

So here is the lovely couple, Brooke & Joey.  They are expecting a sweet little Boy named Grant in September! Love this couple.  Grant is going to be so blessed. :)

So there are millions more to post.  I'm going to leave you with this to gnaw on for a bit.  Be back JACK! :) *and with lots of goodies and secrets and news, oh my! :)

Take a walk, draw with some chalk, on the side. walk.

em ;)