checks on the list | 101 in 1001

This morning while browsing Facebook I was super inspired by all the people sharing mobile uploads of snapshops from the Ragnar Relay. I thought "That looks like SO much fun!" So much so, I decided to add it to my 101 in 1001 list. You forgot about that, didn't you? I'll admit... I sort of did, too. But reviewing and adding to the list helped me to realize that I have been making way on it without even knowing it! That said, I thought it was about time for a little 101 in 1001 list update. Since I have completed a number of the business-related goals, I thought I'd list them out for a business themed update. :) I've completed a couple of the other person goals as well, so I'll update them soon!

#7. Change portfolio site to no longer be flash based. I did this a few months ago and blogged about it over on my business blog.

#19. Improve my business website search optimization. I have accomplished this slowly over the past few months (although it is always a work in progress) by adding tags to my blog posts and updating the SEO terms on my new non-flash-based website. I will continue to strive for better SEO as I continue blogging and updating my portfolio.

#25. Participate in the creation of a style-shoot for a blog or magazine. I did this back in January with the Hill City Bride style shoot. Blogged here.

#44. Make the switch from PC to Mac. I did this earlier this year when my PC kept showing me a blue screen and shutting itself off. After 3 trips to the PC repair place, I decided to go ahead and invest in a MacBookPro. SO glad I did.... it has changed the entire way I do business!

#45. Make my office as mobile as possible so that I can travel often without it interrupting my work. Killing two birds with one stone, I purchased the MacBookPro earlier this year to replace my desktop PC. So I made the operating system switch and became mobile at the same time! I love it!

#49. Tap into commercial photography (to be published). I have been on a journey this year of playing with some commercial projects. I have been published in the regional women's magazine, Bella, and the national women's magazine, Oprah. So very cool!

It really feels good to cross those things off the list. I love having goals and completing them!

my baby shower, pt 1

A week ago my sister threw me a beautiful baby shower across the state in Fredericksburg. I was so excited to have a shower in Fredericksburg because it enabled a lot of my lifelong friends to be able to attend that otherwise probably couldn't drive all the way to Lynchburg. It was so beautiful and I really felt honored during the whole shower. My sister also blogged about the shower. You can hop over there to read about her decor choices and planning process... she had a lot of fun planning the shower. (Which makes me feel SO good because sometimes I think people can get overwhelmed by planning parties so it was a relief to know she enjoyed the process. :))

Look at these adorable mini pancake stacks! Perfect for a brunch!

The beautiful cake:

 The dining room set up:She set up a mini candy bar for party favors. So sweet!

She went with a daisies & polka dots theme - very "Liz" if I do say so myself! 

The coffee bar, complete with a "how to" keurig tutorial (my sister kicked off the shower with an instructional piece. haha.)You can never have enough daisies!

Oh it was such a treat! Baby received LOTS of essentials and we are oh-so-grateful for the helpful gifts received! I came home immediately and spent the first day doing laundry and finding a place for everything in the nursery.

Today is my second shower here in Lynchburg. I am so excited! Have I mentioned how stinking grateful I feel that I am having TWO showers? Even just one is awesome. :D

While I am at the shower, my dad is actually going to be working around my house - helping put up some final touches in the nursery (as final as we're getting before we know the gender) and finish some other construction-type jobs around the house. It is so awesome seeing everything come together and working on the final baby preparations! Makes me so giddy!

country roads

Destination: The podunk town of Montross, VA for an engagement session Soundtrack: Garth Brooks Double Live (disc 2)

View:

One of the biggest joys of my life: driving down country roads with the windows down, singing along to music so loud I can't hear myself sing. Ooooh I love it! <3 It's the little things, right?

lyrics that fill my soul

When I am traveling for work, I more often than not end up crashing at my parent's place. Thanks to the blessing of a very busy wedding season, I have had the opportunity to join my family for church almost regularly this summer. I've loved being able to enjoy a service away from home and meet people and feel a part of another community away from my own. My sister's family and my parents all go to Lifepoint Church in Fredericksburg and I love how similar it is to my home church, Blue Ridge Community. The best part (in my opinion) is that they sing a lot of the same worship songs and I can simply close my eyes and feel at home while singing along.

Yesterday morning at Lifepoint, we were led to sing Chris Tomlin's "Our God." As the song played and we sang along, I started thinking about how deeply rooted the words of the song are in my soul. It occurred to me that no matter what chapter I am in in my life, the words of this song fill me with pure joy. When I am struggling or feeling hopeless, I am reminded "...our God is Greater... our God is Stronger." When I feel on top of the world and life couldn't be better, still, I am reminded "If our God is for us, then who could ever stop us?"

Yesterday morning... I found myself in a place of joy... that place where you feel on top of the world and full of life. I am so very thankful for the abundant blessings the Lord has given me and my family. As this song played and I sang along, I paused for a moment and my prayer immediately became that of... "please let everyone understand this truth."

Water you turned into wine, opened the eyes of the blind there's no one like you none like You! Into the darkness you shine out of the ashes we rise there's no one like you none like You! Our God is greater, our God is stronger, God you are higher than any other. Our God is Healer, Awesome in Power, Our God! Our God!

Into the darkness you shine out of the ashes we rise there's no one like you none like You! Our God is greater, our God is stronger, God you are higher than any other. Our God is Healer, Awesome in Power, Our God! Our God! Our God is greater, our God is stronger, God you are higher than any other. Our God is Healer, Awesome in Power, Our God! Our God!

And if our God is for us, then who could ever stop us. And if our God is with us, then what could stand against. And if our God is for us, then who could ever stop us. And if our God is with us, then what could stand against. What could stand against.

a list

So what do you do when you haven't blogged in a long time but you still have writer's block? You make a list, of course! Here are some things going on around here:

• I am wrapping up my summer shooting schedule and moving into the fall! I have kept sessions and weddings very limited this fall due to the pregnancy and I am really looking forward to the break ahead.
• I am super excited about my baby showers coming up! (Hopefully I'll get some pictures posted of them.)
• I plan to start kicking into high gear with my business blog posting some of my favorite sessions and weddings from 2011.
• We are spending lots of cuddle time with the puppies because they don't know it yet, but it looks like we may have Red back in the house for another 6 weeks or so. Tommy's got a big race he's training for and he has really missed his running buddy. The race is November 5th (a 50 miler! I am so proud!), so Red will be back home with my mom just in time for the baby to arrive!
• I am seeing a chiropractor for the first time in my life. The experience is.... interesting. But I think it's helping!
• If you follow me on Pinterest you may have caught on to my recent Crossfit obsession. I guess the bigger I get, the more I crave to be smaller. I have spent some time building up inspiration boards for Crossfit and the Paleo diet and I already have on my calendar for January 16th, 2012 to return to Crossfit. And Tommy has already laughed at me for that one. :)
• Oh! I got a new mommy mobile! But, that one deserves a post of its own. I'll share pictures and details with you all soon.
• Tommy left this morning for his two week AT with the National Guard. That means it's time for me to pull out the autumn decor and transform our house from summer to fall. So fun! I'll be doing that in the next two weeks.

Turns out making a list helps me come up with new blog post ideas. Sweet! I'm headed out of town for the weekend to work and attend my baby shower (again, SO excited!) so I'll check in again next week.

Have a great weekend, friends!