New Again

Since I heard this song, I haven't been able to get it off my mind. It's so powerful. I wanted to share.

Taco Salad

I'll admit I'm usually not a taco salad fan, unless of course it's from Rosies (and since Rosies is local I realize that most of you don't know just how wonderful it is. Seriously, it's worth the trip to Huntsville :) I usually don't like making it at home because I just feel like it's so bland. The other day I was searching recipes.com and I came across a new taco salad recipe. It looked quick and easy, so I thought I needed to try it! I did modify a few things because I don't like the taco sauce that it called for on top. And, tomatoes aren't in season just yet so I didn't use those on the top. Both of my guys LOVED it, so I thought I'd share it with y'all!

Taco Salad

1 lb ground beef

1 packet Taco Bell taco seasoning

1/2 can whole kernel corn

1/2 can light red kidney beans

Additional: lettuce, tomato (if you aren't weird like me), mild cheddar cheese, tostitos, and ranch dressing

1. Prepare beef with taco seasoning as instructed on packet.

2. Add corn and kidney beans to mixture. Allow to simmer 5 minutes.

3. Make a bed of chips on your plate. Top with meat mixture. Follow with cheese, lettuce and ranch dressing.

4. ENJOY!!

* Pardon the poor quality of this picture. I took it with my phone and sent it through email.

Blogs I Love :)

I've been so horrible at taking pictures and blogging lately, but I love reading everyone else's blogs, so I thought I would share a few of my daily reads. I know it sounds silly, and Morgan thinks I live in a fantasy "blog world" sometimes, but these ladies truly inspire me! Sometimes I find myself taking about things I've read on blogs like these girls are some of my best friends and in a way they are! I may have never met them, but to me, a blog is a journal and what more personal way to get to know someone than to read their daily diary.

http://paigeknudsen.blogspot.com/

http://www.flythroughourwindow.com/

http://blog.urbangrace.com/

http://vivafullhouse.blogspot.com/

http://www.inthiswonderfullife.com

http://thematernallens.blogspot.com/

http://www.kellyskornerblog.com/

http://thetompkinsfam.blogspot.com/

I have more, but these are some great ones to add to your list! Go check out these ladies :)

Something to make you smile :)

I don't have anything witty or interesting to blog about today, but I had to show you this picture! Is he not the cutest thing?!? I was editing tonight (I'm so behind), and this picture just made me smile! Actually, his session was so cute, but his mama might think I was a bit of a weirdo if I did an entire personal blog post dedicated to her child :)

Anyway, I'm finally 1 session away from being caught up! I'm so excited. I just finished editing a wedding I did last month today. I feel like a weight has been lifted off of my shoulders. Thus the reason I don't care to do many weddings! They stress me out for an entire month before and afterward. I owe Wyatt big time for being such a good boy today while I've edited all day. He and I are going to have a fun date doing whatever he wants to do soon!

Tomorrow I'm back to the fertility doc. I used to get really excited about my appointments, but I'm so numb to it all right now. It seems like we are never going to get another baby. I try to be optimistic and I know that God's timing is perfect, I just wish I had a little insight as to when that might be. Being let down from month to month is kind of discouraging, but I just try to remember that there are so many couples out there wanting just 1 baby. I'm thankful for my sweet boy, but we would still love a big family and be able to provide Wyatt with siblings soon. Please keep us in your prayers. God is teaching me patience for sure!

I hope all my blog friends are having a great week!

As I sit here watching Law Abiding Citizen, wondering why I'm watching Law Abiding Citizen, I realized that I'm super behind on blogging (yes, blame it on my undiagnosed ADD, my mind won't focus on one thing at a time). Seriously though, let me back up. Have any of you ever watched this movie?? The things I do for my husband. It has to be the most gruesome movie I've ever seen. Our choices tonight were this or Secretariat, I'm thinking I should've stuck with the race horse! It is derby day after all!! Anyway, take my advice, if you haven't seen it, don't. Unless, of course, you like blood and guts and seeing Gerard Butler at any cost (he is pretty easy on the eyes :).

So, what's been going on here since Easter?? Let's see......

MAJOR TORNADOES!!! It really has been horrible. Thank the dear Lord we weren't hurt or affected in any way, other than loss of power for about 4 days. Unfortunately, so much of our town and state was absolutely destroyed. It is so heartbreaking to see this sort of destruction everywhere you go. My heart goes out to all the people who lost loved ones and all their earthy belongings. I will say, I am so proud to be from a great place where people step up and help one another in a time of need. The volunteers, churches, and just good people who have been out there every day helping is such a blessing to witness. At one point, our community was turning away volunteers because they had too many!

Other than that, life around here has been pretty ordinary. Wyatt has become obsessed with t-ball, thanks to a sweet friend who gave us their old tee! I'm so glad he loves it. Being a child that grew up at the ball field, I hope to be able to do the same for my kids. We are definitely advocates of letting Wyatt find his own interests, but it does thrill my heart that he loves sports! At least t-ball is something I know a little about. It's been a lot of fun to get outside every afternoon and hit the ball and practice throwing and catching.

Today, Morgan and I drove down to Birmingham and traded in my suv for a (get this) car!!!! Yes, I'm trying to be a good sport and have an open mind about the whole situation. I do love the new car, but man is it going to take some getting used to! I haven't driven a car in about 6 years, so it is a HUGE change. It just isn't practical for us to have a gas hog anymore. Especially with us moving further out in the boondocks! My Armada was getting 14 miles to the gallon. It had gotten to the point that I didn't even want to go anywhere because I didn't want to put gas in the thing! And, if you know me, I'm NOT one to sit at home!! Mama calls it my "Thrift" blood. I come from a long line of goers! Anyway, the new (to me) car got 27 mpg on the way home. I think I'm going to LOVE that!! No, I won't be able to throw random chairs or antiques in the back, but fortunately Morgan has a big ole truck anytime I need to use it! I just have to keep reminding myself that my Mama raised 2 kids driving a Toyota Corolla, hauling ball bags and all!

That about sums up things here on the farm. Looking forward to spending Mother's Day with my guys tomorrow. Working cows, then church........what more could a girl as for?!?! :)

Easter

Yesterday was such a nice day here. Saturday night, I was running around like crazy to finish up last minute things since I was having my in-laws over for Sunday dinner. I was a little stressed to say the least, but I woke up Sunday and asked the Lord to help me enjoy the day and it's true meaning. Easter always reminds me of how blessed we really are. I know it shouldn't be the only day that I'm reminded of that, but to think that Jesus died for my sins really makes me feel so loved and unworthy. I'm so glad I was able to spend time with my loved ones on such a special day. I wish the rest of my family could have been here with us, but it was great anyway.

We started the day out going to church. I'm so thankful to have such a wonderful church family and such an awesome man of God to bring us His word. Our choir did a Easter music special before the sermon and special it was! Such a sweet service.

After church, Morgan's folks came over and spent a few hours with us. Before dinner (lunch to most of y'all), we took a few pics out front of all of us in our Easter attire. I am so bad about taking pictures of my own family, but I decided this year I was going to be better and take some before we were all full and tired! They all turned out so good. Morgan thought it was silly, but I wanted to get a picture of him, his dad and Wyatt. 3 generations of Ellis men! He may think it's silly now, but we will be able to have this memory for years to come.

Wyatt with 2 of his FAVORITE people! Nanna and Pap. While I'm thinking about it, I've got to just add how much this boy is obsessed with his Nanna! I mean, he LOVES her to pieces!! I'm so thankful for her and she's such a great help with Wyatt. She's the reason it's even possible for me to have my little "side" job. I don't know what I'd do without my in-laws. They are so special to me!

And here we are! My little family. Notice how Wyatt isn't looking at the camera. I didn't get one picture of the 3 of us where he was looking and smiling! That little booger.

See what I mean, silly boy!!

'Because He lives, I can face tomorrow.

Because He lives, All fear is gone.

Because I know, He holds the future.

And life is worth the living, just because He lives.'

Beach Wedding

Thursday, Christy and I (plus our boys), headed to Gulf Shores for a little mini-vacay and to photograph this gorgeous wedding! Morgan was supposed to go with me, but we had a little incident here at the farm so he had to stay home :( Fortunately, my bestie stepped in and went down with me. She was so much help! I can't thank her enough for taking care of my little guy while I attended the rehearsal dinner and the wedding.

The sweet couple in the pictures is Justin (better known as Parsons to me) and Amy. Justin is my brother's best friend, so I was so excited to get to see my bro and sis-n-law while we were there! Wyatt loved having his Uncle Justin to play and build a few sand castles with! It was the perfect weekend for a wedding and everything was absolutely gorgeous. I'm so glad that Justin and Amy chose me to photograph their big day. It was by far the most beautiful wedding I've ever attended! It made me want to get married again (to Morgan, of course) and have a simple beach wedding.