the night was young, and so are we...

talk about life, God, death and your family...

that sums up my life as of lately. a lot has gone on, and again.. i'm just changing and growing from every experience. from realizing a relationship wasn't the 'right one' to a tragedy in omaha. it's just made me closer to the One who matters most, and my family and close friends.

i recently purchased 'lost songs' from anberlin, one of my favorite bands, and it does not disappoint. the acoustic renditions of their older songs are incredible. i don't think i've taken 'dismantle.repair' off of repeat. i would strongly suggest it on your gift list this christmas. you get 20 songs for only $9.99 on iTunes. make your ears smile with some good new music.

the holidays are my favorite time of year. i just love christmas. love watching the snow fall from inside my comfy house, as i sip a cup of coffee. singing along to christmas songs from my playlist on my iPod, spending time with family and friends.. it's the best.

we recently went to the durham western heritage museum for a family christmas outing, and i am always so overwhelmed by their huge christmas tree. i've been forgetting my camera a lot lately, so i snapped this with my mom's camera... it turned out pretty well. i love spending time with my family, and it's extra fun now that we have a little one around. little miss k loves christmas. she 'oh's' over every decoration!


to the christmas trees, to the fake snowmen, to the lights... she loves it all.

i just keep on thinking how some people around the omaha metro won't have a very merry christmas this year... & my heart goes out to all of those who have lost someone they loved in this tragedy. i didn't know anyone personally, but i know many who have. may God put a peace over you, and a reassurance that they are spending Christmas with the One who started 'CHRISTmas' in the first place.

this picture is chilling to me. this last week, i have just been constantly watching the news and searching the internet for updated news.. and it's like i've been becoming numb to it all. this photo from a vigil last week just put it in perspective for me.

The LORD is close to the brokenhearted
and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
-psalm 34:18


i pray that you look to Him this holiday season, He will get you through anything.



love.

to my loves

"For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom his whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God."
~Ephesians 3:14-19

i remember that verse being given to me,
when i was in a really tough season...
& i just thought some of you needed to read that right now.

it's so hard for me, when i can't relate;
because i am in a different season right now, but...
i'm realizing that God put me through a difficult season for a reason.

....to show people His love through me.

to all of you who have contacted me today,
i've tried my best at being a therapist,
but just like Numbers 11:14 says;

"I cannot carry all these people by myself; the burden is too heavy for me."

so just know i'm praying for you,
& i love you.

=)

product[ive]

what a busy saturday it has been! i got up late, which was nice...and then spent 2 hrs cleaning my car this afternoon. i was exhausted after that – but it was worth it! it was filthy, and now that i work at a car dealership.. i feel like my car has to look up to par. ;)

it's been a busy week for me, too. i got a chance to IM with my good friend, ashley, this week.. we've been too busy to find a time to get together. so i like our IM lunch dates or late afternoon IM dates. she was telling me about a new blog she found called bittbox.com -- it just makes me want to be creative! i can't wait to start downloading the freebies.

& just because every post needs some eye candy....

how cute are these clothes? mm. i went shopping with my sister, niece and my mom yesterday... and towards the end of the shopping trip, i about had it. i didn't like anything in the stores.... but since i'm a working woman, and not a poor college student anymore... i stepped into The Buckle, hoping i would find something.

& oh thank the Lord, i did. i found some great pieces that are totally me! four of the shirts [to the left] i could wear at work and dress them down... and how about that hoodie? it was the LAST one and i had to grab it. it was definitely a splurge.. but it's so graphic.. and something that a graphic designer should probably have, right?

anyway, it's been a good weekend so far. i got to see some old friends last night, while i listened to jon troast [talented musician from wisconsin]... check him out... he has some catchy tunes!

have a lovely rest of your weekend, friends!

currently listening to: knock down - jon troast

...baby, fall.

i got to see this hunk of man last night. clay walker - the man who i have loved since i was 7. didn't get the meet and greet, like i was hoping for... but what do ya do? we got there early, and i could have stood right in front, but being the photographer and graphic designer i am... i wanted some great shots [not 'see up your nose' shots] & that i did.

my sister kept on making fun of me the whole time, with my camera in my hand... but that's what i do! that's how i capture memories by taking photo or video, or else i don't remember.

that helps my experience.

& last night was definitely an experience.

i didn't want to miss his free show, like how i missed colbie caillat's. i didn't tell you guys about that, did i? well.... i got there, got in... no sitting room.. at all. & then i waited for a friend who was coming from out of town, and she didn't make it in...

so needless to say, i wanted last night to be great... and it was, indeed. clay is the best performer.

i'll leave you with some photos and a video!
















































have a great weekend, friends!

... if you meet me halfway ...

so, i am in LOVE with colbie caillat's music. remember me talking about her a couple of posts ago? wellll, i found out that she is coming to perform at a bar here next week... and i am definitely SO there! i decided to buy her CD today off iTunes.. and i've seriously been listening to it non-stop since noon. words are already memorized. it's crazy!





my favorie songs already:

[ ] realize
[ ] the little things
[ ] magic
[ ] feelings show
[ ] bubbly

can't wait to see her next wednesday & i'lll know the words to her songs! yes.

i hope you all have a lovely saturday. i'm off to my grandma's birthday party and then trek across town to go to my friend's housewarming get-together shindig.


love!

impressed : not impressed

hello, blog buddies! [i've been catchin' up on the ross_blog.. so excuse that phrase] anyway, i just thought i'd take some time to share my random thoughts from today. sound good? okay.

so during a lunch break this week at work, all of us watched an episode of 'the office' on brad's laptop - i have to confess, and say that i had never seen a full episode of it, but i LOVED it! definitely impressed. [i am also in love with jim halpert.] the episode where he hid dwight's cell phone in the ceiling was making me roll! just the faces that he makes, i can't take it. he's too adorable. & this is a big step to admit for me, but i may just give up on my favorite [grey's anatomy] show on thursday and replace it with the office. i think i just may. besides, grey's seems to be just falling apart... and besides the crazy documentary filming that the office has, i think i may start to love it.

in other news, the new mae cd comes out on tuesday. as most of you know, i share my middle name with my favorite band. i'm not so sure if they're my favorite anymore. i took a listen to their new CD today, and i'm just not impressed. they got more 'rock' sounding, and i miss the days of their destination : beautiful. totally different sound from their new CD.

so, i've been on the hunt for trendy business casual clothes, that are still work appropiate but fit my style... & as i was looking through target's ad this morning, i think i found the perfect piece.

a jumper.


totally cute, right? definitely impressed. & i think i'd easily be able to dress this up with cute black pants and accesories... [although the place i work at doesn't allow 'dangly earrings']

we'll see. i haven't even tried one on yet, but it seems to be the 'it thing' for fall - as i was reading in my lucky magazine today.

so, has anyone seen the new design for the iMac? i am definitely not impressed. i hear they're trying to match it with the new iPhone, but i like my all white Apple products, thankyaverymuch. i hope my iMac doesn't stop working... 'cause i'm really not thrilled to get the new one. it's too 'industrial looking' for me. i really like the idea of the 'click-free' keyboard, though. but we'll have to see as time goes on how i feel about it.

rambles

it's been an interesting week. started my new job on monday, and i'm already learning so much! i've been driving around some pretty nice cars to photograph. i'm livin' in the fast lane this week, not really... more like granny lane! i've been so nervous to drive these cars that i'm scared to drive over 10 mph it seems like.

today, i kinda fell in love with the honda crv, though.


SO cute! it drives so nice, too. maybe i can live with my parents longer than i thought, so i can get one! oh, & by the way.... i took that photo... thank you very much. i also really like the mazda5's. it changes everyday, and i'm sure it will keep on being like that. i just can't believe i'm taking an interest in cars now! ;)

anyway, i've been listening to colbie caillat all night...such a beautiful voice. i can't decide which song i want on my myspace from her. her boyfriend, jason reeves, is also a very talented musician. mm... just love good music.


& i love the weekends. looking forward to spending some time with family and friends!


have a great weekend, y 'all.

the glass parade

on monday night, what is today... wednesday? i can't keep track anymore. anyways, i went to go see one of my favorite musicians, cary brothers. his song lyrics are so amazing; his music just really hits me. he shaved his scruff and i hardly recognized him, when he was walking around the venue! but as he got up on the stage, i realized the no-scruff man was indeed thee cary brothers. he put on an amazing show, though.

i went up to talk to him after his set, and when he asked me my name and i said 'sarah', he goes 'cary'... and sticks out his hand. & the whole time, i was thinking he thought my name was kerri. i didn't realize it until i was replaying it later in my head that night.. that he was actually saying his name. haha. wow... that was definitely a 'sarah' moment.


i still don't understand why he wears a beanie and a suit jacket in 90 degree weather, but he's never been here before... so i guess i'll give him a break. he's a sweet guy, a wonderful musician, amazing songwriter... and i'm just glad i got to see him perform.

i'll leave you with a video of one of my new favorites of his. have a lovely evening!

"the glass parade"

aspiring or actual?

that's right, folks. i'm not an aspiring graphic designer anymore. i'm the real thing now. i can't believe how God is so faithful. i was taught a lot this summer. He helped me work on my patience and to just trust in Him.

& now i'm going to have the job of my dreams.

i start later this month, so in the next week or so... i'm really going to try to crank out some scrapbooking. i'm just going to relax and do the things that i love in the next week [i am going to 2 amazing concerts: cary brothers on monday, & keith urban on saturday] & i'm just going to start preparing for the newest chapter in my life.

also, something else exciting... i found this great college/young professionals church group that i've been attending lately. the people are so great. & last tuesday, the pastor came up to me and said 'my wife just loved your photos on myspace, and we're wondering if you'd like to take some photos for us during worship' which i replied with a 'definitely!' so next tuesday, i'm going to bring my camera and snap away. i've always wanted to take photos during worship. it's such a powerful thing, and i'm so excited to capture those moments.

i hope you all have a great week. i know i'm having the 'best week ever'!

psalm 19:1

"the heavens declare the glory of God;
the skies proclaim the work of his hands."


sometimes i just need to step back,
and look at the big picture. the beautiful sky.

& then i know i'll be okay.

You are the hope, that keeps me trusting

really, no words for this today. just watch and be amazed at the love Jesus has for us. this video just gives me tears and chills. He wants to fight for us. fight for our attention.

love it.

have a great weekend, friends.

antiques: jewels or junk?

i needed to get out of the house for awhile today... so my mom, sister, niece, & i went to some craft stores. we were in this what i thought 'overpriced' craft store and i wanted to find some good deals. so, down the street.. i found this cool, and what my sister called 'junky' antique store.

they had plates and cups (something like seen above) for only $1! i loved the neat graphics on some of them. the $1 tables had some pretty good finds, though. everything else was reasonably priced, and i could have had a hay day in there. thank God, i didn't bring my wallet.

i'm worried about when i really get gun-ho into this that i'll "junk" up my future apartment. but i really think you can find some neat jewels at smelly antique stores. i think this girl that does the 'life in color' blog is fantastic at finding great things at antique stores.. and the things she puts together at her house looks great! that's what i want my future apartment to look like. i want it to be unique, not junky.

& that's what i'm going to start doing. i'm going to start buying cheap, little things to put in a box in my basement for awhile... and whatever i don't like when i get an apartment, i can just get rid of again. i can't wait to start this new hobby, & i think my future [as in my job outlook] is looking good at the moment to finance it.

so, i'm going to keep praying, keep looking, and keep dreaming.

until i'm inspired again... ;) you have a great day.


currently listening to: till i see you - hillsong

happy day after the 4th

hello, friends.

how was your holiday? i had a fantastic time with my family yesterday. my sister and her husband made us a wonderful dinner, and we had fun playing blongoball [which i was horrible at], and just enjoyed spending time together.

i took this picture of my niece when my brother-in-law was holding her up in the air. i'm not gonna lie, she is the cutest baby i've ever seen.

just look at those cheeks! i can never get enough of her.

speaking of the little bug, i have about 230498342048 pictures of her that i was trying to organize today. i was going to scrapbook them all, but that just seems too time consuming right now. so, i need to go find a cute photo album! anyone know where i can get vintage looking photo albums? i want to get one for pictures of my niece and another for my gazillion photos i've taken at shows. i just can't keep up with it anymore. especially those two subjects.. anything else, yes. but i just take way too many photos of my niece and at shows.


i hope you all have a great weekend and had a great day yesterday!


currently listening to: learning to breathe - switchfoot

face your pockets [or purses]

when i was looking through the living section of the omaha world-herald last sunday, for the latest movie reviews and artsy happenings... i ran into a little blurb with this website. face your pockets. you basically just empty your pockets [or purses] and you create a self portrait of YOU... and the stuff that you have with you at all times. i immediately wrote the address down.

this blog has just opened my eyes to different things and i love having it. i wanted to do this after i went somewhere, when my purse would have much more in it. so, after a [unsuccessful] trip to parables this weekend, and an amazing show last night... i decided to do it this afternoon. i emptied out my purse, and scanned away. remembering to close my eyes from the bright light... i came up with this.


inside my purse was my keys, 'sketches' worship cd by sean michel [who put on a brilliant show last night... he has an amazing passion for our Lord and it was great to see], parables gift card [that i didn't use on saturday], my wallet, my journal [i don't know what i would do if i lost that], lipgloss and lipstick [necessities when you're out and about], & my lovely lg phone.

i just thought it was interesting... & would be something fun to try.


i bet you want to try it now, don't ya? go ahead. do it.



currently listening to: forgiven much - sean michel

paul's prayer

i was going to leave my faith out of this blog.. but it's impossible. it's a huge part of my life, and i can't just not talk about. i wanted this blog just for photography, scrapbooking and design... but i can write about God's design, i think. it's all about the moments of happiness, right?

i've been having a hard time with this job search of mine. i don't know what i'm doing wrong. i don't know what i'm doing right... it's just this long journey of applying and applying and then interview after interview... & then getting that lovely rejection letter/email/call.

i went to a church i used to go today, and it just felt like home there again. the minister is very down to earth, and really puts things into persepective for me. today the sermon was about jealousy, but he said something that stuck with me.

"it's all about the journey, not the destination in life"

God is shaping me into a career woman that He wants for my life, and i just haven't found that perfect job for me yet. it will come. it may just take time, but i know He will answer. He's given me a few months to just breathe, spend time with my family and beautiful niece, and hang out with my friends and go to shows that i love. He knows what he's doing for me obviously, and i just need to keep plugging away on this journey.

i don't really know how to segway into this, but tomorrow night. i will be going to a friend's show at a local coffee shop. i just found out that sean michel will be playing with him. the name doesn't stick with you, does it? what if i show you this...


he auditioned for american idol this last season, and i thought he was incredible in that audition. but God didn't have american idol destined for him... thank the Lord. because what he's doing now is incredible. He's making music for the Lord, and it just sends chills all over me.

go take a listen: myspace.com/seanmichel

i can't wait to meet him tomorrow, and see some of my other friends. it'll be a relaxing evening. i'll get a coffee, take a few photos, talk to some friends, and really dig into the Bible and see what God is trying to tell me. today i flipped it open, and ran across Paul's prayer and i'll leave you with that today.

For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom his whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

ephesians 3:14-21

the day of the iPhone

mmm. the iPhone. every time i see an advertisement for it, i feel the saliva forming in my mouth. it's like, wanting to grab that last cookie you know you shouldn't have.

i can't wait to read reviews on it. i just think it's brilliant. the touch screen, the internet, Youtube, iPod... all in one! it's insane.

maybe someday i will be able to buy myself one. someday when i will no longer be an aspiring graphic designer, but instead that corporate designer i've always dreamed of.

i wonder how long it will take for this iPhone to not be so "new" anymore. when it will no longer be just on at&t's network and when the price will go down.

oh how i long for that day.

so, this brings me to the question... are you a Mac or PC person? i'm definitely a Mac person. i've been using them since grade school, and now when i have to use a PC.. i feel so lost. i look up on the right corner for the time, i wonder where my dock is... i'm like a lost puppy when it comes to PC's now! i'll never go back. never ever.

i'll close my post today with a funny video i found when i was doing some random youtube searching the other day. enjoy!

laughing, exploring, & smiling

cara & i ventured out last night in our hometown for some photo opportunities. we found a lot of good spots in our little town! it was pretty amazing. we both had so much fun, and since i think of her like another sister; i was definitely comfortable! well, the heat wasn't very comfortable... but we survived!

she came up with some very creative shots. some of them included a 'locker graveyard' by the elementary school and climbing through it all and lastly, playing on the stairs of a slide with my iPod.

i'm sure that cara will have great success with her new endeavor... & i'm excited to see her business grow. she's very talented at what she does, and deserves the best! to see other photos from last night, check out her blog under the 'blogs i heart'

i'm off to go have dinner with the fam, and maybe later on have dessert with the wine i bought at the winery! mmm. i hope you all have a relaxing wednesday evening!



currently listening to: cue the sun - daphne loves derby

love: three years in the making

happy anniversary to my sister and brother-in-law today! they are so great. it's been fun, watching them go through different stages in their life the last three years. from the honeymoon bliss, to the excitement of a new puppy, and in the third year; seeing the love and joy a newborn baby can bring to this life.

this was a card that i whipped up together for them last night. i love that photo of them. taken last year.

they've just been so great, especially lately.. with this job search of mine. nothing but support, encouragement, and love.

tonight will be fun and adventurous. cara, my sister's best friend, is starting up a new photography business, and wants me as her newest subject for marketing materials and such. so as i'm typing this, i have all my outfits ready, my shoes out, and my eyebrows waxed. my friendly hairstylist saved the day for me. after i read cara's email about tonight, i looked in the mirror and saw my "holy hell" eyebrows and called her up right away and she saved me. now i have an hour to go until i meet up with cara, and i'm just so ancy! i always have so much fun with cara [sometimes i think we're the same person] and i'm sure tonight will be filled with a lot of laughs.

have a great tuesday evening, loves.


currently listening to: jenny don't be hasty - paolo nutini

music&graphic design

i have an obsession. my obsession is with youtube.com. i can stay there for hours, looking up the most random videos from laughing babies to a girl singing "what goes around, comes around" and then being surprised that justin timberlake is actually at the very end. the other night, i decided to look up random design videos. i found some neat stop motion videos, some autobiographies, and then i ran into this.



this kid, neal peterson, [should probably give him credit, huh?] came up with this idea to interpret a song with design. i remember doing a project like this in graphic design II before. & i had so much fun with it.



i might try doing something like this again, maybe include different media with it. we'll see.

i'm just feeling so dang inspired, & i'm loving every second of it.



currently listening to: wait for you - elliott yamin

wine tasting, music, & interesting moments

went to the soaring wines vineyard today. it was so beautiful and relaxing. another local artist that i support, brad hoshaw, was playing there this afternoon. i thought it would make for a relaxing sunday afternoon, so i drug my parents and brother along.

[picture overload from here on out - i couldn't just pick one!]

i just loved capturing this photo of my brother. he doesn't even drink wine, but just came a long for the ride and atmosphere. his smile makes me smile.

i just loved looking around and taking everything in. i think it would be interesting to take a tour around the place. i am now a lover of wineries... and i am finally able to wine test! so exciting... being 21 is. i don't even mind showing my ID.

some of my other favorite shots:





after the winery this afternoon we decided to go to a favorite restaurant of ours by the missouri river. my parents, brother, sister&brother-in-law, baby niece, and my grandparents. it was a very nice evening. i just love looking around me, and seeing the ones i love.

after dinner tonight my grandpa drove us to the town he grew up in. it was so interesting. i was kicking myself that i didn't bring my camera. [i wore it out at the winery] he showed us the old barn he used to work in, the creek he used to ice skate across, the church he went to sunday school in, the high school he attended.... it was just mind-blowing.

driving around to all these places, i came up with a great idea! i'm going to drive back to all of those places he pointed out, and make a little scrapbook for him of the photos, for his birthday in august! great idea, right? he'll love it... & i love my grandpa.

man, starting this blog has just made me go on creative overload! i love it. i'm actually pulling inspiration from different design sites, learning about some new photo sites, and wanting to dig myself into scrapbooking again!

look out this week for different design ideas i have, and hopefully some scrapbook pages!

have a lovely sunday evening, friends.



currently listening to: blue eyes - cary brothers

i can still.

i went to see sarah benck & the robbers last night. it was my first time seeing them, and they are all so talented! sarah sings so effortlessly.... & "the robbers" are such great musicians. i took a lot of photos for them, too. the lighting was great, and i loved being in a new venue and discovering new things. like the tiled floor, and the wrap-around stage... great for side views.

i'm beginning to love photography more and more. i was thinking yesterday, 'how can i make my pictures look more professional looking?' - so i found a photoshop tutorial and it's just a simple step that makes my photos look amazing!

you want to know how? i guess i'll tell you.

you rename the background layer to something else, so it unlocks.
& then you copy that main layer, & in the layer styles menu;
make that layer the 'soft light' option.

it just bumps up my photos a notch!

& now i leave you today, with a video of one of my favorite sarah benck songs: "i can still"



have a great saturday, friends!

inspirational: this time around.

i've done many blogs before. mostly consisting of me bitching&moaning. not this time. not tonight. i want to create something inspirational, this time around.

show my creativity. my love. my visual love, as a good friend callie said to me tonight.

i took a drive last night. it was good, and very much needed for my sanity. i went down to a familiar place by my cabin, and just relaxed, listened to water streaming down the river, took some photos, & just listened and sang along to my iPod. it was a nice little road trip with some good photo ops.

i took the photo above while i was just relaxing by the river. i'm excited to start this journey with you all. i have a lot of opportunity for visual love this weekend. i'm going to a new music venue tomorrow, wanting to scrap all day on saturday, and going to my first winery where i'm of age on sunday.

it should be a good weekend.

love.


currently listening to: she never lets it go to her heart - tim mcgraw