Happenings.

Ok, so I'm still in the vacation fog, but while I work on getting organized and back on track there were a few things I wanted to update you on...

≫≫ I would LOVE to have you sponsor in May! I plan on kicking things up a notch around here and I'd be so happy to have you along for the ride. You can get all the info here.

≫≫ I've had a few inquiries about photo sessions in Dallas and am thinking about making a trip down the week of the 13th-17th. If I did, would any of my Dallas friends be up for a photo session? I might even do an evening of mini sessions! What do you all think?

≫≫ Once Dreaming Willow Photography hits 200 likes on Facebook, I'm giving away a set of 3 framed prints! I promise it will bring lots of pretty pictures to your Facebook feed...join me here.

≫≫ My Storenvy Spring style picks are up on the Storenvy blog! You can find them here.

≫≫ Home is with You is only TWO GFC followers away from 700...I'd be so grateful if you would share with just one person you know that might enjoy reading. I might even do an extra special giveaway once I hit that mark. ;)

≫≫ Stay tuned for more lake pictures, I can't wait to share! I hope you all had a nice, relaxing weekend and that this week is already treating you wonderfully.

Friday favorites ↠ links I loved this week.

Happy Friday friends! We'll be spending this rainy day at the lake enjoying some down time, board games, and movies...and praying for sunshine the rest of the weekend. What are you all up to this weekend?

I came across so many great links this week, so I thought I'd share....

 ≫≫ This is hilarious. I laughed so hard at this yesterday and it's perfect for anyone needing a good hard belly laugh. No matter what your political stance, if you don't find this funny I don't think we can be friends.

≫≫ This video is also laugh out loud worthy. Ohhhhh hipsters.

≫≫ Every Facebook Political Argument You've Ever Seen. This fake Facebook convo is too funny because it's oh so true. The Troublemakers always get hidden from my timeline.

≫≫ And for all the music lovers out there, this interview is kind of a long read (about 20 minutes), but so worth it. Damien Rice restores my faith that there are mainstream artists (although way too many people don't know who he is) musician holding onto what's truly important about being a musician...the music.

Get away.

Tonight I'm road tripping it to one of my favorite spots in the world, the lake. It's my favorite place to mini vacation at least once a year, at my Dad's lake house on Table Rock Lake in Missouri. This year, I'm wishing it was as hot as it was during our trip last year. I've really been craving some time in the hot sun, hopefully I'll get some of that in before I leave in May!

I'm also wishing Dave was going with us (of course), always we have so much fun out on the jet skis...although it's probably too cold for those I suppose. I know my Dad, Grandma, and I will still have lots of fun relaxing, drinking some beer, and eating my Dad's infamous chocolate chip cookies.You know, all the good stuff in life.

So, prepare yourselves for ten million and one pictures on Instagram and here on the blog. You've been warned. There is something about the lake that makes pictures extra magical, if you ask me. And if you like pretty lake pictures, I'd love to have you follow along, either here or here. But only if you're into that sort of thing, of course...

When the Colors Change ≫≫ New demo from Dave!

When Dave and I were still in Austin, I was playing with the video side of my Canon and captured this video of Dave recording scratch vocals for a new demo he's been working on. I love it when he sets up all of his recording gear in our living room and works on his new songs in our home. And no, that wasn't a sarcastic wife statement, I really do mean that.

There's nothing like it when the music fills our home. Every once in awhile Dave will stop and ask me to come listen to a certain section, to find out my thoughts, or to see if I like something new he's added instrumentally. It always reminds me that we're in this crazy musical journey together. And I love that more than anything...


I hope you all enjoy this video as much as I do. This new song is already one of my favorites and I can't wait for you all to hear the finished version soon. If you like this video, we would love it if you'd share it or send it to a friend that you think would enjoy it as well.

Anyone else as excited for more new songs as I am? As soon as we get our own place in Alaska, the recording process will continue for the new album!

Spring storm.

I don't know what is going on with all of this crazy weather here in Wichita...just kidding, it's Kansas in the Spring, this is all totally normal. Tonight there was so much hail it looked like it was snowing...







...the hail has died down, but the wind is howling outside and the cold is setting (back) in. I thought I was going to get my fair share of warm weather before heading to Alaska, but it hasn't happened yet! It's ok though, Kansas needed this rain. But this weekend I'm headed to the lake so this weather better shape up!

Renew.

I think the whole country needs a little bit of time to relax and reflect this weekend. So much tragedy has happen in such a short amount of time. And the craziness isn't over yet...stay safe Boston...

 

Despite all of that, I hope you all have a wonderful weekend and get plenty of time to love on those around you. If anything, that's one of the main things I take away from tragedies like this. Life is so short and we never know when it might be over. So love one another. Always.

Happy Friday loves...

Now open ↠

I'm so excited to announce the Dreaming Willow Photography print shop is now open on Storenvy!

I will be adding more prints as I go, but I wanted to go ahead and open today because I added the print from this post about Hope to the shop. I'll be donating 100% of the profit from the "Hope 8x10" print to the Red Cross. They are a big part of the relief for both the Boston Marathon and West, TX victims and I'd like to help in any small way that I can. 

You can find the print for purchase here.

If you have any interest in a bigger size of the print, just email me, 100% of the profit will still go to the Red Cross. Also, just like in the Home is with You shop, special requests are always ok, just shoot me an email and I'll see what I can do. This includes canvas prints, custom framing, or any other print items that may not be listed.

And if you haven't joined Storenvy yet, WHAT are you waiting for? Seriously. The new site is so much fun, a lot like pinterest, but with products you can actually buy. Dangerous, but fun.

You're more beautiful than you think.

Maybe I was a bit extra emotional yesterday, but this video by Dove made me tear up...it’s so true and is a great example of just how hard we women are on ourselves.


But WHY are we so hard on ourselves? Life is so short and to spend so much time nitpicking at all of the things we think are our worst qualities, instead of focusing on the qualities we know are amazing is such a waste of time. Especially since those things we think are so unattractive about ourselves are the very things others find to be our best features.

It was sad, yet inspiring to me to see that strangers see us in such a better light than we see ourselves. While we focus on the chins our mother's told us were big or our round cheeks like the ladies in the video, strangers see our kind eyes. Some women are extra hard on themselves and I just want to shake them and tell them how gorgeous they are!

 

What about you? How close would your sketch be compared to the one a stranger helped draw of you? Either way, Dove is right...you are more beautiful than you think...

Hope...

In the wake of yesterday's tragedy at the Boston Marathon, I am left speechless. There are no words...nothing that can describe the sinking feeling we all have right now. No way to make sense of any of this, or even begin to understand it. There is only one thing we can do in a time like this, and that is to have hope...

Hope in our fellow man. Hope in the greater good. And faith in the One that is bigger than all of this sickness.

"I find hope in the darkest of days, and focus in the brightest. I do not judge the universe." ≫≫ Dalai Lama

I love this Mr. Rogers quote that I've seen going around, because it's oh so true. That is exactly what we should be paying attention to as as all the pictures and videos are posted incessantly on tv and the internet, the selfless and the brave. There are still so many good people in this world, let's focus on them.

Living a positive life ↠

Even before Dave left for Alaska, I started getting TONS of questions on how I could ever be away from him for so long. I've found it's hard for me to answer this without getting raised eyebrows and people thinking I'm full of it, crazy, or both. What it really comes down to though, is making a conscious decision to live a positive life. No matter what life throws our way.

Just because I'm staying positive through all of this and not constantly talking about how hard it is, doesn't mean it's always easy. In certain situations, remaining positive is a choice, and a great one if you ask me! Of course, this doesn't mean I don't miss Dave terribly (because I do), or I don't have my pity party moments...but I choose to move past them and see the good.

I choose to focus on the fact that I have a loving husband and we have been so blessed with this amazing opportunity. And although we're the weirdos who usually hate to spend 5 minutes away from one another, we know that this will all be worth it in the end. I can't wait to fly to Alaska and finally hug his neck, trust me, but for now I'm enjoying this quality time with my family.

Once you realize that you have the power to control your emotions and decide whether you want to be happy, it changes everything. It starts with choosing to see the silver lining in any given situation and waking up every morning telling yourself it's going to be a great day (whether you feel that way or not). Eventually, it becomes second nature...promise.

The great thaw...

Today I couldn't help but take a million pictures of the gorgeous trees and flowers as they thawed from the freak ice storm that hit Wichita this week. Even for Kansas, it was the strangest day when it went from 75 degrees and humid out to sleeting and waking up to an ice covered city. Either way, it was a photographer's dream today as things warmed back up and the trees dripped of ice and sparkled in the sunshine...

A little me time ≫≫

Yesterday as I did my yoga, and worked out some major kinks, I wondered why I do this to myself. Why do I talk myself out of doing the this thing that makes me feel so amazing? Why is it the first to go when life gets extra busy? This should be one "to-do" that I never push out of my schedule.

I feel like a new woman after I do my yoga. I'm refreshed, relaxed, and ready to take on the world. That's something I should want in my every day life. I'd be crazy not to want that for myself! So...no more excuses. No matter how busy things get I will make time for yoga, even if I just get in a few stretches a day. I was doing this in Austin and felt amazing, but ever since we left it's fallen off my "must do" list and into the "if I have time" category. And let's face it, most days that means it won't get done.

A little "me time" is so important, whether it's a full spa day or a few small moments throughout your days. It keeps us sane. A cup of hot coffee in the morning, a bit of yoga in the afternoon, a hot bath or a glass of wine (or both) to unwind...these all get labeled as extras and reserved for the "spare moments" we get, but for good mental health it's important to see them as essentials. The things we must do to stay happy and healthy, through whatever life throws our way.

So, I'd love to hear, what's your favorite way to spend your "me time"? How do you work out the kinks that build up from the stresses of life? And, kind of related side note, would anyone be interested in me sharing my favorite yoga (and other fitness) moves? I'm not a personal trainer or fitness professional, but I am passionate about overall health and (despite my lack of discipline lately) it's something I really enjoy. Yoga has transformed my body (and mind) and I've had a few people ask, so I thought I'd see what you all thought...

Our whirlwind life iphone/instagram style...

I realized I haven't shared any of my iphone and/or instagram pictures on this space lately, so I thought it was time to do a catch up. These pictures are from the past few months...aka the reason I still have road trip/moving whip lash.



Seen above ≫≫ My sweet birdie friend. Friday is for beer in a mason jar. My handsome guitar man. Among the wildflowers. Baking is good for the soul.



Seen above ≫≫ Spring has arrived! Saying goodbye to our cute cottage in the country. Salmon on the homemade grill. Such a lovely lunch with this lady. Daffodil love. Another blogger bestie blate.



Seen above ≫≫ Gorgeous foggy day in North Carolina. Homemade pizza. Oh so good. Working on packaging for the shop. Photographer style. Jam session. My hello cookies for the neighbors.

Seen above ≫≫

G O R G E O U S day in Kansas.

Skinny vegan chocolate cake with peanut butter icing...drool worthy.

St. Louis arch at sunrise.

Playing "animal catchers" with my nephew. ♡

We surprised him with a Batman balloon before taking him out.

≫≫I'd love to have you follow along on Instagram here.

Linking up with Life Rearranged.

Savoring every moment...

Tomorrow is my last day with Dave before he heads to the great state of Alaska. I'm sad and excited all at the same time. As much as I hate to be apart, I'm excited about our new adventure and for Dave to jump back into a job he loves! I can't wait to join him and start our new adventure together, but the silver lining is getting to spend some time with my family here in Wichita...

Photo >> c/o Eureka Photography

Until he leaves, we are savoring every moment we have together. And although we're the crazy people who love to spend all day every day together without wanting to kill each other, I know we'll be just fine during this time apart. We've done it before and we can do it again. Thank goodness for facetime so I can still see his adorable face while we're apart!

 

Monday Giveaway!

Remember when I introduced you all to Mrs. (I'm sorry, I may not be a student anymore, but I still have to use the Mrs.) Karen Norton? Well, today she is giving one of you a chance to win your choice of either a free book download, a copy of her wildflower guide, or a copy of her book about The Independent School! Her book, PattySue Finds a Home, would be a great choice for those of you with kiddos!

I'm really excited to see who wins this giveaway! I know you will love whatever book you choose, so good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway