Decisions, Decisions, Decisions...

I feel like I have been dazed and confused for the last few months... like I just can't focus on anything or make any real decisions. I'm just lost right now. I'm sure it has a lot to do with where my life is, and the decisions that are looming in my future. I have some choices to make, and it sure isn't easy. These are choices that are hard, very painful, and significantly life changing. I often go back and forth on what the right decision is. I pray about it, seek godly advice, and pray about it some more. But still, my heart doesn't have peace with any of the options.

I leave for a trip to Chicago in about 1 1/2 weeks. Honestly, this is the only thing that I have been really excited about in a very long time. I can't wait to leave, and to get to Chicago. I think this time away will be really good for me. It will be a chance for me to enjoy some new scenary, while taking some time to figure out where I go from here. Who knows... maybe I'll just stay there... ;-)  Nah, probably not. It's too far away from the people I love most.

But maybe... just maybe... I'll come back with a better direction for my life. And if not, well then I will just keep praying and see where God leads me from there.

Prayer.

I know I don't post much as it is, but I wanted to officially let you know that I'm going to be signing off from my blog for awhile. Life has taken me down a new path; one that I truly need to devote myself to fully. Things are hard right now, and my heart hurts, but I know God is with me and will guide me through.

As I find my way through this rough patch, I would really and truly appreciate you prayers. Besides my Momma, and my dear friend Lena, I am not sure who actually reads my blog anymore, but if you read this, please pray. Even if this is your first time ever on my blog! Pray for direction, wisdom, and comfort for me. And please pray, above all, that I continue to seek God during this time, and that I come out on the other side with an even stronger faith and relationship with God.

I'll be back, and hopefully, better than ever. See ya'll soon.

~Amber

My Best Shot

It's been quite awhile since I have participated in a photo challenge... but this is one I just couldn't pass up! The Paper Mama is hosting a "Your Best Shot" challenge, just link up with your best shot of a child (or a furry child, if you prefer). With all the new baby pics I have been taking lately, I knew it would be hard to choose a favorite, but I finally narrowed it down...

I love this one. He has such a little grumpy face when he is sleeping! Little Mr. Nathan, I know you are much sweeter than that furrowed brow would suggest!

Well, I hope you all enjoy it too, and if you have a favorite shot that you would like to enter, just head over to The Paper Mama!

4 Months

4 Months have come and gone without so much as a glance to my blog. With a new job, moving, and just the craziness of life, a few things ran away from me. My blog was one of those things, but it feels good to be back again, typing away. :-)

Anyways... update? I love, love, LOVE my job! I am working for the California Conservation Corps as a Special Corpsmember - Education Coordinator. For those of you who have never heard of the CCC, you should definitely check out their website for more info. It is a great program that offers tremendous opportunities for young adults to gain invaluable work skills. My position allows my to help Corpsmembers get the most out of their time in the C's; to help them be as successful as possible in the program. It is incredibly rewarding, and I truly love going to work each and every day. :-)

Of course, we also moved.... again.... Ugh! We move too much! But, it was necessary. We are now right in town, less than 2 miles from each of our offices, rather than 20+ miles away. We can walk or bike to work, or to just about anywhere else we need to go in town. We love it. It's nice to not have a long drive home after work every day!

I haven't been making much lately... no jewelry or ceramics in months... Not many cakes either, just a few cupcakes or cookies every now and then. I like to spoil the crew at work when I can, and they always appreciate baked goods! Beyond that, I have a planted a little garden this year. Tomatoes, green beans, bell peppers, mini carrots, mini watermelons, yellow squash, & zucchini have all been planted, and are growing like crazy! I will be planting some more this week also. Maybe some cherry tomatoes and who knows what else... Our new house has this great little sun room off of the kitchen, and that is where all my plants have been. The winter here has been dragging on forever, so it is just recently safe to put my precious plants outside. But the sun is now out pretty consistently, so the plants will be outside this week!

My little garden

Beyond that, I have been doing quite a bit of photography. Specifically, maternity & newborn photography, which I am finding I really love. Take a look at some of my recent work:

Dear friends, Daniel & Melissa Hood. This is baby #3 for them... all boys!

Baby Nathan

Renee (above) and her sister Wraylene (below) were pregnant together. I had a blast taking their pics!

Awwww.... sisters!

Baby Bailey

Well, my friends, that is all I have for now! Have a great week!

My Valentine

Oh, how I love my pooches. Cammie & Shelby are my sweet girls!

This is Cammie, she is our older pup. She is about 4 years old, but she acts so much older! She is a snuggler and she smiles! She is my furry Valentine!

This is my entry for The Paper Mama's Photo Challenge! Head over there to link up your own pic, or just to check out the other amazing entries!



On another note, we are moving in less than a week, so I am going to be offline for a bit. We are planning on packing up the computer tomorrow so that we stop allowing it to distract us from packing! See ya in a week or two!

~Amber

Just Me.

*Yawn*

I'm sleepy! Time to go to bed and rest for the week ahead!

But first! Here is my self portrait for The Paper Mama's photo challenge.

Yep, that's me! I get bored when we drive, so I have lot's of self portraits of me in the passenger seat! :-)

You can link up your own self portrait here:

Goodnight!