First Wedding Shoot

Saturday my dear friend JSmitty allowed me to tag along on one of her shoots. I was very excited and a tad bit nervous.  All in all it was an amazing time! The bride and groom were  so friendly and made me feel completely at ease.  JSmitty was also very helpful and made me feel at home with the photography.  I'm officially hooked! I was already very much into it and wanting to pursue it but this just cemented it for me!

Without further ado I am happy to share my first wedding photos! (Under my new photography business Sweet and Sassy Photography)

JSmitty after a tiring day

Aren't they just the cutest couple?!? I can't say enough how much I enjoyed working with them and JSmitty.

~Rachel

Ian Somerhalder Foundation

So I told you I would have more in the ISF and I came up with their awesome website. Tons of ways to help out, to give, and even some products. If you'd like to learn more go to www.isfoundation.com

~Rachel

Guilty addiction and amazing people

Today I watched the star of one of my guilty addictions, The Vampire Diaries, give an amazing interview with HuffPost live. Ian Somerhalder plays Damon Salvatore on the show and at one time played on Lost. (Sadly I don't remember who. Sorry Ian!) During his interview, he conversed with fans and answered several questions. The answer that most impacted me? His explanation of the environment. The trees as our lungs and the waterways as or cardiovascular. If you start chopping away and polluting them then none of us can breathe.

Now I'm generally not one to be impressed by actors and actresses. It is their job to fool people. I felt no such thing while watching Mr. Somerhalder speak. He was genuine when speaking with the fans. You could tell he truly enjoyed his time in speaking with them and the interviewer.

I started out watching the interview just to get my Damon fix but came out of it wanting to know more about Ian and his work. Not just his theatrical works; his charitable ones as well. I find myself wanting to know more about the ISF and what it helps. That is the kind of thing actors should be doing. Inspiring people.

So thank you Ian Somerhalder, for inspiring me to learn more. Also, for giving me a new take on what I saw as a glib industry. You have my respect.

Stay tuned for more on ISF.
~Rachel

Slouchy hats

Lately I've gone a bit slouchy hat crazy. It started with one I made for myself. I fracking love that thing! Then the bestie needed one of course. I mean, come on, how can we be the dynamic duo without similar hats?!? Mom decided she too must get in on the slouchy action. Finally I decided I was hooked after three as just had to try my hand at a child size. Personally I'm pretty proud of my little self. For no child pattern and only going off of the adult one, the hat looks pretty darn awesome. I even think I will start making some to be ready made to sell. Maybe even a giveaway. Stay tuned!!

Birthday fun

So I promised a post on the amazing day JSmitty treated me to on my birthday. Here it is! My typical birthday is a relaxing day with the hubby and the kids and a few phone calls. This year it was a two day celebration! Friday the 22nd had flowers from JSmitty promising more surprised to come. After that I came home to a lovely home cooked steak dinner and a gorgeous vase with a single red rose in it from my wonderful Superman. The spoiling didn't stop there either! In my room were curtains and a lamp to match my new bedspread the kiddos bought me. The next morning (my actual birthday!) it was up and at em and off to the Smitty household. Mr. Roboto ( who will from henceforth be known as The Professor) was kind enough to keep Smidge all day while we went on a girls day.

Our girls day started with lunch at Olive Garden with a beautiful cake and necklace as surprises!! We had a bit of confusion on timing of our massage which resulted in us having the giggles. The confusion was followed by an amazing massage at Natural Remedies Spa in Lancaster. Seriously check them out cause amazing doesn't even cover it. Then it was some girl bonding shopping time. A most wonderful day! Thanks to my bestie again!

I must say I was a spoiled brat this year! My family and friends are a true blessing.

~Rachel

My gorgeous cake 

Me and the bestie's goofy  photobooth pics

Our Spa fun

Birthday girl

Me and JSmitty

My cute box my necklace came in

My lamp Superman bought me

Flowers from the bestie

And flower from the hubby

Holy cow!

I can hardly believe it is March! I've been very neglectful of my blog lately. Sorry! Now that the holidays have past and we've made it through the birthday jumble, I think things can somewhat go back to normal.
Quick run down of my last couple months : December- car wreck that totaled my car but thankfully the kiddos were okay and I only had a minor injury. Christmas fun and family dinners. January: child free new year with the siblings and parents. Tons of fun! Lots of odd weather and cold days. February :birthdays, birthdays, birthdays! Including my 27th which I plan on posting about soon. The bestie and Superman really out did themselves. February also brought kindergarten registration for Photoboy. I can't believe how big he is getting!!!
I'm looking forward to March and all the plans it holds and I can't wait to share them!

Happy reading
~Rachel

Thanksgiving Injury

Thanksgiving was interesting to say the least.  My little family and I went to visit with my grandmother for our usual shindig.  Superboy decided that it's not a holiday without an injury.  While playing football with my 13 year old cousin, he fell and broke his arm.  It was a stressful day from then on out.

 

Superman took him into the local ER while I stayed with HRH and Photoboy at grandma's house.  My cousin decided to show himself and bring the family drama.  SB and Superman came back with a splint on because even though it needed an actual cast the worthless excuse for a hospital wouldn't call an orthopedic doctor in on a holiday. They just wanted met to make sure my 6 year old autistic child held very still until after the weekend. Um, no way!

 

We left and went to Nationwide Children's Hospital in Columbus. I cannot express enough my amazement with this hospital.  They had him back in less than half and hour and seen casted and discharged in less than an hour.  They were flabbergasted that the other hospital didn't cast his arm.  Needless to say I'm thankful the holiday is over. Ha Ha

 

 

I hope your Thanksgiving was less eventful than mine.  Bring on Christmas!

 

Superboy all smiles about his cast

 

 

~Rachel