I did it...

Whoa...you guys. I graduated this past weekend. 

I can't even believe those words trailed off my fingertips

just now. I was looking back at the very few posts I've

published here over the last 2 1/2 years and I am in awe

of just how quickly the time passed between me posting here

about being terrified and realizing the weight of deciding

to go back to school and now. Here I sit just a few days

after graduating and I still can't believe it!

I'm not exactly your typical student and I 

have a ridiculously talented friend, so we went out

to Deep Ellum and had some fun. These photos feel

like me. And I'm so grateful to Franchesca from 

The EYE of FRAN for capturing this epic time 

in my life with the vibrancy it deserves! 

More on this in the coming days! Love you 

guys and I've missed you like crazy! 

❤️-me,

Annie

Bye Bye 2016...

Hello my dear friends. How have you been? Has 2016 been good to you? I pray and hope that it has. 

2016 came and went like something unreal and unimaginably blurry over here in these parts. I'm still in awe that a semester of newscasts is now behind me...that the "real world" is only 2 short semesters away. My hardest semester is through, and oh my gosh, I can't believe this whole broadcast journalism thing wasn't another one of those bad choices I've made throughout my school career...or at least not yet...haha. I used to come here and share my heart because I was searching. I was searching for something, I was feeling stagnant, stuck and overwhelmed by it all. Now I feel overwhelmed in a new way...a more satisfying way...overwhelmed, but on a path to something. Something new and exciting and different. Now I can come here in quiet moments and just share my heart, and that feels really good. It always feels good to share here, it's like talking to an old friend who just knows you so well, that time does not create a wedge, it only makes the words more powerful and thoughtful. I cherish you. I miss you. And I'm thankful for this space. Thank you for visiting me here, for saying hello, or just for skimming when you have a free moment. It means a lot more to me than you might know. 

Alright 2016, you were really stinking' good my friend. 

-I turned 30. (Whoa!)

-We moved into our new church home (lifefellowship.tv)

-The first half of senior year is done and I loved every grueling minute of it!

-I wore so much lipstick this year you guys, and I'm real happy about it, because I'm a nerdy bird.

-We had to say our goodbyes to two very loved cars and we got to say hello to two lovely new (to us) cars!

-God showed up in some really amazing ways this year you guys (the ways that make you giggle a little at yourself and His sense of humor and makes you feel like the luckiest person alive) God is good all the time!

-I got a front row seat to that blonde boy of mine experiencing his very first launch party for his first game...DOOM!(What a dream! I still can't believe his first game is a title this huge! Did I mention how good God is?)

I might be on my fourth day of pajamas over here, ringing in the new year with a gnarly cold, but my heart is bursting and I absolutely cannot wait to see what 2017 has in store.

See you next year lovelies.

❤️-me,
         Annie

The one where I finally got a utility jacket...

It's that moment when your hair is kind of a mess because...wind. And your really not 100% sure what season it's supposed to be outside because...Texas. But you're happy because...that jacket. The one that's the most perfect shade of green, the one that's actually flattering while still having that utility style oomph we all crave. The holy grail you guys...I'm talking about THE one. And guess what? I'm actually surprised I'm saying this. It's from Target. Yes, the Target everyone loves...but also the Target that doesn't like me all that much. I'm that person that's always like "Oh my gosh. I love your *insert adorable article of clothing name here*!" And they respond back with..."Oh this...I picked it up at Target off the sale rack." What? Target gives me nothing on a yearly basis besides some fruit snacks and pumpkin Reese's every Halloween! 

But you guys. The Target ray of happiness has shined down on me with this one. And I got it for 30% off so...obviously Target was showing me some love big time!

I'm smitten.

And Psssttt! I just looked and it's on sale! 

I hope you have the best weekend! 

❤️-me,
       Annie

Where The Light Gets In...

WHERE THE LIGHT GETS IN: Losing My Mother Only to Find Her Again. **

When choosing a book, I tend to lean towards whatever is positive, and beautiful, and fun. This time I chose a true story about a real disease afflicting a real family.  Well this book ended up being positive, and beautiful, and fun but in a different way. In a more real way. There is absolute beauty in the rawness of Kimberly Williams-Paisley's story. There is positivity in the message, there is fun in the memories. But don't get me wrong, be ready to feel all the feels, be ready to cry, and giggle a little here and there too. This book is written with such a personal voice and Williams-Paisley invites us in to see tid-bits of "Old mom" and "New mom" as she calls her. She invites us to experience a real disease, to see the affect on a family, and she lets us in to the darkest parts of her heart. For that I am grateful. This book is touching and I know so many lives will be changed by reading it. 

For more info, please visit the links below:

More Info
Author Bio

**I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review.

On turning 30...

Hey you guys! BIG NEWS! I turned the big 3-0 yesterday! And I'd be lying if I said I was excited about it, because I was more like dreading it. But guess what? It was a lovely day, and now it's passed, and today is just another day. Another beautiful day. 

During my weekly meeting with my boss this week, he asked me to list 5 things I learned before I turned 30. I wanted to share those with you.

1. Be kind, always.

This one was the first to come to mind. I have learned over my 30 years that kindness goes a very long way. Kindness is beautiful, and you know what else? Kindness has a way of healing a bad mood. Who can argue with that?

2. Trust in God, always.

He makes all things work for our good, so I choose to always trust I that. I've seen it in action in my own life and in the lives of those around me.

3. Love can save you.

This is my most cheesy one, but it rings so insanely true in my life. Let love do what God intended, let it save you. Let it save you from life, from relationships, from this world.

4. Mom is usually right.

No mom, I'm not sucking up. This is truth. Listen to your momma my friends, she knows things.

5. Never assume you have used up all of your miracles.

It's easy to assume that if God answers a huge prayer, that's it. That's all you get. But guess what you guys? It's just not true. Keep praying, and keep believing. There are more miracles to be had.

Goodbye 20's... Hello 30's. 

❤️-me,

Annie...and this super cute face the blonde boy

 made when I kissed his gorgeous face!

❤️ Sunday Funday...

My sweet friend Franchesca went with me to see and photograph Tiny Houses at Fair Park on Sunday for an assignment. And in case you guys were wondering...meeting me somewhere is usually quite a bit of work. Have I ever told you the one about how I have no sense of direction? She was already parked...I was driving in no mans land...literally. I have no idea how she eventually got me to the parking lot. But she did. And for that I am grateful! 

Also I am grateful for the hole in the wall seafood place she took me to afterwards. Can you say jumbo shrimp? Yum!

And while were being grateful...these pictures from our impromptu photo shoot. I love them!

We spent a lot of time running in and out of the street to avoid being hit by cars in Uptown, but I think the results were worth it. And honestly...it was so fun! 

Isn't she amazing? Thank you Franchesca for these beautiful photos and for continuing to put up with me. Im a mess. 

❤️-me, 

Annie

A really stinkin' good Saturday...

Hi friends. How long has it been? Forever? Correct! All this girl does these days is all the writing and the reading and the driving back and forth to campus. 

Speaking of...that hubby of mine has been crazy busy you guys. DOOM if you know what I mean. Anyways, one day he actually had a Saturday off and I had to go take some pictures for my stills class, so to UNT on a Saturday we went. 

It was the most beautiful sunny day! And UNT you guys, is pretty gorgeous on a cruddy day, so on a sunny day, it's like unicorn status. 

▼That gorgeous guy of mine had like a 20 minute back and forth with this squirrel, it was outta control cute.

The day continued on with some pretty delicious Thai food and then one of the coolest, funnest weddings we've had the honor of attending! Like In-N-Out Food Truck, customized t-shirt table, by the water cool. 
Oh and now I have a story that starts out with..."remember that one time my dress busted open as we were leaving for that wedding..."
And would you believe we have not one picture of us dressed up? I don't even know who we are anymore. I do have this picture I sent to my sis to get approval of last minute dress options...I went with this one!

It was a really, really good day!

♥-me, 

Annie