“I am so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers” –Excerpt from Anne of Green Gables
This quote is one of my favorites. Not only because of my love of fall, but because it is a reminder to be grateful for the little things that we often over look. A reminder to find beauty in all things no matter how insignificant it may seem—something that unfortunately, I often forget to do.
Be thankful for all that surrounds you and be sure to express your gratitude daily.
This past week has been a rough one to say the least. Do you ever have days when you feel like you just can’t win? That is how I have felt since last Saturday. I’m not complaining, we all have those moments- some of us just handle them more eloquently than others. To make it through this week I have kept reminding myself of a quote that I love;
“Embrace the fact that you may zig zag your way to your best life” -Unknown
Personally, I struggle with this possibility. I like to have a set plan and know exactly what the future holds. I’m beginning to realize that sadly this cannot be. This week especially, I have learned to accept that there are no guarantees in life. I am ready to start my journey on this winding road and embrace the fact that I may never know where it is going to lead me.
I said before that I briefly lost touch of my love of photography. I have been in somewhat of a haze the past few weeks, but recently I have started to see the beauty in life’s many challenges. As I was looking through some photos I took this summer I came across these…
I woke up for an early morning run and as I rolled out of bed I noticed the thick fog outside my window. I was lazy and decided to skip my run. So I ended up grabbing my morning coffee and sat down on the couch. I sat there staring out the window, entranced by the fog. I couldn’t resist so I grabbed my camera and headed out onto the balcony.
The grass was covered in dew, left over from the night storms.
These pictures reminded me that there is beauty even on the darkest of days. We just have to push past all of the fog that fills our minds and create our own beauty.
Weeks and months had passed since I had willingly picked up my camera. During the beginning of June I was nannying for a family while their parents were out of town. I had a few hours to myself before the kids returned home and I was overcome with grief, joy, and confusion all at the same time. I ran up stairs, grabbed my camera and headed out for a walk around the acreage.
It was exactly what I needed to help me think and clear my mind. For so long I hadn’t been living my life the way I wanted to and just by picking up my camera I rediscovered all the things that I love and enjoy.
From here on out I hope to continue pursuing the life that makes me happy. Nothing and no one will interfere with my passion again.
I had a feeling that my posts would suffer no matter how determined I was. I have been overwhelmed with classes, papers, work and a type of home sickness that I have never experienced before. After a lot of therapeutic running and reuniting with my camera I finally feel like myself again and I am ready to share.
After a long break, I decided to pick my camera back up again. Over Easter break we had a cookout with our neighbors, Tom and Cheryl, and my camera was on the entire time. It still didn’t feel right but after looking through the moments captured that night everything seemed better.
Darby might have enjoyed the fire a little TOO much
20 years young and enjoying my first s’more… There’s a first time for everything?
I have been blessed with not only an amazing immediate family but a wonderful “extended” family as well. Although Tom and Cheryl may not be related to us, we consider them grandparents. They have been there for the milestones in my life just like family should be.
My family and I started 2012 in Omaha. We spent the New Year’s Weekend together ice skating, going to museums and, of course, the zoo.
In May I finished my first year of college. At times it still seems hard to believe that I am old enough to be away from my family and living in another town.
At the beginning of summer vacation my family and I took a trip to Wisconsin. We enjoyed waterparks, hiking, rock climbing, exploring downtown and facing a few fears…
I stayed at home over the summer and spent most of my time nannying for a family with 3 girls. It was crazy, hectic and overwhelming, but I loved every minute of it. Our days consisted of many trips to the park, Children’s Museum, dance and plenty of arts and crafts.
Before I headed back to Lincoln, my family and I ran in an annual 5k in memory of a family friend.
It was little Darby’s first year running that 5k and he did a great job! We were all so proud of him!
Payton began her first year of high school and played golf in the fall. She even made varsity at a few of her meets!
I came home in September to see Liam and Payton all dressed up for Homecoming. It is hard to believe that they are both so grown up!
We made our annual trip to the pumpkin patch. I look forward to going each year and creating new memories with the family. It is my favorite part of fall.
Being away at school hasn’t always been easy, but lucky for me I have a wonderful family who always welcomes me home when I am able to make the trip. This year my mom and two youngest brothers, Jackson & Darby, surprised me in Lincoln and came to visit me for the day. What a great surprise!
I took the next step with photography and started doing planned photo shoots. I have loved every minute of the journey and I look forward to learning more along the way.
My mom turned 40 in November (I know, it’s hard to believe. She doesn’t look a day over 29). Her birthday fell on a Monday and I was disappointed that I wouldn’t be able to spend her special day with her. I arranged with my professors to take the day off and I headed back to Kearney to surprise her!
I spent the holidays at home with my family. Luckily all of us were able to celebrate together and enjoy the day.
My family and I ended our year in Omaha just as we began it. There were several ups and downs, but over all it was a great year and I can’t wait to see what 2013 has in store for me.
Goals for the year:
I hope you have a blessed New Year!
-Taylor
16 years ago today I was blessed with a baby brother. It’s funny to me how many things have changed, like how he is a whole head taller than I am and he can carry me around when I used to do the same to him. But then I think about all the things that have stayed the same, like how (as much as I hate to admit it) I am still overly protective of him and he is still, and always will be, one of my best friends.
I love each of my siblings an incredible amount, but Liam and I have a different relationship that can’t be explained. He was my first baby brother, my first friend; he was my world when we were younger.
I am happy to say that he has grown to be an amazing person and I am so incredibly lucky to call him my baby brother
Happy 16th Birthday Liam!
This weekend I received a lovely surprise visit from my mom and 2 youngest brothers, Jackson & Darby. While I was home for Fall Break 2 weeks ago I told myself that I wouldn’t go back home until Thanksgiving- which I knew was unfortunately a long, five weeks away.
Seeing my mom and the little boys truly made my day! I knew it would be a struggle to make it that long without seeing my family, but their visit will help me make it through the next few weeks before I am finally home again.
Here is a picture of the sign mom and the boys used to surprise me:
What a wonderful surprise!!
This is a photo that I took at my Senior Class Retreat just a few days before graduation last year. Considering all that has been going on the past few weeks I thought it would be perfect to share.
If it weren’t for my incredibly faithful friends I don’t know that I would have made it through the weeks leading up to fall break. My grandpa has been in the hospital and it was a struggle for me to be away from home and my family as they dealt with everything.
I had a friend who turned to me in the middle of class and said, “I’m going to say a prayer for you” and right then she bowed her head to pray- in the middle of Psychology. A few days later as I was getting ready for bed a friend came over to see how I was doing. We sat in my room and he told me about different Bible verses to read that would help me through these difficult times. He reassured me that God would help me and my family through it all. How wonderful are they?? I can’t even begin to describe how much they mean to me.
It is times like this that I am reminded of how truly blessed and fortunate I am to be surrounded my such wonderful people. Thank you to everyone who has been a blessing in my life these past 19 years- I am thankful for each and every one of you!!
Fall is finally here! I am so excited for the change of season and the beauty that comes with it. There are so many things that I love about fall; the crisp air, bundling up, warm drinks and time spent with my family at the pumpkin patch.
I took this picture when I was out exploring the parks of Lincoln. It is one of many beautiful views I came across today. I can’t wait to be home over fall break and see all of the colorful trees in Kearney! There will be plenty more photos to share!
Last weekend I went home to visit my family and while my brothers were outside playing football I went out to watch for a while. I wasn’t going to share these pictures until I talked to my brother Liam just a few minutes ago.
He told me that our grandparents are coming over for the football game this afternoon and Mom & Dad were making Chili for everyone. All of a sudden I got incredibly home sick. It’s days similar to this one that I miss my family the most. I have nothing going on but piles of homework and books in front of me and that doesn’t exactly take my mind off of home. I decided to take a short study break and ended up sifting through pictures of home and my family which is what led me to share these.
I know that it won’t be long before I see everyone again but regardless I miss them all like crazy!
Over Labor Day weekend, while we were at the zoo, I took a picture of Liam with little Darby on his shoulders and I was taking it I started to realize that I have so many other pictures just like it.
No matter where we go, whether it’s ice skating in Omaha, hiking in Wisconsin, decorating the Christmas tree or running a 5K, those two are like a gravitational pull. It never fails that somehow Liam always ends up carrying little Darby.
I’ve shared most of these pictures before but I wanted to share them again because I think it portrays so well the love my family has for one another. No matter the age difference between these two they are best buds and that goes for all of us. My siblings are my best friends and I wouldn’t have it any other way!
It has been almost a week since I moved back to Lincoln for school and already I miss these two little guys immensely. I miss their smiles and giggles, the funny faces they make and their oddly, super strong hugs.
Two more days until I get to see my sweet little brothers, along with the rest of my family, and I couldn’t be more excited! My heart hurts to not see them everyday but it just makes it more special when I do have time with them.
Love you boys!
