That was the difference between a minor fender bender and possibly a life.

Last night we were driving home from an overnight trip at the beach. We decided to take the long way around (the Washington coast). The boys were in the back taking their naps and we wanted to do a bit of sight seeing. There are so many beautiful places to stop along the way, so we were taking our sweet time getting home.

There was some major road construction going on about an hour from home. We got stuck in traffic for an hour after we’d already been driving for two hours. Since there was no place to stop off, I had climbed back in the back to calm the boys. They had finally woken up and were slightly upset that we weren’t moving anywhere (not to mention the baby had a wet diaper and there was no place to stop to change him).

Traffic cleared up a few minutes later and we were well on our way home. All of a sudden, traffic came to a complete STOP. We had been cruising along at about 45 miles an hour prior to the stop. Thankfully Derrick hit the brakes in time and we didn’t hit the person in front of us. Unfortunately the guy behind us didn’t see the traffic stop either. As I looked back, he swerved around the right of our car, slamming on his brakes. His tire went up along the side of our vehicle and he eventually stopped along the guard rail. I knew we had been hit, but I didn’t know how badly. My first instinct was to hug Isaac (who was sitting to the right of me). I started shaking and crying after realizing how close we came to being severely rear-ended.

When I finally gained my composure, I climbed out of the car. After looking around I lost it again and had to turn away (I hate crying in front of people). Thankfully everyone was okay. We chatted a bit with the other folks involved in the accident and I couldn’t help but thank the guy that hit us for acting so quickly and moving out of the way. If he would have been two inches closer to us, we would have been pushed completely forward into the car in front (and who knows what else). All I could think of is how hurt we all could have been since we were all going really fast. When he saw me bring our little boys out of the car, he had to wipe away some tears. I can’t even imagine what that guy was going through knowing he could have possibly hit us with small kids inside.

Our car had to be towed away as it’s not drivable and requires major body work. The tire was completely torn off and the axle bent, so we have some other major damage to that as well. But, a car can be fixed.

A person cannot be replaced.

I am so incredibly thankful that it was only damage to the car. A few inches and my story today could have been quite different. Thank you Lord for watching out for us and keeping us safe. I’m incredibly grateful.

The irony of my story is that I had been in quite a miserable mood prior to the accident. I was in a funk and quite unhappy with my hubby (as we wives can get sometimes). It had been a rough week and though we were on vacation, the tension was there. After it all happened I realized how incredibly stupid it was of me to feel so angry towards him for stupid reasons. (You don’t even want to know how stupid).

In a blink life can change dramatically. In a blink, I could have gone through that front windshield. In a blink my kids could have been gone.

Hug those you love.

Forgive others.

LIVE life.

You never know what might happen.

It’s not very often that one of my husbands brothers gets married. In fact, this has only happened twice. First when Derrick’s brother Bryce married Jessica (my SIL who shot this wedding with me), and now his youngest brother, Craig, SOMEHOW convinced and amazing woman to marry him. Nicole is one of the absolute sweetest people I know. She’s a cake decorator extraordinaire at Market Place Bakery (and yes, she actually made her own cake. She’s an amazing woman).

So now in my husbands family there are two photographers and a cake decorator. Too bad there are no more siblings, otherwise we’d be interviewing for a florist and a person who owns a venue. 😛

Congrats you two and don’t worry I won’t bother you too much about getting nieces and nephews. I figure you should be married at least a month before starting on those. 😉

LOVE details

what good looking people!!

Okay I showed this before but I love it so much, I HAD to show it again.

yup, good niece and nephew material here 😉

Okay so we flagged down this car and begged to get photos with it. Craig and his best man Kenny actually know the guy who owns it. Pretty sweet ride!

favorite part of the ceremony. They asked both sets of parents to pray over their marriage. I started crying at this moment. I kept my cool till then. Sigh.

Love this.

whoop whoop!

yeah, TOTALLY in love with the ring shot on lemon drops. Hmmm… dunno why…

And yes that amazing cake was made by the bride herself.

love

I love you two!!!!

I had the great pleasure of photographing these five beautiful ladies. Recently they became a family with five generations. The great great grandma told me that this is the second time in her life that she’s been in a five generation photo!! It’s so rare and such a fun thing to celebrate. I was really excited when the great grandma called me to document this special event.

Ladies, it was a pleasure photographing you. I hope you treasure these images.

aren’t they all just gorgeous??!!!!

this image melted my heart.

Real moment here!! Baby was fussing and they all went over to see her.

That’s what girls are made of.

This adorable family has two little girls. Youngest is 6 months and the oldest is 3 years. They are both so incredibly sweet and fun. The three  year old had a blast exploring around the park. She was a bundle of energy and full of laughter. Her younger sister was so content the entire time. She didn’t even make a fuss once during the entire session!!

Here’s a quick preview for you to enjoy!

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11

This is my verse for this week. I planned my whole life out completely differently than it has turned out. I made so many plans, had so many ideas. I always wondered why life never went as planned. I figured my ideas were good enough. I mean, they were MY ideas, right?

Well, God had different plans. Better plans for me than I ever could have dreamed or imagined.

When I went to college (way back in the day), my plan was to go to school to become a theater teacher. I always wanted to be involved with musical theater as I did in high school. When I dropped out to get married, I deeply regretted not being in school. I felt that it was the place I needed to be. However, my life took a completely different turn. I got married, started having my babies, and moved around (more times than I’d like to count). Finally I ended up exactly where I need to be.

And here I am. Right where God wants me.

To be a mother.

To be a wife.

To be a photographer.

All those years I spent feeling like I was misplaced. Like God must not know what I needed.

But indeed, He did.

I really felt the need to write about this tonight. Maybe I’m emotional reflecting on my life, or maybe someone who reads this needs to know that things turn out how they’re supposed to. Not how WE plan, but how God plans.

Thank you all for reading my rambling thoughts. Even if it’s just my own mom who reads it, that’s cool too. (love you mom!!!)