Amy Ryland Photography: Beach

The Beach. My absolute favorite place to be.

Until next time San Diego!

Have a Happy Weekend!

Happy BIrthday Weekend to me! 27 Here I come and I know it’s going to be happy!

I challenge you to do something this weekend that brings happy into your life...go to lunch with a friend, make time for your hobby, cuddle up with someone you love, listen to some great music, laugh, call an old friend, sit in a warm pile of laundry, whatev it is that makes you happy.

ps. I had my 1st Sprinkles cupcake today, I know! Where have I been! But OMW I'm in trouble when drive past one from now on.

I wish but I'm thankful

I wish my water bottle would go walk and fill itself up but I am thankful I can walk ten steps compared to five miles for clean water.

I wish I had a housekeeper to clean my house but I’m thankful I have a husband who will pick up a toilet bowl cleaner, dust rag, and mop to help Margaret (my inner clean freak).

I wish I was nicer to my brother in high school instead of being a royal jerkface to him but I'm thankful we had a year together in college and have developed a great relationship since then. I'm thankful for him.

To go with that, I have always wished I had a sister but I'm thankful I have been blessed with two wonderful sister-in-laws whom I love and am enjoying getting to know more and more.

I wish my external hard drive would not have crashed with all my (organized) pictures from the last four years on it but I'm thankful I paid the extra $2.99 every time I printed pictures from Costco to have discs of all the images. (I highly recommend this)

Remember to be thankful!

Current Obsession: White

I love the stark feel of white. I love the clean feel of white. I think I want my whole house white with little splashes of color but I have not dared to try, yet! Maybe even a white couch, gasp!Here are some white things I am currently obsessing over.
White kitchen (I want this kitchen, the floor, appliances, backsplash, cabinets, & windows)
White bowls
White Milk Jug Measuring Cups
White Mug (I have these and they are my favorite! Though I wish they made tea ones also)
White Tea Pot
White Spoons

White Lamp

White Rug

White Print (that's what I love most about my home also)

White Family Room (I love the couches, ottomon, big square canvases, curtains, and wall color to go with the white).

White Shower Curtain

White Towels

White Bath Accessories

White Bathroom (I love the bead boarding)

White Owl

White Vases

White Framed Hallway

White Flowers

White Lantern (I want these in different sizes across my mantel with yummy candles in them)

White Pillow

White Pants

White Dress

White Bag

White High Heels

White Toms (If I was guaranteed these would come clean in the wash I would buy them)

White Watch

Living Louder: Holly McRae

There are times you encounter a story or meet someone that changes you. That makes you think differently, that challenges you...that inspires you to be a better person, to be more Christ-like. About a year ago I came on a story through a series of web clicks that when I arrived at the journal of a mom I sat at my computer crying, laughing, pleading with her, and praying for her and her precious family. Holly McRae, is a mom sharing her family's story as they battle with the devastating news they received 21 months ago that their middle child, Kate, who was five at the time had a vicious disease, a disease no parent ever wants to hear come from the mouth of a doctor, brain cancer.

The McRae's life quickly changed from planning to go on a family vacation, hearing their kids laughing on the beach, to sitting in a hospital hearing foreign words, grim diagnoses, and holding their sweet little girls hand as she went through surgery, chemo, radiation, case studies, IV's, MRI's (over 60 in 2 years), etc.. Their world was turned upside down. Their hearts were shattered. They sat heartbroken. Understandably so. But hopeful. Maybe not so understandably so.

In the eyes of the world their hope doesn't make sense. But as Holly and her husband shared pieces of their story I was awestruck at the honesty...the pain they have shared, the questions they've asked God, the emotions that have overwhelmed them but at the same time conveying hope in a God that can heal, placing trust in a God that knows every inch of their daughter, praying relentlessly to their Savior, Master, Creator. Here is an exerpt from one of Holly's journal entries: "Not really sure why I am writing tonight, other than heartache. I saw a picture online of Kate, before her surgery, and it seems the emotion couldn't help but overtake me. Most days, I fail to notice that she's without hair, or the perfect scar that lines the top of her head. The limited use of her right side, the butterfly covered AFO, the medicine, the calls from doctors have become constant companions, and at times feel, well, normal. That is until I see something that I haven't seen for a long time, an old picture, or something that illicits a vivid memory. Then suddenly, without warning, cancer becomes real again. The unwelcome intruder. The very disease that threatens to take our daughter from us. Suddenly I realize how different life is, how vastly opposed to the life I thought we would lead. I look around me and I see other families facing the same tragedy, the same heartbreak. And again I wonder how I was so ignorant before. How did I not see this before? How did this world of heartbreak go unnoticed by me? And then it hit home, when it hit at our heart. When the face of cancer became our daughter, not someone else's. When the face at a fundraiser to raise awareness for the devastation that cancer can bring is none other than our own precious blonde haired blue eyed girl. I don't know if it ever fully becomes real. And maybe I don't want it to. I do know that I will never forget this pediatric cancer world now though. The eyes of other moms as they hear news that shakes them to their core. The dad's as they helplessly watch their child struggle. The other siblings as they can oftentimes get lost in the shuffle of consults, drugs, side effects, hospitalizations, heartbreak, and enormous life changing decisions. No one goes untouched. For some nothing in their life goes untouched. Friendships can be forged, while others fall apart. Finances take a hit. Emotions are raw. Fatigue seems to be a constant companion, even if sitting on a hospital couch is the only thing the day entails. It's not an enviable journey for anyone. Nothing compares to having your child's health. Nothing except for knowing their eternity is safe in the hands of a loving Savior. It's truly the one thing that keeps me sane, or semi sane."

A loving Savior! Through this devastation Holly's faith is inspiring. They have chose Jesus in their most desperate time. They have chose Jesus to hold them together when everything feels like its falling apart. They have chose to "find joy, in a days filled with angst. Peace in days of looming uncertainty. Hope among statistics that only illicit fear. And strength when weakness is all we seem to feel. And somehow God shows up in our most ugly, uncertain times".

Please join me in praying for the McRae family, for their precious Kate (who also is amazingly inspiring, but thats for another day) that God would touch her and heal her whole body from the tippy tippy top of her head to the bottom of her toes. For more information on Kate's story and the most current prayer requests go to http://www.prayforkate.com/.

This is Holly and her precious girls. Photos by Tiny Sparrow Foundation.

This is beautiful Kate.

Have a beautiful weekend!

I cried. I pushed down our For Sale sign. I refused to believe I wouldn't be graduating from from Valencia Elementary school in Upland,CA. When my parents told me we would be moving to Arizona, ARIZONA, all I said was "where the cactus are?" Arizona to me was red dirt and cactus. No beautiful ocean, no beautiful willow trees, no beautiful ivy walls...but dirt, rocks, and cacti.

We moved February and were met with an absolutely beautiful place. No ocean but beautiful lakes. No willow trees but beautiful paloverdes, cacti, and succulents. No ivy walls but fields of wildflowers. Arizona turned out to be a beautiful place to live. Until May. It then gets hotter than Haides. Unless you are in a pool, you are not outside. The mall, movie theatre, and coffee shops become the happening places.

However, there in an anomaly in our weather this year...it is the end of May and it is absolutely gorgeous. So my goal this weekend is to enjoy the beauty.

I challenge you to do something this weekend to help you see the beauty around you...take a bike ride, go for a walk, have a picnic at the park, etc. Enjoy the beauty and have a beautiful weekend!

Thursday Randomness

Cute simple gift ideas...here and here

I want to make these for an outdoor table

This made me really sad

This made me laugh out loud

I need to invent something. I wish I would of thought of this, this, this, and this. Shark Tank=awesome.

I don’t think we will live in Prescott forever but I want to help Corbyn remember important places in his childhood that will spur good memories, I think this would be a cool way to do it

When I was little I thought, “If I’m ever homeless, I will try to live in a department store. They have everything I would need”. Why I thought about this not sure. But someone else also thought about it so I don’t feel so strange. Check these guys out.

I've never been a traditional cereal lover but cereal repurposed the way i like here, here, and here

We need more sports stars like this.

Amy Ryland Photography: Corbyn's 2

This little boy has brought more joy, happiness, laughter and love than any other person on the planet. He has taught me how to live more beautifully.

His red wagon that was a gift from Pastor Irvin even having his name painted on it. Before getting in he always says "Pastor Irvin gave this to me". So special.

He is such a happy boy!
He is growing up too fast but he is sure growing into a sweet, smart little boy.
He loves figuring out how things work and "fixing things". He is thoughtful..
One of Wil's favorites. He is entertaining.
This is his "happy face". He wanted a picture of his "happy face"! He is silly.
He had two "red" balloons, he is wondering why he can't find the other one that escaped when I opened the car door. I love his face of wonder...connecting dots, putting things together. I love watching his little mind work.
Just a boy and his "red" balloon. He loves to play and explore.
"Momma can I pleeease have ______". "Sure, baby". You try saying no to this face. He is mommy's boy.
He gives big squeezy hugs and two handed holding your face kisses...I hope this never stops. He is very loving and caring.
My favorite! He is precious!
I would like this photo more if I was holding his hand. "I do it all by self". He is independent.

He is easily excited and very enthusiastic about life. "Look! A crane, a crane, a cone, a bus, a digger, a water truck, a ball!"

He laughs easily. And is very ticklish.

He loves baseball! Score.

"I try it, I do it, I can do it. Good job boy. Nice catch boy. Almost boy," he said as we watched for 45 minutes, 45 minutes, 7 year olds practice baseball. He is an encourager.
Another one of Wil's favs. He is goofy.
He wants to jump right in. He is fearless.

Corbyn, my prayer for you is that you would know and love Jesus. That you would be Jesus to the people around you. And that you would know how much your mommy and daddy love you! You are our greatest blessing!

Summer, you are welcomed

Summer is almost here, summer is almost here! I'm ready. This is how I know summer is already being welcomed here by yours truly.

I lightened my hair. And I have already gone to a wedding (my bro and new sis-in-law's wedding). This photo is by April Smith & Co., she's amazing, go check her out and all the rest of their wedding photos. My mom says this photo remind her of us when we were little, awww!

I've been to a graduation.
I've made a very summery meal. Skirt steak with a tomato balsamic topping, papaya avocado salad, and watermelon. Yum!
I've ate watermelon like its going out of style. I pre cut all my fruit so its the first thing I grab for in my fridge.

And I have traded my Converse for flip flops. (I may not be all the way ready...i need a pedicure).

Summer, you may not officially arrive till June 21st but you are already welcomed here in my book!

Closet Love: The invites are out

The invites and save-the-dates are hanging on my fridge. The final details are being meticulously put together and the anxious, excited, nervous feelings are starting to sprout in the stomachs of many brides and grooms. As the flowers started to bud, wedding season officially arrived. We have a good amount of weddings this year so I started to think about some of the dresses I would love to have as a guest at these weddings. Here are a few I would love to have hanging in my closet, I even promise to keep you in plastic little dress, if you make your way over here.

DAY Birger et Mikkelsen, Rebecca Taylor, Rebecca Taylor, JCrew, Tibi, Warehouse, Madewell, Boutique, European Culture

Have a Relaxing Weekend!

Looking at the next couple months ahead gets overwhelming. I feel like I will be packing/unpacking and driving A Lot. Most of the stuff on my to-do list is fun but my agenda still requires me to go like an energizer bunny so this being my only free weekend my goal is to just relax. Probably do some laundry and clean but spend most of my time playing with my boy and taking time to smell the flowers.

I challenge you to do something this weekend that is relaxing. Go get a pedicure, lay in the sun and listen to music, go to a coffee shop and read a book, go for a hike, however you relax...do it, it's good for you!

I wish but I'm thankful

I wish rocks wouldn’t find my windshield a magnet (4 times this year) but I’m thankful we have free windshield replacement and a glass company that comes to your door, i heart USAA.

I wish I could take a road trip visiting each of my extended family members to just be able to spend time with them and share life but I’m thankful for Facebook to be able to see recent photos, chat about our kids, and even share recipes.

I wish Corbyn could potty train himself but I’m thankful that as his mommy I get to teach him all the essential things in life to help him succeed. There is no greater reward than being a mommy.

I wish I had Advil in my house at this moment but I’m thankful for a husband is currently massaging my neck to relieve my headache, maybe even better than Advil.

I wish I didn't look like a total goob when I laughed but I am so thankful for the laughter in my life.

See what I mean =) and yes I am in my pajamas, in the ocean, Corbyn decided to make an impromptu run for it.

Weekend Wind Up: P-Town to PHX to KC

We went down the hill and boarded a plane, we clearly were excited.

We checked all the gadgets on the plane out, very intrigued by the whole adventure...who knew an hour later I would be wearing his breakfast.
We made it to Kansas City. We visited some local places. This is Luce Park complete with an awesome playground, picnic tables, and a beautiful rose garden that will be in full bloom real soon.
We made a new friend and checked out the fountain, one of the many in Kansas City.
We finally saw the school in person my husband has been flying off to for the past 4 and a half years. Its smaller and much more beautiful than I pictured.
We listened to my husband doing what he does best, preach. He was awarded the Corlett Senior Sermon, basically, a big deal!
We saw Wil get ready for graduation.
We watched him graduate. (This is Scott, Wil stayed with Scott and his family the last 4 years in Kansas City, Scott & Katie & Miles= total blessing)
We laughed. This is Dumbledore's equivalent, Dr. Benefiel.
We were very proud. "Good job Daaaad"!
We were entertained by two hilarious toddlers.
We loved hanging out with our new buddy.
We had an impromptu date with a water fountain.
And we left Kansas City in smiles.
It was a fantastic trip!