Change

"the only thing that'll ever be constant in life is change"


Very wise words...not sure who said them but very wise. My sweet friend, Brenna, and I were chatting last night about life and how sometimes we wish things would stay just as they are in that moment forever. Sometimes I feel like that about my life now...I've come to a place of comfort that causes me to be stagnant. Stagnant in my relationship with God, stagnant in my ambition to reach goals, stagnant in my relationship with Matt, friendships, etc. It's not necessarily a bad thing to be comfortable but it can be.


I woke up thinking about a blog that I read from time to time that continues to inspire me. I felt the nudge to read it as I was lying awake in bed so I grabbed my blackberry and started reading. I had read her latest post a while ago but read it again today...she talks about her husband changing jobs, moving to new homes, raising a munchkin, and doing it all by the grace of God. Her life is continually changing in unpredictable ways but her peace in His plan shines through her writing. She continues to grow in faith simply by trusting in the Lord's plan for her life even if she doesn't always know how something may work out in the end. It made me realize that moving to Charleston is only a baby step in this life that we're called to live.


A friend of mine from my summer project and the husband of the blogger mentioned above :) posted a quote by Francis Chan..."Why would we need the Comforter when we are so comfortable already"


Very true...let's not get too comfortable.

One Week

One week...it's all the time I have left in Seattle :( I'm packing today to leave for Montana in the morning and when I return home, we'll say goodbye to this city we love just 7 days later...

It's all starting to sink in now. Every place that I pass by seems sentimental all the sudden. For instance, I actually caught myself tearing up over not being able to go to Zoe's Yogurt. I mean, really? Well, mostly I was thinking about not being able to get froyo with the people that we love getting froyo with but still, I'm a true fat kid at heart. Matt and I took my aunt who is visiting to Kerry Park the other night. It's a beautiful park that overlooks the entire city of Seattle as well as Elliot Bay. As the sun was setting over in the bright, cloudless sky, I couldn't quite remember why we have decided to leave. Yesterday was a great reminder although as it was cloudy and disgusting which is the norm for this rainy town. I don't mean to sound so negative about the weather but it really does get to me!

Although leaving Seattle tomorrow is a bit sad, a lot of my time in Montana next week will be spent with our Seattle friends as we celebrate the marriage of Mitch & Brenna in Bozeman! That's the good in the situation. But first and foremost, we get to kick off this coming weekend with the beautiful Cassidi's bachelorette party...I cannot even tell you how excited I am to have all my favorite Montana ladies in one spot! It has been a while (my wedding I guess) since we've all been together to spend quality time...it is much needed. 

I guess that's all for now...basically our life consists of weddings, showers, and getting prepared to move. A whirlwind of emotions...

Wedding Photography

Yikes! First wedding down, hopefully many more to go. Let's just say that shooting a wedding is a lot of work and I now have so much more respect for those that are wedding photographers by career. This past weekend, Matt and I drove to Bozeman to attend the wedding of Jared & Shonna Ridgeway. It was a beautiful weekend and a beautiful, Montana wedding. A few months ago, Jared asked Kim Blackford and I if we would be willing to take photos at their wedding. I was immediately excited but as soon as the thoughts of "what could go wrong" set in, I felt the pressure. I spent the next few months researching wedding photography tips, learning all that I could about my camera, and participating in photography workshops. I also have practice from shooting recent engagement sessions for friends but you don't really know what you're getting yourself into until you experience it. Well, the verdict is is that I had a blast! Although exhausting and a tad bit stressful, I'm so excited to go through these photos, learn from my mistakes (sorry J & S that you had to be the first ones!), and trudge on to make myself a better photographer.

I'm really looking forward to next summer already! Our dear and BRAVE friends, Duncan & Steph have already asked me to be their official wedding photographer! I am so honored by this and feel very confident that by next summer, I'll be able to give them amazing photos that they can cherish forever. Thank you for taking a chance on me guys! As people continue to get engaged, I hope that will provide me with even more photo/wedding opportunities but until doors open, I'll spend my time learning and investing in this new found passion of mine.

Be on the lookout for the Stephanie Waller Photography website! I'll keep you posted! It should be up and running soon...

And contact me if you're interested in some photos!

Shonna Ridgeway

Sweet Southern Comfort

From Carolina down to Georgia,
Smell the jasmine and magnolia,
Sleepy Sweet home Alabama,
Roll tide roll,
Muddy water, Mississippi,
Blessed Graceland whispers to me,
Carry on, Carry on,
Sweet Southern Comfort carry on.

-Buddy Jewel

I've never lived in the south but there is something about the thought of sitting on a front porch, drinking sweet tea, and watching fireflies that intrigues me. It's the football in the fall, the country music, and the site of magnolias lining the streets. The sound of "y'all" in its southern drawl and the smell of fried chicken...mmm...

Why am I writing about this? Because we are moving to the south! That's right, Matt and I will be moving to Charleston, South Carolina in August. It has all happened very quickly but Matt has accepted a position within Boeing that will be moving us literally across the country in just a few short weeks. I write this feeling very bittersweet. We cherish the friendships and our community here in Seattle and it will not be easy to say goodbye. Not to mention, leaving Matt's brother, Jeff. I trust that the south lies deep in his heart as well though, and that he will one day make the same move.

We've lived in Seattle just over two years now and it finally feels like home. It has been sunny and warm which is the worst time to leave the area. It's beautiful here in the summer which makes you forget about the constant rain and dreariness in the winter. I just have to keep reminding myself about the sunshine and even better, the beach that awaits us!

As we sat on our deck and watched the fireworks over Lake Union tonight, I was reminded that God has the perfect plan for our lives and we can rest in that...so cheers to Charleston!

summer getaways

Yikes! How time flies...is it mid-June already? It doesn't feel like summer here in Seattle, we have had mid 50's to 60's temps with clouds, rain, and now just this week, a bit of sunshine! Our families keep talking about mowing the lawn, turning the sprinklers, on, etc. and it's then that I remember it's summer. I was complaining about the weather until we went to Puerto Vallarta last week and it was a very humid, 95 degrees. Coming back to the chilly weather felt nice. Not that I'm complaining about Mexico, it was an amazing trip and SO good to spend a relaxing few days with my family at the beach. We travel to Mexico for relaxation purposes...reading on the beach, swimming in the pool, and never glancing at a watch. We have a few adventures here and there but for the most part, it's just nice to unplug and spend some time in the sun. I love being there with my family, we are VERY good at relaxing! :) Sometimes I worry that Matt is going to get bored but he has been so busy that it was nice for him too. I don't know if I could spend much more time there than the typical 5-6 days we usually go for but this Weds-Sun business was perfect.

The weekend before Puerto Vallarta, we went to beautiful Victoria, British Columbia. Our friend Riley is wondering if we hate the states... :) We were blessed to be able to stay at the beautiful home of Matt & Jeff's 2nd cousin, Kathy Fuller...and her husband Rod. They are some of the nicest, genuine, and interesting people I've met. I could've sat in their living room looking out onto the Juan De Fuca Straight (I think that's what it's called) for days! Everything was simple, relaxing, and accompanied by great conversation. Here are some photos...

Jeff & Vanessa

Butchart Gardens

View from Butchart Gardens

Piers @ The Inner Harbor

Inner Harbor

Now that we've been gone so often, we're looking forward to spending this weekend at home!

aww to travel

I seriously have a case of the travel bug these days. Maps are starting to overtake our house. Matt's old roommate loved maps and I guess I never really realized how much I did until I was always staring at his! Matt & I (along with a few friends) have started planning a Europe trip for next year which is what I woke up thinking about this morning...these will do for now...

 

 

 

Italy

 

La Tour Eiffel

Greece

 

Paris

London

And the next DIY project that I definitely need to create this summer...

it's the people that matter

Matt and I have lived in Seattle for over two years now which seems crazy to me. Time sure does fly by. For the entire first year that I lived here, my heart was still back in Montana. I missed my family, friends, and my comfort zone. I was having fun in Seattle but was in denial that it was my new "home". I would often talk to Matt about when we would move back, looking up jobs, etc. After a while, I realized that I was starting to make him feel bad about living and working here. Essentially, that was why I was here and he felt as though he was holding me back from being truly happy. I then decided that I needed an attitude change and quick!

Now, after two whole years in Seattle, I finally feel like this is my home. I think it mostly has to do with the amazing people that in are in our lives which makes me realize that I could be happy anywhere...it's the people that matter. We have such precious friends and an amazing community group through our church. If we were to pick up and leave now, it would be hard to do so...leaving people that we love and our first home that we've ever known together. I don't know if we'll be here forever but for now, I'm just grateful...extremely grateful.