What it's all about...service, friendship,and bright happy people.

Some of you may know miss Aubrey from All Things Bright and Beautiful if you want to see some of my fave pictures from her photo shoot follow the link to her blog. Aubrey came into town and I didn't' know she was coming until I got a text from her that she was already in town, an awesome surprise. We have been wanting to get together to get some photos of her for a while and so the next day we headed down town...wind aside it was a blast, no pun intended ;) Don't you just love her bright and cheery outfit?! It matches her bright and happy personality. I love her big and fun personality...did I already say that?!

 And I have known Aubrey and Josh about 8 years now I can gush about them a bit :) Plus it gives me a chance to thank them again. When friends or anyone are there for you in your time of need, you don't soon forget it. I haven't! My daughter is 5 now but her coming into this world was a bit traumatic...haha.

I was 32 weeks pregnant with her and everything seemed fine except that I was REALLY swollen but just thought eh...that's pregnancy for ya?! Went in for a visit and was sent to the hospital immediately. I had pre-eclampsia. I was there 2 days when they decided she needed to be delivered. I was there 3 days after she was born before I could go home, she stayed a month in the NICU.

On to my point...Josh and Aubrey were AWESOME!!! They came every day I was in the hospital, with movies, flowers, food and to hang out and visit with us etc. It meant the world to me that they cared. I felt very scared and alone and a lot of friends didn't' call or come by and it made me sad. Others may feel differently but in my experience I  truly appreciated a visit or any show of support. So I am here to tell you today that if your friend is going through something like this or is just in the hospital DO SOMETHING!!! A phone call, a note, send flowers, visit, ANYTHING!!! It can be a very lonely time and what Josh and Aubrey did I feel forever grateful for. I tried to thank them after we were out of the hospital but they just shrugged it off, so now I have another excuse to say thank you Josh and Aubrey. Your friendship means the world to me and Jake!

Also I can't write this without thanking my sister in law Keri either she brought dinner a few times and even left her kiddos with a sitter once so she could come hang out for a bit with me in the hospital, left a cute little preemie outfit hanging on the wall for me to see. I will also always be grateful to her for that. Family was there like my Mom :) but I was just sad that more of our "friends" weren't there in any way. I'm not being whiny, I am just saying this experience taught me a lot and made me want to be there for others when they are going through something traumatic. I can't say it enough I still feel deep gratitude for them to this day.

I am so happy I got to take Aubrey's pictures! She choose not to be exempted from doing a service project for her pictures, another testament to her fine character :) That will be on the blog soon :)


Has anyone had a similar experience??? 


Have a good day friends :)


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Cara at This little light has awarded me with The Versatile Blogger award. This first time I heard from Cara was a few days ago when she left one of the sweetest comments ever on my blog. I would be lying if I said I don't get a little discouraged now and again with trying to get my blog out into the blogosphere. Her comments have really given me a boost. I can't thank her enough. Cara is a unique voice a funny and zany one at that. Check her out...

As per the official rules I am to tell you 7 random things about me whiter you like it or not...I want to hear something about you too, at least one random thing...come..on!

1) I can never collect enough buttons, ribbon and trim NEVER. (Come back on Monday to see my guest post)
2) I love stuff but hate clutter...how does that work?
3) Breakfast is my favorite meal.
4) I used to get asked what country I was from because I used to slur words together and apparently  that made me sound foreign. For example I used to say my name so fast and slurred that when introduced to new people they would say " your names Yin?"  Said more slowly and enunciated you would hear DeAnn. My husband is the one that pointed this out to me and now I say my name so normal human ears can hear it
5) I totally love music like the Lower Lights...not sure what genre it is, kinda folksy but dang good! Take a listen...really, you won't regret it. I dedicate this to you Cara ;)



6) I would want a bigger house only so I could put more pictures up on the walls.
7) I hate when I can't articulate things the way I want to...happens entirely to often.

VBA Rules state the following:

1. Thank the person who gave you this award. That’s common courtesy.

2. Include a link to their blog. That’s also common courtesy.

3. Next, select 15 blogs that you’ve recently discovered or follow regularly. (15  is a bit much for any one person, so I have picked 7.)

4. Nominate those bloggers for the Versatile Blogger Award

5. Finally, tell the person who nominated you 7 things about yourself.

And now, in no particular order or preference are the blogs I nominate:

Just click on their headers to go to their blogs... 

Thanks again Cara!!! 

Now, really tell me something...one random thing about yourself :)

Picture gallery inspiration

I'm so happy that Aubrey is the first guest blogger for this project. She has a fabulous blog and has achieved the perfect flow of pictures and humor. If you want a nice little doses of inspiration keep taps on All Things Bright and Beautiful. I could gush on and on about Aubs but without further adieu...


Hey y'all! It's Aubrey from All Things Bright and Beautiful here to dish on decorating with your favorite photos! Pictures are a fantastic way to personalize your home and really make it yours...so I definitely endorse the "more is better" train of thought! One of my favorite ways to display photos is gallery walls because they are so versatile and you can do so many different things with them. A little free form, flowing set up...

Colorful mats, this is totally genius (c:

You can always go for a more uniform and organized feel with matching frames:

Shelves are always a fun addition to spice things up!

via A Thoughtful Place

A good mix of personal photos, art, and things that are just fun gives it an eclectic and laid back feel (it doesn't hurt that the chevron stripe wall it's on is fantastic!):

via Caitlin Wilson: Style Files

This is a gallery wall I made in my own home for my little girl's room: 

I used fun and colorful frames for a mix of her baby pictures and fun art to create a whimsical wall that fit her little personality!

Don't be afraid of messing it up because there is no right or wrong way to do it! 

Thanks for letting me take over your blog for a day, D!