Justin and I got a phone call Wednesday night that the apartment we have been waiting for is available… well kind of available.  We have been waiting since the end of January for a one bedroom apartment to become available in a very pretty apartment complex. It  is a smaller version than the one we wanted but we jumped on it anyways.  Since it is smaller… most of the things we had been planning to take with us now needs to be sold.  (Need patio stuff?  Need furniture?  We bought things we thought we’d keep for a lifetime… so it’s all great stuff! lol)  The porch will be half the size and the dining room is tiny.  We decided we can live with this because the area is very safe and next to tons of walking trails for the dogs.

I have mixed feelings about moving.  It provides us with great opportunities to see our businesses thrive but it also takes me away from friendships I’ve grown over the past 5 years.  I’ve become very sentimental about finding little treasures that remind me of my favorite places.

Growing up as a pastor’s kid, our family’s theme song was ‘On the Road Again’ by Willie Nelson.  Every 4-6 years my brothers and I were in a new church and school, finding our place with new groups of friends.  So I’m no stranger to the moving process both emotionally and physically.  I have decided two more appropriate songs as a theme song for our summer is ‘California’ by Phantom Planet  and a song I remember from watching I Love Lucy (my all time favorite show) ‘California Here I come!‘.

I will be blogging about our adventures and journey across the country.  It should be an exciting summer!

Please be praying for my small family that our travels are safe.

Amanda

xoxo

In the midst of getting ready for the Dealometer launch, I had the honor of photographing a fundraiser for the Lake Effect Wreckers Derby.  These girls are tough!  During the fundraiser they showed us their skills by playing musical chairs.  But this isn't the same musical chairs I played as a child... the last seat isn't fully taken till a butt was →

This last Friday I had two wisdom teeth removed.  It was quite the experience coming from someone who has never had surgery or pain medication stronger than Advil! Friday morning Justin and I drove down to Dr. Armanini's office bright and early.  They have a great policy of giving you anxiety medication to take before you arrive at the appointment.  I was →

Dawn and John had a very small and very pretty wedding.  They held the ceremony at sunset at a small park, over looking Lake Erie, near Lake View Country Club in Erie, PA.  Dawn decided to have the ceremony at sunset and have the reception the next day.  The ceremony was simple breath-taking since the sun was setting over the lake →

Okay, okay!  I know it has been a while since I've posted!  I have photographed several weddings, went on vacation, and went back to college (more on that in a later post, I promise).  My family rented a house in Deep Creek that over looked a gorgeous valley and (if you looked hard enough) Deep Creek Lake.  We started off the week →

I was reminded by one of my friends to take pictures of the ones you love, often.  This reminded me of a special photograph I took of my grandfather a year before he passed away.  The photo isn't award winning but it shows his 'essense'.  He is watching football with all the typical guys around him.  I wish I had →

We met at Haley's parents house in Erie, PA to do bridal portraits.  I love when brides set aside time to get great photographs of the two of them.  Not only does it allow for the opportunity to take more creative photographs; it gave Haley and Rob time to reflect on the day.  Haley and Rob held their ceremony and reception at Nick's Place in →

Last week I made the trek to Bradford to watch my niece and nephew go to bible school.  My father is the United Methodist Pastor at Hill Memorial and my mother wrote the 5 day western themed VBS.  Haylee and I braved the 4 and 5 year old group for the second half of the week.  Some of the highlights from →

Kali and Nate had one of the most unique weddings I have had the pleasure of photographing.   All morning the rain let loose.  I thought for sure the weather would ruin their amazing ceremony location.  Luckily about two hours before the ceremony the sun came out and we were able to move along with the original plans.  I didn’t quite know what I →

In June I got together with one of my photographer friends, Teresa (Bella Maya Photography) and her daughter Ysabella.  We decided to meet in downtown Girard to have an urban feel for their portraits.  We lucked out with the rain stopping as we were ready to trek downtown.  I had such a great time capturing Bella’s fun personality.  She definitely →