Saturday, December 08, 2007

Tis the season for...

...Giving. But we'll get to that a little bit later.

Man oh man. That party we went to last night was out of control. Let's just say I was probably the only sober person there, and during the course of the party there was a fire in the kitchen (at a firefighter party, yes I see the irony), someone thrown in the pool, someone got naked..... Good grief. It was totally entertaining and the boys definitely deserved to celebrate, but getting home at 1am? I was exhausted.

So you'd think between FINALLY hearing that Ryan has a new job (YAAAAYYYY!!!) and the fact that I was dead tired that I would sleep like a log. Throw in the fact that it was raining all night and I was SURE to have a good night's sleep, right? Wrongo. I've got a photography gig tonight and you'd think by now I wouldn't stress as much, but I do. I run through lists of my equipment, I worry I'm going to do some bonehead thing and mess up the pictures.

But this gig is special. I was contacted by an awesome lady who is related to one of Ryan's good friends at the department because she was holding a holiday party for 300 people who are clients of her company. These clients? Some very special kids (who I'm sure are already so excited about meeting Santa!) and their parents. I couldn't be more thrilled. But I want to do well so badly for them, you know? Hence the 4 hours sleep.

And speaking of the holidays and children... This last week Ryan and I got to celebrate our absolute most favorite part of the holidays: Christmas Angels! Just like everyone else this year, we're a little more strapped then we'd like to be, but we just know that its so much more important to spend most on those who really need it. So this year we decided we could adopt two children because one was just not enough last year. This year we had Jeremy, who is 3 and wanted puzzles and learning games, and Karla, who is 5 and wanted strawberry shortcake stuff. Ryan and I both such saps though, so we're in Target putting together cute little outfits trying not to be overcome by emotion. I know, we're pathetic. Part of the fun of the whole thing is finding parents who are shopping with children about the same age as 'ours' and asking for advice. We met the nicest people that day! They were as excited to help as we were to shop. I just love the whole experience. Check out the loot:


(Click here to see the notes)

So tell me, are you giving this year?

Well, I suppose the one good thing about being up so early today is that I witnessed a break in the rain right as the sun was coming up. Really, how could anything go wrong on a beautiful day like this?



Who will buy this wonderful morning? Such a sky you never did see....
Who will tie it up with a ribbon, and put it in a box for me?


6 Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said...

Every year at work I organize an adopt a family. This year we have a famiy of 6. It's always such a great feeling to give to those who are struggeling.
L.L

1:49 PM  
Blogger Ramona said...

I buy gifts from world vision like two hens and a rooster, piglets etc and I give them out to certain family memebers who I think will appreciate gifts like that.
In Jan, we plan to foster a World Vision child.
Sounds like you had a great time shopping!

4:10 AM  
Blogger NetChick said...

Awesome that you've got such an amazing Christmas spirit, Amanda. I'm sure your shoot went fabulously well!

This year, I'm bypassing Christmas, as I lost my Dad only a couple of weeks ago. Instead, everything that I would have spent on gifts this year will be going to the Canadian Cancer Society (other than a few small gifts for the kids in my life).

Next year will be a better year, and I will hopefully have much more to celebrate. Besides, Christmas single = not so much fun.

Hope you and Ryan have a great holiday season!

4:39 PM  
Blogger Ramona said...

Merry Christmas Amanda!
All the best to you and Ryan for a happy and healthy and exciting New Year!
Any plans to come to Toronto? Open Invite...that's my gift to you!
Ramona

3:15 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I miss your posts :(
WRITE MORE!

11:14 AM  
Blogger Ramona said...

everything ok?

1:29 PM  

Post a Comment

<< Home

about me

  • CLICK HERE to visit my wedding, portrait, and event business website

  • By TwitterButtons.com

    Name:
    Location: Mesa, Arizona, United States

    I'm Amanda. I'm an engineer in an industry full of men, a professional wedding and family portrait photographer, a firefighter's wife, a traveler, and a dogMa.

    daily reads

  • africankelli
  • chi town teacher
  • realtor extraordinaire
  • the other amanda
  • Sunny Inspiration
  • Fond of Snape
  • Goofy Girl
  • Kross-Eyed Kitty
  • NetChick
  • Amalah
  • Jessica Claire
  • [B]ecker
  • The Sweet Life
  • Stop, Drop & Blog
  • Roanoke Firefighters
  • First Response Coalition
  • flickr

    Amanda's Photos

    blogger archives

  • March 2006
  • April 2006
  • May 2006
  • June 2006
  • July 2006
  • FREE hit counter and Internet traffic statistics from freestats.com