Livia's Dedication Day

**Edited to add: I almost forgot to mention my absolute favorite part of the entire dedication ceremony! Before Pastor Reed handed Livia back to us, he said something that I think every parent should hear...
"There once there was no Livia, but through your union and through God's miracle touch little Livia came to be. And now that she is someone, she will always be somewhere."
Thank you SO much, Mom, for reminding me to write this in - I meant to, but after writing almost a whole book, I guess I forgot. Thanks again for not letting me leave it out of this post, Mom! Love ya!**

Today is a very special day to me. For sooo many reasons! The main is because Livia Rachelle was dedicated today by Pastor Reed - my lifetime pastor. He's been at my church for 27 years! Can you believe that I was one of his very first babies, and that he actually dedicated me as well? I think that made it even more special :o)

So, perhaps not everyone out there knows exactly what a 'dedication' is. I'll do my best to explain it as simply as possible:

Basically, when we as Christian parents decided to dedicate our child, we made a promise to the Lord to do everything in our power to lead Livie to God. We promise to raise her in the eyes and light of God. When our daughter is old enough, our hope is that Livia will make a personal decision to follow God. Until then, some of our responsibilities will include teaching and training our little girl in God's Word, demonstrating examples of godliness, disciplining according to God's ways, and sincerely praying for our child. Pastor Reed says that one of the most important things we can do for Livia is for her to hear her name called in prayer. (I totally believe this!)

In my church (Mackey Church of the Nazarene) my Pastor also asks that the family, friends, and congregation help in raising our little girl as a child of God. In a way, we adhere to the adage that 'It takes a village to raise a child.' We know that every child will have influences and guidance from those other than his or her parents; we want to do our best to expose our daughter to positive, Christian influences that will belp to raise her up right.

So, here we all are up in front of the Church for Livia's dedication.

From left to right, my friend Jamie & her husband, Warren (their little girl is in the car seat in the front pew!); my Mom & Dad are right in front of them; then there's Perry holding Liv, & me; Pastor Reed's in front of us; Perry's parents (Bill & Trilby) are right beside us; and Laura Belle & Michael are on the end. Unfortunately they got cropped out of most of the other pics, but I promise they're there!

Here Pastor Reed is anointing Livia with oil in the name of The Father, The Son, and The Holy Spirit.

And we're all praying for her, and for us to be able to raise Livia as God would want.

Livia did SUCH a great job up front. She got just a little fussy there towards the end, but overall she was amazing.

After Church, we went back to Mom & Dad's for lunch. (Minus Bill & Trilby - I hope they didn't feel uninvited... I just hadn't talked to them, and I'm not sure if Perry even knew for sure that he was going out there)

And before little Olivia got a change into comfy clothes, I snapped some shots of her & her Momma.
Jamie's so daggone pretty! And look at that little fluff-n-puff dress on Olivia. Just adorable!

This is that Lil Dolly Southern Belle dress I've talked about on & off. Laura Belle got it for Liv last year, but obviously she outgrew it about 10 months ago! So why not show it off on this little princess?

Isn't she such a doll?

Jamie, Olivia, and Warren - a cute little family pic!

Both us Mamma's with our little girls

Yes, we did call each other to make sure we'd be matching our outfits. (Actually we didn't. But wouldn't that be funny?)

If I would have been thinking, I would have put a brand new fluff-n-puff purple dress on Livia - then we'd ALL be matching! I'll spell it out just in case there are some who haven't figured this out yet: I found a purple Lil Dolly's Southern Belle dress (just like the one Olivia has on) & bought it! I found it Friday in a little boutique, and it was only $25 with a little puffy slip and everything! Can you tell I'm excited by all the exclamation points? We'll have to get those gals dressed matching soon & do a photo shoot!

Speaking of photo shoots, Livia DOES NOT like sitting still for the camera right now. I tried for 10-15 minutes to get some pictures of the little rascal, but this is about all I could come up with...

Sittin' silly in 'her' chair...

And the goofiness continues... Though, very cute.

And that was with my Mom's help! *Whew!* That little girl does not like to sit still...

We had an absolutely wonderful day out there. I was so tickled that Perry came out to eat with us! Good food, good company, and an overall great day :o)

Perry, Warren, Jamie, & Olivia all left sometime well after lunch. Then Laura Belle had to go to work (she was technically working for Michael) Remember I said in a Flashback Friday post that he got on the Evansville Fire Department? Well, he's in the academy now! It starts bright & early in the morning at 7, so Laura was sweet enough to take over a BUNCH of shifts for Michael. That way he could start ASAP.

And look at the sweet little cake Michael's co-workers at the hospital got him before he left!

Yes, that is a Fire Truck Cake!

How they did it, I have no clue. But it sure is cute :o) And quite yummy too!

So I actually got to spend quite a bit of time with just my Mom & Dad today. My Dad and I even went on a small walk in one of the surrounding woods to go mushroom hunting. For anyone who knows anything about mushroom hunting, ya'll know that Morels are the ultimate in edible mushrooms.

Dad & I decided that it might be just a bit too early for morels. Usually, stovepipes (another type of edible mushroom) are almost all dried up when morels are coming on strong. Today the stovepipes were almost all prime for the pickin's... And we found 2 measly, teeny, tiny morels! But that's OK - we just wanted to be out & about in nature, since it was such nice weather.

My Mom and Dad are so wonderful. I don't know what I would do without them, and I love them SO much. They were and still are such awesome parents to me. I just hope that I'll be half as good of a parent to Livia! That brings me to the very last thing I want to write on this post...

The main reason I wanted to dedicate Livia is because we really do want to raise her in a Christian home, in the eyes of God. But this specific date has another special meaning for me as well. Livia has been such an amazing gift to us, and I couldn't possibly think of any better gift for her 1st Birthday than to have her dedicated. You see, this is a gift not only to her, but to God as well. We are glorifying him by doing this for her!

I've always wanted to have Liv dedicated, and very early in her life. My original idea was to have her dedicated on her 1st Birthday. She was born on a Saturday, and if this year weren't a leap year, her 1st Birthday would have been on a Sunday. I still think this is a really great gift for her.

My appologies for this post being so long... I just wanted to include all the wonderful things about today! Expect more posts of the same length in following days...! It's a VERY special time for us here :o) Much love to you all, and may God Bless You!

Nannybird Crafts Last Blogiversary Contest

First of all, I want to apologize - I meant to get this up here WAY earlier in the week! I did mention this contest a couple of days ago, but I didn't really elaborate... So I shall now!

I first want to say... Congratulations!

My very special blogging friend, Nan, has now been blogging for a little more than a year. For celebration, she's been having all kinds of wonderful contests and funstuffs going on. As a 'prize' for us, she's given out some more blog bling to ALL those who participated in any of her contests for her Blogiversary...


Thank you so much Nan!

NOW, you all really should go over and check out her blog - wish this lady congratulations, and tell her how beautiful her creations are! (Should I go on & on about how much I LOVE what she sent me when I won!)

Something she wanted us all to do for this last contest was tell about why our blog is named what it is. I'll go ahead and tell you all as well!

My blog hasn't changed names since I started it, but it has changed style - both in writing, posting, and design. My Aunt Tanya helped me put it into a 3 column-er, and she also gave me the idea to put something fun at the top of my page!

Before just a couple of weeks ago, I just had the simple "Photochick" thing up at the top of my blog. But I realized that I really wanted something a little more - something that really did include all that was special & important to me, and the actual name of my blog! See, I call myself Photochick (obviously because I'm a chick who L-O-V-E-S to take pictures) but I titled my blog, Faith, Family, Friends, Photography!

With my latest creation at the top, it looks more like I want it to. It may get tweaked from time to time (fun designs, new pics, classy, fun, seasons, etc.) but the Faith, Family, Friends, Photography! part the one thing I really want to make sure people see when they first pop onto my site.

So why did I title my blog Faith, Family, Friends, Photography! ? No mystery here - those are the absolute most important things in my life, and in that order. I'll do a post soon on a side-note inspiration... But like I said, the main reason for it's name is because of the importance of these things in my life. If I had nothing else in the world, my life would still be complete with those first 3 things. Oh, and Photography is there to keep me our of trouble!

I like to think that my title ss a gentle reminder that even when I'm in internet world, God truly IS our whole world - without Him I am nothing; in Him I can do anything! It's important to never forget Him. Certain times of the year, it may be easier to remember Him in the rest of the world... But in our own lives, HE should always radiate throughout our lives!

OK, so now you know all about my crazy blogginess! Thank you SO much to Nan, for letting everyone come over and have such a fun time over there, and for the opportunity to win such beautiful prizes! Thanks also to Nan for some inspiration over here. We may never know how we might affect another's life - so it's important to tell those who have made a difference in ours. Much love to all, and God Bless.

Temptation & Easter

I've given up chocolate for lent again this year (as I have done for many years in the past), and my husband is well aware of this. I have in NO WAY made his life miserable - in fact, he even forgets that I've given it up. I suppose this is good, but it's also BAD!

Yesterday, he had to pick up just a few groceries and came home with some chocolate chip cookies. Yes, I drooled and looked longingly at them, but then I gently reminded myself that the reason I give up chocolate every year is for God - He has done SO MUCH for me, this is the least I can do for Him. Every time I think of giving in to temptation and eating chocolate, I think of all God does, has done, and will do for me.

The nut-cracker (don't know where that come from...) came this evening when Perry came home with just a few other little things he needed to make pizza... and a BOSTON CREAM PIE!


Now, talk about temptation! He did make me try one little bite sans chocolate (the chocolate is only on top) but I completely restrained myself from getting a piece for myself.

Oh, one other piece of temptation - every year for Valentine's Day, my Mom makes Heart Cake - red velvet cake in the shape of a heart! It's almost as beautiful as it is yummy! She made it just a bit later this year (it was out at their house this past weekend) but it was pretty easy to avoid eating it. Though, they did try to find a loophole for me, God bless 'em! Michael says, "Well, technically, there's not really any chocolate in it... just cocoa." Haha! Nice try, Michael! But cocoa IS chocolate!

Oh, sweet temptation!

I do have a lot to take solace in the fact that this is THE earliest Easter I (or almost anyone alive) have ever seen or ever will see. My sis-by-choice (K~ Love ya babe!) sent me an e-mail explaining when Easter occurs... This dating of Easter is based on the lunar calendar that Hebrew people used to identify Passover, which is why it moves around our Roman calendar.

It's always on the first Sunday after the 1st full moon after the Spring Equinox (which is on March 20th). The earliest this could possibly occur is only a day earlier - March 22nd... the last time this occurred was in 1818... The next time it will happen is in 2285.

The next time Easter will occur on March 23rd will be in 2228... The last time it did occur was in 1913 - so, only if you're 95 or older would you have been around for this. So, no one alive today has ever - or will ever- see it any earlier than this year.


**Thanks again for passing this on to me, K~!**

Love & Sunshine

Y
I have so many people to thank right now! First of all, thank you to everyone who weighed in about my Dress Dilemma... You all have no idea how much I appreciate it. I think I've made a decision, and I'll be posting about it shortly.

I also want to thank everyone for the kind words and comments on my baptism. It was such a special day for me, and you all made it even more so!!

And now there's a couple of special people in particular that I want to thank. First off, Nan. She has sent me some very sweet comments, and I want her to know that I really appreciate it.

Nan is a very special lady with a very awesome blog! Within the last week or two she's had some really neat contests going on - one right now that I still need to participate in! It's SO much fun, plus you get to read some other amazing blogs though these contests. The latest one is a Comical Comments Contest - and you'd never believe the Prize for the winner! Head on over to Nannybird Crafts, take a look, have some fun with the contest, and give that lady some love!!!

Next up, I want to thank my Aunt Tanya - The Dairy Wife... Now there's no way I'll ever be able to thank her for everything she does for me, so I'll just have to focus on her latest sweet-stunt.

As everyone can see, it's been a few days since I've posted anything... Not that I don't have anything to post - I was unfortunately battling an infection and was just exhausted these last few days. I usually do my writing and posting while Livia is napping or sleeping, but when I was fighting that infection I took every opportunity I could to sleep! (Including Livia's nap time, bed time - any time I could get) And I was starting to let the house fall behind, so I really had to take care of it before I had my internet-y fun. OK, I'm off track...

When I finally got around to checking my e-mail yesterday, I noticed there was a message from Tanya. Before I had a chance to even write her back, she calls me! She noticed that I hadn't posted anything in a while, and wanted to make sure I was ok. This from a woman who, mind you, HAS PNEUMONIA - and triplets! It was absolutely the sweetest thing. And of coarse, that got me thinking - she gave me this beautiful award about a month ago, and I've only passed it on to one person online... mostly because I don't know a whole lot of internet people really well, and I'm just not sure who to pass it on to. I really will work on that, I promise!

And even though I haven't passed on her award, she inspired me to do something for her and all of you. She totally made my day. Even though I haven't posted anything over the last few days, there are SO many people who have just made me so happy! To ALL of you who come over to read, to those who I get a kick out of reading, and especially those who have ever sent me comments or e-mails...

THIS IS FOR YOU!!!!!


You all totally make my day, every day! To those of you who I know your e-mail, I'll be sending this to you personally... to those of you who I don't have your e-mail, you can either copy & paste this guy or just send me an e-mail (amanda[dot]fultz[at]hotmail[dot]com) and I'll e-mail it right over to you.

And be sure to pass it on to whoever makes you happy!

Love to you all and God Bless!!!

Commercial Inspiration

There are a couple of songs that (for the moment) I'm absolutely in love with. So much, in fact, that they're the first 2 songs that play here on my blog. What's funny is not the songs themselves. Listen to them; I think they're wonderful. The funny part is where I originally heard these songs - in commercials.

The first song, "The Part Where You Let Go" is from Liberty Mutual (click to see the commercial & hear the song). It's an absolutely wonderful commercial... and it's the way I wish all the world would be. For those of you who don't care to see it, it's kinda'f a pay it forward type thing. Someone sees someone else do a kind deed for a perfect stranger, and they decide to do the same... and so on. No kidding, when I see this commercial I get tears in my eyes.

The other song, "Let it out" is from Kleenex (click to see & hear). Again, I tear up. But this time it's because a lot of other people are crying as well - this guy with a couch is just in the middle of a public area inviting peoplt to sit & talk. To let it all out.

Isn't it funny where I find inspiration? Tell me where YOU find inspiration! Maybe I'll find it there as well. :o) Love to all and God Bless!

Blessed...And Baptized

I began this post late last night, but my sleepy eyes got the best of me. I could have hurried and wrote something quickly to go along with the pics I had uploaded ... However, I wanted to spend as much time as I could - on what I feel is THE biggest event thus far in my life.

I've gone to church ever since I can remember. My parents took me even as a baby, and they had me & my sister dedicated. They continued to take me as long as I lived with them. For that I'm so very grateful! I've continued to go even now as an adult. I've not always gone as faithfully as I should; there have been times when my faith itself wasn't all that strong. But now as an adult, I know how important God is in my life. Ever since my daughter was born, I've felt completely different about Him... I see how much He's done for me, and I'm just amazed! I truly don't deserve all I've been given.

Something I decided that I to do for Livia was to raise her up going to church as well. I take her to Mackey Church of the Nazarene just like my parents did for me when I was a little girl. I've known this Church and my Pastor my whole life. There are so many loving, caring people at my church - even though I didn't really even have a baby shower for Livia (what can I say - I was a crazy pregnant person!) SO many people got gifts for her. For several weeks after Livia was born, I came home with an armload of presents from my Church family.

I do not deserve all that God as blessed me with! Within the last few months especially, I've truly begun to realize how much God does for me. Perhaps it's that realization of how much HE blesses me, and that got me thinking that I should be doing more for HIM. I'm trying to be a better Christian as not only an influence, but in my life as well.

It was just very recently that realized how much of change I have made (and still am making) in my life. About a month or so ago in church, it hit me like a lightning bolt - to give a public testament to God of the change in my life & heart... by way of baptism. I felt that God was almost speaking directly to me. Telling me that it is time in my life to be baptized.

As soon as the service was over I rushed out to Pastor Reed and exclaimed, "I want to be baptized!" I meant it with every ounce of my being. I would have been baptized right then and there if my Pastor had said, "OK, let's do it right now!" But our Church (like many others) usually does more than one baptism at a time. Pastor Reed told me I wouldn't have to wait long though - that they would probably be doing it within the next month or two.

And yesterday was the day!

I was so lucky to be baptized in the Church from my childhood & adult life, by my lifelong Pastor. I am also very fortunate to have some of those who mean the most to me there. I always have my little sidekick [Livie of coarse!] with me, and Mom & Dad are always there as well. But today was extra special since my hubby, Perry, came as well! His mom & dad - Trilby & Bill - also came to be there for me. How sweet was that?! Unfortunately, my sis-in-law Kendra is still under the weather. I would have loved to have her there for the special day, but it is NO FUN being sick (*Please continue to say a little prayer for her if you would*)


Back to my baptism... I was definitely the oldest of the 7 of us that were baptized. The closest to my age is nearly 10 years my minor. My husband was 16 when he was baptized. Ironically, just a few years ago I told myself that I was too old to be baptized - now here I am at the age of 25 feeling lucky to be baptized at such a young age!

Long-time family friend, Phil Boger was kind enough to take pictures for me before and during the baptism.

This was all of us as we stood in front of the Church while we read with Pastor Reed a piece out of the hymnal on baptism. We then sat for just a few minutes while he read a few verses out of the Bible & told everyone of the importance of baptism.

Pastor Reed then dismissed us to go to the back so we could each prepare.

When it came my turn, I remember thinking how much it felt like the excitement I experienced with getting married & with the birth of my daughter... only even more intense! It meant so much to me.

Pastor Reed had us each give a brief testimony before we were immersed. I don't remember exactly what I said, but it went something like...

"I have been so blessed in my life. I have a loving husband, a wonderful daughter, amazing family & friends who love and support us... I don't deserve all I've been given. I haven't always made the right decisions, and God knows I have made so many mistakes. But He is becoming more and more important in my life. I wanted to be baptized so show, as Pastor Reed says, an outward testament of an inward change...
I can't say there was a specific time when I said, 'I now believe in Christ!' I've gone to Church my whole life, and I've always believed in Him; I just haven't always been living for Him. And that's what's more important - not just to believe, but to be living for Christ. And I want to live for God every day, in every way I can."

Pastor Reed then immersed me in the name of The Father, The Son, and The Holy Spirit.

I still get tears in my eyes just looking at the picture and thinking about what it was like!

Normally, I wouldn't even think of putting a picture of myself up like this - totally unedited (except for cropping & color correction so it's easier to see). But I could not be more proud of this snapshot!

I have given my life to Christ completely - both publicly and in my heart.

~~~~~

Afterward our whole family went to Stoll's Country Inn to get lunch. I think everyone stuffed themselves silly - I know I did. Even Livia had quite a bit to eat! It's the nicest buffet I think I've ever been to.

Anyway, it was absolutely wonderful to have everyone there for me on such an important day!

Prayers for Ava's Mummy

Today is almost yesterday in the land of Australia, but all day a very special lady will be in my thoughts and prayers. She has taken tragedy and taught us all the importance & frailty of life. She makes me thankful for each and every day that I have with my little Livia...

One year ago today on February the 5th, her sweet little girl, Ava, went to Heaven. Ava was only 3 years old, but was already a Super-Princess. Like all little princesses, she loved pink, dressing up, her 'spotty' shoes, her father, brothers & sister...but most of all, she loved her Mummy (the loving name by which she knew her Mother, Sheye.)
http://sheyerosemeyer.blogspot.com/

By no stretch of the mind could this day possibly be easy for Sheye... I know that no matter the amount of prayers, sweet Ava is and forever will be Heaven's Angel. But I truly believe in the power of prayer. I pray for many, and I'm sure many also pray for me. Sheye shall be in my thoughts & prayers now more than ever. Please take a moment today to send a prayer, warm wishes, or even a note to Sheye. No, I don't "know" her either. But I am completely touched and amazed by her courage and strength. And I know she has changed the way I live my life, and the way I see my daughter.

I wrote this for Sheye, this among many poems and beautiful words sent her way...


When the little things
pile up in the way...
When I feel the monotony
of everyday...

When the crying and whining
just won't ever end...
When it seems that insanity's
my only friend...

I think of another
who's far, far away...
A beautiful mother
who lives day by day...

Through tragedy she's given
so much to us all...
She's shown us to even give
thanks for the small...

Little Miss Ava,
SuperPrincess indeed...
Has taught us so much
in the lives that we lead...

She lit up your life,
and through you she still glows...
You share your stories & life
so that everyone knows...

One little candle
can light so many more...
Hundreds of thousands
where just one was before...

Though I never did meet her,
I'll never forget...
The lives that she's touched
and the light that she lit.

Please take a moment today to send love Sheye's way, and to look around in your life and see all that you have to be thankful for. Love to all and God Bless

Hidden Treasures - How Sharing Can Come Back

About a year ago, it was a very hectic time in my life... I was just married and recovering from the stress of planning it in such a short time, and my new husband was trying to get moved into the house. I was hormonal, nausiated, dealing with heartburn... you get the picture. Well, at least I had my pictures. Even then, Ioved taking pictures. Little did I know that I wouldn't have my photos forever...
The wonders of our digital world has given us so many advantages - we get to see our pics instantly, we can edit them, we can even print them out ourselves. Computers (fortunately or unfortunately) are often a very important part of digital pictures. I didn't even realize how important my computer was until it crashed!
I lost virtually everything that was on it. At first I thought I'd just get some of my snapshots from websites I'd uploaded them onto. The quality was definately too low resolution to print out. Even 4 x 6 prints were quite blurry. I had just a few of my most important saved on a flash drive, and I had several printed out from years past...but so many of my recent memories were 'gone.' Oh, why hadn't I been better about printing out all my wonderful pictures?!

Just today I came across some CDs out at my parents' house. They don't snap a whole lot of pictures, so I'm very careful to back up all their photos. The CDs were all the pictures that I had backed up for them, as well as a few pictures I had taken & copied for them! There were pics of the triplets back in 2005, pics of Laura & Michael, graduations, birthdays, weddings...and my Mom's flowers.
I spent a whole summer getting beautiful pictures of the flowers guarded by my mother's green thumb - they were some of my most prized & precious pictures. I cried several times over the last year when I thought about losing them all. When I look back now, I know my tears weren't because I'd worked so hard to get those pictures. It actually felt like I had lost a part of my Mom. I look at those flowers and I think of my Mom. Even though I don't even know the names of some of the flowers I know my Mom does.
I realize there may come a day when I won't have my Mom here on this earth with me...we're all human & none of us are guaranteed a tomorrow. Only by God's grace are we granted a tomorrow. But when I think about not having my Mom with me forever, it just makes me want to cry. What would I do if I didn't know the answer to a really tough question from Livia... a recipe ingredient...the name of a flower?
I suppose all we can do is cherish every moment that we have on this earth. Be glad for every talk or visit with our parents. Most importantly, keep God in our minds, hearts, & prayers. I must remember that He has a reason for everything and for everything He has a reason. I like to think that God's reason for me finding these lost treasures is to be more thankful.

From now on, I'll be sure to offer to share my pictures with others involved in the fun - there may come a day that I'll be begging to 'borrow' them back!

My Inspiration

My husband is more than my best friend, confidant, and lover. He really is my inspiration...
Just a little background about him - his name is William Perry Fultz III, born on October 30, 1977. At work he's Will; around here, he's Perry. He served our country for 5 years as a Marine and was honorably discharged in 2001 - just 3 months before 9/11.

I didn't meet him until summer of 2003...we talked, got to know each other, even went out on a couple of dates. But for some reason we just didn't really hit it off. To this day I don't really know why we didn't 'click.' I thank God that I met him again! He's my reason that I don't belive in love at first sight; I believe in love at second sight. Anyway, when Perry & I met up again at the very beginning of 2006 we both fell pretty fast - we were married in December of that year!

The one thing I haven't mentioned about my husband is that he's a smoker. He has been for almost half his life. He's very good at hiding it when he wants to though. Very few of his customers realize he smokes, and I didn't even know he's a smoker until after our 1st date the second time around. He let me know from the get-go that he never planned to quit. After our little daughter was born & he still didn't express any interest in quitting, I guess I never expected him to want to.
It seems all that has changed. For the last month or so, Perry's been talking more and more about wanting to quit. At first, I really thought it was just talk. I realized it wasn't just talk yesterday when he called me... I was out at my parents' visiting with them - they watched Livia for us the night before so that we could go out for New Year's. Anyway he called me to tell me about something he'd typed & put up in the bathroom...

He's phychologically programming himself to hate smoking & make it easier to quit. I'll be praying for him a LOT! I'm already so proud of him though. The fact that he sees how bad smoking is for him and that he wants so badly to hate it & quit...it's a big step. And no matter what, we're with each other every step of the way on our journey through life together.