I Heart Faces Photojournalism Challenge

The I Heart Faces photo challenge this week is photojournalism. The definition of Photojournalism for the sake of this challenge is: Using an image (or images) to tell a story.

These are photos from my grandfather's recent funeral. He was in the Navy for a number of years, and so he was honored with a 21 gun salute. It was a cool experience. So here is my entry for this week (if you click on the picture you can see it full size).

REMEMBERING GRANDPA...

Hope you have a great week!

Britt

Magic Surrounds Me...

Hello friends.

I actually don't know if anyone actually ever reads this blog, but if you do, I consider you a friend (unless you're a weird, creepy internet-stalker type, but even then I'm sure we could share a few laughs).

So... I am not sure if any of you are aware of this, but I have been struggling a lot for the past couple of years-- with a big, heaping platter of things. In fact, it has just been very recently that I feel I have reduced that platter to a manageable-sized dinner plate. I'm not trying to throw a pity party. I'm just trying to explain "the change" I have gone through recently (oh my dang I just read that and it sounds like I had plastic surgery or something. No that's not it!). I just had a truckload of icky dumped on me and I'm to the point where I finally have most of it off and I can begin rebuilding.

I had no idea what a toll these trial-ridden years had taken on me until now. I feel like they changed so much of who I am and how I have been living my life. I have lost a little and gained a little too. I am stronger and tougher, but with that toughness has come a little bit of pessimism that wasn't there before. I've cried enough tears to fill an ocean it seems and in that pain, a little part of me died, or at least because incredibly ill and possibly bed-ridden.

Well now I'm sitting here enjoying the first rays of morning peeking through my window and I'm taking a huge optimistic breath. I am going after that little part of myself that I lost. I am bringing me back. I'm going to enjoy life again and every precious moment that it brings my way. Even though it's Monday and we usually don't get along very well, I don't mind. :) I am going to take the bad with the good and make it into something extraordinary. It's not always going to be perfect. More like perfectly imperfect. To quote one of my favorite songs from the TV series One Tree Hill, "... and if I cry a little, die a little, at least I know I lived..." I am going to enjoy the magic all around me. I am going to be inspired. And I am going to live.

In keeping with my new, fresh and blindingly radiant outlook on life, I am going to turn this Monday into a "day of inspiration." So this is what is inspiring me today:

I am obsessed with Harry Potter. I love it way more than I believe is acceptable for a grown adult to love a children's series. I cried when the first book came out because I was twelve and already too old to be accepted into Hogwarts.

Magic surrounds me...

Yes, I actually do have this note on my light switch. Even if I can't magically make my wand glow, I think Muggle inventions like light bulbs are pretty awesome.

My brother took this photo yesterday in downtown Salt Lake. City Hall is the source of this Monday's day of inspiration because I think it looks just like Hogwarts.

See? This is the one in Orlando. Brade and I saw it being built on our honeymoon and have vowed to return. Learn all about it here. But don't blame me if it makes you really, really excited. It is my heart's dearest desire to live there for at least seven years and complete my magical education. I wonder if Universal Studios has an openings for deranged fans...

Harry Potter inspires me to believe in the magic that surrounds me and to see the world in all its wonder. Enjoy the precious gift life brings. Have a happy week!

Britt

Kenneth Leon Prince

These past couple of weeks have been hard ones for our family. My grandfather had an accidental fall down the stairs. As a result, he experienced brain swelling that led to a coma. He passed away last Wednesday morning.

The family has spent many hours these past couple of weeks by his bedside. I don't think Grandpa would have wanted it any other way. It has been such a comfort to me to see everyone and have them share in our grief. It helps me feel so much better knowing that I have a family that knows how to pull together after a tragedy.

I never had the relationship with Grandpa that I would have liked, but I loved him and I will miss him dearly.

Grandma and Grandpa had a terrific marriage and they will always be an inspiration to me in my own.

His funeral will take place tomorrow. We love you, Grandpa!

You can read his obituary here.

Britt

Baby Brother B-Day

Today is Preston's 17th birthday!

I can't believe my baby brother is getting so old. He is such a great guy. He is so sweet and so easy to get along with. He and I have been a very cool relationship. We have worked together doing the DJ thing (he is an excellent roadie) and now we are starting our photography business together. He is an awesome brother and I hope he has a wonderful day!

P.S. You're 17 now, Pert. Maybe it's time to get your driver's license! ;)

Fathers

I have some pretty awesome men in my life.

This Father's Day I have been reflecting on what each of them mean to me and the role they play in my life. I just wanted to take a minute to share my favorite things about each of them.

Dwight (aka "The White Prince"): My dad. Growing up, he has always represented to me the word strength. I was fully confident as a little girl that my dad could take anyone. He had tanned arms and big muscles and he could handle anything. As an adult, I have gained a better appreciation of some of the struggles he has dealt with throughout his life. Even today, my dad is still, to me, strong as an ox. Even though we rarely see eye-to-eye, my dad represents a lot of what it means to be a man and a father.

My favorite things about him: His charitable nature. He loves to give to others. I also love his sense of adventure. He loves to explore the world. He always finds the most obscure and random things for us to do, but they always turn out to be the most fun (even the snow geese festival and the bizarre spring awakening thing).

Scottie: My father-in-law. This guy is simply bizarre. He marches to the beat of his own drum. I have loved getting to know him better over the past year of being married to his son. He is so kind and even-tempered. He holds a very special place in my heart. He is an integral part of our family dynamic. He keeps us all light-hearted. I look forward to future years of developing our relationship even more.

My favorite things about him: His morning hair. It is still a mystery to us all how it ends up looking like someone took a leaf blower to his head. He barely moves in his sleep. I also love his jokes. I can't even describe how ridiculous and endless his jokes are. They make me roll my eyes, but secretly I think they are completely hilarious! My favorite ones are the ones that totally offend the Relief Society Ladies. :)

Braden: My hubby lubby. My best friend. My teammate. This guy is definitely the best man in my life. He's not a dad yet (unless you count Bandit), but I know someday he will be a great one. He certainly does a great job taking care of me.

My favorite things about him: If I listed them all, this would be the longest list in the history of the world. I'll just stick to a few things. He treats me like a queen. He does laundry and gives up his sleep to stay up with me to finish a homework assignment. He drives me all the way up to the U's campus just so we can spend a few more minutes of our day together. We have more fun than should be legal. We are experts at playing together. We've been doing it since we were kids. I can't wait for the rest of forever because I know it will be great with him by my side!

Here's to all the dads in my life! I love you guys! Happy Father's Day!

Britt

We Call Him the Stealer of Sleep

This fluffy little guy thinks it's appropriate to wake the humans at 7 am every day to go outside. "What, Mom? You didn't get to bed until 2 am because of your ridiculous lifestyle? I would say I'm sorry, but I can't. I'm a dog."

We love you anyway, Bandit. Except a lot less at 7 am.

B&B

My Birthday Surprise

Fo my birthday, my adorable (COMPLETELY ADORABLE!) husband kidnapped me from class and took me (blindfolded) to the Anniversary Inn for a little mini vacation. I was so excited that I swear rainbows and singing birds came flying out of my fingertips!

We stayed in a room called the Sultan's Palace:

Later we decided that our primary mission in life right now is to become connoisseurs of sushi. We found this great place called Rice Fusion and Sushi Bar.

photo by me (camera phone)

Yum yum yum! The sushi was amazing!

photo by me (camera phone)

Then we got back to the hotel and I asked Brade if they had wireless internet. It was down. This was unfortunate news because I had a midterm paper due the next day. Ug.

Homework should be outlawed.

Maybe I'll tell my teacher my dog ate my homework next time. He does eat our mail.

5 Reasons I Don't Want to Write My Midterm Paper:

1. It's stupid.

2. It's my birthday.

3. The hotel internet is down.

4. I don't want to.

5. There's cheesecake in the fridge.

Love you all! Thanks for the birthday wishes.

Britt