the dumbest thing i have ever done

This morning I woke up at 4:30 and left to go shopping. I had my list and we were going to get some super duper deals! Why did I even think that was a good idea? Did I not realize it when I got to Walmart and the entire parking lot was full? Not only full but people were parking across the street in Home Depot's parking lot and walking. That was not enough evidence for me so I found a spot, locked the truck and started walking. As I entered the store I must have fallen back asleep since I proceeded to grab a cart. Why would one grab a cart when one can not even push that cart more than 2 feet without hitting someone?(NOT exaggerating here) I don't know. At this point I abandon the cart in search of the one thing we really wanted to get Courtney. I see someone with one in their cart, approach her and say "where are those located". She kindly replies "they are all gone, there were only 8 of them and I had my hand on this one (literally) since 3:45 AM". At this point I leave. That is not my idea of fun. I am so thankful I didn't go with anyone. I think the only one I could have gone with was my Dad as he would have thought it was the most ridiculous thing also and gladly left along with me. 

After this I drive over to Target. Surely it can't be as bad as Walmart. As I get closer I see Target has not even opened their doors yet. But the line to get in is seriously a half a mile long! Needless to say, I drove my tired butt home and climbed back in bed empty handed. 

This was the dumbest thing I have ever done.

Courtney Update

WOW, it's been so long since posting. Here are some pictures of Courtney. She is growing up way too fast! She LOVES to 'lolor' and is boycotting her high chair (sits in the big chair and says "Courtney chair". Whatever! I want her in that highchair for 5 more years! We are considering a booster seat. The other day I put Ethan's booster seat from the car (yes, I still have him sit in one at 8..he only weighs 48 lbs!) and she was in heaven. She thought she was so big until is slipped and she freaked herself out. I hear a loud "MOMMY, HELTCH" (we can't say P, we say TCH instead of Ps and Ks...so it's heltch, miltch...but she can say cuP, wait!!!) Anyway, I (Annie) want to cut her hair but I brought it up to Paul the other day and he about had an anxiety attack. I just want to make the back straight...maybe I'll work on that a little more. As you see in the pictures, she can now wear a full on pony tail! I couldn't believe it was that long, doesn't she look like she is 4? We found pigtails work better staying in and she is stinkin' adorable with pigtails! I think that's all for now, I have laundry to do...

Brown Shoot

It's been so long since I posted, I guess I have been busy! Here is my latest 'project'. Last weekend I took photos of the Brown families. Five kids; almost 2 - 8!!! Oh, it was interesting. Really, it wasn't that bad. The Brown family is so sweet and the kids are just darling. Thanks for having me take your pics, Alicia!!!

Side note: I am officially 'photographing'. Is that even how I say that? I don't think so. Angela? Anyway, I will post my prices soon, but I am open for business. (I'm not expensive, only Paul says I am)

On a side side note: I will be doing a regular blog tomorrow (I hope!) with pics of the kids, our kids that is.

Pursley Family Happenings

Writers block...I had a cute idea this morning to post these odd/cute/funny pictures and my mind is now blank! I tell you, I turn 28 and I lose my mind!!! Oh well, here are some odd/cute/funny pictures from around the house lately.

Ethan got to stay with us on Sunday night last weekend and we got to get him ready and take him to school on Monday. Yes, I say "got" to. For all of you who get to do this every day and it's a chore, we loved it! I got up early, made him some breakfast, got his clothes all ready (ok, I did that the night before), made his lunch (of course I made his favorite peanut butter and honey) and got him all ready for school. It was like the first day for us, so I had to take pictures! (notice Courtney in the window looking at her big brother)

The rare family photo.

Courtney: eh, hair
Mommy: pretty (as she puts a bow in Courtney's hair)
Courtney: mo, eh, hair

priceless moments

Putting up Christmas lights before it gets too cold. They won't be on until after Thanksgiving though.

helping Daddy put up Christmas lights


She won't keep her diaper on, so Blah Blah had an idea...she took the tape off too though.

Me, trying to make a difference.

Hatmaker Shoot

Today I met the Hatmakers in Springdale at HAR-BER Meadows. I totally stole the location from the Kennedy's but I don't they will mind. Apparently it is a popular spot as we ran into The J. Floyds there. Anyway, it was freezing but the kids did awesome and we got some cute pictures. Here are a few of my favorites. Sarah is the little girl and she is sooooooooo photogenic. She was done by the end but I was able to get a few more shots of her that were adorable. Ethan is the little man and he's just stinkin' precious! He didn't fuss one single time! I hope you like the pics Kristy and Adam! See you tomorrow.

thoughts on election results

I have been thinking all day of something to post, words of encouragement and just couldn't seem to put them down. I wanted to get my point out there for others to read and maybe even change a few hearts and my fingers stood still. I was getting down, thinking I shouldn't write anything then I received an email from a guy at our church. Not just "a guy"; "a guy" Paul and I respect greatly and view as a great spiritual leader to us and others around us. After I read the email I said "Thank you Jesus" - out loud almost! I didn't need to write down my thoughts, he put them so perfectly. So, the following is not my writing, but are my beliefs. Thank you Clint, you are loved!

The day has finally arrived. We have been consumed by this election that seems to have lasted forever. We have watched the debates. We have likely had many conversations with friends about the campaign. We may have even volunteered for a campaign. And we have finally cast our vote. So how do we respond the day after, once the results are in?

Unfortunately many people woke up this morning in a very bad mood. They believe that because their candidate didn't win that we as a nation are doomed, perhaps that God's judgment is upon us, or that they must now threaten to leave the country. Once reality has sunk in, many people will start thinking about how to fight against the president-elect and may even begin engaging in character assassination.

As a Christian, I have tried to give some thought as to how I should properly react to the election results.

Negative attacks and character assassinations are unChristian.
It is entirely acceptable for one to oppose political positions that a candidate takes. However, it is entirely unacceptable for Christians to impugn the character of those they disagree with. Somehow over the years we have believed the lie that politics are different and that if we want to win then we have to fight dirty. I just don't see warrant for that attitude in the Bible. In fact I see just the opposite. I see Jesus commanding us to love those who oppose us.

I have often seen Christians gathered together to pray for our country and our leaders. Even if the candidate that we did not vote for wins, we should pray for that man. We should pray for his well-being. We should pray that he prospers.

Christians are commanded to speak the truth with love.

For years I believed the lie that if I spoke "truth", that inherently I was speaking with love.

How will we speak to others, both Christian and non-Christian, who voted the opposite of us? If we are on the winning side, will we gloat? Will we revel in the angst that our opponents feel in loss? Or instead will we extend grace to those we disagree with? If we are on the losing side, will we assume the worst of the other side? Will we immediately assume a victim status? Or will we be humble in our defeat? Will we genuinely congratulate those on the winning side?

We should be willing to serve our country and our communities.
I think that there is also a tendency for those on the "losing side" to line up in opposition for a fight rather than thinking about what is best for the country and their community. Is constant partisan bickering good for our country? I would argue that it is corrosive and only exacerbates our real differences. Christians in particular are called to serve our communities. No new government programs or policies can or should take the place of people giving of themselves and their resources.

Do you believe that the government shouldn't be providing "hand-outs" to lower income people? Then you should be giving so sacrificially that there is nothing left for the government to do. Do you believe that the government should be leading the way in caring for our environment but that the "wrong" candidate got elected? Then you can lead the charge to encourage others to voluntarily change their lifestyles to have less of an adverse impact upon our world and our climate. Christians should not abdicate our responsibility to care for the poor or oppressed in the world.

God is in control.
Regardless of today's outcome, my faith will not be shaken. My faith is not dictated by such temporary things as elections. I do believe that God is in control and is working to redeem this world. Not just individuals but systems, government, societies. I also believe that we as Christians need to approach today's election with great humility and avoid the temptation to assume that we know what God's will is.

I pray that Christians will not be known for their "righteous indignation" or for their apocalyptic pronouncements. I pray that Christians will be known for their love. Love for our neighbors. Love for our enemies. And love for our elected national leaders.

Lombard Shoot

I finally got to see my pictures! Two weeks ago I drug Amanda and her 2 kids out the day before she was going in to have her baby to get some photos. I forgot my camera at home since I was so busy with my 1 child that morning. I am fortunate enough to have friends who let me borrow their camera (thanks Erin and Zach) and they put the pictures on a disk for me. I didn't take as many as I usually would as the camera died and I will put a little disclaimer of *I wasn't familiar with the camera. Other than that, I think the photos turned out well. Her youngest (at the time) is very anti-camera so I am so excited to have gotten the photos I did. Thanks Amanda, for letting me practice on your family! Looking forward to Connor's photo-shoot tomorrow!

Halloween 2008

Last night the kids really had a blast! It was our night to take the Lombard's dinner so we intruded and had dinner with them, got the kids ready there and all went trick or treating together. Our kids are the same age and they all get a long really well so we had a lot of fun. Ethan had the best Jack Sparrow costume ever, the double eyes were creepy! Courtney was the sweetest little lady bug who barfed all over her pants in the truck so she only wore half of her outfit while trick or treating. She didn't mind though and everyone just loved her. Her first house ever was just precious, the family was so excited to be her first house. It was really sweet. She didn't quite get it at first, she wanted to give the candy back. But by the last house she had it down and was pounding on the door!