That Kind

The other day I was talking with a close friend about a recent tragedy in her life. It was something painful. Deep. Despairingly difficult. I could tell it was cutting her to the core of her being. But she shared with me that she couldn't tell everyone for fear of judgment. She had limited resources available due to her fear, but I agreed that it was indeed a valid concern. I was thankful that she talked with me, but I couldn't let go of that idea. There are those with whom we cannot share just anything. Those who will unfairly judge us. Those who can't keep their mouths closed.

But then there are that other kind. You know them. They are those you immediately think to call when something goes wrong. You know they will love you, support you, pray for you and encourage you. They are the kind you can trust with your sharpest pains, your greatest joys and your deepest secrets. The ones who understand what confidentiality is. The ones who uphold you and walk by you at life's most crucial moments. The ones you hold dearly because they are a rare and precious gem.
I want to be that kind. Lord, help me to be that kind.

1920's Style

Earlier this month, my husband I went to a 1920's themed Christmas party. When I initially heard the theme, I immediately blurted out to my husband, "Yeah, I'm wearing jeans." But as the time drew nearer, my competitive spirit rose to the surface and I suddenly felt a need to dress the part. VERY the part. I researched clothing styles, accessories, makeup....anything I could get my hands on. And then I threw together our outfits. We had a blast!

More Babies!!

I always love hearing the news that more babies will be entering our family! I have two pregnant sister-in-laws right now and I am suuuuper excited. I'm doing a really fun project with one of them. But it's a secret. So I can't tell you about it yet. I'll show you a picture though. Doesn't she look amazing?

I Love Seeing This Cutie

Wall-worthy

This image, taken about 18 months ago, finally found a home in our kids' bathroom this month. I love seeing it as I walk past the doorway.

Instaweek

Today's post is inspired by the fabulous Jamie Delaine who once (or maybe multiple times and I've missed the others) had a blog entry containing a set of Instragram photos. I loved the concept and have been thinking about doing a similar entry for a while, so today I'm going to try it out. I Instragram my life away all week, but if we're not friends on Facebook, you would never know this. Er go, last week's Instagram photos....



I had considered giving a description for each photo, but.....42 photos later, that just sounds like a lot of work. If you'd like to hear the descriptions as each photo happens, you can follow me on Instagram at my user name heidistone.

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas!

From Our Family To Yours....

*Thanks so much to Kristina McNabb Photography for our family portraits! We love them!

New Product!! Mini Calendars!!

I LOVE these new cute products I just started offering! These are Mini Accordion Calendars, available in quantities of 3 or more....

I Don't Make New Year's Resolutions

I started blogging years ago. My first blog was full of a bunch of random things. Homemaking. Recipes. Funny things my kids said. Couponing. Financial planning. Basically, it was a big mess. When I started my business, I knew I wanted to start a photography blog. But then I couldn't keep up with both, so I dropped my personal blog. Then I think I might have started like two other blogs. (I can't even keep up. How sad is that?) Then I got involved in Facebook. Let's just say I post to Facebook a lot. And that's an understatement. But it's so easy. Just a little one-liner here and there is so much easier than putting together a whole blog entry. Plus, I like to document those adorable things my kids say. So anyway, my photography blog eventually kind of fell by the wayside too. And here we are.

I really like blogging. I do. So today I was thinking that maybe as a New Year's resolution I would resolve to blog more often. But then I realized that I don't make New Year's resolutions. And really..."more often"? What does that even mean? I mean, it's pretty ambiguous. So instead, I decided to resolve to blog more about my life whenever I do blog. More one-liners. More pictures of my sweet children. More....whatever. Because I like blogging. (And because I'm secretly hoping that will make it feel less like a chore and more like fun.)

Yes, this year I will resolve to focus my blog on more....whatever.

Except that I don't make New Year's Resolutions.

Melody

When I first moved to Indiana, I met a girl. Her name was Lindsay. We went to the same college, lived in the same apartment complex, and shared a lot of the same interests. We were even married the same year. And then I quit college to start a family. But she kept going. And then moved away. Far far away to the country of Brazil. But last week....she came to visit me! Well, she came to visit lots of people, but you know, I was on the list. And she brought with her the most adorable child! See for yourself....









To view more of my work, please visit the website!

McNabb Family

Several weeks ago, I met up with my great friend and fellow photographer Kristina to take her family's annual portraits. She is so on top of things that she had a wall display with some of these pictures on the wall of her living room before I even blogged any images their session!





To view more of my work, please visit the website!