O' Silent Night

Hello Hello and Happy Monday all.. Who is ready for this week to be over so that we can all get the Christmas shenanigans underway? My hand is raised for yes. I hope everyone had a splendid weekend! So, as some of you know, I have been slowly getting into photography but have been doing design work for a little while. Projects include this little blog here and a new blog I am working on, www.themintowl.com . But as of late, in between wedding planning and being sick, I got to do this little guy below for my family. My two youngest brothers had the privilege of being our family models this year.

So all, Happy Holidays from my family to yours. We hope that your season is as Merry and Bright as you and that you all have a wonderful holiday.

Explanations

HELLLLOOOO All my long lost loves... It has been far too long since I have written, updated, and been present on this little blog here... I know, I know... You hear it all the time. But I am making a Fall Resolution to get better at my pet project and hobby and getting updated on all of yall's happenings as well. Where have I been? Well here is a quick picture explanation. And if you want an apology gift, read til the end.

What exactly do I have to update you on?

Well for starters, Love - as it should be, life, family, friends, California, Bithdays, travel, concerts, bacheloretteness, photography, and much much more. I hope that I can get in all of yall's good graces again and pique your interest with a upcoming "sorry" giveaway.

*If you read this far, let me know of some items you all would like to win!

Talk to you all soon!

-Linz

This is Why

Hello all you beautiful people! Happy Happy Friday! I can not wait for the weekend, please let me tell you. Mr. Manly (Yes, that is my boyfriend's last name) and I are taking a short trip to go visit (and meet!) one of his best friends from growing up. So many pictures will be provided soon.

But, as of late... this is a little of what I have been up to.

 

-Yup, it's what you think

May people ask me why I didn't stay out west when I finished college. Don't you want to find a husband? Aren't you afraid of not finding a job in Atlanta with all the competition... Well let me please tell you a favorite quote... "No success in life can compensate for failure in the home". Granted these two are my brothers, I would not and could not miss out on the opportunity to be a part of their lives. I did not want to be that oldest sister that they did not know.These two are the reason why I am here today, the reason why I have come to be blessed with such a wonderful job opportunity, the reason why I came to meet a great man, the reason why this feels like and is my home.

Rachel's Seniors

As some of you know, I have been slowly but surely trying to get into photography and learn as much as I can. Gettin there! Luckily for my family, this means free photography for them. These are just a few of my favorite pictures that came out of my little sister Rachel for her Senior portraits. Yes, she's gorgeous and yes, I'm jealous. Enjoy!

Rockstars

Happy Monday everyone! I am sorry I have been so MIA lately... Truth? I have been crazy stressed with trying to find a new job, figuring out my finances, and just have been crumbling. But luckily I have an awesome family who let me chill out for a day while we partied it up at the Cinco Fest concert series put on by Project 96.1. Just think.......

Shinedown, Chevelle, Five Finger Death Punch, Hellyeah, The Art of Dying... It was a good time to be had. So here - Take a look into my rockstar parents, brother, uncle and fam

A Second Family

Today I am brought to the thought of second families. Over the years, I have realized that family goes further than blood. It extends beyond the bonds of anatomy and obligation and goes to the paths of others who have been woven into our own. We are lucky when we find these circumstances upon us. 

Growing up, I was always incredibly close to my own extended family - and still am. This in no way diminishes my love and gratefulness toward them. But I do believe that when it comes to our own, we often put our best selves out there in attempts to make them proud, and in that - we sometimes lose ourselves. 

It is when we choose our own family of friends and loved ones that we find who we really are. I was lucky enough to find an amazing second family along the way who has celebrated life with me, grieved death with me, offered advice, let me make my own mistakes, been there while others have come and gone, laughed and have made me laugh, and who have been there for me through the most crucial parts of my life. I am so incredibly grateful for these people and consider them my own. I am so lucky that they have accepted me into their lives and let me be a part of their story. 

Moving on from the "awws"... Let me finish by saying that these people are freakin awesome, hilarious, and down right rockstars. Thank you to the awesome times had and for the many to come. 

Brothers: $1

It is amazing what you can get an 8 and 5 year old to do with the bribe of $1. On Saturday, I got to spend some time with the Family and practice shooting in FULL MANUAL mode and finally apply what I had learned from my Photography class. Dialogue as follows:

Me: Tanner, Spencer! Come outside with me, I want to take some pictures of you.

Tanner and Spencer (dragging their feet): Okay... But YOU have to find my shoes!

4 minutes later...

Tanner: I'm bored, can we go inside? I'm in the middle of my Star Wars Lego Build!
Spencer: Heavy Sighing

Me: Okay.... If you guys cooperate, and listen to me when I say "Smile" and "look at me", then I will give you $1 whole dollar each for your time!

Spencer and Tanner (gasping): $1 dollar!? Well what if we do it for 20 minutes... do we get $2? and 30 minutes.. $3 dollars?

Me: Yup!

6 minutes in....


Tanner: Okay.. I'm fine with just one dollar.

Hope you enjoy!

Blue & Gold

A few weeks ago, My little Brother, Spencer, had his Blue and Gold Banquet for Cub Scouts. He and my dad had to make a cake to represent a scouting activity and needless to say, as it always is in our family, our presented cake was the best. Granted some bias might come up, but truly... A mountain biking cake = hardcore. My mom had the honor of painting him to next level while my youngest brother, despite reprimand, continued to eat cake like a dog - face first in the plate. Love my family.
Excuse the half point and shoot and half DSLR. Oh and, yes, Spencer is just abnormally pale and not an albino.

According To My Phone & Some Ramblings

So here we have a classic case of the phone picture dump. Here is what my life looks like according to Mr. Droid. I must say, it's quite comical. So have at it and enjoy my good friends.





What exactly have I been up to you ask? Well let me tell you:
1. Brad and I's friendship in its entirety
2. Some AMAZING Mexican food
3. Kristie and Lauren make two hilarious friends
4. Chik-Fil-A is a life necessity - I believe so anyways
5. Awkward. Buffalo.
6. Brothers singing in Primary for Church

Part Dos. (Sp?)
1. NYE Outfit! Loved. (Stolen from my new roomie's closet) Oh yah, I have a roomie now!
2. Reached 100 Followers! YES! Yall are AMAZING! Giveaway Soon.
3. Me and Timara in 60 years. Okay... maybe 50
4. Decided to actually get ready for work
5. New Nail Polish. In Love. (Last part said 5 octaves higher)
6. And NYE again.

So this is just a little of what life has been for Miss Lindsay Nicole. There actually is a WHOLE lot more but I'll get to that eventually. On a side note, the New Year has proved quite trying. I am not too sure 2012 is going to be my year. BUT... I am staying optimistic. Optimistic People...... Deep Breath.
Moving on. Work has been pretty crazy lately... Long story short... Looks like I might have to look for a new job due to Gov't... Contracts.... Proposals won... blah blah blah... Please pray for me!

Love Life you ask? Um.... No idea. I have issues. Like bad. "Macgyver couldn't fix the shit going on in my head". Anyone..Anyone? I just feel NUMB and need to stop overthinking things. Thing is though, I love doing the whole ME thing right now. So though currently I am dating myself, (I make an awesome relationship partner) there might be a pretty awesome guy around. Time will tell.
The Knee... MRI next week! OFF crutches. OUT of a knee brace. Walking semi-regularly. BOOM!
Family? Brothers are hilarious as ever! I will end with the best conversation ever.

Me: I can't believe how big the boys are getting. Ugh... I wish they would stay this way forever
Mom: I know. It seems like just yesterday Tanner was three. Tanner, do you remember when you were three?
Tanner (age 5): Yeah.... Those were good times.

Happy Tuesday :)

What my holidays looked like through a lens

Hey there! So I know I am pretty late on this update but we can't all be perfect bloggers (For those of you who are I'm jealous!). But this is a little update on what my holidays looked like this year. Enjoy!