The Love of Dear Old Dad

I know Father's Day isn't until Sunday, but today's blog is in honor of my father, James Lee Little. My dad is, well, amazing! He has worked so hard his whole life to support his family and give us an amazing life. His hands tell that story; his rough, gentle, hard working hands. My dad is the staple of honesty and kindness. The kind of man that I have watched on countless, countless times stop to help people or give up his own time to go out of his way to fix something for someone else. I don't mean to brag, but my dad can pretty much fix anything. There is so much he has taught me about life and family. I don't really have the word to express to what this man means to me. He has guided me along life's paths, given me great advice, fixed countless car issues, held me while I cried, trusted me to make my own decisions and mistakes, and never once has he tried to change his girly girl, tomboy, princess of a daughter. He has done nothing but love me and always allowed me to be who I am. This year has been a tough year on him and this family in general, but I have never been prouder to be his daughter! He has represented this family with love and honor. He has always put us; his family, neighbors, friends, and even strangers before he even starts to think of himself. He is one of the most unselfish people I know. His heart is golden, precious and tender. My heart just bursts with love that I am lucky enough be named after him! I couldn't have ask for a better Daddy and no matter where life takes me, I will always be his little girl! So, Happy Father's Day Daddy!!! I love you and I'm blessed that God gave me such an amazing Dad!!! You are a pillar in my world!



He didn't tell me how to live; he lived, and let me watch him do it.
~Clarence Budington Kelland

Alicia and Chris

Newly weds Christopher J Hammock and Alicia Ellen Rich didn't let a little blizzard get in the way of what was most important, their love. Even though the guest list went from 325 to around 125 due to the uninvited snow of January 29th, 2010, that didn't discourage this couple from proceeding with the ceremony. Alicia still describes that day as the best wedding imaginable. I must say the bride looked stunning in her photograph. I think she was glowing with happiness and happiness, my friends, is the single best accessory a girl can have. Of course, the dress is important too ;). Wishing Chris and Alicia many years of love to come and may this first year be extra special for them. Cheers to you both for not losing focus of what is the most important thing during a wedding ceremony, EACH OTHER!


True love stories never have endings. ~Richard Bach

Micheal and Stephanie

I thought in celebration of all things love, I simply must include some real life couples on my blog. I asked a few couples to go digging in there photographs and share a trip down memory lane with us, a trip that would take them to the day they got married. Today, I am featuring the first of those couples. Meet Michael and Stephanie Murphy. They were married on June 30, 2007, and will be celebrating 3 years of marriage at the end of the month! What a beautiful couple they are! Wishing them many more happy years together filled with adventures and love! I hope you will keeping revisiting Inside my Head to check out all the other wedding photographs and lovely couples that will be featured this month.


Credit to Tige Casey for the Photography


Spring is here
The sky is blue
(whoa-whoa-whoa)
Birds all sing
As if they knew
Today's the day
We'll say I do
And we'll never be lonely anymore
Because we're Goin' to the chapel and we're
Gonna get married
Goin' to the chapel and we're
Gonna get married
Gee, I really love you and we're
Gonna get married
Goin' to the chapel of love Bells will ring
The sun will shine
(whoa-whoa-whoa)
I'll be his and
He'll be mine
We'll love until
The end of time
And we'll never be lonely anymore
Because we're
Goin' to the chapel and we're
Gonna get married
Goin' to the chapel and we're
Gonna get married
Gee, I really love you and we're
Gonna get married
Goin' to the chapel of love
-THE CHAPEL OF LOVE (Dixie Cups)

A Mother's LOVE

In honor of my Mom. Today is her birthday, so I would like to dedicate this blog to her.

As mother's, we all have to take a few steps back and remind ourselves what is important. Believe me, this is always easier said than done. Sometimes breaking habits and routine to become a better mother is necessary and difficult. Adding children to our lives is always much more complicated than anyone can prepare you for. There is guilt, overwhelming situations, unrealistic expectations, and all those little secret struggles. On the other hand, there is also a great joy that comes with becoming a mother that no one can prepare you for. Case in point, all the accomplishment you tackle during motherhood will always seem bigger, no matter how many failures came before the victories! Hugs are also one of the great joys of motherhood. There are few things that make me happier than a random, uncoached hug from one of my sons. Pride you have for your children will also bring along some little joys. I remember how excited and proud I was when my oldest sang his first song in front of an audience. Then there is the most obvious joy, LOVE. It's just unconditional between a mother and child, or at least it should be! Sure when my kids are screaming, running in the house, fighting, crying about dinner do I want to pull my hair out? Of course I do! Do I struggle with things like loosing my cool and yelling too much, or spending quality time with each of my three kids? Of course I do! The key thing is that I remember daily how much I love my children and what marvelous blessing and privilege it is to be their mother. I love them with every fiber in my being. My happiness is linked to their happiness in many ways. It is one of the magical things about the love between mother and child. People say all the time how much a child needs a mother. I believe in a big way a mother needs her children just as much. So here is to not being a perfect mother, but a mother that embraces, cherishes, and loves her children to the best of her ability. Here is to also taking on the role of mom and letting God show me just how significant that role is daily! Now if you will excuse me, I am going to go and play with my kids =)

photo credit to Kelli Trontell

The moment a child is born, the mother is also born. She never existed before. The woman existed, but the mother, never. A mother is something absolutely new. ~Rajneesh