Hindsight

"And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose." Romans 8:28

I think many of you know I was kinda uber looking forward to our family photo shoot with Tonya Joy today.
Um....like I obsessed on it.
For months.
Yes MONTHS.
"Styled" each and everyone one of us down to the last minute detail.
Peacock feathered, hand made, messy flower headband.
Check.
Ruffle adorned stockings, altered for my 7 yr old from JCrew womens tights I couldn't live without.
Check.
{Fall colored} Plaid Boxer shorts just incase they showed.
Check.

Ankle boots, some 80yr old resurrected vintage jewelry, and Barbarella HAIR EXTENSIONS...
CHECK!!!!!!!

I have multiple storyboards to prove it!
(and kick ass, sexy long hair I LOVE!)



So when Tonya called me on Friday morning with SadBad news...
(she had to cancel our shoot do to a death in her family)
My heart broke.

But for her even more than for me!

Cause pictures are FUN.
(believe me I had a blast styling us all!)
But they are just that.
Pictures.
And Fun.

Real Life
happens.
Living, being, having, loving a REAL life should never be bigger than capturing it.
{I hope Tonya never second guessed the fact that our shoot was OFF!}

The really funny thing is...
I couldn't have wished for/planned a better "fall out."


Today was a GLORIOUS day in our house!
We (all 5) snuggled in our bed and watched cartoons this morning.
Then went to get bagels around 9.
{My favorite!}
Decided to have people over for dinner and the USC game (for Matt's bday) around 10am.
Mass emails and texts were delivered.
By 2pm - I knew around 70 family and friends were showing up to sing Happy Birthday in a matter of hours.
EEEK!
(HOW does this happen at LAST minutes notice??!! Doesn't anyone have plans?!)
Made a huge cake and some krispy treats.
Picked up carnitas and guac and chips from a local place.
Told everyone to bring beer!
6PM - had an amazing time with family and friends celebrating the man who makes
EVERYTHING in my life MATTER.

Guess what?!
NONE of this would have happened had Tonya not cancelled our shoot today.
HUGS to her.
My heart feels that her day was the antithesis of mine.
Birthday VS Funeral.
But at the core, the same....
FAMILY and LOVE.

Birth(days) and Death magnify BEAUTIFUL things, I think.
One in joy.
One in pain.
Both in NEED.

I was struck today to learn that what I NEED was really nothing close to what I wanted or had planned.
I was struck today to learn I was actually THANKFUL my wants weren't met.
I'm glad we didn't shoot today.
Blessed in fact.

God Works.

Lessons.
Hindsight.
In mysterious ways.