This special sweet girl just turned 2! She is vibrant, happy, unbelievably confident, determined, smart, incredibly well spoken, and can hold her own with big brother and sister. She is a gem! Happy Birthday Claire Bear!

“Be Strong and Courageous” is repeated again and again throughout the book of Joshua (4 times in Joshua 1 alone!). The past year (November 2016 – November 2017) has been full of wonders beyond my greatest expectations and incredibly difficult challenges.  But I keep heart and stand strong with this reminder that is stated over and over again in Joshua, Be Strong and Courageous!  I have felt like Joshua more often than not this past year, which has been a scary yet beautiful experience.  The one thing I have had to continually remind myself of, is that no matter the challenge, God delivered Joshua from tyrannical rulers and gave him the strength and ability to fight when necessary and the courage to do so.  This project is far from over and although I grow weary at times, I am encouraged at the thought of being led by the one who commanded the walls of Jericho to fall and gave Joshua the power to do so.

Quick note about renovations:
-I spent 2 weeks + the trash company’s largest dumpster to clean out the building and all its trash (my dad helped me fill the dumpster after I had gathered all the trash)
-I did all of the demo work (my dad helped on occasion, my mom helped me clean after demo, my dad helped me load it all in a second dumpster)
-I did all tile + grout work, carpet, mudding, taping, & painting
-I sanded, stained, & sealed the wood floors (my mom helped stain and poly)
-I hired a contractor to remove all metal siding and the metal awning since it could not be recognized as a historical building with the metal coverings.
-I hired an electrician rewire the lights like they were in the bank image below + rewire original lights that I found in a wall while in the demo process + add 4plex out lets on
the north and south walls
-I hired a contractor stud and sheetrock the newly ADA compliant bathroom + 4 ft high wall on the south wall
-I hired a plumber fix the leak in the bathroom plumbing and redo the fittings on the main line into the building.
-After 11 months of researching + writing I was approved as a Historical Building in Kansas and will hopefully have a confirmation for the National level soon!

In 2016 I had the honor of following a local state senate race and photographing (and creating and managing campaign branding and ads) Matt Bristow’s campaign for the 20th judicial district State Senate seat. This is merely a snapshot of campaign trail life.

Easter babes.

I dream of luscious dark chocolate that melts and swirls its self away as I silently indulge in a treat
I dream of long summer nights, engulfed with a hot wind that never ceases
I dream of cool crisp mornings accompanied by the sweet smell of pine.  Where the fog is settling just above the ground and is a sure sign that fall is on its way.
I dream of overcast autumn days that lead to snowy nights to welcome my friend Old Man Winter while I cozy up by the fire and sipping cider.
I dream of springs happiness and feeling anew, with a spring in my step as the world comes to life again and the birds sing gentle melodies that could stop a deer in her tracks.
I dream of all the things I wish to do but have not yet and fully know that all will come to fruition in due time.  But like the seasons of life dreams come in seasons of reality and take shape as we do.

Maya’s dream was not only to provide you with a treat, but an experience filled with fond memories of her childhood hoping you will create your own. All the while, her creations are of the utmost quality and from ethically grown cocoa bean farms around the globe that she visits herself.

Whatever your dream may be, I dare you to dream bigger, dream higher, and dream often.

Maya is partnering with Fruitful Collaborations and will be teaching the Art of Chocolate Making October 18th.  Learn more –> here