GUESS WHAT?!?

(this is me after a CYT play!)

So I realized the other day - during opening night of the play I am in, CYT's The Wizard of Oz - that I hadn't posted about my big news! I am so shocked; it has been in almost every waking thought I've had. I figure I should post, since I am too excited to sleep at night!

I'm engaged!

Ha! Just kidding. That will not happen until God's time; hopefully not for a few years seeing how completely immature and irresponsible I am.

However, I do have big news. I have been following the blog of Sarah Anne Barlow - yes she is related to THE Barlow girls, but she isn't the drummer - for awhile now. She is a professional wedding photographer based in Illinois. I love her work (she's amazing!) but more than that I respect her sooo much for her outspoken faith in every aspect of her life. Reading her blog posts has both encouraged and challenged me numerous times since I found her blog. All things considered, I was writing an email to send to her about the possibility of interning with her this summer. I know a few other young - teen - lady photogs that have benefited from her tutelage. Before I sent it, I decided to read up on her blog. On there was a 2-week-old post introducing The Interns. I was amazed. Then I read a later post also on The Interns which said Sarah had all the applicants filled. My mother said it never hurts to try. Well, long story short,

I got it!

And so I am going to Chicago, Illinois May 11th - 25th and I will be interning with one of my photographic HEROS! I can hardly stand it; God is so good to me. I cannot tell you how excited I am to spend time with Sarah; and it's totally a perk that she lives in a state I've never been to! I hear the food there is to DIE for. All very exciting. I have been following the blog of one of Sarah's previous interns, Kristin Leigh, and more than anything else, Kristen's account of her time there is what gets me most excited. I am so blessed.

In other news; CYT's "The Wizard of Oz" has run it's course. It was an excellent run, too. Opening night was, reportedly (since I was in it) one of the best opening nights ever seen. The next two runs went wonderfully despite the little slip ups. All in all, I believe God was glorified. I know at least for me, He taught me so much about giving grace and being patient. Though it may not seem like it, the last two weeks of any theatrical production are some of the longest weeks you can live. I am so completely exhausted. It's a good exhausted, though, because I know now that the play was not anything in me... I would have collapsed a long time ago! Every ounce of energy and strength came from God. All praise and glory and honor to Him alone!

Now, I am gearing up to finish my junior school year before the 1st of May, immediately after which prom and SAT will follow. I keep hoping and praying my life will slow down, to no avail. I cannot do everything I must complete this year! There is no way. Thus I must assume that God will give me every ounce of strength I need and victory over any dispare that may creep into my mind. I am looking forward to what He will do in me over the next month.

Stay tuned!

Cait

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Top o' the mornin'!

YEAH for green! It really snuk up on us this year. Usually we are adequately prepared for this lovely occasion, but this year we were lacking; not only enough green hairspray, but also accessories. Shame on us.

(Aims and I did our hair last thats why we have so little color)

A little *mostly unknown* history of our family; dispite all appearances, we are only a tiny bit Irish. However, my family has been involved - or immersed - in Irish-ness since Aims and Savvy started Irish dance. We would faithfully and eagerly join the St. Pattie's Day Parade every year, dressed up and hairsprayed green. Then came a sad day. The girls stopped dancing. We continued to attend the parade until last year when we became too busy. Now it is to the point where we almost forgot about our green! We were saved just in time for everyone to be done-up for CYT. YEAH!

Merriam-Websters Word of the Day:

crwth: \KROOTH (rhymes with “booth”)\ noun
: an ancient Celtic stringed instrument that is plucked or bowed

Example sentence:

“He intricately rhymes, to the music of crwth and pibgorn, all night long.” (Dylan Thomas, Under Milk Wood)

Did you know?

“Crwth” is the Welsh name for an ancient Celtic instrument that is similar to a violin. In Middle English, the instrument’s name was spelled “crouth” before metamorphosing to “crowd,” a word still used in some dialects of England to refer to a violin. The Welsh word can also refer to a swelling or bulging body, and we can speculate that it came to be used for the instrument because of the violin’s bulging shape. Other Celtic words for “violin” also have meanings referring to rounded appearances. In Gaelic, for example, “cruit” can mean “harp” or “violin” as well as “hump” or “hunch.” As a final note, we would like to mention (in case you were wondering) that a pibgorn is an ancient wind instrument similar to the hornpipe; its name comes from the Welsh word “pib,” meaning “pipe,” and “corn,” meaning “horn.” (Merriam-Websters Word of the Day, MArch 17th, 2008)

You learn something new, every day!

Hope everyone has a great day and don't forget to wear green - we're the pinching type.

Cait

Chillin' at Chilie's

I actually got to go out with CYTers the other night. You may not know this, but we are rarely allowed to go out after plays due to CYTers' late nature. However, my father was in a rare mood, and Ash and I went to Chilue's. I had never been, and let me tell ya... it was oretty much sweetness!

Anyhoot, here is the slideshow. Beware: it's like, eight minutes long. I had a Canon 5D and a Canon 24-105mm f/2.8 (LOVE BOTH!) that night and got a tad shutter-happy. There are some really fun images all the way to the end, but you have to perservere. It should be evident that we all had a blast. By it's sheer length, it seems we were there for longer than an hour.



Cait

Katie B's Sweet Sixteen

Here is some of the fun we had at Katie B's Sweet Sixteen party. I know it's late, but at least it's here. Next post will be for Rebekah J's Fifteenth (also late). Had too much fun, Katie B. Luv ya!






If you want to view the images, they are available on here.

Cait

Remember

Hello Friends.

I haven't been able to post for the last few days for a few reasons. Mainly because my maternal grandmother passed from this life to the next early Friday morning, the last of February. I was really looking forward to posting that day, but then we got the news about Grandma, and it didn't seem right. Now I would like to take a moment to remember some of the memories we had with her while she was with us. It was much harder than I thought looking through pictures of our time with her. If you could continue to pray for my mother, her brothers, and my grandmother's sisters, we would really appreciate it.

Here's to Grandma Ramona.

My Seventeenth Birthday

I turned 17 on January 30th. For a long time, I have had to have my parties in February. That was the case this year. On February 8th, I had invited 72 people from my theater group, my youth group, and those I had met a summer camp. My 'aunt' Jill - actually my chiropractor whom we adopted 'cause she's just too fun - made brownies, pizza(s; she brought 5), and home-made carmel for apple dipping.

Seeing as how I only recieved 24ish RSVPs, I was very excited to see who would show. It turned out to be a very small, yet rockin' bunch. Only those who had RSVPed came - bumma - and a few who did chickened out.

My heartfelt thanks to everyone who came; especially to David. I had NO idea you would be the only guy! Sorry! I enjoyed having you all. Here is some of the fun we had.

I was so glad Ellen from camp was able to come. I hadn't seen her since camp. She called me around three on the 8th and asked if she could come. I was like, "Yeah girl! Come on!"

My adorable not-so-baby brother goofing off. Too bad he knows he's cute.
We played spoons, only with... knives. Plastic knives forced to stand up right in the carpet. Too much fun! Great idea, uh... who's idea was it?

This was our first attempt at a group photo with an 85mm prime lens. HA! Our front room was not long enough. And, of course, your truly is still talking, thus ruining the photo. Arg!

Thanks again everyone! I am truly blessed to have you as my friends!

Luv ya'll!

Cait

Long time no post!

Hello World! Wow it's been a month. Some things I've done since the last post:

* celebrated turning 17 (thanks to everyone who attended my party; love you guys!)
* got a job with a local event/sports photographer
* church held very successful grand opening (over 200 guests!)
* learned how hard it is to do hard things
* my mom had shoulder surgery which wasn't half as bad as anticipated, praise God
* bought a new toothbrush
* found out I like Family Force 5, especially their names - Croton, Chapstique, Nadaddy, ect. (but not their music videos!)
* Ash got a blog!
* Kristen Leigh shot a wedding with DJ!!!! Freak out! Check out her blog
* got unlimited text messaging and sent 500 texts!

Well, that's it in a nutshell. I will post more after the Time Warner guy fixes up out internet connection... he's coming today! YEAH for TW guys!

Luv ya!

Cait

Do Hard Things...

I believe God has placed an effectual calling upon my heart to be more; to be above average, more than ordinary, as much as I can, for HIS glory. I have had this longing in my heart that I couldn't articulate, but I have realized that this was God's call.

I follow the blog of one, a Sarah Anne Barlow and I came upon this post.

She says exactly what has been on my heart lately, but much more eloquently than I ever could. I could never express what it was. Then I read on the Harris brothers' blog about their new book, "Do Hard Things," and read an excerpt. It was amazing.

Well, I hope to attend the Rebolution conference in May, but I wanted to pass it on for everyone to hear about. See you there!



Cait

Wow... time sure does fly

Well, as a quick update - Christmas was wonderful and New Year's was fun. While I have been looking back at last year, I am looking forward to all that God has for me this year. I am working with a local sports/events photographer later in the month, and though I have never done any photography of this type, I am really looking forward to it. I am not looking to go into sports/events photography but I know that I can learn from everyone and this will be an amazing experience for me.

In other news, the Abrahams returned from their month-long sojourn to India last night and I am so anxious to see them! I missed them dearly and can't wait to hear all of the amazing stories and look at Alyssa's great photos. I am sure there were some great moments captured. (I am currently wearing the same shirt I was in the image with Alyssa. NOTE - Nick Schlax took this image)

My friend who is also pursuing photography entered a photo contest recently and not only was her image in the finals, but the contest overseer wants to publish it in a book! I am so thrilled for her. Congrats!

I am really looking forward to prom this year... here are some images Ron Franklin took of my sister and some friends last year on prom night. We were so blessed he was willing to take these images.


























Well, I have nothing else of much importance to post about; so good night!

Cait

Too much "Christmas" fun...

You will not believe what we did today; well, look.


























We went to the Grube's for lunch today and when we got home - before we started the second installment in the Bourne series - Kenny and David started throwing darts... not much better than Frank and Josh. (They only stuck two in the door, one in the WALL. But, none in the ceiling, Jacob.) So Dad breaks out his BB gun and his gun darts and starts shooting at the board! Well, the first one was pumped thrice and went so deep into the board, even pliers will not remove it. So we backed off a tad. We had a tournament. Me, 21, Aims 19, Mike 13, and we did count Savvy's. However, I do believe this might be a new holiday tradition at the Butt house. We'll see. After we finished with the darts, we watched the last two Bourne movies and ate trash... YUM! (*LOVE THAT STUFF!*)

Merry almost-Christmas!

Cait