i've got this one friend...

If you've been reading my blog for any length of time, you've probably figured out by now that I'm pretty lucky.  

I'm pretty lucky, because somehow, I manage to surround myself with rather talented friends.  Once in a while (actually, pretty often), I look around me and marvel at the musical, artistic, relational, and culinary talents that my friends display.  And pretty often, I like to brag about them.  

So, today, I give you Hannah Kurtz.  

Hannah and I were campers together back in the day when we were teenagers, but only recently, when we were counselors together, did we start to get to know one another and become friends.  And let me tell you, this girl is wonderful.  I'm sorry I haven't been friends with her my whole life.  

Also, Hannah is a pretty bombin' photographer.  Seriously.  She's amazing.  And guess what?  She has a website for you to go check out!

Here's a little preview of what you'll find over there.  

(Hannah, if you see this, I hope you don't mind me stealing your images.  They're just so pretty.)

All photos courtesy of Hannah Kurtz Photography.

these boys....

I got the opportunity to do a photoshoot with the guys from Chromatic Wakeup yesterday.  Now, I might be just a little bit biased (one is my brother, one is my cousin, and the others are all friends of mine), but I think these guys rock!  Let me introduce you....

This is AJ.  He's on guitar and vocals.

 This is Mark.  He's on bass and occasionally, keys.  He also does back-up vocals. Oh, and he's my brother.

 This is Nick.  He plays keys & sings.

 This is Patrick.  He's a drummer.

 This is Rob.  He's a drummer as well.  He plays the electric drums, which add a pretty cool element.

This is Zac.  He plays guitar, sings back-up, and is also my cousin.

So, now you've met the guys of Chromatic Wakeup.  Go like them on Facebook, follow them on Twitter, and check out their stuff on Reverbnation!  Also, head over to my photography site to see more from yesterday's shoot!  

fail.

I failed again this year.  

For the second year in a row, I forgot my blog's birthday.  I knew it was coming, I even thought about it the week leading up to it.  But then, I got on a plane and went to Arizona and I forgot and I failed. 

I've been blogging for two years.  There's this rather ironic twist here too, because my first post ever was about discipleship and being invested in ministry, and how I was struggling with just starting to get involved with the youth ministry at my church but I was also preparing to leave for college again.  Now, two years later, I'm working for that same youth ministry.  

Anyway, all of this is to say:

Hey!  Happy 2-year birthday blog! Maybe in year 3 you'll double (or triple, or quadruple, or square yourself) in followers.  

Or at least dream about it.

And maybe, next year, I'll actually celebrate your birthday in a timely fashion.

phoenix via iphone

Phoenix!

I'm currently in Phoenix, AZ chaperoning our youth trip for National Fine Arts.  

Holy cannoli, is it HOT out here!  

Check out our Real Life website for updates about our trip.  I'll be blogging from there for the week, but I'll try to update here a few times, too, especially if I get some good pics! 
In the meantime, have you ever been to Phoenix?  Any restaurant or sight-seeing suggestions?