"Family"

I say that because that is what they are, my family :-) Oh we may not share blood but I can assure you that we share everything else. These 2 couples are like the family I've never had. They have been there for us in tough times with prayer and kind words and help out where no one else does. Although I do have family to call my own, we are not as close as I'd like us to be. That is where these guys come in. I speak to them on a daily basis and know them as well if not better than my own family. So this is why I say they are my family because in all the ways that matter, they are :-) And that is why it is always such a joy to shoot them especially the little ones bc I've been shooting them from the beginning and I just adore watching them grow up.

My girls

I say MY girls bc that's what they are. I have boys so it was decided long ago that these would be "my girls" and I just love them to pieces. They are so very precious to me. I remember when J was just a baby and we spent the days together while her other mom was at work and she really gave me a run for my money. I was reminded the other day of how she used to eat baby wipes. No seriously, she did. They were like candy to her. Every time I would turn my head she would go for the wipes....I have no idea what they put in those things I mean they will take out just about any stain you can think of and yet are non toxic enough for a baby to chew on. NO I didn't intentionally let her but I mean come on, I wasn't there all the time either and do you have any idea how tiring it is to chase around a baby when you're having one yourself??? No walk in the park, but she was "my girl" and I wouldn't trade it for the world. Well 13 years later and she isn't such a little girl anymore but she will always be mine. My brother and his family are packing up "my girls" and taking them halfway across the world...... or at least to CT :-( and I am gonna miss them like crazy! I hope they know they are taking at least 1/4 of my heart with them when they go...... Here's a few shots of "my girls" J sure has come a long way from chewing on baby wipes ;-)

Fall is here!

and we chose to celebrate by heading out to our local Pumpkin Patch for an afternoon of fun and games with the kiddos! We really had the best time! We only had the 3 with us as my 12 yr old is just too big for his own good. He's going to be 13 in just a couple months and already he thinks he's grown. Ugghhh! He kills me! Anyway, we jumped in a bounce house, petted the animals and did the duck races. There was also a hay ride, huge sandbox and a store! What could be better?

The kids had a wonderful time and were just angels so it made the day that much better! Here are a few snaps of our day.


We hope your Fall is as enjoyable as ours has been!

Homecoming

It was such a wonderful experience. We had the honor of escorting our beautiful niece and godchild during her last year as a Bulldog Cheerleader. Next year she will be too old to cheer for this squad and so it was truly an honor to be asked to do this. My Jenna is just the sweetest girl you could meet. She is beautiful inside and out and has the biggest heart! She is loved by al who know her! As we were walking down the field all we could hear were the shouts from all of her fellow teammates and the screams from the younger girls.... "we love you Jenna" In the words of Nick, "It made my heart smile" This is just one shot from our day with "our girl" :-)

Look at this beauty....

He is one of the most unusual creatures I've ever seen. I can't figure out what he is. I've googled and everything, so if anyone has any clue I would greatly appreciate it! I call him a spider crab, but we had the hardest time getting the little bugger to hold still so I could shoot him! LOL! Good times, good times!

It's that time again!

Time for FALL! Yea, I seriously think this is my absolute favorite time of the year! I just adore the colors and the coolness:-) Not too hot, not too cold! I just adore this time of year :-) Anyway, I've been super busy these past few weeks and naturally the blog has been neglected..... so sorry. here are a few from some recent sessions.

This first is a beautiful young lady that I have done pics for before and as usual she was an absolute joy to work with.






And this pretty lady is my cousin, who has some big things in the works that I am not quite able to discuss at the moment, however, I KNOW she will do well and she too was so fun to work with! It's always a joy to work with beautiful people ;-)

Beach Weekend

What a blast we had! It was so nice to get away, even if it was but for a little while. We all went together, the hubby tool off of work and we all took off for a night of sun and sand! For the first time EVER I woke to watch the sunrise..... what a beauty it was to see. The pics don't even begin to do it justice but they do keep the memory fresh and after all, isn't that what it's all about?
But before I show you that, I should start at the beginning, which was the evening before. Right after we got there we went for a walk on the beach to explore and watch the sunset.

Now that is something I've photographed many times before but it still never ceases to amaze me :-) My oldest started out finding this really cool starfish and I just thought it deserved a shot all it's own....



And then came our breathtaking sunset.....



Truth be told, this is one of my favorite shots from the weekend.

But this one ranks a close 2nd.....


This was seconds before it actually rose and it was just...... amazing! I hope you all have a wonderful day, and try to take some time out today to enjoy the world around you!

Growing up.....

That's what they're doing. And I really don't know who gave them permission to do it. I mean really, it seems like just yesterday when they were just tiny sweet little babies and now? Now they're this!






I mean you see what they looked like in my banner? That was not that long ago.....or was it........ hmm, come to think of it that was about 2 years ago. My how time does fly.....

B - the oldest is in 7th grade now... 7th grade! I have a 7th grader! WOW! It is mind boggling bc I swear I just changed his diaper yesterday ;-) Well, obviously quite a few yesterdays, but it sure doesn't feel that way. This summer he has found a passions for skateboarding. He is really good too- although I simply don't have the stomach to watch him. I just can't but he is good. He has started a new school this year, a great Christian school that has been a blessing to him and his attitude and we are only in the 2nd week.

Nick, who's the youngest is just as funny as he can be. I mean he really is. He forgets not a thing, no matter what. If I told him today I was gonna take him to Disney 2 years from now in October, he would remember it. No really, he would. It's crazy! Anyway, he's still my sweet little baby but I know it won't last. Tomorrow, I'll be having to watch him grow up too. Actually, today! They are both growing so very fast, but between these 2 and their dad, I feel complete and I wouldn't tradr a second of it.

Kimber

So this......





this is my sister Kimber. My sweet , quiet, loving, wonderful sister..... who may I mention is going to College now and will probably turn into some wild child while she is there. You know it's the quiet ones they say you have to worry about the most right? Anyway, this is her before picture and I'm sure when she comes home next week for her first break she's gonna have multiple piercings and tatoos and purple hair..... hey,I'm just preparing myself for the shock you know ;-)

Fun times @ the beach

Since being layed off, I have been trying to make the most of it and take this opportunity to spend some much needed time with my boys. So we have been spending a ton of time at the beach. Now, if you know me well, you know that I HATE the beach. No really, I do, can't stand it. So much so, that when I have friends in town and they want to go, I give them directions. I know it sounds mean, but I just can not stand all the sand and unfortunately there is no beach that I know of without it. I KNOW, crazy!

So now when I say I have been spending time with my boys, at the beach, you know what a big deal this is! LOL! Anyway, great friends make it much easier to stand, and of course I am getting some much needed sun, another great benefit!

Here are a few of my favorite shots from this past week. Aren't they just about the cutest things!

Don't they look so sweet standing there together?





He is just getting SOOO big


This is a "flyin horsie" I'm sure you've seen one but in case you haven't now you have.

Rain, a Church and a belly

and pretty much in that order. I had a session this week with a beautiful young Mom to Be and we had planned a beautiful location to shoot at, unfortunately as the day wore on, the weather looked less than stellar...... ok, so it really wasn't all that stellar to begin with but I had high hopes( I was really excited to shoot at this location. The weather held out all the way to the meeting spot and as we neared our destination, the sky opened. I mean really, it was like it just was NOT meant to be. Fortunately for us, the sky looked good ahead so we continued on to a fav local of mine and carved out about 45 minutes before the rain followed us. Normally, I would have rescheduled but this young lady is moving to OK and we were out of time, so I am thankful for the time we had and I can wait to meet her little one soon :-)

Here are a few shots from the day:

12 Years and counting......

As you might have guessed, today is my Wedding Anniversary! So, in honor of that, I thought I would tell you all the story of how we met ;-) I know everyone has a story and ours is not so different from a lot but special to us nonetheless :-)

It was my freshman year in High School and he was actually a Junior. I thought he was cute, and sweet and he liked me. I mean, COME ON, he was a JUNIOR! LOL! Anyway, as fate would have it, we "dated" for about 2 weeks during which time I thought he was just as sweet as he could be. He walked me to classes and carried my books, he had a car and gave me rides home. It was pure bliss..... for 2 weeks. I mean I was just getting started with High School and I was such a snob! You see he wasn't considered cool by any means and that was super important to me at that time so being the inconsiderate, bratty, snob I was, I dumped him. I mean I could try to make it sound all pretty and tell you we parted ways as friends, but that would be a lie. We didn't. We were far from it, because he knew what a snot I was and so it just wasn't pretty.

Fast Forward to MY Junior year and he had graduated but his steady girlfriend was in my grade. They had been together for a while and so he was always around after school. Again, as fate would have it, I missed my bus one afternoon and he JUST happened to be around and offered to take me home. AND seeing as how I had no choice I accepted the ride. Well, of course he had a GIRLFRIEND and I was not that kind of girl anyway so it was nice of him to offer:-) Well, lets just say that it was not the last ride he gave me. Apparently, he and his GF were not on the best of terms and so they split just a few days after that and as they say, the rest is history :-)

He has been the BEST thing that happened to me and I am so very thankful for missing the bus that day! ;-) 12 years and 2 beautiful children later I look forward to every day God gives me with him. There have been many ups and many downs but through it all we have been there always together and for that I am so very thankful. I could not have asked for a better husband or father for my boys! I love you G! Happy Anniversary!

and because no post is complete without a picture here's a preview of a post coming up, check out this beautiful momma ;-)

The first Day of many......

So today is the first day of my unemployment. I have never been here before so I must say it is a touch unnerving, to say the least. Of course most of you know that I am a Photographer at heart and I do practice my photography but I also have a full time job as well....... or at least I HAD one ;-) I have been employed with a cabinet company for the past 2 years and I have enjoyed every second of it! Unfortunately, due to the economy business has been slow and like many other companies we had to do lay-offs. Being a lowly Office Manager/Photographer on staff, I was the first to go. Fast forward to a week later and after many many tears and much praying I have come to terms with the facts and am moving forward to whatever the Lord has in store for me next.

I am looking into a few different options and when things are more certain I will be sure to share the details with all of you! For now, I'll be muddling my way through the trials and details of unemployment while being prayerfully thankful for the time I have been granted with my boys :-) They say that all clouds have a silver lining and you have only to look for it, so this is my silver lining. My boys have about 3 weeks left before summer ends and school begins and I plan to make the most of it. They are especially happy about the beach time they'll be getting!

So for now I'll leave you with one more recent from the session with the 3 yr old, because it makes me smile.... and really guys, is there any better reason:-)



Now, this shot just screams to me- "FINE, just ONE MORE shot! I really want to play;-)

VERY happy 3 year old!

This little boy was the epitome of happiness, I mean he really was. He had so many different expressions it was just unbelievable. I loved the fact that even after a morning spent on the beach and a short nap he was wide open. I think he could have run a marathon and not even blinked! I really need to figure out how to bottle this energy to use on the days I would rather not get out of bed. Anyway, on to the session, he was as cute as can be and he really looks almost the same as he did when I did his pics last year.

But boy what a difference a year makes! He was just as energetic but not quite as talkative, and his favorite showed has changed from spongebob to Wall-E, and of course he's just as cute as ever!

But I have to admit, he was quite a challenge to photograph, there was not a single moment he stopped unless mom held him down. So I had to be very fast and get lots of shots on the fly. Thankfully he did manage to acknowledge my presence for a few shots and I think mom will be pleased! I had a great time although it was quite warm.... ok HOT! but he was a trooper so of course the adults couldn't let him show us up ;-)

So, here's just one for now......

Short Week!

How exciting! I simply can't wait for Friday- a day to spend time with my family, just the 4 of us. With a husband in law enforcement who works nights it is not often that we get a day off together since I work M-F til 4:30 and by the time I get home, you guessed it- he's gone :-( So I am really looking forward to this day! It will be so much fun. Anyway, enough of that- I don't think I ever blogged about my baby sisters graduation day!

I know! Shame on me. You should never be too busy to have a moment to bask in the glory of your baby sisters graduation! What an awesome day it was, hot too, of course, it always is in SC in the middle of June so it was expected.

My dad and step-mother were absolutely thrilled! I was just so excited for her- and she is off to the University of Virginia this Fall to pursue her degree in Forensic Science. So very happy for her, and beyond excited to see where she goes. Ok, Ok I'll stop babbling and move on to the real reason you're here....... the pictures:-)

I <3 Faces! Contest:-)

This photo is from the one wedding I've done (for friends) as I am NOT a wedding photographer....but it was a wonderful experience and I got some great memories for the couple to remind them of their special day. This was one I caught when i heard the bride ask this sweetie for a hug. I happened to look over at just the right moment :-) I just loved the simplicity of it in all the chaos around them, it was as if time stood still for that one special moment.




Be sure to click the link to head on over to I <3 faces and check out all the other wonderful entries this week! Just click the button below!

I'm seeing red, red, red!

And I don't mean like the red you see when you're angry although it probably does look like that in the sunlight;-) No I mean the red that I have on the top of my head! YES, you heard me right, I let the absolutely fabulous Kyli color my hair red! Now, for me this was no rash decision! It sure was not!

You see Kyli has been my hairdresser for about 5 or 6 years now and in all that time my hair style has changed VERY little. And the color- well lets face it, I didn't even let her do my color until about 2 years after I started going to her and then I only had it done once a year- because I have NO PATIENCE to sit in the chair for that long:-) So she did a simple foil that was close enough to make my color blend and that allowed me the leasure to be able to sit through it ONCE A YEAR!

So now here I am and for the last 6 months I have wanted something different and I decided that was red. But, again, let's face it, we are talking about me here and since change has to come slowly I had to ease myself into it. You know, kind of like when you were a kid, or maybe an adult and you're trying to get into the pool just a few weeks before the water is perfect? Yea, yea I know your mom says that it's better to just jump right in but she lying. Really, she is, It's so NOT better- slow and steady is the way to go. Ok, that was harsh, she isn't lying, she just doesn't know how cold it really is ;-)

Ok- back to the point- I have to like dip my toe in and out for a while before I can get in all the way. So that is what I did. I ALLOWED her to do a *tiny* amount of red almost a year ago. Then the last time I went in- she did full red BUT she followed it by putting A LOT of blonde over it so the red was not the main color- but THIS TIME, here is what we have........





Now please remember these were taken at almost midnight so I am not my best. I look like I can barely hold my eyes open but hey, you get the point!

one more for kicks:-)


Until next time!

Random weekend shots....

I had simply the BEST weekend:-) There is just no other way to explain it! It started out with a school function on Friday night that I attended with my mother in law who made these adorable little confections for the cakewalk! I so wanted to win them but- it was not to be so I am counting on her to make me some soon;-)




This is a shot of my oldest and his closest cousin as they are only about 8 months apart in age......and are just the best of friends. They will miss each other next year when B goes off to his new school :-(





and here is a shot of my youngest who can always be counted on to be a silly little boy and in doing so he always brings a smile to my face:-)




and that brings me to Saturday- The hubby had to work this weekend so I made him get up a little early to spend some family time with us and we had a wonderful day! We made it out to the blueberry farm before the rain began and had an awesome time and we loaded up on the SWEETEST berries I've ever had:-) Oh so yummy:-)
This is a shot of Blueberry Lane:-) I LOVE it!



That's it for now and I hope you all had a wonderful weekend as well:-)

Three Things bound to ruin anyone's morning.....

1) You go to bed thinking you are going to get to sleep late in the morning(ahhh blisss) only to be awoken BEFORE 7am by your 7yr old who can't seem to dress himself - even though you KNOW he can but refuses and continues to do so until you have NO CHANCE of getting back to sleep.

2) You go to the library bc there is a super great book out that you've been itching to get your hands on and you figure you'll just "borrow" it instead of buy bc you go through them so fast......ONLY to find out that you have $23.40 worth of late fines and to top it all off they DID NOT even have the book you were looking for to begin with, BUT you don't want to look like a moron so you pay the fines and check out the books you did find- of course you'll probably end of buying the title anyway since you want to read it so badly at which point it will have cost you $30 to read instead of the $6.

3) You go to your LAST P/T conference of the year (happy bc it is the last one) only to be confronted with FOUR others who share with you that your baby(the same one who woke you early) is not going to be promoted to 2nd grade bc he doesn't like school enough to show the teachers just how smart he really is............


So there ya have it, and all this BEFORE 11am.......I'm thinking I should get BACK in bed and start over but since that's not really an option- here''s to hoping the afternoon is better than the morning :-(

New Additions.........

We have several new additions to our household- although they were quite unexpected they are most certainly welcome;-)
Our cat had a litter of kittens last week and I am so clueless I had only just figured out that she was expecting! LOL!

So I came home Thursday afternoon to these beauties.....



Ok so they aren't really "beauties" YET! LOL! What's that they say about babies and mom's always thinking their baby is beautiful no matter what? Ok so you can see where I'm going with this?! LOL!

This momma


thinks her babies are the bomb!! ;-) And I'm NOT gonna argue with her!

But I have NEVER seen her so tired as she was after this event- I mean you know guys- I hear NATURAL childbirth is tough!




Thanks for stopping by and feel free to leave the tired momma some love ;-)

Turning over a new leaf....

or at least I'm going to try to do that:-) I am so not good at the whole blogging concept, I mean it's definitely NOT the chatting about my life part that gets me but the consistantcy is where I lack. I try, I really really do but at the end of the day there is just so much going on around me that it gets forgotten and I am really going to make an effort to change that. I have so much to say.....clearly! LOL!

I am amazed at how the time flies by and you can't even begin to imagine where it all went. I have been making an effort to really reach out to my boys lately. They are growing so fast and before I realize it I believe these precious moments will be few and far between and I'll be attending weddings and births of grandchildren and will begin to wonder again just where does the time go? So in an effort to remember that they really were young once the posts you see here will be more about my boys and our everyday reality that is our life:-) because I don't want to forget a single moment of it and if I don't write it out, let face it......my memory has never been my strong point!

So with those things in mind- I invite you to join me in my quest to slow down and be more diligent about the memories I want to remember forever:-) If you blog, I'd love to read yours so PLEASE link me to it so I can take a peek. I have several that I go through on a daily basis and I would love to add yours to the list:-)

Well, those are my great words of wisdom for the day- if you have any of your own to share I'd love to hear them or just your thoughts today.

In the spirit of a new beginning here's a flower (or 2) just for you;-)