House Progress....slowly!

We have hit the sluggish state in the building process!! It feels SO close, but yet so far away!! We have TONS to do to the upstairs studio... but no time to do it! I work Saturdays, and we're typically at church most of the day Sunday... SO, I have GOT to figure out some time to get up there and get dirty with some manual labor!!

We just ordered cabinets, and the paint is going up starting tomorrow!! Next is flooring!!! :) We don't even have time to decide on these things, much less do any work involved with it! How did our lives get SO busy?!

Here are some recent pics of the progress!

Here's a pic of the front from today. We just need some shutters, then we're good to go! Notice the driveway and sidewalk are framed out! We should have a driveway by next week!!

Here's the side entry where my clients will come in! This is about a week old, so the sidewalk up to it is all framed up now!
Here's the banister and stairwell up to the STUDIO!!!! See the side entry door just ahead?
Here's coming into the entry way from the front door. Jared found this trim work in a magazine. It carries into the dining room as well. The top where it's just wall will be a light brown color... the bottom an off white.
Here's the living room! You can't tell too much about the fire place yet, but once everything is painted maybe you can see more!

We're getting there slowly now, and I couldn't be more excited (and nervous about interest rates and mortgages)!!!

Sweet Baby!

My Mom used to work with this little guys Mom! I met his whole family for the first time today, and they were all SO sweet! He is 6 weeks old, and you wouldn't know it by how wide eyed and alert he was the whole session!! He was not interested in sleeping one bit, but had the most precious, sweet, content looks! Here's a sneak peak of these angelic little shots!

Country Boy!

You all met Landon and his big brother Ethan a few weeks ago. Today Ethan didn't have to share the spotlight with his baby brother... it was all about him! His Grammy had the cutest idea so we had to go try it out! A bunch of ant bites later (me, not Ethan), and some yucky lighting to work with, I came out with some adorable shots! Ethan is SOOOO adorable, and one of the cutest little guys I've ever met! Thanks Grammy for the fantastic idea!

AND... a special thank you to Mrs. Pat for letting us use her gorgeous property!

I love this age!

I have a list of favorite ages to photograph. Now, there is ALWAYS an exception to the rule, BUT, usually my absolute favorite age is between 9 and 10 months. IF the kids are in a good mood, they usually are all personality, so easy to capture in the camera, AND they can't run away from you yet (usually)! Coming in a very close second, are newborns, seniors, AND the "tween" years! This young lady is exactly why! When I get the opportunity to work with someone this age I always have fun! They usually enjoy the session and I'm reminded how our youth at a young age have SO much to offer! They can be so witty and fun, and just great little spirits! I had so much fun working with this gorgeous young lady, and her sweet little brothers (they were quite handsome themselves)! What a blessing I get each and every day! Thank you Lord for all you do in my life, and for each and every special person you put in it!

Thanks, Mom for bringing your sweet kiddos to me, and Dad, sorry that your baby girl turned out looking older than she even is!! She sure is a cutie though!

All about Maclain

I know I'm WAY behind, but I did school pics for Maclain's Mother's Day Out program, and that got me WAY behind and overworked!! SO, I'm just now getting to it! I will post some of last week's normal sessions later, but for now, it's time to catch you up with Maclain! :) Here's our week in review:

This was last Sunday night! Like most Sundays, we went ALL day long, then we ended it with AWANA from 5-7. Clain LOVES being a little Puggle, and our church has a fantastic program. Because of the days events, no nap, ending with full out Puggle night (with Crazy Hair - our theme that night), we came in about 10 after 7, and by about 7:20 this is how I found Maclain! He didn't even eat dinner that night!! He slept for over 12 hours that night!!!


Then came Monday... what a tough day... I kept Maclain home from school so I could give him one more day of potty training time (since he is NOT a fan of the public potty... he gets that honest)! ANYWAY... I still had to work which kept me occupied, so needless to say he got into LOTS of things! This was the first thing! He decided he had a little dry skin, and needed a LITTLE lotion! There was a LOT more in his room!!! Even his Woody doll got a dose from head to toe... Buzz made it through this one unscathed!

This was the second thing that happened... this was one of his trips to the potty! Have you ever seen the new Curious George movie with Will Ferrell as one of the voices? WELL, in that movie, Curious George fills up the bathroom with toilet paper as he unrolls, and unrolls, and unrolls, the toilet paper roll! When I found Maclain I said "WHAT are you DOING?" He said, "See, I'm like Monkey George"!!!! At this point I was second guessing keeping him at home, BUT, it finally worked! That's right, Maclain is POTTY TRAINED!!! He's 100%, all big boy undies, 24 hours a day (as long as we're at home) :)! When we're out and about, it takes a lot of convincing on the public potties!! If I have to haul his potty around with us, I'll do it!!! :) I'm SO proud of him! I think he'll get the public thing soon... he did pretty good at school Wednesday and Thursday, and did decent at church, but we send him in pull-ups since he's a little uneasy with public potties, AND people OTHER than his immediate family! :) I'm thinking after another week, maybe he'll be in undies 24/7 no matter where he is!

THEN came Tuesday night!!!!!!!!!! We had our first official visit to the ER!!! That's right, we made it three years without one, so I guess we should consider ourselves lucky! Jared and I were working late, and didn't get Clain in the tub til about 9:45. We had a LONG day of school pics ahead of us in the morning, and I still had to pack all of my equipment up! Well, when it was time to get out of the tub, I started draining the water, then was putting the toys up at the back of the bathtub... the same time, Clain decided to try and get out by himself!!! Before I ever saw him he slipped and broke his fall with his chin!! The cut wasn't deep, but when he looked upward at all, it gaped WAY open! SO, off to the ER we go at 10pm. Around 12:30 we left Children's ER in Huntsville with Popsicle, and a very tired little man in hand! LUCKILY the cut wasn't deep enough for stitches, but they glued it! It was awesome! We just had to keep it dry... no bandaging, no cleaning, no nothing!!! Well worth the trip! I don't have a pic on the computer at the moment, but with it all glued, it's not too impressive anyway! :)

Finally... we make it through the week, and I'm starting to get caught up! Not there yet, but took a chunk out of my work load at least! I think this picture was taken Friday. Cute story here... My Dad used to stop at those little machines you put a quarter in, and it drops the claw down and you hopefully grab a toy! I had quite a few toys from those!!! Well, I have a ritual with Maclain now, and every time we leave Wal-Mart (unless he's acted horribly) we stop by the machine and give it a try! I've gotten pretty good!!! We more likely than not end up with another cheap stuffed animal! SO, now his bed is COVERED in stuffed animals! This is what he chose to do with those animals this weekend! :)

One last note! Maclain LOVES these little toy machines. I have no idea what it's called, so I have him calling it "the machine"! He often pretends to "play the machine" using little robot toy arms to reach and grab his toys. He opens, drops, closes, and pulls up... just like the machine! WELL, for his birthday he received a card with money at his birthday. He immediately looked up at me and said "Monies"!!! Then proceeded to use his arm to mock the machine!!! Guess what he wanted to spend his money on!? :) We made a trip the next week and came home with another obnoxiously cheap stuffed animal!!

That is a FULL week's worth of blogs in one day!! :) I will post new house pictures in the next couple of days!!!! I think this is enough for now! :)

Have a great week!

Melts my heart!

These two beauties and their fantastic family completely melt my heart every session! I did a session with the oldest last year when she turned two, and she immediately became one of my favorite clients ever! Then, little sister came along, and now there is some true competition for that title! :) It's so hard to explain, but mom's and those who love kids will understand. There are some children that come into our lives, and for some reason or another, they immediately find a special place in your heart! These two sweethearts have my heart! I could go on and on, dancing around this same thought and trying to explain what I mean... BUT, I think when you take a look at them, you might just know for yourself! TOO amazingly precious!

Thank you sweet family for being such a blessing in my life! Here's a sneak peak! I may never make up my mind picking through the others! :)

Just Gorgeous!

I met this little man a while back, and boy has he gotten even MORE handsome than the first time I met him! I would snuggle him up and take him home any time! He keeps me on my toes, but only cause that's par for the course at this age! :) Even when I'm chasing him, he keeps the SWEETEST little grins on his face! I also got to meet his adorable cousins who joined us for the session all the way from the Shoals area! I was honored to have them join us!

Precious Little Guy!

This little man has been coming to me since he was a newborn! I am SOOO blessed to know him, because his Grandparents just happen to be my next door neighbors! He has the most incredible set of grandparents ever! They do so much for us, and I watch them give their time and talents to the church so selflessly! When it came time to decide whether or not we were going to move, we LITERALLY had them on the list of reasons why we didn't want to move! :( We didn't want to loose them as neighbors!!

Well, the apple doesn't fall far from the tree, because this young man has been nothing but SMILES and blessings since the first moment I met him! He is incredibly adorable, and has the best disposition!! I can't wait to continue to watch him grow!

Star Commander Maclain

You may have remembered the video from a while back where Maclain was leaping from the couch (remember... "ee bitybity yond")! :) Well, if you recall, that was Maclain pretending to be Buzz Lightyear saying "to infinity and beyond". Buzz tends to be WAY up on the hero's list these days (below Daddy's name of course). SO, I thought it was fitting to deck him out from head to toe as Buzz this year for Halloween! Well, Mr. Jay our UPS driver dropped it off at the door today, so when Maclain woke up from his nap I had it all laying out. Well, when he appeared after a long nap, his sleepy eyes immediately turned to amazement!! I haven't seen that look since our Disney trip! He excitedly helped me put it on him and we took a trip to the bathroom so he could check out his super cool self in the mirror! Just look at this face!! Can you see the excitement and overwhelming amazement! TOO precious! Three years ago, I didn't realize I could find THIS much joy from seeing the joy in a child's face. Being a mom ROCKS!

I Love My Job!

I know I've said that a ton of times before, but I really do have the most amazing job EVER! Here's another little bundle of joy why!! :) I LOVE working with newborns! It still amazes me every time, and I just fall in love with their sweetness! God designs these little guys so unique, yet all with the same purpose in life - to serve Him! They are all perfect in His eyes... and mine too! :) Thanks Mr. Davis for reminding me of the everyday miracles God performs! You are one of His gorgeous, little, perfect miracles!

It's not meant to be!

Two funny things...

One, my mom has pointed out that I put everyone else's children on here that look absolutely adorable. They're all clean, in their best dressed outfits, and cutest faces. My child on the other hand appears half dressed, usually filthy, with silly faces! Well, all I have to say about that is when you're a part of this family, in this home, it's not about being perfect... it's about loving each other just as we are! :) SO... here's some more pictures of my child looking quite pitiful! :)

Two, this shirt just isn't going to happen! I found a duplicate of this shirt at Wal-mart for $3.88. It was almost too small, but the price and saying alone made it an extraordinary buy, so I figured I could get at least a couple of wears out of it! :) WELL, we were in Disney World on Mother's Day, so I took it with us, and put it on him to go to dinner that night (appropriate for the occasion, right)? WELL... my child proceeded to spill chocolate milk ALL over it! SO, now it was really too small, and REALLY stained! Fast forward to the beach trip in July! We made a grocery run to Wal-mart where I found the same shirt again, but now in a bigger size (that he could wear now, AND grow into)... Plus, IT WAS ON SALE!! SO, I'm feeling great! Now, the first time he wears it, Dad gives him chocolate milk... next thing I know, HALF of the front of the shirt is covered in chocolate milk. It's a SIPPY CUP... how does this happen!? SO, about 50 washes and stain treatments later (yes, it probably cost $20 in electricity and water to save a $2 shirt) I finally get the stain faded enough to where it's not completely noticeable! It's at least fit to wear to school. SO, today, I dress him for school and drop him off in his super cool shirt. Well, I go to pick him up and find out today was "A is for Apple" day so they got to eat chocolate covered apples! YEP, Chocolate AGAIN! You can't tell it much from this angle of picture (Clain was my test shot here for my afternoon session), but we're back at square one with the shirt! You should see the rest of it! Not to mention, after a quick visit to Aunt Kim's it now also has a bit of ground in cheese puffs on the tummy! I give up... it's not meant to be! I'm not calling this a complete defeat... I still "rule"... I just rule so much I don't need a shirt to explain it! :)

Four Generations!

Check out these gorgeous young ladies! You might recognize Reese in the middle there from one of my very first posts. Her and her mom (behind her) are our beach buddies, and Reese is who Maclain is going to marry one day (remember the hand holding, smoochie pic on the beach?)! :) The other two young ladies happen to be Reese's Meme and Nanny! Don't they look fantastic? I just love Reese and her family, and am thankful I know them all!

Sweetness or Mischievous?

By the look on this little guys face it could go either way!! I started photographing this young man when he was only 7 months old. He's now the big T-W-O! He has ALWAYS been a perfect little angel for me! He has the sweetest disposition, and he's all smiles! HOWEVER, his mom claims that he's quite the pro at kicking, biting, etc. his big brother!? I'm just not seeing it!!! BUT, looking deep into these little eyes, and with a quick glimpse of this sly grin, I think there may be a tad bit of mischievousness in there!! Luckily, I bring out the sweetness in him! :)

Thanks, Mom for blessing my day with your little one!!

Precious little Landon!

Meet Landon and his cool big brother Ethan (Maclain calls him EEfin). You would be completely lost if I explained how all I know these two cuties now! BUT, Ethan's mom started coming to me about two years ago, and was one of my first clients I didn't know personally... well, like most of my returning clients, she's now a great friend of mine! Man how "EEfin" has grown! And now there's sweet Landon who has some killer eyes!! Get ready Mom... he's going to have the ladies lined up! They were too much fun this morning, and it was great getting caught up with their mom! We don't usually get a chance to chat without LOTS of other kiddos in our presence! :)

Here's a little preview, Mom! Thanks for being a great friend, and for trusting me to give you some great memories of your precious little ones!

Little Will!

I used to teach with this little guy's Mom. I still remember seeing her work like a champ all the way til he was born! Fast forward almost two years... Will has the absolute most gorgeous eyes! He's SO photogenic, and some of my favorite shots EVER are of him (he was the little baby on my clients page on the old website)! However... on this particular shoot, he was WAY more interested in the ducks and the water than me and the camera! :) We all did a lot of chasing this day! :) BUT, doesn't he still look the cutest in action!!?? If you can't tell, we ended the session in the splash pad! That's a great way to cool off after a muggy late afternoon!

Thanks Mom and Dad for trusting me to capture Mr. Will since he was itty bitty (speaking in age relation here)! And, Will, keep chasing those ducks! One day you'll catch one!

Little Miss Taylor

Today was my very first session with Taylor, and she proved to be such a little diva doll! With 2 year olds, there is a very small window of time before they warm up to you. During this time they cooperate quite well. You don't get big grins... but they'll do just about anything. This time however is short lived. After that, it's a lot of convincing (bribing)! :) In true two year old form, I had my small window of time where I got some adorable shots. After that, I had to act like it was just the coolest thing ever to do what I was wanting her to! :) However... the WHOLE time, Taylor kept the cutest little expressions, and seemed to be having a blast! She has the SWEETEST little voice, and the SWEETEST little disposition! Before she headed out I was getting some sticky face loves (Taylor did so good she got TWO suckers)!! She is truly one special little blessing! Come back and hang out with me anytime Taylor! I'll always have suckers waiting!!

Taylor had warmed up at this point, but she was plenty calm for this sweet picture!

See this little diva... she already knows how to shave her legs!! (Don't worry... it is NOT a real razor... Mom put up ALL the razors for a while now though)!!!

All Sweetness!

I first met this sweet little princess last year for her 4 year appointment. I can't believe a whole year has passed! Don't get me wrong... although she's not smiling in these pictures, she has a beautiful smile, and I caught plenty of those too... but she has the absolute BEST, and photogenic serious faces! She also happens to have one of the sweetest moms ever!!

On the go...

I met these great clients back in April, and this time, Carter's mom introduced me to a new awesome location!! It was gorgeous here... but unfortunately today, VERY hot!! We were all yucky sweaty by the time we left, but we had plenty of laughs working up those sweats! Carter is right at two, and he is on the move! He wasn't too interested in hanging out with mom and dad and looking at the camera. There were WAY cooler things out there like rocks... sorry mom and dad! :) This is my favorite family pic of them... because of the scenery. I actually like their expressions better in another, but isn't this location gorgeous?! And, I picked the single pic of Carter because of the irony! After chasing him for about an hour, he decided to act like he was all laid back and chillin' for me! :) Too funny! I had a blast chasing Carter... I just love this handsome little guy!!

I just have to add (because I forgot to mention it), but his parents were AMAZING! Most parents loose their patience pretty quick when their kiddos aren't being "perfect" for the camera! They were amazing, and just perfect! They kept their cool, tried to make it all fun and games, and tried their hardest to get his attention with loud, fun words... although it didn't necessarily work as we'd like, they were just AWESOME! You guys can come along as my assistants any day!!! If I could hire someone like you two, my job would be ridiculously easy! :)

It is a little after 10pm... and I'm exhausted, but I had to give you guys a sneak peak... hopefully it'll ease your mind a tad, and let you know I got some great shots of your sweet little guy! Give Carter some "knucks" from the crazy lady with the camera!

Georgia Peach!

Long story short... (I know, you're thinking yeah right)!

YEARS ago, my dad worked with Janet (Dad was a correctional officer in a prison, and Janet a nurse)... Dad switches prisons, then both eventually retire! FAST FORWARD... Janet and her husband join our church, and after sitting beside each other in choir week after week (and lots of times on the same pew), she realizes who I am! FAST FORWARD... now Janet has an INCREDIBLY adorable and sweet grandson who live in Georgia! We finally coordinated a time he was up in AL, and I had a slot open! SO... WALLAH... here's the grandson I hear so much about, and found out today, it's all true! :) It was SUCH a blessing to hang out with him!!! Thanks Janet for letting me capture some sweet little memories of your precious little grandson!! Here's a sneak peak!

Now... see... that wasn't TOO bad lengthy! :)

Little Man!

I started taking pictures of this little guy when he was just two months old! Since then, I've had quite a few more! The most recent ones, he's proven to be a toddler on the go, but today, he was such a trooper and did so good for me!! The weather was gloomy and wet this morning (well... in the rest of my sessions too today), but it didn't seem to phase my little clients one bit! Here's one of my favorite shots of this "little man's" session.

Another Gorgeous Senior!

I know... you HAVE to be thinking I'm discriminating and only taking pictures of gorgeous seniors, but I promise... they just happen to all be gorgeous! This young lady is also one of the sweetest ones I've photographed! Her and her family have an AMAZING and beautiful home! It's a perfect place for portraits! I was so excited to have the privilege of shooting there today! Before I left, I told her mom to take a good look at my car... if she saw it driving around there again, just ignore it... and if she saw me getting in the pool, don't shoot I'm harmless! :) They are right along side the mountain in the middle of nowhere, and it literally felt like I was at a dream home from HGTV! :) Can you tell I'm a tad jealous!? BUT... I'm so happy for them, because you can tell they were so grateful to be there, and so willing to share the beauty of their home! What a great family!!!

SO... here's yet another gorgeous senior!!! Have I said how much I love my job?! :)

Had to share...

You all got to meet Sawyer just a few days ago. His mom wanted a collage of some of the images we got that day, so I just worked one up. Isn't he just the CUTEST in his little tiny cowboy hat!? SOO sweet!! If the rain holds off, I'll be doing a session this afternoon! I'm also packed tomorrow with sessions, so I'll have plenty to share soon! Until then, enjoy this SWEET baby boy's pics! Don't you want to just kiss on him!?

Matt and Julie sittin' in a tree...

Seriously though... these two were such a joy to hang out with! I used to teach with Matt's mom (I just LOVE his mom), and I had the privilege of meeting these two this morning! Matt and Julie had to evacuate their homes in New Orleans because of Hurricane Gustav. Before they head back this weekend, I had the honor of shooting their engagement portraits! Some couples that I work with don't always have the sweetness, and love they're supposed to have for each other. These two are right on the mark... SO sweet! It was a pleasure meeting you both, and I wish you all the best on the adventure that's awaiting you! Have safe travels home... and ROLL TIDE! :)

Does anyone see Maclain??

I looked in the living room, and all I see is this great big mess where SOMEONE was digging through all the videos... but I can't find Maclain ANYWHERE?!? (Followed by some dead giveaway giggles) :) I love being a mom!!

Coming right along!

The brick was finally completed today!! The parts that are silver will have brown cedar shake on them at some point! :)

Living Room!
STUDIO!!!!!!
Sitting Area of the studio!!!

The side entry for my clients, and the starewell that goes up to the studio!!

Can you tell I'm excited?????