Halloween Party!!

Yesterday was Maclain's Halloween party at preschool! He had a BLAST!! He had been wanting to wear his costume for days, but after many cleanings between wearings over the last month, I made him wait until it was time to wear it for school! Well, yesterday morning, he woke up, his feet hit the floor, and he IMMEDIATELY went to his Buzz costume, stripped down to his undies and proceeded to put his costume on! He never even said a word to us! It was precious!
Tonight, he had a BLAST trick-or-treating, but the last couple of houses he started saying, "I need to rest"! SO, we called it quits around 7 (after about 40 minutes... and very few houses) and went to Mamaw and Pawpaw's for dinner!

Here are some pictures from yesterday at school!

I'll eventually post some pictures from the new house... and my sessions from this week!!



"Finally... it's time to wear my costume to school!!"


"Look Mom, they LOVE my costume!"


"THIS is the pumpkin!" (All the kids were able to go outside on the playground and "hunt" a pumpkin)

"I just LOVE my pumpkin"

Mr. Incredible (Price... Clain's Best Bud) found his favorite pumpkin too... it happened to be the biggest, and didn't have a stem! :)

SWEETEST video EVER!

He did not learn this directly from us!!! THANK YOU PRESCHOOL!!!

My family JUST GOT BIGGER!!!

Introducing Liam Grantland.... my newest little nephew! He doesn't have a middle name (or first name depending on where they decide to put the name "Liam"), but isn't he THE MOST ADORABLE little guy you have EVER seen!? He is SOOO sweet!!! He's WAY too alert for a newborn, so I have a feeling he's going to give my brother and sister-in-law a run for their money! :) It's only been about 5 hours since I've seen him, but I already miss him terribly!

Just click on the birth announcement to enlarge it!

Best Eyes... Best Hair!

These two sweet siblings are as sweet as can be! The sweet little girl has THE BEST eyes ever! Absolutely no photoshopping needed to enhance the blue! And, isn't that little guys hair the best?? He also happens to be one awesome big brother!! Their interaction with one another was SO sweet!!

I can talk to anyone!

I first met this little guy at Maclain's school when I did their spring school pictures. He was SUCH a little cutie, I couldn't help but remember him! Fast forward... our new target opened up in town and I was out doing a little shopping and saw that cute little face again! I couldn't help but go up and talk to his mom... I know I'm surprised I wasn't kidnapped as a child!

That conversation led to a session date and time, and I was able to meet his whole family... who are just as sweet and precious as he is!! I had so much fun capturing their interactions with one another, and they are yet another check mark on my list of all the blessings God has sent my way!

FUNNY story!!

Yes, I am still taking pictures... just behind on posting them on the blog! :) For now... you have to hear this hilarious story!

First, the background. Right before I quit teaching (when I felt like I was working two full time jobs with photography), I started paying my sister-in-law Jamie to clean my house. Right after I quit, I was able to do most of it by myself... BUT, the busier I got with photography, the dust started to grow again, so here lately she's picked the task back up (THANK YOU JAMIE)! ANYWAYS... After dropping Clain off at school this morning, I came home and cleaned the whole time he was at school. When I picked him up and we walked in the house, he started sniffing loudly. He noticed the nice very clean smell of the house (thank you Pledge and PineSol). After about 5 seconds of sniffing, he turned to me, threw his hands out in a questioning gesture and said "where's Aunt Jamie?"

Now... pick yourself up off the floor, and get back to work! :)

Quick Note!

Due to the super busy season for photographers, I now only have a couple of session times open the beginning/middle of December before I will "close shop" for Christmas, picking back up end of December (I already have a few days booked there as well). I am trying to figure out when we will be moving, because I would love to have one day where I can do several mini-sessions for those who really wanted Christmas cards and just haven't contacted me in time. The dates I have open in December will probably not work if you are wanting prints back in time for Christmas, but if you're interested in doing a mini-session just shoot me an email and I'll go ahead and decide exactly how I'm going to handle it! If you have contacted me in the last week, and weren't able to get a session time for Christmas prints, you of course can be included in this! After I hear from a few of you... if you're interested, I'll let you all know the details!

I am SOOOO blessed that God has given me this opportunity for my business to grow! It's incredibly difficult to not just work everyone in, but I try and keep my priorities straight. I already work more hours than I ever intended on, but I LOVE my job, and am so thankful to have it, so I just can't help myself! However... I've simply reached my limit of "possibility" these next 2 months. If I take on any more normal sessions my clients with existing sessions will get the raw end of the deal, because I will not have the time to spend with them and their portraits and products that I guarantee.

I thank you all for being so loyal to me! I feel the same loyalty to you all... hence the need to squeeze in a day for some mini-sessions! :) I really do feel SO blessed to have the absolute best clients in the world!

Just a note: if I have people interested, I will probably move things around so that I have a Saturday in Nov. where I can do several mini-sessions on location somewhere. Of course, if it's rainy, we'll be in studio! Details to follow... if you're interested! :)

Miss Ava!

I've been taking this precious little girls picture since she was a newborn. She is still just as angelic as the first day I met her! We did her 18 month pictures Thursday, and did some of her family as well. Ironically, the dad used to bowl with Jared in a league back in the day. The first time I met him (so I thought it was the first time), we kept having those "I know you from somewhere" looks and comments. Needless to say, we all finally figured it out!

Here's sweet little Ava. Can't you just see the angel inside?

Big Boy!

Maclain's room has been in half transition from baby room to big boy room. I've kept some of his nursery stuff up and integrated some "big boy" things that matched in color and style. Clain's little cousin Liam who could make his debut any day now will definitely be coming before our new house is finished, and he is going to be using some of Maclain's nursery things. WELL, since Liam can't wait on us to finish the house, I went ahead and took down all the last little details of Maclain's nursery (curtains, lamp, etc.) and have already put up some of the thing that I will be using in his new room at the new house!!! I'm trying to not add any more holes in the walls, so it's a tad bare, but this will give you a sample! :)

These were once just blue and green letters hung directly on the wall. I went WAY more creative this time around... last time I had a newborn though (remember I was on bedrest before week 30 so I didn't get any of that cool stuff done before Maclain got here)!

Here's a close-up of the new letters!

This once was a white basket lined with a blue and white cloth... a can of spray paint and ribbon on sale at Hobby Lobby, and wahlah!! (Notice I'm the ding bat who put the seam on the front when I put it on the dresser, AND I took a picture of it... I'll have to spin it around!!)

Here's Clain's new bedding! He seemed to be leaning toward the "sports balls" theme, but after a little convincing, he agreed that cowboy stuff like Woddy from Toy Story is REALLY cool (this was WAY cuter)!

Close up of the quilt!

I can't wait to get in the new house and put all the stuff up I have planned for his room! :)

Another Senior!

Can you tell the kids got out for fall break this week? :)

Here's April! She too was yet another one of my fantastic kiddos I once taught! She was in my class the year I had Maclain, so I only taught her for one semester... unfortunately, they went through several teachers during my maternity leave... not to mention they went through quite a few more last year when I took a leave of absence!! I'm hard to replace!!!! :) ANYWAYS... April is such a sweetheart! She was always doing exactly what she was supposed to be doing, and was so dependable! There are lots of different types of kids. At one end of the spectrum there are those that fly through everything and never cause a moments trouble, and you KNOW they are going to make something of themselves. That describes April!

Thanks April for being such a great student! I'm so proud of you, and can't wait to see what all life will have in store for you!!

Ben's a Senior!

Here's Ben! I taught this young man when he was in 8th grade, however, the first time I met him is when his mom (who was my cheerleading coach and English teacher in High School) brought him to a cheer meeting. He was not even in elementary school yet!!

Ben is one of those kiddos who wasn't always the most concerned with whether or not he had his math book in his bookbag, but some how or another he pulled off that A every time! But, more importantly, he was the type of kid you could trust, and that you couldn't help but love and be proud of... and laugh at a good bit as well! I give most of the credit to his two awesome parents!

Ben, I'm proud of you and I pray you continue on the path God has designed just for you!

Family!

The mom here is Kelly... she was a good friend of my sister-in-law's growing up. Kelly's sister is one of my bestest friends, and grew up with Jared. Kelly's brother grew up with my brother-in-law and they were great friends!! NOW, Kelly and her family are part of my church family, and I'm so blessed to have them in my life! Their oldest daughter was in my Sparks class in AWANA at church, and their youngest is in Maclain's little Puggles class (Miss Kewwy happens to be one of their teachers). Okay, okay... I could go on, but I won't!

I got some great shots today, but the youngest little one being a little under two fell into the "stereotypical" toddler session... I had to chase her to get pictures of her! :) Even in the family shot I would get one, she'd run off, then make her rounds again eventually! It was too cute!! I had a blast hanging out with them all!

Thanks, Kelly and Patrick! You are both blessed with two precious baby girls!

A True Hero!

Meet Ashleigh!

I first taught this precious girl when she was in 8th grade! She then was one of my most dependable yearbook kids ever until I "retired" from teaching! :) Now I must say, Ashleigh isn't your average student.... she's extraordinary!!! She's faced quite a few challenges in her life that I want even get into, because they don't EVEN come close to defining her!! She lives her life as everyone should... giving 110%, 100% of the time! Nothing holds her back, and I have no doubt she will continue to inspire those around her, and will continue to succeed! She is NOW a SENIOR! My "kiddos" are all grown up, and although they will ALL hold a special place in my heart, Ashleigh by far takes up the most space! :)

Congratulations Ashleigh! I am BEYOND proud of you!! Don't ever forget the cheering section you have from all of those who love you dearly!

Too Easy!

Most 18 month olds are super difficult! They are ALL over the place, never look at me no matter how crazy I act, and they lose their tempers quite easily. NONE of this applies to this little one! She was just WAY to easy! Thanks mom and dad for a great and easy session! You two have one precious little angel on your hands!!

I'm all confused!

I couldn't figure out how to post this to my entry below... SO, make sure you read it! BUT, I had to share this sweet picture of ALL 80 toes of my nieces and nephews and son (the littlest one). AND, I must apologize for the long post below... it will look overwhelming to read! :)

Meet My Family!

I'm going to have LOTS of session pics to post the next few days, but right now we have to get to what's more important! :)

Twice every year (once in the spring and again in the fall) my immediate family OF EIGHTEEN get together for a family weekend. Those of you who know me well are thinking WHATEVER... you get together with your family all the time. Yes, it's true, all of my family still live relatively close by, and having the awesome family I do, we enjoy hanging out with one another. We love getting together for birthday parties, football games... any excuse works. BUT, these two times a year, we devote the whole weekend to just family! This particular weekend was planned way in advance, and we were originally going to be in Mentone, AL for the weekend. Soon after we found out that grandbaby number NINE was on the way with my brother and sister-in-law. My sweet sister-in-law, Kim could literally go into labor any day now, so we didn't figure we would make her be an extra couple of hours away from the hospital... and sleeping on an old mattress or air bed! :) SO, it was off to my parents house! My parents have a mini botanical gardens outside of their home, and inside is like a very clean and organized antique shop! (She's going to kill me for saying that)! She talks all the time about being sentimental... I simply call it being a pack rat! :) Either way... it feels like home to me!! Anyways... I've always enjoyed my weekends away with my family, but being back "home" although only about 2o minutes away, felt like I was a world away from work and reality, and back home with my roots! The weather was GORGEOUS! We kept the windows in the house up all day and night. The kids slept in a tent in the back yard (minus my 3 year old son who would have flipped out if he woke up in the middle of the night), and we just hung out! I enjoyed my time so much, I almost dreaded going home. I wasn't ready to get back to work... this weekend was spent focused on what life is truly about! This morning, as the clouds started breaking way to speckled sunshine, I sat outside with my parents (both in their early 60's), and we watched my son and several of my nieces and nephews ride bicycles in the driveway. There was a fatastic breeze blowing, and it was tossing the yellow and orange leaves around on the ground and making the most beautiful rustling noise! NOW... those of you who know me, you know I'm not all "Hallmarky" so that probably sounded strange to you, BUT, at that moment, I was almost brought to tears as I watched my Dad tell another "story"! :) There have been 3 times already in my adult life that we've come close to loosing him for one health issue or another. Just this time last year, we had a huge scare with my brother when they thought he had leukemia. ALL of this came rushing too me and the thought that right now at this very moment, I have everyone so dear to me right here in my life, alive and well. I have SO many in my immediate family, and MANY more distant relatives that are so close to me because I've grown up with them in my life on a regular basis. ANYWAY... at this same moment, there are many in my church family and in my community that are struggling with loss in some form or fashion. Why did I get so lucky to have already had this many years with those I hold so dear? We don't know from one moment to the next what can happen, but I thank you God for giving me one more fabulous weekend with my amazing family!!

That being said.... You're all picturing this huge family all laughter and hugs... and we have TONS of that... BUT, I have THREE OLDER brothers (one that's as sassy as I am), and there are EIGHT grandchildren!! Everyone doesn't all agree, kids fuss, things get loud, there are food and drinks every where all the time with constant pick-up to be done (THANKS MOM), BUT, through the mass chaos, all I hear and feel is LOVE and THANKFULNESS!

I am not worthy, but thankful Lord!!!

Here is my precious family!

Here's Mom and Dad... they started this whole journey of family 41 years ago (I think I'm right on that) :)
Just a couple of years later, Jay made his debute. Although we were ALL surprised to see him settle down, he was the first to give Mom and Dad a grandbaby... look at her now... a gorgeous ALMOST 14 year old!!!!!
Then came Darby. He's the most reserved (it doesn't take much to be more reserved than the rest of us though) out of the bunch... but he's the muscles in the gang! We all need him in our lives! :) He and Kim are fixing to give me another nephew, Liam!!!!! I CANNOT wait to meet this little guy!!

Here's Joby! He's the baby boy, but still 3 years older than me! :) He is by far the sweetest and most loveable of all of us. He's also by far the most talented!!

SO... I'm not posting the picture of me with my sweet hubby and son, because I remain in denile that I no longer weigh 100 pounds like I did in high school... if I don't post it for the world to see, it must not be true! :) BUT, instead, here's one precious picture of ALL of the grandbabies together! This time next year, we'll have one more to the bunch!

Sweet Ansley is growing up!!

This adorable baby girl happens to be cousins to the twins I posted yesterday! Just one of the ways I've come to meet those sweet baby boys... again, if I explained it all, you'd be lost! :)

I've been photographing Ansley (Isn't that the coolest name) since she was just 3 months old! Her mom hasn't missed a milestone yet, so I've SO enjoyed getting to watch her grow! She's now 18 months old, which typically proves to be the most difficult session, so I was curious to see how this typically easy little one would react. While hanging out with her cousins during their session, she was SUCH a trooper and SO sweet. Then we headed outdoors to do her session, which by this time was past lunchtime, and close to nap time. It was going to be iffy! :) WELL, although I saw a few more tears than normal (I don't think I had ever seen any to date), Ansley was a trooper and I was able to catch plenty of her precious personality!

Thanks Mom for being a trooper with her! Here's a sneak peek!!

Seeing Double!

Meet Nate and Josh. If I tried to explain how I've come to meet these two you'd be SO confused! It does amaze me what a small world this truly is!!! ANYWAY... they were SO precious, and I enjoyed my time with them!! Their Mom and Nana had to drive quite a while to get to me, so I sure hope I made it worth their time!!! I'm sure thankful they decided to drive to see me!! Here's two of my favorites! It was hard to pick, because I caught some adorable sweet smiles from the two of them.... but to me, these two images show what being an identical twin is all about!

Isn't this picture PRECIOUS!!!???
They're each sharing Josh's hand here for a little comfort suction action! :)

What a wedding is supposed to be about!

Meet Jamie and Jeff! These two are on the road to one very happy, successful marriage! They already seem to have the concept down that you put God first, then each other second! And that's exactly what they are doing! All of my appointments leading up to the wedding has left me remembering those times before I got married... and although we were living the way we should in many ways, we didn't have the maturity they seem to have... so we had to figure out some things the hard way! I pray these two keep God first, and that they remember, just by being a Christian, it doesn't mean you won't encounter tough times, it just means you'll have the means to get through them!!


Thanks Jamie and Jeff! You are such a blessing to so many (that was SO obvious by your wedding guests)! Have a wonderful honeymoon, and a blessed marriage!


Now... Jamie, give your Moma some grandbabies!!!!! :)



This was right after the ceremony... don't they look relieved? :)

This was right after they saw each other for the first time.... PRICELESS!!! :)

Jared got all the COOL shots this day!! Isn't this one sweet?

I seriously doubt Jared staged this... he's not the type to stage anything! Jamie did have the most incredible set of bridesmaids though!! They were all SO cooperative and sweet! They even huddled around her and had prayer for her right before the ceremony.... another priceless moment!

BEST WISHES you two!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I know I'm behind!!

Remember... we're trying to build a house in the midst of normal life... on top of this being the busiest time of year for photogs!

Alright... so here is Mr. Pierce, the CUTEST little guy!! I had the privilege of working with his Dad during my career as a pharmacy tech (worked as one for FIVE years while I was in college). I still miss that job... and most of the people I worked with! Since shortly before Pierce was born, I met his mom... and he has one incredible mommy as well! What a GREAT family to work with... and I haven't even told you about his amazing big sister!! I could go on and on... :)