Sweet Lucy Came to Visit (A Sneak Peek)

Sweet Lucy Grace came to see me last night and she brought her beautiful mommy and daddy and Yah-Yah and Pappy too. We had so much fun taking pictures. There is nothing like having a baby in the house...and a baby girl at that! My mind was flooded with wonderful memories of my baby girls! She was all smiles and blowing bubbles and cooing. Oh, so precious!

And just look at the absolute adoration her mommy and daddy have for her! Bathed in glorious light, I just love everything about this image:

Oh, God is so good! Thank you sweet Lucy for coming over to play. Please, come back soon!

Happy 22nd Anniversary!!

Today is our 22nd Anniversary! It is amazing to realize that we are living
the dreams we dreamed together in this picture!! God is so good! Praying for at least 22 more anniversaries together!!

Baby Turtle

This morning, after I weeded around my garden in the cool-ish morning air, I went inside to take a shower and then to finish some photography designs and orders. It wasn't long before my man beckoned me to come outside and see what he found. In my black robe and everything, no make up, hair still wet, but with my camera in hand, I rounded the corner to see this:

As far as turtles go, isn't this the cutest?! This little guy posed for a few pictures before we put him back in the tall grass growing behind our fence. He scrambled back inside his little burrow/hole/turtle house and all was well in his little world again. Delight!

Motherhood and a Tiny Pecan

Today I began the much needed process of cleaning out my closet. While my husband would be quick to tell you it really wasn't that bad, because my side looks better than his, I was really convicted that if I was insisting on my daughter keeping her bathroom, room, and closet picked up, my closet really needed some attention too.

I started by refolding some t-shirts and shorts and then I looked at all of my purses gathering dust on the shelf. I am a creature of habit as far as purses are concerned. I carry my black Coach bag most of the year and then break out my favorite Coach Beach bag themed tote for summer and occasionally, I will use the gold-ish/brown bag too. There were 8 other bags just sitting there.

I read David Platt's book Radical on our flight to St. John just last month so my mind instantly went from looking at the purses to realizing someone could be using these. I carefully opened each one and found nearly a lifetime of memories gathered inside. There was a paycheck stub from when I worked at Trade Days, lots of old gum and mints, pens and paperclips and several movie ticket stubs.

Movies I saw with my girls...like the Bee Movie, Horton Hears a Who, and so many more. There were receipts from nurseries where I had purchased my favorite plants and flowers growing in my gardens, receipts from the grocery store, a thank you note from a sweet parent thanking me for teaching her child in children's choir so many years ago, a list of things to purchase for VBS when I was the director, grocery lists, remember to do lists, and at the bottom of my favorite leopard print Kate Spade bag was a tiny pecan...and I sobbed!

Not because of the find but because of what it reminded me of. I remember the "treasure" my Hannah found (when she was probably only 3 years old) as she proudly asked me to keep it for her. Those precious tiny hands holding the little pecan, that little blondie, with all of the bouncing curls, smiling from ear to ear. In her sweet little girl voice saying, "Look Momma!I find this for you!" Sweet memories!

But, there is much more to this find! Being a mom is hard! I didn't really like the Momma that I had to be today. It's hard to follow through with discipline when your children don't do what they are suppose to do. I would rather take my girls shopping, go for a walk together, go see a fun movie, or just hang out at Starbucks any day...but following through with discipline is hard. It was hard when they were little, it is hard when they are older!

But, the Lord sweetly reminded this heart of mine that my little pecans are growing into a beautiful young ladies. Yes, it is happening much too quickly but I can see His fingerprints all over them. And He holds these "treasures," in the very palm of His mighty hands and encourages me that while days like these might not be as fun as the others, it is worth it all because He is working and moving in them...and this heart of mine once again marvels in amazement at all that He does...and all that He has allowed me to be a part of.

I couldn't pick two better daughters if I got to choose them myself...I would choose my Rachel and Hannah every time!! The thought that He chose me to be their momma floods my heart with great joy and gratitude to the One who gives good gifts to His children. I want them to bring Him great honor and joy in their lives...and even on the days when it is a bit tough, I will follow Him every step of the way.

I'm so thankful I listened to the prodding in my heart to clean out my closet...because you see, I'm the one who found the treasure today...in the form of a tiny pecan.  Oh, God is so good!

I am having so much fun putting together Custom Albums for my clients. I've designed 5 albums in the past 24 hours and I have 3 more to go before midnight tonight. If you need me, I'll be in my office designing away. Here is one album spread I just finished working on. I can't wait to see these albums in person!

Two Sisters {A Mini Photo Session}

What an incredibly fun mini photo session with these two girls! Ya'll know that I am blessed with two girls of my own... so sisterhood is near and dear to my heart. What a special bond sisterhood is!

Their grandmother, Peach, and I worked around their "Spa Day at Peach's House," in order to capture a few pictures that we didn't have time for during their family photo shoot a few weeks ago. When I arrived, they smelled of all kinds of delicious smelling lotions and potions from their fun spa day with their Peach. The early afternoon was perfect for taking some photos

. "All horses deserve, at least once in their lives, to be loved by a little girl."~Author Unknown Oh, how I adore this image! A girl and her horse surrounded by glorious light=delight for this photographer!

And what childhood is complete without a few kittens to share it with?!  Love this photo and her gorgeous eyelashes! So sweet!  Today is her birthday. I hope she has the best day ever!

See what I mean? Gorgeous girls and gorgeous light. I love my job!

Sisters and secrets~love this!

Sitting by the Pond

Sometimes being a brother is even better than being a superhero. - Marc Brown

Love this picture from the "L" Family photo session. I can just imagine the secrets these two are sharing.

"L" Family {A Sneak Peek}

What an incredible way to start the week! Rachel and I were overjoyed to be able to spend Monday morning with the "L" Family! They invited us to their beautiful ranch and we were so excited! The instructions to get to their land were precise but our excitement began to build as we began driving on their property to meet them. Words can't describe the beauty we saw! It was hard to believe we were so close to home; it felt like a trip to Cibolo Creek Ranch...without the mountains.

 After making sure we were at the right house, there are at least 3 on the property, we were relieved to know we were in the right spot. Their sweet daughter took us on a tour while everyone finished getting ready. The first place she took us? The rattlesnake pit?! Oh my goodness gracious! I am a big chicken when it comes to snakes. Remember, I'm the one who waited for the rattlesnake to cross her yard, slither on to the street, and then promptly ran over the beast at least 12 times with her suburban? Remember that story?

Back to the tour! Their daughter is nearly 7 and her beautiful eyes seemed to beckon us to go with her to visit the snakes...but my heart and my mind were screaming no (on the inside of course!). I could feel the hives ready to burst on to my skin at any moment, but what did Rachel and I do? Uh, we followed her to the snake pit! Oiy! And much to my surprise, it was the coolest thing ever and I actually enjoyed watching the beasts that were behind glass walls.

Our very presence woke up one of the sleeping beasts who began rattling its tail at us...oh what a sound! And those eyes seemed to watch our every move (seriously I can feel the hives beginning as I'm typing this) and now I'm singing out loud, "I always feel like some body's watching me" (remember that song from the 80's?).  But, I really enjoyed seeing all 15 rattlesnakes. I know! Crazy me! I even took a few pictures of the snakes (pardon the glare from the glass-there was no way I was opening the lid to take a few pictures) and about 642 pictures of this amazing family. I'll start with the snakes and save the best for last:

Here is the snake pit. Pretty glamorous pit, isn't it?!  The "L" children have no fear! Look at them riding their bikes around it!  So brave!  

Enough with the snakes...I'm beginning to itch!  I promised that I saved the best for last and here they are!  What a blessing to spend Monday morning with them on their beautiful new property! If you didn't know any better, doesn't it look like we are in Ruidoso, NM? 

On the property, they have some of the coolest swings...love this one. It's the perfect family swing!

They even have a spiral staircase...so cool!

These children are dearly loved!

This is Miss Brave who is a mini-me of her beautiful mommy!  Gorgeous girls!

This was my favorite location...well I could say that about several locations...okay it was in my top 3 favorite locations on their ranch!  What an awesome place for a swing! I can see Miss Brave wearing a prom dress having her pictures taken here...a long time from now, of course!

Miss Brave...so much gorgeousness wrapped up in this one!

And this one makes me smile from ear to ear....oh how I love capturing personalities in photos!

Mr. Superman...he slays me with all of his cuteness!  And this pose!  Looks like 4 going on 12!

This was a dream photo shoot for sure. Just look at this beautiful family on their beautiful land.  You can see for miles!

A West Texas windmill against a turquoise blue sky beaming over the top of such an incredible family makes for a memorable Monday!  This was what we got to ride on around the ranch. Miss Brave was our awesome driver!  What a day! Thank you "L" family for all of the fun and hospitality!  I really hope you like your Sneak Peek...I am loving them all and trying to narrow down 642 photos into a 40 image gallery!  Oh my goodness gracious it's hard!