It's Cotton Picking Time!

The farmers around here actually call it, "Stripping."  But, what kind of title would that be..."It's Stripping Time"...Yeah, I really want to draw that kind of people to my blog~not!

Anyway, in an effort to stop acting like most of my high school freshman students, I'll get back to the purpose of my post.  Ha!

The cotton fields are bursting at the seams in full bloom and it is beautiful!  It looks like snow...really it does.  See?

This was taken right before a major storm moved in on our photo shoot Monday evening.  A majestic storm, at that.  The lightning was all around us and it poured sheets of rain on us.  Thankfully, we were already in the suburban heading home. 

I don't know if you have cotton fields in your corner of the world, but we are blessed to have them here.  I grew up in Kansas where sunflower fields were abundant and I loved it. 

Now in Texas, I love the cotton  fields just as much. 

The farmers are busy "stripping" their fields, harvesting the cotton, building modules full of cotton, and bringing their harvests to the cotton gins.  It is a fun time of year, when the good Lord has blessed the fruits of their efforts, and the ginning begins.

I snapped this photo with my Iphone while coming back from my morning off-period.  Yes, I was driving at the time...don't scold me, please!  Seeing the roads lined with tractors and module builders is not an uncommon occurrence. 

I've come to  really like "Cotton Pickin' Time!"

Our Drum Major...and Marching Contest

Rachel's senior year has been brimming with activities; it has been non-stop since the beginning of August.  She is co-drum major this year for the Buffalo Band.  Rachel is on the left and her friend Jami is on right:

Their theme is "Phantom of the Opera" this year.  Don't you love their masks?  A sweet teacher loaned her cool masks to the girls.  This past weekend the band participated in the Region Marching Contest.  They worked so hard to prepare for the contest. 

Naturally, her daddy and I were there to cheer her on.  Four years ago, I made stand signs that say "Go Band!" complete with red letters and silver flashing.  Our fellow band parents have always been so sweet to help up hold up the signs when the band marches on the field.  It has been a fun tradition since Rachel's freshman year.  So, of course I brought them this year...and I nearly cried. 

As the band marched on the field we proudly held up our signs and cheered for them at the top of our lungs (I wish that I had a picture of us holding the signs....but that's hard to do when you are holding one). 

Here they are taking the field....can't you just feel their nerves?  Marching contest is a bit stressful:

We cheered as they took the field and then a hush fell over the crowd as we all held our breath as they began:

They did so well!!!!

They all gave their best efforts:

This is one of my favorite photos.  Here is Rachel leading the band as they all leaned to the left...it was so cool:

I was so proud of all of them...but especially of our daughter.  She was so poised and full of grace.  I found out later that she was blessed to lead the band in a prayer before their performance. I love that!

Their hard work paid off...they received a 1 rating...which is the best!  Way to go band!!!

Kiki's Corner Photography Remaining 2010 Dates~Don't Be Left Out!

* UPDATED 10/19/10

There are only 4 3spots remaining for 2010!!!

Please, see the updated listing in this post.  Also, many clients decided to book a full session instead of a mini session so I am cancelling the mini sessions on October 30th and opening the date for two separate sessions. You may choose a morning or evening session for October 30th.

And if you simply have to book a session before December 1st and one of the open dates has already been booked, send me an email and I'll look at my schedule and see if I can squeeze in another session.

What are you waiting for?  Grab your calendar and email me (kristiatkikiscorner{at}gmail{dot}com).  :-)

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I cannot believe we are in the middle of October! Really?! 

Only 2 more months until Christmas!  Yikes! I'm not ready.  Are you?

I have had an absolute blast taking pictures of so many incredible families over the last 3 months!  I never dreamed the Lord would bless me with this amazing new adventure with Him but I am loving every minute of it. I just don't have time to do it as often as I would like. 

So, in looking at my calendar, I only have a few remaining photography dates for 2010. 

If you are interested in one of these dates, please email me today.   

 

P.S. Gift certificates are also available and I am already accepting dates for 2011...especially senior portraits in the spring. 

"P" Family {Sneak Peak}

Tonight, Rachel and I had the blessing of taking the "P" family pictures in the tallest cotton I have ever seen.  I am 5'10" tall and this cotton was up to my mid thigh.  It was a gorgeous field...and a gorgeous family...God is so good!

Laci and Jason, thank you for tonight; Rachel and I had such a blast.  I hope that you enjoy your sneak peak with many more photos to come.

 The cotton was just bursting at the seams.  Don't they look like giant snowballs?
I love how the sun is dancing through Miss S's beautiful blond hair.

 And Miss K is growing up much too quickly...please stop growing now!  Her eyes reminded me of the blue oceans in St. John.

 And now you can see where these gorgeous children get all of the gorgeousness?  They are a couple truly in love:

 I LOVE this photo!  I think it captures the personalities of all four so well!

 Super model sisters:

 And this little mister...what can I say?  He didn't like my camera one bit...not a bit!  I think he knew that if all of the girls in this world caught a glimpse of his eyes..they would melt like butter!

That is tall cotton!  It was taller than his precious little head.

 This was one of the few times that little Miss S was being serious.  I have a lot of pictures of her throwing "snowballs" at me...which I loved.  I wonder what she was thinking about in this picture:

I could look through these photos all night but I better catch some Zzzzs before school tomorrow.  Ya'll have a blessed day!

Beloved

I just have to tell you that we will celebrate the one year anniversary of Rachel's miracle in only 5 1/2 weeks!!!  Oh, God is sooooooooo good!

My emotions are running high these days as I reflect on this last year and God's absolute grace and the miracle that came from His hand...it was only Him...and I will NEVER stop praising Him for all that He has done and continues to do!  Praise, You Father!

Last week, I had a last minute photography session cancellation and Rachel and I embraced that time to do another senior photo shoot.  I found a new place that I had been saving just for her photo shoot.

We knew exactly what shirt to wear:

The precious ladies at Wild Olive Tees blessed her with this shirt last year.  The verse on the back says:

We prayed this exact verse over our daughter many, many times.  When I emailed Wild Olive Tee's to purchase the t-shirt, I told them a little bit about Rachel's story and they generously sent Rachel a t-shirt...they didn't let me pay for Rachel's shirt.  I was so touched by their generosity that I had a t-shirt giveaway on my blog last year and my sweet blogging friend Bethany won the t-shirt. 

Rachel has worn this shirt so many times over the past year...it is one of many visible marks of God's great faithfulness.  He is mighty to save...and He takes great delight in His children.

We think Wild Olive Tees are the best and we love what their company stands for!  If you haven't seen their shirts please go visit their site today.

They have a special going on until 10/25/10.  You will receive free shipping on orders of 2 t-shirts or more if you enter RELEVANT 10 at checkout.

The Next Drew Brees?

My nephews are both playing football.  Aaron has his first game coming up very soon; he plays flag football, so fun!  Andrew, as you know from last week is playing full-tackle, pee-wee football.  Last night he was the starting quarterback!  Yes, he was!  His fan club showed up in droves to cheer him on and he did a fabulous job.

One of the coaches calls him "Drew" which makes me think of Drew Brees, love his testimony!

Being the Aunt Kiki that I am, I have some photos to share.  But, surely you are not surprised by that.  The girls and I had so much fun on the sidelines.  I'm not sure the pee-wee coaches like having us on the sidelines as much as we like being there, but I'm okay with that.  (That's code for, they watch their words carefully...and that is a good thing!).  Andrew is #37 for the maroon team. 

He tackled anyone that got in his way:

 

Big or small, it didn't matter:

And then he got to be the quarterback:

Carefully watching out for his team mates:

Calling the plays...isn't he cute taking a knee to talk to his team:

Read? Set? Hike!

His linemen were doing their thing so that he could throw a pass:

Still searching for his receiver (Mr. Incredible are you proud of me?  I'm learning the positions of all of the players?)

Oh no!  The giant, Black jersey #58, is on the loose.  Watch out Andrew!!!!

He looks left....he looks right....where is his receiver? And here comes #58. 

Throw it, little nephew, throw it!!!

He throws the ball with all of his might before the giant takes him to the ground!  Ouch!

And then Aunt Kiki marches on the field to talk to #58 about playing nice and letting us throw the ball...and not hurting my nephew...and who is his mother?

Okay, not really.  But, I was thinking it in my head.  I'm thankful Andrew wasn't hurt.  He played and fought hard and we are so proud of him!

On a different note, this post is a little later than normal because I missed my alarm clock.  Ever done that?  Instead of being up at the crack of 5:30, I woke up quickly at 6:30.  I was having my devotion time about, "being anxious for nothing," very funny, and ready to hit the floor on my knees for my prayer time when I suddenly remembered, thank you Holy Spirit, that Hannah had to be at school at 7:00 for an early cross country run!  Oiy! 

I glanced at the clock...it was 6:45!  I tried not to startle sleeping beauty too much but I did anyway and in less than 15 minutes we were out the door.  Teeth brushed, hair sort of fixed, and a glazed look on her face.  Poor Hannah!  I hope that she was able to wake up on her run. 

She really likes for me to be her alarm clock, but I think I'll encourage her to set her alarm just in case from now on.  Oiy!


 

Crossing the Country 2 Miles at a Time

I hope that ya'll had a great weekend!  We enjoyed a 3 day weekend!  Woo Hoo!  I love 3 day weekends.
Our Saturday morning started early.  Hannah had another cross counntry meet...we thought it was her last meet before district, but it turns out that one more was added to the schedule.

Hannah had her best 2 mile time to date and we are so proud of her.

There were a LOT of athletes competing at this meet:

The girls had to follow a mule with a flag (that last sentence made me giggle~ a man driving a mule with a flag....still funny):

 Ready? Set? Go!  Can you spot my Hannah?

This is one of her best friends.  She is a serious runner.  She normally finishes in the top 10-20 every meet.

And here is my baby girl!  I love the "serious" look on her face.  Ha!  I took pictures of every one of her cross country team mates...they were all looking either serious or like this was no fun at all.  And then my Hannah!  I love her so much!  I would travel the country 2 miles at a time to see her run in any meet. 

Having some fun with two of her best friends: