Trying Something New....

I've realized lately that keeping up with more than one blog is QUITE the challenge.  Therefore, I've decided to focus on my Reflections blog for the time being.  

I'll continue to post my favorite pics from my photo sessions and now I'll include more personal posts as well.

Please come join me over there:

 

See you soon.....

i heart faces ~ pink

This week's photo challenge at i heart faces is focusing on Breast Cancer Awareness month.  With a dear friend currently at MD Anderson in Houston fighting the fight of her life, I am very aware of the countless lives that are touched by this disease.

So, here's to some pink.....

Now head on over to i heart faces for some more PINK photos!!

i heart faces ~ smirk

I haven't had a chance to enter many of the i heart faces photo challenges lately. But with the theme of "smirk" this little stinker immediately came to mind.

This is Taylor. I did her newborn session back in May. And she is adorable!!! She loves to laugh and smile - but apparently not in front of the camera! HA! And here's the proof....

Now head on over to i heart faces for more fun photos!

The Longest Catch Up EVER

OH. MY. WORD.

I cannot believe it's been over 6 weeks since my last post. That's ridiculous! But it really goes along the whole feel of my summer. I had a lot of great ideas - but not many of them panned out. For starters, Michael's company threw us for a whirl wind and re-assigned him to four states (rather than just North Texas and OK). That meant he spent MUCH of the summer traveling just trying to get his new territory under control. He's still traveling quite a bit, and we're hoping things will begin to slow down VERY soon!!

We've been so busy around here that I feel like my head is spinning in a million and one directions!!! The weekend before school started, Michael and I photographed a wedding. It was for a very dear family, one of whom we love very much. The father of the bride was actually our college minister and was the minister for our wedding 13 years ago. His daughter, Amy, was 8 years old when we first met Kyle and Terri and it just blows my mind that she's married now!!! Her wedding was in Fredericksburg and we were so blessed to be a part of it! It was also a great time for us professionally speaking. This was the first "official" event that Michael accompanied me as the "second" shooter. And I LOVED it!! I was so pleased with how well we work together! He is so much better at distance shots and I love the close ups. So, this could really be the beginning of something great for us. I never really anticipated in going down the wedding photography route, however, the more I shoot the more I find that I really enjoy it!! It definitely keeps me on my toes! And about 5 minutes before the ceremony begins I think I'm gonna get sick. But without warning, the ceremony starts and then I find myself in the mode.

I think I love weddings because I love

being in love and being loved in return. I know what Michael and I share and how good it feels. So, capturing love on a wedding day is pure enjoyment! It's hard work too! I still surprises me how COMPLETELY exhausted I am following the wedding. And I feel like it takes about a week to recover! And just for fun, here's a sneak peak at one of my favorite images!!

You can't see their faces in this one, but I think it really shows "Amy and Aaron". There will be other pictures to share later, but for now, I'm still trying to go through the over 2500 shots we took.

As well as being busy with business, I someone managed to get myself into a pickle. Last year apparently there was a day where I was suffering from the "I can't say no disease" and agreed to be the treasurer for our PTA this year. I know. I have NO idea what I was thinking. It's a bit more overwhelming than I expected. However, I have made some wonderful new friendships that I am very grateful for. I enjoy the job itself, but keeping up with my photography business, Michael's expenses, and another side job I have makes for a very busy Momma. I can already see that this year will have to be about discipline.

And I would like to beg each of you to pray for a special friend. Her name is Tiffany and she left today to spend the next four months at MD Anderson in Houston to fight a battle with cancer. Unfortunately, she had a mis-diagnosis two years ago. What the doctors thought was herniated disk was actually a tumor. And as you can imagine, after two years of going undected she will have a battle waging against her. HOWEVER, God is in complete control and with every part of my being I know that He is going to accomplish great and mighty things through Tiffany. Please join me in praying for her daily!!

Hope all of you are doing well. Let me hear from you and especially if I can be praying for you! Hopefully I'll get back into a regular routine of updating again, but I make no promises.

I Never Knew...

Back in May I decided to get Michael an iPad for Father's Day. But I NEVER would have guessed where it would lead us....

....now two months later we own a MacBook Pro, Time Capsule, and today I caved in a bought a

I've had it for less than 24 hours and I can already say that I love it even more than I thought I would. And I can say this for apple: Their products are more costly...but completely worth it.

And I'm willing to bet that our experience isn't unusual. That's probably why apple is a Multi-Billion $ company today - they get their customers to buy one product, we see the difference, and so we continue to buy more.

I never saw this coming - but I didn't know what I was missing...

...and so far, I think it's worth every penny.

i heart faces ~ babies

A couple of weeks ago I had a newborn session with baby Taylor. This is probably one of my favorite photo. With two big brothers, Taylor is certainly the new princess in the house. This family is absolutely precious and it was a great privilege to spend a morning with them.

Why I've been MIA....

I cannot believe it's been two weeks since I posted last. That's ridiculous. But life is absolutely crazy! For starters, I'm getting used to this

My business recently INVESTED in a new MacBookPro. Many of the workshops/classed I've attended have stressed how necessary a Mac is in the photography business. I never understood because as far as I was concerned, I was able to do all I needed to do on my PC.

Well, for Father's Day, Michael got

..an ipad. Obviously he got it a bit early. I knew there was a hold time for ordering and wasn't sure how long it would take. When we went to the store to pick it up, I started visiting with one of the Apple Geeks. He asked if I worked and I mentioned my photography business. Within about 30 seconds I quickly learned WHY photogs need MACs. I left there in amazement. But I went home to research if I could get the Aperature program for my PC, and of course you cannot - because it's an Apple program. After much discussion, my business manager (a.k.a. husband) told me not to hesitate. It's going to be soooo worth it in the end. It will literally save me HOURS of time when it comes to editing!!!

HOWEVER, a new computer like this requires MUCH learning. I've been watching video tutorials over every aspect. I've also begun to take classes at the Apple store. I'm so impressed how Apple really goes the extra mile to train and teach their customers. You definitely have to pay a pretty penny for their products, but I'm already seeing that it's completely worth it!!! It's similar to a vacation at Disney World - it's expensive but WORTH it!!

There have been other events in our lives....

1) the end of school. WOO HOO. We've been to three different award ceremonies and we stand amazed at God's blessing. Kate came out of kindergarten VERY eager for next year. She loved every minute of school - especially the social aspect. She loves being with her "peeps" Connor had a great year as well and we can't say enough about how incredibly blessed we were with his teacher. This year, in second grade, was the first year for the kids to receive an actual number grade and we're pleased to report that he was on the honor roll. Mason also had a fabulous year - and proved so with his TAKS scores. He made a PERFECT score on the math and science portion and only missed ONE on the reading. We knew he was a smart kiddo, but to make a perfect score was really impressive.

2) Kate turned SIX on June 3rd. And we had her party last Sunday. She had a great turnout and a fabulous time with her friends. There will be pictures to post at a later time.

3) On Saturday, I went to the i heart faces photo walk in Dallas. I had a great time and got to meet some amazing women who share my passion. There are several people I've met through the blog world or through i heart faces, and to actually meet them in person was tons of fun!

This weekend we are having a family reunion of sorts here at the house with all of my mom's side of the family. So, I need to go start cooking. Hope y'all have a Fantastic Friday!!!

Hawaiian Falls

Last Sunday our church had an exclusive day out at Hawaiian Falls.  It’s just about 5 miles from the house, but we rarely go since we have a pool.  And we had an ABSOLUTE blast!!!

Granddad and Connor LOVED riding all the slides.  Connor just couldn’t get enough!

Michel and Kate

Granddad had a great time playin’ in the kiddie area!!!

WATCH OUT!!!!

And the race is on!  From left to right: Kate, Michael, Connor, & Granddad

WOO HOO!!  Michael and I hit the slides! Ethan just COULD NOT get enough water!!!

i heart faces ~ yellow

This week i heart faces is featuring photos with the color yellow in them.

I took this at the i heart faces workshop.  I don’t know when their next workshop will be, but I know they have several photo walks coming up VERY soon.  I learned so much that weekend and met a GREAT group of women – many of whom I still keep in touch with via blogs, facebook, and these weekly challenges.  I HIGHLY encourage you to continue to participate and get involved with the i heart faces community!!

i heart faces ~ flower

This is baby Finley – she was featured in last week’s entry as well.  Here she is just a few weeks old.  And I LOVE that her sunflower is almost as big as she is!!  Hee Hee!!

Celebrating Moms ~ i heart faces

This sweet photo represents a miracle.  Ashley faced MANY fertility challenges and it became very clear that she would not be able to have children.  But God had other plans. He used the grace of adoption to bring this precious miracle into the arms of her mom and dad. In this picture, it is very obvious that Finley Grace is adored and loved beyond measure by her mom and dad. 

I celebrate this mother today on her FIRST Mother’s day! And I would like to leave you with a poem she wrote:

Sweet Finley Grace (to the tune of Amazing Grace)

Sweet Finley Grace, how sweet the sound

That saved a woman like me

I once was barren, but now I’ve found

The gift God sent to me.

 

T’was God who taught our hearts to fear

To wait and just believe

‘Cuz in His plan she was so near

This gift that we received.

 

Through many trials with ups and downs

We learned to overcome

T’was Finley Grace, with an angel’s face

The gift that we brought home.

 

The Lord had promised good to me

His word my hope secures

He will, our shield and portion be

As long as life endures.

 

On Christmas day, to us you gave

Your One and Only Son

From our sins He came to save

This gift for everyone.

 

Sweet Finley Grace, how sweet the sound

You made a mother of me

My heart swells full with every pound

Of love for you baby!!

 

Baby Names

Kelly  is hosting a variety of posts dedicated to baby names.  What are your children’s names and why did you choose that name specifically?

First of all, let me say that with every pregnancy my names changed. 

The first born, Mason Jonle.  The middle is original – obviously.  It combined Michael and I’s middle names – John and Leigh.  I’m always telling Michael that I wished we would have spelled it with a y on the end ~ Jonley.  But he won’t let me change it now.  If Mason had been a girl, she would have been Taylor. Since it was a boy, we wanted him to have the same initials as his dad – MJR.

#2 Connor Payne.  We liked the name Connor – it’s very Irish.  And we attended Howard Payne University.  My family was also a big Payne Stewart fan!  With reddish brown hair and VERY fare skin, the child looks like he came straight from Ireland!! If he had been a girl, we would have named her Merideth, and called her Beth for short. Then we would have had the M and M thing going on.

#3 Kate Alexa.  I wanted her named Kate the moment I saw the Greek meaning - “pure”.  Her middle name begins with an A, like her momma. And I honestly don’t remember what the boy name would have been.

#4 Ethan Parker.  Michael choose the name Ethan, and to be honest I wasn’t crazy about it at first.  And then when he was in the NICU, I fell in love with his name because it means, “strong” and that’s exactly what we needed him to be.  And Parker – I just LOVE that name.  Infact, I always wanted to use it as a first name, but Michael wasn’t crazy about it.  If you’re reading this and you have a “Parker” just know that I’m a little jealous!!  Hee hee. Anywho, had he been a girl, she would have been Jena.

And that wraps it all up.  Hope everyone has a fantastic Friday!!

i heart faces ~ then and now

Over at i heart faces this week they are looking at photos centering around “Now and Then”.  I am always amazed at how quickly children change.  You blink and they grow another inch.  This week I’m posting some snapshots of my baby….he’s what we call the forth and FINAL!!  He’s blessed our family more than we could have possibly imagined!!!

 

First time on a swing – over two years ago 

(VERY timid and afraid)

On a swing last week

LOVIN’ IT!! 

smile ~ i heart faces

This little guy is absolutely precious! As of March, he’s the middle brother in a house full of boys. He’s sweet, loving, and full of mischief!!! His smile makes me want to smile back! :)

i heart faces – collage

 

This week over at i heart faces, they are featuring a variety of collages.  I like them to tell a story.  And this one tells of a mother’s love….

I’m BAAAACK…Barbados #2

My computer genius husband returned home last night and today he managed to clear my laptop of the virus. HE ROCKS!! So, I’ve returned to post some more pictures from our trip. The first are just a few random photos. The remainder are photos that I took on a photography tour. I had the incredible privilege of shooting one day with Ronnie Carrington. He’s extremely talented and he really “pushed me out of my box.” I can’t wait to work with him again on our next trip!