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!!!