don't you ever grow up...

i have been a part of an amazing workshop the past 2 months.  this workshop is held online through the bloom forum.   if you are a photographer or have a love of photography i highly suggest you check out their forum.  the members are all so open and encouraging. and there is always so much to learn.  the support is fabulous.    from the forum, i learned of this workshop that they do twice a year.   i am so blessed to have been a part of it and will forever be grateful to Kristy and Brenda for graciously sharing their talents.  we had a project to do this week where we were to pick atleast two quotes from a list of ten.  we were to then take images to represent these quotes as a story.    we had to use between 2 and 6 images.  we were prompted to pick quotes that stirred something inside of us.   it was such a great exercise and very challenging.   i enjoyed it so much and wanted to share it with you...

don't you ever grow up...

my love of photography has blossomed as i watch my children grow and nostalgically wish somehow the days could freeze.

for these pictures i photographed my oldest daughter.  as i looked through all of these from this session i kept thinking of the song "never grow up" by taylor swift.   it is one of those songs that brings tears to my eyes when i heart it.  the chorus says: 

"oh, darling, don't you ever grow up, don't you ever grow up --just stay this little.  oh, darling, don't you ever grow up, don't you ever grow up--it could stay this simple"

e is 7 and she is still so innocent and such a dear sweet girl.  i don't say this only because i am her mother, but because there has always been something special about her heart.  it shines and people can feel it.

she still loves dressing up, playing princess and mommy, and you will find her dancing wherever she goes.  i wanted to somehow capture these moments to remember her at this time in life...

 

this last quote just made me think of how as a photographer you could see beautiful light, fun colors, etc. but as the mother of the girl in these photos i see so much more.  i see my firstborn, and wonder how she is already seven.  i wonder where did the time go?  i see her tenderness shining through as she holds her "baby" and i know that one day she will have that same tender heart for her own children. and i just want to say to her...

to enjoy this time so much, to live every day to its fullest and to be thankful for all God has blessed you with and

...don't you ever grow up!!!

project 52 l week 37 l water

thanks for joining me for another week of this year long creative project i am participating in with the bloom forum.  it's a great feeling to know i haven't missed a week yet and it's crazy to think we are already in week  37  !!! this week's theme is water.   we are really loving living on a lake.  our house has wonderfully big windows so there is a view of the lake from almost every room in the house. not only is it super peaceful to just sit on the porch and look at the lake, it is also a source of so many fun activities. the kids love to watch the turtles, birds, and even alligators.   they love to play and splash and swim.  and their newest activitiy has been fishing in the evenings with daddy after dinner.  it is so beautiful and such a nice time of the day.  i can only imagine when it cools down a bit how much nicer it will be.  

keep following our blog circle and see what water Amy Ames Holly Springs, NC Photographer has captured!

project 52 l week 34 l connection

Welcome to week 34 of  project 52.   It's crazy to think we started this project in the dead of Winter and here we are about to embark on Fall.    We've had so many fun themes this year that have stretched my creativity in so many ways.  This week's theme is connection: what connection in your life do you adore? Many connections came to mind that I simply adore.  But this one that is so sweet and so real....I honestly could document it daily.  My middle child, our only son, absolutely adores BOTH of his sisters.   Today I was able to capture him and "baby sissy" as he refers to her.   It melts my heart to watch him with her. Every morning he runs up the stairs when he realizes she is FINALLY awake ..and he greets her with so much adoration and love.    I am so grateful for this sweet connection...

Continue on with our blog circle and see what connection Amy Ames photography, Holly Springs, NC photographer has to share with us....

sugar and spice...

it was so exciting to finally meet the newest member of our family this september weekend.   baby a was born at the end of june and this was her first trip to florida to meet all of the family.    i can tell she has carved a huge spot out of her mama and daddy's hearts already.    she was so alert and full of  smiles.   i have to say that it  is the best feeling to get to cuddle a new baby... oh, how i miss those days. i hope you enjoy this peak at my precious niece...

project 52 l week 33 l labor

this week's theme for project 52 is labor:  what labor do you do? what labor does your husband do? what labor are you thankful for? i have been a stay at home mother since the birth of our first child in 2004.  i feel so blessed that God has given me this opportunity to spend this precious time with all of our children. i can say it is the hardest and most important job i have ever had.   it is truly a sacrifice in many ways but really i look at it as a gift. 

this week i also took on another role as teacher.   i will say that i am fully confident we made the right decision to begin homeschooling our children, but it is a huge commitment and not every day will be easy.....but every day ends and i feel so thankful to have this time with our children.  to be able to raise them and instill in them the values we feel are so important.  to watch them grow and learn daily in their academic knowledge and more importantly in their love of the Lord.  what more could i ask for ?  

one day this week we planted flowers together.   i thought about how much it resembles raising our children.   the time, care, and love we give, will help them flourish into something beautiful in the future...

 now head on over the to the blog of the amazingly talented Amy Ames, Holly Springs, NC photographer

new sisters

today i had the pleasure of taking pictures for a long time family friend. i don't think i remember a time in my life that I  didn't know blair and her family.   her brother also  happens to be married to my sister and we all now live on the same street! you have to love small towns...i was super excited that blair asked me to take pictures of her girls.  they are both such beauties as you will see.   they are not even two years a part and i only imagine they will be the best of friends growing up. i hope you enjoy these sweet memories of your two girls at this new phase in life.

 

our first day of school...

today we started a new chapter in our life as a family.   it was a day i will never forget.   i thought about this day so much the past few years.  i talked with daddy about it. i talked to friends about it.  i prayed about it.    and i am happy to say we made it through and it was so much fun!    it wasn't the "first day of school" we've had in years past.   our pictures are a bit different this year.  there aren't pictures of you in a new smocked sundress or appliqued back to school t-shirt.  no new back pack and lunch box to match.   there isn't a picture with your new teacher and classmates.  no, things are different this year.  in fact, we started the day in pjs and we finished the day in our homemade tie dyed shirts.  

 i saw first hand that days won't always go smooth from start to finish.   my lesson plans may be just that ..plans.  some will be executed and some may not.   but at the end of the day, i saw the three of you laughing and playing make believe together and it made me smile.   before i know it, you will all be grown and this time we have together as a family is so precious.  so no, not every day will be perfect but every day will be a day together to cherish, grow and learn in some way and i am so thankful for that.   i can't wait for all the memories we will make .  i am grateful to have this opportunity to teach you and spend time with you as you learn about the world around you.   and i treasure these years together more than words can say...

project 52 l week 32 l fruit

it's week 32 of project 52.   the weeks continue to keep flying by.   i've just started week 2 of an 8 week workshop with the bloom forum. it is absolutely fabulous. i feel so grateful to be a part of it and am learning so much.  this week's theme is : fruit: your favorite fruit? a color fruit? maybe a fruit bowl of many different fruits! since we recently moved back to florida....and since FLORIDA NATURAL orange juice is produced here in our hometown, i knew i had to incorporate oranges.  and my seven year old was totally game for the idea since oranges are her favorite fruit...

now head on over to the blog of Linsey Stuckey and see what her favorite fruit is....

project 52 l week 30 l discovery

wow, is it really week 30? the year is flying by way too fast.  i've loved getting to see all the project 52 photographer's work and you can check them all out at the bloom forum...so inspiring.  this week's theme is discovery: what is something new you have discovered? maybe your children are discovering something new? earlier in the week i was talking to my sister-n-law and she was telling me about how their youngest daughter is trying to take her first steps.  she will be one in september.  i couldn't help but think of all the fun discoveries  as babies enter into the world of  becoming a toddler.   i was able to capture her and i have to say she is such a cutie.    we got lots of wonderful family shots, so please check back later in the week, as i will have their post up very soon. for now, enjoy this sweet glimpse into the world of CHA CHA...

now head on over to the blog of Linsey Stuckey, Houston, Texas Photographer and see what discovery she has made!! I am sure it is fantastic!!!

little miss E

one of the many many things i love about being back in our hometown is the frequent playdates and fun with the local cousins.  it is so nice seeing everyone a few times a week vs. a few times a year.    i also love that i now am close by to capture special moments of them.  this morning my sister brought her precious 18 month old over for a quick photo shoot. it was a perfect, slightly overcast morning in the back yard..and miss E was all smiles with her beautiful blue eyes and blond curls!! i hope you enjoy a glimpse at my sweet niece. 

 

butterfly cupcakes & mimi

last weekend the kids and i decided we would make butterfly cupcakes.  we had seen these on my newest addiction Pinterest.   we made a few changes to the original picture we saw but we had such fun.    i think the best part was when we called mimi (my mother) and asked her if she wanted to join us for the decorating and she did.   what a joy it is to now have her only a few houses down the road.    it really is the little things in life that are so easy to take for granted but that mean so much.   when we made our move from north carolina it was indeed bitter sweet.   i have shed more than a tear over missed friends and memories.  it is very hard moving on from the life i knew for so long.   but the life we have waiting here is one that i missed more than i even realized.    being here for weekly family dinners, having cousins over to our house to play and make memories, passing by my parents house and just getting to have a quick visit in the driveway.  as an adult i have never had these things and it is now that i need them and cherish them the most.    today i say a prayer of thanksgiving because i am ever so grateful that God has given us this opportunity. because as a military family it is indeed rare.   and to all of my family...i love you all so much and am so happy we are home.

project 52 l week 27 l silhouette

its week 27 with my friends over at the bloom forum. this weeks' theme is silhouette: awesome for a summer evening.  this week's picture is of my son and my niece.  one evening since moving to florida, i saw the two of them through the window in the back yard.  we have these two benches that sit on the edge of the grass right before the beach to the lake begins.  they are perfect for watching activity on the lake from boats, to birds, turtles, and even alligators.   this particular evevning, these two were on this bench in deep discussion.  i wonder what it was about---most likely Mario Brothers!!   the kids love being near so many of their cousins now.  they have three cousins right here  in our neighborhood and four more within a very short drive.  it is so special to have this time and to watch the kids all play and grow up together.   we have lived away from family for over 12 years so we savor these moments more than words can really describe. 

 

now head on over to the blog of Lynn, Bugsmom Photography, NJ and see what gorgeous picture she has for this theme!

project 52 l week 26 l trees

welcome to week 26 of project 52 with my friends at the bloom forum.   it's hard to believe we have made it halfway through this project.    this week's theme was trees: are you surrounded by trees? do they shade your home? do you have a favorite tree?? when i first saw this week's theme i thought i knew what i would do.  my oldest daughter LOVES orange trees....and we just moved to florida this past week and there are orange groves all across our hometown.  we even have two trees in our yard.  she was estatic when we arrived and she saw the trees...BUT we quickly realized they were not in season, so i decided that would not be the best tree to portray right now!  

after being away from our hometown for over 12 years, it is wonderful being home; but there are things we do miss about our sweet old town of camp lejeune, north carolina.   we had a swing tied to a huge tree in our old yard, which the children all loved!!! our kids were over the moon when we arrived to our new house and they saw they have another amazing tree with a super fun tire swing!! and better yet....they have a huge yard, a white sandy beach, and a lake to play in! we are all pretty smitten!  

i will leave you with some pictures of the fun we have been having the past week as we settle in to our new place called home...

 Now don't forget to head on over to the blog of Julie Livermore,  Rawlins, WY Photographer.  She always has something gorgeous to share!!!

party of 5 l welcoming baby nathan

i have been waiting to do this shoot for months...it is hard to believe this sweet baby boy is already 1 month old.  (you can see this beautiful mama pregnant here).  i will never forget the night my friend holly came over for dinner and shared her news about her pregnancy.  her husband had already left for a seven month deployment, so when they found this out  it was a welcomed and much joyous surprise for all of them.  our families weathered the deployment together and became the best of friends in the months our husbands were apart.    they are such a special family and are just dear to my heart.   it is such a blessing to now see them all together and in love with their newest family member.   i am excited to share this preview of sweet nathan with you.  thank you for entrusting me with my first "newborn session".... enjoy!

project 52 l week 22 l fatherly love

it's week 22 of project 52. i have been participating in this project with the bloom forum all year. what fun we have all had exploring our creative sides and getting to know each other better. this week's theme is fatherly love.  at first glance it may appear that i uploaded the wrong image.  you may think....what in the world does this have to do with fatherly love? 

when i first started thinking of this week's theme i thought of the love my husband has for our children.  the fun they share together...the space he really fills in their hearts; that i certainly could never fill. the space that is void when he is gone for months at a time with the USMC.  i think of how blessed i am to have married a man who loves his children and puts all of us first in his life.   

but this theme of fatherly love also brings to mind my own father, which leads me to my picture...NECCOs.  this is one thing that no matter where i am or who i am with.....i see it and i instantly think of my dad.   i would not know about this little candy if it weren't for him.   i do not like this candy at all (although he always had me try just one to see if maybe i'd change my mind). but i smile anytime i see it, which is rare these days.   i think of my dad...and when i think of him i have so many wonderful memories.  my father has always shown us that he loves his family more than anything else.   he taught us from a young age the value of family and the importance of loyalty.   i will forever be grateful to him for this and hope i will teach our children the same.   for the first time in 12 years we are moving back to our hometown.   i couldn't think of a better way to celebrate father's day this year.  it is really wonderful knowing we will have this time together again.  dad...thank you for being the man you are to me today and always.  i love you!

Now, head on over to Jennifer Hill, South Georgia Photographer's blog and see her picture of fatherly love.

fresh from God

 it never ceases to amaze me when i see God's handprints in aspects of my life.   last fall i contacted amy to take pictures of my sweet baby turning one (check out her gorgeous work).   from the moment i met her we hit it off. we had so much to share including our love of photography, God, and our families.   later in the fall we were in the same small group with bible study, but it wasn't until the spring that we were able to get together on a more regular basis.   our little girls, both full of love and energy hit it off from day 1.   they have both become special parts of our lives.    i am inspired daily by amy's walk with God and feel so blessed to have met them this year. i know our friendship will be one that will last forever.   i'll never forget when i met amy's daughter, summer grace and how amy explained to me the meaning of her name....fresh from God.  (it was so neat because we had named our third child, caroline grace...beautiful woman from God).  i think no other name could be more fitting for this adorable girl, and you will see why in these sweet pictures of mama and her.  amy, we will miss you guys but are forever grateful for the time we shared here.  you are an amazing mother and friend.

a beautiful beach night...

you may recognize this gorgeous family from a post i did with them last fall.   i was so excited when jill contacted me to take family pictures again.  they are super fun to capture and the love just really radiates from each of them.   we were blessed with wonderful weather and were able to relax and have some fun!!   it was their son, zach's 7th birthday, which was really a funny coincidence, because the last time i photographed them, it was their daughter's special day!   thank you so much jill, dave, grace and zach for this opportunity.  i really enjoyed our time together.  i hope you enjoy your preview of our fun night at the beach...

project 52 l week 21 l treasure

welcome back for another week of project 52 with the bloom forum.  this week's theme is treasure: what is your greatest treasure? what do you value the most?   this is a question i do not even need to ponder. i treasure my relationships with my family the most...my husband and my precious children!!  but also my parents, my siblings, my in laws, my closest friends.  these are all the treasures that matter most in life.

being a mother has changed me in unimaginable ways.  i cannot even put into words how much i treasure this time with our  children as they are young.  i know every step of life is fun..but this age of innocence, adoration, and growth is so special. i could say it over and over again, but i wish time would freeze in many ways.  i feel like my husband and i have been blessed beyond our wildest dreams with the love we share with each other and our three children.  they are my greatest treasures!

and oh, how i treasure these little notes and pieces of art i find in our house ...they make me smile!

now, head on over to see what Linsey Stuckey of  Houston, Texas treasures...i can guarantee you won't be disappointed.

Cherishing the moments...

my youngest daughter has most definitely started "dress up"  much earlier than my oldest daughter did. it is very evident that she has a LOVE  lately for trying on many shoes a day, accessories she finds around the house, and clothing.....this one afternoon she decided to put on big sissy's ballerina outfit ONLY after realizing her own baby doll's outfit would not fit over her head.  

this leads me to a post i want to share with you that i read this morning in my daily google reader feed.  it was from a wonderful blog (in)courage.  the post was titled living with your photos.  the wonderful author spoke about getting your photos off your harddrive. i know i am so guilty of this. i have thousands upon thousands of photos, never put into books, frames, or brought to life.  and its sad.  its not that we don't have many pictures in our house or photobooks, but it seems i a bit behind.   i cherish looking through these books or walking by our walls of portraits of our children, family, and friends.   so today, as i read this i decided to share this article.  we all need to make the extra effort to live with our photos....to cherish these blessings and memories God has given us.

and today when i look back at this snap shot of my baby in her ballernina dress up for the first time, i know i want to look back on it and remember so much more than just that moment. i want to remember this phase, this time in her life.   one day it was the ballerina dress, the next it was big brother's Car's tshirt, with the sleeves rolled up.   these snapshots, will later, bring me back to this time...to cherish these moments!

project 52 l week 20 l desire

it's week 20 of project 52.  this week's theme is desire : what do you desire, is it tangible? is it a goal?  as i think of my desires....what do i desire most in my life?  i desire to have a house filled with love;  a marriage that endures all, to see our children happy, thriving, healthy and growing up to be compasionate and caring individuals; and finally....to be GREAT --- for the Lord.    the past month our church has been preaching on being great.  and it isn't in terms of being good at something, but by leveraging your life to live out what God has planned for you.   its made me think of so many facets of my life.   and i will say that being GREAT for the Lord is above all my greatest desire. 

one week during the series the following quote was shared:   "passion is waking up in the morning, wherever you are, however old or young and bounding out of bed because you know there's something out there that you love to do, that you believe in.   that you're called to, something that's bigger than you are and you can hardly wait to get at it.  it's somethign you'd rather be doing more than anything else in the whole world.  you invest in it because that cause means more to you than money.  and you know it 's something that makes the world a better place for other people and not just yourself"  whit hobbs

this week i leave you with a few pictures of our children at the beach....in these pictures, i see our children  happy, loving and thriving...what more could i desire?

now, head on over to Robin Moore, Cary, North Carolina Photographer's blog and see what she desires...