Father's Day

Yesterday was a day set aside to honor fathers. I was unable to post that day because I spent all the time I could with my dad before he left town for two weeks.

I am not sure that I have ever told my dad this, but I respect him so much for doing all he does to support us (and seeing as how there are nine people in our house, it's no easy task) without fail. He has to be at his job way before anyone should even be up and works until after hours. I am so inspired by his relentless devotion and perseverance in order to support us.

These are a couple images from the last two/three years and show some of my dad's favorite things. :) My dad and his dog, Bella, who died late last year. Man, my dad loved that dog. He would bring home long pieces of knotted rope, all excited, and would call Bella. She would freak out and would lock her jaws around the rope. My dad would then swing the rope around in a circle, three feet from the ground. Bella never let go. This made my father's day, everytime.



This is what I wake up to every once and a while... I bet no one else's father does this with football pads! :)

My mother and father after twenty-three years... aww.!

And finally, the only two men currently in my life: Dad and Dude. I love you two!Dad, thank you. I am so blessed that you are my father. I can't wait to see you again! I love you so much. :)

Wedding: Corey & Elizabeth

I've known Elizabeth for, like, ever. We went to the same church for as far back as I can remember, until we went church "shopping." Coincidentally, we were enrolled in the same home school writing class year before last where we were reunited. After the classes ended, we tried to keep in touch and saw each other occasionally. Then I got the email. Elizabeth got herself engaged! You might remember my post of their engagement session... Well, turns out I had the honor of capturing a good friend's wedding. And what an amazing couple. Since they're young and so close to my age, I felt really free to do fun stuff - still being professional, but also enjoying the union of my friends. Their love for one another and their passion to keep God central in their lives was completely evident throughout the entire day.

It was one of Libby's dreams to get married at the beach. This completely thrilled me, seeing as how I'd never shot a beach wedding prior. It did prove a challenge, but I believe we rose to the occasion. After hours of not-so-normal getting ready, there was a lovely ceremony on a private beach, with the reception at a church owned by someone in the bride's family. (Uncle I believe.) All around a lovely day. Corey and his bride were gracious enough to hike about a bit with me to get some fun shots... thanks guys!

When Libby and I were talking about her engagement, she informed me that together, the two of them had decided not to kiss until the day they were wed. After months of waiting, Corey and Libby kissed for the first time, at the alter, as man and wife. Though they waited, faithfully, after that first one, they started making up for 'lost' time. It definitely made me smile every time we went to take a picture and I would say "Ok, Corey, give her a kiss," and we would have to wait until Mom said "Come up for air you two!" It was such a blessing and a testimony to see them complete their commitment to one another and then find it was worth the wait.

Corey and Libby, I wish you both all the happiness in the world. May you always keep God as the foundation on which your relationship stands. Love you both and so happy for you!Photobucket" border="0">

I am so glad I was able to be a part of your big day... thank you for sharing it with me!

Graduated!!!

Well, after the same fashion of Sarah's post: My older sister just graduated from high school yesterday. Though I am not the older sibling, I am so very proud of all that Ashleigh has accomplished. She has been diligent when she could have been lazy, excited when it would have been easy to be bored, and all around exemplary in her schooling. I look up to her and respect her so much, though I am sure I've never actually told her that. :)

Ash, I am so proud. It has been an honor and a joy growing up alongside you. Though we aren't parting ways - for now - I am excited to see you grow and mature in a new direction, as an adult. I cannot wait to watch you blossom as you follow God's perfect will for your life. Love you, my best friend.

My parents getting to graduate their firstborn... It was so cute; my Dad cried! Love it. One down, five to go, guys!
Ashleigh's co-graduates... there were others in our church who graduated, but these were the only three in the ceremony.

One of my friends, Grace, is heading out to New York on Thursday for the entire summer. She and some of her friends are heading up to a Christian camp to be counselors, kitchen crew, and horseback riding instructors - i.e. wranglers. I was able to attend they're going away party and snapped some pics real quick before we left. Adam, Kerrianne, and Grace.

I am so excited for you three! I know this time will stretch you all; but remember. If you don't stretch and grow the 'muscles' in your character now, you won't be equipped to do all God has called you to. I can't wait to see all the fruit in your lives after this season. God bless!

Well, I'm tired. Catch ya'll later!

Whew!

I know it's been a while, but my computer has been on the fritz lately. Fortunately, I have all of my images backed up twice, just in case it crashes. (I did it, Sarah!) Now on to the long post...

Seeing as I haven't posted post-internship, I figure I should touch on that, since it definitely changed my life! I had am amazing time with Sarah Barlow... up to the very end. The day before I left for home, we shot a wedding, an engagement shoot, and then, since I hadn't actually been to the city, we drove around Chicago for a few hours, grabbed dinner and headed back. What a long, tiring, completely fulfilling day!
I enjoyed everything Sarah and I did together and I learned. So. Much. I can't begin to tell you all that she taught me, from her own experiences and growth.

Sarah, thank you. I wish there was a better way to say all that I mean, but it's that simple. I am so blessed to have been able to some live with you for two weeks, immersed not only in your business, but your family life as well. Thank you for making this opportunity possible and for welcoming me in. And to the Barlows... love you all! It was so fun spending time with you! Shout out to Andrew Barlow, who just graduated from high school... you go dude! Have a great summer before school gets REALLY rough! (lol)

The moment I got back, I've had to hit the ground running... I shot a beach wedding the day before I flew out to Chicago, and, since I was out of state away from my compy, I had to finish the images once I got home. Here's a sneak peak... I'll post more later. :)
On top of the wedding editing, my family is moving and we had to finish the house to put it on the market. (Praise God, it went on the market yesterday! Pray for quick selling!) Then, the Wednesday after I got home, my older sis Ash and I drove out to Southern Shores, on the outer banks, to spend some time with my best friend and her family. It was a blast. I have added some pics for your enjoyment as well.

While I was at the beach, I took some fun, spontaneous portraits of my best friend's boyfriend's sister. She is gorgeous and so fun to photograph! Plus, I love her. Here are a few favorites... It was hard to pick!



On the way home from the beach we stopped by my grandmother's house, and it was closer than I thought to the beach! Pretty cool, if you ask me. My Grandma Doris, my father's mother, has been suffering from some kind of abdominal cancer for a while and seeing her so frail socked me. It hurt to see my wonderful Grandma so small and so uncomfortable. I've never told her this, but my whole life I have dreamed of my wedding - as all girls do - but I've never been able to picture it without her. It is one of my deepest desires to have her share one of the most important days of my life. However, seeing as how I am a rising senior, and thus have no wedding is on the horizon, plus Grandma's current condition, I think God will call her home before I wed. The only good thing about death is this: if we are saved by the precious blood of Christ, it is not death to die. We have Heaven and eternity with our Savior. Watching Grandma decline hurts, but her hope and excitement for Heaven fill me with joy. Wanting her to stay longer than God has planned is not only fruitless, but it is selfish. In Heaven she'll have a body that will no longer be ravaged by disease. She will be made perfect. Please understand; I may be saying strong words, but inside, my heart is torn. I love her , so much, it cannot be conveyed through words. She has been a pillar of strength and joy in her faith for me to model through the years. When her time comes, I pray I will be strong, but I know my heart. The Lord knows I'll need His strength.

Well, that's it. An update. Please pray for my family; for our impending move, but more importantly, for strength as our loved one grows closer to Heaven.

OH WAIT! One more thing... my older sister, Ashleigh, is graduating from high school TOMORROW! I am so proud of her and SO excited to watch her follow all God has called her to. Love you babe!

Here are a few images from an engageement shoot while in Chicago... I will post more images from Chicago shoots later, as well as the wedding images, so stay tuned! God bless and have a lovely weekend.