Two out of Three

These are two of three of my absolute favorite faces. (Bradley's is the other...)

Kaylie | Lafayette, IN Children's Photographer

Kaylie came over to play with Addison the other day and the girls enjoyed the amazing spring weather. I shot a few pictures of her while she was here. Such a beautiful little girl! She didn't sit still for very long, but when she did....so serious...

Of course, I took some of my children too, I couldn't resist. I'll post those another time.

kid moments.

A few weeks ago I did a photo shoot of some beautiful kiddos! It had been quite some time since I had photographed active kids, besides my own, and I was a little nervous. Well, lets just say, I let my lack of confidence get to me and I pulled out the "comfortable" photographer stuff. The way I used to shoot because it made me feel safe. I attempted to have them pose and smile...of course this didn't work...they had too much energy. Everyone, including me, got tired and over it quickly. I shot some random photos but I didn't enjoy it because I was trying way too hard. Later, I even questioned why I got back into this. I want to have fun while shooting and I want my clients to feel the same, I want to capture real moments and personalities, but during this shoot, I forgot all of that and put too much pressure on everyone. I forgot about the passion that the Lord had instilled in me to capture lifes timeless moments with my camera and let my fear of man control me. Over the weeks I have revisited the memories of that particular day and taken mental notes of how I will do things WAY differently next time.....

Earlier this evening, I was looking back through those photos and ran across a couple photos that I didn't realize were there. They scream the style and realness of what I wanted to capture originally but I forgot when the pressure was on. I am so glad that I found them and am able to post them for you. I continue to pray that I will only improve as I serve more lovely famlies in the near future.

Here are a couple photos from the shoot of some REAL kid moments.....enjoy

......

We visited our families a couple weeks ago and I was able to take a few pictures. I have several to post, but all of a sudden I am feeling terrible.........uhhhh.......not again. My kids have been sick for a week now and I think it is trying to get me too. Bradley suggested I load up on the Vitamin C. The summer can not arrive fast enough....flip flops, vacation, and good health!

Kahle and Aunt Rach.

Addison found this toy lizard at my moms and has been "taking care" of it ever since...even gives it fresh water at night before bed.....of all the toys she has......this is the toy of the week

Nephew Jackson.........getting so big

Seasons....Part 2

I just want to clarify about my previous post. I in no way intend to be boastful or even prideful about the current season of my life. I can do NOTHING apart from Christ, absolutely NOTHING. I guess the entire point I was making was that I am so incredibly joyful and excited about my current season of life. I haven't won the lottery or even found twenty bucks in my pocket, nothing in my current work or schedule situation has changed. I am just rejoicing and praising God for being.....God. And I guess over the past month or so....I have come to know just a tiny bit more of who He is, not by any strentgh of my own. Just by the awareness and willingness to admit how incredibly broken and needy I am....and how incredibly good and able He is. Through this incredibly small piece of obedience on my part.....God has faithfully and gracefully revealed Himself to me. I am so unworthy....but so excited about it...that I had to share!

I ramble........so?
:)

Seasons

I am so greatful for the changing seasons. Not just earthly seasons, but the many seasons of my life. In my current season of life, I am a wife, a mother of a pre-schooler and a toddler, a friend, a keeper of my home, and a full-time math teacher. But most of all, I am experiencing a season of tremendous spiritual growth. Not that I am anywhere near where I need to be, and frankly will never reach that goal until I meet my Savior. However, I am growing, and becoming more dependent, trusting, aware, conscience, fearful, joyful and IN LOVE with the Lord! Paul speaks in philipians about our "progress and joy in the faith." Through our rough schedules and exhaustive job circumstances, I have sought to please God and focus on His will rather than grumble and complain trying to live MY way. During my early hour-long commutes to work, I have had the sweetest prayer time. I admit, at first, I did not feel like praying at all, I was lazy and had no passion. I would rather listen to the radio and drink my coffee, but then God began convicting me and I began praying just out of obedience. I would sometimes begin my prayers with, "God, I really do not feel like praying right now, but I want to obey your word." In the midst of the prayer, God would bless me and give me the most amazing prayer times. I would find myself crying out to him with all of my heart. I now LOVE my prayer time with the Lord. I refuse to miss that time with Him each and every morning. My relationship to Him has grown more sweet and authentic through it.

Giving all I have to the Lord has been my goal. Pleasing God and working for HIM in everything. I have asked Him to change my heart and to make me more aware of His will. Not just His will in my life, because really it's not all about me, but just living a life that ultimately glorifies Him. I have so much more growing to do! But this season has been amazing and God is amazing. He will change your life, but you have to give yourself to HIM first.