The "K" Family!

Whoo-Hoo! My first photography play day was a blast! This first picture may be my favorite...it reminds me that even when I think I have a good idea...it all depends on if the subjects are willing!!!

Razorback Blue

In an effort to confirm that my three year old knows his colors, I asked him what color his shirt was as I was putting it on his head. It is a cute little red Razorback jersey. He replied with, "Razorback!" I said, "No, what COLOR is it?" He grinned and said, "Razorback BLUE!!" Oh, help me! We did lots of color studying today! But, maybe he thought I was asking what "emotion" he felt when he saw a Razorback and "blue" just might have been the correct response!

Dreams and Nightmares

So, my blogging time has been drastically reduced due to my new found addiction: looking at really GOOD photography online. It is so fun to see all of the creativity that goes into the perfect shot. Of course, these amazing professionals have amazing cameras and equipment, but when I see a little girl about to kiss a real live frog with a crown on his head, everything in me wants to shout for joy! The perfect shot...my perfect dream...which has turned into nightmares for me lately. I can't wait to work with the people that are going to let me photograph them, but Satan has had a nice little time telling me I am not worthy to even think of such a task! My dreams (ahem, nightmares) have been filled with unhappy clients yelling at me while the frog (perfect picture shot, ya know) is running around and can't be caught. I have also dreamed that my camera refused to work no matter what I did to it!

My adventures start this Friday! I went and got some "props" from Cracker Barrell and Target today. That was so much fun I could hardly stand it. I would like to visit some antique stores and flea markets when I can go alone...oh, this could be addictive!

I am praying that God will bless my efforts and give each client some photos that they can shout about! Each photo should tell a story...I hope I can get some that do!

And if you want to see the cutest picture of a girl kissing a frog...go to: http://www.inthebeginningphoto.com/
I think it is under "children site" then "galleries" and then "bigger children".

Weekend Rundown!

We got to go party it up in NWA this weekend! We just love going to see my family...when Sunday comes, we realize how fast the time flies when we are together. (Especially on weekends when the Hogs take up so much of our time!)

Speaking of those Hogs...bless their hearts, I really think they got the game stolen away from them! It was so heartbreaking to be in the crowd and feel the anguish of our players and fans. But, the pre-game was especially fun with our friends Todd and Michelle. Thanks for the memories!!

Today, Sir and Mim took us out to the farm so the boys could go on a hayride! They loved every minute. They also got to jump across round bales of hay...what an adventure. I found the old "egg truck" in the pasture and had a "hay day" getting to photograph it. My Grandad used to gather chicken eggs...it was fun to see the old truck he used.

Offer of Photography Services!!!!!

Hey Everyone! As you all know, I just love taking pictures! I really enjoy capturing families together and the little ones' personalities. With the financial crunch, I thought of an idea that just might help your family out! Getting your picture taken professionally is quite an investment. I was laughing last night as I was looking at various photographer's sites. It seems that the really great ones didn't call their prices "prices" but instead "investment." You know it is gonna be expensive then! So, my idea is this: Let ME capture your family memories! I can spend around an hour with your family...or little ones and then give you a CD with all of the pictures on it! I would recommend taking the CD to Fast Foto...they do great with enlargements. I would charge $35 for this service, which includes the CD.

I will be happy to come to your house or your favorite Conway location. Just think of the possibilities! I know of a lot of people that send out Christmas cards with pictures either enclosed or part of the actual card...what a great way to get a good shot! What a great inexpensive way to give some pictures to grandparents for Christmas! What a great way to get some shots of the whole family for scrapbooking!

My days are very flexible. Most of my Saturdays are going to be free. Most of my mornings are free. I posted some of my favorite pictures I have taken this past year. Can't wait to work with you and capture the spirit of your family! I am not going to leave my phone number here...just leave me a comment if you are interested!

Thoughts on Voting

As I was driving to vote this morning, I was overcome with anguish. I was crying out to our Father...our Supreme Glorious Sovereign Daddy who doesn't let anyone rule unless He has ordained it...crying that he would be merciful and gracious during this election.

At home this afternoon, God showed me a verse that brought great comfort. Isaiah 33:2 says, "O Lord, be gracious to us; we long for you. Be our strength every morning, our salvation in time of distress." And verse 6 says, "He will be the sure foundation for your times, a rich store of salvation and wisdom and knowledge; the fear of the Lord is the key to this treasure."

When we have a deep respect and reverence for our awesome God, we receive an immediate blessing: He is our sure foundation; He is our very salvation; He is our wisdom; He is our knowledge. There is no room left for fear; he is our very life.

I really enjoyed the Desiring God post on this subject...it is on the right hand side of the screen and called "Why Christians should vote like they aren't voting" (or something like that.)

May we be spurred on to reverence for our Most Holy God in the "times" to come...no matter who wins the election, different "times" will be upon us.

Lil' Stinker!

That first picture just sums boyhood all up, doesn't it! The guy is a stinker and yet knows how to capture hearts!

Eli got his school pics back today. I have a pet peeve with school pictures. Why pay out the wazoo for something when you can take a snapshot in your backyard that is going to look way better? It is such a rip-off, and yet I don't think I have the guts to be the "parent" who doesn't send the "form" with their kid on picture day!!

Campin' It Up---Stuart Style

I get to blog while Eric is fixing cinnamon rolls, bacon, eggs, and coffee. How awesome is that?

We got to use Eric's birthday present for the first time last night! He got a huge fire pit and we built ourselves a nice little fire. We were out there for like 3 hours! After a while, we realized that it was our first fire since we have never owned a fireplace nor gone camping. It was great fun!

The kids got sticky, sticky, sticky as they got to roast marshmallows and make smores. Savannah had fun licking up all the crumbs. The boys downed two huge smores and then begged for more. After I ate my one, and remembered how sweet and rich they are, we decided to cut them off. They then went pouncing through the dark backyard, being little explorers.

After putting them to bed, we returned outside...yeah....to talk by ourselves! We reflecting on all sorts of things...but mainly the goodness of God to have transformed us so much out of our pride and selfishness...not that we have "arrived" or anything like that, but the evidence of his mercy has been great.

I am such a pyro. I just love to watch fire and the different colors of flames. I could do it for hours on end. Eric asked me what he thought God was doing in our lives...primarily in 2008. I looked into the flames and said..."There it is; that is what He is doing. He is burning away everything that doesn't point to His glory. I just wonder if he loves watching the flames as much as I do." Hebrews 12:29 says "Our God is a consuming fire." While in the flames...while being cleansed from all impurities, it sure doesn't feel good. Sometimes, it is all I could do this year to keep going, keep trusting, keep getting out of bed, keep reading the word, and keep crying out to God. Sometimes, I just wanted to writhe in the fire and be begged to turn into ashes and be blown away so that the pain would just end. It was only God's mercy and grace that allowed me to keep loving Him when my emotions wanted to do otherwise. After coming out of the fire, I have found our Jesus to be even more good. And He is merciful, even when His mercy doesn't display itself in a way that we would have chosen.

Well, build a fire, and as Eli would say, "Go Camp it Up!!"

Sammy-Who-Who

Sammy-Who-Who is the nickname that Eli dubbed for his brother when he was a baby. Some things in life just stick, you know? Photographing 3 year old boys is a ridiculous task. My favorite shot is of Sam sitting cross legged in the chair (black and white)....he is saying, "I don't want it!" He didn't want to smile or pose for me at all! Where is the love, little one?