homemade Christmas

It's going to be tight this holiday season..even if it wasn't though I'm sure I would think of something to try and make. I love the challenge of taking on a new craft every year...I know my family loves it as well (sarcasm).
I'm loving the handmade/vintage look that's in right now for accessories, jewelry, and clothing, and I think I can create some things that will be ok to wear in public:).
Here's my inspiration...



I'll try to take pictures of my finished products to post after Christmas of course.

and for my spiritual inspiration...I'm 3 weeks into half marathon training so this verse especially stuck out to me this morning.

^24-25You've all been to the stadium and seen the athletes race. Everyone runs; one wins. Run to win. All good athletes train hard. They do it for a gold medal that tarnishes and fades. You're after one that's gold eternally.

^26-27I don't know about you, but I'm running hard for the finish line. I'm giving it everything I've got. No sloppy living for me! I'm staying alert and in top condition. I'm not going to get caught napping, telling everyone else all about it and then missing out myself.

1Corinthians 24-27 (the message)

a fan now

I don't know how it happened...i was curious.

I picked up a book you may have heard of called Twilight...just to read a couple of pages and see what the fuss was about. How could people love a book about vampires so much?...I'm pretty sure I made fun of people for reading them...

I am such a hypocrite.

I couldn't stop reading after those few pages. I haven't stopped reading the past two weeks. I went through a book in about 3-4 days. I'm almost done with the 4th and don't want it to end. wow. can't believe I shared this...if you haven't read them, I think you should... good stuff.

Here are a few images from Tia and Bo's wedding. It was a laid back affair on the lake. I love laid back weddings. For some reason I felt like posting smaller images...just felt like switching it up today.

Olivia • Greenville, SC portrait photographer, Seniors

I met Olivia while I was volunteering with the youth at Newspring. She was in 8th grade when we first met...she's now a freshman at Clemson...I feel ancient. It's been so cool to keep in touch with some of the girls from back then and see what they're doing now and how much they've grown physically and spiritually. I asked Olivia to model for me in exchange for some free senior pictures. She was awesome...a natural. thanks Olivia!

grow me.

I'm begging Jesus to grow me more than usual these days. The conditions are right.

I remember about 6 months ago when things seemed "good" praying that Jesus would break me. Why? It's when I'm broken and things aren't so great that I realize how good Jesus is and how much i need Him. When I don't recognize any physical or emotional struggles in my life, I find myself becoming complacent and letting my relationship with Jesus slack. I'm sure my definition of "broken" and "struggle" pale in comparison to what Jesus' description would be so I have to remind myself how blessed I am and get over myself and my worries. I didn't go without breakfast or lunch today and i'm pretty positive I will be sleeping in a bed tonight, with cool air blowing on me. shame on me for my selfish worrying and my lack of faith.

I look back now and the times where I can see the most spiritual growth with me were times of sorrow, uncertainty, frustration, worry. I am so thankful for those times and wish I could be thankful for them while going through them.

I hear Jesus telling me how I can be obedient. I can take my focus off myself and place it on him. I can practice patience and having an unwavering faith. I can give him my burdens so my thoughts can be consumed with good, selfless thoughts. I can trust in Him and His word. I can rest in the unknown instead of trying to always have a plan. this list continues on and on...

There's not one thing in my life that is inspiring this post. It's a combination of so many. I want to be obedient to what He's telling me. I want to do better tomorrow...and the day after that I want to do better than the previous. I'm praying He's patient with me.


Jesus,
I trust in you.
you are sovereign.
you are faithful and always have been and always will be.
take my worries and burdens from me.
let me give them ALL to you.
let me rest in your peace and stillness.
grant my heart patience.
let me find hope in you alone.
you have overcome and i will not be afraid in this world.
i will look to you for refuge.

end of summer vaca

We're going to the beach!! Be back Thursday. I'll try to get back to you ASAP if you email me!

wish Mr. Benson could go;(



He gets on that float by himself and just chills out in the deep in..it's really the coolest thing ever.

Sneak Peeks • Greenville, sc portrait photographer

I will try to remember to blog these individually;)...until then, here's a little preview...

Mishelle & Zach's wedding



Sweet Brennan


Kristin & Nate


Olivia


Suzanne & Charlie



***Be on the lookout for specials coming soon on family/baby/newborn/senior sessions to celebrate the end to a wedding-filled summer!!***

Whitney & Nick

The comfortable shoes


that face..






the groom..




her reaction after embracing her dad..


amazing prayer


right after ceremony..ahhh..




i like the look on his face..




last dance..


i like this because that's his dad's reflection in the window...


Whitney and Nick, I know you two will be very happy! Thanks for letting me capture your day! God bless!