All cheeky-ness aside…I know exactly what Christmas means to me. Yes, it is about family, giving, laughter, love, hugs, kisses and joy. But the REAL reason is to celebrate and thank my dear Lord Jesus for coming down to earth as a baby, for living on earth, sinless and perfect, for dying on the cross for my sins and raising up from the dead. Christmas is about celebrating the living God that I serve!! Oh wow…gives me goosebumps :)

I pray you have a wonderful Christmas holiday.

“Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

“Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

Luke 2:11-14

I have really debated even mentioning anything about it on here. I’m a private person who has chosen to put myself out in public with this little piece of online world. I realized, if I’m going to feel safe again, I have to put myself out there.

I’m really not going to say much about it except this piece of friendly advice for anyone who frequents blogs, mine or any others: Is what we are about to comment on a blog, facebook, send in an email or text; lovely, edifying, encouraging and kind?  I’m not naive to think that we all are just such happy people and so kind to everyone we meet. I have no intention of creating photography that appeals to every single person’s senses…wow…how boring would that be?! I just want us all to be straight up *kind* to each other, even to strangers. Isn’t our time precious? Do we really have the *time* to write or say hateful things? Maybe some people do. Shame.

These little incidents have helped me to make the decision to remove comments from my blog. I am extremely thankful to those who take the time to stop by here, whether it is for a moment or two, whether you enjoy my photography or feel it is for someone else to enjoy. I hope that if you feel the desire to interact with me you will visit my Facebook page. I hope one day I feel the safety to reinstate comments…maybe.

Now enough of that! I feel a need to post about random things, and post random photos…

Do you have an iPhone? Are you on Instagram yet? I love that app. It is super fun for taking photos and putting that extra edge on them. I also love seeing photos that my friends take all across the world. There are some great apps for Instagram and one is Instagrid.me where you can quickly see a grid of your friend’s instagram photos. Hover over the photos to see the captions! (What am I selling this or something? Instagram doesn’t even know I exist!!)

I love taking nice, edited professional photos and I also love taking snapshots. I take my phone everywhere I go so I always have a camera. Here’s a snapshot of my last few weeks! We have had a FUN SUMMER!

I’m gearing up for a Q&A blog post! I don’t claim to know even half of what I should about photography, but I do get questions and I LOVE to share what I know! Facebook or Formspring me to ask cause asking on the blog won’t work :) :)

…it’s been awhile!

The kids are finally on the mend and I think this is the last we will see of fevers, long nights and multiple doctor visits for awhile. We finally were told that Abby had strep throat, I just wish we had caught it 3 weeks ago! I really am just so thankful that the issues we deal with over here are just not that important compared to other places in the world. A little bit of strep is nothing really…but these kids *are* my world and what happens to them happens to me. At one point Abby asked when I thought she would be well. I wanted to have an answer for her so badly.

So now I have the task of getting all of us back to normal and into our routine. I’ve got orders to fill, photos to edit and even though the house doesn’t look at all like the horrid picture in the blog post below…it could use a visit from the cleaning lady (aka…ME)!

A little bit of business…I have one session open in May and I am booking now for June, July and August. August is expected to fill extremely fast since I will be out of town for a week and also because holiday sessions start in August (can you believe I just said Holiday Sessions??)

I just introduced brand new collections (that in my opinion, are truly wonderful and amazing) and am running an extremely nice incentive for clients who book for May and June. If you would like more info, click here to fill out my contact form!

My family has been plagued with the flu for about 2 weeks now. We canceled Easter plans, and canceled the Easter plans that we made after we canceled our original Easter plans! The kids have been out of school for two weeks straight, one week of no school because they were sick and another week of no school because of Easter vacation. Abby getting to school on Monday looks pretty iffy as well.  All three kids have had it at one time or another, today Abby is on round 2 and the pathetic photo of Lily down there is her just today. What else can you do except for lay on the couch, watch movies and sleep. There’s been a steady stream of apple juice, popsicles and frosties at my house.

Everything has been put on hold except for…oh…a whole fireplace remodel!! I’m only half going out of my mind and am praying that the kids come out of this sickness soon. And no…please don’t call me in to be on an episode of “Hoarders” the last photo was of my living room on fireplace demo day. I’m STILL cleaning up the dust!! I sure had fun though…when I post the “After” pics I’ve got a fun video for you, let’s just say it includes me and a sledgehammer. Oh! And how could I forget our family getting used to a new dog?? (he got a haircut if you can tell!)

Anyone who knows me understands that I am not a dog person, or a pet person for that matter. I’m still not a dog person, but I am a fan of this here Gilbert…

So far he has been an amazing joy to my children. I grew up with a dog, so did my husband and we wanted that for our kids. I really do think we found the right one. Gilbert is a purebred Yorkie and came with his name. My husband and I tried to convince the kids to name it something different (Locke? Sawyer? Jack?) but they wouldn’t have it. I don’t mind though, I think of Gilbert and Anne of Green Gables every time we say his name :)

So the exterior of our house right now is white with teal green trim. I’m not joking. It has beautiful brick on the garage and side of the house, but the previous owners thought it would be grand to paint matching teal on every other brick. My husband has painstakingly scrubbed off 99% of the teal on the bricks, but it still needs one more good once over with the paint thinner (that is actually acid that burned my poor husband’s arm.)

As soon as we are 100% sure that no rain is in sight (which is soon!) we are painting the exterior of the house. These are my inspiration photos (all taken from pinterest, follow the photos to be taken to their origins).  Obviously, I love porches, I love overhangs and I love farmhouses…all of which I do not have! Now if I could just transport us into a modern farmhouse, then I would! But maybe I can pretend we live in a barn and paint the outside of my house like one! We don’t have shutters either, but will add them if we decide to go that way. So if you’ve got a great pinterest board that you think I would love…let me know!

Source: annawalker1992.blogspot.com via Amy on Pinterest

I am definitely going to paint my front door a different color. Yellow? Red?

Source: the-brick-house.com via Amy on Pinterest

I was sold on black shutters until I saw this house!

Source: houzz.com via Amy on Pinterest

(You can see the actual color of our house behind Zach…and before anyone says they like the teal…no we are NOT keeping it!!)

Why do we become disenchanted with who we are? Why don’t we ever get ENchanted with who we are? That might be a bold way to start this post, but hey…that’s how I roll (yes..I did just say “that’s how I roll”).

I received a really nice email just a couple days ago. A fellow mom wrote to me that us as stay at home moms, “…find it hard not to look around and compare ourselves with others and get down on ourselves.” Yes…I agree…100% yes.

Then my husband and I were chatting about him starting a blog…he voiced that he didn’t think he had anything to say. Um…that is very very wrong. But honestly, that is how I feel most of the time. I can’t wait to read his first blog post and I know he reads every single one of mine.

Just being honest here…I don’t feel I have much to say…much to give or much to display. I think that is why I go long stretches without blogging, not because I’m busy, but because I don’t feel what I have to say is worth anything to write about.

You have to realize, I am a God-fearing-believing-Bible-toting woman. If there was anyone who shouldn’t struggle about her self worth it should be me. The girl with a good childhood, didn’t (really) have a rebellious streak and has a close relationship with God.

And yet. I. still. do.

and you do too.

My goodness we have so much to say, so much to give and so much to write about. Why is it so hard sometimes? Because of fear. Fear that no one will read…fear that many people will read. Fear that we will get burned or criticized for who we are. Fear that we will be real but others will think we are not.

I want to become disenchanted with a life of self doubt. And become enchanted with a life grounded on God and on what He thinks of me and no one else.

I want Him to remove the film that lays thick on my eyes and skin. The film that tries to protect me from hurt and scars, but only leaves disease behind. The film that was put there last year by individuals who didn’t understand the love of God. The film that I put on myself every day when I say I have nothing to give. I want to be made whole and love what I do and do what I love.

Join me.

I’m making some commitments here. No matter how many people read this blog (which I know there are at least a couple! Thanks Family!! lol) I am going to post more, share some FAQ’s and photoshop tips. 2011 is a year of learning for me and for others…I really feel it. I’ve already agreed to mentor one person this upcoming month (super exciting!) and I hope to help other young photographers or “momtographers” as well. When I just started out a few awesome photographers answered my questions and one basically taught me everything I needed to know. There’s no way I’m going to turn down others who truly want to learn. I plan on taking some workshops this year as well.

If you have any feedback for me, things you would like to see more of on the blog, anything I can share, shoot me an email or find me on facebook!

I’m really looking forward to what this year as in store for all of us…

I really feel like I watched my kids grow this year. It started with Zach as he went into Kindergarten…

…with Abby as she began to speak like a teenager and talk to me like a friend…

…with Lily…as she became a true to life little girl who completes her family. Oh my she brings me joy!

…and with a little boy who isn’t even mine, but his presence in our family is healing.

At times 2010 was painful but I am thankful we went through it. I am so very thankful for life and for hope and for possibility even in the face of evil. I can’t describe the reality of character that I have seen this year. Images and situations that I hope against all hope my children will be spared from. Pedestals have been crushed and light has been shown. It has only brought me closer to the One who is perfect in every way. So I choose to move on…to live in the freedom of Christ and of truth. Stand on truth…that is what I learned from last year.

In 2010 I had the opportunity to photograph some amazing people. I saw couples fall in love and fall in love again. I saw babies be born and babies grow up. I got to teach and to meet new people with the same passion I have. I also got to document my kids’ little lives, to take their photos and to enjoy them as a mom who is still called “Mommy” should.

In 2011 I am praying that I am able to take photos of MORE babies, couples & families. I pray that I personally pick up the camera more, documenting our lives as fleeting as they are. I want to write more, share more, and live in the passions God has given me. I’m excited about what is to come! I know in my heart my business hasn’t even scratched the surface of what it could be and I have a wonderful feeling that this is my year…

Happy New Year…may 2011 be *totally awesome* :)