A Corinthians Christmas...

A friend of mine emailed this to me and I knew the minute I started reading it I needed to share it.  I wish I knew who the author was but alas, the email said "unknown".
Whomever you are, thank you.

A Christmas Version of 1 Corinthians 13

As you prepare your heart and home for Christmas this year,

consider the following words of wisdom and have Christ be the

center and essence of your celebration.

If I decorate my house perfectly with plaid bows, strands of

twinkling lights and shiny balls, but do not show love to my

family, I'm just another decorator.

If I slave away in the kitchen, baking dozens of Christmas

cookies, preparing gourmet meals and arranging a beautifully

adorned table at mealtime, but do not share the true meaning of

Christmas, I'm just another cook.

If I work at the soup kitchen, carol in the nursing home and

give all that I have to charity, but do not demonstrate

kindness to strangers, it profits me nothing.

If I attend a myriad of holiday parties and sing in the choir but do

not focus on Christ, I have missed the point.

Love stops the cooking to hug the child. Love sets aside the

decorating to kiss the husband. Love is kind, though harried

and tired.

Love doesn't envy another's home that has coordinated Christmas

china and table linens. Love doesn't yell at the kids to get

out of the way, but is thankful they are there to be in the

way.

Love doesn't give only to those who are able to give in return

but rejoices in giving to those who can't.

Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things,

and endures all things. Love never fails.

Video games will break, pearl necklaces will be lost, golf

clubs will rust, but giving the gift of love will endure.

-Author Unknown

Thanksgiving and Giving Thanks...

I'm praying that everyone's Thanksgiving was a beautiful one :)

Mine didn't quit turn out the way I had planned unfortunately.  Got sick (possibly bronchitis), BEYOND major traffic to see the in-laws, haven't really slept much for the last few days (cuz I got sick), missed Black Friday with my girl (cuz I got sick), my girl got her heart broken (which in turn broke mine), and I couldn't even hardly taste the turkey (cuz I got sick).

BUT!!!  I sit here tonight, looking at all that has happened, choosing to let go, choosing to forgive, getting better and most of all giving thanks because God has answered a big HUGE prayer of mine!  He is faithful and He cares.  I'm so grateful that I am "worth more than many sparrows".

(Luke 12:6,7)

Happy Fall Everyone!

Kerrville, TX: Sarah & Ryan

On a bright and VERY sunshiny day, as the temperature rose, so did the excitement.  Sarah, quiet but bold, excited but calm, waited with baited breath to marry the man she knew was to be hers for a lifetime.  "It seems like a dream" she stated many times over.  He was there for her.  Through it all, thick, thin and everything in between.  Life has it's ups and downs and sometimes, those downs seem more frequent than the ups.  "He stuck.  No matter how hard it got, he stuck with me.  He's honest and he loves me.  That's all I've ever dreamed of, someone to love me [just like that]."  I admire her honesty.  It's not often that this and a deep rooted faith are the most important qualities one seeks after.

This gentle spirit, sweet and loving attitude is what drew him to her.  She was different than anyone he knew.  In fact, when they finally met in person, he had a feeling deep inside that THIS was the one!  Love at first sight seems like such a cliche, love at first site.... is becoming more common.  No matter what you call it, no matter how you find it, it is something to be cherish and held onto.  "I prayed... He heard and He answered," simply stated, heart felt and truer than any other statement he could have made.  I think I see what Sarah means.  Honesty is a fabulous trait :)

These two are beautiful together and share a love that can hold fast.  They are tethered by time, trial and trust.  Trust in one another and trust in a power greater than themselves... Christ.   With Him as the center and anchor, all things are possible.  Especially when finding a mate, especially the one He exclusively designed... just for you ♥

Simply elegant, Sarah gracefully took center stage in her beautiful gown from David's Bridal (detail shot by Toni Maisano).

Yep, that's yours truly :)  I wore many hats; photographer, baby sitter, makeup artist (haha) and best of all, friend :D

Hmmm, how does the photographer do the makeup and get pics as well???  I was so blessed to have Toni Maisano agree to second shoot for me!  She did an unbelievable job!

What a stunning bride!  Just look at that gorgeous smile!!!

The gorgeous floral arrangements were created by Judy of "Sonshine Weddings".  She wore many hats as well; decorator, floral designer and GORGEOUS cake baker extraordinaire!

Isn't that the most resplendent shade of purple you have EVER seen?!?

 Toni was able to take these two (separately, lol!) to grab some shots and grab some shots she did!!!

Establish in 1885, this quaint, adorable, country church was the perfect setting!

What a thrill it was to have Pastor McGee perform the services :)  All the way from Hill Country Fellowship in Burnet, Tx.  He's a wonderful man!

Toni caught the most fab shot in the limo!!!

We moved over to the Cailloux Building on the Shreiner Campus for the reception (actually the same place we did makeup).

The food was all prepared by Sodexo, Schreiners dining emporium

See what I mean???  Judy has been doing this for over 30yrs and she is FAN-TAB-U-LOUS!!!!

The bride and maid of honor have daughters that are 3mths apart... sooooo CUTE!!!!

Sarah, Ryan.... I can't tell you how privileged I am to have had the opportunity to document this most special, most beautiful, most important day for you.  Sure do love y'all!!!!

Archive Delight!

I haven't been shooting much the last month or two primarily because of hubby's surgery.... well, and the 100+ degree days don't lend themselves to beautiful scenery either, or the desire to even walk outside, ugh!

Well, because of this, I have been working on a project for my niece (indoors!) and was looking for a group of images I had taken a LONG time ago.  I ran across a shoot I had with my 16 (almost 17 *gasp*) year old daughter.  I have processed maybe one or two of them but it kinda got put on hold and honestly, I spaced it!  I started looking through them and voila I found this!

We took this in Llano about a year ago.  We head back that way to my FAVORITE shop, "A Rosy Outlook", and to our dental appointments :) this week.  I am kinda glad I missed processing this.  I was able to use my PSE9 and actions this time!  Anyhoo, this is a TRUE pic of me with my ABSOLUTELY AMAZING, BEAUTIFUL, FANTABULOUS, I LOVE THEM SOOOOO MUCH, kids!  :)

My Hunny....

I've had quite the month of May and it would seem that June is trying to compete with it just a tad.  I know I've been a little quiet here lately and sorry to say, it's fixing to become quiet again.

My sweet, wonderful, precious, funny, GORGEOUS, loveable, husband has been experiencing EXTREME back pain since December.  His legs go numb, all the way to the ankles and toes sometimes.  We discovered he has an old spinal fracture that has caused his L5 vertebrae to slip out of place, slide forward and press on the nerve.

The answer.... surgery.  I'm going to have a little moment of transparency here... I'm kinda scared.  I know that our Heavenly Father is in control and I'm sooo glad He is.  I just can't seem to ignore my humanness and not have a twinge of the butterflies.  He will be in the hospital for 3-5 days and then lots of round-the-clock nursing from yours truly, for only God knows how long.

We leave tomorrow and the surgery is scheduled for Wed.  If you think about us, please say a prayer.  Peace, SWIFT healing, safety, peace.....

Marble Falls, TX: Craigen Family

We've all heard about high school sweethearts.  Ones that are current and we are all waiting with baited breath to see what the future holds, the ones that dated and grew apart in college, the ones that married right out of high school, and then there are these.  The ones that dated, broke up, then through a string of circumstances met once more, only to decide then and there that "this is the one".

The Craigens fall in the last category.  Having reunited, she even purchased her dress before he ever asked.  She just knew in her heart of hearts, the proposal would come.  The love between these two, being developed and fine-tuned over the last seven years isn't one of "awwww, aren't they cute together" (while they TOTALLY ARE!).  It's not a love that sits on the surface, shallow and lack-luster.  It's a love, wrapped in the glory of God, who He, Himself, orchestrated the reunion and wedding and now covers the marriage.  The love of these "high-school sweethearts" shows in their very faces and the faces of their three GORGEOUS children!

I had the beautiful pleasure of following them around in the park, along with her father and grandmother, visiting alllllll the way from California.   How blessed am I that I get to mark this sweet moment in time for them all?  Beyond!

And now, I simply MUST figure out a way to grow an orange tree here in the Hill Country.... Bethina..... OMGOODNESS!!!!!!!  I'm in love!

How could you NOT adore these guys?!?!?!?!

I've been dying to get my hands on Little Miss E since she was born!

Working hard at pumping those legs :D

SOMEONE decided to be a little ham, lol!

He finally gave me a gorgeous smile!

One of my FAVS!  I LOVE the look she's giving Grampa!

Little Miss E is currently in that "I can do it MYSELF" phase :)

Proud of her accomplishment, she is! :)

We attempted to give her bread to feed the ducks... she decided to feed herself instead, lol!

Good catch Grampa!!!

Peek-a-boo, I see you!!!

I'd LOVE to know what he was thinking, haha!

Don't shoot me y'all!  I HAD to show what a FUN and fantastic family y'all are :D

Little Miss E lasted quite well I must say :)