being there

“To us, family means putting your arm around each other and being there.”
 ― Barbara Bush

A family definition I liked- the Real Simple daily thought email from Thanksgiving day.

nov 24-30

be grateful

for...

24th

breakfast with the parents - a plate of dessert for me

decorating the thanksgiving table

sharing a great meal on thanksgiving

sitting around talking, looking up sales

finding time to celebrate thanks

25th

sleeping instead of black friday shopping

on-line discounts though for shopping

back yard progress - raking, sheets filled, fence clearing (too many vines)

beginning the Christmas focus - putting my nativity up!

leftovers are a good thing

26th

gathering at granny's - sweet conversations, awesome food

granny's dressing is wonderful!!!!

rental lens use! (thanks for photos Randa)

 traveling bonding (minus the hair pulling from Chloe's unhappy moments)

a safe trip there and back 

27th

for the Potter's shaping - for not throwing the clay away

sunday afternoon naps to recover from sleep loss

a payday - you won't lose when you do something for Christ

the "after church" talking periods

relaxing - enjoying the days of rest

28th

early on-line shopping to mark off a few more names

lens shipped in time - whew, glad it's gone

16 people all together! celebrating thanksgiving again and Andrea's birthday

going to sleep early - for the rain

the gift of cleaning up 

29th

pound cake with lemon icing for breakfast

last board meeting for the year

learning through Bible focus

reading time - "Longing" arrived yesterday

hilarious moments (spanish studying)

30th

for colder weather - i love it!

thank you gift

making it to church on time

if willing and obedient, will eat of the good of the land

answered prayers (less pain) - hope for more answers

With some serious prayer requests within the past few days,

I am even more grateful for the blessings of God.

Unbelievable sorrow and pain - tough times for several different families.

(losing a mother, someone my age in critical condition, facing fiery trials.)

I still cling to the hope that "God is good ALL the time!"

thanksgiving

Thanksgiving, cultivating a thankful heart!

Jesus! He's there for me; I can't imagine my life without Him!
He gave me something real!

Life is painful at times, the heart is bruised - but God is still good.
I want to love Him more!

The blessing of my family - all 16 of us:
my parents,  three precious siblings - my brother and two sisters,

two brothers and a sister through marriage,
and seven little people to love on.
I have found that my dearest friends also are family.

Life is made sweeter by ALL my family and friends.
I can't count the special moments with so many dear ones.

My needs are provided, abundantly!
God has blessed me with what I would call "material" necessities -
a home, job, car, food, clothes, shoes, and the list goes on and on.
In addition, He has given me many of my wants and dreams.

Ephesians 5:20
 Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;

I would like to give thanks always for all things;
however, I have to confess that I fail at this - often.
That's where the mercy comes in...
on this Thanksgiving day,
I am grateful.
Blessed.

nov 22-23

be grateful

for...

22nd 

kindness and giving people

birthday lunches at work

shared brownies - super ymmy ones

some relief from pain

a comfortable couch - since I end up sleeping there quite a bit

trying to see the good in the bad 

challenge for thankfulness

monthly youth services at church

time to work on photo editing

photo memories and comparisons

23rd

leaving work early for Thanksgiving

balancing!

afternoon nap - staying up late catches up with me

grilled hamburgers and doritos

baking with my mama

needing something right now - and someone loaning it

the convenience of making plans & sharing info through texts

time to relax and avoid to do lists - although i shouldn't indulge

shooting in RAW format - rescues many photos

talking with Jesus

life today

if wishes were reality...

in 3 years

nostalgia

   

nov 21

be grateful

today for...

having a Defense for bad dreams - sub(semi?)consciously fighting a battle

no work piled up from the previous week

clearing some of the work inbox

pet names ;) (lil bit is a new one)

over-the-top customer service

the convenience of on-line shopping

coupons that work for multiple transactions

making progress on the Christmas list

crisp red grapes

letting go (or trying to)

ES bridal portraits

Saturday, Daniel and I had a wedding shoot in Anderson, SC.

Staying up til 5 am the morning of a wedding is not a good thing...a tiring day to say the least.

Nerves, headache (that went away thankfully), and stress 

along with a lack of sleep throughout the week turned into a "crash" Saturday evening.

Hopefully, I will finish the photos soon...Daniel and I managed to capture most of the details.

Earlier in November, I met the bride,Elisabeth, to take some bridal portraits.

Here are a few that I liked...

A pretty bride.

Love and happiness.

Sweetness!

nov 17-20

be grateful

for...

17th

surviving a four day compliance conference/school

staying awake while driving
outreaches, honoring elders
thanksgiving food
having friends to care
church family who works together
plastic gloves! (pulling out plates adventure)
rented lens arrived (problems later - ugh)
clothes that do not need alterations!
relaxing at my house! i love coming home!

18th
a short workday (less than 3 hours)
no more auditors at work
photo ideas and inspiration - Pinterest!
using gas rewards cards
receiving wonderful customer service on lens rental
little debbie christmas tree cakes - i love!
sharing the driver's seat role for a change
finding an item on sale
coordinating with texting :)
curling up in a chair

19th
staying up late, couch time (not a good idea later!)
sweet hugs after 4am
my sister Andrea - sharing her birthday
Daniel - helping share the wedding photoshoot work
my sister Allison - offering to teach Sunday School class
overnight lens shipment arriving just when needed, and it worked (thankful for answered prayers)
surviving the wedding shoot - nerves, stress, little sleep didn't help
headache going away
for my granny's cooking
someone else driving so I could sleep

20th
feeling okay about memories captured
sleeping in my bed again
prayers that can overcome stumbling blocks
He never sleeps!
His word is forever settled in Heaven!
staying awake in church
seeing God work
He'll keep you through the fire!
He did not start what He can't complete!
help with sadness

nov 13-16

be grateful

for...

13th

forming new habits hopefully 

sunday school kiddos

perspective - what is man that THOU art mindful of him?

preparing lunch

funny conversations

Jesus will never fail me!

God is no respecter of persons!

God hears, answers, protects, delivers, rescues!

obtained promises

grace to endure

14th

my hero

finding my way through traffic

interaction with new people

breaking away from comfort zones

my mama learning to text :)

early dismissal

learning how to work navigation on my phone

krispy kreme

helping someone else

downtime with an e-reader on my phone (free ebooks!)

15th

hair finally cooperating

making it on time

"thoughts" from home

familiar faces

fresh fruit 

networking

layered clothing (ha!)

finding a few good deals and a Christmas outfit :)

time in the big city with mama

neat shopping places

16th

the convenience of motels 

(even though they are not my favorite places - 

someone else making up the bed is super nice!)

gaining knowledge - peer sharing

car with good gas mileage (and that my car still works ok)

safe travels

supportive family

clothes not requiring alterations

mail packages

the Shepherd's point of view

encouragement from sermon notes

for my home

May all my words give honor to God, 

giving thanks for so many blessings, for so much!

He is good, gracious, merciful, faithful.

nov 12

be grateful

today for...

b&bw

adventures in odyssey :)

naps

yard clean-up progress

sweet potatoes

Thou art near

youth services

He chose to be my friend

All I have needed is provided

For there is hope!

nov 11

be grateful

today for...

freedom that we have

the ones who serve(d) - *veteran's day* - freedom isn't free

this land that I love, America

sleeping late

bank holidays

cleaning up/raking in the yard

golden leaves

ones that share the load

peaceful moments

Jesus loves me! 

nov 10

be grateful

today for...

a short work week

 treats shared

great co-workers

excel spreadsheets for budgets

candles burning, good smells

girls' night out - food, conversation, sweetness

brother-in-laws who babysit

talking with high school classmates

food and conversation

warmth from the car heater

nov 9

be grateful

today for...

sweet friends

a job that i love
flex time :)
answered prayers
promises to stand on
wednesday night services
journal of memories
photos captured
slr digital cameras
learning processes

nov 8

be grateful

today for...

protection when I am "alone"

inspirational ladies

closets full of clothes

ALL things are possible with God

feeling hungry - and food to solve this

divine help with studying and prep

visits at my house :)
sweatshirts

sharing and caring

Christmas music!

nov 7 (+ anderson photos)

be grateful

today for...

feeling okay at times- so thankful!

coupons and deals

relaxed day of work

candy bowl filling

a new like for craisins 

photo uploads

laughing and happy moments

the convenience of the dishwasher

free song download from amazon

Lightroom syncing!

Anderson memories from Saturday 11/5:
(pretty bridal portraits that I can't show yet!)

Main Street:

My pretty cuz Randa...

Photo credit to her for these two of me...

A wreath idea from an antique store- burlap wrapped with just a simple floral addition.

Now to find time to make it?

nov 6

be grateful

today for...

finding keys

freedom to worship

my church

thoughtfulness

power in prayer

a day of rest

Jesus: Faithful and True

choir moments

He IS faithful to me!

sour cream pound cake

nov 5

be grateful

today for...

gracious hosts

checklists

photo practicing
keeping up with sisters

icedream with mall walking

winter candy apple

downtown memories

burgers with mama and granny

power converter and editing progress

texting conversations

nov 4

be grateful

  today for...
devotions,
clean sink without dishes,
leaving work around lunch time,
discounted candy,
reading sweet words in a card,
fast food treats,
solving a car light,
safe travels,
spending time with family,
compassion for failures. 

nov 3

be grateful

today, for...

sweet texts

little baby smiles

the Lord waking me up in time ;)

relief - audit exits

colored leaves of fall

finding something

power of love over fear

bargain clothes

time to clean up

chocolate

already 3 months

today Chloe is 3 months....already!

nov 2

be grateful

today, for...

being still

someone to count on

boots

the Word of God

fresh Krispy Kreme doughnuts

hot chocolate

mercy

renewed compassion

Selah

that God made mama!

nov 1

be grateful

today, for...

 bible study

*  life *

 making it to work on time

leftovers

 gathered information 

a plate of delicious dinner

peach cobbler and ice cream

a warm house

 fleece blankets

socks

a family session

A quick session with this family,

so that I could print some updated family photos for an event 

happening the day of the photoshoot. :)

 

My pastor and his wife...

...with their three children

...then the children by themselves

....then the guys

...and the girls

And another group shot from the beginning -

the front porch had too much sun, but I still liked showing this part of "home" in a photo.

I think I rather like "mini-sessions." :)