farewell 2011

what a year of emotions -

a range that I do not want to describe right now

2011 - you've been a testing year

and right now my words are few, my heart is sad.

yet grateful for each day, each moment, this year I have made it through

for 2012 - i think i will keep on praying, keep on believing.

it's all i know to hold on to. :)

I plan to leave 2011 and enter 2012 during "watchnight service"

Happy New Year - and God Bless Us All! 

kiddos christmas outfits

All cute and coordinated with their Christmas outfits! :)

dial family co-shoot

Two days before Christmas, Daniel and I had another photo session.

Something last minute and wish-honoring for a family.
Definitely a team work session - that I thought turned out rather well.

The full session is unlocked on my website - clicking through on any of the photos.

Prayers are appreciated for this family I know!

S/T Wedding co-shoot

Last month, Daniel and I took photos for Elisabeth and Stephen's wedding.
Here are some of my favorites from our cameras from the day...
(and the rest are in an album on my website!)

merry christmas!

Merry Christmas to all....

A play on words with a phrase in my card....
I want to read the book "The Help" which is so popular this year;
however, "my Help" refers to Jesus, who is truly my refuge and help in time of trouble.
It almost doesn't feel like Christmas, but it is here NOW!
Some of the days felt like a fog -
but in all that, a well known refrain stood out one day as I drove:

Be near me, Lord Jesus, I ask Thee to stay,

 Close by me forever, and love me, I pray! 

Bless all the dear children in Thy tender care 

And take us to heaven, to Live with Thee there.

- Away in a Manger

this time

It was the best of times,

it was the worst of times...

- charles dickens, a tale of two cities

No other explanation for this Christmas than this quote.

gabrielle + band photos

A preview from a recent photo session:

happy bday em!

happy 6th birthday little miss!

hope your day is just as special as you.

there's a big ole personality wrapped up in this girl. =)

chloe 4mo / PS practice

I downloaded Chloe's 4 month photos to my laptop tonight.

I took a break from wedding photo editing -
just couldn't resist her cute lil face.

After opening one of her photos in Photoshop, I practiced some.

And I ran a #2 pencil action to see how it would look.

I love Photoshop for finishing touches!

But, it's hard to beat the convenience and time efficiency of Lightroom!

last month part 2

After the Raleigh trip -

went by the Senior Citizens dinner.

The next day - I found out that my lens rental had a technical problem.
(Major stress!!)

Wonderful customer service from 

Camera Lens Rental though.

Another lens overnighted to the upstate.
If you ever need any photo equipment rentals, I highly recommend this company!!

Everything worked out to have the lens for Elisabeth's wedding.

That was a rough night!

Happy belated birthday to my sister Andrea!

My heart is thankful for you!

A lot of November moments are listed within my thankful posts last month.

Dessert making!

Thanksgiving table!

The fall items were taken down the day after Thanksgiving.

And I put out my favorite Christmas decoration set.

The Saturday after Thanksgiving is the family celebration in HP.

Sweet day - more photos from here later.

Meeting Granny for the first time.

Eating outside - "warm" inside!

People/kiddos everywhere. :)

Chloe had some fussy moments - poor thing.

And then the following weekend, we celebrated for Andrea's bday/Thanksgiving.

Deep fried turkey is awesome!

You need candles to blow out for your birthday - even if they are plastic. :)

Lots of November activities - here we go for December too!

last month - part 1

November at my house -
pretty leaves

fall accents


a tree that changed quite a bit within 2 weeks

the details on a leaf

Every weekend in November had something on the calendar.
The first weekend - upstate.
Memorial dinner for Uncle Jerry.
Saw my cute little cousin John Owen.
Anderson photos posted earlier.


Girls' Night Out during the next week!
Love Pizza Inn!


Fish fry at church the second weekend.


Packing and prep for my Raleigh trip.
A four day conference.
Two early driving mornings - two nights stay.

 

Favorites - spending time with my mama.

Krispy Kreme. Figuring out the gps on the phone.

Shopping / Crabtree Valley Mall.

(ate too much during the day, had to skip the Cheesecake Factory - bummer!)

And that wraps up half of the month.