Boxing up the Holidays

I am spending my New Years Eve helping my mom take down Christmas decorations. It's not the most glamorous way to welcome 2012 but considering how busy I have been this break and how much there is still left to do, it was the smartest choice for me. We are currently on 30 minute break and I saw the perfect picture window. Our dog Cleo and our cat Pixie are pulling the adorable card and acting sad about the boxes being filled with the shiny objects that they have been playing with for the past month.

My mom insists this tree has a "good shape." Yeah, in Whoville.

Isaiah 61

This is possibly my favorite chapter of the Bible, I say possibly because their are many others that I also say that about. This passage was first introduced to me at Passion, I believe two years ago but I'm honestly not sure. Ever since it is often on my mind. This one verse I had never really thought through till a few days ago.

vs. 11- For as the soil makes the sprout come up 
   and a garden causes seeds to grow,
so the Sovereign LORD will make righteousness
   and praise spring up before all nations.

The thing that struck me is that every garden has a gardener and ours is a Sovereign Gardener. He not only decides the soil and surroundings that will allow you to grow the most but he controls the rain and the shine. He isn't shocked by the storm that you are certain you won't make it through but he allowed it knowing the rain was just what you needed.

This is actually a picture Tyler took. His scenery shooting ability is far superior to mine

I leave for Passion 2012 with the college group on the 2nd and I am so excited. I have a lot to get done before we go but I am trying to still take time to be with God now rather than blowing it off with the justification that I know next week will be more completely God-centered. 

Also I might not take my camera there and keep the pictures to a minimum. Passion isn't something that can be captured through film or digital media and I hate the thought of missing the moment because I was busy trying to capture it. And for the record I'm usually the first to have their day ruined because an out-of-focus frame.

Don't tell anyone

So this is the first "event" I have done besides a few favors for friends. I was nervous for the low lighting but I was excited to celebrate a birthday with one of the sweetest family I know. It was surprise for Mr. Jason that Mrs. Michelle had worked very hard on. Obviously since it was a surprise Mrs. Michelle wanted me to keep it secret. That was hard because I don't always keep secrets well and I've blown a few parties in my day. But I didn't mess this up, we had a fantastic time, and I am so grateful to know people willing to take the risk on my picture taking skills.

Jason's calm among the chaos makes me laugh

And there was a surprise for both of them at the end of the night :)

A Thousand Days and More.

This post makes me smile so much. First I met with my friend Jaclyn who I have known for most of my life. Here's proof.

That's Jac second from the right on the bottom and me in the middle top row.

Jaclyn is a photographer's dream. She is photogenic to the point where she doesn't take bad pictures, she loves to have her picture taken, and she has zero shame.

I'm pretty sure there is no medical reason for that backwards thing her legs do because it's beyond double jointed. 

This shirt dress is amazing, I'm obsessed with the colors

Next came our mentor Stasia and her husband Andrew. Jaclyn, our friend Caitlin, and I all met once a week with Stasia for a Bible Study and fellowship till Andrew was called to go to seminary in New Orleans and they had to move. But we still get to catch back up with Stasia whenever they are in town and this time I happen to mention that I haven't been able to take any couples sessions yet which opened the door for taking some shots of them since they just have now been married three years and haven't had pictures in awhile. They are gorgeous together and Andrew was a great sport, only complaining minimally and possibly even enjoying himself a little bit.

                                            

I seem to like the way they look in B&W

                                   

Love spending time with them :)

Family Affairs

I just realized I'm the worst blogger on the planet. I have completely forgotten about a few sessions because others just pop up then I end up behind.

These people are special to me for about five billion reasons. Grant gave me the opportunity to be an intern with the youth group this summer, where he put up with my questions, confusions, and impatience to help me grow as a person and worker. Micah is a sweet friend who has an insane ability to be completely elated no matter what I tell her. I love stopping by to see her and her sweet babies they always make laugh. BUT for a fun twist to their story Grant is Tyler's brother therefore deserves credit for us meeting :)
Anyway Grant is very busy as a youth pastor and we don't always get to see him just enjoy life with his family so it's nice to have these moments.

He looks like a little boy in Narnia :)

This picture makes me laugh every time. I just have to put it in for fun 

Practice, Practice, Practice

When it comes to photography all the advice, lessons, and brainstorming can not replace getting your kit and taking some pictures, of anything. Practice is the key to improvement. I definitely don't post all my practice shots because most of them are absolutely terrible. One song from my childhood always plays in my head as I go. It's from Swan Princess which I loved as a child.

Anyway, today I spent hours writing down session ideas and working on new tricks for shooting RAW, when my mom told me that some old family friends were coming by. It's always nice to catch up and see what everyone is doing. I literally grew up with this family and it's so strange but exciting to see them grow up.

Next came Chelsea and Ms. Leslie. Ten days of not seeing them is way too much and we got some serious talking done and I got to catch up on my making-fun-of-Chelsea's-accent that I had been missing in Texas.

They brought over my Christmas present tonight, a new camera strap :) I needed one of these badly and this one was personalized in my favorite color lime green so I was about excited as I can get.

When all our friends left and the excitement died down I got to my practicing. Nothing special mostly just playing with apertures. 

I wrapped some these. Definitely not my #1 talent.

I always liked the angel

The Reason.

Have a Merry Christmas!!!

Wrapping up

Today is my ninth day in Dallas so tomorrow I leave. I'm not fully ready to come home, partly because I hate airplanes. Then it'll be back to talking to Tyler via phone and Skype. But last night was a fun celebration of our time together by going to a nice restaurant called III Forks.

In recap though. This has been a sweet and fun time with Tyler and his family. This picture of us from the Dallas Post office is my favorite. Because this is us, not the tie and dress. I usually don't wear make up and Tyler loves his camo hat and this is how we have the best times just enjoying each other's company.