The things I cannot forget

Two weeks ago was crazy. I worked with the middle school ministry for most of the week as they prepared for camp. I don't get to spend a lot of time with the middle schoolers but Chelsea and Matt are with them every week. Something I have a lot of respect for based on a few of my experiences with this ministry. 

I went to dinner with some of my girls. I am going to miss them like crazy while I am in Texas but I know they will be in good hands with the other 9th grade leader, Katie.

Some of the pretty faces I am always finding on my phone :)

My dog is so dramatic playing dead by the oxygen

Since Chelsea was at camp I got to go to the LAdy Antebellum concert in her place with her family. Darius Rucker was the opening act and he was one of the best shows I have seen but I also highly enjoyed Lady A just because I love their music and had never seen them live.

This family is super special because I am currently at the beach with them. Being Tyler's niece and nephew I think every picture is worth posting but I made myself pick two. 

High school lake day was a glorious day. I got to ride in the boat for a vast majority of the day to take pictures and watching the epic falls was entertainment for hours.
Most things in life are moments of pleasure and a lifetime of embarrassment; photography is a moment of embarrassment and a lifetime of pleasure.  ~Tony Benn

This girls face is awesome so I have been asking her for a picture for weeks,  finally got one.

Tubing makes for hilarious facial expressions.

Newest Lyle, so excited to meet her :)

Waiting for Chelsea to get home with my psuedo family at WifeSaver

{Last Half of} Summer Bucket List

I was inspired by my friend and mentor Stasia to start a summer bucket list. Even though I am late since I will be spending the rest of the summer in Texas I have plenty of stuff I am hoping to do. I have free time while Tyler is at work and I plan on just not laying around the whole time.

• Eat Whataburger- Since starting this list I am the beach with Tyler's family and we have had Honey Butter Chicken Biscuit
• Try at least 1 new restaurant every other week with Tyler
• Download and read 1 book a week on my Kindle
• See Madagascar 3 and the new Ice Age
• Cook with Mrs. Leah
• Get better at Frisbee
• Take pictures at least once a week
• Have pictures taken with Tyler regularly- We have good start
• Convince Tyler to take me to either Hamilton Pool or Barton Springs
• Go to a drive in Movie
• Make prints of pictures I like instead of just leaving them on my computer
• Keep up my running schedule 
• Back my pictures on a hard-drive and CD's
• Find a place to swim in Texas, don't just sit inside
• Have a Columbia shirt collection that competes with Mr. EJ's
• See a Rangers game
• Develop a B&W Lifestyle Potfolio
• Play golf maybe once, maybe once several times
• Find a good camera bag, preferably one that can double on as purse
• Go through one Chapter a week of "Black and White: From SnapShot to Great Shots" with Tyler
• Grill Out
• Make a PhotoBook of my 2011 pictures and start one for 2012
• 
  

Eventful {PhotoDump}

Maybe it's just because it's summer but lately there is no end to opportunities to take pictures... which I can't complain about at all.
There has been lots of love in the air and even though wedding/rehearsals are challenging the adorable moments are completely worth it.

I have known this beautiful bride and her family for years so the fact that they let me in on so much of this day meant so much to me.

I did a father's day toddler session that was just too cute. I am getting more and more comfortable photographing little children and they becoming my favorite models.

We tried out my prop desk :)

Next came Middle School messy wars. Which should have been the smelly wars because it stunk. But it was awesome.

If you're going to lead youth at Warren, you might as well get used to using a bullhorn.

Perfect timing haha.

At the end of the night they brought in a fire truck to hose of the kids. I have to say this was a highlight of my youth leading career.

*From Pinterest*

There are still lots more photos for me to catch this blog up up on including a concert, lake day, and a precious family shoot hopefully I will have time for all this within week because I will be at the beach with Tyler and his family. Can't wait!

PhotoDump

The past few weeks have been extremely busy but going back through my pictures there have been some awesome moments already come and gone this summer. 

Kayla's graduation. So proud of the little Lyle and glad she is finally in college with us

I have had tons of pictures to edit lately but finding adorable shots like this make it totally worth it.

Filled up water balloons for middle schoolers. Will def be further explaining this in a later post.

Best Friend was in Africa but still got a text :)

Didn't see Tyler on my birthday but hung out with his niece, pretty good compromise

Got Kindle from Tyler. I absolutely love it and the free books available are quite cool.

Love it when she is home! And when her neighbor wants us to play with their puppies

VBS week means tons of fun stuff is around the church... like tents

I love my Lion from Africa. He is so cool.

What'd You Do This Summer? {BigStuf}

Moments that can't be summed up in pictures frustrate me. In general the pictures I take sum up experiences better than my words do. When it comes to things like camp both words and pictures (from my iPhone, I didn't take my camera) do not do justice.

This year for camp we went to BigStuf. I had never been before so I was both nervous and excited for the experience my girls would have. 

The coolest part of camp for me was during the "Entertainment hour" for the campers there was a leadership study for the "adults" on the trip. During one of the lessons they shared the stat that 50-70% of college freshmen who were raised in church will fall away from faith in Jesus Christ. I have heard this many times but looking at my girls it suddenly made me nervous. They are all awesome girls with potential to amazing things in the worlds they are apart of.

Luckily before my mind could race too far with fear of where they could end up in four years, the next point was, "It's not your job to change them, it's your job to love them."

Thank God he is one who holds their hearts and will be with them past high school and every other life event I may not be around for.

Going through my prayer list I was reminded of what my friends were up to: Like Chelsea In Swaziland and Hannah teaching/tweeting her 8th grade girls. They make me smile. "College Life" has not hindered but instead massively advanced their faith. 

These thoughts of my friends working for growth of the Kingdom of God made me think or pray rather. These are the things I hope my girls are blessed with. I hope they move to another city where they are bold enough to jump into a new church, teach a middle school Sunday School, and just be happier than they could ever imagine. I hope they go to foreign countries and lose their hearts to orphans but find their purpose and joy in loving those who absolutely need it most. And maybe one of them will hang around Augusta and lead a small group of girls who want to stay up eating pizza then wake up early and run on the beach. I love these girls so much and can't wait for the next few years with them :)

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us,  to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

Eph. 3:20-21