The {S} Family

These guys were great! I loved their natural comfort in front of the camera and the reality that is theirs created some incredible moments. Little Vanessa is a beauty with an incredible smile and her sister, Eva, is following her lead. Dan & Jenny are incredibly fun and sweet people. Every time I see Jenny, she's got a smile and a kind word. Thanks for a great shoot guys! Keep doing what you're doing, cause it's working!

Happy Birthday

Photo Credit: Michelle Peters

On November 6, 2006, I was attending school in Pensacola, Florida and my parents were down visiting. It was a Wednesday evening and we were just finding our seats before the church service began. I walked down the row and found myself walking straight for a highly attractive guy I'd seen around campus. I sat down and formed an immediate crush. We chatted before church started and my parents instantly fell in love with him the moment they learned he was an avid canoer. During the service, while paying attention of course, I wrote a note to my sister and told her about the adorable hunk sitting next to me.

That boy was Justin and that day was his birthday.

4 years later, here we are....I got to marry the adorable hunk. I feel so blessed to call him mine forever. When I was a boy crazy teen, my mom had me write a list of qualities I wanted in my future husband...and he met every qualification and more!

This year, since I'll be flying to Pensacola on November 17th, we are pretending his birthday is the 20th. But I can't ignore the actual day, just don't have it in me. So today, on your for-real birthday, Justin, I hope you have the most wonderful day and thanks for being born! Love you!

The {C} Family

I have been getting to know this family since May. And so far, they're flawless. The best part, they give all the glory to God for their two little boys and for one another. This family genuinely enjoys each moment they spend together. Dave and Chelsea are so completely in love with one another and I am so thankful to have such a couple to look up to.

For their shoot we planned on going to the local apple orchard. Sadly, however, apple picking was closed. With a bag full of apples, we headed to Chelsea's parents farm. Chelsea grew up there since she was a young girl. The farm was not only meaningful but perfect for the shoot. The boys were comfortable enough there to be themselves and Chelsea and Dave knew where all the best spots were. Besides the dramatic wind, we had a wonderful time and got some great photos!

The Newbie

This little guy was born just over a month ago. September 30th, 2010 at some time way too early in the morning. He weighed 9lbs 11oz. His name is Spencer James and he's my newest nephew. His older sister, Avery {3years} and brother, Myles {19months} are absolutely, positively crazy about him.

When I see a newborn baby, I am amazed at the creation of God. It's easy to get caught up in the mindless details of everyday life that we forget what really matters. Walking into the hospital room and seeing him there reminded me. He was beautiful and perfect and a gift from God.

If I haven't already told you, I live with my brother, Dan & his wife, Tara and their three kids while my husband is in Florida finishing his degree. Didn't want to live all on my lonesome and couldn't work/live in the states so here I am. I love every moment of the craziness these kids provide. I get to see, up close and personal, just how a young family grows. And these guys are doing an incredible job. It's a house full of laughs, love and most importantly faith in a truly amazing God.

Spencer has been blessed to be born to such a family. One that adored him and could not wait to meet him the moment they knew he was coming. No doubt you'll see more of him and his cute little face, big blue eyes and perfectly formed dimples.

Welcome to the world, Spencer!

See ya later

Photo Credit: Michelle Peters :) thanks friend!

The story begins on our honeymoon. I remember thinking somewhere in the middle of the two weeks, I can't wait for the rest of my life to be exactly this. I truly thought the honeymoon was my brand new reality and I wondered why I hadn't married Justin sooner.

The two weeks flew by and we found ourselves back in Pensacola, Florida about to begin our last semester as juniors. Before we made our first appearance on campus, it was vital he get a hair cut. I dropped him of at the barbers and this marked our first married goodbye. If you hate romantic ramblings, stop reading. Consider yourself warned. I did not shed a tear, but I definitely struggled saying goodbye for that longgg hour.

As a dating couple, we spent one Christmas and one summer in a long distance relationship. I say, with no shame, I cried at goodbye every time. I hated them and still do. No matter how many times I tried to convince myself that "it's not goodbye, its see ya later", it was difficult. To me, marriage meant no more goodbyes. The occasional girls weekend or even week away I could handle, cause those were classified as "see ya later's".

So as I walked down the aisle on January 3, 2009, I was thrilled to be marrying such an incredible man with whom I'd share forever. We'd grocery shop together, fall asleep together, wake up together, eat dinner together, study together and go on at least one date per week....together.

As our plans for schooling fell apart, we slowly realized what it might mean. Being Canadian, while he's American complicates things just a bit. I can't work there, he can't work here. We had pride and for a long while, we refused to think that this all might be a part of God's plan for our lives. Trust me, we fought it till the bitter end. In fact, we fought it until Justin had just 11 days to discover he was indeed returning to a school in Florida, needed to find a place to live, we had to figure out how we'd pay the bills and prepare ourselves for goodbye. I dreaded it the moment I found out. I knew people did this type of thing all the time. Nicole Staples and Melissa Ray Scott are two friends of mine who have endured months upon months away from their soldier husbands. I admire their strength but have always said to myself, I could never. And I'm not. I'm not experiencing near the time away from Justin they have their husbands.

As I've said before, this was my thing, my burden, my test. I'm not passing with flying colours, but I'm surviving. I write this blog as a vent, it helps me, but I hope at times, I get to share something that helps maybe just one of you. What I've learned since Justin's been away is the real importance of treasuring each moment, being thankful for the small stuff, a skype date, a letter, an old photo that recreates that old memory. I've seen friends and family step up and show me they care and they're there. Most importantly though, I've learned that God has a purpose and a plan for everything. You don't have to understand what it is immediately, you just have to have complete faith that it's there. God adores me and loves me with an endless love so I gotta trust Him.

And the truth is, it's not "goodbye," because that's permanent till Heaven, mine's an extended "see ya later," and I'm learning to simply be thankful it's that and not the other.

Justin graduates May 11, 2011. That day has become my second wedding. I can't wait to begin our lives together and see the end of extended "see ya laters." I know that when that day comes, I will appreciate Justin more than I ever have before. They say you don't know what you have till you lose it. For some, you've been blessed enough to realize your gifts without losing them. You are blessed. I loved Justin before, but I wanted all that I thought came along soon after marriage, a house, a dog, kids and lavish dates. Now though, I'll appreciate him. Just him.

All this to say, God is good. I'd change this situation in a second if I could, but I can't so I am enduring the time apart and getting to know God a bit better each day. "To know Him better is my reward." If you've got a "thing" I hope you're finding the same to be true. If you're not, maybe rethink it a bit.

God Bless you guys. If I held your attention until this point, thanks for reading and listening.

Everyone needs one

I have a number of people surrounding me that enrich my life on a daily basis. I am always trying to think of a way to say a measly but genuine thank you.

Michelle Peters is one of those people.

I'm not quite sure where to begin. From surprise coffee visits at work that brighten my day to soup deliveries when I'm under the weather, Michelle shows me in so many ways how much she cares. Recently my husband (I say my husband partially so you know exactly who I'm talking, but mostly cause I love calling him such), anyhow, Justin came home to visit me for a weekend. It'd been a month away and we had desperately missed each other. Michelle and her hubby, Travis, surprised us with a night at a beautiful hotel. When she told me, I was speechless. And I am still speechless. This wasn't your typical Comfort Inn hotel experience, this was an elite hotel with all the fancies that made us feel like something special. Justin and I felt so loved that day.

I won't list every little thing she does, but this type of gesture is the norm with her. She speaks my love language and maybe that's why I feel so loved by her. She thinks of every detail and knows exactly how to make me smile.

Michelle is a treasure. I wish everyone a friend like her.

Michelle, I can't thank you enough for teaching me what friendship is all about. It's about seeing the small needs and meeting them with or without acknowledgement. It's knowing how to make one smile when a smile feels impossible. It's laughing together till your stomachs hurts, it's joining an exercise program that's unthinkable and faking push-up incapability's and it's telling me an outfit looks terrible, when it sincerely looks terrible. Not sure what I'd do without you. Good thing I don't have to know. So sincerely thank you for you.

Distractions.

Justin left for school in Florida. I am so proud of him my heart feels like it's going to burst. He didn't give up. I would have months ago. Throughout he has told me our future makes the sacrifice worth it.

Soonest I'll see him is three weeks from yesterday. That is three weeks from yesterday

far too long.

So naturally the best thing for me was a distraction. Minutes after he left Avery, my three year old niece, assured me he'd come back soon. Sure enough he did, for one last hug. She was so sensitive to me all day. Checking on me, even including me in her colouring expeditions. Her and I spent the rest of the day playing together. She made me feel like it was going to be okay. Kids find joy in the little stuff. That day, it was caterpillars. I will never look at those creatures the same, Monday, they made me smile

when that's the last thing I wanted to do.

Trust me, I know it could be a million times worse, but this is my "thing" and despite it's impact on other's lives, it touches mine drastically. I am thankful that God cares about our "little" trials and let's us know, He's there. My mom was gracious enough to spend that night and the entire next day with me just being there and keeping my mind focused. My sister skyped

me and messaged me and texted me, covered all her bases. My dad emailed me encouraging words and Dan and Tara talked me through it. My family has always meant the world to me. This summer they have loved me even when I've been unlovable. I've had miserable and ridiculously selfish moments. So this post will hopefully let them know, I've seen it and I appreciate it. I feel blessed largely in part because of your presence in my life. Thanks for putting up with me and still loving

me. You have taught me more about the practical love of God than ever before.

I've received so many emails with verses, "I'm thinking about you" messages, and promises of prayers. And I don't take one of them for granted. I treasure them and I treasure the friendships I share with the messengers.

Here are a few photos from my distraction day.