May 31, 2012

Watch Me Grow :: Kailyn

This was my next to last "Watch Me Grow" session with Kailyn Nicole. It seems just like yesterday I was headed to Parkwest to take her hospital photos and here were are and she's already 9 months old. I say this all the time, but one of my favorite parts of my photography business is being able to watch little ones grow up. I loved getting to spend some time with Kailyn every 3 months - she is so sweet and has always been so easy going with photos.

This session we went to AK Bissel Park at the Oak Ridge Civic Center. I just love the willow trees there. I always look forward to what outfits Carrie will bring for her! We always do multiple outfit changes and I am always impressed by how fast Carrie and Daniel get Kailyn dressed! They are pros!

Thank-you Daniel and Carrie for allowing me to be a part of your life and for allowing me the awesome opportunity to watch your sweet Kailyn grow up. I am looking forward to her first birthday in August! You have a beautiful little girl. Here are a few of my favorites from Kailyn Nicole's 9 month session.

Could this baby girl have any bluer eyes?



I just love this one!









*Remember, 20 comments and Carrie will get a FREE 5x7 photo of her choice!*

May 30, 2012

God's Love Story

Lessons Learned (Part 2)

By: Raquel Dunn

The first few days were the hardest. I love food and let's be honest, eating is a social past time in this country! However, every time a pang of hunger would strike I would open the WORD OF GOD and read a passage about fasting or the overcoming faith of the heroes of the Bible. Within the first week, I had truly conquered those pains.

I was extremely careful in the presentation of myself and around any opportunities that food was present. The Bible tells us to fast in secret. When you do this, it's important that you and GOD are the only people that are part of that inner circle. That's not to say a few people didn't know, because I did have to disclose what I was doing to a select few. One being my parents because I knew they were prayer warriors that could hold me up anytime I needed it. Earl's parents were also privy to the information as well. Mostly because since I stayed with them on my weekends, his mom began to notice I was never eating. She point blank confronted me with concern. Which in this day and age is completely understandable. Jerrie wanted to make sure that I wasn't starving myself, so I told her what I was doing and why. I remember her crying and telling me she hoped Earl would make the right choice because it was so clear that I loved him more than anyone ever could and that GOD had brought me into their life for a purpose. I also knew they would continually lift me up in prayer. As for everyone else, it was easy to pass it off as though I wasn't hungry when I was around them.

One week turned into two and three and not eating just became part of who I was, but amazing so did the HOLY SPIRIT. The indwelling that took place in that time took me to a heavenly place. I literally felt like I was in the presence of GOD with every breathe I took by the fourth week. As I said, Earl was barely talking to me. Others within my circle of "friends" had begun slandering me in a way that would have left me crying and screaming, "it's not fair" just six months earlier, but I had a calm that was like nothing of this world. I remember when I heard one the hurtful remarks that had been made against me. The LORD began putting the words, "no weapon formed against thee shall prosper..." I knew it was a Bible verse, but I had no clue where it was. Everyday I would get up with those words on my heart. I began searching for the scripture so I could dig a little deep and discover what treasure lie ahead. Then I found it:


"No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of me, saith the LORD." Isaiah 54:17 KJV


Notice the second half of that verse. It was unreal. The HOLY SPIRIT had taken me to a passage that described exactly was going on in my life. I was being judged without reason, but I knew how to handle it now and I knew this battle wasn't mine. It was HIS.

As I neared the end of the fast, I was faced with the greatest challenge I'd ever come up against. There were so many lessons to be learned from this one instance, that to this day it helps me keep my marriage intact.

I'd been going to church there in Bristol for several weeks. I didn't really get involved or make a lot of friends, but I wasn't trying either. I had one foot in Knoxville and another there in town. At the time it seemed impossible to merge the two. I had no way of choosing one or the other. My heart was with Earl, but my job was two hours north

It was like any other Wednesday night really, I was running late to service because of work but obviously I wasn't going to miss when I was so enraptured with GOD. HE was my lifeline in this fast and I had no intention of doing anything to get off track. I scampered in and two ushers were standing in the vestibule. They smiled and nodded their heads as to say hello and welcome. They were in opening remarks and I slid in near the back of the crowd and quietly took my seat. I joyful participated as they sang songs of praise, took up offering and went through prayer requests. Then it was the time to shake hands and greet one another. I stood at my pew, like always. I never really mingled much, instead letting others come to me. I wasn't there for the fellowship with them.

Then he approached me. He was young, tall, dark hair, blue eyes and of a very muscular, athletic build. He didn't really look like Earl but in someways he reminded me of him. I'd seen him every time I had attended service, but we'd never spoken. So what made tonight different? The fact that he was ushering? Maybe, but I was certain I'd seen him do that before. He walked up and reached for my hand and said something that would send my mind into a tailspin and cause me to do some serious soul searching.

"Hi, I just wanted to apologize for earlier."

"Apologize?" my puzzlement was most certainly obvious.

"Yeah. When you came in, we didn't bother to open the door for you. And I'm really sorry about that. My name is Jeff by the way."

Searching for a response, I smiled. "It's no big deal," I stuttered, "I didn't even notice."

And I really had not noticed.

Honestly though, what guy in the world today says something so charming and captivating as their first words to you.

He was determined to make sure I was accepting of his apology. I wholeheartedly embraced it and he walked away. I remember watching him head to his seat and everything felt like it was in slow motion as I took mine. What just happened here? What was I supposed to learn from this? I have no idea how long it took me to refocus on the service. The funny thing is, that was just the beginning.

After service, I always took my stuff and made a beeline for my car and tonight was no different, except, Jeff was apparently much quicker than me. Because as I turned out of the pew, there he was. Apologizing again! I told him it was fine. Then he asked if he could walk me to my car. Are you kidding me? Who asks? Men just do what they want now, even if the woman doesn't want them to. But seriously, I would've been crazy to turn him down. He was extremely good looking and his demeanor was so precious. So of course I said sure.

We stood by my car for the next 45 minutes just chatting and getting to know one another. I found him so inviting to be around. The joy he exuded was unbelievable. Finally the parking lot was nearly empty and he said, "Well, I'd better let you go."

I'd completely lost track of time. I was so captivated by the whole evening I'm not sure I wanted to go. He offered to open my car door to make up for earlier, so I let him. I thanked him and began to get in and then he said, "If it wouldn't be too forward, I'd really like to take you to dinner sometime?"

I think in that moment I was trying to figure out if this was real or some Nicholas Sparks romance novel I was reading. I was at loss for words. My heart was turning flips and my head was spinning. Never had I felt so valued and cherished by a man. The only words I could muster out were, "Can I pray about that?"

"Absolutely. I want you to do that," he told me in a kind and heartwarming tone.

"Okay, I'll give you an answer next time I'm at church."

Then I got in and I probably would have sat there contemplating everything that had just taken place, if he wasn't standing there watching me drive off. As I pulled out of the parking lot, a flood of tears washed away all traces of make up and drenched my clothing.

I was left to my thoughts all the way home. What did this mean? What was the answer I should give him? What about Earl? Why couldn't Earl see me this way? Was GOD telling me it was okay to let go? This guy seemed so perfect in so many ways. How could I say no to him? Was it possible to hold on to Earl and still date this guy to see what GOD wanted? Neither would known about the other. No, I can't do that. That's just wrong.

Due to some schedule shifting at work, it was a couple of weeks before I was able to make it back to church to give him my answer. I spent every moment I could in prayer. I weighed all the pros and cons and I finally came to a decision.

This is what I told Jeff, "I'd love to go out with you. Everything in me wants to say yes, but right now I'm not in a place where I'm free to do that. GOD is working on my heart and as much as I want this, the timing isn't right, but in a few months it may be."

He was so gracious in accepting my answer and always made a point to speak to me and be friendly with me every time I was there.  Perhaps he was hoping my answer would eventually change. Sometimes I wanted my answer to change, but I now knew what GOD was trying to teach me from this experiece.
 
1.     I didn't really know Jeff and as perfect as he seemed in that moment, who's to say he wouldn't eventually end up as fickle as Earl. 
 
2.     I'd promised Earl I'd wait for him to make a decision and to figure out what GOD was saying to him.
 
3.     I'd promised GOD to follow HIM, not my heart.
 
4.     When I am married, just because things are not going picture perfect, doesn't mean you walk away from the commitment you've made when some dashingly, handsome man gives more attention than your husband. 
 
So I waited and continued my fast until the very end.

May 29, 2012

Duke Bound

Brittany graduated from UTC this spring and is on her way to Grad School. When she told me she was headed to Durham, North Carolina I was a little jealous! Durham is the home of the Duke Blue Devils and to watch them play inside of Cameron Indoor is on my "bucket list". It was really important to Brittany to have some family photos to take with her to school, so that is exactly what we did! We had a Graduation/Family session at the UT Arboretum in Oak Ridge.

Good luck Brittany and I'm sure you'll be a fabulous Physical Therapist. Enjoy Duke and make sure to go watch that basketball game for me :)











*20 comments = a FREE 5x7 Photo*

May 27, 2012

God's Love Story


Lessons Learned (Part 1)

By: Raquel Dunn

Sometimes it's hard to learn from mistakes. You hope, when you go through something that you will always take away some great lesson, but sometimes you end up right back in the same situation time and time again. That's sort the way things seemed to be going for Earl and me at this point. One minute we were becoming close, not quite more than friends, yet at the same time we were a little more than "just" friends. I know it's a little bit of an oxymoron but I truly have no idea how to explain the dynamics of our relationship EVER (at least until much later). It was always like that with us. At certain points, we would hardly be speaking and the by the next day it would seem as if we were close to taking a step beyond friendship. If you're confused by all this, then just imagine living it! I was a constant state of discombobulation! So really, even though Earl was suddenly pushing me away on purpose, it was just history repeating itself for us.

Everything else in my life seemed to be looking up. I got a promotion at work and no longer had to do the graveyard shift. I moved to weekend producer and through the week I was a field producer. I even got to do a story that actually made it on air with my voice! I was constantly working on getting my resume tape so I could move far away from my crazy life. However, I knew running wasn't really the answer from past experience (I had learned my lesson, Earl, I guess, had not ). This time I decided to do some things differently when he began his reoccurring withdrawing act.

First, I found a good, strong church in town and started going to the Sunday morning and midweek services. Since I was now working weekends I spent Monday and Tuesday in Knoxville. I know it seems silly that I was even continuing to go, but he hadn't completely cut me out of his life. We would still hang out with a big group of people. There just wasn't any alone time or mushy talk about missing me anymore.

Next, I made a MAJOR decision in my spiritual life. It was, without a doubt, the most eye opening experience of my Christian walk, even to date. I resolved to fast from all forms of food. At first, the plan was to do it for just a few days, see what GOD was saying to me and move forward. However, it lasted 40 days. Because this part of my story is so personal and I don't want any one to misunderstand its purpose, here's my giant disclaimer about what I did.

****I DID NOT fast for Earl to marry me! That would have been not only been selfish, but completely out of the context in which Christ tells us to fast. I studied fasting extensively before undertaking this task, as well as during the fast so that I could absolutely be certain what I was doing was pleasing to the LORD.  NEVER did I intend for this spiritual journey to be about Earl. It was completely about me and my SAVIOR. I'd allowed myself to fall in a miry pit of anguish just a few months earlier and I was determined it would NOT happen again. So to be clear in my purpose for fasting, I did it because I wanted freedom; freedom from this bondage I felt to the dream I'd been holding onto and all turbulence I'd encountered from the moment I decided to believe the dream. At that point, I just wanted to move forward in my life, with or without Earl. From my knowledge of Scripture, I had learned that some things only come by prayer AND fasting. I was broken and determined that I would spend the rest of my life experiencing peace and joy no matter my circumstances.  ****

Now, as the fast began Earl suddenly started opening up to me yet once again. We'd talk for hours and he'd explain how he was still confused and searching for answers and asked me not to give up on him. I told him I wouldn't. Which is what makes everything that happened in those 40 days mind boggling. When you take on the spiritual world, there is a battle that ensues like no other. Those words GOD put in Earl's mouth were for my comfort because my world was being turned upside down. He, like so many times before, isolated himself from me. However, he was ruder and crueler than he'd ever been to me and I was tested beyond belief. Even when he was with Amy and he had cut off communication with me, there was a hint of hope and indecisiveness in his words. Because of what I was doing, I knew Earl's words were in some ways out of his control. Rather it was the workings of demonic spirits and even perhaps a testing phase from GOD HIMSELF because of the request I was making. 

"For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high [place]." Ephesians 6:12 KJV
"I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me." Romans 7:21 KJV

What I was attempting wasn't an easy task, nor was it something that the devil ever wants us to do. I was on a journey, to the Throne Room of Christ because I was tired of being bullied by my emotions and my lukewarm faith. I was committed to having control over my heart and mind for the rest of my life; no matter what kind battles were in store for the future...I knew if I was tenacious enough in this fast that Christ in me would win every time I might have to wrestle with happenings of life.

May 25, 2012

I Heart Friday

Mt. Pisgah Printing Ministry

My Daddy isn't a doctor or a lawyer but he has one of the coolest and most important jobs in the world. He gets to print God's word on a daily basis. My Daddy works at the Mt. Pisgah Printing Ministry in Oliver Springs. The "Print Shop" is something that I love and that is so special to me. Growing up around the ministry, I sometimes forget the importance of their job and how awesome and special it is. They are able to print the Bible in several languages and then ship them around the world!

The Print Shop is where I spent my summers growing up. It's where my first "job" was and it was where I have so many fond memories. The Print Shop was where me and my two best friends, Rachel & Chad, would spend our summer days. Stamping Bible covers, collating the pages of the Bible and of course having fun. Now that I'm older I realize how honored I should've felt back then to be able to work in such an awesome place. I take advantage of it.

I'm truly blessed to say that my church prints God's word and even more blessed to say my Daddy does too. If you've never had the opportunity to go up to the Printing Ministry at Mt. Pisgah I encourage you do to do so. Go put a couple of Bibles together, go for a tour and learn about how a ministry here in little Oliver Springs, Tennessee is touching lives and reaching souls all over the world! You'll be blessed.

Each Memorial Day weekend our Print Shop has a telethon to raise money for paper and various projects they will be working on. If you'd like to make a contribution the numbers are listed below!

Here is the Facebook Status from the Ministry leader, HB Carney, about the Telethon.

"Remember all my friends at 6 pm to 10 pm tonight on www.wyshtv.com, Mount Pisgah Baptist Church printing ministry is having the annual telethon for Bible Publishing Month to raise $150,000 for the printing ministry. We are purchasing a CTP (computer to plate equipment) that cost $40,000.00 and enough money to buy approximately 3 or 4 truck loads of paper.  Also the telethon will continue on Saturday morning from 8 am until 12 noon. We will also be using the money to print a Gilbertese text for our missionaries Sam and Marybeth Snyder on the island of Kiribati for those people. Please tell others so that they to may have an opportunity to give so that others my hear the Gospel of Jesus Christ and be saved. I will try to keep posted on how much money is raised periodically through the night and also tomorrow. Thanks for your help and May God Bless you all."

You can watch the telethon live on www.wyhstv.com or Comcast Channel 12. If you would like to donate you may call 1-866-412-8112 Long distance or 865-483-8112 for local. Our goal is $150,000.00. Please pray for God to supply this need

May 24, 2012

God is Still in the Miracle Business

I had the opportunity to meet and photograph the Jones family a few weeks back. I had no idea what their story was but was in awe of God's goodness when Sarah shared a little bit of what it took to get this little baby into their family. I asked Sarah if she would share her story with all of you. She graciously said she would love to and as I read her email tears came to my eyes. What an awesome story of how great our God is and that he still performs miracles every day! Enjoy and be blessed by the Jones' story and leave a congratulatory comment for the family!


The Baby We Prayed For
By: Sarah Jones
When my husband, Wes, and I got married in July 2008 we had our “plan” figured out.  I was lucky enough to immediately become a step-mother to McKenzie, who was 9 years old when we got married.  Wes and I both loved children, and knew we wanted to have a large family.  We made plans, and just knew we would have 2 more children pretty quickly.
 I thought that marrying young would guarantee my being a young mother – something I’d always dreamed of. When we started trying to conceive, I would count down the days (and sometimes the hours) until my next period was expected & it was frequently late – sometimes two weeks late. Every time I got my period, I saw it as a new beginning, a new opportunity to finally become pregnant. But I didn’t. It was so clear to me that nothing could be wrong. I was young, I was healthy...
 Most of the tests were fine, but about two months into the testing, I got back one of the results. I knew it was bad. I was 23 years old, married to my best friend, hearing that I would never be able to get pregnant because of Endometriosis. The doctor explained the results to me and said he was very pessimistic. I stood there crying and then I gathered myself together as best I could and went to work. I wasn't able to think of anything else the whole day.
I was 23 years old, watching my dreams shatter right before my eyes as I was battling very real fertility problems. I felt very isolated. I immediately began Googling everything I could…trying to gather information. I read everything I could get my hands on.
 In October 2009, I had my first surgery performed by a Reproductive Endocrinologist. She told me that they cleaned out as much Endometriosis as they could, but we would only have a very short window to try and get pregnant.  We tried various medications, none with any results. After the medications, we started IUI (intra-uterine insemination) and signed up for adoption. I hated the IUI, found it painful, torturous, and not particularly hopeful.  After a few cycles, even the doctors began to give up again. 
They scheduled me for another surgery, which took place in July 2010, and revealed that my Endometriosis had progressed and was a lot worse.  During that surgery they had to remove 10 inches of my bowel, because the endometriosis had attacked my bowel.  After the surgery I remember lying in the hospital bed, as the doctor looked and me and said “You need to have a hysterectomy, your endometriosis is so aggressive. I have never seen anything this severe in such a young girl.”  I stared in my husband, crying my eyes out in disbelief.  I was 24 years old, and there was NO way I was having a hysterectomy, and giving up my dream of becoming pregnant. I had to spend several days in the hospital, and take 6 weeks off work to recover from the surgery.  In September 2010, I went to see another doctor, for a second opinion.  He was a fabulous doctor, very thorough, and most of all a very Christian man.  He encouraged me not to give up, and reminded me that although he would do everything in his power to help me get pregnant, the real power was in the hands of the Man upstairs.  Hearing those words reminded me, that God is really in charge, and sometimes we have to remember that He has our PLAN, not us!  He completed multiple ultrasounds, and a dye test to check my tubes.  In January 2011, we signed up to do IVF. On January 20, 2011 at 8: 15 AM we went in for my Egg retrieval The doctor was able to retrieve 13 eggs and 7 fertilized normally. Our odds were pretty good, and we were very excited.  On January 25, 2011 we had 2 embryos transferred; 2 expanded blastocysts 5AA and 5AA. These were VERY high rated embryos, and the doctor was so optimistic that we would be pregnant! On February 2, 2011, one day before by 25th birthday, I went in to the doctor’s office for my blood test to see if the IVF cycle had worked!  I received a call from my doctor later that day, as I was driving home from work informing me that my pregnancy test was negative.  I was devastated.  I remember him telling me “This was the best cycle I have seen in a long time, and I just don’t know why it didn’t work.  I sent the sample back to the lab 3 times to be rechecked, but you are not pregnant. “ I was barely able to drive the rest of the way home, my dreams were shattered. Our bank account was empty, and I could not bear the thought of enduring any more attempts at becoming pregnant. 
 We knew we had 3 embryos frozen, but I was so crushed I knew trying to become pregnant…was OVER for me.  We experienced several emotions over the next few months, and seldom even talked about our failed attempts to become pregnant.  We coped with our anger, and finally realized that God had a plan.  We were blessed to have 3 children in our home, and although my dreams of becoming pregnant were disappearing, we knew we far too blessed to hold on to the anger.
 Although I say that I gave up all hope of becoming pregnant one day, I know in my heart, I still dreamed about a miracle happening.  Our favorite Bible verse was and still is Jeremiah 29; 11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” We have that verse posted on various things around our home, and I carry it in my wallet.  We knew we had to trust God’s plan. 
 Football season started up in August, and things quickly got busy.  Thoughts of becoming pregnant were way out of my mind.  I had an appointment scheduled with the doctor
in November, just to check on everything, but Wes and I already decided we were DONE with fertility stuff. 
 On November 2, 2011  Wes went to work, and I headed to the doctor for my checkup.  While I was there they did some blood work, took a urine sample, and asked lots of questions.  I was very clear with them that I did not want to do anything else in regards to fertility.  The nurse came back into my exam room with a perplexed look on her face.  She said “When was your last period?”  I had my calendar, so I looked down at it, and said “Sometime in September…not really sure, since they are always irregular, I don’t even keep track of them anymore.”  She then said “Have you taken a pregnancy test, because I think your cycle is late?” I explained to the nurse that I would never take another pregnancy test in my life because I had spent too much money on pregnancy tests and fertility stuff, and been hurt way too many times, she seemed to understand, so she just asked me to pee in another cup, but didn’t really say what she was doing.  A few minutes later she came back into the room, with a small stick and handed it to me.  I said “What is this for? What does this mean?” She said “You are PREGNANT!”  I argued with her for a few minutes, because I knew that it was not possible.  Wes and I had not even been talking about trying to become pregnant, and truthfully I felt like it was an impossible feat nonetheless.   I met with the doctor, they did some blood work, and sure enough my HCG was HCG 3549 and my Progesterone 14.3. I was pregnant.  Everyone in the office was in just as much shock as I was, and kept asking me if I was going to call my husband.  I just laughed, and explained that I probably should not just call him…because he would not believe me.  I finally left the doctor’s office, and called him.  He teaches and coaches at Hardin Valley Academy.  It was playoff week for football, and he was preparing for a BIG game.  I explained to him that I wanted to stop by and bring him something for good luck.  He seemed like that would be okay, and kept insisting that I just drop it off in the front office.  Finally I explained that it was way too BIG (haha) and he must meet me at the field house.  He agreed, and I drove straight there.  With tears in my eyes, I got out of the car…hugged him and said the words I had dreamed of sharing with him for years “We are pregnant.”  He was in just as much shock as me, and for months and months we lived on pins and needles, in fear of something going wrong.   The only person we can credit is God.  This baby boy in my belly is truly a miracle.  During our infertility trials, we were told numerous times that I would never be able to get pregnant.  I lived in shock for months, and sometimes despite my HUGE belly…I still look in the mirror in total shock!  Later this month, we will be welcoming to our family, our little miracle baby boy.  Our 3 children, McKenzie ( age 13), Janiyiah (age 5 awaiting adoption) , and Marcus (age 2; adopted 3/2011) are SO excited about having a new baby brother.
 When I look back at the last several years, and read Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future,“ tears come to my eyes every time, because I know God was watching over me, and my family…and HIS plan is PERFECT!













*20 Comments = a FREE 5x7 Photo*

May 23, 2012

God's Love Story

Three Steps Forward and One Giant Step Back

By: Raquel Dunn

As much as I wished, this would be the post that I tell you we finally got together and lived happily ever after, it's not. We still had at least another year of growing pains to go through. When Earl left that evening, obviously we were in a much better place. We were finally talking after five months of silence. It was a wonderful feeling, but I had a lot of tears to shed. Tears of happiness and still tears of grief...mostly for my attitude with GOD. HE had done nothing but try to comfort me in those months and I'd done everything to make sure HE couldn't. Even today when I look back, I wonder why HE even bothred, but now that I have children, I get it. HE bothered because no matter how horrible my attitude was, HE still loved me.

A couple of weeks passed and around Thanksgiving his dad, Adam, his brother and him decided to go visit some family they had in Virginia. They left Knoxville late that night, around 8 or 9 pm. The only reason I can come up with why they did something so silly is GOD. Because they were tired before they even started, Earl suggested they stop and stay in my apartment in Bristol while I was at work. So he called asked if that was possible and I said sure.

They got there around 10 that night. They came in settled and I finished getting ready to leave. When it was time to go Earl offered to drive me. I told him he didn't need to. It was just across the street and I could walk, but he insisted since it was dark, he should drive me. I gavNdola and we left.

We pulled up and instead of me getting out, he asked if we could talk before I went in. So I sat there in the car with him and listened more than I talked. He finally told me he was trying to get out of his relationship with Amy but he didn't know how. He shared how mismatched they were and how miserable he was. But of course, as I told you earlier, Earl hates hurting people and of course the thought of hurting her was his biggest obstacle. We ended up sitting there talking for the next four hours. He detailed all the fighting they had done and still did at that point. He explained that despite having severed all communication with me, I was still very much a problem in their relationship. Everything she did, he compared it to me and they way I did things. He even told me at one point during an argument she even told him, "I'm beginning to think you two are meant to be together."

Finally, the conversation came to a close and we held hands and I prayed for him. I asked GOD to help set him free from the guilt he felt for hurting her. He hugged me and told me he'd see me in the morning. That coversation left me on an emotional high for sure, but it still took him at least a month to break things off with her. I kept my distance until I knew it was really over.

It was around January 2003 and I began spending all my weekends in Knoxville again. Earl and I still weren't a couple, but we would spend all the time we could together from Friday to Sunday night. I'd leave and head to his mom and dad's as soon as I got off work at 7 am every weekend. I guess the excitement of GOD doing this great work kept me awake as I drove an hour and half with virtually no sleep. I'd get there and pass out, sleeping half the day. When Earl got off in the evnings we'd hang out with everyone, just like old times. Sometimes we'd do things alone, but most of the time it was always with a group. As much as I wanted it to be more, it just wasn't yet. I kept telling myself I had to trust GOD and that Earl was still healing from his relationship with Amy. It just wasn't time, no matter how much I wanted it to be.

In February, he went on a retreat with the youth at church. It was the first weekend in almost two months that we hadn't been together. I still came to Knoxville and spent it with his parents. I'll never forget when he came back how excited I was to see him. We'd talked on the phone while he was away and he told me he missed me and wished he'd stayed there with me, but that just wasn't an option.

The retreat had been planeed for a few months and Amy's younger brother, Brandon, had signed up to go. Earl really liked her family and had kept in touch with her brother after their breakup. I was okay with that. I knew where his feelings for her stood and it just didn't bother me. Perhaps it should've because when he came back something changed. I still to this day don't know if it was something Brandon said, something else that happened or just GOD's way of putting the finishing touches on a story only HE could have written, but when Earl came back he gradually began to be distant.

At first, I was okay with that. I chalked it up to him still trying to work though what he felt for me and anything that was left over for Amy. However as time when on, it became more and more apparent he was pushing me away on purpose.

May 22, 2012

Sweet Baby Braxton

This is one of my favorite parts of my job. I get to be a part of some of life's greatest moments. I had the opportunity to do maternity photos for Brandi and Justin (and big brother Bradley) and then I also got to wait impatiently on the arrival of little Braxton. I always love that moment when I hear that one of the newborns I get to photograph has just been born! I love that I get to be one of the first people to know about the arrival as well :) Braxton came a little bit earlier than his due date but he was beautiful and healthy all the same!

Braxton's Mommy and Daddy are active in the local fire department so I loved it when I saw his nursery all decked out in fire engines and fire helmets! That part of their life was now being carried on to their new part of life - little Braxton.

Braxton was a trooper and so were Mom and Dad. Newborn photos can sometime be stressful and they handled everything so well! Thank-you Justin and Brandi for allowing me the honor to capture this special time in your family's life. I can't wait to watch little Braxton grow up!







I love this one! Even though they are sleep deprived, they still look so in love with each other!


Mommy's Hand.



Daddy's Hand.






*20 Comments = a FREE 5x7 Photo*

May 21, 2012

From Photographer to Client

We've all heard that doctors make the worst patients, teachers make the worst students and well photographers make the worst clients. I was determined that I was going to be the best client in the world :) I was also determined not to stress out and try to have fun with our family photo session. That part was easier said than done - it's a mother's instict to stress out and make sure everything is perfect for her family's photos together. I decided that I would take some photos (using my iPhone) and document the process I took while getting ready for our photos. Sit back and enjoy and maybe you will learn something that will help you for your upcoming family session with Memories & Blessings Photography.

1. The Week Before

I have a closet in my hallway that I always hang our outfits up on the week before photos. This helps me visualize if everyone's outfits coordinate and also allows me to see them every day, several times a day. If at any time I don't like them hanging up on the door frame of the closet - chances are I'm not going to like them in the photos hanging on my walls. A question I get all the time is "what should we wear?". I like to take one piece of clothing with multiple colors in it and then coordinate every one else around that one piece of clothing. For this session, I fell in love with Brianna's skirt. I loved the rainbow of colors. Once I found her skirt, I put everyone else in a solid shirt and blue jean on the bottom.


2. The Day Before

The day before our session, I decided to pack a bag of things I knew I would need so I wouldn't have to worry about it the day of the session. In this bag I included diaper wipes, kleenex and diapers. Also, included were any props I wanted to use in our photos. Props are awesome! All photographers love when the family brings their own props. It makes your photos more you and makes them completely unique. I took along some bubbles, a book and two of my kids favorite things - a baby doll and Mickey Mouse. Also included in this bag was a little snack for Brianna. I knew she would want something to eat (she always does, lol). Make sure it's nothing that can make them messy - I wouldn't take oreos if I were you ;)




3. The Day of the Session

This is the day you'll be the most stressed! Try to relax and go with the flow. Make it just a normal day with the kids except really make the photos sound exciting. I told Eli all day that we were going to get to go to a park and we were all going to say "cheese" and show Mrs. Leah our pretty smiles. Tell them my name before hand. Maybe show them my photo on the Memories & Blessings' Facebook page. If they know my name and what I look like they may not be as shy once they meet me in person for the first time. The most important thing about the day of the session is try and get your kids to take a nap. Thankfully, although Eli is going through a no-nap phase, I was able to get him to go to sleep which made a big difference during our session. A sleepy and grumpy kid does not want to smile and make pretty pictures :)


As you're traveling to the session remember, make the session seem really exciting! Make the kids think you're going to do something really fun. After all, it only happens maybe a couple of times a year. It's a special event! This is also the time you want to "bribe" or "threaten" your family, lol. Just kidding. Although, a little bribing goes a long way! After our session we were going to go to a cupcake shop - this made Eli very excited! So as we were going through our session if he didn't want to smile we just reminded him of the cupcake he was going to get at the end and a big smile would appear!

4. The Session

All you have to do is smile and help control your kiddoes! Let the photographer do all the work. Have fun with your family! Just enjoy each other's company. Once your session is over you may feel like there is no  way on Earth that you will receive any good photos. I promise 98% of the time you will get atleast a few good shots! No matter how bad your kids were, lol. My Brianna didn't want to cooperate about 20 minutes after we started. She was already over it and she is such a wiggle worm we had a hard time holding her and getting her to look at the camera. Don't sweat it! The photographer has done this before! They've shot a session with wiggly kids - they're not worried about it and neither should you! Don't stress out or everyone around you will begin to stress as well.

5. The Days after the Session - The Waiting Game

This is the hardest part about your session. Waiting to see your images! I know I checked Facebook every 5 minutes this past weekend looking for some previews from our session. You're excited, anxious and a little scared, lol. Once you see those sneak peaks you have some relief. You know that you will get some great photos. You know all the stress and work planning out everything will be worth it! Here are some of our sneak previews from the talented Leah of Leah Nicole Photo.




Some Random Thoughts -

1. Go with the flow! If it can go wrong it probably will. The week of our session, Brianna got a spider bite that got infected and a bruise on her cheek. Most of the time, minor scrapes and bruises can be edited out if you want. So no worries!

2. The weather! As we were driving to our session it began to rain. Thankfully, it was just a quick shower and we were able to continue with our photos. If it's due to weather, let the photographer be the one to call you and reschedule your session. If you don't hear from Me - show up for your session :)

3. Have fun! I know I've said it over and over but it's true. If you're having fun it will show through in your images.