The Vanosdale Family

I have photographed the Vanosdale family three times in the past four months :) Chris and Mitzi recently welcomed their fourth little boy Liam Jace into the world. View his newborn photos at Ft. Sanders Regional by clicking HERE to read their blog post.

The weekend of the Spring mini-sessions there was a huge threat for rain. Thankfully God held off the rain except for a few sprinkles during the Vanosdale's session. We switched up locations and headed to Chilhowee Park to a beautiful gazeebo. We arrived to a couple ball room dancing in the gazeebo. After some persuasion they said we could use one side of the gazeebo for our pictures. The boys loved watching the dancers and they even broke out in a dance of their own :)

These were the first (outdoor) family photos for the newly expanded Vanosdale family. Check out a few of my favorites from their mini-session.

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Scripture Sunday

Luke 24:1-11

Now upon the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came unto the sepulchre, bringing the spices which they had prepared, and certain others with them. And they found the stone rolled away from the sepulchre. And they entered in, and found not the body of the Lord Jesus. And it came to pass, as they were much perplexed thereabout, behold, two men stood by them in shining garments: And as they were afraid, and bowed down their faces to the earth, they said unto them,Why seek ye the living among the dead? He is not here, but is risen: remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee,

Happy Resurrection Day! So glad I serve a RISEN savior!

The Stansberry Family

I first had the priviledge of photographing this sweet family at Christmas when they did a Christmas in the City mini-session. I had grown up knowing Shawnte - she was friends with my Aunt Robyn all through school - so it was neat to meet her family. The Stansberry's have a wonderful story of how God is in control and how God always provides. He's an awesome God. You can check out their story by clicking HERE and viewing their article from the January Memories & Blessings' newsletter.

Shawnte and Russell's two little guys are so adorable and love to smile! They are so well behaved and I love every opportunity I have to be around them and their family. Here are a few of my favorites from the Stansberry family's Spring mini-session at Knoxville Botanical Garden.

I love this one of the boys! They look so grown up!

The love these two have for each other is so evident! If you're around them for two minutes you know how much they are in love! So sweet and refreshing!

*20 Comments = a FREE 5x7 Photo*

Scripture Sunday

Matthew 21:22

And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.

Have you ever sat in a church service and thought the Preacher was speaking straight to you? Well this happened to me not once but twice this morning. In Sunday School this morning we had a special speaker and she spoke a little bit about prayer. Then one of Preacher Walls' points in this morning's sermon was about prayer.

This past week you have noticed I have posted several different prayer requests on the Memories & Blessings' Facebook page. There have been so many people in need and several of my past clients have been in the hospital or really ill. I am so thankful that when I have asked you to pray you have. You may not know the people personally but I guarantee those people can feel your prayers.

Tomorrow, my baby brother Cody will be having surgery. He will be having his gallbladder removed and some other things going on. The surgery is said to last around 3 hours. Today marks 24 days that my little Codeman has been at Children's Hospital. It is nothing short of the grace of God that my parents and he have kept their spirits high. My Daddy is an absolute modern day Super Man in my opinion. I do not know how he does it all. He's always been a hero of mine but throughout this hospital stay he has shown again why. My Mom, who when she reads this will make fun of me for being a Daddy's Girl because of my above statement, is also doing very well. She has been able to continue her dialysis and take care of herself. All while being a great support to Cody and just being the greatest Mommy ever (like always). Can you tell I'm a little proud of my parents? Cody has been through so much and I know the many prayers on his behalf is the reason he still has that handsome smile on his face.

Please keep my brother and the rest of my family in your prayers tomorrow. His surgery should begin around noon and I will post updates throughout the day.

I love Matthew 21:22 but it's one of those that make you stop and really think. The whatsoever you shall ask in prayer is the easy part. We all know that we can ask anything of God, big or small, and He will hear us. But it's the next part that really gets ya - "believing, ye shall receive". How many times do I ask for something but then not really believing that God will do it? I am so guilty of doing this. Not only should I ask God to watch over my baby brother tomorrow and guide the surgeon's hands, but I should also believe that He will do so. I must have faith in what I'm asking God to do. What if God only heard the prayer we 100% believed he would answer?

Mrs. Joyce gave us this little chorus today in Sunday School. It's called "Thank-You". I love it! It talks about thanking God for the prayers He hasn't answered yet. The last line of each verse says, "Thank you for what you are going to do!". Awesome! So, thank-you God for keeping my Cody safe tomorrow during his surgery and thank-you for the quick recovery he is going to have!

"Thank-You"

Thank you for what you are going to do.

Thank you dear Lord, I can fully trust you.

Because you know best, my heart then can rest.

Thank you for what you are going to do.

Thank you for answers to prayer not yet seen.

Thank you for faith my petitions to bring.

Because you know best, my heart can rest.

Thank you for what you are going to do.

Thank you for things that I cannot see now.

Thank you for loving and showing me how.

Because you know best, my heart can rest.

Thank you for what you are going to do.

The Bailey Family

This was the first time I had the opportunity to photography the Bailey family and I was so excited that they wanted to do some maternity photos! Maternity photos are some of my favorites to take because everyone is genuinely happy and the couple looks so in love with each other! Bradley came a long for the photos (which I highly encourage you to bring all siblings to the maternity shoot) and he was a blast! He was so cute and simply adorable. You could really tell he was so excited about becoming a big brother and meeting baby Braxton.

Thank-you Justin & Brandi for allowing me this opportunity to capture sweet memories for you and your family. I can't wait to photograph precious baby Braxton in a few weeks! Here are a few of my favorites from the Bailey family's session.

*20 Comments = a FREE 5x7 of the Bailey's choice*

Spring Mini-Sessions

Last weekend I shot 12 sessions in 4 days! It was a blast but exhausting :) Spring mini-sessions were held at the Knoxville Botanical Gardens in East Knoxville. The location was absolutely beautiful. There was a threat of rain on both days but God graciously allowed the rain to hold off until all the minis were completed! This time I shot 9 mini-sessions. Each session was unique and wonderful. I am so thankful that out of those 9, 8 were returning clients! I love seeing familiar faces over and over again! I mentioned to one family that one of my favorite parts of my job is getting to see the little ones grow up. Sometimes you don't see with your own kids how much they change but when you only see kids every once in awhile you can defintely tell! I am so blessed for returning clients! I had the opportunity to photograph a little guy who's family was a new client! I hope I have the opportunity to work with them again many times in the future.

I'm beginning to work on editing some of the Spring minis so here are a few more sneak peaks. I'm already looking forward to Summer minis - which you will get to vote on the location :)

The Jenkins Family

The Daugherty Family

Jackson

Alie

The Stansberry Family

The Crabtree Family

Brandon & Andrea

The Vanosdale Family

The Summers Family

Playing Catch Up

I am so behind on blogging! I've been getting my days all mixed up ;)

Scripture Sunday

Jeremiah 33:3

Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and show thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.

Over the past few weeks the power of prayer has been so relevant in my life. My little brother Cody has been in the hospital and has been a very sick little boy. But, God has been so good. He's getting better everyday and will have his gallbladder surgery next week. My mother who suffers from anxiety and is on kidney dialysis has done remarkably well during this time. This is certainly God showing his power and showing great things that I really didn't think would be possible. Then a few days ago my friend's little girl was rushed into brain surgery and is now doing very well. Prayer is powerful. Prayer changes things. I'm so glad that I have a God who wants to answer my prayers and wants me to ask Him for help. He wants to show us things that we never thought would be possible.

I also want to take this opportunity to thank each of you for your prayers. It is so awesome to me that I can list a prayer request and within minutes have several comments of people who are praying for my need. You are all too sweet and I am glad I have clietns who also believe in the power of prayer with me!

Tuesday Around Town

Today's "Tuesday Around Town" is a little different than those in the past. There are two things that really excite me when I see them on Facebook. 1 - Seeing photos I've taken as people's profile pictures and/or cover photos and 2 - seeing other photos and then in the background seeing a photo I've taken in a frame or hanging on the wall. Yes, I'm weird and look at the backgrounds of the photos :)

Today, I'm going to show some photos that past clients have sent me of their photos from Memories & Blessings being displayed in their home. If you have photos displayed in your home send a picture to me, I'd love to see them!

Wordless Wednesday