Rain Drops Were Falling on Our Heads...

But that cannot matter when you are this beautiful! Kellie has been so excited to meet up for their family session so when it began raining we didn't let it stop us! They were so amazing with all of our ideas and running around with umbrellas and I have to say it was worth every drop of rain today! I can never say thanks enough to my dearest and best team mate Wes for his help and genius ideas! Thanks again Kellie- you and your family were so much more than I could have imagined and I hope you love them! See you soon! ~S.

Celebration Outreach

Today my son Ayden is sick... as he was yesterday and tomorrow isn't looking too good either... but with the help of some children's advil and a small window of "feeling a little better' we went out to the outreach today to lend a photographic hand... As with any thing I donate my time to I always walk away feeling so glad I went. It is my desire to be a blessing and it ends up that I am always reminded of how truly blessed I am everyday.

This particular outreach was to give clothes, food, haircuts, bicycle repairs and other things to people in need. But without knowing it, they gave me so much more. For starters they gave me a new found love for people. A deeper respect. Because no matter where we are in life- we all have basic principle needs and it takes each of us to fulfill that need in each other. We can't survive on our own- and it is amazing to me the power of a hug or the smile of a child.

Just remember that no matter how bad your day at the office was or how long you sat in traffic- you are blessed. And it only takes an act of kindness to bless someone whose life may be harder than whatever it is you are going through. Pastor Stovall has said that if you ever want to know who has it worse than you- just look to your left and your right... Someone you know may be going through the worst thing in their life. A simple note- phone call or hug may just be what they need to make it to another day.

We serve an amazing God and today we saw Him. ~S.

Kollide...

Last night Celebration Church's amazing worship team launched the release of their latest and greatest cd "Kollide"! What an incredible and moving night of worship we had! I could have stayed all night I think! We have such a dedicated group of worship leaders and a team of people who are so gifted and talented that words can't say thank you enough for working so hard. Sometimes what I need most in my week is time to praise and worship and set my heart in an attitude of thankfulness. They bring it in a way that is fun and real. And I have to say that there is no place like home. Thanks again for to our incredible worship team! ~S.

Celebrating Summer...

Wow... This summer has been busy and fun and full of all sorts of things. I have taken some much needed time to rest and try (the realllly BIG word being "try") to get organized and refreshed in the area of my site and life in general. Don't ask me just yet how that is going because I can't quite tell myself. You know how it is with any organizing project- it has to get worse before it can get better. {At least that makes me feel better when the contents of my closets are on the floor and in piles all over the house!} So in celebration of the summer- tell me your favorite adventure so far... Here are a few sparklers for you... Hope you are having fun~ S.

A Long Time Coming...

The beginning of this story starts about 5 years ago... Two women living in different parts of the country expecting a child. One was to have a girl and the other a boy... For one woman her journey was new- and the other... though not new entirely it had been a few years since having had her first child but fun and exciting all the same.

Each had joined a forum to talk about their pregnancies. People of all stages joined to discuss this pain or this ache or the first feel of butterflies when the baby began moving. With the end of each trimester of the pregnancy you would move to the next level of the forum so you be more specific in learning about what was happening right now. "This week my peanut has developed little arms and is weighing in at 3 oz..." "you are leaking what... from where!" If you have ever had children you discuss parts of the anatomy with complete strangers and feel this is completely normal... Don't ask me why people-I don't make the crazy rules in life, I merely enjoy them... meaning I am open and feel at ease with most people... and realize that if I am honest- I am not the only one in life to have experienced X-Y or Z... so that said, someone out there will find my knowledge useful... (Ok, there is someone out there who doesn't know better and to them I just might be a genius... it could happen..)

So back to my novel... The two women (one having a girl and the other having a boy living in two parts of the country) meet on the forum somewhere towards the end of the first trimester. They discussed many things over the next several months and would even send photos and correspond via email away from the forum. As they neared their due dates with much to do and prepare for they knew it would be a little while before chatting again. I am sure at some point they both wondered if they would chat again or share photos of their new bundles of joy... Their due dates were about two weeks apart...and as it turned out one woman went into labor about a week late and the other about a week early-meeting exactly in the middle. The little girl being born one day before the little boy.

Weeks would pass before correspondence would pick up. Each finding the courage to share photos and a part of their precious life on line with a complete stranger. Their friendship continued and eventually weeks turned to months to years... A friendship that has only grown better just as their children... They often talk about "someday" getting together to meet and introduce the children and just having a cup of coffee.... I think as much as we want to do all of those things life has a way of happening and we get busy and before you know it... 5 years have passed and you know each other very well only through emails and photographs.... It is just not the same as human contact. A hug and a warm smile to say "Hi Friend... I have been thinking about you!"

Then it happened- not as you think in your mind it might if it were you... but it happened that one woman's husband would be working in the exact town of the other... What are the odds... Well, friends they are great! Meet my friends Preeti, Saina and Sudhi! Preeti and I were pregnant with Saina and Ayden at the same time and Saina is one day older than Ayden. You can't even imagine my shock when after we had the kids to find out just how close we were together. And I still can't believe that after 5 years of being online friends they were in Jacksonville for a week! I was so nervous to actually meet her... and that sounds crazy, but talking online and talking face to face are two totally different things! Would she like me- do I talk too much (don't comment about that anyone!) would we have enough in common to carry a conversation- would her hubby think me a complete kook! (Don't answer that either!) =o) But we had a blast- we were able to visit 3 times during the week and it turns out it was like I had seen her yesterday for lunch and there was nothing to be nervous about at all! I adored her so much more in person than I thought would be possible. We even made time for a family session. Sudhi was the best. He literally came straight in from work and into a session! (Thanks again Sudhi! You were amazing!) We went to Walter Jones for the session and thankfully finished up and headed off for margaritas just in time before we got carried away by a swarm of mosquitoes.. Anyway- the story is a true one and one I am just so privileged to be a part of. Saina is just a remarkable little girl and Preeti and Sudhi are simply beautiful from the inside out. We enjoyed all the time we had and look forward to the next time we get together. I will be flying to see them next time!

Much love to you and thank you so much for your friendship! Huggs! ~S.

Ani & Tyler.. Their Love Story

Many of you remember Ani and Tyler... They celebrated their wedding on June 7 at the beautiful Club Continental. We love photographing at CC because there are just so many opportunities to capture the essence of our couples without ever shooting the same thing twice. Tyler was such a trooper because most guys can withstand 20-30 min. (Max!) of posing and smiling for the camera... but not Tyler. He hung in there and even made suggestions on things he had seen or thought would make a nice image. We even took some time after the festivities to head down town and have some more fun! Thanks so much again for including us on your new journey! Many Blessings to you both for a long and beautiful life together. ~S.

Click here to view the slide show...

Kristi & Matt... The slide show

What a fun couple Matt and Kristi are! I think enjoying each other and life is so important in a relationship- probably one of the most important... and I know they will thrive in every aspect of theirs. Click here for the slide show~ (and see what I mean...) ~S.

Matt & Kristy...

I first met Matt and Kristi at Cari and Andy's wedding back in the fall. You see, Kristi is Andy's sister. So when she called me about photographing their wedding I was really excited because working with Cari and Andy had been wonderful and their families and friends were great. I am positive that Kristi and Matt's day will be one of celebrating love, family (and friends) and laughter... Lots of laughter!

I know this because they just seem to be having the time of their life and their relationship is full of laughter! (#1 key ingredient is to enjoy being with each other, and they have it full stock!) They are a beautiful couple and I am so excited to be a part of your day. I am looking forward to your wedding guys- thanks again for having me. Hope you love your photos as much as I do ~S.