Joyful Memories Photography

Speaking of LOVE

2011-02-05T13:52:00.005-06:00

Here is some more of Andrea and Adam.....their pics should be up and ready for them to review soon!!!!

February Special

2011-02-05T13:45:00.002-06:00

I know, I know.....I'm late on my special....You would think having basically the whole week off that I would be on my game with this, but its actually been a very hectic week. So since we are 5 days late with the special, I'm going to make it a fun one! Since its the month of love, If you purchase anything for the rest of February, you will get 30% off of your purchase order, if you order through me. But the catch is.....You need to give me a special code....the code being L-O-V-E!!!!!

Fire fighting HOT!!!

2011-01-22T22:50:00.007-06:00

Andrea and I go way back. We went to the same school together and I still work with her mom. Her and her husband Adam got married the same year that Mark and I did. The crazy thing is, I got married on 3-3, she got married on 7-7 and her twin sister Jessica, got married on 4-4, but not the same year.
It was pretty windy today, but I love the shots we got. It was pretty bright outside, but the lighting was perfect with the sun behind the clouds.
They added some new members to the family, that I also got to shoot today. We were going to take some pictures with their puppy dogs out by the lake, but it was so windy, we might just do it another day. In the meantime, we got in the backyard and had some fun with them. Enjoy!!

More to come later

12 months 12 Specials

2010-12-28T19:09:00.003-06:00

I decided that I'm going to do a special each month for the month of 2011. I will have some big and some small, but they will all be different. Also, I will have specials for holidays, but they cant be combined together.

Since January is my anniversary month...yes....2 years now....I want to do something special.

How about.......Half off any purchase!!! If you purchase anything in the month of January it will all be half off.

But be sure and watch out for the Valentines Day Special. I'm still trying to come up something good for it.

Remember....both specials cant be combined!!

Changes for 2011

2010-12-27T19:13:00.003-06:00

While I'm sitting here blogging and thinking about it, I just wanted to share some new things Ive been wanting to change about my business. I knew when I did my prices and I put down how I was going to do things and offer, that after experience and time, I would change some things. Ive learned from experience and talking to a photographer here locally and also just reading and watching other photographers that the new things I want to do, will better my business.

As you know, this is a side job that I do love. I would only wish that one day, I could depend on photography to help pay bills. But in the meantime, I do work at a locally private school and I recently took on another job on the weekends. With that being said, my time is getting more limited, but I do hope that the job on the weekend is only at night time, so that leaves days for pictures on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

The things I want to change is:
Prices: At the beginning when I first started, I didn't want to have high prices. I knew I was new starting out and I really just want to get my name out. Now that I have had clients and have had more experience, I realized that I'm not making a profit. I'm not even helping paying stuff off that I have invested in. So its time that I raise them up, and I hope that you don't think it went up too high. I still thought and tried to think of what I would want to pay if it was the other way around.
Clients Proofs: I always let my clients view their proofs for 6 months. I'm going to be changing that to only be able to view for 1 month after I release their proofs. So if you get your pictures taken, after I edit them and put them up to see, you will have one month to view them and pick them, until it expires. I will make exceptions for certain circumstances.
Ordering: I will no longer want my clients to order their pictures off the Internet. You will be able to use credit card, but I want to make sure that your pictures came out, just the way you want them to. Now, when someone orders, it will be shipped straight to them and I never see how it looks. This way, I can get it shipped to me, make sure they are correct and I can send them to you or drop them off, or we can meet somewhere.

I hope before the New Year, I will have everything that I want to change done before then. I have been thinking for awhile now, what I want to change and the positives and negatives of the outcome. I hope you understand everything that I have explained, and if you have any questions, please write me.

Also....I will have lots of new specials coming up!!! I'm excited for what this year will bring for my personal and my professional life!!

Christmas

2010-12-27T18:57:00.003-06:00

This Christmas was good....I got some photography equipment and items which Im excited to play with. My hubby bought me a new lens, which Im so happy to of gotten and he got me 5 reflectors. I cant wait to get out and try those on someone. I dont have a stand for them, so Im going to have to have someone help me or someone who tags along can help hold them up.

I hope everyone enjoyed their Christmas and I hope everyone has a blessed New Year.

New Prices starting January 1, 2011

2010-12-27T18:55:00.001-06:00

Prices and Packages

Sitting Fee: $25.00

_________________________________________________________

Individuals

4X6: $3.00

5X7: $7.00

8X10: $15.00

11X14: $30.00

16X20: $40.00

4 Wallets: $8.00

CD: $100.00

(up to 50 pictures)

(Other sizes are available on request)

________________________________________________________

All pics are done in matte finish, if you want any other finish, just ask!!!

Metallic Finish is 25% extra per picture cost

Collages for 8X10 are $30.00

(You pick the pictures)

__________________________________________________________

Packages for School Pictures

Platinum Package- $210.00

40 wallets

10 5X7

3 8X10

1 11X14

Gold Package- $140.00

32 wallets

8 5X7

2 8X10

Silver Package-$100.00

24 wallets

6 5X7

1 8X10

_______________________________________________________

Packages for everyone

Color-$230.00

30 4X6

10 5X7

4 8X10

1 11X14

Sepia-$155.00

20 4X6

8 5X7

3 8X10

Black & White-$100.00

15 4X6

6 5X7

2 8X10

__________________________________________________

Every $100.00 you spend on merchandise, you will receive a FREE 8x10 of a picture of your choice

Prices are subject to change at any time

Our Christmas Card 2010

2010-12-12T22:23:00.000-06:00

Price Change

2010-11-25T20:13:00.004-06:00

Starting January 1st, 2011, the prices for the pictures and merchandise will be changed. Its time that I change them, so I can make a profit. Right now, Im not really making a profit. There is so much that I would love to buy to better your pictures...including a new lens, maybe a new camera, and some other stuff that I have looked into, and I cant get those things with the prices that they are now. Any orders made before January 1st will be the same price that is now, but anything after the 1st will be the new price. That is including any session that has been recently taken. So if you would like to order any pictures, please order them before the 1st if you want the same prices.

Also, I am looking forward to the new year and what I want to do with my business. I will be having give-aways of sessions and some great specials coming!!! Stay tuned in with this blog to get the news!!!

*change of prices will be coming up soon in this blog*

Thanksgiving

2010-11-25T20:12:00.001-06:00

My new gravy bowl hubby bought me

My grandpa :) he was cold!!

My cat Bitty!

Internet Down

2010-11-11T22:01:00.002-06:00

My internet is down for the moment.....I am working on getting it fixed so I can upload the pictures to my Photoreflect account.....sorry for the wait....Im hoping to get it fixed soon!!!

Raiders Cheerleaders!!

2010-11-02T21:24:00.001-05:00

Change of packages

2010-11-01T17:07:00.003-05:00

Just the name has changed!!! I changed the senior package to School Pictures.....the packages are named Platinum, Gold and Silver. I thought it would be easier for all the school pictures to be in their own category instead of grouping it to just Seniors.

Deadline

2010-10-31T19:38:00.004-05:00

The deadline for the Christmas Card Special is November 15th. Call and make an appointment, so we can get them here, for you to have time to pass them out!!! Its a great gift to give to family and friends, especially the ones that live so far away!!

Costs and being a photographer

2010-10-29T19:38:00.004-05:00

Ive read and heard many photographers say this.....

"The customer isn't paying for the print they are paying for the time and skill it takes to make the picture."

Its true... I spend my time on each picture. My prices arnt even up there like some photographers. I honestly think my prices are reasonable.

I asked my friend the other day, "Do you think my prices are high?" She told me, "yes". I was a little held back, because my 4X6 is only a dollar.

I just want my clients to think of all the time and costs it takes for me to put into my business.

First: I went a bought a camera, memory cards, editing software, and anything else on the side that I needed, like paper for pricing, files, etc.

Second: I had to study places on the Internet that could hold my proofs and labs to get my pictures through and I had to set up my pricing and the cost it was going to cost me.

Third: I had to set it all up. But now that its set up, I have to maintain it.

Fourth: When I take your pictures, we take roughly an hour and up on the photo shoot, which that is what the $25.00 sitting fee is for. My time and my equipment.

Fifth: I go home and load all the pictures up. I go through them and if there is any bad ones, I delete them. Then the editing process starts. I spend about 2-5 hours total on each session, because I have another job, I have to stop and go all the time.

Sixth: I then load them up on my page and wait for you to view them.

But you have to think.....Lets say for example......You want 1 4X6 for $1.00. I just spent my equipment, my time (roughly 4 hours) and then I have to spend the cost on that one picture and I have to pay taxes on it. So for 4 hours of work, I just made a few cents.

I'm not trying to sound negative...I just want my clients and anyone else to understand that why alot of photographers have "high" prices is because, your not paying for their pictures. Your paying for their creativity, their time, their equipment. Its not like Wal-Mart, you get a pose and 100 pictures for $5.00. We want to capture moments....those moments when your kid is playing and laughing. When your with your love and you wanted to share that special kiss or walk hand in hand. Or those newborns that are at home sleeping and you want some pictures of their sweet new life.

I love being a photographer and wish I knew more. I'm always reading and learning new stuff daily. I'm not trying to compete with any other photographers in our area or trying to take away from them. I know some really great photographers and they actually give me advice and try to help me. Its just so great and wonderful to know you have friends that love the same thing you do.

I love everyone I have photographed so far and hope I have many more in the future. I never thought of me as a people person, but I'm starting to open up more with the new people that I meet. :)

Leathernecks Cheerleaders

2010-10-20T22:10:00.003-05:00

I just wanted to post a few pictures of the cheerleaders that I photographed last week. I wish I would of gotten them on here sooner, but I went and did a Zumbathon on Saturday and that left me for some reason, a horrible headache. I ended up having to go to the Dr. on Monday morning and they gave me 2 shots in the rump and some meds. I dont know what it was, but they said my neck was tight. But here are some pictures and I tried changing them up a little bit!!!

Adorable Bryson

2010-10-15T23:31:00.002-05:00

I took pictures of his sisters cheerleading squad and his momma wanted me to take a few pics of him and I couldnt pass that up! He is so adorable in his football get-up.

F-A-M-I-L-Y

2010-10-15T00:21:00.002-05:00

Cant get enough

2010-10-13T21:41:00.005-05:00

Dragons, Bears & the Baxter Family

2010-10-09T20:04:00.007-05:00

This family was so cute and fun to work with today. The mom and dad went to a Christian couples retreat here in Wichita Falls and won a certificate for me to photograph them. We went to the park and got alot of fun and great photos of them, their cutie-putie kids and their doggies. The kids dressed up in their Halloween Costumes and they were so adorable!!!

Meet Danielle....

2010-10-08T17:06:00.007-05:00

This girl is a natural. She loved the camera and the camera loved her. We had so much fun today and spent the whole day together. We are best friends from way back in the day, and we graduated together. Yep....it was just us two in our class. She just moved back from Houston after 6 or so years and we got to catch up and spend time taking pictures and having fun....I hope you enjoy these pictures as much as I do!!! And you can count on seeing more of her soon.....

New Email

2010-10-07T19:10:00.002-05:00

I got a new e-mail, that I will check, lol. It is JoyfulMemories09@aol.com. I knew it was needed, but for some reason I never got around and did it. But now this is another way to get in contact with me. :)

EXTRA EXTRA, READ ALL ABOUT IT!!!!

2010-10-03T22:04:00.003-05:00

Christmas Card Special

2010-10-02T14:29:00.004-05:00

Christmas is just around the corner, so its time to get those photos taken!! I'm going to have a Christmas Card special and it will include:

1 Hour Photo Session

25 5x7 Christmas Cards with envelopes

or

CD of Christmas Card
(so you can print as many as you want out)

for $50.00

A savings of $100.00

You will pick out the pictures you want to be on the card and I will decorate it for you.

Call me at 940-631-5486 or an easy way to get ahold of me is through Facebook <-- click here

This is a great gift to give to family and friends!!

Additional Christmas Cards will be $2.00 each with envelope

My animals :)

2010-09-26T23:02:00.004-05:00

It was so beautiful on this Sunday afternoon/evening, that I decided to go outside and take some pics of my wonderful animals.

My black dog is named Fibber and the golden dog is Roskoe and my black cat is Bitty.

I need a baby girl to photograph!!

2010-09-18T23:40:00.003-05:00

I got this cute little tutu and head band with flower and am dieing to photograph some little precious baby girl in it....if you know anyone, send them my way :)

Also, my friend made this for me....She just started her own little business crocheting all different things, and I asked her if she would make me this baby pod. I am also wanting to photograph a baby in it!!!

Fall is near

2010-09-18T23:22:00.004-05:00

I already started decorating my house with my fall stuff. I think deep down, I was hoping if I started decorating, that the cooler weather would come faster. lol....I dont think it worked. Fall seems to come so fast and then we have to take it down to turn around and put up the Christmas stuff. I started early this year. I usually wait till actual Fall day or the first of October. I think each year though, I keep getting earlier and earlier. But its okay!! Its this next week and Im so excited. I decorate my house and I decorate at work. At work its so much fun, cause every staff member has their own unique way of decorating.

I love this picture of my grandpas Bible. He had it next to his chair in the living room. I guess he got done reading it and just laid it there. Hes a very good Christian man.

I got this little boy and girl scare crow at the end of fall last year on sale, so this is my first time having them up....they were just so darn cute, espeically the little girls pigtails.

I edit most of the pics with the whole "glow of thanksgiving".

A little more of Rebecca

2010-08-05T21:45:00.003-05:00

Rebecca shoot #1

2010-08-01T22:28:00.004-05:00

Im sure you have seen her before. She is one of my best friends and I have known her since elementary. We have been trying to get her some updated photos for awhile, but its just been so hot. I have had so many different ideas that I wanted to try with a girl, and she was up for the challenge. I needed the sun and sky to be at a certain time of the day for these pictures. I knew the sun was going to go fast, so we really didnt get as many photos as I would like. I am happy with these photos and they turned out almost exactly as my vision was. I love using the sun as a "prop" in my photos. The natural lighting can be so creative for pictures.

As you may notice, some of these photos were the same, but I was just having so much fun playing with the different ideas I could do.

For her next shoot we are going to focus more on close ups, since thats what she really wants!!

Kee Wedding

2010-07-13T17:23:00.005-05:00

I enjoyed photographing their wedding. I normally dont do weddings, but my co-worker had faith in me to photograph her sons wedding. Thanks Mrs. Kee for trusting in me. I had alot of fun and it was great seeing the girls and your family!!!

Random Pictures

2010-06-20T23:46:00.006-05:00

My friend and I took a trip to Arlington/Dallas for a girls weekend trip and we saw the Rangers play and went shopping. So we took lots of pictures and I love taking pics of all the big buildings. Also there are pictures of Mark, me, my animals and a lemonde drink, that me and my friend had at the Spaghetti Warehouse. Enjoy...

Next Anniversary

2010-05-17T17:15:00.003-05:00

I want to go here on our next Anniversary!! Its about 70 miles from where I live.....cant wait!!!

Been a LONG time

2010-04-25T23:53:00.003-05:00

I havent gone anywhere, just been away working at my other job and havent been doing photography latley. I still love to do it, and have been doing our schools yearbook. Im going to try and focus this summer on photography more, but we only have 12 days left of school, so theres just a lot of things going on. But these photos are some pictures that I took of some roses that were in my front yard. They were just so pretty, that I wanted to share. Also is a bluebonnet that I picked on the side of the road one day when my friend and I was walking our dogs. We thought that it was against the law and I was going to go to jail for it, but found out that was a myth. Enjoy!!

Our White Christmas Blizzard

2009-12-28T23:59:00.009-06:00

Chrismtas decorationas and my cat

2009-12-28T23:42:00.003-06:00

Christmas lights around the Falls

2009-12-28T23:25:00.003-06:00

Christmas Cookies

2009-12-28T23:13:00.005-06:00

So last year, I wanted to make cookies from scratch. I went by this Chocolate Chip cookie recipe, by the T. Well they turned out horrible. I tried and tried, thinking it was me. So on my last batch, I was like, Im just going to do my own thing....I didnt measure or anything. They turned out delicous. So Mark kept asking me this year if I would make them again. Well I was sure I forgot what I did, but nope....I remembered, with no measuring. Mark couldnt wait....he ate them when it first came out of the oven and couldnt stop eating them. I made 2 batches and we are still eating on them.

Festival Lights in OK

2009-12-28T22:22:00.006-06:00

This was so pretty, but there was so many people taking pictures.

This had music to it and it would change colors to the music.

We stood in line on the side of the road to get into this place for about 3 hours. We rode a horse and buggy around the place and then walked it. I wish we would of taken pics with the horse and buggy, but they were in a hurry cause it was about to close. It was so pretty and we got to spend alot of time together. The fog coming back was horrible, but did you know when we got to the border line on the bridge its like it all went away and we could see the stars and everything. It was crazy!!!

Christmas Card

2009-12-01T21:28:00.002-06:00

So I think this is our Christmas Card this year....I just wanted a plain, simple looking Christmas Card. Ive been playing around a bit with them....Who knows what the final one is going to be.

Casting Crowns Concert

2009-11-24T00:24:00.004-06:00

I went to the Casting Crowns concert with my friend Rebecca....It was her first Christian Concert and I do think she had a good time. She really enjoyed Matt Redmond. We took pictures, but none of my pictures really came out of the stage, but we did get good pictures of us.

My grandpas 80 birthday

2009-11-23T23:52:00.005-06:00

My grandpas theme was 1929 Stock Market....that is when it fell was in 1929, days when he was born. They have always told me that He caused the stock market to fall, so here it is 80 years later, and I wanted to bring it out and show the differences between 80 years and what has changed.

These are the centerpieces....I made them little money trees and since his birthday is the day before Halloween, I put some candy out for everyone.

I baked his cake, but I didnt make it like the fondant.....But i did get ALOT of compliments on it and how moist and good it was.

I love, love, love, this picture. This is a picture of my grandpa and his great grandson Cameron. He was helping his grandpa open his birthday gifts. My grandpa just adores him.

Here are some of the things that happened in 1929 and now in 2009. My friend helped me make these pictures and decorate.

We put 80 candles on top of this cake, and we put them all together cause it was faster to light, lol. They ended up burning the floor.

I made a stock market on the wall and made this of my grandpa crashing it when he was born.

The cake i made

I put this fun facts on the tables of numerous things, so that everyone could read.

We had his birthday party at our church. Alot of people from church came and our close friends and family. My grandpa had a blast and told me he never has had a party before like that, so here he is at 80 and Im so happy that I could give him something that he will always cherish and have many memories of!!! I am so thankful to have him still in our lives and he is such a sweet person and a Godly person. He teaches Sunday School still at our church and he is the deacon. I love you grandpa!!!

New Blog

2009-11-23T13:08:00.002-06:00

I made a new blog for me and Mark as we share our journey of trying for a baby. Its more of a personal blog and I didnt want to share it to the whole world following my photography website, and plus that wouldnt be very professional would it? lol So if your a close friend or family or would love to give advice or encouragment, you can follow us here futurepenafamily.blogspot.com

Bebo Norman, Natalie Grant, & Jeremy Camp concert

2009-11-08T19:18:00.008-06:00

So these arnt in any order, but Mark and I went to Jeremy Camp concert this past Sunday (Nov. 01, 2009) in Abilene. It was so much fun...but it was a fast trip. We had my grandpas birthday party on Saturday and then left to go there Sunday and then to come back Monday morning so I could go to work. Mark loves to listen to Jeremy Camp's music and has been really wanting to see him in concert. So he planned it like a month or two ago and we were so excited to go. Bebo Norman and Natalie Grant opened up for him, and they both were awesome. I loved Natalie Grants turn on the stage. She had me bawling, lol. The things she said and the music she sang spoke to me. She said...Greater things are yet to come, Greater things are yet to be done....and thats a song, which she explained she didnt write but the story in itself is touching. Here are some pics of the concert.

I loved this pic of this guy lifting his hands praising God during one of Jeremy Camps song!!

This is Bebo Norman....They said you can have cameras, but not to use the flash....well.....I didnt get alot because of that at the beginning, then I was like, shoot...im going to use my flash, lol

Bebo, came out right before Jeremy Camp came out, and was talking...hes so funny...he said back in the day, Jeremy used to open up for HIM, lol

Natalie Grant!!!

These are her twins...they were so cute. She said before the concert, one of them asked her WHY cant we go out there on stage with her?? she said, you are, your just on the side....and then they little girl goes, NO, i want to be ON stage with you...so she let them come out...their names are Bella and Grace.

2nd Annual Drug Free Parade at BBCS

2009-10-25T16:09:00.008-05:00

This week we had our Drug Free Week at the school I work at. It was our 2nd Annual Drug Free Parade that we do around our neighborhood. We will have a story in the paper coming up soon, so you can check that out!!! Heres some pics!!

Also the kids decorated wagons and threw out water balloon yo-yo's, candy, and animal balloons to the neighboorhood. We had flag carriers, a drummer, cheerleaders and our own little JROTC. We had so many kids absent because of all the sickness going around. So we had some parents come out and help with it all.

Birthday Cake

2009-10-24T19:39:00.004-05:00

So this year for my birthday, I wanted to make one of those fondant cakes that you see on TV. I looked some stuff up and asked a friend who does cakes how to do it, and what I needed to do. It didnt seem to bad. Well....It wasnt as hard as I thought it would be. I didnt have alot of items and didnt have the money to go buy it, so I "ghetto" did it, lol. But for my first cake, and trying to hurry and make it, I dont think it turned out so bad. I think the circles should of been smaller and of course its not perfect and smooth. The sad part is it...I didnt eat it, lol. I dont like cake all that much. I had a bite of it, but I really dont like how fondant tastes. Its not good at all, or maybe what I bought wasnt good, lol. But i thought it looked pretty.

You can tell its crooked and slanted and not smooth. I dont think I have the patience for this kind of a thing, lol

You can see the candles at the bottom. Well i bought these candles but I didnt want to punch holes all in the cake, so I got some extra fondant and put em on it.

More pics of Dallas trip

2009-10-24T02:55:00.007-05:00

Me and hubby, on my birthday night

After the comedy club, we went to this restaurant and we sat outside and it was perfect weather and so beautiful. This was outside decorations.

I just love taking pictures of buildings

This was at the 6th Floor museum, where JFK got shot

Ate at the Spaghetti Warehouse

Pic of me.... :)

I love the detail of this building

Oh, Hong Kong Gardens...this is a hole in the wall restaurant, that I have been going to since i was like 3 or 4. This was my moms first Chinese restaurant that she ever went too.

She made my day

2009-10-07T22:52:00.002-05:00

Rachel, I think you need to be a writter, not to be funny at all, but you write very well. Now on to the blog itself, you are such a strong person to have gone through what you have gone through at such a young age.I do believe that you are going to live for a long, long, time, and that me and you are gonna still be talking on the front porch when we are 70! I know you and Mark are going to have BABIES. I just dont know when, only God knows that. You are the strongest Christian woman I know and I am glad you are my friend. =)

Thanks Rebecca!!! You really made my day and reassured me that God is on my side and he will give me the desires of my heart!!!
Heres a link to my friends blog....check her out!!!
http://rebeccalovesjoshhamilton.blogspot.com/

Happy Birthday to ME!!!

2009-10-07T15:55:00.004-05:00

I turned 24 on October 4th. My husband took me to Dallas for my birthday, just me and him and we had a blast. We went to our favorite restaurant down there, that I have been eating at since I was 4 called Hong Kong Gardens and we went to Sam Moons and I got me 2 purses. We also went to a comedy club down there. One of the comedians was Theo Von from Road Rules on MTV several years back. We got to meet them and take pictures. The next day we went downtown and ate at the Spaghetti Warehouse and we went to the JFK museum...which that was awesome. We went to the same floor that Oswald shot him.

Here are some pics that I have done.....I am going to post more later.

Dave Ashley Comedian

Theo Von

I forget sometimes that Im a cancer survivor

2009-09-27T21:54:00.002-05:00

Its true...most of the time I forget that I am a cancer survivor. I know that I have had cancer and I worry most of the time that its going to come back and I'm going to die young. Just recently has it controlled my everyday life. Its not fun. I think to myself...for the rest of my life, I'm going to have to worry about it coming back, anywhere in my body. Cancer runs in our family like water goes through a fountain. My mom died of ovarian cancer, and she had skin cancer. My grandpa had colon cancer, my great aunt had breast cancer, my great uncle had bladder, skin and died from lung cancer. And of course I had kidney cancer. The sad part is, is that they are all different types. This is just my mom side of the family. I don't know my dad, so I don't know what runs over there, if anything.
Lately, I had some problems with thinking about dieing all the time. I thought about death and not living a long life. I went to my Dr because I was having some pains one time, and this was the time around my yearly exam, in which stresses me out to the point I'm sick. I lost 7 pounds that week. But i went to the Dr, and I made a list of everything that was wrong with me. He looked it over and then ripped it up in front of my face. He was like, this is all have to do with stress. He told me, to stop stressing and give it to the Lord. That i need to stop thinking about dieing so much and enjoy TODAY. He told me that the Bible says Tomorrow isn't promised, so why waste your time worrying about dieing when you can enjoy living. I knew all these things. I guess it had to take a Dr to tell me and put it in my head. Some of my friends also told me that Worry is not from the Lord. That he wants us to give him all of our worries. And they told me that death is not from the Lord....that living is. I know where I'm going when I die. I don't know why I worry about it so much. I'm not done living my life. I do not want to leave my grandpa or husband and I want to have a family with my husband.
But I have been better lately. I have turned it all over to God. I still get those aches and pains and wonder what they are...and i jump and google them, wondering if its something bad. Its not a pleasant life to live. But I have gotten better. Their right...tomorrow isn't promised. I know that my health is my weakness and I let the stupid ole devil get in my head and let him tell me all these things so i can worry. And now i know that i have allowed him to do it...i catch myself and rebuke him in Jesus name away from me. I don't want him to control me, to make me doubt myself, to make me thinking theres something wrong with me, when the great Lord has let me live another day healthy.
When i found out i had cancer, it really did change my life. Since then, I let the Lord lead my path for me. I gave it all to him. I knew then, that no one here on earth could cure me. That was the closest to death I have yet to experience and it was scary. To think, that it could of spread all over and for me to take chemo and to be sick and with a weak immune system. I was so scared. I was only 19 and 3 years before that, I saw my mom go through it for 2 years and then die. But God blessed me sooooo much. I did get my kidney taken out, but that's it!!!! Praise the Lord!!! My Dr's told me that they don't think I should take chemo, and that it was my choice, but they believe they got it all!!! Since then, every year, I have gone and taken my yearly exams and nothing has came back.
I have felt like God has told me I'm going to get pregnant. I feel in my heart and have faith more than ever that me and my husband will have our child that our hearts desire so much.
God has been really and truly good to us, and has blessed us beyond measure. We have grown into this amazing Christian couple and we sit down and hold hands and pray together now. We never did before. We feel closer to God, and we don't argue anymore like we did. I know I appreciate him more than ever, and I don't take him for granted like I have.
Please keep us in your prayers, as we try for a baby. That we will have a healthy baby, a healthy pregnancy and a healthy mommy, daddy, and family. And please keep me in your prayers about my weaknesses, and that I wont let the devil get to me.
Thanks for listening!!!

July 4th

2009-09-26T19:02:00.005-05:00

Yes....July 4th. I just now got them off of one of my memory cards. July 4th this year was a remembrance one. Me and my friend went swimming and got all burnt, and then came home and with the hubby all cooked out on the grill. It was such good food, and good times spending with friends and family. Then of course me and my friend went and watched the fireworks, and it rained....but not just rained, it poured!!! But most importantly we got really good seats. We went on top of a parking garage and got the best seat in town. Here are some pictures!!

Been absent

2009-09-18T01:42:00.004-05:00

I havent been on here, in like over a month. I have checked everyones updates, but really havent had much to say.

My job at Bible Baptist School has grown this year. Its not as stressful, we have 2 new teachers and alot of kids. God is really blessing the school and all of us.

This week is the Texas/Oklahoma fair and we are out there. We have a booth set up, so if you go out there, be sure to stop by. They are selling popsicles and also raffling off some great stuff, including a TV, a mini fridge, a $50.00 hair due with Looking Good 2, a quilt, and a big bear. Its a $1.00 a raffle, but its to help out the school.

I took some pics of me the other day, I was bored. I needed some updated ones. I really need to pull out my camera and take some pictures. I know I keep saying that, but I do. Theres alot coming up, so be sure to look out for that!!!

Senior Pictures

2009-08-16T18:00:00.002-05:00

So this is the class of 2010. If you would like for me to take your Senior Pictures, just give me a call. My prices are on the right side of the page. If you have any questions or would like to set up an appointment just give me a call, 940-631-5486.

This school year

2009-08-16T17:54:00.003-05:00

This school year is looking good. I had my doubts on returning, but felt that God wanted me there. So I showed up Monday, and to my surprise the school year sounds like it might be a good one. We have 5 staff, which is alot to a small private school, but its the usual of what it should be. We already have 24 kids, which is alot to, for the begininng. We start a week earlier than public schools, and Im sure we will be getting more. We normally have them start coming in later, because of us starting early. Our school can hold on 40, I believe, but the Administrator is working on doing 1-3 year olds also. Just more information that we need to look into.

Bible Baptist Christian School is a good school for any religion students. If your student has a hard time paying attention to a stand up lecture teacher, than this is the school. This school, you learn at your own rate. You have your own office, and your own books. You can do any subject at any time and we learn alot about God. One thing with working there, is learning and teaching kids about God. Our prices are good for private school....I believe we are the cheapest in town. Were just like a family up there.

If you would like to know more, you can contact the office, which thats where Im at, and will answer the phone, lol....at 940-723-2446, or you can just write me or email me on here.

So the summer is coming to a close

2009-08-09T00:06:00.002-05:00

Grab a new Myspace Layout

I have to go back to my other job on Monday. I cant believe the summer is already over. I guess its a bittersweet. I cant wait till the fall and the cooler weather, but it seems like when school starts, all the holidays fly by and then its spring. I dont know....its just crazy!!!

Tonight I had this young adult fun time at church. I actually had a good time. Mark and I both went, and we had fun. I hope to make other ones next month. Its good to get the same age people around you playing games and having a good time, and listening to some Christian music, eating pizza and ice cream.

Now I am going to have to get back on a regular sleeping schedule. My sleeping habits have been crazy latley. Especially with Marks hours...he works 6pm to 6am. I just cant sleep when hes not there. Its crazy, but Im sure Ill get used to it.

So goodbye summer, hello fall. Hopefully we will have a good school year this year. I told myself, Im not going to stress out this year as much as I had been.

I wish I would of taken more pictures, but it didnt happen. Its okay though. I have a feeling when fall comes and all the leaves start falling, Im going to be taking lots of pictures. Who wants to go outside when you have a 100 degree weather?

Something to live by

2009-07-30T01:48:00.000-05:00

Faith is not necessary when you know how things are going to work out, - that's knowledge. It's in the time of unknowing that having faith is what sees you through to the other side. Faith is what gives you strength. Faith is that light in your heart that keeps on shining even when it's all darkness outside. Now is the time to keep that faith alive!

Where has the summer gone???

2009-07-24T01:41:00.002-05:00

When I look back at what I did this summer, I think of Twilight, because I read all the books and me thinking Im going to die. lol. Thats about it. I cant believe its almost August and school is going to be starting soon. I told myself that this summer is going to be the time I start taking alot of pictures. BUT....I havent. I dont know whats wrong with me. I feel like Im in a rut or something.

I know this isnt the site to be whining or complaining on, but the desire for a baby is in my heart more than ever. Each month that passes, I wonder when its going to be my turn?! Everyone, and I mean everyone around me is, has, was, are....lol.....with a baby. I want that too. I rememeber my mom telling me when I was little, that she had me, when she was 26 and I rememeber thinking, wow...my mom was old, lol. Well Im going to be 24 here in a few months....and....it takes 9 months for a baby. I want more than one if God is willing, and I just always told myself, I dont want to have any kids past 30. But then again....what I always want, sometimes isnt what God wants. I trust in him....I really do...I just feel like IM READY!!! Im ready for all the sleepless night, dirty diapers, burpings, being broke, being tired, looking like a mess. Im ready for all of that....just to hold and kiss a baby that God has made for me and my husband....that is a part of my husband. I wonder what our child will look like.
When I miscarried Mark Jr. and I got to hold him....he looked just like Mark. They had the same nose, and same ankles. Yes.....ANKLES!!! lol. I have little boney ankles and Mark has big ankles....and so did Mark Jr. Thats why we named him that, because he was so much like his daddy already.
I feel like I whine all the time, but I am jealous of all the women with babies. I get angry when I see a kid having a baby and not wanting one, cause it ruined her life. If only, I could of been the one getting pregnant. That baby wouldnt of ruined my life. But I guess when I do have one finally, Im going to appreciate my baby more and love them that much more.
Marks insurance starts in September. I am really hoping and praying that this is what God has been us waiting on. It makes sense!!! We need insurance.....and I feel ready....and I have that desire, that I know comes from the Lord.
Please pray for me and Mark....that we will have a healthy baby, pregnancy, and mommy :)

Christmas Lights

2009-07-17T22:44:00.004-05:00

Looking through my pictures again, and I found some from Christmas. I just love Christmas time. Its something, the music, the atmosphere, the cozyness, the cold, that just takes all the problems away and puts a smile on my face. So me and Mark went out and looked at Christmas lights and I had taken some pictures of the fancy Christmas lights around our area. Do you realize that Christmas is around the corner already??!!!! Enjoy!!!

So blessed

2009-07-17T00:26:00.003-05:00

I got my test results back and everything is normal and fine.

I feel this tremendous weight lifted off of me to know that there is nothing wrong with me. I just want to thank everyone who has said a prayer or prayers for me. I felt each and every one. I am looking forward to the future and hopefully extending our family with a baby. The desire is really there more than ever now, and I feel ready!!! The love I have when I see a baby and the desire that tugs at my heart and the joy to know that God has given me and my husband is something that I really want to be able to feel. Hopefully soon we can feel that. Things are falling in place and looking good. I feel like God is setting us up so we wont struggle. God is just so amazing!!

Keep me in your prayers

2009-07-10T22:57:00.002-05:00

I am having my yearly checkup with my kidney cancer on Tuesday. I am going to be going to the hospital to get my CAT scan, and Im a bit scared. I always get scared, because I always think of the "what-if's". I always think of the worse and that Im going to die young. I dont want that. I tell the Lord all the time, that I want babies and I want to watch them grow and I want to be here with my husband and my grandpa. Latley, I have been stressing myself sick, and I hate it. I hate the fact that its Tuesday, and I wont find out the result proabably till Wednesday or Thursday. I dont know what Im going to be doing in the mean time.
Please, Please, Please, say a pray for me each night or during the day. If you seem to think of me during the day, please say a pray for God to take my stress away and to ease my worry. I know we shouldnt worry and turn it all up to God and I do....but then the human part, it comes back, and im all over it all over again. Theres nothing I can do in the meantime, and I should let God take care of this. Please pray for me with that...that I can not think about it.
I probably sound like a baby, but this is scary. I know I was so blessed for the first time, for me not to take chemo or anything, and it changed my life. From that point on, I told God to lead me in the direction he wants me to go, and I will follow. I know everything happens for a reason, and Im sure I shouldnt be worrying, but please again.....just say some prayers for me.

Unedited pics

2009-07-08T14:53:00.003-05:00

I took these......I thought they were so pretty, that I didnt want to edit them. God makes such pretty canvases in the sky for us....why ruin it!!!

My baby boy

2009-07-03T15:00:00.002-05:00

I dont think I have posted a pic of my baby boy on here. Some people get defensive when they see pictures like this, or grossed out. I on the other hand, see a beautiful baby. I have actually looked at other pictures of stillbirths and miscarriages like my son, and I find them beautiful too. I made this for Mothers Day and I put these on my cafemom as a background. I miss him dearly and I think, wow....he would be 7 months already. But hes in heaven with our Father and brother and I guess God needed them more than we did. But hopefully God will give them some brothers and sisters soon that me and Mark can take care of here on earth.

More wedding pics

2009-06-30T17:08:00.005-05:00

The veil

I love this pic of the veil.....with the natural light coming thru the door

My first wedding

2009-06-25T23:18:00.008-05:00

So last Saturday I did my first wedding. My friend got married and she insisted that I do her wedding. It was a small, outdoor wedding. She knew that I didnt do weddings and I told her, I wouldnt mind taking them, as long as she had another photographer.

I will name numerous reasons why I dont do weddings.

1. I dont have enough expereince in photography just yet, especially weddings

2. I dont have the equipment for it

3. I dont have a back up person for me

4. Honestly...Im not confident in your big day. Its a day that you cant take back or redo. If I was to mess up, I would feel horrible

Those are some of my main reasons why I dont do weddings. I need to build up my portfolio and learn more about photography and build up my equipment. I have had 3 offers for weddings, and though its hard to turn it down. I do have to turn it down. Who knows....maybe one day, I can say yes!!!!

But I did have fun at this wedding. The lighting was kinda hard, cause it was getting so dark. (some other things I need to learn about). But here is some pictures of the wedding. I will be posting more later. I have been so busy, that I only have loaded up one memory card so far and have edited some. Im also in the process of switching over onto a external drive and getting pics off of my computer.

I know this last one is a bit dark...but I love it like this!!

Faith in God

2009-06-24T14:56:00.005-05:00

Mark and I have been talking about babies. I, at least do everyday. Its always on my mind. When am I going to get pregnant? I pray and ask God, when is it going to be our turn? And I hear him say....."Just wait". I do hear Gods voice. I have talked to some people and they tell me they havent heard his voice, but when I ask a question to God, most of the time he gives me an answer. I can hear his voice and can make it out over any other voices. Now sometimes he dosent give me a direct answer, but he will say something like Just wait.....

I want to be pregnant so bad. More than anything right now. Its been over a year since I lost my little ones and I always thought I would be pregnant by now. But right now we dont have insurance. It wouldnt be the right time to get pregnant right now anyways. Though we are still trying....We have asked God to give us a baby in HIS time and I do think, its going to be soon. Im hoping the first month our insurance kicks in. I did tell myself, if Im not pregnant by October, then Im going to the Dr. again.

I never thought in my wildest dreams that I would be the woman that told everybody that "we are trying". For some reason, I just always thought it was going to happen. But we are....and its okay. Sometimes things happen in our lives that we never expected to happen. But we learn and go through it and depend on God. I know God has given me this desire for a baby and I know hes not going to let me down. Hes an amazing Father and has given me so much more than I ever deserved. Please keep us in your prayers!!!

WINNER

2009-06-23T00:56:00.003-05:00

For the couples is Mindy Dorman!!! She wrote a very good reason why she needs some pictures done!!! Im so excited to be photographing her and her husband. So dont forget to check back with those!!!

Also, on the maternity and the baby session giveaways. Since no one entered anything with those, Im going to be extending that till July 10th!!

So dont forget to write me and tell me why you or someone you know needs their pics done.

Pictures from the last trip

2009-06-22T22:58:00.007-05:00

We went to San Antonio this past March and I didnt post any pictures. I was going through my pictures on the computer cause I needed to clean out some space and then I saw these and wanted to share!!!

Love this old timey car!!

Thought I would have fun with the good ole Texas Flag!!!

This is in Marble Falls.....thats the big, long, bridge you cross!! We were dining at Chilis and next door is another restaruant.

Thought this was neat!!

So much fog going down there...

Big ole Rocking Chair...you know where in Texas!!

Love it!!

Theres the river where we were at in Marble Falls!!

Gotta love Texas!!!

I loved this sign....had to take a pic of it!!!

This touched me.....

2009-06-21T23:05:00.006-05:00

This is something my friend just wrote me......it made me tear up, because she was the closest thing to my family, than anyone else when I was growing up. She knew my mom, grandpa, and my whole family. My mom always told me and her, if something was to ever happen to her parents, that my mom would adopt her. We had some hard times throughout highschool with each other, and we didnt talk for about 5 years. Now that we are friends again, I think we just naturally picked up and is learning each other all over again. We always talk about the past, and what it meant to us. Though Im married and she has a child, sometimes its like things never changed. Shes a good friend!!! But I just wanted to share something that meant so much to me.

Rachel, that made me cry! I love Bubba too and wow... Rachel, that made me cry! I love Bubba too and would be so sad if something were to happen to him. You were so right when you said that he is the nicest person who you would ever meet. I think he is the nicest person I have ever met. :) Im not trying to be funny at all but when we were younger I felt like he was relative too. Like if i ever needed anything he would be there for me also. I knew he cared about me because I was your friend and he LOVES you so much, ya know? Your mom was so like a mom to me. I could talk to her about so many things that I could never talk to my mom about and I miss that. I bet by now we would have had some REAL GOOD talks!!LOL Almost every time I watch the Golden Girls I think back to your mom busting out laughing at something one of the girls said. I'll never forget those moments. All I can tell you is that you had a WONDERFUL mom who LOVED way more than any mom I know, and the same goes for your grandpa (Bubba) you are blessed to have had him in your life this long, and when his time comes you have to think he is going to be with his wife and Shirley again, and your precious babies, so it will not be a time of saddness it will be a time of re-joice!! I love ya Rach

Happy Fathers Day

2009-06-21T00:48:00.005-05:00

I want to tell my husband Happy Fathers Day. I know that we have angel babies in heaven, here on earth, but we are still a mother and a father. When we die and go to heaven.....I will have 2 baby boys waiting on me :) Makes Heaven that much more special!!!

My husband is going to be an excellent dad one day. Hes always concerned for my safety and my well being...I just know when we have a child or children, he is going to be really protective of them.

I also want to say Happy Fathers Day to my grandpa. Hes the best dad any man has been to me. Though he has always been my grandpa, Im just so blessed to have him as a male role model in my life, since my dad was never in mine. Its strange when I was little, and I would go to my friends house and their dad was there....I never felt different, or say...Wow...I dont have a dad. Maybe its because my grandpa was always there, or maybe its because my mom did take the 2 roles in my life. Maybe its both!!! But hes the closest thing to me as a dad, and I call him my parent :)

I love you both very much....and this day is for you two!!!

Last Day for Giveaways

2009-06-19T13:30:00.000-05:00

Today is the last day for Giveaways!!!! Remember.....write me and tell me why YOU or someone you know wants or needs pictures done. If you dont need them, try and think of someone who you may know who might need some pictures taken.

Free Maternity Session

Free Baby Session (Newborn up to a year)

Free Couples Session

Deadline ends tonight....I will pick a winner this weekend.

Hurry Hurry!!!!

My grandpa....and some stories

2009-06-17T03:48:00.004-05:00

I just wanna say, that I love him so much. Sometimes I get aggravated at him cause hes old and he does things I dont understand. Hes memory is slightly going, which I hate, because there are things I wish he could remember of my childhood and things from his past. But I love him and Im so happy that God has him in my life. Hes my only "parent" I have left, and it would mean everything to me if he was here when I finally do have a baby. I know its going to be hard when Im pregnant and when the baby is born and me needing my mom to ask her the hundred million questions there are. My dad was never in my life, and my grandma died when I was little. My grandpa is going to be 80 this year....yes 80!!!

He is the most nicest person you will ever meet. He gives and gives and never is picky. Sometimes I hate the way I act toward him, because I just get so aggravated. We finally took him to a hearing test today. He kept telling me he had "selective" hearing, and I was getting upset cause I had to repeat myself like 3-4 times on things. Well, we found out he does have hearing loss....now hes telling me, he dosent want to wear a hearing aid. lol....I knew he would do that. Thats my grandpa for ya.

Deep down, I need to say, that Im so scared for my grandpa dieing. I mean, hes all I have left. No other grandparents or parents. I have Marks family, which is great, but its not my family. I told my grandpa that hes not going to die till hes 150, so that leaves me like at 90 or something, lol.

In February 2007, my grandpa felt really weak, so I took him to the dr, and the dr. said he looked very pale, which I never noticed. He checked his blood count and he lost like half of his blood. He has had bleeding ulcers in the past, and we thought thats what it was. But the Dr. told him to go to the hospital to get some blood and he will be out of there the next day (ended up staying for 2+ months). So we take him, but they kept giving him all this blood and it never stayed. So they went to check his colon. He ended up having colon cancer. The SAME DAY, he has a heart attack in the hospital. I will never forget that. ( My cousin came in town and we went to go eat, and we came back to see him and his eyes were wide, and I was like, "whats wrong"...his heart was so fast. They had like 15 people in this small room trying to help him. Me and my cousin were outside crying, cause we knew something was really wrong). But anyways....so hes in the hospital for a week or so, because the Dr's are arguing about which surgery to do first. If they worked on his heart, they would have to put him on blood thinner and then he could bleed to death. If they worked on his colon, his heart could give out and he would die. So my grandpa was like chillin in the hospital, eating regular food, not hooked up to anything. But they ended up doing his heart first, and then a few weeks later, his colon. The BAD thing about this....is I got married in March of 07. The Wednesday before my wedding, they called me and told me to come to the hospital, because he just died while giving X-rays and they revived him and dont know how much time he has left. Let me tell you, all the things that are going in my head at this moment. I mean....here is my wedding....my grandpa is suppose to walk me down the aisle (which by the way, he didnt, and i was devastated. My mom couldnt do it, cause she passed and my only parent left was my grandpa, and hes in the hospital....mind you...he didnt get to walk his daughter down the aisle, cause my mom never got married. So this was as much as important as it was for me, as it was for him). Do I have my wedding? Do I plan a funeral instead? Will all my friends and family be coming to a funeral instead of a wedding? Do I wait? Do I have it early? What am I going to do without my grandpa? That was such a hard time in my life....I felt more like a grown up at that moment than I ever had. No one had to make this choices but me. Life changing choices.

My grandpa, of course pulled out of it and is healthy as a bug now. His heart is awesome and his colon cancer is gone. He ended up having a tube down his throat on my wedding day, but after our wedding, me and Mark drove up to the hospital in our attire and I showed my lovely grandpa, what I looked like, on my wedding day. I asked him, if he wanted us to go to the honeymoon or not.....well I told him to give me a thumbs up, or down, lol. He told us to go ahead. That Monday we are loading up on the boat of our honeymoon and I kept calling. Finally one of the nurses said....Honey...hes great...he pulled the tube out of his mouth this morning and is sitting up and talking. Just enjoy your honeymoon and have a good time!!! I was so happy he was okay. I felt like our life was going to be good then, and he has. Im blessed with a wonderful husband and a wonderful grandpa. Lifes not easy, and sometimes things happen and we dont know why. I KNOW my life will be fulfilled when I have that baby that my heart desires so much. I know its in God time, and Im hoping its soon. I can feel it. I feel like God is just telling me WAIT!!! He has something special in store for my husband and I.

Let me explain real quick on this picture of my grandpa. So I just got my camera and Im driving around with it, in my life....I know....its crazy!!! I took this pic of him while driving. On cafemom, I entered it in a photo contest on cutest grandparents and he won!!! Well then they put all the winners from different categories and he won the all around best!!! Who knew, how much of a stud he is!!! Hes so adorable!!!

FREE GIVEAWAYS

2009-06-17T03:39:00.003-05:00

Im going to be honest and say that Im confused? surprised? shocked?

I have been advertising that Im giving away a free session of Maternity, Baby and Couples. I have a deadline till Friday and that I will pick a winner then. All you have to do is write me and tell me why you or someone you know deserves this shoot. I thought I would try and have options here and make it fun. But the thing is.....no one has written me. Im just surprised. Its FREE!!! You have the option of buying them if you like, but no obligations. Who knows that the deal is, but my giveaways are still going on. If you are the only ones to write me, then you win!!! lol.

You can write me on here, or email me at Shirlrach03@aol.com......

CHATTERBOX

2009-06-12T17:12:00.001-05:00

I got a chatterbox.....if you got something to say.....let me know!!!

Funny-Interesting-Cool

2009-06-12T09:51:00.003-05:00

At the bottom of each blog is a Funny-Interesting-Cool.....dont forget to check it if you like it!!!

More of Rebecca and Dominick

2009-06-11T02:51:00.006-05:00

This last one....I had fun with it....I like it :)

Giveaways

2009-06-11T00:51:00.002-05:00

Okay, Like I said before.....IM NEW!!!! and I want to learn more. So with me learning more, I need more practice, more models. So I have had friends who have let me taken their pictures and I know Im far from being professional and wonderful. So I have noticed that I have NOT taken pictures of couples, maternity and babies. So thats what I want to give away.

No sitting fee!!!!!!

If you like the pictures, you can buy some, but no obligations required.

So I want you to write me and tell me of either you, or someone you know who needs or wants their pictures taken. But they need to be of a couple, a pregnant lady (and, or her mate), and a baby. The baby can be any age, up to a year. You can write me and tell me on this blog, or can email me at Shirlrach03@aol.com.

Im going to end the deadline next Friday, June 19th and will tell shortly afterward.

Small glipse of Rebecca and Dominick

2009-06-10T03:49:00.006-05:00

This is Rebecca, you've seen her before....her birthday was on the 6th, and I told her, for her birthday I wanted to take hers and her sons pictures. She was wanting to get them done, so the other day we went out and took some....heres a few....more to come later!!!

Misc pictures of that day

2009-06-10T02:41:00.006-05:00

Went to Wal-Mart, with all the kids from the school, aahhhh

Took this while driving, lol Thought it was funny

I love this picture of Elijah

John Paul and his Graduation Doggy

On top of everything else that day, we had breakfast and Yearbook signing that morning

And of course the stage.....for the first year, I didnt have to decorate it, lol. One of the ladies on the school board, WHICH BY THE WAY, is the old High School teacher, Mrs. Val......we love her so much!!!

Awards Banquet

2009-06-10T02:19:00.004-05:00

So after Initiation AND Graduation, we have the Blue Ribbon Awards Banquet. I know a full day, lol. But this is the ceremony that we give out all the awards the students have earned and achieved over the past school year.

Some of the awards

Ahh...this was cool...the boys did a march of the flags and a salute with guns...they were so good

Im not sure with the technical words for JROTC (I think thats right, lol) Elijah was Sargent

Josh, here in the red, was calling the drills.....again, I dont know what thats called, lol

Heres some of the awards to the kids....not sure which one this was

This is A Honor Roll....look at all those kids....almost all of them....this means they made a 92% better....i think, lol....man.....Im gone from school for 3 weeks and I forgot everything, lol

This is Daisy and Mrs. Kee.....Mrs Kee has been working for the school for over 30 years now.

We give awards to parents, if they helped us out in any way or has given their time for us!!!

Now this picture is just too cute!!!! Love these boys!!!

2009 Graduation

2009-06-10T01:48:00.005-05:00

So after Initiation we had Graduation. We had 4 graduates....3 Kindergarten and 1 6th grade.

Let me explain, lol......We rehearsed and rehearsed for this day and when to walk, and where to go. But when the day came to it, I dont think all but one did what they were supposed to do, lol. The graduates are small, and they were nervous and embarrassed, so I feel like I never got a good shot. Also, my job was to make sure they went to the right place, lol. So I was busy busy that day.

Marching of the flags and Bible

Salute.....Pledge

These ladies are family of one of the students and they sang a song, and it was awesome!!

John Paul graduated Kindergarten and his poor hat kept falling off

Isaac graduated Kindergarten and he was walking fast

Anna graduating Kindergarten and she was shy, so she kept looking down

Nick graduated 6th grade, yes......6th....hes taller than me

They got their diplomas......Congrats Graduates!!!!

We didnt have any Seniors this year......but we will have 2 or more this next year!!!

Initiation

2009-06-10T01:26:00.006-05:00

So here are some of the images I took, during initiation on the last day of school. This is Dallas as the baseball player and Ngozi as the football player. They are being initiated into the 9th grade. This is what we all have done if you attended this school during your 8th grade year. My friend Krystal and I were the first to be initiated. We were hobo ladies with baby dolls, and we went to the tea room downtown to eat like that. Its embarrassing at that time of age, now its just fun and funny. Every year they do something different, and its fun to see all the things the 9th graders come up for the 8th graders. If you are a 9th grader, then its pay back and you get to initiate the 8th grader, lol. Yep.....its fun....

The girls had Dallas, and was helping her get dressed

I think they looked cute

The girls.....

The boys had Ngozi.....

She didnt seem too happy, lol

The boys.....

Dallas and Ngozi... baseball and football

Hope you are excited about being a Fish next year, and initiating the new 8th graders girls!!!

Okay, back to work

2009-06-07T23:12:00.003-05:00

I have been on a......lets say Twilight Vacation....lol.....
When work ended at my other job, I needed a little vacation. So latley, all I have been doing is just reading. Yep....thats it!!! It felt good to wake up whenever I wanted too and go to bed whenever I wanted too. I read all 4 books in about a 2-3 week span. If anyone has read them, KNOWS that you just cant put it down.
So after I got done with the 4th book.....I set it down....and then started thinking about specials for my photography. It happened that fast. Its like, when I was reading, all I could think about was Twilight and what was about to happen coming up. But then when I was done....Its like reality hit. So here I am, thinking of specials.
But more than ever, I have been thinking about people that I HAVENT photographed. Like babies and maternity and couples. I want to do that!!!!
So Im thinking about having a little game or something to see who I can photograph for FREE. Yes, for FREE, because I need to learn and I need some models.
So be looking soon, for that and also I need to upload and put the graduation and initiation from the end of the school year on here for the parents. I DID go get me an external drive, because my computer was going soooo slow, or should I say IS. I still havent loaded them up to it. Im tellin ya folks, I have been in a funk latley. lol

Twilight

2009-05-21T00:58:00.002-05:00

Yes, Twilight. I want to say this.....like over a year ago, we rented a movie and they showed the previews for Twilight and I remember telling Mark, wow that looks like an interesting movie. Well when it finally surfaced and came out and everyone went gaga over it, I backed off. I dont like to watch stuff when all the hype is out over it. I dont know, I guess I dont like to know what they are talking about, lol. So the other day, we went to go rent a movie or two and I was like, "Its time to watch it", so we did. I loved it!!! I LOVE love movies. I watched it like 15 times in the first 24 hours and then the next day I went out and bought the book and yes the movie. I cant wait for the next one to come out. I cant believe how hard I fell for it. Though, Im not like they women who I have seen and bought every merchandise out there. Thats fine for them, but I just dont want to be like that. But if you havent seen it, I would recommend going to see it!!!

Its been awhile

2009-05-20T23:51:00.003-05:00

Yes, It is has been awhile since I have written. I thought that once summer was out, I would go right back to photography, but I have had some issues since then, lol. Last Friday night we had a storm come through....it wasnt as bad as some has been recently, but it was strong enough winds that knocked down my tree, into my neighbors yard, knocking down their whole power lines. It was horrible. Our neighbors was without electricty for like 4 days. I just knew it was going to cost ALOT of money, but the good Lord showed us once again how many blessings he can do for us, if we have faith. So its back on and everything and so we have the fence and tree to deal with. Im hoping to bring up those graduation and initiation pictures up soon and put them up on my photo reflect account for the parents at the school.

Happy Mothers Day

2009-05-10T10:16:00.003-05:00

So today is Mothers Day!!! Me and my husband had every intention going to church today, but we are sick. We have a cold, felt better yesterday and the weather was cool, so we mowed our yard. We have a BIG yard. We also have a fenced in lot next to us that we own, so we were out there for 2 hours yesterday. So all that from yesterday, has our sore throats back and nose clogged up again.
I think today is a special day. I think mommies arnt recognized enough. There is alot of strong women out there who are taking care of their kids by themselves. My mom was a single parent and I believe she was the strongest women I have ever encountered. Everyone around her adored her and loved her so much. She stood up for me and what she believed in. I think in this evil world, she raised me up the best she could and got me ready for this world. My mom ended up passing away in 2001 from cancer. I miss her very much, but I know she is still looking down on me smiling. I still to this day, try and do things to make her happy. I always think, "Would my mom be happy if I did this?" lol. Might sound silly, but its a good thing to think about.
There is also moms out there who are married and have wonderful husbands and moms who some dont know who are moms. Like me.....
I miscarried my baby boy twins last year around this time. It was hard, and I mean hard. Sometimes its more harder the fact that I havent gotten pregnant yet. But thats where my faith steps in and I have to rely on God and trust that this is for a reason. But I do consider myself a mom. Even though my baby wasnt full term, I did get to hold Mark Jr.
Right now, I want to share a poem, that I got from one of my friends on cafemom. It is posted on my cafemom website, so some of you may have read this before.
Happy Mothers Day Everyone and dont forget to tell your mothers you love them!!!

What Makes a Mother?

I thought of you and closed my eyes

And prayed to God today

I asked "What makes a Mother?"

And I know I heard Him say.

"A Mother has a baby"

This we know is true

"But God can you be a Mother,

When your baby's not with you?"

"Yes, you can," He replied

With confidence in His voice

"I give many women babies,

When they leave is not their choice.

Some I send for a lifetime,

And others for the day.

And some I send to feel your womb,

But there's no need to stay."

"I just don't understand this God

I want my baby to be here."

He took a deep breath and cleared His throat,

And then I saw the tear.

"I wish I could show you,

What your child is doing today.

If you could see your child's smile,

With all the other children and say...

'We go to Earth to learn our lessons,

Of love and life and fear.

My Mommy loved me oh so much,

I got to come strait here.

I feel so lucky to have a Mom,

Who had so much love for me.

I learned my lessons very quickly,

My Mommy set me free.

I miss my Mommy oh so much,

But I visit her every day.

When she goes to sleep,

On her pillow's where I lay

I stroke her hair and kiss her cheek,

And whisper in her ear.

Mommy don't be sad today,

I'm your baby and I'm here.'

"So you see my dear sweet ones,

your children are okay.

Your babies are born here in My home,

And this is where they'll stay.

They'll wait for you with Me,

Until your lesson's through.

And on the day that you come home

they'll be at the gates for you.

So now you see what makes a Mother,

It's the feeling in your heart

it's the love you had so much of

Right from the very start

Though some on earth may not realize,

you are a Mother. Until their time is done.

They'll be up here with Me one day

and know that you are the best one!"