Outdoor Hunting Shoot

          I have the privilege a couple weeks back of doing an outdoor shoot for some friends. They are Shoreboys Outdoors,  who are "just a few friends who have a passion for the outdoors, conservation, & filming hunts." They are fairly well known water fowl hunters in the Maryland/Delaware area. For me this shoot was a fun combination of outdoor photography and something new for me! I admire some different hunting photography, it's an intriguing field to be in, no pun intended.  :) 

         If I am honest, I need some inspiration lately. This was a good stretch for me of using what I already know about using natural light and applying it to a different type of photography for me. It was a good stretch to see how my style could translate into a different genre. I hope you enjoy!

Monday Confessions, Happy St. Patrick's Day!

It's St. Patty's day but feels a bit more like April fools with the mini blizzard going on outside my window! 

I know everyone's Irish on St. Patricks day but I do honestly have a lovely Irish heritage on my mother's side of the family. I have them to thank for the freckles I am sure! Here's an Irish Proverb to start your day, 

As for confessions...

1. I feel like Olaf from Frozen..I want summer!!!!!

2. Here's what I see out my window...poor cozy coupes were loving those 60 degree days we had!

3. I confess that as a 32 year-old woman, I just made my first fried eggs this morning! I have eaten them all my life, if someone else makes it. Not so sure why I never really tried it until today?! They were a lovely over easy and went great with a slice of whole wheat toast. Here's to attempting whatever intimidates you, even if it's frying your own eggs!

4. I have been slowly bringing out the spring decorations to brighten the mood but this weather keeps toying with us! What are your favorite Spring/Easter decorations to put out? 

5. I am thankfully going strong on my T25 challenge with clean eating, down two pounds from last Monday! I have to confess though, we had a busy weekend of parties and events that I had a couple things not on "the plan." I think the social situations are the hardest! I encouraged myself by getting right back on the wagon and making the best choices in the situtations. I had lots of fruits/veggies and even some wheat crackers, etc. Had I not bee on the challenge though I would've been far more likely to gobble down all kinds of things. I think challenges are great to really open our eyes to what we consume when we aren't paying attention! 

 This has been one of my motivational mantras this week...

That's about it for me today, going to try to keep myself joyful and motivated even if everything is crazy! Don't forget free iced coffee or tea at Dunkin!! Off to find some green to wear...

Monday Confessions

Hey friends another week is upon us so it's time to confess!

1. Thank goodness the sun is shining and tomorrow's weather forecast for 63 degrees and sunny has me giddy!

2. I kicked off my first challenge group today with a group of girls doing T25 Beta round for 4 weeks. I am excited to eat clean and be held accountable to workouts to see where it gets me over the next four weeks. Believe it or not, next week has the first day of spring! I will be starting up more groups later this spring and early summer if you want to get in on it!

3. I asked my social media friends if I should keep reading Gone Girl by Gilian Flynn. I am over 100 pages in now and I am struggling to stay with it. I have heard so many people loved it and I am trying to figure out what they loved? The input on facebook was to stay with it but I have another friend who said, "life is too short to read bad books." Thoughts?

4. It's the second Monday of free iced coffee or tea from Dunkin Donuts! I haven't gotten one yet! Last Monday was a blizzard and today I was busy elsewhere. I might take a walk to the Dunkin near my house later and get that iced tea. I am too tempted to get an iced coffee with yummy sweet stuff in it (remember I just started a challenge group and trying to stay strong!)

5. I think I have underestimated the effect of a long winter on kids too. My little cherubs have been extra crazy and it's been challenging me. I think though that they're all on the cusp of new ages and stages in life. Max is sort of rejecting some his age appropriate transitions, like potty training (don't ask...it's that bad). The twins though are growing, changing and inserting lots of independence. There are just some areas I wish they would exhibit that independence more than others! 

Have a great week friends!

Newborn Sweetness

It's true, I have bogged myself down in some business decisions lately. I think it's often daunting for creative types to really deal with business savvy. Even this very website you are looking at, haunts me in my sleep a little. I am so ready to update but it's a massive undertaking of choosing new work, etc. I am also brainstorming about some new pricing structures. I think the best way to get out of a rut like this though, is to remember the photography! I need to remind myself of what I feel when I hop behind the camera and go into the creative zone! I LOVE that part of it...so the pricing, taxes, accounting, websites, files and business decisions can beat it for a bit to let me dream. 

      Last week I had the pleasure of doing a short little session for a sweet (and alert!) baby girl newborn!  I hope you enjoy these sweet images as much as I did taking them. We got her fed, warm and snuggly but she wanted nothing to do with sleep. She is a girl after all...she knew something was going on and didn't want to miss it! I just went with her lead and just captured her as she was! I have to be honest, the less "styled" a newborn shoot, the better for me. I want you to see all the simple sweetness of the baby! Enjoy!

Couldn't you just eat her up?! 

Monday Confessions, Snow Day

Welcome to the first Monday in March to another crazy snow day! It's funny, I left my kids snow pants hanging in our laundry area. I kept thinking to myself, "should I be putting these away?" Well thankfully I didn't and they're ready for action today!

1. I am already on my second cup of coffee (who wants a free iced coffee from Dunkin Donuts in a blizzard?!) Here's the view of my back yard at the moment and it's still coming down... We did see the grass for a few days!

2. I am already on my third load of laundry. I really don't know how 5 people can truly make so much laundry but I will blame winter and multiple layers for this one! Do yourself a favor though and put on the Pandora Motown station to fold to! I swear Motown makes it all better!!

3. Thanks for all the well wishes when I was really sick last Monday. I am doing much better but still seem to be fighting some cold symptoms. 

4. I just finished a great read, The Art Forger, by B.A. Shapiro. It was fascinating in relation to real facts and the world of art forgery. The story relates back to the infamous 1990 art heist at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in Boston in which a large stash of works were stolen, never to be recovered. This story takes on a fictional turn of what happened to one of Degas' famous works. I really enjoyed it, espcially coming from a fine art educational background. It's a mix of mystery, drama and of course a little romance mixed in. 

5. I am currently burning my new fave delicious smelling Anthropologie candle, in Willow. I got it on a steal in the sale room and then used my birthday coupon! It looks cute too of course!

6. Any of you friends bread makers? I would love to hear if you have favorite recipes or tips! I just keep reading all these stories about horrible chemicals in our foods. It's giving me stress to think about what to feed my family. I am not a big overeactor in general, but it's so hard when it comes to feeding a family and wanting to do it well!

I will live you with some wisdom for this week! (Original source unknown)

Monday Confessions

Hello friends! Yet another week is upon us and I am really sick which is no fun! My kids so kindly shared their virus with me. I don't know what it is about being an adult with a fever and all, but it's just rough! As we all know too, moms don't get sick days! We just have to keep on moving! 

For those of you that missed this, I wanted to share. We heard a slight rattle in our subwoofer when watching movies. We knew that Max has slipped a thing or two in there. My husband finally decided to take it apart and found this treasure trove of items! That apple tv remote had been missing a good 6 months! Kids will keep you humble...

I was very excited to start P90x3 workout program today but it looks like that will have to wait until I recover! Hope you all have a good Monday and I will see you back here next week hopefully with more to share! 

Happy Valentine's Day!

In honor of love and engagements we are running a special this month! Contact me today if you're interested!

Monday Confessions, Birthday!

My birthday has fallen on a Monday this year! It's very much a regular winter Monday around here. It snowed last night and left me a nice covering of ice for my birthday! I am happy to say that I treated myself and drug the kids out for a Monday morning workout with friends. Being a grown up, birthdays are just so different than they used to be! The kids want to know where are my balloons and party?! I just want to know if I can get a day off from adulthood?! Haha...this year though I am just thankful for my family's health and so many other things! Today I am counting my blessings while hanging with the kids, tackling some photo work, and looking forward to a family dinner later! Hope you all have a beautiful week!

Monday Confessions

Happy rainy Monday! The kids in our district are stuck home for another "snow day" but it's just pouring! I will feel really bad for them when it's the third week of June and they're still in school...ick. Anyhow, it's Monday so you know that means it's time for my confessions!

1. I confess I have some exciting Emily Troutman Photo news coming in the next day or so about a February special I am running! 

2. It's almost Valentines day, do you buy or craft your kiddos valentines for their class? I am on the fence mostly because I think it's just fine to buy them or craft them! It's mostly just what you have time for or if you feel like trying to motivate your kids to help! I am not sure yet what we will do...

3. I have gotten in my workout this morning and this leads me to some more fun news. I have taken the plunge and joined Team Beach Body as a coach! I love helping and motivating people, especially when it comes to making their life move in a healthy direction. I am a year out from when I decided to get back into shape last year. It was one of the best decisions I made both for myself and my family! I am anxiously awaiting the new P90x3 in the mail, it's a 30 minute version of Tony Horton's famed p90x. I will let you know what I think of it as I et going! I am here to simply help people, so if there's something you've been wondering about as you get on a healthy track, feel free to email me, emily@emilytroutmanphoto.com

4. I got to photograph my first wedding of 2014 on Saturday and it was beautiful! I am excited to get back into photographing as the season picks up. 

5. For any of you that are like "has she seriously lost her mind?! She's photographing, teaching and added another thing to her plate by coaching...." I am a little crazy I know. I am just taking it one day at a time. Thankfully things have seasons, ebbs and flows. I feel like this season of my life is figuring out lots about motherhood and what else I am called to do. I love all of these things and am passionate about them. I am just taking it one day at a time my friends to seek out what God has for me!

6. My kids won't stop singing "Let it go" at the top of their lungs! It's the song from the Frozen soundtrack if you aren't familliar with it. I have to say though, it's some sage advice....whatever it is, let it go!

Ok friends, off to the doc for a follow up appointment for one of my kiddos! I am still fighting sickness as well. Seriously ready for spring on so many levels!!! Have a great week!

Monday Confessions, Polar Vortex

Well it's Monday again and we are still in the middle of this Polar Vortex business where artic air swoops down into our area. I am, like most people, really over it. I love some good snow but this "feels like 3 degrees with the windchill" business needs to head back up to Santa's workshop! 

1. I am a potty training failure. After pushing Max to work on the potty for a solid 5 days with little successes, I am giving it a break. I am hoping as he gets closer to 3, he will take initiative. 

2. I have already showered and used a hair dryer! This is a win....

3. But I have not worked out....I am telling myself I will do a 4 o'clock workout before dinner. 

4. I ate more yesterday than I have eaten in one day in a long time! We had a beautiful brunch to celebrate my mom's retirement at the Hotel DuPont. It was lovely but I ate my weight in yumminess! (See why I need to get to that workout?!) Congrats Mom on your 25 years of faithful service and here's to what's next!!

5. I am taking the kids to an indoor play center today...there, I said it! I am taking them to run their little hearts out even if it costs me a few dollars, it will be worth it if it helps us all survive another day together with better attitudes and grateful hearts!

This pretty much sums up what I want to leave you with today...

Have a great week! 

Monday Confessions, MLK Jr. Day

I want to start with an appropriate MLK Jr. quote today....

I love this on so many levels. Of course MLK stood for civil and human rights, but this applies to all of life. You can't move forward if you don't start trying somewhere! I needed this reminder this morning when it seems like it's the middle of January, I am potty training a defiant toddler, and dealing with life in general. 

1. I confess I despise potty training. It's like a horrible game of trying to get a toddler into submission while dealing with bodily fluids. This just isn't a good combination. Some of you might think "hey, I thought she potty trained him at the end of the summer?!" I sure was trying but he started a huge regression so I let him be for a while. I told myself after the holiday hub-ub, it was time. He got his "big boy" toddler bed this weekend and we have been trying to convince him that big boys don't pee their pants! 

2. What is up with the fact that I have another birthday right around the corner and seriously the gray hair has divided and conquered?! It's no joke friends, might have to start taking drastic measures! 

3. If you are a stay at home mom, I read the funniest blog post I have seen in a while. It pretty much sums up most of mom life at home. I WANT TO THROW MYSELF INTO TRAFFIC: AN ESSAY ON BEING A STAY-AT-HOME MOM . There's lots of good one liners, "My house would be the epitome of a Pottery Barn catalog ... My husband would wonder how he got so lucky to have such a perfect wife and prance me around town like a sparkly little show pony, and my kids would idolize my every move. Usually this fantasy also included me winning a break dance competition of some sort in front of a crowd of hundreds." Hilarious....

4. I have three screaming children as I attempt to write this...Nothing about being a stay at home mom is glamorous and it rarely feels productive which is a struggle for me! One child is begging for cheese curls when he has not yet even eaten his waffle. I know, why did I even buy the cheese curls?!! Oh and now the youngest has peed on the floor...AGAIN....

5. I just finished reading Silver Linings Playbook, which I really ended up liking. It is written from the perspective of a man who has spent years in a mental institution. It's also written in the setting of Collingswood, NJ and Philadelphia, PA. A good friend lived in the town next to Collingswood for a few years so I am familiar with the setting, as well as all the Philadelphia Eagles references. It was a different type of book for me, which was refreshing. There were strange concepts like a hatred for all things Kenny G, but that's what made it endearing. You definitely find yourself rooting for the lead characters! I am going to try to rent the movie now to see if it lives up to the book!

 
I better run today friends! I have tinkle to clean and a glamorous life to lead! Ha....I wish! I also hope to get back to blogging photography as work rolls in. February 1 is my first wedding of the year that I am very much looking forward to! Have a great week friends! I am currently booking sessions now through spring/summer if you are intersted or know someone who is engaged!

Monday Confessions

     Yet another week has greeted us this morning! I just read my Jesus Calling devotional book and it was a great reminder to start my day. It started with "Try to view each day as an adventure, carefully planned out by your guide. Instead of staring into the day that is ahead of you, attempting to program it to your will, be attentive to Me (Jesus) and to all I have prepared for you." I confess I often start days thinking, what will I have to endure today?! It's a much better way to start it off thinking of what He has prepared! The coordinating verse was, "This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it." Psalm 118: 24

1. I confess this devotional was a much needed mental adjustment to the start of the week! I don't want to wander into "complain mode" but we have just had one thing after another coming at us recently. We feel a little like we are running uphill a lot...remembering that God plans our days and gives us strength to persevere!

2. As soon as I am done this blog, I will go put on my sneakers for Jillian Michaels Ripped in 30, week 3. Hope I survive! That girl is no joke! Trying hard to maintain health and manage stress in the new year!

3. The spring semester of teaching starts this week, I am both excited to meet a new batch of college students and a little anxious at how crazy my schedule will be this spring. One day at a time right?!

4. I confess that I REALLY did not like the plot turn that Downton Abbey took last night. It was very upsetting and I know it will impact the season very much. What did you all think?!

5. We are definitely dealing with cabin fever and winter blahs at our house. What are you favorite ways to combat it with kids? 

6. This months' Thriving Family magazine has a handful of great articles that I am gleaning wisdom from. One I read yesterday about "When Your Parenting isn't working," it was both humbling and helpful. I am always thankful for helpful resources that get to the heart of the issues! Thankful that a new year is full of fresh starts on many levels. A huge issue I am dealing with is yelling or actually trying not to! 

7. As for what I am reading, I just finished up Longbourn by Jo Baker last week for my book club I am a part of. It was essentially Pride and Prejudice written from the servant's perspective. I have to say though that I wasn't a huge fan. I realize the entire book was written to bring some thought to the reality and not the romanticism of living in those times in England. I guess I just didn't love her writing style, among other things. Another possibility for my dislike is that I maybe only wanted to think about the romantic side of living in the English countryside and not the realities of war, etc. Apparently that is the reason Jane Austen originally wrote P & P, to be a distraction from all the hardships England was facing. I believe I like the escape better than the reality!

I think that's about it for me today! I have to go deal with screaming kids and try to tackle that work out before all motivation is gone! Hoping you all have a great week as well!!

Monday Confessions, A New Year!

Happy New Year my friends! I am slowly embracing 2014 and realizing things like I graduated college a decade ago this May or the fact that my Toyota Sienna is now ten years old! How does time march on so quickly at times yet certain days crawl by? With the turning of the year, my head has been swirling with thoughts and a few I might confess!

1. I had to do a little winter mantel update after all the Christmas decor came down. I think I am happy with the new combo of items. The cute lantern to the left (Pier 1 Imports) was won at a family Christmas exchange game so I put it to good use. January is so hard for decor because it's definitely the winter "bla" season but you don't want to neglect making your house feel like a home!

2. I know complaining about weather is a national past time and it can be annoying, but really what is with this CRAZY weather?! Here in Delaware the weekend before Christmas was almost 70 degrees, then snow by Christmas eve and then 6 inches the week of New Years with a high of 15 degrees. It has been a truly crazy weather season and it's taking a toll on a lot of us. I love snow but am hoping the season evens out a little bit for January and February! Even today the day started a lot warmer then it will end with pouring rain.  An hour ago it was snowing/sleeting and now the sun is out like nothing ever happened! 

 3. Anyone else dealing with this crazy weather experiencing stress when dressing your kids?! I have to say these days though with big coats, boots, hats and gloves really have me rethink every time I leave the house. I have to weigh the cost of the impossibilities of getting 3 kids in their car seats with all the gear and cold whipping at our backs. Not to mention, the entrance to my home looks like a coat/boot/hat explosion!

4. I have had all 3 kids home every day since December 19 (preschool starts back up tomorrow!). I confess it has been a lovely but LONG break that has magnified a few things I need to work on. Specifically we are dealing with some food struggles that are driving me nuts! We have issues with two kids that will rarely try anything new and hardly eat any veggies. My other more adventurous child is willing to try different things thankfully. All 3 of them don't seem to eat much quantity ever. I know that they "will eat when they're hungry" but it can be infuriating when you're the one making their 3 meals a day. I am questioning everything as to food options, snacks, everything....so if any of you mom warriors out there have been through this, let me know!

5. My two and a half year old is also revolting against potty training. Towards the end of the summer we had made a lot of progress, he was really intersted and seemed ready. Now he screams and refuses so I am trying not to push him but I really feel like it's time. Do I force it or wait another month or two until he's closer to 3?!

6. I found myself on iheartorgazing again this year on the first day of the year! I guess at least I am consistent. I so desire a more clean, organized approach to life but all the energy and effort gets used on other things. I have done a clean sweep of the basement, pantry and my office area in the last week to try to clean out some areas of our house. Last year's resolution was to get more organized...but I don't think I really succeeded. I balance between feeling bad that I don't live in a Pinterest castle and just telling myself reality with 3 small kids (& a dog!) don't always lend itself to clean or organized! Definitely trying to find a balance that I can accept. 

7. Jillian Michaels 30 day shred week 2 started today...I am not sure how committed I am to doing the same exact workout every day but I can tell I need to! I need the strength elements so badly. A year ago though I don't think I could do one full military pushup and now I can do at least 5 before collapsing! This is a big deal friends!!! 

8. Downton Abbey Season 4 premiered last night! Who loves how it started?! SO excited to watch the rest...(Ok I confess I have already watched all of season 4 over the internet but will watch it again on US tv this time around :) Love this quote and image from last night...

9. I finished up reading I Don't Know How She Does It last week. It is a rare thing for me to read the book after seeing a movie but I got the book for my gift at my book club's Christmas party. I wanted to read it because a friend was saying the book was so much better than the movie and very different. I have to agree that the British flavor in the book added to my enjoyment of it (entirely different than the movie with SJP in NYC). Anyhow, it highlighted the plight of mothers everywhere...making choices every day that affect our families and praying that it all works out in the end! I think all moms tend to romanticize the path they did not take (at times.) Those of us that primarily stay home daydream about heading off to an office where we might get some respect. Those who do the grinding commute into the city daily daydream about still being in pajama pants at noon. I know they are benefits to different choices in life, each mom just has to decide what will work best for her and her family in the long run. Good read, alhtough I felt like it dragged in a few parts. I would recommend it!

Have you all had enough of me yet?! Guess I had a lot to say today! Hope your new year has started off well and with the realization that a fresh start is a good thing! What dreams are you chasing this year?! I am still mulling over family, business, and life goals for this year. I want to be intentional...

Tuesday again?! Portraits from a workshop

Friends, I am clearly wrapped up in holiday events, cheer and of course a little chaos! I know I didn't confess yesterday but I do have some images to share from a recent workshop! I got to attend a lighting intensive with Justin & Mary Marantz, a fabulous husband wife team from Connecticut. It was a great night of learning and shooting with industry peers. You know I have my favorite workshop sidekick, Rhonda Bowman, there too! 

The theme of the workshop was utilizing a one light set up to your advantage. As a photographer, I have had training in studio lighting but tend to love natural light. This workshop was really about maninpulating artificial light to mimick the beauty of natural light. It was also about controlling the light to create the type of portraits you desire. It was a good refresher for me on a lot of things and inspired me to get experimenting with my own one light set up! Thanks Justin & Mary! 

We got to shoot a few different models and here's one set that I love of a beautiful model Rhea!

Have a VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS my friends and I will catch you next week! 

Tuesday Confessions, Visit to Santa

Hey friends! I only just tonight realized I never blogged yesterday?! Can you tell Christmas is only a week away?! It's ok, I have had other embarassing slips of the mind lately too. We finally got to take the kids to see Santa tonight and they were ever so excited! They even waited patiently for about 45 minutes to see the big man and it was worth every minute!

SO Dean got a new harmonica today as a Christmas gift from Macy. He "learned" jingle bells in the few hours that he has owned it and wanted to play it for Santa. Who am I to stifle a kid who wants to play Santa a song? Santa loved it so much he took the harmonica and played a few notes too...Santa is musical! When he doesn't have a long line, he plays the guitar. Oh Santa how we love what you add to Christmas...

The kiddos and Santa parted with a group hug, it was the sweetest!

7 days til Christmas my friends....

Monday Confessions

It's the start of another new week and life is bustling around here. We got to enjoy the beauty of an unexpected snow day yesterday. I was teaching the four year old class at church yesterday as the snow started swirling down. I think I was just as excited as the kids to see it start!

It's confession time so here it goes...

1. I LOVE a good snow day, especially when it's unexpected! I used my long lens to stand at our sliding glass door and grab a few shots without really dragging any gear into the elements. I have always connected with something about the snow. I especially appreciate how it can instantly change your day and your pace. We ended up having a great afternoon of relaxing and snow playing! (Don't mind our too small and odd combinations of snow clothes. We are making it work until the new Christmas winter coats come :) 

*a note about photography in the snow, there's a lot of reflective light but it can throw off your camera's meter, resulting in photos that are too dark or too light. Just make sure you check the back of your camera to see what you are getting and adjust accordingly *

2. I confess that I counted snow shoveling as my workout yesterday! It does burn 308 calories per hour for my height and weight!

3. The hubs had to leave early today to help with snow removal, which is totally fine except our entire household was up out of bed at 6:30am. I confess that I think anything before 7 is really not a nice hour, especially with little people talking. What is it about even sweet kid voices that are grating at 6am? I am hoping we don't have a a family meltdown by lunchtime. 

4. Some of you know by husband has taken up hunting and got his first buck the weekend before Thanksgiving. Any of you out there in my cyber universe have good venison recipes you like? I admittedly am a little afraid to cook and then eat it, but I know I will just need to get used to it. It's a great and natural way to supplement our food supply. Venison is also very lean and healthy if I can just figure out how to get myself started on cooking it!

5. As usual this time of year has me both relfecting and looking ahead. Something I hope to accoplish in early 2014 is a website update. I know friends, it's time! It's just one of those time consuming endeavors that I know I need to do but doesn't quite seem to have an immediate advantage. Sometimes running a business isn't as fun as one would think! 

6. I know I talked about a social media hiatus sometime this month and I am still considering it. I know that my head and heart just need a break at times from the constant information flow. While some information flow can be invaluable, other times it just fills us up with nonsense, while not leaving lots of room for the good stuff. I don't know about you, but this time of year has a way of magnifying both the good and bad in life for me. I know I need some space to process and soak in whatever God has for me so I might be taking a bit of an internet break. It might require me putting my phone into captivity....haha

7. What are some of your favorite winter or holiday recipes? I love to make tried and true recipes from friends! I don't like getting in a recipe rut!

8. I confess all the shopping is about done except a few stocking stuffer items. 

9. I confess though that I have not wrapped one single thing....better get on that!

10. I think it's still free Dunkin coffee for the Eagles win if you are in the local area! 

I hope you all have a wonderful week! 

Monday Confessions, Thanksgiving

I have so many things swirling in my head this morning, as many of you do as well! This time of year is a mix of excitement and stress. It reminds us both of what we have to be thankful and sometimes, reminds us who we are missing around the table. I found some very thoughtful words by Abraham Lincoln in his Thanksgiving Proclamation in 1863, which delcared Thanksgiving a U.S. holiday (although there are of course Purtian roots to Thanksgiving). The whole thing is definitely worth the read but here are some words I would like to share with you today, 

"No human counsel hath devised nor hath any mortal hand worked out these great things. They are the gracious gifts of the Most High God, who, while dealing with us in anger for our sins, hath nevertheless remembered mercy. It has seemed to me fit and proper that they should be solemnly, reverently and gratefully acknowledged as with one heart and one voice by the whole American People. I do therefore invite my fellow citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are at sea and those who are sojourning in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next, as a day of Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens."

Thanksgiving started as a national holiday to truly stop and thank God for all that he has given us! It is good for us to take stock and do this. We hustle and bustle through many days without giving thanks for the many things we have been given. Join me this week in thanking God for all he has given this week!

If you find yourself in hard times, I share with you words from Nancy Guthrie, 

"When you come to the place where you recognize that everything you have and everyone you love is a gift, it becomes possible to enjoy those gifts - not with an attitude of greed but with one of gratitude. You and I know...that God gives and God takes away. And when he takes away, if we are able to focus on the joy of what was given, if only for a time, we take another step down the pathway to the heart of God." - excerpt from Holding onto Hope

Family Friday!

Here's an adorable family that I got to shoot a few weekends ago in the beautiful fall weather! I have known Paulo & Ashley since our high school days :) It's so fun to get to see old friends in their current lives as parents. These kiddos were adorable and great sports during our shoot. I really enjoyed getting to photograph them!

Who doesn't love a little ring around the rosie?!

How beautiful are these two?! I love it...

Isn't this the sweetest?! He will definitely have to scare away all her future boyfriends!

This little guy is his own brand of cute too!

Just love her! 

Have a wonderful weekend friends! 

Monday Confessions

I don't know about any of you friends out there reading but we had some crazy weather last night! Wicked stroms rolled in around 3 am and it even caused my husband to jump out of bed, which never happens! It's interesting how even a storm like that can make you grateful for all you have and thankful when it's over! 

Time to confess...

1. I confess I am very thankful for our protection last night but am thinking of those in the mid-west who are less fortunate this morning after losing everything. It seems a day doesn't pass lately without bad news of a storm or other happenings out of our control. 

2. I confess that I ran 2.85 miles yesterday and felt pretty good during it. (If you are laughing at me, I get it). I have been doing lots of cross training but not running lately so yesterday was a little test. I am running a 5K this upcoming weekend and wanted to make sure I would live through it. I have to say, eventhough I workout regularly, I am very sore this morning. Running just takes a different toll on the body....and I should probably tell you that at my 11 min mile pace, I got passed by an old man :) I am Ok with it. I remember being a size 16 after the twins and wondering how I could ever run again with all that extra weight on my frame. I've come a long way back and am honestly feeling really good about where I am. 

3. I just finished a really good, thought provoking book over the weekend, The Fault In Our Stars by John Greene.  It has grown a cult following and looks like a movie is in the works for next year. I have to say that I heard what it was about and it took me a while to be ready to read it. The premise is two teenagers battling cancer who find each other and love. It definitely required tissues! I have to say though that I enjoyed the honesty that it shared about life with cancer as a teenager. If we are honest, cancer will touch all of us in a lifetime in one way or another. I will most likely grab a friend and have to go see the movie :)

4. I confess that when it snowed last week, I busted out my Justin Bieber Christmas album and rocked out to Little Drummer Boy! (Who wouldn't love a version of Little Drummer Boy with Busta' Rhymes in it?!) Max was even singing "pa rum pum pum pum" later that day :)

5. It is aparently 37 days til Christmas and I have a lot to do! As always though, swearing to myself that I won't get caught up in the crazy. I want to try to enjoy what this season is about!

6. Who is going to see Hunger Games Catching Fire this weekend?! I don't know if I will get to go right away but am definitely looking forward to seeing it! 

7. If you know my kids at all, they're not huge eaters, which is a mystery to me. I personally love food and have always been a good eater. It has been driving me crazy lately, as every meal feels like a battle. I kept feeling for a while like it was a power struggle (& maybe it still is) but they honestly just don't have huge appetites. I question if they are getting nourished, but also don't like the idea of force feeding them. It makes me crazy to think of other children starving in our own country while my kids cry over eating a peice of pizza! Anyone else have this struggle with your kiddos? Anything that has worked well? 

I have other thoughts swirling around my head today but I think I will let them marinate for now! I hope you have a wonderful week in which you count your blessings and find joy!

The Haines Family

You may be thinking "I have seen this family on the blog before" and yes, you are correct. I love nothing more than when friends become clients and allow me to capture their memories! These precious people were our next door neighbors at our first house, which was a huge blessing to us. They moved away for a few years due to jobs and we then moved as well. As fate would have it, we are practically neighbors again and we are loving it! We were sad when we thought our kiddos wouldn't get to grow up knowing each other but that has totally changed. Our kids get along great and we are so thankful to have them back in the neighborhood. 

As for this session, it was pure magic. It was a lovely combination of great styling, cooperative kiddos, gorgeous Autumn afternoon light, great subjects, and a pretty setting! I love it when everything comes together! For those of you who will ask, the kids clothing is Janie and Jack.  I know, I know... the whole family's styling is perfection (thanks to their mama)! These really are some of my most favorite images I've shot recently!