James & Michelle

Last week I was able to shoot an engagement photo session for a young lady that I grew up with, graduated high school with, sat through the same college English classes, and graduated from college with.

After college she moved to California where she taught 3-4 grade at Bethel Christian Academy for two years.  She is a very fun, sweet, and beautiful Christian lady, both inside and out and I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know here fiance more during this photo session.

I could definitely see their love for each other;
 in their laughter, looks, and teasing.

To read more about Michelle, go to Liz's  blog...

she wrote an entire post on their friendship.

I was so thrilled when Michelle asked me to do their pics, because I had been saving this local spot (Riley's Railhouse) for someone special!

We ended the shoot at one of my favorite spots in Chesterton - Chellberg Farms.

By this time it was drizzling, but James and Michelle braved the elements and kept smiling!

James & Michelle,

Thank you so much for letting me take part in documenting the memories of this special day; I truly enjoyed every minute of it!

I celebrate...

my sister

linking up here

Dear Brooke,

I want to wish you a happy 21st birthday.  I am proud of the young lady you have become and I am so blessed to be called your sister.  I love you with all of my heart and I thank God every day for the extra time He has given me at home with my family.  Times like the above where we can grab my camera and act silly, laughing at ourselves...  And then there are other times when we have heart-to-hearts and I realize what a godly young woman you truly are and I know that someday a young man will see just that and sweep you off your feet.  You are giving and devoted to the work of God, and there have been many times that I wonder if I am a good enough example for you.  I love listening to you sing off key and hearing you practice your speeches.  I love how excited you get about eating and how stressed you get about upcoming papers and tests.  Words cannot even begin to express what you mean to me, and I know I have told you this before, but I want you to know that not only do I count myself blessed to call you my sister, but also my best friend.

Happy 21st!

Yellowstone National Park

I have not participated in Mosaic Monday in SUCH a long time, but

seeing as I came back from vacation with around 1,000 pics I think I will have

enough pictures to do mosaics for the next year!

So, I give you::

Yellowstone National Park

A tad bit frigid...

not what we were expecting,

but beautiful nonetheless.

We saw wildlife, geysers, and waterfalls.

God's creation on display:

this was one of my favorite shots from the day:

something about it seemed so mysteriously and tragically romantic. 

(excuse the poet that is trapped inside me...;)

We spent a good 8 hours enjoying this scenic drive!

View more mosaics here!

Happy Father's Day

Most fathers and mothers pray for a son.  

Someone to carry on the family name and work alongside the father.  

My daddy never got a son...instead he was blessed with three daughters!  :) 

What many people fail to realize is the special bond between Fathers and daughters.

For it is a girl's daddy whom other men will always be judged by.  

A Father is the standard which the girl will look for in a future husband.

I am so grateful that God has given me godly Father.

A man who leads our family by example.

A man who works so hard, yet takes time to be with his family.

Daddy,

I love you so very much and I wish you a great Father's Day, 

on this day and forever!

Julian & Liz

So...my trip to Cali.

I am still editing pictures but I wanted share a couple of my favorites from a mini shoot I was able to do for Julian and Liz.  The location is Monterey, California and my subjects were my best friend and her husband.

They compliment each other in every way.

He laughs at her jokes...and every girl wants a guy who thinks she is funny.

They are easy-going and very comfortable around each other.

He adores her, it's plain to see.

That mushy love stuff...they got it. ;)

They can be serious too; Julian is a good listener and great advice giver.

Liz...this picture shows her personality all too well, lol

It was so much fun snapping pictures of Liz and Julian just being themselves.

Later that afternoon we road along Pebble Beach Drive, stopping to overlook the scenic views and snapping some more pictures.

I am very thankful Julian put up with my trigger finger!

It was so much fun taking pictures of a couple very much in love!

Julian & Liz,

I had a wonderful time visiting you guys.  You are so much fun to be around and I look forward to my next visit.  Thanks for letting me take your pictures and for helping me create so many wonderful memories.  You are both great friends!

Love,

God meant it unto good...

{Monterey, CA}

God meant it unto good - O blest assurance,

Falling like sunshine all across life's way,

Touching with Heaven's gold earth's darkest storm clouds,

Bringing fresh peace and comfort day by day.

God meant it unto good for thee, beloved,

The God of Joseph is the same today;

His love permits afflictions strange and bitter,

His hand is guiding through the unknown way.

The Lord, who sees the end from the beginning,

Hath purposes for thee of love untold.

Then place thy hand in His and follow fearless,

Till thou the riches of His grace behold.

Freda Hanbury Allen

[excert from Streams in the Desert]

Goodbye, Pre-school...

Tuesday ended 3 1/2 years of working at a Pre-School. 

 It was the longest I had ever worked at one place, and it was a place that held many many memories.

  I will never forget the first time I walked into Wee Care.  I wondered how I would ever learn all the kids' names and I wondered if working 40 hours a week with them would prove too stressful.

  Well, over the last few years I watched kids come into my room from the two's room and then saw them get onto the school bus for their first day of school.  I developed relationships with several of the kids and felt almost as though I was parenting.  

I hope that I was able to influence these children as much as they influenced me.  They truly molded me into the person I have become.  The memories I made are ones I will always carry with me in my heart.