Some neat stuff...

I have been building my photography business for about a year now and there have been some new things I have been doing over these past few weeks...As some of you know I was away from home (Odessa) for about a month and a half...aka...way too long. But for good reason. I was in Houston, TX working on building my business and networking. I have realized that discontentment is necessary for success...Meaning that if I was totally content with where I am currently I would not be striving to be a better photographer. Don't get me wrong, I love my life, but God has placed me here so that I do everything to His glory...I need to strive to be better all the time to give Him 100% of the glory for the things that happen in my life! I have been abundantly blessed over these past few weeks...I was asked to do all of the photography for the musical that my younger brother was in; what a blessing!!! Then the day of the musical (which some would find stressful) I was asked to do the videography...again a huge blessing, because not only do I have all of the still shot memories, but I get to make sure the DVD is top notch for my lil bro!! SOO MUCH FUN!!! God has more than provided for Brant and me and I can't wait to see what else he has in store for us over this next year!! Thank you Lord, for the many blessings you have poured out on our family...may we turn and bless others as you call us to! Here is the cast of the musical (25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee at Alvin High School) The one in the suspenders is my lil bro Eric...Ok...so he's not so little but he is still the youngest of the 3 of us  :0)

Old friend...

I have been gone from my home town for 6 years now...Only coming home for a few days at a time and while here I have usually only been able to see family and had a hard time trying to see friends. This time I have been blessed to be able to stay longer and to enjoy some time with some old friends from high school...Actually the friend pictured is from elementry, and the 2 friends not pictured were from high school, either way I have realized how amazing all of these people really are. I mean, I knew they were amazing because they were great friends during my youth, but now...it says alot about a person when they can just pick up where you left off and not be completely awkward because you have missed out on so much! They just laugh and joke and let you in on all you have missed out on because they love you and miss being with you!  It is such an amazing feeling to know that God blesses you through the love of others!! I have missed hanging out with old friends...You guys are awesome! Here are a few of my faves!!!

I love having a Vacation Home!

So I just realized that Brant and I have a vacation home in the houston/ galveston area. We don't live here often, mostly during the holidays...its absolutely wonderful! Its so "homey" and lived in...ok...so his parents live here and its not really our house...but its our vacation house none-the-less  :0)  
Anyway, I am currently in the Houston for the next few weeks for my brother's musical...it's a huge blessing to be able to work from home and have the freedom to stay longer than expected! Plus, I have been able to learn more about how God is working in my life and through me to encourage really important people in my life! I didn't realize how much I wanted to be here and stay here...at least for a long enough time to let others make memories with the Cade Mister! It has been wonderful! I am missing Brant like crazy but because God gave humans the genius to make a webcam it makes things lots easier! Well...until January 23rd I will be here...hopefully working on photography jobs!! Here is some from the last photo shoot with Billy and Tisha...

20 years and counting!!!

Vicky and Jesse are a super sweet couple that I have known my entire life. Vicky and my mom met when they worked at Alvin State Bank. They began going to church together and Vicky has been an encouragement to my mom and me ever since! Here are a few shots of her and her husband (Jesse). They recently celebrated 20 years of marriage and as you can tell from the pictures they are still madly in love!! Praise the Lord for such an amazing example! Thank you Vicky and Jesse!

 

To see more click on Vicky and Jesse

Send a Soldier a Card this Christmas!!!

I just got an email yesterday and I love it...This is what I found out:

XEROX IS DOING SOMETHING COOL

 

If you go to this web site, www.LetsSayThanks.com   you can pick out a thank you card and Xerox will print it and it will be sent to a soldier that is currently serving in Iraq. You can't pick out who gets it, but it will go to a member of the armed services.

I don't know how many of you have friends or family in the service, but as one with family in Iraq I can tell you that they need all the love and support we can give them from afar! It only takes about 2 mins max (unless you are indecisive and can't pick the card/saying you like the best - ok...I confess it took me about 5 mins, but I did finally decide!)   :0)  Please take a minute and bless someone who needs to feel loved...the holidays are always the hardest time to be away from family...send them a card! You guys are awesome! Have a great day!! P.S. SHARE THIS MESSAGE WITH OTHERS!!!

Emily, Cupid and Hadley

I don't know if you have ever tried to photograph 2 dogs at the same time, but it is a hoot! They are soo funny! I have always known that dogs have their own sense of humor and personality, but to the extent I did not know...until now! I had the pleasure of taking pictures for Emily and her puppies on Saturday. I have done pictures of one dog before, but this was a whole new experience for me...they are just like little toddlers. They have so much life and energy and they just want to show you their new toys and want you to play with them. I had so much fun! Here is a glimpse of what I see when I am behind the camera....

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Parking Lot Zoo...

This afternoon Brant and I were driving around and we saw a make-shift petting zoo in the parking lot of the Odessa Mall. We decided to take Cade when he woke up from his nap. When we got there it was so neat...there was a little baby white tiger, a kangaroo, lemurs, goats, horses, a camel, llamas, monkeys, an albino python, and a Siberian tiger.  We got a chance to pet the llamas, goats and horses, but the rest of the animals were not pet-able.  Anyway we had a blast and these are a few shots I caught while we were playing...