Rocco's Three Year Session | The Broken House, Social Circle, Ga.

Y’all, isn’t he so perfect! I know I phrased that as if it were a question but really, that’s a southern statement!! ;)

This Sunday, after 125 days of not attending church due to the virus, we made our way back. It was so wonderful to walk through those doors and be greeted by my friends! Honestly, it doesn’t seem like I’ve missed out on much - other than human contact of course. Our church has done such a great job of keeping everyone connected through our online service and our pastor reaching out to check on us. It felt like we picked up where we left off.

After service, we headed over to the “Broken House”. We changed Rocco’s clothes and handed him all his tools he got for his birthday. He didn’t skip a beat, or ask any questions, he got straight to work!

And, he knew exactly what to do!

He talks about the Broken House all he time! He actually calls it the “BOken House”. That “R” is no where to found yet. He talks about how he wants to fix it. Today, we are having insulation done, so we knew we had to get him over to the house to get some work done. It was the cutest, most adorable thing to watch our sweet baby boy work on the broken house. Trey and I followed him around and just let him do his thing all while snapping tons of photographs. I’m over sharing it all because, well, I just need to document how adorable he is!

His sweet little dirty face. Those cute little knuckle dimples. That crazy blonde hair. All that baby squish! I can’t get enough of it! And, I know it won’t last forever. In my last blog post (click here), I shared how I love to pray over our babies. Since then, it hit me. . .I need to pray that God will show Trey and I how to raise our babies so that we are supporting His needs for them in this world. I don’t want to interfere with God’s Will for our babies. I want to raise them in a way that supports God’s Will for their lives.

The past 18 years of my life have flown by. . .Trey and I celebrated our 18th wedding anniversary this past July 4th. 18 years. It’s crazy how fast that came! Before we know it, we will have an 18 year old. Lord, please let us hold on to these babies as long as we can and raise them in a way that pleases you!

Okay, I’m done being a gushy mommy! Well, maybe! Check out that adorable tool belt!

Rocco's Third Birthday Party | Construction Theme

Oh, my sweet boy, Rocco Koi. How is time going by so fast? It seems as though we just celebrated your first birthday and here we are, you’re THREE!

Three is my fave age!! Nothing like a squishy baby that is somewhat independent, but able to communicate their wants and needs and still wants their mommy and daddy! Rocco is such a sweet heart! Every night when I put him to bed he asks me to sing him the sunshine song. You Are My Sunshine has been our song since he was born but, I recently started singing him the song The Blessing (link here, you have to listen to it!!). My friend Katelyn shared this song with me and I’ve been singing it every since! At first he wasn’t for it at all, as we had established our nightly routine and adding a new song was a big no for him. After a few weeks of signing it (plus the “Sunshine Song”), he is coming around to it.

I want my babies to be prayed over every single night! I want them to know just how much Jesus loves them. I want them to experience His peace! I want their family’s to be prayed over before they even exist. The song, “The Blessing” is all of that! ** insert super, ugly cry ** Getting to sing that to Rocco, Olivia and RyAnne every night, brings me to tears because I’m just so grateful to be able to do that for them!

Celebrating this sweet guy’s third year of life was so easy - we love you to the moon and back baby boy! Happy third birthday!!

To all of our friends and family that joined us - thank you for being a light in his life. We love you guys so much and we’re thankful to raise him with you in his life!

P.S. Shout out to my sister-in-law, Chastin Padgett for the perfect cookies and cake! Rocco’s only request for his party were cookies and gonuts (doughnuts)! Check out her page Sweet Treats Cupcakery.

Downtown Monroe | Stubbs Family Session

I love how colorful the Stubbs’ family session is! Oh, and their sweet son Foster!! Goodness, he is so adorable! I met Cody, the dad, at church one day. Our pastor had asked me to photograph baptism day and Cody was there to do the videography. He and I mapped out a plan so we wouldn’t get in each others shots. While we were chatting and getting to know one another, Cody mentioned that he wanted to start doing wedding videography. It was so awesome, because I had a wedding coming up and he was able to book my bride. We worked together at Starrsville Plantation and it went so great! We’ve worked together on other church projects since then.

He always talks about his sweet family, his son Foster and his wife Kaitlyn. I finally got to meet them both for their family session. Monroe has become their new hometown. They moved here a few months ago and it was so fitting to photograph their session here. It was an overcast day, but their smiles and the fun colors of Downtown brightened everything up!!

Also, another fun fact, Kaitlyn’s dad is Jeffery Foster. He was RyAnne’s soccer coach last year and is also running for Supreme Court Judge! During their session, Kaitlyn mentioned that her dad was the judge during the very last case at the old court house in Downtown Monroe. So cool! God sure has intertwined our paths!!

Thank you for letting me photograph your beautiful family, Cody and Kaitlyn!

Grant Hill Farms Wedding, Commerce, Ga. | KayLeigh and Michael

Wow! What a gorgeous day to get to start back working!! As a non-essential worker in a world during quarantine, I have thoroughly enjoyed my time with my family and seeking God’s Word. But, getting back to work, was such a blessing!! And what a fabulous couple to come out of quarantine with. KayLeigh booked me for her wedding day, over two years ago and neither one of us could have ever imaged what was to come! Her and Michael did have to reschedule their wedding day but they never let it defeat them from the main objective - marrying their best friend in front of God, their family and friends.

Walking in to the bridal suite where KayLeigh was having her makeup and hair done, I could just feel the excitement and love from her family and bridesmaid! She looked like a princess sitting in that makeup chair. Also, I got to see my beautiful friend, KayLeigh’s grandmother, Pamela! We have known one another for almost ten years now. I’m pretty sure we met when I started my photography career. We both share a love for photography! It was such an honor to photograph this day for her family. Getting to see, and document, your friend in awe of her grand daughter was such a blessing for me!

One thing that really stood out to me about KayLeigh and Michael were their vows. During their ceremony, while they were reading their vows to one another, I had tears welling up in my eyes as I hid behind my camera. They are such a loving couple and God just shines though them. I have no doubt this couple will make a difference in the world as they share their love for God to others and serve as a beautiful example to their peers.

As beautiful as this day was, there will be a Part Two and I cannot wait! They were only allowed a small amount of guests on their wedding day but we are all in hopes that by the time of their reception, a few months from now, all of their guests will get to come and celebrate with them! So, more gorgeousness to come!!

KayLeigh and Micael, thank you so much for allowing me to be a part of your day!

Venue: Grant Hill Farms, LLC.
Hair and Makeup: Rachel Carter Beauty
Bride’s Gown and Bridesmaid’s Dresses: Charm Bridal
Cake: Nothing Bundt Cakes, Athens, Ga.

Starrsville Plantation | Styled Photo Shoot

Several years ago, I got to be a part of a styled photo shoot at Starrsville Plantation in Covington, Ga. What a beautiful venue, gorgeous model and over all, a very fun day for us creatives.

With all that has been going on with Covid-19, many of my brides have had to reschedule or have canceled their weddings completely and gone a different route. Please don’t lose hope ladies! God is so good and He is doing good! According to His Word, He loves us and wants the best for us. He is after our hearts! This is just a blip in time but for us here on this earth, although, it kinda feels like eternity, right?! As of right now, we have been quarantined for 45 days. What are you learning?

For me, being still in His Presence! Getting out my head and listening to His Holy perspective! I have found so much of His peace by reading His word! Just before all of this quarantine life started, I started reading the book, Get Out of Your Head by Jennie Allen and my small group started the study, Trustworthy by Lysa Turkerst. These two books are how I’ve been fighting this battle! I have linked both books for you.

I hope you enjoy our styled shoot and can maybe get some beautiful ideas for when it’s your time to marry the love of your life!!

Model - Erin Hulsey
Hair and Makeup - Amanda Baker
Coordinator and Florals - Katie Perkins, Blondies
Dress - Formally Yours  http://www.formallyyoursga.com