Sunday, December 28, 2008

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

I know this is a bit late, but I hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas. Mine was blessed. We spent the entire day at home with our little family unit, and it was wonderful. I cooked (with a little help from Joe) and everything turned out great.
Next is the the New Year. I am so excited because I have this "old school" party to go to. I am going to go with the 80's for my old school attire. There will be prizes for the best dressed. You know I am trying to win that! There will also be a prize for the best old school dance. I don't know what I am going to do there.... my mom suggested the hustle...I am not even sure I know how to do that properly. I am open though, so if you have any suggestions leave me a comment. I will definitely have to post pics of the party. I have a feeling it is going to be off the chain!! I am not sure if I will put myself up, we will see. Anyway, I hope you all have a good new years eve. Be safe, and I will holla at you soon.

Peace.
j

Monday, December 8, 2008

The 411

Wow! There is so much going on right now, I can hardly keep up. I really don't know where to
begin, so I will just jump in....
The day after Thanksgiving was my birthday. I will not put in print on the galaxy wide Internet how old I turned however, those who know me know what's up. But I will say it was my best birthday ever. My husband blessed me with something I had been talking about for weeks, and really thought I was not going to get. I spent time with friends and family, and ended the night with a full stomach. What more could anyone ask for???
My baby boy turns one today. It is really amazing, the transformation one makes from newborn to toddler. I mean you go from not being able to hold your head up, eating only milk, and sleeping most of the day to running on your own two feet, eating what ever you can find (on the floor and other places), and hardly taking a nap at all. A child's first year is really an amazing journey. I am a little sad that my man is growing up, but at the same time I am excited to see the person he is becoming. I guess this is one of God's tricks for making you have more children. It's like my body yearns for that squishy little newborn, even though I know they don't stay that way forever. While my mind is screaming "NOOOOOO, are you KaRazy!?! Quit while you are ahead." My husband actually wants another child. I don't know how I feel about that. Actually I do know how I feel, and it's not quite the same as him. Sometimes I am really torn. So, let's just leave it at that.
Christmas is coming up. I have not even started shopping. I am so worn out by the girl's parties, the baby's party, my bday, thanksgiving....I shopped for their birthdays and now I have to shop for Christmas.....it all seems endless. I am truly struggling to get in the holiday spirit. Of course when I go to Walmart the massive crowds of people do not help. I just barely put my tree up last night, and that was only after my oldest child begged for 3 days straight! Don't get me wrong, I am not a Scrouge, I love Christmas, but man, can a sista get a break!!!?!!
In other news, I did have an awesome photo shoot the other day. It was for the cover of a soon to be released book written by an amazing author named Amanda Stahnke. Amanda's book is called, The How To's of I Do's Finding your Mr. Right, and because she can describe it better than I can I will give you the link to check it out ... http://www.webspawner.com/users/freedomwriting/index.html. Amanda is a very talented writer, and I believe this young lady's future is looking bright. I took all the photos of her on the site. Here are some pictures from our time together.
















We were on location at the home of a friend of Amanda. People, this house was off the chain!!!! Literally. It was so big my house could have fit in it's kitchen. It could have been on HGTV it was that nice. Right when you walk in the front door there was this beautiful stone wall that when the light hit it it was like magic. I was truly in love. Thank you Mrs. V for letting us roam your home and take pictures. It was a place I won't soon forget. { p.s I see your home in my dreams ; ) }
Here is the shot that made the cover.





Here it is as the cover.



Doesn't it look amazing!?! Yeah, that's what I thought too.


So go check out Amanda's book, especially if you are in the market for Finding your Mr. Right.


~peace



j

Tuesday, November 18, 2008

The Smitty's

Ahhh. What to say, what to say. The Smiths. This family is simply amazing. I really don't know how to describe them. I mean, how can you describe a couple that has touched so many lives in so many ways through the love of Christ? How can you thank a couple that has been there for you (and anyone else in need) countless times when ever you called? How can you capture in an image, the light that radiates from the very being of such Godly people? You can't, not really, but because they asked, I tried. I love this family so much.

You see, the Smith are moving. They are a military family, and basically they are just doing what is required of them every four years or so. I know in my heart it was not their plan to stay in C. springs forever, this place is just too small to contain them. But you never really focus on the day when your friends will leave. You just truck on week after week, year after year knowing you will see them again next Sunday. Well, my Sundays with the Smiths have run dry. Alright. I know, I know they are not dying, just moving, but dang I am truly going to miss these people.
P. Smith was cooler than the other side of the pillow, and Mama Smith was just as fresh. I am sure there are alot of people that want to be them when they grow up. Starting with me! ; )


**** Man, as you guys already know, we are all going to miss you. Everybody. From the bottom to the top. What you have done in C. Springs during the short time you were here is just too much, and too deep to describe, and after you leave, I KNOW we will still be talkin about all the things you did. You guys are the most fun, loveable, down to earth, keepin it real, sincerely blessed people I know, and even though you are gone you will NEVER be forgotten. I hope you like your pictures....
{I love, LOVE this picture. It is off the chain!!}
















Much Love...

jaime

(eta: I did not mean for this post to be sad, I'm just speaking from the heart.... enjoy!!!)

Friday, November 7, 2008

Halloween {'08}

Alright so I am a week behind. It's ok though, because when you see these super cute cuties you will wish it was halloween all over again. I rolled out my backdrop and did some portraits of the fam.

Belle was there...



This beautiful bride stopped her ceremony long enough for me to snag shot. (BTW. It will be another 20+years before she actually dons a real wedding gown. per D.A.D.)

Fifi was simply mah-volus da-ling.
This little stinker wobbled in...







and this cool cat rolled in and stole my heart.



Halloween was pretty fun. My kids and I went to our church for the Harvest Festival where they unload unspeakable amounts of candy on you for 4 hours straight. There were so many clever costumes, maybe one day I will dress up. I am not sure what I would be though, I would have to give it some thought.

As for my two nieces they went with their too cool for school mom's to another halloween party. The girls went to bed early, while the mamas stayed up late. Here they are before they got into their costumes.


I did not get to see them all dress up, I wish I had though, they both went as flapper girls.

I hope yours was fun and safe.

Holla.


~j






Thursday, October 30, 2008

{Jami + Gabe } 10.11.08

You may remember Jami and Gabe from here http://jaimemariephotography.blogspot.com/search/label/Engagements, they were the couple that knew each other from forever ago and in the end got together. Well these crazy kids finally made it official! They got married a few weekends ago, and I was there to capture their blessed event. Although the weather was a little bonkers, considering the day before was gorgeous and then the day after was nice, everyone worked it out.


This one of the fellas is one of my favorites. It shows how cool and suave they are.....
then this one shows how silly the really are.
The happy couple....
They had the biggest wedding party I have ever seen! There were 18 of them all together. You can't really tell from this picture, but the weather that day was terrible. The ladies were freezing!! I felt so bad having them out in the cold.




The first dance.

Ok. Jami is from Ohio, and apparently they have a big college football program there. Jami and her family are big fans of this Ohio team. I don't really know much about college football (except for what the man has taught me-I am sure he has said something about Ohio, I am just not sure I was listening). So during the reception one of her bridesmaids got up and gave a speech about the Ohio team, it was directed at Gabe. They even gave him some kind of nut necklace to wear. After they let him know that he could "take the girl out of Ohio, but never the Ohio out of the girl" everyone (and I mean everyone) from Ohio proceeded to sing the school's chant. O-H-I-O!!
It was bananas! They were doing the arm thing and everything. This tirade went on for at least 10 minutes. I had never seen anything like it. Of course it was all in good fun. Which made it even more silly.


Jami and Gabe, I had such a wonderful time hanging out with you and your family. You two are truly blessed. I hope your honeymoon in Hawaii was off the chain. Love ya.

{j}

Tuesday, October 28, 2008

Dedicated

Last sunday my boy was dedicated at our church (yes he wore his pink suit, I will post a pic later). To be dedicated means alot to me. It is more than just a prayer prayed over him, it is more than just a few words given as a blessing. It is actually me giving my child back to God. It is me saying "Lord, this is your son. And I will do my best to raise him in Your ways to follow after you. Let Your will be done in his life."

For me, this is a little hard to do, because even though I trust in God, sometimes, as a mother, I worry a bit too much. About all my children. I worry that they are not eating enough, that they might not be feeling well, that some kid is hurting their feelings, that they are not getting a fair shake. I worry about their futures, and what that holds. And you know, as a mother, I want to make sure all these things go right. I want my children to live in a perfect world. However, as a mother, I know that that's not a possibility. So, for me, I have to remind myself to trust in the Lord with all my heart and lean not unto my own understanding. Trust that He will take care of my children. Trust that they have a purpose and that no thing or person in this world can change that.

Lord, once again I give my son to you. My one and only son. I pray Lord that You will keep Your mighty hand upon him, that You will keep him safe from harm. No weapon formed against him shall prosper. Bless him O God all the days of his life. May your angels keep constant watch over him, even when I cannot. Take care of this child Lord. I love him with all my heart. Father, I trust this boy with You completely, and I know you will never lead him astray, because after all he was Your child before he ever became mine. Thank you Lord for all my children. Thank you so much.

~Selah



I looked up the meaning of the word dedicate.



Dedicate [verb] dedicated [adjective]; to set apart and consecrate, to devote wholly and earnestly, to offer formally.

When I read those words, they were so powerful to me!

All of my children have been dedicated. In fact to make it plain I have set apart, consecrated, devoted wholly and offered formally all of my children to the Lord forever. Amen.



much love,

~j

Monday, October 13, 2008

Sleeping Beauty

I had a newborn shoot the other day with this sweet little lady.

Although you can't tell by the pictures, this wide eyed youngin' hardly slept. She was very alert and wanted to know exactly what was happening in the world.







Baby G was so precious, she actually made me want another one for about .25 seconds. Then I shook myself back to reality by going to change my 10 month old's diaper.... and trust, that type of diaper will reality check anybody.

**I just want to thank baby G's parents for letting me come over and do my thang. You guys truly are blessed, and I am even more blessed to know you. Love ya'll.


Peace

~j

Sunday, September 28, 2008

Pretty Ricky

that's what they call him.
Look at my boy. Isn't he just handsome?!? I absolutely love, LOVE, him in this suite. So much so I went and bought him another one from ebay immediately. This particular one was given to us from a friend, and I was saving it for him to wear to church for his dedication. Well for some reason or another the dedication kept getting pushed back, and I thought I better put him in this before it gets too small. Come to find out I was right on time. It was a 6/9 month suit, he was 8 months, I couldn't button the cuffs, and as you can see, I could barely get the collar and tie together. But he was cute in it anyway.


The next one is a 12 month suite and his dedication is next month, he will be 10 months, so he should be able to fit that one... if only for a hot minute.
love
~j

Saturday, September 27, 2008

Mella

So my niece came over to visit the other day. She is just too Cute (with a capital C)! I don't get to see her that much because my sister moved on the other side of town, but last week they came by, and her "party dress" just happened to be in the car, so you know the camera just had to come out. And I must say, ol' girl was working that dress!

I couldn't decide which one I liked best so I am gonna just post them all. Sorry if it's a little long.







Here she is with her mama. I tell you what, my sister has ALWAYS taken good pictures. I mean she couldn't take a bad picture if she tried. Me on the other hand...let's just say I have been known to have a claw like hand with only one eye consistently open in nearly ALL of my pictures. I guess that is why I am better behind the camera. Oh well. She is beautiful though isn't she. (some people just don't know what they have till it's gone. my PSA for sept '08)



~much love

j