The Old Country Church

Ever since I can remember I have had  a love of old churches and cemetaries. The other day I was driving to a photo shoot for a very special family and I took the back roads.  On the way there I passed this church, I have seen it several times and each time I think I need to stop and take a few photos but I am usually in the car with my family who is anxious to get back home.  Not this day though, I was alone.  I had just left my friends home when I passed this church again, this time I stopped. No one was around.  The sun was so warm and bright, it just lit up the gorgeous oak trees like someone had turned on a switch. 

On the church grounds there is a small old cemetary.  My grandparents lived across the street from a cemetary and I grew up riding bikes and taking walks through there (they now rest there themselves), so I have never been afraid of cemetaries, I find them peaceful actually. 

I took this photo through the window, the sun was shining so pretty through the curtains, making them almost transparent. 

When I was a little girl my Dad used to turn on "The Old Country Church " and sing it with us, it was one of his favorite gospel songs.  This little church brought back so many warm memories, I am so thankful that I finally took the time to stop. 

The Time Has Come....

 Using some actions that I purchased ages ago. I finally figured out how to use them!

 I bought this gorgeous sweater for her two years ago, she finally fits into it!  It is a size 2, I think not!!!

 She loves wearing glasses that aren't hers. She does not need them, she just wanted them for the photo!

 These were taken in my garage with my backdrop I just ran a little sharpening on it.

 I have wanted to take a photo of her in this outfit before she outgrows it!  This is sooc.

 This is sooc too!

 I had to recreate this photo that I first saw on Sara Anthony's site.

No editing done on this one either. 

Now that my children are in school full time I am finally diving into my photography.  I have all of the equipment, software, etc, that I need, actually I am over my head in things I don't know how to use.  For the past 4 years I have had some sort of family crisis's to deal with and I never felt creative enough.  People would call me for an appointment and I always felt like I just wasn't good enough.  Ever since I turned 40 I decided to find myself, discover my talents and gifts, whatever they may be.  I love to take photos and I have since I was a little girl, however I know very little about the whole process.  I just have and eye and that is just about it.  Yesterday I decided that I was going to get out my camera and a few lenses, use the pretty backdrops that I have, bribe my beautiful little girl with candy so she will model for me, and just DO it!!! I have so much to learn, my head just spins, but I just love taking photos and that is what motivates me to better my self. I have been taking photos for customers lately and wanted some of my own little doll before her baby teeth fall out and she outgrows my favorite sweaters.   I thought I would share just a few that I took yesterday, I made myself shoot in manual and RAW all day, some habits are really hard to break!  I know I have a long ways to go!! But I enjoy doing it so that is all that matters right?? 

An Awesome Giveaway!

My little sister Melanie over at Pretties and Posies is having an awesome giveaway in honor of all of the support that everyone has shown our family during Mom's illness.  I thought I would let you all in on it so that you can enter for yourselves!  Some of these things I have given to her as gifts,  ( she is not giving you hers, she bought new ones to giveaway) The Barefoot Contessa Cookbook, the Herbs de Provence, the soap, and I just purchased a Le Cruset pot for her birthday a few weeks ago,  I see a French theme here!  I have the counter top spray and I love it, mine is almost gone, I need to go to Target and get some more! 

Isn't this an awesome giveaway?  I love getting gifts from Mel, I love buying for her too, sisters just have a way of getting each other what you really want!    So head on over to her blog and sign up!  I think you have until Friday to do so!  Good Luck!!

Throwing Glitter In The Air

This is how I feel after learning that Mom does not need chemo!!!!  We are so thankful for your prayers, Mom said she could "feel the warmth" from everyones prayers.  She is very blessed.  God is SO Good!  In honor of her I am playing one of her favorite songs by Pink. 

We have so much to celebrate!  Today is Dayton's homecoming and he is taking a date for the first time.  How exciting!  And poor little Myah is finally feeling better after missing school all week due to hand, foot and mouth, what an awful name!  The weather is just beautiful, today is going to be in the high 70's, how perfect for a gorgeous Fall day! 

I will soon be back to posting about decorating, life has just taken so many turns lately that my house is a disaster. And I have the desire to simplify my life and home, I am  going a bit  more minimal with things.  We will see how that works out!  My favorite store Pizitz in Seaside was featured in Coastal Living this month and that has re-inspired me to have a cleaner look to things.  All of the changes that I wanted to make in my  life since turning 40 have been on hold since I learned of Mom's cancer the week before my birthday.  I am eager to throw some glitter of my own into the air! 

Mom, The Perfect Patient

 

I am so thankful to report that my Mom came home from the hospital in record time!  She came home on Sunday!  We were expecting her stay to last at least till Monday or Tuesday but she was doing so well, eating on her own, drinking, having bodily functions, etc that there was no reason to keep her there.  She was ready to fly!!! We are so thankful for all of your prayers, they are working, we will feel better after her pathology reports come back, that will be the deciding factor in if she needs to have chemo or not.  She looks amazing!  We took her out of the hospital in her style, with heels on, lipstick, hair curled and in her Cadillac!  They ended up removing about a foot and a half of her colon, a tumor half the size of a tangerine, and her gallbladder.  It wasn't until a few days after her surgery we learned they also removed her appendix. She got a 3 for 1!!!  She is always looking for deals!!  She is resting comfortably at my sister's house, I have to say there is much more responsibility for Mom due to the fact that Dad is no longer with us.  We worry about her more and want to make sure she is not overdoing things.  You know she is itching to make a run to TJ Maxx as soon as she gets the go ahead, she retired the day before her surgery, she is anxious to get on with her new life. 

Mom told me that she felt the warmth of all the prayers being said for her, she truly feels blessed.  She went in for her surgery at 11:15 am and we did not get to see her until 7:30 p.m., it was a long day.  The skies that night were just peppered with stars, Melanie and I both commented on them, I looked up for a second to admire them and I saw a shooting star, I knew that was my sign from our Heavenly angels that they had not left Mom's side.  I am sure you know what I wished for.  No more cancer!! 

I am home now, it was not easy to leave but I know she is in great hands.  I have a little girl at home with spots and a bad cough, I just cannot catch a break from my nursing duties!  I am a busy body this week, Dayton starts therapy again today, and it is Homecoming week for him, he actually asked a girl to the dance, this is a first, I am so excited but trying to act cool!  I am very proud of his decision.  So I am off to shop for dress clothes with my 15 year old this evening, should be fun, ( just kidding! If you have a son you know what it mean!). 

I cannot thank you all enough for covering our family with your prayers and well wishes, I am so grateful to have so many kindred spirits!  Bless you all!