jesska lynn

Oh October!

2011-10-13T18:24:00.000-07:00

Well today was just "ONE OF THOSE DAYS"... Woke up, after having a hard time sleeping because of a handsome snoring hubby, to head off to work with Sydney and Grant, googled directions in case my phone tried to fail me again, got in my little red Mazda and the tank was on empty, urggg! Outside was a beautiful rainy day....
Got lost...
slammed on breaks...
no ABS...
hit an acura...
lost my bumper...
(we all are ok)
called my insurance agent...
called my hubby...
called my co-workers...

got yelled at by a police officer...

called my mommy.... (really I did)

hubby took us home...
had car towed home...

Will be seeing the Chiropractor for a while....I miss you Dr. Bernard!!!

The lady I hit was really sweet and I did very little damage to her car, believe it or not!

Today two other people we know had accidents too! Crazy!!!

Oh October!!!

September 30th, 2011

2011-09-30T19:15:00.000-07:00

Justin turns 35...Enough said! =0)

Oh what a night!

The Vintage Girls Photo Shoot

2011-09-13T20:41:00.000-07:00

The Vintage Girls are a group of ladies who host The Best Estate Sales in the State of Georgia!!!!

Check out their web site: www.thevintagegirls.com

This is Ashley. The Vintage Girls owner.

This is Cam.

This is Sofya.

This is Angela.

Ashley and Cam have been friends since grade school!

I hope to have the chance to get head shots of the rest of the ladies SOON!

Estate sales are so fun to attend! Check out the Estate sales in your area! You will find lots and lots of treasure's and maybe even make some new friends!!! Happy shopping! =0)

GUESS WHO IS TURNING 10?!

2011-08-01T18:08:00.000-07:00

On August 2nd 2001, this handsome man came into the world! I can NOT believe it was 10 years ago!

Happy Day of your Birth Grant Ian!!!!! Mommy loves you!

xoxoxoxoxoxox!

Decorating disaster SAVED!

2011-08-01T16:43:00.000-07:00

Long time no hear from my blog!

I love to decorate my house in things as old as you can find them. Things "as old as dirt" my family likes to say =0)
Right now I love old windows.
As many of you may remember, I moved to Georgia after living in Arizona for almost 20 years. Well, old stuff in Az is way more expensive then old stuff in Ga. (yeah for Ga! And ME!) Anyway, my hubby took me to one of the biggest flea markets I have ever seen. And at this flea market there are rows and rows of old windows. I looked through about 50 windows, lots of them had broken glass some most of the glass was gone...of course as things normally go I found the 2 I liked at the end of the row. They were perfect! They had all their glass AND they were only $10 each!!!! We loaded them up and took them to their new home.

This is what I did with them. They are on each side of our TV in our, vaulted ceiling, living room.

One early morning I hear a really, really loud crash! One of my wonderful windows had fallen. 4 of the glass pieces made it out of the 6. I decided to salvage the window and hang it back up.

Men use duck tape...
I use twine (or jute which ever one you choose to call it). The crazy thing is, I had to put this stinker of a window back up twice! It seems to like jumping off my wall. I hope it stays up this time!

I hung old door knobs in the frame and I am going to hang photo's from them. (far lower right corner is the beginning of what it may look like) =0)

The Merz Family kiddo Cuteness!

2011-02-06T18:49:00.000-08:00

Marshall and his "I heart you" smile!(with a little feistiness)........

Perfect for mommy! (love you shannon!) xoxox

Pretty girl Maddy...

Gracie poo....

Grace said "Wait Auntie Jess"...and this came out of her! =0)

These are Gracie's shoes! Love them!

I love My Merz family! A Lot! =0)

January 29th, 2011 Anniversary celebration continued...

2011-02-01T16:40:00.001-08:00

Daniel thought going to The Biltmore in Asheville, Nc would be fun...and he was right! You have got to visit here if you can!!

You are not allowed to take any pictures while inside the home. So I went crazy on the outside!

I want a green house really bad!

I love "naked" tree's...they tell a great story.

Lots of different orchids and plants...coming up! =0)

This is a banana plant bloom, this usually does not happen when the plant is in a pot...it was bigger than someone's head and about three feet in length! Amazing!

I love that people made this into a wishing well...i think the cracked ice looks like a tree branch!

The Bass pond.

Handsome hubby!

We had a really great time touring this amazing home that holds so much history in it!

January 28th, 2011--Anniversary #5 ck =0)

2011-02-01T16:38:00.000-08:00

On our way to celebrate our 5 year Anniversary we stopped to see some of the sites!

A cute little tiny wedding chapel.

Cool signs...

Daniel works for another kind of Colonial!

God is gooood!

Love doors!

We ate lunch here.

Our hotel served fresh baked chocolate chip cookies all day!

My talented daughter!

2011-01-24T21:17:00.000-08:00

These are all self portraits by Sydney! This is with her point and shoot she got for Christmas! Give her a Canon 5 D Mark ll and she will do some real damage!!!!

Check her out @ walleralexis.blogspot.com

She even let G in on a few!

Nice!

Our old roommate Dixie!

One of the greatest gifts in life is that your children love what you love! Oh Photography!!!! We LOVE you!

Arizona visit January 2011

2011-01-23T20:52:00.000-08:00

I headed to Arizona to visit my cute kiddo's, family and friends! On Friday I went by the school to hang out with my kiddo's in their classrooms. Sydney's class was really busy that day so I spent most of my time helping Grant with his art project.

On Saturday night we headed to Dave and Busters with Shawn and Rebecca .

When I get mad about chaos, I tend to call it Hoop La. Who knew there was a game named that?! HA!

The handsome Grant!

Sydney won a ton of tickets playing a jumping game! We always have fun with Uncle Shawn and Aunt Rebecca!

We stayed with our good friends Jerry and Barb. We have no picture's of them BUT we do have a picture of their doggy Daisy. =0)

photo by Alexis Photography

The hardest thing about going back for visits is getting to see everyone! When you only have 3 days to do it in it makes it even more challenging! But, we were able to have lunch with Melissa on Saturday and then lunch with Abel, Elyse, Deidra and Cassandra on Sunday. Then Sunday evening we went over to our good friends Curtis and Kelly's house for dinner.

S, E, B and G!

They fed us yum yummy homemade Alfredo! (alfredo photo's by Alexis Photography)

We had lunch at Uncle Shawn and Aunt Rebecca's work on Monday.This is the usual "Syd look" that she gives Uncle Shawn... (Sydney curled her own hair!)

Just one cute kid!

After lunch we headed to down town Mesa to just hang...They have lots of great artsy stuff everywhere.
The Big Pink Chair!

Big High Heel!

We love to hit the antique stores!

Such a cheese head!

Please be My Valentine!?

Me lovin' on my boy!

My book worm!

We had such a great visit! I am beyond thrilled to be so blessed as a Mom!

I need to make sure and take photo's of everyone we get to see next time! =0)

A deer in our back yard.

2011-01-23T19:32:00.000-08:00

This awesome little guy was in our backyard. It decided to lay down in the snow and take it easy for a few hours. It was truly amazing. Later, when I looked out the window, it was gone...

Since then we have had an entire heard back there! God is SO good! <3

There's gold in them there hills....or in my jewelry box...

2011-01-23T18:56:00.000-08:00

I know you have seen the signs everywhere, WE BUY GOLD. Well, I have a good friend of mine, Abel, who buys gold. I took my little bit of treasure back to Arizona with me to see what it was worth. I found out that all that glitter's is not gold...BUT what you see here is worth about $700.00.

It will be put away in savings so I can get my Canon 5D Mark ll!!! =0)

If you have any gold just laying around let me know and I will get you in touch with Abel! =0)

Big time snow in Georgia!!! 2011

2011-01-10T16:34:00.000-08:00

When we found out we would be moving to Georgia everyone told us that the weather was mild and snow only falls about once a year. And when it does snow it is a light dusting....Here is out second "light dusting" since Christmas day!!!!=0) This light dusting was about 6 inches! Now don't get me wrong...we love it!

Another thing that happens when it snows here is...EVERYTHING and I mean EVERYTHING shuts down. People go crazy and buy tons of bread, milk and eggs. Wal-Mart was almost out of these items on Sunday BEFORE it even started snowing!

Our cute red car!

A man and his dog.

The D and J snowman.

The road in front of our house!

Yeah for snow! Daniel and a snow day today and probably will tomorrow! Whoo hoo!

A visit to BABYLAND in Helen, Georgia

2011-01-08T15:21:00.000-08:00

I do not know if you had a Cabbage Patch Kid or not when you were a kid...wait, I still have mine. I have two. I saved them for my children! Well this weekend we got to go to BABYLAND. Daniel and I went without children. We were not the only adults there, alone. It was really awesome and if you want to read the story about the beginning of Cabbage Patch Kids check this out http://www.cabbagepatchkids.com You can even adopt one if you would like! =0)

Here is the Hospital where you adopted your baby.

Neat Hospital huh?

They still had it decorated for Christmas and they had the neatest trees I think I have ever seen. I think they had 25 or more completely decorated trees. Here a two that I thought were so sweet!
Baby Boy Tree.

Baby Girl Tree!

You can adopt a baby that is born right there in the hospital on the day you visit. It is such a cute thing to do with your little one's. The baby that was born and adopted that day was named Zoe Jessica. Her adoptive little mommy was Jessica. It is the cute little girl at the window looking in while the baby is being weighed and wrapped up. They then take the adoptive parent into a room where they sign adoption papers and everything! =0)

Love the hair!

Love the missing teeth.

Real cabbage plants in the planters outside!

It was a lot of fun! I am so glad my hubby thought it would be cool to take me here! He rocks! <3

January 2nd of 2011!

2011-01-02T14:27:00.000-08:00

Can you believe it is 2011? It is amazing how fast the years have just flown by! I remember when I was a kid and adults said this...I thought "Puleeez, nothing flys by but birds!" Ha ha ha!

Anyway...Happy 2011!

There is an Atlanta attraction that was built when the they hosted the 1996 Olympics. It is called the Underground at Atlanta. It is a really neat underground mall.

I really like this because Daniel is inside and Grant is outside and you see them both! =0)

Grant with the underground train and trying to crank an old car!

This guy was cool! He stands like a statue and then plays his guitar and sings. He sings for tips!

Love little History facts!

What makes Grant so big and strong! (I ate here a lot while he was in my belly!)

Grant will just have the menu please!

We waited and waited and there were only 2 servers and the place was packed so we left....

We headed to another exciting place of history in Atlanta, The Varsity. It was sooooo packed with people!!!

Cute kids and hats!

This was only half of what the picture shows!

Grant says "he loves cones!"
Good times!!! =0)

Happy New Year! East Coast! And every one Else! =o)

2010-12-31T22:16:00.000-08:00

Happy 2011 Bring it ON!

New room! Made and decorated by US!

Messy and FUN!!!!

This is...

2010-12-31T22:06:00.000-08:00

bucky beaver and wood chuck...

These are our temp night guards and they are making us wear them for a week or so...we have had soooo much entertainment from these! (d has had a new accent and I have loved every moment of it! he he he!) < 3

Syd and Her own decor

2010-12-31T21:57:00.000-08:00

Syd is a Photographer like her mom and a Good one at that!

This is how she has chosen to decorate her room!...it ROCKS!

Such a great artist! So true! <3 (runs in the fam!)

Muddin'....Oh yea!

2010-12-31T20:50:00.000-08:00

Grant and D went on a MUD bike ride today! They started out VERY clean...and came home very Dirty! Stinkers

They had a BLAST!

Stone Mountain, Ga

2010-12-24T20:15:00.000-08:00

Stone Mountain is a National Park here in Ga. All year around they have fun things to do here. At Christmas they have snow brought in. You can take a Sky Ride to the top of the mountain and explore.

In 1923 some artists carved Robert E. Lee on the side of this mountain.

Sydney might get caught eating candy off of the Gingerbread house!

Frosty was around for the fun too!

Daniel took this picture! It is Fabulous!

The beautiful Sydney softening up those lips!

Handsome man!

Sydney and Grant fell in love with rolls...yes rolls! =0)

NICE!

Look who I found under the mistletoe.

Thank you Dad and Mom Pack...for this wonderful day! =0)

Christmas...2010

2010-12-24T18:35:00.000-08:00

I love simple things... we have 2 tree's....because we have two cute window's beside the fireplace! <3

This year we bought all white wrapping paper and jute to wrap gifts....

We think we have the cutest gifts ever!

Thank you Jesus for making us a family!

Dahlonega, Ga. 2010

2010-12-21T20:09:00.000-08:00

I love any thing that says Jones on it! I was born a Jones. Adopted and changed to Pack! Awesome! (would never change it!) God is good like that! He is in control! He knows what is right...and good for us all!

Grant LOVES Nutcrackers...He collects them! (really...he does) I love that he wants as many as he can find!

He is so funny! =0) He may be a nut that needs to be cracked!

It is Thanksgiving!

2010-11-24T18:24:00.000-08:00

I would like to think that I am a Thankful person! So, as random as it may come...here is what I am thankful for in 2010!

This is it for now! =0)

All this was the beginning of a great story...Really I know...I am long winded...It runs in my family! Have you met my Dad?...=0)

These flowers are well... UNBELIEVABLE right!

Let me just tell you the story behind this unbelievable bouquet!

I was at work today and I shared with a beautiful lady that I normally make a bouquet of flowers, in a pumpkin,to thank the host, but I would not being doing this this year because, my hubby and I will be alone...yes tears might begin to flow now.......An hour later the florist of unbelievable talent shows up with this!

Here are some details..

So, all this to say....I am thankful for people who are so sweet and give, when not expected! I am so blessed....God is good and has blessed me through others! Thank You Jesus!

Happy Thanksgiving and to All A good Night! <3

Resturaunt life.

2010-11-24T16:22:00.000-08:00

This is Rick Tanner's and if you want your Holiday meal prepared with no fuss, this is for you. (Only in Georgia, sorry!) This meal deal comes with all the trimming's!
I stopped in to take a few picture's.

Shawn the corporate chef taking picture's of his art work!

MMMMM ham...

MMMMM a tasty turkey!

Enjoy Thanksgiving everyone!

Amicalola Falls , Georgia

2010-11-19T17:29:00.000-08:00

On this beautiful fall day, in October, we headed to the mountains.On our way we stopped at a road side stand to buy some muscadine jam, have a muscadine slushy and try Georgia boiled peanuts. Everything was great EXCEPT the boiled peanuts. They were, well, GROSS ! For those of you who are wondering what the heck is a muscadine ...they are wild grapes that grow in the south (as far as I know). When Daniel and I were growing up you could smell them in the air at the end of summer. While hiking you could enjoy eating them! Mmmm they are yummy! As for boiled peanuts I feel it is an evil thing to do to a peanut...poor peanut!

Sydney and Grant got to feed the fish in a little pond too! I love the sign! The honor system! Ahhh the South! <3

At the State Park Lodge they had special guests. How cool is this!!!! These owls were rescued. Some were injured by accident, some on purpose. =0( We were so glad we got to see them up close!

An old truck that went off the road a long time ago!

It was such a fun pretty day! Yeah for the Fall!

Waste not...Want not!

2010-11-19T17:24:00.000-08:00

I think this is how I have heard the saying go??? =0)

Daniel has some traveling he does with his job. So this means he stays at a hotel or 12...he he he (that is something my Dad might say!) The other day, I noticed I needed a "special" place for all the extra shampoo, lotion, soaps and such, that Daniel brings home from his trips. Well in the end, it filled an entire wash tub...(meaning, a plastic bin that your feet could fit in, to wash)...=0)

All this to say....if you come to visit you need not bring your 3oz bottles of ANYTHING 'cause we got em all! (fancy and the like too!)

Love Ya'll!

Our Georgia Home

2010-11-08T15:58:00.000-08:00

This is the house we live in. After moving to Tulsa Oklahoma in June and being there for a few weeks, my hubby comes home with news that we are heading to Georgia. He was offered a job that will help him in his career path. So we packed up again and headed East.

I am beyond thrilled that I get to put fall decor outside and it stays alive!

This our view from our bathroom window! Thank You Jesus!

The side view from the deck. The back yard is wooded and Daniel put up a hammock!

We live across the street from a Preserve. It is so beautiful! I can not wait to get my photography business up and running here so I can do a shoot in this preserve!

Poole's Mill Covered Bridge Cumming, Georgia

2010-11-08T15:46:00.000-08:00

This is an old bridge in Cumming, Ga. We went for a late picnic one evening. Sydney and Grant explored the stream and Daniel and I explored the woods.

Fall is in the air!

October in Georgia is beyond gorgeous .

He is handsome!

Mushrooms on a stump.

Handsome little man.

Grant catches his first perch.

Gifts

2010-11-08T15:37:00.000-08:00

Grandpa and Grandma Pack sent Grant and Sydney money for their birthday's. Grant got an Air Hog and Sydney got some cool shoes! Thanks G-pa and G-ma!

Sydney just being silly!

Happy Birthday Day, Daniel, Sydney and Grant!

2010-11-08T15:09:00.000-08:00

The summer is full of birthday celebrations in our family. Daniel and Sydney share the same birth date in June and Grant is an August baby. They all like to celebrate at Incredible Pizza. It is a huge indoor arcade with bumper cars, bowling, mini golf, go carts and an all you can eat buffet. You get a lot for your money here!

This year our friend Jennifer and her youngest kiddo's, Bailey and Dawson, joined us for the celebration. Jen is my and Daniel's friend from childhood. We all went to the same Grade School, Junior High and High School. It was so fun having them with us!

The sticker they have to wear! =0)

Bailey and Sydney

Jen and Jess.

Grant ans Dawson.

Let the games begin.

Sydney and Bailey chose this as their prizes and Daniel chose a ten gallon hat! =0)

Dawson and Daniel are rockin' this look!

We all had so much fun. It was such a blast! Great memories made!

Branson, Missouri.. July 2010

2010-11-08T14:57:00.000-08:00

How can we do it guys? Let's think this through???

The sign says "pick me up"....WE CAN DO IT!

Is Grant a pain in Uncle Justin's neck? Nahhhh! =0)

Mmmmm time for lunch!

Alligator...yummy yummy!

We are a masquerade.....

Can we puleeeeezzzzz take one home????

Lets ride the wooden go carts!

whoa....watch out!

Grant was to short to drive alone so he and Uncle Justin were driving buddies! Uncle Justin spun me out and I had to be helped by an employee! Uncle Justin is a stinker!!!!

Murfreesboro, Arkansas 2010

2010-11-08T14:33:00.000-08:00

We headed to Murfreesboro, Arkansas to mine for diamonds. www.craterofdiamondsstatepark.com/. YES you CAN mine for diamonds in Arkansas. Some people do not even know where Arkansas is and they a have a best kept secret!

I have wanted to do this for a really long time!

I love the south because they embrace who they are! =0)

Looks ugly tastes great! They tell you like it is!(our waitress must have said y'all a hundred times in one sentence! too funny!)

Hang in there!This was unbelievable to walk by and see!

The only picture of the little miners. My lens fogged up and then the battery went dead!

It was so fun looking for diamonds.

We had no luck finding diamonds but we did find lots of different stones!

Just playing in the rain! July 2010

2010-11-05T19:10:00.000-07:00

The Arizona babies enjoying the Oklahoma rain! When I was a kid playing in the warm summer rain was a BLAST! I was thrilled that Sydney and Grant got to experience the fun too!

Speedy 1.

Speedy 2.

Pretty even soaking wet!

He he he!

Road trip with Daniel July 2010

2010-11-05T19:05:00.000-07:00

Daniel had some work scheduled in a near by town so the kiddo's and I thought we would tag along. We had to stop and catch some cool images of the things around us...of course!

We did not find any fleas but we did find some fruity tooties!

Photo shoot time:

We got to see our good friend Doyle too!

If my parents wanted to take me here this meant I was in BIG trouble, now you can buy food, drinks and gifts here!

Another photo shoot!

Pawhuska, Oklahoma July 2010

2010-11-05T18:55:00.000-07:00

Having fun with Grandma and Grandpa Hampton.The family headed out on a road trip to the Wild Buffalo Range. It was a rainy day. We had a blast!

Wet Bison.

Tulsa Shock 2010

2010-11-04T06:51:00.000-07:00

We got free tickets to see the Tulsa Shock! The WNBA! Marion Jones is one of their players. She is the first woman to win five medals (three gold, two bronze) at a single Olympics. The coach of the team is Nolan Richardson. He was the coach for University of Arkansas.

It was tons of fun to watch. We got to meet the players too!

ORU July 2010

2010-11-04T05:34:00.000-07:00

This summer we took a little trip right around the corner from our house in Tulsa. Oral Roberts University is one of the neatest campus' I have seen. Grandpa and Grandma Hampton joined us.

The landscape is so beautiful.

When you call in for prayer this is where the call is received and the prayer warriors work from.

We all had a lot of fun on our self guided tour of ORU.

Nate and Jenn August 7th 2010

2010-11-01T17:46:00.000-07:00

I am so far behind with my blog. I have moved from Arizona to Oklahoma then to Georgia. I have had internet off and on so I have not been able to be consistent. I am hoping this will change now that I am settled!

This is Nathan and Jennifer. They were married in Playa Del Carmen, Mexico on August 7th, 2010. The bride is my niece! It was such a joy to be a part of this wedding.

The sassy couple!

Nate and Jenn love to dance. They put together a little routine for the guests. They were awesome!

I am so sorry Nate and Jenn that it took me so long to post this. I love you both! <3

Blogging is fun and sometimes slow

2010-07-29T20:51:00.000-07:00

So I need to catch up on blogging! It takes forever to get the pictures up sometimes and that can be frustrating. The cool thing about blogging is... you can put any date, year or time stamp on it. So only I know I am behind!

Writing to you soon! jesska lynn =0)

Baseball and Fireworks in the RAIN!

2010-07-02T21:46:00.000-07:00

We headed out to the Drillers baseball game with Grant, Grandma and Grandpa Hampton.

It started pouring down rain and being from Az I expected the fireworks show to be canceled...WELL guess what?!... The show went on and it was FANTASTIC! We all had to hide under a table umbrella together to stay out of the downpour! It was a fun bonding moment! =0)

I can hear your ewwww and awwwww's from here! This was a wonderful beginning to our 4th of July weekend!

The Will of God!

2010-06-25T16:33:00.000-07:00

I am putting my heart out here for the world to read. I have wondered if I should or shouldn't but then I say to myself ,who am I kidding, I am a stinkin' open book (almost to a fault). I also thought about my blog stalkers (I do not mean readers, I really mean stalkers) and thought, do I really want them to know this? Then I realize, I do not have anything to hide! So that being said...

I am a Mom. I love being a Mom. I realized the day I brought my 1st born home that this was going to change me forever. I was so excited to see what the future held.

We move to now. I am a Mom. I love being a Mom. I have learned that being a Mom is rewarding and tough. I have learned that your children are always moving to the "leaving the nest stage." I have learned that as a Mom I make choices for my children, in hopes that when looking back, it was in their best interest.

I am a believer and follower of Christ. I believe that God has a will for my life. I believe He has HIS Will for my life. I believe that for the 1st time in my life I have given all of me to Him. I believe that I am finally honoring Him with my whole life....

And this is how: I have given my children to God to be in His care. My children are the one thing I have held on so tight to since 1998. I have held on to the idea that I and only I could keep them safe, teach them right from wrong, feed them healthy food, pick out the right school....etc.... Now as a believer I should know better than this, right? Well knowing something in your head is different then knowing it in your heart. I now know it in both places...

With lots of prayer. With lots of tears. With lots of peace. I have moved to Oklahoma to be with my husband, I will go where he goes. I will be seeing my children 50-70 days a year. I am a Mom. I love being a Mom.

I am a Wife. I love being a Wife. I love God. I am to put God 1st. I am to put my Husband in the next very important spot. I am to honor God. I am to honor my Husband.

My children are gifts from God. They are His. They belong to Him always. I just get them for the length of time that He allows. I will spend my time with my children wisely.

<3....jess

P.S.
# 100 check, support my hubby at any cost.

Something ....

2010-05-21T23:00:00.000-07:00

It is funny... because, I think I can not write a poem or philosophically explain how I feel....then tonight, yes late, this came to me....

I am moving...not forward, not backwards, not, from side to side, I am not moving, up or down, or round and round, I am moving where He wants me to... I am moving and it is for only You! ♥ (You = God)... By: Jess and Him...

Who knows? Maybe God will give me more of His wisdom like this again!

The Gomez Family

2010-05-19T20:24:00.000-07:00

This is the Gomez family. I have the privilege of working with Maria. We are teachers aide's. We work with the special needs class. All but one of our student's has autism. Maria is the proud mother of six beautiful children. She is also the proud mother of an autistic child.

Maria is one of those special people that can have a lot on her plate yet continue to give to others. She is soft spoken, yet knows what she wants, is sweet, yet can give you a piece of her mind. I just love her!

Thank you Maria and family !

Mother's Day

2010-05-15T21:02:00.000-07:00

Our church, Sun Valley Community, believes in dedicating our children to the Lord. This means that we as individuals and as a church family promise that we will raise our children in the truth, we find in the Bible, God's living Word. We will raise them in the way they shall go so they will not depart from it... then as they grow and learn of God's truth they choose to be Baptized. Baptism is an outward expression of your inward faith! To sum it up we want our children to Love Jesus...the Real Jesus!

Sydney is a friend of the oh so sweet girl "hiding" behind her beautiful mother...this family has decided to follow Jesus...for that I am thankful! =0)

Now, to share my oh so wonderful Mother's day fun! I love King crab legs...I only eat them on my birthday or Mother's day and I say OR...because it is an expensive meal, yet worth every mouth watering bite...and this Mother's day I really enjoyed Each and Every bite! Now because I love crab, my family gets to enjoy it too! You should have heard the lip smakin' going on...he he he.

My cute kiddo's made me a cupcake bouquet and gave me pics of themselves and Grant made me a flower corsage out of paper...I love Being a Mom! =0) Life is good and sooo is God! =0)

I have NO words to express how great it is to be a mom! ALL I ever wanted was to grow up, be a mom, raise healthy kids, so they could raise healthy kids! =0) Not big dreams to most but, it is MY dream! <3 I think it is the greatest and biggest dream EVER! Maybe we should ALL dream this BIG! =0)

tutubug.com

2010-05-10T19:49:00.000-07:00

These last few days have been spent doing an... Oh so fun project! My friend Melanie has started a business, and she sells Tutus! Cute tutus too! We decided we needed to work together on this project. The little models were so great and awesome to work with. Check out the cuteness! tutubug.com

(I am excited that my hubby helped me with my watermark! I am so grown up now!)

This is one of my favs....

The watermarks may be in strange places but it is because I wanted to put the focus on the TUTUS....Thanks Melanie...it has been FUN! <3

Chris and Ashley

2010-05-02T21:25:00.001-07:00

You are about to meet Chris and Ashley. They were married in March here in the great state of AZ and I was privileged to have attended their wedding.
I met Ashley a few years back, we attended the same church, and I absolutely fell in love with this girl! She is every moms dream. She is a lover of Jesus, responsible, a talented musician, compassionate, kind, thoughtful, ok ok she is close to perfect. I just love her!
I only met Chris the day he married Ashley. I was hoping he was really worthy of such a girl. Then the ceremony began...
Now this was not a traditional ceremony. We were all seated together in the cafetorium where Chris and Ashley's church, One Community Church, meets every Sunday for services. The worship music begins and I was thrilled to find out that Chris is the music pastor. (bonus)

Here is Chris leading worship. He began by telling us that this was his wedding day and he and Ashley had wanted everyone to be apart of their special day so the whole service was about this wonderful wedding! What a great way to start off your life together!

Here he is passionately worshiping God, cool as a cucumber before his beautiful bride walks down the isle!

Chris hugging Mark Krenz, the Lead Pastor, who officiated the wedding.

The flower girls.

Here comes THE bride!

So back to the "if Chris is worthy of Ashley" statement. Let me just say that when they started to sing together, praising God, I was loving Chris now too! =0) God is so good! God brought together two people who compliment each other so well!

Neither Chris nor Ashley wore shoes.

Some of the wedding party chose not to wear shoes also.

Here are some shots of Chris and Ashley rocking out together! AWESOME!

Exchanging of vows and rings.

Communion and prayer.

The kiss!

The couple!

The jump!

Their fist dance together as Mr. and Mrs. Gwaltney

Ashley's mom watching the daddy daughter dance.

Chris and his mom.

Ashley and Elyse!

Ashley and ME! I pray that Sydney turns out like this beautiful lady!

It is Offical!

This was such a wonderful wedding to have attended. I am so excited to see what great things God is going to do in your lives! Thank you for letting me be apart of your day! <3

Before we met baby Robert

2010-04-28T20:36:00.001-07:00

Sometimes I do things back wards....(my dad would call it back a$$wards)...please don't be offended because it is true, that is what my dad would say! =0)

This is baby Roberts shower and celebration of his upcoming birth. (He was born Sunday night 4/25/10).

I have known Danielle, as I have said, for quite some time. She, Michael and now baby Robert, mean A LOT to me! I attended Danielle's baby shower in March. It was so great to see all the people loving on Danielle!

What a wonderful diaper cake!

Danielle and her cute belly!

These cupcakes are not just the cutest I have ever seen, but they were the YUMMIEST I have ever tasted! Yum Yum! Andrea made the "to die for" cupcakes and hosted the shower at her home. Martha watch out here comes Andrea!

Andrea the hostess.

Danielle has just found out that her wonderful Mother-in-law has given her a complete box of clothes that Michael wore as a baby!!!!

There is a tear coming from her eye...so sweet!

Danielle's baby bump!

Everyone painted a special onesie for baby Robert, here are a few. Lots of talented people!

Great Grandma. (on mommy's side)

Michael's Mom.

Danielle's Mom.

Going to Grammy's suitcase.

It was so fun to celebrate Robby's upcoming birth! I am so blessed to have been a part of this wonderful day! <3

Baby Robert

2010-04-27T22:41:00.000-07:00

This is Danielle (the new mommy) and I met her when she was in 7th grade. Danielle was in my small group with, my now sister-in-law, Lindsay. They are best friends.

Danielle and Michael were married in my back yard and my cute kiddo's were the ring bearer and flower girl in the wedding.

Now they have brought baby Robert into the world. I met him on Monday night.

This is Auntie Lindsay meeting baby Robert!

Feet

Hand

Cute cute face!

Perfect head

Mommy and Daddy had to go to a discharge class that the hospital has all parents attend. Well guess what??? Lindsay and I got to be baby Roberts first sitters! =0) We ate it up and loved every minute of it. He took his first pacifier with us!

It's A Boy!

Perfect in every way!

I am so thrilled for you guys! Thank you for letting me come meet your new little family! Love you! jess

Pedicures Are Awesome!

2010-04-21T21:00:00.000-07:00

Tonight I got to go out with my sis-in-laws, nephew and son. We went to get pedicures. The boys loved it just as much as the ladies! Who wouldn't? You get to soak your feet, get your legs massaged and hang out with great company! =0)

Tristan is 2 almost 3 and he absolutely LOVED soaking his feet and getting his legs massaged. He asked the cute lady to "Do it again!"

Grant is 8 almost 9 and LOVED soaking his feet and telling stories about all of his bruises that he has proudly acquired on his legs, because he is a boy!

The two boys kept the room lively and fun for all. =0)

I love times like these...God is Good! <3

MJ 2 Day Pretty Ladies

2010-04-17T19:37:00.001-07:00

When you attend an MJ 2 Day you get to practice shooting at a "mock" engagement shoot one night and then Melissa takes headshots of those who attend, meanwhile we get to practice on each other....

Here are the headshots of some great ladies I got that day! =0)

Heather

Linda

Kat

Niki

Rachel

Alvina

Melissa waiting on the next person for their headshot.

Cindy

Donna

Maggie

I love this part of the workshop because we all get to know each other on a deeper level. I am blessed because I get to hang out with some really wonderful people! My job ROCKS! =0)

EXTRA EXTRA : YES IT IS TRUE!!!!

2010-04-13T14:36:00.001-07:00

#36 check; Work another MJ 2 Day

It IS It IS...Melissa Jill IS my friend! Thank You...curtsy,curtsy.... (she may KILL me!)
Melissa Jill is an unbelievable photographer. Follow her here. http://www.melissajill.com

Not only is she talented and smart she got the pretty darn cute gene too. =0)

Since Melissa has a cranium FULL of knowledge about photography she chose to be selfless and share it with other photographers by hosting the MJ 2 Day photography workshop. This was her third one and I am the blessed friend who assisted Melissa...Jill (the famous photographer) =0)

I take care of the needs of MJ and all her guests. I cook, I clean, I set up, I take down, I make them laugh, I make them cry...I love my job! =0) I am also a participant in the fun learning process.

Now normally I am running around on this "mock" engagement shoot looking for the best shot through the arms, heads and legs of 13 other photographers. This time I thought "hey I think I will shoot Melissa teaching, while still trying to get a few cool shots if I can." I had a blast doing it too! (man I can have some GREAT ideas!) he he he.

This is Brian and Promise.
Melissa Jill, Promise and Brian

Me shooting through others shooting...
Melissa Jill.

Sassy Sasa (pronounced SawSaw) My nickname for Melissa Jill. When my daughter was learning to speak this is how she said Melissa and I just have called her that ever since.

Melissa shooting cute peeps!

SwEeT.
I love this one...very romantic!
Shooting over MJ's shoulder.
Melissa Jill
I am blessed during these two days because I get to hang out with my good friend, meet really great people , take pics, serve others, learn more about photography, eat yummy food, laugh my head off and more! Thank you Melissa and all of you who chose to attend! You should come next time too!

Daniel Cruz

2010-04-10T19:11:00.000-07:00

#22 Check; Meet my Great Nephew!

This is Daniel Cruz, my Great Nephew. I am a Great Aunt! I come from a very large family and our ages span from 55 to 30. I have 13 Nieces and Nephews. Almost two years ago my Niece Cami blessed our family with Baby Daniel! I seriously can not believe how much love God has placed in me. I stinkin' LOVE being an Aunt and NOW a Great Aunt! I am thinking my heart will explode when I become a Grandma someday! =0)
I adore this little man!

Daniel's eye lashes are AmAzInG!!!

Daniel was a trooper and weathered wardrobe changes!

Fingers are so yummy when new teeth are coming in...
I am so thrilled that my sister brought Baby Daniel for a visit! Thank you Cami (Cami Kay, Cam Cam) for sharing Daniel with us, He is absolutely adorable...You are a great Mom!!! Wish you could have been here too! Love you Lots! XOXO

Easter 2010

2010-04-07T20:27:00.001-07:00

Easter ROCKS! Why you ask??? Because of the sacrifice that God gave...His One and Only Son! Then He (Jesus) willingly sacrificed Himself on the cross...And now we are able to Live with Him for eternity!....This is a great.... great day!!!

Easter was GREAT! I already made that clear...right? " Aunt Peg"made these silk stained pretty eggs". Grant...
Brigette...
Erin.
Tristan the Chick magnet...
Mommies back hurts,,,Tristan helps and Daniel plays with Tristan...
Nini Head and Lilly!
Two of my cute kiddo's.
erin
brigette
Grant
sydney
my fam...

The Bennett Family! Daniel and I attended Grade School, Middle School and High School with Curtis...now he and his family live here! Cool I think!!! =0)
Brigette
Erin
A boy and his dog!
What a great day! =0) =0) =0) =0) =0) =0)

Baby DeClaudio

2010-04-04T20:21:00.000-07:00

Baby Anna is on her way!

Daren and Karen are having their first baby at the end of April. We got together to do a maternity shoot before (as Karen put it) her innie becomes an outie! =0)

The proud parents...

Belly to belly
They wore their comfy shoes!
This is a beautiful bracelet that Karen's mom got her.

Sassy...
Happy!

This was a fun shoot! Daren and Karen were having lots of fun playing on the playground...(I saved those pictures for private viewing only). Thanks guys! I can not wait to meet baby Anna!

Spring break 2010

2010-03-23T22:00:00.000-07:00

Yeah for Spring Break!!!! We shopped, met with friends for dinner, rented and watched movies, went to Tempe Town Lake, baked, sewed potholders, went to a baby shower, had a photo shoot, had a garage sale,tried out the light rail and just loved on each other! =0)

The great cities of Mesa, Phoenix and Tempe have spent lots and lots to put in a Light Rail. I wanted to take the family to check it out.

The lotsa moolah train tracks....

All aboard!
I just love old signs painted on old brick walls.
Me and my sweetie! ahhhhhh....
On the trip we went to eat here! I had not eaten here since Sydney was a few months old. It is a very yummy place!

Sydney grabbed the camera and the fun began!
Grant is a hoot!
I already said it...He is a hoot!
Sydney wanted Daniel and me to be Lady and the Tramp...(He's not a tramp and I love Him!..only Disney peeps will get this!...)...it worked out nicely bUt they are blurry! ;0)

We lOvEd our food!
Take a close, close, cLoSe look at this...he he he!
Nice ticket holder.
We will not...

Cute people!
Just the 4 of us...we can make it we try...just the 4 of us...(he he he...I think in song A LOT! with my own little spin...)
We had a great time...it was quiet the adventure, we did not escape without a little visit from some interesting people on our car...it was a great teachable moment!

I may have more photo's of the week...stay tuned! =0)

The Koepke Family

2010-03-21T15:13:00.000-07:00

So this is the Koepke family. As a photographer you have those moments when you are proud of your work and it is usually because you have had the opportunity to photograph a sweet spirited family. This is one of those families.

I knew Chad and Theresa before they were even married. It is so great to see this relationship blossom and the babies that have come from it! This is one beautiful family!

I absolutely LOVE this pic!Dad and his boys, Tyler and Brandon.Dad and Katelyn.Dad and Callie.
Mom and her girls, Katelyn and Callie.

Brandon.
Tyler.His eyes are so awesome in this one I could not resist adding it!Katelyn.Callie.

Precious little hands.Can you believe how stinkin' sweet these are?Katelyn is a vivacious 2 year old and her daddy was wrangling her for more photo's and mommy thought this would be a great shot! I agree! =0)
Sweet little feet...
Sunset.
Brothers.
I love this one because Brandon and Tyler are catchin' some air!
There were so many great picture's I had such a difficult time choosing which to post. So there are quite a few! =0) I had an awesome time with this shoot! Thanks so much Koepke family!

#87 Check

2010-03-07T20:59:00.000-08:00

Figure out the end date of my 1001 days...=0)

Thanks to my accountant brother Rusty, this was accomplished! I was in the great state of Arkansas, visiting him and his family and I cried out for help! Rusty was making fun of me because I blog....for some reason he hates bloggers......I am not sure why but TOO BAD! =0)

At least he helped me with my blogging problem! He he he!

Love you Rus! <3

Valentine's Part 2

2010-03-07T18:30:00.000-08:00

Day two of Valentine's weekend.

We headed off on an adventure, (we do this a lot when we are together) which included a stop at Daniel Boones house, a few great winery's, The Daniel Boone judgement tree, and beautiful scenery!

Lovely....
Lotsa corks...
US!

The Judgement tree.

If it's got rust on it...you KNOW I love it!

Daniel has been refered to as "Daniel Boone " his whole life so he just wanted to check out this historical person up close! =0) We had a great day!

Valentine's Weekend Part 1

2010-03-07T00:04:00.000-08:00

I know, I know...this post is way overdue. It is March and I am just getting around to posting this, BUT it is too good not to. =0)

The fact that Daniel and I have to live apart, because of his job, has been tough BUT we have had a lot of opportunities to go places together that we might not have gone.

For Valentine's weekend (as I like to call it). I flew to St Louis to meet Daniel. I hopped off the plane and away we went to see the famous Arch.

Even the St. Louis Magazine agreed it would be romantic!

It was a cold yet beautiful day!

I luuuuv this one! (Good job sweetie!)

So you know how you go to these great sights and they take your picture for you and then want you to spend $20 for it...(I get annoyed by this). Well this is MY picture of the picture. he he he! You already pay a lot of money just to be there. Why can't they just take the picture with your camera? Anywho...
This is standing UNDER the Arch. It makes you dizzy.This is looking down from inside the Arch, 630 feet in the air!Busch Stadium, Home of the St Louis Cardinals!The reflecting ponds.The magnificent Arch and its reflection.

I had gone to the Arch when I was a teenager. Daniel had never been. I LOVE doing things with him that he has never done! ahhhh! Life is good! =0) And sooooo is God!

More to come of this great weekend!

Lindsay, Katrin, Channing and Ashley

2010-03-06T20:55:00.000-08:00

Headshots of pretty ladies...

Lindsay

Katrin is Lindsay's beautiful friend from Germany.

Katrin and Lindsay

Channing

Channing with Zoe, Lilly and Chanel

Ashley

Cousins

I love the fact that the lighting was just perfect! What fun! Thank you ladies!

Kelly

2010-03-05T22:20:00.001-08:00

Kelly is a friend of mine ( I went to Jr High and High School with her hubby). She is a wife, mom, an educated lady and a entrepreneur. We got together for dinner and some headshots. =0)

You look great Kelly... <3