A Friend's A Friend Forever

when the Lord's the Lord of them...this is a song (I believe by Steven Curtis Chapman??) that I just adore. This absolutely gorgeous woman you see pictured here is my friend Carrie from college and makes this song ring so true for me. We met at one of our many college jobs, continued to get to know eachother through our sorority ( I joined my senior year to see what they were all about :), and cemented our friendship forever when both of us were graciously brought to the saving knowledge of faith in Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior in the spring and summer of 2001. This miracle in my life happened that spring (right before I left college to student teach and then graduate) and one day while on a run (the longest run of my life at that point- I think it was like 6 miles or something...nothing big for Carrie who ran that far regularly - I had only run about 2 miles at one time before that day) God gave me the strength to share my experience and my testimony of God's love for me and how sent His son Jesus Christ to die for my sins and raised him up on the third day to conquer death and prove that he was the son of God and was sent to be our Savior. I actually spoke the the whole 45 minutes we ran (mind you this was the FIRST time I had even run that far!) telling Carrie about how Jesus, his love for me, and my obedience to him (by God's grace) had drastically and wonderfully changed my life so far (and still is!). When I was done talking we had about a mile left and all of a sudden my energy was ZAPPED. I told Carrie (while limping and practically hyperventilating) that I had to walk..that I couldn't go on. She encouraged me that "yes I could" and so on we went. Needless to say, I did not talk anymore!! ha ha!! I know now that it was the Holy Spirit who strengthened me to speak that whole 45 minutes while running (AND keeping up with Carrie!!) so she could hear the good news of Jesus Christ!!

-

Well, later that summer I received a message from Carrie telling me how God had opened the eyes of her heart and that she too had accepted Christ as her Lord and Savior and that she too now was on a new path in life...one that meant she was going to honor God with all of her mind, strength, heart, and soul (with His help of course!). Amazing I tell you. God's love and blessing is so amazing...only He can change lives...I mean really change lives by changing hearts...stripping off the old and putting on the new life of a life in Jesus Christ. Praise you Lord!

-
While it is apparent that Carrie and I have continued to be great friends...we have been even more- we have been sisters in the Lord if you will :) (Praise God!!) She flew 20 something hours from Korea (where she was accepted after college for the full-bright scholarship to teach English) just to be in my wedding. While in Korea she met the founder of a prestigous Korean/American Christian law-school where she eventually graduated from just before marrying her military lawer hubby, Ben, on Dec. 30th 2006. Ben and Carrie met during a Christian law conference in Washington D.C. where she was represtenting her Korean law school etc. etc...this story could go on FOREVER but I'll stop here :0)...as you can see God has had so much blessing in store for Carrie...blessing she could have only received had she loved, obeyed, and followed Him!! Oh, and I got to be in their wedding!!! Praise God for working so vividly in Carrie's and my life... we would NOT be where we are today, married to the wonderful men we are married to, or be blessed the way we are without God's saving grace and love....

-

Anyway - Carrie and Ben tied the knot this past December 30th and are now about to welcome their first baby blessing...a little girl due November 1oth. Carrie was in town (flew 23 hours 7 months pregnant from Guam where they are stationed right now for Ben's career) to see family and be in a wedding this past weekend. I got the honor of spending some time with her yesterday..actually about 5 hours!!! (yay!) and was able to get a couple of "little mama" pics of her...can I say WOW??? I mean seriously...all my girlfriends are absolutely GORGEOUS pregnant - are they not??? :) Well Carrie, I love you and am so honored to be your friend. You and Ben are such a beautiful couple...even more beautiful because you love the Lord so much, are so eager to please Him, and MY how it shows in your rockin' relationship! You are going to be wonderful parents...loving the Lord and showing that love to your little one... AWESOME! I pray that this little girl makes it safely into this world and that you have a safe and wonderful delivery. I know you live in Guam right now but let me know if you need anything!! (Your nights are my days so call ANYTIME!!) :) Love always and always, ~R
-

"I prayed for this child, and the Lord has granted me what I have asked of him." I Samuel 1:27

Before I formed you in the womb I knew you,

before you were born I set you apart... Jeremiah 1 :5a

Love you Carrie!! Can't wait to see pics of this precious and very loved little girl!! :0) ~R

So I never thought

about how it would feel to actually get to start filling up the "12 month" folder for little "B's" photos....wow...this year has gone by so quickly. It's so exciting and thrilling to know that he is getting old enough to where he and C can actually be playmates...but it's a little sad that his "baby stage" is zooming along right before my eyes! I do love that he snuggles and puts his head down on my chest becuse he wants to...it's so sweet!! It has been so much fun photographing him with my fun photog stuff and ideas...really it has been such a blessing. Here is one of the "handsome boy" ones I got of him the other day in this sweet button down shirt while C was napping. B takes a morning and afternoon nap while C takes one noon-ish nap...perfect timing to get just B alone for his one year photo shoot. The nice thing about the one year photo shoot is that I have a little while to keep taking them....I will post a couple more...but don't worry I am not done with this handsome little guy yet :) ::::Sigh::::one year old already...I can hardly believe it! And my oh my he is ZOOMING along! Family at his birthday party kept commenting on how well he is walking etc...he certainly gets to where he wants to go without any problems! ;0) Until next time ~R

August 17, 18th

Hey all!! I am back!! Just wanted to let you all know that I will be in Princeville on the 17th and 18th of August for my Aug. sessions. I have one opening on the 18th at 12 noon and am willing to take up to two sessions on Friday the 17th. Feel free to contact me for more info. See you in a couple of weeks!! ~R

::::ALSO::::

Get your fall sessions booked soon! Upcoming dates are September 21st, 22nd & October 12th, 13th & also October 19th and 20th (the trees should be changed or changing by this time! yay!!! I LOVE fall colors!!). Call or e-mail soon to book your fall photo session! :0) New prices as of August 2007 apply. Thank you!!

By the way...these are actually taken outside in the Princeville area...I know they look like they were taken infront of a backdrop (at least the top one does) but the weren't!! Praise God for His blessings of color!! :0)

My college roommate's little guy!

Isn't this little guy one of the most adorable little ones you have ever seen??? I happen to think so, but I am biased too! His mama was my roommate in college :) We used to sit around and dream about our weddings and how many kids we wanted to have etc.::::sigh:::: and here we are with our beautiful families. Praise God for these blessings and miracles in our lives!!! Thank you J and M!!! Enjoy!

P.S. I will be back in business on August 6th...I will be available by e-mail but it may take a couple of days to get back to you. I hope everyone has a great next couple of weeks!! :) ~R

Before I forget!

Here are the rest of the pics from B's Baseball Birthday cake session :) As you can see I used the bottom one as part of his invitation. We get to dedicate him to the Lord on the same day of his birthday party so I made the main invitation for his dedication and had this one inserted in the back :) Little B sure is a huge blessing to our family! I think he will have the "cake thing" down for his first birthday party! Caleb had NO IDEA what to do with his cake and barely ate any. (Every mother's (( who doesn't want their child to eat too much sugar) dream!!) As you can see - they are two very different little boys! :) I apologize for so many pics. (Kind of I guess! They are too cute!) I tried to post the collage I made of all these pics but it wasn't loading right so I had to do them individually. I hope you all have a wonderfull rest of July and beginning of Aug. I will be back in business August 6th. Until then, May God bless you richly! ~R

P.S. Jen, I will get the pics of little D before I leave!! ;-)

Sneak Peek III On the Move!

This little 9 month old 'Z' is anything but stationary! We really had to work to get him to just "be". If you look closely, you'll notice that he is either on some sort of furniture, IN the toy box, or eating! One of my favorites is the one with his green blanket. His Mom 'A' brought it out and said "here is your nigh nigh blankey!" and he just rolled around and snuggled it forever!! In the picture below he is in the middle of snuggling and hustling away towards something that caught his interest (probably the light cord! lol!) Anyway, little Z you are a joy! Thank you to mom and dad 'A' and 'T', Enjoy - I did!

Sneak Peek Sisters II

Here are the Cute C sisters! Little H had a hard time with the tutu but it all turned out in the end :0) At 9 months she is doing a great job standing at furniture and her little personality sure has surfaced! Another wonderful family to photograph! Thank you A and E!! :)

July Sessions Sneak Peek I

Hi there! Here are the sneak peeks from my July sessions in P-Ville! (I know I closed July sessions because of SuperCamp but these mommies BEGGED me ;0) because of their baby planners...they said they "couldn't bare to go anywhere else!!"....that was SO sweet!! So you know me... - I couldn't turn them away...I know how important it is to have your photos every three months if you want them!! They truly do change so much! Thank you to all who came! This little guy here is 6 months old, isn't he an absolute cutie pie!!! His big sis, E, is such a GREAT big sister!! Great job you two!! Thank you M and J - I had a great time photographing your beautiful family!

Someone's

turning ONE!! Here is a sneak peek from our little Turning One session the other day. (I know he's only 10 months - actually 11 tomorrow! - but I knew if I didn't do them before camp...I would be rushed...AND they had these cakes at the grocery from the 4th :) The colors match perfectly! The whole process from putting him down to complete obliteration of the cake took all of THREE MINUTES!! Of course I went ahead and did this while C was sleeping and R wasn't home....oops! I think I got some good ones...and thank goodness we have hardwood floors!! I am thinking I will use one of the others for his invite :) He had such a great time! (And I got some frosting on my camera! Dont' worry though it came off :) We wondered if we should do John Deere for little B like his big brother (you should see him bat my hand away when I try to push him on C's pedal tractor and steer at the same time!!) ...but R thought something different would be nice...so here we have it. One farm boy and one city boy. :)

Also, wanted to let you know I will not be posting until after the 14th. I will also not be available by phone. Email will work but my reply time might be a day or so. Sorry this is abrupt :) Have a great week everyone! ~R

Diamonds...

are a girl's best friend. Right? That's what I've heard all my life. I disagree. They are shiny and pretty and are sometimes very meaningful (like my engagment ring) but don't compare to my girlfriends and how much I gain from my wonderful friendships. Diamonds can't laugh, console, reason, or giggle. They can't comfort, compliment, or just make you feel better (for real) by hanging out and having a really good conversation about being a mommy (and eating a half of a pan of brownies - on accident!?!?). Oh well, you get my point :) Here is a pic of our friend's little guy from this weekend. I had a great time hanging out with A (his mommy) while Ryan hung out with N (his daddy). We went for a walk around the park across the street, sat outside on the lounge chairs by the river (can you say relaxing??), and then played photo session for fun! I wanted to get pics of B walking out in the yard as opposed to inside with all the clutter. She was gracious enough to let me snap some of little J. :) (He was a good sport too!!) Here he is in his adorable little hat. We also look foward to being this little guy's god-parents. What an honor you two, thank you so much!!! We are so excited to be such an important part of little J's life (and yours too!).