IM STILL HEEEEEEEEEERE!!!!

I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I have been gone for two months.

I'm back. I'm back. And I'll update you in the next post.

I have a photo shoot coming up soon and I can't wait to post pics, thanks for sticking around...haha if you are still here :)

I'll see you soooooon!!

............WELCOME BACK SUMMER {RANDOM}

This week it hit 96 degrees. On May 10th. In Iowa. THAT'S CRAZY. I sure am not complaining tho.
Because the previous week it was 46 degrees. I love the heat. I love the sun. I love sunburns that turn into tans.

Life is good. God is even BETTER.
Summer is approaching. Life is getting busier now that the weather is nice. But I don't mind. I have been in awe watching as God works in me and in my life. I have been thankful that He is showing me what needs work and starts there.
Somedays it feels like just too much. But God reminds me then that, "He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus".

(something i read the other day that is a good reminder for me, thought i'd share).
Is it the custom of your life to draw aside daily to a quiet place for fellowship with your Heavenly Father? He wants you to enjoy Him - alone. He waits for you to come. He promised if you will draw near to Him then He will draw near to you. Do other things rob you of this blessed privilege? You can began again to set necessary time alone just for Him.

MONDAY MONDAY MONDAY {PERSONAL}

"Unforgiveness sounds like this: "You owe me! I'm going to make you pay by hating you, by slandering you, by returning in kind, by recruiting other people to my bitterness. I'm holding this over you!" -James McDonald
{I read this, this morning. Being constantly reminded to forgive just as Christ forgave me. When forgiveness is put in the above words...wow...forgiveness is the only choice I have}.
"Don't get stuck looking at your circumstances....focus on CHRIST". -Robert Baltodano
{It's amazing how when I stop looking at that which is bothering me/overtaking my thoughts and mind how when I give it to God and start praying about it - a peace surprasses it all}.
"Religion = man trying to reach God. Christianity = God reaching man". -Chuck Smith
{God reaches for me and for you, oh happy day}!

CHI-TOWN {PERSONAL}

There are some cities that you go once and that's enough. Yeah it was nice but you aren't too keen on going there again and again.
THAT IS NOT THE CASE WITH CHICAGO.
I.LOVE.CHICAGO.
I can spend the whole weekend there and leave and can't wait to return and shop again. Or eat at the Cheesecake Factory. Or eat Gumbo Soup. Or walk around and see such a lively city. Or just enjoy Chicago. The buildings. The sights. The people. Or hear how my sister attempted to go backwards an elevator and fell in front of a guy. We are related.

A Forever 21 that has 3 floors?!?! BEST.STORE.EVER.

I had Cheesecake Factory with my family for Easter dinner Sunday. My first time eating there. WOW.WOW.WOW. I was missing out biiiig time. Their Red Velvet Cheesecake is superb. Their Tiramisu was nothing short of amazing. The food is SO.GOOD. A new discovery in my life! Thank you Pops.

Hello little brother in Under Armour sweatshirt. Are you cold yet? Because I sure was. Hello Father and Mother next to little brother!
Hello random girl in turqoise jacket walking with your mother. You are in a hurry. Must be to eat at the Cheesecake Factory.


I don't think saying I love Chicago sums up how much I love that city.

MITCH & ANNA, FULL BLOG POST {ENGAGEMENT & PORTRAIT SESSION}

Mitch & Anna's photos edited. Check. Boom boom pow!
You are probably wondering why I have their photos under an engagement session & a portrait session? Well, let me esplain (you must say that in a Mexican accent).
Mitch & Anna have been married for 2 years (but don't quote me on that). The only professional photos they have had taken of themselves together as a couple were their wedding pictures. So when they knew Mitch was leaving for boot camp shortly they decided to do get some pictures taken of them together. So they contacted Caitlyn {hiiii} and she then contacted me and a couple of her other friends and wanted to know if we wanted to shoot them all together.
Um, yes. Yes I do. So that's why these are like 2yearengagementphotos/aportrait session. Saaavy? Savy! {In case you can't tell I am highly looking forward to Pirates of the Carribean 4 coming out NEXT MONTH}.



There really is nothing like spring colors. The bright green grass. The bright blue shirt. The pretty white dress. They all make me think {springgg}.



The picture above this text I am writing and the picture below are my two favorites in this post. I loooooooove happy-in-love-smiley couples!



I had a wonderful time with you two, thanks for the fun afternoon! Many many blessings especially as you start a new adventure in your life together.
p.s. I get off work early today, {woooooo} and Good Friday Service tonight. Tomorrow and Sunday? CHICAGO. Cubs Game. Yes, this shall be a good Easter weekend!
Happy Easter!

It's Wednesday! {RANDOM}

I know. I know. I haven't blogged my brother's second part of his Senior pictures {it's because I still need to edit them...shhhh} and I need to blog about the couple I second shot Sunday {yeah, those need to be edited too}. But lets call this post a random post {as in the heading, I'm so smart}.
And it's Wednesday. There is no better day to do a random post! {Not really, I just made that up}.
p.s. Olivia, I had fun doing our super duper mini photo shoot with the sun blinding us! :)

Mitch & Anna, Sneak Peek {ENGAGEMENT & PORTRAIT SESSION}

All at once everything looks different...now that I see you....
-i see the light, tangled {yes, i just used disney lyrics}.
Wow. This had to be one of my favorite sessions. My friend asked me if I wanted to be one of four photographers that were going to be shooting this couple. Mitch was heading off to boot camp and they wanted some pictures before he took off. Um, yes I want to come shoot this couple {Caitlyn, hi!}. And they were so fun. So crazy. So energetic. I'll post the rest once I finish editing them but I wanted to get these up!

Thank you Mitch & Anna for the opportunity to capture your lives together for a little bit, many blessings!