the meek family • lubbock, tx

What can I say about this sweet family? I had such a great time with them! The Meeks drove in from Plainview for their family photoshoot. Jett and Jaxon were wonderful subjects and I loved getting to watch them explore and interact with their parents. It was a PERFECT fall day, with gorgeous sunlight and falling leaves. I just love my job! 

new november contest!

It's about time for a new contest around here!

Since the holidays are creeping up on us I've been in the mood to make things...all the time. My husband is sick of my "knitting stations" and tiny projects all around the house...but he definitely didn't complain about these!

Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Frosting

Now that I look at them again, I may have gone a little crazy with the frosting....nah....I'm not sure you can ever have too much. These are rich and yummy and really fun to make! Just make sure you have a good block of time to let the dough rise. (I cleaned the house in between.)

I got the recipe from this site, except I would definitely double the filling and I also changed the frosting to the one I typically make with pumpkin cookies. Here is the frosting recipe:

4 oz. cream cheese

3 tbl. milk

1/2 tsp. vanilla

1/2 box (about 2 cups) powdered sugar

water to taste

Mix all ingredients except water with a stand or hand mixer, and then begin to add water until the frosting has reached a consistency good for drizzling. Put the mixture in a ziploc bag, snip off a corner, and get after it!

Please comment back if you decide to make some of these for yourself or a friend!

Now, for November's contest:

In light of this made-from-scratch attitude, I'm looking for some fun holiday projects that will be sentimental and special additions to our home. I made our stockings a couple years ago and have been thinking about how I can do an eclectic tree skirt. One of my friends made a special birthday banner to use every year for her son's birthday- it was made from cards he'd received on his first birthday. I am not excluding traditions with this one, either. You can share anything that you feel like make the holidays a little more special. My grandmother makes the yummiest strata every Christmas morning. Even if she changed the menu, I would still love the tradition.

So, comment below, or feel free to comment back on your own blog (pictures would be great!)- just leave me the link in the comments of this post. 

The winner will receive Amanda Blake Soule's Handmade Home or The Creative Family. I've heard both of these books have great, easy projects and I'm excited to get my own copy!

This contest ends November 24th! Have fun!

kuhrt + lindsey = engaged! • lubbock, tx

So excited that I finally get to blog this! This past Friday Kuhrt asked Lindsey to marry him. It was so great to get to be a part of it. 

I'm going to do my best to tell the short version of the story...pictures included.

Kuhrt really wanted to make this proposal very special- exactly what Lindsey would want. He already knew that she wanted to be totally surprised and dressed up. She's also pretty sentimental, so having it in a special place would be perfect. 

The setting: our church! Caryn, Shanna and I helped decorate.

A few details:

This album was filled with pictures of them.

We had a bathroom set up with a dress Kuhrt had picked out and everything she might need to get ready.

Since Lindsey is the youth intern at our church, Kuhrt had Jason (youth pastor) give her a call and basically force her to make a random trip up to the church. Lindsey was NOT happy about that...which made it even better! We also had to get her in a certain door in order for her to find the bathroom with the dress...so Jason told her the other door was broken. Here's Kuhrt receiving angry texts from Lindsey and watching for her from the "broken" door.

Once she got there, she found a little note directing her to the dress. Confused wouldn't even begin to describe her at this point. 

Kuhrt waited down the hallway for her. She said she was trying not to get her hopes up! 

I'm pretty sure that when she spotted Shanna, she knew this was it!

Yes, he wrote a song for her. And it made everyone cry. (You can't see the 20 or so people peeking from the sanctuary and the kitchen!)

Kuhrt + Dad

Lindsey and Ally- sisters...

The normal characters in my life story...minus Chris + BB...

Lindsey and future mother in law!

Check out that ring! Gorgeous!

Lindsey's friend Taylor brought their Theta candle. Lindsey was so pumped to have her there!

Congrats you guys! I love you both and am blessed to know you!

devon, kirsten, and brogan • cousins • lubbock, tx

Photographing children is always an adventure. You just never know what will happen and I love the challenge of working with kids, even if their priorities are a little bit different than mine :). 

I'd photographed baby Brogan a week prior, but his cousins came into town, so we had a great opportunity to get these 3 cuties together. 

Devon was such a ham and didn't mind "cheesing" for me at all...

Kirsten wasn't so into the camera thing, but when you're this cute not smiling... I can't help myself!

So we played for quite a while.

So sweet.

It helps when you have some really hilarious people helping you out! Thanks Gigi, Aunt Leigh Ann, and Shanna!

Trying so hard not to crack a smile!

And Brogan continued being adorable, of course.

In the end, we got some good smiles!

And getting this last one made all our hard work so worth it! 

of a captive heart releases today! • a road less traveled

If you haven't heard the news yet, my hubby's band is releasing their newest album "Of A Captive Heart" today!

It's been a long time coming, and the music they've produced on this EP is the best ever. I am so proud of these guys and the hard work (and prayer) that has gone into this project. 

You can GO HERE to purchase the CD for just $5!

Here are a few of the promo images we shot a few months back. There are several more I'd like to prep, but that requires time...something that is very precious in our house these days. :)

Here's a recent video including one of their brand new songs "Chasing the Day"

And some shameless links:

Become a fan on FACEBOOK

Follow them on TWITTER

Watch them on YOUTUBE

OR, come to one of their CD release shows!

Nov. 4- The Heights Fellowship, Lubbock, TX 7:00 PM

Nov. 7- First Baptist Church, Levelland, TX 7:00 PM

Nov. 8- The Heights Fellowship (worship), Lubbock, TX 8:15 and 10:46

Nov. 18- Paramount Baptist Church, Amarillo, TX 7:00 PM  $10 gets you in the door + a FREE CD!

Nov. 20- First Baptist Church, Borger, TX 7:00 PM   $10 gets you in the door + FREE CD!

chris + ashley • lubbock, tx

You may remember these two from when I shot their wedding just last January. I just love Chris and Ashley and I know anytime I get to photograph them I will have a great shoot. Of course, they pulled it off in their normal laid-back fashion and didn't freak out when I asked them to pose by an old junky trailer and sit in a pile of stickers (sorry, Ashley!). :) It was good to see them again.

Love the fall colors with Ashley's hair.

If they look like fun people, it's because they are! 

for the love workshop

This post is to let you all know about a cool opportunity in the photo community- the For the Love Workshop. Here's how creator Ginny Corbett describes the workshop:

"For the Love" is not like any other workshop.  It's actually designed as a spiritual retreat where you will also be able to learn from successful photographers who rely on God for creative inspiration.  At "For the Love", you will encounter God in a deep way.  You will have a chance to get away from the constant demand of your career and seek God over your business in a quiet, secluded location.  You will not only draw inspiration from fellow photographers, believers, and friends, but also draw inspiration from the creator of creativity....God.  

I'm posting this because they are giving away a free spot to the workshop, and I'm SO hoping I have a chance! 

A few reasons I would like to go:

1) It's in Knoxville, one of my favorite places!

2) I'm realizing the importance of this little business of mine, specifically within God's kingdom. Nothing else really matters except that I'm using all I have for His glory.

3) I love the speakers- Lauren Clark, Ginny Corbett and Erik Clausen. Heck yes!

Another part of the contest was to post an image with scripture on it, and here's what I came up with. This is a verse I've been praying over several things in my life right now (this workshop included). In the photo is a man who does not yet know Christ, but he is writing out scripture onto the scroll. I'm believing for his salvation and so many others like him!

the pedroza family

As promised, the Pedrozas! Shawn and I have so enjoyed having these wonderful people right down the street from us. I still haven't gone over to borrow a cup of sugar yet. :)

More than that, I have such a huge respect for Marcus and Katlyn and the choices they've made because of God's calling on their lives. They'll soon be moving to Germany full-time, and although we will miss them, I can't wait to see what God does with them there! I'm so blessed to know them and little Carson. 

Here's a quote they recently shared with me which I love:

May God's passion disturb you to not grow comfortable with the things this world has to offer.

Carson and his travel buddy Ty. Carson has already been to 3 countries (soon to be 4). Pretty cool!

happy halloween!

Just wanted to wish you all a Happy Halloween! 

I got to photograph a couple cuties in their costumes this year- introducing Chloie the Kitty Cat!

And Carson the Elephant!

We did this right after their family photoshoot (coming soon!), so little Carson was doing his best!

I just had to include this one! Still so cute!
 

sweet baby brogan • newborn • lubbock, tx

The first I ever heard of the Plumlees was at church- they were wanting to adopt a baby from China and our church was supporting them in that effort. Of course, China has a special place in my heart, so I was excited to hear about their story. The adoption process is a long one, and while they are waiting for baby Brynlee, God blessed them with Brogan!

I admire Leigh Ann so much- the pregnancy was not an easy one, but finally the day came when Brogan arrived- a perfectly healthy, happy, prayed-for little boy. Brogan has proved to me that God is not only faithful, He is able to bring us more than we could ever ask for! Thank you Lord for Brogan!