The Thorns are on staff at Campus Crusade for Christ in the Northeast, but spend time in little ol’ Granbury whenever they get a chance because they have family here. They actually come to StoneWater whenever they’re down, but until they asked me to do their pictures, I never got to hear their story. It was so neat to learn how they are ministering to so many people across the nation, yet they consider their home church StoneWater. So so cool.

We went out for a photoshoot on a cool morning in August and it was SUCH a joy to spend time with their beautiful family. When I say beautiful, I mean it! It was so fun capturing the little girls’ personalities and just getting to talk with everyone. I think I have taken quite a liking to morning shoots! Anyway, enjoy!

Well hello September! It’s so good to have you here. You always bring along some of my FAVORITE things of the year. Football games. Beautiful trees. Cool winds. Three-quarter-length shirts. And my personal favorite - new fall-ish drinks at Starbucks (coffee lovers unite!). As I was catching up on some of my favorite photographer’s blogs, one of them suggested writing down my goals for the month in order to be able to cross them off the list (because that’s the best part of having a to-do list, right?!). So - here I am - all ready to write my goals and anticipate crossing them off my list.

But, I don’t know what my goals are.

Goal # 1: Formulate Goals.

Okay, so when someone springs it upon you to have a list of goals, you need time to prepare. Time to process. Time to DREAM. Don’t you remember back at Freshman Orientation in college when you have to say your name and something interesting about yourself in hopes that everyone will actually think you’re interesting opposed to a freak (or maybe that was just me?). I needed more time to prepare for an interesting story - or perhaps just time to do something interesting so I would HAVE an interesting story - but nonetheless, more time. Either way, I haven’t had a lot of time to think and pray about my goals, but in honor of the first sunrise of September, I truly do want to come up with some goals that I may or may not be able to accomplish in one month, but by golly, I will have made some goals. I might need to add as the month goes on, but I really do hope that creating a list on paper (or e-paper if you will) will help me to obtain the things that I always think about wanting to do!

So. September Goals. Ahem…

1.) Pray about everything.

2.) Make myself more vulnerable to people. I am who God has made me.

3.) Redo my brand packaging for photography.

4.) Take my camera with me just to take pictures for fun.

5.) Go to a high school football game.

6.) Finish the book I’m reading (Spiritual Revolution - Patricia King)

7.) Shop at some garage sales for antique furniture

8.) Go camping with Eric and some friends

9.) Finish ALL summer  photography sessions and weddings!

Come on, jump on the bandwagon! List some goals in my comment box or put a link to your blog with your goals for the month! What are your goals?

Mary and I go way back. We went to high school together and played volleyball together (shout out to the 2003 4A State Champs! lol). Mary and I hung out often and like to call ourselves sisters because we are a lot alike! I miss seeing Mary and it was SO good to get to catch up with her, especially since she’s encountered a miracle in her life!

Mary and Byron were going to have a baby, but 3 months before the due date Mary’s began to have a very serious condition in which she needed to deliver little Bronson immediately. As Mary and Bronson both fought for their lives there were lots of prayers that were offered up for them by many many people. I mean, Bronson was THREE months pre-mature! BUT, as you can see for yourselves - they are both doing INCREDIBLE. Can we all say Thank You, Lord? Amen, to that!

Byron, Mary, and Bronson - thank you so much for allowing me to photograph your miraculous and beautiful family. I hope you treasure these photographs. I love you guys!

Chad scheduled his session for him and his kids several months ago. We planned on doing it at the beginning of summer, but when his session day finally came, it rained. So -  we rescheduled. As luck would have it, it rained again on our second try. After 3 dates and apparently 3 different outfits for this kids (they grow so FAST!), we FINALLY got to get together for a family shoot! It ended up being the perfect morning - sunny and warm! I had a ton of fun just capturing the interaction between the kids and their dad. It was so sweet to see how much fun they all had together. At the end of the shoot they found a butterfly that they wanted to take home with them. Even though they couldn’t take it, I promised that I took plenty of pictures of it so they would always remember it!

Thank you, Chad, for letting me spend time with you and your kids. Ya’ll are a very special family and I hope you love what I got of you guys!

Kristin and Matt were in the same youth group as my husband, Eric. Lucky for me, through Eric they found out that I am a photographer, so when they knew their extended family was going to be in town together, they called me up! It was such a blessing to spend time around their family. They were so laid back and fun (even when I got lost for 45 minutes on my way to meet them!!) and I had such a blast taking pictures of them. Their family has spent much time as missionaries and it was truly spectacular to be around people with such a calling on their lives! Oh, and I got some very fun shots of them eating yummy watermelon and playing a little game of cards as a family! Apparently, they like to spend a lot of time playing games just like my family! I told them if I didn’t have such an awesome family myself, I would DEFINITELY want to join theirs!

Thanks guys for asking me to do this! It was such a blast and I hope you enjoy your images!