I start to sing country songs like “Hey, good lookin. What you got cookin? How’s about cookin’ something up with me?” when I venture back to my hometown. I don’t know why, but it brings out the country side of me. Hillbilly side, rather. And I’m proud of it! Eric always says that when I talk to my mom or someone from my home town, I have more of a country accent than normal. I have no idea what he’s talking about.

Today I’m heading back to ol’ Stephenville to shoot a wedding with my friend Micah. We went to the rehearsal last night and I saw several people from my old high school. I’m sure I’ll see lots more today, but I think it’s really neat when they ask what I’m doing nowadays, and I get to share where the Lord has brought me in the last 4 years. Photography. Full-time. I’m just livin’ the dream.

I have high hopes for this wedding today too. I can’t wait to share some pictures of it, but here are some keywords to get you excited like me!    Lake.    Homemade Arbor.      Fields.       Turquois.          Shephards hooks.          Young people.

And here’s a pic to tide you over. These two make me laugh ALL the time. They are going home next week, but I’m not talking about it.

This summer has been one of the most refreshing and fun times of my life. Since I graduated in May, I have not been dreading the Back to School routine. I also got to start doing photography full time. I have spent almost the entire summer with my niece and nephew from Florida. And finally, I got a new puppy.

Don’t let the new puppy fool you though. She’s evil. Yup. Evil. She keeps me up ALL night. Then, during the day, she sleeps under the kitchen table. ALL DAY she sleeps. She has to make sure she has plenty of energy to bark throughout the night (of course). Ugh. But really, I do love her. She so sweet when it’s not between 11pm and 8am. And cute… OH MY is she cute. Would you like to see her? Of course you would. She’s a 12 week old Labradoodle (Mix between a Labrador Retreiver and Standard Poodle). She will be quite large when she’s grown. I mean, she’s already 2 times the size of little Romeo. hehe… Oh, and I got my mom the sister of my puppy. And HER dog sleeps through the whole night. Imagine that.

Anyway, here are some things that make you go “Aawwwwww” (or at least they do that to me).

She still doesn’t have a name. Looks like a Monkey to me. Then we’d call her Monkey Doodle. hehe!

Here is my mom’s Doodle. She named her Bailey.

Sweet niece and nephew playing with the new pups.

Kisses!

How could you say no to those eyes??

This was a shot my mom captured. I think it’s so sweet. I was spinning Kinzie around on her tube and grabbed a quick little kiss. Then you see Austin in the background getting is goggles on… so funny…

S’mores in the summer over a campfire? I think so. Look at her face. She can’t decide if roasting a marshmallow is worth the heat. LOL!

This one is special because it was my parent’s 29th anniversary and this is how they spent it. We have such a close family and I’m so blessed to have such amazing parents. I love how Kinzie wanted in the picture but didn’t even THINK for a second about putting her s’more down. That’s my girl!!!

Eric picked up the camera for a few minutes and grabbed this one. I was roasting my marshmallow when the cutest little boy in the world came over and grabbed my hand. Oh I love moments like that.

And how can you not say “Aww” to a face like that? Hilarious.

2 cheers for Sidewalk Chalk.

And here is the most PRECIOUS series of pictures. I seriously praise God for these kiddos. In this one Austin is brushing back Kinzie’s hair so it’s not in her face for the picture.

I love how they are giggling…

He did this on his own. Tear.

And last, but not least, this one is out of focus but I dont’ even care. It’s the best picture in the whole wide world.

I married the man of my dreams on this exact day of 2007. I’m serious. THE man of my dreams. For reals. He’s everything I always prayed for. I actually made a list. Yup. My senior year in high school I made a long list of detailed characteristics that I wanted in my future husband. “Godly” (duh), “musician” (yeah), “athletic”, “tall”, “brown hair”, “muscular”, “spiritual leader”, etc. Like, DETAILED. I found that list a couple weeks before I married Eric. I re-read each trait as if it were in slow motion. Eric possessed every single characteristic on the list. I mean, EVERY SINGLE ONE. And it was llooooonnnnggg, too. It was amazing to see how God provided me with a man that I so much desired in my heart. A man that He knew would lead me spiritually and bless my life dramatically. I man that God knew I would be able to serve well and serve with. Mmm hhmmm.

So, as I reflect back on 2 years, I have to say that these were the most fulfilling years of my entire life. Most joyous, happy, spiritually challenging, and just-plain-awesome years ever. I’m so thankful for my amazing husband. I’m so glad he met me at the end of the aisle 2 years ago and promised to love me forever and ever. Love ya so stinkin’ much, Eric!

So now that you are all yacking because of my love story (if you even made it down this far), you should know that we have a new addition to the Wilkins family. It was a present from my hubby. I’ll post some pics tomorrow!!

You know what I love about being a photographer for a year? Repeat clients. I LOVE my clients. I especially love when clients make photos an important part of their year. This family is particularly special because the daddy is in the band at church with Eric and I, the mommy had enough faith in me to trust me with photographing her family when I first started out, and the little girl was my first baby to shoot. If you wanna see their first session, go here. So, I was so excited to be able to shoot the two kids again. I love being able to see how they are growing up (and it’s ever so quickly). Wyatt’s birthday is coming up and they needed to get some shots for his invitation. He was super playful, so most of the shots I got of him were while he was playing. So cute. We had to hurry though because a HUGE storm came up and cut our session short. I grabbed several of Amie and they turned out super sweet. Anyway, thank you again Morgan and Tanner for trusting me with capturing your family as it grows!

Peek-a-boo birthday boy!

I love all her little facial expressions!

You can see the super dark storm clouds in the background. Doesn’t it just make her eyes pop?

And one to grow on.