The "Kelly" Family! Simply the best...........

I had a wonderful photo session with one of my best friend's family. Jennifer Kelly has been a great friend of mine and I admire and support her all of the time. She has a wonderful husband named Matt and four wonderful boys name Joseph, Jonah, Joel, and Josiah Kelly. They range from 7 years old to 11 months old. They are pretty incredible kids.

Matt and Jennifer are wonderful parents and are totally devoted to their children. Not only are they committed to their children but they also do some foster care as they can. Unbelievable! Just to tell you how amazing this photo shoot was Jennifer had major surgery five days before the photo shoot and was able to come and do the shoot and get all of her boys dressed and ready to go. AMAZING. I asked my sister to come and help me organize the chaos during the photo shoot and offer M&M's for bribery. It worked like a charm. The session only took an hour which is a miracle all in itself. Thank you again Matt and Jennifer Kelly for sharing your family with me. Love you guys.

The Great Pumpkin Design

Last Tuesday Luke's classroom went on a school field trip to an apple orchard. During the field trip each child got to bring home a pumpkin. Luke's teacher wanted all of the kids to decorate their pumpkins and turn them in by today. The one stipulation is that the kids could not carve the pumpkins because they didn't want them to mold because they were going to be on display.

I had to do some research on how I was going to decorate Luke's pumpkin. The first and only place I turned to was Pinterest. Pinterest is an awesome huge online pin board full of so many wonderful and creative ideas. The internet is such a wonderful tool these days. So I took Luke up to my mother's house and she helped us design the pumpkin. Luke enjoyed so much hammering all of the nails in for hair of the pumpkin. Luke did give us some great ideas like suggesting that his pumpkin needed eyebrows. So cute.

Luke was very, very, proud of the finished product. I walked him into his classroom this morning to help him deliver his pumpkin. He was so proud to show his teachers and classmates. He was giggling every time he showed it to someone. It was adorable. Sometimes I get intimidated with having to be creative for all of the school projects because that is not my strong personality trait but I will have to say it was worth the work. Thanks to my mom for her support as well. Luke's pumpkin was a success! Thanks for reading.

Photo of my day

Photos remind me of all God's gifts and promises to His children. This photo reminds me of God's little treasures. God is so good.

Today my day was spent watching a friend's sweet little girl and cleaning up my house a bit. I was enjoying my day staying at home minding to the house work.

I am loving this fine weather we have been having as well. The warm days and cool evenings. The leaves are beginning to change and fall is definitely in the air. The only thing about fall is that winter is soon approaching. I am not a big fan of cold and snow. But, my boys however seem to love snow and snow days so they can go out and play. I remember snow days as child myself and the great memories I made.

Thank you again for your time!

Walking in Grace

Sometimes life has it's way of throwing you curve balls that you were not expecting it to throw. I have been thrown quite the curve ball and have spent this time trying to discover what exactly the Lord has to show me. I have heard the Lord say to just wait. For those of you who know me know that this is an extremely hard task for me. I love to plan things and have situations organized in a timely manner. I also love to know my beginning from the end. I am learning that is not possible all of the time and sometimes just waiting in the comfort of the Lord is having a plan in Him. I am learning to trust in his timing and perfect will for my life.

Psalm 31:14-15
“But as for me, I trust in You, O LORD; I say, “You are my God.”
My times are in Your hand;” (NKJV)

Psalm 31:24
“Be strong, and let your heart take courage, all you who wait for the Lord!” (NIV)

1 Corinthians 1:25
“For the foolishness of God is wiser than man’s wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man’s strength.” (NIV)

Psalm 46:1
“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.” (NIV)

I am fully aware that I have not the strength on my own to walk this journey alone. I am also fully aware that God gives grace to those who need it to walk through trying times that they could never otherwise on their own walk through by themselves. I am choosing to walk in his grace and choosing to walk in his understanding mercies. Thank goodness His mercies are new everyday.

Today we went on Luke's first school field trip. We went to an apple orchard and Luke and his classmates got to learn about apples, take a hayride, pick a pumpkin, go through a corn maze and try apple cider. It was a great educational experience for Luke. One of his favorite moments of the day was to ride the school bus to the orchard. I also went on the field trip with Eli and my sister Morgan. It was a great day. I am just amazed by how much Luke is learning and growing right before my eyes. Yesterday is school he learned about the letter "B" and "F". It was neat his little sayings for the letters.

Thank you for you time of reading my blog. Like I have said before it is a work in progress and still may change from time to time.

Making my blog a priority

I have under a little construction on my blog. I am hoping to get some help and guidance on keeping up my blog soon. I really want to use this platform more and more as a way to communicate with all of my photography fans and family and friends. I also would love to share those things that are dear to my heart. Let's see how this journey goes.

I have been spending much time lately in worship. I love playing the piano and singing. One song that has been dear to my heart lately is "Lead me to the Cross." The words are as follows:

"Savior I come, quiet my soul remember
Redemptions hill, where Your blood was spilled
For my ransom. Everything I once held dear
I count it all as lost

Lead me to the cross
Where Your love poured out
Bring me to my knees
Lord I lay me down
Rid me of myself
I belong to You
Lead me, lead me to the cross

You were as I, tempted and tried, you are
The word became flesh, bore my sin and death now you're risen"

I have also been going through a very trying time in my life personally and relying on God's perfect timing for my life. I have been really working hard on having a good attitude and remaining in an attitude of gratitude. God is good and I have two perfect little treasures as reminders. (Love you Luke and Eli) Thank you for taking the time to read my thoughts. Look out for tomorrow's blog.

Editing Journey

Hi fellow bloggers,

I am blogging about my lastest photography adventures. I have had several sessions that I have not completed and several still lined up to do. I have a request for two sets of bridal portraits and one wedding which is exciting to me. I have been busy editing and making improvements to the quality of pictures I take. I also have been trying out some new editing software. I feel like I have chosen the one in which I would like to purchase but I need to save my money first. I used my boys as models today so that I could have their pictures to edit in a new editing program and so far I am impressed.

I would love to capture your memories and get to know your family. I really enjoy this photography journey and the different places it has taken me. I look forward to what the future holds for Lauren Leigh Photography. Thank you again for your time in reading my blog.

Easter Photos

I tried my best to take the Easter holiday to get some good pictures of my boys and the traditional family picture. It is so hard to show someone how to work my camera first off and then to get everyone in the picture to cooperate. We got a few pictures and I will settle for them. Being a photographer makes me critique every picture.

Our usual easter tradition is going to church in the morning then heading to my mamaw's house for a family lunch. After lunch we hide eggs for the little ones and then proceed with the hunt. The boys received hand made baskets this year from our friend Donna. They were adorable. Luke enjoyed the hunt the most because he was older and understood the concept. Eli just enjoyed throwing the eggs around. All of the grandparents watch with love as the boys play.

Last year we enjoyed one last easter before my papaw passed away in August. He would always sit on the front porch and watch the kids hide and hunt for easter eggs. I did feel his absence this year. He will be missed.

What are some of your easter traditions? My mother-in-law let the boys die eggs this year at her house and Luke said he had fun. Luke is at the age where he remembers what we did the year before and is ready to do it again. He will not let you forget. He makes me laugh. We enjoyed this easter so much. I look forward to what the years to come will have to offer.