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.

Good news, Bad news

So today my day was just full of news, some of which I was happy to hear and some of which I was really bummed to hear. I was really working on getting my focus on the things the Lord has for me. The Lord has a plan to prosper and bless me. I am working diligently on trusting the Lord more and more and giving Him my concerns and worries.

Today was awesomely warm and made me want to get outside and do yard work. I am going to attempt to get outside tomorrow and get some yard work accomplished. I really want the outside of my house to match the inside. I have also discovered that getting your hands dirty outside and playing in the dirt is rewarding. Also, If I am outside working my boys are definitely outside playing. Luke and Eli would live outside when the weather is nice.

Tomorrow morning Jeremy has a very important meeting at work and I will be practicing trusting the Lord during his meeting until Jeremy calls me with good news. I am believing the Lord has good things in store for my family. I encourage all you who read this to take the time out and look around and be thankful for the things you have and the things that the Lord has blessed you with. "Lord, thank you so much for my family, my healthy, and blessings that surround me everyday." I am starting with trust tomorrow.

Wading the Storm

My husband and I are currently going through some rough times right now. (Not with our marriage, everything there is GREAT!) I feel like I am out in the middle of the ocean with the storms raging and all I have to hold onto is the safety of the Lord. I am doing my best to remember that God has always been there for us and always had our backs.

I have been throwing myself into my pictures lately because that gives me joy and peace. My boys are such a great distraction for me and give me such joy and laughter. Eli will just smile at me and I feel better. Today he was saying to me while I was having a moment, "You o-tay mommy" with a big smile on face. I love the care that my boys have for others.

I am just writing this blog to remind others to try and find the joy amongst the storm as I am trying to do now. God is faithful and always has been. I am learning patience and trust again. Loving the journey.

Photography Journey!

I have been diligently working on my photography business called Lauren Leigh Photography. I feel like I need to blog more so that I can post sneak peaks of photos that I am editing. I have created a professional video for people to view some of my portfolio and learn more about my work.

I have about five people lined up for this spring and I am enjoying the anticipation of all of them. I have discovered that I really do enjoy taking pictures. I also really enjoy capturing people's memories for them. I know how much I cherish each of my boys pictures so much and enjoy looking back at all of their milestones.

Recently I have discovered iMovie also which is a video editing software. I have been putting all of the little video clips of my boys into a small movie with music. I am going to offer to my clients the option of putting their pictures to music on a DVD. This will be a great option for some people who just want to watch their pictures as a movie.

I have been getting several requests for both pictures and video so please make you appointment today so that I can get you in for some great spring photos. This is the time of year to get some great shots. Thank you again for reading.

The picture below was of a little baby girl named Layknn. She was so adorable and I enjoyed capturing her little 6 week old personality. I hope I get to capture many more of her adorable moments!

Mommy Needs a Time Out

I had a bit of a challenging week as a stay at home mom. I have also seen my husband have a very intense week at work. I realized that mommy and daddy needed a bit of a time out. I got my thoughts together and called my mom to watch the boys for mommy and daddy to go today and have a bit of a time out. I used to have a hard time and be hard on myself for asking for help. I have now realized that if I want to be the mommy and wife that my kids and husband need me to be I have to put myself first from time to time.

My husband and I are taking the day and going to go thrift store shopping to see what kind of treasures we can find and we are also going to go eat and spend some time together. We don't get very much uninterrupted time to talk throughout the week. Taking a time out and getting to go and have uninterrupted time to talk with each other is priceless. I am excited to see what the day holds.

I wanted to encourage all stay at home moms to take a time out for yourself even if it is just for a little while so that you can process thoughts for yourself. Being the best mom and wife you can be is the most important gift you can offer your children and if you are feeling worn out and bogged down you are not at your best. I am realizing the importance of taking the time for myself. I am going to go and charge my batteries and I hope that you all do the same.

Trying my best!

I have been trying my best to keep a blog going but I have a hard time finding time and getting my photos to upload. I have so much I would like to talk about and so much I would like to share so I am going to try and use this platform to share from my heart.

I recently just composed my first logo and name for my first photography business. This is not an adventure I would like to make a full time job but I have been in love with photography and pictures for a long time and I love my new camera. My kids have been my great clients to photograph for several years now but it is time to venture out. I hope I can gain the confidence for this journey.

I have placed my youngest little man in a big boy bed this week. Eli was so excited to finally have a bed like his big brother. Eli will turn 2 in a few weeks and already is a big boy. He is at the beginnings of the 2 year old attitude and we have some issues to work out with him. He is really bold and very funny. I love how much he has learned in just two years. I have and still am enjoying my journey with Eli. So much more to come.

Luke has been working on his speech very hard. He has been out of school because of all of the snow we have experienced here. Luke expressed to me the other day when I picked him up from school "Mommy, I am trying!" It just meant so much to me to hear from him that he is working on it. Luke makes me proud everyday with his caring heart towards his brother. He is rejoicing with Eli when Eli is excited over something and feels sorry for Eli when it is the right time. Luke is a very caring and sensitive little man. Can't wait to see what God has in store for him.

My life is full of blessings including a wonderfully supportive husband who encourages me in all of my journey's. I am excited to put forth a great effort to try and blog more often and from the heart.