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.

Holiday Traditions!

I was thinking about my little family holiday traditions. Since I have gotten married and had children my traditions have changed since growing up in my families household. There are a few traditions that I have carried over from my upbringing and new ones that I have created. Ever since Luke was born four years ago I have played the movie "The Polar Express" while putting up the christmas tree. That is what Luke remembers and asks for every year. I also love filling the stocking for my boys on Christmas. Also as a family we really enjoy being at home as a family of four to open our gifts. It is important to Jeremy to stay home Christmas morning and to experience the boys opening their gifts from us. Jeremy works so hard for his money and he deserves that home and joyous experience. We have also enjoyed making gingerbread houses with Jeremy's mom! This year we invited Amanda Hill and her girls to join in on the experience. The kids really enjoyed decorating their gingerbread men and women and other various cookies. I enjoyed decorating my house and being with the kids and adults. I am wanting to make new and different holiday traditions with my boys. One tradition I would like to make is to have a family game night. Luke really enjoys playing games and I enjoy watching the glow and wonder in his face when he wins. We played a veggietales game with him this evening and Luke enjoyed it so much. What are your holiday or everyday traditions? Think about starting some new ones!