New Years Eve

A method I find that works great for photographing children is to listen to their ideas. Some of them are silly and really don’t work.  But it makes it fun for them and more like a game not a photo shoot.

It was Shannie’s idea to pull out this Christmas garland

Then it was her idea to step out the door into the falling snow…giggle

And because I let a child lead me …I was blessed to get shots like theses and fun memories to last a lifetime J

She also has the greatest idea on where to hang the props when your all done with your fun…lol

Goodbye 2012

You’re a year burned into my heart till Jesus wipes away my every tear.

Silent Sunday



Guess what we had for breakfast?

All you can eat…nothing can beat…

Yes siree SNOW… the breakfast of champions!

And for dessert we had…

It's a dog need dog world.

Sometimes I’m very moved by the bond my dogs have with one another.

In fact sometimes I think I’m just here to open the cans…lol

I have the gift of goodbye

The pain of a sword- thrust through you--
But the rejection will force honesty,
as God reveals who they really are.

These are the words Simeon said to Mary pertaining to what she was going to experience being the Mother of Jesus.

Since Richard went home to the Lord in many ways I can relate to these words.

Major life events have a way of revealing people’s hearts and who is really with you in life.

It also can be a ripple effect to a shift in relationships. And I believe that is an intention of God to move us into our destiny.  Some people just aren’t meant to come for the long haul.

“They went out from us, but they did not really belong to us. For if they had belonged to us, they would have remained with us; but their going showed that none of them belonged to us.”  1John 2:19

I don’t think I could say it any better than that.

Wouldn’t it be grand if we could all be as loyal as a doggie J

"When people walk away from you, let them go. Your destiny is never tied to anybody who leaves you, and it doesn't mean that they are bad people. It just means that their part in your story is over."

~T.D. JAKES

Pony rides in the living room

Today is my Christmas with Shannie.  She and the dogs are having pony rides in the living room.

And as you can see having a blast!   

She wanted this stuffed horse so bad when we saw it in a store a few months ago. So I went back to get it... but had to send it to my friend’s house to hide. Then we almost forgot about it...lol

This is why I don't shop early!

Shannie loves stuffed animals more then any child I've ever known.

So this was a great surprise to her. 

(That looks like a horse whisperer in the making to me ...lol)

We are also getting all our snow gear ready for a major snowstorm here on the east coast.  Because you know my little buddy and I are going out to play in it till our nose and toes are froze...giggle!

So this was our joyful...



Christmas Morning...

Wait... first I have to back up a little and share something with you about Christmas Eve.

I spent the evening home alone and for the first time in many years it started to snow. I was standing outside like a little kid letting the snowflakes fall on my face and I heard in my heart….”Richard asked me to send this to you.”  I got so excited for a second but then thought ok that’s just my head….but a few minutes later I got a text from a friend that said “It’s snowing sweets just for you!”  Yep….I bawled like a baby.  I’m really beginning to believe God likes to text….LOL

Well that was my Christmas Eve…this morning I awake to this beautiful sunrise coming through the snowy trees

I’m calling this shot

“Christmas Morning Glory”

So like every good little kiddie on Christmas morning I opened my gifts...

Do you think maybe God is trying to tell me something? lol

All those gift were perfect and I love them….but one gave me so much JOY.  I was told that God handpicked theses gift for me. So at one point as I was opening them I asked God …“Lord if you handpicked these can one please tell me something about the future you have for me.”  Just as I got the words out I opened the gift subscription to "Digital Photo"… again…I bawled like a baby.  When your whole world falls apart I can’t tell you how important it is to hear hope for your future. You hang on to it with every ounce of your being. It becomes you lifeline in the dark. And what a blessing it is to have people that allow God to use them to speak this hope into your life!

My greatest Joys are not things....it's the friendships the love and sometimes even the tears behind the gifts that bring me the greatest

JOY!

So I pray everyone of you are having a Chrismas filled with JOY

But most of all I just want to say...

Happy

Birthday

To

My

Sweet

JESUS!

I love you!

Tell Richard thank you for the snow and that I love him too....Hope to see you both soon....because that is going to be the fullness of  JOY for me!

 Your beloved Anna