Emma was the proudest daughter in the universe for discovering this cake today at the store.  And I must say...I'm pretty proud too.  We love you super...man... of steel, of shoes and makeup, of girlie movies and all things frilly.  You are our human rock and we love you...to Krypton and back!   xoxoxo :)

This is my little Emma.  And when we stayed home that really cold January day, I got a bee in my bonnet, or bug in my pants, or whatever people say now days... and this Audrey Hepburn image was born.  And it was magic.  And I was inspired.   And it got my heart beating a little faster.  And I was in love.

I started a personal project at the beginning of the year that could encompass anything I wanted it to; anything I felt led to tackle; anything God placed on my heart ~ to Dream Big.  Now, I get distracted easily, much like a golden retriever, but God is always reminding me of my purpose; He throws me a stick, and it's up to me to pay attention.  Reminding me to Dream Big.  And I have been reminded frequently lately.  That even when I don't understand, even when I can't see the proof, even when things seem silly or unimportant, that I am not the one in control.

Hebrews 11:1 ~ The fundamental fact of existence is that this trust in God, this faith, is the firm foundation under everything that makes life worth living. It's our handle on what we can't see.

Life. Worth. Living.

Not. In. Control.

It's all good.  Even when the news tells me every day...the economy sucks, jobs are few and fear is on the rise...my God is in it.  Even when it doesn't feel like it.  It's not about me.

It's the same for my business. Sometimes (ok, most of the time) I feel what everyone else out there feels, especially if you're a small business owner.  I feel your pain.  I see little shops on our town square close almost daily.  My family struggles too, with uncertainty and bills and life that happens in the midst of your well laid plans.  It's scary.  But my faith requires me to be convinced that what I believe in is true, it gives me confidence in the things I hope for, and certain of things I can't see.  Hard? Of course.  Rewarding?  Definitely.  Do I see the rewards every day?  No.  Sometimes I have to dig for the buried treasures.  ;)

So where am I in this, and what in the great googaly moogaly does this have to do with a Dream Big Session?  Well, I am at the fear and lack of confidence stage.  The 'this business feels unrewarding and there's no stability' stage.  And I've considered giving it up.  Quite recently in fact.  And then a friend asked to use some of my Audrey-wear for a party...and that pesky bee in my bonnet stung me.  And I was reminded why in the heck did I stop dreaming...again!  Because I thought no one would care, or pay, or commit.  And as I'm typing this, it occurred to me yet again...it's not about me and my fears, but about God and what He can do with the dream that has been laid on my heart.

So even if it doesn't explode into glory today, or tomorrow or a year from now...this Dream Big Project is not in my control, and I will trust the One I do not see for better things yet to come.  Life. Worth. Living.

Dream Big Ya'll!

It was a beautiful Saturday of little girls! Lyla in the morning and this little Lila in the evening...and what a beauty.  So independant and fun and enough energy to fuel the Space Shuttle.  And you just think I'm kidding ~ I thought afterward, there's no way I could get she and my Audrey together for a play date...at the end of 30 minutes...they will have formulated detailed plans to take over the world!  HAHA! :)

SUCH a great family.  SUCH a beautiful baby.  SUCH a wonderful session!  I can't think of one thing I didn't like. Nope. Not a thing.  I'm even in love with the Aunt Angela (who came to help, cheer, and....antagonize) picture and Lyla with that awesome pouty face.  In. Love.

Thank you, thank you, thank you to this precious family for spending a beautiful Saturday morning with me... :)

I spent a beautiful Friday morning with 3 of the cutest, fastest and craziest little pistols for their post wedding mini session...and what a blast!  We ran around the church, played games, ate snacks, sweated (me), made silly noises and kooky faces, sweated (me), yelled, screamed and did I mention sweated?

We definitely made a joyful noise unto the Lord.  And all was well.  With our souls. *And camera.*  ;)

Fun, sweet, sentimental, silly, sappy, crazy, happy...a joy.  The Young family session is always all of these things, and more, rolled into one.  But now I get to add another cherished word...Superheroes.  Boo ya!

I never have to give much instruction with these crazy kids.  They are complete naturals, although I'm not sure if they completely realize that or not...but it's total magic.  Every session. Every time.  A joy. Boo. Ya. :)

So I'm about to be honest.  REALLY honest.  I'm not perfect.  *e-gad...gasp...shut the front door!*  Shocker, I know.  But I'm not.  And I'm about to get even more honest.  Not all sessions are easy for me.  Really. Not that this session was bad; it was anything BUT bad, and sessions with the McClures never are.  BUT I'm also reminded that I'm never in control, and I sometimes have to think differently than the shots I had planned in my head...and because I'm definitely a planner, sometimes that ain't an easy job for me; to NOT be in control. ;)

Now, what I'm about to say isn't some preachy sermon on believing what I believe...or doing what I do...but it IS a personal conviction and committment on my part to give my clients the best I humanly can.  That means, I pray.  Before each session, and after each session; I pray.  I pray for safety for everyone, fun for everyone, my attention, my patience, my equipment, the weather, the light, my clients...by name, my family...while I'm away, my business and my representation of the only One who gives me the ability and opportunities to do what I do.  To some it may sound a little weird and crazy, but that's all ok...because believe me, when I have 'not so easy' sessions (for me), there is absolutely NO other explaination to get results like these if I didn't pray, and if I didn't trust my Savior to make something from what I think is nothing.  Without Him this is not possible.  Without Him I am nothing.  Without Him, I can do nothing in my own humanness.  He is everything...including the pilot of each session.  For every day, He gives me reminders that I am not in control...of 2 exhausted (though they don't look like it) and rambunctious (I still can't believe I caught them sitting still) little boys that happened to get up at 5am the morning of their session and left mom and dad a little tired too (which totally sounds like MY house btw...).  We aren't in control.  :)

But if I trust Him, even when my plans don't seem to come together like I wanted, and I pray that I snapped at least a few smiles from 2 of the most precious boys I get the honor to shoot...I can be successful if for no other reason, but that He can be praised and this family can hopefully be blessed.  If that happens, my job is done.  *Sarah, I love your little family...* 

Oh-em-gravy...but these girls are adorable and squishy cute and superbly sweet...and I could just eat 'em up all day long! No lie!  And we probably get along so well because they are like parallel sisters to my own girls and I just know they would all be life-long friends who would fight like little divas...but only on occasion...hehe ;)

I would shoot them till the cows came home and the sun went black...and that's a mighty long time, my friends...but worth every minute.  Love them! :) 

I could NOT have asked for a better senior to start the season off with ~ Brooke is awesome!  So comfortable in her skin, so comfortable in front of the camera and so comfortable with life.  She just exudes beauty from the inside out...and it was an absolute pleasure!  Too bad she's not a senior every year...but she can come and see me anyway...right?!

Many blessings to you Brooke, this year, and in the road ahead...what an incredible promise of a future you have before you...:)

There are so many favorites I hold dear to my heart from this session...it could be the fact that I get to hold, love and squeeze on another beautiful little creation, but it's also because I get to work with some of the most precious people on the planet.  OK, universe.  And even though we postponed Claire's solo performance a few days to make sure she wasn't under the weather...she rocked it out like a pro. 

I love babies; I love the way families are completely enamored with new life; My prayer is that I do each one justice.  My prayer is that each family loves their images as much as I do...or maybe more.  :)