Another big difference is the communication-difference I experience after taking pictures for Hannah.  Even though I know most clients are eager to see a few Sneak Peeks (…like… minutes after their session), they patiently wait until I let them know their images have been posted.  With Hannah… not so much.  I had barely gotten home and gotten my kids in bed when I started getting text messages and emails about when I could post some pictures.

Well, it worked!  Here are a few our session last night…
I am SO glad we finally updated their family pictures!  It was so much fun, I could sent Parker and my dad to the car, had Hannah and Jason change in the middle of a field and just photographed them alone for another 30 minutes.  Oh wait… that actually happened  (More pictures to come later…)

Here we go…

As we were leaving the parking lot, it took us both a few minutes to express our thoughts.  However, when we finally found the words to describe our experience at 12Stone, we agreed, without a doubt, we had found our church home! We love this church for so many reasons.  One of my favorite things is the incredible music.  It’s loud.  It’s powerful.  It’s moving.  (To me, it’s a great sign when there are free earplugs by the doors of the worship center!) We also love the way Pastor Kevin’s teachings are so honest and transparent in his own life and struggles.  And, just like the church believes and the greeters demonstrate, “The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” (1 Samuel 16:7 NIV)

With 10 services each weekend, it’s no wonder 12Stone was listed as the sixth fastest growing church in America.  And with a church this large, it is SO important to find an area where you can serve.  There are a million reasons to serve, but one of my favorites is the feeling that you are not just ‘showing-up’ each week.  It feels great to feel like you are giving your love, time and hugs to ensure the parents can focus on the service, while the kids can learn and have fun.  Another great thing about serving is the wonderful people (and, in my case, kids) you will get to know.  I have been serving in some type of children’s ministry at 12Stone for six years.  It’s one of the highlights of my week, so when I was asked to photograph some of the staff and volunteers for 12Stone’s website, I was so excited!

Here are just a few of the crazy and wonderful people who teach, guide, help and entertain the kids each week…

Here are a few of the kids…

Harper is not only beautiful, she is also a true girly-girl.  I could do an entire session with JUST her and her purse, newly manicured nails and super-trendy outfits!  (Seriously… I have SO many ideas in my head that would be perfect for her!) Just look at those eyes…
Hayden looking pretty cute in his boots…

Meet MURPHY.
I don’t like to label him a ‘bad‘ dog, but he certainly has some characteristics that have made me NOT want another pet.

• He loves to go outside and bark in the middle of the night for no reason.
• When he sees me heading out the door juggling at least one child, purse, backpack, a drink and anything else heavy or bulky, he decides it’s time to escape.  After I chase him from one neighbor’s yard to another, he ignores me as I drive around and beg him to jump in the car.
• My personal favorite… He humps IS VERY AFFECTIONATE TOWARDS anyone who comes over. This includes, but is not limited to, friends, family and the great folks in our weekly Small Group from church.

Meet ROSS.
Ross loves dogs.  For months, Ross asked us for another dog.  For months, we said no.
Finally, in an attempt to stop the questions, Matthew casually replied to Ross’ continued requests by saying, “If you feed Murphy for 30 days straight, you can have a dog.”

Imagine how surprised I was when he woke-up the first morning and ran downstairs to feed Murphy!

Days turned into weeks…

As a matter-of-fact, the days and weeks added up so quickly, we had to create a numbering system to make sure we could keep up with it.  After we realized Ross was going to win, Matthew started his search for a dog that would hopefully be smart and would not shed.  He found an adorable Aussiedoodle (cross between Australian Shepherd and Poodle) in Missouri.  We showed Ross his picture and he LOVED him! 
With only a few days left, Ross’ walls are covered in dog pictures and his book shelves are filled with dog books!    We all have so much faith in Ross, Matthew’s parents drove 8 hours to pick-up the dog last week!  They tell us every day how awesome he is.  We can’t WAIT to surprise Ross with his new puppy!

We eat around the clock.
We spend hours riding the 4-wheeler, Ranger and horses.
We explore new caves, waterfalls and creeks.
We try to see how many small children we can scrub down in the big bathtub each night.
We stay up way too late each night watching movies and eating the hot cupcakes my niece makes.

With over 13 people there at any given time, we all stay very busy!

To answer your question about the pictures above:
Yes, Ross fell asleep in his Nana’s arms while riding the 4-wheeler.
Yes, the children played poker any chance they got!

I thought this heart-shaped flower was so unique and interesting.  This wasn’t the only one.  There were hundreds more just like it!

A typical day includes us riding the Ranger and Matthew trying to perform a dental examination on each horse.This was one of our adventures.  The waterfall was so beautiful. 

Starting with the wonderful Donald and Shirley…Some of the family shots…
The adults were great, but I really LOVED these little kiddies…We’re finished!  Time to swim!If you are interested in an extended family session, email for more details!  After the first family session is booked, I am offering a discounted session to others within the family.

Months later, I couldn’t figure out why she had not returned my emails or phone calls.  I allowed a few more weeks to pass and decided to email her one last time.  To my surprise, I received a phone call a few weeks later from Carey.  Right away, I could tell something was wrong.

Carey told me she had suffered from an extremely serious brain aneurysm.  She explained how she had almost died and lost most of her memory.  Her life had been completely turned-around since the last time we spoke on the phone.  The doctors told her, statistically, she should not be alive… much less living at home.  Through all of this, Carey, once again, continued to talk about her family and how thankful she was for all of the blessings in her life.  She told me that instead of focusing on the many problems she faced each waking moment, she choose to be thankful to get to be Peter’s wife and Andrew’s mom one more day.

I am so grateful Peter happen to find my last email to Carey.  He remembered our phone conversation from last year and urged her to call me.  This was their first family session together.  After we ended our session, Carey hugged me and said she probably wouldn’t be able to remember this day, but she wanted me to know how grateful she was for it.  After seeing her over-come so many obstacles and continue to look at all the positive things in her life, I was the one who was grateful to have met such a special person.

Clay and Leah found a shady spot under a tree while the kids and I went on a little adventure.  We really missed not having them in our pictures, but with the grown-ups not around, the kids and I were able to talk about LOTS of gross, sticky and smelly things that only kids seem to appreciate it!  And just to squeeze in a little more fun and laughs, we hit the playground at the end of our session!

Six years later, Melissa and I have shared some home-cooked meals and many Taco Bell lunches.  Although I still love her fingernails and laugh, I’ve grown to admire her as a Christian and a mother.  I’ve told her this before, but the more I’ve gotten to know her, the more like her I want to be.  Not only does she teach her children how to obey God, she also teaches them how to hear His voice and understand His love.

At a time in my own life when I felt over-whelmed with ‘stuff’ that was keeping me too busy, she shared her views on being a mother of young children.  She talked about all of the hobbies and things she really enjoys doing.  Then, with only peace in her voice, she told me how she had decided there would be plenty of time for her to enjoy those things in a few short years.  She knew her boys would only be ‘little’ for a short time.  She made a decision to put some of her interests aside and enjoy her children while they were still young.

Sunday was a very special day for Melissa and her family.  Zachary, her oldest son, was baptized in Lake Lanier by his dad.  It was a beautiful moment.  I couldn’t have been happier to be a part of it!