I took this photograph when my sister was in labor with her second child, Clara. As you can see, my dad and my precious nephew Jack were both anxiously awaiting the birth of Clara!
It seems like babies are everywhere lately! Every time I go to the grocery store or out to eat, I am beginning to notice how many babies and pregnant moms there are in Birmingham. To me, there is nothing more special than seeing a pregnant mom hold her belly or smile at her husband. Most of you know this already, but I absolutely love everything about pregnancy-and NO I am not pregnant, and I have never been, but it is such a miracle from God. The whole process. When I hear of non-believers in regards to Jesus Christ, it amazes me and makes me think. Do people not understand how complicated, yet so simple at the same time the pregnancy process is? There are so many miracles that happen when you have a child. I cannot speak from my own personal experience, but I have friends and family that have witnessed to this miracle. It is so spectacular to me that when you are pregnant you have the opportunity to grow a human inside of you-not just any human-you're own precious child. A child that will look like you, talk like you, walk like you, and have bits and pieces of your personality.
This morning I had the chance to observe what I call "Newbee Parents" which means first time parents in my own language! I was in the waiting room for my check-up at my OB/GYN doctor when I couldn't help but watch the pregnant women pass through the doors. I was trying not to be nosey, but every time the door opened, I would look to see if that woman was pregnant. I would say 9 out of 10 were!!! I promise something must be in the air! I also play a little game in my head and try to guess when they're due. Most of the time I am right, but I can be caught off guard. This morning was particularly special for me. I witnessed two precious couples, or should I say their better halves, anxiously waiting in the room to be called back to see the miracle appear on the monitor. The first man rushed into the doors and frantically looked from side to side of the waiting room trying to find his wife. I heard him ask the receptionist where his wife was, and the man smiled and marched to the closest chair he could find and sat down. I noticed the anxiousness in his body through his hands and his feet. He was twiddling with his fingers and tapping his feet so hard that you couldn't help but notice. I knew exactly what he was waiting for-the moment of knowing if you are having a healthy boy or healthy girl. Putting his body language aside, you also couldn't help but stare at his smile. It was so cute to see a grown man, sitting there in this best suit, waiting to see his soon to be born child. I was praying that I would still be sitting in the waiting room when his wife came out to tell him the news, and I was! His wife, just as precious and about 4 months pregnant as she could be, looked at him and smiled. I saw some tears swell in her eyes as she said, "Hey baby! It's a boy!" This is when I had chills-here I am-a perfect stranger watching two people experience the miracle that God has given to parents. I couldn't help but stare.
The second experience was when I noticed a man that looked in his early to mid 30's laid back in a chair in the corner. His eyes were shut tight, and his mouth was wide open-he was dead asleep!!! I knew his story-2nd or 3rd child on the way, patiently waiting in the room for his wife to call him back, and too tired to be anxious because he was up all night with the little ones! Both of the scenarios were fun to see. It was so emotional to see. It was almost like a Hall Mark card or a movie-it was that real! I couldn't help but think of the time when Hunter and I get to experience this. I know we have a while to go, but it is so exciting to see other people experience this miracle!
Yay for another photography shoot!!! I had the pleasure of taking photographs of my best friends, Elise and Clayton, at Ross Bridge. The weather was beautiful, and they were such fun subjects. There was never a dull moment! Their two dogs were sweet as they could be, but didn't quite cooperate for the camera so the majority were of Elise and her sweet hubby. Some of you might be getting one of these pictures in the mail soon, but I will give you a sneak preview...Please Enjoy!!!
Thanksgiving means so much more than just eating great food, watching good football, spending time with family and friends. It is much, much more. I sometimes call myself a Ragamuffin which in my terms means I'm a Christian and proud to be, but not too proud to admit that I sin often, and I am constantly fighting with what is right. You grow up as a child and understand that Thanksgiving is about giving thanks. Giving thanks....it sounds so easy, but it is actually a strong statement. Until this year I haven't really thought about how to go about giving thanks in the right way. Do you write letters? Do you go to people face to face and tell them how much you appreciate them? Do you go to your doctor who has kept you healthy and say thank you? Do you go to your influential teachers and say thank you? You get the picture. I don't think there is a right answer to my own question. Giving thanks comes from within-within your heart and the words you speak to God. It does not need to be public or hidden for that matter. However one chooses to show their thanks is personal and is to be respected.
I have finally decided that I am going forward with my idea to be a free lance photographer. I have been wanting to do this for a long time, and I have decided that now is the best time. I am very excited about this so here it goes...
Hunter relaxing after a long day of decorating and cleaning
For those of you who know me well already know my everyday struggles with my overwhelming fear of death. First of all I would like to call death by another name-passing. I got to a point in my life where using the word dying or death was too much to hear so I have recently learned that by using the word passing it makes dying sound more of a peaceful passing where you are entering another world, a world we as mortals cannot understand while we are on Earth. Thanks to our God we will be able to have Eternal Life-how cool is that? It is embarrassing to admit that I am just now understanding this new life in Heaven. I went to Sunday School, I read passages in the Bible, but I never took the time to truly understand the meaning of Eternal Life-the life we all should hope for and yearn for. Please do not get my wrong. I am not okay with the idea of someone in my life or myself passing anytime soon, but I am finally doing what I should have been doing all along-creating a deep relationship with the Lord; for he is the one who will take care of all my anxieties and troubles when I have had enough. 
I was thinking today while I was on my way to work. I think I might have a music obsession. When I get ready in the morning I can't help but wait for the time to get in my car-now that sounds bad, but it's nothing to do with wanting to leave my sweet husband and puppy-it's about my music. I am completely obsessed with keeping current music downloaded, and I drive people crazy when they ride with me in the car. I have a 6 disc CD changer in my Honda, and the poor thing might break soon. This morning I decided I would go from cd to cd finding the best music. The problem with this is sometimes I swerve off the road trying to find a certain song that I know I downloaded, but I can't seem to remember which cd it's on. The biggest problem and the most annoying thing to most people (Hunter) is the volume. I simply have to have the radio on volume 24-at least! That to me is the best part-you can't miss the beat, the words, and concentrating on a fun song helps you forget your stress and troubles. So here is a list of my new favorite songs that I listen to everday day: (Maybe I can inspire people to try these songs ;-)
It's 11:44 p.m. on a Sunday night, and I am not asleep-weird I know!!! Hunter has been asleep since 10:00, and I am downloading music, cleaning the house, and thinking about all the great things God has provided Hunter and me. I have what I like to call "A Blessing Journal." I used to write in this journal every night before I went to sleep, but lately I have been reading Beth Moore's book "Breaking Free." It started me thinking on what the title is trying to reveal to us as humans living out our daily lives. It seems easier than it sounds. With every chapter I learn something new about how God is trying to enter our hearts, while we are trying to be the ones in control. We, mortals, may not realize it, but we guard our hearts from happiness even when it is staring you in the face. Wow! What a sentence....we guard our own happiness from entering our hearts. Please do not get me wrong-a lot of people are great at letting God's love in their heart, but I am just starting my long and happy journey of "pouring praise" in my heart. In the past year I have had wonderful things happen to me, things that should have put me on my knees and praise Jesus for his everlasting love for me and my husband. So far this year I am ashamed to say I have only been put on my knees once, and I recognize this as not ignoring God, just barely getting by on small prayer. In the past couple months my faith in God has become huge by the power of prayer and counting my numerous blessings: becoming an Aunt again to a wonderful, perfect baby Clara, I was married to my best friend and married by my wonderful grandfather who has one of the biggest hearts for the Lord, Hunter and I have purchased a beautiful home and we have not been without, and most importantly we have the presence of our families helping us through our journey of wedded bliss. I know Hunter would agree with me that we have it made. We may not have the biggest home or drive the nicest cars or even have the ability to purchase happy items whenever we choose, but we are never without. God has continued to provide wonderful things for us, things we do not deserve. We were in church this morning and the sermon was based on Romans chapter 5. It was as if God was speaking directly to Hunter and me. I couldn't help but think how blessed Hunter and I are. God is great. So in closing I will list my blessings for the day, and I encourage everyone to take a moment to list your blessings...it is the purest form of flattery from our savior Jesus Christ.
