Sunday Snapshot {fun with my girl}

This past week I put my "to do" lists aside and just relished in the chance to spend some quality time with my girl. The past six weeks have been a little crazy trying to get ready for the art show I did last weekend. It was time to be still and enjoy the simple joys (and challenges I might add) that come with raising a 3 year old (if you ask Lily she is "almost tor" (aka "four").

Friday was a beautiful sunny day so we headed down to Merridees for lunch...one of our favorite spots in downtown franklin. (of course Michael says she doesn't know the difference and it's really ME who loves a good excuse to venture out to Merridees)

If you could see the way she devours their quiche and tea cakes you may tend to agree with me :)

I introduced her to their teacakes last year and she was hooked. She takes this very seriously as you can see and can finish off the entire cookie without any help from me.

We walked around downtown Franklin enjoying the beautiful day until she repeatedly said "I'm ready to go to the park"...shopping for me would have to wait for another day.

She always goes to the swings first and then ventures out to explore.

She crawled aboard our "boat" and her imagination kicked in. She found a perfect spot for the keys to start the engine and then the adventures began..we went shopping at Publix for treats, hit some waves, and even went to China.

Pretty soon the sugar crash happened and she was ready for a nap.

I love spending time with my girl. She is so much fun and it fills my heart with joy to see the way others are drawn to her.  I am blessed beyond measure.

Linking up with Stefanie's Sunday Snapshot.

Sunday Snapshot {some chucks and glorious light}

I have had my eye on this spot for several weeks now.  

 I pass it every time we drive home and the evening light this time of year is just beautiful.

I love how the light is shining through her dress and reflecting off the tip of the apple.  

On Thursday, I loaded up Lily in the stroller (chucks in tow) and we headed down to snap a few pictures.

Lily calls this her "cool hat" and loves to play with it so I brought it along thinking it would be a good source of entertainment.  

The rainbow sun flare was straight out of the camera...such a fun surprise to find when I downloaded them.

I am taking another photography class with my friend and mentor Lisa.  I love to continue learning and pushing myself to do better.  My personal goal right now is to work on getting tack sharp focus... especially on moving targets like our Lils!

On this one I was focusing on her little hands...love how they are perfectly wrapped around the apple.

Seeing her holding the apple in these pictures reminded me of the verse in Psalm...
"Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings."
Psalm 17:8

I was certain that I didn't have anything worthy of posting from this photo shoot since we were only there about 15 minutes.  

Lily was getting tired and soon after we started she was ready to get into her stroller and head back home.  

Thankfully the light cooperated without any resistance:)) 

Linking up with Stefanie's Sunday Snapshots.  

Taken with my Mark 5D iii, 85 mm 1.2

settings varied from f/1.8-3.5

 the first image was

f/3.5

1/500

ISO 250

Processed with Florabella's Color Play using perfect color at reduced opacity.  

I added a texture and one of Florabella's light overlays also at reduced opacity.  

Sunday Snapshot {disheveled princess}

Our little princess was looking quite disheveled after one really good meltdown.  

We took her back to Brookgreen Gardens (see my previous post) and on the way there she even said "Lily no sad". 

She was happy as could be until I took her out of her wagon...guess she forgot about the "no sad" deal she made with me :).  She LOVES the wagon that we take her in to the beach and it was not in her plan for me to take her out of it...guess I forgot to inform her of my plan :)

Tears erupted and I'm sure the people enjoying to the evening concert in the gardens were not amused with our little princess!

Once the tears subsided I was getting ready to "fix her up" before taking any pictures but decided to capture a few expressions of our disheveled little girl.  

I'm so glad I did.  

There is something about these pictures that draw me in and melt my heart.  

These are honest, real, emotions...captured in the moment.  

This is a lot like me at times...

I try to "fix myself up" and look the part when God sees my disheveled, broken heart.  

He doesn't want me to come to Him trying to look perfect.

All He asks is that I come...

broken and willing to be changed....

submitting "my plan" to HIS desires for my life.

II Timothy 4:8 says...

"there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that Day..."  

a crown of righteousness for me...

a sinner, broken and in need of a Savior.  

Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trail, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him."  James 1:12

the crown of life...

...waiting for you and for me.  

Camera: Cannon 5D Mark iii

85 mm f/1.2

Settings for the first picture

f/2.2

SS 1/200

ISO 500

Photos were process using some "add some drama" from 

Florabella's Classic Color and a little texture from 

Sarah Gardner's Beyond the Lens texture set.  

Be sure and stop by Stefanie's blog to see more Sunday Snapshots and be praying for her sweet son Jude as he recovers from recent surgery.

Sunday Snapshot {Sweet love}

This picture melts my heart.


Spencer adores his little sister and as you can see the feeling is mutual with Lily.


The love that radiates on his smile makes my heart full.


I didn't ask him to pose...this is just what happens when these two are together:)



Spencer will be in 7th grade this fall. He is growing up right before our eyes and we are so proud of him.



We love his smile, his musical talent and easy going spirit!



He makes us laugh



his eyes never cease to captivate me...(ahhh if only I could have some eyelashes like those:)



He knows what Lily loves (like finding planes in the air)



He is patient when I take pictures and he is becoming interested in learning more so he can give it a try :)


The other day he said he had a dream that we would go into business together one day and he would do video and I would be the photographer!    



He helps out when Lily is getting tired and ready to call it quits:)



and he shares his favorite things with her to make her smile...



Lily is one blessed little girl to have such a loving big brother!



We are humbled and so thankful that the Lord entrusted these two precious gifts to us.  Our prayer is that we raise them love and pursue Him more each day.  

The first picture was taken with my 

Nikon D80 50mm 1.4 lens

My settings were

aperture: f/2.8

shutter speed: 1/500

ISO: 160

I did some curves and levels and then ran Florabella's "add some drama" at lower opacity and some soft center fill light.  I also added her Vintage Page II bw texture.  



To see more Sunday Snapshots visit Stefanie at NiHao Ya'll!


Happy Sunday everyone!