I know that I've said this before but I believe it bears repeating...I think it could be scientifically proven that my friends have the CUTEST babies!  Seriously, it's not about me being biased...I have pictures to prove it!

I got to take a trip to Nashville to see my besties bump in person for the first time, got to visit some of my dear friends, went antiquing and got to shoot A LOT!

Here is a sneak peek of what I've been up to.  Get excited for these full posts...I'm super stoked about them.

First up is Casey and Jason and their bump-a-liscious sneak peek:

I mean...really, she is so beautiful!

Reason number 1,687,251 why I love Casey and Jason...these shirts are hysterical! Just in case you can't read hers it says "Gettin' Lucky in Kentucky"

The one and only Rinks Gaskin: Scientific case #1 that my friends have cute babies:

We went antiquing in Nolensville, TN and found some great nooks for pictures!

Like an old locker :)

And an amazing little market

Graham Goolsby: Case #2...no joke...this is a test :)

This shot makes me swoon...like I'm in LOVE with Graham and this shot :)

Antiquing Treasures...why? Because I'm a closet interior designer and want to share my lovely finds:

OK...the next 2 aren't antiques but I still love them :)

My mom collects milk glass and I've developed a love for it. I hit the jackpot in Jackson, TN

Vintage glove molds from Germany...LOVE!

Antique birdcages...I'm a little obsessed:

Just for fun...a few other shots of friends kiddos...just to prove my theory of course :)

Truett:

Mary Peyton:

Good gracious...I CAN NOT believe 2009 is over.  What a year...what a wild, crazy, unexpected year!  I went back and looked at my goals for last year and I completed most of them...YAY!

I've NEVER been good with the whole New Years Resolution BUT I am a firm believer in goal setting...if you don't have something to aim for, how do you know you're achieving your potential?  So...I've been pondering (hold the phone I know) and praying about my goals for this year.  I believe in my heart of hearts that THIS year...2010...is going to be an epic year for myself and my business.  So, in my theme of keeping it real with ya'll...I'm going to share my goals with you...

2010 GOALS:

1. Move to Jackson, MS

2. Meet with as many business savvy people who will meet with me and develop business strategy and marketing that will ensure that I thrive.

3. Develop financial systems and organize...organize...organize my biz.  I feel so out of sorts right now and just want the systems in place so I can be 120% successful.

4. One of my specific prayers about moving back to MS was that God would provide a free place to live while I got my biz up and running (He provided 3 PLACES before al was said and done). BUT I want to have my own place in Bellhaven or Fonderen by July at the latest.

5.Find a church and develop community with believers...I have craved it since I had to leave The Village.

6. Develop community with other photogs in locally(Jackson), statewide (MS) and worldwide

7. Attend at least one workshop this year

8. Go spend the day with Millie Holloman...HOLLA!

9. Make enough money to take my mom a FAB vacation!

10. See my brother and sis-in-law more than once.

11. Eat healthy, exercise

13. Get published on wedding blogs like Southern Weddings, Snippet and Ink, Wedding Chicks, etc...etc...

14. Hire an assistant...I can't live much longer without one :).

15. Put myself out there in the dating department. My friend keeps telling me "If you don't put yourself out there...you'll never find anyone"...Thank you Crystal for lighting a fire...Love you!

16. Continue to grown into myself and find healing and freedom.

17. Book 20 weddings (it's filling up quickly).

18. Network...network...network with local vendors in Jackson.

19. Go to NYC with several of my photog friends...stay tuned...amazing things in store...YAY!

20. Continue to learn balance...do things for myself and walk away from work...and when I walk away not to think about the fact that I'm not working.

21. Once I get my own place...start doing OPAM (One Project A Month) and blog it.  Thank you Lindsay for that inspiration!

22. Visit at least 2 museums

A few things I'm bananas for in 2010:

Anthro necklace...in love!

I have purchased these from Neimans...they're TOM's. I just love what Tom's stands for and love the glitter...things that sparkle make me happy...

Home Ties...

I want this deer head to hang in my future home. It's just wonderful...and no animals were harmed to make it's loveliness...

 I want the table lamp to go with my FAVE lampshade that I bought to go with a vintage lamp of my moms that I desperately hoped she would give me...she won't :)...SO...now I have to find a new lamp base.

My fantastic beyond words chair I found at an Estate Sale (thank you Suzanne).  Having it recovered and repadded and made lovely...

Inside cushion and back of above chair...

Arms of above chair...

back of above chair...I'm still looking for fabric for the piping and buttons

Bonkers for these teapots...I collect teapots and teacups...adore them!

Photography:

Lens that is on order...24-70mm Macro...SO EXCITED!!!

1. This time last year I had a full time job with Verizon Wireless (the nice constant paycheck was glorious)

2. There wasn't a thought in my mind about leaving GA

3. My best friend, Casey, hadn't even met her now husband

4. I was still dreaming of being a full time photog

5. I used to dream about having photog friends and living a crazy, fun life...

Here's where I am now...

1. I'm officially moving back to MS on Jan 9th...WHAT?!?!?!?

2.I leaped off of the scariest cliff of all time to quit my job and pursue photography...some days I wonder what was I thinking but most days I just praise God that I get to do what He created me to do.  

3.Casey has married the man of her dreams, Jason I(in July).  He adores her, loves her, treasures her and he puts up with me too :).  AND SHE JUST FOUND OUT SHE'S PREGO...I'M GONNA BE AN AUNT!!!!  YAY YAY YAY!!!!

4. I AM a full time photog...just typing that brings tears to my eyes!

5. I have an abundance of amazing friends...new and old...photogs and normal people :). I am living the life I used to read about and I am so so blessed.  I love you all dear friends...thanks you for your unending support and belief in me!

This is the day that Jesus chose to give up the glory and splendor of heaven to be born...to be born to die.  It never ceases to baffle me when I think about it.  I praise Him for choosing to live among sinners so I could be free.  I am overwhelmed that he chose to give His life so I could be free.  I am speechless that He loves me and finds joy in my joy.  I am incandescently overjoyed that He created me with a purpose and that is to be a photog...AND THAT BRINGS HIM GLORY AND GIVES HIM JOY! JOY TO THE WORLD THE LORD HAS COME!

 This is a Walter Anderson print my bro and I gave my mom years ago. It's up all year around and I LOVE it!

 As you get swept away in the loveliness of today...take the time to look at that baby in the manger and think about ALL He has done for you.  What a Savior!  

I pray that each of you has a Merry Christmas filled with all the love and blessings in the world.  I am so thankful for each of you for reading my blog, for supporting me, for believing in me, for challenging me to follow my dreams.  You are why I'm here...well that and the Creator of the Universe created me to capture life :).  What year.  I can only dream BIG dreams about what is to come.  I KNOW that I KNOW that 2010 is going to be monumental for b. mo foto.  I give all glory to God.  Without Him, I'm just a silly girl with a camera...with Him...I'm a silly girl with a camera and purpose.

My mom called the other day and said, "Do you mind if we don't give gifts this year and give money to World Vision"?  My response was "YES...a hundred times YES"!  

During this time of year it's lovely to sit back, drink hot chocolate or apple cider, watch cheesy Christmas movies and decorate to the nines...AND become a consumer.  I find myself checking my lists then checking my bank account to make sure I have enough money to give like I want.  I LOVE giving!  And giving this way takes the pressure off.  Our family is going to give the gift of hope to others who need more than I will ever know.

World Vision has an amazing gift catalog...you can give animals to sustain life in villages.  You can give clean water or give money to help sexually exploited little girls.  AND it's so affordable.  I have a feeling this is going to be one of my favorite Christmases EVER!

Here are some ideas if you want to give the gift of hope to others...

World Vision

Tom's Shoes

Charity Water

Invisible Children

What a great response...One of my fabulous brides...Jessica Wylie suggested this site.  I remember it from last year and it's also a great resource for Christmas giving!

Advent Conspiracy

These are just a few ideas.  There is so much need in the world and we have great resources at our disposal.  I am filled with so much joy just thinking about getting to share hope and life to others for Christmas.

I hope that each of you are enjoying this season of snowflakes, lights, and love.  I LOVE this time of year!

Here are some images I snagged off of a few of the sites...I DID NOT SHOOT THEM :).  Just wanted to give some visual inspiration!

This has been a hard week!  I'm experiencing this huge gamut of emotions...fear, peace, panic, love, contentedness, hope, more fear, more love, grace, and the list goes on.

My friend told me tonight that she admired me for taking the leap and moving.  I don't feel very admirable.  My head is racing with "What if's" and I get in these panic modes...mostly founded on money.   I worked for a non profit, faith based organization and my paycheck came from support that I had to raise.  I have to tell you, if I had not lived that life I would NOT be able to take this leap.  I saw God meet my needs and provide in crazy ways.

I had to buy new tires while I was in Atlanta after the U2 concert.  As I was pulling out the money I was like, "God, really?!?! I do NOT want to pay for these and I need this money for something else".  Then God pricked my heart and whispered, "I will meet your needs".  I sat there humbled and said, "Thank you that I have this money to pay for new tires.  I trust you".

I TRUST YOU!  Those are some powerful words and hard to say to someone.  It is hard to earn someones trust.  God has proven his faithfulness over and over in my life and the lives of others...I've seen it.  I TRUST YOU LORD...I TRUST YOU!!!

My friend, Scarlett said to me a few months ago, "It takes a lot of faith to do what we do.  There's no security".  I didn't so much understand it then because I still had my full time job.  Now, here I sit fully living this faith on a day to day basis.  Photography isn't all glitz and glamor.  Don't get me wrong...I LOVE MY JOB!  And there is the glitz and glamor, but there is a ton of uncertainty and faith.

Today, I praise God for meeting my needs and being my provider.  I booked a wedding and have 2 other inquiries.  His heart for me is to be successful.  I have to tell myself these things and more in my moments of doubt.

Whatever it is you are struggling with, cling to Him.  Trust Him.  Have faith in Him.  He will meet where you are and provide whatever it is you need!  This I can promise!

Here's a video and song...one of my faves.  I feel God whispering to me through this song...