So, if you follow my blog much, you know that I am blessed to shoot some incredibly fantastic and gorgeous senior girls; lots of them.  It is such a great joy for me, but I will confess, I get pretty pumped when I get booked to shoot a “dude”.   I am a girl that likes variety and change.  So, getting a call from Peter who wanted to book his session for the following day was great.  Peter is a senior at Blue Valley West and he and his family moved here from Denmark two years ago.   He plays football and lacrosse and I can’t help but brag and say that he looks awesome in his pictures.    He wanted some really “Kansasy” looking backgrounds and we found the sweetest spot along a country dirt road.  It was like it was set up just for us!  Enjoy!  (I am posting more than usual because Peter needed to pick a few right away for his senior ad)

“Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and His understanding no one can fathom” (Isaiah 40:28).

Last night I was helping my daughter, Leah, decide on some topics for her Contemporary Issues class.  Leah is a freshman in high school and has a very compassionate heart and deep conviction in her spirit.    As we looked over the list and searched a bit on the Internet, it was a struggle for me to not become overwhelmed by the immensity of the issues facing our human race.    Looking in my 14 year olds eyes and trying to explain why people care more about saving animals than fighting to defend the life of the unborn child is gut wrenching.   I can’t explain it.  It dumbfounds me.  All of these issues seem insurmountable, unconquerable and enormous when viewed through my human eyes.    Some issues grieve me so.  Some anger me so.  Some perplex me so.  O Lord, help us!

This morning I awoke to recall to mind that God is in control.  God is faithful and true.  He is the everlasting God.  I have the personal testimony of a God in control, who has moved mountains in my life and has never, ever, ever changed…even if I have.  He is the God of this universe.  He is the God of my life.    This song popped up on my ITunes this morning and was a great answer in my spirit to last night’s “issues”.  Listen and read the lyrics.  Be encouraged today!  What ever you are facing, know that God never changes.  God loves you and has a plan.  He already won and He will continue to win.  He is the Victorious One – forever!

One thing I know that I have found
Through all the troubles that surround
You are the Rock that never fails, You never fail

Verse2:

One thing I know that I believe
through every blessing I receive
You are the only One that stays, You always stay

Chorus
You never change, You’re still the same
You are the Everlasting God
You will remain after the day is gone and the things of earth have passed
everlasting God

Verse 3:
One thing I know that I have found
Through all the troubles that surround
You are the Rock that never fails, You never fail

Chorus
You never change, You’re still the same
You are the Everlasting God
You will remain after the day is gone and the things of earth have passed
everlasting God

Christina and her mom booked her August session way back in March.  Now that’s what I call planning.  Impressive, indeed!  Come to find out at the time, we both learned that Christina is my son’s girlfriend’s first cousin.  So it was extra special to meet someone related to Brandon’s sweetheart.   It was a great day and a great shoot.  Christina and her mom scouted long and hard to find the perfect spot for her pictures.  That’s whats great about choosing Thrive; we offer you uniqueness and originality….why should your pictures look like everyone elses?    ….anyway….   We had the opportunity to shoot inside an old church with gorgeous stained glass windows.  I had such a great time with Christina and her “two moms”.  What a laid back session with fabulous results – I love how her pictures turned out!  Hope you do too!

Yesterday, this photographer’s feet landed in a creek, a pasture, a field of weeds, and a dirt road.  I encountered water spiders, frogs, horses, manure, thorns, burrs, biting insects, dust AND….. lots and lots of F-U-N! 

First, I have to start off saying a big HAPPY 18th BIRTHDAY today to Jaclyn!  Jaclyn got some pretty amazing senior pictures taken last night that completely captured who she and what she loves.   It was cool to know that she always dreamed of having her senior pictures taken on her property, in her creek and with her horse and I was able to deliver that to her.   We had an amazing night and I am quite excited about the images I got. 

Jaclyn’s mom, Lori, has done some amazing work for us in our home.  Not only is she an excellent painter, she totally transformed our kitchen cabinets from 1980′s honey oak to a faux glazed off white look.  If you are ever in need of that kind of work or any home construction projects, let me know so that I can pass along her and her husband’s business number to you.  They are awesome at what they do!

So, back to Jaclyn – you will agree that she is so beautiful.  Just see for yourself…..

Erin is a senior from ONW who is as sweet as she is talented.  Involved in golf, swimming, playing saxophone, and leadership at her high school, Erin has so much going for her.  This is a KU family and it was fun to get some pictures of Erin in her KU garb with the vintage convertible.   Thanks McFarland family for a great senior session and for choosing Thrive for Erin’s pictures.

Jenna, Deme and Katie hired me to take some special pictures of them together before Jenna and Deme headed off to start college next week. They have been friends since they were ‘lil girls and were such fun!

After some seriously awesome shots in their dresses, they changed into their “costumes”. They said each costume really represented each of them well. Cars were slowing down just to get a look!

There are certain people who leave an impact on everyone they meet.  Bill and Pat are some of those people.  You won’t find a couple more committed to Jesus, each other, their family and their country than them.  They have been such a blessing to my husband and me and it was such a honor to shoot some special pictures of them with their beautiful granddaughter and their gorgeous German Shepherds today. 

Beautiful, right?

O, she loves her Papa!

Blue eyes and pink sparkle shoes…woo hoo!

LOVING it!

13 year old Lolla with two of the girls who love her.

Still madly in love!

The hands of love.