Thanks for hanging in there with me! I'll be back soon with pretty overload.

For their engagement session we wanted to do something that was personal to them and would help to tell their love story. So, we started out their shoot at Vintage 1740 the wine bar. John and Theresa frequently go there to enjoy each other along with a glass of wine and the romantic beautiful atmosphere. The managers were so gracious to us and opened up the bar just for us to do our shoot so we had it all to ourselves.

Theresa is one long beautiful lady and John is one lucky guy. I'm pretty sure every woman in the universe wishes she had legs like hers.

Faccia Bella did a beautiful job on Miss Theresa's makeup.

These two are ALWAYS making each other laugh and smile. A key ingredient for a really wonderful marriage.

We left the wine bar and ventured over to a park where we laid down a blanket and had a reading study date. This is also something that they do together quite often.

John and Theresa, it has been so much fun getting to know you better. I am so happy for you and am very much looking forward to your wedding this summer.

With that said, it is my great joy to post some of the photos of my "sister's" wedding. She married her prince charming a few weeks ago and I had the honor of capturing their special day. It was perfect in every way. So full of love and rejoicing.

Sharon's makeup was the beautiful handy work of the talented Shannon Schroeder.

That is the face of a VERY happy bride excited to go see her groom for the first time.

Bobby getting all spiffy for his bride.

A sweet prayer before the first look. It was such a lovely moment of pausing in the middle of the hustle and bustle of wedding activities to thank God and ask for his blessing on this day and on this marriage.

The first look was wonderful. Every bride wants her groom to make this face when he sees her.

So happy in the midst of tornadic winds. ;)

A little three year old man of mine happened to be the ring bearer. This was the greeting I received when he arrived. I wish all of my work days had hugs like this in them.

Eighteen people stood beside Sharon and Bobby as they exchanged vows. It is a testimony to how loved they are. The winds picked up like crazy and made us do the rest of our photos prior to the ceremony inside.

Gorgeous ladies!

The studly gentlemen.

My little crew and me. Since I was in a lot of the family photos for this wedding, Miss Jessie was so kind as to do most of the family shots.

Just about to give his daughter away to the man that loves and cherishes her.

My little Keegan.

My father-in-law is usually a man of few words. But he is also a man of great heartfelt wisdom. He said a few words before giving Sharon away and there was not a dry eye in the entire church. Yes, I was sobbing while taking photos. I had to use my lens cloth to wipe tears off of my camera on several occasions.

The groomsmen played a little trick with the ring like it was lost and then the last groomsman of the group of nine passed it down the line.

After the ceremony, the wind died down a bit so we were able to grab a few soft light shots outside of the Jazz Hall.

Bobby, the way that you look at my sister makes my heart melt.

True love, through and through.

We are going to have to work on my son's wooing skills. Here is his dinosaur growl. I think this was his way to get this little lady to dance with him.

From the moment he was born, Sharon and Keegan have had a very close special bond. He is Auntie's "boo-boo" as she calls him.

Jessie took the lead and did ALL of the reception photos after the first dances so that I could enjoy the reception and get my dance on. Thanks Jessie girl! I had two very important men to dance with.

Shake it Mr. and Mrs. Z!

Sharon's late grandmother was a lover and collector of bells. So, the choice of grand exit favors was an easy one. It was an ode to Mamaw.

Bobby and Sharon, we are so happy for you and so thankful for you in our lives. We are thrilled for what God has in store for you two as you begin your journey as husband and wife!

If you have been a follower of mine for any length of time, you know that boudoir is a huge love of mine. I love having the opportunity to pamper my clients and celebrate their womanhood with them. It is a time to be kind to ourselves, get all gussied up and get pampered. We ALL have issues with our bodies....even the most seemingly perfect women. I love being able to encourage women to lay down their issues and celebrate their God given beauty (enhanced by some amazing professional hair and makeup.)

Again, if you have followed my work or my blog, you also know that I have a new baby girl, a handsome little preschooler and I'm married to my best friend. After several years of filling every moment with photo shoots, editing and work of all kinds I have been limiting the amount of work that I take on. My husband is no longer in school and has a great job as an RN. This means, I am working to help pay for extras instead of paying for everything. I'm still a photographer because I love it. It is a part of who I am.

I did a boudoir day earlier this month with five fabulous ladies. It was a breath of fresh air because I hadn't done one in such a long time. Here is one of my favorite shots from the day.

I may do another boudoir day in the fall, after wedding season dies down. Or.....I may not. I will re-evaluate at that time. Not because I don't love it, but because I love my family more.

Not to worry. I have a great alternative for you if you were looking forward to doing a boudoir session this year. My second shooter Jessie of Jessie Leigh Photography is stepping out and doing a boudoir date of her own. She has worked over a hundred of my boudoir sessions with me and is absolutely fabulous. She shot my boudoir photos and I have to admit she made me feel more beautiful than I had felt in years. The photos that came out of it blew my mind and put a very large smile on my husband's face. ;) I can't share any of my photos with you because my husband says they are all HIS. Which I am totally okay with. You can however, email Jessie to get a password to see some of her other boudoir work on her website. Just go to her website and hit the contact tab.

Here are the details for her next boudoir date. I would jump on it quickly if I were you because the spots are sure to fill up quickly.

I love the purr of their engines, the raw power that they possess. But it is more than that. As odd as it may sound, motorcycles are a huge part of my spiritual journey.

The years of 2000-2003 were hard years for me. Dark times yielded by outside circumstances as well as inward decisions made by a reckless young girl named Shannon. There are many days that I wish I could go back and talk to that young girl and just give her a hug (or a big slap in the face). But she wouldn't have listened to me anyways. And we all know, no matter how hard we try we cannot rewrite the past. We can only learn from it and choose to live differently today.

Here is where I am going to get all spiritual on you. Those dark days came to a close for me in the early summer of 2003 when I met Jesus. My story of faith is one of a rapid and deep transformation. I could write a TON about how that happened but for now, I will stay on course and bring you back to the Harley.

In April of 2003, I went on a Harley ride with my Step-Dad Ronnie, who at that time was just my Mom's sweet boyfriend. I remember it just like it was yesterday. The smell of the fresh Spring Michigan air hitting my face and the feeling of freedom as our wheels met the pavement. Then the tears came. They came right along with this overwhelming feeling that everything was going to be okay. My life was going to turn around. At that moment I felt joy for the first time in years. Real, true, overpowering joy.

I now know that it was Jesus and His Holy Spirit speaking to my heart that day back in April of 2003. (Not the exhaust fumes coming from the motorcycle.) My life was about to change forever in just a few short months when I decided to follow Him.

I went for a ride on Ronnie's Harley with him last week in April of 2012. Nine years later, almost to the day. The tears came again as I remembered that day when I knew everything was going to be alright.

Nathan took this next picture without ever seeing the one above. It is kind of crazy that they are so similar.

I pulled those pants of out the very back of my closet. They are no joke from my Junior year of High School. They must have been really big on me back then, because two kids later they actually fit!

Oh yes, I am a Harley Mama.

This is my "I'm so tough but I still wear a helmet face."

The boys wanted in on all of the fun so, Poppy bought everyone new Harley shirts and my favorite part.....

Tattoos!

While Keegan was saying his prayers the other night, he was asking Jesus to heal his sick cousin that has croup right now and he ended his sweet prayer with..."And please let me keep my tattoos forever. Amen" That is the heart of my three year old boy. ;)