Monthly Photo Challenge: November! :)

Okay, so a little confession: I failed at this month's photo challenge. I was wonderfully blessed with a very busy month photographing clients, but when it came to documenting our Metzger Mania... I just felt burnt out! So while I do have a few photos I'm excited to share I realized they weren't much of a glimpse into our month. So for this month only I'm also including a bunch of our iPhone photos. Now, some of these are pretty blurry. Or grainy. Or both. But the moment was captured- and isn't that really the whole point?? :)

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 Clark just happened to be wearing some Christmas jammies while I was setting up for my NJ Christmas minis. I had 24 sessions. His was my hardest ;) Clark's immune to my smile-coaxing antics. I photographed him for 5 minutes and then called it quits. Next year- I'm bringing my A game! ;)

 I hope he doesn't kill me for sharing this- but gosh, I love my honey. He always help me test my light and white balance before I start my mini sessions. Trooper <3

Clark was very confused by the first snowfall. As I previously shared he looked at me and asked, "Let it go?" Pretty sure he's waiting for Olaf to show up. 

Snuggling Grandpa at Thanksgiving dinner. What a wonderful celebration! So yummy & relaxing- one of my favorites to date! We also started (what I hope will be) a new tradition: after dinner we all cozied in and watched Rudolf the red-nosed Reindeer. Clark loved it but hid behind Jim whenever the Abominable Snow Monster appeared ;) 

Clark reading to Great Grandma. Love this moment ;)

Clark's second birthday cake with Gigi, Mimi & 'Oppi'. Caramel cheesecake- classy ;)

Ohhh I just LOVE having a mantle <3 I smile every time I see it :) It makes it feel like home!

 Hands down my favorite photo this month. Oh, Clark Steven, you make my heart burst with love <3

Things you never thought you'd be doing on a Tuesday night... washing hand-me-down play food in the sink....

Gram came to Rochester!! So wonderful to spend the weekend together! We picked out our tree and decorated our house for Christmas all together. Such special times <3

Steve took these photos of my daddy flying a plane!! They flew near NYC and around the Statue of Liberty. The top left photo is our neighborhood. So fun! 

I love lunchtime with my boy. Just mommy-Clarky time. He always keeps me laughing. Whether he's messy eating, 'mouse bite' eating apples, or just falling asleep mid meal. So blessed to spend all day every day with my little love <3

And finally, the photo I'm in! Celebrating Clark's 2nd birthday with the Metzgers! Such a fun little Sesame Street party. Can't believe he's almost 2!!

Wishing you much joy as we celebrate the Christmas season!

Lots of Love,

Jessi

Monthly Photo Challenge: October!

October was a month brimming with transition. We moved across town which involved locating new everythings- from playgrounds to pharmacies. We're still settling in and getting our bearings but we've had a lot of fun amidst the crazy. And above all we are grateful for our very many blessings.

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I think October may be my favorite month. As Michael Scott puts it "Autumn is the most contemplative of seasons" ;) He's a goof- but that sentiment is true. At no other seasonal transition do I really pause and meditate on change. On how quickly life goes. How fast the seasons turn. Maybe it's because I'm a mama now and so every milestone is tainted bittersweet with knowing he'll never be this small during a season again. But there's such beauty in the pause. In studying not only Clark but all the people I love. Enjoying exactly where we are in life. This brief chapter. October always seems to be the deep breath before the holiday craziness. I see God's handiwork everywhere. It's as if He's drawing our eyes to 'the pause'. Inviting us to drink in this moment and all the beauty He has created. Just for Us. <3

And after that deep sentiment I'll transition to....  my munchkin man- crunching leaves :)

I love how he sometimes poses for me. Beauty boy <3

But obviously this was more his style ;)

Oh how I love this sweet face

 Clarky was a lion for Halloween. He 'roared' at every house and was so polite. Although occasionally he'd plant his feet and ask for "more". What a cute lil candy beggar ;)

 These were the promos for my Halloween Can Drive. It went wonderfully and I hope to make it an annual tradition!

 My current favorite view: Foliage out my window. Sunflowers on my sill. 

In my MOPS group we've been encouraging each other to share REAL moments. To not only showcase our highlight reel but let others see our behind-the-scenes. So here's my first of many 'real moments'. After a full day of play I challenged myself to walk into Clarky's destroyed playroom and see the beauty in the mess. So here it is- grateful for a toddler that loves to play. And who is (obviously not pictured) pretty great at cleaning up his toys ;)

Steve and I attended a military dining out. Wonderful to have some 'us' to and catch up with some friends we haven't seen in a while! 

 So this is straight out of my camera. I swear no editing. The trees were orange and the setting sun set the color on fire. It was stunning. I called Steve over to see and he said "Wow! That's the first thing you've called me over to look at that I thought was cool too" lol. Well, he's a trooper ;)

 Clark's been taking (gasp!!) 2 hour naps lately. If you know my child's previous aversion to sleep you'll understand my joy! This has been my happy place :)  It has been so refreshing to cuddle up by the fire with a coffee and get in The Word. I'm still loving shereadstruth.com and really encourage you to check it out!

 So this jutted out bottom lip? That's C requesting a kiss. It's the latest Clarkism that I'm obsessed with. And pasta sauce and all- we still kiss him :)

And finally, the 'me' photo. Dancing with my lovie in the kitchen. Is there anything better?

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And finally I wanted to share some lyrics that have really encouraged me this month. It's from a song that I sang along with on the radio but never stopped to let the words penetrate. What a wonderful, encouraging reminder!

There will be days I lose the battle

Grace says that it doesn't matter
Because the cross already won the war

Lots of Love,

Jessi

Monthly Photo Challenge: September!

September was by far our busiest month of 2014 (hence the two week delay). Besides the beautiful, daily chaos of loving on our toddler, Steve started (and is loving!) his new job, my photography business has been hoppin' (Yay!), and WE BOUGHT OUR FIRST HOUSE :) :)

A month brimming with transition- and feeling so overwhelmingly blessed.

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Clark 'helping' with the packing 

Embracing one of the final warm evenings of summer <3

I recently discovered my LOVE for newborn photography. And my love for purchasing awesome textured blankets for those newborn sessions? Pretty sure they're driving my husband crazy..

After one of my sessions Clark climbed into the chair and self posed himself. I simply said 'squirrel' and this happened. Some of my favorite EVER photos of my beauty boy <3

This month marked our 4 year anniversary! Steve had back to school night on our actual anniversary but we still had a sweet night :) 

And a big shout out to Ryan & Amanda for babysitting C so we could go out for what was seriously the BEST date we've had in a long, long time!

 Hiding in the Cabinets :) My lil goofball 

 Steve picking me up from a photo shoot in our super-cool mini van:
present day chivalry <3

(Out of focus on Purpose ;)

SOLD!!!

We have the keys!! Little man playing on OUR deck ;) 

And the glorious first meal in our home: lasagna on moving boxes :) What a fun memory!

 Clark kept unpacking my Pink dogs. 

And is still all about them. 

Um, but... those are mommy's! lol

 Off on an adventure! Seriously love this photo <3

 I posted this on Facebook but it's so true: This house started to feel like home as soon as I unpacked my mugs. 

Somebody is a tea addict. 

Also coffee. 

And sometimes cocoa. 

You can keep your cider

 I took this on the last day of summer. And the red and green made me excited for Christmas. I have a problem.

 Our last night driving to our apartment and it being our home...

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And finally, the picture I'm in: closing day!! So excited for this next adventure! 

And if you're wondering- Steve insisted on simultaneously carrying Clark and I across the threshold :)

This past month I read through the book of Hosea along with the free, online study She Reads Truth. It was amazingly challenging and encouraging. I felt as if it the Bible study was written for me. I highly recommend shereadstruth.com  Go check it out, seriously!

The verses we were challenged to memorize were

"His going is as sure as the dawn. 

He will come to us as the showers,

 as the spring rain that waters the earth."

Hosea 6:3

"By the help of your God, Return"

Hosea 12:6

I've loved meditating on the Lord's mercy, on His steadfast nature, His constant love for us . He provides mercy despite our faithlessness. And He even provides us with the strength to lay down our idols... and return <3

Lots of Love,

Jessi

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Monthly Photo Challenge: August!

August was busy and beautiful. 

I was honored to volunteer at a baby shower hosted by Operation Shower, an organization who loves on pregnant mamas-to-be whose husbands are deployed. I didn't even bring my camera to that because I knew I'd want to focus all my attention on the moms. But, if you're interested in seeing some pictures of the gorgeous shower, you can check it out here. 

We spent lots of quality time with family. After a great visit to see Steve's parents near Chautauqua Lake we were still able to sneak one last summer visit to Lake George. 

Another August highlight was 'stealing' my nephew the day and taking the two boys to the zoo, the park and on a picnic. They're kinda my favorite ;)

Steve was busy with new teacher orientation and job training for his new Physics teaching job. He's really been enjoying it so far!

And probably the most exciting August development is.... we bought a house! Yay!! :) We don't move in for a few more weeks but I promise one of our 'September memories' will include a picture ;)

Here are a few of our other precious August memories!

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Ohhh my love for silhouettes knows no bounds <3 I adore them!

Poppi and Clark at the races in Saratoga. One of our favorite summer locales. 

Clark just adores the horses :)

*Sigh* Oh, Lake George- how I love you. 

A BIG first. Well, at least to this crazy mama. ;) Clarky got his first haircut!

Here's the last look at his luscious locks...er.... nappy craziness

During his haircut :) Haircuts for Peanuts was just amazing with Clark. I highly recommend them. Clark was completely content watching Veggietales while eating animal crackers- They thought of everything :) 

The finished look: My BIG boy! <3

Another peaceful moment by the lake. I swear my heart is happiest in the Adirondacks <3 

Clark's become the self-appointed flower waterer. And he's actually really quite good at it!

Probably one of my favorite spontaneous photo shoots. Clark and my nephew, as well as my BIL and SIL playing with two HUGE balloons in their awesome backyard. I just love these :)

I finally got to spend some time with my cousin, Val, and her boyfriend, Dave! We went for drinks at the insanely beautiful Sagamore hotel on Lake George. It is just a stunning location. One of my faves. Here's Val looking like a windswept model <3

And here are the lovebirds <3 We were laughing because doesn't the background almost look Hawaiian?? Haha maybe I'm just dreaming ;)

This is the first month Clark's been really into coloring... and dumping out the crayons...

Just practicing his creativity, right??

And, of course, the 'me' picture. This was literally the only picture of me this month- so it's good that I loved the back drop ;) 

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Focused on James 4:7-8a this month:

Submit yourselves therefore to God. 

Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 

Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you.

My devotional challenged me to "View trials as exercises designed to develop my 'trust muscles'." And when I do start to feel afraid to "affirm my trust in [God]- speaking out loud if circumstances permit" 

This coming month I'm working on talking out loud with God throughout my day. (Even if Clarky thinks I'm crazy ;)) Because I know I personally stay on target with my thoughts, and feel closer to the Lord, when I converse with Him often. Praying this month that I draw nearer to God while resisting the devil. (hmmm does that sound familiar??)  

Lots of Love,

Jessi