Behind the Pic

Joining in with Elle Sees for her link up to see what goes on behind the pictures that we see.

I loved doing this before... so let me flip through some of my pics & see what comes to mind.

What you See:

a cute little baby showing me his belly like his mommy's

What you don't see:

I'm trying for him to touch his mommy's belly. I kept asking him if he knew where his mommy's belly was so I could get a sweet picture of him reaching up, touching it.  He just kept wanting me to see HIS belly.  I told mom to not worry about trying to get him over & to just do what he was doing.  I actually like this picture better anyways.  Sometimes, you just let kids direct a picture.

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What you see:

A cute progression of a momma's pregancy

What you don't see:

Well, what you see is what you get... but it was also timing through 9 months.

This momma called me to tell me it was a secret but she was pregnant so I took their announcement picture & we took the first picture.  We then planned the middle picture at about 7 months while she could still cross her legs.  & then finally, the last picture was when the baby was just a week old.

I had to keep a picture of the previous picture on my phone so I knew exactly how to line up the camera with the bed & the things on the wall. I gave her strict "no decorating" orders for her bedroom wall :)

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What you see:

a cute engaged couple gazing in each others eyes

What you don't see:

THE ATTACK OF MOSQUITOES!!!!

Oh my gosh!  I use this field every time I do pictures at this location & I have never in my life seen this many bugs in my life.  It did rain the whole day before & I guess with all the trees & fresh grass, it just brought them out.  These 2 are actually laughing because the bugs were landing on each others faces & they were like, "You have another one on your cheek"... when we stood up & they walked back to me, they were like, "THEY'RE ALL OVER YOUR FACE"... yep - I was covered to.

It was like something out of a horror movie.

(Are you itching like me right now?)

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What you see

A senior picture with the perfect "Class of 2016" on the wall

What you don't see

This guy didn't want to take his picture next to it because it actually had another school's name graffiti on the wall... so I had to photo shop it out where no one even knows its there & he can use it for his own school's senior picture now.  The magic of editing.

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What you see: 

The hubs sitting & waiting for his coffee order

What you don't see

He kept playing YouTube videos of deer being rescued from situations & doing it WITHOUT headphones in.  It was SOOO loud & there was a guy sitting right in the area across from him.  He just kept looking over at Ricky.

Ricky just stays oblivious sometimes.

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I cant wait to visit the link up & see all your pictures & hear some of the stories...

a picture tells a thousand words, but not all of them :)

The weekend that was perfect for a November wedding....

Monday.... wasn't I just sitting at my desk?

I'm not going to complain... because I work this week & then I'm on vacation AGAIN! YAHOO!!!
So yep - this is a make it through the week kinda week.

I'm still sporting a wedding hangover.

 I say it every time - weddings are harder then running half marathons - not even joking.  The 12 hour day of running places, keeping people in order, giving requests of people, carrying equipment, not eating, which means not peeing - its a day.

Let me start from the beginning.

Friday, I left work to head out to the rehearsal.  I was glad to leave from work & not from my home because the chapel the wedding was at is about an hour & 15 minutes away from my home.

So at least from work, it cut down some of the time....

except when I left work, the whole town must have been on Mario Kart mode because there were wrecks EVERY WHERE.  I am not even exaggerating when I say I passed 7 BAD wrecks. Like police & ambulance wrecks.  Like cars spun.  7... SEVEN different ones.  I was then almost afraid to drive because I thought everyone was going insane.

I'm pretty sure I saw this exact same scene on my drive

I finally got to the chapel, to only see the rehearsal was less then 5 minutes long & they didn't even go over everything.  Alrighty then... at least I knew - kinda - maybe - the area where I would be heading the next day & at least it was a beautiful day & I had nothing else to do since the hubs went to the University of Kentucky game with a coworker.

So time to head home.... or let me say, attempt to drive home.  Again - the whole Mario Kart thing. Wrecks STILL happening.  It took me nearly 2 hours to get home.  I almost just put a blanket over me & spent the night in my car.

I finally got home to turn on the TV & see not only were things going crazy on the roads, but the world was going crazy.  I couldn't tear myself away from the TV & the news of what was happening in Paris.

What a crazy world we live in.

Jesus come today.

I don't understand hatred that people hold so closely that destruction of lives is what the goal is.
I cant even wrap my mind around it.

Saturday had me up early watching the latest news on Paris but had me focusing on one thing - a beautiful bride.

I was excited to capture this bride's day for her because I actually have known this family for awhile.  Hang with me here.... the bride's sister married Ricky's cousin - so she's basically my cousin now.  She & I both married Vincent's - put it that way.  & I love her so much... & love her family. I have seen her own family through the years as she married into our Vincent family & since they've had babies.  I adore her parents. They are just the best.  So when they had another wedding in the family, they got in touch with me to capture the day.

It was an interesting day for me because the bride wasn't able to get to the venue until an hour before the wedding.  The chapel apparently is a hot spot for weddings & they rotate in & out so we had no place set for 'central station' - so most of the day, we hung out at mom's house.  It actually turned out to be really nice.  Everyone was so much more relaxed, there was food delivered where everyone could snack during the day - it was really nice.

& the day?  GORGEOUS! I was nervous because hello, its November. But there wasn't a cloud in they sky - the temps were decent & it was just a beautiful day.  Thank you Lord.

I will say though, it was funny because I think this is the first time in my life I was definitely NOT someone's favorite.  Poor groom.  Not for personal reasons.  He just did not want his pictures taken.  He literally avoided me all day & I would capture him to get a few pictures but he let me know throughout the day that he was not about pictures & when he was done, he was done.

When the day was over & I went to say good bye to the bride & groom at the reception, I even said to him, "I know you are the happiest person in the world to see me go, aren't you?"... he just smiled & hugged me... but then I asked for one more picture.  True story. haha... & bless his heart - he obliged.

I'm nothing if pushy when it comes to pictures.

.... but I am....

I so enjoyed the day with the families & the bridesmaids were the best. I think I laughed all day long with them.  Chasity & I even actually sat down at the reception & ate with the bride's parents & my cousins.  We NEVER sit down & eat at receptions.  It was like a whole different world for us.

Basically how Chasity & I were actually sitting down to eat

Now onto editing.

Which is what I started on Sunday morning.

After a good nights sleep, we woke up & Ricky said his back & legs were aching so bad so he just wanted to skip church & stay home for awhile & stay on the heating pad.  That left me the few hours I needed to upload all the pictures I took.

Lunch time came though & it was time to throw on a hat, some jeans & grab some grub.  Get out & enjoy the amazingly beautiful day.

Sunday was just wonderful & relaxed.  I finally got to spend time with Ricky since I didn't even get to see him on Friday, nor Saturday.  The weather was perfection.  We went to Chuy's to get some Mexican, because Mexican is always a win.  We ran over & checked out the new store in town, Menard's,  & then we did a Target stop & of course, grabbed some Starbucks...

.....it was the perfect way to wind up a busy weekend.

Now, if you need me, I'll be editing away on pictures... #photographerlife

How was your weekend?

Friday Favorites

Favorite Thanksgiving Decoration




This is easy enough but festive for the holiday!


Favorite Godly Reminder

Favorite Room



I saw this on Facebook & I want!!!!!
Looks like its just little crates you can buy really cheap too.
It's just making that baseboard to put over the couch & then build up from there.
I am in love!

Favorite Recipe
Roasted Pumpkin, sweet potato, & Brown Rice Pilaf



A good healthy Thanksgiving side!
Link right Here


Favorite Story of the week




This guy was running in honor of his father that passed away of cancer... when he fell right before the finish line.  He kept saying he had to finish.  This cop ended up helping him up & got him to the finish line!
... chills...
I love good people & good stories.


Favorite Beauty & the Beast

Favorite Lip Moisturizer



I posted a few weeks ago about how chapped my lips were & I got a lot of feedback.
I ended up buying both the EOS & the Baby Lips - I have to say, I like them both but I love that the Baby Lips has a touch of pretty color.  It feels so good on my lips too - doesn't feel like it dries them out.  Thumbs up for this product!

Favorite Funnies

... how I usually watch Scandal

... me next to all the other runners at a race

... how Ricky usually is around me when we're talking in public

.... me in Home Depot trying to make decisions on redecorating our kitchen

...Me at 4:00

Happy Friday Y'all!!!

Thankful Thursday {Link up #45}

This week I am Thankful For:

... beautiful Fall evening skies.  My goodness - takes your breath away.

... getting caught up at work after vacation.

... Sundays with my husband.  He was going to take a new job which would have him work on Sundays.  I didn't tell him because I didnt want to sway what he needed to do, but I was so sad thinking about missing him on Sundays.  Sunday just seems to be our day together.  So I'm so thankful even more for our 'together day'

I'd be lost without our #StarbucksSunday
... & see... #IcedCoffeeDrinkersLoveJesus
... haha - had to use that hashtag again

... hair day!  & so glad my hair is getting some length back to it.  This is even after a trim & it still is looking longer.

... our heat working in our house.  For the past 3 years, every time we've turned it on, it hasn't worked right & we've needed a repair man to come fix it.  So far this year, we're good.  Thank you Lord!

... candle tarts in a Scentsy burner at work.  It STANKS up here & I am so thankful I can make it smell more 'homey'.

... I always talk about how much I love the Natural Bliss coffee creamer. I'm thankful they came out with the Pumpkin Flavor.  It is delicious.  I'm anxious to see if they come out with any Christmas flavors since this brand seems to be getting popular.  I even found the Vanilla in a BIG bottle now.

... Also thankful for that new Lady & The Tramp mug.  I want all of the mugs in this Disney series now.

... warm fuzzy robes.  My parents got me the best robe last year for Christmas & now that its cold, its back out.  You'll probably hear me adding it to this list every week - especially as it gets colder.

... my new PJ's that the hubs got me.  When I saw them, I gasped.  Truly GASPED.  I just want to wear these all day long.... with my fuzzy bathrobe as the topper.

So what are you Thankful for this week?

Confessions.... Starbucks Red cups, Twitter Fued & Jem

I confess....

... this whole Starbucks red cup thing has gone to the level of STUPID.  I will confess that I posted the initial video of the guy who started it because I love the idea of having people say Merry Christmas in businesses.  But it wasn't a mission to fight the battle of WAR on Christianity to me. (war?  Really?  That's the word they're using?)  When did it take that turn? Truth be told, I don't even remember what the other cups look like from the past year.  I don't ever remember seeing a baby Jesus on the cup or feeling like my relationship with Christ was changed by it.   Its almost just embarrassing how things get a little too out of control.  Sadly, I think the more people talk about it - whichever side its on - it only keeps the focus on it.  & there's so many other stupid things to pay attention too  #stopfeedingthemadness  #Justgivememydrink  #MySalvationDoesntChangeOveraRedCup #AlwaysSomething

... Iced Coffee drinkers at Starbucks can't complain - the cups still have snowflakes on them. #IcedCoffeeDrinkersLoveJesus #KIDDING

... I tell the Starbucks baristas that my name is Belle anyways.  #Truth #TheyalwaysspellitBell

... It would be funny if Starbucks put Merry Christmas on everyone's cup & when they called it, everyone got their orders confused.  #StarbucksRevenge

... people are flat out CRAZZZYYYYYY on Twitter.  I posted a tweet while watching Dancing with the Stars Monday that I didn't know who Tamar Braxton was.  That's it. I wasn't being mean. I wasn't being harsh - I literally have no clue who she is besides Toni Braxton's sister.  THE GATES OF HELL WERE UNLEASHED ON ME.   I had so many Tweets attacking me, cursing me out, calling me every name I can't even think about repeating all telling me I dont need to know who she is because I'm an old poor white woman & she's rich... telling me places to put my skinny-A** lips ... even had a tweet that said, "If you come after Tamar, I'm coming after you F**#@*#* B**#*@" ... & that tweet was liked & retweeted by many others.  What the hey.  Did I miss something here.  Lord knows I won't tell anyone I didn't know who Carlos was either.  #Yikes  #hideyokids  #DontwanttoknowTamarnow #ReportedtoTwitterASAP

... I bet all those people that cursed me out have no clue who Steven Curtis Chapman is #getSCConDWTS

... I love everyone that sees Beauty & the Beast & thinks of me... but y'all... this aint the new movie poster.  That Beast?  Its from X-Men - Kelsey Grammar's Beast - the blue guy. ... this isn't the real movie poster.  Don't be fooled. If you aren't sure - ask me - I can tell if its legit  #Cantfoolme

... I gotta quit sitting with my leg tucked underneath of me. I think I found my biggest problem with my knees.  #Cantsitupstraight

... I am so disappointed in the movie Jem.  Not that I've seen it.  But they've said for YEARS they were going to make it... & they finally did. But apparently its horrible.  It had no publicity. The trailer looked dumb.  & I heard they're pulling it from the theaters only after like a few weeks out.  The amount of money it made is apparently embarrassing.  This, America, is how you do a movie wrong.  #couldhavebeensogood #TrulyOutrageous

So what do you have to confess today?

Come back tomorrow to link up with me for Thankful Thursday!