Seeing past 18...

I can't see past five.  Do children grow up past that age?  My three haven't yet, so it's hard for me to believe there will be a time without diapers, without "I want to hold you," and without, "Mama, will you stay with me forever?"  All of which are recent things from the mouths of my babes.

I absolutely love watching a mama look at her grown child, taking senior portraits.  There has to be so many things going through her head...
I had just that pleasure last week when I met Luke Tyler and his Mama, Jennifer!

Luke is a polite, hard-working, graduating senior-The Tyler family [who definitely can see past 18] has every reason to be proud!

Check out the rest of Luke's GALLERY on my website.

Luke and Jennifer, Thank you for such a great afternoon!

Let's do this y'all,

jen

Now this is soulful...

Have I mentioned that my husband is hot? And I could mean temperature, [the man sleeps with a fan next to his head], but make no mistake. I’m definitely referring to his looks. Call it vain, earthly, whatever. But if you do, I guarantee you haven’t seen him plugged in, pounding keys, or seated just inches behind a microphone. Smokin’. Gets me every time. So my stomach may have done that turny-twisty-squeamy-I-totally-dig-him-thingy a few million times when he and his new band, the Poor Kings, opened up for a show at the Panhandle House. 

First let me introduce you to a few creatives...some of our best friends in the world own a studio in Denton, TX...the Panhandle House. Even from when we were engaged, we watched Erik and my girl, Jill, and their brother Marc, build a gorgeous boutique studio that has hosted clients like Don Henley, Eli Young Band, and Denton's own, The Hope Trust. Pat Green may or may not have visited last week. And recently, they opened up their “garage,” for the studio’s first house show, featuring the folk duo, Bill and Kate Isles.  Just look at this place...

and the Poor Kings... Mike Marshall . Ben Holt . Michael Armstrong . Brian Casey [not pictured]... were invited to open that evening.

The word soulful is a big deal for me lately and I use it as a standard of measurement.  Someone soulful is authentic-very aware of his/her gifts and when he/she uses them, it feels good, sounds good, makes you feel something deeply. The Poor Kings are soulful. Mike Marshall . frontman . is among my most favorite singer/songwriters. He's a genius storyteller. You got it...a soulful storyteller with a voice that matches. And together, their sound is ruling my world right now.

This live show was recorded and is in production.  Until it's out, listen to my favorite tune HERE.

In fact, like them on FACEBOOK and you'll be the first to know when you can hear everything.  Ok, let's be honest. I'll be first. Because I'm so with the band. Official photographer and all... ;)

But you will be a close second.  'Til then, enjoy...

Let's do this y'all, 

jen

little [miracle] men.

These two beautiful boys recently celebrated their shared first birthday.

And while there is always joy watching your babies turn one, this family is also still celebrating the miracle of the boys' little lives!  I don't want to get the details wrong so I won't give you exact numbers but...these handsome little men were born extremely premature.  If my memory serves me correctly, they each only weighed around 1.5 lbs [?].  I had the privilege of photographing them last year and featured them here!  

And now?

They're diggin' life--being big boys and all--and I loved watching every second...

[we'll call this next series...faces] See that joy??  LOVE them.

After grandma let me in on the fact that the stairs just might be their most favorite place, we moved the party up here.

And you can believe that the race was on!  

GOT ME!!

Thank you to one of my favorite families for letting me get close to your little miracles!  

Let's do this y'all, 

jen

if you love the Parmas like I love the Parmas...

Let's define breathtaking...

Meet beautiful Robin--we met several months ago when she emailed, asking if I was willing to shoot a wedding in San Antonio.  [not necessarily friends yet] After a few conversations we were set and scheduled her engagement shots. [still not tight] But then we did this. And my Michael and I met Robin and Mike in person.  That's when we decided that, whether Robin and Mike liked it or not, we were going to be friends.  That's also the day Michael decided he thought shooting together for a career was a pretty good idea. Spending the day with them in Gruene was so. much. fun.  We couldn't WAIT for the wedding! 

But, because life is full of challenges, waiting is actually what happened.  Robin and Mike had to postpone the ceremony for an undetermined amount of time.  They handled this disappointment with so much grace and so much patience. But suddenly, nothing shy of an unexpected blessing, they were able to reschedule their wedding just over one month later in January!  We were ALL thrilled!

Just look at my buddy, Mike...so handsome! [well, he was alright...] See? We even have inside jokes ; )

There were so many sweet, unexpected moments in the day.  [including the gift Mike made and had delivered just before show time!]

Everything about their ceremony was graceful and beautiful. 

The long awaited celebration continued at the historic Faust Hotel in New Braunfels. We loved getting to meet the rest of their families and saying hi to Elise [Mike's sister] for the second time!

This was a very special event for us.  Being a small part of such a lovely story was more than an honor.  And after we deliver these pictures to Mr. and Mrs. Parma, we'll have to make up other reasons to "just be in the neighborhood" and make a trip to tell them hello! 

Mike and Robin, we sincerely wish you the best.  Thank you for allowing us to watch this part of your story unfold!  

Let's do this y'all, 

jen

I was SO invited to the pre-party!!

guess what I got to do on Saturday?

and you can believe we had as much fun as it looks!!

or maybe I just had that much fun.  I kind of fell in love with this bunch. 

Saturday night was the big switcheroo in town.  Belle Dance was the culmination of the gorgeous ladies doing the "asking out" [aka Sadie Hawkins] and these were some of the handsome gentlemen who accepted.  Smart young men.

Just look at this crew.

They kind of made me want to be in high school again.  But then I remembered that I didn't have many dates. And I probably would have been too nervous to ask someone to the dance.  So I retracted that wish. Quickly.

Adorable. Stylish. And they're all dang smart too. Come to think of it, would they even have been my friends if we were in school together?! Still retracting...

To my Belle Dance buddies,

[see, there I go..."buddies" is not a cool term. They definitely would not have let me in their group.  Retracting. Retracting. Retracting.]

ThankYOU for inviting me to the pre-party!  I hope you had a great time. You looked AMAZING.

Go check out your full gallery on the website.  

And...peace out.  Or, word.  Or something else really cool.

Let's do this, y'all

 ; )

jen

check my temperature...

It's official. 

It's the sweetest smell.  You put your face near and can just kind of drink it in-

And no matter how many times you've experienced this, the delicate, "tiny-ness" makes you hold your breath. Phrases starting with, "Oh my gosh, I've forgotten how small..." escape your mouth as you examine fingers, tummies, and toes.

You snuggle that petite bundle in your arms

and marvel at how such a small gift, so fresh from God, can alter two people forever.

Yep, I officially have baby fever.  Or could you tell...

[thank you to the Goode family for sharing precious Haddon!]