A Life Well Lived

It's Christmas Eve and we are waiting on the weather to let up and then head to Lubbock. I've been thinking about my dad of course and that his chair will be empty, but he is spending Christmas with Jesus. It sounds so trite, but is so true. If we had his perspective, we'd be able to truly rejoice in knowing that our lives here on earth are truly but fleeting moments in God's time. The "dash" between the dates of someone's birth and death is so short, maybe God meant it that way, to signify the briefness of life. But on this side of heaven, a lot of living goes in to that "dash". He lived a lot--hard work, devoted wife, kids that adored him and grandkids that adored him even more as "Seymour". That's another story. He lived a lot of good life in that "dash" and I am so grateful to have been given to him for a little girl. Daddy, you are greatly missed, but we'll see you soon.

Merry Christmas from our family to yours.

Gratitude

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving in Oklahoma with Ron's family. This was the first time they met Bella Grace and she was a hit. You can see her cuteness in every photo. Of course we had lots of good food and fellowship with relatives that we don't get to see very often. Ron's dad and mom are in good health and it was very special that they got to see Bella in action. YOu can read Emily's blog at ittybittysmithy.blogspot.com for more details. She is a GREAT blogger. (I've been concentrating on work, the website and Facebook so the blog has had to go to the back of the bus.)
We have so much for which to be grateful--family, health, jobs, homes, and abundant love in every direction. I took more time to appreciate Ron's parents since my dad died on Labor Day. We all miss him and his spot wil be so empty this Christmas, but we know where he is and that God's timing is perfect, as is His grace and mercy.
I saw a phrase somewhere--I'm not sure where it came from-- but it said "Empty Hands Filled With Grace." I love it but confess that part of what I like is that I know it holds a lot of meaning that is yet to be revealed to me. I know that His grace is "unmerited favor" and that it is renewed every day for that day's challenges. So for now, I want my hands to be empty of selfishness and the "stuff" that clutters my heart, so that His grace can fill me up and work through me. Be blessed....with His grace.

This is Mike, Emily and Bella--what a precious little family. They are loving every moment of Bella's young life and it's wonderful watching them relish parenthood like we did. God is good!

Granddad is always the science teacher. Priceless! And great-grandpa is so happy to have this little happy baby on his lap, enjoying the sunshine.
Then every baby loves to have only a diaper playing paddy-cake. Too cute! God is good!

And here's Allison and her guy, Brad, who is a great young man. She thinks so--just look at her face. God is good!

And then this is the little baby that I photographed 3 years ago when she was 13 days old and now she's almost three. I happened to catch this priceless moment between this little girl and her adoring daddy. I think she must be thinking "Daddy, you'll always be my number 1 guy." And he's thinking, "You will always be daddy's little girl." God is good!

Loss and blessing

Today, Nov. 5, would have been my parents' 63rd anniversary. That's a long time to be married--to one person. I look at their wedding portrait and I see those fresh, young faces full of expectations for love and family and a long life together. They got married at my mother's parents' home, then went to Lubbock to have a wedding portrait made and it is priceless. He raised cotton on a farm south of Lubbock for many years and she was a full time, and I do mean full time, homemaker. She made our clothes, cooked all our meals (no take out or MacDonalds), canned fruits and vegetables in the summer, and kept up with 4 active kids. We worked hard and played hard. We hoed cotton and drove John Deere tractors (the big ones and yes I can drive one) in the summer. We were always so excited for Saturday when we anxiously watched as my dad wrote out our checks. When we could reached a certain point at the end of the summer, we'd go to the lake and ski and ride inner tubes, or go camping in the mountains. Tons of fun and lots of good memories.

The sadness over my dad's "change of address" is still a a quiet undercurrent in my heart, that unexpectedly bubbles to the surface. I acknowledge the grief, the emotions, and the loss because it honors his life. It still doesn't seem real that he's gone. My mom is doing very well. She was able to go to Bella's first birthday with us and that was very special. She'd never seen the girls' homes in Temple and we treated her like a queen. After 62 years of being a wife and mother, she's not accustomed to being on the receiving end, but she deserves

it.

It's hard to believe that our little Bella has already reached her first birthday. What a joy and blessing she is. She keeps us all smiling.

Life DOES go on. I've been busy catching up on the appointments I had to cancel, mostly Senior yearbook portraits, and I've started with the big Senior sitting almost daily. This is a GREAT Senior class and I'm impressed by the quality of these kids--their academics, athletic abilities, and most importantly, the good character and manners they have. They have all been a delight to photograph and get to know better. Check out my Facebook and website for the latest action photos from the volleyball and football games, which I LOVE shooting. I also post Seniors' studio portraits and updates.

I look back at my Father's Day blog and I'm so grateful that I wrote that while my dad was alive and could read it. It's sad that we wait until a funeral to say all the nice things about a person--those things should be said while our loved ones are alive. So I challenge you to take one minute each day, and tell one person something nice about them or how they effect your life in a positive way. We are quick to criticize, and slow to praise. Let's be better about showing affirmation and gratitude. We all have so much for which to be grateful. Thank YOU for being a part of my life and allowing me to be a part of yours.

Change of address

Many of you know that my dad died unexpectedly last Monday, just like he wanted-- quickly and peacefully. I don't really have words yet to write about it but I wanted you to read the blog by my dear friend and pastor, Heather Bean. Just click on Keeping It Real with Heather Bean in my blog list. The post is called The Circle of Life and touched me deeply. It gives a different perspective on the passing, or "changing of address" as one friend wrote me, of a loved one. My dad got to his destination and we can celebrate that. We celebrated his life and what he taught us and realized how very much he meant to each of us. Life does go on, but it will be different now. I know that God's grace is sufficient for every day and we lean on Him. Thank you for your cards and prayers and many kind messages. God bless you each.



This photo says a lot about him. He always wore a red hat--felt or straw--and people could seeing him coming and know exactly who it was. He was a cotton farmer and some of my family went out in our field and picked the cotton bolls to add to the "Yellow Roses of Texas" arrangement. The little smiley face hidden in the arrangement was another of his trademarks. When he retired from farming and growing Christmas trees (in West Texas), he kept busy using old plow parts to make smiley faces. That's another story. For now, his work is done. He leaves a big hole in our hearts and lives, but his love for us overshadows that sorrow.

Bring It On!!!! Wildcat practice action

The Wildcats were hard at it at practice today. I delivered their football photos, so all you moms should have your buttons for this week's first game, as well and photos to display. If you need more photos, you may re-order. I'll be photographing 9th grade football this Sunday night, Aug. 30 at 6:30, then do high school volleyball after that at the gym.


There are more action shots at my website. Photos from Friday's game will be posted Sunday night or Monday. All the photos from each sport--individuals, coaches, managers, and teams--will all be posted on the website. If you didn't order the first time around, you may re-order at any time. Good luck Cats!

p.s. If you want to sponsor a Wildcat player's poster (as seen around town in businesses), you may contact Regina Baggett to purchase one for $25. She'll be at the Booster Club table Friday night or at 631-1532. This is a great way to show off our kids and show them we support them. It means a lot to them to see their photo in someone's window. It's a small investment in a player's life.

Football photos

It's been a great week of getting football photos ordered. We'll do Band photos on Aug. 28 before the Artesia game. The band members will have order forms to take home and bring with them on Friday. I'll also be taking photos at the Artesia game and those action shots will be posted on my website by Sunday night. I'm so excited that it's football season again. Taking football and basketball photos is where I really started in photography. I was yearbook editor in high school, as well as yearbook sponsor for 5 years at Lubbock Cooper. It is something that is pure fun for me.

All the football players, coaches and managers photos are posted on my website. You may still place an order if you haven't done so yet. There is a cool special effects photo of the Seniors.

Wildcat Football Photo night

Last Sunday night, I had the privilege

of photographing the 2009 Lovington Wildcats. It was awesome. I was so impressed with the young men. They were polite and mannerly, (without prompting) , and were easy to work with. It was a pleasure to see many of them again, and to meet some new players, and new coaches. What struck me was the inner confidence and drive for the State trophy that I saw in every set of eyes. When I asked them to look like a Wildcat, many of them straightened up a little taller, while others were already tall on the inside. There was a definitive energy and enthusiasm in the team members.

I was surprised at the number of Seniors on the team. We had fun doing a "fun picture" after we did the serious, "Seniors only" photo. what a group. Tomorrow, I will have all the players and coaches posted on my website. I tried to upload them tonight and there is a problem with the connection and they didn't upload. sorry. You should be able to see them tomorrow.

If you haven't ordered, you have until Thurs. at 5:30 to get your order in at the original prices. After that, re-order prices which are slightly higher will kick in.
You may come by or call in your order. Full payment must accompany orders. It's going to be a great year. Ask one of the Wildcats!

School's here and we're off.......

I haven't forgotten about blogging. I've just been busy as crazy getting ready for Back To school Special with a brand new floor and wall to match, and new things for sports, and a special for Seniors to have their yearbook portrait done quickly and inexpensively for the early deadline. Then you can schedule your regular sitting for another time. Go my website or my business Facebook page to see more details and samples for each of these.

At the website, there are galleries, as well as the Specials in the View Images section. You don't have to be on Facebook to view my page. It's full of information also. There will be more later. I'm off to photograph the 2009 Wildcat Football team. Those photos will be posted on the website by Wed. night for you to see. Exciting!!!! Go Cats!!

Will You Be there?

We are all deeply moved and affected by music. Look at the number of IPods and songs downloaded or purchased every year. We are musical beings. With today's memorial for Michael Jackson, regardless of your thoughts or feelings for the man, the portrayal of his passion for and love of music, was beyond excellence. This is not a review of the tributes but I was touched to my depths by Jennifer Hudson's presentation of "Will You Be There?", especially considering her own mother and nephew were murdered in the last year. It was INCREDIBLE! It would be so worth your time to check it out on YouTube or MSN or CNN.


At the end of the song, she stops singing and there is a moving voiceover by Michael Jackson of words that I believe he wrote along with the song. The words he spoke started out "In our darkest hour, in my deepest despair, will you still care? Will you be there?" The words in their entirety are at the end of this blog. I have played it over and over and cried and cried. It was the depth of the words and the emotion of their meaning, along with Jennifer's powerful inner strength and presence that enabled her to get through the song, much less deliver maybe the best performance of her life. It had to be the grace and peace of God on her, and God bless her for it.


I went to Google the "In our darkness" lyrics to see who wrote it or where it came from, and suddenly I found myself writing. Today's memorial gave me a different glimpse of his family in this darkest hour, with his litttle children watching, and probably not fully understanding what was happening. I saw a family rally together and literally cling to the person with the greatest need at that moment. I heard loving and loyal friends speak of him just as we would pay tribute to our friends. When his 11 year old Paris spoke, unscripted, and then turned in tears to her Aunt Janet, who took her firmly and strongly under her mothering wings, the other aunts and uncles circled and hugged each other tightly. It was heart breaking but inspiring at the same time.

Bella's Visit--oh what fun

Okay, so you haven't heard from me in a while. I had surgery on my right hand so that limited my activities greatly for a while, but it is doing better. I'm still in a splint but making plans for the upcoming school year. We are re-modeling my camera room with a new tile floor that is wonderful and will make beautiful portraits. As soon as we get in in, I'll photograph on it and post it so you can see it.

In the meantime, we've had Bella, Emily, Mike and Allison here two weeks ago for their 10th class reunion. It was so fun and we so enjoyed Bella. She is such a good baby and just happy all the time. She LOVES her granddad and her daddy. I just had to get out my camera and learn to hold it in my left hand so I could take Bella's picture. I know I have photos on Facebook and my blog, and Emily has a blog, but here a few more. She is a gift and we are so blessed by our family.

Bathtime was so fun and Mike got this great shot of Bella all wrapped up in her mommy's arms. The photo of Bella in the little blue jacket is a significant one to me. The little jacket was my mother's made by my grandmother, and the white jumper (which didn't jump like Bella's jumper) was used by me and my sisters and brother. It meant a lot to mother to have Bella wear the jacket and the little blue slip in that jumper. Tradition carries on......

EVERY LITTLE GIRL.....FATHER'S DAY

Every little girls needs a daddy like you. I know.....because I'm a girl, I have daughters and now a granddaughter. And boys need daddys like ours. Mine and Ron's parents grew up in the same community and actually his mother and my dad were in the same class. My dad used to pull her pigtails while they were in class. Ron and I did not know each other though until we were out of college and teaching school .
Ron's dad was a sailor in WWII and met Bobbie, Ron's mother, in Slaton when the train with soldiers and sailors stopped to eat. While there, Bobbie and 2 of her 3 sisters met their future husbands. One of them wrote his address on the inside of a matchbook and threw it out the window to her as the train pulled away.
Bobbie and Sam married in January of 1946 and my parents married in November of the same year. They will celebrate their 63rd anniversary this year. That's a long time to be married. Sam worked for the Santa Fe Railroad until he retired. My dad, Zack, was a cotton farmer south of Lubbock and was given an agricultural deferment during the war in order to provide needed goods.
Our dads loved us, played with us and taught us how to work hard, and to be people of honesty and integrity. They literally started with nothing but love and that was their foundation. The day I was born, my dad wasn't allowed to stay in the room with my mother for the night and he slept in the car parked beneath her window, knowing that the love of his life and his new baby girl were up there. That was as close as he could get to them that night. When I look at those photos of this very young man with this tiny baby named Patricia, I can see how in love he was with this new life. I saw that same love in my husband when our girls were born, and then on my son-in-law's face when Bella arrived. (Okay, pass the Kleenex please.) You can't explain what happens to your heart when you hold the child you help bring into the world.

Zack & Barbara Payton

Sam & Bobbie Hogue

Ron and I waited a long time to find each other. It makes a great story and those who've heard it a hundred times sigh again. Neither one of us dated in high school or college. I made a list while I was in high school of the qualities I wanted in a husband. I just didn't see anyone of interest until I was already teaching high school English at the little school where I grew up. He was the librarian and I was the English teacher. When word got out that we were dating, we got lots of teasing from the students and teachers. He was my first date to homecoming and we were teachers! But it was worth waiting for God's BEST. I had made a decision to not marry just anyone and that meant lots of lonely Saturday nights at home with my parents watching "Gun Smoke". It meant being alone in a world of couples. I just wanted to be so special to someone. Ron's grandmother says that she knew something was up when he started coming in from school humming and smiling and being in that same mood when he got up in the morning. We've been married 31 years and he's filled every one of those things on the "list" and more.

My life Bible verse was and is " Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart." He did. Ron and I were able to have a love from the Lord and build a home that He blessed. God is good. We are so blessed, to be together, to have our girls and son-in-law and grand baby, our friends, family and so much more.

A lot of you reading this have had Mr. Hogue for 4th grade at Yarbro and you know how wonderful he is as a teacher. He brought science, math and reading to life. Any Senior that I photograph who had him for a teacher, knows exactly which Christopher Columbus ship they were on, and about the Nature Center, and about the "polar bear in the Frigidaire". It was a blessing for our girls to have him as a teacher. At dinner each night, they'd talk about "Mr. Hogue said this " or "Mr. Hogue said that...." :) He was the teacher as well as their daddy.

Now as he teaches at Quest, he brings challenges and knowledge to his students. They all love him--all of them. He's the BEST!!!!

Our girls on the first day of 4th grade with "Mr. Hogue"

Now we are privileged to watch our family grow and watch our children become parents. They are loving every moment of it. What a joy to watch them, and of course to love on precious Miss B. Yes, every little girls needs a daddy....like you.

Grad photos are in

Most of you who placed an order for graduation photos have gotten a call that the photos are in. I've had hand surgery so I'm not actually open, but if you come by in the late afternoon (4:00-5:30) , my husband or I can probably get your photos for you. One finger typing is slow so....that's all for this time!

Miller-Waldrop Award

Congratulations to my friends--Kent & Beckey Waldrop.

Congrats to my friends--Kent & Beckey Waldrop-- on being named 2009 National Retailer of the Year. They are such great business people, but more than that, they are people of integrity and faith. I photographed their engagement and wedding images. The highlight of the wedding was when rather shy Kent swooped Beckey back in a "Dancing With the Stars" move and kissed her. Everyone cheered and applauded as we all laughed.

Look for this billboard on Joe Harvey Blvd, just east of Fowler. It was fun helping them design it. They've worked hard to build a great business where you know you are getting the highest quality and service. Kudos to you two!!!!

More Graduation photos

Here's a few more photos from LHS Graduation 2009.

Thanks to our excellent School Board who put in a lot of long hours and serious consideration to the challenges facing our school, especially in this economy. They rate 150% in excellence regarding guiding our school district. So, thank you to Supt. O'Quinn, Ronnie Reeder, Lynda McGinnis, Roni Kidd, Slick Duncan and Jr. Contreras. You all do a great job!