2014 Giving Tuesday

I'd be remiss to have a big Cyber Monday sale yesterday and NOT follow it up with a recognition of the Third Annual Giving Tuesday! I just wanted to take a minute today to highlight two of my favorite local non-profits. Hopefully neither of these will be a surprise to you, as they are both such a big part of my heart that I've mentioned them numerous times around here. 

The Motherhood Collective

This group saved me... they offered me a safe place to go during one of the most vulnerable seasons of my life. They embraced me and my loud mouth and quirky ways, despite my new-mama-lack-of-knowledge. They taught me that every mother is different, that we are all simply doing the best we can, and that we need to be easy on ourselves (AND one-another). They gave me permission to make mistakes and to explore different options for myself and my family as we journeyed through our new chapter of parenting. 

The work The Motherhood Collective is doing is great... recognizing (and respecting) the time-sensitive season of early motherhood and providing a kind, gentle, supportive AND educational environment for mamas all over our area... it is truly invaluable. 

If you are currently an expecting mama and/or in the early stages of motherhood, or if that season of life is a passion of yours, PLEASE get connected with this group! 


Allow The Children

Confession... I was never interested in overseas missionary work. Like, ever. Until I married into a family passionate about it. I was invited on my first ever international mission trip in 2009 and the experience absolutely changed my life... it changed my heart and overall perspective on life.

Allow The Children is a local non-profit organization that cultivates partnerships with other Bible-believing non-profit organizations around the world to help provide financial and biblical resources to those in need. They do this through many avenues, including running a child sponsorship program, running free medical clinics in faraway villages, offering Pastor training Programs, the list seems endless, really. 

Allow The Children has been used by God to alter the course of the lives of many, many people around the world... including my own. The work God is doing through this organization is so good and so needed. I hope you'll take a minute to learn more about them and consider sponsoring a child or supporting another project they currently have going on.

Life These Days | Preparing for Nepal and Taking on "The Season"

Life These Days | Preparing for Nepal and Taking on "The Season"

Ooooh boy do I have the blogging ITCH! Unfortunately, it is the peak of the "crazy season" around here! I have so many sessions and weddings to share with you all. In the meantime, I'm hanging out with clients, shooting away, processing images, and trying to manage our prepare-for-Nepal task list. 

So what does life look like around here these days?

Why Squarespace is the bomb

Why Squarespace is the bomb

(and why you should use it for your business, too).

Okay, I struggle with this little problem that's called "I believe what works for me should totally work for everyone else." I know, life isn't like that. Hah... if there's ANYTHING I've learned from motherhood, it's that what works for one person does NOT work for everyone else! 

BUT! That doesn't mean it won't work for at least ONE other person! Right?

Announcement #3 and a half | A raffle and more!

Announcement #3 and a half | A raffle and more!

This blog post has two announcements! And THESE boys are excited about them! 

Happy July! Announcement #2

Happy July! This is one of my favorite months of the year! SO many fun things happen this month...! Work slows down for a little while (yay family time!), the 4th of July is one of the BEST days (I seriously love seeing the pride for our country come out for one big in-your-face celebration!), AND it's my birthday month!! 

I thought a great way to kick off the month of July was to make my second big announcement. Again, it's totally not what you think. :)