The Fabulous Flatt Family

Ok. I know I just posted, but I can't wait to post this session!  I absolutely love this family.  I've had the opportunity over this past year to get to know Brandi a little more while serving at a ministry at church, and it has been amazing!!  They came to me a while ago and asked me to photograph them.  We went out on Sunday, thankfully the weather warmed up to the 50s, and we had a blast!  I was so happy that the leaves were on the ground still!  Made for some amazing photos!  Their youngest, Bryce, is a funny kid.  He has so many fun faces!  It was so hard for me to narrow down the over 200 photos we took that day.  Here are just a few of them!

Kari and her boys

I had the opportunity last weekend to photograph one of my coworkers, her fiance and their son.  We went to a park down in Columbia (TN that is, not the country in south america... )  I honestly had no idea this park was even so close to me!

It was a cold day, but we were able to get some great shots still!  Enjoy!

Quade Family

As many of you know, I was traveling this summer with a Sports Ministry called UW Sports Ministry.  While I was gone, I was able to see some of my family, and we did a family photo shoot!  I knew that I would see them, so I shipped my camera to them ahead of time.  Now, this is one good looking family... and I don't say that just because they are my cousins.  It's just the truth!  Enjoy these pictures!

Beautiful siblings....

 But they will be siblings... the truth comes out!  (just kidding, they really do love each other!)

Ok, Mark is a HUGE Vikings fan, so as a last minute decision, we raced against the sun (and lost), but we got a few great shots in!!

The Fabulous O'Neal Family!

This past memorial day, I had the joy of starting my day off with a photoshoot!  I met up Bobby, Abbie and their kiddos on an amazing piece of land owned by some other friends.  Anyways, even though little Reuben wasn't feeling well (we didn't find this out until AFTER we were done), we were able to get a few good shots.  When I get back in Aug, we are going to meet up and do another shoot and hope that Reuben is feeling better!  Enjoy a few shots from session 1 of 2!

Baby Schmitz

I had the opportunity to go to Colorado recently to do some work with an amazing ministry called Uncharted Waters.  I am so blessed to be able to travel with them this summer as a head coach, but that is a story for another post.  While in Colorado, I had the privilege to photograph Louie and his wife Katrina.  They are expecting their daughter literally any day now!!!  The name is top secret, so you'll have to wait until she is born to find out :)  Colorado is a GREAT place, and provided us with an afternoon of amazing weather to do this shoot.  Louie and Katrina are so much fun, and so that made my job so much easier!  I hope you enjoy looking at these pictures as much as I enjoyed taking them!!

today's meal

today's lunch was frozen edemame with a GF deli sandwich and tortilla chips with dip.  YUM!!

Dinner was a mexican dish that I helped prepare (i took beans) for a ministry that we have a church for single moms.  

Creative Meals~day 1

Tonight is the first night of my Creative challenge from the Lord.  I made chicken tenders with sweet mashed potatoes and black beans and a small side salad.  SO GOOD!!!

A God Sized Creative Challenge

This adventure has nothing to do with photography except for the face that I am taking pictures along the journey... Due to my knee surgery, I am lost my job, so I am currently unemployed.  That being said, I have been asking the Lord obviously for provision (which HE HAS COMPLETELY PROVIDED AND CONTINUES TO- that is for another blog though), and also for strategy in how to be smart with the limited finances I do have.  Here's one of the things I feel He gave me.  He gave me a game because I like games, and in my mind, game=challenge.  He gave me a game to see how long I can go with eating out of my pantry/freezer only.  What a creative challenge!  He showed me that I have so much in my cupboards already, it's just being creatie in using them!  So, the guidelines are simple: with the exception of fresh fruit & veggies, milk, eggs, yogurt (basically the basics), I see how long I can go without buying groceries.  I'm so excited for this creative challenge!

I went through and listed out everything I have in my cupboard and freezer.  Now that i have a list, I can get to creating amazing meals!  I will be posting every meal I make on here! Here's what I have:

6 Jars of spaghetti sauce
4 cans of diced tomatoes
1 box of quinoa elbows
1 bag corn rotelli
3 boxes of cereal
6 cans of green beans
3 cans of corn
2 cans of sloppy joe
1 can of black beans
2 cans of refried beans
1 can beef stew
1 can chicken and rice soup
2 cans of pear halves
6 cans of canned chicken
corn tortillas
dried edemame
soy sauce
spaghetti noodles
lasagna noodles
mashed potatoe packets
sea salt pretzels
multi=grain crackers
dried black beans
dried red beans
popcorn
quinoa
rice
almonds
flax seed
gronola
oats
pancake mix

Freezer
chicken tenders
chicken tenders
frozen veggies
quinoa

Pretty sure i have everything listed (except what is in my fridge because that is mostly milk, eggs, fresh veggies)... If you have any meal ideas, LET ME KNOW!! However, please remember I am gluten free.

My next post will be what I had for dinner!
~Stacee~

Oh my, what's this... a post?!?!

As you may know, I had knee surgery 2 months ago.  The recovery process has looked much different than I thought it was going to.  I have had such a constant wave of emotions over the past 2 months.  As I am starting to gain mobility and freedom again, I am quickly reminded that I am still recovering and cannot do as much as I thought I would be able to...again, this is frustrating, BUT I know that the Lord has a perfect plan for this season.  I was talking to a dear friend of mine on the phone tonight and she read me today's devotion from the book Jesus Calling.  After I hung up, I saw that another friend posted the same devotion on her Facebook account.  I thought I would share with you, it is such a great reminder of how great the Lord our God is.

"THANK ME for the conditions that are requiring you to be still. Do not spoil these quiet hours by wishing them away, waiting impatiently to be active again. Some of the greatest works in My kingdom have been done from sick beds and prison cells. Instead of resenting the limitations of a weakened body, search for My way in the midst of these very circumstances. Limitations can be liberating when your strongest desire is living close to Me.

Quietness and trust enhance your awareness of My Presence with you. Do not despise these simple ways of serving Me. Although you feel cut off from the activity of the world, your quiet trust makes a powerful statement in spiritual realms. My Strength and Power show themselves most effective in weakness."

“Be still before the LORD,all mankind, because he has roused himself from his holy dwelling.” -ZECHARIAH 2:13

This is what the Sovereign LORD,the Holy One of Israel,says: “In repentance and rest is your salvation,in quietness and trust is your strength,but you would have none of it.” -ISAIAH 30:15

But He said to me,My grace (My favor and loving-kindness and mercy) is enough for you [sufficient against any danger and enables you to bear the trouble manfully];for My strength and power are made perfect (fulfilled and completed) and show themselves most effective in [your] weakness. Therefore, I will all the more gladly glory in my weaknesses and infirmities,that the strength and power of Christ (the Messiah) may rest (yes,may pitch a tent over and dwell) upon me! -2 CORINTHIANS 12:9 AMP