Unfortunately, I won’t be with my mother this weekend, but I wanted to share her with y’all.

This is the gorgeous Linh, who made me the person I am today (with a little help from some other folks).  If you’ve ever had the chance to meet her, you’d know how incredibly generous, sweet, and honest she is.

When I was little I knew my mom was different.  I wondered why she always packed my lunch- rice, meat, veggies.  A complete, healthy meal when all I wanted was to be like the other kids and get a PB and J sandwich or a lunchable.  I BEGGED for lunchables, and she *hardly* ever caved.  I always wondered, too, why she always gave food to people- to the doctor and nurses (I was a sickly child with asthma, getting breathing treatments. Shocking, I know), to our friends, or just about anyone that needed a smile and a full tummy. She is the kinda person that would give you anything you needed (or didn’t) genuinely expecting nothing in return.  I never understood this growing up, but just typing this fills my heart and soul with so much love for her.  My mom is an amazing person and I am so thankful of all of the sacrifices she’s made for our family.  My brother and I have turned out all right so I hope she considers herself successful.

Even more surprising with my mom is that later on I learned that she had nothing to give growing up.  She literally survived the Vietnam war, watched her family die in front of her, was taken in by a family to be raised, separated from her siblings, and still manages to be one of the most optimistic, and loving, people I know.  You’d never know any of this from meeting her.  She’s strong,  independent, and lives her life gratefully and to the fullest.  What an inspiration!  (I tell her she needs to write a book about her journey- encourage her also to do so)!

Mom,

I am so thankful for you.  For all that you have done for me and Joey (and Dad).  You’ve given me a high standard for when the time comes for me to be a mother- I hope to do you proud.   If I had the world to give you, it still wouldn’t be enough for what you deserve.

I love you so very much and wish you a phenomenal Mother’s Day.  Con yêu Ma.

Love,
Your little girl, Jenny

Anyhew… I wanted to share a couple images from a recent shoot in Grapevine, Texas.

Cindy and Brandon (to be pictured later, promise- I know I’ve been saying that a lot these days) are first time parents! They are going to be awesome ones at that.

So, remember that life is beautiful and there’s always a new beginning waiting for you…

Have a gorgeous day, always! xoxo

I ran to get my camera, and this was what was left! A good sign, right?  I recently took this gem to a couple get-togethers and so many people asked for the recipe, I thought I’d share on here!  You’ll know why it’s called hummingbird cake.  {because people will be sweet as sugar towards you asking you to make it for them again next time!}

1. Preheat oven to 350.  You can bake pecans for 8-10 min or until toasted.
2. Stir together flour, sugar, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt in a large bowl; stir in eggs, bananas, pineapple, oil and vanilla
3. Sprinkle some pecans into the (greased) bundt pan
4. Pour batter in pan and bake for 50 min- 70 min, until wooden pick inserted comes out clean

1. Process cream cheese, powdered sugar, vanilla and 1 tbsp milk in a food processor
2. keep adding more milk, 1 tbsp at a time until well blended and smooth
3. immediately pour heavenly deliciousness over cooled cake and sprinkle remaining 1/2 cup of pecans

Share generously!

Here, with dreams of an education… before, early 20s.  My dad looks almost identical- both very handsome men!

And here he is during the war as a POW- less than 100 lbs.

I, unfortunately, never had the opportunity to meet him or listen to his stories.  From what I gather from my dad and aunt, he had plenty of them… and mostly gut wrenching.  Grandpa had passed a year before I was born, cancer ultimately sent him to our heavenly father.  Even though I never met him, I definitely feel connected- that his stories might live on through us.  That my father and my brother served, are serving, this country because of the sacrifices my grandpa made.

Well, when it was my dad’s birthday what better way to celebrate than to tell him (and his reconstructed knees & ankle) that he’ll be hiking this memorial death march!?! We ALL had a moment of slight panic at the thought of the physical aspect.  However, my grandfather was made to march 60 miles without food or water, burying his friends along the way.  We could honor him in this small way… besides, we aren’t getting younger.  Time to cross this off our bucket list!

The morning started at 3:30am. Yes, you read that right.  That’s determination.  For me at least.  It was beautiful and seeing everyone (military teams, civilians, everyone in general over 7k people!) was extremely motivating.  Even more so were the disabled veterans, the ones completing this march with one leg. How incredibly humbling.

So did we survive? I guess you’ll just have to stay tuned…

They met in high school and continued their love through college. They were so natural and at ease, it was a pleasure to see them interact and laugh… a lot. Now that’s the secret to a happy life and happy marriage!

Through this whirlwind afternoon, not only did we enjoy yummy cupcakes from The Sweet Spot Bakery (Alliance Town Center, Fort Worth 817-750-Bake 2253), but we encountered a funny story that I will get to in another post.

Stay tuned, more to come…

And now you can see where he gets his good looks from!  Lisa, it was an honor to shoot Christians portraits!  You should be so proud of your young man.  It was a pleasure meeting you both, getting to know you, and having the opportunity to make Christian laugh.  When he makes it big in the modeling world, don’t forget us little people!  Also, thank you for your service to this country- you inspire me!  Happy Spring y’all.

{photo taken while driving from El Paso, TX to White Sands, NM.  Mexico side}

He asked her, “Woman, why are you crying?  Who is it you are looking for?“

Thinking he was the gardener, she said, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him.”  Jesus said to her, “Mary.”

She turned toward him and cried out, “Teacher!”  Jesus said, “Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father.  Go instead to my brothers and tell them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and you God.’  John 20: 15- 17

“Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” John 20:29.

I am incredibly proud that I found these winners!  I made a lemon poppy seed, a banana pineapple, but the true winner belongs to these apple delights!

{apple left, banana right- if you’d like that recipe, I’d be happy to share. Just ask}

 Topping:

* 2 tblsp dark brown sugar

1/4 c chopped pecans

1/2 tsp ground cinnamon

Muffin:

* 3/4 cup dark brown sugar

* 1 cup all-purpose flour

* 1 cup whole wheat flour

* 1 tsp baking soda

* 1/2 tsp salt

* 1/4 cup vege or canola oil

* 2 eggs

* 1 cup natural, unsweet applesauce

* 1 tsp vanilla

* 3/4 c lowfat buttermilk

* 1 apple, peeled, cored and chopped into pieces

1.) Preheat oven to 400f  (if you don’t like eating muffin wrapper, I’d suggest spraying… or not using them at all. Trust me.  Healthy doesn’t really mean eating paper).

2.) Mix 2 tbsp brown sugar, pecans, and cinnamon.  Set aside

3.) Mix flours, baking soda, and salt.

4.) Mix remaining brown sugar and oil.  Add eggs one at a time, then applesauce then vanilla. Alternate adding flour and buttermilk and stir in apple chunks

5.) Pour batter into muffin pan and sprinkle your topping on each

6.) Bake for about 20 min, until toothpick inserted comes out clean.

Then Eat.  And possibly share.  They’re. So. Good. Nom nom.

Anyway, back to the cooking.  Start with the dough the night before:

- 4 Cups bread flour

- 1 cup whole wheat flour

- 1 1/2 tbsp honey

- 1 1/2 tsp table salt (or 2 1/2 tsp coarse kosher salt)

- 1 1/2 tsp instant yeast or fast-rising yeast

- 2 tbsp olive oil

- 2 cups of water, room temp

1. In the electric mixer w/ the bread hook, combine ingredients (except olive oil).  Mix on slow speed for about 3 minutes until combined and all the flour is wet.  Then increase the speed to medium and continue mixing for additional 2 minutes.  Dough should be tacky, but not sticky.

2. Lightly grease bowl with olive oil.  Form dough into smooth ball and place in bowl, turning to coat the surface with oil.  Cover the bowl with plastic wrap but don’t let the wrap touch the dough.

3. Let the dough sit at room temperature for a half an hour, then refrigerate overnight, or up to 3 days

4. 2 hours before you plan to make the pizzas, take the dough out and cut into 4 or so pieces.

To make:

1. Preheat oven to 500 degrees.

2. Get creative and add your toppings! Let your inner pizza chef take-over.  It’s a great time to think you’re Italian and have pizza rolling/tossing skills.  Whatever makes you happy, dear

And then just bake for 7-10 mins (one at a time), until cheese is melted and it’s a light brown crust.

Buon Appetito!  What variation would you make?  I’m partial to a white pizza myself.

Meet her adorable parents, Rob and Katie.  Aren’t they just a model couple?!

Not only did I have the pleasure of traveling to Temple to photograph this couple, I’ve been blessed to know know them… since the days of Abilene Cooper.   And it wasn’t just anywhere in Temple, but to a special, warm, and beautiful home!  There wasn’t a more perfect backdrop than the magical backyard of Coach and Roxanne Spradlin!  I am so thankful they shared their stunning home with us, complete with gorgeous greenhouse.  You can find more of her art and home decor here: roxannetheartist.blogspot.com  Stop by and say hello! Anyway, what an honor to capture a moment like this as Rob & Katie begin the next stages in their lives… as they begin to build their nest.

This was the really rainy weekend, remember?  But the rains stopped and the sun came out just for them!

It was picture perfect.  They are picture perfect.

Now, I wanted to try something new. I asked Rob and Katie a couple of questions, and wanted to share a little of their adventure, as well as their love, with you.

So first, her name is Jacqueline Kate and she may already have a nickname.  I asked what each of them would hope Jaqs would inherit from the other (both physically and a characteristic).

Katie would like for Jaqs to have Rob’s “flawless, tanned skin and his curly hair!”  {side note: he does have perfectly tanned skin, but I am more particular to Katie’s perfectly coifed hair.}

Rob said that he would like for her to have Katie’s “big beautiful eyes” and “her legs.”  This made her laugh and he says it’s because he “wants her to be athletic.”  {Did I mention he is an excellent football coach for the awesome Temple Wildcats?! Btw, Katie, if it weren’t for the belly and your glow, you don’t even look preggers!  You are blessed with some great genes there.}

But, characteristic-wise, Katie wants Jaqs to “inherit Rob’s easy-going attitude.”  She loves that he’s adaptable to whatever situation he’s in.  And as for Rob, he wants Jaqs to have Katie’s confidence and the similar ability to be her own, independent person.

Isn’t that sweet? Doesn’t it just make you excited to see Jaqs and admire who she becomes?  The anticipation, I’m sure, can be overwhelming.  Well, what touched me more than what was stated above, is what they said when I asked them what they’re most looking forward to.  I have to admit I did get teary.

“I cant wait to hold her for the first time and see Rob with her.  I know she’ll know that we’re her parents, and that’s so amazing to me!  I also look forward to the lessons that she’ll teach us… in love, patience, and just life  in general.” 

What SHE’LL teach THEM.  So simple and yet so remarkable.  Rob & Katie, you guys are going to be amazing parents.  I know ALL of the Spradlins are really excited for you and can’t wait to meet her.  She is one lucky gal!

Congratulations Rob & Katie (& Jaqs)! What an exciting 2012… may God continue to bless your little nest.