Anne was great. Her replies were similar to things I say to Kadence when she thinks she’s never going to eat again, “RELAX!!!!” I knew Anne had a specific vision in mind for her session, and I simply wanted to capture exactly what she wanted with quality she’d be proud to showcase in her home. Once the session was under way, the Lord proved to be with me once again. My nerves were left back at the house and I was completely in my element. When the Facebook comment, “this is going HUGE in my house. THANK YOU SO MUCH!” popped up in my notifications, I smiled. Not because I was proud to see such a comment, but rather incredibly blessed to be able to do this for Anne and her family.

Now, a little personal request… Anne’s baby boy, Lukas, is trying to give her gray hairs. He is sick of cooking and ready to come out and greet the world! Problem is, he still needs another 3-5 weeks with mommy. He has been trying to make his big debut since week 32, which has landed both he and mommy in the hospital three times… with the biggest scare coming this past weekend. I know I’ve asked many of you for prayers already, but again, please say a pray for Anne, baby Lukas and the entire Meintrup family. And if you are praying (or willing to pray), please leave a comment letting them know (with your location!) of all the love and support they’re receiving from across the country. I just want to find a simple way to bless her today…

Thank you so much.

My sweet little Kadence was born March 14th and is already seven weeks old (tomorrow)! I am continually amazed at how quickly this time passes. Two years ago I was at this same stage of life wondering how on earth to keep myself afloat – ha! If only I could still have those three 2-3 hour nap breaks a day..!! But I wouldn’t trade these two precious gifts for the world. I love them more and more each and every day. I don’t want to miss out on this stage of their lives as I know in just a few quick blinks they will be out of my house and starting families of their own. I know it is of the utmost importance to capture their free spirits and crazy personalities every opportunity I get…I can only hope that all of you will do the same!

As my baby girl cries out my name and my almost two year old is sick of having ‘room time’, I leave you with these quick snapshots:

I encourage you to stay tuned throughout the month as there are some big things in store I don’t want you to miss!

Happy May 1st!

Doesn’t he know that I only get to enjoy him little bitty for so long?? I mean seriously, how on earth is my baby boy almost TWO?!?!

Here are a few of my favorites from our afternoon at the park.

My favorite from the day…

He thought this was Barney…

“Too high daddy!”

Happy Tuesday!

During this time, she became involved in a local youth group at Calvary Baptist Church in Hannibal. It was through this church and youth group that she stumbled across a boy that would sweep her off her feet and only 8 months later, ask her to be his wife. Eight months after the engagement, they will exchange vows in front of all their friends and family. It’s going to be a hot one in July, but it’ll be my pleasure to photograph their wedding…while serving as the maid of honor!

We had some unexpected things come up this week, which basically put me ‘out of work’ for a few days…hints the reason all these blog posts I have to publish have been set aside for the week. But now the week is almost over and I’m dying to share my most recent newborn session with little Miss Carmiah. This sweet 7 day old arrived a few weeks ago and slept through basically the entire session – which I’ve NEVER had happen before! She is a complete sweetheart and did beautifully as we posed and switched blankets and tried different things. When it was time to eat, we prepped big sister Micara and wrapped up the session with a little sisterly love, which proved to be a great idea – some of my favorite images to date!

Congrats Mike and Caroline! I love you both and I’m so happy to have had the opportunity to photograph Carmiah. Can’t wait to announce whether she will have a new best buddie or a future arranged marriage…

HAPPY FRIDAY!

So here’s to week 5 – Home! Last night, I whipped together some sugar cookies and dyed some icing in an attempt to feel a little more festive. Gave one cookie to Caison and he licked off all of the icing. Figures. The cookies were delicious though, and as soon as I’m finished with this post, I’m going to get a tiny bit of R&R with what I consider…HOME…

HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY!

With the Prom Dress Consignment Sale dress registration underway, it’s time to start talking about how the girls can best benefit from this sale by becoming a VIP shopper. I’m currently putting together goodie bags – collecting special ‘deals’ from local vendors who have something to offer students at prom. Amanda Miller Makeup Artistry, Savvi’s Formal Wear, and Teena’s Day Spa are all just a few to be included! The first 100 students to come shop at the sale will receive one of these FREE goodie bags! If you have a favorite local vendor you’d love to receive a special deal on, be sure to let me know so I can contact them!

So, how do you ensure you’re one of the first 100 shoppers? GREAT question! You need to become a VIP shopper, which can be done in a couple of different ways.

First, consign a dress. In order for this sale to be a huge hit, I need awesome dresses in the sale! Do you have dresses hanging in your closet that you’re never going to wear? Of course! Who doesn’t?! You wear a gorgeous dress to prom once, then you have nothing to do with it. Consign your dress in the sale and make great money off of it while it is still current and in great condition.

Second, sign up to work a shift. I’m going to need lots of help coordinating this sale from behind the counter to restocking racks to monitoring the dressing room. Invite your friends along and make it a fun night to hang out. Those who work will receive snacks and drinks to munch on throughout the shift. It will be a really fun place to hang out!

So, VIP shoppers can do one or both of the above. Based on what you’re willing to do:

1. Consign a dress and work two shifts – shop FIRST!

2. Consign a dress and work one shift – shop SECOND!

3. Work one shift – shop THIRD!

4. Consign a dress – shop FOURTH!

After all VIP shoppers have been released to shop for 30+ minutes, the sale will open to the public. But HURRY, there are only a limited number of VIP slots. CONTACT ME via the contact form, phone (618-550-2299) or email: info @ emilydobson .com

Happy Wednesday!

Welcome sweet little girl!

“What if it’s a huge flop?”

“What if I don’t get any dresses?”

“WHAT IF NO ONE COMES?!”

I have a lot of ideas. Usually, when I mention my new ideas to Wade, he gives me ‘the look.’ You know, the look that screams, “Really Em?” Most of the time, the idea stops here. Once formed, I jot down a few notes, do a little research and then watch the idea sit and die…a slow, painful death. I don’t know how many books are sitting on my bookshelf that I randomly decided I was going to read, but then never got around to actually READING them. Yeah, the same goes with my ideas. Whether it’s an idea that was shared with me or something I came up with on my own, they all have POTENTIAL…which basically means nothing unless you do something with it.

Well, this time, I’m doing something with it. I would love, I repeat LOVE for you to come join me during the Prom Dress Consignment Sale I’m hosting later this month. Yep, that’s the idea…an idea that was shared with me in January and something I’ve been toying with for about a month now. In just a few short weeks, I’ll be hosting this sale here in Alton. It is the PERFECT opportunity for high school students to earn some extra cash, and of course get a gorgeous prom dress for a great deal!

I appreciate all of those who participated in my little GAME over the weekend! And for those who think I’m crazy enough to host a fashion show or launch a brand new store right before my baby is due (although this is a short-term store)! Believe it or not, a fashion show is TOTALLY on my list of ideas! I actually have a ton of information on it, just haven’t been able to pull it together yet. I hope to though. Maybe in Spring of 2013?

I will be sharing tons of information over the next couple of weeks including details on how to consign dresses, how to become a VIP shopper, and also sneak peeks of gorgeous dresses and what might be included in the goodie bag!

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE SHARE this event with all of your friends and family! Even if you don’t have a dress to sell or know a high school student…you never know when something you posted will reach someone who could take advantage of this sale! Click the ‘like’ button at the bottom of this post to help with it’s visibility. Click the ‘share’ button on your Facebook walls so that more and more people can find out about it!

And PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE ‘LIKE’ and ‘RECOMMEND’ this event on Facebook!

Of course, STAY TUNED! Can’t wait to continue promoting this event!

I feel it is fitting to end the month with another goal in mind: Project 52. Today, I’m posting week 3′s theme, which was last week by the way. Next week, I’ll post week 4, and so on and so forth…this way I have the entire week to take my picture!

Week 3′s theme is a bit broad – almost too broad for my liking. It leaves the door wide open for interpretation which sometimes leaves my creative juices at a loss for where to focus! But I finally made a decision…and here is the end result:

TRUST.

Time and time again, the Lord reminds me to trust…specifically in regards to finances. With a new baby on the way, unexpected expenses tend to creep up and surprise you when you least expect them! I see the money in verses the money out and I ask, “How God? Where are you?” I sinfully doubt. I sinfully worry. I live as if He is not in control, and as if He doesn’t already know my needs. In Matthew 6, Jesus says, “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?” (emphasis mine).

Yesterday, on my way to the mailbox, I told my mother-in-law, Luanne, I was hoping for cash. Confused, she asked, “Well does somebody owe you money?” I replied, “No, I’m just hoping we’ll get lucky one day!” I opened the mailbox, and there was an unexpected $30 check in there addressed to me. From where? THE PEDIATRICIAN?

This short story is such an amazing example of God’s faithfulness. And you know what I’m most ashamed of? I wasn’t even asking for the money. The Lord took it upon himself to provide a little extra in a time of need. Continue reading beyond Matthew chapter 6 and you’ll stumble upon a verse in Matthew 7: “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.”

Thank you, Lord, for reminding me to ask…to seek you daily and to make my requests known to you. And thank you, Lord, for reminding me to trust…in ALL things…TRUST you wholly and completely.