We met up for their engagement session as the sky threatened to downpour, the oncoming storm created the coolest sky and lighting. Thankfully the rain held off until the last couple pictures and then it poured! cats and dogs. This turned out to be one of my favorites sessions, such a fun couple!

Enjoy a few favorites!

love this one! Paula, you are beautiful!favorite!Happy Friday!

I loved corresponding with Jackie before we met for their engagement session, when we finally met it was like I was chatting with old friends. They seriously cracked me up! At one point I think Jackie was concerned that neither Mike or I would show up for the wedding because we kept messing up the date. Jackie has some great plans for her wedding and I’m SO excited to see everything come together!

Here are few of my favorites!

Their sweet dog, Frank joined us for a few shots…I secretly wanted to take him home with me and introduce him to Piper.

Enjoy some of my favorites…

this made me laugh out loud he’s pullin’ hard…like father like son

Spending time with Kim, Jason, and Westin was such a fun day! We started off with a few pictures of the three of them, and finished with just Kim and Jason. Westin was all too happy to stay at Nana’s house and play with his trains.:)

Kim and Jason, I could not be more thrilled for your big day! Here are a few of my favorites..

It was SO windy and cold, unseasonably so, but Kim and Jason were troopers!

Keshia, you have blessed me more then you’ll ever know. From being your counselor at church camp to us hanging out at a coffee shop watching (or rather staring) at teens on their first date, you are a treasure. I love that we can have honest conversations while sipping on Chickfila ice tea and I love that you appreciate how awesome Hillsong United is .

Here are some favorites! And thanks to Lesley for tagging along and being the best gear holder/rock balancer ever.

those BLUE eyes…!!you are just so pretty! This skirt is from Africa…I don’t normally take images with sunflare, but I thought these were fun!

We met up for an afternoon of laughs, yummy food and drinks and lots of pictures. Jessica and Katie wanted some portfolio pictures and head shots for their new site which will be launching soon. It honestly didn’t feel like work, more like hanging out with some beautiful friends. Here are a few of my favorites!

In the down time that we had, we talked about what worked, what didn’t, and what we learned over the last year. Here are some of my thoughts about year 5 of marriage.
-I realized that I had to grow up, for real. At 26 you would think I was all grown up, but I’m not talking about age. Up until the last year or so, I don’t think I was taking my role as a wife super seriously, at least the caretaker part. When Joe took a significant job change it forced us both to grow up quickly. Instead of setting the alarm for 20 minutes before he walked out the door and racing against the clock all day, we are now both up at 4:30-5am and have a routine to get him out the door so he can begin his long commute. I have to be deliberate and structured about my time for the rest of the day, to get everything done, including work and household duties. Being disciplined about those things has changed my day to day living. We both joke that last year we grew up and put our big boy pants on.

-I’ve learned that I’m not the most talkative person in the world. Well, I’ve always known that, but I’m realizing more and more that I tend to keep things bottled up or only share tidbits with Joe. I am SO so grateful that he’s patient and encourages me to talk more, and he’s learning to listen. We’re both a work in progress -I’ve learned that I can’t control much, but what I can control is my response and attitude. Life is so uncertain, we’ve been through some pretty difficult things, but one thing I know for certain is that God is sovereign and He IS in control. -I’ve learned that love isn’t pithy Facebook statutes or cute Instagram pictures. Love is dying to yourself and choosing your spouse before your own wants and desires. Love is handing me a glass of water after the lights are off (and your husband is half asleep) and I all of a sudden have a scratchy throat. Love is sitting on the couch watching Blue Bloods on a Friday night, holding hands. Love is choosing to bit your tongue and not say something you know you’ll regret. Love is staying up till 2am to resolve an argument.-I’ve learned to not press for answers. As a naturally curious person, I love asking questions, but there are times when questions should be held. I’ve learned to wait and at the right time Joe will share whats on his heart, when he’s ready. -I’m learning that when your husband knows he has your support, they feel like they can conquer the world. I struggle with change and in the last 5 years we’ve had a lot of change, especially with Joe’s career. While we were in the midst of figuring out next steps, I had to come to a place where I said, Ok Lord, let’s do this and be ok with change. I learned to hold on for the ride, and it’s been a fun one .I’ve learned(and am still learning) that marriage is hard. And it should be. I think sometimes I expect things to be easy and then get bent out of shape when things don’t go my way. Things that matter are never easy. Marriage matters! In this day and age, I feel like people don’t fight for their marriage. I’m learning that this journey is one we’re on together and while at times it’s bumpy,  it’s also beautiful and raw. I am so grateful that the Lord placed Joe and I together, I cannot imagine going through life without him. I’m also thankful for my mom and many other older women who are true examples of what it means to be a virtuous women. I know I have a lot to learn and being able to go to someone older and wiser is such a blessing.

I’m so grateful for the 5 years we’ve had together and I pray for many more. I know I don’t have all the answers and don’t claim to, but I’m thankful for what God is doing in our lives, conforming us to the image of His Son.

I took a risk and tried this new recipe, but when I saw it called for 3 tablespoons of vanilla, I knew it had to be good. When my mom asked for the recipe, I knew it impressed her

Salted Caramel Bundt Cake
Ingredients
•    For the cake:
•    3 cups all purpose flour (I would typically use gluten free flour, but I didn’t want to mess it up on the first try, so I felt like crap after eating some, but it was worth it)
•    1/2 tsp baking powder
•    1/2 tsp baking soda
•    1/2 tsp salt
•    2 sticks unsalted butter, at room temperature
•    1 1/4 cup granulated sugar
•    4 large eggs
•    3 tsp vanilla extract
•    1 cup nonfat greek yogurt
•
•    For the caramel glaze:
•    1 cup sugar
•    1/2 stick butter
•    3/4 cup heavy cream
•    sea salt

For the cake:
Preheat oven to 350.  Spray a bundt pan with nonstick baking spray.
In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt.  Set aside.
In a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat the butter until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes on medium speed.  Add the sugar and beat until the mixture has paled a bit and is creamy.  Add the eggs, one at a time, scraping down the bowl after each addition.  Add the vanilla and mix well.  Drop in the greek yogurt in 1/4 cup increments, mixing well after each addition. (At this point, the batter looks really weird, I thought it curdled somehow, it didn’t, just don’t get freaked out if it looks a little iffy until you add the flour)
Add the flour to the mix in three batches, mixing until just combined after each addition.  Try not to overmix the batter.
Pour the batter into the prepared bundt pan and smooth with a rubber spatula, making sure everything is evenly distributed.
Bake the cake for 50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean (mine was done faster so start checking at 40 minutes).
Remove cake from the oven and allow it to cool in the pan for 5-10 minutes.  When it is cool enough to handle, transfer to a wire rack and cool for another hour.

This is the BEST vanilla I’ve ever tasted, I got it in Haiti last year (don’t worry, it’s not really $22.40).

For the caramel glaze:
Pour the sugar into a medium-sized pan and heat on the stove over medium-low heat, allowing the sugar to melt and whisking often., 3-5 minutes. (they lie, its more like 10 minutes)
When the sugar becomes golden brown, add the butter and whisk constantly.  Once the butter and sugar are well-combed (about 5 minutes), remove from the heat.
Add the cream to the pot with the caramel and stir until the caramel is thick and creamy. Pour the glaze into a bowl and set aside to cool for a bit.
Pour the caramel glaze over the cake and sprinkle with sea salt.

The verdict: its like crack, especially the caramel glaze, one lick and you can’t stop.

Happy Friday!

Here are a bunch of sneak peeks! The blog is going to be happy for awhile

Fabulous event planners (with gorgeous hair I might add)

Jackie and Mike!Kim and Jason!Josiah, Kim, and little HelmGORG Keshia! and lovely Paula and Jeremey!

Zach was two cabins up from Emily. Far enough away to not see her, but close enough to know she was just over the hill. Upon entering the boys cabin, you were greeted with the manly smell of cologne and hair gel. Zack was eager to get his boutonniere on because that meant his wedding was imminent. Each time you asked if he was excited, he nodded, smoothed his suit, and gave you the biggest smile.

Friends and family drove from the DC area to spend the weekend in the mountains of West Virginia for Emily and Zachs wedding. They recently fell in love with a little, artsy town and purchased a weekend home in the woods, so they thought it fitting to have their wedding in the same area. Emily and Zach, thank you for allowing me to be apart of your precious day. I wish you all the best!

Some favorites…

The pearl necklace was Emilys grandmothers…Her daddy seeing her for the first time…I always love moments like this.Emily, you were a gorgeous bride!!