I’m not a religious person. I love God and I have a relationship with Him. It’s not a religion or thought that comes to mind when things are difficult. It’s a relationship where I ask, “Why”? I look at those 3 amazing kids and wonder how they will ever know how much she adored each of them. In the next breath though, I remember that I KNOW how much she loved them and I’ll remind them throughout their lives of her love for them. No one has a perfect life. No one. Certainly not me. I am slowly learning that God is with us and knows the extent of our hurt even more than we do.

My mom had a play at her church during Christmas and these were some of the lines…..

MAGGIE:

“Nathan, a lot of things are going to be happening over the next few weeks. And a lot of it might be confusing to you.”

NATHAN: You mean about school, Mamma?

MAGGIE:” No, not about school. Nathan, one day when you’re older you might want to blame God for making me sick, but I don’t want you to do that. I want you to always know that God didn’t make me sick; He helped me through this sickness. He gave me the strength to play with you and He held me on my really horrible days.
In a little while, you may hear grown-ups say things like, “Isn’t it a pity? God took her so young.” But they’re wrong, Nathan. They’re wrong, and I don’t want you to listen to them.
When they say things like that, I want you to remember what I’m telling you now. God didn’t take me, He received me.”

NATHAN: ” You mean in heaven, Mamma?”

MAGGIE: ” Yes, sweetie, in heaven.”

NATHAN: ” God’s going to take you to heaven?”

MAGGIE: “No. He’s not going to take me, Nathan. He’s going to open His arms and receive me. There’s a big difference, and I always want you to remember that.”

So in the middle of my grief, I’m still asking God to help me and that precious family. I’m writing this to tell you too that God knows where you are. He knows your pain. He knows my pain. And HE promises to never leave us or forsake us.

Here is my very favorite picture I ever took of Jannetta.  It makes me smile to look at it.  It was her real, honest to goodness, from the heart smile.  And I’ll never forget it…………..ever.

Psalm 147:3 “He heals the brokenhearted and bandages their wounds.”

We met in downtown Greer for these fun pictures.  The boys were amazing as usual and that smile Drew gave me, melted my heart!

Thank you so much for allowing me to photograph your sweet family~

Enjoy!!

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150543881587940.401847.19049882939&type=3

And a HUGE thanks to my incredible husband, Kyle.  Without you I would just be a girl with a camera.  You make me who I am and you make me HAPPIER than I ever dreamed possible.  Lub!

http://janacandlerphoto.com/

Now, tell me what YOU think! 

I went to their house this past Saturday and we got these fun photos. The boys and Dusty (their sweet dog) did great for our shoot!

Thank you for allowing me to come photograph your sweet family! I loved hanging out with all of you!  Enjoy!

Evan (4 years old)                                                                                                                 William (18 months)

Congratulations on the birth of Brady.  You are going to adore being parents.  It’s the hardest job I’ve ever loved!  Enjoy!  And thank you for letting me photograph him!

And yes, I think that’s a smile! Brady Michael Atwood

Born Thursday, December 8, 2011

7lbs. 2 oz.

20.5 inches long

Brittany and Blake’s wedding was in July of 2007 and I was pregnant with Bennett. Their wedding was so sweet and even after all of these years we have stayed in touch with each other. She and Blake now live in Atlanta where they both work for Chick-fil-a in jobs that they love!!

Before she moved, we had lunch and she told me she was pregnant. The joy on her face and excitement in her voice were so evident. I was beyond thrilled for them to say the least.

Yesterday, I had the honor of meeting Shuler and photographing him. He was simply perfect, just as I knew he would be. Brittany and Blake were their same incredible selves only better with the addition of Shuler. I loved watching them all interact. It was precious.

Thank you for choosing me to be a part of your sweet family 5 years ago this July! I am so happy for you both! Y’all are going to love being parents!

I believe that’s a smile there!Could he be any cuter!?!?!And he of course already loves Chick-fil-A!

Congratulations on the birth of sweet baby Ella!  I can already tell that y’all are going to love being with each other!  It’s only gets better………..

Just call me the baby whisperer! I got her to smile!

On January 14th, Jana Candler and Kim DeLoach are hosting a half day event to help you learn how to capture those special moments with your own cameras.  There will be 2 classes: one in the morning, and one in the afternoon.  Each class will be limited to 10 attendees, so act fast!

Class Agenda

• Classroom time will cover basic elements of your camera, and general photographic principles and practices.
• Practice time will let you use what you’ve  learned in beautiful downtown Greenville.
• Review time will allow us to look at your images and provide some positive feedback to help you.
• A question and answer period will allow for any un-answered questions that we may have missed.
• LUNCH will be provided.

Equipment Needed

You will need a SLR camera for our class.  That generally means that you can change lenses.  Point and shoot cameras will not be covered.  Also, make sure that your camera has a memory card to capture your practice images.

Cost

The class costs $125 and includes lunch (choose morning or afternoon).

Event Times

9:00am – 1pm Saturday, January 14th (click here to purchase your ticket)

1:00pm – 5:00pm Saturday, January 14th (click here to purchase your ticket)

As most of you know, we lost Kyle’s mom, Cindy, to cancer this past March.  I have heard people say that the holidays are difficult and never really understood that until this year.  There have been times over the past month where I’ve wished we could just skip over this Christmas.  It would seem easier to just not have to think about her not being with us.  I will so miss Cindy cooking all day so we could sit around the table and enjoy being together while eating her amazing cooking.  I already miss her “trash” she made for us every year.  (Trash is chex mix that she would make and give us at Thanksgiving in a HUGE tin)  I’ve made her peanut butter balls already, and although they were good, it just wasn’t the same.  Mine were lumpy looking and the holes from the toothpicks were huge!  I so wish I could ask her how she made them all look so perfect every year.  And her sausage balls.  I have no idea how she made those so perfect.  We would have a huge breakfast the morning after we opened gifts and sit around the table laughing and talking about anything and everything.  Just happy to be with each other, while eating scrambled eggs with cheese, grits and of course those sausage balls.

Last year she found these sweet books from Hallmark where you can record yourself reading the book.  She recorded one for each of our kids.  We listened to them with the kids last week and I cried the entire time.  Maddie told me later that if I missed Mimi and wanted to hear her voice, I could borrow her book anytime. I may just have to do that……..

I’ve also been reminded of all of the people who don’t “have” this year.  I can only imagine how they wish they could just skip over the holidays too.  I have said a prayer for all of you who are hurting this year, for whatever reason.

All of these things have made me think about what is important to me.  Family.  Friends.  My Savior.  So while I mourn that Cindy is not with us, I do know that I WILL see her again one day.  Because I believe that God came as a baby to save us from our sins.  This season is about being thankful for the way that God has taken care of us this past year.  Thankful for my incredible husband, who loves me and KNOWS me and then still loves me.  Thankful for my amazing kids who make me want to be a better person so that they will know God’s love and acceptance.  Thankful for my family and friends who have been there this year when I’ve needed them the most.  Thankful for my clients who have helped take care of us this year.  Thankful for a baby that was sent to this Earth to love us and save us from our sins.  This Savior is with me everyday in my heart helping me, comforting me, guiding me.  God is the ONLY one I’ve ever found that has filled my heart and given me peace.  If you are looking for peace, you can find it in Him.

So, Merry Christmas from our family to yours.  And may 2012 be better for everyone!