12 before 2012

I was reading a blog the other day and came across a challenge: 12 before 2012.
The writer was challenging her readers to join in on completing twelve projects before they rang in the new year.

Anyone who really knows me, knows that I LOVE to dream up projects, buy (trash pick) for projects, and never finish them...some I don't even start. So this sounded like a fun idea to me and maybe, just maybe, enough motivation for me to finish some of the projects I have laying around.


I have pinned some things on Pinterest that I am hoping to get completed.
It's fun to have goals *wink*.

So here are a couple pictures of the 'beginnings' of my projects for the next two months... oh, and a kitchen make-over... ha!

(don't judge me for the 'state' of my garage)

I plan on doing a post in the near future about my recent thrift store purchases and 'curb finds', but since this is part of the challenge, I included the price of these lamps. I also got a shade for one for $1.90.
(disclaimer: They look a lot cuter in the picture than they actually are. *wink*)

Five Years

My husband, Adam, and I have been married five years now... five wonderful, growing, hard, delightful years.

We received a card from his parents that summed up marriage in the most terrible, yet truthful words I've heard:
"The best mistake I've ever made."

Adam and I met on the internet. People we know often want to make an 'example' of us that internet dating is successful. We loudly scream "NO!":) We think it was one of the hardest things we have ever done... moving across the country, not having a 'normal' dating time. Sure there are perks: getting to know each other better than we would if there was physical contact, etc., but that's what relationships are meant to go through, to overcome!

We work. We are terribly in love. We passionately pursue life together, BUT that's not a product of the internet, it's a product of a really big God who used the internet to bring two like-minded people together. We don't work because of the internet... believe me, we met based on attraction like most everybody else, not based on a great list of all of our goals, character and aspirations.

We work because God gives us strength to put up with each other's crap and gives us a great example of His beautiful love that loves us when we are defiant and ugly in our spirits.

The past year has come with many challenging times (as do most years)...
we felt like a 'break' was needed more than ever before and my dad was kind enough to book a vacation for us that we could have never dreamed of going on.
We returned to Hilton Head, SC, where we honeymooned... It's so beautiful and peaceful there... a great place to  get a little rejuvenation!

So, back to life... a  bit more rested, and a ton more grateful!

Press on! <3

Oh! I love this man!!!

{Sneak Peak: Columbus Area Weddings}

I've shot three weddings since we've last spoken... I can't seem to keep my head above water with editing, our awesome new responsibility with our youth group and my ornery little two year old...
BUT here's a little peak of things to come!

{Bloom}

I don't have a green thumb. Oh how I wish I did, because I really love plants, flowers, etc., but it just isn't the case. I remember my first plant...and it's demise, like it was yesterday.

My dear friend Michele was moving to New Zealand, and asked my to adopt her lovely Jade plant. I kept it in my office at work and it grew and grew and I was so thrilled that I went and bought it a beautiful new planter to live in. And when I drove it home from work, I was in a bit of a hurry... and forgot it in the car. It was a wintery-Ohio night and the poor little thing froze to death, literally.

 Needless to say, I was a bit overwhelmed when we moved into our house, and spring came along ushering in ten (plus) Peony bushes, several rose bushes and countless other beauties. But this spring I was ready for them and excited for the color they bring to our lawn. So, this was the week they finally bloomed... and now they fill our home with a little bit of summer.

{Tim & Ashley: Married}

As Ashley sat in her pajamas in the cabin where they would be married, Tim walked in with the appetizers. She hopped up and hugged him, not a single thought of the 'not seeing your bride/ groom on the wedding day' tradition.

I knew at that moment, this would be the most relaxed, simple wedding I would ever photograph. 

What a blessing with it being my first, that Ashley and Tim were both so gracious and accommodating.

They showered their closest friends and family with attention and a lavish meal...

It was refreshing that their love for each other made for the center of the day!

Tim and Ashley, I smile thinking of your wedding day... A lovely beginning to forever!

May your marriage adventure be as exciting and lovely as you two are!

{boring}

Yeah, I know... the blog has been super boring with only a post here and there lately!
Life has been super busy in our family, and I don't want to miss a second of it! 


Thanks for sticking with me...

Yeah, I know this picture is out of focus... but it seems pretty in character with a yawn *wink*

{Allison & David: Engaged}

{Ainsley: Newborn}

Even though little miss Ainsley had no intentions of going to sleep during our shoot, she was completely content. She literally didn't make a peep. I imagine having two older brothers makes you quite aware of what's going on around you! Lucky me gets to follow this sweet little girl for the next year, so keep your eye out for Ainsley's future shoots!

Enjoy!

{Jan: Professional Headshots}

Jan is a writer. I am not. If I wanted to become a writer, I would contact Jan. I imagine I should have some writing talent before contacting her, but Jan helps aspiring writers realize and reach their goals. Pretty cool, huh? (Check her out here if you'd like to know more.) I was asked to do a shoot of more 'approachable' headshots for her website.  She may be the most un-stuffy business woman I've ever met (Is that a word?)  Either way, we had fun!

Enjoy!

{Senior Portraits}

It's that time again!

If you're a 2012 graduate, looking to book senior pictures, now is the time to do it!

In order to give individual attention to each upcoming senior, I'm limiting my bookings to *TEN* 2012 graduates!

Contact me now to reserve your spot!

No Comment

If I'm honest, I will admit that there are times I post things to get a reaction. It may be to 'ruffle feathers' or in hopes to shine a positive light on me or my parenting, etc.

I've been thinking a lot about why I blog. And I think there's a lot of value in blogging.
In my particular case, it helps to showcase my photography so that my clients can see a preview of my work.

However, I believe I have a bit of a platform having a 'business-based' blog. People come to my website for photography, but hopefully will come across a post on Jesus, charity, parenting... things I'm passionate about.  I've been praying about how I can stay true to my motives in blogging, and to not find my worth in the feedback people may leave (or not leave). With all of that in mind, I have decided to disable the 'Comments' section of my blog.

Please know that I still value your communication and if you have a question, concern, or simply want to dialogue, you can communicate via the 'Contact Me' tab.

I am continuing to pray that I post with intention: to provoke thought, creativity, passion, and ultimately reflect the goodness of my Savior.

Shanionie: Etsy Shop

It may seem silly, but I'm SO excited to have one of my photographs featured on a friend's Etsy shop.

My lovely little friend, Shannon, has broken out in the crochet world and is making some darling things. She customizes everything, so head on over and find something you can't live without (send her a message if you need something 'custom'). Check her out here: Shanionie- A Touch of Vintage.

While you're here, I'll sneak you a peak of adorable Hannah modeling the adorable hat! Quite the pair! wink!

**Disclaimer: This shoot was done while babysitting... a fun little shoot in my poorly-lit house!

{Fornek: First Trimester Shoot}

They have waited quite some time for this little miracle, so I couldn't have been more excited when Danielle and Adam asked me to shoot a maternity bundle for them.  This is a totally new idea for JFP, but it was fun thinking of shots to 'build on' as the pregnancy goes along. Their other new addition, Lucy, (the golden retriever) was eager to jump into the session, so cute! Keep your eye out for more of this lovely little *growing* family!

Enjoy!

{Teaser}

Just a little peak at my postings 'in progress'...

Taking Back SAHM

I have been craving my role as stay-at-home-mom (SAHM) for several months now.

Some moms tolerate this role, some love it, I thrive on it.

The fall months when JFP was so busy that I forgot we even had a washing machine, my heart longed to clean my house and bake bread with my favorite miniature guy. I missed being with Atticus during the day with my full attention (not waiting for nap-time so that I could edit). It's in the past month that I was reunited with the joy that a 21 month-old gets from playing with water (which he can now pronounce in the most hilarious way: "wa-or" rolling his 'R' like he's a native of Spain), stacking cans of beans, or even moving things from one place to another.

Late last week, I was sorting dry beans to prepare for a meal and Atticus became quite intrigued by what I was doing. After holding him up to the counter,  'swooshing' his hands through the beans, I could see on his face just much he was 'experiencing'. So we took the crock of beans into the living room and he played with them for easily twenty minutes. There's nothing like watching a child experience something for the first time... there's just this intrigue of the new feelings and the 'processing' of it all. LOVE!

{Our Dear Friends}

We have lots of really great friends, really great friends! But Randy and Sarah have a special place in our hearts... they are the first friends that were neither Adam's friends or my friends before they were our friends! That may sound silly, but it has been a big deal in our marriage to start gaining friends that only know us as 'The Towells' rather than as 'Adam and his wife' or 'Julia and her husband'.

Sarah and Randy are a staple in our life as well as two of Atticus's favorite people. He knows that church means he gets to see them, and has even started to recognize Randy's voice on the CD our church band recorded.

Sarah is super ultra creative and talented... I couldn't begin to list her 'gifts' but she has an easy store that I'm sure she'll shoot me for posting since she hasn't had much time to make all of her little dandies lately, but check her out anyway!

Randy is the 'culture guru'... media, politics, pretty much anything you want to talk about, he knows! It's pretty fun and amazing to be around. (Unless, of corse, it's 2am and he's having a talk about theme songs from the 80's with your husband with you in the room, not that that has ever happened! *wink*)

On top of all of their individual 'greatness', Randy and Sarah are so great together...
As a duo, they are some pretty hardcore musicians and have released CD's (Helvetica is for Lovers) and currently bless Grace Fellowship, in Pickerington, OH with their musical talents!

All this to say... I love them to pieces...
and I couldn't think of many people that I'd rather photograph!
Ps. Randy said that he never likes pictures of himself... I told him I was up for the challenge!
Voila: Our impromptu photo shoot! (I think I won!)