Just Young Kids Full of Young Love.

They met outside of the girls bathroom. After all, that was the cool place to hang out back then according to Kathleen. Her friend and her met the new boy in school, DJ and his friend. That is where it all started. They were twelve years old. Just young kids full of young love.

Time passed. The first time DJ asked Kathleen out was when they were thirteen years old. A doorbell rung at the Chiles' home. A thirteen year old boy otherwise known as DJ's friend was at the door to ask Kathleen out...for DJ. Still just a couple of young kids full of young love.

Well, they are no longer thirteen years old. DJ no longer needs his friend to ask Kathleen out for him. Yet, they are still young. Young in the heart. Just young kids full of young love.

DJ and Kathleen hold a very special place in Bryan and I's hearts for more reasons than I can count on both of my hands. One of the most fun, interesting and funniest being we share the SAME EXACT engagement date. Yes, our (now) fiances had no idea they would be proposing on the same day. The emotions ran wild with all of our friends that weekend, but to say the least, I am honored to share such a memorable date with one of my best gals.

With that said, they are getting married this June, and to celebrate DJ and Kathleen's upcoming wedding, a surprise shower was thrown for the stunning Bride-to-Be! The shower was amazing and quite beautiful with many thanks to the beautiful bridesmaids and DJ and Kathleen's families! DJ and Kathleen are incredibly blessed to be surrounded by so many people who just adore them to a million pieces!

Kathleen, I do not even know how to sum up what an amazing friend you are other than I pretty much heart you! I hope DJ and you forever remain young kids full of young love. Enjoy the pictures!

Shout out to Martha, you did a fantastic job with the decorations! Loved. Them.

Seeds of Passion: Kelle Hampton.

It usually starts with a knot in my throat. The tears start to flood my eyes. Every time I have this happen, I wish I was not so caring so I would not have to go through these feelings. However, it is who I am. Bryan says I go through these series of emotions because I have too big of a heart: the pain, happiness, gratitude and sadness. They contradict one another but compliment one another so well at the same time it's almost bittersweet.

It hit me Monday afternoon like a hurricane hits the Florida seashore: fast, unexpected and with a large impact that kind of shook my entire world. In a good way. The kind of way that made me look at everything in my life different. There I was at work taking a moment's break to read a new blog I stumbled across. Enjoying the Small Things by Kelle Hampton. She is a mama to two beautiful little girls, has a loving hubby and is enjoying her passion of photography. Her photographs make my heart swoon with joy. Seriously. They are so real, full of life and living each moment to the fullest. At the top of her blog was a "If you are new to this site, a good place to start is here." So, naturally I clicked on here. Little did I know the click to here would rock my world and make me look at life just a little different. That this story defines who she is as a mother, wife, friend, daughter, sister and photographer.

I went on to read the birth story of the newest addition to her happy, little family: Nella. Kelle went on sharing how excited her hubby and her were to have the birth of their newest addition happen. They were full of joy, love and happiness. Champagne waited to be opened with friends and family, favor boxes were ready to hand out to visitors and their little girl was dressed and ready to be a big sister! As I read about her baby girl being born, I thought to myself, there is a twist to this story. Sure enough, I was right. It was time for her to head to the delivery room to deliver her pride and joy, and as she was born and handed to Kelle something happened that shook Kelle's entire world. Her new baby girl, Nella, was born with Down syndrome. The rest of the story had me crying silent tears for this family I had never met nor will meet in the future probably. However, the power of her words moved me. The way this woman lives her life and lives it to the fullest way possible with her girls and husband is ever so inspiring.

I encourage everyone to read her words. They will move you. Make you appreciate all of life's blessings. After all, life is a blessing and the things we are given within our lives come in all forms of gifts and surprises. Some may rock our world while others will make us dance for joy, but every blessing in every form is worth celebrating!

To Kelle Hampton, I may never meet you, but I want to thank you for making me understand life is full of surprises and with every surprise life gives you, it is worth "enjoying the small things."

(The pictures below are two of my favorites from her blog about the birth story of her daughter, Nella, taken by Heidi and Laura.)

Simple.

I needed last week. Kind of like I need cake. Or Reese's Pieces. Oh dear, I'm already getting off topic. Like I was saying, I needed last week. I needed to slow down. Times one hundred. I needed to be reminded of the simple things I am blessed with in my life. Like running outside in eighty degree weather for an hour all the while smelling honeysuckle in the air. Like mentoring an intelligent fifth grader and seeing the twinkle in his eyes when he beats a twenty-five year old at a strategy game (yes, this actually happened). Like taking afternoon naps and getting lost in reading a good book until the late afternoon hours. Like browsing through antique shops in Weston with Bryan. Like feasting with good food, wine and some of our best friends at a winery on a gorgeous Saturday afternoon. Like sitting in an Irish pub and listening to good ol' Irish music without a care in the world, dancing and singing. Like dreaming with the one I love the most about all the great things to come. Simple is lying down in the middle of my living room at midnight with candles lit everywhere, holding my love's hand and listening to one of our best friends play us our first dance song for our wedding on his guitar while we are filled with pure bliss.

It is so easy to get caught up in the hectic life we lead day-to-day. However, once in awhile, we get blessed with simplicity. It's God way of reminding us to slow down and enjoy the simple things in life. With the flowers and trees blooming everywhere, I encourage everyone to take this time of the year to enjoy the simple things: backyard BBQs with neighbors and family, lying in the grass at a park and reading a good book or just spending time taking long walks with your loved ones. Simple is found in everything we can never buy. Happiness is what follows simple. It's what we are surrounded by and have in our lives. So, take the time to enjoy being simple. After all, I think it is the best way of living. We just forget from time to time and need a reminder.

A shout out to my future hubby: B, I cannot wait to marry you in TWO MONTHS from today! Most of all, I cannot wait to enjoy the simple things in life with you everyday.

Happy Monday!

(This is a picture of two of our best friends taken over the weekend. Every time I look at it, I cannot help but feel happy and blessed.)

Family: The Rutledges, The Sweets and Jackie Eatinger.

Good ol' Saturdays. I just love them. This particular Saturday was one of my favorites. 70 degrees, sunny, breezy and well just perfect I should say. What made it just over the top perfect was meeting this family below. Jennifer and Dustin have been married for what Sarah, Jennifer's sister, has said a million years. Not really though. They are just a fabulous couple though. Dustin was such a good sport about spending that morning smiling and doing everything I asked. Jennifer has this sweet and calm personality I absolutely love. Then there is Sarah, BJ and sweet Brayden. They are such a fun family especially Brayden. He is a daddy's boy through and through. I can almost picture him five years from now, ok maybe a year from now playing little league, watching sports with BJ and being dad's best friend! That is how close he is with BJ. It's really sweet to witness. Sarah just has a very fun personality, and I was so excited to hear she is a teacher! And of course there is Sarah and Jennifer's mum, Jackie! I absolutely loved Jackie. She has a great personality and love for life, and I could tell she just loved and I mean loved her family. Not to mention, she shares a passion for photography!

It was an absolute pleasure getting to meet this family and spend a beautiful Saturday morning with them. Bryaden sure gave Bryan and I some great laughs! A special thanks to the Rutledges, the Sweets and Jackie for spending that beautiful Saturday morning with Bryan and I. Hope all of you enjoy the images below!

Babies and Kids: Baby Robbie.

It is no surprise this little guy is special to me. For one, his parents are very good friends of mine. His dad, RJ, was a Phi Kappa Theta with Bryan, and his mom, Laura, is my big...big sister in Chi Omega. So, imagine the love Baby Robbie gets between RJ and Laura and the rest of us Kansas City folks who pretty much adore him! I could not have asked for a more perfect and fun session with Robbie, Laura and RJ.

I find it absolutely fascinating how a little guy like Robbie can have so much power. I mean they call all the shots. For instance, when I got there, Robbie was not up to being a celebrity and getting his picture taken. Well, somewhere in the midst of the session, he fell asleep. That did not stop us from getting some fun and neat shots. I have to say, Robbie is quite the photogenic baby, sleeping or awake. And, his smile. Oh. my. goodness. It makes me want to melt right then and there!

RJ and Laura, enjoy these pictures! I'm so glad they came out great, and I am even happier that we captured his smile on camera. I cannot wait to watch him grow. He is kind of a stud!

Senior Portraits: Spencer Hiestand.

It was a perfect day. Perfect weather, perfect location and most of all, a perfect senior. Before meeting Spencer, I knew this session was going to special. It was my first time photographing for senior portraits, but more importantly, he was one of my good friend's little brother. Upon meeting Spencer, he had a killer smile, a very laid-back attitude, laughed easily and was model-ready. Seriously. He would sit or stand somewhere and know exactly what to do without me telling him. He made my job incredibly easy!

During the session, Spencer told me he was going to MS&T to become an engineer and most likely a Pi Kappa Alpha, just like his big brother! I could not help but beam for him and get him excited about the amazing experience he was going to have in a few months. All I have to say is, ladies in Rolla, look out for Spencer Hiestand because he is going to melt your hearts!

Spencer, enjoy your senior pictures, your last month as a senior and have a ridiculously awesome time in Rolla! You are going to LOVE it there.