What I'm Loving Wednesday + 14 Year Anniversary

When Andrew and I settled on Palm Springs as our Thanksgiving vacation destination I knew I wanted to do our Christmas card pictures while we there.  I wanted something different.  

I found a photographer I liked and who was affordable, but when I reached out to her about it she told me she didn't have any openings.  She was kind enough to recommend two other photographers in the area.  One of those photographers happen to take picture in California and in Arkansas.  

What are the chances?

It turns out Amber lives in California but her husband's family is from central Arkansas. 

Clearly it was meant to be.

Andrew and I enjoyed meeting and working with Amber and her husband.

We are already talking about another photoshoot the next time they are in Arkansas.

So today I'm sharing our photos from our time with Amber because I'm loving them.

And I'm loving that today my man and I are celebrating 14 years of marriage.

S&M Maternity Pics

A few weekends ago I had the honor of taking some maternity pictures for my brother and sister-in-law.  The twins are due in just a few short weeks.  I cannot wait to love on those sweet babies.

Here are a few of my favorites from our afternoon together.

A Lesson Twice Needed

A few weeks ago I had the privilege to attend a prayer vigil for Pastor Saeed.  Pastor Saeed is an Iranian American Christian pastor imprisioned in Iran.  He is separated from his wife and their two children and has been for the past two years, yet he continues to shine for Jesus. You can read more about him and his story here.  

Honestly when I first felt like God was telling me to not only attend the prayer vigil but to serve as a greeter, I wasn't sure I would say yes.  Greeter?  Talk to complete strangers?  It was definitely out of my comfort zone.  

And honestly, I probably would have disobeyed this urging had it not been for my husband being out of town.  Going to this prayer vigil was better than sitting at home alone.  

So I signed up.

I had no idea what I would walk away with that night.

It was a beautiful time of worship and prayer with family and old and new friends.  

My heart broke for Pastor Saeed, his family, and others who are imprisoned because of their faith.

My heart was filled with thankfulness for the freedom I have as a believer.  A freedom that I too often take for granted.

My heart was encouraged through Pastor Saeed's words to his daughter.  Words of wisdom, faith, and encouragement.

In a letter written by Pastor Saeed to his daughter celebrating her 8th birthday, he referenced Habakkuk 3:17-19.  When this letter was shared with us that evening I felt God whisper in my ear telling me to go and read the book of Habakkuk.  He had something there just for me.

I couldn't wait to get home and see what it was God had for me in the book of Habakkuk.

I've been wanting to share it with you ever since but I haven't been able to find the words.  Every time I tried to sit down and write what God had shared with me it came out all jumbled up.

But today I read this post.  And she said it perfectly.

Go read it.  

Go ahead.  I'll wait.

Though I may never bear a child of my own...  Though I may never hear a tiny voice call me Mommy...  Though the wait is longer than I ever hoped or dreamed...

I will rejoice.

I will praise God because he is God.

He is worthy.

He is good always!

This verse, this blog post, and this story could not have come back to me at a more perfect time.

Andrew and I had a little family photo shoot Tuesday afternoon.  It was the hardest photo shoot.  I wasn't looking forward to it.  I cried over it.  I just wanted to get it over with.  

It wasn't the photo shoot I wanted.  It wasn't the photo shoot that involved a cute Baby Weaver or even an announcement that Baby Weaver was on the way.

It was just the two of us and our dogs.  AGAIN.

God was so good to use my husband, Uncle Kevin, and Aunt Sandi to remind me of just how blessed I am.  I was reminded of those verses in Habukkuk and that I have reason to rejoice. 

God has already given me a beautiful -somewhat furry- family and although I cannot wait until the day we add a 5th member, my family is perfect just the way it is.

Thank you God for loving me and for blessing me with the perfect family.

Small Town Life

Ups and Downs

Weekends.  Are they not seriously the greatest thing?  This week has been an absolute roller coaster.  There have been some great highlights, but there have also been some pretty low points.

Monday was a particularly hard day for me.  I don't want to go into details, but it was a day when my heart was hurting pretty deeply.  I am so thankful for family and friends to lift me up when I need it.  They also let me vent and cry when I need to do that.  

God is good.  No matter what!

I am so thankful for the husband.  Though sometimes his logical thinking drives me mad, he has a way of making me smile always.  I found these old pictures this past weekend while I was cleaning out my closet.  Life with him has always been fun.

On a completely different note, I have set a date for us to have some family pictures taken.  They will be the pictures we use for our Christmas card this year, but we also need to update our family picture that hangs in our living room.  Lincoln Baxter needs to grace our walls.

Oh Lincoln Baxter.  This little guy has soooo much energy.  He is absolutely crazy.  We just thought Lib was crazy.  She's got nothing on this boy.  But he can also be the sweetest little guy.

Don't you just love those ears?  Andrew says he Weaver ears.  Ha!

Back to the family photos.  I have a date set, but I have no idea what we are going to wear or even where we are going to have the photos taken.  I have a couple of ideas thanks to our photographer, but I am really struggling with choosing.

I really want to go buy something new for the pictures.  Why is that I feel the need to have a new outfit for big events?  Yes, pictures are a big event!

Slowing Down

I almost hate to say it out of fear that I might jinx it, but I think life might finally be slowing down.

My brother is now someone's husband.  Wow!  Will that ever stop sounding crazy to me?  

It was such a blessing to be their wedding photographer.  And honestly, playing photographer kept me from sobbing like a baby through the wedding. Ha!  

I haven't shared all of the pictures with the bride & groom yet because it takes awhile to edit 600+ pictures.  

I might have a slight snapping problem when I get a camera in my hands.

But I will share a couple with you that I have shared with them and a one or two that will be new to them.

They make a beautiful couple in my most biased opinion.

My brother may kill me for this, but I have to tell you one of my favorite parts about the wedding. 

There was a huge chalkboard in the reception area and rather than move it, I decided to use it.

On the top is what she had to say about their day.  The middle is important dates in their journey together...when they met, first date, the day he proposed, and then their wedding day.

The bottom says...

He Says "I used to dream about being a wrestler and all kinds of crazy things.  Now I dream about being a good husband.  I dream about being a good dad and about growing old with her.  I love her not only because she's the girl of my dreams, but because she's the girl who changed my dreams.

As soon as my brother gave it to me to write on the board I started bawling.  So sweet!  Who knew my brother was a mushy romantic. :)

They had no idea what each other had said until their reception when they read them together.

So the brother's married. 

 I planned a Harry Potter party today for one of my classes.  We ate some fun snacks and watched a live webcast with the author, J.K. Rowling.  You can read about that here. 

Now that all the party planning is over, I feel like I can slow down and relax.  And man does that feel good.

Andrew and I enjoyed a date night Tuesday.  We went to dinner and a Needtobreathe concert.  Fun night!!

It has started to feel a little more like fall here in Arkansas.  I have been so thankful.

Bring on the scarves & boots!