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grace | portraits

I hope you had a wonderful Memorial day! This past week has been a whirlwind….and I’m thinking this week may be the same ;) Before I started posting some sessions and weddings I wanted to share a few photos from this little one’s session. I don’t typically photograph children but this little girl and her sister are the sweetest and was I so excited to photograph her one year pictures! She is just a doll…seriously! She just sat there and smiled the whole time- talk about making my job easy!! :) These are just a couple of my favorites- too sweet! I hope you have a wonderful Tuesday!!

…So precious!! :)

 

Kristin - May 28, 2013 - 12:08 pm

Oh my goodness! What a cutie!! :D

Heather - May 28, 2013 - 3:26 pm

Aw wow! Those eyes! She’s so cute. :)

kelsey arkills - May 28, 2013 - 8:59 pm

very cute little girl! i love the eyes and you captured that beautifully! amazing photography, as always.

Hannah Elise - May 28, 2013 - 9:04 pm

wow, Arielle! amazing work!! that first shot needs to be on a canvas. ;) love it.

Alexia - May 30, 2013 - 4:26 pm

Her smiles are contagious! What a precious little girl!

Caroline - May 30, 2013 - 8:41 pm

These photos are over-the-top gorgeous!

Amy @ Heart to Shutter - May 31, 2013 - 4:33 pm

What a sweet little girl! I bet her momma is proud!
Gorgeous work Arielle!

arielle - June 11, 2013 - 3:25 pm

thank you so much!! :)

these days.

 

Both of the little ones are down for a nap so I thought I would either clean, edit, or write a little something. So here I am! Writing a little something. However, I do here Leland in his room still awake singing “Ooh, Ooh, trouble! trouble! trouble!” (aka Taylor Swift) haha so this may be short and sweet. These days life is FULL- so full and I am loving every minute of it! (Well, minus all the diapers and spit up.)  I feel like the Lord really prepared my heart for this busy season with this past winter being so quiet and such a time of rest. Because now- I feel like I’m in a totally different season! We’ve sold our house so that’s another thing to throw into the mix. But I have to wonder- why is it that when your house isn’t sold yet you happen to see a handful of houses that you love- yet when your house finally sells, there is nothing! Ha! That’s just the way it works doesn’t it? ;) Anyway, packing begins soon- I don’t know where we’re moving yet but I’m excited!

These days, I’m soaking in every moment of being with my little ones, Jay, family and friends. I’m enjoying shooting sessions and weddings again. I’m enjoying working out, summer weather, and driving with the windows down listening to this song on repeat. Such a simple- but full life. And trying my best to keep it real. :) I don’t here Leland singing any more so I better get to cleaning before one of them wakes up. Much love!

 

 

Kristin - May 22, 2013 - 2:58 pm

Yay!! Congrats on selling the house! I bet you’re glad to be done with the carpet cleanings and house showings! :) Excited to see where God places you guys next. I bet a great lil home, wherever it is. Anyway, let me know if you need any help with the packing (or just a break from the packing… haha)! xoxo

Jess - May 22, 2013 - 3:34 pm

It’s good to hear that you’re enjoying this busy season of life! Congratulations on selling your house, too! That’s great!! :) I hope God opens up a new place for y’all to live soon!

Keri-Anne - May 22, 2013 - 3:52 pm

I loved this post. It made me smile. You seem so happy
I hope you manage to find a lovely home soon x

Ashley - May 24, 2013 - 9:59 pm

Congrats on selling the house- and Leland’s Taylor Swift solo is making me crack up!

kylie - June 13, 2013 - 3:28 pm

you are such a talented woman, and sweet mother. good luck with the move! you are an inspiration to us all!

happy mother’s day!

So thankful for these two little ones this mother’s day. I still can’t believe I’m a mom of two- and wouldn’t trade it for the world! I’m also so grateful for my mom, my mother-in-law, and grandmas for showing me what love looks like in a tangible way. I feel so blessed!  Wishing you a happy mother’s day as well. xo!

all things new.

Spring has been extra beautiful this year. I think it might be because winter was extra long and I have a newborn- everything seems new and I am loving it! I am definitely taking it all in. Last week we went out for a little while to a park…everything was in bloom and it was gorgeous! Jay and Leland played football for a while while Beau just slept (he’s a pro at that, you know.) Anyway, how could I not take some photos while we were there? I know there are quite a few of Leland but I’m not going to apologize because….well, he is my favorite two and a half year old  ;)

….oh my goodness, he cracks me up- daily!!

..Beau doing what he does best ;)

…Haha! Love these two.

 

I hope you are enjoying spring as much as I am this year.  It’s another reminder to me that God does make “all things new”! Much love!

Margriet - May 10, 2013 - 5:55 am

I really love spring, this year especially. The winter has been long and cold with us too, so all things new and not white exite me!

Caley - May 10, 2013 - 8:50 am

These are beautiful images Arielle, you have a lovely family x

jennifer blair - May 10, 2013 - 9:16 am

Your sweet little family is so precious! It looks like Leland is at such a fun age!

Kristin - May 10, 2013 - 12:20 pm

Too cute! That kid is so funny! :)

Mage - May 10, 2013 - 10:18 pm

What a “beautiful” collection of the fun part of being out with the ones you cherish most…Thanks for sharing!!!! Terra!

Heather - May 13, 2013 - 8:25 am

Aww your boys are just too cute!! I love looking at all your pictures you talented girl. :)

Faith - May 14, 2013 - 10:45 am

Your family is beautiful, Arielle! You are truly a super mom. :)

greatness.

This morning I woke up a little discouraged. I’m not sure why, really…just one of those days I guess. ;) Some days I struggle with the feeling of wanting to be known, you know? To do something great and grand- to accomplish some big dreams in big ways. In the midst of changing diapers and cleaning up our house a song popped in my head that I haven’t heard in a really long time. The lyrics go like this:

“I have always wanted to be somebody who is great

To be great in, great in Your eyes, is my dream
To be the one who makes You smile is everything

To love my enemies
To serve others until I become the least

To be great in, great in Your eyes, is my dream
To be the one who makes You smile is everything

Greatness in this world is different than greatness in Your eyes

To be genuine in my love for others and for You is to be great.”

May I never ever lose sight of this. It’s really so simple yet too often I forget that the accomplishments of this world don’t always mean so much in God’s eyes. They can be fleeting. I’m reminded of Matthew 19:30 (NLT): “But many who are the greatest now will be least important then, and those who seem least important now will be the greatest then.” When I love others- those in my own home and beyond- the way He wants me to love them and serve them…..that is true greatness.

Kaylan - May 8, 2013 - 4:05 pm

That has been one of my most favorite songs since high school. I haven’t heard it in so long. Thanks for the reminder, friend. :)

Lauren Elise - May 8, 2013 - 5:35 pm

I woke up feeling the same way! You never know when God is going to show you something encouraging. Thanks for this post! It was something I really needed to hear today! :)

Mariel - May 8, 2013 - 5:47 pm

Wow, it’s been a while since I last heard this song. I forgot how much I love it. Thanks for sharing friend. I needed it today.

Breanna - May 8, 2013 - 9:28 pm

I feel this way so much! I remember starting school thinking that I was going to change the world, but now after getting home from work, I rarely have enough energy to cook dinner. Being married has opened my eyes to the fact that it’s not all about me. I feel blessed to be able to serve my husband, and if that is all I do, I think my life will be a success. You have such a sweet family, and your boys are so blessed to have you teaching them what matters most in life. Hope you are getting some sleep and plenty of cuddles with your new little one :).

Mindy - May 8, 2013 - 10:42 pm

Arielle, a dear friend of mine pointed me towards your blog and I’m glad she did. I totally resonated with your post today. I feel like that is my ‘heart beat’- I want to do something “great” too! It’s hard to explain, hard to pinpoint even at all.. and yet I just feel that I want to make my mark in this world- to do something great, but most importantly in His name. It is soo good to be reminded to not get caught up in the worldly definition of greatness and to stick to the Lord’s perspective on greatness.

Just want to encourage you and thank you for sharing! You’re already great by the way you are encouraging others (like me!) and glorifying Him. :)

Caley - May 9, 2013 - 8:27 am

Dear sweet Arielle, please always remember and know how special and important you are. As one of my favourite bloggers, you inspire me to be great and keep me calm, you encourage my faith and your blog is my peaceful space. Thank you, we believe in you x

arielle - May 9, 2013 - 10:42 pm

Thank you so much Caley!
What an encouragement, thank you! :)

arielle - May 9, 2013 - 10:44 pm

Thank you, Mindy, so much for your comment and encouragement! It blessed me today- thank you!! :)
~ Arielle

arielle - May 9, 2013 - 10:44 pm

Thank you Breanna!! :) Thank you for those encouraging words- it means so much. I hope I get to see you at a p31 meet up soon! xo

arielle - May 9, 2013 - 10:45 pm

Thank you, Mariel! I hope you are blessed today :)

arielle - May 9, 2013 - 10:45 pm

Thank you Lauren! I hope you are encouraged today! xo

arielle - May 9, 2013 - 10:46 pm

Oh how awesome! Thank Kaylan :) Hope you and your sweet lil family are well!

Danielle - May 12, 2013 - 11:51 pm

Thankyou for this beautiful post – something that I need to dwell on every day.

a lesson on people-pleasing

Well I think I made a bit of a mistake. Scheduling multiple client meetings and sessions 3 weeks after having a baby was just not a good idea. It wasn’t. And there is no one to blame but myself.   I have three weddings coming up in a couple of weeks and I am so excited for them! I truly am. But three weeks after having a baby comes quick, and it came quicker than I could have imagined. All of this to say, that I think I learned my lesson. Or…. am learning my lesson. I see that I have a problem with telling people no and a bit of a struggle with people pleasing. If only I could say yes to everyone and not be stressed- yes that would be wonderful! But that is just not reality.  This week, I have yelled more at Leland than I ever have (if you know me in real life, you know I don’t talk that much, let alone raise my voice.) I am trying to get adjusted to two little ones, emails, client meetings, sessions, and throw into the mix we are trying to sell our house. Which also means house showings (we had six showings the week we brought Beau home- phew!!) which in turn means extra cleaning ;)

So I am saying all of this not to complain, definitely not. But I am realizing that pleasing people and being passive (especially when it comes to scheduling), in the long run, is much harder than just saying no. I have gone back and canceled sessions for this month, but it would have been much easier to have just said no in the beginning.  I have’t been on the internet  or social media much lately but when I opened up Facebook today I saw someone’s status that said this:

“Your fear of displeasing people puts you in bondage to them, and they become your primary focus. When you realize this has happened, whisper my Name, this tiny act of trust brings Me to the forefront of your consciousness, where I belong. As you bask in the blessing of My nearness, My life can flow through you to others. This is abundant life!” – Jesus Calling

“The fear of man brings a snare, but whoever leans on, trusts in, and puts his confidence in the Lord is safe and set on high.” Proverbs 29:25

My eyes need to get back on Christ, and what His purpose for me is in this moment. I need to learn to say no, even if it means turning away some great opportunities. The Lord knows my heart, and right now…my two boys mean more to me than an extra session or opportunity.

Natalie @ NS Pottery - May 3, 2013 - 3:52 pm

I read that devotional this morning! I know I struggle with what people think of me way too much, when really, all that matters is what God thinks.

Holly - May 3, 2013 - 4:00 pm

Hi Arielle :),
I can totally relate :), when I had my baby in August, I took a full wedding schedule after she was born ( and she was colic too) ….next baby I know to take like 4 months off! I always say yes to everything because I want to, but now being a mommy, I am realizing I have to do what is best for my family. Im still doing way too much but I’m learning little by little. Thank you for your kind response to my email! I feel so bad I emailed you in the midst of your craziness! You seem so put together and perfect :) and it’s encouraging to know I’m not the only one that is going through taking on too much sometimes. One thing that does help me is starting fresh everyday with a daily devotion to start my day with God. I love proverbs31.org devotional and the TGIF ( today God is first) on crosswalk.com. Thank you for sharing the post, because my personality always wants to please everyone and I need to stop feeling so pressured to do that.
Take care, I pray for balance and peace for you with your busy blessings!

Kristin - May 3, 2013 - 4:12 pm

We talked a little about it today, but saying ‘no’ or ‘not right now’ is a good thing. You’ll be blessed through it, friend. Keep breathing and moving forward. You’re doing a great job with those little guys!! Even if you may not always feel that way, you are. Leland’s super sweet, even though his throwing aim needs some work. LOL ;) So glad we were able to spend some time together today, and please do feel free to say ‘yes’ to any of those little adventure cards I gave you anytime. :) You’re definitely not alone and you have so many people rooting for you, regardless of how many times you have to tell people ‘no.’ :)

Caley - May 5, 2013 - 2:03 pm

Thank you so much for sharing this sweet post Arielle – I have been feeling so overwhelmed with social media and social events that I am losing focus on the all important things in life. I am running on overdrive and after every wedding, birthday, lunch or dinner – it is just too much!

I am going to take a leaf out of your book x

arielle - May 9, 2013 - 10:47 pm

Hi Holly! :) Don’t feel bad at all! I loved your email! Also, thank you for your words of encouragement. I am going to have go look up proverbs31.org now ;)