My Nana was a character. She saw little value in “keeping her thoughts to herself.” She often blurted out observations she made with a sincere heart but offended many to the chagrin of those within ear shot. She was a sucker for small vanilla malts or Coca Cola’s in a bottle. She could read a good ole’ western book cover to cover in one day. If you put a stick of butter in front of her during meals, she would sneakily cut off a chunk and eat it whole when she thought you weren’t looking . She loved the color red and believed every woman should own a pair of red shoes. Bird watching was a hobby and while living with my parents for a few years, she hated that she never saw any birds outside her window! Nana loved apple pie, especially on holidays (even though she claimed to be full from dinner). She avoided conflict at all cost. Nana made the best angel food cake — her homemade icing was out of this world! Every time she came to visit, she would clean out my mom’s kitchen and organize her cabinets. You can only imagine how my mom felt about that! She loved her Bible and wasn’t shy about writing in the columns and taking sermon notes in the empty margins. If she didn’t like you, she saw no need to talk to you . Nana was very shy but once she knew you she would melt your heart. She loved drinking cold coffee — weird, I know! She would give you the clothes off of her back. Her favorite times were spent in the desert… and if you spent much time with her you would hear stories about Victorville and dancing in the desert. Nana loved writing cards. When she got flustered, it was common to hear a little *beep* here and a little *beep* there…haha. Nana had a sense of humor that would make you chuckle. She claimed to be a night owl who stayed up until one o’ clock every night but we noticed she conveniently fell asleep instead at 9pm in front of the TV. Nana loved watching Jeopardy. I think if she went on the show she would have been one wealthy woman! And one thing she made known to all is she loved me very much.

I have so many fun memories with my Nana. I remember when I was little and I had a horrible ear ache. My mom had to take me to the ER and Nana held me all night. I will never forget that. I would spend summers with Nana. She had a basset hound named George and she let me bring him inside the kitchen. I built a fort with her kitchen table, chairs, and quilts so George and I could play. It was at Nana’s house that I was most creative. I sewed Barbie clothes and made shoes out of cardboard, material and staples. I created a ski ball game out of a Christmas gift box. I “baked” mud pies and put them in pie tins. The oven was the back of Nana’s car and I forgot to tell her I put them there while she drove to the post office! She knew I was a picky eater so she always had pickles, raisin bread, Blue Bell vanilla ice cream, and green beans at her house when I came to visit. She took me to Putt Putt Golf and Games in the mall every time I came to visit her so I could play Ski Ball. When we went to church on Sundays she gave me a $1 bill to put in the offering. I thank her for teaching me early in life about giving to God. I had the opportunity to help take care of her for the 2 years I lived in Stephenville. That was one of my greatest joys to see her everyday . She hated when I took her walking, but after she bleeped a few cuss words, we were good to go! She affectionately called me “Nubbins.” To this day I don’t know what that name means, nor do I think I want to. Once she moved to Good Tree, we would play Scrabble together. I took David with me one afternoon to play with her, and because of her love for words, she wasn’t ashamed to tell David his word wasn’t a real word!! And she loved playing Dominoes. Dad wanted her to be healthy but I snuck her sweets when he wasn’t looking. We would promise not to tell Dad . She loved marmalade jelly, so when I travelled I would bring her home little jars of jelly. I remember when I came back from Cancun and David was helping me unpack my suitcase. He asked, “Why do you have jelly in your suitcase?!?” I told him I brought them home for Nana!

I know there are so many more memories I have with her, but I think I will stop here. You know, loosing someone makes your perspective change. You realize how life is short life and how you should take advantage of loving the people God put in your life. I’m so thankful for Jesus dying on the cross for me and for my Nana… and for this whole world. He gave his life so we — even you — can spend eternity with him. I have hope. I know my Nana accepted Jesus Christ as her Savior and is with him right now. I love how I will get to see my Nana again. It’s because of God’s perfect love for all of us we can see our loved ones again in Heaven — once they believe in their heart and confess with their mouth Jesus is Lord. My Nana left that heritage for me. For that I am eternally grateful.

Here is my absolute favorite picture I took of her! I love you Nana. You will always hold a special place in my heart … thanks for leaving your fingerprints on my life .

So I was doing freelance work for the Abilene Living Magazine and showed up at Advanced Chiropractic for a quick photo shoot. After taking a few pics, I leaned over the counter and BEGGED for a quick adjustment. Thankfully Jake was so awesome to squeeze me in. What was meant to be a quick adjustment turned into a month of chiropractic care!! And meeting the beautiful, expecting Crystal. I had a BLAST shooting Crystal’s maternity pics. She a beauty . After you check out her pics, be sure to stop by Advanced Chiropractic in Abilene. They rock!

Brandi, it was so great meeting you and your family! Many blessings on your move .

I love baby toes

Sitting up like a big boy…so you think!! We propped him up while Stacy stood close by. Every time he started to topple we would dive towards him to catch him!  

He was teething so he wanted to put everything in his mouth. Stacy was getting something in the car when I was trying to take this photo. He loved eating the mulch. I repeatedly had to sit down my camera to run and get the mulch out of his mouth. But when I turned my back he had it in his mouth again. He thought it was so funny!

Isn’t he adorable? I love his hats!

Aren’t these details phenomenal?

Here are Hunter and his guys. Hunter surprised Brooke with matching pink sunglasses. He whipped them out for the pictures and I couldn’t wait to see Brooke’s reaction at the altar

Check out Brooke’s necklace… the landowner, family friend of the Benefield’s made it!! How cool, huh!

Below is the horse and carriage that brought Brooke from the field to the altar. Wow. Breathtaking.

We had so much fun photographing Brooke and Hunter. Our favorite part of each wedding is when we get to spend alone time with the bride and groom. With no one else around. Here are a few of our favorites !

Arlie was driving through Abilene one afternoon and stopped by to visit me in my new hometown – Abilene. She began to tell me how she was hanging out with this guy… but just as friends. I knew in my heart this guy was THE ONE she was waiting for (but I didn’t tell her). It wasn’t long after we met up in Abilene that she called me to tell me they were dating, and not much time later when I received THE phone call that she was engaged!!

Keith, you are one blessed guy. You are marrying a princess. Arlie, isn’t God SO FAITHFUL?!? . I love you both!! Can’t wait ’til the wedding!