Cloudy fall skies

When I saw the cloudy skies today, I knew what the outcome would be at sunset. Have had WAY too many family portrait sessions on the beach at sunset over the years...and I love them all!

Nicole and Kyle's 10th anniversary

Nicole and Kyle traveled from Louisiana to Destin to celebrate their 10th anniversary...it was a beautiful October sunset, as usual, and they had a good time; with Nicole constantly thanking her husband for posing for the pictures! She is a beautiful lady; a natural model...so he should have had no problem agreeing to the pictures for his wonderful wife of 10!

Story continued

Posted here are Carol and Scott.

The doctors have told McShane that he is terminal, and in his last stages of cancer. I refuse to believe the doctors, because I know the Great Physician. We will only speak words of life over McShane.

In the meantime, Carol's wish is to have her home remodeled by Extreme Home Makeover, and that is why I videotaped her message today. In Holly's honor, she would like to have a handicapped accessible home to offer families of children at St. Jude, where they could come and have a stress-free vacation at the beach, or to live there, if only for a moment, like McShane and his mom. But improvements need to be made. And Carol dreams of having a small, mother-in-law suite built on-site, next to the house, where she and Scott could live while they give up their home to a family in need.

All I can do is put together a video and application with pictures to Extreme Home Makeover...What can you do?

God Bless.

Holly continued

Earlier this week, Holly's mom, Carol, called me on the first anniversary of Holly being in Heaven. She wanted to thank me for all that I had done for her only daughter. I felt blessed, and told her so. She then continued to tell me that she had opened her home to another St. Jude family, and was contemplating applying to Extreme Makeover, Home Edition, to see if they would consider revamping her home in Crystal Beach.

The request was not selfish. No, very far from selfish. I told Carol that I would be more than happy to video the application for her. She said she had not even thought about me doing that, but was very grateful.

Now we will get to the second family blessed.

When Carol and her son, Scott, were at St. Jude's during Holly's treatment, they met McShane and his mom, Hope. McShane, 15, was undergoing treatment for cancer that caused tumors throughout his body. Last year he was diagnosed, and as a result, lost a leg and now wears a prosthetic. Posted here are McShane and Hope.

McShane's parents are divorced, and due to financial issues, were planning to live in Cantonment in an RV park. Carol invited them to visit her home in Crystal Beach. Once they came, she told them they didn't have to leave. She said they could live in her house. She had no idea where she and 12-year-old Scott would live...she didn't worry though, she trusted God.

Who does that? Who offers up their home for someone to live in, when they don't even know where they will live?

Since then, Carol and Scott have been like nomads, she told me, moving from friends' garage apartments here and there.

Blessings

Sometimes God sends people into your life for you to bless, or for them to be a blessing to you...today, I was blessed.

I met Holly last year when I photographed her senior portraits...we went to the beach near her house, then on to some other locations. Her fiance', Kyle, accompanied us. I knew then that Holly had been diagnosed with cancer, and had had several operations, and was soon to return to St. Jude in Memphis.

I kept in touch via email, with her mom, Carol. At one point, she told me that Holly and Kyle were going to be married at a plantation in the south. A foundation was going to pay for her to go there, and for the wedding. I quickly got online and found a photographer there and asked if he would donate his time for her wedding coverage. He graciously accepted the request.

Then, not long before their nuptials, Holly passed away.

Here is the video slideshow I did for Holly's senior pics last year. Then I will continue.

Lacey's maternity session

North Alabama family

I so enjoy October at the beach. The sunsets are always gorgeous, and the water is a beautiful color during the last hour of the day's glow. I had the opportunity to finish this day with Latham and John and their three gorgeous daughters. They are such a beautiful family, and I just loved spending the time with them and their girls! Enjoy a sneak peek...