Merry Christmas!!

I can't believe how fast 2009 flew by! It seems like yesterday we were having Christmas in this house, but now I will be having it with two little ones tomorrow, not just one! I don't know how I'll capture every little moment for my little newbie! It's going to be a great day. I have so many fun gifts to give this year--much work involved, but it's all going to be worth it. I've been trying as much as I can to stay focused on helping others and finding joy in the Lord this season, and I'll be honest and say the busyness surrounding the holiday can really be distracting! My minister challenged us in picturing and planning or worship, and I'm so glad he did. I've found that I do things a bit differently when Christ is at the forefront of my Christmas--all the way down to the gifts I make or buy for the people I care for. Our giving doesn't stop at our family, and I am so glad to give back to a community that raised me.

The stores were crazy, the traffic was worse, and I think for the first time, I would have really rather been home! I found joy in finding perfect gifts and getting ideas for the future, and now it will all culminate tomorrow. My worship will be ongoing and I want to continue for the rest of my life, really.
I saw a great idea recently that I am going to implement next year, and I will pass it on to you. I saw a Christmas tree decorated in bright colors with tool, ribbons, and gift boxes that had a sign on the front that read "Happy Birthday, Jesus!" What a fantastic idea!! I'll be decorating our tree very differently next year, and I'll probably be wrapping the Christmas presents as birthday presents. I love a nicely wrapped birthday present! Now, explaining Santa's birthday wrap to my 5 year old next year may be a challenge, but I'm sure I'll come up with something since Santa works for Jesus...haha!

Have an incredibly awesome Christmas tomorrow with your loved ones! Remember the birth of the Lord Jesus Christ and what that means for us...our salvation! My minister also mentioned this (which makes me cry every time I think about it while looking at my son)... Jesus was that small once! He came into the world just like us even though he could have just appeared. My God, how Awesome You are to have chosen such a lowly birth and a raw existence. Learn to walk like we do, talk like we do, everything. He probably got hurt, skinned his knee, everything we experience with our own little ones. Mary, I'm sure, was SO proud of her baby boy. I can't even imagine what treasures she must have held in her heart throughout her life for that little boy, Jesus. What an amazing story and what amazing faith she had to be more than okay with it all!

Merry Christmas everyone!!

Heavenly Angels

I love photography because I get to capture heavenly angels...













...and the angels shine before me!

Happy Thanksgiving, a little early!

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! It was so good to be home this past weekend and spend some time with my family. I had a great time with my brothers and sisters watching football Saturday night, then again on Sunday. Best of all, I got to see my brother and his family from D.C., whom I haven't seen in over a year and a half! I enjoyed reconnecting with them!

This year has been such a life-changing, faith-growing year for me. I've learned more than ever to trust and love God, and He has blessed me and fills my cup daily. I have learned that He is ultimately all I will ever need, and He is the one who provides. There are many lessons I'm sure to struggle with for many years to come, but I'm off to a great start, and it always starts with a broken soul. Thank goodness for broken souls. Without them, so many of us would never realize how much we really do need God; someone more than this earth can provide. I have so much to be thankful for.

My babies are healthy and beautiful. They were going through spurts of sicknesses the past few months and now are pretty healthy, except for the occasional breathing treatments for them both. I'm thankful that I don't have to go to or stay at the hospital to visit my children. I pray for those that do.

I have a wonderful mother who loves me very much. She and I seem to grow closer every year, and every year she seems more interested in me and my family. She's had an excuse--she's been raising her kids for over 50 years now! She's now 70 years old and a mother of 12. I am number 11, and needless to say, she was always cooking or cleaning every time I turned around as a young girl and even now when I visit the house. Her hardworking and giving heart is such and incredible example for me and I'm thankful for her.

I have a wonderful husband who loves me with an amazing love. His hard work this year in grad school and as a father have made me realize how precious time can be. I am glad he is an awesome support to our family and has loved us without bounds. He is striving to dream with me. I am thankful for him.

I have an incredible new job with people that are comfortable being themselves. What a difference that can make in your life! I thoroughly enjoy what I do and the people I partner with. I can see friendships established, relationships, and history being built, and I'm so glad to be a part of it. I am thankful for my co-workers and their positive attitudes.

My God has blessed my dreams with more dreams; my goals with more goals; my passions with more passions. He has heard me ask Him to break me and mold me, and He has taken upon that task. He is blessing me with knowledge, wisdom, and a craving for learning that I can't explain except for that it comes from Him. He teaches me several new things every day. He sings songs over me and I rejoice in Him. I am thankful to have a God that loves me and keeps part of Himself unknown. I yearn to get to know Him, especially when this life is done! How much there is to look forward to! I am thankful I don't know fully what it is!! Haha!

I am thankful for my beautiful niece! Here are her gorgeous pictures--gorgeous because they are of her, God's own perfect creation! Enjoy!

Mini-sessions this Saturday!

I moved the morning sessions to Mercer Arboretum! A lot of inquiries, but the following time slots haven't been reserved! Here are the remaining choices for the outdoor portraits:

9:30, 10:15, 11:00, 1:00, 1:45

Here's Mercer's website: http://www.hcp4.net/mercer/

Remember that the mini-session fee is only $50! Package prices for mini-sessions are 25% off! Also, you get great pictures! Please email me ASAP to reserve your time slot. jholub@capturingcreations.com

Chrismas Family Mini-Sessions! One Date!

Hello all! It's almost that time of year again, can you believe it? I sure can't! This year has flown by for me; having a new baby sure will do it to you--and exhaust you too! Back by popular demand this year, with a new twist, are family mini-sessions! This is for the family who doesn't want to go to the department store studios and wait in line with whiny babies for not-as-good-as-mine images! Haha.

Well, I want to save you time, frustration and money, and since I am way low on time this year, I can only offer one date. So sorry! The day is Saturday, November 7th. I am scheduling the following time slots:

9:30
10:15
11:00
1:00
1:45
3:00
3:45
5:00

8 lucky families will get their portraits done by me for $50.00! Yes, I know. Way cheap for good images. Each family will receive a free 8x10 and will have the opportunity to order custom Christmas cards with the templates that follow.

I would also like to make some contributions to struggling families in the area that have been affected by the economy. If you know of someone in the Houston area who is struggling and their hope, diligence, and faith has inspired you, please email me their story at jholub@capturingcreations.com. I will be entering each family in a drawing for a free photo session and 8x10. For anyone available to help, and especially those who get time slots for these mini-sessions, I would like to ask your assistance in providing canned goods to donate to my church food pantry. Spread the cheer!

Here are the awesome templates:
#1


#2


#3


#4


#5


#6


#7


#8


#9


#10


#11


Greeting cards come in sets of 25, are linen in texture, have a front and matching back, and are $30 per package.

Each session will be in-studio and you must pay the session fee to reserve your spot. Email me to reserve your time now; don't wait!

Cutest Bride Ever

I have really been wishing I had more space on here (and time!) to show these fantastic wedding pictures! I got to work with a really cute bride--she was all smiles, fun, and jokes--on her wedding day. What a great celebration she had; so completely relaxed and ready to have a good time...not to mention beautiful! Here are a few favorites:

She peeked up at him during the prayer! Sooo cute! Haha! I think he can feel her gaze, what do you say? :)


Lighting the unity candle...


Beautiful cake, flutes, and flowers!


Just plain gorgeous!

A fun, modern couple!

I have been soooo busy! I had a great marriage session with this great couple a few weeks ago and they were the best! I love being able to be different, try new things, push the norm, so to speak. Well, this couple allowed me to do all of that and more. First, they had this incredible home filled with art--photographic art, metal art, all very beautiful and thought out. Then they had these great big friendly dogs who were so curious and loved to be around and see what the new girl was doing in the house. They then shared with me their love for dirtbiking. I really enjoyed getting to know this couple! They had so many interests, it was easy to see they really enjoy life and their hobbies. I was so fortunate that they allowed me to come in and try to record their lives right now; I did my best to represent what was most important to them. I have been having an absolute blast with these images and although I'm not yet done processing, I am excited to share this sneak peak into this amazing session!

Lathan is growing!

He's gi-normous! Yes, he is. He has to have a "big-boy" bottle, if there is such a thing.. I have to say I am in love with the cooing in the morning. I just adore it. I don't know how I can live without cooing in the house; it just warms my inner being! Is there any other sound that's better to wake to? Can there possibly be? Perhaps. A memory from my childhood comes to mind when I would wake to the sound of my dad mowing the lawn outside. I know it sounds crazy, but it was oh so comforting! I miss him so. Ok, not here to cry! Haha! I love my daddy!

Well, anyhow, here's a couple of shots from this weekend and this will complete your baby update!

Baby girl newborn!

Yay! I haven't had a newborn shoot in sooo long and this one was just amazingly awesome! This little sweetness was awake and alert almost the entire time and was a jewel to work with. She captured my heart and since mom signed up for the baby growth plan, she'll be gracing me with her presence 3 more times this year; I can't wait to watch her grow! Loving every minute! Thanks, Karen, for letting me live my vicarious 3rd baby life through you; I hope I have more! Haha! I am definitely needing another girl. Ahem--anyway, since my youngest is only 5 months, I should change the subject! :)~

Check her out; she is absolutely gorgeous!!

Wedding Pictures!

Ahhh...weddings are wonderful! I had a few shots I wanted to share with you from a wedding I did recently. I thought the girls getting ready before the ceremony was so cute, I kept snapping away!

I caught her gazing one last time at herself in the mirror...on her wonderful day! How beautiful she must have felt, and it shows!

This shot just makes me smile. It seems as if she's really floating. I actually think she may have been! Radiant bride, that's for sure!

This couple was awesome! They met at a drama meet in high school and eventually came back around to that same stage they both knew so well only to tie the knot! What a sweet story!

Congratulations!