Sunday and Daddy | Lynchburg Family Portrait Photographer

There are a million and one things I could have been doing this morning between 5am and 7am... one of those things includes sleep, of course... but I was up and I wanted to finally blog these pictures I took about a month ago. We were having a super warm week and Sunday and I had been sitting outside waiting for Tommy to get home from work. The light was just right... Tommy was in his uniform... and Sunday was in just a diaper. Everything was perfect so I ran inside and grabbed my camera and captured some of my absolute favorite pictures of the two of them - ever. This is so them... she's such a little toddler now. One second she wants cuddles, the next she wants to get down and run around. She is growing so fast and we are absolutely enjoying her at this age. She's 17 months old now... wow. How time flies! I hope to get another letter to her written so soon to capture all the things she is saying and doing these days. Just like one day she decided to start walking... it seems as though she has just decided to start talking. She understands almost everything we say to her now - obviously I cannot have an adult conversation with her - but I speak in easy terms and she gets it. We've started tapping into the world of potty training by using key words now to identify what's going on. She is so smart and she catches on so fast. Anyway, I need to save all this stuff for her letter. :)

Here are the loves of my life...!

Equipment used for these images:  canon 5d mark ii // canon 70-200mm f/2.8l lens

Liz Cook is the owner and photographer behind sincerely, liz: photography. She is a virginia wedding photographer and virginia portrait photographer who loves virginia weddings and couple photography.

To see more of Liz’s work, check out her latest work as well as some of her favorite weddings. To hire Liz, simply fill out this form.

Transitions, changes, routines!

We are in a great season of change, friends! Last week it was snowing and today it is 81 degrees outside. And the weather isn't the only thing changing around here! As of Monday I confirmed our new summer interns for Sincerely, Liz, Inc, and yesterday, I built two new desks for the office. Actually, I was able to build two desks for the office because Sunday was gone for eight hours at her first full day of out-of-home child care. *gasp* I can't believe she is attending child care out of the home (something I never, ever though I would say as a mama). That's a whole post for a whole other day... so I'll spare you that giant paragraph of emotions for right now.

But, yes. Lots of changes happening right now.

Actually... as I type I am literally watching the clock completely perplexed that I have time to write this blog post because Sunday should have woken up from her nap about 11 minutes ago. But, we're also in the middle of transitioning from two naps a day to one nap a day and... what is this? She's sleeping more than two hours?? I guess this is to be expected, yes?

So... all this to say, there's more to come, friends! The shooting season has officially kicked off. I had a beautiful country engagement session last weekend and it was the first of many sessions and weddings to come! Our first wedding of the spring season is in just a few weeks and then we take OFF! The blog will be busting with gorgeousness and lots of regular posts! And... the new website will officially be launched on my BIRTHDAY....! Yeahhh! How fun is that?! So please hang in there with me!

Oh... and Tommy & I will be celebrating our anniversary in just a few days and I am praying about sharing something pretty special with you guys. I'm not the best with words, so hopefully what I want to say will come out right and God will help me share His amazing grace the best way I know how. <3

Okay... here is a fun sneak peek of a session I'm working on right now... the sweetness of a precious newborn never ceases to amaze me! <3

Gratituesday: Sweet friendship

"In everyone's life, at some time, our inner fire goes out. It is then burst into flame by an encounter with another human being. We should all be thankful for those people who rekindle the inner spirit." - Albert Schweitzer

I found a new walking path in my neighborhood. It is exactly one mile from my front door to the closest end of the path (add another mile if I walk to the farthest end, and another mile if I go down all the cul-de-sac streets along the way). I have decided to make it an as-often-as-possible occurrence to walk this path. Some days I will walk, other days I will run (race my PR), and some days I will mix it up. But if it's nice and sunny out... I will go down the path!

In the past week I have enjoyed this walk four times and the last three times in conversation with some of my dearest friends. (I should dig out my bluetooth if I'm going to make this a habit!) Friends... let it be known that there is nothing better for my soul than fresh air, good conversation, and a content baby all at very the same time.

Actually... a really good worship set at church is super good for my soul, too. :)

Earlier today I texted one of the ladies I had the pleasure of catching up with last week and I said "My heart is still so full from our conversation." And it is, it really is. My cup overflows. <3

So, tonight, I just want to take a second and express my gratitude for these little moments... the refreshing times of soulful conversation, deep breaths of fresh air, and an extra dose of vitamin D. Life is so good.

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Gratituesday is a weekly post I try to keep up with. Join us at heavenly homemakers by sharing your own Gratituesday post!

Happy Snow Day! (Also, it's almost April?!)

This snow came out of NOWHERE. Seriously... no mention of 6-8 inches of snow anywhere! (In my interactions, anyway.) But, I'm not complaining. :) I love snow and we have had hardly any snow days this year! At least none that really lasted more than a day or so. I am glad old man winter showed his face one last time before spring really kicks in! Love! I snuck outside during Sunday's nap time yesterday and grabbed a few quick shots of the snow while standing in our front yard. And let me tell you... I've never missed my 100mm macro lens as much as I have these past few weeks! Snow, spring blossoms (and in the same week... only in Virginia!), and newborn sessions galore! How beautiful these images would have been with such fine detail. It's okay, though. I am excited to have one in my bag as wedding season kicks in in a few weeks. For now, I'm making do with what I've got. :)

Here are a few of my favorite pictures from yesterday:

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Equipment used for this session:  canon 5d mark ii // canon 70-200mm f/2.8l lens

Liz Cook is the owner and photographer of sincerely, liz: photography. She is a virginia wedding photographer and virginia portrait photographer who loves virginia weddings, family portrait sessions and couple photography.

To see more of Liz’s work, check out her latest work as well as some of her favorite weddings. To hire Liz, simply fill out this form.

10 Good Things

Spring. Spring, spring, spring!

Real hope about future job and lifestyle changes for our family. Pray with me that I will be able to share amazing news with you this summer. Please? (Please!) God knows what's up!

A sweet girl who is enjoying a break between teething molars. One in... the other is hanging back for a little while and I am oh-so-grateful for relief for my little love.

Fresh air and friends who want to get out and about with us.

A new gym membership that combines Crossfit, childcare, AND an indoor family pool! Oh, and a big chunk of savings for us as well.

An invisible fence that finally does the trick and allows our dogs the freedom to roam the yard on good weather days while also staying in their own territory. No more runaway puppies!!

Saving money and getting rid of toxins by making our own cleaning supplies. So far I've made an all-purpose cleaner, dishwashing soap, and laundry detergent!

An upswing on a hormone imbalance. Weaning is no joke on the hormones. Lemme tell ya.

Wedding season is right around the corner... not to be overshadowed by engagement session season in the next few weeks. So excited!

And finally... this Saturday I have the best friend in the world coming to help me paint some rooms in my house. This is like, 2 years over due. And my sweet, sweet friend totally just finished painting her entire house. She is OVER painting, but she is going to help me anyway.

Pictures in this post are from Micah & Katie's wedding. Such a beautiful day that I love to relive over and over. xoxo.