This former Disney princess (yes, a real one!), original Kansas girl turned Florida lover ends every day feeling one thing: grateful. For the work. The stories. This life. It's that good.
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Increasingly I’ve been finding great date/adventure ideas from instagram. It makes sense, really, if something is fun/tasty/cool/pretty/awesome enough to be photo posting worthy, it must be all those things and more, yes?!
So when I saw that a pizza place less than 2 miles from our house offered NUTELLA pizza topped with house made gelato, I literally threw on a hat to leave the house immediately.
I was heading into the doctor’s office today for another check-in (a journey I’ll talk about on here another day) and the phone rang.
“Hello, Ms. Foote? I, well, you’re listed here on K’s sheet. Can I talk to you about her?”
“Yes, this is Ms. Foote and of course”, I responded as I fumbled with car keys and tried to kill time outside the waiting room.
The arrival of J and I’s 28th birthdays brought lots of thoughts and conversations. January and February were not the easiest months we’ve ever had and there were several “gosh, I wish we weren’t going through this at 28. I guess I just thought we’d be a little further along than we were at 17 or even 23” conversations. Our 10 year high school reunion would be this May (except I don’t think anyone is planning it- ha) and we’re feeling simultaneously old and young at the same time.
Tomorrow I turn 28 and every year I feel crazy celebrating “myself”. I mean, what the heck did I do to get onto this planet? Nada. But when I look at these images and think about the visits and adventures we had with our moms, dads, brothers and sister this year, I’m all about celebrating. Because our lives intersecting to create a family is mind boggling and getting to experience so much wonderful life together, even when we live far apart, has been amazing– especially this year!
Well, if it’s February and this post is going up than the rumors must be true. 2016 is off to a wild and crazy start.
Yep, sounds abut right. Anyone else?
All those shiny new years resolutions and goals that I consciously avoid because they start me off feeling like a failure are now in the rear view mirror and we’re working hard to savor ever day while also dreaming big and it seems like in the minutia of it all, there just isn’t enough time!
We started the year walking the beach listening to the waves crash and God clearly laid on our hears to chase hard after “joy that may be full” (john 15:11).
when we got back from Thanksgiving and started decorating, J and I had a heart to heart. We were long overdue in having friends over– hardly anyone had even seen the house! and knowing we wouldn’t be with family for Christmas, we wanted to spend time with the people who also mean the most to us, our friends.
But I was still tired. and money in this season of unemployment is tight– neither ingredients ideal for being amazing hosts.
If you’ve hung around us for any time at all, either in person or through social media, you know we’ve got a very special girl in our life. Special meaning two things: 1.) She’s weird as all get out and 2.) We’ve never met anyone quite like her.
This was year two with our rescue hound, Jenny, and it was awesome.
Rest has always been outlined as stopping/slowing/not doing and I’ll be honest, I struggle greatly with that and thus, when people say things like the above to me I get snippy. Because I’m a doer, mover, shaker. And I know I need to slow down and stop, but I also think God gifted me to be this way! Trust me, it does not mean that I don’t love my corner of the couch and my giant throw blanket, though! But, as J can attest, I’m never short of ideas, projects, people to spend time with. Anyone else? If so, this little snip about rest (the bitsized kind) might help you!
Fast food isn’t the worst thing in moderation and take out pizza definitely has it’s place in our house, but crockpot dinners have made it feel super cozy around here on nights when we want to have a “nice” dinner together.
Tonight? One of those nights. The Wiz Live is on, our corner lot is clean (after our Thanksgiving laundry sat out for days!), and we just didn’t want dishes. So, crockpot Mediterranean Turkey with Wild Rice to the rescue!
So, yesterday when I realized that today (Tuesday, December 1st) would mark 30 days left of 2015, I *immediately* waited for the feelings of dread and “what have you done this year anyway” to set in. But you know what? They didn’t! Instead, God swiftly spoke to my heart saying: “think about the other 335 days of 2015. Haven’t I provide? Haven’t you experience joy? Haven’t you found freedom? Haven’t I been present?”
Yes, in the biggest of ways yes.
So, for the next 30 days I’ll be popping in and out of this space & the CIHI Photo Blog, reflecting on the laughable, the beautiful, the painful, and the incredible.
As I look back on 2015, God has been sweetly reminding me of How much He has done and though things feel a bit heavy right now as my workload is a lot and J is battling another round of unemployment, there is so much good to be grateful for.
A year ago? No house. A year ago? Scary words about my health but no answers. A year ago? A business that our lender told me “must be just a hobby” because of how little I’d made the year before.
I so often want resolution and understanding in this life, but God has been teaching me a lot about not seeking these things because this world is not my home and it’s not going to make sense. We will experience loss, we will go without, we will wonder and encounter unknown. These are givens.
Blogging or even making notes in my phone has been comical this fall because of the pure frenzy it’s felt like we’ve been in since April.
I don’t know how else to say it, this season has just been heavy and full. Neither are bad– trust me, there has been a lot of goodness, but it just feels like everything is in massive doses that I just can’t swallow fast enough, let alone savor.
I can’t top the awesomeness of this year’s CIHI Celebrates Love contest, but I’m remembering how thankful I am to have penned our little story on this blog last year and don’t want to miss the sweet memories of our anniversary trip to North Georgia.
It’s no secret that fall is my favorite season and October is my favorite month out of the year. J and I love halloween, got married in mid-October, and call Jack Skellington our best friend. As such, you can imagine that the hardest part of living in Florida is not getting a true fall.
May was nuts.
In 10 days we closed on our first home, moved, painted/stained, welcomed my mom into a haphazard guest room, I graduated with my Master’s of Education degree and got taken down the hour after my ceremony with an awful flu bug.
I’ve been taking digital images for 12 years and spent 2003-2009 storing them online through a totally credible (or I thought) print company. Well, this summer they went bankrupt overnight and all images are gone. GONE . Millions of images deemed “unrecoverable”with no one to look further. What!
New York City has held my heart for most of my life. Growing up in a theatrical family made way for frequent trips and a strong affinity for the city of music, talent, art, and dreams. For a season we even lived in Upstate NY but claimed NYC as “home base” to escape the small town we were relocated to.
I have pages and pages of journals from high school about moving to New York, attending NYU and building a life there. Ironically, my high school sweetheart turned husband who is also an actor had never been into the city.
2015, captured in His image Photography, Christian Photographer, Downtown Tampa, Photographer from Tampa Bay, Resolutions, Seminole Heights, Tampa Bay Family Photographer, Tampa Bay Headshot Photographer, Tampa Bay Natural Light Photographer, Tampa Bay Newborn Photographer, Tampa Bay Photographer, Tampa Bay Portrait Photographer, Tampa Florida
2015, captured in His image Photography, Christian Photographer, Downtown Tampa, Photographer from Tampa Bay, Resolutions, Seminole Heights, Tampa Bay Family Photographer, Tampa Bay Headshot Photographer, Tampa Bay Natural Light Photographer, Tampa Bay Newborn Photographer, Tampa Bay Photographer, Tampa Bay Portrait Photographer, Tampa Florida
2015, captured in His image Photography, Christian Photographer, Downtown Tampa, Photographer from Tampa Bay, Resolutions, Seminole Heights, Tampa Bay Family Photographer, Tampa Bay Headshot Photographer, Tampa Bay Natural Light Photographer, Tampa Bay Newborn Photographer, Tampa Bay Photographer, Tampa Bay Portrait Photographer, Tampa Florida
2015, captured in His image Photography, Christian Photographer, Downtown Tampa, Photographer from Tampa Bay, Resolutions, Seminole Heights, Tampa Bay Family Photographer, Tampa Bay Headshot Photographer, Tampa Bay Natural Light Photographer, Tampa Bay Newborn Photographer, Tampa Bay Photographer, Tampa Bay Portrait Photographer, Tampa Florida
I love a good plan. In fact, I’m energized by deadlines and inspired by time and all that it’s capable of. As such, I’ve been counting down to July 1st for several weeks because I had it marked as “1/2 way through 2015!” on my calendar. That’s pretty much it’s own holiday, right?!
2015, captured in His image Photography, Christian Photographer, Downtown Tampa, Photographer from Tampa Bay, Resolutions, Seminole Heights, Tampa Bay Family Photographer, Tampa Bay Headshot Photographer, Tampa Bay Natural Light Photographer, Tampa Bay Newborn Photographer, Tampa Bay Photographer, Tampa Bay Portrait Photographer, Tampa Florida
2015, captured in His image Photography, Christian Photographer, Downtown Tampa, Photographer from Tampa Bay, Resolutions, Seminole Heights, Tampa Bay Family Photographer, Tampa Bay Headshot Photographer, Tampa Bay Natural Light Photographer, Tampa Bay Newborn Photographer, Tampa Bay Photographer, Tampa Bay Portrait Photographer, Tampa Florida
Believe Maui, captured in His image Photography, Christian Photographer, Destination Wedding Photographer, Master’s Degree, Master’s of Education, New Home, Photographer from Tampa Bay, Tampa Bay Headshot Photographer, Tampa Bay Natural Light Photographer, Tampa Bay Newborn Photographer, Tampa Bay Photographer, Tampa Bay Portrait Photographer, Tampa Florida, Tampa Heights, Transition, University of South Florida
Believe Maui, captured in His image Photography, Christian Photographer, Destination Wedding Photographer, Master’s Degree, Master’s of Education, New Home, Photographer from Tampa Bay, Tampa Bay Headshot Photographer, Tampa Bay Natural Light Photographer, Tampa Bay Newborn Photographer, Tampa Bay Photographer, Tampa Bay Portrait Photographer, Tampa Florida, Tampa Heights, Transition, University of South Florida
Believe Maui, captured in His image Photography, Christian Photographer, Destination Wedding Photographer, Master’s Degree, Master’s of Education, New Home, Photographer from Tampa Bay, Tampa Bay Headshot Photographer, Tampa Bay Natural Light Photographer, Tampa Bay Newborn Photographer, Tampa Bay Photographer, Tampa Bay Portrait Photographer, Tampa Florida, Tampa Heights, Transition, University of South Florida
Believe Maui, captured in His image Photography, Christian Photographer, Destination Wedding Photographer, Master’s Degree, Master’s of Education, New Home, Photographer from Tampa Bay, Tampa Bay Headshot Photographer, Tampa Bay Natural Light Photographer, Tampa Bay Newborn Photographer, Tampa Bay Photographer, Tampa Bay Portrait Photographer, Tampa Florida, Tampa Heights, Transition, University of South Florida
Friends!
Thanks so much for being gracious as I stepped away from all of my “offices”, including CIHI, last week.
You see, God has this funny way of stacking life transitions on top of one another for me, so, of course it was only fitting to close on our first home (yay!) just days before my mom landed for a visit and my master’s graduation.
Believe Maui, captured in His image Photography, Christian Photographer, Destination Wedding Photographer, Master’s Degree, Master’s of Education, New Home, Photographer from Tampa Bay, Tampa Bay Headshot Photographer, Tampa Bay Natural Light Photographer, Tampa Bay Newborn Photographer, Tampa Bay Photographer, Tampa Bay Portrait Photographer, Tampa Florida, Tampa Heights, Transition, University of South Florida
Believe Maui, captured in His image Photography, Christian Photographer, Destination Wedding Photographer, Master’s Degree, Master’s of Education, New Home, Photographer from Tampa Bay, Tampa Bay Headshot Photographer, Tampa Bay Natural Light Photographer, Tampa Bay Newborn Photographer, Tampa Bay Photographer, Tampa Bay Portrait Photographer, Tampa Florida, Tampa Heights, Transition, University of South Florida
Dear J, Well, my love, it’s officially been 12 years since we walked into each other’s worlds. Every year around this time I find myself brought to my knees by God’s grace that has extended time and time again through you and your presence in my life. I think this year has been especially fun because we are both teaching young people who are the ages we were when we met, fell in love, messed things up, and did it all over again.
captured in His image Photography, Christian Photographer, Davis Island, Dog Beach, Dog Rescue, Downtown St- Pete, Downtown Tampa, Family, Florida, Guardian Angel Dog Rescue, Hound mix, PetSmart, Photographer from Tampa Bay, Seminole Heights, Tampa Bay Headshot Photographer, Tampa Bay Natural Light Photographer, Tampa Bay Photographer, Tampa Florida, The Cottage
captured in His image Photography, Christian Photographer, Davis Island, Dog Beach, Dog Rescue, Downtown St- Pete, Downtown Tampa, Family, Florida, Guardian Angel Dog Rescue, Hound mix, PetSmart, Photographer from Tampa Bay, Seminole Heights, Tampa Bay Headshot Photographer, Tampa Bay Natural Light Photographer, Tampa Bay Photographer, Tampa Florida, The Cottage
captured in His image Photography, Christian Photographer, Davis Island, Dog Beach, Dog Rescue, Downtown St- Pete, Downtown Tampa, Family, Florida, Guardian Angel Dog Rescue, Hound mix, PetSmart, Photographer from Tampa Bay, Seminole Heights, Tampa Bay Headshot Photographer, Tampa Bay Natural Light Photographer, Tampa Bay Photographer, Tampa Florida, The Cottage
captured in His image Photography, Christian Photographer, Davis Island, Dog Beach, Dog Rescue, Downtown St- Pete, Downtown Tampa, Family, Florida, Guardian Angel Dog Rescue, Hound mix, PetSmart, Photographer from Tampa Bay, Seminole Heights, Tampa Bay Headshot Photographer, Tampa Bay Natural Light Photographer, Tampa Bay Photographer, Tampa Florida, The Cottage
It’s really hard to believe that a year ago today our search for the newest member of our family ended. After spending months talking about the possibility of getting a dog and weeks visiting local shelters (which was an emotional journey all it’s own), we met Jenny.
captured in His image Photography, Christian Photographer, Davis Island, Dog Beach, Dog Rescue, Downtown St- Pete, Downtown Tampa, Family, Florida, Guardian Angel Dog Rescue, Hound mix, PetSmart, Photographer from Tampa Bay, Seminole Heights, Tampa Bay Headshot Photographer, Tampa Bay Natural Light Photographer, Tampa Bay Photographer, Tampa Florida, The Cottage
captured in His image Photography, Christian Photographer, Davis Island, Dog Beach, Dog Rescue, Downtown St- Pete, Downtown Tampa, Family, Florida, Guardian Angel Dog Rescue, Hound mix, PetSmart, Photographer from Tampa Bay, Seminole Heights, Tampa Bay Headshot Photographer, Tampa Bay Natural Light Photographer, Tampa Bay Photographer, Tampa Florida, The Cottage
2014, captured in His image Photography, Christian Photographer, Destination Wedding Photographer, Kansas City, Kansas City Photographer, Kansas Photographer, New Years Eve, Road trip, Tampa Bay Natural Light Photographer, Tampa Bay Photographer, Tampa Bay Portrait Photographer, Tampa Florida, Transition, Travel
2014, captured in His image Photography, Christian Photographer, Destination Wedding Photographer, Kansas City, Kansas City Photographer, Kansas Photographer, New Years Eve, Road trip, Tampa Bay Natural Light Photographer, Tampa Bay Photographer, Tampa Bay Portrait Photographer, Tampa Florida, Transition, Travel
2014, captured in His image Photography, Christian Photographer, Destination Wedding Photographer, Kansas City, Kansas City Photographer, Kansas Photographer, New Years Eve, Road trip, Tampa Bay Natural Light Photographer, Tampa Bay Photographer, Tampa Bay Portrait Photographer, Tampa Florida, Transition, Travel
2014, captured in His image Photography, Christian Photographer, Destination Wedding Photographer, Kansas City, Kansas City Photographer, Kansas Photographer, New Years Eve, Road trip, Tampa Bay Natural Light Photographer, Tampa Bay Photographer, Tampa Bay Portrait Photographer, Tampa Florida, Transition, Travel
To redefining bravery.Letting go. Often. Loving well. Saying no. Trusting as fully as my feeble heart will allow. Not measuring life by worldly things.
2014, captured in His image Photography, Christian Photographer, Destination Wedding Photographer, Kansas City, Kansas City Photographer, Kansas Photographer, New Years Eve, Road trip, Tampa Bay Natural Light Photographer, Tampa Bay Photographer, Tampa Bay Portrait Photographer, Tampa Florida, Transition, Travel
2014, captured in His image Photography, Christian Photographer, Destination Wedding Photographer, Kansas City, Kansas City Photographer, Kansas Photographer, New Years Eve, Road trip, Tampa Bay Natural Light Photographer, Tampa Bay Photographer, Tampa Bay Portrait Photographer, Tampa Florida, Transition, Travel
Bungalow, captured in His image Photography, Christian Photographer, Christmas in Florida, Decorating a Tiny House, Decorating for Christmas, Destination Wedding Photographer, Historic house, Live small, Seminole Heights, Tampa Bay Headshot Photographer, Tampa Bay Natural Light Photographer, Tampa Bay Photographer, Tampa Florida, The Cottage, Tiny House, Transition
Bungalow, captured in His image Photography, Christian Photographer, Christmas in Florida, Decorating a Tiny House, Decorating for Christmas, Destination Wedding Photographer, Historic house, Live small, Seminole Heights, Tampa Bay Headshot Photographer, Tampa Bay Natural Light Photographer, Tampa Bay Photographer, Tampa Florida, The Cottage, Tiny House, Transition
Bungalow, captured in His image Photography, Christian Photographer, Christmas in Florida, Decorating a Tiny House, Decorating for Christmas, Destination Wedding Photographer, Historic house, Live small, Seminole Heights, Tampa Bay Headshot Photographer, Tampa Bay Natural Light Photographer, Tampa Bay Photographer, Tampa Florida, The Cottage, Tiny House, Transition
Bungalow, captured in His image Photography, Christian Photographer, Christmas in Florida, Decorating a Tiny House, Decorating for Christmas, Destination Wedding Photographer, Historic house, Live small, Seminole Heights, Tampa Bay Headshot Photographer, Tampa Bay Natural Light Photographer, Tampa Bay Photographer, Tampa Florida, The Cottage, Tiny House, Transition
In just a matter of days we’ll be celebrating our first full year in the cottage which means that Christmas is the final holiday we’ve been waiting to celebrate here! We held on until early December to decorate 1.) because J’s rule is no Christmas before Thanksgiving and 2.) because we needed a strategic game plan.
Bungalow, captured in His image Photography, Christian Photographer, Christmas in Florida, Decorating a Tiny House, Decorating for Christmas, Destination Wedding Photographer, Historic house, Live small, Seminole Heights, Tampa Bay Headshot Photographer, Tampa Bay Natural Light Photographer, Tampa Bay Photographer, Tampa Florida, The Cottage, Tiny House, Transition
Bungalow, captured in His image Photography, Christian Photographer, Christmas in Florida, Decorating a Tiny House, Decorating for Christmas, Destination Wedding Photographer, Historic house, Live small, Seminole Heights, Tampa Bay Headshot Photographer, Tampa Bay Natural Light Photographer, Tampa Bay Photographer, Tampa Florida, The Cottage, Tiny House, Transition
captured in His image Photography, Cary, Celebrating Love, Christian Photographer, Destination Wedding Photographer, Family, Long Distance, New Home, North Carolina, Photographer from Tampa Bay, Raleigh, Road trip, Tampa Bay Photographer, Tampa Bay Portrait Photographer, Tampa Florida, Thanksgiving, Together
captured in His image Photography, Cary, Celebrating Love, Christian Photographer, Destination Wedding Photographer, Family, Long Distance, New Home, North Carolina, Photographer from Tampa Bay, Raleigh, Road trip, Tampa Bay Photographer, Tampa Bay Portrait Photographer, Tampa Florida, Thanksgiving, Together
captured in His image Photography, Cary, Celebrating Love, Christian Photographer, Destination Wedding Photographer, Family, Long Distance, New Home, North Carolina, Photographer from Tampa Bay, Raleigh, Road trip, Tampa Bay Photographer, Tampa Bay Portrait Photographer, Tampa Florida, Thanksgiving, Together
captured in His image Photography, Cary, Celebrating Love, Christian Photographer, Destination Wedding Photographer, Family, Long Distance, New Home, North Carolina, Photographer from Tampa Bay, Raleigh, Road trip, Tampa Bay Photographer, Tampa Bay Portrait Photographer, Tampa Florida, Thanksgiving, Together
At this time last year, outside of the transition J and I were about to go through with his move to Florida, our families were going through big changes. When I left Kansas in June I knew that things could be different when I came back in December. I didn’t know, however, that there would be three moves in the next 4-5 months!
captured in His image Photography, Cary, Celebrating Love, Christian Photographer, Destination Wedding Photographer, Family, Long Distance, New Home, North Carolina, Photographer from Tampa Bay, Raleigh, Road trip, Tampa Bay Photographer, Tampa Bay Portrait Photographer, Tampa Florida, Thanksgiving, Together
captured in His image Photography, Cary, Celebrating Love, Christian Photographer, Destination Wedding Photographer, Family, Long Distance, New Home, North Carolina, Photographer from Tampa Bay, Raleigh, Road trip, Tampa Bay Photographer, Tampa Bay Portrait Photographer, Tampa Florida, Thanksgiving, Together
Couples, Families, Friends, Headshots, Seniors, Weddings
2015, captured in His image Photography, Christian Photographer, Destination Portrait Photographer, Destination Portrait Photography, Destination Wedding, Destination Wedding Photographer, Discount, Photographer from Tampa Bay, Road trip, Tampa Bay Headshot Photographer, Tampa Bay Natural Light Photographer, Tampa Bay Photographer, Tampa Bay Portrait Photographer, Tampa Florida, Travel, USA, Wishlist
Couples, Families, Friends, Headshots, Seniors, Weddings
2015, captured in His image Photography, Christian Photographer, Destination Portrait Photographer, Destination Portrait Photography, Destination Wedding, Destination Wedding Photographer, Discount, Photographer from Tampa Bay, Road trip, Tampa Bay Headshot Photographer, Tampa Bay Natural Light Photographer, Tampa Bay Photographer, Tampa Bay Portrait Photographer, Tampa Florida, Travel, USA, Wishlist
Couples, Families, Friends, Headshots, Seniors, Weddings
2015, captured in His image Photography, Christian Photographer, Destination Portrait Photographer, Destination Portrait Photography, Destination Wedding, Destination Wedding Photographer, Discount, Photographer from Tampa Bay, Road trip, Tampa Bay Headshot Photographer, Tampa Bay Natural Light Photographer, Tampa Bay Photographer, Tampa Bay Portrait Photographer, Tampa Florida, Travel, USA, Wishlist
Couples, Families, Friends, Headshots, Seniors, Weddings
2015, captured in His image Photography, Christian Photographer, Destination Portrait Photographer, Destination Portrait Photography, Destination Wedding, Destination Wedding Photographer, Discount, Photographer from Tampa Bay, Road trip, Tampa Bay Headshot Photographer, Tampa Bay Natural Light Photographer, Tampa Bay Photographer, Tampa Bay Portrait Photographer, Tampa Florida, Travel, USA, Wishlist
For a person who gets a little too much enjoyment out of organizing and planning, you’d think I’d be a little better at goal setting and jumping into countdowns head first. Instead, more often than not they overwhelm me and make me want to hide under the covers until it’s all over!
Couples, Families, Friends, Headshots, Seniors, Weddings
2015, captured in His image Photography, Christian Photographer, Destination Portrait Photographer, Destination Portrait Photography, Destination Wedding, Destination Wedding Photographer, Discount, Photographer from Tampa Bay, Road trip, Tampa Bay Headshot Photographer, Tampa Bay Natural Light Photographer, Tampa Bay Photographer, Tampa Bay Portrait Photographer, Tampa Florida, Travel, USA, Wishlist
Couples, Families, Friends, Headshots, Seniors, Weddings
2015, captured in His image Photography, Christian Photographer, Destination Portrait Photographer, Destination Portrait Photography, Destination Wedding, Destination Wedding Photographer, Discount, Photographer from Tampa Bay, Road trip, Tampa Bay Headshot Photographer, Tampa Bay Natural Light Photographer, Tampa Bay Photographer, Tampa Bay Portrait Photographer, Tampa Florida, Travel, USA, Wishlist
Blessed, captured in His image Photography, Christian Photographer, Family, Memories, New Home, North Carolina, Photographer from Tampa Bay, Raleigh, Roadtrip, Tampa Bay Natural Light Photographer, Tampa Bay Photographer, Tampa Bay Portrait Photographer, Tampa Florida, Thankful, Thanksgiving, The Cottage, Transition, Travel
Blessed, captured in His image Photography, Christian Photographer, Family, Memories, New Home, North Carolina, Photographer from Tampa Bay, Raleigh, Roadtrip, Tampa Bay Natural Light Photographer, Tampa Bay Photographer, Tampa Bay Portrait Photographer, Tampa Florida, Thankful, Thanksgiving, The Cottage, Transition, Travel
Blessed, captured in His image Photography, Christian Photographer, Family, Memories, New Home, North Carolina, Photographer from Tampa Bay, Raleigh, Roadtrip, Tampa Bay Natural Light Photographer, Tampa Bay Photographer, Tampa Bay Portrait Photographer, Tampa Florida, Thankful, Thanksgiving, The Cottage, Transition, Travel
Blessed, captured in His image Photography, Christian Photographer, Family, Memories, New Home, North Carolina, Photographer from Tampa Bay, Raleigh, Roadtrip, Tampa Bay Natural Light Photographer, Tampa Bay Photographer, Tampa Bay Portrait Photographer, Tampa Florida, Thankful, Thanksgiving, The Cottage, Transition, Travel
As I sit snuggled up on the the couch, hiding my noon pjs under a snuggly microplush blanket, I’m truly overcome by all the blessings the last year has provided. To think that a year ago we were still living apart, praying for a home and jobs to provide themselves, is truly humbling. My eyes also well up with tears thinking about my nearly collapsed photography business, that would file financial loss just a few months later, that has been rejuvenated in the most incredible of ways.
Blessed, captured in His image Photography, Christian Photographer, Family, Memories, New Home, North Carolina, Photographer from Tampa Bay, Raleigh, Roadtrip, Tampa Bay Natural Light Photographer, Tampa Bay Photographer, Tampa Bay Portrait Photographer, Tampa Florida, Thankful, Thanksgiving, The Cottage, Transition, Travel
Blessed, captured in His image Photography, Christian Photographer, Family, Memories, New Home, North Carolina, Photographer from Tampa Bay, Raleigh, Roadtrip, Tampa Bay Natural Light Photographer, Tampa Bay Photographer, Tampa Bay Portrait Photographer, Tampa Florida, Thankful, Thanksgiving, The Cottage, Transition, Travel
Hands down, this adventure was one of the best we’ve had since arriving in Florida! Weeki Wachee Springs was truly breathtaking and I loved kayaking on a river with enough rapids that you didn’t even have to paddle for most of it and could just relax and soak in the beautiful views. All images were taken on my fujix100s in its dicapac waterproof case. They definitely aren’t perfect– I was trying to capture some of what we were enjoying while also letting myself just enjoy it 🙂
On October 15th J and I will celebrate our 3rd wedding anniversary. Our story, however, began long before we said “I do”. As much as we’ve learned from all that God has brought us through and as often as we reminisce on where we’ve been, I’ve never taken the time to write it down. So, this is the year! 6 Sundays, 6 parts of the story culminating in this year’s Celebrating Love content announcement (details coming in early October) . You can check-out part 1 here, part 2 here and part 3 here. Thanks for reading!
First of all, let me just clarify: I don’t do sports. If, however, I did and you asked my best friends where I’d be in a stadium (let’s say at the KC royals post season game… see, I know something!) , they’d likely say with the critics on the sideline.
(almost) 4 years of marriage, 13 years of friendship, 2 years in Tampa, 6 months as new (to an old house) homeowners + 1 totally neurotic rescue dog, day jobs in education and the arts, and a whole lot of grace= our life equation these days.
This is the space where #messyheartmusings take life, as do foodie adventures, road trips, and time with those we love most! So glad you’re here!
Laura, Jordan (J) ,and Jenny the Hound
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Footes in the Heights, Marriage, Foster Care, Tampa Bay, Unconventional Foster Care, Love your neighbors, Neighborhood
Laura Foote
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Footes in the Heights, Marriage, Foster Care, Tampa Bay, Unconventional Foster Care, Love your neighbors, Neighborhood
Laura Foote
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Footes in the Heights, Marriage, Foster Care, Tampa Bay, Unconventional Foster Care, Love your neighbors, Neighborhood
Laura Foote
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Footes in the Heights, Marriage, Foster Care, Tampa Bay, Unconventional Foster Care, Love your neighbors, Neighborhood
Laura Foote
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Easter has a different meaning this year as we’ve experienced just a drop of the sacrificial love Jesus offers each of us in learning to love K & her family. I never thought praying about fostering teenagers would lead us to doing so “unconventionally” but I’m grateful.
Footes in the Heights, Marriage, Foster Care, Tampa Bay, Unconventional Foster Care, Love your neighbors, Neighborhood
Laura Foote
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Footes in the Heights, Marriage, Foster Care, Tampa Bay, Unconventional Foster Care, Love your neighbors, Neighborhood
Laura Foote
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