Time to catch up

As I have promised, I will update this & get back to it........Our world has been spinning pretty quickly over the last few months. We are in a bit of a prayer fast for both those we love and for our own situations. The Lord has been beyond good to us, and we are seeking His will in a few decisions, so if you think to stop and say a quick prayer for us, we would certainly appreciate it.

Now for the catch up time.......

Football season came, and our little booger next door welcomed it with a new jersey. Football season is one of our favorite times as neighbors bc Saturdays are full of the outdoors, cornhole, a happy baby, and lots and lots of food. This guy seems to have enjoyed his first "active" season on duty as an Auburn fan.

We even got a chance to head to the plains for the Miss State game. It was burning up but WONDERFUL to get away. We even sat next to a pro photo bomber (aka Virginia)

Our good friend Michael had his 3oth birthday. There is nothing better than being in a room full of sweet people that we love dearly. They really do make our lives better for knowing them all.

And Halloween was a super special treat since me and rainbow bright (aspyn of course) had the honor of helping Blake with his first true Trick Or Treat! He was the Chick Fil A cow and was the best dressed in the nieghborhood. No one could have made a cuter cow.

Now it's time for Thanksgiving and the Holidays. Photography will slow down and I'll have a bit more time to keep this poor neglected blog up to date. If you haven't purchased your Holiday Cards this year, please keep my friend Cana Grooms in mind. She has some beautiful designs featured on my business' blog & the 10th order placed that mentions sunnyJONESphotography will get their first 25 free! Let me know via email if you'd like to place an order. sunny@asunnyphoto.com.

Thank You

"Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good!His faithful love endures forever." -Ps 118:1

This verse has been running through my mind all day. I have so much to worry about. So much to think really hard over. Even more to fear, but for each of those thoughts, worries, & fears are blessings that outnumber them all. I am so thankful for so much! For starters, I have a God who sent His ONE AND ONLY son to die a horrible death just to allow me to spend eternity with Him. WOW. He takes on every one of those nasty things so that I can go through my days without them. Jesus is truly my best friend and I am so incredibly thankful for Him each and every day. Other things I'm thankful for? Well, I have a job that I absolutely adore. I experience new brides, families, firstborns, all of it! AND I get paid to do it. I'm sorry, but that makes my job something to be thankful for I'd say. I only have it b/c the Lord allows it. And I hope to glorify Him every step of the way. We are commanded to use whatever gifts He's given us to better His Kingdom and I should remember - that means picture too

Over the last year, I've also been blessed to be a part of these girls' lives. Pursuit 31 is a group by Karen Stott (amazing photog btw) who felt that the Lord wanted her to bless other photographers starting out as well. She is more than a mentor, business owner, or entrenpreneur.....she is a wife, mother, follower of Christ, & friend.

Ah, the most unexpected of all .... my neighbors! We moved in to our first home last year this time and now I can't remember not knowing the three of them. God really went the extra mile there. I mean, who vacations with their neighbors? WE DO

Another thing I'm thankful for today? My sister. How does someone love me so much? How did I end up with someone like her when I know I could never have been that for a younger sister myself. She may not ever have kids (darn NYker) but she has me and she's been a pretty incredibly mother figure if you ask me - the kind that lets you have wine when you're 19 and takes you to rated R movies at 15.

Amanda comes with 2 parents. Oh my mom and dad. Could I ever find anything to be more thankful about? So many people have so many struggles within their immediate families, and Joey and I were both blessed enough to not only grow up in un-broken homes, but to see our parents just as in love today as they were when they were our age. Just bliss!

MY PEOPLE!!!!!!!!!!! I'm SO thankful for my people. My Mr (you've seen him a lot) & Aspyn (i KNOW you recognize her). They both are responsible for a bit of the stress mentioned in the beginning, but they are also responsible for a HUGE part of the blessings in my life too. They will both quickly point out that that makes the bad totally excuseable. And well, I agree.

BLAKE!!!!!!! My neighbors' son Blake is my little nephew in love. We moved in when he was almost one month old and he has our entire hearts. It's fun loving on a baby like he's your own, then handing him back to his parents when he gets fussy. Just splendid

something new for everyone

Oh the excitement!! Mom and Dad are about to break ground on their new home (only 5 minutes away btw....WOOP). We are SO incredibly excited about having them closer to us & even more thrilled for them as this has been a LONG time waiting. The home was already a stunning plan done by Signature Homes, but with a daddy that's an architect, they took something good and made it breath-taking! Mr Jones & I headed out to the neighborhood today to see the "sold" sign and share in my parents' excitement. Think about it, in 3 months we'll have the opportunity to steal from their fridge again......AND to lose all of our furniture (she'll want most of it back I'm sure).....DRATS

SO, since she will be taking her coffee table first, I've decided to re-vamp the entire living room to make it a bit more cozy. Joey and I found this little gem @ At Home this weekend and stuck it in the trunk to take home. Finally! A spot to hold my pretty books and magazines - & Mr. Jones'  condensation - drenched glasses he leaves around the house. Bring on the windex! 

HAPPY SUNDAY! We are so thankful for the many blessings we have and can't wait to see what the next few months hold. 

Ps 37:4 // Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart

Another week......

Another week, another Monday. Here's to hoping every one has a fabulous week. I'll be hard @ work , then coming home to work some more on things like these sweet two.

On a side note, we find out if Brenda's radiation worked tomorrow. Please pray that the Lord wraps his arms around her and her family regardless of the outcome.

Happy last day of February.......and FINALLY we can enjoy some sunshine!

Xx

Spring is on my mind

I absolutely can NOT wait for Spring. My skin, my personality, & my hair all hate the winter equally. If only the French doors I want to get installed this spring actually led to an outdoor space like these.....

Via: google images

Happy Friday! Xx

Birthday weekend....

This weekend isn't just Valentine's Day for me and mr Jones, it's a time to celebrate Joey's birthday too! (poor guy ends up buying something for me on his birthday to prepare for Vday......) SOOO I always try and make his birthday extra special
We had our families over for steaks & were so thankful another February birthday baby (Kristen) was able to come visit us! That baby is the love of my life....chatham phoenix brobeck. He is seriously one of the sweetest, smartest babies you'll ever meet.
We hung out for a while and discovered he has the BEST Sunny Bunny impression around! You ask him to do his best bunny and he blinks a few times with more concentration than you've ever seen. Apparently, this is what bunnies do. . . . and they eat rod iron. . . .

Mom made Joey her famous strawberry cake...and I ruined it with blue candles :( Sorry momma!

*!Make a wish!*

Thanks every one for making our night so special! We love you all so very much!!

Dear Mr. Jones, thank you for being born 25 years ago. Thank you for being the little sperm that could ;) I seriously can not picture a life without you in it. I look at you sometimes and seriously wonder how I ever made it through each day before there was you. If I could remember those days, I know that my heart wouldn't feel quite as complete. Thank you for being you, thank you for being my best friend, thank you for SO much love.......thank you for being my "Mr."

Xx

I'm not buried alive......

I've just been in New York celebrating this one's 30th birthday. One fun surprise party, and boy was she surprised when Joey & I walked in......I can't wait to share it all with you.
Xx

Santa Baby

I've decided to compile a wish list so that Santa can see what I'm wanting for Christmas this year. I'm out of stamps, so hopefully this method will prove to be successful as well...

First, I would like to wake up with our annual sausage balls and a hot cup of coffee. Hopefully, my sister will come over shortly after and have a big box filled with this inside.......I desperately need a camera case that's functional without looking like I'm headed to Times Square with my video camera and fanny pack.
And after much searching, I discovered a little brown belt that would make me happy. Santa himself might bring me this, if I'm a very good girl and I don't forget to bake him lots of cookies. (small please)
Shortly after, my mother will appear, with a few of my plates that I was missing from my registry. Because she will bring them that morning, our new tradition of the Jones/Sheppard turkey dinner @ our house will be complete now that every one can have a plate to eat on. Eight is better than six.
& from my husband, I'm hoping to FINALLY acquire one of these puppies. 2 friends of mine have them and I'm thinking I might be missing out. Our wedding photographer actually has one too, and I think I've seen him mention it being one of his favorite gadgets as well. These little guys take instant photos like the Polaroid did for us back in the day. I could have some major fun with one of these! Now to decide which model.....I want pics bigger than just a credit card (which is what some claim to print....) hmmmmm
If my new belt, bag, and camera inspire me....I might finally cave and do what I've discussed for 2 years now....Bangs..............this scares me to DEATH bc it's not like I can undo it if I hate it, but what a fun winter look. We shall see.

I'm pretty darn excited!!

I got a new car :)

I used to get pretty attached to our family vehicles as a child if you can't tell. I was an active helper in washing them each weekend.


Let's see how long I can keep her looking shiny and new :) Happy Tuesday!!

XXX

I'm missing

these girls....

After meeting Joey, I've met a lot of people who have gone from elementary school, to high school, to roomates in college all together without any time apart. Briarwood just wasn't like that. Not that either are bad, just different. We graduated, all went to different schools, & some even traveled the world. But when we DO get together it is such fun.

@ times I even get emotional and start to cry. Carter thought this was hysterical at how sad I was realizing what fun we all have when we finally get together. My tears were genuine, her's evilishly (yes, it CAN be a word) fake. So thank God for weddings! These two crazy kids are tying the knot next month, and I am thrilled @ the opportunity to have everyone back in town for the fun parties. Last Saturday night we celebrated with the first of a few for Laurie Anne and Taylor and had such a fun night! Taylor used to work for the church in Times Square and Laurie Anne, well she rocks. Check out her art work HERE. I feel slightly famous by association since we DID paint in her kitchen at 10. Quite frankly mine was better ;) ...... I'll leave the painting to LAJ.

I'm so thrilled to see what an amazing man you found to spend the rest of your life with. He seems like pure perfection for your soul...

And thank goodness Lauren returned from her new city & home & married life to play with us all. We always end up laughing at the most innapropriate times thanks to her.

We are in the works planning a girl's beach trip to Lauren's beach house after Christmas to simply do the following:

1. eat LOTS of ice cream on the couch

2. order pizza

3. watch Bridget Jones' Diary

4. complain about marriage

5. brag about marriage

6. not miss our husbands

7. then miss our husbands so bad we leave a day early.....sound about right ladies?

SERVICE

Recently, we discovered that my co-worker (the only one I have) has stage 3 pancreatic cancer. If you are unaware of this form, the prognoses are never good. After a visit with her Oncologist yesterday, we now know that surgery is out of the question (it's too large to remove) & her only hope is to take several rounds of chemotherapy, both orally and through injections as well. These rounds will run roughly $4,000.00/month AFTER insurance coverage! With these and other medical bills headed her family's way, I wanted to raise a little money to help them out.

Brenda has 2 daughters and 4 beautiful grandchildren. She has spent her entire life giving to her husband, children, and family, and still continues to do for others while accepting no sympathy or attention over her current circumstances. I'm simply asking you to help, if you can, make this deserving woman's journey a little less difficult to take. Mr. Jones and I will be taking orders for batches of the following desserts at a base of $5.00 per dessert. Any additional donations can be made if desired & will be greatly appreciated. Please forward this on to your co-workers and family. Thank you for your support and your prayers for Brenda and her family.


Pick any of the followingand place your order via email to me at sunny82209@gmail.com

1. Chocolate Chip cookie bag - contains 4 large cookies and can be made low fat if desired
2. Momma's Haystacks - 8 included
3. Chocolate covered pretzels - one bag
4. Cupcakes - 3 yummy cupcakes with a whipped icing on top


Dear Lord,
You know Brenda so much better than I do. You know her sickness and the burden she carries. You also know her heart. Lord, I ask you to be with my friend now, working in her life. Let your will be done in her life. If there is a sin that needs to be confessed and forgiven, Lord, please help her to see her need and confess. Lord, I pray for Brenda because your Word says I should pray for her healing. I believe you hear this earnest prayer from my heart and that it is powerful because of your promise. I have faith in you to heal her, but I also trust in the plan you have for her life. Lord, I don't always understand your ways, and why she has to suffer, but I trust you. I ask that you look with mercy and grace towards her. Nourish her spirit and soul in this time of suffering and comfort her with your presence. Let Brenda know you are there with her through this difficulty. And may you be glorified in her life and also in mine.
Amen

Lemony Snicket

My week has turned into quite the series of unfortunate events......

but this boy insists on making my days better by utilizing materials from the mens' room at his office along with the camera phone he's putting to good use.

We're planning to leave for Auburn Friday after work, but with me probably not getting to bed until the wee hours of the night, I might need to catch a small nap before heading out.

This is not the face that I fell in love with...I assure you

A friend from work is going through a tough time, so prayers for her and her family would be appreciated. I will be working both shifts until things get better, so the photo shoot I have scheduled with Saks Fashion Night might prove to officially knock me dead with exhaustion.

Don't worry about me, my mummy sent me to work with a hardie snack to hold me over until I get home.

Until I get home to my super duper clean house with no kitchen mess, folded laundry, & a hot steamy dinner ready and waiting for me on the table....oh! and candles...did I mention candles? (right hun?)


Happy Friday Eve
I no longer have vacation time next week bc of our situation at work so here's hoping I get at least SOME form of rest during the weekend.
xxx

I'm certainly enjoying..

My very own space! I've grown pretty fond of sitting outside with friends, joey, and even alone. I suppose I'm never really alone since Aspyn tends to be my shadow, but she's good company - quiet. It's nice to finally sit outside without an entire complex watching you :) We have fabulous neighbors and no one behind us.

Just a huge hill with wild grass that tends to send a bug or two my way. I'd rather share space with a butterfly than an old man having coffee in his too short of a robe each morning!

I recently joined a Bible study with a few 20 somethings on Thursday mornings. We're following the book "The Good & Beautiful God" by James Smith and I'm really looking forward to getting to know the side of God that Jesus knows. Any time I learn something new about my Savior I get pretty excited. It never fails to change so many aspects of my life - and it's always changes for the best. Who can argue with that?


Now, what am I enjoying even more today?

This photo from a friend's wedding.

My husband is HOT

It's spouse swap day (the day that he cooks, cleans, and does laundry) and I'm thinking after seeing this photo I might be acting a lot like a man....(*blush)

HAPPY WEDNESDAY

xxx