Maternity Pics

Usually I'm the one taking pictures, but this time my sweet husband tag teamed with me. :)

Britani + Andrew Sneak Peak

It's not everyday that your little brother gets married...to (bonus!) the best girl in the world! We're so glad Britani is joining our family, and I'm so excited for the real true love that they share. Congrats guys!

Ultrasound

Before you were ever a thought in our minds, God loved you.

Before you were ever born, we prayed for you.

Before you ever met us, we loved you.

Truett is supposedly 6lbs 1oz today.

Crazy to think we'll meet him in 4 weeks. :)

Well...today we get another ultrasound of Truett and I couldn't be more excited. I know they just want to check his size and measurements, but I can't help but wonder what his face looks like. Will he have Jonathan's eyes...or my nose? Or will he look like neither of us and have fiery red hair? I still can't believe there's a little person in there. Hurry please, little man. We love you and we want to hold you. :)

Also, by popular demand, I'll be posting several new recipes this week, so check back! I'm thinking apple cobbler will be in the mix. It has to be done I'm afraid...the holidays are coming!

Penry Family Sneak Peak!

You haven't met fun until you've met this family...

True Blessings

Jonathan and I were talking in the car the other day on the way home about how blessed we really are. And by blessed, I sure don't mean rich, or perfect, or never in need. We face financial problems, we fight with each other sometimes, and we want things that we can't have, just like everyone else.

But seriously, we grew up with great families, both of us. We grew up with loving discipline from great parents, and we knew about Jesus. We were both able to go to college with help from our parents, and we have great jobs that we love. Isn't that already a wonderful beginning? Some of the biggest struggles of our life have been making small amounts of money and barely getting by, but we made it didn't we? We're not on welfare. We've never missed a meal, or been so hungry at night that we couldn't sleep. In fact, we have savings and we own our cars. We've always had our own beds to sleep in, a warm house to come home to, new clothes to wear, clean water, cell phones, and we even have friends who truly care about our lives. We've gone through times of financial uncertainty, sure, but didn't we still manage to go on vacation? We've been making barely no money at all, but somehow God helped us pay the bills. So you ask me, what do we not have? You know...we have everything, because God has been everything to us. And you know what else? It's nothing we have done or deserve.

I think of all the people that didn't grow up so lucky, that didn't get to eat 2 meals a day, much less 3, and didn't really even know who their parents were. We didn't have to wonder if we were going to have heat in the house, or why our dad was in prison. We didn't have to wear shoes to that were too small and walk in them to school without a coat. So yes, we have truly been blessed.

Thanks for this life, God, which you've allowed to have. I'm thankful to serve a God who loves me, and allows me the great responsibility of showing His love to this world. I will not take my place in this world for granted. When I really stop to think about it, I honestly can't believe this life is mine. Thank you.

Roxanne's Shower

My sister, Roxanne, is having a baby just 6 short weeks after me! So...we threw her a brunch!

Meet mom...she's lovely, isn't she? She's also an extraordinary cook, and made quite the little breakfast for everyone...

...including this really amazing quiche.

And this is my Aunt Angela

...who made these yummy scones.

Bella also got dressed up for the occasion, of course.

Roxanne's best friend Amy made her these adorable little tutus. Too cute.

But it's not fair...

Going through a hard time? Ask yourself these 3 questions (via James MacDonald)

1. What happened to me?

2. Why am I here on Earth?

3. How can what is happening to me advance the kingdom of God?

Changes your perspective doesn't it? You can find joy in the midst of any circumstance.

Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing. James 1:2-4

If you are interested in watching the "Passing the Test" message at Church Online, it's available here this week: http://live.lifechurch.tv/ or you can watch it later in the archived sessions here: http://www.lifechurch.tv/ I loved this one...obviously, or I wouldn't be blogging about it. :)

Let It Be

Sometimes I just get tired.

God knows my needs, and he knows my hurts. Luckily, this is the same God who created the planet and knows exactly how many stars are in the sky. This is the same God who split the sea so the Israelites could walk across on dry land and then fed them in the wilderness for 40 years with food...from the sky. This is the same God who raised people from the dead, turned water into wine, stopped the sun in the sky, and died the most terrible death imaginable–just for my sins. And this awesome God, the only God there is or ever will be, is on my side. He's always been on my side. He's always been on your side too.

Today, he's telling me, let it be. I don't even know what that means, but I trust him, and I'll be waiting patiently.

Mielke Family Sneak Peak

BEAUTIFUL family, eh?

Compliment Squasher

Do you ever wonder what people are really thinking but just not saying? I do that all the time, and really, I should stop it, because I'm talking myself into all kinds of silly things that just aren't true.

When someone gives you a compliment, do you ever second guess it? I call that compliment squashing, and it goes a little like this...

Me: You have done such an amazing job with this party! I'm so impressed by your crafty skills!
Them: Oh no, I just stole all these ideas from so-and-so and it's really nothing much. I'm not good at throwing parties.
Me: Oh, well I still think it looks great. (Thought in my head) I actually meant that! You just squashed my compliment.

I mean, isn't that kind of insulting to assume that someone doesn't mean what they say? Because aren't you assuming that that person is stupid and doesn't know what they're talking about? Aren't you essentially calling them a big fat liar? Or how about this...

Them: You are looking so great, Michelle. You're so tiny for being this far along in your pregnancy.
Me: Oh thanks! I sure don't feel like that, but that's so nice of you to say. (thought in my head) They can't really think that. I'm fatter than a jumbo marshmallow that's been cooked over the campfire too long.

See! I'm a compliment squasher too!

I've been a little squelched of joy in my own mind lately. Why? I realized not too long ago that I've allowed certain people to shape my view of real intentions. You know that person, that tells someone something, and turns to you and says something completely different? That kind of sickens me. Sure, I've been guilty of it myself at times too, and yes, THAT sickens me way more. Why do we do that?

But, I have to say that I've realized that it's only about 10% of the people I know that continue to live in this I-only-tell-you-nice-things-to-your-face-but-don't-really-mean-them mentality, and it's certainly not fair to punish the other 90% that do mean all those honest kind words. Even if that 10% doesn't mean a word they say, should I really punish myself for not believing them? Shouldn't I always believe the best in others? That would be super-huge-major YES. This is something I struggle with every day. Maybe it's my own insecurity, or maybe I've been a little burned in the past, but either way, I'm going to start believing the best in all people's words, and I believe it's going to change my life. I'm not going to waste another moment worrying that people don't mean what they say. If they say it, I'm going to believe them. End of story. Life is too short for these games, and choosing to see the best really is the difference between harbored worry, and joy. I choose joy.

Photo Mama

I love being a photographer, but at this time in my life, I'm also not going to let anything get in the way of being a great mom. So, I just wanted to let all my fearless readers know that I won't be booking anymore photo shoots until early next year. I have already filled my quota for October, and I'm proud of myself for now being able to say no. :)

If you are needing engagement pictures or family portraits for the holidays, I can recommend some great photographers that won't disappoint. Otherwise, I'll see you in 2012 with big expectations for next year! I can't wait to work with you! Love you all!

Bethany + David

What a fun wedding. Enough said.