All is well..

Praise God, this morning Chris pretty much seemed like his usual self. He didn't have a fever, and while he was a tad whiney he was pretty much running around like usual. I took him to the doctor anyways, and of course they couldn't find anything other than a "possible ear infection". He is still having problems with his tummy, though.... Please pray that we get to the bottom of this!

Poor baby!

As a parent, one of the most difficult things I have experienced is watching my little boy when he is sick. Once again, Chris has an unexplained fever - today it hit 104.1! It broke my heart to see my typically energetic toddler laying around on the couch, slumped over in whatever position I left him in while I went to refill the juice cup. I'm taking him to the doctor tomorrow; hopefully we'll get some answers. Pray for the doctor to have wisdom! While I know it is probably nothing more serious than an ear infection, I can't help but worry - what if it is something more? Sometimes kids really do get sick! But I love Chris SO much - so that means that I need to place him in the very capable hands of our Savior, who only wants the best for us.
Here's a few random pics...

Chris following the lawn mower

Story time!

More Nate and Shalane

Some have been asking for a few more pictures from Nate and Shalane's wedding, and as I have been hard at work trying to get them all ready, I thought I'd post a few more favorites. Enjoy!

The Walters family

Last Sunday I got to go over to Kyle and Angie Walters' house for a photo shoot. Kyle is the brother of Nate, whose wedding I did last month. They have a beautiful home on a lake, and an even more beautiful family! The kids are precious, and warmed right up to the camera. It was such fun to see their personalities through the camera lens.

Passion

"For the Lord takes delight in his people..." Ps. 149:4



"The Lord your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing." Zep. 3:17



I love the picture that those verses paint: a picture of the almighty God of the universe so enthralled with me (you!) that He is literally singing and dancing over me. And I think I am beginning to sense that more now, especially as I pursue photography. Now, I realize that this is going to sound really corny... but my entire life I have been "sweet little Caroline." If people had to describe me, they would probably use words like "nice" and "a good person." How boring is that??!! There really is more to me than that. There is a passion and excitement for life inside, but I guess I just don't typically let it out. Maybe because up 'till now, I didn't know how. But I think that photography is a way that I can let this other "Caroline" show her stuff! I don't know that I'm there yet... but I want to be.

That could be one reason that I am SO EXCITED about a workshop that I am going to in February: the Love Affair Workshop. It is a week long, and is on Bald Head Island in North Carolina. I only know one other person going: my old friend from middle and highschool, Scarlett. But I will be there with about 40 other women, all of whom are photographers, and many of whom are Christian. It is going to be a week of shooting, workshops, and plenty of "girl time." We are even going to get all dressed up and do photo shoots of each other! I am absolutely counting down the minutes until I get on that airplane. Never before have I done something like this! I hope my expectations are not too high, but I am really expecting to learn a lot, and not just about photography. When I step on that plane, I also want to step out of the old Caroline, and embrace the me that I know is in there. (see, I told you this was corny!) Woo-hoo - only 5 weeks to go!

Just me

So far, I have used this blog for the sole purpose of showing some of the pictures that I have taken for friends and family. However, it occured to me the other day that I have such a full life, and I have quite a lot to say about it! So I am going to try to post more often, whether or not I have pictures to include with it.

Ever since the idea for Caroline Nicole Photography first came to mind, it has amazed me how God has provided for this vision. First, He has given me a husband who couldn't be more supportive and encouraging. He's been there to help with whatever I need, whether it is watching the baby while I go take pictures, or helping me with equipment during a wedding. He doesn't even complain about all of the equipment I have had to purchase!

As if that wasn't enough, every time I start to doubt whether or not I can do this, the Lord sends some kind of encouragement, whether it is a comment from a friend or even another opportunity to shoot. I know that by myself, I am not capable of doing this. But I feel like the Lord is opening the door for this, so I am going to keep walking through it.

Chances are, if you are reading this you have in some way been a blessing to me through all of this - and I am so grateful!

Phil and Dawn

Last month I had the opportunity to shoot a second wedding with Jason Angelini in Clearwater. The wedding was a lot of fun, and once again I learned a ton! The bride and groom were a really cute young couple, and I really admire them: the groom, Phil, is going to be deployed to Iraq in the spring.
Here are some of my favorite pictures from the day!

Nathan and Shalane

A few weeks ago I shot my first solo wedding for my friends Nate and Shalane. I was so honored when they asked me to do their wedding, as they knew I had never done this before. Shalane even told me that they were excited to be a part of what God is doing in my life! Seriously, the Lord has blessed me with the best friends ever!!

Anyway, I am starting to go through all the pictures, and thought I would post a few favorites. Let me know what you think!

Bedford family

Sorry it has been so long since my last post! Things have been really busy, so I am trying to get caught up. I did another wedding with Jason Angelini at the beginning of the month, and will post some photos soon. A few weeks later my neighbor Kelly asked me to take some pictures of her family during a Christmas gathering. They were a fun group, and it was good to get some practice. Here's a few from the day...

The whole family

The dogs weren't really interested in sitting still for the picture...
Sweet Olivia pretended to be a bit shy at first, but she definitely has some diva in her!

Last weekend I did my first solo wedding for my friends Nate and Shalane; I am going through the pictures now and will post soon...