Rhodes Family//Blythe Amber Photography

I was very excited to shoot with the Rhodes family last week. We all used to go to the same church, I never talked to them much...like rarely, so I was very excited when Audrey messaged me asking me to take her family's photos. I had so much fun getting to know them during the session. Emily (their youngest) I found had the cutest lil' smile, but you know little kids usually do. ;)

               You have a Beautiful family Audrey! Thank you for letting me photograph them!

Couldn't decide between the two!

 

The November Thankful Challenge

 

 

Friday starts the first day of November.

Yes, time is flying by (I think I say that every year.)

November is the month with that wonderful holiday called, "Thanksgiving."

As you may or may not know I graduated highschool this year (hooray for 2013 grads!)

So yes, I do have a part time job. Cleaning houses not the most ideal job, but hey its good practice right?!

But even with the job I still have more time to twiddle my thumbs then I did when I was in school.

In those moments today of twiddling my thumbs and thinking about how I can serve others and give glory to God instead of being a lazy bum, I thought of doing what I'm calling...........

 

Pretty much every week for the whole month of November I'm going to be doing something for someone else to show how them I appreciate them and I am 'Thankful' that they are there. :)

                                                   4 Weeks Of Being Thankful For Others!

Week 1 : Nov. 1st-9th
                             Someone or a group of people in the community
                  (police force, Fire department, local ministry,mayor...etc...)


Week 2: Nov.10th-16th
                                      Your role model.
Someone's example that you follow. Show them you are grateful for them and some of them may not even realize that you have been looking up to them, whether its an older girl/women in your church, a friend, a sibling, just show them you appreciate the example they are setting for you.


Week 3: Nov. 17th-23rd
                                    Your choice
This week choose something that is close to your heart. It could be an organization, a homeless shelter. An idea I saw someone on youtube do was you could buy flowers and had out a flower to every mom you see coming out of your local store and tell them that you just want to appreciate all the hard work they put into nurturing their kids and family. This could totally turn a young mom whose having a bad day and make her feel valued.

Week 4: Nov.24th-30th
                                         Family
Since this is the week of Thanksgiving I figured I'd make it easier an something closer to home base. Do something special for your family this week to show them you are truly grateful for their involvement in your life. (could be grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins...etc...)


                          I'm going try to post pictures from each challenge if I do in fact take photos.
                                             Make this month about others instead of yourself.
                   Comment below if your going to do or try to do "The November Thankful Challenge."
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oh,pumpkin

 

Oh,fall.

My favorite season which seems to me more like a transitional season then an actual season.:(

On the upside my sister,her hubby and 3 kids made a last minute decision to visit us from Sweden (You know that country in Europe that don't even sell Swedish fish candy!)

 

I've enjoyed having them here soooooooo much.

We were invited to a harvest party which was rather wet and cold, but I think we all enjoyed it. ;)

 

                                                         Grandpa and his granddaughters.

                                                    Uncle Sam keeping his niece warm.

                                   You have no idea what a dangerous moment I captured here. ;)

                                                             Good night Fall.

trick or treat

                 A few years back I did a post on why my family doesn't celebrate Halloween (click for the link) and all the evils (at least the ones I know of.) about Halloween. I thought it was high time to address one of things about Halloween that is growing more disturbing to me.

                                                        Sexy Costumes?
Sexy- adj.

1.	provoking or intended to provoke sexual interest.

Seriously why do little girls who aren't even in 2nd grade need to look sexy?
                                  Why the low cuts, short outfits for all the girls?
                                                        The fish netting?
                                    Why does any girl need to look sexy?

This is seriously heartbreaking to me that little girls of all ages dress up like lets face it an easy to grab sex object. Especially with all the child porn. that is getting more popular. Why?
                                                  People do not think anymore.
               And we are consuming what Hollywood and the clothing industry feeds us.
       People don't take charge of their kids and the kids get what they want or what is popular!
                  Cause no parent wants to be 'uncool'. Or heaven forbid that a child is unhappy!
Did you know that when the bikini came out (it was invented by a man by the way.) that the creator couldn't get a model to wear it?! He had to hire strippers to wear them to expose the world to his new design? And even after that all the popular magazines all the world stated that they weren't even worthy of discussion cause they were, so revolting and inappropriate.
Bikini's are named after the site where the very first atomic bomb was tested cause Mr/ bkini inventor thought that's the way the world would react. (one thing he was right about!) I'm getting off subject now,but I feel like I can go in 20 different directions on this topic.

Little girls are taught to look 'sexy' to guys cause that's the only way to get noticed or attention.
   Be sassy and have an attitude (and people wonder why they have issues with them at home.)!

We need to teach our girls that their bodies are beautiful and sacred not to be flaunted for others approval, but they are something special and should reserve that only for their husband. If they feel that the only way they can be noticed or loved is by guys lusting after their bodies. We need to start taking them aside, have a talk and start guiding them.
 I this is where its important for the Dad to come in and treat the girl they way she deserves to be treated...like a princess. To show them they love them and are worth being loved (Dates with Daddy are always good!). To show them they want to protect them and that they are a beautiful treasure that deserves someone special. I know this is hard when so many Dads are not in the home, but mommy's and brothers can make them feel good about themselves too.

        Teach your daughter that sexy isn't beauty and it won't get them what they want or deserve.
                      Teach them to dress appropriately, to honor and respect their body.


I love this quote by Emma Watson.