My Valentine

In case you missed it on fb...here's one of my new screen savers :)


I'm getting excited about V-day :)














♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

LRPB

How did that go again Diane?
Jaren, the Sagittarius, are quite prophetic and absolutely believe in the power of laughter--embarrassing themselves at times to make someone laugh.



Luckily, I have now secured a great Life-Partner to go with :)


The holiday season was great fun for the Little Red Photobooth this year! Be sure to check out more on the website!

Revamping the Ultimate Wedding To-Do | Arkansas Wedding Planner

#1...Announce your engagement
(CHECK)

#2...Select a date for your wedding
(CHECKED and CONFIRMED :)

We picked May 2nd because it will mark the one year anniversary since our first date :) Another dear new family friend helped to confirm our decision:

I found out that you (Sagittarius) and Matthew (Cancer) are polar opposites. You know what they say...opposites attract! So that's a good thing. What that means, essentially, is that the two of you will never have a great day on the same days... You can help each other through the bad days because the other will be having a good day. Let me elaborate on the polar opposites: Matthew is Cancer--his energy is receptive, magnetic and circular (all encompassing). Your sign, Jaren, Sagittarius means your energies are assertive, aggressive and linear. The two of you compliment each other very well. (It's no wonder you got together. WOW.) Matthew's sign, Cancer, rules the home and family. It also operates "from the gut" most of the time--good instincts. Jaren, the Sagittarius, are quite prophetic and absolutely believe in the power of laughter--embarrassing themselves at times to make someone laugh. Matthew's sign is the most privacy-oriented sign of the zodiac. They can be emotionally vulnerable, sensitive and easily hurt. Jaren has enthusiasm that spreads like a wild fire (Sagittarius being a fire sign...Cancer is a water sign so you two, again, have great off-setting characteristics).

Also, for a marriage on a day when the moon is Capricorn (which is May 2nd), there will be about 10% of the time when there will be difficulties and 90% are very favorable. That's pretty good when thinking of a marriage. The one thing about a Capricorn moon is that one tends to business more than emotions. Be sure to keep your marriage and planning your wedding with your emotional connections in mind and not treat it too much like a business venture!

All in all, I must say, you did good. You've managed to pick a day that is conducive to happiness and the possibility of forming an impenetrable union. I personally think you two will be a stellar couple with a grandiose future ahead of you. The more I read about you two, the better you look together. You have a very promising future and I couldn't be more happy for you both. Love you,

Diane

As you can imagine, we were smiling ear to ear reading this email :) Thanks again Diane!

#3 (since I am re-vamping the UWTD)...BOOK A PROFESSIONAL WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER!!!
(I'm pretty sure this is what a wedding consultant would charge you $200 an hour to tell you at this point as well...and if they don't, they should go back to wedding consulting school!) Why does investing in a professional wedding photographer so high on the list? Two simple reasons:
Practically, because you need to secure your date (chances that you are the only one getting married on such and such date is pretty much slim to none.)
And sentimentally, because I guarantee your photographs and wedding album are the ONLY things you will refer back to for record of you momentous day.

I remember being a little girl and going through my parents wedding album and proof box. (I LOVED the double exposed image of the alter and the close-up of their faces above it!) The pictures were in chronological order, and although there was no audio, you could hear what was going on by the expression in the images. (A picture's worth...)

I believe that investing in a wedding photographer is SO important because after the cake is eaten, the tulle is wrapped up, the flowers have died, the dress is cleaned and boxed, the tuxes are returned and the honeymoon is over, you still have this...



...and this...


...this....


...this...


...and this :)


I'm so happy that my great friend and partner in wedding photog rockstardom, Jamie with Life as a Photo, will be shooting (and helping to coordinate) my Big Day :)

Now onto thoughts about the dress and flowers...

I'm thinking something like this...


And these are my favorite:

New Family | Arkansas Family Photographer

One of the coolest things about the whole meeting Mr. Wonderful experience has been acquiring new friends and family. I always new that falling in love with Mr. W. would also mean falling in love with his friends and family as well. Over the holidays, we met up with the Stewart's to shoot their family since their boys and their wife and fiance were in town. Come to find out, I know the fiance from about 10 years ago! It was wild as we being the two "outsiders" made that connection...just goes to show how small the world is!








Love this series:


Love these...


And of course we had to get in the babies! (Note: this is two separate families...and two separate puppies!)

Contemplating Career Change | Arkansas Wedding Planner

So...the idea of starting another blog to document my wedding planning activity from now until the Big Day seemed like such a fun idea! I mean, practically every bride-to-be now-a-days has one going...
But when I looked at my dashboard and realized I already have 8 blogs I'm currently supposed to be managing, I decided it best to just chronicle here :)

First off...yes, it has finally set in that I am GETTING MARRIED!!!! I am going to be the new "Mrs. Beavers," and will have to change all of my name things like my driver's license, bank accounts, social security card, P.O. Box, utilities, insurance policies...(and the guys wonder why we are sorta dumbstruck at the time of the proposal!)

So, yesterday, my fiance pulled out the Ultimate Wedding Planner Kit that my soon-to-be sister-in-law graciously gave us over the holidays...



Um, yeah, that's it sprawled out on my living room floor!
And the first three things on the checklist:
1. Announce your engagement
2. Select a date for your wedding
3. Hire a professional wedding consultant!!!!



Couldn't believe it. Here's a huge kit with everything you need to know about planning your wedding, but we highly suggest you hire a wedding consultant! I was bit challenged by the notion..."Excuse me Ms. #3 Hire a wedding consultant, do you know how many weddings I've been involved with over the past 13 years?? Not to count the three I've bride-maided in, I also helped to coordinate two before my wedding photography career, and since 2007 alone, I have been involved with over 15 different weddings either primary, or 2nd shooting!!! I think I should know a thing or two about wedding/event planning thank you very much!"

So, after announcing our engagement and setting the date, I texted my sister and asked if she'd just let me know when and where to show up :) You know, I feel pretty confidant in my ability to coordinate and take charge of anyone else's wedding buy MY OWN :\ Which is why I'm thankful to have Mr. Wonderful who is so great at taking the lead ;)

So we've made the announcement, set the date...and tonight had our E-sesh with the Jamester! I wanted to take engagement pics while we are still in the "engagement" state of mind and enjoying the moment, not stressing over the bazillion things on the Ultimate Wedding To-Do list.
I think I can say this was my first real time on "the other side of the camera"...it was neat to get to feel what my clients feel...nervous at first, but by the end, your saying to your hot fiance, "Wow! That was really fun!" (And then rush home to check her blog every 15 minutes to see if she's posted a teaser!!!)

So here are a few of our images by Life as a Photo!!!
(Have to admit Jamie, looking at the images, we kinda feel like Rockstars :)



Um, yes, I had on tights and Elmo gloves that I got in my Christmas stocking and a hot-pink scarf :P







:)

Next mission is deciding on the venue...we're kinda feeling the outdoors, sunset-y/evening-ish kinda thing. Maybe something like this??


Image courtesy my new favorite blogspot: Green Wedding Shoes

Or the lovely Lydia's...


Stay tuned! :)

Good Enough For Gap | Arkansas Family Photographer

When I showed up at Tim and Terri's and saw everyone in their bright, colorful Gap-esque outfits, I knew this was going to be one of my most favorite shoots ever!
Whoever says that cold weather is not good for outdoor photography is CRAZY. Check out these sweet pics...













Terri, I love your style! Great idea for a great winter shoot!

My Name's In Lights!!!

(Yes, I'm going to be milking this for all it's worth!!!)

Here's what made my Christmas Day :)

Photo courtesy my bro-in-law, taken with his iphone Christmas Eve

(I figure after 10 years of watching all my friends name's listed in the paper under the Hallmark bridal registry, it's only fitting I see mine in lights ;)

More soon from these lovely families...






Just for fun: Daddy and his babies :)

Warmest Wishes...

For a joyous holiday and prosperous new year!
Thank you to all of my family, friends, clients, and blog fans for all of your support this past year...here's to more smiles, laughs, and sweet surprises in the year ahead!

Magical

A few years ago, I was inspired to write a relationship manifesto. (Scarlett, I've searched all over your blog and can't find your post about it!??) After a quick google search, here's what popped up RE: Intentional Relationships:
Until one is committed there is hesitancy, the choice to draw back, always ineffectiveness.. Concerning all acts of initiative (and creation), there is one elementary truth the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then providence moves too. All sorts of things occur to help one that would never otherwise have occurred. A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in one's favor all manner of unforeseen incidents and meetings and material assistance, which no one could have dreamed would have come his way. I have learned a great respect for one of Goethe's couplets: "Whatever you can do or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it."

Inspired and determined, I set out to create mine. I entitled it, "He & I" and it looked like this:

He...
Enhances my calm…i.e., I have nothing to worry about when I am with Him because He is self-sufficient, secure, stable and set in his ways…

Provides and has made provisions for me in His life…i.e. he picks me up, he pays for the meal, he has a house or plans to build a house for us, our family, our friends, our life together to the end…

Is light-eyed, because I like to stare at His face and feel the connection of our souls through His blue, hazel, or green-eyed gaze…

Is honest, and humble…not afraid to make me feel like I am first and foremost in his life…i.e., he proudly introduces me to His friends, His family, His most important people; He shares with me His heartfelt thoughts and opinions and His perspective…

Demonstrates respect and consideration of my person by recognizing my need to be overwhelmed with kind words of appreciation and gratitude before kisses.

Is ready…i.e., He has no more desire or energy for anything but pure intensity and passion. He confidently expresses His complete trust and faith in me as the one who will be the Mother of His Children, the Lady of His House, and the Love of His Life.

I...

Adore His presence and long to be with Him whether near or far, alone or in a crowded room...I am confident that I am His and He is mine...

Take comfort in knowing everything is going to be alright...as we work towards that which we seek to achieve, careful to protect our efforts and preserve the fruits of our labor...

Desire to be pleasing in His sight...

Am honest and transparent...proud to be His best friend, hot date, soulmate, partner and lover...I communicate my inmost thoughts, opinions and unique perspective..
Demonstrate respect and consideration of His person by recognizing His need to be overwhelmed with kindness, courtesy and LOTS of kisses...

Am ready...i.e., I have no more desire or energy for anything but the purest of intentions, desire and motive...I confidently express my complete trust and faith in Him as the man who will be the Legacy to My Heirs, the Lord of My House, and the Love of My Life.

Now he and I look like this...



And this...



Yep...that's some bling on my LEFT hand :)


The details...

We woke up this morning at 6:30 to beat my dad home from work. Today is his b-day and we wanted to put up a banner and drop off some cake and b-day card before we headed up to Branson (to celebrate my b-day and do a little Christmas shopping.)


We got home, finished getting ready to go, and just as we were about to walk out the door, my Matty-Matt rubbed his hands together and said, "There's one more thing!" He told me to follow him outside and I was thinking, "Oh goody, another surprise birthday present!"

(Now bear with me because the following image is still kind of a blur, and I've yet to incorporate the ginko, so I'll try to recall as best I can :)

Taking my hand, he procedes to tell me that he has thought over several different ways of how to best ask me "this." My head then starts FREAKING OUT. I KNEW what was about to go down next--and it was a little more than another birthday surprise! All I can remember is staring at his face and feeling my eyes start to pop out of my head as they were welling up with tears! All that was going through my head was, "OMG,OMG, OMG, OMG!!!" I heard him say that he loved me so much. I heard him say that he wanted to spend the rest of his life with me. I felt his hand next to my cheek holding what I knew was a ring, I just couldn't take my eyes off his face!!!

That's kinda how it's been though the past several months...whenever I start to get scared, or worried or freaked out, I just stare at his face as he holds me and tells me he understands, and knows that everything is going to be alright...

So the next thing I feel is his body going down...down...OMG, on ONE KNEE!!!! By this time, my vision is blurred by huge tears of Oh-my-goodness as he asks me to MARRY HIM!!!! I finally look down and see that he is holding a beautiful diamond ring and my right hand. The first words out of my mouth were as follows, and I quote, "I think it goes on this one." (And I hold up my left hand :)

He asked if that was a "yes" and I told him that I would have married him after our second date! (Yes, Jessi, I know, I am the queen of divertingly answering direct questions!) But, yes, I did say "Yes!" :)

It's a crazy feeling...in a crazy-magical sort of way...although one hopes and even anticipates that special moment to come in their relationship, it still kinda catches you by surprise...even being in the moment is sort of a surreal and amazing feeling...

So, anyway, I cried and he held me and we kissed and awed at the ring and we kissed some more and then I got out the camera :) We headed to Branson, I texted and called all of my family and close friends and spent the next hour hearing about the exciting details of his inside edition...how he bought the ring the week before, sharing the news with his co-workers, how he talked to my dad this past Monday, how he had to hide the Jewel Chest bag in a secret spot (that I almost stumbled upon!) and how he had to just play cool..

It was magical :) It is magical :) I'm still floating on air...he makes my heart and life happy :)

Here's where it all started...his mom took this pic while we were in the "just hanging out" phase:


Some flowers he sent to me at work :)


He was all about the pics even before I was....I LOVED/LOVE this about him, he's always snapping shots with his cell phone:



More random shots from his Blackberry :)


4th of July weekend with his family friends in Mississippi...


A shot from Jamie's cell...
(Yep, he ventured with us to a wedding shoot in Little Rock this past summer!)


This fall/winter when we got the fireplace started :)


My hero (he is ALWAYS helping me with my test shots!):



And jumping my car :)


And making me the happiest, luckiest girl in the whole wide world.
I freaking LOVE him.

My B-day's on Random Wednesday!!!

(Random Wednesday concept swiped from Life as a Photo :)

So this is going to be the ULTIMATE random birthday post ever! Primarily because it feels like I haven't posted anything personal for like, an eternity (or 31 years, same difference ;) and I can't remember the last birthday I took off to simply enjoy some time all to myself!

First off, I want to send a HUGE THANK YOU to everyone who has sent a text or called, or posted a b-day wish on my wall!!! I felt like a rockstar with 30+ messages in my inbox this morning ;) Thank you!!!


Now onto the randomness!!
Let's see, Last year at this time, I was spending the day with Scarlett...


The year before that, I was with Auntie Terri in San Fran...



And the year before that, I didn't have a blogger account so...um, I really can't recall! (Note to self: start incorporating ginko biloba into daily vitamin regimen!) This year, when my TPROTY asked what I was going to do for my b-day, I said I was going to POST!!!!

So...Ashley posted a comment to my fb wall about, "Tell us one random fact about Jaren." And not too many people know this, but...
I am the Ultimate Stacker. Observe:


I swore I would never live without a dishwasher again. (I swore I'd never date a younger guy again too! Oh, oh...I'm NEVER going to be a millionaire ;) Anyway, I hate having to take off the gloves and dry to make room for more dishes...it just ruins the flow or something. So, I have dishwashing--and stacking--down to an art now :)


Random tidbit #2: I have always wanted a Christmas tree like Charlie Brown's. I think it's the simplicity and the humble character of it that appeals to me:


So the Great White Hunter and I went on our first annual Christmas tree hunt this year! Here's our rendition :)



El facto de randomundo numero tres: I heart egg nog :) So does the GWH :) (especially with a little Christmas Comfort added, if you know what I mean ;)



Got Nog?!?


A few out-takes from Christmas card picturing in the little red photobooth :)




Have you seen the ad in the paper?!?


Pics from a recent shoot at Satterfield Farms...

(yes, she has red hair and brown eyes too!)



Love it!






And lots of people forget they can order ALBUMS!!!


Here are the cover options:


They make lovely gifts!

And, speaking of gifts, if you've not figured out what to do for someone on your Christmas list yet, a gift certificate is a PERFECT idea!


Look, it even comes packaged and ready to give!


Thanks again for all the birthday greetings you guys! XOXO!

Teaser #3 | Arkansas Family Photographer

Tis the season...more soon guys!