Meet Doug, my pet squirrel.

"So I tell you, don't worry about the food or drink you need to live, or about the clothes you need for your body. Life is more than food, and the body is more than clothes. Look at the birds in the air. They don't plant or harvest or store food in barns, but your heavenly Father feeds them. And you know that you are worth much more than the birds. You cannot add any time to your life by worrying about it." ~Matthew 6:25-27

Recently, I installed a bird feeder outside my breakfast window and have loved seeing all the colorful birds flying back and forth between the feeder and the trees. We've had bright red cardinals, doves, finches. Every time I see them flying to it and discovering their meal waiting, I can't help but the think of the verse above and be reminded that I too don't need to worry. Just as God always provides for the birds, He consistently shows me how much He provides in my life as well.

And now... I have a squirrel. Ever since I was a little girl, I have wanted a pet squirrel. I know I know, I've heard they are kind of mean and they don't make good pets, but they are just so darn cute. The way I hung the bird feeder, I was like, there is no way a squirrel can access it. It literally hangs on a chain on the gutter above. Not near a tree, just hanging. But yet, those tricky little squirrels always find a way.

One morning, I looked out and, there was a squirrel munching on the bird seed. I had no idea how he got there, and it had been racking my brain how he accomplished such a task. Then recently, I caught the attempt in action. Here's a few videos documenting from our new YouTube channel of his journey to the bird seed!




"Never, never, never give up." ~Winston Churchill

Meet Doug.


Attempt #1.


Attempt #2. Hilarious dive bomb included.

Ran out of gas.

On Saturday we ran out of gas. Here's our story:





NOTE: We recently updated our new YouTube page. After much branding debate this past week, we've decided to name our new photography company "Scarlett & Stephen" instead of "Stephen & Scarlett", so we updated our new YouTube channel too. If you subscribed last week, please update your subscription here: http://youtube.com/scarlettandstephen

The Hicks Family /// Jacksonville Family Photographer

There's some people who, just by being around them, you get inspired. Jim Davis-Hicks is one of those people. He is a philanthropic photographer who not only shoots weddings, but saves lives by bringing water to people all over the world through his charity he started, Thirst Relief International. Through Thirst Relief, with just a $5 donation, you are able to give a child clean water for life.

Last week, Jim packed up his family and dog on a huge tour bus RV and have started a year-long adventure called "Thirst For More Tour" around the country speaking to different photography groups. He spoke at our Jacksonville Pictage User Group about photography, Thirst Relief, and his really awesome workflow that includes an efficient software he created called Action Runner. The next day he held an intimate gathering for a new group he calls "Fuel." During Fuel, he really challenged us not only about photography related things, but about our true passions in life and ways that we each we destined to make a difference in the world. Here's a quick shot of our Fuel group!







Also while they were here, Stephen took them out for a fun family portrait session. Here's some of the awesome shots he grabbed of their adorable family. (Though he shot it, my logo is on it because we are just using it until we rebrand things in May with our new business name!)








































Jim and his family stayed for about 5 days in my driveway, and while they were here, Jim educated Stephen & I on how to fish and build a firepit amongst other things. Stephen and I enjoyed getting to know him and his wife Lara as new friends as we bonded over s'mores and catching fish. We've documented on our new You Tube Channel a few funny videos of Jim during his stay here.


Watch Jim try to park his RV.


Jim teaches Stephen how to fish.


Jim teaches Stephen how to build a fire in the fire pit.

One year ago today...

One year ago today, I was visiting Stephen in California. He came in my room to wake me up and flung open the door exclaiming, "Wow, that window looks extra sparkly today."

Always bad at keeping secrets from me, I knew then that March 23, 2010 would be the day that would change my life.

I won't rewrite the whole story because you can be read the whole long version here, but at sunset on the beach, Stephen got down on one knee and asked me to spend forever with him. I still tease him to this day that he technically never asked me to "marry" him, just to spend forever with him. ha!

Now just 24 days until our wedding, I still ask him if he still wants to spend forever with me. Some days I feel so unworthy. Why does he want to spend forever with me? Why of all people in this world has he chosen me? Why does he want to love me? I once heard years ago that marriage is a great way to hold a mirror in front of your face and see all your worst character traits. But that's what I love about Stephen. He inspires me to want to be a better person. When I'm thinking negative about something, he's thinking positive. When I want to complain, he wants to rejoice. When my glass is half empty, his is half full. When I'm impatient, he's patient. When I'm feeling distance from God, he wants to help pull me back to His heart. When I'm crying, he wants to make me laugh. He teaches me to see the best in people. He teaches me to dwell on all we are blessed with. He puts up with my perfectionist ways and still loves me anyway. He simply loves asking nothing in return, just as Jesus did.

This past year has been a growing experience not only for us together, but for me individually and spiritually as Stephen teaches me through his love how God loves me that much more.

Last night he signed me up for Instagram (username: scarlettlillian) and I took this picture of two frames I have on the wall. They pretty much symbolize our love and the silly moments that mean the most.




Also, we've decided to start documenting by video some of our in between moments of life and with that we've started a You Tube channel called the "Stephen & Scarlett Show". As much as I love photos, I was saying how I wish I could go beyond photos and watch video footage of my parent's life as newlyweds and things and people that made up their everyday world. So we thought it would be fun to create this You Tube channel for our kids to watch one day. If you care to watch too, you can subscribe here:

http://www.youtube.com/scarlettandstephen

Here's a video of us fishing this past weekend when our friend Jim Davis-Hicks was in town and taught us how to fish. More are on the You Tube channel.

Kristi & Brandon are married! /// Palm Coast Hammock Beach Resort Wedding Photographer

There are two things Kristi loves: 1. Hot Pink 2. Bling. And Brandon loves that about her. Kristi & Brandon had a hot pink diamond themed wedding from crystal encrusted hot pink shoes to crytals hanging from the centerpieces. And of course, the guys wore hot pink ties! For their sunny Palm Coast wedding, it was a tad chillier than they expected, but they and their guests were troopers in the cold and heated up the night as they got their dance on at the reception!

Here's some of my favorite photos of the day!

VENDORS:

VENUE: Hammock Beach Resort www.hammockbeach.com
COORDINATOR: Tammy Woodcock, www.parkersevents.com
HAIR & MAKEUP: Lauren Leggett - 904-759-4153
CAKE: Katie Gibson www.kakesbykatie.com
DJ: Jeremy Love www.loveyourdj.com













































































Click here to get the collage actions I use!