To Decorate or Not to Decorate...

As I mentioned before, we are attempting to sell our house. So far, we haven't had any calls or anyone wanting to look at it. We understand there is a big chance that we'll be staying here for a while. So, here's my predicament.

I've been wanting to frame pictures of our dogs to put up in the house. This weekend, my friend JR, helped me capture some good shots that I'm anxious to frame and mount. BUT- since we're trying to sell our house, is it pointless to spend time and money buying frames and hanging pictures?

Thoughts?

By the way, here are the pictures of the dogs!

Finally!!

http://elizabethwiggsphotography.blogspot.com/

This is something I've been working toward for the past few months. After a lot of work, practice, and prayer- Zach and I have decided to make it official.

"Elizabeth Wiggs Photography" is now in business! You can keep up with my photography here, as I will try my best to separate my family blog and photography blog.

I'm very excited about this decision, and I appreciate everyone's encouragement as I have been preparing for this new journey.

For details on pricing or scheduling a shoot, email me at ewiggs@gmail.com.

Clay, Emily, and Evelyne

Yesterday morning, I woke up and looked at the clock. "8:45." I jumped up, panicking because I was supposed to be meeting Clay, Emily and Evelyne for pictures at a park about 45 minutes away from my house at 9:00.

I immediately had Zach call Clay as I ran out the door. Luckily they were running late also. When I jumped in the car, I realized it was extremely muggy (probably the muggiest day of the year) outside AND was raining. Typically, I would have rescheduled, but Clay is leaving for Seattle on Monday and then Emily will move up there on Friday. This was our only shot.
We all agreed to do our best to fight out the rain. We would get out of the car for a few pictures while it was sprinkling, then when it came down harder- we'd all take off running for the car. We repeated this several times throughout the morning- but I believe our persistance paid off. We got some really great shots- and Ev made it easy, all smiles and laughter. She's so precious!

On a more sentimental note, I was so happy I had this opportunity to spend a morning with this amazing family before they start their new journey in the Northwest. Clay and Emily have had played such a crucial role in Zach and my marriage over the past few months. They are two of the most loving, thought-provoking, and honest people you'll ever meet. Seattle is very lucky to get them.

When I was driving home from our little photoshoot, I got stopped by a train. So, I decided to look through the pictures. Unexpectedly, I started crying watching Clay, Emily, and Ev together. My emotions even surprised me. You guys will definitely be missed. Thanks so much for this opportunity.

Saturday with Syd

Zach and I went up to Missouri yesterday afternoon to spend a few hours with Syd. When Syd got in the car, she said "Can we take pictures today?" Ummm.. let me think. :)

So, we took Syd to the store and let her pick out a dress for the pictures. It was so hot and humid- we only took about 30 minutes worth of pictures. The rest of the afternoon, we ate dinner, played and talked. Syd informed us yesterday, she has a new dream. She now wants to be a fairy one day- so she can have wings and fly.

I LOVE her imagination and child-like innocence. The girl has me completely wrapped around her finger.

I SOOOOO want this to happen to Zach and me one day! :)

I'm an award-winning blogger!

Ok, that is slightly over doing it... Well, more than slightly- but it is still fun to say! :) My new friend, Stephanie, from Florida granted me this award today on her blog.. and now I'm entitled to play along! Steph has such a beautiful family and is an amazing cook. She is always posting amazing recipes on her blog. I'm honored that she would take the time to recognize my blog. So, thanks, Steph!
Now, it's my turn to pass this award onto others! Yay! I'm such a cheese ball when it comes to stuff like this.

First up, my beautiful and thought-provoking friend, Emily. Emily is a strong and loving woman, who has so much knowledge and wisdom at such a young age. So often, Emily is able to translate exactly what I'm thinking, but have been unable to put into words. I love that about her: how eloquent she is with her thoughts and words.

Next, my dear friend, Laurie. Laurie is currently in Cameroon, a small village in Africa. Laurie and her husband are always looking for ways to change the world. The thing I love most about Laurie is that she spends equally as much time acting on her convictions as she does talking about them. No doubt, her blog will inspire you.

Third up: my new friend, Jaren! I met Jaren for the first time a few weeks ago in Mountain Home, Arkansas. She is an amazing photographer- but more importantly, is so full of life and personality. I was instantly attracted to Jaren because of her ability to express herself and put herself out there so quickly. She's got an addictive quality that I just wanted to sit with her and soak up more of her personality and knowledge! She does such an amazing job with her blog- capturing her personality, personal life, and talent.

And lastly, my friend Heather. Heather's been blogging for awhile now... and ever since the beginning, I've been a devoted reader. The thing I love most about Heather (and her blogging) is her ability to soak up every small pleasure out of life. Heather is one that enjoys every flower, every conversation, every ray of sunshine! It's a refreshing thing to be around!

Wow!! Ok, that was fun. It's nice to be able to pause and reflect on all the amazing women I know (and trust me- there are dozens more than just 4!). Now, you four are responsible for passing on the love. Here are the rules:

You have to pick some blogs that you consider deserve this award for their creativity, design, interesting material & also for contributing to the blogging community, no matter what language. Each award has to have the name of the author and also a link to his or her blog to be visited by everyone. Each award winner has to show the award and put the name and link to the blog that has given her or him the award itself.

Saturday at Grandma's

This Saturday, my brother, Fred, and brother-in-law, Lee ran in a triathlon in Forrest City, AR. Afterwards, my grandmother had us over to her house in Marked Tree, AR for one of her famous lunches. She owns a big piece of land where she has grown a beautiful garden. I took some pictures of her flowers while I was there- along with a few of my sister and brother-in-law (they're celebrating their one year anniversary next week). I'm constantly overwhelmed by the amazing family I have.

It's Official!

Our home is officially for sale!! Zach and I have spent the past year and a half here in Oakland, TN- a small town about 30 minutes east of Memphis. This past Christmas, Zach and I began discussing and praying about our purpose and why God put us together and why He put us together in Memphis of all places.

Memphis is a beautiful city with beautiful culture- but at the same time comes with some tragic and bitter history... most of that producing serious racial tension throughout the city. After 6 months of prayer, Zach and I have made the decision to move back into the city. We want to be apart of revitalizing the city and want to be a part of helping change the future of Memphis. The last thing we want to do is run from the city's problems by locating ourselves as far as we can possibly get.

We're still working through some issues- like what it means to live in community and what it means to live missionally. These are things that, since our marriage, have been weighing on both of us. While we don't have even close to all the answers- we believe coming back into Memphis will be a first step.

Here are a few pictures of our first home together (feel free to recommend this website to anyone looking for a 3 bedroom, 2 bath home in Oakland). :)

TGIF

My new f/1.8 lens arrived in the mail on Wednesday. I took this picture of Zach while playing around with it- and to be honest- He looked too sexy in his suit for me not to post the picture.

I hope everyone has a great weekend. I've got family coming in town, my best friend is having a birthday party for her daughter... a lot to look forward to! Happy Friday!

Jack + Clayton = Crazy Fun!

My nephews, Clayton and Jack, are staying with my parents (AKA: Maw-Maw and Paw-Paw) this week. On Tuesday, I was talking to Clayton on the phone and he said, "Elizabeth, when are you coming over to swim with us?"

I said, "Well, buddy, I have to work the rest of the day, but when I get done at work, we're all going to go to the park to take pictures."

He said, "I know."

Me: "Are you excited?"

Clayton: "Not really"

Me: "Why not?"

Clayton: "I don't like sitting still very much."

Turns out- he wasn't lying. :) But he and Jack did a wonderful job! I promised him we would spend an hour at the park playing and having fun. And that's exactly what we did. I know people always tell me when I have my own kids, it will produce a feeling of love that you've never experienced, but sometimes I'm not sure how I could love anyone more than I love my nieces and nephews. It was a pure joy to be able to photograph these two.

I'm still in the process of editing the pictures, but here are some I've fallen in love with so far.

Waiting for Anden...

When I met up with my cousin, Liesl, to do her maternity photo shoot, she started talking about all the feelings she's been experiencing since her pregnancy began: Fear, Anxiety, Excitement, Joy, Weariness. I think that's why I'm so drawn to maternity pictures- they capture a pureness and a beauty that is hard to translate into words. It's so exciting to be able to photograph a miracle as it's happening.

Liesl, thank you so much for letting me take part in this special time in your life. I had a blast with you.

Missing Her...

It's going to be a couple weeks before I can see this cutie pie again-- and it's KILLING me!! Over the past couple of weeks- I've found myself looking at this picture each time I start missing her. It just captures so much of who she is! I'm counting down the days until July 26...

Feeling Inspired...

I'm loving today's "Smart City Memphis" blog post. A group of people who share a love and passion for Memphis brainstorm for ways to improve the city.

Check it out here.

I have a few of my own ideas, but would be interested in other opinions.

Speaking of community, I was EXTREMELY inspired by my friend, Sara's, blog post today. She lives in Nashville, but is realizing the impact (and neccessity) of community. Here's a link to her blog post.

76 and Fabulous!

Me and my girlfriends often talk about all the amazing women we know. We talk about women who embody holiness, strength, love, servanthood, and just plain awesomeness. In a nutshell, I believe my grandmother captures it all.

Today, Beulah Elizabeth Shackelford turned 76 years old. She showed up to her birthday party sporting a fabulous hot pink top with matching hot pink high heels. I told her tonight I think she is more active than most 20-somethings I know. This is just a small part of who this woman is. I've seen her survive so much pain and heartache and in the midst of it- still takes time to serve others. She knows how to mourn without becoming hard. She knows how to love unconditionally. She knows what it means to forgive and to practice grace. She has an extraordinary ability of bringing family together.

Grandma, I know I've told you this so many times before, but thank you for everything you do for our family. You have constant faith in all of us. As we both grow older, I enjoy our friendship more and more each day. I just hope to be able to take a small part in continuing the legacy you continue to leave behind for all of us. I love you!

After Grandma's party tonight, I did a mini-photoshoot with her in her fabulous garden!

5 couples, 3 nights, 1 house

Zach and I left town after work on Thursday night and headed down to Seacrest, Florida to meet up with four other couples from our small group. We all spent the 4th of July weekend in a nice-sized rental home, thanks to the mega-planner, Katie Cordell. Seriously, that woman can plan like nothing I've ever witnessed. Katie, we can't thank you enough for putting this weekend together.

We spent two short days on the beach, but had a blast. Now, it's Monday and back to work, but I still can't quit thinking about how blessed Zach and I are to have found this amazing group of people. I love the diversity that exists in our group, and how we all have different passions, talents, and abilities. I love how this small group of people is slowly beginning to develop into a family that wants to learn together, grow together, and serve together.

We, of course, missed the few of you that couldn't be there, but look forward to another trip soon- hopefully with everyone!

Also- you can check out Zach's blog for more pictures.