Wednesday's Printable Words

Happy Hump Day! It's Wednesday's Printable Words are brought to you by Virgil. As a mom, I reflect on time a lot. The overused cliche',  "time flies", is so true. Hold fast to these moments because they very well may be the time of your life!

You print this from your computer. Just right click and "save image as". I created this to be an 8x10. Let me know what you think. Leave a comment or like my post. Please share with your friends. Want last week's printable?  Click here.  Thanks!

Motivation for Monday: Memories

This weekend has been fun-filled and packed with outings. One of our outings was to the Sylvan Bird Sanctuary in Scotland Neck, NC. We met some friends of ours and their sweet children to enjoy the bird park and have a picnic lunch. The day was sunny and gorgeous. We were supplied with a scavenger hunt on our way in. It was cool for the kids to find and identify some of the birds we observed. Within the bird park, there were separate entrances to see the birds in their habitat up close. On one of the pathways we found this little duck that had escaped. Julian & John instantly spotted him and began to follow him. Watching our little ones follow the duck, Beau chants, "waddle, waddle, quack, quack". This chant took me back to my childhood. I can remember visiting my grandparents near Sebastian Beach, FL. They had a little vacation spot near the beach. Their development had a swimming pool. My siblings & I loved to visit. It was part of our summer vacation. We usually visited around the 4th of July. We would swim until our feet and fingers were pruned. On our way back to the house from the pool my grandmother would chant, "waddle, waddle, quack, quack!" as she walked behind us. Our wet feet rubbed against our rubber flip-flops as we walked. It made a squeaking sound that resembled a quacking duck. I can remember like it was yesterday. Great memories. Today, I am thankful for my childhood memories and for the memories that I am making with my children. Thank you, Lord!

Philemon 1:4 ~ "I always thank my God as I remember you in my prayers,"

Flashback Friday

Cracker Jack! Yummy caramel covered popcorn & peanuts. Oh, when I was  little girl I could put a dent in a box of these. You can have the peanuts though; I only ate the popcorn :) I can remember when my mom went grocery shopping she would bring home one of two things: Animal Crackers or Cracker Jacks. My brothers & sisters and I loved the Cracker Jacks because there was always a prize inside. It didn't really matter that the prize would wind up in the garbage by the next day. It was the suspense and excitement of wondering what kind of prize was inside. {Great marketing strategy, by the way.}

I went grocery shopping the other day and saw this Cracker Jack bag at the check-out counter. I picked it up and couldn't help but to smile. A flood of childhood memories filled my mind. I had a blessed & happy childhood. I pray that my boys will remember their childhood fondly, as I do. 

So, tell me what's the fun treat from your childhood? I'd love to hear from you!

Wednesday's Printable Words

Happy Wednesday! I thought I would share some printable words with you on Wednesdays. I hope you enjoy them. Feel free to print them out by right clicking and saving the image. The image is sized for an 8x10.  I have an 8x10 frame in my kitchen above my childhood rolling desk. I love to switch it out every once in while. It's an easy way to decorate a small wall you have no idea what to do with. Enjoy the free printable and let me know how you like it by leaving me a comment.

If you love the color combo and designs, you can find them at Sassy Designs.

Motivation for Monday: Learning & Deep Thinking

I'm always learning something. I love to learn! Being a student requires me to sit quietly, listen, and digest what I am being taught. Spiritually speaking, it's being in  a constant state of humility. Don't get me wrong though, it's not easy. Far from easy. My pride kicks in every once in a while. Who am I kidding, it kicks in more than once in a while. I like to think that I know a few things, that I could be in the position of teacher.
Truth is, I have so much more to learn in many aspects of life. Praise God for the miracle of life.

I have been watching my little ones play outside. They are so different, but I am so thankful for their differences. I can see Beau & I in each of them. Julian loves to play dress up with his ECU pirate gear. Beau used to play back in high school and college. John nurses many boo-boos with his Ironman icy pack. He is in the "cause & effect" phase right now. You know, "I wonder what would happen if I did this?" They're learning...from me, from Beau. They are watching us and listening to our conversations. They observe us and they learn our reactions and behaviors. It's amazing, isn't it! Having them has given me more purpose than I dreamed of having as an adult person contributing to society.

As a stay-at-home mom, it is easy to get stuck in the mind-set of mainstream thinking. To think that you are not contributing to society is STINKIN' THINKIN'! It's just not true. You are important in the lives of your little ones. They look up to you. They rely on you. You are teaching them how to socialize, how to use their manners, how to have a conversation. You are teaching them everything about life. You are not only contributing to society, you are touching future lives. You are growing a meaningful little life that has Divine Purpose. SAHM, you're job is the most important job. God has given you an opportunity to nurture, to teach, to create memories with, to nurse, to feed, to proclaim over your child(ren). Is it any wonder that God's Word declares that children are a blessing from the Lord, that they are a reward (Prov 127:3). Grandchildren are a crown to grandparents (Prov 17:6). Rewards and crowns. These are precious things and something to be thankful for. How wise of the Lord to give these examples in relating to the worth of children. He knows what we value. He knows the way of our thoughts, beliefs, opinions. The Lord wants us to see the value He puts on children. He had to give us an example that we would understand. Rewards and crowns. Investing time, energy, love, patience, prayers, laughter, and tears. I promise it is time well spent.

Dear Lord,
I praise You for You alone are God. Thank you for the beautiful rewards you blessed me with in Julian & John. May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in Your sight, O Lord, my Rock, and my Redeemer. Be my strength when I am weak. Give me words to speak when I am at a loss for them. Pour your love and peace over me each day. Fill me up so that I may fill up those You have given me. To You be the glory. In Jesus Name, Amen.

My Dearest Julian & John, 
I love you! You have more worth than I give you credit for. I am so thankful for you. I want you to always know that I love you. You are important to me. I'm not perfect. I will make mistakes, but I will not give up. As long as I have life & breath I will praise God for the blessing that you are. I am proud to be your mommy. I am honored that the Lord has blessed me with 2 beautiful boys. I rejoice in the Lord for the boys and soon-to-be men He created you to be. May you always know that when I fail, Jesus loves you and will never fail you. He will always be right there by your side every step of the way. Know Him, Love Him, Serve Him.
I love you so much! ~ Your Mama

Handmade Frames from The Organic Bloom!

The Organic Bloom 

These handmade frames are gorgeous! They come in 16 styles. The color possibilities are endless. I have some great news to share: They are having a SALE! When you purchase (2) 11x14 frames in any style & color, you get (1) 8x10 Lucy in the color of your choice. And because I am SO excited about this OB SALE, I will be giving a complimentary 8x10 print to those who take advantage of this super deal. Click here to purchase The Organic Bloom frames! 

This sale ends Friday, May, 18th!

Frame it!

Having some down time has afforded me the opportunity to fine tune a few items of business. One being the products I will be offering to my clients. As soon as I saw the frames from The Organic Bloom I knew I wanted to be a vendor. These handmade frames are simply fantastic! With 16 frame styles and an endless color palette to choose from the handmade frames from the OB are a beautiful way to display your photos.
Don't know where to start? The Organic Bloom catalog will give you some great examples on how to group and display your frame selections.
Whether you book a session once a year, twice a year, or each season, it's your investment. Frame it!
If you're interested in booking a session with Karrie Drake Photography please visit me here. I'd love to talk with you.

Bridals + Waiting...

I had the absolute privilege to photograph a beautiful bride on Saturday afternoon in New Bern. One thing about photographing Bridal portraits is that you have to keep these gorgeous images to yourself for the next 3-4 weeks. After editing the Bridal sesh from Saturday, I must admit how excruciating it is not to share them. It'll be worth the wait though, I promise. This bride is stunning. I am totally psyched about her wedding and all the details. It'll be so much fun!
I took some pics of the flora and fauna around the palace gardens. Is there any wonder I chose to post purple ones? lol. I love purple!