Motivation for Monday: {Carrie} Guest Blogger

Meet Carrie! She is the Children's Pastor at our church. She is such a sweet person. Carrie's love for children is so evident when you talk with her. She does an amazing job with the children's program at church. I have asked Carrie to be a guest blogger for Motivation for Monday. Scroll down to see what she has written...

"Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart..." -Jeremiah 1:5a

We forget that we are important sometimes. We think how can God have time for me when there are so many other people in the world. Storms are hitting places, children are dying because they don't have food, women are even being sold, why would God have time for my problems? It is wonderful to know that before we were even born God not only knew us, but set us apart to live the life we have for him. He promises us he will never leave us. We will go through things in life we don't understand, but we must remember that we are His children and he loves us like not other!

Fashion Friday: Senior Lifestyle Session

The Senior Session!


'Tis the season for Senior Portrait Sessions. I love meeting rising Seniors during the summer. In my opinion, Summer & Fall are both really good times to start planning and schedule your Senior Session. So, what on earth do you have to plan???

1. Your Photographer: I highly encourage you to research the photographers in your area. Take a look at their portfolio. Does their style of photographing people and posing people jive with your style? It's really important to choose a photographer that will best represent you in pictures. After all, Senior Portraits are an investment.

2. Organize: That is, organize your ideas about what you want your Senior Session to look like. Make a list of ideal locations. Make a list of items that you want to bring that represent you (see #4). Talk about these things with your photographer too!

3. Go Shopping: You don't have to purchase anything new, but it is nice to don some new threads. Look through your closet and set a side a few things that you love. Look through your friend's closet (if you & your friends borrow each other's clothes). Don't forget the accessories. 

4. Accessorize: jewelry, shoes, purse, musical instrument, poms, books, hats, or anything that represents you :)

5. Schedule: Summer & Fall are usually pretty busy for photographers and families alike. With family vacations in the summer, and Back to School shopping and starting school in the fall, it leaves little time for much else. Schedule your Senior Session as soon as you have a block of time available. 

The Senior Session is all about you. Make sure to have fun. Your Senior year is a great time in your life, but it goes so fast!

Happy Friday!

Wednesday's Printable Words: Guest Blogger

Introducing Jacquelyn of Photography by Jacquelyn. She is my very first photographer guest blogger. Jacquelyn has provided her own printable words and encouragement to you today. Enjoy!

First of all, I want to say how honored I am to be asked by Karrie to be her guest blogger this week as well as her first photographer guest blogger! What a privilege! I met Karrie at a photography retreat we both attended. She has such a kind spirit and truly enjoyed out time together at this retreat. It was awesome to be able to learn more about photography together and practice our art.

Blogging is not something I am very faithful at doing in my own photography but not only has this inspired me to do just that, it has also given me a push to learn something new. I love seeing quotes/verses around my house on a daily basis and have my own prints framed in my house with various verses and quotes on them. In my recent Bible studies, I have been contemplating how, as Christians, we as a people tend to get caught up in the "do's & don'ts" instead of the gift we were given as a follower of Christ. When Jesus died on the cross as a sacrafice for our sins, the old covenant laws were nullified. The laws were hard to uphold and when Jesus came and died for us, he replaced the law with grace. We can be free, knowing that Jesus took care of the hard stuff and all we have to do is let him be the director of our lives! So, this printable is based in 2 Corinthians 3:17. I encourage you to read it and experience that freedom that only comes through HIM! With that said, here is Wednesday's 8x10 printable!

Print it. It's FREE!
1. right click the image
2. save image as
3. save the printable where you can find it
4. click on the image in the folder
5. print to size 8x10
6. frame it.
7. share it

Motivation for Monday: Meet My Beau

I am honored to be the first ever guest blogger for Karrie Drake Photography! I am extremely proud of my wife for successfully juggling 3 jobs all at once as a Wife, Mother, and a business owner!  She asked me to write the Motivation for Monday I assume because of my profession being that of a football coach, it should be a natural fit for me to say something inspiring right? Well one thing I have learned in life is that sometimes we who inspire, also need inspiring! Those who lift others up also need lifting up too!  Just yesterday I was feeling very drained and worried about various things in life.  However last night I learned something from watching the Pro Football Hall of Fame induction ceremonies.  (Yes for those of you who do not know me I am a football fanatic and can't get enough of it even though I do it for a living.  I mean how many Doctors watch Grey's Anatomy or I wonder if lawyers watch reruns of Law and Order?)  Anyway all the players being inducted had one thing in common throughout their speeches.  Each of them had at least one or several people in their lives who inspired them, who transformed their lives, gave them hope, or blessed them with encouragement.  It allowed me to realize that often our greatest work of inspiring others is during routine encounters, which we make a positive comment/compliment,  encourage someone who is down, or just give a smile or hug to someone needing it.  People remember those things and it takes such little effort to give those types of blessings to others who are hurting.  Watching this I realized that while I may never go into any Halls of Fame myself, and though I may never attain the dream of coaching my beloved Oakland Raiders to the Super Bowl, I do have the ability to impact lives everyday while I am on this earth.  And it would be a shame and a waste of talent to not live everyday trying to inspire, encourage, and bless others!   William Shakespear once said "the pen is mightier than the sword."  Well I would have to disagree a little, cause I believe the tongue is mightier than the pen or the sword, as spoken words can heal or cut leaving a lasting impression to all those who receive them! Therefore I challenge everyone this week to make an effort to bless, inspire, and encourage at least one other person. You never know what kind of greatness will sprout from it! 

Wednesday's Printable Words: I Love You

Good Morning! Today's printable is very special. This printable has dual duty. It looks pretty in a frame AND you can write on it with dry erase markers. Above, you'll see my little set up I have in my kitchen.
I first saw this idea on Pinterest, so I can not take credit for it. (Click the link to find other ideas for marriage.)

I met with a sweet friend last week who encouraged me to find ways to show my husband that I love him. She reminded me that a man's ego is fragile and needs to be boosted by his beloved. If I am persistent with this, then he will begin to notice and reciprocate. I was very excited about this relationship assignment. So much so that I came home that day and created the above "I Love you today because...".
I printed it out, placed it in a framed, and wrote my first message. Beau noticed immediately and followed suit. It has been a marriage revival. It's so easy to get in a relationship rut when life gets busy, to forget to nurture the love that preceded the love of our children. So, what are you waiting for? Print it. It's free!

1. Right click the printable image.
2. Save image as
3. Save it to a place that will be easy to find.
4. Print as (8x10)
5. Trim the edges.
6. Frame it.
7. Write a message to Honey! (Make sure to use dry erase markers.)

Motivation for Monday: Everything

{The above image was taken in Edenton, NC}

"I can do everything through Him who gives me strength." ~ Philippians 4:13 {NIV, emphasis mine}

I don't know what you are going through, but everyone is going through something. It may be the loss of a loved one, the inability to let go, a break-up, the loss of a job, having difficulty making ends meet, struggling with a habitual sin, or lacking the energy to finish something that needs to get done. Whatever it is, you are not alone. Your issues, your problems, your inadequacies, are all important and they matter to the One who breathed life into you. Your issues, He will resolve them. Your problems, He has a solution for them. Your inadequacies, He will fill the void. 

God has a plan. The Bible is filled with His promises. We have the power to remember them and to claim them over our lives and over the lives of our loved ones. He is able to equip you with everything you need for this life on earth. You can do EVERYTHING through Christ who gives you strength. Everything is everything, not some things, not the easy things...everything! Believe it :) 

Have a blessed Monday!

Motivation for Monday: Church

Isaiah 54:13 - All your sons will be taught by the LORD, and great will be your children's peace.


We moved here a year ago. Some transitions were easier than others. Beau & I both agreed that finding a church home would be our first priority. We visited 6 or so churches. Researching online and listing the local churches was something we'd do during the week in the summer of 2011 when we weren't unpacking boxes. God has blessed us with some amazing church homes in our past that we were confident to find one here. 


One of the last churches we visited was Open Door Church in Edenton. I instantly loved it. As we walked up with our boys I could hear the praise & worship music coming from the sanctuary. I'm a singin' fool. I love to clap my hands and sway to the music. Music is important to me. The people who greeted us at the door and showed us to the children's ministry were very welcoming. When you're new feeling welcome in an unfamiliar place puts you at ease. We were also very impressed with the children's program, which was another important factor in choosing a church. Julian comes home with graphing calendar for the week. One side has a Bible story and verse references and the other side is where the parents write down the date and verse they read to their child during the week. The children's ministry at Open Door encourages parents to read the Bible to their children during the week. I really loved this idea. What a great way to keep parents accountable. All in all, we really enjoy attending Open Door Church. We consider it our church home. It is so worth the 30 minute drive. 


When I was pregnant with both boys I prayed that the Lord would capture their hearts at an early age. Julian recites Bible verses and John sings "Jesus Loves Me". I know God is answering my prayers. This verse in Isaiah really spoke to me this morning. It's promise reassured me that the Lord is indeed capturing their hearts. I am so thankful for this. If I do anything right as a parent it'll be that I introduced my children to the God who created them and told them about the One who saves. This brings me peace.