My first wedding

This past weekend I was able to take pictures of a wedding for the first time. I am so excited about people asking me to take pictures for them. Come to find out, I have pretty good prices! I really hope this part-time hobby becomes a full-time job. I just love taking pictures.

Over the last two years since Emily was born I have grown fonder of taking pictures, specially children pictures. Go figure! I love the eyes of a child. I love trying to figure out what they are thinking and watching how they react to the camera, and/or their mommy standing behind me making silly faces. There is nothing more precious then a child's smile, however adults need pictures of themselves too. I have realized I can do more then just children. I really enjoyed doing this wedding. It was a big step and a big task, even for a small wedding but I couldn't be happier with the turn out. I was so glad I got this opportunity.

I look forward to taking more pictures and to taking some photography classes this winter. Here are a few pictures of the wedding. You can see more at my website - http://pattonphotography.shutterfly.com/

DSL Winter Line

Today was a beautiful day, which was great. I took pictures today for Chrissy the owner and designer of DSL Kids - http://www.dottiestriplayne.etsy.com/. I was amazed at the cute clothes. I could never put together what Chrissy puts together. She is so talented. I am amazed at all the new things she comes up with.

The girls did really great today...and the baby boy. He is so cute. It is so funny to watch the girls during these photoshoots. You can really tell that they love clothes, already! You can also tell when they have on their favorite outfit! Can you guess my favorite? What is your favorite?

If you want some really cute clothes check out her website!

An amazing day

I must confess, I love taking pictures! It is always hard to find really great places around here to take pictures, that is Spartanburg! Finally I have found somewhere I love, Glassy Mountain. I had never been up on Glassy Mountain but I got the chance to yesterday. It is beautiful on top and from below.

I went up there with Rhianon Pittman. She wanted me to take some pictures for her Bridal portrait, only I didn't know the beauty that would be surrounding us. Rhianon looked amazing and the background just added to her beauty. I am posting just a few of the 443 pictures I took yesterday. I loved every minute of it, Rhianon should be a model she was great, she has such a natural beauty. This is the first time I have ever done a bridal portrait session. We took pictures for 3 and 1/2 hours. I couldn't stop. I was so lucky, I had a great model and a great location!

Spider in the window

My husband left the window down to his truck last night and you won't believe what was in there this morning...a SPIDER. I huge Spider! The web takes up the whole drivers seat. I just had to take a picture. Needless to say I won't be riding in that truck for a very long time!

Watching her boyfriend play soccer

Yesterday Emily got to watch her boyfriend Grant play Soccer. It was so much fun. If you have never seen 3 and 4 year old play soccer, you must. After the game Grant came over and hugged Emily and then he shared his snack with her. There was another boy there named Blake who also wanted to share his food with Emily. She already has boys giving her gifts. She was so cute though she went and sat down beside Grant and ate his cookies with him. Such a cute couple!

Picture day

Emily got to see her boyfriend today. We took some great pictures. Here are a few. They really are a cute couple! It's been awhile since I Emily and I have had picture day. It was worth the wait she did great!

Party time

We went to Ally's birthday party today and had so much fun. Emily loved the little playground there. Of course she didn't eat any of the cake and only a few bites of ice cream. I wish I could turn things down like she can! Here are a few pictures, you will see she played hard, she was hot!

Check out my latest cake

It's almost finished! I just had to put a picture up of this one. I made this cake for my neighbor's little girl's 2nd Birthday. I love it!

New items up!

These are such fun bracelets to wear!

Check me out on etsy at dotteddeerboutique.etsy.com

New items will be posted weekly!

Teaching her right

You know you have started raising your child right when you're driving down the road and you hear her in the back seat saying,"mommy, daddy, mimi, papa, mimi, nana, everybody." There was no wondering what she was doing, I knew, she was praying. That is how we end our prayer at night, by thanking and praying for everyone in the family and our friends. It was so sweet that she was praying during the middle of the day, by herself, as we were going down the road. I couldn't believe it. I actually got a tear or two in my eye and a warmth came over me. Maybe she doesn't understand it all but I know God was listening to her and he knows what it all means.
I have always wondered how I would be as a mom. I have to say I have surprised myself. I am more understanding then I thought I would be. I have actually learned to be patient. I still have a lot of work to do but I think I am doing okay. There are those times I get so frustrated, what parent doesn't? I don't like it when Emily fights going to sleep or when she is whinny, says no, or constantly calling my name, however, I am so grateful for it all. You can't get too mad when you hear your little one call you mommy. Think about it, you have waited your life to be a parent and now there is someone to call you mommy. It is actually such a sweet thing to hear, even 100 times a day!

Oh and for all of those keeping up with it. My lab results came back better. My levels are low but I still have to go back on Tuesday to do them again. It is a wonder I have any blood left in me. I have to keep going until the get down to 0. I am not sure what number they are at now but the doctor was pleased they went down, however I was told if I start cramping or bleeding over the weekend to come in. That didn't make me feel any better, but I assume they have to tell everyone that!

Signs

I am such a believer in signs. Signs are everywhere. I believe God points them out to us at certain times as a way to get our attention, to wake us up and tell us which way to go. The signs were everywhere the night I met Andrew. They were there when a Cesarean was scheduled for the birth of Emily. They were there during my D&C. I knew it was right since Dr. K was there, it was as if God was comforting me and letting me know this was what was suppose to happen.
So here is my question what is the sign he is showing me now?

I got a call today from Dr. K to come in and do blood work again. UGH. It just so happens that she saw me as I was walking out and she called me back into her office. (SIGN- she just so happen to see me and have time to talk to me) Then the confusing part. She told me that my harmon levels last week (a week after the D&C) were up. They were higher then they were before the D&C. What? She is as confused as I am. She just saw my chart today and she wanted me to come in asap to get another reading and tomorrow we will know more. She hopes they are down and if so that is great news, still doesn't explain why they were up last week but still it will be good news if they are going down. If they are going up or are still up...I have to go back asap. I have had no paid or anything since 2 days after the D&C so we aren't sure what is going on. I guess we will know tomorrow.

What confuses me is what is God telling me by all of this? I mean she said there is a slim chance I am pregnant, (haven't done anything to get that way and I have no symptom so I doubt that is it) however, all of this is thrown back in my face. I mean a week after my insides were cleaned out my body still said I was pregnant. Is God telling me I don't need to give up that I should still try or is he telling me to give it up this is too much mentally and physically? I just don't get this one. Just as I think it is all over and I am putting it all behind me...there it is all back in my face. What is going on? What is this all about? What do the signs mean?

The room is complete

Emily now has a new room. A little bit of a big girls room. It is so cute. I love it! It is weird though that for a little over two years there has been the same crib in her room, on the same wall, with the same bedding and now it is gone. She is growing up!

While rearranging her room I realized just how much stuff she has. There is something on every wall, on every inch of the floor around the walls and her closet is packed. Isn't it amazing just how much stuff a child has? My parents said I had all kinds of fun toys but I don't remember them at all. I think they are telling a little lie! Who knows:) But I won't let Emily forget all that she has because I am taking pictures, mainly of the big stuff!

I don't have many pictures to look back on from when I was a kid and those I do have don't show many cool toys like Emily has. I didn't have a tent. I remember making them out of sheets and chairs. What fun it was back then but Emily has a really nice tent. I also don't remember having a high chair for my baby dolls or a little girl table but my parents said I did. They have no proof though! By me taking these pictures Emily will know in the years to come that I was telling the truth about all the cool things she played with. Just a little something to hang over her head! Kids these days are just so lucky!