Walk with me through Kelsey and Tai’s dreamy day. Their wedding was a cold day in November that ended up being coated in the most beautiful snow storm.
Venue – Northern Pacific Center in Brainard MN – https://www.northernpacificcenter.com/
Imagine this…
You are all comfy at home and ready to do your evening workout routine. You do this often and sometimes you FaceTime with your boyfriend and you do the workouts together, since you live a few hours apart! What a great way to hang out together! However, this time instead of him calling you, you get a knock on your front door. A little confused, you go to answer the door in your workout gear to see your boyfriend standing there asking you to be his wife!
And that is how it all started for Maria. To top it all off, it was also her birthday!
Now that is an awesome birthday gift! A surprise visit and proposal from the guy you love!
Brandon & Maria’s wedding day was held at All Saints Catholic Church in Lakeville, MN and the reception was in the stunning and charming town of Northfield, at The Grand Event Center. They chose The Grand because of their love for music and the history that The Grand holds.
The day was perfect and full of so many laughs! My favorite part of the day was Maria’s sister’s speech. She put together the best compilation of songs and sang out Brandon and Maria’s love story! So thoughtful and so entertaining! Thank you so much Brandon and Maria for sharing this incredible day with me.
Cheers to many, many happy years!
Venue: The Grand Event Center
Florist: Judy’s Floral Design
Cake & Cupcakes: Bluebird Bakery
Hair & Makeup: Salon Onyx
Dresses & Suits: The Wedding Shoppe Inc.
DJ: Midwest Sound
How did I get to be the way that I am? Is it my generation, or this fast paced world that we live in? If we aren’t making the most noise does anyone even hear us?
I am a doer, a go getter and a mover. My brain never stops thinking and processing and moving. Until the last year I never really noticed how much I just went… without thinking. I constantly feel rushed and that if I am not moving then I must be wasting time. I have been doing so much soul searching since I turned 30. Now 32 I have never felt more of a pull to slow down. To watch more, listen more, and be still.
I don’t think my crave for adventure and new things will ever go away, that’s part of who I am. But, I can do it slower. Just like my parenting.
This last winter has felt so long here in Minnesota. I happened to be driving by my favorite Green House, Queen Beez, one afternoon and decided to swing in with Georgia and Bowdy to feel some warmth and see green living plants! Crystal, the owner is a sweetheart and let us hang out in the warm green house with her. I was in no rush to get back home to what can most days feel so full of mundane chores. So we stayed. Crystal let Georgia help her fill seed starters with dirt while Bowdy played with a truck and chased around the Green House puppy.
We spent an hour or so chatting and playing and I was happy. Happy just to watch and listen and feel the dirt on my hands. We of course left with a few new plants and happy hearts.
It has been one of my goals to parent slower. To speak with a calmer voice, to not rush them when they are just trying to understand this world they are growing in! Because they are so innocent yet. So in awe of every new thing that they see. These kids just want to soak it all up (and so do I) so why do I feel the need to rush it all?
Slow was my inspiration for these Green House sessions. To stop and learn to grow. It was such a joy to have Sophia and her beautiful girls Beatrice & Elouise join me for the morning session. We all need a good reminder to slow down and enjoy the moments before they are gone.
Location: Queen Bee’s Lawn & Garden Prior Lake
Sophia is Wearing: Stone + Willow
The sweetest little newborn session! I always love when families come out to the studio for their sessions. The lighting is my favorite. Its almost edible! Baby Grant was total perfection for hi session. He slept the entire time and loved all the cuddles. Big sister Quinn was so loving and I always enjoy giving the older sibling some time in front of the camera alone!
I hope this brings you joy today! That you feel the sweetness all over!
As I sit here typing this my mouth is still totally numb.
It’s numb from the root canal that I just had to have done…
I had to have the root canal because I haven’t been to the dentist in 7 years!!!! Can you believe that. I bet you can. Because somewhere out there another woman is reading this and thinking the same thing… “I really should get into the dentist”
I haven’t been because I have pushed it off. Because my mouth didn’t hurt and it would cost too much. I also never made the time. Finding time for yourself is hard enough as a mom, but time to actually take care of yourself seems even harder unless it feels urgent. About a year ago I noticed that my tooth felt funny. Turns out a piece had broken off. And then another small piece and another. But still I had no pain. So I actually made an appointment to get it checked out. Had I done the yearly dental checks they would have caught this and taken care of it with a small filling, but now I’m out a whole bunch of money and have a numb mouth. COME ON KRISTA!!!!
On another self-care tip. I have always had bad eyes…. I promise it does not affect my job as a photographer but it sure does effect my driving, reading, writing, watching TV and computer work! So I thought I’d get my eyes checked since night-time driving seems so much worse. And sure enough my eyes have gotten worse since the last check up which was… about 7 years ago. My right eye in fact has gotten 7 times worse.
When I covered my left eye at the appointment to read that handy chart, I could only see the very top letter. A big fat “E” the rest was a complete blur. I actually started crying. That poor eye tech guy didn’t even know what to do with me!
Are you seeing a trend here….
7 years between visits
7 times worse
Our oldest just turned 7
I really like the number 7, but not today.
Today I am so frustrated with myself.
If I am not taking care of myself how can I expect to take care of my family. The ones who need me most. In the past 7 years all I have done is make excuses for why I can’t go to the dentist or eye doctor. Why I can’t do so many things and that’s all they are, excuses.
The definition of excuse is…
What do you need to do today to stop making excuses?
To take better care of yourself so that you can then turn around and take the best care of those around you? I can’t stress this enough. 7 minutes is too long to wait to make that call. Set up that appointment, get up earlier, start fresh. You owe it to yourself.
Mark and Courtney met while out one night with friends. They went on their first date two nights later and have been inseparable ever since. It’s so easy to love this couple!
I had met Mark a few years ago at another wedding and then later that same year at his sisters wedding. He is such an incredible guy and his family radiates that same nature as well. I am continually blown away at the people that I have met just this year. The families and the stories that I get to be a part of.
Mark and Courtney had such an awesome day! Everything was wonderful. I especially loved their ceremony. Their Pastor spoke about the way that great marriages have the ability to change the world. I fully believe this. And if any couple is going to make big changes its going to be Mark and Courtney. The kindness and love that they share with others is completely genuine. I wish you could all personally know them. I am so looking forward to seeing how they change the world with their love story!
Another amazing and surprisingly fun part of their day was when Goldy Gopher showed up during the best man’s speech! He even stayed and danced the night away with everyone. Now that’s an awesome wedding gift!
Mark and Courtney- thank you so much for sharing your love story with me.
Cheers…
Venue: Minnesota Valley Country Club
Church: St. John Neumann Catholic Church
D.J.: Instant Request
Florist: Design in Bloom
Cake: Hyvee (Eagan location/ Baker Kelley
Dress: Effie’s Bridal
Bridesmaids Dress’s: Davids Bridal
Hair & Make-up: Primped
Party Bus: Aspen Limos
Suits: Savvi Formalwear
How many people do you know can say they met their soul mate in kindergarten? I know that this was the first time I had ever heard it.
Max & Jenni have literally grown up together. I find that so rare and so special.
Their wedding day was full of tears… “Happy tears” as Jenni says.
As we got ready for their first look Max chocked up with the thought of his soon to be bride coming towards him. From there on the day was full of tears and kissing! Every time Max looked at Jenni he teared up and then he kissed her. What an amazing memory to have from your day! That your husband couldn’t stop his joyful tears at the thought of you becoming his wife and then he couldn’t stop himself from kissing your lips. It was such an incredible day to be a part of.
Max and Jenni were married at Legacy Hills Farm in Welsh, MN. I was so excited to be at this venue. It is beautiful everywhere you look.
Jenni also has amazing taste. From her dress to her florals, I was in photographers heaven! I loved her bouquet wrapped with a piece of her mothers wedding dress. Every detail was beautifully crafted. I hope you enjoy this love story as much as I did. Congratulations Max and Jenni and thank you so much for having me.
Jenni did a first look with her Dad too! Such a sweet idea!
Alex and Kelly were married on June 17th, 2017 in Taylors Falls, Minnesota at the beautiful Maple Ridge Farm.
I have been looking forward to this barn wedding for months. The moment I saw that big swing in the barn online my heart skipped a beat! It was everything I thought it would be.
Alex and Kelly have known each other for years! Their relaxed relationship with one another is going to make for a wonderful marriage. They are that kind of “friend” to one another that you always imagine yourself growing old with. They share a mutual love for things that go vroom; Motorcycles, fast cars, jeeps, and all cool engines. You know when your bride pulls up in a bright yellow mustang looking like Hollywood that it’s going to be a great day.
Kelly had driven her mustang to one of our meetings before the wedding day and, as she was leaving, our daughter Paisley yelled out, “Wow, that car is awesome!!!” That comment made both of our days!
The day started with Kelly and her girls all getting ready at the hotel. The guys had spent the night at the barn house and were getting ready there! Alex and Kelly had chosen not to do a first look but to see each other for the first time that day when Kelly got down the isle. My favorite moment of the day was when Alex read a letter that Kelly had written to him. His face says it all in the images!
It was such a beautiful day full of joy and happy tears. Alex and Kelly danced the night away with friends and family. They will soon be on their way to Alaska on their honeymoon to travel the state and fish. It sounds delightful.
Thank you so much Alex and Kelly for having me, it was an honor.
Caterer: Devine Swine
Florist: 101 Market
Stylist: Flawless Images
DJ: Party Patrol
Bar: Log Cabin Catering
Boots: Ariat
Venue: Maple Ridge Farm
Ryan and Liz met in Florida of all places, on a work trip. They quickly hit it off and Ryan stepped out and asked for Liz’s number with the help of a friend. I think its such a cool start to their story having both been from Minnesota and then meeting in Florida for a conference! The perfect timing for sure!
The day of the wedding Liz walked into the church glowing. She was one of the calmest and happiest brides! Her joy radiated onto everyone else that day. We started the day at the church and then headed to Spring Lake Park Reserve in Hastings MN. A beautiful park over looking the river. The day was HOT… 98 degrees to be exact, but that didn’t keep us indoors. The heat plus the wind would have scared most people off from doing outdoor photos. But, not Ryan and Liz. We found the perfect little trail for their first look and the rest of the day flowed really well.
Their reception was held at the gorgeous JX Event Venue in Downtown Stillwater. It was the perfect setting! The vibe of this wedding was so full of life. I wanted to stay and dance the night away too. Ryan and Liz make everyone feel so welcome and so do their families. The day was absolutely perfect! Ryan and Liz are a couple that you want to know. It has been a joy getting to know them over the last year.
Flowers: Tommy Carver
Dessert’s: Bread and Chocolate
Bridal Gown: Amelishan
Bridesmaid Dresses: The Wedding Shoppe
Suits: Mens Wearhouse
Brides Boots: Ariats
DJ: Manny with Instant Request
When Nick, Cassie’s husband reached out to me and asked if I would do a session for her mothers day gift I was so excited!!! Cassie and I went over a few ideas of where to do the session and then when I suggested doing it in their backyard with her chickens both of our eyes lit up! Cassie has had chickens in their back yard for a few years and she just loves them and so does Larina their daughter. So doing the session in the back yard was the perfect location.
Larina loves to help her momma with the girls and is getting better and better at holding them all by herself!! She was so cute as she helped collect the eggs and run around after the chicks! I knew I would fall head over heels for these photos while we were taking them. Capturing the simplest of things with our little ones can be the best to look back on. I almost missed my chickens while at this session… almost.
Enjoy!
It was a few weeks after Bowdy was born and I was feeling shut in. Back to real life with three young kids now and being alone most days, trying to navigate our new norm. Paisley had just turned 5 in January and Georgia had just turned 3 in February. Not being able to go to the gym yet, or really knowing how to go about doing anything with three kids at this point, we were spending a lot of time at home. The days were long… and the never ending demands were wearing on a tired momma.
On this specific day I got a text from a friend around 9am asking if I wanted to join her and another friend at IKEA at 10am for some shopping and lunch! I did a little happy dance at the thought of someone asking me to get out of the house for the day and then said, “I would love to come, but I don’t want to bring all the kids to IKEA.” She then replied back, “They have a free play place for the kids. So we can shop while they play.” I then carried on with my happy dance and decided, “Heck YES, we will go!”
Then I looked at the clock… it was already 9am, to get to IKEA by 10am I would have to leave in 15 minutes.
None of us were dressed for the day and the diaper bag was not packed. So I got down real close to my girls’ faces and said in a very sweet and loving voice, “Some friends are all going to a play place to play- do you guys want to go?” Of course they said yes. Then I said, “Great!! Go get dressed and ready to go while I get Bowdy and myself ready.”
To be fair I just told my 5 & 3 year old to go get completely ready on their own in the next 15 minutes. You would think that this would be enough time, right? SO WRONG. By the time I got dressed, threw on a hat and some mascara (the only real makeup a new mom needs- can I get an amen?!), packed the diaper bag, and went to get the girls from their room where they not only had not gotten dressed yet, but had now managed to make a mess of toys because they forgot what they were supposed to be doing the minute they saw the My Little Ponies.
I asked them kindly, one more time, “Please stop playing and get dressed so we can go play with friends. I’m going to go get Bowdy in the car and when I come back, I want you ready to go. OK?????”
They both looked at me and said “OK.”
However… the task was still not complete when I returned. So then I turned into the kind and patient mother that I am and started yelling… which led to crying and whining and a temper tantrum from the 5 year old. And an argument about what jacket the 3 year old could wear on the cold day in April! I might have even yelled something like, “Why are you crying, we are going to see your friends… hurry up!!!!!!!”
Nice Krista, like that will work!
On the way to IKEA, before we hit the freeway, Bowdy was in an all out screaming fit. Newborn crying is the worst, especially in the car. It’s then that I realized he was hungry. I tried to ignore it in hopes that he would fall asleep and I could feed him when we got there, but he didn’t let up. And now it was upsetting the girls. So I pulled over and hopped in the back seat on a country road to feed the hungry boy while the girls played in the back seat. 20 more minutes, a few burps later, the Disney station on Pandora, and we were back on our way to IKEA to meet our friends…
So we could play.
So we could get out of the house.
Because I was invited.
Because I wanted to.
Because I was bored.
So the kids could have fun.
Because I feel bad saying “no.”
We reached IKEA only 10 minutes late!
I was excited and relieved to meet our friends inside! It was so good to see a few adult faces that I recognized right away! We all said our hello’s and made our way to the magical IKEA play zone that would watch our kids for free for an hour while we shopped. Only to find out that the kid zone was full. According to the staff member, they can only take a certain number of kids and they were full! They then handed us a beeper, like at a restaurant that would tell us when they could take our kids. My face at this point must have said it all… total shock!!!!
All together my two girl friends and I have 9 kids. 9 KIDS under 6…
Trying to stay positive I turned to my friends and said, “OK, well, um, let’s just shop. What did you guys want to come here to look at?”
I was expecting an answer like… a new table, rugs, lamps, a couch for the office, a fun new plate set that was a must have. However, none of these were the answer. The answer was simply “BAND-AIDS”
WHAT? That’s right, I said it- WHAT??? If you know me well enough you can see my face. The slight tilt of my head, my eyes getting a little bigger and my voice changing a bit. I can’t easily hide my emotions so I’m sure I looked ridiculous. We drove to IKEA for BAND-AIDS!!!
(side note though- they are really nice band-aids)
We gathered up our troops + 3 strollers and headed upstairs to the kids area to find the band-aids and let our crew play while we waited for the buzzer to sound letting us know we could shop kid-free.
That’s when one of the kids got her fingers caught in the elevator! She was quite the trooper but us moms were a little panicked. We got her calmed and on our way! Found the band-aids and let the kids play for awhile, then it happened. THE BUZZER!!!!!
FREEDOM!!!!! We rushed back down to the kids zone to drop the older kids off (they only take the potty trained ones) and we were off. We had an hour to just wander, catch up, and push the youngest 3 in the strollers. We took full advantage! And then calmly and happily went back to get our kids when the hour was up.
I picked up Georgia and put her on my hip as we made our way to the lunch area and that’s when I noticed my side starting to feel funny. A little warm, a little cold… Oh my goodness, I’m all wet… wait… she’s all wet… is this pee?
Yep, it’s pee. Georgia had peed her pants while in the play zone because she was too shy to ask where the bathroom was. She was also wearing very dark leggings so you couldn’t tell at all unless you touched them. GREAT! So I took her to the bathroom and got her changed (I always carry an extra pair of pants for G; this girl is notorious for waiting too long). However, this didn’t solve my problem of now having a pee soaked shirt on. So, in 3rd-time-mom fashion I put my jacket back on and walked out of the bathroom and to the cafeteria to get our lunch. It’s a real shame that IKEA doesn’t sell clothes, they would have made an easy sale that day.
During lunch all of the older 6 kids sat at a table while us moms and the babies sat next to them at our own table, trying desperately to enjoy our meal. The older ones honestly did pretty well, you know, the usual. Talking too loud, running around and not actually eating their food. But, we didn’t have to yell so I call that a win. At one point all of us moms where nursing at the same time at our table. When Bowdy was finished eating I went to burp him and quickly realized that he had pooped all the way up his back and now it was on my hands. Back to the bathroom I went. At this point I was almost in tears.
As I’m writing this I keep laughing at myslef. How was this my day that day?! It’s that comical.
We soon left IKEA and my girls fought all the way home, to the point that I yelled so hard my throat hurt. The baby cried all the way home, and when we finally got home G wouldn’t nap because now she was over-tired and over-stimulated.
I sat down that night and made a promise to myself that I would never do this to my kids again. And the hard part was that it wasn’t a bad thing.
But, I would never again make plans the morning-of in fear of FOMO (Fear of Missing Out). I would stick to routines and schedules that work for our family and I would say, “no, thank you,” to things, making more room for other “yes’s.”
I did the chaos that day. I created it. I made myself flustered, angry, and frustrated, and in turn did the same to my kids. Who then felt pushed aside, stressed, and G was embarrassed over peeing her pants. So now, as much as I want to still say “Yes” to the last minute invites to the park (or even the week-out invites to the zoo), I sometimes say “no,” and that’s OK. I want to be secure enough in who I am to say NO. To not be afraid of FOMO. That’s something God and I have really worked on over the past year.
He has worked so many wonders in my heart on this subject. He has given me this specific word and His, in knowing that I am already secure in who He has made me. The word that I heard from Him was Confidence. Confidence first in who He is, in how I should trust Him, and who He has made me to be.
It’s not that I didn’t enjoy the time I got to spend with my girl friends that day- it’s the price I paid to do it. And my kids are worth more than that price. They deserve better from me. And I can do better. I’m sure you have all been in a similar situation. I am telling you right now, it’s OK to say “not today.” Our crazy lives are chaotic enough without us adding to it. Slow down today, and tomorrow, and the next, and make space for the beautiful in the mundane to happen. I promise you’re not missing out.
The woman at the well is a very popular story told all over church congregations and in Christian circles world wide. We have all heard it preached or touched on.
Jesus is at the well in Samaria resting while the disciples head into town to find food. Now, it’s the middle of the day in the desert, the sixth hour, that means it’s HOT! I’m not talking it’s a little hot… It’s the desert. I personally have never been to the desert, but I can imagine that it’s not very pleasant. It’s the kind of hot and dry that keeps us indoors in the summer. The kind of HOT that melts ice cream in a moment and leaves you sticky and unsatisfied.
So, it’s the sixth hour and Jesus is hanging out at this well. The women of the town have collected their water in the early morning when it’s not yet this hot. Smart women! Who wants to go carry heavy water in the desert when it gets warmer during the day? Not this girl! So along comes a woman, in the middle of the day, to collect her water.
Why is she coming in the heat of the day to get her water?
Because all of the other women have left at this point and won’t be there. She has no desire to be around them. To be around the women that would judge her; that would talk about her behind her back (or in front of her, for that matter). Have you ever walked into a room or conversation and all of the chatter comes to sudden halt? And you just feel icky, and know that the conversation might have been about you? That’s how I imagine this woman feeling when she goes to the well in the morning with all the other women. She feels alone, judged, misunderstood, and out of place.
Can you relate? I can.
You see, this woman has now had 5 husbands and the man she’s living with now is not her husband. In that time this was NOT OK. You didn’t live with men unless they were your husband or a family member. You also didn’t typically get married more than once. Also, women were not really spoken to by men. So imagine her surprise when Jesus starts speaking to her and asking her for a drink.
I could imagine her turning and looking around to make sure he was really talking to her, and not someone else. Like when you think someone is waving at you, and you wave back, and then realize they are waving at someone behind you, and it gets real weird for all parties involved…!
And then Jesus does the unthinkable by asking her for a drink of water. He asks a Samaritan (who the Jews did not speak to) woman (who the men did not speak to) for a drink. The crazy thing is that He knows all of her sins. He knows exactly who she is. He is God, He is all knowing! She doesn’t understand, and asks Him why he has nothing to draw water with himself? Jesus goes on to to say to her “If you knew the gift of God and who it is that is saying to you, “Give me a drink,” you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water.”
The woman stands there dumbfounded! Not only does Jesus have nothing to draw water from the well with, but what “living water” is he talking about? She asks him if he is greater than Jacob, the man who built the well. Until this point, Jacob has been the one to look to. Jesus explains to her that “Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”
“SIR, GIVE ME THIS WATER, SO THAT I WILL NOT BE THIRSTY OR HAVE TO COME HERE TO DRAW WATER.”
This request is simple. She still has no idea that she is talking to Christ, but the idea of never being humanly thirsty again and never having to come to this well in the middle of the day again sounds so sweet to her that she asks for it right then and there. It’s then that Jesus tells her that he knows all her sins. About her many husbands and the man she lives with now. She thinks he may be a prophet. She knows that the Messiah is coming. She tells him this. She has a full understanding of what she has heard up until this point. That Christ will come and “He will tell us all things.” That’s what she says to Jesus.
John 4:25- The woman said to him, “I know that Messiah is coming (he who is called Christ). When he comes, he will tell us all things.”
I can’t imagine what she must be trying to process in this moment. This guy knows everything about me and he says he has living water, that I will never be thirsty again??? Who is this man?
He then says (probably very cool-ly) “I who speak to you am he.”
This sweet woman then drops her water jar! Can you see it falling to her dirty and dry feet as she realizes who she is speaking to? The water splashing all over the ground and her taking off towards town? The NLT version of the bible says that she “ran back to the village, telling everyone.”
She RAN, in the heat of the day because she was welling over with living water. She RAN back to the town where she has been mocked, left alone, pushed away, disgraced, and unaccepted, to tell these people about Jesus! The very people who she made a point to steer clear of by gathering her water in the heat of the day. She couldn’t contain herself. And they all listened. They all went and believed.
This woman was a sinner and Jesus chose her to RUN and tell everyone about him. He could have picked anyone from that town. He could have gotten there in the early morning and sat with all the other women who would have been there filling their water jars. But he waited for that sinner. That lost woman, needing a friend, a savior, and living water, so that she would never be thirsty again.
I love that Jesus uses the stories of the sinners to speak to this world. He wants your mess because he is BIGGER than it. He covers it and the moment you grasp that you will have no choice but to well over with that living water and splash it on everyone else. Oh my gosh, LORD give me that water! I don’t want to contain it! I want to drop my jar of problems at my feet, at your feet, in the heat of the day and RUN to the people who despise me, to tell them about you! I want to cast aside all my fear of judgment because you are the ultimate judge. Lord let my life well over with your living water.
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