Studio Sara-Anne

GOING LIVE

After a lot of long hours and loss of sleep and wonderful families that I was able to take some great pictures. I can finally say my site is up and LIVE. I just have to get the liscense approved so that I can take off the "trial" but other than that...it's good to go.

What an ordeal, but you know, my husband often tells me I'm the most impatient woman he knows and I really feel the Lord was showing me just to wait and take a big deep breath and all will be good.

It was. My goal was to get it up and running before two marketing events this weekend (which I wont be at) so I needed my website to be live so I could put out broshures and buisness cards.

Anyway..thank you Lord!!!!

I probably won't post anymore this week, we are on our way out of town. Whoo Hoo.

Now without any more further adew....

Sara Anne Photography

I don't have much time to post...

Things have been very busy. Thank you to all of you who are anxiously awaiting my site...All I can say is that I too am axiously awaiting for it to go live. I've rebuilt it (spent a good amount of sleeping time doing so) and it's ready to go (AGAIN) but I'm waiting for someone to walk me through it so that I don't loose it again.

Had 2 photo sessions this weekend, one was cancelled due to rain, am doing that one this afternoon.

Here are some pictures...what a privledge I have to photograph such adorable kiddos...of course I had to slip one of my own cuite in there. Love the piggey tales :)

I'm so looking forward to this week. We leave mid week to head to the Great Wolf Lodge to meet some of our friends there and then after that we head up to DC to see my sisters new baby!!! I'm so excited. What a fun week and weekend we have planned.

Many Blessings

Total Frustration Abounds

I JUST LOST MY WHOLE WEBSITE...KABOOM, VANISH IT'S GONE.

I've been working so hard on it and I went to send a copy of it home to my home computer and my security system deleted it!!! UGH!...double UGH!

It even deleted it off my back up hard drive.

So I will be spending my weekend putting the whole thing back together.

Thankfully I have all the text saved. That was the most grueling part.

Here are few pictures from a recent session.

One of those days

Ever have them?? the kind that you don't want to answer the phone becuase it will be just one more thing for you to deal with...the kind that you wish you could just crawl in bed and sleep it all away...yes, that is the kind of day I'm having.

I'm exhausted...I know some would question why (LOL) but I'm just plum worn out from working so hard at this buiness, from being a mom, from being the family financere, from working at my job which right now is stressful, from trying to play nurse to my sicky husband...just tired.

Micah came and gave me a good night kiss and prayed for me (which I love) and said Mom, you know what you always tell me "His mercies are new every morning" and that is so true. So tonight as I sit in my quiet house I'm hopeful that tomorrow will be a new day...and today will be put behind me. I'm thankful for a nights rest and for two children who are good sleepers....I think about my sister tonight who has started the sleepless nights thing all over again with a newborn.

So thankful that tomorrow is Friday. Saturday will be busy, but Sunday will truly be a day of rest for my family.

We are really looking forward to joining our friends at Great Wolf Lodge a week from tonight. I can't believe that it's almost here. We got the largest suite so we can all stay together. I'm looking forward to my kids playing with their dear friends and for the grown ups being able to stay up and talk late. So thankful for this opportunity. Lord, please keep us all healthy!

Okay, I'm going to go rest now.
Be Blessed!

I'm a New Auntie!!!!!

My sweet baby niece Loralie Cate was born an hour ago. She weighed in at 7lbs 19 iches. Mommy and baby are doing great. I can't wait to next weekend so I can see that precious bundle!!! You know I'll have lots of pictures to share.

Other news!! My website should go live tonight at midnight!!! I'm so excited about it. I love the way it looks and can't wait to show it to everyone!

That's all for today! Be blessed!

Saw this on someones blog and thought it was fun

Five things that...

Fascinate me

1. The miracle of pregnancy
2. How my son's brain is like a sponge, he remembers everything!
3. Factories ...like where they make chewing gum (love the show How it's made)
4. My daughters creativity
5. Why 100 people a day read this blog?

Inspire me

1. People that overcome great odds
2. Great photography
3. My husbands preaching
4. People who loose lots of weight
5. Mom's who have more than 4 children

Anger me

1. In justice in the church
2. Child abuse
3. The state of our Health care system
4. Drunk Drivers
5. abortion

Confuse me

1. Why bad things happen to good people
2. Michael Jackson's face
3. The Hight School Musical Craze
4. suicide
5. How some people do not like Ice Cream...hello???

Delight me

1. Time with my family
2. My children's laughter
3. Emails in my inbox
4. Vacations
5. Good times with friends

Amaze me

1. God's grace
2. People with drive
3. Birth
4. Any kind of Artist
5. how some people can eat what they want and not gain anything

Sadden me

1. People who get cancer
2. People who are hurting
3. People dying
4. Children being abused or neglected
5. People who refuse to work through their problems or blame them on others

Fullfill me

1. Being a mom
2. Having a family
3. Creating
4. Photography
5. Starting and finishing something

Frighten me

1. Horses
2. Being alone at night
3. My children getting sick
4. some bugs
5. Scarry Movies

Relax me

1. Long hot bubble baths
2. A nice dinenr with my hubby
3. Being in the Mountains
4. pedicures, massages
5. being alone

HOPE

I've been doing a study on Hope for the last month or so and really trying to walk in hope. And I can honestly say that the last two weeks or so, I really been coming to a fuller understanding of what Hope is.

So many of you know that for years, I have tried to find my place in the creative world. I have, since I was a little girl, thought that I would always have many interests which I do. But sometimes I feel that I float from one endeavor to another to try to make "it" work. My ultimate goal being that I would be able to work out of my house. With the Lords help, I have always been very blessed financially with the opportunties that have come my way whether it be murals, watercolor portraits, classes, decorative painting or scrapbooking. One way or another the Lord has blessed me.

Today, I honestly feel that I am blessed to be able to persue my passion. I know that God is working in me, developing me showing me things that I need to know in order to be the best that I can be. I really believe that by taking on this passion, and trusting God for this wonderful path He has me on, I will be able to be a better mom, a better wife, and a better pastors wife.

I've been trying to make a check list of all the things I need to accomplish and do before getting full swing.

Things such as:

Take a "buisness of photography" class
Get my buisness lisence
build up my equipment (I have a lot to do in that area)
work on my home office (computer, programs, back ups etc)
Join professional organizations and guilds
work on advertising (parent magazine, online web, etc)
explor the possiblity of a home studio (not leaning this way)
Take a few workshops (these are very expensive)

But I have such hope...I know that God is walking with me down this path...that He is showing me and guiding me and I'm so thankful that the ultimate creator is holding my hand as I venture in this new endavor.

Have a blessed Tuesday.

Here are some more session pictures.

maternity pictures

A good type of exhausted

It's been such a long but good weekend. I find myself at 11:30pm and I so desperatley need my sleep, but at the same time I'm savoring just sitting for a bit. So much going on and my mind is racing.

Photography: Had 3 photo shoots this weekend, they went great! I was very nervous about the 90th party, but I think it all went well and they will lots of great pictures to take away from this special occasion. The others were pretty standard and I'll post some pictures tomorrow.

Scrapbooking: I did nothing. I stopped by to visit, but just didn't have the time to get my stuff out and work it! The girls were very encouraging and didn't seem to mind.

Date Nights: Chris and watched a movie "No Reservations" on Friday night, I had thought it would be a comedy...but it wasn't. Definatley a chick flick and I liked it...but like the fact even moreso that my husband likes cuddling on the couch with me to watch it. He picked it out. He and I had a fabulous dinner out Saturday night...Really nice. I so love spending time with him.

Kids: They have just hung around this weekend. Micah didn't feel very well so he didn't go to basketball, at church this morning, he recited the 10 commandments and was put into the "all star" he was so excited. He has to memorize the books of the Bible by next weekend...he's such a quick study. He already had the new test. memorized (which he did in 20 min) He blows my mind. Makaley enjoyed playing dress up, singing (of course) and drawing. I think it's the hardest on her when I'm not around.

What's going on in my head: So I've always been very involved in teh music programs of the churches I've been a part...from choirs, to praise teams, to worship leaders. At our current church, I played in the band and sang as well. I really love to see God's people worship. But since we've been back, I haven't had as much opportunity in that area of ministry. I've tried very hard not to make it about the music or the band... I've painted several times, and helped with staging and such. But today, I have to say God really showed me that a mans gifts will make room for him...I walked into worship and saw that they had added a few new band members..at first I was really shocked and then I let satan use it to distract me from "worship"...I even walked out. It was there that I was met by one of the board memebers who said..."Sara-Anne, I really want you to design our children's church area...whatever you want, whatever the cost, you just let us know" As I was humbled and came to the point of asking the Lord for forgiveness for being so shortsighted the Lord assured me that He would use me where HE needed, not what I needed and that the point was to bring glory and honor to Him and to use the gifts that Hes given me to help build up His church.

I was talking with Chris this afternoon and told him that I thought the Lord was putting a "moretorium" on my music...that for me, it's the easiest way to worship Him, but he wants me to learn how to worship him through the other gifts He's given, that everytime I pick up a paint brush, or my camera and use it for His Glory that the first thing on my mind should be...."worship Him"

Well enough of my ramblings, I just wanted to put these thoughts out there as the Lord is dealing with me on them now.

I'll post some pictures tomorrow...they came out great and I'm so amazed at what the Lord is doing.

Thank you Lord for your gifts you have blesed me with, please, Lord, may I always use them to glorify you and to draw people closer to who you are and your amazing love. Thank you Lord for entrusting me with them...may I be a good steward.

Good Night.

So thankful it's Friday...but I won't be resting

What a week. It's been a good week, but things have been hoppin'

I got home last night and Makaley had hung this adorable "I Love You" valentine on my door to my bedroom. It was so sweet. She woke up saying "I'm so excited daddy...it's valentines day"

Chris told me last night that they (Makaley and Daddy) have a ritual every morning on the way to school...they sing together. Makaley always chooses the song and isn't happy unless daddy is singing along as well. How sweet!

I told my family yesterday, that the next few weeks will be very crazy for me, and they will probably see me less than ususal, but that we need to agree in prayer that the time spent now, will lead to freed up time later.

I'm so worried about Micah. I hurt for him so...he's doing so well in so many areas...his school work (you can't get higher grades than what he has) his behavior issues...have all gotten into check, his teacher said, he's never a problem for me and always respects me and the others around him. We've been waiting to hear that for two years now, so that is a huge answer to prayer. This morning, he was having a hard time focusing on getting ready and I was frustrated with him...as soon as we got in the car he said "Mommy, I'm so sorry I was difficult this morning" I love the fact that he is humble. I love the fact that his spirit is so sweet. I just hurt for him becuase he doesnt feel well and we can't figure out why. Last night it was headache, sometimes it's his chest, sometimes he's unresponsive, sometimes he vomits. It's all very crazy.

I also hurt for him becuase he longs for a bestest friend. He longs for someone to come over and sleep at our house, he longs for someone to kick the soccerball around. We just don't have it becuase of where we live and how far school is.

So, we've made some decisions: We are moving. It will be better for us all. The kids didn't get accepted into NRCA...they didnt have enough space for Micah, they only took in 15 new students from 1st - 5th and those were all in the 3-5th grads. UGH! So we are left with East Wake A. or Grace. We love Grace and I think we will stay there. So that means we will be moving closer to the school. So the Caudle family is in for some major changes in the next few months. I usually love change, it's not something that I fear, but I have to say, I'm a bit overwhelmed with the thought of this move....possible job changes for me and such.

My prayer for what we can find in a house

1. Great neighboorhood with lots of kids to play with for my kids
2. one story with a basement and bonus room (Chris needs a one level) harder to find these days
3. That the loan process will go smoothly and that God will provide financially
4. That it will be close to the kids school and not that far from work (wherever that may be, hoping out of my house)
5. That we will have guidance when it comes to ministry...the association that we are in right now has been so good to us and there have been lots of ministry opportunties there for Chris.

This weekend is going to be busy, but fun!

4 photo sessions and one event
Great dinnerand movie with my husband at this fun Topas resturant (I'm so excited)
scrapbooking (for a little bit, can't go for the whole crop, but will stop by and finish one page)
basketball game
watch Friday Night Lights (Love that show)
clean my bedroom
become an auntie again
church
project for work
Sleep!

Have a great weekend everyone!