Fish Fry

This past Saturday our church, New Journey Fellowship, got together to kick off spring with a fish fry! Chef Ronald, our designated cook, assembled the troops and got this tasty dinner rolling. Thanks to our anonymous (you know who you are ;) donor for the funds! It was fantastic!
Some of the guys got together at 2pm to start cooking and setting up their outdoor cooking 'station', talk about some organized cooking! They set up a tent, a grill, a couple of tables for work stations, and two frying sections for the fish and french fries! Yum! Thanks Ronnie, Rodney and Joel for cooking the delicious foooood! Cakes and deserts were brought in by other members and we were set. Talk about a lot of food. We had a great turn out, around 30 people came to enjoy some fish, good fellowship and a fun time.
Chef Ronald made me official photographer for the evening so I got to run around and take pictures, I only had my 50mm with me- but I love that lens, so it was no problem.
It was such a great evening, so for your enjoyment- here are some pictures from the night!
Enjoy!!

annnnnd, this about sums it all up.

It's getting late- but I love spring and I love how creative our God is! He is fabulous.

Enjoy a piece of His creativity.

night guys ;)

Kingston David Hardie

A little history:

While I was suffering through my freshman year of college at Gardner-Webb University, Rachel Lovelady was my fabulous next door neighbor. There were so many nights and days where we would do nothing but laugh and talk as we shared our complaints and sorrows (mostly boy problems) to each other. She was there for me through so much and was so busy through it all. She worked and went to school yet managed to make time for friends and school work.
With shower parties and LL Cool J jokes- she made it easy to love her- and she is worth every bit of it. In May, when Joel and I were married- she honored me by standing at the front with me as my bridesmaid.

This past Friday, Rachel gave birth to a little boy by the name of Kingston David Hardie. He was 8lbs and 11oz, a beautiful little boy. I arrive a couple of hours before she gave birth and it was so wonderful to see her and to watch as Daddy Jabir sat by her side and sang to her belly.

Thanks for letting me be a part of this glorious day. Here are a few pictures of the awesome day- it was dark in the room so I didn't use a flash, but they turned out alright ;) Enjoy!


Waiting..... delay after delay... I know Rachel was ready!


Mommy and baby- just a few minutes after his arrival


There he is! Kingston David... a.k.a. King David




He was a little unhappy... but so cute!


Proud Uncle!


Grandma's second grandbaby- but so proud!




Precious little boy- can't wait to see him again! Hopefully soon!!
Great Job Rach and Jabir- He's handsome!!

Bro & Sis

Today's post is....

Dawn and Derek Elam in their portrait session for their Mom's surprise Christmas present! What a cool way to say I love you then by sharing yourself! I wish I could see their Mom's face as she opens the present and see's their faces! How cool! So anyone who see's this... shhh it's a surprise!

I know Dawn from Gardner-Webb university where I went for my freshman year of college. Dawn lived in the same dorm as I did and we both lived in, or near Winston-Salem so it was a great friendship right from the beginning! The summer after our freshman year we both got jobs working at the same restaurant and remained good friends! Over the years we have kind of done our own things, she is now a Senior in college and will be graduating in May! She is such an awesome girl, full of energy and fun. Dawn is an amazing piano player and singer- unfortunately, we couldn't find a piano the day of the shoot- but her talent it amazing!

Derek, is her 13 year old brother who I believe I had met once before but only briefly- so it was a challenge getting him to warm up enough to smile in some of these pics ;) His comments were hysterical as he talked about food and video games just waiting to be done with pictures. Typical teenage boy.

We met at Target then headed on our journey to Old Salem, an awesome historical place where the Moravians first settled after traveling from Germany! The place is full of awesome old buildings, log fences and history- I love it. Here's some favorites from the day!







I love these photos because they are just so natural, the colors, the sun reflection in my lens, their faces etc!





Annnnd this about sums it up.



Thanks for such a fun day guys!! I hope your Mom loves the pictures of you guys! Merry Christmas!!

Blackburn Family Christmas party!

Every year growing up we always got together with the Blackburn side of the family. It was a tradition of sorts, and one that I treasured every year. As the years have gone on and the grandchildren have gotten older and life has gotten busier, and now that both grandparents have passed away, that family tradition isn't as much a tradition. This year was different though. We got together, those that could (some were separated by distance, others by work) to celebrate the Christmas season. As everyone got there anticipation for the good food grew and we got to catch up and laugh with one another. We met on the farm, which once belonged to my great Uncle Richard, my Uncle Tommy and Aunt Texie now own the farm, and it was so great to hear all the noise and life in a house that has been closed up for years. Here's some pictures of the day- but mostly pictures of my cousin C.J. and his wife Sylvia's beautiful children, Sara and Eli.
I love my family and it was so great to get together with them!! To those that couldn't be there- you were missed! Thanks for all the support over the years and being there! Love you all.
Enjoy!


First- cool Christmas blur lol

Some things around the farm, including one awesome chicken!


A little blurry- but i love how excited Callie looks to be picked on by her older cousin Joshua and Joel!


I love how huge his eyes are- he is such a handsome baby!





Lil' miss thing


Sara is such a ball of energy! She was so cute though as she was trying to feed 'gu-ger' (a.k.a Sugar) the horse and the "moo-cows".