Paizley is here-

A mother of 3 sure does put a new spin on multi-tasking! I never thought I would be able to wipe a poopy butt and breast feed at the same time with out yelling or dropping someone! But Praise God that's why he gave us two hands!! My hope to keep my blog updated got past me. It was a hope, a dream, then it became a headache...but now that I am getting back into the swing of things, it is my priority! God has been doing some amazing things in our lives. He has gotten us threw the first 4 weeks of a new born with out any major upsets. I really think any couple who can make it through that first month can make it through anything. We have had to lean on the Lord soo many times. It has been an adjustment, but nothing that we can't do. And what a reward we get to have while trying to figure out this thing called life. There were times I was crying and forgot why I was crying. There were times while I was nursing I had no clue if I could get through the pain to another feeding. I remember once sitting in my doctors office, I had mastitis, bleeding boobs, and serious sleep deprived, she asked what time I last feed her and I just bursted into tears, I couldn't tell her the time of day it was, much less the last time I feed my baby- ohhhh but I decided not to let that determine my status of motherhood! I was a good mom, just low on sleep, patience, tolerance, and wanted to shake my husband for not getting it! When one of my friends showed up with a head of cabbage, beautiful flowers, and sugar food, I knew I would be ok- I wasn't crazy, someone got me. I think that too many times we look for someone to get us when we don't even get us our self. Our heavenly Father created us, and He gets us. Thank the Heavens I am out of that slumpy, robe wearing, sore boobs milking cow feeling of a mom. Now I am just a happy robe wearing, nurse on a strict schedule, enjoying my baby type of mommy. I have decided to have Paizley home with me for 12 weeks. Although I have been working through out my maternity leave, I love that I am mostly home- she is an amazing baby, and I am so proud to be her mom. She was on a birth session with me at one week of age, I think she is learning young that we work big, love big, pray big, and believe big. Together we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us! Thank you for all my family, friends, and my Lord for getting me to a point where I can see and think straight. Now it's time to design some Senior information packets!

What an honor

I was notified tonight by an amazing, courageous, grace filled, Godly women, who will soon be saying goodbye to her husband. Tomorrow marks what could be the last day outside of the hospital, and they have planned a family day that includes just being together, enjoying each other, and surprisingly it includes being behind my camera. What an honor it is, what a joy it is, what a complete miracle it is that God has given me something I can share with others that might somehow ease the pain. I am having a hard time with this tonight because of the awesome responsibility it is- Oh Lord I pray I can give them what they dream of, what they had in-visioned, and what the Lord put in my head as a vision. I couldn't help but notice the timing of this, the day before Valentine's Day. I typically think that this holiday is such a marketing, Hallmark, and flower shop's dream. And really always just went with the flow. But this year, I am looking at it so differently. My heart breaks as I try to even remotely come close to being able to come up with what our last family day would be with our daddy. If you have ever taken anything from my blog postings take this: please, let your spouse know how much you love them, let your kids see you love your spouse, let your family know that any day could be the last. I know in my life there isn't a day that goes by that I think to my self, "I blessed" I pray that all of you find what you have been blessed with and the Lord continues to show you in your life all that you have, so one day you are not wondering "Why am I here? Why am I married to this person? How did I get to this point?" I think if we look at our lives everyday and see the gratefulness in it, we will not get to the point of disconnect, of lost, of lonely.


Thank you Lord first for blessing me with the most amazing man on earth. I couldn't live with out him, he is my rock, he is my best friend, he is my inspiration, and most importantly he is the father of my three wonderful children. Thank you for choosing me for his soul mate. I am honored, blessed, and I will cherish this opportunity. Thank you also Lord for the talent you have trusted me with, I pray that everyone finds their talent in their lives, how they can witness, how they can bless, and how they can be who You need them to be. Please do not let tomorrow be about me, please let your grace, your glory, and your hands pour out the love that can give this family what they need. Lord use me to touch their lives.

I hope a step into my life tonight shows so many of you what an absolute honor I think it is to be in the Lords will, to follow His lead, go with His direction, and to trust what he puts in our path. I will be the first to admit if I worry about this, stress about this, I may ruin what plans the Lord has for us, so I am going to let go of my feelings and let God run the show. Honestly my heart wants to ache, wants to question, and wants to worry, but trusting in His plan is hanging on the the hope He promises us. Thank you all who follow, read, trust and believe. I believe the Lord is wanting to use each and everyone of you as well, if you will let him. Bless you all. Amy

Outside fun

When the news says stay in, I guess that means test the limits for the Lawrence family. Sunday before church we told the children if they took a good nap when they woke we could go sledding. Well wake up time came around, my wonderful husband let me sleep too, and we woke up to all cleaned out kitchen cabinets and 2 kids and a daddy ready for sledding! So away we went. On the way to the hill we passed a truck that had rolled over, I guess that should have sent us back home. But I am happy to say that Kevin and I both have the same "Just keep going" attitude. So we kept on a trekking and I am so glad we did. I have to say I was a little bummed out about not being able to go sledding, but I brought my camera and I could hear the giggles, laughs and memories being made all the way from the bottom of the hill. It reminded me so much of when I was a kid and I went down that same big hill on my dad's back, while my mother made sure we were warm, dry and hot coco waiting. I have to say how blessed I feel to be raising my kids with the man of my dreams, he is the most amazing father, and he helps me to be the mom I want to be. This is where I need to take a moment to clarify... there are defiantly times I want to ship him and the kids all off but this was one of those days where I didn't and I was able to do what I really believe I was put here on this earth to do, watch-love-listen-and photograph, all the while sitting nestled into the warm van listening to praise and worship waiting for the next photo opp, and while my body was miraculously making our third baby. It was a memory for our family memory bank. Thank you for Lord for giving us these tiny little pockets of joy while the world just keeps going and going by so fast. I am so guilty of always being on the go, and I love it when I can find peace in sitting still, that isn't typical, or very often, but I am grateful for those tiny moments as well. I think when I shared these memories and pictures on Facebook it may seem that I am giving my story from a perfect perspective, that all is roses and happiness, and for the most part that is true. But what I think everyone has to understand, is that we have our battles, our issues and our frustrations as well. We are just blessed to have amazing God believing friends, and God's grace to keep us afloat during those times to help us see it threw to times like these. So please believe me when I say, our life is very similar to yours: challenges, after challenges after challenges, I think that is what sets us apart, divorce is not a word allowed in our home, and Satan is not welcome in our relationship. The world has a way with entering those two things into our lives with out us even knowing it. So cover your home, your marriage and your husband/wife in prayer, in protection, and away from Satan's plan to kill, steal, and distroy. I will believe this for you as well.

In Jesus name, I pray that all who read this are covered in your word, in your promises and your protection. Thank you Lord for this outlet of speaking and prayer.
Thank you all for your continued support, following and prayers. I am so blessed to have this opportunity. Have a blessed day.

Warm Wishes for a Blessed 2011

Yeah...another year, another chance to commit to a resolution, and hopefully by the end of the year it is not forgotten! Well welcome to just one of my resolutions. Keep my blog updated, have our family bless another family with an act of kindness, and to get my contact list both personal and business updated. So with your help I can do that. What an awesome idea to set goals, pray about them, and hopefully follow through. Thank you all for the compliments, the words of wisdom, and for following my blog, I realize that with all of the possible places one can follow my life I may run short of things to say...not likely! lol If you have not received my new e-news letter and screen saver downloads, shoot me an email and I will update my contact list! I will be featuring a family who has been nominated for a blessing session, tell their story, why I picked them, and also just an update on how my business is going, and just plain me stories.
I can't tell you how many times I am stopped in my everyday life by people who say "oh I love reading your posts" "are you ok, you haven't posted in a couple of days" "oh please keep me posted on all the exciting things you do" so I guess when you live my life it feels mundane, but if my life excites you...read on!!!
So here is how I needed to use my re-set button before 8am. My conversation between me and my 3 year old son this morning. ME- "Phin, please don't stand on my laptop" PHIN- "I'm not, my toe is" point of the story: it's all in perception. I call touching any part of my mac book with any part of your foot standing on my computer, he on the other hand thought rubbing his foot on the computer to see how far he could go before I would respond a total challenge, and adventure. Now the bigger part of the story is- will my son ever stop testing his boundaries, will I ever stop being amazed at his full of wit answers, or is that all part of God's plan...make his answers equally as cute as him so he doesn't push me off the deep end. Next conversation went a little something like this: I am changing his diaper, I said "eeyyyuuuu stinky boy" Phin said "It not stinky, it looks like chocolate, and smells like chocolate!" About this point I am sure you are trying to figure out why you are still reading this. Well my friend, I think the more normal our lives feel, the a happier we are. And if we get caught up in life's challenges everyday, we can either stay there, or laugh at them and move on...or both. Last Phin story for this morning, ME- "Phin, you can't color on your face with marker" PHIN- "I didn't do it the marker did it" Again, its the perception thing again.
My prayer for me, Phin, and you. Lord help us to understand the messenger, have the patience until we do, and have patience with us Lord as we try to follow what you want us to do as we move at our own pace. Thank you Lord for your direction, your presence, and the gifts you give all of us. Bless this New Year, and help us all to accomplish exactly what you put on our plate, nothing more and nothing less. AMEN

Welcome my friends to a new year, I look forward to sharing my life and helping it be your entertainment!!!

My Visions!

There is not a whole lot of people who "get" me, well and if you do its kinda scary! lol so maybe it is better just comming along for a ride now and then with me! I am feeling so overwhelemed with gratitude for all that I have and all that so many of you are to me. I have just finished my first Baby Expo, and I am so happy that all the construction, the late nights, the prayers, sweat and tears have finally paid off. I say the word "visions" literally when I say it, here is what happends. When I get an idea in my head of a possible venture, or avenue, or road I think I want to take, I pray about it, I then start to see the exact picture of what the end product will look like. Sometimes thats a good thing, and sometimes it takes me on roads I never knew I would be on. Like on this one finding my self in line on a hot humid summer day in the steel mill line, with 25 greasy construction workers wondering what I am needing a
"ya know the kind of metal you can weld, yeah, then 1.5 inches around, and then a pole to stick another pole in, you know so it will be hollow, then the one going into it will be skinnier"
(that is a step into my conversation with the 300 pound nice nice steel mill worker helping me!!
So now that we got that setteled who on my list can weld? Ok so in my uncles shop we land, and trying to explain to two super talented body shop workers what I need...lets just say they got it, and it was a sucess!!

I am so touched, honored and blessed to have the people in my life to help me to do what I do. Thank you all so much!!

My uncles helped with most the construction. My driving force behind my production team Mary SG helped see my vision through, her beautiful, talented, smart, selfless daughter Krissy donated her strength, energy and her time. My sister who was ready to get off the comfy couch to come all the way back into town at 9pm to help, my mom for doing all the everythings I can't! Donna, oh Donna! I think thats a song! Ok Donna- holy manoly have you held on tight threw this one! Thanks for at least trying and 98% of the time "getting" my visions- I love you, my partner in crime! My wonderful husband who lets me do crazy things that I call my "visions", who loves me supports me, and encourages me (most of the time! JK) My clients/friends who drop everything to help me see out my visions, mychildren who see me very little if any on days like today, and most importantly, My heavenly Father, thank you thank you for giving me the visions you do, the endurance you do, and for the team you equipe to help me like they do! I love you all!

Young Family

These images are from a session that we had with a young family. I had the fortune to photograph this young couples wedding in the past, and now I was blessed to be able to photograph their new baby!!

Baby Luke

I had an AMAZING session last week that included a mom, her daughter, and son. We had such a great time and the images look fantastic. Here is just a sample of how they look!

Anna Hyronimus Senior Video

Here is just another video test run from earlier today. Thanks Anna for having such great shots!

This is Amy's hubby posting tonight. I know, it's just not right to post on someone else's blog, but believe or not, I don't have one. Amy and I are testing out some new software to produce some really cool videos from images and other video that is shot. Pretty cool stuff! The video here is part of a marketing piece showing off some of Amy's wedding images. Take a look, and I am sure there will be more to come in the future.

Valentines Day Cards- Special Event

Happy New Year!!
We have been so busy making changes and improvements to Amy Lawrence Photography! One new much needed addition is my wonderful very talented husband has joined the team. Kevin has been working endlessly on implementing systems, software, and procedures. Thank the Lord!! Cause that is defiantly not my gift! Many of you have meet or heard me talk about Mary, she is my production assistant. We are so excited to have her with us for another year, I have also teamed up with some local business that I believe in and have some fun special events planned. We are so excited about this, there will be opportunities to get some new products and some of the same product specially priced! Our first event is coming right up, this Thur Jan 14th-16th. We will be at "Child's Play Toys" at 233 Phillips Ave. Across the street from Minervas, in the old Great Outdoor Store. I am so excited for a new start, a new year and a new beginning. Here is the Info, hope to see you there!!!

The Best

I was invited to do a senior session on a ranch last week, I have to say, I really think I just had one of the funnest experiences a photographer can have. I was able to let my imagination run, no time limits, no nap times, no restrictions. I couldn't believe all that I have been missing by being "SO BUSY", I was literally listening to the birds chirp, the bugs swarm, and the waters ripple. I was experiencing the "Holy Land" how God has intended for me to see it. I just can't seem to keep all the busyness of life, work, and just stuff out of the way of just plain quiet beauty. I am posting some images now, but will post more later. Thank you Thank you Thank you God for slowing me down and reminding me that there is peace, I just pollute it, thank you for also gifting me with photography, I really do believe it is the only way I can let my ADHD mind run wild and it work for me and not against me. And to all of my clients who hire me for that exact reason, to trust in me and in my ideas no matter how crazy they are. I am blessed. I am blessed.

HUGE HUGE RUMMAGE SALE

I am having a rummage sale with a couple of friends of mine. I will be selling most of my kids things, Please come!! I don't want to pack it all back up!!

Ok, so my blog has officially gotten dumped!!! I feel like facebook has taken over my spare time. Wait a minute, i have no spare time! It has taken over my semi-spare time/multi tasking/down time. Quick catch up- I am so very busy doing what we do best, being a mom, being a wife, being social, and of coarse running my business. I ran 15 errands Monday before nap time, my kids were such troopers, but i knew what was to come, go home in time for nap, then back to best buy at 4:00. We dropped our van off and i pushed the crappy little umbrella stroller around back to walk to Tuesday mornings with my kidos and all i could think of was, i am hot, dripping sweat, we are walking in an almost vacant parking lot because "I" have to run run run on my day off. This isn't fair, this isn't what i want to do on my days off, this is NOT quality time with my kids!!!!! Then my sweet little angel girl, Mariana said to me "Man this is a beautiful day to take a nice walk isn't it Mom?" mmmm i had to breath, look at her, and realize that just being together, was enough for her. It hit me hard, cause all i wanted to do was be frustrated, and be miserable, i had the choice at that moment to be miserable or enjoy the walk in the empty parking lot waiting and waiting for something that should have been fixed 2 times before that to be fixed. Well I did, i stopped pushing the stroller, knelt down to her and said "Mariana, this is one of the best walks ever, thank you for sharing it with me, and for being my little girl" I am so grateful for how God has chosen just the right children for me. I needed her to put me in my place. So here is to all you, run ragged, under appreciated moms- your kids want you, not necessarily the activities. I am humbled daily by trying to do what I think is the right thing. I love that I can meet new children, families and people everyday, I thank you all for being who you are to me. You all mean more than you know. I thought it would be appropriate to show some of my latest favorite pics of another working mom. wether you are working at home, from home, or from a job, God bless ya for doing it and raising kids!- Oh, ps, I am starting a new work our boot camp in the morning 6am it was the only time i could fit something in, we will see how this fits into the agenda!

Big heart, little heart, sad heart, sader heart!

I am sure the title made no sense, but my heart is just aching tonight as I write this. My daughter who is 4 1/2, and the half was earned only a couple of days ago, realized what divorce means. I am so sad for her, she cried and cried as she thought of her little friend who doesn't get tucked in by her daddy at night. She wanted me to call her right now and tell her we were praying for her, she wanted me to somehow fix it, and I couldn't. What do you say to that? How do you mend her heart and fix her friends parents all at the same time!?? All I could say was, just because her daddy didn't live with her doesn't mean he doesn't love her, and lets just pray that she feels her Heavenly Father's arms around her at night. Well that worked until she asked if her daddy had anyone living in his house cause he is lonely. Oh, the worries of a 4 1/2 year old!! So our night goes. Heart break is good, it shows we have a heart, it allows us to pray for others. But what is hard is when they look at you for answers and you don't have a good one, the other part that is hard is my daughter is learning that not everything in life is good, not everything has a perfect ending. Not everyone goes home to a Lucy doll and has plenty of toys to play with. Life is full of joys, but because she is my oldest, I wasn't prepared for her to have a hurt heart yet. I am sure it doesn't get much easier, but thank you Lord for holding my hand as I mother her, I can see so much of me in her. I can see it before it happens, It reminds me of another night we learned of homeless people. Oh wow, that was a blow to her! That night when we seen the man with the sign, we packed up blankets, pillows, food and needed to give it to the man. She went threw the whole list of people of who he could live with, and the cutest side of it was she was sure that her nomination of my sister was perfect. She said "cause she doesn't share her bed with anyone!" Well, I explained that night that some times the decisions we make in life maybe aren't the best and if we are mean to our family we will no longer have them to fall back on, and that might be what happened to that man, Well my mom counseling sessions end here. I have to say how proud I am to be Mariana's Mommy, I am sure this is the beginning to allot of heart ache, her being sad, and me being sadder!!

New sites!!

Even before I am a photographer I am a mom, so I too am digging around to find fun new things for my kids to wear at their 1/2 bday session! I wanted to share, here are some fun sites, and I will post the pics after I take them,

http://www.tuttibella.com/boys-clothing.html

http://oohlalamama.com/index.aspx

I am planning an Urban baby look!! Got any fun ideas please share, love all and miss all.

A new Engaged couple

I have so much fun getting to know my brides and grooms threw their engagement session. It teaches me so much, most importantly it teaches me that 99% of the time I am in a "frumpy Mom" rut! I can still flirt with my husband, yeah, I have had babies but I still love that fun new dating feeling. And so does he! Add some spice to your marriage, have an engagement session now, it sparks some fun long lost feelings! Or an intimate "for his eyes only" session, ask more about that!! Thanks again for a great time Andy and Beth, can't wait for the big day!!

My little Brayden Man

Being in this business I am blessed with so many friendships, relationships and just amazing opportunities to meet families and children of all walks of life. One little man who has made such a big impact in my life is little Brayden. Born with a heart condition, he has proved to be the biggest and toughest little man I know. I wanted to just ask if you would say a quick prayer for him, he was checked in to the hospital again, this time for Influenza A and pneumonia. Believe it or not, his parents have had 3 trips planned to go away and on the eve of their departure he has gotten sick and been hospitalized. So a prayer request for a quick recovery, patience and a long at last well deserved time away to reflect for the parents. Thank you for your friendships, and the ability to put this out there and be received with open arms!! God bless you all. Amy

Humbled!

I must say that I am humbled daily by how good God is and how blessed I feel to be in this amazing thing called "Life" I have to share with you all some fun things that have been happening in my world. Well as you have seen my blog has not been updated as much as it usually is, it is because of something called "facebook" I am able to connect with people, put pictures on line and share all that the Lord is doing in my life in a more interactive way. So when I hear people say they look at my blog daily, I am so humbled that they would look here for a "pick me up." So I am updating a long awaited post!! The lives that come threw my studio are many, and so many of them make an impact on my life. I thank you all for sharing you, your children and your family with me. If you don't get anything but good pictures that it good, but if I can in someway touch you the way that people have in my life, I will know I have done well. I take all of my clients to heart, you are all have a special place in my heart, you and your little ones are prayed over and I so look forward to seeing you all grow and become and endure what the the Lord has laid out for you.

I just did a session with a little girl and a pair of sisters. These are not just any sisters, these are sisters who have a bond like no other. These are surrogate sisters. One sister was implanted with the other sister's egg and sperm and carried her baby for her. I found this family because I speak often of wanting to do that for my cousin, (if needed). I think it is such an amazing gift. I absolutely loved being pregnant, and I thought this needed to have special "coverage" for their memory book. So meet this family, here they are sharing their love for this wonderful little girl who is doubly loved my her mom and aunt!! Thank you for allowing me into your amazing life.

If you or anyone you know needs a session because they have a story, please email me... thank you to all my loyal blog readers. I love you all,.... and think about getting on facebook!! I do spend the majority of my socializing hours there!!! God bless you all. Thank you again for blessing me with your friendship, and your business. I am in total awe everyday that I get to wake up and thoroughly enjoy what I do for a living...love the Lord, love my family and love recording memories for you!!! Thank you for helping me make my dreams come true

Another year spent

When I have session like I did yesterday I am so touched that I have been photographing for a family for a year. There is something about it that makes me just melt. I rubbed this baby's mommy's tummy at her pregnancy session, and now I am photographing her for her first birthday session. I thought only my kids grew super fast!! Isn't it true how time does fly. But you slow down, just a couple of times a day there is a point where you can take it all in. I hope that you find that time, that moment that you promise you will never forget, and cherish it, write it down and keep a journal. I really think my children's journal is something small that I can give them that they will cherish BIG! And maybe some day when I photograph for you, I can give you an image that so reminds you, and doesn't let you forget those amazing little things your children do! God Bless you All- Amy
And thank you Finley and family for another amazing year

Busy Days, Touched by little lives!!

As I write this I can't stop thinking of all I have to do, my to-do list, how I should be going to bed, and how crazy life can get. But then I think of where I was a couple of days ago. Time actually felt like it stopped for about 45 minutes. That is how long I sat in the hall way waiting for this baby to stop breathing. I was blessed to have been able to be a part of this wonderful, beautiful little girls short life. And in that time nothing else mattered, all the sudden I didn't have to-do lists, I didn't have a busy schedule, I had one thing to do, pray for a peace in a time where it seems almost impossible. I show these stories because I hear back from so many of you that you are touched by reading them, thank you for caring for people you have never met,and thank you for letting me share this. I am so certian about one thing, I have found my passion, I really have. If I could work for free, I would do this every chance I get. I truly think I get more blessed than these families. So if I could pass this prayer request along please keep these families in your prayers. Thank you Lord for this opportunity, and your never ending love!