Student of the Year!!

Introducing our overall PARISH student of the year!!! We are so excited!!! This is the young man that you have seen in several of my blogs (his little brother was in the Christmas blog). He is like a nephew to me. So I am extremely proud- although not at all surpised!

He will now go on to the regional competition, and hopefully state! I have faith in him that that is defintiely probable!! He has truly grown into an outstanding young man. He is so talented in so many areas. God has truly blessed him - and he gives Him the glory for it. That it was truly makes him worthy.

So- best of luck 'Big C'-- I know you can take this all the way! But remember to keep your eyes on the ONE who created you and your feet planted firmly in His word! I love you!

Promise of Joy:
My son, be wise and make my heart glad.
Proverbs 27:11a

One week later,,,

Do you see that little heart in the center of his foot?? I think he is wishing us a happy Valentine's Day!!! I thought that was so unique!

Here is that same sweet baby! Isn't he even more beautiful, if possible?? I went to their house after school one day and just took a few shots. He was sleeping so peacefully-- then I woke him up and made him mad, mad! So most of these pictures are from inside his little cradle-- taken between the slats-- and I am so glad I did this since the rest of the time wasn't much fun for him. But I will clarify and tell you he is a very good baby-- but woke up with a little tummy ache- it broke my heart!!

So I told his Mom that is no problem- it gives me an excuse to go back again soon and do it again!!! He is just so squeezable!! =)

Promise of Joy:
"These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full." ~ Jesus
John 15:11

It is awesome to think that Jesus had such little time on this Earth- yet took the time to be concerned for OUR joy. And I just have to say- a baby brings such joy to me. =)

Sweetest Moments

These pictures are of a brand new beautiful baby boy!! He is only 6 hours old and is just PERFECT!! I was honored to get to feed him and rock him on this visit. I sucked in all that sweet baby smell and recalled the sweet times with my precious babies- wasn't that yesterday?? Actually- holding this baby made me feel like it was eons ago since I had one of my own!

The lighting was so very low and terrible in that dim hospital room at night, so I had to just do the best I could. I really need that external flash I have had my eye on- but just haven't broken down and bought. =)

But I thought these pictures were so sweet. I taught this little guys older sister- and she has actually been in this blog before- but it has been a long time ago now. She is just a doll and we forged a very tight bond in that year of first grade. I have never had a child take to me quite like her- she will always be so incredibly special to me- so of course this little brother goes in there by proxy!! I just love this family dearly and thank God for working it out to put us together-- and it was all Him-- and that is another story! =) That year He even placed their sweet grandparents at our church. He is awesome!

Promise of Joy:
For this child I prayed; and the Lord hath given me my petition which I asked of Him.
1 Samuel 1:27

This is way up there on my list of favorite verses! I can not help but use it when I think of new babies. Just a birth all by itself is a true miracle of God. The intricate process of mind boggling. And that is only the physical make up. I can not even imagine the complexities of this one baby's spiritual make up! I believe that God created us for one purpose: to serve Him. If we are not doing this, then we can not be the person God created us to be.
This child has definitely been prayed for by many people. I will continue to pray for him and that God will bless him in every way and keep him close to him to live the life he was created for- just as I pray for my own 2!
We are so glad you are here, baby 'L' - safe and sound!

Yellow Belt

You are going to have to forgive the quality of most of these pictures. I did not want to distract them with my flash- so I took them all without a flash, and VERY low lighting. I just wanted to give you the idea! =)

Our little man just got his first "color belt" in karate! We are so proud of him! He really has not been taking very long, but because of his hard work, he got extra stripes along the way. He has taken to this like a fish to water. He took gymnastics a while back and made the competition team- but because they did not have a boys competition coach, they could not let him compete. Well, he didn't see the point in that. So, when a friend of ours told us about this karate class, we went that very night. We have really enjoyed it! We see his gymnastics skills come in handy, too! He can do the splits and kick really high. He is one fast little guy!

He has great instructors. One of his teachers was getting black belt today- the one at the bottom with him. Man- it is really involved and intense. I learned a lot today! They have an excellent spirit of honor and comeraderie. I am proud to be a part of this program.

For my verse today, I am using the motto from this karate school:
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
Phillipians 4:13

Thank God for men who will step up to be leaders and show our children the real way to become men!

His head instructor and the owner is in the top picture with him, tying on his new belt. He is a Godly man, and wonderful leader. He has been a great example and so caring. He always prays before we leave the class and prays that these guys will have a saving relationship with Jesus Christ. I love that these large, tough men, humble themselves to be involved in the lives of these children. There were several other black belts there that I was equally impressed with.

If you are local and want to learn more about this program, just email me and I will give you more information. =)

Can you say "GQ"???

This entire gallery can now be seen at my other site. You can click on NielsensFlash over to the right and it will take you straight there. Scroll down to 'F' Family and click. This was a great session and so much fun! Let me know what you think! =)




Isn't this young man the perfect model!! Wow!
I had the best time with this family. They were open to anything and had the best attitude. And don't you loooove that green building-- that was the Mom's idea as we drove by it to another venue! It may be my new favorite place! Thanks for all of your fabulous ideas and helpful insights!! We need to do this again!

They are such a sweet mother-son combo! They seem to have such a great relationship. Thank you for allowing me to capture these special times for you! And thank you for sharing your story with me today-- God bless you and your sweet little guy!

The weather was a PERFECT 70 degrees and SUNNY!! I couldn't have asked for better! I had prayed about this session for a WEEK! It has been so long (since the 1st of Dec since I did a session- I was on a "break"- that I was scared I had forgotten how to do it-- isn't that hilarious? So I prayed all the way to their small town for guidance -- and I feel he answered those prayers for me! So I give God the glory for any thing that you may be impressed with! He makes it so easy for me sometimes!!

I am so excited about my spring sessions! Thank you to all of you who have booked an appointment! I have some appointments available-- but book now- it is getting pretty busy!! =)

Promise of Joy:
Children are a gift from God; they are his reward.
Psalm 127:3
This verse really jumped out at me- it very much fits this family. I know you have been through a lot-- but God has rewarded you and still has his hand on your life! God Bless!!
** These files were too big to upload as one blog-- so be sure to check out the next blog too!

Sometimes you just have to go where they are....

Aren't these too cute??? I just took candid shots showing their adorable personalities. They were so much fun! I am finally finished editing these pictures. I am so happy with them. It was a huge session resulting in a couple of hundred photos! If you'd like to see the rest -- there are so many more I'd love to post- but probably won't have time-- go to the link to the right that says NielsensFlash and it will take you to the gallery views.

I am really getting booked up fast for the Spring- and lots of people have me on "stanby". I am taking limited appointments- so please contact me soon to get one!

Promise of Joy:
Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy... The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy.
Psalm 126:2-3

Perfect for the looks of joy on MOST of their faces! I treasure this time- I know that it will be a FLASH- and they will all be grown! That is the THE reason photography is so important to me. You only get to live this moment ONCE! I hope you have enjoyed your children today and let them know what a treasure they are!

Just a few more...

These were just too cute not to post!! I have a lot of their pictures posted in the gallery now- so click on the link to the right to see them! They are a beautiful family!

Please email right away if you want a spring appointment-- I am filling up fast.
nielsensflash@yahoo.com

Great Family

Here are a few more from my friend's family. I told them that this was a lot of family for just 2 daughters! HA! Each one has 4 kids- so it added up pretty fast!Aren't they all adorable?? They really like the traditional group shot- and with so many littleones- I didn't push them to branch out too much! They (the kids) were wanting it to be overwith after the first shot! HA!
We really had a good time, though. They are truly a great family and I am so honored they asked me to do this for them this year. They get pictures made every year at this time- and they are always so good. I hope you like these! I will start putting these into the gallery today I hope. I am not finished with them-- but I will put the ones I am finished with.


Promise of Joy:
For what is our hope, our joy, or the crown in which we will glory in the presence of our Lord Jesus when he comes? Is it not you? Indeed, you are our glory and joy.
I Thessalonians 3:9

This is my focus for the next year. I will find joy in every situation. I will count my blessings, not burdens. I have it sooo much better than most, that to complain is truly a sin. I will strive to follow these promises in this great New Year of 2009!

Thr 'R' Family

This awesome family may look familiar to you. I took pictures of mainly the kids and a couple of the Mom back in the Fall.

They are some of our very best, dearest, and oldest (as in a long time)=) friends.
We met playing church league baseball years and years ago! We were still in college, newlyweds and these precious children were but a spark in our hearts! We laugh at how different we were back then! And amazingly, we have grown and changed drastically over the years- but not apart! They are like family- as comfortable as a brother or sister. We go for very long times without seeing each other because we live a very miserable 2 hours apart. (I say miserable because I have had to stop more than once on the way down there feeling VERY carsick!)

But, she called me and asked us to come down New Year's Day and take these pics. Her sister is in from way far away and they all wanted to capture these memories together with their Mom and Dad.

I had a GREAT time. We had so much fun seeing their fabulous new house- and the kids just fell right into step with theirs. My little girl was ELATED with all the girls- she is always around BOYS!

Well, I have gone on and on- and the truth is I could keep going on and on- but for your sake- I'll wrap it up-- I have lots of others from this session to post.


Promise of Joy:
A friend loves at all times.
Proverbs 17:17

What other verse could I choose?? =)

Happy New Year!!!

I am so sorry it has SEEMED that I have not been blogging!! But I have tried and tried and the site kept giving me an error. I have pulled my hair out trying to find the "glitch". It kept telling me the address was wrong- but I think I figured out that my files were way to big to be uploaded at one time. I have never had this happen!! So- please forgive me for not posting- I promise I have not been "slacking"!!-- This post may be a little crazy-- Oh well- I am moving on!! I have a great session that I know people are waiting on. =)

Thank you to all of you who have asked me about my newest pictures! Your faithfulness in keeping up is what keeps me blogging!! You are the BEST!


Promise of Joy:
For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
2 Corinthians 4:17-18

I just loved this scripture for the New Year! We lose sight sometimes of what is important!!This is a scripture I Pray I can live by more 2009.

God has truly blessed my family this year- and for all of the years before that! I am so thankful for His mercy and His saving grace! He has been so gracious to my family. We are healthy and together and close by our loved ones. God has truly done a work in my life in the past year. I feel I have grown more spiritually this year than I have in a very long time. God has been so real to me and has made His presence known to me in so many situations.

Thank you to all of my friends who have been such a blessing to me. I pray that you all have a year of peace and happiness. I also pray that you will grow closer in your walk with God. That you will feel the fullness of His Joy!

Happy New Year!!