Memories, Dreams & Reflections 2013

I'm participating in Memories, Dreams & Reflections once again this year. Every year my friend Ashley Sisk asks for 25 photos that sum up your year in photographs. I love going through all the photos each year and remembering things that I so quickly forget. So without further adieu, here is what my 2013 looked like.

1. Me - I really can't believe I have been pregnant most of 2013! What a surprise that was this year. Seems like I just was pregnant with Paisley and now she's a toddler and we will be welcoming another baby in 2014. God is funny because I SWORE I would never be pregnant again and that we would buy our next baby but He had other plans. I'm not a big fan of belly pics but since this is my last pregnancy, I thought I'd share with you the full monty since we won't be seeing this again!

2. I Love You - The two loves of my life earlier this year in the snow. I absolutely love the way Paisley is looking at her daddy.

3. Still Laughing - When I took this picture of P in the bath tub, I immediately thought she looked like the munchkins from the Wizard of Oz. I still laugh looking at the comparison. She cracks me up. Heck, I crack myself up!

4. Winter Wonderland - Paisley's first time to see snow while we were still in Raleigh earlier this year.

5. Birthday- I can't believe my girl was a year old in July! Time truly does fly.

6. Friends- We had to say goodbye to so many friends in NC in April. It's been very slow process of making new friends here in TX. Fortunately God blessed me with a girlfriend here in Spurger that I love. She has 2 girls and they love Paisley so they're all friends now!

7. I was Inspired- I was pretty sick at the beginning of my pregnancy which meant I put the camera down for a few months. I took naps instead of editing pictures. But there was one day that my mom came home with sweet corn from my grandmother's garden. The yellow on that corn got me inspired and I bust out the camera for a little photo shoot with P & the corn.

8. Spring Fever - We were begging for Spring in April before we left Raleigh because it was so cold. The sun came out & we went to the park. Love the sun flare in this photo.

9. Travel or Vacation- I love this picture of P and Todd on our trip to Destin in May.

10. Summer Days- We endured our 1st Texas summer this year and man was it H.O.T! Our days involved swimming in the new pool but unfortunately I lost a ton of pics this fall when my hard drive crashed and apparently I don't have any from the pool. Instead we have a pic of Paisley watering the plants in her tutu. Love this pic

11. A Day in My Life - Paisley's favorite hobby is to throw things on the floor. Being 9 months pregnant, its a challenge to bend over and pick up anything especially small Cheerios. My parents HAD an open pantry until about a month ago when they finally got the hint that we needed doors on the pantry since P was going in and eating the cat's food. Somehow she still manages to get in there and I found this mess on the floor yesterday.

12. All Smiles - It's hard to get her to smile on 'cue' but once you do, it will brighten your day!

13. Autumn Harvest - We had a chance to go to Raleigh in October right before the leaves started to turn unfortunately. But I think this pic reflects autumn.

14. Family - I always take pictures of my brother & sister in law when we are together. This was Labor Day in Destin, FL. This picture ended up on their Christmas card this year. I got published!!!! :-)

15. Celebrate - In August we announced to the world (a.k.a. Facebook) that we were expecting a baby BOY! My husband couldn't be more excited after living with me, my mom and Paisley for the last 8 months.

16. Let's Do It Again - Forgive the quality of this picture but Paisley LOVES slides. We took her to a local county fair this fall and she loved riding this huge slide with her daddy. Her expression & her hair are just priceless.

17. I Miss You - I can't believe Paisley is a toddler now. I seriously miss those days earlier in the year when she was a baby. Seems like life was much easier back then. I could put her in one place & walk away for a second without her destroying something. I could also set up photo shoots for us and she would participate. Long gone are those days. She has grown up so much since we've moved to TX and I miss that little baby!

18. Beautiful - I mean is that the most beautiful Easter bunny you have ever seen?

19. Dress Up - P was a cow for Halloween. I picked the outfit because she loves the cows on the farm. She wore this outfit several times around the house because she really liked it. Unfortunately we didn't wear it Halloween night because she got the flu that morning. Maybe next year we can trick or treat.

20. Macro - Not necessarily a macro shot (haven't done those in awhile even though I have a macro lens) but this is a close up of the Destin sand on her feet. My in-laws just moved to Atlanta so our trips to Destin are over.

21. Holidays - Need I say more?

22. My favorite - I've taken a TON of pictures of Paisley but this is my absolute favorite. Her blue eyes. Those chubby cheeks. She looks like a perfect porclein doll to me in this picture.

23. Don't Ever Change- Paisley has truly become a country girl. She loves living on the farm and loves ALL animals (gets that from her mommy- NOT!). She has absolutely no fear and the thought of walking up to a 1,000 cow is no big deal for this chick. Although her 'no fear' scares me to death, I think that will come in handy once she is older.

24. Just Because...So There! - My parents are the B.E.S.T. grandparents that ever existed. They have been such troopers over the last 8 months while we have taken over every.single.inch of their house. I know they can't wait to get us in our house and out of theirs but the time that Paisley has spent with them has been invaluable. It has established their relationship and she is really gonna miss living with Momma T & Pops

25. Hope and Dreams - I've got high hopes for 2014. A new house. A new town. A new baby. A new season. 2013 was a stressful/challenging year for us but we are here and have made it!!! I look forward to a new chapter in 2014 as we become a family of 4 in our dream home.

To see what other photographers did this past year, click on Ashley's link


Happy new year everyone!