{ jessica leigh }

{ want to BOUNCE or eat some BBQ? }

2012-01-05T14:18:00.006-05:00

WOW!!! God has provided almost the ENTIRE amount. We are about 10,000 dollars shy of what we need. Is that not amazing???? I went back and looked at our "adoption account" checkbook and it is so amazing how God has slowly but SURELY provided everything we need.

We had been praying about a specific grant. We applied for it, and prayed God would allow us to get it. Unfortunately, we were turned down. I was very very sad. The very next day, we got an email from a guy I used to work with a Lee Greenwood Theater. (did you guys know that I worked at The Lee Greenwood Theater for 4 years during college? yep. . .i listened to GOD BLESS THE USA 1,000 times) Well, this guy is now an evangelist. He said he and his wife had been praying and they wanted to help us. . . .with a fundrasier. . .bounce houses, food, etc.! I hadn't even seen this guy in YEARS. . . .! WOW!!!!

I was speechless. We had been praying for a fundraiser. . .a BIG one. . .one that someone would say, "HEY. . .WE WANT TO DO THIS FOR YOU GUYS. . " and you know what?? God, once again, answered that prayer.

((((((Here is the guy's site that is sponsoring it. Support him. . . .if you need a speaker for a youth group, give him a call!!!)))))))

So, here it is. . . .our FUNDraiser, that we already know God is TOTALLY behind. It's going to be at Kodak United Methodist Church.....just off the interstate, up the hill on the left, past Food City and Burger King.
PLEASE come if you are local. We are simply asking for donations. Just what you would typically spend on an evening out with your family for something super fun and then food. . . . .We are trusting in God to bring in the rest of what we need.

(there will be BBQ of course, and at least 3 bounce houses. . .all indoors. . ..loads of FUN!!)

Here is our flyer. Please share it with your friends, family, enemies, whoever!

{ adoption update }

2011-11-30T07:58:00.003-05:00

we are officially number

we had our number sent to us on November 15!!!

i can't wait to see our child(ren)'s face(s).

{ CHRISTmas trees & mantle}

2011-11-25T19:53:00.006-05:00

we've had our CHRISTmas tree up since halloween. yep, we didn't even decorate for halloween or thanksgiving this year. we wanted to just enjoy our tree all season, and we have enjoyed it so much already. well, today, i've worked on getting the rest of the trees up.

here's a preview. . .

our family tree . . .

our mantle.

this year is the first year i've ever really liked our mantle at CHRISTmas. remember my fourteen dollar one from last year? it was beautiful, just a little TOO FANCY for me.

this year it is much more fun and whimsical. the LET IT SNOW sign usually hangs behind my stove each winter, but this time it's found a new home!

i used things i already had, which means i haven't purchased anything new this year. yippee!

the smell of this avon carolers candle is CHRISTmas to me. these carolers have been in my life every christmas since i can remember. as soon as i start pulling out our decorations, i can't wait to find my carolers! i get so excited to see where they will be make a home during the HOLY DAYS (not holidays, but HOLY DAYS. . .just read that).

this is our little tree on the kitchen table.

this is our tree in our bedroom. i LOVE it! not done with it yet. . .it's still a work in progress. when it's done, i'll post a pic of it. . .if i get it done!

and finally, our last work in progress. . .the boys' tree.

there are no ornaments on the tree, but that will change soon. we will start this in a few days, and i can't wait to see it get filled with beautiful ornaments that the kids make that tell the CHRISTmas story.

have you decorated or shopped today. . .or both? have a wonderful weekend! mom and i are headed to fantasy of trees this weekend, so hopefully, i'll have some new inspiration to get our bedroom tree done.

{ jump aboard the LOVE train - engagement }

2011-11-23T08:07:00.005-05:00

i do not shoot couples, unless i know them. . .but actually, shooting couples is fun. i've realized it's much like shooting seniors, except with two, and LOTS of kisses!!!

this couple is no different. super fun. this guy has the best personality. my husband described him as just a guy you'd want to bring along with you on vacation. . .to make you laugh. . . and that he is.

and this gal, i just really like. she's beautiful, as you can see. . . she has a heart for people, a love for children, and now a worker with the blind!

Meet Mr. & Mrs. Couch. . .they just got married several months ago!

(they got married on the 11th)

{ our Tees }

2011-11-20T20:31:00.005-05:00

i LOVE our t-shirts. i was really worried about not liking them. i drew the little guy holding africa, then sent them to this graphic design gal for her to take out my drawing imperfections and make it look more, well. . .professional. she did a great job. as you can see, they are totally suppose to look like life is good, but better. he he he!!! we ordered 148 shirts, and we have less than 10 left. we have a few smalls (S), and several extra larges (XL), and one 3x.

let me know if you want one or would like to get another size. i believe we may have to order another small amount of them.

LOVE this verse!

t-shirts EVERYwhere........

oh. and do you know how good God is? have i mentioned that lately? He has TOTALLY knit a group of us together. i'm so thankful for each of these ladies. they are blessings sent straight to me from my precious Lord!!!

just last week, we took a trip to south carolina to meet another precious adoptive momma. she was supermomma and answered tons of our questions while taking care of her sweet boys in panera.

{ on the list }

2011-11-02T17:58:00.002-04:00

i'm going to try to be better at keeping the blog updated for adoption purposes, instead of the facebook page.

on SEPTEMBER 19, our agency, Generations Adoptions, sent us an email to inform us we are number

on the wait list. that means, we have been on the wait list for 1 month and 2 weeks. we were also told that we could have a referral within 3-6 months. . .more likely closer to the six month mark. . . .so maybe march???

it's so hard to believe. . .even harder to wrap my brain around leaving my boys for at least a month to travel to Uganda, but it will be a wonderful blessing when all of us are safe under one roof, this roof!!!

happy wednesday!

{ happy halloween }

2011-10-29T20:25:00.004-04:00

HI HO SILVER!!!!!

our boys love THE LONE RANGER. my dad got them the dvd set, and now they love it. . .so they came up with this idea for halloween this year, and i was tickled to start planning THE LONE RANGER and TONTO's costume!!!

i think they are so cute!!!

{ our ADOPTion Tees }

2011-10-25T17:45:00.004-04:00

Hey sweet friends. . . .

I have pics to put up of some great sessions lately. . .but first, I want to show you guys our t-shirts. Hubby and I really like Life is Good stuff. . . and we also, LOVE the scripture from Micah 6:8, so we came up with this little stick drawing. we sent my drawing to a local company and they put it on a shirt for us.

We are taking pre-orders right now. We are asking for a donation of at least 20 dollars per shirt. We have kid sizes and adult sizes, up to XXL! Let me know if you want me to put you down for a certain size or sizes!!!

{ county fairs and coffee drinkers }

2011-09-22T07:11:00.007-04:00

are you a coffee drinker??

if so. . .

JUST LOVE COFFEE has set us up a page. For every bag of coffee you order, they will donate 5 dollars to our adoption. I do not drink coffee. . . but one of my newest friends. . .also an adopting mommy said their products are fantastic!

Here is the link:

http://www.justlovecoffee.com/TheRunyans

I seriously have so many albums to upload to the blog. Here is the rest of my favorites from the fair photo preview I posted a few weeks ago. I've taken the girls' photos three times now, and this is the first time they decided to smile for me!

Their sweet momma has been so generous in helping us with our adoption. We are so grateful to her. . .she's a jewel!

{ our online adoption fundraiser }

2011-09-09T20:59:00.002-04:00

if you are friends with me on facebook, you have already seen this several times, i'm sure. . . .

but we have a few things uploaded onto an online auction site to help us raise money. we still have about 25,000 dollars to go. if i don't think about it, i'm fine, but when i start thinking about it too much, i get really down. . .

GOD is so good. just this week, HE amazed us once again.

check out our fundraiser here:

http://www.32auctions.com/organizations/1926/auctions/2095

{ adoption fundraiser }

2011-08-28T14:59:00.003-04:00

school is back in session. . . . so you probably know your schedule for september. if the 24th is free, please head put it on your calendar to head out to Scrappin' In The City. . . .but call first. . . .and sign yourself AND a friend up. . . .865-247-6879!!!

this is our first fundraiser for our adoptions from uganda. if you are a local crafter or you'd like some help in photoshop or your camera, i'll be there and i'll be happy to help!!

you aren't required to stay the entire day, just come, have some fun, craft, buy somethings from the store or our auction. . . AND to beat it all, there is no ut game that day. . .so traffic won't be terrible!!!!

{ HOMESTUDY COMPLETE & fair photo}

2011-08-15T17:18:00.003-04:00

so much going on in our lives lately, which has resulted in a {bad blogger}!

school starts back this thursday and there's still tons to do. we're sending off our USCIS application tomorrow. . .which is super exciting, and we are just enjoying this summer and one another as much as possible. . .but we are ready....i'm so ready to head to UGANDA!!!!!!

during prayer time this morning, I prayed it would "come quick."

i've done several fun shoots lately, and even a fabulous mini-session. here's one quick photo. i love shooting these little gals. . .especially since they seemed to have a good time and i caught MANY smiles this year!!!

{ finally. . .mini-session announcement }

2011-07-16T21:30:00.001-04:00

{ HAPPY FOURTH MANTLE }

2011-07-01T08:09:00.007-04:00

this was our mantle last year at this time

i've noticed that since i blog, i WILL NOT look back to the previous year to see what i did, or my mantles would look too much alike. although i used many of the same things, i like it this year. . .simple, but shows our love for our country!

i hope your weekend is filled with blessings!!!

{ so. . . .why are you adopting, you say? }

2011-06-23T17:25:00.006-04:00

wow. . .

i've been so excited to tell you what God has been doing in our lives! a few months ago, i started feeling a strong calling to Africa. my hubby began to feel a strong call as well. . . not necessarily africa at this time. we began to talk to many missionaries, because *we* just knew that's what God was calling us to do. HA! . . . notice, i typed we knew! well, when we contacted the IMB (the international mission board) we quickly learned that God wasn't planning on us heading that way just yet. (i had already went though our house, deciding what would be sold and what would be put in storage) with my education, i would be working in the field each day, while my husband would be the full time homemaker. we could still. . .and possibly God made lead to that in the future. . .be missionaries there if my hubby would complete his education and part of seminary, but the IMB won't send children if they are past the age of 10, due to culture shock.

well, we continued to pray steadfast, asking God to show us what He wanted of us. at my great grandmother's receiving of friends service, God spoke to my husband about adoption, but he never said anything to me about it. that was on a tuesday. the following sunday, we went to the alter and pleaded for God to show us HIS way. after church, while i was cooking lunch, i could hear God telling me that the reason He was calling us to Africa was we had children there. WOW! when i told my hubby, he put his head down, then quickly said he was feeling the same thing. . .again, not about Africa, but about adopting.

well. . . so many things came about. . .we would read scripture after scripture. . . .

Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you.
James 1:27

Learn to do good. Seek justice. Help the oppressed. Defend the cause of orphans. Fight for the rights of widows.
Isaiah 1:17

Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves; ensure justice for those being crushed. Yes, speak up for the poor and helpless, and see that they get justice.
Proverbs 31:8-9

And anyone who welcomes a little child like this on my behalf is welcoming me.
Matthew 18:5

and obviously, they were telling us what we already knew. while we were in a meeting one day, the boys and i walked around a building, running into these huge 24x24 prints from Africa, our devotions have been centered around adoption, before we had even told my parents or our boys, sam picked out a shirt in his closet he had never worn before that had Africa on it. . .and what it said, spoke to my heart yet again. i turned on the radio one morning and they were talking about international adoptions. . .the list goes on and on.

well, at this point, hubby knew God was leading us to adopt, but yet God had not spoke to him about Africa. my sweet hubby goes and visits each monday night at church. this particular monday, he went with another couple in the church and went to see an 81 year old woman. within her conversation to hubby, she told of her greatest joy in life was keeping her grandkids; two of them being adopted from AFRICA!! everyday we get another confirmation. we don't have the money to adopt. we struggle with me staying at home with our boys, but we know beyond a shadow of a doubt that our GOD IS GREAT. . .and HE CAN MOVE MOUNTAINS.

just yesterday, a friend called and said she and her hubby had been praying about a certain amount. she said they decided to give it to us and the amount she wanted to give us, along with what we had to put in the account to open it is EXACTLY what we have to send to texas for our application. i know there are going to be bumps along the way. . . i'm praying for God to prepare me for them. . .but how in the world can't people know there is a God! my JESUS. . .my SAVIOR. . .WOW!

we are going to trust in HIM that He will provide for us. we've already been asked a few times how we can be helped. first and foremost, PRAYER. prayer for us, our child(ren), the orphanage, the workers in the orphanage, our boys. . .the list could go on and on. we will also be doing fundraisers along the way. as you can see below, we are planning on having a large crop at Scrappin' In The City. if you think you will be able to come, please sign up. i will be happy to show you ANY photoshop tricks, answer camera questions, etc. there will be food, fellowship, fun, and lots of great things raffled. i'll also put those raffled items up here so you can bid on them up until the day before the crop! one last thing, there is also a donation button at the bottom of the blog on the left hand side if you feel like you'd like to help through a monetary donation.

we will be blogging about what is going on all along the way. . .and depending on what program we go through with our adoption agency, we could be in Africa for 3 1/2 weeks in about 10-15 months. . .or less!!!

i'm so excited!!!

{ HUGE announcement }

2011-06-15T15:28:00.005-04:00

First, July 16, i'm teaching a PHOTOSHOP class at Scrappin' In The City.

Call them to get signed up. . .before you are out of luck!

Next, check out the following. . .and YES, you are reading that correct. . .I know this is early, but i want my friends and family to be there first and foremost. . .and since there is limited seating, sign up if you plan on coming!!!

so as you can see, i've been EXTREMELY busy lately!!!! i'll announce more soon. . .about how GOD orchestrates everything. HE is amazing!

but please put this date on your calendar and/or call the store to get signed up to come!!

865-247-6879

{ guess where we've been}

2011-06-03T13:37:00.001-04:00

i bet you guessed right!! i'll post more pics later. . .

in the meantime, my mom is having a giveaway over at her blog! check it out!!!

{ senior - miss A }

2011-06-01T02:58:00.000-04:00

i loved shooting this creative, gorgeous gal!!!! she has lots of spunk, and some great ideas on what she wanted out of her senior photos!!!!

LOVED her using her dad's HARLEY!!!

this photo is a recreation of a miranda lambert???? photo? i am not a country fan, therefore, i think i may have this right?

this was her reaction after telling me a story about her best friend!!

LOVE!!!

she brought this photo along to show me how she wanted a certain photo done. . . .

in her gallery, she got this photo in black & white, color, and the one below! a little different, but neat!!!

finally............just a little sunflare!!!

{ winner winner }

2011-05-27T14:38:00.005-04:00

RANDOM.ORG picked comment 13. . . . .

CONGRATS ANNE @ Creative Southern Home (which by the way, I LOVE the house in your banner. . .yours? gorgeous! i LOVE dormers!). . .leave me a message with your email address so I can get it to suzanne!

ok . .remember those CHRISTmas shoots i never blogged about. . .

here is the B family! so so sorry to this sweet family! i forgot to blog about you all!

lovin' his tongue!

M is gorgeous!! i used to teach third grade with her!!! she's a precious mommy and a wonderful teacher!!!

have a blessed weekend, friends!!!!

{ willow house giveaway }

2011-05-19T22:25:00.008-04:00

as you know. . . i've mentioned before that i LOVE willow house (formerly southern living at home)!!! for those of you that love these products. . .or those of you that have never had one of their products. . .here is your chance to add to your collection or start one!

The randomly selected winner will receive their choice of the Cathedral Luminary ($59.96 retail value) or a $25 shopping spree in my Willow House store.

Suzanne Jackson, the super sweet design consultant sponsering this giveaway, describes her business as this:

The mission of Willow House is to create a feeling of welcome, comfort and beauty in homes all across America, while fostering the spirit of generosity in the lives of our Consultants and their families. As a Willow House Design Consultant, it's my privilege to help women create an air of hospitality in their homes, first toward their own families, then toward their guests. I love showing how each of our products can be used throughout the seasons in a variety of ways, as well as sharing how affordable they are -- especially when you take advantage of our host and customer specials, our sales, and our e-outlet!

here are the entry rules. . .
For the initial entry, readers must do two things (all three steps are required for the first, initial entry):

1) First, become a follower of Jessica's blog

2) Visit my Willow House store. Browse around, then come back here, and leave a comment telling us your favorite product.

3) Finally, become a fan of my Willow House Facebook page

After completing the steps for the initial entry, you guys can enter 4 more times by doing any or all of the following once each. . . .but you MUST come back and leave a comment to tell me what you've done:

1) become a fan of my Facebook page, {jessica leigh blog} and come back here and comment = one additional entry

2) follow Suzanne's Willow House blog via email or RSS and come back here and comment = one additional entry

3) share this giveaway via Facebook and come back here and comment = one additional entry

4) share this giveaway via Twitter and come back here and comment = one additional entry

GOOD LUCK!!

winner will be announced next Friday, May 27th!!

{ trying to crawl out. . .}

2011-05-16T08:58:00.003-04:00

and get my head above water to do a post! as many of you know from my facebook page or my momma's blog, my grandmother died the day before mother's day!

before that we had some strong storms that came through east tennessee and did some minimal damage to our home compared to some, but enough to shut my head down for a while!! and even before that some personal stuff. . .good personal stuff. . .but again. . my brain can only take so much!!

here is a quick pic of a beautiful young lady. . . .

and i have a GREAT giveaway coming up soon. . . .hopefully, maybe we can start it on Friday!!!! you won't want to miss it!!!!

{ 3 year old }

2011-04-23T01:46:00.000-04:00

i just realized (by going back on my blog) that i still haven't blogged two of my christmas mini-sessions!! oh my!!! so sorry to those families that i haven't shown off yet!!

unfortunatley, those photos are on a jump drive downstairs and i didn't want to walk down there to get it right now, so i decided to share these really fast!!! this is a three year old that wouldn't stay still for anything during her shoot. . . but i was able to capture a few great shots of her!!!

{ a couple of EASTER activities }

2011-04-20T12:47:00.005-04:00

what do you each year to show the true meaning of EASTER to your children?

* we always use our resurrection eggs

*we made the resurrection rolls last year, and we will this year as well!

*during HOLY week, we stop our normal nightly Bible reading, and read every night about the week leading up to Jesus' resurrection

well, i wanted to find some activities to do with my kids at school, in addition to the normal coloring sheets we do, etc. So. . .i found this activity, tweaked it to my liking, and my kiddos made these yesterday! i thought they turned out so cute. . .

they are made with 1 paper plate, cut in half, then cut the stone out of the plate. i don't have any brads at the house, but i put a brad in the stone so it would move! i let my kiddos color the cross and angel and we added a small piece of tissue paper to represent the linen found in the tomb!!

but did we put JESUS in the tomb?? NO WAY, because He is ALIVE!!!

i also found this activity and LOVED it!!!!!!

again, i tweaked it a little!! the ladies do not have a holy glow over their heads, nor did i use peter with the keys. . .

and finally, because my boys are so silly. . . .

my boys were painting the other day. they picked pink to use since they were painting something for someone else. . .and after they were finished, they decided to paint themselves, and my oldest yelled out, "MOMMY, I'M GONNA GET PINK EYE!!!", then preceded to laugh. . .which of course made me laugh and my youngest say it over and over!!!! thought that might make you laugh on this rainy wednesday!!!!

{ my EASTER decor }

2011-04-14T21:33:00.007-04:00

i LOVE Easter!!!

so so much. . . for knowing that it's spring, and everything is blooming, and acknowledging a special day set aside just to thank my JESUS for what he did for me. . .on that old rugged cross!!!

i was asking teaching my kids today what Easter meant (3 and 4 year olds) and hardly any of them knew the true meaning-JESUS!!! i'm thankful that i work in a place that i can freely and happily tell my students about the amazing God we serve. . .the one that ROSE from the grave!!!

anyways, here are some of my decorations. . .

my front door....

made both of my wreaths. .and i just noticed one this one, an egg that i forgot to speckle!!! WHERE'S WALDO? can you find it?

my back door. . .the one that 99.9% of people enter

my little tree. . .made from my pink valentine tree. . .cut off and spray painted yellow!!!

hobby lobby last year. . .pretty plate

my polka dotted bucket that is used YEAR ROUND. . .with last year's PIER 1 green bunnies. . .

salt dough ornaments my sweet momma made for me. . .and my vintage easter postcards. . .

(i actually googled "easter vintage postcards" then clicked IMAGES. . .then printed out about 15 or so at my photo lab, then put raffia on back with some hot glue!!)

THANK YOU JESUS banner. . .

upclose. . bought the egg strand at MARSHALLS and then added the ribbons, yarn, raffia, etc. . .as well as the linen letters!

my sweet purple bunnies my mom made for me years and years and years ago!

and indeed. . .the best part. . .

HE IS RISEN!!!!!

{ agenda. . . }

2011-03-28T11:22:00.006-04:00

for today. . . get the pantry cleaned out and organized!!

my sweet hubby doesn't understand why there are crayons, food, linens, toiletries, craft supplies, bowls, gifts, party supplies, games, old teaching stuff, puzzles, light bulbs, bubblegum machines, and just about anything else you can think of in here. . . .he just doesn't understand my. . . .hmm. . .i'll blame it on creativity! ha!!!!!

and yes. . .my pantry is painted

TENNESSEE ORANGE!

{ sick, nasty ear infections }

2011-03-23T06:58:00.000-04:00

both of my boys have been/are sick. . .which makes me one grumpy and exhausted momma!!!

here's to hoping they will be feeling wild and crazy again soon!!!

i love my silly geese!

{ will your session be next??? }

2011-03-21T14:12:00.003-04:00

i'm working on uploading many many many albums to the

jessica leigh blog page on facebook!!

check it out. . . .invite/share with your friends on facebook. . . .i may just have to do a mini-session giveaway or something soon?? hmmmm. . . .

{ senior - miss J }

2011-03-21T01:19:00.000-04:00

i really enjoyed taking MISS J's senior photos. . . .she's spunky, fun and smart. . .which i'm sure you can tell by looking at her photos!!!

these are just a few of my favorites. . .i think i'm going to have to go back to the old way of only picking my top 5 favs from the sessions. . . !!! it's taking me longer and longer to make a blog post!

enjoy!!

i told her to bring some things that have meant something to her this year!!

this was one of the first things that she pulled out of the car!

i LOVED it!

SHE'S A ROCKSTAR!!

how many J's can we fit into one pic??

my classic senior photo. . .

the JUMP shot!!

i told her that she HAD to bring those yellow pants. . .she did. . .and she worked them!!!!!

and finally. . .one of the first i took. . .and one of my top three of her session!

{ another winter family }

2011-03-17T19:27:00.007-04:00

i LOVED shooting this family!!! at the beginning of their session, they told me about a previous photographer that dressed up like a banana (i believe?) and how silly he or she was. . .anyways. . .after they told me this, i was VERY apprehensive to pull out my "tricks" in my bag!! thank goodness, i didn't have any banana hats with me!!!

anyways, when she first called me about her session, she wanted to incorporate her daddy's truck. . .and i'm so glad she did. . .it looked as if it was just drove off the showroom floor!!!!

their dog insisted in being in this photo!!

LOVE those lashes!!!

{ have a minute }

2011-03-09T16:35:00.003-05:00

me on facebook. . . .

here!

{ festival of tables }

2011-03-07T21:42:00.006-05:00

our church, new market, hosted a festival of tables this past weekend. . . and our table was called OH TASTE AND SEE THAT THE LORD IS GOOD!!!

needless to say, that's why my mind has been CONSUMED lately, and emails haven't been answered!! a friend and i decided to do a chocolate themed table!!! we went with the brown and green colors (since green is my FAVorite color)!!! my sweet uncle, at ELEGANT TOUCH FLORIST (become his facebook fan, by the way) let us borrow his chocolate fountain! my friend brought her beautiful dishes, my bedroom's accessories went bare, while the table was adorned with all of my candles and holders, chocolate was beautifully placed around the table, and the guests were treated to strawberries, nutter butters, chocolate breadsticks, and marshmallows to fondue!!

hope you enjoy the pics!!!

have a great tuesday!!!

{ beautiful momma to be }

2011-03-03T20:45:00.002-05:00

as you may have noticed, i'm running REALLY BEHIND on posting. . .i've done many sessions that aren't posted, as well as lots of fun projects. i just can't seem to get ahead. . . .i've even got several emails to answer. . .and i'll get to those emails next week if you've emailed me. . .

in the meantime, i wanted to post this pic of this gorgeous momma to be. . . .

actually, i met her new little man today, and he is just beautiful! but since today was suppose to be her due date (he was born early), i thought i would post my favorite image from her session!!!!

{ a new earring hanger }

2011-02-25T12:39:00.007-05:00

i had a WILLOW HOUSE party back in January!! it was a lot of fun. . . .and i was able to pick out over 400 dollars worth of FREE STUFF!!

my top pick on my wish list was this. . .the vintage spiral stand!

but i got it to to put my earrings on!!!

it brings so much fun color to my mornings in my bathroom!!!

have a happy weekend!!!

i'm teaching a PHOTOSHOP 101 class at scrappin' in the city tomorrow!!!

if you are coming, leave me a message!!!!

{ L O V E }

2011-02-14T11:48:00.003-05:00

these are the boys' valentines!!!

hope your day is filled with L O V E!

{ chica chica boom boom }

2011-02-01T01:45:00.000-05:00

i'm trying to do better at taking pics of what i make. . .i got out of the "BLOG RHYTHM" and so i'm trying to find my way back!!! and i promise to get all those AWESOME CHRISTmas shoots up soon. . . .

anyways (i seem to type that alot), i just finished a tree to use in my classroom with my kiddos and my boys!!!

i love it. . .

and it was SUPER SIMPLE and cheap.....i mean free cheap!!!

3 coffee cans + some gorilla glue + woodgrain shelf liner + some greenery = 1 fun tree

this one from lakeshore is still SO MUCH CUTER than mine. . . but mine was free!

{ birthday basketball canvas }

2011-01-30T01:00:00.001-05:00

the boys and i were suppose to go to a birthday party last saturday, but i taught my class at SCRAPPIN' IN THE CITY. . . .the class that was SOLD OUT by the way!!!!

i LOVE making the boys' friends something for their room. . . .something that won't be just tossed to the side (AKA. . . .TOYS)!!!!

SO. . . .i knew that my friend was doing a sports theme in her little guy's room. . .AND i love THE LAND OF NOD catalog, and i remembered seeing these wall hangings. . .

well, i went to hobby lobby and found a canvas that i liked. . .in the 66% marked down aisle for only $3.80. . .i think???!!!

i painted it red. . .then traced around one of my canister lids onto a piece of scrapbook paper to make the "basketball"!

here are some of the papers i used. . .

i then cut out a three like in the above land of nod pic . . . .but decided since this little guy just turned 4, i would do a four instead. . . and eventually, i decided to paint the 4 on with a stencil. . .as you'll see below.

i took other stencils to the top to spell basketball. . .another scrapbook page for the side. . .stars to go on the bottom and side as well. . .

and finally, i painted a boy playing basketball on the canvas with the name RIDGE on his shirt. . .and added modge podge. . .

here is his gift!! i sure hope he. . .well, his momma. . .likes it for his wall in his bedroom!!

Have a blessed week!!!!!!

{ new favorite heart day re-do }

2011-01-27T01:26:00.001-05:00

of course my valentine's day stuff came out at the beginning of january. . . .

BUT, i kept telling my hubby that i wanted something that said something about the ULTIMATE love. . . . the love that JESUS showed us when he died on the cross. . .

so, i dug through my craft room and found this I BELIEVE IN SANTA plaque that my mom bought for less than a dollar at tractor supply last year (2009) after CHRISTmas!!

she knew that i would want to "make it over". . . .and she was right!!!

first, i took off all the grapevines around the edges, then pulled out all the staples. . .then i spray painted it with a bright shiny wal-mart 97 cent red can!

next, i pulled out my scrabble letters. . . .but since i have used my scrabble letters all over the house, like you've seen here. . . .i didn't have all the letters i needed. . . .so i used my own handwriting on the back of letters i didn't need, to replace letters that were missing . . . .and i'm thankful that i did it that way!!! it's more ME!!

finally, i just added some fun whimsical hearts all the way around the plaque!

For God Loved the world SO MUCH that HE gave his one and only son. . . John 3:16

oh, what grace!

i'm so incredibly thankful for that ULTIMATE LOVE. . . .without it, i would truly be lost!!!!!

{ my valentine tree }

2011-01-25T21:53:00.003-05:00

complete with a tutu as my tree skirt!!!!

love is in the air in our house, and snow is in the forecast for east tennessee!!!!

linked to:

momnivore's dilemma

{ mishmash }

2011-01-20T18:58:00.000-05:00

1. happy birthday to my momma!!! here is her birthday card that i haven't gave her yet! i thought it turned out so cute!!! go leave her a message and tell her happy birthday, here!!!

2. tomorrow morning at 10 am is our photo class at SCRAPPIN' IN THE CITY!!!!! be sure and sign up! i look forward to meeting you guys!!!!

3. i've made SO MANY things lately. . .i'll make a list & take some pics so i can share with you next week!!!

have a happy joyful weekend!!!

{ absent minded blogger. . . .mini-session & photo class }

2011-01-16T22:01:00.006-05:00

i apologize!

it seems i've been running around like a chicken with my head cut off!!!!!

here are a few more pics from another one of my CHRISTmas mini-sessions. . . . . one of my favorite friends and her precious family!!!

AND.................................

I'm teaching the PHOTO CLASS at Scrappin' In The City again this coming Saturday, at 10am......January 22nd!!!!

Contact them to get signed up!!!!

{ i pray it's the little things }

2011-01-01T10:23:00.004-05:00

that make us smile this year!

can you tell, i've decided to go ahead and bring out the valentine's day stuff?? when you only have boys. . . .it seems valentine's day is one of your favorite holidays to decorate for. . . .for me anyways!!!!

i bought this a few years ago, and i kept holding onto it for "something special". . . .well, that "something special" is my hubby, so i just decided to go ahead and hang it up this morning to surprise him with!! When he gets home and jumps in the shower he will be surprised at all the hearts waiting on him!!!

Happy 1-1-11!!

{ merry CHRISTmas }

2010-12-24T09:39:00.004-05:00

just typing the title of the post made me smile!

so thankful for this blessed season, celebrating the birth of my savior, JESUS CHRIST.

(my sweet boy as joseph @ our church)

do you know HIM? i pray that you do!

in celebration of HIS birth, we give our boys (from us) 3 presents just like the wise men brought JESUS!

remember, though. . . it's not about the presents!

each boy recieves a NEED gift. . . .

a READ gift. . . .

and a WANT gift.

each year, we bring out those tags and we re-use them on their presents!!!

merry CHRISTMAS to each of you that read my blog!! i do pray for you all.

and here is our christmas photo to you!!!!!

{ a supa' fast birthday post }

2010-12-20T10:25:00.002-05:00

wishing my little man a happy third birthday!!!

i love you so so so so much!

{ when the weather outside is frightful . .. }

2010-12-15T13:46:00.006-05:00

i'll make the stairway oh so delightful!!!

i'm finally trying to hang some frames up and down the stairs. . .something i've wanted to do for quiet some time! i just didn't have a clue where to start. . . but, my brain works better if i JUST DO IT. . .and so i did. . .and so far, i'm pleased with it!

happy **CoLd** wednesday friends!

{ mini-sessions }

2010-12-11T11:28:00.003-05:00

all my mini-sessions this year where moved HERE. . .with the exception of one of them. . .it was here and the train tracks. .anyways. . .!!! we { hubby and i } decided it would be much easier just to do the sessions here at the house!!! so. . . .that's what we did. . .

here are a few of my favorites from my first session!!!!

they are ol' regulars on the blog!!!

{ 14 dollar CHRISTmas mantle }

2010-12-04T09:04:00.012-05:00

typically, i'm not this fancy!! if you know me, actually, you'll think. . .hmm....she's not fancy at all! ha!!

but, i decided my mantle this year would be a tad fancy/wintery. . .that way i could leave it up through january. . .until i decide to put my valentine's day mantle up!

i got the idea through willow house (you may know as southern living @ home) and pottery barn.

the only things that i didn't have on hand were the white tulips ($3), 2 pretty vintage silver looking picks (2 for $3.50), the greenery ($7) and finally, the silver and white ornaments (50 cents for 5 @ fantasy of trees. . .what a deal!). . .for a whopping total of 14!!!

most of the other items were "robbed" out of my bedroom!!

i bought those mercury glass candleholders at cracker barrell after christmas a few years ago for CHEAP!

and my CHRISTmas mantle couldn't be complete without our stockings hung by the fireplace with care!!!
all our stockings were made by my momma!!!

notice mine has eyelashes, and even earrings. . . .earrings that belonged to my mamaw that passed away a few years ago. . . .so, it's very very special to me!

hope you are having a wonderful beginning to december!!!!!

it's cold here in tennessee!!!

linked to:

the lettered cottage

southern hospitality

sereina chase's photography

{ 8 CHRISTmas gifts down. . . }

2010-11-17T21:17:00.004-05:00

tons more to go! here is a sneak pic of the ornaments i'm working on for the boys' teachers at school and church!!! i'm thinking they may just look better on my tree! HA! . . . .i've got to add ribbon to make them look more festive!

mom said today i should sale them. . . .

so, if you'd be interested, i'd be happy to paint you some fun whimsical ornaments proclaiming CHRIST's birth!!!

{ senior 2011}

2010-11-03T17:53:00.003-04:00

this senior was so much fun!!! i loved the location. . .her clothes, but most her sweet personality!

congrats MISS. A. . . .it's almost over!!!

{ goin' to the hos--pi--tal and. . .}

2010-11-01T05:43:00.000-04:00

typing that out and singing it to the tune of "going to the chapel". . . .it just doesn't look right above!!

well. . when this is posted, i'll be at the hospital! mom will be here with my boys. punkin's clothes are all layed out this week for him so he won't fuss with whoever gets him ready. my white board and dry erase markers are laying on my night stand. popsicles and ice cream and chicken broth and some good pain meds are all waiting for my return!

the recliner from downstairs has been brought upstairs so i can relax while enjoying my family outside of my bedroom. the house is clean. . .floors have been mopped. at least (not kidding) 10 loads of laundry (due to a stomach virus that decided to invade our home thursday and friday) has been done, folded, and put away. my sweet boys have been shown over and over how I LOVE YOU is wrote out on the wipeboard and in sign language! and i know i have many people praying for me, and i can't thank you enough! as i type this my throat is aching! my doc told me that i really needed to be better before my surgery, but it didn't happen. . . .he said if i wasn't the recovery process would be longer. . . but GOD can perform miracles, and i pray that a miracle is performed with me, and my recovery process is very speedy!!!

lord willing, it won't be a week before my return to blog world. . . .

i did realize as i was cleaning yesterday that i have not shown you my CHEAPO CURTAINS in my bedroom. . .three windows for less than 40 dollars!! but i will. . .promise!!! it will be one of my first posts when i'm alert again!!!

have a great week, friends!!!

{ happy fall y'all}

2010-10-31T00:23:00.001-04:00

hope you have a day that is full of CURIOUSness to learn more about JESUS!!

love,

the man in the yellow hat and curious george!

{ super quick and cheap fall gift }

2010-10-30T00:09:00.000-04:00

well, i made these the other day for my little guy's teachers. just a little happy to make them smile!!!

i had some burlap. . so i pulled some paint off my shelf, and painted the burlap a yellow and an orange.. . . .sunflower petal colors!!!

let them dry, and then cut them out in petal shapes!

i doubled the burlap, and cut out a circle. . .so there was one piece for the front and one for the back.

i drew on some sunflower seeds with a permanent marker!!

i stuffed them with some batting. and i didn't even sew them. . .i just used hot glue!

glued on the petals!

and here are a few of them. . .before i found some sticks to use as stems!

i cut out some leaf shapes out of some fun material, then i used some fabric stiffener and let them dry. . . then glued them on!

{ our thanksgiving mantle}

2010-10-28T13:15:00.013-04:00

i'm so thankful for so many things in my life. . .one is my thanksgiving mantle. last year's thanksgiving mantle can be seen here.

as you know, i shop thrift stores, but i never, well, occasionally i will, but typically, i don't buy anything that i want during that season . . . i just wait until it goes 50% off or more and then purchase what i want! 2 years ago i racked up at hobby lobby. . . .buying several gorgeous swags for 90% off!! one i used for my banner on this mantle. . .and the other. . .my favorite, i used for my wreath on my front door, which cost a total of 5 dollars!!!

my thankful blocks are just a cut up piece of wood. . .i watered down the paint, then stenciled on the letters! FREE!

my chicken was a gift from my mamaw. she passed away several years ago. . .and i didn't want to get rid of it, so i spray painted it an off white. think outside the box. . . .a chicken on a mantle for thanksgiving. . .but i love it! i see it and it makes me think of my sweet mamaw that loved all of us and she loved decorating for every holiday!!!

my tall girls. . .the pilgrim and the indian. . .an after thanksgiving deal at big lots!!
so. . .as you can see on this mantle, and even my halloween mantle. . . .my "happies" that make it up cost very very little!

here is that swag i mentioned above...

i just cut out some scrapbook paper, and attached it to some cardstock, and then typed the word BLESSINGS in microsoft word. . .clicked on my favorite font, and then just looked at it to write the letters on the paper! tied it with some raffia to the swag. . .all of which i already had!
it's amazing what you can make, if you'll just look around and use what you have!!!

up close. . .i also ran the edges around one of my stamp pads. . .just to get that "old look"!

see. . .the back isn't that pretty!

finally. . .

for a few months, this copper mold has been my backdrop behind my stove!!! one of these days, maybe i'll get my subway tile that my makes my heart flutter!!!

i do desire your prayers!!! on monday, i'm having a tonsillectomy and a bilateral sinus wash. i'm dreading it. . .not just for myself, but for my family. my sweet momma is going to be moving in and taking care of me, which i can't thank her enough. hubby is taking next week off, and he's going to take care of the boys.

i'm so ready to feel better! i've had this *junk* ever since i started teaching, back in 2001 and i can't get rid of it. . .hopefully this will send it to the moon!

happy thursday, friends!

{ let your light so shine }

2010-10-26T18:32:00.004-04:00

before men, that that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” Matthew 5:14-16

here is our pumpkin. . .

if you look closely, you can see the cross, or as i'd like to say, JESUS, shining out onto the table and throughout our kitchen!!!!

the boys loved hearing the story of what each piece represents. . .

the top or the lid to the pumpkin reminds us to have an open my mind so we can learn about GOD.
the pulp inside. . .as you are cleaning your pumpkin. . .reminds us to ask GOD to take away all our sins and forgive us for wrong things we do.
the heart eyes reminds us to see and show love.
the cross nose reminds us to be thankful at ALL JESUS has given us.
the bible shaped ears reminds us to listen to GOD's word.
the fish shaped mouth reminds us to tell others about HIM!
and the candle inside reminds us to let our light shine for HIM!!!

happy tuesday!!!!

{ 13 on thursday in pics}

2010-10-21T00:05:00.000-04:00

10 on thursday. . .well, 13

so much has happened lately. . .so let me try to share a few things. . .in no particular order!

1. mom and dad dropped by the other night, and my dad left the boys a sweet little present on their magnadoodles. i just had to take a pic. . . i want my dad to draw something special for them so i can frame it for them!

2. we went to the circus. . .

3. we went to a fun fall festival and saw a waterskiing squirrel.

4. we rode a crazy, fun train.

5. we laughed, sang, and ate on the way home. . . .

6. we've watched numerous pole workers in the field. . .we are ready for them to be gone!

7. we tried on halloween costumes at wal-mart just for fun. . .ours are finished!

( does this remind you of the ladies in the first batman. . .without the fat hanging on the side of the mask? ha! it does me!)

8. here is a preview of ours. . . .can you guess who they are???

9. we took our traditional fall trip to CARVER'S. see here for 2007. . . .and here for 2009. . . . ( i must not have blogged 2008?)

10. we've made some family fun fall crafts. . .including a super cheap and easy flower pin for me. . . .

( i just hotglued the 3 large pieces together, then the three little pieces. put a button in the middle. . then placed 4 fun little beads (bought at dollar tree in a pack) in the middle. . .put a piece of felt on the back with glue. . .then a pin, and voila. . . .

11. completely changed out my mantle. . .more details on it soon. . . .

12. took a quick pic of a watercolor painting sam did, that i just love!

and finally....................13.

in the midst of doing all this fun stuff. . ..

i've not folded a single sock in weeks!

{ mini sessions }

2010-10-18T19:55:00.004-04:00

i have a 10 on tuesday in the works. . .maybe it will be 10 on thursday? sound good. . .

in the meantime. . .
here is the mini-session info. . .

leave me a comment again or send me an email if you are interested.

{ under construction & senior 2011 }

2010-10-14T22:13:00.005-04:00

notice my banner and polka-dots and pic above are gone. . . . .

well, i'm working hard with my website guy. . . .my guy that's all the way in HAWAII. . . .to get it up and running and back to it's pretty self again!!!

in the meantime. . .the posts are still available to look at. . .just not my cute banner with my cutsy boys smiling at ya and those cute polka-dots on the side!!!!

and. . .

since, i'm SO BEHIND on posting sessions and craft projects, i thought i would share one gorgeous photo of one of my favorite seniors i've shot this year. . . .

more to come. . . . .

{ little miss C }

2010-10-14T14:40:00.005-04:00

remember this sweeeeet maternity session. . . .

then the cuteness that poured into my camera at her 6 month session. . .

well, check out her at 1 year! isn't she adorable? i think so!!!

and. . .

doesn't her momma know how to dress her for a photo session?

Peek-----ah-----BOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!

i LOVE that her parents went along with my crazy idea of incorporating their HARLEY!!

her sweet daddy was standing. . .well, squatting with his arms streched open wide to catch her if she fell. . . .

HAPPY girl!

and one of my favorites. . . i'm NOT a fan of selective coloring. . . that's where you only allow a little of color to show, but yet, i LOVE it in this photo!!!!!!

and finally, one of the first shots i took. . . . .

Happy Thursday, friends!!!!

{ winner winner. . . . }

2010-10-02T22:53:00.002-04:00

a new bag sittin' on your fender. . .

ha!

the winner of the envirosax bag picked out just for you by ms. renee' is

Handbags*N*Pigtails!!

Please send your email to:

runyanjess at yahoo dot com

and i'll get you in touch with the one and only nioka green store!!!!!!!

{ my fall mantle }

2010-09-30T01:44:00.003-04:00

the nester is hosing a mantle party. . . so, i figured i'd post a pic of mine. . .i'm actually not a big halloween fan at all. . .i just LOVE making my boys' costumes. . .that's what i really get into. . .and this year. . .(i'm giggling with glee. . .i'm TOO excited) . . back to my halloween decor. . . this year i opted to not put out my glittery skulls, hands, etc. . . . i did more of a whimsical pumpkin. . .somewhat vintage theme around here. . . .

AND. . .

my HUGE thanksgiving tote is sitting out. . .anxiously waiting. . . in my bedroom. . .so my halloween mantle, may be switched up REALLY soon for pumpkins and pilgrims!

anyways, a little different from last year's. . .but not much. . .

also linked up at HOOKED ON HOUSES

also linked on THE STORIES of A to Z

don't forget the giveaway below. . . . . . . . . .

{ happy birthday to me. . .so a giveaway for U }

2010-09-29T08:36:00.006-04:00

it's already been a GREAT past few days. . . .hubby always says it's your birthday week. . .not just your day, so i've been blessed! he brought my cake home yesterday (my tradition from him for about 13 years. . . .a baskin robbins white cake with gold medal ribbon. . . YUMMO)

anyways. . .notice what it says this year. . .

happy birthday jeff. . . .ha! it made me smile!

JEFF. . .JESS. . .they sound the same, huh?

SO. . . .september is my THREE YEAR BLOGGING ANNIVERSARY. . . . . .

and since my friend renee from nioka green store is so generous. . . .she is sponsering a giveaway. . .for a ENVIROSAX bag picked out by her, just for you!!! i have the piggy one, and i use it daily!!! come to think of it, it really needs to be washed. . .but it's already packed for a day at DOLLYWOOD today!

this one is an example of how cute they are. . .i picked this one to make my friend becca smile!

OK. . .What you really want to know:

HOW TO ENTER (four easy peasy chances to enter). . . . .

1. ONE comment telling me how you would use your envirosax bag.

2. ONE comment telling me which product you like the MOST at NIOKA GREEN STORE.

3. One comment telling me you are a FAN of JESSICA LEIGH BLOG on facebook.

4. One comment telling me you are a fan of NIOKA GREEN on facebook.

SUPER COOL. . .4 Easy Chances to WIN!!!

I'll announce the winner this weekend!

{ our bedroom }

2010-09-27T21:12:00.007-04:00

remember my bedroom shown here?

well, here is a few more detail pics around the room. . . i'm still far from done!

this is a pic of the NEW lampshade on my cheapo nighstand!

LOWE'S has the prettiest lampshades and they aren't expensive!!!

beautiful!

the color. . .

hubby's nightstand. . .

his lampshade is plain. . .UNTIL you turn it on. . then you can see the same material that is on the outside of mine, which is on the inside of his. . . .does that makes sense?

lampstand. . . .a brass lamp found at goodwill for 4 dollars!! spray painted oil rubbed bronze!

i wanted THIS mirror for over a year. **if you have free time, just look at all the GORGEOUS mirrors at neiman marcus** yep. you all know me. . .it wasn't going to happen.

well. i saw on mrs. edie's blog the mirror in the pic below above her bed. it was much smaller than the original one, but with a 30 dollar price tag. . . .i sent her an email. she said she got it at TJ MAX. i called the next minute. . . had them hold me one, and i was up there in a jiffy to pick it up! :)

more of hubby's nightstand. . .

our dresser. the pretty glass lamp to the left was a 4 dollar find. i took it apart and spray painted the gold brass base and top oil rubbed bronze, put it back together. . .now she's a beauty!

i LOVE LOVE this! hubby's granny told me a long time ago if something happened to her, i could have this cabinet. it was white and chippy. when she passed away, we had a GREAT guy in knoxville redo it for us, and is it gorgeous now! sometimes, it's just better to pay, instead of being a "DIYer"!

i have many picture frames in there without pictures. . .guess i need to get the boys' pics taken! ha!

this is above the tall dresser! there's that candle. . . i moved it. . .and i need another candle to complete the "look"!

and here was my little guy posing for the camera in his missmatched pjs, while i snapped these photos!

and. . .i'll show you my fast cheap diy curtains this week!!!!!

happy tuesday!!!

{ owlie painting }

2010-09-20T20:28:00.003-04:00

one of my sweet friend's little girl just celebrated her 4th birthday!

well, i knew right away what i wanted to make her, but i was just not sure what i wanted to paint it on. . . .

i had a blank canvas, but when i decided to start browsing through my craft room, i found a couple of blank cabinet doors. . .so. . .with my trusty laptop. . .with what i needed to paint pulled up. . . . .

i got to work and painted her an owlie print for her new big girl bedroom!!! (and of course, i gave it away, and forgot to take a pic. . . so thank you L for sending me a pic)

just a few things to blog about:

i'm working on a baby girl gift with another cabinet door right now. . .

hairbands i've made for my hair. . . .

new bedroom curtains for three windows for a CHEAP PRICE. . .

necklace i made from a hairband from biglots. . .

and lots more stuff. . .

{ i'm just happy }

2010-09-13T21:54:00.004-04:00

i say every single day that i'm going to sit down and take some of the images off all these memory cards, and the day gets away from me, and then it's time to go to bed!!!

here's a couple of my boys. . . .just to say i've blogged for the day! :)

these pics were taken about two weeks ago at a church cookout!!

sam showing me a silly face!

i think i had better go pack lunches for tomorrow and clean off a memory card for a senior shoot tomorrow!!!!!

{ precious almost 3 year old }

2010-09-06T20:36:00.006-04:00

i love these pics of sweet E!!!! she has grown SO SO much since last year!!!

her mom and i actually met when i taught my photo class at sitc!!

i really adore this sweet family. . . .and it makes me adore her even more to think she said. . . .i trust you. . .whatever you want to do, i'm open for it!!

hip hip horray!!!

she still has a love for her favorite animal. . . can you guess which one??

notice the fly on one hand and the caterpillar on the other??

her shirt said LOVE IS EVERYWHERE! it makes me think how God's love is in everything. . . even small little bugs!!!

i'm going to try my best to get some great decor/crafting posts done this week.....i'm trying to come up with a mini-session date for christmas card pics as well. . .let me know if you are interested!!!!!

{ and finally. . . . }

2010-08-31T10:07:00.000-04:00

the last of my favorites, and some things to remember. . .

what is your favorite color? blue

your favorite food? shrimp & cheese dip

what is your favorite thing to do - go outside and get on the rhino [teryx]

what is your favorite tv show - caillou, america's funniest videos, curious george

who are your favotite friends - brock, austin, see saw, & lyndsey

if you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go? go to the river (he was just there yesterday)

what is your favorite sport? basketball and football

what do you want to be when you grow up? a policeman

what is your favorite book? a tractor book

where do i get a real. . .true sam smile? yep. . .in the van! it figures!

pickin' and a grinnin'

that's all folks. . . . .senior session coming up next and bunches of craft projects!!!

{ more 4 year photos. . .at the fair }

2010-08-30T08:52:00.000-04:00

i tried to include things that he LOVES at this age. . .

guitars. . .
four wheelers. . .
tractors. . . .
and being outside. . .

here are just a few more. i'll finish up his four year pic post tomorrow with a few more of my favs!

{ 4 year pics & some of a 2 year old, too}

2010-08-29T21:26:00.005-04:00

sam's 4 year pics turned into about 80 edited pics in a folder on my desktop! i'm so indecisive as to what to order to hang on the walls. . .that's on my TO DO LIST for this week. . .

here are some of my favs from the apple orchard. . .i'll share some from our other stops this week as well!!!

{ hip hip horray }

2010-08-25T13:09:00.005-04:00

guess what???

yes. . .it is back, so hopefully, that means that i am back, and i'll be checking my favorite blogs out as well. when i put my laptop back together (YEP..I DID IT ALL BY MYSELF....pretty thrilled about saving us some money there!) and clicked on my favorites on this computer, i was astonished at all my favorite blogs that i haven't checked out in MONTHS! that i had actually forgot about!!

one thing i wanted to tell you guys about is GROUPON.

they now have a KNOXVILLE section. . .

if you sign up, an email is waiting for you everyday with a SUPER awesome and SUPER cheap deal! great for families that have to find things to do on the c-h-e-a-p!!

a set of 4 baseball tickets to the smokies game, 4 hot dogs, and 4 cokes went for 20 dollars the other day! today's deal is for putt-putt, but it's in farragut. . .a little too far for us to drive!!

but you don't have to be a KNOXVILLE person to do it. . .go on there and find your city. . .and it will send you updates for that city. . . .pretty cool!!!

ok. .

i'm working on a post about my sweet sam's fourth birthday!

i'll have it up tomorrow or friday. . promise. . .you may even see it pop up today. . .but, i doubt it!!

and. . . .

i got a comment the other day from jason at giveaway scout. the site says it best:

we automatically scan thousands of blogs to bring you the latest blog giveaways, sweepstakes and contests.

so. . .i'll be joining up with them on a giveaway soon. . .hopefully for my blog anniversary!

{ guess what }

2010-08-19T17:53:00.004-04:00

have you met these gals? if not, then today is the day!

i've linked them up before. . . .but today. . . yes. . .today, they've made my day by featuring little ol' me and my cheapo nightstand in our bedroom!!!

check it out MY POST HERE!!!!!!

{ is it because i won't post }

2010-08-10T13:46:00.005-04:00

that my followers keep decreasing? oh my. . .i'm sorry. . .

my excuse???

would you believe that dell STILL HAS NOT sent my lcd screen that i ordered at the beginning of july. . .you know, the one where the crazy sales lady told me it was in stock! i'm so tired of dell. i'm definitely going with an apple the next time i purchase! i said that out loud, huh? when i was taking an intro computer class my freshman year of college, i had to use an apple and i hated it. . . .but when i've used scrappin' in the city's computer, i've LOVED theirs! i guess it's come a long way since then!

ok. . .
onto pics....
i have to get my bottom in gear. . .come down here and post something, right? so why not some senior photos?

class of 2011
here are some of my favorite's from Miss T's session!

{ ten, well eleven, on tuesday }

2010-07-27T07:58:00.008-04:00

1. i'm finally working on my bedroom. . . .i'll share some stuff soon. . . i'm trying to come up with a CHEAP way to do my curtains (NOT DROP CLOTH, THOUGH. . .cheap sheer?? ideas??). . . (this pic was taken on may 26th. . .it looks MUCH different, now)

2. I read Imperfect People, Imperfect Marriage, Perfect Redeemer: A Journey Through the Potholes In Life last night in just a few hours. . . it helped that i personally know the author. . .and i remember firsthand many of the experiences that she writes about in the book. it is amazing to read what potholes she has been in, but she allowed God to throw her a rope and she trusted in Him to pull her out! how amazing is that these days? if you are struggling in any area, especially your marriage, i would highly recommend you to read this book. it just makes me smile thinking what God can do and will do if we just allow Him to be the top priority in our life!

3. ms. renee' (as sam and sawyer call her) has a FAB special going on right now at nioka green store. . . for all the stainless bottles! (20% off all stainless until this sunday) i've heard nothing but GREAT praises on this new insulated cup. we saw ms. renee' the other afternoon (around 3) and her bottle STILL contained the ice she put in it from the day before! WOW!!! i've got to buy one of these! i'm starting a list of stuff that i need to buy from her! HA!

4. sam turned 4 on sunday! here is my punkin' on his birthday fixing to enjoy some strawberry cake!

5. here's a preview of a recent senior session:

6. another one of him in his new favorite shirt! 7. we've had a busy summer. . . we've not went out of state, but it seems we are always getting into something. . . most of which includes water and the lake!

did i ever think i'd put a pic of me in my bathing suit on the www? nope!
:) (notice i didn't make it large sized...ha!)

8. and watched many sunsets on the farm. . . .

9. played and played and played. . . even scheduled a new LATE bedtime10. roasted marshmallows and camped. . .

11. and played with miss maggie, and our new cat (pics to come soon). . .

we hope you are enjoying your summer! i can't believe it's almost over and school is fixing to start!

{ scrappin' gals }

2010-07-15T07:56:00.009-04:00

this summer has been the killer for me and blogging. . . and considering the green bean laptop isn't fixed, coming down here to blog is just plain hard!!

thank you so much for sticking around with me!

i do have lots of fun ideas and projects. . .on my memory cards to upload, but i wanted to share some photos of the scrappin' in the city chicks!!!

i have to LOVE a place/company to do their photos. . .like nioka green and of course these gals!

if you haven't been to their store on hall of fame drive, please go. . .go today. . .it's so fantastic. . .nothing like any other scrapbook store around!!!

i had so many favorites. . . .as usual!

and a special shout out and thank you to mollie at abode for letting us use her store/items!!!!

happy thursday friends!!!

{ i'm so behind. . .don't even know where to start }

2010-07-04T16:08:00.004-04:00

here are a few pics of the boys and mom and dad taken on father's day!!

mom hasn't seen these yet. . .

i do have a shoot to share with you this week. . . .
i've done lots of projects lately, but with it being summer, it seems the boys and i are always getting into something. .

oh..
does anyone know anyone local who fixes computers. . .and doesn't charge an arm and a leg?
i just need my lcd screen replaced? when googled, it looks to be a really simple task?

{ quick update }

2010-06-28T22:54:00.006-04:00

sorry i've been absent. my little guy stepped on my laptop and broke it. . .therefore, i have to use the computer downstairs, and i don't get much free time to work on the blog with my kiddos!!

anyways. the other night i was cooking supper. hubby and the boys were in the garage. hubby came in the kitchen and asked if i would come look at something. i walked out there and he pulled this out of the trunk of his car!

i was in shock and started crying! i love my sweet husband!
read the words. they are amazing!

***edited. . .
he bought it at a local Christian book store, but here is the website:

GLORY HAUS

{ new fav of boys }

2010-06-22T14:48:00.002-04:00

i've been swamped lately with stuff. . .just stuff. . .

i'm hoping after this week is over i'll be a little more relaxed and have more time to blog. . . in the meantime, i wanted to hurry and share my new favorite photo of my munchkins!

oh how i love my sweet boys!

{ elephant shower details }

2010-06-12T11:00:00.000-04:00

well. . .
when this posts, we will be showering my cousin, stephanie, with love and celebrating the soon-to-be arrival of her little man!

here are some shots i grabbed of some details around the house. . .more to come next week!

{ cupcake disaster }

2010-06-11T20:05:00.004-04:00

i'm helping host a baby shower here at the house tomorrow. . .

i have tons of detail pics to share with you. . .but for now, i'll share what my pint sized 2 year old did.................

i've finally quit crying, and i'm taking a MUCH needed break! homemade vanilla and buttercream iced cupcakes all in the floor...................it's amazing what a 2 year old can do it appromiately 2.7 seconds!

i was able to salvage about 6 of them. . .needless to say my PRECIOUS hubby is on his way BACK to the store. it's going to be a LOOONNNNGGG night!

{ oh happy week }

2010-06-06T21:23:00.006-04:00

i finally feel my head is coming above water!

yeah!

i've been sick for such a long time it seems. i finally made it to the doc and found out the source of many of my problems are my wonderful swollen tonsils! i'm on antibiotics. . .which i have been for my throat so many times in the past. . .but i'm hoping this will do the trick and they won't have to remove them! i'm just about tired of being worn down all the time.

on a lighter note. . . first, i am completely booked for june and july! i can't fit in another session! i need to look, because i've already had an email or two for august and september, so i may be filled for those dates as well. . .

but if you are thinking about CHRISTMAS photos (OH NO SHE DID NOT JUST WRITE CHRISTMAS). . . be letting me know so i can put you at the top of my planner. . . .maybe for mini sessions!

i took photos of the cutest little man last week! i showed you a sneak peek on the last post, but here are just a few of my favorites from his session!

{ 9 month sneaky }

2010-06-04T13:26:00.003-04:00

i took these yesterday morning. . .busted my bottom and got the entire session done yesterday afternoon so i could give it to this gal before she returned home.

i love my out of town clients!

here's one of my favs. . .more to come really soon!

{ my favorite photo frame re-do }

2010-05-31T19:39:00.005-04:00

first. . . .i promised my facebook friends that i would share this. . .

if you aren't a fan over on facebook, then do so if you get an opportunity @

jessica leigh blog

back late last summer, i was visiting op jenkins, and i saw this frame:

i instantly fell in love with it, and asked one of my sweet buddies to find it for me at the atlanta or chicago market. well, i decided that i didn't want to even pay the "market" discount!!

so. . . .i've saved this picture again as an inspiration pic! you all get so tired of me typing that don't you. . . .inspiration file or inspiration pic? i hope not!

if you only knew all the crazy projects i've done today. . .a diaper cake, a plate stand, spray painting jewelry. . .shall i go on? ha!

anyways. . .i was in big lots the other day and saw this frame:

i knew as soon as i saw it that i had to buy it to "re-do" like the one i love above! and that' s just what i did. here it is now sitting on a table in the living room.

yes, it is still not near as gorgeous as my inspiration pic, but at least i have a little taste of it for only 5 dollars plus tax!

and finally. . . .here are two pics of the boys. they both have grown so much lately, it's unreal! we went to a cookout this weekend, and here they are checking out the unfamiliar faces that were arriving. ha!! they are so backward!

{ lookie what arrived today }

2010-05-27T12:55:00.004-04:00

i'm tickled!

one of the pink wingback chairs. . . .

just arrived from the upholster!

lookie lookie at it in the living room!

i have lots to blog about. . unfortunately, i've been sick since may 14th. i had the flu. . . the good ol' fashioned flu (the one that ALL that stuff comes with. . . .the one where you close on a house and you take your puke bucket with you) then ......my body said it wasn't done and i now have a sinus/ear infection. i'm on antibiotics and feeling a tad better everyday, but my ears still throb. so hopefully, i'll feel like blogging soon. . .but, i just couldn't wait to share a pic of my chair!

{ 6 month baby session }

2010-05-23T20:35:00.004-04:00

remember this LOVELY MATERNITY SESSION????? one of my favorites ever. . .!!!!!

well, her little one just turned 6 months old, and we had the best time!! here are just a few of my favorites!!

i just can't wait for her year session! i smell a harley davidson being used!

happy beginning of your week!

{ winner & 6 month sneaky }

2010-05-21T07:33:00.003-04:00

look at this precious little one. . . .

it seems like just yesterday that i was photographing her gorgeous momma's maternity shoot, and now look. . .

more to come. . .i'm not finished with their session!

and the winner of

THE SILVER BOBBIN SNACK SET was comment number 5. . . .

yeah, elisabeth!!!!

send me an email to runyanjess@yahoo.com and i'll pass your email to THE SILVER BOBBIN!!!

{ memorial day mantle }

2010-05-20T04:55:00.000-04:00

i've had this up for about a month now, but i'm SUPER EXCITED TO START CHANGING IT for a baby shower i'm having here in june.

anyways, this mantle or something similar will most likely reappear towards july 4th!!!

{ memories }

2010-05-18T07:00:00.013-04:00

i've honestly typed this post 5 different times. i just can't get it right. . .

see this sweet little house that is winking at you right now?

it is no longer ours. but the memories. . . .oh the memories are so evident in my heart right now, i could cry (and i have). i've prayed and prayed it would sale, and now that we no longer have another house payment nor extra utility payments on us each month, i'm sad.

all the goals we set for ourselves. . .the dreams we dreamed. . . .for 9 years. . .

i've tried to list so many of the special memories i have of this sweet home, but when i reread the post i know i'm leaving something out.....

most importantly, we spent our honeymoon night here, and we brought two gorgeous little baby boys home from the hospital to our little doll house.

************

as hubby and i drove to sign the papers yesterday, we reminisced of all the special memories that live in our hearts. . .they always will.

we stopped by the "old house" (as the boys call it) yesterday, and we got to meet the new owners, and she offered to take our picture, and i am so grateful for this last picture in front of our first home.

thank you sweet Lord for an answered prayer and all the special memories this house holds in my heart. i pray that our new home with hold many many more sweet and joyful memories. in Jesus' name i pray. amen.

BE GREEN- snack bags & giveaway

2010-05-16T10:06:00.013-04:00

The Silver Bobbin is awesome!

i've begun to do small changes in our lives in order to be more "earth friendly". one of those is packing reusable snack bags in mine and the boys' lunches if the food is a dry food. . . .sandwich, goldfish, chips, raisins, etc.

well, THE SILVER BOBBIN sent me 12 awesome bags the other day! i was and still am tickled pink with them!

here are a few pics i took to send her!

and. . . .i'm going to giveaway this one!

***********edited. . . .THE SILVER BOBBIN just emailed me and said she would give the winner the set of their choice!

YIPPEE!!!!!!!!

how do you enter?

1. to get one entry, visit THE SILVER BOBBIN'S site. comment, and tell me which snack bag pattern/fabric you like the best. *****along with your email.

2. to gain another chance, become a follower of my blog and leave me a comment, letting me know you follow the blog!! if you already are a follower, then leave me another comment in addition to the one above telling me you are a follower!

that's pretty simple! you can get up to two entries! i'll announce the winner on friday, may 21st!

good luck!!!!!!!

{ our front porch }

2010-05-15T12:57:00.011-04:00

careally has needed some decor help!

i bought a white wicker couch, coffee table and two chairs at a yard sale last year for 45 dollars! it has sat on the front porch ever since the concrete was poured, but with our off white windows and trim, the white stuck out like a sore thumb!

so. . .i bought some fun green spray paint and got to work!

i also painted two white nightstands that my buddy gave me, cherry red. i added some knobs that i had left over from another project, and voila! i now love the left side of our porch!

next. . . .work on the right side of it!

i love this wreath. we've had it since we got married. it was once the "old house" colors, but since we moved, i've began to add more "color" to it!!!
my little man waiting to escape the torture of mommy's picture taking!

my cutsy anthropology like knobs on my free nightstands. . . just the cost of 2 cans of cherry red spray paint!!!!

maggie's view!

see my cute polka-dotted bucket? i bought that at edie's yard sale, as well as the one above sitting on the "foot rest".

both of them were one dollar! all i did was add a little turquoise paint to both! i love my polka-dotted one! here was the before pic of it!

my other chair wasn't quiet finished when i HAD to take a picture, since i hadn't blogged in days! it's out here now!

i love it. . . .it makes me smile when i pull up the driveway or look out the living room windows or sit out here and blog!!!

happy weekend!

linked to:
funky junk

tatertots and jello

a soft place to land

{ are you ready. . . . 4 year old pictures galore }

2010-05-09T01:15:00.001-04:00

well. . . .as you may have noticed. . .i've definately taken a "photographer-get away" for the past few months. i know now, when i do a shoot, it means so much more to me. . . .

ok. . .remember i promised you more pictures from this session? well, here they are!

and. . . .it was SO hard not to post all 47 images on here, but these are my favs!!!!

as soon as i took this one, i just knew it would be in my tops. . . .

so much, that i had to post it in black and white and color!

i adore the unexpected movements children make & do!

smiling at her dancing grandma! priceless!!!

i just adore dandelion pics. . . .of course i do! look at my i in jessica above!

a beautiful morning at the ramsey house. . . . one of my favorite places to shoot!!

the quilt block was PERFECT with the tutu, car, and hat!

i love the color version. . . .

and, i adore the black and white!

happy mother's day to all the mommas that read my blog!

i adore my momma, and i don't know what i'd do without her! thank you mom for raising me the way you did! i love you!

{ a sneaky }

2010-05-05T13:01:00.003-04:00

i'm afraid to post too many of these quite yet.

this sweet girl's grandmother hired me to do this shoot for her daughter-in-law for mother's day! wow. . . . what a gift! i wish her thoughtfulness would rub off on my hubby!

here are just a few that don't show the girl's face. . .i'll post more this weekend or the first of next week!

i can't wait to share them with you.....

if you've followed the blog for a while, then you know i typically say everytime i do a shoot. . .these are my new favorites!

well, guys. . . .

you guessed it. . .

these are my new favorites!

she's walking in her cap and gown. she is fixing to graduate from pre-k!

and a flower for her mommy!

{ snack bags }

2010-05-04T21:30:00.003-04:00

check out these bags. . . .

do you feel like you are constantly using sandwich bags. . . .packing lunches? i knew there was some great solution out there. . .and i found them. . . on etsy. . .

another way to help stay GREEN

here at

snak sacks

check out the two that i got for the boys. . . .

guitars of course~

{ chair planter }

2010-04-27T16:45:00.006-04:00

i started this project a couple of weeks ago. . .but time gets away from me, then i forget to blog about things!

this pretty chair has been in my bathroom since we moved. it typically hosts a pretty initial R pillow. well, i was curling my hair the other day and when i sat down, it must have decided that's all it could take of my big ol' bottom. the legs just collapsed with me in it!!! AHAHAH!!

i'm ok, if you were wondering!

well, i put the legs back where they "went", and brought it into the kitchen! i knew right off it would be turned into a planter!

here is some of the detail! i think i paid 5 dollars for this chair a few years back at a yard sale.

i took out my trusty exacto knife and cut the middle out!

next, i began to search for a pot that would fit. i found this one. can you tell where maggie (our dog) had ahold of it?

so, i spray painted it a robin's egg blue that was already in the garage! it is still a VERY texturized pot due to maggie's teeth marks! ha!

finally, i stuck it down in the pot and planted a fern bought from lowe's!

perfect for a WELCOMY entry to the mudroom door!

{ updated mudroom pics }

2010-04-23T10:18:00.009-04:00

since i've started teaching. . . just two days a week, i'm so tired! i told my hubby yesterday that when i go back to teaching full time, i can't even imagine being the dedicated teacher and the dedicated mommy and wife! ahaha. . .

hopefully, god will give me more time to prepare for that.

i do have happy news!!
we signed a contract on our old house on wednesday!!! please say a prayer that this is God's will and everything will go through as planned! what a blessing that will be when it is sold. . . .although there are so many special memories about that house!

i've lost 8 lbs since April 11th, so that's good. . .but i still feel big as ever!!

ok. . . what you clicked on my post for. . .

i took a few more pics of the mudroom. but, you can see the first mudroom post here.

not sure why these photos are left aligned? i don't like that at all!

one of my

milk cans

with my

vintage crochet

set. i've got

another

one on

my front

porch

that i'm planning

on painting

our

house numbers

soon!

my cute little

chair, bought at

a yard sale years

ago. . .covered

with my fav

fabric.

and

a cute little

pillow bought for

79 cents at my

fav thrift store. .

.i washed it, then

painted the

number 4 to

represent us!

a lamp mom

and

dad bought me

for my 21st(?)

birthday.

it sits

on my dryer.

photos added to the top of the lockers. . .

other than my pig light, my other favorite light fixture. . . . i bought it at habitat for humanity and spray painted it. i think it looks like the cortland pendant from pottery barn, but i only paid 30 dollars for mine!

and this. . .this is how it typically looks, but with tons of clothes, waiting to be folded on our church pew!

if i've repeated or said any of this before, i'm sorry. i can't seem to remember anything. . .

typically i won't use the computer while my kids are up, but today, i'll do anything for a break....

argh! back to two screaming kiddos!

{ on the farm again. . . .}

2010-04-19T19:21:00.005-04:00

my little boys just can't wait to get on the farm again. . . .

sung to good ol' willie nelson!

i promised some pics of hogskin valley, and here they are!

he was exhausted!

i can't get over this smile he's started sporting everytime the camera is pointing towards him!

argh!

love this one, and love that smile!

again. . .if ONLY they were smiling! oh well!

up close and personal!

happy monday!