and the winner is...

The winner, chosen by random.org, is

Emily Hambelton!

Thank you so much to everyone who entered!

Thank you for being friends who listen well by reading my blog.

I wish I could give totes to all of you.

xoxo

Paige

p.s. Emily, call me. We'll talk about how to get this tote to you.

update from Arkansas

Hi friends :)

Just a quick post to remind you that I'll be randomly selecting a winner tomorrow for the giveaway tote. If you haven't entered yet, how come? Go enter! Even if you don't like the tote you can give it to someone for Christmas.

I also want to tell you to go click on the camera tab under my header. My plan is to use this area of my blog to promote my photography business. I won't make this whole blog a sales pitch (I know, thank goodness), but I do want to share what I am working on from time to time. 

I am still here in Little Rock. I am coming home on Sunday. It has been really good to be with my sister and see her kids. I miss seeing them all the time... Little Rock is far away. I think we need to start planning some skype dates. I couldn't believe how tall her boys were; they grow like weeds at this age. Meanwhile, back at home, my husband is in the process of setting up some homebrew for us. We'll be making some lovely beer of our own for cheap. Trader Joe's opens tomorrow in Athens, which is cool.

This is one of those posts where there are weighty things to say, but I don't know how to talk about any of them right now. I am tired and I need to get some more things done tonight. I'll be back maybe another time with better content.

I'll talk to you people tomorrow.

bye friends!

xoxo

p

known, and a giveaway!

UPDATE: this giveaway is now closed!

I have been so busy; you have no idea...


For one thing, I got a new camera body. A professional one. A Nikon d300. I bought it from a friend of ours in Portland. I am taking a leap a bit with this... it was expensive, and I am betting on the fact that I will have more clients in the future to pay for it. I had an engagement shoot last night and it was amazing... I love this camera!! I wanted to wait to post until I had some shots to show off, but I decided that this will do for now. I'll share more soon.


The text in the picture matters. Thinking about my relationships with people, I realized a little this week how much I freeze up and hide who I am to avoid being truly known. I have this way of putting my best face forward, and wanting to be thought of as some better version of me. I guess I began thinking about how much this is a function of my broken nature... the idea that it would be to my advantage to protect the hurts, fears, insecurities, failures, and outright wrongs of my heart. If I were to be honest, I would admit that in little ways (and really huge big ways) I run away from these things and try, desperately, to hide them. This is fallen behavior... scared, sorrowful, fearful behavior. Talking with my pastor this week about marriage, he said that as husbands and wives, we have the opportunity to be like God in re-creating... redeeming... carving out new, redeemed places in this world of sorrow. Reconciliation in relationships is a major way that my redemption is lived out in my life. This scared way of hiding my nakedness came about after total alienation from God, but this is not the way I need to relate to anyone ever again. John wrote, "He was in the world and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God..." I know Jesus and he knows me... he knows me fully. He brought reconciliation into my life forever and because of that I can be known without fear. I can know others without fear. I guess I just wanted to share that because of the peace that it has brought this week. 


Lastly... I want to giveaway one of my totes in any fabric of your choice... a little gift for my readers to say thanks for your support and kindness :)
To see the fabrics, click on the lightnest tab under my header and scroll down until you see four links and some images...also there are two more options in my etsy shop. To enter, leave a comment and include your email address and a fabric choice. Pretty simple. You don't even have to be a follower. I'll choose a winner on Friday, October 29.


love to you
xoxo
paige

Athens farmers market, and you should hire me :)

Don't you love how I go to the Athens Farmer's Market that has so much delicious, locally grown, organic healthy food and come away with pictures primarily of flowers? Yah. They were beautiful. 

The food was too. We came away with fingerling sweet potatoes, arugula and other greens, granola, non-homogenized milk that tastes almost raw, heirloom cucumbers, organic spelt bread, shea butter soap and some other stuff too. We loved going. It is our new family tradition on Saturdays... and I don't know why it has taken us this long to make it a tradition. This is another thing that we kind of neglected because of the busyness of our life. We are hoping to move toward more intentional choices with our time. I guess there is balance between working diligently and also making time for things that are valuable on a life-long level, and we are trying to find that balance. The farmer's market is good for us in a lot of ways... seeing our friends, eating good local food, being part of the community that we've chosen to live in, and more. I know these things are obvious and easy for some folks, but really, life is hard when you're under a lot of pressure to get things done. I am hesitant at times to share the difficulties that we are experiencing right now... probably because I don't want to complain. Because really, life is BEAUTIFUL and God has given us a wonderful little existence... we are so, so blessed. Yet, law school has been hard, and so is trying to work from home and be a good mom. Even so -- these things are a gift. This is that tension that exists between the joys of the gifts God has given us and the sorrows that come from living in a broken world. It is at the same time immensely good and incredibly hard.

I also want to publicly congratulate my husband for making the Mock trial team at Georgia Law. You guys... he has worked SO hard on this, never knowing if it would materialize. It wasn't required, but he really wanted it because he wants to be a trial lawyer. He wanted the experience. I am really proud of him. He sacrificed for something he believed is important, even though he didn't have to. 

Also, it is official-- I'll be selling at the Athens Indie Craftstravaganzaa. I am sharing a booth with an awesome family from our church and community group... the husband, Luke, makes knives by hand... like the whole thing, including the blade. They really are works of art. Come see us if you live in the Southeast.

The last thing I want to say is that I am available for hire as a photographer in the Athens/Atlanta/North Georgia/Columbia or Greenville, SC areas. I am totally willing to work within your budget, which is important in these times. Contact me for portfolio and pricing.

Love to you, sweet readers! Have a beautiful fall day!

xoxo

paige

an engagement shoot and some thoughts on the storms of life

I had the privilege of photographing Amanda Kay and Austin, dear friends, in celebration of their engagement. They're both in law school with Trevor... Amanda Kay is in his class, and Austin is a year ahead of them. They were perfect material for photos because they are very in love and because of their laid-back and natural disposition in front of the camera. The story of how this shoot came together is a story of God making a way for this to happpen. I was so nervous that the various elements wouldn't converge in the right way... there are so many different variables when it comes to something like this. For one thing, I really wanted to have a bucolic, sun-drenched setting for the shoot. I liked the idea of an open field but had no idea where to find one. Piper and I drove around all afternoon throughout Watkinsville and Athens when we found this field and discovered that it was owned by the USDA. I came back with Trevor and he, being the persuasive person that he is, not only secured access to the field but also someone to meet us there at 8:30 AM to guide us through the pastures. The sun rises here at 7:30, and I was worried that the light would be too harsh at that time. On the morning of the shoot, we left early, arriving at 8:15, and it paid off. Clara, the farm manager, met us early and was so helpful. She was totally flexible, even when we brought out Oliver, Austin and AK's dog. The light was perfect. Austin and Amanda Kay were completely game for traipsing through these dewy early-morning fields all gussied up. This time really was gift. I was so moved by the images.

And I also want to share the words to a hymn that we sing at our church. The words beautifully and eloquently describe the struggle of life. It's called 'Beams of Heaven'.

Beams of heaven, as I go 

through this wilderness below,

Guide my feet in peaceful ways;

turn my midnights into days.

When in the darkness I would grope

Faith always sees a star of hope,

and soon from all life's grief and danger

I shall be free some day.

Often times my sky is clear;

joy abounds without a tear.

Though a day so bright begun,

clouds may hide tomorrow's sun.

There'll be a day that's always bright;

a day that never yields to night;

And in its light the streets of glory

I shall behold someday.

Harder yet may be the fight;

right may often yield to might.

Wickedness awhile may reign;

Satan's cause may seem to gain.

There is a God that rules above 

with hand of power and heart of love;

and if I'm right, he'll fight my battle.

I shall have peace someday.

Burdens now may crush me down,

disappointments all around.

Troubles speak in mournful sigh

sorrow through a tear stained eye.

There is a world where pleasure reigns...

no morning soul shall roam its plains;

and to that land of peace and glory

I want to go someday.

Last Saturday, Don spoke on a passage in Mark 4. Mark wrote about Jesus calming the storm. Don pointed out that he would be remiss to say to his listeners that Jesus comes and calms the storms in our life. That is not the point of this passage. The point is to answer the question, "Who then is this, that even the wind and sea obey him?" He is greater than the storms of our life, and Mark is preparing his readers for the time when Jesus would calm the ultimate storm by purchasing our lives with his own life on the cross. Sometimes he calms the storm, like in the photoshoot above, and sometimes he doesn't. My greatest need is not for peaceful circumstances. My greatest need is for God's mercy and he has met that need- abundantly- for me in the person of Jesus. 

I am writing this as an intentional reminder to myself in a time when there are so many pressing needs... the repetition of housekeeping, the need to be present and available for my husband and child despite the stress of tasks unfinished, the growing list of work to do for my upcoming craft fair, the financial concerns, the hope to cultivate real relationships in which I can know others and be known, the simple fact that I cannot do it all... some things are going to have to go undone. I am filled with hope when I see God's work, secured for me in Jesus, which will never change or fail or come short of what I need. He holds my life in his hands.

Bye readers, we'll talk again soon.

paige

I heart fall

Sometimes it's nice to include some pictures, even if they have nothing to do with what I am writing.

Piper finally is willing to let me hold her for a small period of time (this is a big deal, you don't even know), so I seized the opportunity to take a couple shots of us with my 10 second timer.

My husband looks completely handsome in his plaid pearl snap.

We had so much fun at the Folk Festival. That's George playing banjo. His band, the High Strung String Band, was so good. We love his family... they come to our church and our community group. We'll see his band at the Melting Point on Tuesday, October 19th. Can't wait. 

I also wanted to mention a couple things that I forgot in my update... Piper and I will be journeying to Little Rock with my Mom to visit my sister at the end of October! I am so excited to see her and Gene, their twin boys, and new baby Mary Elizabeth. I took this picture, along with some other portraits, just after she was born. Isn't she a beautiful baby? So sweet!

And I also wanted to add that I am planning to sell at another craft fair, one here in town, on November 6. It's called the Athens Indie Craftstravaganza. There is so much work to do. It's kind of overwhelming. I'll be sharing a booth with Luke Snyder, who, along with his wife and baby girl Wren, also come to our church and community group. I love our church.

I just got my Japanese fabrics in the mail today... and I wish I could just keep them. They are so beautiful. You can view them at these links:

http://www.hartsfabric.com/kokka-etsuko-bird-floral-fabric56489.html

http://www.hartsfabric.com/japanese-bird-fabric-52363.html

http://www.hartsfabric.com/kokka-etsuko-peacock-fabric55407.html

http://www.hartsfabric.com/kokka-etsuko-animal-fabric56488.html

My plan is to find a good leather source for the handles. Hopefully that will work out, but I don't know yet. I love these fabrics, though... they really are amazing. I love the texture and colors. It comes in a nice grainy, lightweight canvas that is perfect for bags :)

And, last but not least, I am thinking that I will host a giveaway. I don't know for sure yet, but I have been toying with the idea of giving away a market tote in one of these lovely fabrics. Just to be nice. You don't even have to follow my blog or anything.

Love to you, dear readers :)

xoxo

Paige

update

Hi friends :)


I haven't done an update on our family in a while. Seems like a good time to do that.


Trevor has been very busy... I think I probably say that in every update, but it gets to be more and more crazy every semester. I can't believe that at the break this winter he will be halfway finished with law school. He has been doing an externship with Diakonia Christian Legal Services... he basically works with other attorneys assisting clients in civil matters. I am so excited about his career and the many ways he will be able to help people! He is also in the midst of Mock Trial. He and his partner have worked super hard on this. I hope they do well.


Piper is a beautiful little bundle of energy. She is doing so much and growing more independent each day. Some big firsts for her: drinking through a straw (so thankful for this), learning to use a spoon or fork, giving kisses, helping me pick up toys and fabric scraps, being able to bring me things that I ask for, a newfound adoration for shoes and having them on her feet, and picking out outfits (sort of... she has specific preferences about what she wants to have on). She also has several baby dolls which she pretends to feed and take care of. She turned 16 months old on September 29th. I think the rhythm of our work, play, and breaks is good for her. It has taken me a little while to reach that point. In some ways, I felt guilty (and still do sometimes) for doing other things from home. I think I have reached a place of realizing it is healthy for her to see me work and to learn that work, having a purpose in mind and working toward it with joy, is a big part of who God created us to be as human beings. For me, the challenge lies in finding a balance... in giving preference to the relationships in my life rather than my work. Relationships are so much more important.


I have been enjoying the creative lifestyle and have plans for growth. Some exciting things coming up: just ordered a bunch of beautiful imported Japanese fabric for bags, hoping to start using leather for the handles, am doing an engagement shoot for a couple of dear friends, and I will also be making bridesmaid's dresses for the wedding! It's going to be a beautiful wedding, and she is going to be a beautiful bride. I am so excited for them.


Our church is just completely awesome. I mean, seriously. God brought us to a good place here in Athens. I am really happy to be here. Some wonderful friendships have been developing... we're hoping to go camping with some of these families next weekend! It is finally cool enough to be outside all day. We haven't taken Piper camping at all yet (shame upon shame). I think she will love it. Tomorrow we're going to the North Georgia Folk Festival to see one of these families-- the husband will be playing his banjo. I'll bring my camera.


Lastly, we'll be having visits from Portland friends! The Hambeltons will come in December, and Jeff (possibly Matthew as well) will come through in November. I am so stoked to see my friend Emily!! Check out her blog. She is so much fun. Leave her an encouraging comment-- she just started nursing school. 


Tonight we'll probably go to the park, do the swing set thing, and enjoy a nice hoppy beer.  Good bye sweet readers.


xoxo
paige