for the orphan and widow...

I'm excited about a little project Chad and I have been working on. We are slowly starting a little company called "Avenue 17". It's actually an official LLC, {hooray!!} but there are still just so many details to be worked out!

The meaning behind the name comes from Isaiah 1:17 where it says, "Learn to do good. Seek Justice. Help the oppressed. Defend the cause of orphans. Fight for the rights of widows." The purpose of the company is to use the profits to give back to orphan or widow ministries that God directs us to. Currently, we are raising money to provide new bedding for orphans in Burma via Women At Risk, Int {the organization I've written about many times}.

I've made blank 5x5 note cards from images I have taken, in order to raise this money. Right now, I am working on several new lines of cards. They are press printed on a heavy cardstock and come with envelopes. We are currently looking into places where we might be able to sell them. If you have any ideas, let me know!

Here are some that I've done so far:









At this time, you can purchase them through our etsy store at http://www.avenue17.etsy.com/. You can also contact us at avenue17@live.com. I am selling them in sets, but will be offering them individually as well.

Where I've Been

Well, I've just about fallen off the world of blogging! There is good reason though! I kicked off my photography business and it has kept me flyin'! You can find my page on Facebook if you go here. You can also find my photography site here. I may close this blog down in the near future, but before I do, I have a couple posts that need to be written. So, I'll be back for a visit in January! See you then...and thanks for not giving up on me!

A blessed vacation

Hi friends!

We are blessed to be able to enjoy a vacation in Gulf Breeze, FL. We're having a blast and enjoying the warm weather! I will post pictures as I have a chance, but it won't be until I return as I'm not spending much time on the computer. I am excited to practice some photo sessions with my kids on the beach! I may even attempt a family portrait...on second thought...

This is where we spend a lot of our time...{and also the view from our balcony!!}

This picture makes me laugh as it looks like Ellie's posing for a catalogue! I didn't pose her!!

We let each of our kids pick out their own bag of chips for the week~ and we told them they didn't have to share any! They were quite excited about this experience!!! :)

How do you like our sand castle? Just kidding...there was a sand castle competition on one of the nearby beaches...some of the creations were amazing!

Check out this professional sand castle creator!

and I'll leave you with a picture of why you won't "hear" from me for a week...

Why we love you...

Today is Elliana's 4th birthday. It's hard to believe our baby is four! She is so full of a love for life. We often say that Ellie is our "little firecracker and that we went out with a bang!"



Here are just a few of the reasons we love her so. I hope you can capture a glimpse of her personality.

Happy Birthday Ellie~bean!!! We love you farther than the moon...

P.S. The little Belle cake is from the bakery at Walmart. It was only $5.88! You can get Belle, Cinderella, or Sleeping Beauty {and a couple options for boys too~ but I can't remember what}. They are really cute! I just made a 13x9 cake to feed everyone else!

A whole bunch o' randomness with pictures...

Life has been full lately. This has meant more time in the real world and less in the virtual one. I'm actually thinking that's a good thing. Does anyone else out there struggle with balancing the two?

So here's what I've been busy doing...

I took a photography workshop which was just perfect for where I'm at in this whole process of venturing into a little business. What a fun day, but I have so much to learn yet!! Here are a few images I took that day...

I've consulted for a couple more Women At Risk, Int. jewelry parties ~ I love doing those! It gives me a great outlet to talk about the precious women I met on my trip, to be able to bring awareness and raise funds for the battle against human trafficking. {Today I had training for being a consultant and I am so excited to be part of this ministry. God continues to confirm that this is the right place for me} Anyone want to host a party??? The hostess rewards are out of this world~ literally! ;)

Last week, my hubs and I took a getaway trip to the Smoky Mountains. We stayed in a cute mountain cabin in Tennessee. {Would you believe I won this trip at my church's women's retreat!!! I've never won any prize this big~ I was sooo excited!}

our cabin

We went for a hike in the Smoky Mountains...we were able to walk behind this waterfall.

Have I mentioned this area is my favorite part of the United States?

I've also been busy doing a few Tulip Time photography sessions {Our area has a big "touristy" Tulip Festival every year- thousands of tulips, parades, dutch dancing, shows, carnival, junk food, and lots of kids in dutch costumes}. Of course I had to do a little session with two of my own cuties...

Then on Monday, after watching all four kids in our town's Memorial Day parade, we spent the afternoon with family celebrating Elliana's 4th birthday!! {She'll get her own little post on her birthday on Thursday}.

A picture that captured her favorite things... the color yellow, Belle, ducks and a dress. {Grampy would make her "favorites" picture complete}. Notice the little bit of yellow frosting on the left side of her cheek!

If you've made it this far~ wow~ thanks for sticking with me!