{It's all about love 'n commitment}

Here are some of my {favs} from a recent engagement session. Congrats to D & S! I enjoyed our session and look forward to the wedding in the summer! It was fun capturing these moments!

{Introducing Mister 'C'}

I was very {anxious} and {excited} to have this newborn session, after having their maternity session just a few weeks prior to his arrival.
My heart {melts} every time I revisit these images.....
what a beautiful baby and what a beautiful family they have!
Thank you T & C!
*Love* you guys....

{Beauty of Maternity}

This past week I had the honor of capturing a blessed moment in time for the 'W' family, who happens to be part of our family! What a beautiful mommy-to-be and let's not forget a glowing daddy-to-be too! I normally have a hard time picking just a few to preview...and this session was no exception! I absolutely love the images from your session and hope that you will too. These are my favorites.....the rest to come very soon....
Thank you C & T for allowing me to be apart of this miracle in your lives!
**Really {love} this one**

**I {heart} this one too**

Love you two! Enjoy the previews.....
~A

{2008-2009} Fears, Fails, Dreams & Hopes

I received this in an email today and had to *copy* it.....and *adapt* it to my life.....
So...........

I would like to be able to tell you that in the past year I...
Got caught up on *all* of my scrapbook albums.
Successfully wore my *favorite* jeans of all time.
Read the Bible each day.
Exercised 5 times a week.
Did not give in to the temptation of a rare cold can of Pepsi over ice.
Or the temptation of the *white cheese dip* from El' Pueblito's.
Ran a marathon.
Cooked a meal every night for my family.
Grew three inches.
Cleaned my closet.
Cleaned my kids' closets.
Shampooed the carpet in my van.
Took a vacation for no reason other than to get away.
Traveled to an exotic island.
Developed an addiction for the History Channel.

Instead, I have to tell you that in the past year I...
Didn't get near as far I had hoped for on the scrapbooking.
Am still working on the pants issue.
Didn't finish the Bible but did read a scripture a day for 3/4 of the year.
Haven't exercised once...unless you count taking laundry upstairs and down again???
Gave in to I think a total of 4 Pepsi's in 2008...
And ate the *white cheese dip* from El Pueblito's at least 2 times...
Learning to live with and deal with the Chrone's disease.
Ran around the house chasing kids for a whole year...that ought to count for something, right?
Choose *McD's*, *Sonic*, *Pizza Hut*, *cereal*, *sandwiches*, or the ever popular 'whatever you can find in the fridge or pantry'* for dinner rather than cooking for my family.
Stayed the same height, but gained a pound or two.
Closets???? maybe next year....
Became blind to the carpet in my van.
Traveled to the Ronald McDonald house in Kansas City.
Became addicted to *John and Kate Plus 8*.
Have become physically attached to my laptop.

However, in the past year I also...
Met amazing people at the several *trips* I took -*Women's Retreat*, *Summit*, and *Relay U*.
Learned that to *equipt* and *empower* is better than *doing it for them*... it always proves to be the best for all involved.
Made a couple new friends and learned how wonderful people can be.
Discovered blogging and Facebook.
Reconnected with some old friends.
Cut my hair up past my ears and then grew my hair out past my ears.
Became a WAHM.
Learned to *take it one step at a time.*
Learned that I *don't* have to be like everyone else. God created *me* to be *ME*.
Learned to *walk away* from the computer.
Have become closer to my Suzi-Q, my dreams, my hopes, *my mom* and *my sister*.
Have built a stronger relationship with my family members.
Took the children to the *movies*, to *Downtown Java* {in their jammies.. :) } for a special drink, allowed them to be children *in public*, to the park as often as we could, planned a game night almost weekly, played *Rock Band* way into the night with them, and taught them some of my favorite stories from the Bible.
Realized that there's more to life than a spotless house, perfect lifestyle and a fat bank account.
Have learned that ultimately, Heavenly Father is in control, and when I let him be, life is better.

In the next year, I am hoping to...
Rediscover the kitchen and the joys of making home-cooked meals.
Be more alert to the needs of others.
Make progress in being worthy of the trust others put in me.
Continue develop my relationship with God.
Read more of the Bible.
Wear the jeans that I've had tucked away in my closet for years.
Make healthier food choices to help with the Chrone's disease.
Dance in the living room with my iPod several times a week.
Help my children flourish in all that they are and who they were created to be.
Accept myself, forgive myself, and get back up whenever I fall down.

And so that's it for 2008...and what I have to look forward to in 2009. What did you do, not do, and hope to do?

Email me or post it in the comments to share...I'd love to be a part of your life's muse.

God bless each of you and your families.
Thank you for following this blog ~ keep reading in 2009...there's more to come!
CHEERS

~A

{New Years Examples for 'W'}

Here ya go Mimi -
:-)
Let me know what you think....

{Giving Back Project} And the winner is.....

First of all, let me say a HUGE thank you to all of the persons who took the
time to send in these amazing testimonies, on behalf of another person or
family, whom they thought would be blessed by this gift.
The stories, testimonies, and kind words tugged at my heart each and every
time I received a nomination for the {Giving Back Project}.
This was such an amazing project with SOOOO many nominations, that there was
NO way just one name could be chosen. Therefore, two names were chosen and
those families along with the person who nominated them are going to be
blessed from Amy Reynolds Photography.
The names chosen were:

**Tracy B. ~ nominated by Jane P.
and
**Angi G. ~ nominated by Janet O.

Everyone who sent in a nomination, as well as the families that they
nominated will receive a special gift from Amy Reynolds Photography as well.
A simple way of expressing how much I appreciate the time and effort that
they took to be apart of the {Giving Back Project}.

Again I thank each of you ~ I will be sending out your goodies right after
Christmas.
God Bless each of you and may everyone have a wonderful, God-filled
Christmas!

Meet my new....

Christmas present!!!!

{Sharing J's Storyboard}

Here ya go a storyboard from a recent session....

{Giving Back}

This Christmas, I am doing something different, something unique, something that will leave a lasting impression on a few hearts....

You know someone. You know someone who's experienced a tragedy, is struggling to stay afloat, is raising kids while holding down more than one job, or is volunteering selflessly despite extenuating personal circumstances. You know someone who can't afford custom photography, but who would cherish it this holiday season. You know someone who deserves a year-round reminder of their family's spirit, love, and beauty.

You know someone. I guarantee it.

I want to know who they are, and I want to give them the chance to experience complimentary custom photography -- $300 worth, to be exact. Whether it's canvas or albums, prints for Grandma, or a slideshow to watch over and over, it's in your power to give them the artwork they deserve this holiday season.

Oh, and the best part? The person who nominates the winner receives a $100 print credit. What better reason to show some love could there possibly be, people?

The rules:

* You cannot nominate yourself, and the person nominated must sincerely be incapable of purchasing my services. (Being unable to make mortgage payments for a two-million-dollar-vacation-home in Paris does not qualify as sincere financial need.)

* The nominee must reside in the Southeast Kansas area. Tell me who you know, what they're experiencing, and why they deserve my artwork. Please include a way to contact both your nominee and yourself as well.

* You must e-mail me the full story : arphotography@sbcglobal.net .

The winner will be announced on Christmas Eve -- so NOW is the time to start nominating! I can't wait to read all of your entries!

Open your heart to someone this holiday season -- and thanks for giving me the opportunity to open mine.

With love,

Amy Reynolds

{'M' Family Session Preview}

Here are some of my favorites from our recent session the 'M' family. I have known these kiddos since they were 2 1/2 years old.....I had them in daycare and they have since become good family friends! Hope you like the preview....
Hugz!