Stephen and I recently went in front of the camera for some updated photos, and for our 1st official family photo with he and I our #poodlechild, Rhett.  Here’s a sneak peek at glamping themed styled shoot, but I’ve posted this and so much more over on my fashion/home/life decor blog, The Decor Diaries at http://thedecordiaries.com!  Go check out all the rest over there!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!

After a busy 2012 traveling around the world for different photo shoots and weddings, Stephen and I (and our poodle, Rhett, too!) are now taking time off for our own personal travels and relaxation as we recharge for an exciting 2013 ahead.

We will be back in the office Wednesday January 16, 2013 and will respond to all emails and inquiries at that time.  We will only be checking in with emails sporadically during our time off, but if there is an urgent issue, please email us at scarlett@scarlettlovesstephen.com with the subject URGENT in the subject line.

We thank you for a wonderful 2012 and are excited to serve you in the new year!  May you have a blessed holiday season and beginning of your new year!

This is a little sneak peek of so much more that I posted over on my home decor blog The Decor Diaries.  I posted a lot more details of our first ever Christmas decorating results!  As Stephen calls it, it turned out to be quite the “Pink Christmas glitter explosion!”  As if you would expect anything less from moi!  Go check it out!

It’s been a while since I’ve written a personal blog entry.  I think back to the days when I was a regular blogger… back in my single days before Stephen came along. Life was less busy, leaving me more time to sit with my computer and write my thoughts to the world.  Just me and my dog trying to conquer this thing called wedding photography.  Then Stephen came along… and life got busy as our worlds collided, as we fell in love, planned a wedding, got married, merged our photography businesses, traveled the world together… and whew… now barely have time for what feels like anything anymore.  Personal time with friends have to be scheduled weeks, if not months ahead… our life revolves around our clients open schedules as we try to squeeze in open time into our schedule to simply be Stephen and Scarlett, the husband and wife, not Scarlett & Stephen, the wedding photographers in love…

But last Sunday, I was reminded of one of my favorite verses, “Be still and know that I am God.” ~Psalm 46:10

I was sitting in the pew of our church.  We sit on the right side of our church, which means we have to angle ourselves to view the pastor to the left.  As I look each Sunday at the pastor, somebody else always catches my eye.  In our usual spot we sit, there is also another usual spot that belongs to someone else on the edge of the pew.  His name is David.  Each week he wears the same khaki pants and pale pink button down collared shirt.  And each week, God uses him in my life to remind me of how small all my worries really are.  You see, David, is one of the friendliest handshakes I get to shake each week at church, yet, I’m not sure he even knows what I look like.  He wears glasses the size of a magnifying glass, and each week, he holds the pages of his bible up about half an inch away from his face as he scurries to try to follow along to the verses our pastor spews out during his message.  Each week I want to reach out and help turn the pages for him, yet, I struggle wondering if that will crush his pride… and his devotion… to worship God… no matter what his circumstance.  He can barely see the pages of the Bible he holds, yet, nothing stops him.  Even if it means reading the Bible through the magnifying glasses he wears on his eyes, his calm presence reminds me each week to be still… and know that God is God.  If God can take care of David, and help David get to church each Sunday, and help David read His word through partial blindness, and hear His songs through partial deafness that I’ve observed from the hearing aid in his ears….. all with a huge smile on his face…. then really…. really, why do I let my worries get the best of me?  Just as God has David in His hands, He has me.  And though it’s hard to get up early for church each Sunday, I’m thankful for that reminder that God gives me each Sunday through one of his faithful servants.

As we celebrate a season of feeling like we never have enough and our American consumerism teaches us to have more more more, I’m trying to learn to have thanks for each moment God gives us to simply be alive and breathing and have the ability to read His word through the things that try to blind us.

Here’s a little peek via our iPhones of our Thanksgiving with my mom, Grandma & Grandpa & Uncle Chip.  It was our first time ever hosting Thanksgiving!  Stephen smoked a ham, mom made a turkey, and I made all the side dishes… whew… I’m still full.