Day 05.

22 12 2010

It’s day five here on the giveaways.  With only a few days left until Christmas– I would love to see your Christmas trees!  Send in a photo of your fantastic evergreen to cassie@cassiejonesphotography.net  to enter to win today’s prize!

The winner of the best Christmas Carol is: Brenna!  Congratulations Brenna!  You have won a 20$ gift card to Cassie Jones Photography!

To the tune of “Grandma Got Run Over By A Raindeer:

My life got took over by an XBOX

Ever since the day we said “I do.”

You say “lighten up, it’s just a game,” but

It’s clear no game has been replacin’ you.

He’s been playin’ too much Halo.

And hours of lame Assassin’s Creed.

Had his attention for a while but

Then out came the newest Need for Speed. .

My life got took over by an XBOX

Ever since the day we said “I do.”

You say “lighten up, it’s just a game,” but

It’s clear no game has been replacin’ you.

He wants to name our baby “Madden”

We have a dog named Mario.

He says I’m nagging and controlling.

But I’ll tell that “control” freak where to go…





Cory+Katherine–Searcy, Arkansas Wedding Photographer

21 12 2010

Ruth 1:16

…”Intreat me not to leave you or turn back from following you; for where you go, I will go, and where you lodge, I will lodge.  Your people shall be my people, and your God, my God.” 

I’ve never actually paid attention to this scripture.  Sure, I’ve read it.  A hundred times.  But in the middle of a wedding ceremony, my heart was pricked.  By God’s timely teachings.  I was taken back to the day I said my own vows to my husband.  And how words could never describe such a level of comittment.  Until hidden in the depths of the Bible I find the exact words that do. 

After hearing Cory and Katherine repeat to one another the verse with added personalization I went straight from the wedding to sit  in my car and open my Bible to the passage.  And I read it.  And read it again.  And I smiled.

Sometimes, there are not words to describe something so beautiful.  And as we stood witness in a magnificent chapel illuminated with one of the most elaborate lighting displays out the window– one thing and one thing alone stood out more than the beauty of the place.  Of the dress.  Of the flowers.  It was the comitment two people made to one another.  The love they share.  And the tears that rolled down the cheeks of the family and friends that they love.   

Cory and Katherine, thank you so much for allowing me to share in your special day.  I am honored.  I pray many blessings for you as you begin your new lives together.  God bless you and keep you–

Cass

 

Triplets.  :)

You know your photographer loves you when she’ll lay on the ground in 32 degree weather.  For the “1-2-3 Marriage!” fun football shot.





Todd + Angel — Vilonia Arkansas Wedding Photographer

21 12 2010

“If we shed tears, they are not tears of mourning, but of happiness.”  He said as he fought hard to hide the emotion in his strong voice. 

The phrase spoken by Angel’s father resounded in my mind the rest of the afternoon.  I haven’t known this family for years.  And I still don’t know most of their names.  But for one brief moment in time, I felt as if I were one of them.  I felt as if I had known this couple for years.  And I cried.  For less than twelve hours I was privilaged to have the best seat in the house to watch what is quite possibly one of the most emotional wedding ceremonies I have ever seen.  And one of the most beautiful.   

Though the small Mars Hill church was packed to the brink, I’m almost positive there was not a dry eye in the whole building when photos of their lives set to music played on the screen in the front of the room.  I don’t see how one person could say that when only four people sang “Jesus Let Us Come To Know You” they didn’t get a small glimpse of what Heaven’s singing would be like. 

To Todd and Angel, thank you so much for allowing me to share in your special day.  I hope you have a wonderful trip and a wonderful beginning to your new lives together.   Here’s your sneak peek!

Angel’s Bridals—which will be on the bloggity blog soon!





Ten Days and Technical Difficulties

20 12 2010

Because of technical difficulties this weekend, I was unable to announce the winner of the awkward family photo contest.  Which I will remedy now.  Congratulations Brenna G!  You have won a 20$ gift certificate to Cassie Jones Photography to be used towards a session or prints! 

And now, continuing on as if nothing ever happened, day four. 

“The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear.”

Re-write your favorite Christmas Carol (just the first verse will do) into something light hearted/humorous.  Email me at cassie@cassiejonesphotography.net for your chance to win day four’s prize!





‘Tis The Season of Awkwardness

17 12 2010

Day Three is here!  Congratulations to Machelle VanReenen on winning a free mini session! 

We all have them.  You know, those photos where the timer is set and everyone is watching the flashing as the seconds tick by on the camera.  The dreaded timer pictures.  The ones where everyone is dressed up in scary sweaters from grandmother Olga and no body is actually ready when the camera takes the picture.  Celebrating this meaningful tradition, I’ve decided that day three’s giveaway will be judged on awkwardness.  Send in your awkward christmas or just awkward family photos to cassie@cassiejonesphotography.net !  Good luck!





Day 02. — Ten Days of Giveaways

16 12 2010

Congratulations to Kiefer!  You have won a free session for the ugliest sweater! 

Day 02:

Is a writing prompt.  On the Cassie Jones Photography facebook wall will be a status: “You know it’s cold when…” leave a comment below it to finish the sentence.  Example: “You know it’s cold when your mocha turns into a frappe before you can get the window back up.”  You may also leave your comments here, in the comments section of this post.

My favorite witty response wins Day Two’s prize! 

I will stop accepting comments at noon tomorrow and the winner will be announced shortly after. 

Good luck!

You can also find instructions here: www.tendays.cassiejonesphotography.net





Ten Days of Giveaways

15 12 2010

So–its my normal morning routine.  I’m driving to work, dancing to Lady Gaga, and the genius hidden deep within me comes out for a single solitary moment.  Ten days until Christmas.  Despite the fact that I have several gifts to get and wrap along with shooting two weddings this weekend, I”m totally pumped about it.  And I wanted to do something.  For you.

And then I remembered that days and giveaways kind of rhyme.  And for a second, I felt like a rapper.  But only for a second.

Ten days of giveaways.  That could be fun, I think to myself.  So, taking inspiration on this Inspiration Wednesday from yesterdays takcy christmas sweater post– the first of the ten giveaways.  Please email me at cassie@cassiejonesphotography.net  your photo of your ugliest Christmas sweater along with your name, phone number, and address (in case you win the prize!)  I will post some on facebook because I will get too excited and think some of them are ugly enough to share.  So, don’t put your face in it if you don’t want your identity seen! 

I will stop taking entries tomorrow at noon, when the 9th day giveaway will be announced.  So I’m giving you a head start today. 

The prize?  :)   What fun would unwrapping a gift be if I told you what it was?

Silly.  It’s Christmas.  Freal. 

But I promise it’s good.  :)





Tacky Christmas Sweaters

14 12 2010

{Please read in the tune of “The Twelve Days of Christmas” for full dramatic effect.}

[Clears throat.]

On the twelfth day of Christmas,  bunco group met and had:

 12 girls a laughing, 11 types of food, lots of cameras flashing, we played dirty santa, ornaments exchanged, lots of ”Bunco!” screaming, purple tiara wearing, AND WORE TACKY SWEATERS, four sets of dice, three card tables, two bunco sisters and one very precious baby Hunter.

Yes.  I am fully aware that I am a nerd.  A bunco nerd. 

“You have to wear this sweater,” Jennifer said to me when she found out she couldn’t go.  “It’s just too ugly not to be there.”  Jennifer had found an ugly sweater from Heath and Hannah to wear to our Christmas bunco, but then found out that her husband’s Christmas party was the same night.  So she gets the good wife award which is shaped like an apron to hang on her kitchen wall.  And the good friend award because she passed on the glory to me of the ugliest Christmas sweater I’ve ever seen.  It urps Christmas. 

Photo: compliments of Hannah Alexander-Carpenter.  Stolen from: Facebook. 

 





The Twelve Days of Christmas

13 12 2010

Because it’s a two-blog-post kind of day.  And because it’s exactly 12 days until Christmas.

Every year on this day, I would rush out of bed (actually on time) and race down the stairs.  Under the tree would be a red bag (which I still have) with the words written in gold glitter glue “The Twelve Days of Christmas.” 

There were twelve things in it.  A tradition my grandparents started when I was too little to really remember and didn’t stop until I was nearly married.  Every day for twelve days I would find in the bag an assortment of  small boxes with a number on each one telling me which day to open it on.  I would shake them, rattle them, try to figure out what was inside, and often times I kinda admit would slit the tape on the box so carefully that it could be replaced and appear as if nothing was ever amiss.  However, Nana always put things in boxes she could find.  So the element of surprise was always there and I eventually gave up with the tape slitting thing.  Given the fact that it was never once successful.

I don’t remember what the gifts were.  Some were ornaments, some where special things that I still have.  But the gifts weren’t that important, in the long run.  The memories were.  And I’ll always hold dear to my heart the special things my grandparents have done for me.  Like letting me skate in the living room.  And stay up way too late.  And eat cookie dough with our fingers.  And laughter.  Lots and lots of laughter. 





Switched Digits

13 12 2010

I had a question.  I don’t exactly remember what it was.  But needless to say, it was important enough to call.  So, I mindlessly speed dialed my favorite husband.

“Hola?”

This is not abnormal.  It’s frequent that we answer the phone in wierd ways.  Like, “Yolanda’s house of love” or the all time favorite, “Joes Tacos and Burritos”.  And then there’s the ever popular “What?” — drug out in a really fake raspy voice that always makes me laugh. 

“Hola senior,” (I can’t get my keyboard to do the Spanish symbols– so, insert bad accent here.)  I say.  “Como estas llamo?” Because I think that’s how you say, “what’s up” but I can’t really remember.

He spouts something in Spanish that I can’t really understand.  “Rusty, slow down!” I say.  And then it dawns on me.  Yes, Rusty had a year of Spanish more than I did…but should he really be this good at it? 

“Say what?” I ask, totally confused now. 

He repeats his Spanish phrase once again and that’s when I realize.  This is not Rusty.  Nor do I like his tone. 

Why is there a stranger on the other end of my phone? 

Prank answer.  He’s got someone with him that knows Spanish and is answering the phone!  Ha! I’ve figured it out.  I’m suddenly very proud of myself.

“Put Rusty on the phone,” I say harshly with all the threat I can pull out of my voice.  “Now,” I add, noting that I sound quite a bit like my mother.  But that’s beside the point.

The man says something else in Spanish that sounds different.  Maybe its just me.  But he sounds confused too.  I look at my phone and Rusty’s photo is staring back at me and the number says “Rusty Cell”, but seriously? 

Great.  Now I’ve scolded some stranger.  My only hope is that his English is about as good as my Spanish.  Maybe he thinks I said something nice.

“Camilla?” The man says after a few moments of akward silence.

Camilla?  I shake my head.  My eyebrows are hurting from being bunched at the center of my forehead.  I’m totally lost. 

“No,” I say.  “Cassie.”

“Oh, lo siento,” I actually know enough Spanish to understand that one.

We hang up. Apparently, our service provider has been having trouble connecting calls to the right people.  Now, I wish I would have paid a little bit more attention in Spanish class.  Or taken an extra year or two.  But then, I wouldn’t have had the laugh.








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