On a more positive note

You ever have one of those days where everything seems to be going going wrong? You didn't prep your lunch for the day, your folded laundry is still not put away, the dishes seem to be everywhere, you're running late, you forgot to fill your gas tank, you spill coffee on yourself, etc.? Am I painting a crazy enough picture for you? ;)

 It's in those moments that we (I) say things we (I) don't mean, we do silly things we shouldn't, and just wish that the day would end already. This happens to me all too often, and I thought to myself, what good will it do me by complaining even more about it!? Make your day turn around, Kayla! You have that power to change your attitude.

Instead of complaining, or wishing your day away, have you ever thought that maybe your mood could change by doing something sweet for someone, for absolutely no reason at all!? Well, it can. Try it...I dare ya.

Today is actually perfect because I get to volunteer with my company, just in time for Veterans Day! We are going to 3 different homes in the community and raking their leaves, cleaning out their gutters, power washing their homes, etc.! Basically things that elderly people should not have to worry about. I'm so excited to give back, it really does bring so much joy! Here are some other ideas on how to brighten someone else's day...just because!

A random act of kindness. Bake a pie for your neighbor, leave $5 on a co-workers desk with a note that "lunch is on me", bring in donuts for the whole department, fill someone's cubicles with cute balloons, pay for someone's coffee, compliment that girls outfit, send some snail mail just because, you get the point.

Volunteering. I know this is kind of the same thing as above, but hear me out! Whether it be with your local church, a soup kitchen, a homeless shelter, a library, anything...giving of your time is so, so rewarding. Yes, sometimes it can be exhausting, but when Caleb and I teach those little kids at church, or help out our church's youth group...half the time, they are the ones who end up teaching us something. Or when I'm able to devote a week of my summer evenings to photographing our church's annual Sports Camp? By the end of the week I am overwhelmed with how full of love I feel.

Give away your time or talents, for free. I know, I know. If you're a small business owner, you can't thrive if you're always giving stuff away. BUT! Here and there, for someone who really needs it, I think its absolutely worth it. A lot of you out there who have online shops, who can sew, who are photographers, artists, master Calligraphers (is that a thing!?), etc, and you charge for these services, and rightfully so (trust me I absolutely get it)! However, I challenge you to offer up your services at no charge for a day, or even just once, to someone who needs it. Even if you don't have a hobby like that, just giving your time, and listening to someone who needs a friend is perfect.

Cook for a new mom. I'm not a mom yet, but with my sister in law recently going through this, I know how much she appreciated it when people dropped off a hot meal, so she could just focus on her new babe (aka the cutest nephew in the world) and all that is involved with that.

Drop by your local senior citizen home with flowers. Can you even imagine the smile on some of their faces?!! I am just picturing myself in a home like that one day, and how much it would mean to ME to talk to someone for an hour and have fresh flowers on my bedside!

Donate school supplies. Most of these teachers are buying supplies themselves, out of their own pocket, and that's just not right! How awesome would it be to relieve them a little financially?

I know this post was random, but our world needs more love this week, so I hope you'll put one of these into action and make someone's day!
Have a great Thursday, friends!

Sports Camp 2016! AKA the coolest week ever.

I wanted to take today's post to recap my church's Sports Camp as a whole with some of my favorite shots. Basically we did the same thing every night. An insane amount of sweating, worshipping, walking and serving. It's overwhelming to see these kids sing to Jesus. It brought me to tears behind my camera more than a few times!

Sunday night was family night and we welcomed everyone into the park - this was also the night the kids got to meet all their coaches! The sports included flag football, basketball, soccer, cheerleading, backyard games and water wars. So much FUN!!

Monday was night #1 with the kids and we had the BEST time kicking off our week!

Just a few kids from our youth group!

Tuesday was yet another amazing night! Thankfully it was pretty overcast so we got a break from the sweltering heat for a night!

water wars is where its AT!

Sadly Wednesday night there was a huge storm brewing, so they had to cancel that night! But we came back Thursday and we went hard!

and Friday, we had ourselves a blast at family night! All the parents came and watched their children worship, win prizes and eat as much as ice cream as their little bellies could handle!

We gave away a brand new bike, and the boy who won already had one at home...so when no one was watching, he gave it away. I happened to catch it on camera thanks to someone noticing, and man, it really got to me! These kids are amazing, I love their generous hearts!

A huge thank you to everyone!! Every single volunteer (those who danced, those who packed snack bags for 300+ kids, those who sweat for Jesus, etc.), every parent who trusted us, everyone who donated money or gifts or supplies, and especially everyone who prayed for us, etc.! It means the world. We had the best week with these kids. Over 340 kids registered, 100+ volunteers...its always a highlight of our year!

Already looking forward to this event next year! I love my church!

The calm before the storm...

...except not any normal storm... a beautiful, love filled, fantastic 7 days are coming up. I know I mentioned at some point how INSANE most of this month was going to be for me, but Saturday morning begins quite the stretch of commitments. Caleb and I are shooting two weddings this weekend; one Saturday, and one Sunday. Then Sunday evening, after the wedding, begins our church's annual sports camp, which I'm the photographer for. That goes on from Sunday through the following Friday evenings. That is all on top of my full time job.

It's going to be a whirlwind, but a beautiful one at that. This past Sunday at church our pastor talked a little bit about how exhausting that particular week can be for us volunteers (over 100 of us!), but to remember that through it all, we're teaching these kids (a record number of nearly 300) what the love of Jesus looks like...and that's NOT with tired eyes, exhaustion, or complaints. This shot was taken at last years event...I couldn't resist the selfie opportunity.

No matter how tired I get that week, its so worth it to see these adorable faces!

& I'm able to spend time with people I love more than anything.

my amazing uncle.

& see my super hottie husband lead worship (which he sadly won't be doing this year, he opted to coach basketball instead!)

But seriously, this is one reason I love photography. It can capture so much joy in one single shot...and that's why my job is the best. I can't get enough of it, truly.

I find myself smiling, and crying right along all the happy moments with my clients. This picture is probably my favorite from the recent wedding I shot. So much emotion! From her Dad's look right before he gives her away, to the tears rolling down each cheek...I may have wiped away a tear or two of my own behind my camera.

In the midst of all the craziness...I have to remember how very lucky I am. I have two amazing jobs that I love, and CHOOSE to have... I have an incredible support system, and I serve an incredible God. So, I'm choosing to be thankful today!