merry studios

Happy Birthday Chris

2012-03-01T09:58:00.003-08:00

My Brother turned 38.
That's weird.

But time takes us all prisoner I guess (what does that even mean? I don't know. do you?)

The morning of Chris's birthday we had some fun - as I tried out the video side of my camera. Don't worry - I know I have no future in the cinematography world - plus, I love my stills - but nonetheless - here you go Chris. Part 1 of 2.

Love you! (and know this is my first video ever....sooooo disregard its elementary nature)

J+J=F

2012-02-28T21:04:00.000-08:00

I have a really humongous honor.
So intense. So big. So beautiful. I've avoided putting it on the blog - because I don't really know how to write a blog post about something that is so new, special, and meaningful.
Godsons.
I've told you about my Godmother Dearest - how she is the 8th wonder of the world, and #1 on my speedial. Well Janie is on the speedial too.
She went and had a baby.
And now, I get to be a part of his amazing life - as his Godmother. It is so exciting, I could burst.
I get to love on him, pray for him, and watch him grow all while being tightly knit to one of my besties.
Really. Could it get any better?

I can't wait to go visit them in Texas for his baptism - where we will make some big promises before God - and then eat deviled eggs.
Really. Could it get any better?
Also while I'm in Texas, I'm going to visit Austin....possibly a new location for Merry Mary.

But that's for other days and stressing.

For now, seriously. Look at this baby and momma.

Really. Could it Get any Better?

Oh and follow Janie at her blog. It is nice. and Refreshing.

Engaged. Betrothed. A Pre-Promise if you Will.

2012-02-26T20:26:00.001-08:00

I really think God can be so ridiculous sometimes. Ridiculous in a gracious sort of way - not in the way I can get when I get mad about my mom using my macintosh apples for fruit salad instead of red delicious. (I may have been a brat this AM, but I'm in rehab for that).

God can be ridiculous like this:

Brandon: "Jess really wants snowy engagement pictures, but this winter has been so mild, I doubt that's happening."

Me: "Yeah, totally, I doubt it will snow at all, lets just do them in February and plan on a warm shoot."

Brandon: "K."

And then, fast forward a month, and what do we have?

God being all ridiculous like, "Hey, I want you to have some fun snowy pictures Jess why? Because I love you and I can do things like make snow (amongst an infinity number of other things)."

And there we were. Running in the snow, watching cows go wild, and finally trying to find a baby calf his home. They were so fun, and I cannot wait for the big day in Memphis. Anyone wanna tour Graceland with me? (Josie, may I crash with your mom? Or at least drink a cup of coffee with her? everyone says she is awesome, but I don't know her)

Memphis 2012 one requirement: Gold Elvis Glasses.

I should also mentioned I loved photographing them for a lot of reasons. I've known Brandon forever - and a day, Jess looks like one of my favorite people AKSBC AKA Anna Kate of Idaclare, and she had a free people scarf on. #love

I would go on choosing you
And you would
go on choosing me
Over and over again…(stole from "I like You" via Idaclare)

Realini, Beautifulini, Dorlini

2012-02-24T21:31:00.001-08:00

I absolutely loved this early morning. This is a family I've been with before - and always like the spunky nature of their little gals. But now, they've got a new little man and this was my first time meeting Sir Tyson. (No, he is not a knight yet, but I know he will be chivalrous). We shot early to get all the youngins pre-meltdown. I was welcomed with a deliciously strong cup of coffee - an Americano to be exact- and it is my love language. Between that, the hipster music keeping everyone happy in the background and this beautiful momma.
I was in photography heaven.
I love how this family let's it unwind - naturally. I hope when they look back at our shoots many years from now - it will bring them vivid memories of what real life was like with three kids under 4 (close to it) and how wild and crazy it was. Because, if you know me, you know I believe a lot of beauty rests in between the wild and crazy. Full Life. I love it. I eat it up.

We let the morning unfold - no stress - and no tears. It was great.

note: dottie coming through the secret passage in the background

Anima Christi

2012-02-24T07:55:00.000-08:00

Soul of Christ, sanctify me.
Body of Christ, save me.
Blood of Christ, inebriate me.
Water from the side of Christ, wash me.
Passion of Christ, strengthen me.
O Good Jesus, hear me.
Within your wounds hide me.
Permit me not to be separated from you.
From the wicked foe, defend me.
At the hour of my death, call me
and bid me come to you
That with your saints I may praise you
For ever and ever. Amen.
From Finding God in All Things: A Marquette Prayer Book © 2009 Marquette University Press. Used with permission.

Baby Adriana

2012-02-23T19:16:00.000-08:00

Happy Birthday Elizabeth

2012-02-18T06:17:00.000-08:00

its my big sister's birthday - well, she's much tinier than my 6 ft self.

but she's older and wiser - and apparently less camera shy than i ever knew.

i love her. with my whole heart.

today i celebrate her - you should too - even if you don't know her.

Happy Birthday

to you

happy birthday

to you.

happy birthday, dear elizabeth

happy birthday, to you.

because it's you're party.

and you'll cry if you want to.

or you can dance.

because tonight's gonna be a good night.

tonight's gonna be a good night.

tonight's gonna be a good good night.

i hope you just have fun doing the neutron dance.

oh i'm just burning doing the neutron dance.

and then of course you'll remember whitney.

as you realize, "oh i wanna dance with somebody."

i wanna feel the heat with somebody.

and as that song fades you'll realize in your 29th year.

you're livin' on a prayer

you're halfway there.

woooaahhh livin' on a prayer

take my hand, we'll make it i swear.

ohhhh livin' on a prayer....

and jesus loves you this i know.

Giggling.

2012-02-11T15:34:00.000-08:00

I'm giggling so hard right now:

makes me miss Young Life, my AHS team and PHHS team. And the leadership in cville.

Bacon. Ham. Sausage. Glory.

2012-02-08T21:05:00.000-08:00

Sometimes I come to terms with the fact I am...well...different. But so are you - and so is she and that's what makes the world go round - or some idealistic statement like that.
But really - it is a fun world - in the nitty gritty and in the glamorous.

I realize by sharing this little photography montage you may think I'm a freak.
But what I hope is that you will think I like bacon and all things in that genre. Because, if you think that - then you are correct my friend. Tomorrow around 6 am, my mother/roomate/pal Barb will fry up some bacon. I will then eat it and spend the rest of the day thinking about being healthy, eating berries, and doing yoga. Somehow, I don't ever seem to want to cut out the bacon. Or sausage. Or ham. Or....you get my point.

That said - meat. It is great.

And a special thank you to my pals in the valley for letting me be the freak with the camera at their hog butchering. Thanks also for ~~forcing~~ allowing me to eat such things as:

pig liver
pig tongue
pig pancreas (I think this is called sweetbreads)
pig skin with the hair a bit on it because it did not fry off
pig kidney
human kidney (gotcha)
and I think something else gross.

all in all. it was swell. I recommend you go sometime. They may even feed you something from the list above - if you're lucky and well received.

But beyond my food adventures, a few other highlights:

watching a 70 something gentleman stick his hand into boiling lard because he wanted us to know when pure fat boils it can't burn you. I didn't believe it but then I saw it. Crazy. Someone. Please. Explain.
realizing the casing around the sausage we all love is actually intestinal lining. (you can barf now and then proceed to fry up more sausage because that's what I did)
taking a photograph of my head and a pig's head. sort of like kindred souls.
spitting out liver in front of at least 10 grown men.
watching children play monkey in the middle with a pigs foot for the ball. (they are really thrifty)
feeling a bit of love and not hatred for a dog
wearing carhartts all day and not feeling like a poser.

Hogs from mary Stafford on Vimeo.

Bun in the Oven.

2012-02-08T20:54:00.000-08:00

We barely had time to photograph Miranda's baby bump before little (and do I mean little) Haley come on to the scene.

Here are a few shots taken just days before Haley was born!
Babies. Agh. Love em. Can't get enough of them.

West Coast #2: California Lovin'

2012-02-05T10:30:00.000-08:00

I started to share some photos from Tahoe and then.....well my life got a bit busy. If I could edit photographs while I drive - I would be caught up and even possibly ahead. 1000 miles just last week.

I'm not complaining but my lower lumbar is.

While I'm not loving driving - life is good and wild and confusing and all that in between.

Life is good.

And Wild.

And all that in between.

Sometimes I have to see it through someone else's eyes before I get all caught up in things like my lower lumbar or whatever that is a metaphor for. (ended with for. eek grammar)

While we were in California I had the chance to photograph Joe and Sarah. They are getting hitched this year and I just know it is going to be so beautiful because they are lovely people inside and out.

Gracious and Kind.

Those are the two words that come to my mind.

I convinced them to let me drag them around and snap photographs and I am so pleased with the results!

"It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye."

Antoine de Saint-Exupery

Basketball.

2012-01-30T18:41:00.000-08:00

I've known these two for a very long time. And hopefully they're dad is going to fix my sick little station wagon tomorrow.

I'm so glad we found time to get their basketball pictures before they had to turn in their uniforms!

Babies. Timing. Sighs of Relief.

2012-01-26T20:51:00.000-08:00

Some days I think I'm a terrible photographer. There I said it.

And sometimes, I do some bad pictures (don't worry, these never make it to anyone's eyes).

But then you have a moment where the baby lays still, and the lights aren't going psycho, and the phone isn't blaring.....and you get a sweet image that makes your heart melt.

Like this little gal.

I love some of the shots so much from this day.

What you don't see is me not thinking to put a diaper back on her - and well, she had to go. Babies are sort of high maintenance like that.

We had an accident - but when they are that teeny even excrement is cute.

So here the cuteness is.

West Coast #1

2012-01-25T21:32:00.000-08:00

I had my first visit to California lately.
I still can't believe I didn't need a passport to get out there.
Different country?
#doesnotevenbegintodescribeit

I went with some pals - some fun pals - and some just wonderful pals.

It was a really really really great week.

Some highlights include driving a KIA Soul around the mountains. This was fun because the car is silly odd. The only reason we could drive it was because there was zero, no, nihil, nada snow in Tahoe. Really? I've never skiid in the west and I wind up in the worst winter "they've had in years." Everyone kept telling me this like it made me feel better.

Other highlights
- amazing hosts and the gym in the neighborhood. I know what you're thinking, that must be some gym.
- really great pals (I think I said that)
- San Fransisco
- Belly Dancers
- Throwing up bad Indian food after claiming I had a stomach of steel except in motion sickness realms
- The Montanas. They're no Appalachians but I loveth.
- Fondu
- Great wine
- Sunsets
- Great wine
- My very own daybed

yada yada yada
Here are some photos from our first day.

first things first. sign your life, children, house, and health over to the rental car agency

I learned people in Cally L-O-V-E the In and Out Burger. We went immediately here. We did not

animal style is the way to go. whatever that means

when i took this I thought, "what would it have been like to go to high school in CA?" Answer: A poorer version of 90210 and a much poorer version of The OC

andy was so happy for the in and out goods

bible verses on everything! this one is Nahum 1:7

The LORD is good,

a refuge in times of trouble.

He cares for those who trust in him,

this cup has Proverbs 3:5

Trust in the LORD with all your heart

and lean not on your own understanding;

we caught a sunset over the bridge. really. it was timed perfectly because we got lost. thats #redemption

Baby Grant.

2012-01-22T15:13:00.000-08:00

I took WWAAYYYY to much time just drooling over this baby. And I"m so excited because I have another baby waiting in the cue.

Not an actual baby - but you know what I mean.

I told my friend today I wanted a baby.
But I think it is because I want to photograph a baby.
So maybe now isn't the right time.

But this little man is cute. And it was fun. And life is worth celebrating. With babies and old people and everything in between.

A big thanks to Momma Steph for letting me play with her and the babe. This was one of my first infant shoots!

I just think about how this little guy, will one day be a big guy and hopefully a standup warrior kind of guy. and I love it.

I just love it.

Preview: Baby Mckenna

2012-01-19T22:48:00.000-08:00

Jesus is the Shepherd true,

And He’ll always stand by you,

For He loves the little children of the world;

He’s a Savior great and strong,

And He’ll shield you from the wrong,

For He loves the little children of the world

Dixieland Delights.

2012-01-19T22:20:00.000-08:00

Sarah and Jenny took me to school in 10th grade. They'd ride up to my house in the red Jetta fresh out of White Gate, Giles County, VA. Usually they were blaring Kenny Chesney, Kid Rock, or usually Alabama (Live version, PUHLEASE).

They'd walk in. I'd be running around with curlers in my hair and coffee in hand and Sarah would say something like, I need a shirt to wear. I usually ended up giving her back one of hers to wear to school that day. (they had great Tommy Hilfiger clothes...remember when that was the jam???).

We'd scoot out the door and off to school.
They really were the best. I L-O-V-E-D every minute I spent with Sarah, Jenny, Larry, and Becky - and Lovenut the cat with Feline AIDS - RIP Lovenut.

They are still so cool and warm my heart a lot when I get to see them.

Just before Christmas we brought the whole crew together for some fun in Merry Studios. Sarah and Jiiiaaammy's (you have to say it like that) babies are cute and hilarious. Jenny and Ross are betrothed and I Love it. And Larry and Becky? Well, agh. They still flirt.

I loved it all.
Here's a quick preview!
Jenny and Ross's fun engagement shots soon enough.

that is so funny. and you know it

Midweek Confession

2012-01-18T21:44:00.000-08:00

Agh. The midweek confession. How nice it is to virtually pick and choose the things to share with the few reader pals I have. It is funny - to think this is such a stake of honesty when in reality I screen
like
nobody's
biz
naaassss

That said, the interwebs isn't really a place for intimacy - unless it is your eharmony profile. Not like I've ever online dated or anything.....

Today, over lunch my pal Crystal and I discussed a lot of stuff. Jesus stuff. Food stuff. Boy stuff.
yada yada yada yada yada.
We also talked about honesty vs. intimacy.
They aren't the same ya know?
It took me a long time to see that.

I'll tell you lots, but ask me to be intimate and I'll
likely
run
and
scream
and holler.
or some version thereof.

That said, let's continue with the online-catholic-like confession.

Here we go:
I had trouble focusing at times during lunch with my pal because she just got the most beautiful hot platinum hairdo. I kept thinking, "I wanna go platinum....she looks beautiful...." #iwannabeblondokay?

I also may have shopped the after-christmas sales wayyyyyy to hard today while my car was getting fixed (it was 30 minutes but a lot of damage). I bought matching sweaters for Mummy, sissy and myself. They won't get theirs until Christmas 2012. I'm wearing mine tomorrow. (Mom don't look at me tmw, I don't want to give it away!)

I shopped at Talbots. I felt really old.

Last year I hung out on the seventh level of hades as I endured doses of ~~poison~~ Acutane. My face cleared up and I loved it. But the monsters have returned. I may have cried over it today. I may have remedied that with spending way too much on amazon.com on face products.

I gorged on processed meat and cabbage tonight. My mom and I are addicted to this crap she makes. I call it crap but I love it. It takes cabbage, sausage, and way too much oil and makes life delicious. Cooney came over and started feeding his face (he's trying to get SWOLE) and then my Aunt Linda stopped by after choir and fed her face. There we all sat around the table feeding our faces with way too much grossness/yuminess. It was basically the best way to end a day.

I confess that today some things stunk and some things didn't. Crystal, sales, and cabbage greasiness were great.
The rest. blarrr.....

Tomorrow is a new day. New mercies. I'm going to try to remember this.

Tickle Munster.

2012-01-16T20:49:00.000-08:00

Baby Grant.

2012-01-12T20:38:00.000-08:00

I haven't done a TON of infant photography - so I was thrilled when Stephanie asked if I could shoot Baby Grant. We had a great day - and while I think I have more to learn with the little soft-skulled subjects - I really loved the day.

And met a new pal. I think I would like to hang out with Stephanie again. I hope she'll say yes.

I have some more work to do on these, but how cute is this little guy?

For You formed my inward parts;
You wove me in my mother’s womb.

will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
Wonderful are Your works,
And my soul knows it very well.

Psalm 139

U.S. Marshall + U.S. Contractor

2012-01-12T20:26:00.000-08:00

I've known my pal Morgan since we were little gals with wild hair and bad tempers. We grew up together going to Kiawah Island, stamping up a storm, and shopping the deals at Beckly's Value City with the Chinese food buffet to follow.

Her mom is a blackbelt and would pin me down when I would get out of control (which was basically all the time).

Morgan is A-mazing. She's fallen in love and getting married.

Transition-sourous-rex

Okay.
So Check it.
She is a U.S. Marshall.
He is heading to Afganistan in a few weeks to save the world.

They are what some would call......

A power couple.

Lucky for me, I'm not a criminal or in the Taliban - just a photographer.

I L-O-V-E-D this day. Christmas Eve actually. The only time these jetsetters could meet up. Morgan was sweet enough to let me have my way with her. I did her hair, make-up, the whole bit - because in my other life I went to cosmotelgy school. (I still haven't ruled this out).


this is my favorite.

Like I said, this one above, up there - that's my favorite. It is the in between moment. The real life. The life well lived. I love it. Makes me excited for the in between moments of their life.
The stolen glances.
The hand squeezes.
The winks.
Those in between not posed real life things

Love it. Can't stand it. Gotta keep moving to the next photo before I burst.

I'm so excited for them. They are really so great together. You'll see she is laughing in quite a few of these.
Why? Because he makes her laugh.
She makes him smile big.
It works out well I think.

I may have asked her to bite his ear. Is that weird? Well. Whatever. It was funny.

Hooray!

Twinsies.

2012-01-11T17:32:00.001-08:00

Bethany shared this.
It is funny.
Girls are funny.
Boys smell.

Midweek Confessions.

2012-01-11T17:27:00.000-08:00

My friend Elizabeth at E, Myself and I (I gave her that blog name for the record, and then uncreativily suggested it to my pal and wombate, Bethany over at B, Myself, and I.) My pride made me write that.
There I admitted it.
So, Elizabeth has started this thing called, "Midweek Confessions." Essentially is a virtual confession booth for mom-bloggers mostly. I am not a mom blogger, but apparently I am into getting out my emotions all over the interwebs.
So, without further ado, my midweek confession.

On Tuesday, I bought a can vienna sausages yesterday at the local Save-A-Lot. I confess, I'm excited to eat this processed meat. Moreover, I confess, I thought they were a good choice since it is chicken parts and not pork parts.

I wore hipster fake glasses twice in one week. I have perfect eyesite. #poserhipsterposer

I tried to assert myself to old men when they made fun of my new pair (only pair) of TOMS. #poserhipsterposer

I yelled on the phone at the Blue Cross Blue Shield lady today. I'm sorry. And I don't want to justify it, but seriously don't you hate when you call the number YOU'RE TOLD TO CALL and then they're like, 'Oh honey, I'm sorry you dialed into the cafeteria, what you need is an agent.
Transferred with elevator music to an "agent."
"Hello, Ms. Stafford? What Can I help you with?"
ME: "MY BILLLLLLL HELLLPPP"
Agent, "Oh you're bill. Do you live in Oklahoma?"
ME: "No ma'm. I was told you could help me."
Agent: "No ma'm. I'm sorry. I can't help you only Virginia can."
Me: (losing it) "I was tttttoolllddd you couuld heeelp meeee."
Agent: "I'm sorry. No. Let me transfer you."

By the end of 6 women and 20 minutes of bad instrumentals (they can't even get Kenny G) I'm losing it. I cracked in the end. She promised to call me back after looking into my problem.

It is 8:30. Sister Friend Ain't calling back.

A few days back I went on a run with a pal on their farm. I took off with the sunsetting ready to get in a good okay, decent work out.
I bounded ahead and jumped off a concrete slab to the "mud." I mean, I am a ~~runner~~ jogger. Mud is not scary. Next thing I know I'm sinking into quick-sand-cow-poop. I squealed and screeched and did my girliest "ughs" and "blehs!" I stood there. Frozen. Sinking into crap. (sort of the story of my life sometimes)
I lose my shoe to the feces. The corn fed feces. Not even grass fed.
I freak.
Jump
UP
and
DOWN
My pal retrieves my shoe and I decide on is better than off.
Foot into the squishy disaster now in my shoe.
I try to play it cool. Impossible though, after my hissy fit.

this is after oh 4 miles or so. so imagine the initial grossness.

whoever sang that song about how black socks never get dirty needs to see this.

The best/worst part of this confession: I kept running in the cow crap laden shoes. #committed. #gross.

What's your confession? I will say it is sort of fun to laugh at how ridiculous we can be in this life sometimes.

Beautiful Things #5: Anam Cara.

2012-01-10T21:11:00.000-08:00

A friend recommended I surround myself with beautiful things last year when life was well....not so beautiful. They went on to recommend the book Anam Cara, by John O'Donahue.
I
Fell
In
Love
Not with John - I think he was celibate.
But I fell in love with what he had to say.

Anam Cara means, Soul Friend, - and he basically talks, meditates and muses on facets of the heart, community, friendship, love (both the eros and the agape) in the most beautiful of words.

It made me long for and be grateful for people all at the same time.

Do you have an Anam Cara? People that can speak to the deepest places in you and you feel at home in their presence? I think that is how He created and designed our relationships to be - its just so often we find ourselves unable to be that or recieve that.

Am I making sense?

So, as I was going through Christmas pictures tonight, I saw these of my mother and Godmother and realized what they were communicating in these is a soul friendship. (I adore both of these women like. whoa.)
I've included quotes from Anam Cara with the photographs.

Human presence is a creative and turbulent sacrament, a visible sign of invisible grace. Nowhere is there such intimate and frightening access to the mysterious. Friendship is the sweet grace that liberates us to approach, recognize, and inhabit this adventure.

a friend is a loved one who awakens your life in order to free the wild possibilities within you.

The one you love, your anam cara, your soul friend, is the truest mirror to reflect your soul.

“Real friendship or love is not manufactured or achieved by an act of will or intention. Friendship is always an act of recognition.”

“One of the tasks of true friendship is to listen compassionately and creatively to the hidden silences. Often secrets are not revealed in words, they lie concealed in the silence between the words or in the depth of what is unsayable between two people.”


And this is just barb. out of focus. but being hilarious.

Bugler.

2012-01-10T15:08:00.000-08:00

Brooks.

2012-01-09T21:55:00.000-08:00

yes i made him carry the chair through the field. #growingboy #myhandswerefull

Resolved.

2012-01-08T11:22:00.000-08:00

I love the contemplatives.

This site is great - and I wanted to share this:

New resolutions seemed full of promise last week. But some have already got lost in the ordinariness which takes over as the year gets under way. Prayer can be somewhat the same. It is sometimes energising, sometimes even exciting, but often mundane, even boring. This should not upset us. The tones and colours of prayer are affected by life’s ups and downs, and by the ordinary moods of everyday.
The Divine we meet in prayer knows all that. We are not persons of great prayer, but Jesus knows us through and through, and remains our friend for all time. Prayer is simple. It is about befriending the Mystery of God and ourselves. We allow God to befriend us in all that is our life. Prayer is as simple as that - just being with the divine as I am, here and now, and believing that the Divine is with me. Ignatius of Loyola invites us to start our prayer like that. He says ‘I will consider how God looks at me’. Teresa of Avila says: ‘Gaze at God gazing at you, lovingly and humbly’. One of the French mystics wrote: ‘You gazed on me and you smiled!’
Connectedness is the key. Because I believe that I am loved, I can allow the Divine to look at me. Prayer then transforms the ordinary and the mundane. It makes the Now a moment of grace and joy.

Get Ready World!

2012-01-05T21:03:00.000-08:00

My sweet sister friend graduated.
No she isn't techinically my sister, but yes we shared a lot of things growing up - clothes, vacations, skiis, moms, melaluca....eh.... you get it.

I basically adore her.
People say we look alike. Truthfully I look more like her than my sissy, Elizabeth aka Lizardbreath.

Lauren graduated from Virginia Tech just a few weeks ago.

I felt like an obnoxious mom as I elbowed my way through to snap her picture as she grabbed her diploma. I wanted to point out to everyone all the dangly things around her neck that are important. I wanted to be like, "Hey look that's my sister friend. She's beautiful. He made her that way. She is so smart and determined. I mean look at all those thingamajiggers around her neck. HELLO! Clap with me people."
I would say that - or at least feel that and then snap away.
Plus I wanted to flash my Virginia ring in all their faces. But moreover, I was so excited because while she was in college Lauren
G
R
E
W

What I mean is - she became so much more of who He intended her to be at the start of this life. I simply watched from a distance as her heart grafted in with His and she began to live from a place of love, truth, and beauty.

You may be wondering what is next for her. Well. Big things. This I know for the Bible tells me so. But all signs lead to nursing. She will be incredible at caring for people in whatever way she decides. When we were little running around Wilburn Valley at Mom and PawPaw Mutters she cared for every infant within a 50 mile radius - and she was like 5 years old. Her heart is soft and her hands are gentle.
If I ever birth offspring I would want her to be my nurse.
Weird?
Yes. But mostly because I said offspring.

That said, I'm proud you LaLa. Let's go to Tibey Island and celebrate with lots of tanning, walks, games, and vino.
xoxo

I cannot handle her dad's face in this. He is so proud. I get choked up each time I look at it. AGH.

Brandon Asked Jessica to Marry Him.

2012-01-05T12:31:00.000-08:00

And I got to take photos of whole thing.
I'm no Spielberg, but I like a good video montage.

Here it is.
Enjoy!

Brandon Jessica from mary Stafford on Vimeo.

Beautiful Things. #3

2012-01-04T21:34:00.000-08:00

My friend Maya.
She is beautiful.
In her guts and on the epidermis level.

We both did Young Life at Virginia, but really didn't know one another. I do remember she had some quirky purple rain type shoes that I had a secret envy for - other than that- I knew she hailed from Northern VA and lead Young Life.

Fastforward a couple thousand days - and Maya sends me an email.
out
of
the
blue

basically she said from reading my blog she thought we'd be good friends.
Her tone. Her heart. Her honesty.
Made me agree whole-heartedly.

We met up for some red-vino on Capitol Hill and well.
Life hasn't been the same.

She is beautiful I tell you.

She reminds me of the work of Jesus.
She lives it out.
She runs after Jesus - loving orphans (pray for Henry)- and kids who the rest of the world may see as deficient. She gives generously - and lives simply.
Of course, as she runs after Jesus she stumbles - but even that encourages me - because she wipes the grime - let's Him fix her - and then she keeps sprinting.

This past 2011 in what shall be known as the Dark Days (that sucked really really bad and I really really wallowed around a lot) she spoke life to me.

Isaiah 61- It is what Jesus does.

The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me,
Because the LORD has anointed me
To bring good news to the afflicted;
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
To proclaim liberty to captives
And freedom to prisoners;

To proclaim the favorable year of the LORD
And the day of vengeance of our God;
To comfort all who mourn,

To grant those who mourn in Zion,
Giving them a garland instead of ashes,
The oil of gladness instead of mourning,
The mantle of praise instead of a spirit of fainting.
So they will be called oaks of righteousness,
The planting of the LORD, that He may be glorified.

Did I mention she is beautiful?
I love her.
This day for example - she took me up on a random offer to drive from NOVA to Giles and then to Winston for a David Wilcox concert.
As soon as she rolled up to my house I burst into tears over some boy drama I was likely having - or confusing life question.
She just listened.
I love her.
Did I mention she is beautiful?
See for yourself.

We took photos of one another. it was hilarious
and awkward
in someone's cowfield because I said, "Maya, I have to take your photo here - I've always wanted to take someone's photo here."
And because she is free she said, "Okay."

She is beautiful. He has made her that way.

E, Myself, and I.

2012-01-03T19:45:00.000-08:00

“I don't remember who said this, but there really are places in the heart you don't even know exist until you love a child.”

Anne Lamott, Operating Instructions: A Journal of My Son's First Year

Isn't my sweet sister friend a dream come true

She's really growing into a beautiful momma. ***

Check out her blog. She's the best.
(more to come from this day, but some things must stand alone)

***(this makes me ache for Jane - and a photoshoot in Houston with Forest, my Godson - more on that big news later)

Beautiful Things. #2

2012-01-03T19:34:00.000-08:00

Meister Eckhart - a German Theologian who I'm sort of crushing on has some beautiful writings out there. His heart and passion encourage me a lot - and I'm sure he was beautiful inside and out.

Here are three beautiful quotes to surround yourself with:

Do exactly what you would do if you felt most secure.

Every creature is a word of God.

God expects but one thing of you, and that is that you should come out of yourself in so far as you are a created being made and let God be God in you.

From Our Home to Yours.

2012-01-03T10:49:00.000-08:00

I keep meaning to settle down and talk about this new year - what I'm excited about - praying for - etc. I want to take time to reflect on 2011 - but I think all this may take a while - and not happen so publicly.

In all my Tahoe fun with my pals - I forgot to give you our really savvy greeting card from the Christmas photobooth leftovers. I swear that booth is the gift that keeps giving.

That said, Barb and I wanted to wish all our pals a Happy New Year - from our home to yours.
Yes, I live at home.
Yes my mom does my laundry from time to time.
Yes I get told to take out the garbage.
Yes I bought us coordinating jackets.
Yes we took a photo with them.
Yes I'm 27.
Huzzah.

Isn't Barb just the cutest thing?

Barb got a little sleepy......

Beautiful Things.

2012-01-02T19:13:00.000-08:00

I'm glad 2011 is over.
I wanted it to be over for a while.
God taught me so much, and for that - I am a grateful gal.
But it was painful - and I'm excited to be a bit out of that and ready for what is next.
Be it pain -
or
Joy.

While I was in a rather nasty spot - a friend told encouraged me as he said, "Surround yourself with beauty."

And that I've done.
Through the beauty of people - their faces - loves -children - I saw God.
Through His creation.
Through beautiful words.
I saw Him.

Seeing Him makes all the difference.
Even when I may want to tell you differently.
So in 2012. I want to continue to surround myself in beauty. Whether that be through photographs, words, or stories.
Beauty it shall be.
Because, I know a man who is in the business of making beautiful things.

I won't do it everyday - I know better than to promise something like that to myself or to the blog-o-cyber-world
But I want to share beauty.
This video, my friends, is beauty.
Check out the work of the Zoe Foundation.

Putting the orphans in families.
That is beauty.
I'm done rambling.
I just needed to see this - and maybe you did too.

Zion's Adoption Day Film from Anecdotally Yours (Jeff Short) on Vimeo.

Christmas Card Blitz

2012-01-02T18:12:00.000-08:00

The goal is to write about 2012 - at some point.
But for now. There are pretty pictures to share - red eyes to recover from - real work to be done - and sleep to be had. So. That said. I want to share a shoot I
L
O
V
E
D

I took a lot of Christmas card photos this year, including my own families. I loved each shoot. Being with a family can be such a blessing - when you watch mom's and dad's love their children well - the way it was meant to be.

I love that.

It sort of gets me. Like, every time. Duoy.

This shoot -was one of those. The precious little girls living into their great personalities and their parents just helping them in that process. It was my first shoot with Pocahantas as a main character, and I must say I hope she returns.

I met Danielle and Corey when I was in college serving on Summer Staff and they were this beautiful couple running work crew. I don't know how she managed to look beautiful in 100+ heat every day - but she did. I loved reconnecting a bit when they returned to Roanoke to work with high school friends again.

This family is off to the North to share about the gospel. I know they will be missed in Roanoke, VA

Nor Cal

2011-12-29T10:53:00.000-08:00

I'm in Lake Tahoe right now with some pals and it is

G
O
R
G
E
O
U
S

Its my first time in the wild state of CA and I will say I love it. I flailed around the ski slopes yesterday and managed to hit a few black diamonds - not gracefully - but it felt sort of great taking a risk.

I have about 1 gajillion photos waiting for editing back in VA - but for now I'm going to soak up this place.
Happy Early New Year!

Joy to the World!

2011-12-26T14:36:00.000-08:00

I seriously love Christmas. Love Jesus. Love celebrating. Love the cookies. Egg Nog. Trees. Glitz Glamour.

All this for a King. Whether you see it or not.

We had such a fun time with people we love a lot. This year MAW and my sissy organized another great shin dig - and I was excited to get the photo booth a notch better than last year.

Enjoy the MERRYmeant here - and watch the fun video. The songs in it are great - NeedtoBreathe (introduced to me by Shelly as she and Ben pranced out of their wedding to this song) and Flatt and Scruggs.

Here is a real fun slideshow of our celebration Christmas Eve. I recommend popping it out to see it bigger!

Noel!

2011-12-25T13:21:00.000-08:00

It's Christmas! The last place I should be is here on the interwebs.
But, here is the family Christmas Card for 2011.
Note: It has been 15 years since our last Christmas card.
Note 2: There are way more pictures here of me and my crew than you want to see or need to see. However, I have no babies so this is what you get. Someday.....maybe...eh? Too much?
k.
Just know, that I know this could look sort of self centered.
I hope it isn't.

We started to celebrate Emmanuel last night with a rockin' party with half of Giles County and MAW's great cookin - photos to come SOON.

I love this time of year. I love the baby Jesus. I hope you are celebrating with your pals and family today.

Now, its on to more mayonnaise based dips and peanut butter balls for round two.

Merry Christmas!

2011-12-24T14:12:00.000-08:00

Today is Christmas Eve!!! Jesus is about to pop out and everything change!
I love that about Him.

While we were preparing our house for a rockin' party to celebrate the baby Jesus with all our friends in Giles - we had to stop for a little production.

You see, we miss our friend Lindsey "really really much."
I'm all for taking legal action to get this family back to the east coast.

But for now, we made a really stupid video and sent it to her. Why? Because her little girls keep singing it over and over. And maybe because I performed a dance solo to this once in a sequined santa suit.

And because I haven't heard back - and I giggle every time I watch this stupid thing.
I"m putting in on here for the world to see.

I always exercise good judgement I think.

Celebrate Jesus! In a beard. In a hat. With your family or on your own.
Just Celebrate HIM!

Christmas Eve Eve!

2011-12-23T14:01:00.000-08:00

I just realized it is Christmas Eve Eve.
Advent has almost gone....and while some days I've run around crazy forgetting to carry a sense of expectation in my heart -
expectation for Him not the after Christmas sales.

Although, I hit those hard.

There have been moments in this advent that I have longed so deeply for Jesus - that it makes me giddy for all the bells and whistles of tomorrow night.
A few Advent-y things that have encouraged me:

My sweet, talented, and awesome friend Elizabeth has had a great daily series on Advent over at Long to Love. She was even nice enough to let me post.

Seminary of the Southwest in Austin, Texas has a little book that I've loved. The online version was great too.

And because I love a photograph - or a gajillion - the many sessions I've squeezed in here and there between my real job have been fantastic.

My friend Emma came by the other day. It was too cold to go outside so we stayed in the little merry studio. We played - she smiled. I tempted her with a cookie, she smiled. And the game went on.

Her excitement and passion even as a little thing - had me excited to experience this Christmas - Jesus Birthday - Jesus coming - with innocence and wide eyed wonder.

I Love the Brothers.

2011-12-22T16:10:00.000-08:00

Well. I wanted a cute blog. And I think I got one huh? Thanks to my friend Angie at Thirsty Heart Designs. I still have my same old website at www.merrystudios.com but I wanted something with more options - so here we are.

Maybe I'm never satisfied. But I'm trying to learn.

That said, I figured what better way to have an inaugural post than with one of my post favorite families. These girls are just beautiful inside and out - and their momma - don't even get me started.

We all went to church together back in the day at St. John's Roanoke. They loved me well, and I lead some fun games at youth group. It was great. Now they're all growing up - and while they aren't big enough to let me borrow their cute clothes - they are certainly becoming beautiful young ladies. (I sound old just saying that). I've said it once, and I'll say it again - being with this family makes me want to have a family.

So, with a quick shoot down by the River on a cold day - we grabbed a few shots for their Christmas Card.

note the crazy unicorn horn I'm sporting with these bangs I can't seem to grow.