newlywed lesson #1

today marks our two week anniversary - TWO WEEKS! the time is already flying by, and i just can't even imagine what it will feel like 2, 5, 15 years from now. people, marriage is the best thing. believe me, in our first 2 weeks we've already been challenged, have already failed, and have already learned so much. i've had 'wife-fail' moments, lessons that taught me how to love my husband better, how to put him first in all things. and that isn't always easy to do. but it's worth it - it is always absolutely worth it. 

newlywed lesson #1:

a man can do anything with his wife's support. i didn't realize the gravity of that until just this past week. T works incredibly hard for us, and while i'm at home gearing up for school, sorting through the mail, cleaning the house, preparing meals, and running errands, he spends 10 hours away from home making everything possible for us. words cannot even express how appreciative i am of him, how proud i am of his faithfulness and diligence to us. almost every day i ask him what i can do for him in return, and almost every time he answers 'your support means the world to me - it lifts me up and encourages me and makes it all seem worth it.' even if you aren't married yet, friends, begin practicing words of encouragement and support, because one day, you may have a husband, and if you do, he will thrive on it. with it, he can conquer the world. without it, you can crush him. 

in addition to baking off the charts (hello happy newlywed pounds - that's why they call them love-handles, baby), sleeping in, and making our house more of a home, every bit of doing life with that sexy husband of mine brings me sheer delight. 

sweet family // holiday sessions

HOLIDAY FAMILY SESSIONS

'tis the season for family portraits and christmas cards, and you couldn't pick a better time to get a head start! spending time with your sweet families is one of the greatest joys. to all of you who allowed me to capture these moments for your families last year - thank you! 

here are the details for this year's holiday family sessions. e-mail debbie.gilley1@gmail.com for more information or to book. 

$150.00

45 minute session

25-30 images 

you will receive your processed and edited images on a disc, and you may then print/share them as you choose

September 7th (evening): Riley Wilderness Park, Trabuco Canyon

wide open spaces, rolling hills covered in golden grass, and beautiful oak trees

September 14th (evening): Jeffrey Open Space Trail, Irvine

paved walkways, natural-looking yet beautifully curated landscapes

September 21st (evening): Oak Canyon Nature Center, Anaheim Hills

shady oak trees, nature paths, and beautiful surrounding hills

October 12th (evening): Seal Beach Pier

October 19th (evening): Urban Location (TBD)

spaces are limited for each session. if there is more interest in one specific location, an additional day might be made available at that location. 

a $50 non-refundable deposit is required upon booking in order to retain your spot. the deposit will be credited toward the full amount of the session, and the remainder will be due at the time of your session. 

e-mail debbie.gilley1@gmail.com for more details or to book a session!

headshots // melanie

i'm playing catch up on this happy thursday, and am finally sharing this gorgeous headshot session!

this lady is so talented, so full of joy and laughter and an uncontainable love for life, and it was a pure delight to spend the afternoon with her lovely self - these photos reflect all of her beauty, both inside and out! 

sometimes the wind just happens, you know? but if you're this girl, you make it fierce!

melanie, i can't wait to see what wonderful adventures you'll find yourself on as you pursue your dreams and follow your big, beautiful heart!

xo. 

it's been quite the year, people

i knew this day would come.

the day when i'd glance back at this year and just sigh with a 'wow'.

so far, in 2013 we: 

were engaged

completed another full semester of college

finished my thesis

completed an internship

both graduated with our bachelor's degrees

applied to the credential program

travelled to europe

attended several weddings

planned our own wedding

moved out

moved in to our new apartment

spent almost a month in china

vacationed in hawaii

spent several weekends/weeks up north

quit a job

changed jobs

GOT MARRIED

honeymooned

moved in together

and we have consumed probably 413 cups of coffee, shed many tears, laughed our hearts out, adventured together, and learned more about life, each other, and our Jesus than ever before.

and there are still four months left in 2013. it has been and will be without a doubt one of the most transformational, challenging, rewarding, and unforgettable years of our life.

this week has been the first week of our 'new routine' and we love it, absolutely love it. when we were engaged, people would often ask what we were most looking forward to about marriage (besides the obvious!) and we would always tell them that we were so excited to just do life together - to wake up next to each other every day and start the day as a team, to merge everything we had as individuals into our new together life, and to end every day side by side. and that has been, without a doubt, the best part. last night was the first time we were out with a group of people and then got to drive home together, without having to say goodnight - i was ridiculously excited about it. 

but a new routine also means lots of change - good change, but lots of it. it's things like figuring out a house-cleaning routine, tackling projects together, being together but not really being together, discussing everything with each other - plans, time, finances, purchases, our home - finding time to rest but still finding time to be intentional with each other and those around us. i know that it will take a while to settle in to everything, and there is no one i'd rather navigate this new chapter with. 

above all, God has been good, so good to us. He provides when we seem to have run out of resources, He unexpectedly showers us with blessings, He has surrounded us with a strong community, and He loves us. that in itself is all we could ever need. even if He took everything away, we would still have love - for each other, and for Him. 

so here we are, married, head over heels in love, and so ready to embrace the days, months, and years that still lie ahead of us.

and to all of you that have carried us up to this point, all of you who have filled us with encouragement, wisdom, guidance, and support, those of you who made our wedding day more magical than we could have ever hoped, and all of you who are behind us, praying for us, and believing in us - thank you. 

senior // Katie

you guys, this is the last preview i will post as a Debbie Huber, because in FIVE DAYS i'll be a married woman! words cannot even describe how excited i am, how eagerly T and i are counting down the days...but that has absolutely nothing to do with this beautiful senior session! that'll be another story for another day...

in other news, today i get to share a senior session with the sweetest and most hilarious young lady. spending time with Katie was a pure delight, and when her BFF Mia joined the fun for a few photos, we could just hardly contain all the hysterical laughter and silly-ness that followed. i loved every single minute of it! 

after soaking in the waves at the pier, we headed to a nearby greenway to capture the last few moments of the sun's glorious, glorious light. 

katie, you beautiful girl you! thank you for asking me to capture these sweet moments of you as you head into your senior year and prepare for all the exciting things ahead! and welcome home from Costa Rica! i can't wait to see what other adventures God has in store for you - no matter what, i know you will succeed in it all! xo.

have a wonderful week you all - i'll see you again when i'm Mrs. Gilley!