Name Change!

I am writing to tell you all that I have decided to change my name to "More Than Words Photography". The main reason for this is because I felt "Cherished Moments" was too generic, although, I did like that name very much! The second reason is that I am trying to work towards having a theme for my photography page, as well as my photographs. For now, I am going to leave my old watermark on my photos, as it is difficult to go through and change them all. I hope that you will all continue to check my blog often, and that these changes that we are making will make it easier for you to locate us; I also hope that these changes will not be an inconvenience or nuisance to any of you! Thank you all for your patience and support! :)

The Handwriting's on the Wall... err, um, the Mirror!

A while back, Tosha & I were talking about what helps us remember specific verses that we read that morning, or verses that deal with what we're struggling with. She said that she writes the verses on sticky notes or on note cards and puts them all over her room. That gave me an idea. Where could I write the verses that I would see them, and not just overlook them? My mirror! :D I've always loved doing creative things, and writing little notes for people, so I figured I would use old lipstick and write the verse references on my mirror.

I also miss not having to memorize verses for school every week. No, I don't miss school itself..lol.When I had to memorize verses, when I was doing something that pertained to one I had memorized, it brought it back to my memory, and helped me. Since I haven't had to memorize any verses for a grade or anything, that doesn't happen as often as it used to. So now, I decided I would try this. I will write the verse references on my mirror and then leave them up until I have them memorized so that when I see the reference, I can say it to myself. Some of you might think I have completely lost it, but nope! Not yet! haha. The Bible is my Life's Manual, and I'm not going anywhere without it...so it's easier if I know the Manual by heart, right? Psalm 119:97~ "O how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day."  Deuteronomy 11:18a~ "Therefore shall ye lay up these my words in your heart and in your soul.." When we were in school, we did pledges every morning before devotions. I'm sure most of you know what the pledge to the Bible is, but just to refresh your memory here are the words: I pledge allegiance to the Bible, God's Holy Word, I will make it a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path. I will hide its words in my heart that I might not sin against God.

What is a pledge? A solemn binding promise to do, give, or refrain from doing something. We promise to make God's Word our guide in our life, and to memorize it so that it will help us to refrain from sinning. Yet how many of us take even a little time out of our day to read His Word, let alone memorize it? I wonder how our world might be different if the Christians did as they were supposed to. Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying I'm perfect and never fail to read my Bible or that I don't sin, but I know I can make a better effort to let Christ live through me. These are my thoughts on the matter; I know not everyone is going to agree with me, and that's okay. I just hope that I've caused you to think about some things, and I pray that GOD uses me and the words that HE allowed me to type for HIS Glory.

Of course, I couldn't write on my mirror without having some fun too! :)

I love my Dad! :)

~Elias' 3 yr and Gabriela's1yr photos~

~Happy Valentine's Day!!!~

It's Valentine's Day!! and you can guess what that means! Yup- the usual hustle and bustle of couples going out, giving gifts and cards. Some people call today, Hearts Day. Have you ever stopped to truly think about what that means though?? It's nice to give and receive gifts and flowers, ect., but the heart is a very serious thing. I want to share a special story with you on this particular day.

        My Pastor's daughter had made a little wooden box for her dad. Inside that wooden box was a white handkerchief that symbolized her purity, a necklace with a diamond in the middle of  the heart which symbolized Christ being the center of her life, and the key which was for her dad to keep until he felt that it was right to give it and her heart to someone else. On her wedding day, her father presented that box and it's contents to her new husband. I thought this was a very sweet and meaningful thing to do. (Photo by {Once Upon a Time} Photography)

I will not say that girls are more romantic than guys, but I will say that, as a girl and a daughter, if she does not receive the love from a daddy, she will look elsewhere for it. And believe me, there are guys out there, who are more than willing to give her what she thinks is love; but what in all reality, could be nothing further from real love. I cannot stress enough to you how important it is that a father gives and shows their wives AND daughters their love. Most of the time, the problem is not necessarily loving them, but showing that love. If they don't see you show your love, then they don't believe that you do love them. Don't only show your love on Valentine's Day, but show it by doing little things every day. You never know when your last chance to show how much you love them will be. Not only is it a daddy's job to love his little girl, but also to protect her... physically and emotionally. This is partly why I used that story up above. It's a Dad's job to protect his little girl's heart until the man that he can fully trust with her heart comes along. Guard your hearts!

Oh be careful little eyes what you see
Oh be careful little eyes what you see.
For the Father up above is looking down in love
Oh be careful little eyes what you see.

What appears to be a harmless glance
Can turn to romance, and homes are divided.
Feelings that should never have been
Awakened within
Tearing the heart in two.
Listen, I beg of you.

Guard your heart,
Guard your heart.
Don't trade it for treasure.
Don't give it away.
Guard your heart,
Guard your heart.
As a payment for pleasure
It's a high price to pay.
For a soul that remains sincere
With a conscience clear
Guard your heart.

The human heart is easily swayed
And often betrayed
At the end of emotion.
We dare not leave the outcome to chance
We must choose in advance
Or live with the agony.
Such needless tragedy.

 Guard your heart,
Guard your heart.
Don't trade it for treasure.
Don't give it away.
Guard your heart,
Guard your heart.
As a payment for pleasure
It's a high price to pay.

Guard your heart,
Guard your heart.
Don't trade it for treasure.
Don't give it away.
Guard your heart,
Guard your heart.
As a payment for pleasure
It's a high price to pay.
For a soul that remains sincere
With a conscience clear
Guard your heart.



For a soul that remains sincere
With a conscience clear
Guard your heart.

~Steve Green~

~Valentine's Day photo shoot~

I had the privilege of doing a Valentine's photo shoot with a very good friend of mine, the beautiful, Sierra. I hope you enjoy the photos. Don't hesitate to give me your opinion! :)