Lives in Transition, Sydney Glass, Senior 2011

Sydney, age 1 in 1994

These kids are making me tell my age.
This is a sweet kid that I got to meet when she was just a few hours old.  Sydney Glass.  I have had the privilege of watching her grow and have loved every minute of it!  If I were to describe Sydney in one word, that word would be AUTHENTIC.  She is who she is.  She isn't trying to be someone else or trying to make anyone love her.  You love her anyway because she is exactly what she presents herself to be.  That is a rare and genuine quality that too many of us lack today.
Syd, thank you for letting me into this aspect of your beautiful life.  I really really enjoyed working with you on your pictures.  You are just enough of a crazy woman to keep it completely interesting and I thought we had some really cool pix!
Loveyagirly!

Lives in Transition, Karissa Medina & Xalee Palacios, Seniors 2011

Two lives inter-twined Xalee and Karissa.  Friends since childhood growing to adulthood together.  Sweet girls.  So eager to laugh and enjoy one another (even at my expense, huh girls).  I really enjoyed this shoot and since I shot them together I figured it best to blog them together.
Girls I wish you all the best in the future.  Your lives may not take you in the same directions the way the last several years have taken you but rest assured you will never forget how dependent you are on one another.  Stay close.

Lives in Transition, Matt Williams, Senior 2011

I guess I am telling how old I am with this year's seniors.  I have known this one forever too!  His parents got married right after Shawn and I did, same year or close thereafter. Rick & Terri Williams son Matt.  He's a live wire just like both his parents!  He's all about being from the country and Ranger baseball.  I believe his plans are to go to Baptist Bible College in Missouri to become a youth minister.  That is a noble calling.  Matt, we have great expectations of you and hope that you become all you want to become!  Do good Matt!

Lives in Transition, Brooke Wood, Senior 2011

I put an entry on Facebook the day I shot this girls senior session.  I was then and am now as I get to review her pix, so incredibly impressed with this beautiful, sweet, passionate young woman.  This laugh was typical of the entire afternoon I spent with Brooke.  She laughed and loved the entire time. 
There are times when I wonder what on earth I am doing.  Days I don't even feel like I know HOW to do what God keeps calling me to do.. and then a girl like Brooke makes an appointment with me and suddenly I am reminded. 
I want to see personality in pictures, colors and life.  I want to show YOU what the people of our community are about.  I want them to see themselves objectively and LOVE what they see.
That's what Carol McCowen Photography is about and Brooke reminded me of that.
Thank you Brooke.  YOU MY DEAR, ARE MAGNIFICENT!  Congratulations on achieving your dreams and GO GET LIFE!  It's out there!

Calvary Baptist Staff Members

Bro. Larry & Janelle McAden

Youth Minster Chuck Smith and wife Rachelle

Music Minister Steve Highfield and wife Stephanie

The whole gang.  These are some good people.  Laughter comes easily for them as a group and as individuals.  They never pretend to be something they are not.  Always human.  Always real.

Happy Anniversary to Us! 23 Years on the 23rd....

Shawn & I celebrated 23 years today! 
I asked him last night what he thought the next 23 years might bring..... He thought for a minute and said, "Hopefully, no more kids!"
I assured him there would be no more out of ME!
My mother in law told me one time that too many couples quit before they get to the really good part of life.  I think she's right.   I'm glad we've hung in there long enough to know one another as well as we do.  I really do love him more today than I ever have!

Happy Easter Everybody!

Lives in Transition, J.P. Wilson, Senior 2011

I stand amazed at the incredible people who God puts in my path.  J.P. is one of those people.  My very first memory of him was on the very day when his mom was having surgery in an effort to survive cancer.  He couldn't have possibly been more than 6th or 7th grade at the most.  I had heard of Kara and her struggle and how incredibly young her kids were and my heart broke for them.  The entire community of Ira began praying for not just Kara and for Trey, J.P.'s dad, but so much for J.P. and Larissa.
Now I am watching the entire family, fully intact preparing to send J.P. into his new life after Ira High School!  He is such an incredible young man and there is going to be a professor, a mentor, an employer, and some young woman who this young man will bless! 
J.P., I want you to keep me and all of Ira abreast of what wonderful things your life is bringing you!
You stay the course!  We love you!

Lives in Transition, Sabrina, Senior 2011

 

 

 Sweet Sabrina, her sister and mom came to visit me from Big Spring a couple of days ago.  What a genuine beautiful sweet girl!  Her smile is contagious and wholesome.  This is the kind of kid you hope your own grow up to be!  Thank you Sabrina for making me a part of your senior year!  I am looking forward to working you in the future!

Snyder Prom, 2011

I got to follow a few kids around this afternoon who were getting ready for the Snyder Prom.  They were cute sweet kids and I really hope they enjoyed their evening.