It's been a long time!!

So, hello folks.

It's been a while since my last blog. That stops today. ha. Just got back to TX from TN, it was a long and grueling haul with a 4 month old, but we made it.

I am at work, just thinking of how great life is right now. Sure, I hate going to work everyday, and sure I would love to just create my income with photography and music, but I have a wife that loves me when she shouldn't. I have a precious baby girl who loves me even though I fail, and will fail her in an outrageous amount. I have a home, a beautiful home. I have food in my stomach ( way too much at the moment ) I have a job. I have an incredibly loving God. My family is AMAZING!! both Mine and my in-laws.

So what's new with me?

Nothing really. Just going to keep living a joy-centered life with my loving family's and MY FAMILY!

I am in this whole family kick if you can't tell. We had an amazing time in Tennessee with my Dad and Kristi (Mimi and Pops) and my twin brother and his enormous family! Anyway, I will stop rambling.

In a nutshell. I am so happy! Even when I'm not happy. ( if that makes ANY sense)

AND!! go check out jsimonphotography.com

also, follow us on twitter. twitter.com/jsimonphoto

What to say?

Well, today was possibly the most emotional day that I've ever had since the day of Simone's birth. You know when people tell you things like:

"It's in God's timing", or "God knows best", and "Nothings too big for God"?



Today, I didn't want to believe that. You see, my 8 week old daughter, Simone, was diagnosed with Spinal Meningitis. Now initially, to me, this did not sit well with me. This beautiful girl who has RADICALLY changed my life forever, was now diagnosed with something that I could not fix(which also did not sit well with me) or even do much about. The last thing I wanted to hear was "God is big enough".



I really believe that God is big enough, and can TOTALLY handle this. I do not want that to be a factor in reading this blog. God IS and WILL ALWAYS BE big enough for my problems, and praises. ALWAYS. However, I do believe that as human beings, our desires and wants to fix things that are bigger than us can really hinder us from enjoying absolute joy and peace. I wonder if that's a trait that God himself put into us. Hmm. I don't know. But I do know that in my personal time of stress, anger, sadness, despair, frustration, and feeling helpless, the last thing that my mind goes to is "GOD CAN HANDLE THIS".



I'm not sure if that's too much to share to the world, but oh well.

I want one thing to be clear. I DO BELIEVE THAT MY GOD IS BIG. I DO BELIEVE THAT MY DAUGHTER WILL BE BETTER. I DO BELIEVE THAT MY SAVIOUR KING WILL HEAL SIMONE!! I BELIEVE!!



During this whole ordeal, I have been praying, crying, praying some more, and laughing. While we have been in our hospital room, I have been trying to keep myself busy. Developing pictures is really the only thing I can do at the moment. Here is one.



Please keep praying for Simone Elizabeth, and for Tiffani & I. Thank You!

My first Bridal Shoot!!

So last week, I went with my sister in law to shoot our good friend's Don and Jeanice King. We had so much fun, and this was my first attempt. Hope you like it. Check out more stuff at :

jsimonphotography.com

I will try and start blogging more and putting up pictures of my work!

And by the way, my daughter is still AMAZINGLY BEAUTIFUL!!!

More pictures of her are coming very soon!!!

Skimmin on the photograph's. SORRY!!!

HAPPY CINCO DE MAYO!!!!

Anywho. I just want to apologize for not keeping up with my blog. I know all you faithful readers out there have saddened hearts due to my lack of blogging. I also want to let everyone know that tonight I will be posting some pictures that I have been working on the past couple of months. 

I have been focusing on shooting Seniors ( not Senior Citizens, Seniors in High School) and it has totally been awesome!

Be sure to check out jsimonphotography.com         

Gettin Old!

may 1st. that is today. I have officially turned into an old man. As I sit at work today, wondering what the weekend holds, wondering how much awesomeness will be thrown into my soul after watching X-Men origins WOLVERINE!!

I then placed my head in my hands, and felt something particularly strange. It was indeed nose hairs poking my hands!!

NOSE HAIRS!!!! What the crap !!!! C'mon!!! Seriously??!!?? I have to go buy nose trimmers this weekend!!! (little side note. I also have been losing my vision... I know... when it rains, it pours)

Then the realization of growing old hit me. I will be 25 this May 14th! I'm potentially a whole 3rd of the way thru my life!  I am INCREDIBLY blessed. To be a 3rd of the way into life with the abundant blessings I have truly puts a smile on my face and in my heart!

But lets get back to nose trimmers and bi-focals.

Not too sure what kind of glasses I will need(never had to wear them), not sure if trimming nose hairs is going to sting or make me sneeze more frequently. Oh the turmoil!!!!

My Family!!

On Easter Sunday this year, I became a father! The most amazing thing I have EVER experienced. This past week with my beautiful daughter Simone Elizabeth Brown and my amazing wife has been one of the best weeks of my life! Getting used to a baby and getting used to a constant reminder of how blessed I truly am!!

This is a picture of my beautiful girl!!

just another manic monday

Today's picture is close to one of my favorite pictures I have taken yet. I have totally been in this whole "older times" feel. I have always been a fan of history and looking back at pictures that take me back to a time in which I have never been. Naturally when I saw these Union Pacific trains lined up, I immediately thought of how cool these would look with an older feel to them. Nothing big to post about. Just another crappy Monday, but a with a cool photo post!!!
To everyone who looks at this thing. Thank You. Please check out www.jsimonphotography.com ... I know , I know , shameless plug. For good reason. We're frickin awesome!!!

Drilling for OYLE!!!

This picture is fun to me. I was exploring around this old abandoned horse training ranch that's off this highway out in Azle, Texas. They are now drilling for oil there (go figure) and they have pretty much wiped everything off of the old ranch. I got a few more pictures from this place so I will definitely be sharing some more of this awesome place.
Today was a cool day for the Simon family. My father in law resigned from his position as Senior Pastor of Ridge Community Church. We then went to P.F. Chang's (OH MY SWEET BABY JESUS!!!) to endulge in some Asian goodness. (by the way.. it tends to make those around you very gassy) Anyway... a good day to say the least!!

the outhouse

So today I was driving around after I had gotten the oil changed and brakes fixed on the car. What the HECK Kwik Lube!!! Seriously?? $500 dollars for some brakes? No thank you!!
Anyway, I went to enjoy some solitude. By that, I meant me and a camera. I found this out house and realized how good I have it!! Not that anyone still uses that thing, but just the thought of someone still using it made me so gracious and thankful for something I take for granted every single day, and that is a Septic System!(which I use a lot more than anyone ever should)
But back to the realization of how blessed I am, Unreal how much the little things in my life are looked over EVERY DAY!! I'm so glad I had some time with a camera today, it totally changes how you look at things. Just in case anyone was wondering: I took this picture at 1200/f8 . Oh yeah... there's some camera talk for ya!

For Pops

This post is very special to me. This picture was taken when I was with my father in law Jessie Simon. It was kind of our first bonding moment kind of thing. We started the day just looking to find some cool places to take some pictures because he is teaching me some good stuff about photography. We drove around for a LONG time, had to make some much needed stops for a variety of reasons. We were in the north side of Fort Worth, and he decided to take me to Riscky's Barbeque. As we were walking out of this historic place, this old abandoned theater had caught my eye. We immediately drove over to this AMAZING place and we started taking pictures. If I could brag on myself in one moment, it would be about this picture. I got the good one!!
To say the least, the day this picture was taken will go down in my memory as a cherished moment with a really cool man. I love you Jess, and thank you for being an incredible encouragement. Oh, and for letting me marry your daughter! I LOVE YOU!

"cowtown"

So this is my first attempt at this photography thing. I've had an AMAZING teacher and mentor in my father-in-law and sister-in-law. Hopefully this is just the beginning. I LOVE THIS STUFF. There will definitely be more to come from what I am calling "josh's 1st try".

blog # 1

i'm completely new to this blogging thing and i will try and post everyday. my wife is shouting for me to get off of this and go to bed. late nite, awesome worship tonight, good sleep to come, hopefully. that is all for my first blog i guess.