Tuesday rambles!

As of early....VERY, very early Thursday morning....my kids and I will be boarding a plane to visit my sister's family in Kansas. I planned this trip the first of this year and it's hard to believe the time is already here. Am I ready....OH NO WAY!


Okay...now get ready for some craziness...and see if you can keep up!


My bestest girlfriend came over yesterday... actually brought groceries to make us all dinner...and helped me start the process in getting ready. Along with bringing her children to entertain my babies and hubs to play with my hubs! (wait that reads bad!) My opinion, she is a brave soul as my house has been taken over by junk, dolls, princess toys, baby toys, and LAUNDRY! I think we've all been there, it just starts with one thing not getting put away, then it multiplies like Gremlins and before you know it you're bruised up from tripping and bumping into EVERYTHING! Needless to say, I was on the verge of falling to the ground in fetal position and sucking my thumb amist the clutter.


All I can say is I'm thankful she could read smoke signals...the ones I was sending to the laundry and save mom gods. Oh, I'm blessed...so blessed! Love you JuJu!


So since Sunday, I've been working nonstop to get caught up with work. And today, Tuesday, which I've declared this day as my official crazy day. "Crazy day" usually begins with me heading out the door at 9 am and not returning until 5ish...tonight is was 8ish. BUT today was a wonderful, glorious crazy day! My super mom, helped a TON by taking care of Easton as I literally popped in and out of her house to feed him.
Here's a quick run down of today's events....
Tuesday's always start with swimming lessons. My girls having been taking lessons for a LONG time. They have been working on testing out of their class and moving to the next one. My sweet Cam PASSED today....Cash has one more test to do and I KNOW she'll pass it! Following swim, I FINALLY went to my post baby appointment...yes people, I'm 15 weeks behind on this one! I DID go to the 2 week appointment!
Then I was off to scout a location for a uber fun shoot I'm doing in a few weeks with three of my FAVORITE little clients. All the while, having a fun chat with their mom on perfectly illustrating our vision in capturing her kids love for one another and FINALLY getting the perfect picture of her trio. I then wrapped up my scouting trip to have a photo shoot of four super stylish ladies...the session was a bit different from my norm but OH so fun! Finally polishing off my day's activities with a trip to a dance shop, finalizing the my daughter's outfits for their dance recital. After all this craziness, I arrived to my parent's house with my babies ready to sleep from playing hard all day and a hot cooked meal ready for me to eat. Phew...it was a long day! Did I also mention this was all on less than 4 hours of sleep!


Here I am....finally done with editing (minus today's shoot). I'm ready to start the packing process and get my house ready for my hubs to be home alone.




If you actually read all the way to this part of my post...thanks! I love you...love that you stayed with my ramblings long enough. And since this is a photography blog...here is my sweet Cash. While I was photographing products I offer, she popped up with her camera to be my second shooter. She was such pro with her digital camera. When I asked what she was doing, she melted my heart by saying, "Taking pictures like you mom." My sweet baby....I think I might have a budding photographer.


For now...I'm officially on vacation. If you are waiting on an order, it should be ready by late next week. Also, questions and emails will be welcomed and answered when I access the internet.

pulling late hours!

In a few days...I will be back to where I was raised! Kansas...woohoo!

For now, I'm pulling some serious late hours to get caught up to the point that I can leave work free.  And believe me, my computer will not be joining me.  Parting will be sweet...

How cute is this sweetie!  So incredibly excited to have some sweets!

Sneak peek!

Photographing cuties like this set of twins...makes my job E   A   S   Y!  These cuties are getting into modeling.  I {heart} the America's Next Top Model sassy stance.

This picture just cracks me up...such is life with twins.  One is always on...while the other is loving life.  Each session I've photographed these girls, I've been thankful their mother does something to help me tell them apart.  Or else, I'd be up the confusion creek!

Everytime I'm with them, I can't help but think of my twin and I at this age. Obviously, these twins are identical. AND, I have an identical twin. My twin and I grew up with everyone CONSTANTLY getting us mixed up.  Honestly, it was no biggie as that was just life for us and we actually answered to both names.  These poor cuties....had this photographer STILL getting them mixed up!

The completion.

When two people find eachother...they start on a journey.  Their life together is the first sentence of their story...with a baby being the period at the end of a chapter.  

It honestly wasn't that long ago when I was a new parent, but I think I forgot the details and gazillion feelings that accompany this stage.  I enjoyed every minute soaking up this families new family feeling.  Seeing them hold their son, welcome him, and love on him made me thankful I was able to capture each moment of this time in their life.  

Baby C was quite the peaceful baby...even more peaceful asleep.  

Thank you S and B...your gallery should be heading it's way to you soon.

Sweet set!

This brother and sister pair couldn't be any more different than oil and water.  But they were incredibly sweet with eachother...and perfectly in sync.

This picture was a split second rarity...I don't think there was another calm moment again.
Life update:

Loving the schedule deal I have going on...and I'm actually sticking with it!  I can't believe it!  BUT it is giving my house an incredibly calm feeling.  Tonight...the editing side of my job begins.  Just when I think I've dug myself out of the editing hole....I find myself back in it!  Good think I've had only sweetness in front of my camera.

Perfectly perfect!

This past Sunday began with a newborn session celebrating this cutie!  But don't be fooled...this little guy is a stubborn one!  He wanted NOTHING to do with sleep...that was until we pulled all the newborn sleepy tricks. We finally resorted to the lulling sound of the blow drier.  Once the drier was on...off he went to dream land.

Meet baby C and his parents.  The proud papa and mama were incredibly wonderful to spend time with and get to know. When I walk in for a newborn session...it often begins with the idea of having a photographer move in for a few hours....almost like the neverending guest.... Although this guest bring props, camera, and lenses...all that's needed to celebrate the love and arms that welcome a baby.

This was just before he finally surrendered to sleep.

This session was  exactly what this mommy of a 16 week old baby needed!  I even got some holding time in...woot woot!  Thanks to his fantabulous parents for being so entertaining throughout their session.

*****

I wanted to take a minute to give a HUGE thanks for the overwhelming response to the family posted earlier.  That post received the second most comments I've ever received...very flattering and wonderful for the beautiful mother photographed to read.  It's amazing the wonderful community we all live in...especially when the love is aired for all to read.  Now, how wonderful would it be if we aired all the love we pour into oohing and ahhing over things....onto those that really need to hear that love.  Just as "P" needed and appreciated reading the love in the comments.  Get out there and do a "pay it forward" deed!

AND THANK YOU...THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart for sharing your love!  There are just some weeks when the love is all that's needed to make a photographic soul smile.

Priceless

Today was a filled day of shooting...to be more specific, 6 hours of shooting. I had a fabulous newborn session this morning and a family session this evening.

All I can say is I'm thankful and appreciative that I'm repeatedly invited into homes and welcomed by families. Together we create memories that can't hold a price tag.

My mind has been spinning on this premise...

photography really is priceless and really is above and beyond the price tag it can come with. It's a moment in time created, created to always hold a physical memory. A memory that will take you back to that very moment in time...that moment that you will never get back.

Why such a deep post...

I'll fill you in on a brief history of this evening's session. My mother in law teaches at a school that is beyond giving to the community it serves. Beyond the desk and beyond the classroom...the staff are actively involved in student's lives that often reach into their home. I often hear the stories of the support the school offers. A few months back, my mother in law shared the story of a family that was fighting a battle that they couldn't win...but that the spirit within the children and mother...was undying. Not long after this, one of the teachers and my mother in law were in the planning stages to arrange a good time to photograph this family.

As a mother...there is nothing better than giving your children the gift of pictures where their love was captured. The gift of remembering their mother and the amazing gift of love she gave each of her children. Giving each child a memory...a memory beyond what their mind will try to hold on to, but a picture that will take them back to the one person who was their rock, their heart and the cultivator of their spirit.

Introducing P...the proud mother of four and wife to a wonderful husband.

Her fabulous 7 year old.
Her active and always entertaining 4 year old.

Her beautiful daughters...15 and 6 years old.

Love little Mr. C's measurement of how much he loves his mom...that's pretty darn big!

P's stunning, inside and out, 15 year old daughter. Who plays a large role in her families life...her character is beyond description in words.
Tonight I go to bed...thankful, thankful that I was a part in creating portraits that celebrated a beautiful mother. And worked with a mother to leave her children a piece of her beauty and beautiful soul. P...you are a fighter...you are the mother every child dreams of. The mother your children will never forget. Thank you for a wonderful afternoon. I'm sending big hugs your way... I pray for your days to be filled with peace and heart filled with happiness to drown out your pain. You have a gorgeous family and have done a wonderful job raising your children.

I am a better person for being a part of your family, if only for a few hours.

To all the mothers out there....get in pictures with your children! Whether it's at a local photography studio, myself or your own camera! Get snapping away and give your children a moment of your love captured.

What it's all about?

I have to start this post off with a HUGE thanks....

thanks to my friends, my clients, and my blog readers....which I recently found out that I have quite a few.  THIS was all completely humbling!

A while back I wrote a post titled "post partum or reality" and than an "airing out" post! When I typed them, I didn't think much of them other than me putting myself out there. Putting myself, my feelings and my horomones out there...completely NAKED! NOT until I received a few emails, phone calls and random comments/emails.  All filled with...cyber hugs, offerings of help, encouraging words and ongoing support in my decision to stay home with my family and tackle this part-time (really full-time) job.   AND a few offering for happy hour.  I was completely humbled...humbled to have connections with so many people beyond my daily telephone chat circle.

I have to say thanks...thanks for allowing me time to have a pity party. I'll be honest, it felt good...not the being emotional part... but good that I let out my thoughts instead of keeping them in. It felt good to see what I don't want and do want in my life. Honestly, I would recommend it to all. Recommend to take a step back and just breathe in life. AND when taking that breath...pay attention to what's weighing you down and what's lifting you up. When you figure out what's weighing you down....release it and know something better will be taking its place and don't settle for anything but the best to replace it.

Then celebrate what's lifting you up. What's putting that smile on your face at a simple thought of it. What makes you giggle. What makes your eyes sing happiness. What makes your heart beat a sweet song. 

Life it too short.... live life without regret. When thinking you just don't have time for that simple, little moment ...take the time. I believe it's the little moments that fill our memories...not the big, monumental ones. The sweet words from our children, the giggle that can be heard from across the house, the block tower that has to be built, the inquisitive questions, and the child that wants just one more story.

For me...that's what life is about. The little moments...the little moments that warm my heart. I love going to bed knowing my children heard me say I love them and that they make me happy as often as possible. And I love waking up to do it all over again...even when my day begins at the break of dawn. Which is in my book of sins...waking up before the sun is fully awake that is.  I do LOVE it, even before I've had my coffee.

My life mantra as of right now....

Live Without Regret!

NOW.... enough of this "self-help and daily affirmation like" blog post.  

I'm in the process of making daily changes in my life and my children's lives.  ONE of the changes is taking my children on more outings. 

Here are scenes from a recent zoo trip with a friend.  Unfortunatley, this photographer has 9, yep 9 pictures from this trip!  Why?  I was carrying Easton in my baby pouch ...which surprisingly gets in the way of a clunky camera and photographing when carrying a 16 pound baby is strongly not recommended!  Thankfully my girlfriend had hers....!

Our kids cracked me up...they could have sat and watched the ducks the entire time!  Next time we might just do the duck pond at the park!
My baby Cash...she is so poise with everything!  I want to remember this!

Here we were....parents and children surrounding the baboon exhibit.  Along walks the dominant baboon and plops right up front!  Parents, kids and cameras went crazy...total paprazzi style.  The baboon just sat while us onlookers sat in awe...thinking what an amazing moment.  When just then...in unison, all the adults when "awwwwwe!"  We ALL knew what was happening and there we were capturing it!  I wonder what he was thinking....

While this blog is a family blog...excuse this next picture but it might help you figure out what the baboon would say if it could talk.  And I'm dying laughing looking at it...again, it's the little moments. 

As for now...changes that have happened.  

*all girl movie night

*bake fest

*homemade pizza night...actually scary event

*kite flying

*Tinkertoy shirades (sp?)

* and tons of giggles

AND the biggest change...I'm on a schedule!  Woot Woot for schedules...no more fly by the seat of my pants schedule!  I actually have duties assigned days and times...phew, does this mean I actually have to make sense when I talk?!  It just too me 16 weeks to learn that three children feels like a tribe and I'm the leader that needed organization.  

Windy..

These past weeks...I felt like Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz...saying, I don't think I'm in Arizona anymore.  Seriously...the galforce wind was NOT Arizona like.

One of my many attempts in getting more family time in...I bought kites...not the cool monstrous Costco kind. BUT the cheapo $1.00 kind.  My husband about died laughing at them when I suggested flying them in the wind we've been having.  My husband's description of this kind...wasn't very good....he said dental floss was stronger than the string on the kite. 

The other afternoon we headed over to our friends house for a barbeque...which couldn't have been a more idiotic idea with the wind....and busted out our kites. Our kids had a BLAST gripping onto those kites with their white knuckling hold.  All in all...it was fun...the kids didn't complain.

My sweet Cam had a BLAST.  She was full of giggles and non stop energy!  Love this girl!!!

And my dear Cash...she is so systematic at things. She approaches everything with the mindset of mastering it!  This picture perfectly describes that...standing with the kite flying stance.  So incredibly proud and putting a HUGE smile on my face!
At one point, the kids were on the verge of busting into a full blown WWF match over the kites and then just didn't care anymore.   SO to keep up the entertainment...my girlfriend and I, who often think the comedy train is going to come by and pick us up at any time...created kite yoga.

Had a blast with our "fun"ky moves!

And me....stolen from my girlfriend's blog!  

The wind was HORRIBle but we definitely found a way to make it entertaining for us all.  

THANKS to the clients that were willing to reschedule for more "kid friendly" weather!

Say what...

 Met with these cuties earlier and had a blast.  With only 14 months difference in age...they were perfect in complimenting eachother's personalities.  

This little guy IS fast...and full of fun personality.  At one point...we were talking about jumping and what a fabulous jumper he was. When I asked him how he learned to jump...he quickly told me, he just did it. That's just how it happens. He is a complete crack up!

So not set up...that's what I love about children photography.  Just let them be and you capture life.

I'm getting the itch!

I'm swooning round and round over newborns.  I'll be getting my camera shutter happy with some newborn goodness this weekend...but I don't think that's enough.  

Question...how can you  not get the itch for a newbie when you see sweetness like this?  This is my all time, favorite newborn pose.

And...my husband will be giving a huge thanks to me being able to photograph more newborns as hopefully that will scratch the baby itch I can get.  That is how Easton ended up...it took one newborn and one maternity session!  Next thing I knew, my husband and I were having the expanding family talk.

SO....my head is spinning and I'm thinking there might be a newborn special coming up.  

Extra Easter!

One of the bonus' to having both sides our our family in Gilbert, is getting to celebrate a holiday twice.

Here are some fun pictures from Easter at my husband's parent's home.

My daughter's all time favorite person....besides me of course...is their Grammie!  They get giddy at just her name, in hopes it might be followed with saying they get to see her.  She has been there for them, and me, since they were born. Meaning...she was my relief for sleep just about every weekend their first few months.  

My three babies...
I hope everyone else had a fabulous holiday!

Just a few more...

Miss K....it won't be long until you're able to see the rest.

ONE word...

...for this girl! STUNNING!

These past few weeks I've been rushed with girls needing senior portraits! And sadly, I've had to turn several away as life is too crazy to squeeze in just one more client! It just kills me to say no!

Thankfully this senior girls session did work out. AND was I ever happy it did! She was referred to me by a photography lover whom I've actually never photographed but am dying to get my camera on her boys some day! Hint Hint....

Meet Miss K. She is simply gorgeous inside and out. I found myself enjoying each second with her and her mother, as we drove from location to location! I especially loved how they shared my vision to get portraits that were DEFINITELY different from the "green grass" type. Two of the locations probably looked very scary from the front but they NEVER questioned. I love it when I'm given complete creative control...and love it even more when my clients are loving it as they see my vision unfold.

For now...here are a few pictures from the start of our session. This is Miss K's first love....Seven. Yep, the horses name is Seven. Seven is her winning horse that when K spoke of Seven...it was pure love.

Then when I asked her to grab and just look at him...this is what I got! Yes...if you've ever had a session with me....I begin singing my love song! My heart went thumpity thump!


Erick and girls, thanks for the referral and being so wonderful to work with. THIS session is THE reason why I love referrals. Now, imagine how much I love my job as ALL my clients come to me by word of mouth. Definitely be sure to return for more sneak peeks from our adventures.