Happy Halloween!

Our halloween was FABulous! We celebrated the festivities at my twin sister's house...which is always an over the top ordeal. She began the celebration with pumpkin painting...followed it with fun activities, pizza...dress up time and walked off all the junk we ate on the trick or treating hike she led us on.

Here is the start of the festivities this year.

{yes...my Cam is wearing her beautiful Ariel wig. Which I might add is the most obnoxious red/orange I have EVER seen! We cracked up every time we looked at her. I love it!}
My baby licking her lips after demolishing the bowl of Doritos my sis had out! Can we say...unhealthy dinner?! HA!



This cracks me up...my sweet little personality filled Cam. Where this is coming from I have NO idea...because seconds later...
...she was this! This little miss was cracking us up all night!
My nephew Jake.

And my newest niece Baby Elle....a name I personally gave her!

This year, I had loads of ideas on taking my kids pictures in their costumes. Sadly, NOT one of my ideas went into play. Why? We simply got caught up in the fun that we just lost track of time...so, just as the sun was setting...I quickly took pictures of Easton while the girls ate their dinner.

Here is my sweet, little 8 legged octopus.

And my Ariel. Wait...is this natural lighting...um NO! Thank goodness for the handy dandy, annoying and yucky built in flash on my camera. I rarely use the flash, but this evening called for it...and I don't pack around my attachment. BUT, I was sure thankful for the built in flash tonight.

While trick or treating, if there was a boulder nearby...she happily climbed on it and assumed the total Ariel role where she pushes herself up while singing the chorus to the Little Mermaid song, Part of your world.

She honestly, makes me giggle...A LOT!

And my sweet, yet sassy, Jasmine. She wasn't the biggest fan of my camera tonight...but did tolerate it for mommy memories.

My girls...Princess Jasmine and Princess Ariel...hair and all!
Today, halloween flew by too fast. There was such build up to it in prepping with the costumes, talking about princesses and how the night would play out...and I wish there was a way I could've hit a slow down button so I could have savored, cherished each moment in slow motion.

We had an amazing time though...just perfect.

Every year since my girl's first halloween, we've attended my mother in law's schools costume parade. And every year, we melt from the miserable October Arizona heat. Last year, it was 94 degrees on halloween, pure insanity. But this year, halloween was a beautiful cool, fall day. My mother in law, the kids and I happily paraded around her school and loved each second of it. Unfortunately, I went without my camera and don't have a moment of this caught...but it is such an important part of our halloween traditions. My girls and I had a blast celebrating halloween for two days. What a fabulous holiday.

I hope each of you had a great day in celebrationing one of our kid's favorite holidays.

Happy Halloween!

AND there is oodles more! |Chandler Family Photographer

So, what does a photographer do when she has a session she's dying to share with the family but can't...reference, website down. Which equals no slideshows or access to ordering system.

Well, let me tell you or should I write SHOW you!

Here are just two more from this glorious session.

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Website update...I have no clue what is going on, well...I kind of do. I just don't know how to fix it on my own and I'm helpless until I speak with my hosting server. For now, I'll just be sitting here twittling my thumbs in anticipation of their response. I'll be sure to keep you posted.

For now...no slideshow and ordering system. But, you do have my blog...thank goodness this was never attached to my website or my blog would be gonzo!

Website down

As of right now, my website is currently down...including any slideshows from sessions.
I strongly apologize for this inconvenience and am currently working out the computer mumbo jumbo with my hosting service.
Thank you for your patience.
As for me....grrrrrr, this is incredibly frustrating! But, not much I can do but be patient.

Too much for me not to share!

Since my post on Autism, I've received a few sweet emails from various people, most emails are from blog readers I didn't know about and have never met until now. The notes I'm received open my heart, fill it with emotions, make me smile and bring tears to my eyes from them taking the time to send such sweet words.

Sweet words that I need to share:

{with omition of names}

Here are just a few words from one email...

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Hi Tami,

I read your post this morning and it touched my heart. Your passion is true.

{blank} and I are now "officially" the proud parents of an autistic child. Our diagnosis came yesterday from {blank}. We're okay with it. Our hearts sting, but we're ready to roll up our sleeves and do everything we can to help/save {blank}.

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To this family...I love you with every fiber in me. I fell in love with you the day I met you. I fell in love with your amazing spirits, your generous souls and beautiful boy that has me head over heels for him.

And for another email that brought tears to my eyes from a reader on the east coast...

Hi Tami,

I just read your post about autism and wanted to send you a great big thank you! My almost 4 year old son was diagnosed with PDD-NOS at 2.5 years old. I got the run around about his delays since he was about 15 months old. This disorder is not getting nearly enough attention giving the unbelievable statistics. My son is doing well today...for the most part you may not even know. But for me, there is never an easy day. Sometimes it is just because I fear the future. All I want for him is to be normal, have friends and live happily.

Anyways, thanks so much for blogging about it and being an advocate. It is so nice for us autism moms to know there are people who are listening.

{short note following this email}

About the girl with autism in your photo. I am sure you have NO IDEA how much the relationship between her and your girls means to her and her family. You have taught your daughters acceptance and love. I only wish every parent would do the same.

{SIGH...and then tears of gratefulness for these mothers to share themselves with me}

Reading the part about getting the run around with her son's delays angers me...why? Because I can't tell you how many people I hear about that got the run around and received a diagnosis later than it should have been. Early intervention is KEY...it is key to starting the recovery process.

SO...since I'm on this roll...I just have to write, if you're concerned, GO WITH IT! Run with your concerns like a bowling ball after pins. Don't stop until you get what your child needs...fight like hell...ask the questions...push for answers...be your child's first and most important advocate.

And I am NO expert...I'm just a fellow mother that is obnoxiously in love with children and wants the best for all.

And since this blog got deep one more time...I'm going to lighten it with a beautiful picture of two sweet sisters.

AND...

To the mothers/readers that sent sweet notes....your notes took my breath away and I'm speechless by your beautiful words and devotion to your children.

My girls relationship with Miss L is beautiful. Miss L lives with us a huge portion of her summer and there isn't a day that goes by that my eyes don't fill with tears when I see them together...and I see my girls look/talk with her with no filter, discretion, judgement and preconceived notions. I love my three girls.

Melting heart! |Chandler Child Photographer

My heart simply melts when I look at this picture. Miss K is growing up way to fast!

Where my heart is.

Before I get into this, I want to preface this post that I have been putting it off for a month now. Why? Well, I guess because I haven't been quite sure how to approach this. Approach my readers with the sensitive topic of Autism and fundraising.

But, with each passing day missing this post...a post on a topic I'm passionate about...this has been haunting me.

Haunting my heart, my mind and my emotions....Haunting me when I'm driving, when I'm getting ready, going to sleep, making coffee...pretty much each second of the day.
Why am I'm so haunted by this...because we're living in an economy where money in most family lives is a void. It's missing. It's just not a good time.
But I'm also haunted with the guilt of knowing I'm turning my back on a commitment I made. The commitment made 15 years ago when I first began my journey with children faced with Autism and that day I was addicted to this disorder.
It was 15 years ago I committed to helping children battling Autism... tackle it, overcome it, and live with it. I believe in children and adults, before their followed by the Autism label. I believe they have a right to every opportunity needed to face this challenge with the tools they need to break it down...to manage it...to overcome it.
It was 15 years ago...when I first heard the word Autism. I had no clue what it was. I was 19, beginning my coursework at the community college and prepping for a BA degree in special education. I clearly remember when the teacher I worked under told me she needed me to assist a 5 year old in her kindergarten class and that she had Autism.
Right then...I thought...Autism...what's that? And that is where it began.
15 years ago, Autism affected 1 in 5,000 children.
Today, Autism affects 1 in 150 children and 1 in 96 boys.
While you may not know anyone with a child affect by Autism. You will. With those numbers, you will. And I don't mean to scare you but it's the truth. This disorder is growing exponentially. With numbers rising in the masses.
It seems as though each week, I talk with a friend and hear stories of another family they know receiving this diagnosis. And THEN... then I get angry.
I get angry because I wonder when it's going to stop. When is this rapidly growing disorder going to stop breaking into our families lives. When is it going to stop. When are we going to find the cause. When can we have answers. When can the parents of children affected by Autism have answers. WHEN? WHEN?
So when my angry mind starts spinning in crazy directions, I realize...realize what I'm passionate about. I'm passionate about raising awareness for this disorder. I'm passionate about funding research in finding the cause and refining treatments.
I'm passionate about finding a cure.
While I am always happy to talk statistics, I'm going to spare you on this. Because, honestly, we all know the statistics, the symptoms, the "questioned" cause and what families will be faced with through diets and therapies. All this fills the internet and our television.
But what I'm going to do is ask...ask you to take a minute and think about where you be if it were your children receiving this diagnosis, or when will this disorder will affect your family, or how your sister would plead for you to help her in finding the cause for this disorder...for her child. Because with the numbers above...I don't mean to be pushy... but you will be affected by it eventually. Maybe not directly but through family relationships and friendships.
I apologize for this post being so "in your face" but this post is all me and all heart. Because this is where my heart is. My heart is with children.
I'll also be honest, I see my son now at 10 months old and I wonder. I wonder what the future holds for him. For me, I've chosen a proactive road for him in terms of addressing vaccinations. While I am vaccinating my son, I have chosen the alternate vaccination schedule. Much to my doctor's dismay, it is this path I am comfortable with. And that topic is for another post.
But for now. I ask you to please consider helping me raise funds for Autism Speaks. To raise money to help their funding in finding the cause, prevention and treatment for Autism.
If you would love to join me in this effort, please click HERE to donate.

While I've participated in this fundraising for the past two years and this year I chosen to team up with Melissa Jill in her efforts to raise awareness in the name of her sister who has two children, diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder.
And, if you're wondering what happened to the little 5 year old girl who started this passionate journey for me. You've seen her several times on my blog. Meet Miss L...15 years later we're still together. We're as close as we've always been. And, I'm proud that she is now an active part in my children's lives. That they know her as who she is and they love every inch of her. And more importantly, they bring out the best in her. She is real with them...and only them. It makes me wonder, why she only lets us see so little of her and my girls get to see all of her.
But I'm good with that.
I'm thankful that I have her in my life. And I think back to when she was 5...with her covering her eyes and then ears when I just wouldn't leave her alone. Back when I knew nothing about Autism and I was probably driving her crazy as I worked with her without an ounce of education on Autism. And now, I can't imagine life without her.
Thank you. I want to thank each of you for reading this post on a topic I get very passionate about. If all you do at this point is click from my blog, I'm happy with that. Happy because I shared my story on how Autism as impacted my life with one more person.
And I'm good with that.

My obsession! |Queen Creek Baby Photographer

Today was a bitter sweet day...today was the day my baby...my last baby...my true obsession...

turned 10 months old.

Who? What? Where? When? and HOW...how...HOW...did this happen so fast?

My Easton is such a happy baby. He's incredibly content doing whatever...and he's almost just too easy.

He loves, like utter infatuation, loves his sisters. He can hear them from one side of the house and he will hunt them down. He'll stop, look in the direction he hears their voice from, crawls, stops and listens, crawls some more and then goes at mach speed after them. Once he finds them, it's pure giddy giggles at first sight.

Here he is at exactly 10 months old. During what he loves, taking his bath and actually starting to scare me. Standing by himself in his bath...eek!

{all pictures shot at ISO 2000, 35 mm, f2 SS 200}

Oh, I could squish him, squeeze him and then smother him with kisses.

I have one fear right now...that I'll be THAT mom. The mom that is glued to her baby or still has her baby in a Gerber onsie at 3 years old. Because I can't let go of his baby stage. And, there are times that in my twisted, obsessed mommy mind I try to envision the oddness of me keeping my 5 year old in a diaper because I simply can't let go. I know, twisted weird but I swear, my obsession does it to me. There has got to be medication for my warped mind.

And my other obession...my growing baby girls. I recently came across this picture from a park playdate a few weeks ago...and my heart went beating wild just looking at it. My Cam and a friend she just loves. And this little friend, just happens to be the daughter of my girlfriend of 18 years.

A starting place! |Chandler Family Photographer

Tonight was a VERY anticipated family session. Why? Well, it has been a year and a half since I last met up with a family that I cherish and hold very dear to my heart. AND, not to mention it was scheduled 2 months prior.

I first met this darling family almost 3 years ago...back when...when I was just starting this venture. When I first met them, my affection for them grew instantly. Our first session together was to celebrate Miss K turning two. And here she is today, just a few months from being 5. {sniff sniff}

And here I am, happy that I continue to document not only their lives but their love. Because, honestly, this family is ALL heart. They have a beautiful story, a story of their own and a story they graciously share with those that hear. It's a story of blessings, thankfulness, appreciation and happiness that radiats through their words and smiles. They are the family that I literally have to pry myself away from.

Yes, it's a family that fills my eyes with tears from their beautiful love. And, what made me giggle on my way home from the session, was remembering the mommy of this gorgeous family telling me not to cry. But, honestly...I can't help it. {reference emotional photographer} They are beautiful and they are awe inspiring to those around them.

Meet Miss K...where it all began.

And her beautiful little sister Miss C.

With just a glimpse of their love.

Today's session was filled with my "addiction" issues. Almost embarrassing...I truly missed my assistant on this shoot, as I needed her to calmly hold my hand while telling me...."walk away from the children." I.COULD.NOT.STOP. COULD.NOT!

Now, can you see why....oh, I just love these little girls.

**************************

Tonight...I'm exhausted! Yesterday I had one of the best evenings in a long time. Now, what could it have been you might ask? My girlfriend's youngest sister was married and I joined in the celebration with my closest friends from high school. It was an evening filled with oodles of dancing...like from start to end...lots of giggling and catching up. Needless to say, aside from needing it for my mental status...it was a wonderful girl's night for an amazing girl. Now, tonight....I am one tired mommy and will be in bed in just a few minutes. Yep...the earth must be shattering, I'm going to bed before midnight...it's a shocker I tell ya but I can't wait.

I hope everyone else had a wonderful weekend...because I sure did. Thank you to my girlfriend's...

There are just some.... |Scottsdale Child Photographer

....eyes that deserve a shoot of their own. This little beauty was definitely blessed with amazing, stunning eyes...ah, the kind I would sell a few limbs for!
And not to mention her flawless skin...whom by the way she received this beautiful feature from her mother. At the end of this shoot, I asked her mother if she would like to get in a few. I had to giggle when she wanted to bow out gracefully because she wasn't wearing make up. Um yeah...if my skin looked like that without makeup...you would NEVER see me with makeup. Totally green with envy on that one...
{insert SO not a salesman....} But...but...I have to add that there are few pictures I see and think hands down a gallery wrap is the best and ONLY presentation this picture is worthy of. The black and white above...is one of those few.


Lastly, the beauty of a "soon to be" 2 year old...always on the move. I love the getting ready to bolt moments!


*************************************
On a personal note...I came home from a very loooooong day out that started with a nasty headache to an email that filled my eyes with tears. Filled my eyes because it was a reminder of why I love my job, why I love my clients and why I'm thankful that each of them welcome me into their lives as their photographer. They trust me with their family, their memories and my wackiness that pretty much soaks up their session.


This is the good life...and I'm thankful for the little moments that come just when they're needed. Thank you for reminding me how good life really is.

The plain, hysterical and awful truth! |Queen Creek Child Photographer

This is just a random fun post!

Because of my blog...I've come to meet a great group of fellow women photographers, from this state and across the country.

Within this group of girls, I've met a few in person and others only through email and late phone chats. But...one thing in common is how we share many similar stories as mother photographers in juggling our passion and motherhood.

It's always hysterical how our emails with eachother are filled with everything that doesn't make it to our blog. And I laugh, laugh at how photographer blogs are filled with "sorry I'm slow to respond to emails/calls....I'm really busy" or all the beauty of our lives or you can hear crickets chirping from the missing posts but but rarely do you read the "plain, hysterical and awful truth" of our lives as jugglers.

Our lives that are filled with pucking kids, dogs that eat our kid's diapers, PS editing issues and changes to programs, noise in our pictures, computers that speak Japanese, furniture left at locations, too many hours on our computers, kids that need our attention, the laundry piling up, empty refrigerators, cold weather cramping sessions and our mental state rapidly failing from too many hours of working and not enough time with our families.

Because the truth is....from September to December...a photographer rarely leaves her office as we're fighting hard to met the demands of holiday deadlines and the average bedtime is after midnight with an early morning wake up call from our kids.

It really makes me laugh...laugh when I think of what really goes on "behind the scenes". And how during this season, we pretty much all wonder what we're doing and searching for the magic answer on how to do it all.

But I love it...I love this network that I've built from my blog. I love how I have a great group of girls that I know I can happily turn to when I have a question, an ear for when a vent is needed, a place for support or to give support, and a great group of girls that remind me to smile.

Now...I have to give a huge shout out to this group of ladies that have been there unconditionally. Because when it comes down to it...this industry is growing rapidly and competively...and I'm proud that I have these ladies that keep it real without judgement.

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Jodie and Kim...the dynamic duo of Fresh Art Photography in Missouri.

Betsy King....the smiling mother photographer extradinaire in Indiana

Lyndsay Stratner...fabulou child/family/birth photographer in Austin, Texas

Bridget Smith...master modern portraiture photographer in California

Maggie McDonald...stylin' newborn photographer {in my opinion} once in Arizona and now in Dallas, Texas {or TeHas as I call it}

Michele Herrick...brand new, breakin' out of the box Arizona photographer

Jen Fox...fabulous sunflare, rockin every angle, stylin' photographer in Washington

Jessica Nichols...master portrait photographer/Lightroom genius in Washington

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To these photographers and others out there...you are all amazing in your life as you juggle being a mom and photographer. And....are we not thankful we have the most amazing jobs that allow us to stay home with our babies but keeps us up late at night!?! AND most importantly, leave comments on the blogs your lurk and you just might be surprised at the friendships you'll make.

And since this blog requires pictures...I happily offer you a picture of my Easton from today.

Who sadly will be 10 months old in a few days....whoa...father time slow the heck down or I'll personally take YOU down! HA!

I do have to admit...because of THIS sister/dear friend duo...my holiday season is smoother than ever. Mariah and Tehya...you two rock my world with your friendship and help!

Here's to keepin' it real and now, back to my editing dungeon!

One of a kind! |Gilbert Family Photographer

This family is simply characterized by their love for each other. A love that is tightly bound, intertwined, and unconditional.

The daddy/daughter bond is truly unbreakable. They are truly best friends. Not to mention this young lady holds the 55th place in the world's golfing community...astounding I tell you.
And young C...who is a completely hysterical crack up. Definitely the family comedian...he made his mother and I laugh rather easily.


At the end of the session, I was that sappy photographer with tear filled eyes from my time with this beautiful family. And the tears that filled my eyes weren't from the hysterical fall I gracefully performed in front of them.
Which by the way {insert topic change}, I was happy when I had a few photographers email me their "graceful prepping for the shot" stories. Their stories were just a reminder on how a photographer will do just about anything to get the picture.
A fellow valley photographer, Michele, literally had me laughing out loud at her story...in which when she was backing up and framing her shot...she backed her squishy tushy into a pile of dirt, fell and then proceeded to slide down! And in front of her clients....LOVE it Michele! And thanks for sharing. And this fellow photographer, Leah...thank you...you know I love you and you can totally make me laugh.
To the H family....thank you a million times for having me over and welcoming me into your home. Your gallery will be ready sooner than later!

Latest and Greatest! |Queen Creek Child Photographer

Life has been crazy busy with work but since my major mommy guilt post...I made some serious changes around here. For some reason, life has to wait for it to hit rock bottom with my mommy heart before I put changes into play.

There isn't a list of changes that were made just ONE BIG CHANGE! Put my kids first! Work will have to wait but my time with my kids won't. Because once I really opened my eyes, I realized life is flying by and when I stopped to think about it...I noticed Halloween was just weeks away. Whoa...last I checked I think my summer break was just ending and here I am burning Cinnamon candles and baking Halloween sugar cookies.

One thing I do have is a list of the fun things we've been filling our days with. Here it is, in no particular order.

~ 3 picnics

~ two trips to the park

~a grass in a cup science experiment

~made homemade sugar cookies and frosting, alone and with friends

~a trip to the mall to ride the carousel

~lunch at Chick-Fil-A, ONE too many times

~a trip to the Disney store to start their Christmas wish list

~doing laundry together, then folding the clothes and refolding them after we found ourselves buried in clean clothes and hiding from eachother (this was actually my girls favorite)

~made banana shakes

~lots of puzzles

~made a jack-o-latern (thanks teacher/aunt kimi)

~a few dinners at a friend's house {aka playtopia}

~rollar skating {at pretty much the slowest speed known to mankind, really tested my patience}

~a nature scavenger walk

~random science experiments with water, nothing notable just fun with water

....um, I know there's tons more just can't think of them. But what I do love is that when I think of the past couple weeks, I just think of this list of fun things we've done and start thinking of what we can do next.

There is one thing I never want in life.... living with regret.

This week we've had a few big things going on. The biggest one that is breaking my heart is hearing that my girl's swim teacher is moving. When I heard this, my eyes literally filled with tears. I love her, my girls love her and I have no idea what we'll do without her. She is an amazing teacher that is passionate about teaching kids to achieve in swimming and to love every moment in the water. We have two weeks left with her and those will be my girls last weeks of swim school. After she leaves, we'll be taking a break from the last 2.5 years of swim lessons and then we'll feel like the fish out of water. My girls love to swim and personally, I think they are extremely good swimmers. Not that I'm training the girls for the Olympics but I'm definitely thinking we might have a couple athletes on our hands.

And on another note....

Please pray for Miss S's dear family. Please pray for strength, wisdom, courage and support in these next few months for her parents. And please pray for peace for Miss S.

I couldn't rave enough about them. They are amazing with beautifully, sweet spirits that are facing the most difficult time in their life.

I wonder! |Scottsdale Child Photographer

During this crazy time of year...it's beyond important that I stick to my workflow or else I look like a jumbled mess going here and there between galleries. So, tonight as I went through this recent session in picking my favorites my mother heart was pulled to the pictures where this little one was with her all time favorites...her dolly and lovey.

I couldn't help but wonder...

I wonder how long our babies will cling to their favorites. I wonder when their love for their "things" will fade.

Introducing Miss A with her all time favorites.

This pulled at my heart because my blonde baby once only had eyes for her binky and her blanket. Her heart would beat at mach speed when she would have her blanket sweetly tucked between her binky, right by her nose so she could have her perfect, comforting smell.

Around 2 we traded her binky in for a Build A Bear kitty and that stage in her life is now tightly stitched in her a kitty cat. And now the love for her blanket seems to be slowly fading. {sniff sniff}

Sadly, I have to admit...not long ago you could find me trying to remind her how much she loved her binky while trying to convince her to love it again. With only my husband telling me I was a nutjob and to leave her binky stage in her past. But now, as she seems to rapidly rounding 4 years old...I want this stage back. I want her simple baby love back. I want my baby back. I want to fight with each fiber in me, to slow this aging thing down.

While I'm sure her dentist is cringing at the thought of me being her binky pusher BUT I want my binky baby back. I.WANT.IT.BACK!

As a mommy to mommy thought...cherish these days. THEY are fleeting. While it can seem like your worst enemy to always remember having this in tow...cherish these days. Because I miss them...my mommy heart misses them.

These three do everytime! |Gilbert Child Photographer

Every session with this trio...is over the top. Our time together is filled with fun, personalities that shine and a wardrobe the is too die for.

I have yet to leave a session with this family without finding more reasons to love each of them.

Just a few priceless moments! |Chandler Family Photographer

By the end of the shoot...we made some time to get sweet G photographed in his Halloween costume ... I LOVED it! As a mother of a little boy...I sure see a theme of trains and boys....thinking those two go hand in hand!

Mister G is a very content and mild 1 year old...with this age, I'm typically running like a mad woman just trying to keep up. It seemed he kept trying to figure me out and why I was so obsessed with him.

This picture cracks me up...I wonder if he's thinking...

"This is ALMOST fun!"