Monday, September 21, 2009

The Best






I was invited to do a senior session on a ranch last week, I have to say, I really think I just had one of the funnest experiences a photographer can have. I was able to let my imagination run, no time limits, no nap times, no restrictions. I couldn't believe all that I have been missing by being "SO BUSY", I was literally listening to the birds chirp, the bugs swarm, and the waters ripple. I was experiencing the "Holy Land" how God has intended for me to see it. I just can't seem to keep all the busyness of life, work, and just stuff out of the way of just plain quiet beauty. I am posting some images now, but will post more later. Thank you Thank you Thank you God for slowing me down and reminding me that there is peace, I just pollute it, thank you for also gifting me with photography, I really do believe it is the only way I can let my ADHD mind run wild and it work for me and not against me. And to all of my clients who hire me for that exact reason, to trust in me and in my ideas no matter how crazy they are. I am blessed. I am blessed.

Wednesday, August 5, 2009

HUGE HUGE RUMMAGE SALE


I am having a rummage sale with a couple of friends of mine. I will be selling most of my kids things, Please come!! I don't want to pack it all back up!!

Thursday, July 16, 2009

Ok, so my blog has officially gotten dumped!!! I feel like facebook has taken over my spare time. Wait a minute, i have no spare time! It has taken over my semi-spare time/multi tasking/down time. Quick catch up- I am so very busy doing what we do best, being a mom, being a wife, being social, and of coarse running my business. I ran 15 errands Monday before nap time, my kids were such troopers, but i knew what was to come, go home in time for nap, then back to best buy at 4:00. We dropped our van off and i pushed the crappy little umbrella stroller around back to walk to Tuesday mornings with my kidos and all i could think of was, i am hot, dripping sweat, we are walking in an almost vacant parking lot because "I" have to run run run on my day off. This isn't fair, this isn't what i want to do on my days off, this is NOT quality time with my kids!!!!! Then my sweet little angel girl, Mariana said to me "Man this is a beautiful day to take a nice walk isn't it Mom?" mmmm i had to breath, look at her, and realize that just being together, was enough for her. It hit me hard, cause all i wanted to do was be frustrated, and be miserable, i had the choice at that moment to be miserable or enjoy the walk in the empty parking lot waiting and waiting for something that should have been fixed 2 times before that to be fixed. Well I did, i stopped pushing the stroller, knelt down to her and said "Mariana, this is one of the best walks ever, thank you for sharing it with me, and for being my little girl" I am so grateful for how God has chosen just the right children for me. I needed her to put me in my place. So here is to all you, run ragged, under appreciated moms- your kids want you, not necessarily the activities. I am humbled daily by trying to do what I think is the right thing. I love that I can meet new children, families and people everyday, I thank you all for being who you are to me. You all mean more than you know. I thought it would be appropriate to show some of my latest favorite pics of another working mom. wether you are working at home, from home, or from a job, God bless ya for doing it and raising kids!- Oh, ps, I am starting a new work our boot camp in the morning 6am it was the only time i could fit something in, we will see how this fits into the agenda!

Wednesday, June 3, 2009

Big heart, little heart, sad heart, sader heart!

I am sure the title made no sense, but my heart is just aching tonight as I write this. My daughter who is 4 1/2, and the half was earned only a couple of days ago, realized what divorce means. I am so sad for her, she cried and cried as she thought of her little friend who doesn't get tucked in by her daddy at night. She wanted me to call her right now and tell her we were praying for her, she wanted me to somehow fix it, and I couldn't. What do you say to that? How do you mend her heart and fix her friends parents all at the same time!?? All I could say was, just because her daddy didn't live with her doesn't mean he doesn't love her, and lets just pray that she feels her Heavenly Father's arms around her at night. Well that worked until she asked if her daddy had anyone living in his house cause he is lonely. Oh, the worries of a 4 1/2 year old!! So our night goes. Heart break is good, it shows we have a heart, it allows us to pray for others. But what is hard is when they look at you for answers and you don't have a good one, the other part that is hard is my daughter is learning that not everything in life is good, not everything has a perfect ending. Not everyone goes home to a Lucy doll and has plenty of toys to play with. Life is full of joys, but because she is my oldest, I wasn't prepared for her to have a hurt heart yet. I am sure it doesn't get much easier, but thank you Lord for holding my hand as I mother her, I can see so much of me in her. I can see it before it happens, It reminds me of another night we learned of homeless people. Oh wow, that was a blow to her! That night when we seen the man with the sign, we packed up blankets, pillows, food and needed to give it to the man. She went threw the whole list of people of who he could live with, and the cutest side of it was she was sure that her nomination of my sister was perfect. She said "cause she doesn't share her bed with anyone!" Well, I explained that night that some times the decisions we make in life maybe aren't the best and if we are mean to our family we will no longer have them to fall back on, and that might be what happened to that man, Well my mom counseling sessions end here. I have to say how proud I am to be Mariana's Mommy, I am sure this is the beginning to allot of heart ache, her being sad, and me being sadder!!

Wednesday, May 27, 2009

New sites!!

Even before I am a photographer I am a mom, so I too am digging around to find fun new things for my kids to wear at their 1/2 bday session! I wanted to share, here are some fun sites, and I will post the pics after I take them,

http://www.tuttibella.com/boys-clothing.html

http://oohlalamama.com/index.aspx

I am planning an Urban baby look!! Got any fun ideas please share, love all and miss all.

Thursday, May 14, 2009

A new Engaged couple






I have so much fun getting to know my brides and grooms threw their engagement session. It teaches me so much, most importantly it teaches me that 99% of the time I am in a "frumpy Mom" rut! I can still flirt with my husband, yeah, I have had babies but I still love that fun new dating feeling. And so does he! Add some spice to your marriage, have an engagement session now, it sparks some fun long lost feelings! Or an intimate "for his eyes only" session, ask more about that!! Thanks again for a great time Andy and Beth, can't wait for the big day!!

Thursday, April 30, 2009

My little Brayden Man






Being in this business I am blessed with so many friendships, relationships and just amazing opportunities to meet families and children of all walks of life. One little man who has made such a big impact in my life is little Brayden. Born with a heart condition, he has proved to be the biggest and toughest little man I know. I wanted to just ask if you would say a quick prayer for him, he was checked in to the hospital again, this time for Influenza A and pneumonia. Believe it or not, his parents have had 3 trips planned to go away and on the eve of their departure he has gotten sick and been hospitalized. So a prayer request for a quick recovery, patience and a long at last well deserved time away to reflect for the parents. Thank you for your friendships, and the ability to put this out there and be received with open arms!! God bless you all. Amy

Monday, March 30, 2009

Humbled!






I must say that I am humbled daily by how good God is and how blessed I feel to be in this amazing thing called "Life" I have to share with you all some fun things that have been happening in my world. Well as you have seen my blog has not been updated as much as it usually is, it is because of something called "facebook" I am able to connect with people, put pictures on line and share all that the Lord is doing in my life in a more interactive way. So when I hear people say they look at my blog daily, I am so humbled that they would look here for a "pick me up." So I am updating a long awaited post!! The lives that come threw my studio are many, and so many of them make an impact on my life. I thank you all for sharing you, your children and your family with me. If you don't get anything but good pictures that it good, but if I can in someway touch you the way that people have in my life, I will know I have done well. I take all of my clients to heart, you are all have a special place in my heart, you and your little ones are prayed over and I so look forward to seeing you all grow and become and endure what the the Lord has laid out for you.

I just did a session with a little girl and a pair of sisters. These are not just any sisters, these are sisters who have a bond like no other. These are surrogate sisters. One sister was implanted with the other sister's egg and sperm and carried her baby for her. I found this family because I speak often of wanting to do that for my cousin, (if needed). I think it is such an amazing gift. I absolutely loved being pregnant, and I thought this needed to have special "coverage" for their memory book. So meet this family, here they are sharing their love for this wonderful little girl who is doubly loved my her mom and aunt!! Thank you for allowing me into your amazing life.

If you or anyone you know needs a session because they have a story, please email me... thank you to all my loyal blog readers. I love you all,.... and think about getting on facebook!! I do spend the majority of my socializing hours there!!! God bless you all. Thank you again for blessing me with your friendship, and your business. I am in total awe everyday that I get to wake up and thoroughly enjoy what I do for a living...love the Lord, love my family and love recording memories for you!!! Thank you for helping me make my dreams come true

Thursday, March 12, 2009

Another year spent






When I have session like I did yesterday I am so touched that I have been photographing for a family for a year. There is something about it that makes me just melt. I rubbed this baby's mommy's tummy at her pregnancy session, and now I am photographing her for her first birthday session. I thought only my kids grew super fast!! Isn't it true how time does fly. But you slow down, just a couple of times a day there is a point where you can take it all in. I hope that you find that time, that moment that you promise you will never forget, and cherish it, write it down and keep a journal. I really think my children's journal is something small that I can give them that they will cherish BIG! And maybe some day when I photograph for you, I can give you an image that so reminds you, and doesn't let you forget those amazing little things your children do! God Bless you All- Amy
And thank you Finley and family for another amazing year

Monday, March 2, 2009

Busy Days, Touched by little lives!!














































As I write this I can't stop thinking of all I have to do, my to-do list, how I should be going to bed, and how crazy life can get. But then I think of where I was a couple of days ago. Time actually felt like it stopped for about 45 minutes. That is how long I sat in the hall way waiting for this baby to stop breathing. I was blessed to have been able to be a part of this wonderful, beautiful little girls short life. And in that time nothing else mattered, all the sudden I didn't have to-do lists, I didn't have a busy schedule, I had one thing to do, pray for a peace in a time where it seems almost impossible. I show these stories because I hear back from so many of you that you are touched by reading them, thank you for caring for people you have never met,and thank you for letting me share this. I am so certian about one thing, I have found my passion, I really have. If I could work for free, I would do this every chance I get. I truly think I get more blessed than these families. So if I could pass this prayer request along please keep these families in your prayers. Thank you Lord for this opportunity, and your never ending love!

Friday, February 13, 2009

Rest In Peace baby Charley
















I was blessed yet again by another little life, and amazing family. I was able to spend time with little Charley before her parents had to say good bye for a final time. Again I was moved by the strength, love and support that these families are filled with. And again I am reminded why God gave me the talent of being a photographer, it is with out a doubt to do these sessions. I feel so honored, so valued and my self worth is so validated by these session, and I always get the questions how can you do it, and i quickly turn it around to how can I not. The minutes I am with them and get the chance of meeting them change my life forever, but fails in comparison to how Charley's parents lives have changed. Thank you again for welcoming me into your personal life. I don't know even where to start to tell you how I hurt for you, but I am convinced of two things, one, there is a special place in heaven for babies like Charley, there are arms that can't wait to hold her, rock her and to hold her tight till you see her one day, and the other thing I am so sure of is that her memory isn't just a memory it is a treasure, it will stay alive as long as you keep it alive. Thank you Lord for letting our live's path cross. I am humbled, and honored every chance I get to meet an angel, these little lives are just minutes away from entering in the the gates of Heaven, God bless you and your family little Charlie, what a sweet baby girl you are.

Thursday, February 12, 2009

Be Mine!!!














































Do you know the saying "The plumber's house is always the last to get water" or "The painter's house is always the last to get painted" well I am here to tell you a new one "The photographer's children act the same way yours do, if not worse!!!" I am convinced that Phinley's main goal in a session is to see how to make me be creative as I can with 1 good picture. So like our Christmas card, his little screaming face went on the front of the card. Mariana sat posed while he threw his fit, and he gave me one smile, three gaunt stares, and the rest on hands and knees screaming, I even scheduled it with my mom and my husband there. Bottom line is, kids have all different personalities, Phin didn't come out saying cheese cause he knew I was a photographer, I have to do what I do for all of my clients, find the humor, the love and the tolerance for screamers and photograph it. One day I am sure he will look back at all these and laugh. Until then, I will!!! Thank you Lord that I have children to photograph, and also, thank you for helping me see the beauty in 1 year old temper tantrums!!









So there it is our Valentines Day wish to you, hold your kids close, take pictures of them, even when they don't look perfect!

Tuesday, February 10, 2009

Squeeky Clean!I
















This was such a fun session, Mindy and her first daughter had been photographed in white and she shared with me that the image now hangs in their bathroom. I thought that was such a neat way to display such a clean fresh look, so I wanted to share that idea with you. Another fun one is to have the little ones looking into the bath tub with their little hiney and on their tip toes!! Just some fun clean ideas to brighten up your home in ever room! Thank you for giving me such good ideas Mindy and I look forward to a fun fun baptismal. The other images are of my new fur cape, let me know if you have any fun ideas for that!! I am always looking for fun new things, suggestions are always welcome, busy day ahead of me, be blessed you all.