Life with Kaishon

'To live is so startling it leaves little time for anything else.' ~Emily Dickinson

2012-01-29T04:26:00.000-08:00

Even when life gets overwhelmingly stressful

life is beautiful.

'Lots of people want to ride with you in the limo, but what you want is someone who will take the bus with you when the limo breaks down.' ~Oprah Winfrey

2012-01-26T16:46:00.000-08:00

This week has been kind of hard.

Kaish is having some friend issues.

No one talks to him at lunch.

One little boy asks him why he sits at 'their' table.

I guess they are the cool kids and I guess he isn't cool enough.

I told him he should sit at a different table.

I told him that some day the cool table in Junior high won't even matter.

I told him that when I was in 7th or 8th grade I used to take extra fruit roll ups or tasty kakes so I could give them to the popular girl at lunch so I could be in her circle.

See, I was great friends with all of her friends,

but the cool girl leader didn't like me that much.

I knew it.

I could tell.

That girl took the treats for a while.

But then she stopped taking them.

I felt like even more of a loser.

Thankfully I got over it

and have gone on to live a very happy and fulfilling life.

Will you pray for him right now?

Knowing that he is hurting just about breaks my heart.

We sure do miss the Shosh-meister!

Were you cool in school?

Did you sit at the popular table at lunch?

'A good book has no ending.' ~R.D. Cumming

2012-01-22T17:10:00.000-08:00

My teacher caught me drawing in my American Revolution textbook.

"What do you think you're doing?" She said.

"Just making my mark in history."

Jonny and Kaish and I went to Toys R Us this weekend. Now, you know, our toy store of choice is always O'Doodles,

but since we had a snow storm Saturday morning I didn't want to risk driving into the city and having the roads ice up.

The hit of our visit to the toy store was the book Guinness Book of World Records. I think they would have stayed there reading for 3 hours if I would have let them!

Readers are the best!

What is your child's favorite book right now?

the letter {a story that will make you believe in love}

2012-01-21T20:32:00.000-08:00

As I walked home one freezing day, I stumbled on a wallet someone had lost in the street. I picked it up and looked inside to find some identification so I could call the owner. But the wallet contained only three dollars and a crumpled letter that looked as if it had been in there for years.

The envelope was worn and the only thing that was legible on it was the return address. I started to open the letter, hoping to find some clue. Then I saw the dateline -- 1924. The letter had been written almost sixty years ago.

It was written in a beautiful feminine handwriting on powder blue stationery with a little flower in the left-hand corner. It was a "Dear John" letter that told the recipient, whose name appeared to be Michael, that the writer could not see him any more because her mother forbade it. Even so, she wrote that she would always love him. It was signed, Hannah.

It was a beautiful letter, but there was no way except for the name Michael, that the owner could be identified. Maybe if I called information, the operator could find a phone listing for the address on the envelope.
"Operator," I began, "this is an unusual request. I'm trying to find the owner of a wallet that I found. Is there anyway you can tell me if there is a phone number for an address that was on an envelope in the wallet?"

She suggested I speak with her supervisor, who hesitated for a moment then said, "Well, there is a phone listing at that address, but I can't give you the number." She said, as a courtesy, she would call that number, explain my story and would ask them if they wanted her to connect me. I waited a few minutes and then she was back on the line. "I have a party who will speak with you."I asked the woman on the other end of the line if she knew anyone by the name of Hannah. She gasped, "Oh! We bought this house from a family who had a daughter named Hannah. But that was 30 years ago!"
"Would you know where that family could be located now?" I asked.

"I remember that Hannah had to place her mother in a nursing home some years ago," the woman said. "Maybe if you got in touch with them they might be able to track down the daughter."She gave me the name of the nursing home and I called the number. They told me the old lady had passed away some years ago but they did have a phone number for where they thought the daughter might be living. I thanked them and phoned. The woman who answered explained that Hannah herself was now living in a nursing home.
This whole thing was stupid, I thought to myself. Why was I making such a big deal over finding the owner of a wallet that had only three dollars and a letter that was almost 60 years old?

Nevertheless, I called the nursing home in which Hannah was supposed to be living and the man who answered the phone told me, "Yes, Hannah is staying with us. " Even though it was already 10 p.m., I asked if I could come to see her. " Well," he said hesitatingly, "if you want to take a chance, she might be in the day room watching television."

I thanked him and drove over to the nursing home. The night nurse and a guard greeted me at the door. We went up to the third floor of the large building. In the day room, the nurse introduced me to Hannah. She was a sweet, silver-haired old timer with a warm smile and a twinkle in her eye. I told her about finding the wallet and showed her the letter. The second she saw the powder blue envelope with that little flower on the left, she took a deep breath and said, "Young man, this letter was the last contact I ever had with Michael."

She looked away for a moment deep in thought and then said Softly, "I loved him very much. But I was only 16 at the time and my mother felt I was too young. Oh, he was so handsome. He looked like Sean Connery, the actor."
"Yes," she continued. "Michael Goldstein was a wonderful person. If you should find him, tell him I think of him often. And," she hesitated for a moment, almost biting her lip, "tell him I still love him. You know," she said smiling as tears began to well up in her eyes, "I never did marry. I guess no one ever matched up to Michael..."

I thanked Hannah and said goodbye. I took the elevator to the first floor and as I stood by the door, the guard there asked, "Was the old lady to help you?" I told him she had given me a lead. "At least I have a last name. But I think I'll let it go for a while. I spent almost the whole day trying to find the owner of this wallet." I had taken out the wallet, which was a simple brown leather case with red lacing on the side. When the guard saw it, he said, "Hey, wait a minute!
That's Mr. Goldstein's wallet. I'd know it anywhere with that right red lacing. He's always losing that wallet. I must have found it in the halls at least three times."
"Who's Mr. Goldstein?" I asked as my hand began to shake. "He's one of the old timers on the 8th floor. That's Mike Goldstein's wallet for sure. He must have lost it on one of his walks." I thanked the guard and quickly ran back to the nurse's office. I told her what the guard had said. We went back to the elevator and got on. I prayed that Mr. Goldstein would be up. On the eighth floor, the floor nurse said, "I think he's still in the day room. He likes to read at night. He's a darling old man."

We went to the only room that had any lights on and there was a man reading a book. The nurse went over to him and asked if he had lost his wallet. Mr. Goldstein looked up with surprise, put his hand in his back pocket and said, " Oh, it is missing!"
"This kind gentleman found a wallet and we wondered if it could be yours?" I handed Mr. Goldstein the wallet and the second he saw it, he smiled with relief and said, "Yes, that's it! It must have dropped out of my pocket this afternoon. I want to give you a reward." "No, thank you," I said. "But I have to tell you something. I read the letter in the hope of finding out who owned the wallet." The smile on his face suddenly disappeared. "You read that letter?" "Not only did I read it, I think I know where Hannah is." He suddenly grew pale.

"Hannah? You know where she is? How is she? Is she still as pretty as she was? Please, please tell me," he begged. "She's fine...just as pretty as when you knew her." I said softly. The old man smiled with anticipation and asked, "Could you tell me where she is? I want to call her tomorrow." He grabbed my hand and said, "You now something, mister, I was so in love with that girl that when that letter came, my life literally ended. I never married. I guess I've always loved her. "Mr. Goldstein," I said, "Come with me."
We took the elevator down to the third floor. The hallways were darkened and only one or two little night-lights lit our way to the day room where Hannah was sitting alone watching the television.

The nurse walked over to her. "Hannah," she said softly, pointing to Michael, who was waiting with me in the doorway. "Do you know this man?" She adjusted her glasses, looked for a moment, but didn't say a word. Michael said softly, almost in a whisper, "Hannah, it's Michail. Do you remember me?"She gasped, "Michael! I don't believe it! Michael! It's you! My Michael!" He walked slowly towards her and they embraced. The nurse and I left with tears streaming down our faces.
"See," I said. "See how the Good Lord works! If it's meant to be, it will be."

About three weeks later I got a call at my office from the nursing home. "Can you break away on Sunday to attend a wedding? Michael and Hannah are going to tie the knot!" It was a beautiful wedding with all the people at the nursing home dressed up to join in the celebration. Hannah wore a light beige dress and looked beautiful. Michael wore a dark blue suit and stood tall. They made me their best man. The hospital gave them their own room and if you ever wanted to see a 76- year-old bride and a 79-year-old groom acting like two teenagers, you had to see this couple.

A perfect ending for a love affair that had lasted nearly 60 years.

I couldn't locate an author.

I saw this story on facebook tonight

and then found it here on the web.

It was too beautiful not to share.

Photographer Interview with Sandra Gri (Suki)

2012-01-19T05:33:00.000-08:00

I met Suki online.

It was love at first click.

Her images were simple, stark and beautiful.

One time she photographed trash and I remember thinking it was the loveliest piece of trash I had ever seen! I just about died when I found out I would meet her in person in Dallas, Texas.

She was every bit as lovely as I had imagined. If you haven't seen her work, you must. You will fall in love with her images. Suki is truly one of my favorite photographers.

She is also an excellent writer. I love going to her blog. She puts all of those 20something feelings and emotions perfectly onto paper (or keyboard...you know what I mean ; )

Suki just became a mother and I know that she will adore parenting and all that goes along with it!

What is your favorite thing about living in Germany?

My favourite thing by far about living here is the open fields and nature. How I can wander around with the dogs, forgetting time and anything else around me. Breathing in the beautiful surroundings.

You came to the United States for the very first I heart faces workshop. What was your first impression of the US?

I was impressed by the many kind and open people I met there when I visited. I liked being in the US quite much, because I enjoy embracing new (to me) cultures. And I was really surprised how big everything is there. Haha :D

You weren't able to take pictures as much recently because of being on bedrest with the baby. Did that make you miserable?

Let's be honest, being on bedrest is not that much fun at all. I had a couple of days where I have just driven myself crazy because I had nothing to do, but after friends suggested I should pick up knitting I made quite much use of the time I waited for him.

I am thankful bedrest is over and even more thankful for the bundle of joy we have been blessed with.

Tell us about your first 2 babies.

My first two babies are my dogs. I guess they prepared me for a real baby quite well ;) They are both Australian Shepherds, very cute and oh-so-funny.

Akira is a big clown and likes to be center of attention at any time. Jonah is much more reserved and everbody's darling. They give me so much on a daily basis, although getting up every morning at 7 am when you could have the pleasure to sleep in is sometimes quite hard. I love them to bits and hope they stay another while with me.

What are you most excited to capture about your new baby Sandra?

I so excited to capture his look. I am constantly asking myself what he might look like.

Also I will enjoy his tinyness. I can't wait to document his growth and every tiny bit about him. I don't think you can blame me though, can you?

How old were you when you picked up a camera and discovered the magic?

I was 18 when I got into the process of taking pictures with my point and shoot. But purchased my first DSLR when I was 19, because I wanted better pictures of my dog.

From then on it was quite the journey. 3 years and 30 000 pictures later I still enjoy it like the first day.

What is your favorite thing to shoot?

One of my most favourite things to shoot are portraits of couples and babies.

I really like how people interact with each other and the natural beauty that comes with being in touch with someone you truly love just for the person that they are.

I do believe love makes everyone beautiful.

You love Flickr. Tell us about how that has helped you learn photography?

I really enjoy the compassion, support and encouragment that build up over time.

The way you connect with people all over the globe because of your and their work is quite stunning to me.

It helped me grow because of the feedback I got.

I tried many projects and loved them. One of them which has helped me grow immensely was my 365 in 2010.

After that nothing was the same anymore.

Who are some of your Flickr faves?

1. still baking., 2. kelly., 3. The morning they met the clouds, 4. DIY的蓝色背景板, 5. Untitled, 6. Like Jazz, 7. OY!, 8. I wish I'd seen you as a little girl, without your armor to fend off the world... I would have kept you underneath my wing... I would protect you from everything., 9. miss kristin manson, 10.blurrywindy, 11. Living in a dream, 12. Why should you care if I crash your affair?, 13. Untitled14. Not available15. Not available16. Not available

or these ones:

1. dotted, 2. Untitled, 3. outtake, 4. want to stay alone, 5. Cuba Gallery: Italy / Venice / Rialto Canal / natural light / vintage / night / photography, 6. morning., 7. A ship is safe at shore but thats not what ships are built for., 8. Cool Blue, 9. still I see monsters

You love Lightroom for editing. What is it about lightroom that appeals to you more than Photoshop?

To be honest, I never got the hang of Photoshop.

I guess Lightroom just suits my workflow better. It is easy. For me, photoshop is much more complex, but that might not be the case for you.

I guess it is a personal preference.

Do your friends love that you are a photographer?

Yes, they do. They like being able to get good photographs of themselves and their families at times such like Christmas.

Tell me about a dream shoot. Where would you go? Who would you shoot?

Wow, I have to think a bit about that. I guess I would shoot a young couple or a young family.

We would go to my favourite spot in the woods and play a little.

We would laugh much and goof around. Just to be finished when we have tummy aches and sore cheeks. ;)

Do you have a good network of photographers in Germany that help you grow?

I don't have many photographer friends living close by, so I only see them occassionally which is about 5-6 times per year. Yet we stay connected via Internet and the various social networks so it is not too bad.

You love music. What is a song you are listening to right now?

One of my favourites right now is The A Team by Ed Sheeran.

He is such a cute, sweet English singer. And yes I have a crush on him.

Were there any books you read that helped you learn photography in the beginning?

I didn't read any books in the beginning while learning photography.

I had much more fun in the learning-by-doing concept. Last year I read Jose Villa's book about fine art wedding photography and this helped me quite much according to film and aperture.

Everything else I just learned as I went through life and occassional research online.

Have you seen any good movies lately? What are your favorite kind?

My favourite movies are chick-flicks. Not seen any good movies lately. Maybe that due to the lack of me going to the cinema. ;)

You have a lot of food ready for after the baby comes. Are you a good cook? Do you like to experiment?

I don't consider myself as a good cook, but I can prepare a decent meal that is quite enjoyable. At least that's what my boyfriend tells me.

I really would like to get more advanced in cooking.

I actually experiment a lot. Making up meals is one of my speciality :)

What is your favorite time of the day to shoot?

Anytime. Every time in each day has it's own pleasures. But I do love myself some of the golden hours in late summer.

Do the dogs like modeling?

Akira does, she is such a ham in front of the camera. Jonah hates to be bothered by it. But I do enjoy capturing them in mid-play quite much.

Where do you see yourself in five years with photography? What are your photography dreams?

I am really not sure where I am running with photography. Because I will have a baby quite soon, I imagine photography will take a back seat for the next couple of years.

I don't have many high ambitions on myself. If it happens to develop into a business anytime I absolutely happy, but if it doesn't I will shoot for my own pleasure. That's all fine with me, as long as I still can capture my life while we all grow.

Do you have anything else you would like to share?

If you are out there just fumbling around with your camera, keep going. Even if they never get as good as the ones you see online. Challenge yourself to grow, save money and invest in good lenses.

That's all :)

Thank you for the honor to be on the blog and for this wonderful interview. I hope someone out there finds it helpful in any way.

The pleasure was all ours!

You can find Suki at her blog: Suki Photography Blog

or at her favorite place online: flickr

Sugar + Spice

2012-01-17T18:02:00.000-08:00

New Years Eve Ball Drop at O'Doodles in Chestnut Hill

2012-01-17T05:44:00.000-08:00

Fran O'Donnell of O'Doodle's

puts a New Years Celebration on for the kids every year.

The atmosphere is electric!

I am always so happy to document

the children that are a part of the O'Doodle's community.

May your new year be merry and bright!

'Rejoice with your family in the beautiful land of life!' ~Albert Einstein

2012-01-15T20:30:00.000-08:00

The theme at i heart faces this week is family.

Family.

I love family.

I was so blessed this Autumn to photograph a large number of families

for their Christmas cards.

I have picture after picture of pretty families

in fields, on benches and under bridges.

I was looking at the choices tonight and trying to pick the best one.

You know,

the Mom with the most perfectly styled hair.

The Dad with a real smile and not a grimace... ; )

and the kids with eyes smiling straight into the camera.

I have a lot of perfect choices.

From Jenna & Dave & Maecy to Kimmy & Tony & Matt & Allie.

Just as I was getting ready to make my selection,

I remembered this family.

This family that I photographed for the Chestnut Hill Local.

This family that is struggling with the aging of the parents.

This family that has nurses helping day in and day out.

This family that is getting ready to say goodbye to their mother and their father after many years of happiness.

This family has a story.

A story of love and loss.

A story of overcoming obstacles.

A story of survival.

I love their story.

I love the moms I photograph with perfect hair.

I love the children that smile straight into the camera.

I even love the Dads that grimace....

but this I love because it is real.

Because it is nitty gritty.

Because it is life.

Life is beautiful when you have perfect hair and perfect smiles

and even when you need a nurse to comb your hair and you are struggling to remember the name of your spouse.

Life is always beautiful.

Wishing you a week filled with beauty and love.

May you treasure the ordinary moments.

Happy 12th Birthday to my favorite boy in all the land: Kaishon

2012-01-14T21:47:00.000-08:00

Unknown Mami

How come, out of all the little boys in the whole world,

Jesus gave me the very best one?

I could tell you 11 things I love about him-

or 11 million.

He is my heart

{and soul.}

I am so blessed to be his Mommy.

Happy 12th Birthday to my favorite boy in all the universe.

Photographer Interview with Marsha Drews

2012-01-12T17:28:00.000-08:00

When I first met Marsha I loved her pictures.

Right away there was something great about them that struck me.

I mean, honestly, all over the internet you can find gorgeous images.

You can find photographer after photographer that will blow you away. Marsha blew me away not only with her pictures but with her love for Jesus.

Her live-out-loud- LOVE for our great Savior. It was refreshing.

I love her spirit. If you read her interview it will touch you and teach you things you didn't even know you needed to learn. One of the things I love the most about Marsha's pictures is that she is real. She does not photoshop everything to perfection. It's real and gritty and beautiful...just like life.

Marsha, your pictures don't always have to be perfect.

Tell me how you got to that place?

Photoshop can only enhance pictures that are decent to

begin with... it would be impossible for me to photoshop

everything to perfection. *snort*

In all seriousness, if we waited for everything to be

perfect first, we wouldn't have but a handful of pictures to

call our own!

When my youngest son Christian passed away in August 2008,

the moments that I missed the most were the everyday things...so many little things... and the photographs that became my most prized were ones that had an everyday story behind them.

You know, the ones that were snapshots of washing hands or digging in the yard, couch sitting and breakfast eating.

The ones where you look at them and remember what that moment felt like or what made you run for the camera in the first place thinking "I want to remember this very second of life forever," even if that very second is more ordinary than extraordinary.

So no matter what stage of life you are, capture the real moments... the dirty kitchen, the crumbs on the floor, spaghetti sauce faced kids... take a picture of your favorites-- your dearest friends, the book you loved (the book you hated!), your favorite food, that killer pair of shoes that make you feel fabulous... In the digital age that we live in, there is nothing to stop you!

What kind of camera do you have?

What is your favorite lens?

I have a Nikon D300s and my most favorite lens of all time is my 50mm 1.4. A fancy camera does not a good photographer make, but having some nice equipment is a blessing and makes it much easier to take a pretty picture.

Why did you start shooting?

When I was a little girl, I spent many an hour drawing, painting and sketching. The results brought me joy, but didn't accurately reflect what my mind's eye would see. I can still remember the wonder and excitement when I received my first digital camera and the JOY from documenting my own little corner of the world.

Expectations and results finally meet!

I eventually got to the point where I wanted a little more than what my beloved Kodak Easyshare could deliver at the time... and I jumped in with the purchase of a Nikon D80 in early 2008. I practiced and practiced and have many blurry and wonkily exposed shots to show for my efforts.

But you know what else I have? I have pictures of Austin. They are far from "perfect" but have been a great comfort and blessing to me. How my heart aches for moms and dads that do not have pictures of their children! A picture doesn't have to be perfect to be cherished!

I am saddened by the women (and men) who think that they are not beautiful or worth photographing unless their skin is perfect, their teeth white and straight, or their ideal weight met.

Nobody is flawless, and it is often what we perceive as "flaws" that is our greatest asset or cutest quirk.

You are beautiful.

I am guilty of being overly critical of myself but try to

remind myself to take that self-portrait anyway.

Besides, no matter what I look like now, I'm sure that 20 years from now I will look back and think "Wow, I was a hottie!" *snort*

Tell me your favorite quality about each of your children.

Austin: wears his heart on his sleeve, daily asks if there is anything he can do for me today, likes to make people laugh (we're still trying to educate him on what is really funny and what is just goofy silliness!)

Noah: kind and conscientious of others, seeks to please God, has a joy within that shines in his eyes and his attitude

Christian: he had fun wherever he went, full of smiles and laughter (even when he would lose his temper-- which he totally got from me)

Ian: I wonder what he will be like!

(I just couldn't narrow it down to one, Becky-- sorry!)

What is your favorite thing to take pictures of?

Definitely children! I love to gift a mom and dad with a clear and bright eyed (or even goofy faced) picture of their child. My oldest is 12yo and decided that this is the year he would surpass me in height, eat three sandwiches in a sitting and grow facial hair... so trust you me, childhood is fleeting!

Do any of your children like posing?

That would be a big NEGATIVE. There are the rare occasions when they want to show off a trick or funny face, but if they pose at all it is to please mommy. Or maybe I promised them a dollar... or a Tootsie Pop... "Incentive" is a much nicer term than bribery, don't you think?

You are a home schooler. Why are you one? What is your favorite thing about it?

I homeschool for several different reasons (in no particular order)...

1.) my boys can learn more from me one-on-one than they possibly could in a class with 30 other kids

2.) less "busy" work

3.) flexibility of schedule and more family time (especially when it comes to David's work schedule as a pilot)

4.) ability to pursue in depth subjects and rabbit trails of interest

5.) freedom to teach from a Biblical worldview

6.) no dry textbooks for us! we can tailor different subjects to my boys' different learning styles

My favorite thing about homeschooling is definitely the time spent together as a family! Not only is it great for us as parents, but it does wonders for their sibling relationship. (Just don't judge me by my grammar in these responses!)

What is the hardest thing about it?

Have I mentioned that we spend a lot of time together? ;-) Although we have outside activities (sports, music, friends, field trips, etc.), we spend the majority of our time at home-- which means more dishes to wash, more mess to clean up, more meals to cook, and more papers/books/supplies to organize. Homeschooling is a big responsibility and it can be easy to get overwhelmed or discouraged when *I* don't have my act together. I am thankful that it keeps me humble and makes me often reflect on the example I'm setting for my boys.

Do you wish for 20 children like the Duggar family?

While I don't wish for a specific number of children-- especially 20!-- I would be overjoyed if God gave us more children! Truly. We have had over three years with having two pretty low-maintenance kids that can stay home while I run to the store, make their own lunches, and clean their bathroom.

Over three years of it being relatively easy to go places and do things. And you know what? I would take the craziness of babies and toddlers, the joy of "firsts", and just being around these unique kids that call me mommy (or mom... whatever!) over anything else this world has to offer. They are hard work and joy and wouldn't I be ecstatic if I could be a mommy to more than these four?! The mere thought of it makes my heart leap! But if God said that baby Ian will be our last, I am still thankful.

What helps you become a better photographer?

When I click the shutter button and my picture does not come out like I had hoped, that is what helps me become a better photographer. There is always room for improvement!

You use textures often. How did you learn to use them? What do you think it adds to a picture?

I honestly can't remember how or where I first learned to use textures. It could have been from Pioneer Woman, Scott Kelby or Darcy from My3Boybarians.

Nowadays, I cheat and use this easy-peasy FREE texture applicator from MCP Actions. The right texture can transform a rather blah photo into a statement. As with any photo editing, too much texture can be a distraction but the right amount... oh my, I love it! Have you seen the textures from Florabella Collection? They also make it easy to turn a photo into a dreamy story.

*le sigh*

You are having a baby boy, did you wish for a girl at all, or are you completely used to being surrounded by boys?

After being in boy mode three times over, the mere thought of a girl freaks us out. I know daughters are wonderful (after all, I am one! hehe), but David and I have FEARS.

His is that he knows what guys are like and she won't be allowed to date until she's 35.

My fears? That she will be like me. It is convicting enough to see your not-so-great-qualities in your boy children... but to have that staring back at you in a girl face? Wow, that would hit a little too close to home for me! And what if she's a fru-fru princess? I don't know if I can handle that kind of drama! Aaaggghhh! I'm not a girl hater... I'm just chicken. (And David would like to pipe in that there is only room for one queen in this house. Hey, at least he didn't call me a princess.)

Tell us about living abroad. What was your favorite thing about it? What was your least favorite thing?

We moved to Guam earlier this year for my husband's job. Y'all can see how itty-bitty #6 Guam is on this map. My favorite thing about living here is being able to spend time with and learn about the many different cultures represented on this island (Chamorro, Filipinos, Koreans, Japanese, and the other Micronesian Islands). In our little church alone, there are 5 different languages represented. It's an eye opening and thoroughly interesting experience not only for myself, but my boys as well.

Least favorite thing? Besides being a whole day of flying away from my parents and siblings, grocery shopping has got to be the most frustrating thing for me right now. High prices, poor selection and lack of truly fresh produce drives me nuts! So much is imported (all the way from California) that it's not in the best shape by the time it reaches Guam. But we have learned to adjust our budget and our expectations... and can I just say that I love the local Chamorro barbecue?

You lost a child. Something most women fear more than anything. How did you survive the loss of Christian?

I am surviving the loss of Christian only through the grace and strength of my mighty God! My HOPE lies in the finished work of Jesus Christ on the Cross and His gift of salvation that He offers to each of us... if only we would accept it. Looking forward to eternity is the only way to put this present world in its proper perspective. God does not promise us an easy life or one that is free of pain or sorrow. But what He does promise is that He will care for us (I Peter 5:7) and will help us (Isaiah 41:10)!

You give back now in so many ways. Tell us about the retreat you did last spring.

In my own grief journey, two moms were instrumental in encouraging me and giving me HOPE by sharing their own stories of child loss-- thank you Daisy and Susan! I could talk with them about my crazy emotions and questions without having to fully explain myself... because they were further along this road of grief, they already knew where I was coming from. I knew that I was not alone! Yes, they still had struggles and tears, but they also had joy and were doing more than just surviving... they were a living testimony of God's faithfulness in the darkest of times. To a mom that is struggling from moment to moment, it was a lifeline!

This past spring, we were honored to host the first annual Haven of Hope Retreat for grieving mothers. We were humbled and blessed to be able to minister to 30 grieving mothers in various stages of their grief. I hate that we were bonded by tragedy, but I am thankful that God would bring us together to comfort and encourage one another (2 Cor 1:3-4). Our next Retreat for grieving moms will be June 29-July 1, 2012 in Round Top, TX and we would love it if your readers would help spread the word! Registration will be open in January.

When did you start blogging? What is your favorite thing about it?

I began blogging in 2005. What a new world it opened up for me! It allowed a connection with other moms when I was in the crazy-little-kids stage, it was an easy medium for journaling and sharing pictures and funny kid sayings with family and friends miles away, and in more recent years provided an outlet for my grief.

Do you watch tv? If so, what is your favorite show. If not, why not?

When we first moved to Guam earlier this year, we spent two months living in a hotel room. The channels were limited but so were options for other activities. Hotel living plus this kick-my-butt pregnancy has made TV a part of my evening routine. Since I'm not a big drama person, you can catch me watching shows like House Hunters, Restaurant Impossible, and Man vs. Food. For the record, Man vs. Food late at night is not always the best choice of TV programming... It never fails to make me crave a giant cheeseburger and fries and hot wings!

How do you feel about napping?

Oh my dear sweet afternoon nap... how do I love thee? Let me count the ways. With my big boys being 10 and 12 years old and able to make their own lunch and finish their schoolwork without me, I am living it up while I can!

What are you most looking forward to about the new baby?

A new baby cannot take away the sorrow we have in our hearts for the loss of our littlest man Christian. But when Ian is born, he will bring much JOY to our family and our hearts! I am looking forward to that new baby smell, even the diaper changes... I am looking forward to the wonderment of what he will look, sound and be like... to have a new little soul running around our house... to look in the rearview mirror and see a smiling (or even crying!) face looking back at me... to have arms that are tired and aching from all the holding... It is impossible for me to narrow down to just one thing! :)

If someone was buying a new DSLR for the first time, what advice would you give them?

Buy from a reputable company like B&H Photo or Adorama. When I bought my Nikon D80, I found this great deal on eBay! I received the camera and accessories as promised, but when I needed to use the warranty a year later, this company was suddenly unavailable for phone calls or fixes. If it's too good to be true, then it probably is!

Isn't she great? I don't want to end this post. I have learned from Marsha. Go and meet her.

Other Such Happenings by Marsha Drews

Prepare to be amazed!

Marsha's tweets

Marsha is in the hospital in Guam having her baby right.this.very.second.
If you are a pray-er, please pray.
Definitely scoot over to her blog and leave her a good wish.
I am so excited for her and her family.

the best of the best (alternatively titled: I have no idea what my best picture of the year is...)

2012-01-08T18:47:00.000-08:00

"What shall we play today?" said Casey to her best friend Emily.

"Let's play school," said Emily.

"OK!" said Casey. "But I'm going to be absent."

i heart faces

It's another I heart faces anniversary week!

YAY!

I feel like I talk about I heart faces all the time.

I puffy red heart l.o.v.e that site.

I love that it got me using my camera and shooting on a regular basis.

I love that there is a fantastic supportive community over there that will help anyone that wants to learn.

I love (basically) every single thing about it.

If you haven't ever joined, why not link up this week.

You are sure to see lots and lots of lovely images.

City or Country?

2012-01-05T19:48:00.000-08:00

Blogger went a little crazy for me today... sorry for the chaos.

Photographer Interview with Sarah King of Capturing Fireflies

2012-01-04T17:15:00.000-08:00

I loved Sarah the minute I met her.

Sarah has a unique take on life.

The most important thing in her world is being a Mom.

She loves shooting but she is proud to tell you that she is a MWAC (Mom with a Camera) first and foremost.

She won't miss her child's special days for a shoot.

I love that about her.

Sarah is doing big things in the Pennsylvania photography market close to where I live. I am proud to call her a fellow photographer, and even prouder to call her my friend.

Sarah, you have the most creative name for your photography business.

Tell us all about it.

Choosing a name was such a big production! I mean, what a big decision. :) I first had to decide if I wanted to use my name. But the answer to that was pretty easy for me. My current last name is my married name, but I am no longer married.

I knew, at some point, there would be the potential for a name change, so using my name was not an option. Once I decided that I would not use my name, picking a brand name for myself was not easy!

I next decided that I wanted the word "capture" in my name, because I felt like I captured moments in time, and that was my specialty. Capturing real moments.

I was brainstorming with my very good photog friend, Sara Baldwin of Saratography, and she had thrown out there "capturing butterfly's" and almost as soon as she said that it gave me the idea of "Capturing Fireflies" - the reason fireflies came to me was because they are fascinating to me!

I grew up in SoCal, where the only fireflies we knew of were the pretend ones during the Disneyland ride Pirates of the Carribean. Once I moved to PA and got to experience them for the first time, in real life, a whole new world opened up to me.

I still get very excited to head out during the summer nights to capture fireflies (lots of bug spray needed!)

When did you first pick up your camera and decide that you wanted to take your photography to the next level?

There were a couple key moments that got me there. I have a friend on-line that is a fantastic photographer, and she was also a Mom (we were on a forum together) she ultimately was my first inspiration to be a MWAC - I was a SAHM and couldn't afford to get my daughter's pictures done as much as I would have liked.

It took me many years to talk myself into investing into a DSLR, but when I finally took the plunge I ultimately had no desire to become professional. I simply wanted to take great pictures and capture fantastic special moments with my daughter that were so quickly flying by.

I was also going through some major changes at the time (divorce) and I came to a point in my life that I wanted to give back. I was a volunteer for Bengal Rescue Network (cats) and had a foster Bengal in my care that needed some help.

He was so very itchy!! Missing fur on his belly, sores on the soles of his feet from biting, ect. He was alergic, to something. And the best chance to help him was to have him tested for allergies, so that we could have special allergy meds created just for him!

The testing was $200, and a 1 year supply of his special meds would be $200. The rescue did not have $400 in their funds for this guy, so I started fundraising using my fancy camera and my newly learned skills.

This is really what got me started. I had so much fun doing this fundraiser, and it showed me that my passion for photography went a little deeper then I had originally thought. ;) I really enjoyed photographing pets, but the day I attended the I heart faces photowalk was the day I realized that I also enojoyed capturing people. It was also the day I met Becky!

You started a huge community on facebook of photographers to share and learn. What prompted you to do that?

Everything I know, I learned from other photographers. Don't get me wrong...I spent many weeks sitting in front of my upstairs window with my new camera in hand taking pictures in manual....of absolutely nothing. I took thousands of pictures, playing around with different settings, just to see visually how they affected the end result.

But, those little tips, that only those that had experience knew, are a big part of where I am today. I am so thankful for those photographers out there that posted blogs, and gave tips on their FB pages, uploaded video's to youtube, answered my questions. Giving back is in my nature.

The photography world can be so cut throat. And just plain rude! I never want to be like that. And I get great satisfaction in helping others, anytime I can.

You have a full time job and you shoot on the weekends and some evenings, how difficult is that?

It can be very difficult, especially being a mother. Balancing motherhood, a full time job, a photography business, and my ever so cherished lazy days can be tough. I like my sleep. Shooting every weekend equals no "sleep in" mornings, but I guess I am still used to that from being a Mom. I was just getting used to being able to "sleep in" once I started this gig. But, it just makes me cherish them even more when I do get them. ;)

What has been your favorite shoot so far?

I think my favorite shoot so far was my sisters "prom dress" shoot. She got herself a beautiful neon green prom dress and to this day she is one of my best models. We went to our local train station and utilized some of the fantastic textures we had available to us.

What is one character trait of yours you would like to see in your daughter?

I hope that she can always stay positive. One of the things I try to always do is stay positive. I have learned that my emotions can control my overall day, therefore if I stay positive I am much more happy everyday.

What is one character trait of yours you hope she never gets?

I am far too sensitive and allow things to weigh on my mind more than they should. I do hope that she can have a thicker skin than me and stand up more for what she needs in her life. I am getting there but do hope she will learn faster then I did.

Does your daughter like being the subject of your photography?

No. It must be so tough being a photographers daughter. You should see the eye roll sometimes when my camera comes out. She has had enough....but I hold out hope that she grows out of that stage and finds a new stage where she enjoys having her picture taken. :)

Editing pictures takes hours and hours, how do you manage your time when you are editing?

I don't think I could do what I do without Lightroom. Once I started using Lightroom I felt like my world opened up and I could finally fit editing into my busy life. I would receommend LR to everyone wanting to speed up their work flow.

You are a lover of cats, tell us about yours.

I have two beautiful Bengal boys. Rajah is a snow marbled Bengal, and Leo is a brown spotted Bengal. They both have such unique personalities and love each other to pieces. :)

If money was no object, what is something you would do with your life this year?

If money was no object, I would quit my day job. I want so much to have more time to devote to my business!

There are lots of different photography blogs and sites to visit. What are 3 of your favorite places to go and learn?

I don't visit these enough these days but they each had a part in helping me learn via the internet. :)

Coffee Shop

i heart faces

Rock the Shot forum

You love music! What made you start using Spotify? What is your favorite song lately? Do you sing along?

I love music!! Yes, I do. And spotify is free. You can't beat free! I have it on all day at work, in the car, while I shower, clean, and pretty much anytime I can get away with it. I sing along in the shower and in the car....only when by myself. ;) My favorite song lately is Overcome by Live.

Nothing new, but it gives me goosebumps everytime I hear it. I like it oldschool....Well oldschool for my generation. You should check out my spotify playlist! It is a little bit of everything. ;)

Is there a good network of photographers in your area?

It is amazing how many fantastic photographers are in my area, as well as the network that has formed because of that! Many of the locals are all friends and hang out with each other at events and during Holidays! There are a few great meet-up groups that meet weekly or monthly as well. I know that I am very blessed with that network that is available to me so close to home.

When you meet other photographers have you found them to be warm and welcoming?

In person, I have not met a mean photographer yet. Online seems to be a different story, but locally the photographers are super nice.

If someone tells you "Hey, I got a new Canon Rebel so I can take pictures JUST like yours. I don't need you any more." what is the first thought that runs thru your mind?

I must admit, my first thought in my head would be something like, ugh, yeah alright because it's nothing more then pushing a button, right? But that would never come out of my mouth. ;) I would offer help and hope they were one of the few that actually strives to learn and better themselves instead of taking what they get in Auto with a nice camera. I love to help those that love to learn.

What one thing has helped you more than any other thing to grow and learn photography this year?

This year was a year of learning to be confident in myself. I know, I should have done that before starting a business. ;)

There is something unique about Sarah.

She is down to earth and kind.

Her pictures are like art.

Capturing Fireflies Photography on facebook

Her website is gorgeous. Wait until you see it!

Capturing Fireflies Site

Auld Lang Syne {Days Gone By}

2012-01-03T19:48:00.000-08:00

Should old acquaintances be forgotten,

And never brought to mind?

Should old acquaintances be forgotten,

And days of long ago!

For times gone by, my dear

For times gone by,

We will take a cup of kindness yet

For times gone by.

We two have fun about the hillsides

And pulled the daisies fine,

But we have wandered many a weary food

For times gone by.

We two have paddled (waded) in the strean

From noon until dinner time,

But seas between us broad have roared

Since times gone by.

And there is a hand, my trusty friend,

And give us a hand in yours,

And we will take a goodwill drink (of ale)

For times gone by!

And surely you will pay for your pint,

And surely I will pay for mine!

And we will take a cup of kindness yet

For times gone by!

A Story to Live By Ann Wells for the Los Angeles Times

2012-01-02T21:11:00.000-08:00

People keep asking what my New Years Resolutions are.

I guess, if I had to pick one,

this is what I would pick.

A Story To Live By
By Ann Wells (Los Angeles Times)

My brother-in-law opened the bottom drawer of my sister's bureau and lifted out a tissue-wrapped package. "This," he said, "is not a slip. This is lingerie." He discarded the tissue and handed me the slip. It was exquisite; silk, handmade and trimmed with a cobweb of lace. The price tag with an astronomical figure on it was still attached.

"Jan bought this the first time we went to New York, at least 8 or 9 years ago. She never wore it. She was saving it for a special occasion. Well, I guess this is the occasion."

He took the slip from me and put it on the bed with the other clothes we were taking to the mortician. His hands lingered on the soft material for a moment, then he slammed the drawer shut and turned to me.

"Don't ever save anything for a special occasion. Every day you're alive is a special occasion."

I remembered those words through the funeral and the days that followed when I helped him and my niece attend to all the sad chores that follow an unexpected death. I thought about them on the plane returning to California from the Midwestern town where my sister's family lives.

I thought about all the things that she hadn't seen or heard or done. I thought about the things that she had done without realizing that they were special. I'm still thinking about his words, and they've changed my life.

I'm reading more and dusting less. I'm sitting on the deck and admiring the view without fussing about the weeds in the garden. I'm spending more time with my family and friends and less time in committee meetings.

Whenever possible, life should be a pattern of experience to savour, not endure. I'm trying to recognize these moments now and cherish them. I'm not "saving" anything; we use our good china and crystal for every special event such as losing a pound, getting the sink unstopped, the first camellia blossom.

I wear my good blazer to the market if I like it. My theory is if I look prosperous, I can shell out $28.49 for one small bag of groceries without wincing. I'm not saving my good perfume for special parties; clerks in hardware stores and tellers in banks have noses that function as well as my partygoing friends. "Someday" and "one of these days" are losing their grip on my vocabulary. If it's worth seeing or hearing or doing, I want to see and hear and do it now.

I'm not sure what my sister would've done had she known that she wouldn't be here for the tomorrow we all take for granted. I think she would have called family members and a few close friends. She might have called a few former friends to apologize and mend fences or past squabbles.

I like to think she would have gone out for a Chinese dinner, her favorite food. I'm guessing - I'll never know. It's those little things left undone that would make me angry if I knew that my hours were limited. Angry because I put off seeing good friends whom I was going to get in touch with - someday. Angry because I hadn't written certain letters that I intended to write - one of these days. Angry and sorry that I didn't tell my husband and daughter often enough how much I truly love them.

I'm trying very hard not to put off, hold back, or save anything that would add laughter and luster to our lives. And every morning when I open my eyes, I tell myself that it is special. Every day, every minute, every breath truly is... a gift from God.

My3boybarians

Adventures and Misadventures of Daily Living

Please join us at Communal Global for Tuesdays Around the World.

Christmas Bloopers 2011

2012-01-01T20:05:00.000-08:00

Have I told you that my family is a little bit crazy?

Here are a few instances over Christmas just to show a little of our whack-a-doodle-ness!

Here is Ben with his super new gun that makes extremely loud shooting noises and points a red laser at the target.

He is not supposed to point at people.

Clearly, he obeyed that rule:

Exhibit 1

and...exhibit 2.

Do you see the red mark on the cats face? So funny!

My brother in law, Caleb, really hates pictures.

Here he is shielding Brooke from the ~~papa~~aunt-arazzi

I have no idea.

My very lovely sister and her sweet son Levi. Nothing crazy about this.

But here we have the dreaded nose pick. And why in the world is Kaish-a-roni wearing a winter coat over his head? I am baffled. He also wore a pair of shorts that were tight on him 2 summers ago....

Love that goofball. He definitely knows how to dress for success.

This is a blooper just because my Daddy's bald head makes me smile.

Here is Levi shoving a mouse down Grammy's Christmas vest from Blair...

Brooke crying for something. No idea what. Isn't she precious though?

I don't even know about this picture.

Awwwwwwwwwww, here we have new baby Jack with an AK-47 getting ready to be fired at his sweet newborn face. Lovely times ten.

I will let these speak for themselves.

Family + Gun = Peace 4ever

Caleb threw the peace sign up in every picture on Christmas. He has never done this before. I think he is practicing to be a rapper. I will let you know the minute his album comes out, OK?

'Give me my stinkin' shoe.'

Wrestling with the boys.

We had a pretty much perfect day.

There was loudness and food and presents.

There was hugs and hiccups and happiness.

There was love.

There is always love.

i heart faces

A farm and a dream in Pipersville, Pennsylvania

2011-12-26T20:50:00.000-08:00

Their story:

He was born in Doylestown Hospital to Myrtle and Irwin.

Their first son.

They were poor by the world's standards.

Myrtle worked, as an aide, with children that had down syndrome in Norristown.
She was a kind and loving woman who made the world a better place.

She was a very hard worker.

Irwin was the caretaker on a farm in Pipersville,

which is right outside of Doylestown

in Bucks County, Pennsylvania.

The farm was fairly large.

The boy lived there with his Mom and Dad in a small shack down in the corner of the land.

The little boy grew up loving the farm.

Although the family was very poor, the boy grew up thinking he was rich.

He had everything he could ever need or want on the farm.

He loved the land and the crops.

He loved the tractors.

He loved the animals.

He helped his Dad and the farm owner whenever he could.

He despised school and would race off the bus every afternoon ready to work.

He did chores, drove tractors and milked cows.

He grew and grew.

His parents got older and decided to move to the middle of the state to farm.

Somewhere a little less expensive than beautiful Bucks County.

The boy, who had now graduated, went to help his Dad on the new farm.

He loved Swengel, Pennsylvania just as he had loved Pipersville, Pennsylvania.

The boy worked hard at many jobs.

The boy was a very good worker.

He loved the new land and the crops.

He loved the tractors.

He loved the animals.

The boy started working at Farm Bureau.

He sprayed crops for farmers.

He loved his job.

He met a girl.

A teacher girl.

They fell in love.

The boy and the girl got married and moved to the farm in Central Pennsylvania to help his parents on their farm.

The boy worked hard.

He always had at least 2 jobs.

The girl taught school.

A baby came.

And another.

His parents were getting older.

Irwin and Myrtle could no longer live off the farm.

The boy did not think he could provide for his growing family on their farm.

They put the farm up for auction.

They all moved back to where they had started their lives:

Bucks County, Pennsylvania.

Another baby came.

Irwin and Myrtle got older.

They got sick.

They died.

There was much sadness.

How could life go on?

The boy wanted a farm more than ever before,

but now he had a growing family to support and he could not afford it.

He dreamed of farms.

He loved the smell of manure on crops.

He loved barns and silos and the creatures that lived there.

He loved the land.

His children grew up knowing that farms were the best places on earth.

They admired them from car windows.

They went to the Pennsylvania Farm Show each year and said thank you to the men and women who were working the land.

Years passed.

The boy and the girl and their 3 children bought a house in Perkasie.

From day one, everyone knew, that boy wished he had a farm.

The boy tried to make the house as much like a farm as he could.

There were 3 gardens.

There were old tractors and chicken coops.

There were animals galore.

Life went on even though the house in Perkasie was not a farm.

The boy continued working hard.

His children grew up feeling blessed just as he had years before.

In the blink of an eye,

school was done,

college was done,

and the boy and the girl were alone.

Alone in Perkasie at the house that had once had gardens and tractors and kids.

Alone on the acre of land that had been a psuedo farm for the boy.

One day, the boy was reading a farm paper and he saw that the farm his dad had worked on when he was a mere child, was going to be auctioned off.

The boy, who was now a grown man, told his wife

and his children that he was going to go and look at the farm of his childhood.

He went to visit the farm in Pipersville.
It was exactly as he had remembered.
He called his kids and said,

"It is going for auction in the Spring,
but there is just no way we could ever get it.

That much land in Bucks County will go for over a million and a half dollars.

I am glad I looked but now I know I can not get the farm."

Everyone felt sad for the man and his dream.

The auction came.

The man took off work and went just to see who would live at his childhood farm.

As the auctioneer began that day in the Spring,

the numbers that were being bid were not as high as he had suspected.

He decided to bid.

And suddenly...

the gavel struck.

The son of Irwin and Myrtle now owned the farm his parents used to work on.

The man was finally a farmer.

He called the Woman and said.

"Are you sitting down?

We just bought the farm."

He bid and won his dream.

Preparations began.

Packing up 25 years of life on a little rancher in Perkasie, Pennsylvania was hard work.

Saying goodbye to the best neighbors and friends was difficult.

Home inspections and insurance agents and life-

it all got crazy as summer eased it's way into Bucks County.

The farm house, that had once been the home of the landowners,

would now be lived in by the Man and the Woman.

The kitchen was re done.

The barn roof was patched.

A tractor was purchased.

Finally, one day in June,

the man and the woman moved onto the farm.
A smile like you have never known was seen on the face of the man.

If you visit the farm today,

you will see that there is hay in the barn.
There are children playing with basketballs and bicycles.

In the Spring there will be a steer in a stall.

The most important thing that is on that farm is not the hay or the tractor or the barn.

It is those 2 people.

Those 2 people who gave up every dream for their children.

And then, when they least expected it,

their dream has come true.

Of all the things I am thankful for this year,

I am most thankful for my Daddy and my Mommy who dreamed big and took a chance.

At age 60 they went after their dream.

And now,

truly,

they are living

Happily Ever After.

Merry, Merry Christmas from your favorite procrastinator in the whole wide world.

2011-12-20T20:09:00.001-08:00

We STILL didn't get a tree.

I guess we aren't getting one this year.

I don't think Kaish cares that much.

If it is bothering him, I likely won't find out until he is 19 and in therapy.

I guess I will take my chances.

I finally started addressing the Christmas cards.

I can't find my address book.

You know the last time I used it?

Last Christmas.

I bet it is with the leftover cards from last year.

Who knows where they are?

Certainly not me.

I opened the garage door to take a gander and see if I could find it amongst the wrapping paper or the unused ornaments.

Seeing all of the things that I needed to be doing depressed me so I slammed the door and decided to text the people that are getting cards.

I texted one of my co workers for his address.

When he sent it I thanked him and told him to be on the lookout because I was coming to rob him soon.

I don't think he believes me.

I took Kaish and Jonathon to youth group on Tuesday night and then proceeded to the store to buy the first and ONLY present I have gotten so far.

Are you wondering when exactly I am going to go shopping?

Me too.

I am shooting a wedding tomorrow.

I am very excited.

There is not going to be a fancy dress

or an artistic venue.

There is not even going to be a bouquet.

You know what is going to be there though?

Love.

Big love.

I love that.

Don't get me wrong.

A fancy wedding is very exciting.

I love adore a fancy wedding every now and again.

This, though,

this feels so right.

So perfect for 2 days before Christmas.

Simple and uncomplicated and perfect.

We are going to make gingerbread cookies tomorrow when the kids get home from school.

They have off on Friday and they are eager for vacation to start.

Gary has off- are you ready for this?

3 days in a row.

I know. I know. CRAZY, right?

Saturday, Sunday AND Monday.

Next weekend he doesn't even get off on New Years Day.

I am not going to think about next weekend though.

I am just going to focus on this weekend.

3 days.

I feel like I won the lottery.

You know what else makes me feel like I won the lottery?

These kids.

I love them so much.

Every day they are a blessing.

Every day.

When they are messy. And grumpy. And ornery.

I love them.

Wishing you the most happy holidays.

Hug the ones you love.

And if you are without anyone to hug,

go and make a new friend.

Everyone needs some love.

Happy Hanukkah baby Sophia!

2011-12-20T03:59:00.000-08:00

Oh wait just a second!

What is going on here!

Sophia is growing up.

How does this happen?

In the blink of an eye for certain.

Have a beautiful celebration David and Tina and ~~baby~~ big girl, Sophia.

Weekly Kodachrome

Communal Global

Please join us for Tuesdays around the world!

Jack Attack

2011-12-18T20:59:00.000-08:00

Hey, do you want to see some more baby pictures of itty bitty Jack?

I have zillions of pictures to share,

but I am going to hold off until Christmas

since many of the families I have been shooting are giving gifts of their pictures.

And you know,

this blog is SO world famous

I am sure some of their relatives might stumble upon them here...or not ; )

Just in case though....we will hold off!

Isn't Jack a cutie?

We love the little bugger.

beware: thankful (but snippy)

2011-12-15T21:38:00.000-08:00

I remember reading on many photographer blogs a couple of years ago that Christmas season was insane.

I didn't know what they meant.

I mean insane? Really?

Doesn't that sound a little dramatic?

You know me: I shy away from drama....Seriously! Why are you laughing?

Well, let me tell you, this Christmas season has been INSANE.

And when I say insane I mean:

So insane that our tree isn't up.

So insane that I haven't paid our car insurance bill that was due last Friday.

{Don't tell Gary!}

So insane that I have the Titanic theme song on loop and have listened to it no less than 152 times tonight....

I have loved some parts of the insanity.

Many parts to be truthful.

LOVED the Families.

Loved the Babies.

Loved the Children.

Loved the Santas

and the Parties

and the Wonder of the Season.

Weird capitalization because I fancy myself some sort of poet. Just go along with my insanity today, K?

It is a little stressful though.

Like, so stressful I might or might not have started crying for no reason at all in the middle of the grocery store on Wednesday.

I am not sure if it was picture stress

or work stress

or the fact that the cat food cost as much as the human food...

Last night I fell into bed at 2:35 AM

Thank God it did not collapse!

As I set the alarm for 5:30 I reflected on the day. And then I cried some more. I haven't been a nice Mom to Kaish at all lately. I haven't been nice to my co workers. Or the clerk at the market. Or anyone really.

I have been terribly grumpy and irritable.

Snippy to the max.

Every second I am editing.

Or shooting.

Or driving Kaish somewhere to be babysat so I can shoot.

I miss him.

I miss my kid.

All the kids I am shooting are perfectly wonderful.

I love their smiles and their little ideas and questions.

I love my job.

I just miss my own kid.

My own wonderfully fantastic and quirky child.

And I miss you.

Blogging is the best outlet.

Thank you for hanging around.

I am sorry I have abandoned you lately.

Don't worry. I promise to be back soon with tons of beautiful family pictures and lots of love.

Love, Snippy Becky who now has I Will Always Love You by Whitney Houston playing instead of Celine Deon's Titanic song. Try not to be impressed!

I don't like anyone that doesn't like cats. Seriously.

2011-12-11T17:28:00.000-08:00

Little Timmy was in the garden filling in a hole when his neighbor peered over the fence.

Interested in what the cheeky-faced youngster was up to, he politely asked, “Whatcha doing, Tim?”

“My goldfish died,” replied the boy tearfully, without looking up. “And I’ve just buried him.”

The neighbor was concerned. “That’s an awfully big hole for a goldfish, isn’t it?”

Tim patted down the last heap of earth then replied, “That’s because he’s inside your cat.”

i heart faces

hey, hey, gray day.

2011-12-07T20:22:00.000-08:00