Brain Dump #1

I know of another photographer (the fabulous Millie Holloman) who does this on her blog, and it seems like a good idea... sometimes don't you just have a bunch of random stuff going through your head that you need to put in writing in order to process? I do! So here is my first "brain dump"...
1. Why, oh why, will Chris not go to sleep?? He's been in his crib for at least 20 minutes now, and seems to have no intention of sleeping. Arrghhh... I need the break today! This seems to be happening more frequently now... I am NOT ready for him to give up his nap!
2. Booking for 2009 weddings is in full swing! Thanks to an ad that I put on the Knot, my blog and website have been getting more hits and I have starting booking for the next wedding season. It is so exciting!
3. I am amazed every day by how much Chris can understand, and how much he is learning. We're still at somewhat of a frustrating stage, as he knows what he wants but can't really communicate it. Yesterday he really wanted some juice, but couldn't tell me that which led to screaming (by him) and frustration (on both ends). He finally figured it out, though, as later that night he managed to say "joo" while handing me his cup (no screaming involved!!). Normally I wouldn't have given it to him, as I only give him 1 cup of juice a day and he'd already had two, but since he asked so nicely I had to give it to him!
4. Every day I am more and more grateful, amazed, humbled, and excited by the gift of photography that God has allowed me to share. I think back often to the "Love Affair" workshop that I attended back in February. While I was there, one morning I got up early and went out to the beach, and I think it was there that the reality of it all set in. Never before had I stepped out and done something like this - something completely different for me, something so stretching, and something that was so completely dependent upon God. So with every wedding that I book, every compliment I receive, every hit that I get on my website, I am more and more aware of the fact that God is present and working. It is such an exciting thing to see - words really don't do it justice.
5. It took almost 2 years for Mark and I to get pregnant with Chris. It seemed that my body just didn't want to do what it was supposed to, and so it took a lot of doctor's appointments, medication, and prayers to have him. And it was worth it all! But, we had hoped that by now we'd at least be pregnant with #2. And we're not. It gets frustrating sometimes! Trying to get pregnant with Chris was so hard emotionally. I can't help but think "God, why do I have to go through this AGAIN?! Wasn't once bad enough?!" I hear stories of girls getting pregant the first month they try, or even BY ACCIDENT. HOW DOES THAT HAPPEN?? It does appear that at least this time my body is trying to do things on it's own, so hopefully medication won't be necessary. But, just as God has been in control of leading me to photography, I know that He is more than capable of giving us more children. He has given me the desire for more. So I have to trust that He will fulfill that.
6. Chris is still not asleep :(
7. Here's some random pictures!


This was supposed to be Mark's lunch - Chris had just finished his!

Wedding Guestbook

Just yesterday evening, the doorbell rang. I jumped up, knowing exactly who was at the door: our friendly UPS man! This time, he was bringing a package the contents of which are SO exciting: David and Erin's wedding guestbook! They wanted a book of their engagement photos at the wedding for the guests to sign, and I absolutely LOVE how it turned out. In fact, I love it so much that I decided to include one (or a regular engagement album; it doesn't have to be for signatures) with all of my engagement shoots. Let me know what you think!

After the rain..

So yesterday afternoon we had a really big storm. Afterwards, I let Chris outside to play. It wasn't long before he discovered a large puddle where some grass was dug out for a sprinkler. I don't know where he got this idea, but he amused himself by taking a broom, dipping it in the puddle, and swinging the broom up over his head so that the water dripped on him. He was soaked! But so happy; I had to grab the camera.

Furniture for Sale!

After two years of living in this house, we still feel like we aren't "settled". There is so much disorder and disorganization that it is DRIVING ME CRAZY. I heard a quote the other day that describes the state I'm in perfectly: "A disorganized house is a disorganized mind." It is getting to the point where I can't even work any more because I just can't get organized. So, we are making some changes. The room that is currently our "office" is going to become Chris's room, since it is the larger of the two spare rooms and Chris is outgrowing his room. So the room that is currently the nursery is going to become the office (and, hopefully one day soon, a new nursery!) So that means that we need to change some furniture. Our current office furniture is too big for the smaller room, so it has to go. Also, we are going to sell our "bean bag bed". It is a huge, super-soft bean bag that, when opened, has a queen-sized mattress inside. We love it, and it is really comfortable to sleep on, but it is just too big for the space we have. We are pricing the office set at $600; it includes two bookcases, a lateral file cabinet, and a computer desk with hutch. The bean bag we are asking $100. But we are open to offers on any of it!

Edit: the bean bag has sold!

Congratulations Jason and Kristin!

This weekend I had the opportunity to shoot Jason and Kristin's wedding. They were such a fun couple to work with; both were so laid-back. And it was so neat to see a couple who just seemed so happy being together! It was such a pretty, special day and it was an honor to be a part of it.

While the girls were busy getting ready, the boys were eating BUGS!!

Not only was Jason gaining a wife, but he was also becoming a father to Kristin's twin 5-year old daughters. It was obvious how much he loves them - this was a shot of him as they walked down the aisle.

Not only did Jason and Kristin exchange vows, but Jason had prepared some for the girls. There was not a dry eye in the room as he declared his love for them as well as their mother, and then presented each of them with a necklace that said "Daddy's Princess".
The next American Idol!

The Father-Daughter dance gets me every time!

It's 4 o'clock...

Do you know where your children are?



Friday afternoon Chris and I got home from a morning out with some friends, and I put Chris in his bed for his nap and settled down for a much-needed rest. However, apparently Chris had other plans - and they didn't include a nap! He just would not go to sleep! These pictures were taken around 4 that afternoon, which is usually about when he is waking up. He sure doesn't look like a kid in need of a nap!




My guess is that he is teething. Saturday night he didn't fall asleep until after 11, he didn't nap very good today, and he had a hard time falling asleep again tonight. Plus, his nose is running like crazy. Poor guy - even tylenol doesn't seem to be helping! Pray that he gets through this soon!

Chris's newest trick...

Ok, I know - this isn't really a big deal. But it makes me laugh!
Earlier this week, Chris discovered that his arms are now long enough that he can reach his lightswitch from his crib. Well, he can reach the switch to the fan pretty good, but he has to really stretch to hit the switch for the light. He turns his fan on whenever he's in his crib now, and a few times I've walked by his room after putting him to bed only to discover that his light is on. He is quite pleased with himself!

Made my day!

This morning I received a sweet email from one of my brides, Erin. She wanted to let me know that she had posted something about me on the Knot website. I almost cried when I read what she had written! She was so sweet to say it, and it really made my day. Check it out here! (Scroll down to "Vendor Rave - Photographer.")