My favorite thing today:

I was working on some projects all day today, it was a very busy day for me. That means it wasn't so busy a day for Isabelle. It's not often she's got time to just play freely- to the point that she really gets into her play anyway. Also of note, her imaginary friends of late have been the Backyardigans. To hear her say it it's the "back-ard-agans" with "Pablo, Tyrone, Tasha, 'niqua and Awstin" and she's always calling them on the phone to come over and play, paint her house, whatever. Well today I was able to watch her undetected a few times. It's so incredible to see her pretending. That kind of play, when they move from banging and throwing to this purposeful and decisive play is awesome (not that there's less mess, mind you). Today she had a picnic with them all, I think that Diego and Dora might have been there too. They had napkins (tissues) and food (wooden), played games and had wonderful conversations. There was much discussion about painting the house (yeah, that one comes up allot... wonder if she just doesn't like the brown/tan thing we have going on?) and at the slightest sign of misbehavior by any of her friends' & the "time out corner" came up. This all lasted a good 30-45 minutes and would have gone on indefinitely, until she leaned back and rolled off the lay-z-boy foot rest backwards.

I think that's where she got the idea to play Doctor. Yeah, that's all well and good, since they ARE Imaginary friends and all, but for the marker. Then my child drew out a map of her skeletal system in black (thankfully washable) marker. Fun stuff.

So, my favorite thing today- is my child's gigantic imagination and her proficiency in using it- oh and washable markers.

Lynn!

I hope your Thanksgiving was wonderful! I thought I'd take a minute to (finally) get the pictures of Lilly up- she's so stinkin' cute. I hope your trip was good and that she made it without too much trauma- at least I wasn't bugging her with the camera the whole time! I hope you like these... Love from NY- Brigit.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Well, the turkey has been eaten, the stuffing passed- heck I even went a round or two with the pumpkin pie (that was SO not on my diet, by the way). It's OK, I'm sure Master Rexer will work it out of me tomorrow- or I hope he does anyway. It was so good to see the family. I love watching the cousins run around causing a raucous at Grandmas' house. I love seeing my parents and siblings and all the additions to the family. The whole group has gotten SO big- it's amazing we fit at one (really long) table. There's just something about Thanksgiving- the way it kicks off the entire holiday season, that I love. I guess you could say, it's a great thing to have a family like mine.

This year, instead of each of us saying what we're thankful for, my parents told us what it is about us that they're thankful for. This year was a rough one in allot of ways for us all- my parent's especially. My Dad's accident- well, that was huge, and scary, and so much more. It truly scared the crap out of me- to think that my Dad could have been taken from us- I'm NOT ready to do this without him. I realised that I'm not always great at telling my Dad how much I love and respect him, or how important he is to me. How much I need his guidance still and just knowing that he's there- that he's been there for my entire life should I need him, that's huge for me. Plus, for my Mom, it's been hard, stressful, scary, challenging. I see her try to do way too much every day, but she always has time to do that one more thing- something for her kids, for my Dad, so often not for her... I worry about her. I also know that she's the kind of strong, determined, smart woman that will pull through. She'll face the challenge head on and plow right through it. I think that's where Isabelle actually gets her "bull in a china- shop" syndrome- she plows through problems the way my mom does- OK, maybe she makes more noise doing it. I'd be thrilled if Isabelle can get that part of her, that would be a very good thing.

This is a year that I recognize that I have so much to be thankful for. Every day there are challenges, new obstacles that need to be faced. Things that if we let them, could take us down and not let us back up. But they don't. They don't destroy me, they don't hold me back, they can't take me down. Why? Because I have this strong foundation. This incredible resource of support, love, understanding- my family. I'm lucky that my family is they way it is, that they've all got these traits that have helped to shape me into the person I am. I have parents that are beyond incredible, siblings that give it to me straight and hold me to the truth, a husband that supports me and kids that make me realise just how much crap I put my parents through!

So tonight I'm counting my blessings with extra care. I'm thankful, happy and loved. What more could I hope for?

S...

Hey You- I'm hoping this works out right, it doesnt' seem to be sizing right. I'll fix it tomorrow if it's still not right- I promise.

Head Shots

No, I don't mean some violent edition of the blog. I promise, when I say I "shoot people" or I'm going to "shoot someone" I haven't turned despondant and hopeless, deciding to take everyone out with me in a blaze of glory- I'm just taking pictures. I promise what I'm doing is MUCH less painful and gory. Really. Heck, these each took all of 5 minutes to take. I even nailed a few of them on the first shot- almost wasn't worth getting all gussied up for. It certainly wasn't painful- was it guys? Nah. It was easy peasy! (I know, y'all are rolling your eyes at me "huh, easy for you to say, you were BEHIND the camera!" Right? Guys? Is this thing on? Tap, Tap, Tap)

Ok, enough talk, lets see some pics- well here ya go- I hope you all like them, since they're going to be posted at work for a LOOOOOONNNNNGGGG time. In no particular order....

weddings

So as I've said, I've been shooting weddings. I was able to go ahead and edit a select few that I have on my computer. I also recently shot a friends wedding and I need to get the images from her so I can edit mine and share them. I know of a few that are portfolio worthy already. Man it was fun shooting that wedding. Actually I'm suprised at how much fun it is shooting weddings. I truely LOVE doing it. I love that I get to share in one of the most joyous days in a couples lives and I get to do it doing something I love doing- taking pics! I also have all these ideas in my head of picutres I want to take- both weddings as well as "regular" portraits. Maybe I'll make Alex pose for me- he just LOVES when I do that! (or not- lol). He cooperates anyway.

Well- here are a few that I happen to have internet ready.








This one's kind of funny- see the bee?

Getting back into things

I've been so busy lately shooting weddings for Captured Emotions and working at the family dealership. I am crazy but happy! Isabelle's LOVING school, I swear, she loves Miss. Heather more than me some days! It can bruise a Mom's ego when the first thing a kid sais in the morning is about going to see her teacher! It just might, except she's still thrilled to see me when I pick her up. Alex is doing well, keeping busy himself with trumpet, drama club, after school academy and karate. I swear I don't over schedule the kid, promise. He loves middle school, I think it's the fact that he gets to switch classes every 40 minutes. It makes the day go faster, and it lets him goof off for 4 minutes in-between classes.

I'm going to be working on getting Christmas pictures done early this year, so that I can actually design my card and order it without the last minute panic attack like last year. I'm also (re)doing the head shots at the dealership. I did a test run today with my Mom and I have to say, I'm pleased with the results. It's my first time setting up the lights and all that myself. At the studio it was all just done for you, but man, it was FUN!!! I tried out a few backdrops too.


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