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.


and

GO VOTE!!!!!

Ok, so this is SO not a political blog. It's not going to turn into one- I have no intention of sharing my views on here, since I'm pretty sure no-one wants to hear them. It's just not my style. I will, however, hop on the soap box for just one minute. These are trying times, these are CRAZY times, these days are going to be in the history books for a LONG time- they will be looked at as one of the most volatile and pivotal moments in the WORLD's history. Many big things are happening now that will impact our everyday lives and the future for our children... well, you get the picture- it's big, this election. The potential is there.

What does that have to do with me and this blog? Well, it's the ONLY time I will try to tell anyone "what" to do. REGISTER to VOTE, then VOTE.

Here- they say it better than I do, plus they're prettier.



we'll be back to our normal photo-sharing blog tomorrow, promise.

Birthday Pictures

No, I don't mean that I've finally edited Alex's birthday pics- infact, I've barely looked at them. It was a late night last night at the studio. I do mean birthday pictures as in the "session" I do with the kids every year around their birthday. Almost a month late this year, but I wanted to get Alex in his new contacts, so I had to wait. I woke up this morning to a sunny/foggy light- it was beautiful. I thought "wow, this is the light I dream about" and decided to rouse Alex and dash out the door. I had planned on doing Isabelle in her tutus- but she wasn't having much to do with the camera this morning. Not that she does any morning- or evening, or afternoon- anytime actually. She is still difficult, to say the least. She sees the camera and want's to hide. Anyway- I took them to this beautiful field filled with wild flowers and brought the stool I found on the side of the road and re-finnished. Specifically with this shoot in mind. I like the results. What do you think???

Oh- and you'll notice- I have pictures of BOTH the kids! WHOOT! (Only happens about once a year- at their birthday shoot! lol)








Telling Secrets!!! SO cute together...