TWO!

Happy 2ND birthday to my miracle twins! This day 2 years ago we were headed to Legacy Salmon Creek hospital in the light snow at 6am to check in for my scheduled c-section. I got to triage and they hooked me up to the monitors, 2 belts for the kids, one for me! I was swollen, nervous, and READY! We waited an hour past our go time since there was an emergency ahead of us. I remember getting up to use the bathroom a million times during that wait....nerves and all the fluids they were pumping into my IV. I also had HORRIBLE reflux that was at it's peak on delivery day so they gave me Previcid in my IV as well....My parents, Josh's parents were all in the waiting room with us when my OB came in in her scrubs and said it's time. I cried as my mom left, she was my MOM and now I was becoming one! Aubrey was born at 10:14am weighing 5lbs11oz and 18 3/4 in. long and a full head of straight black hair. Gavin came shortly thereafter at 10:15, weighing 5lbs9oz and 18 1/2 in. long and bald. Dr. Gibbons said "Look, it's a little Josh and Amy!" There were lots of beautiful newborn cries, Josh and I were just in so much love from the beginning. We had an amazing team of nurses and Docs who took care of our babies. They were perfect and healthy in every way....we were so blessed to have our babies at almost 38 weeks...so healthy!
I can't believe how fast it goes by........they are starting to sit on the potty, throw tantrums, talk clearer, make more messes (but enjoy cleaning up!) but the best is when they say WOVE YOU!! Thank you Lord for my 2 blessings from above.....life wouldn't be the same without them!

"if you want me to"

I have been trying to decide on my play list for my website....it's been fun but tough. I wanted to pick songs that mean something to me but also reflect ME and my life and testimony.......

So I picked "If you want me to" by Ginny Owens.....she sings "It may not be the way I would have chosen, but you lead me through a world that's not my home..." I just get so choked up when I hear this song. It's been my "go to" song when things are crazy and I need to get grounded.....I remember my purpose here, why I even have the amazing life that I do. It's not because of me....it's all about HIM. I am so proud to say I have a relationship with Jesus and he gets me through everything.

This is why this is my FIRST song on my website. I hope it touches people when they hear it.....because it's not about us, it's about the one who brought us here, to live and laugh and love just like he did.

And of course, I had to put my boy Chris Martin of Coldplay in second. "Sparks" is the epitomy of me and Josh. Our love is full of sparks....good and bad ones, but whatever we go through, we love eachother so much in the end. So thank you Coldplay for your awesome lyrics and magical music!

All the other songs are my all time faves....but as you know, it's hard to make a playlist, especially when you love so many. So I picked my top 8 and that's what you get!!!

The site should go live next week...I hope you enjoy!

OH! And what's a blog post without a couple of good pics of MIRACLES!!!!!

Website!

So it's been purchased! I went to bludomain and got my nifty new template all picked out and ready to be built.....this is huge for me as I was once an outcast when it came to anything this technical....but my years of emailing, searching the web and downloading has paid off. I will be asking help from my graphics guru friend Mo, but it should be up and running in a couple of weeks! This is the beginning...I will christen this blog now by saying Amy Hall Photography has offically begun! Pics to come.....of course! ;)

New studio!!!

Yes, it's official! I have a home studio. It's in the "beta" phase right now..I only have a black backdrop, but I will be adding to the collection of colors and I have all my lights in place! It's really been fun to play with the settings so I have so much to learn! The twins had their first REAL Halloween this year where they got to trick or treat and walk the 'hood in their costumes! Really, without kids, Halloween is pretty boring, in my opinion!! Here's the best shots we got in their gear...Gavin refused to wear anything but his Dodgers jersey, so we ran with it!

Desprate Housewives-Rocker STYLE!

Yeah, my neighbor Koreen is my soul mate as far as style!!! She let me come over and shoot her yesterday to practice with my new lens (Canon 24-70mm...let's just say AMAZING!) and she is so beautiful!! Makes my job easy.....anyway, we had fun, it was cut short due to Aubrey crying on the long distance monitor...but hey, I got a couple of amazing shots and I can't wait to shoot more of her and her fam!!

Long time no blog!

So it's been a while dear blog. I missed you.....I was caught up in too many other things! I'm sorry. I promise to write more. I NEED to write more. It helps my crazy head vent, clear, reflect..whatever the case may be. SO here I am. Super happy, super busy (taking photos for $, working, having a ball with my lil family of 4!) Anyway, we have been so blessed through this horrid economy! God IS GOOD! J got signed to play with BCI Edge (Basket Club International) once again after a 3 year retirement. This team is amazing! They are Goodwill ambassadors and do a ton of charity work in between games and press events. He get's to work out here to stay in shape then fly out to Amsterdam this winter, South America and China this spring. We are hoping to take the kids to Amsterdam..what a trip that would be! TBD for sure on that one..... I am really digging photography these days, my kids love the camera as well. I have a few contacts and friends that are requesting I take their photos which is awesome! My mentor and friend Kathy is helping me along the way. We decided I need a new lens..more then anything. I have CS3, the Canon Rebel, a good photog eye and a passion for it, all I need is that darn lens. So it's a work in progress...I will get it maybe for Christmas or my birthday? Who knows? Anyway, my kids are growing up so fast it's just a blessing to have all these amazing pics of them and FOR them to look at when they grow up. My dad was and is the king of gadgets and electronics. He had a 8mm film camera when I was born and taped me in the hospital getting my first bath and tons of footage of me and my brother running around as kids on the east coast visiting relatives to our home birthday parities. I am so thankful my dad got that camera and captured so much of our childhood. So this is why I plan to keep on with the photography and see where it goes. More then a hobby for sure......here's some new pics of the kids...dang they are precious!! Can you believe Aubrey's curls? She is 1/8 Jewish so I guess it was bound to happen to at least one of the twins!

Best Stage ever!

This phrase I use loosely because I think every stage my kids go through is the best. HOWEVER, this 18-19 month phase is so amazing. They are really turning into individuals with opinions and attitudes. I used to be able to dress them, change their diapers, take them anywhere without a fuss. Now for Aubrey it has to be the "gold" shoes or she won't leave the house and Gavin has to have his "blankie" everywhere we go. I love it, they are truly magical and a blessing I could have never dreamed of! This summer is so far our best because we can go more places without worrying about breastfeeding or changing a million diapers or having to get the kids home for nap # 2 (they only take one now!!) It also melts my heart to see Josh play and love on them. He is the best dad a mom could ask for and I can't believe he's mine!