Downsizing

The Caddy is gone. Josh sold it to our friends Scott and Kristen. Bitter sweet really. WE don't need two cars really we don't. Since Josh and I both work from home most of the time it makes sense. Yes, we will save on gas, insurance ect. but dang it that car was so fun and comfy to ride in. I am happy that they will have a safe car for their cute baby girl Brooklyn! What a cutie this kid is! Aubrey was obsessed with her, as usual, and we got to play a bit in the studio. I forgot how much fun 6 month olds are. I get a bit jealous thinking about how cute and cuddly and easy that stage was, at least now that I have 2-2 year olds! 6 months is easy to me NOW that I have already been there. So here's a couple of pretties for you K and S. More to come on the proofing section of my site!

To blessed to be stressed

Last night I had a revelation: It's an absolute miracle that we were blessed to have 2 healthy and amazing children despite the fact that we needed a test tube to conceive them. A boy and a girl.....are you kidding me? How blessed is THAT!? I have a few friends who are going through some seriously medical challenges with their kids, V and Stephen are fighting cancer TIMES TWO in their house....V has stage III ovarian cancer and her 2.5 year old son Aexander (Alec) has brain cancer. I am praying for them non-stop and hope that good comes out of all of this. "Alexander the Great" is what they call him at their caringbridge site: http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/alexandermartinez

I mean, c'mon. This is the definition of perspective! When I think I've had a bad day, it's nothing compared to the day V and Stephen and Alec are going through. It's funny how life teaches us things when we are ready to learn. I have surrendered to growth and I am letting God do the work. My twins are a miracle, no doubt, and to say my cup is full is an understatement, but I am so grateful for God's blessings on my life. Thank you Lord for showing me this through growth. I pray for all those in need and may your miracles never cease! AMEN!

'Tis the season...

...To be BUSY!! Man, this year is like none other...I have a new found respect for photographers and the work they do this time of year. Christmas cards are hard work. If you are nit picky like me, you will edit your work a million times until it's perfect. So, I did a couple of shoots for some of my homies, Angie and Rose and their lil families and it was a blast. They have Christmas cards as well courtesy of none other then mio! I hope they enjoy the final product as much as I do! Here's a couple of pretties (my new nickname for good pics!) from the shoots!

Mac-a-roni!

Nick names are a big part of my life.......my dad started this funny tradition when I was very small. Ever since I can remember he has called me "Ace". My mom has been "Da Mama" and my big bro has been "Big boy". Something must have stuck with me because I also have nicknamed everyone in my important in my life. Robyn is Bino, Kathy is Carlizzie. Angie is Zhalene (a name her sis in law called her once so I ran with it!) Summer is Sumi or Moto. Mariah is Mo. Josh is Honey, Babe. Aubrey is Aubee or Bree. Gavin is Gav Gav. You get the picture. So yesterday when my iMac arrived, I thought....Mac-a-roni!! I know, kind of lame, but it sounds good for now. And here I am offically typing my first blog entry on my iMac. It's wonderful. My PC's are all now dead to me, seriously. Well, my work laptop is a Dell..which I have to use for work, but this Mac...it's life changing! I hope to get used to it quick and have some great photo editing on it as well. So here's to a new beginning and a fresh start. No more pop ups or random virus scans.......and really, it's so pretty. Just so pretty pretty!

Angel Eyes

OK, so Abby....this 18 month old beauty rocked my world today. Just one look at those eyes, and you're done. She is so cute, smart, personable, easy going......all I can say is her parents are lucky to have such a great kid! We shot her and her mama Sarah today. You see, Abby will be a big sister at the end of January. She has so much to teach her little sister about everything! I have no doubts this kid will be her little sisters hero.....what a pure beauty and such a joy to shoot! I wish all 18 month olds did this for me! Thanks Sarah for "hanging" with me today....I love you and can't wait to see you again when the new baby girl arrives! More to come Sarah, and just so you know this blog does NOT JUSTICE For the vibrance and color in every pic...we will look at the slideshow when they are all done!!!;)

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!!!!!