THE Senior

I love that my cousin Rehka decided to get her senior photos taken in January! She's never been the typical teenager. Good thing for her, my 5D arrived the day before so she was the one who "christened" it for me! I can't believe she is going off to college this year and I have had the opportunity to watch her grow up from a little sprout to a very classy young woman. She did this shoot with me in the midst of meeting deadlines for college applications, which I know can be so hard and stressful. You would never know by looking at these that she had one ounce of stress! She is as beautiful on the inside as she is out! I love you Rehka. Thank you for a fun day of bonding and taking risks out on the rooftop! I can't wait to hear about all the offers the big schools are about to make you! Wherever you end up, it's going to be the best experience of your life! I wish I could go back, but I can't. So enjoy the ride, make lots of new life long friends and maybe fall in love! I know I did! ;)

Wingman

Summer has been my bff and "wingman" since we were 15. All it took was an introduction to drinking games and being rebellious and I was hooked! She's been there for me through thick and thin, she's been my boss and graced me some of the funniest memories of my life so far. Seventeen years later, here we are. Me, two kids, her, about to pop her first. I was honored to take her maternity photos since this kid is practically my niece! How exciting to watch her grow and glow with anticipation for this new baby. Life as she knows it, as cliche as it sounds, will never be the same. I think much better and more fun! What? Summer Fun having MORE fun? Yep, she will soon see the beauty of being a mom, watching her baby girl grow and her realization of how much HER mom loved her when she was a baby and still loves her that much now. I cannot wait to bring my camera to the hospital on the big day! I am tearing up now just thinking about it! As a proud Aunt should! I love you Summer and Nick and soon to be Baby Paige! Welcome to the best life yet........oh and as soon as you're up for it, WE.WILL.SNOWBOARD.

"ho, ho, ho, me me kiss"

Translation: Ho Ho Ho Merry Christmas! That's what the twins have been saying for the past 3 weeks! When we got the Christmas tree there was a Santa blowup and we told them who he was and said the above famous phrase. It stuck with them this whole time. They see snow, they say the phrase. They see a cartoon with Christmas theme, they say the phrase. It's so cute and melts our hearts. In fact, they are still saying it today, 5 days after the big holiday and we just can't let it go. I am happy that we have talked to them about Jesus and hinted to them that he is the reason WHY we celebrate the holiday. We talked about my nativity scene and Aubrey of course saw the baby Jesus and wanted to hold him. I think next year it may sink in a bit more, they are still so young. The other day I had some hot coco heating up after we played in the snow. I had to take this picture. Aubrey LOVES watching me drink my coffee so she finally got her own "ca-ee". Here's the evidence.

Quote of the day......

"Never compare your journey with someone else's. It's a marathon with no finish line. Someone else may start out faster than you, may seem to progress more quickly than you, but every runner has his own pace. Your journey is your journey, not a competition. You will never "arrive". No one ever does."

I came across this quote today. Something that has been on my mind lately is my journey into photography. I have loved everything about taking pictures since I was a little kid. Loved having my pictures taken and taking my own. The first camera I took a picture with was a Polaroid. So fun to have instant gratification right after you take a picture! In college I studied film photography and although it was cumbersome being in the darkroom, it was so rewarding seeing the finished product! Once I got married I continued to take pictures with my SLR then I got my first digital camera shortly thereafter. Looking back at the pixelated shots, I remember how amazing I thought they were back then. And I still do because they captured a moment that meant something and I will never forget. This is why I got into photography in the first place. Creating awesome memories and growing in composition and style as well! Even though my start up into professional digital photography has come quickly, I know journey has been long! I am so happy and full when my eye is behind that camera and I cannot imagine ever stopping! So here's to "mile 13" of my marathon! And many more miles to come! This picture was taken at LAX during Aubrey's second trip out to Florida. She loved watching the planes take off.

Baby Mama

Jessie Pavia, the owner and creator of Baby Mama (www.babymama4all.etsy.com) came over to my house for a shoot with her girls. Her jewelry and accessories line is one of a kind! I call it "pin-up girl meets rocker chic". Let me tell you, as an owner of many of her pieces, I feel so good when I wear it! People always ask "where did you get that?" All of her pieces are very stylish, girly and beautiful! I can imagine her in her space working long and hard....and you can totally tell in the detail. Thanks Jessie for braving the icy hill to make it up to do this shoot! And here's to Baby Mama (and Little Mama too!) being the coolest accessories around!

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!