Fifty Two on Fridays {Week 3}

JOY....
Why I struggled with this word I don't know. I can call to mind a million things that bring me joy. Maybe I didn't want to cut the word short by choosing something too simple? It's such a little word but it has such big meaning and impact on our lives. Without it there is really no spontaneous happiness. Soooooo, me trying to be so thoughtful about the word left myself no time to actually do something about it. I had to figure something out last minute. I had a super cute idea but it was too cold...that left me plan B. So I took the kids out to play but before we left I thought I'd print out some paper mustaches. Let me just say that a paper mustache can bring a lot of joy! Who knew?

Why must she close her eyes when she laughs!?
of course I can't pick only one...



Don't forget to follow the circle all the way around to check out all the photographer's participating in the journey together... Next is the talented Wendy Vonsosen CA | Wendy Vonsosen Photography

Fifty Two on Fridays.....{week 2|black and white}

Week TWO|Black and White

The first photo is for the project....but how could I pick just one?
Thank you all for your suggestions on facebook! I chose Brooke Moxley's idea of Black and White cookies. What could be more black and white then oreos...




Now don't forget to follow the trail to all the blogs to see the entire group project and Make sure to check out the talented Wendy Vonsosen CA|Wendy Vonsosen Photograhy

and here is Week 1 in case you missed it...please leave a comment to let me know you were here, thank you!

52 Fridays {a year long photography journey}

I am so excited to tell you about my 52 week project that I am taking part in this year. 19 other photographers and I are doing our project together so you are in for a big treat. We have a list of 52 “ideas or themes” we have to shoot each week for the year. I will take a picture of our theme for the week, the way I interpret it, and post it on my blog. Then under my post, I will link another photographer who is part of the project for you to see her interpretation of the theme. After you see hers, you will notice a different link under her picture that will then take you to the next photographer’s website. If you continue to click on the link under each picture, in the end you should see 18 other pictures and eventually make it back to my site. You will be introduced to some amazingly talented photographers. I'm sooooo excited!



This week’s assignment was a self portrait. These self portrait pictures will allow you to see the photographers who are doing this project and put a face to a name. I honestly loathe being on the other side of the camera. When I was younger I was the queen of self pics. I used to joke that I was going to invent an arm-thingy so that I could hold my point and shoot out a little farther then my own arm could reach! It's true. But now...NO WAY. I hate it, I'm awkward. But here I am anyhow. Please Be sure to check out all the links, you won’t be disappointed!



Now please head on over to see the beautiful Gretchen Davis|Little Rock Arkansas Photographer



Big Bear Photographer

Kenny and Taylor|part 2 {Big Bear Engagement Photographer}

Kenny and Taylor.....love promised.











Here is one more straggler that I found this morning. This one went so much better in my head but for the pressure of them standing in the middle of a busy street I think it turned out alright. :) They were such good models for me!




{Big Bear Engagement Photographer}

Love Promised {S4M} - Big Bear Photographer

Some of you know that I took a little break from the business to focus on falling in love with it again. Recently I helped in my son's class at school and I spotted this beautiful couple and approached them to be part of my {S4M} series...Shooting For Me. The gist of the {S4M} series is that I shoot what I want, experiment a lot, take my time and try new things. There were a few minor glitches in making it happen and they both were admittedly camera shy but in the end it all worked out and they did fantastic. And I heard from a little birdie that it was not at all a nerve-wracking experience like they had thought it would be. :) And what good timing the session was for them as well because days before we met up they got engaged!

We did lots of fun things, tried a few new ideas that worked and a few that didn't. But this is one of my faves from the session... more to come later!

Kenny and Taylor {Promised}



I'll be doing more {S4M} sessions in the future so i'll be doing casting calls on my facebook. If you're interested in being a part of one keep an eye out for the announcements.


Big Bear Lake Photographer, engagement, family

The heart of an empty womb.....

"Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;" Proverbs 3:5


As a little girl I would daydream about finding my very own real baby in the bushes as I played in the desert near our house in California City. I always knew I wanted lots and lots of children.

"Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the LORD's purpose that prevails." Proverbs 19:21


Little did I know that the Lord had different plans for me.
So far after 13 years of marriage and a few years of infertility treatment there has only been an empty womb, a hurting heart, a sense of missing out.....once in a while. I say once in a while because most of the time I'm able to defeat those feelings with a true knowledge of my God. I know His plan is more then I could dream of. And no doubt it has been more then any dream I could have have had. He's given me two beautiful children to call my own. Two children that I would never trade for any child of myself. Two children that I would not have if I would have gotten my way.

I'm writing about this now because lately I've really had a longing to have more children. The frustration and sadness loom when I am faced with the fact that I cannot make that decision for myself. I have to rely on other people. I have to fill out form after form and go to class after class. I have to open my life to strangers who make the decision for me. What if they had a bad day? What if they don't like me? What if? If they only understood my heart. If they could feel, and see what I do i'm certain they would knock on my door right now with a new little blessing. But it doesn't work that way. I wish it did.

I've been decorating a nursery. I've been collecting little things and painting and dreaming. I have a name picked out. I have clothes hanging in the closet and little shoes all lined up. I've sewn valances and a bedskirt, painted the whole room and am crafting ABC's for the alphabet wall above the bed. I've got a stack of fabric for the curtains on the closet waiting to be sewn. I've filled out all the forms. Now I wait. It could be a week, it could be a year, it could be never. But hope is good. I believe that it will happen. Call it a hunch, call it a feeling, I call it hope. I know that whatever happens, soon, or never, that His plan for me, for us, is perfect. And though these feelings are strong the trust I have in Him is stronger no matter the outcome.

Ahh, hope is good.

Here is the nursery that is waiting. We are waiting for a little girl and are preparing for two just in case. Most newborns in the system have siblings and wouldn't it be amazing to get a newborn with a big sister? Or twins!? I would love that!

If you have extra room in your prayers, will you think of us? We would be so grateful!

Gingerbread, Candy, and Frosting, OH MY!

I am trying to get into the habit of not just taking "portraits" of my kids. It's really hard when something is going on and I have to get my 50lb camera out of the bag, set up a white balance, dial in my ISO and settings, etc. (Okay it doesn't weigh 50lbs but it's close). But I realized through some discussion on a forum about "documenting the details, with Angie Warren" that when I am old and gray I want to look back and see the details of my kids lives. Not just perfectly brushed hair and great eye contact. So to kick off the details I busted out the mamarazzi moves last week while they made their gingerbread houses. I will totally smile when remembering this years from now. Advice of the day.....bust out those cameras. Even your phone camera will do. It's important to capture the little things as they grow. Soon they won't be little anymore.
One of the best mamarazzis I know is my cousin Tina Platt. Way to go Tina! You inspire me to capture the little things, you are so good at it and I love seeing all your posts of Salior Mae!


Not perfect, but perfectly documented. ;)



{Big Bear Photographer}