In Other Words

2 years...

Has it really been two years?  2 years since I picked up my first camera and started this hobby (er...obsession)?  Oh, how time flies.  In two years time I've gone through so many phases...completely and utterly hopeless, confused beyond confused, frustrated to the point of wanting to throw my camera out the window, hopeful that perhaps I may someday "get it", joyful that I was able to accomplish manual mode, giddy with excitement that I was contacted by Scrapbooks Etc. for publication, anticipation for my new camera, and then back to square one to start the process over again.

This little hobby of mine has certainly proved to be more about me discovering a passion.  It's been great to have my hand in the pot so to speak as I began my little photography adventure, but it's grown so much bigger than that.  In the past two years I have discovered so much..not just about my camera but about me as well.  I've learned that I have more patience than I realized (unless I want new equipment..then I'm not so patient),  that I CAN accomplish goals if I put my mind to it, I am much more of a "people person" than I realized, and I have an endless supply of stamina and will.

Photography has truly transformed my world on so many different levels.  It has brought so much joy into my life and has allowed me an opportunity to connect with people on a level much deeper than anything I've ever known before.  Each and every time I pull my camera up to my face I feel blessed.

I am thankful for the world of photography and for the many talented people who have given so much of themselves to help me along this journey! 

Here's to many more years of enjoying my passion!!

If you're the praying types...

 

...this little guy could use them!  Some of you might remember this special young man whom I had the pleasure of photographing a few months ago.  Since then I have made quite a special bond with his family.   Today is the big day they have all been waiting for...it's MRI day.  Today is the day that will determine the next step.  You can read more about Grant at his Caring Bridge site:  GRANT (just type in his name at the prompt:  grant)

Deep breath...

Breathe in, breathe out...ahhhh!  I've heard photographers in the past few years ramble on and on about just how busy they are at the end of November.  But if I'm being honest I didn't think it could bet "that bad".  Boy, oh boy...was I wrong?  The past few weeks have been a whirlwind...shoot after shoot after shoot.  Proofing, ordering, creating Christmas cards, rush, rush, rush. 

It's a good thing...I realize that.  It's what I've been working towards, but I feel like I'm living life in the fast lane which is something completely new to me.  Maybe that's how I can tell I've found the right profession.  Despite being up to my eyeballs in work and operating under the stress of deadlines and demands, I am loving every minute of it.  I still get every bit excited when the UPS man shows up at my door with clients prints.  I rip them open anxious to see the final product. 

I know this busy season is temporary and the craziness shall pass.  So, I'm breathing...surviving...and enjoying it while I can!

Have a great weekend! 

One of those days...

Whoever coined the term "terrible two's" obviously hasn't had a three-year old in their house.  My husband and I thought we were doing everything right...smooth sailing through those dreaded "2's".   Then our oldest son turned three.  Oh my word!!  Our sweet little angel...the one that gave us such great pride in our parenting skills turned decided to shake things up a bit.  For all of you mom's out there I probably don't need to tell you what "three" meant in our house.  But just for the record the list includes (but is not limited to):  full fledged temper tantrums,    nasaly whining that can persist for hours at a time, dramatic pleas for just about anything that he knows he can't have, refusal to get dressed, lolligagging when we are in a rush to get out the door, oh..i meant to keep the list short.  sorry!

But, believe it or not today's post isn't about a typical day with the life of a three-year old.  Nope....today's entry is a reminder to myself that although the past few months have been rocky and our patience has been tested time and time again there have also been times of peace.  Take for example the day this photograph was taken. 

My son was sitting on the kitchen floor playing a game of Battleship by himself.  His baby brother was taking a morning nap and all was quiet except for the Heffalump book on cd that plays pretty much non-stop in our house.  I walked into the kitchen and my son asked if I'd sit down and play a game with him.  Typically, I'd take advantage of him being occupied to get things done around the house or do a bit of work but I decided to push it all aside and enjoy a game of Battleship.

As we were playing our conversation veered from one topic to another...anything from how aircraft carriers work to being thankful for feeding the goats at the apple orchard.  Amazing how much ground can be covered in a game of Battleship with a 3-year old!  At the end of the game my son came and sat on my lap giving me a huge bear hug.  His arms were wrapped tightly around my neck when he said "Thanks for playing a game with me mom."  My heart melted and in that moment I completely forgot that we were in the midst of the "terrible three's".  It was the reassurance I needed to know that this is a phase and it too shall pass!

Print...

                                              I was browsing through a bookstore last night...(oh, what fun!)  when I stumbled across this book .  We were supposed to be in a hurry but time stood still when I saw this 400 and some odd page magazine filled with eye candy...graphic design at its best.   As tempted as I was to buy the magazine I put it back on the shelf with such emotion and attitude with the hopes that my husband may have gotten the hint that this book might just be "THE" Christmas present this year. 

My husband has done a pretty good job up to this point with Christmas gifts.  It's hard to top the year he did "Oprah's favorite things" and surprised me with several of the things from that years list.  But since we've had the kids the poor guy has had a tough time finding that certain special something.  This year I thought I'd make it easy.  As my husband watched me slowly devour the pages last night I was sure to use a lot of  jaw dropping facial expressions combined with some "oohs and aahhhs".  Then I made sure to pout when I put it back on the shelf.  Oh, how I hope he got the hint!

For all of you interested in graphic design or scrapbooking you might want to take a look at this book.  Tons of inspiration on every single page.  There is also a magazine subscription to accompany the book!!!  Just in case my husband may have overlooked the signs I was sure to grab a subscription card and I put it in his briefcase.  Wink, wink!

1 year later...

One year ago today my family and I were the lead story on the Minneapolis/St. Paul 6 o'clock news.  I wish it was because we won the lottery, but instead we earned our 15 minutes (o.k..more like 2 min 5 seconds) of fame by delivering our youngest son in our car.  And for the record, it was NOT some new age birthing method I wanted to experience.  Nope...I just happen to be one of those ladies who has one VERY long contraction that never goes away (about 3o minutes) and then comes baby. 

So, here we are one year later and I'm finally able to laugh at the ordeal.  I look back at how our little "car baby" entered the world and I can't help but think that this little man will accomplish great things.  He was on a mission coming into the world and something tells me that's how he'll live his life...on a mission. 

Celebrating his 1st birthday was a riot.  We went ahead with the outdoor carnival despite the cold weather.  The kids were so busy playing games like bucket ball, go fish (remember that game from when you were little...you throw a fishing pole over a rail and somehow a prize magically appears on your fishing pole)...anyway they were too busy to notice how cold it was. 

Of course our little birthday boy enjoyed the indoor festivities as it meant that he could eat cake.  He dove into that cupcake like there was no tomorrow...he was on a mission I tell you!  I'm seeing a pattern here!  LOL!