a green field photography

Again...Just a Reminder!

2009-08-24T12:00:00.000-05:00

This blog has moved. Please change your links, bookmarks or however you find me! Thanks, hope to see you there! New blog: agreenfieldphotography.com/blog

A New Blog

2009-08-10T08:00:00.001-05:00

This blog is moving (hopefully for the last time!) I'm saying goodbye to blogger...please update your links and come on over to my new blog: agreenfieldphotography.com/blog!

This & That

2009-08-07T20:00:00.001-05:00

Summer Recap:
Where did the summer go? I purposely didn't plan a lot and yet I felt we were completely busy every day. Sigh. Here's what I do remember...
-2 1.5 weeks in Oregon and Seattle
-running a marathon
-swinging on the play set
-grant in swim lessons
-a quick weekend in Idaho
-swimming at the pool
-a few photo sessions and play dates
-4th of July with friends
-visit from Jessi and trip to Disney
-watching two children laugh and grow
-being busy, but content

Back to School
Grant will start first grade Monday. We met his teacher yesterday and Grant is very excited! He even has a friend from last year in his class. Gracie and mom will sure miss him!

Gracie
What can I say about this little bit? She has a spring in her step and sure knows what she wants. With Grant off to school she'll be overflowing on my posts (you've now been warned)!

12 Years
Mark and I celebrated our 12 year anniversary last month by exchanging homemade notes of love. I think those are the best kind of gift.

Mark's b-day
Mark's a year older, happened a couple weeks ago while he was rafting in TN.

Mark's Travels
Mark also has been traveling a bit more this past month. Both with work and the Young Men at church. He had a meeting inside the pentagon on one of the trips. I prefer to have him home and so do the kids.

Cardinal Update
He's goooone!!! (knock on wood). But the owl is left out, just in case.

The Garden
Well, it was an interesting go at it, didn't produce much: a few strawberries, over a dozen tomatoes, a few peppers, an egg plant is still growing and a few very tiny sunflowers.

Looking forward to:
A routine with Grant back in school. My sister Diana's visit soon! Gracie's face when she sees Grant getting off the bus. Cooler days of fall. Running. Taking pictures. Trying a garden again next summer.

Show me the love!
They really do love to play with each other, but Gracie can show him who's boss!

16 + months, shurgging shoulders, saying words and on the go.

2009-08-06T07:45:00.002-05:00

And I love this one just as much and kiss her cheeks all day long.

Loss of tooth #5, a hair cut and starts 1st grade on Monday!

2009-08-05T08:00:00.002-05:00

Have I mentioned how much I love this boy!?

A Vacation...

2009-08-04T10:00:00.000-05:00

We took a little vacation...it wasn't quite long enough, but a great way to end the summer. It was wonderful to just be with family and Disney World is always a fun place to go! My camera took a little vacation too, which was nice. So here are a few pictures to share.

Gracie was so good for being stuck in a stroller most of the day. She was able to go on many of the rides, we took her on Nemo four times. The aquarium at the end was probably her favorite part.

Grant was very apprehensive about the rides. But, he was brave and tried most all of them, even though some scared him to death! His favorite was Soarin at Epcot, he road it four times.

Having some fun:

We learned quickly to be prepared for any type of weather...even torrential downpours!

It was so great to have my sister, Jessi come along. She is so good with the kids and was such a help!!

Two tired kids.

Sweet Ella - 12 days old

2009-07-29T12:00:00.003-05:00

I love newborns so fresh and new...and Ella was so wide awake! She brought along with her this great Aden + Anais muslin wrap, if you are going to be having a baby I think you need some of these!

Getting sleepy...

What a little doll! So nice to meet you Ella!

A Surprise Photo Session...

2009-07-27T08:30:00.002-05:00

...for a dad in Iraq. I was so pleased to meet this wonderful family and they drove all the way from Mississippi! Two adorable active two year old twins, a loving big brother and one patient mom! I hope dad enjoys them, your family is beautiful!

Sunday

2009-07-26T14:00:00.001-05:00

This & That...we went to Chattanooga

2009-07-24T14:30:00.007-05:00

Chattanooga
Mark was gone on business and Young Men stuff this week, so I decided to take the kids up to Chattanooga to visit Jen and kids. It was fun, I lounged around at Jen's house while her kids entertained mine! We did also venture out one day...
Tennessee Aquarium

Fountains at Coolidge Park:

Watch out, there is some serious playing at the creek going on here.

Birthday Boy
Mark's birthday is today...Happy Birthday! He was also in Chattanooga, rafting a river. We'll celebrate tomorrow.

These Two...I love them
What are they going to do without each other when school starts? What's mom going to do?

Grace fell flat on her nose and it's all scraped and bruised. She's turning 16 months tomorrow and climbs on everything. Grant has been enjoying the summer and some play dates. We toured through his new school and it's pretty nice! He's excited to find out who his teacher is and start first grade. As mentioned before and seen in above pic, he likes his shirts buttoned all the way up! Here is a latest fave of him lately:

And a latest fave of her:

Family Vacation
I'm so excited! My sister Jessi is coming to town and we're going to FL to go to Disney! We are all looking forward to this vacation!

Addresses
For those of you out of state: If you did not recieve my email about loosing all my contact's addresses...please email me yours. That is, if you've received our family holiday card in the past and would like to continue to (or haven't been on the list in the past, but would like to)!

New Blooms

2009-07-22T10:00:00.001-05:00

i. love. dahlias. They remind me of Mimi. I'm going to plant more this fall.

Feet & Jumping...but mostly feet

2009-07-20T20:00:00.001-05:00

Winners!

2009-07-20T12:30:00.001-05:00

The two winners are: Sandra & Emily Kim

Please email me and let me know which pair of prints you'd like!

Sunday

2009-07-19T13:45:00.000-05:00

...and just keeping it real folks...

A 'pair' Giveaway!

2009-07-16T15:30:00.001-05:00

It's been a while since a giveaway! Leave a comment and a pair of you (two winners) will choose one of the following pairs of pics. I will draw names Monday at noon.

Black-Eyed Susan [pair of 6x6]

Daisy [pair of 6x6]

Climbing Rose [pair of 6x6]

B&W Sunflowers [pair of 8x10s]

Sunflowers [pair of 8x10s]

This & That...mid week

2009-07-14T20:00:00.001-05:00

I went to find a field...
I've had my eye on for months now...and it was mowed

Have to hold tight to Little Miss Run Away...

One generation plants the trees; another gets the shade.

Grant at Play

Yes, the below jacket is like a size 2t and Grant still wears it.

Our Garden..or lack thereof

For whatever reason our garden has not done so great. I have tried to come up with many explanations on why...my latest being maybe the soil needs to be mended more. But, we've tried and hopefully next year it will be better. Our sorry looking tomato plants have produced about six tomatoes and one evening while Grace and I were out inspecting she leaned right over and took a bite of one right off the vine!

Grant's Finds
I happened upon this the other day...Grant has been collecting things it looks like.

Saying Goodbye
The Palmers leave tomorrow. We got together one last time today. Oh how we'll miss you guys!!

These two.

These two...again.

These two. My favorite:

Peace

We acquire the strength we have overcome. ~Ralph Waldo Emerson

Happiness is...

2009-07-13T08:00:00.001-05:00

..twirling Gracie on a summer afternoon.

Sunday

2009-07-12T13:00:00.001-05:00

This & That..been busy!

2009-07-11T10:00:00.011-05:00

The Kids

I love the little boy above. Grant is curious and likes cars. He is a good helper outside. Grant has improved immensely in his swimming this summer and would like to go every day. He has decided his button polos need to be buttoned all the way to the top and won't have it any other way.

And the above, Grace Ann...a busy little girl, loves books and laughing out loud. She is 15+ months and getting bigger by the day, her hair is slowly growing. She likes to be a part of everything and follows her big brother around. She makes me smile and I love kissing her cheeks.

This is how Gracie gives kisses, it's really a smoosh of the nose:

That's not all Gracie has been doing...she has starting biting Grant when she gets mad! Grant kind of thinks it's funny...

Fountains
I have decided taking the kids to the fountains is much more managable than the pool. We still go to the pool, but it's more relaxing (for Mom at least) at the fountains, both kids love it!

More of the Fourth
The Merediths came to town for the fourth and for the goodbye open house we hosted for the Palmers. It was so fun having them stay at the house, Grant enjoyed every second with big kids around to play with! I have been trying to ignore the fact that Natalie and family will be moving in less than a week but yet feeling so blessed to have such good friends, even if they have to move away.

Visitors & Instant Babysitter
Grace had all the attention she needed form Kierstyn. She is the best little babysitter! Thanks for all your help K!

Grant and His Bike
Oh, the freedom Grant is feeling with his bike. Just the other night he scurried from the dinner table to join the neighborhood kids in their evening of bike riding!

Grace and Books
Gracie looooves books! She will just about sit on anyone's lap to look at a book. She particularly likes the ones with animals and likes to say their noises. This pretty much could keep her occupied all day...

Birds
I found a nest in one of my empty pots by the garden and a white speckle egg in it, similar to this one we found on the ground just the other day. I don't know what kind of bird it is, but there's just something about bird nests that intrigue me.

Another thing that doesn't intrigue me anymore, but ANNOYS me is....yes, the cardinal. It's STILL going at the window! Our latest deterent is a one eyed owl (got him for only $3 since he was missing an eye), has helped a little on the window he is perched. We need another for the other side. I'm just about ready to brick our windows up!

Flowers
Mark's calling at church can be pretty time consuming and I tend to complain about it. So knowing this month would have two occasions of him being away three days in a row I have been whining quite a bit. But I have a very wonderful husband who knows that I don't enjoy him being away so much....I was surprised to get these one of the days following a phone call from a friend saying Mark had set up a babysitter so we could go and have a girls night another day!

The other man in my life also surprised me. He chose a Marigold plant that is his and has been watching it grow. I keep a little vase in my bathroom and have been putting a fresh Gardenia when they are in bloom. Grant had picked one of his flowers for me and put it there.

Have I mentioned how much I love both my boys!?

Back to School
Well, not quite yet, but we did buy all Grant's school supplies the other day.

Ice Cream Sandwiches
I love them and have been eating way to many of them.

I love summer!

Kierstyn

2009-07-10T12:30:00.001-05:00

When our friends came to visit, I knew that I had to borrow Kierstyn for a few minutes to capture her freckled face. I love what just 15 minutes produced...

And as much as I love her serious look...she is all smiles!

Noah - 6 months

2009-07-09T08:30:00.002-05:00

Remember this adorable newborn with all that beautiful dark hair? Here he is, six month old, even that much more adorable and with that much more hair!

We learned quickly that Noah did not like the grass! But, that little unhappy face is probably the cutest I've seen!

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The Palmer Family

2009-07-07T20:00:00.001-05:00

I feel like I have been postponing this post, as it would miraculously postpone our friends moving... and maybe perhaps it would postpone saying goodbye. The Palmers are moving away and we are going to miss them...dearly. I have thoroughly enjoyed photographing them for the past two years and as I made my way through these pictures I couldn't help but become a little overwhelmed for the love I feel for these little faces. Just beautiful people.

What you leave behind is not what is engraved in stone monuments, but what is woven into the lives of others.

Thank you Palmers, we will miss you!

Our Fourth...

2009-07-04T22:00:00.001-05:00

...was spent with dear friends.

Natalie, I could of eaten more:

News Flash!

2009-07-03T15:45:00.002-05:00

Guess who learned to ride his bike today...all by himself!?

Mark took Grant out to practice on his bike then came in the house to get something. The next thing we know the doorbell rang, Grant was there and exclaimed, I can do it! He was so proud of himself and so are we!

Gracie escaping the heat.

Just hold on...

2009-07-03T11:30:00.000-05:00

Nothing great is ever achieved without much enduring.

Photography Workshop Update

2009-07-02T14:30:00.004-05:00

Thanks to the response and interest for the possibility of a photography workshop. Personally I think it would be very fun to get together and take pictures for an afternoon! If there are still enough of you interested for a small group, I will go ahead and plan.

Details most of you wanted to know were date and cost. Possible dates would be Saturday, September 19th or Saturday, Oct. 10th. The cost would be $50 per person for two hours of on location shooting, question/answer and mentoring. This would be for beginning photographers of any level with a digital slr camera and those of you who have inquired about a shadowing/mentoring experience. Again I would like to emphasize I will be sharing techniques I use and am familiar with, congruent with my style. Some interest was shown for coverage of post editing of photos. If you are still interested in this I am flexible with splitting the time between the two. Note, I use Photoshop CS3 for all my editing.

Feel free to tell your friends!

If you are interested, please email me for more details and to sign up.

Thanks!!

After swimming...

2009-07-01T21:45:00.002-05:00

...they eat popsicles.

A Slower Pace...

2009-06-30T08:00:00.001-05:00

I am enjoying the slower pace of life...summertime. Sleeping in, nothing too urgent on the calendar, enjoying Grant home all day and the way he and Grace interact, going swimming, watching my flowers bloom, BBQ, staying up late, enjoyed some travel and awaiting visitors...

Now that we're home for a bit, I'm thoroughly enjoying this leisure pace of life. The other day Grant ended the day by saying, I really enjoyed playing with Grace today. She's my best friend. I love to watch these two. Grant and his little puppy, aka Grace, following him around.

Sunday Afternoon

2009-06-28T14:30:00.001-05:00

15 months, our Grace Ann

2009-06-26T09:00:00.004-05:00

Grace is growing up so fast. Her loves are to: run, dance, climb, smile, laugh, jump, give squeezes, her brother, anything animal related or stuffed animal, anything soft, to be free outside, read books, macaroni, yogurt, chocolate, babbling words (mom, dad, more, hi, dog, moo, Grant and tries to mimic everything else), play and pretend, chew on most anything, take a good nap, point at things, be with her family.

She is a very busy baby. A big difference between her and Grant at this age. She will run everywhere, even away...so going to the store where she does not want to sit in the cart is hard to do. Going to the pool where she just wants to run around on the pool deck is hard to do. Going to church where she doesn't want to sit for over an hour is hard to do. Riding on an airplane is hard to do. Getting her to sit for a picture...nearly impossible! She is one cute Little Miss Runaway though and the squeals you get when you chase her are priceless!

Grant's thoughts on Grace at 15 months: Her head looks bigger and she looks bigger and cuter. She's learning how to do everything. She likes me and I like her. She likes to dance and jump on my belly. She likes to laugh and disobey her mom. She looks cute

This & That...Cascade Idaho

2009-06-25T16:30:00.002-05:00

We returned this week from a long weekend in Idaho to celebrate Mark's mom's birthday. All of his siblings were there for the surprise and the weekend was full of activity. It was nice to meet our new nephew and Grant is always in seventh heaven playing with Gage.

Cousins
These two have been said to look very much alike. I could not get Grace to look up for the life of me. Nice dirt smudge on her face too. They were so cute playing together!

Boys & Sticks

The Party

Amy & Dane

A layover in Denver
We volunteered to be bumped from our flight home and spent a day and a half in Denver! We've been bumped before, can't pass up free plane tickets and hotel! We were excited to see some of the places Mark talks about. He spent eight years of his childhood in Denver.

We drove around and saw his old house and elementary school and park he used to play at, ate at a fun Mexican restaurant, did alpine slides, train ride, saw the temple and drove around the foot hills of the Rockies (my favorite part!).

Grant watching the engineer's every move. Mark playing with his iPhone and Grace about to conk out (look at her huge scrape on her nose!).

Goodbye Denver.

It's always fun to travel, but so good to come home.

Dane...my new nephew {Nampa, ID}

2009-06-23T20:30:00.005-05:00

Sleep, sleep, sleep is what he did. Isn't he cute?

Vintage Dane. This was Lanson's hat...I have taken pictures of Gracie wearing it as well.

loooove this onsie...a Great Dane!

Mine

2009-06-19T23:30:00.002-05:00

Friends

2009-06-18T21:00:00.001-05:00

Summertime!

2009-06-17T17:00:00.001-05:00

Adoption

2009-06-16T20:00:00.001-05:00

Remember this cute couple I photographed a few months ago? Annie and Mark are hoping to adopt a baby. One way to help them is to spread the word. You may view their adoption blog here.

Give a girl a flower...

2009-06-15T19:00:00.007-05:00

...and she might just stand still.

Grace has decided blowing on the flowers is better than sniffing.

Can't resist...she's gotta have a lick.

Grant. I love this boy. Here he's wearing his Cabela's lightning bug shirt. The lightning bugs are out now and we have yet to catch one. Grant started swim lessons today. He loves going to the pool. He loves playing with Gracie. He loves helping me in the yard. He loves his daddy to be home from work. He loves to imagine.

From this past week...I would love to post some summer pictures of all the yard work we've been doing...but I'm always elbow deep in mud. I would love to post some pictures of Grant and Gracie at the swimming pool...but I absolutely cannot have a spare hand while chasing my little miss run away at the pool. She'd go full force in the deep end if you let her loose for half a second! I would love to post some pictures of the kids playing on the play set...but for some reason I cannot hold a camera and push two kids at the same time on the swings. I would love to lay in the grass and take some pictures...but someone has to run after the above mentioned little miss run away so she won't pick all the flowers.

But when I really think about it, I would love to spend summertime with both my kids without the camera in tow...and I'm happy to say I've been doing just that!

Sunday

2009-06-14T14:30:00.004-05:00

The very first thing Grant did with the flower was to try and find a spot to wear it, but there was no spot.

Yes, it's about time for a hair cut...but I like to think that's a bit of wave I see there, not to mention he just woke up. Have I mentioned how much I love this boy?

Nana made Gracie's dress.

Gracie blowing the flower. She tried to sniff, but blowing was easier.

And oh how I love Baby Girl too!

This & That...we're back!

2009-06-12T16:00:00.003-05:00

After a day of never ending travel, flying circles in the sky to land and refuel not at our destination...we are home! Adjusting to the time change and enjoying each other.

Grant was ever so excited to come home to this:

I had ordered the play set before we left and Mark and mostly his YM put it together while we were gone. The morning after we got back Grant stopped mid sentence and couldn't believe it. He asked if it was a rental and if we had to give it back! He is very happy and calls it his property. Gracie is enjoying it as well.

Gracie enjoys it too and has already learned to climb the slide, she has us on our toes! While at Nana and Papa's house I walked into the dining room to find her atop the dining room table sitting as happy as a clam.

Before our trip to Oregon we had a large dead tree cut down out back. Here's Mark giving the kids a ride while picking up debris:

You may ask why I hardly have any pictures of Grant while in Oregon. Well, he was too busy with Papa out in the garden, fishing, watching car shows, going to the movies, driving around town in the Nissan, taking change to the bank, getting his teeth cleaned, out in the garden again, outside doing just about anything. I did manage some pictures of the traditional apple pie making.

Notice the Grant & Papa on the pie, how cute is that?

(Yes, that's a sewing machine you see in the kitchen...more at that later).

Miss Grace is 14 months old now! She has seemed to grow over night into a toddler. She is talking, running, jumping, laughing, climbing, playing and twirling. She is so grown up! She was even playing pretend kitchen at Nana's house! She loves her stuffed dog or any animal for that matter. Her hair is growing a tad and I actually put in a little clip the other day. At Nana's house she loved playing with the toys, following Grant around outside, learned to say Nana & Papa, liked to scream when I left anywhere but was just fine moments later and did pretty well with all the travel!

Gracie twirls:

I had purchased some patterns and my mom whipped up two outfits in two days (hence the sewing machine in the kitchen)! Here's the first one:

Self Portrait. This is me (wrinkles and all), sitting out in my parent's backyard on a warm afternoon. It's very serene and I would highly recommend it to anyone. Ask Jen and Kelly.

Some close ups of the serenity:

Speaking of flowers...Mark always buys me flowers when I've been gone.

This bouquet included Gerbera daisies. I was also excited to see the flowers in our yard that have grown. The Gardenias have bloomed and they smell sooo good! I will wear one in my hair every day. If you lean in close you might be able to smell it...

The garden- I was holding my breath. Surprisingly things are still growing, but I don't think very well. Our tomato plants have tomatoes, but the plant itself is so small and almost shriveled, as with the rest of the plants, they are not lush and leafy. We'll see what happens, I've already chalked this season off to trial and error!

A side note- funny garden story. We have several nice Korean families in our neighborhood, one living behind us. There is a very old grandma living there as well. One morning as I was backing out of the garage I was startled to see her on our front porch speaking to me in Korean and holding some plants. I figured out she was offering me some peppers. As I was headed out I said thank you, thinking she'd leave them on the porch. She then started to walk into our garden side of the yard, through the gate. I quickly jumped out of the car, leaving Grace to scream. I don't know how she knew are garden was over there. She picked up the trowel and searched the yard and started planting six peppers right where I just planted our watermelon and cantaloupe seeds! She finished, motioned for me to water them, waved good-bye and went on her way. That was it! So, now we have peppers growing with our watermelon and cantaloupe. Should be interesting.

A series of Grace.
Notice the fogged lens? Welcome to the humidity! The first time this happened I freaked out and ran straight to the camera store. I learned my camera/lenses need time to adjust to climate changes just as we do. Also, look at that bow on my daughter's head. It's not glued in, but clipped to about three strands of hair. If she jumps or walks too fast it will fall off.

Could this be the start of many curls I'm hoping for?

Look at that scowl. I'm telling her no, not to go up the slide.

And lastly the Cardinal update. He is still crashing/flying into our windows...someone please help! Is anyone good with the sling shot?

It's always wonderful to see family and I love going home to visit. It's always wonderful to come home to family and I love being here with them. I feel pretty lucky.

Home Grown

2009-06-11T21:00:00.001-05:00

So happy to walk outside and find these...

We're back...lots of catching up to do...

The Entire F Family {Maple Valley, WA}

2009-06-11T12:00:00.001-05:00

You may see some familiar faces from the last couple posts...

The kids were so done...

The F Family-part one {Maple Valley, WA}

2009-06-10T12:30:00.001-05:00

The Darin B Family {Covington, WA}

2009-06-09T12:00:00.008-05:00

This is my brother, Darin and his cute family (cutie kids- Miss H, Miss H and Mr. H)! I'm so glad we were able to spend the weekend with you!

...more of them to come.

The F Family {Sumner, WA}

2009-06-08T10:00:00.002-05:00

We traveled to Seattle for a few days to visit family and friends from our old stomping ground. I had a few sessions as well. When Noelle asked me to take some pictures I knew I was in for a treat. She had great locations picked out, provided props, perfect wardrobe...and gorgeous kids! Sure makes my job easy and lots of fun...so many to share...

Amy and her boys...

2009-06-05T09:45:00.001-05:00

I photographed my dear friend Amy and her family at one of my favorite places in Corvallis, Chip Ross Park. We lucked out before a rolling thunderstorm came and went home to eat delicious chocolate peanut butter cupcakes!

Silver Creek Falls

2009-06-03T12:30:00.000-05:00

Jen and Kelly are flying back home TN, what a great visit! We stopped by Silver Creek Falls on our way up to Portland yesterday. Thanks for coming out to Oregon!!

Double Delight (for Diana)

2009-06-02T21:30:00.001-05:00

This & That...with Jen and Kelly

2009-06-01T16:00:00.002-05:00

The Oregon Coast.

Jen & Kelly
Came out to support me in my race and visit the place I talk so much about...Oregon. I hope they've enjoyed the scenery I love. Although the Oregon Coast is quite different than the white sandy beaches of Florida they are used to, it was still beautiful.

Arent' they cute?

Mom with the kids.

Yaquina Bay Light House.

It was wiiiindy!

Bocce Ball Sunday afternoon:

Just Jen:

Just Jess:

Grant with Amy's boys-from last week:

26.2... I DID IT!!! Newport Marathon

2009-05-30T23:25:00.001-05:00

After today, I believe running a marathon is a team sport and I had an AMAZING team of family and friends- my supporters who cheered and ran with me. I could not have done it without them! Jen, Kelly and Mark flew out to Oregon on Thursday for the festivities....but the story starts long before today.

The Beginning:
It all started in college. I had to fulfill a PE credit and took an aerobics class three times a week over the summer. My instructor suggested to walk or run on the days off and me being the stellar student that I am took her seriously and started to walk the Farmers Loop out at my parent's house. Walking turned into run/walking, which brought me to running. I must state now that I am not a natural athlete in any way, shape or form. Any success in this area comes from hard work and perseverance. So, when I say If Kim can do it, YOU can do it....It's so true!

During this time I grew to enjoy and would almost say love running. I was fit, it eventually became easy and it was a routine. I decided to try out a race and ran my first 5k with my friend Courtney. My first half marathon was in John Day, Oregon and I finished in under two hours-which was excellent for my slow pace! Several 5k and 10ks to follow and then I decided to go for the marathon. This was over six years ago and would be the Newport Oregon Marathon.

My friend Courtney decided to do it too and we even ran our 20 mile training run together. That same weekend I found out I was pregnant with Grant. I ended up not running the marathon, but even better had a baby boy.

Over the past years I have always continued to run, but never quite got back to where I was. I did a 10k and half marathon while in Washington. Life happens, kids, moves, obligations, obstacles of sorts...

This past Fall while I was home in Oregon I listened to my same friend Courtney talk about the training she was doing for a trail run marathon and her enthusiasm for running (she went on to complete the Newport Marathon those years previous) and it was motivating. The next morning I was running out at my parent's like I had done so many years ago and had an epiphany of sorts. Knowing it would be hard, I decided this is was the year to come full circle and finish that goal started years ago!

The Journey:
I returned to Oregon and started to run and run. Every morning with Grace in the jogger., increasing my mileage week to week. Things were going well until I hurt my calf....ugh. Long story short I tore a tendon and had to rest for three weeks and go to physical therapy. I have really flat feet which contributed and still cause issues. I was pretty discouraged and questioned whether I could really continue on with this goal. One thing I do well is endure....and so I did just that.

Our friends Jen and Kelly told Mark and I about the Country Music Nashville Half Marathon in April and so we committed and signed up! We all finished that hard race....and for me it marked the point of the marathon being right around the corner! Also, our same friends, Jen and Kelly decided to fly out to Oregon for the marathon too!!! Do we have good friends or what?! Kelly was going to run the marathon, but unfortunately the race had filled up.

It's been a long, hard and very personal journey. If you've ever trained for long distance runs you know how time consuming it is, not only that but it is mentally and physically hard. Running consumed a large part of each day! With a family it was hard to find the time and it ends up being a sacrifice on their part, especially coupled with my photography sessions...thank you, thank you Mark for being so supportive of me in this endeavor, to be with the kids and be flexible with your schedule! I couldn't of done this without his encouragement and support...seriously!

The Race:
We drove out to the coast Friday and picked up the race package, drove the course, etc.

Saturday morning the race started at 7 a.m. at the Yuquina Bay Light House and it was a very emotional beginning for me. The first few miles felt good and at about mile four Kelly joined me for the next fourteen miles.

I was really feeling it by mile 17 and probably came close to hitting the wall. Jen joined us at mile 15.

Just me and Jen:

My fans:

Mark joined in when Kelly stopped:

Courtney (referred in the beginning of the post) came out and joined in.

Running me to the finish line:

Me finishing...it took a looong time, but I DID IT!!

It was hard! But I did it and I'm proud of myself. I have the best of friends and family and am so grateful for their support!

After
Me, being emotional at the end:

My friend Amy who has been such a support from the beginning came out with her bright colored sign. She totally believed in me and would send me notes and phone calls congratulating me before I had even ran.

My Team:

Will I try for another one? I don't know. Have I come full circle? No, but I'm that much closer. I feel after today I can confidently say to someone who asks with that little question intonation in their voice, you're a runner? YES, I am!

The S Family

2009-05-28T08:45:00.001-05:00

It was such a treat to meet and photograph this beautiful family. It was fun chasing around the twins and finding fun colored walls. We couldn't of asked for a more perfect day or location-downtown Corvallis! I had too many favorites, so lots to share!

Alsea Falls

2009-05-27T16:30:00.000-05:00

The Hales

2009-05-26T14:30:00.003-05:00

I have a few photography sessions scheduled while home, this was my first- of our very good friends. When I think of my college years in the U-ward, I think of Cami and Aaron...good times! Now look, fourteen years and five kids later, just beautiful...and so fun!

It was fourteen years ago about this time that I took Cami and Aaron's engagement picture:

I made them recreate the pose...

Just some...

2009-05-25T09:00:00.001-05:00

Memorial Day. We went to the cemetery yesterday. I was surprised at how emotional and sweet Grant was about it. We are so grateful for Grant and Grace in our lives.
Abide with me! fast falls the eventide;
The darkness deepens. Lord, with me abide!
When other helpers fail and comforts flee,
Help of the helpless, oh, abide with me!

Swift to its close ebbs out life’s little day.
Earth’s joys grow dim; its glories pass away.
Change and decay in all around I see;
O thou who changest not, abide with me!

I need thy presence ev’ry passing hour.
What but thy grace can foil the tempter’s pow’r?
Who, like thyself, my guide and stay can be?
Thru cloud and sunshine, Lord, abide with me!

Today we are going on a family picnic...the weather has been just perfect.

...Jessi was a sport once again, isn't she cute?

And while we were playing, Grant was in the garden with Papa...

And Miss Grace on Sunday:

It's just lovely being in Oregon, but we miss you Mark.

Sunday Morn

2009-05-24T08:30:00.001-05:00

We made it.

Alabama Friends... Interested in a Hands-On Photography Workshop by Kim?

2009-05-22T09:30:00.002-05:00

We're off to Oregon in the morning...so blogging may be scarce as I enjoy time with family and friends.

Me telling Grant what to do with the camera...and trying to blow bubbles at the same time.

I wanted to leave with a question though. Some people have asked or shown interest in shadowing me or have a mentoring session. If you're like me, I like to SEE things in action, be able to ask questions face to face- with my camera in hand and try it out. If there are some of you interested in getting together for an afternoon of hands on photography-taking pictures, learning and asking questions, I would give some thought to doing a casual workshop, on the way I do photography: what inspires me, reflecting the techniques and styles I like, use and are familiar with and what I know and have learned along the way. Post editing of images may be covered if interest is shown. It would be geared towards beginning photographers or those who want to enhance their level, photography basics, composition and natural lighting.

If a few people are interested I will work up a price, date and details. Let me know by leaving a comment or email me!

Thanks!!

Happy Summer...for those of you who are starting already!

Gracie's Tummy

2009-05-20T21:00:00.003-05:00

Grace is fascinated with her tummy. She loves to look at it, poke it, pat it and squish it. She'll lift up her shirt as if to check and make sure it's still there. We find this funny and the other night Grant was laughing about it and then drew the below picture of Grace and her tummy.

Yep, still there!

And oh how she loves her books...

End of Season...

2009-05-19T20:00:00.001-05:00

...at least for Grant. Since we're heading out of town this weekend tonight was Grant's last game. I am proud of Grant for trying sports this year, even though he wasn't thrilled about it. He tends to get nervous and doesn't fully understand sometimes what's going on, which adds to his apprehension. He completely gets this from me, unfortunately!! But he improved a lot this season and had a fun last game! I hope next year he'll not worry so much and want to try again. He does however have a great time just playing baseball in the yard or with the neighbor boys, when the pressure is off. He is excited about swimming this summer and another thing to conquer will be riding his bike.

He is a good hitter and improved on his fielding skills.

And here's Little Miss Run Away! Gracie just wants to run and it is such a chore to chase after her at the ball field!

A Couple...

2009-05-18T21:00:00.002-05:00

...and a beautiful one. Going through photos...some from a while ago that I haven't shared yet. It's a small world sometimes- this couple moved out here from Seattle too...they contacted us because a family member had talked with some family Mark had known on his mission in California who said they knew we were in the South and voila you have a connection! I love it when that happens and I love meeting others from back West!

Grace Ann in the yard...

2009-05-18T10:00:00.001-05:00

...she wouldn't have it any other way.

Sunday

2009-05-17T16:00:00.001-05:00

Please Mom...

2009-05-16T17:00:00.000-05:00

...I just want to listen to the music (and maybe chew it some).

Alabama Sky...

2009-05-16T07:00:00.002-05:00

...as I mentioned, we have beautiful blue skies. But I never lay in the grass and enjoy them...because we also have lots of bugs!!!

Grant

2009-05-15T12:00:00.002-05:00

I absolutely love this picture. It has been hanging on Grant's kindergarten door and every time I go to the school I stop and look at it, because it makes me smile. Look at his eyebrows, they're beneath his eyes! I was hoping I would get to keep it.

This morning Grant had his kindergarten awards and party. I didn't realize what a big deal it was as I walked in and there were all moms and dads with video cameras in hand (Mark is out of town for work and I didn't even bring my camera!). It was very cute, Grant had written about kindergarten: My favorite part of kindergarten was everything. In first grade I will learn about dollar bills. When I grow up I want to be a maker (to invent things and be a business man). This summer I am going to the pool. The kids sang songs...it was a Hawaiin beach theme so they all got a lei.

Some pics from my iphone:

And some more of the boy I love so much, he fits perfectly in our lives and I couldn't imagine it without him! He is curious, kind, fun, energetic, snuggly, handsome and very imaginative...

This & That

2009-05-14T12:00:00.001-05:00

Life keeps plugging along and we're keeping busy! At the end of next week, we're off to Oregon!

Grant:
This is Grant just a few days ago...

Notice anything different?

Grant finishes kindergarten next week! I can't believe his year is coming to an end! I am so happy that he has enjoyed school so much. I am grateful for his wonderful teacher and stellar school! He will be headed to a new school just down the road next year, so that should be exciting. He continues to have baseball games and enjoys playing (more watching) with the older boys next door in their after school baseball games...thus the lack of pictures of Grant...he's run off to play!

For Mother's Day Grant gave me a dish towel with his hand print on it he made at school and this poem he filled in parts:
My Special Mother
She's as pretty as a rainbow.
She weighs as much as air
and is as tall as normal size.
Her favorite food is ice cream.
In the good old days when Mom was little, she used to pretend she was a bird.
I think my mom is funny when she -she's not really funny.
I wish my Mom would watch t.v. with me everyday.
I wouldn't trade my mother for toys.

Grace:
She's such a little toddler now....toddling around jabbering who knows what. She is curious and gets into everything and is staring to climb on everything. She never stops! She, like her brother says lots of sounds for things, but a few words are pretty clear: Mom, Dad, Grant (this is sound, but it's particular for Grant), more and hi.

Grace loves the outdoors as much as her big brother. This is what her face looks like if she gets anywhere near the sandbox:

More oooing at bubbles...

And these cheeks...I've said it before, I kiss them all day long!

We love our little Bit!

Gracie Likes Books:

Gracie still loves books...oh how she loves them. She has three baskets full in her room and will rummage through them each day. She definitely has favorites as she'll look until she finds what she wants and then toddle over and plop herself in my lap.

But eventually this is what happens when she tires of looking...

Fire Ants.
Grant and I both on separate occasions got attacked by fire ants. Here in the South those pesky, tiny ants have quite the bite...yup, just like fire!

Weather....tornados.....rain.
This time it was a tornado, yup you heard me right. Just not even a mile from us! And power out...with all these severe storms I've been complaining that I don't have a weather radio to properly warn me. Mark purchased a fancy one for me for Mother's Day so I can be at ease now!

The cardinal flying into the window. Still continues...but seems to be slowing down. Although last week I thought he'd stop and went to remove some of our deterrents and he was back the next day...although I think today I didn't see him at all?

Garden Update:
We have planted and so far everything is sprouting!! Our garden this year includes: strawberries (thanks Carrie, yours already have fruit!), beans, corn, herbs, tomatoes, peppers, carrots, zucchini, sunflowers, cantaloupe and watermelon! I hope they continue to grow...as this crop will certainly be a learning experience for us.

The W Family

2009-05-13T10:00:00.001-05:00

I enjoyed photographing this family of eight! Alabama doesn't have grand mountains, but we sure do have some beautiful blue skies...

I could of followed this little girl around all afternoon with my camera...

Bubbles...

2009-05-11T20:15:00.001-05:00

Macro Monday - the climbing rose has bloomed

2009-05-11T07:00:00.001-05:00

Sunday

2009-05-10T15:30:00.001-05:00

Why I'm a mom...

These two...

An Engagement Session

2009-05-08T10:00:00.001-05:00

Paige - class of '09

2009-05-06T15:00:00.005-05:00

I think seniors are becoming a favorite to photograph, it's fun to work with an energetic subject willing to try my ideas! Paige, you look beautiful!

Loooved this green dress!

Going back already...

2009-05-05T15:30:00.003-05:00

Back to school, tomorrow!

Operation, stop the bird. The cardinal continues to fly into the windows. This is our latest attempt to deter...it's not working!

Getting Out

2009-05-04T15:30:00.002-05:00

stripes, polka dots, plaids and crocs...

Getting out...it felt so good...we might just do it again tomorrow...

Sunday

2009-05-03T15:00:00.003-05:00

Look who lost a top tooth yesterday!

Gracie trying to give off tropical, sunshine vibes. It has been POURING RAIN here for the past week!

Gracie blows:

----
Swine Flu update: Now school closed until May 14th! TWO more weeks! That's a long time to avoid groups of children and with the rain...not being able to go outside! I guess prepare yourself for daily doses of my children! I am hoping that two weeks is not the case and when the re-evaluate next Saturday kids can go back to school. Grant loves school and I would hate to have the year end without all the fun things his class is planning to do. We are scheduled to leave for Oregon the day after school's out...

The Green Blanket & The Kids

2009-05-02T12:45:00.002-05:00

I bought this very soft green blanket for our living room couches. It is one of the softest blankets and the kids love it. They always curl up in it and pull it around, I'm sure it will soon be no longer fit for the living room.

And just some of them:

We are surviving staying at home, thank goodness no sign of the flu. We heard from Grant's teacher today as they were sanitizing the school all clothing, coats and even the kids rest mats were thrown out! Grant's been good about doing his school work during the day for the most part and helping me. I've had the itch to dejunk once again so we've been cleaning out closets, organizing the attic, cleaning out files on the external hard drive, etc... things that all make me feel more organized, but no one but me notices! It's been storming big time so no outside play. Grace follows us around, gets into Grant's stuff and screams when we take it away, laughs, wines, naps and smiles.

The Birds

2009-05-01T15:30:00.001-05:00

Have you ever seen the Hitchcock movie, The Birds? It's pretty disturbing.

Our lovely lush forest is back, along with our nice bird feeder....and the birds have arrived! I was trying to close our gate to our backyard and was startled by this bird perched on the trellis not even a foot away from me.

Why was it just sitting there and not moving? It stayed there long enough for me to do some gardening, get my camera and take some pictures, was even still there when Grant got home from school?

Then Wednesday morning Mark and Grant left for school and work, Grace went down for a nap and all was quiet...well not really. I heard this banging and tapping. A red cardinal was flying into our living room windows repeatedly, over and over and hasn't stopped since! All day long...going on three days straight. He's back at the crack of dawn each morning! I thought surely he would of been dead by now! We can even go outside on the deck and watch the spectical, doesn't deter him one bit. I did some research and maybe he has a nest nearby, maybe he thinks his reflection is competition or maybe he sees the reflection of the forest and wants to fly....this could go on for a very long time and suggestions included taping large pictures of hawks or black birds to our windows....lovely. It gives me new light on the meaning to the saying, bird brain. Has anyone ever had this happen? What did you do?

Now if you haven't seen the movie, go watch it!

Avoiding Swine Flu

2009-04-30T18:30:00.001-05:00

The local schools are closed because of cases of probable Swine Flu and at none other than Grant's school! There is even a positive case from his class. I got a personal phone call from the state health department enquiring about Grant, luckily he has not shown any symptoms and hopefully won't.

Needless to say the seven days off are going to be long. Grant and I did some homeschooling, he did lots of running around, found a huge beetle and put it in a jar...and some funny pictures.

Wish us luck with clean health and staying home!

Grant's two top teeth are very loose.

She's got the whole world...

2009-04-30T06:00:00.001-05:00

Macros on a Wednesday

2009-04-29T07:23:00.001-05:00

I don't do Facebook...

2009-04-28T07:00:00.001-05:00

...but I do have a good Facebook connection!

After I visited Meta (who does do Facebook) in Ohio, she posted a few pictures I had taken of her kids to Facebook and put my blog link. I have had a few people contact me from high school and one led to a friend, Brenna, whom I haven't seen since 8th grade. Come to find out she lives just up the highway! Small world. It was wonderful to reconnect with an old friend and true Northwestener!

Brenna came for a visit the other week and today it was my turn to visit her and her little farm! As soon as Gracie got out of the car and saw the animals she started making her animal noises...
Gracie meets pig:

Brenna (and Grace keeping her distance):

Do you know what I love about the below picture (besides the little girl in it?) That sun is from Corvallis Oregon! I know exactly where it was bought and I have some pieces from this same artist! And isn't this a cool barn door?

And now a question for all you Facebookers. I know it's become quite the craze, as I've noticed bloggers are now blogging less, I'm assuming they're Facebooking more? So, what's the greatness in it? Why would one need to Facebook and blog? I feel I have stayed in contact with most everyone I would want to...so what would be the benefit of joining this late in the game?

This & That....and the Nashville HALF!

2009-04-27T06:00:00.004-05:00

Mark and I ran the Nashville Country Music Half Marathon on Saturday along with friends (Jen, Kelly and Quincy, who unfortunately we didn't hook up with-try finding someone in a crowd of thousands!)! It was the largest race I have participated in, 36,000 runners-it was insanely crowded. The course was hilly and hot (80 degrees!), but WE DID IT!

Grant did his own running on Friday in his school's Fun Run. He did a great job-29 laps and had fun! I forgot my camera, so these were taken with my iphone.

Grant eating an Uncrustable. He loves them and we buy them in bulk at Costco. Grant's top two teeth are getting very loose!

Gracie turned 13 months on Saturday. She sure knows what she wants. She toddles around following me and tries to be a big helper. She grabs my hand and pulls me around and points to what she wants. Words aren't too clear, but she certainly has sounds for lots of things (Grant was the same way). When she wants to go outside she gets her shoes and brings them to me...and Gracie LOVES to be outside. She would run around out there ALL day, just like her big brother.

Big Brother put Baby Sister in the dump truck, hoping she'd stay away from the sand box!

Backyard Update.
The backyard is complete. Just a few minor things to be done and a garden to be planted!

Pergola, side and pathway.

Pergola and paver pathway leading to the garden side. Probably one of my favorite areas with the hostas, Dogwood, ferns and hydrangeas. It is very serene.

Pergola with lighting & screened in porch.

Screened in porch:

New tile, fan and furniture:

Backyard Side.

Cutting garden includes: butterfly bed, hollyhocks, aster, veornica, bee balm, black eye susan, cosmos, candy tuft. And for those of you wondering about my bulb garden, the bulbs that had survived for the past couple of years were transplanted all around!

Garden Side.

There are four garden beds and along the back fence the soil is mended for planting as well. There are stepping plants planted in between the 12x12 gray stones, that will eventually fill in. The screen around the air conditioners needs to be painted and then maybe a climbing plant (any ideas?). We have a list of what we'd like to plant, we just need to get started...soon!

Birds.
For Christmas my parents got Mark a gift certificate to Wild Birds Unlimited and we purchased a very large feeder for the birds. Holy cow....do they ever love it! They empty it every few days and I've seen so many birds it's time to get a book to identify them all!

Enjoying the almost green grass:

Sunday

2009-04-26T14:45:00.001-05:00

Asher - 11 days old

2009-04-23T21:00:00.001-05:00

What a sweet baby boy! He was so good, hardly made a peep! I just love how fresh newborns are and am always in awe. Welcome Asher!

To Sleep...or Not to Sleep...

2009-04-23T07:00:00.002-05:00

Grace is a stellar sleeper compared to how Grant was as a baby. With that said...I would really enjoy a full nights sleep! We've digressed in this area a bit as now we can set the clock at 12:30 a.m. and 3:30 a.m. The first needing a pacifier and the second a sleepy mom gives baby the bottle knowing it will put her back to sleep until morning. It's going to come to an end soon though, there's only a small amount of formula left in the last container. But to Gracie's defense, she's a very good napper!

Happy Earth Day!

2009-04-22T10:00:00.002-05:00

Just the other day I was looking over a pocket calendar I have and noticing the different holidays. Earth Day caught my eye and a tinge of guilt set in. I admit since moving away from the West my green ways have diminished some. I thought back to previous Earth Days when every year Mark would come home from the OSU campus with an Earth Day t-shirt for me. This very same afternoon of reminiscing Mark came back from running errands with Grant and what should he pull out of the bag; an Earth Day t-shirt for Kim. I smiled.

Today I am thinking about:
Corvallis, Oregon and it's beautiful greenness and never ending hiking trails.
Seattle and Mt. Rainier and recycle bins that are bigger than the garbage bins.
My summer in Australia & New Zealand.
Outdoor School with my sixth graders.
Salmon Watch.
Camping with Mark.
Wearing Birkenstocks in middle school.
Mimi & Granddad's flowers.
Corn on the cob...from the garden or Tweets.
Walking home from high school with Sara.
Earths & Globes I've collected.
America Dream Pizza & New Morning Bakery.
Road trip to Canada with Mark & Grant.
Gracie at Destin.
Painting.
My new Dogwoods & Hydrangeas and my Dahlias yet to bloom.
My Japanese Maple in Sumner.
Taking pictures in a field.
The beautiful earth we live on.
How blessed I am.

peanut butter, banana, strawberry...surprise!

2009-04-21T22:00:00.001-05:00

Yesterday afternoon Grace was napping when Grant got home from school as she usually does. I was in my room doing something and heard the kitchen cabinets, fridge, and pantry open and close and as usual give a loud SHHHH! Baby is sleeping! A few minutes later Grant asked for me and when I walked into the kitchen he yelled, Surprise! And offered me a little snack. I thought he was quite creative and he was proud of his new recipe.

Have I mentioned how much I love this boy?

Garden Gracie

2009-04-21T15:00:00.001-05:00

P Family

2009-04-20T07:00:00.002-05:00

Remember the cute white and colored petit-skirts Grace has? My friend Cindy is the seamstress who made them. Here she is with her family (she also made her daughter's cute cream blouse you see here too)...

And lastly, we cant' forget the animals that accompanied the shoot...

Sunday

2009-04-19T14:30:00.001-05:00

Cole

2009-04-17T21:30:00.003-05:00

Remember this cutie? He's turning one next week!

Go D-Backs!

2009-04-17T12:00:00.001-05:00

We're in the midst of baseball season and Grant is enjoying it. It's fun to watch him learn and have fun!

The fans...

eggs

2009-04-16T13:30:00.007-05:00

Mark's mom paints eggs-not your typical egg this time of year, but a piece of art. Sometimes around Easter we are lucky to be given one of these beauties. My favorite part is that after the holiday they don't have to be put away with the rest of the decor, we are starting a small collection on a book shelf in the den.

This & That...

2009-04-15T21:00:00.001-05:00

For weeks now Grant has come home from school begging to have a friend over. Finally we worked something out...

Could Gracie be more mismatched!? She is just like her big brother and loves to be outside digging, playing, eating the dirt and sand.

This boy is growing so fast. I didn't bother buying new Easter clothes as he and Grace have plenty. But Sunday morning when I pulled out some Spring attire and he dressed...it was just about too small! I felt bad, maybe I'll hit the after Easter sales, do they have those, probably already missed it. I think he has two pair of pants left without holes in them, I've been holding off for the warm weather and shorts.

I am so glad I caught this! See that involuntary raise of the eyebrow? Totally gets it from Mark!

The weather. A Northwest friend recently asked about the AL weather, since I allude to it frequently. She thought I was saying how lovely it is. I'm not so sure that's how I would describe it. The weather here frustrates me to no end. One day seventy five degrees and sunny and the next a freeze warming. Not to mention tornado watches, that turn into warnings with a siren going off, then hail as big as a golf balls (I've never seen anything like it) and ten minutes later it's sunny again. My car was outside, we usually always park in the garage, but there was a huge pile of bark mulch from the landscapers and I couldn't get in. Wouldn't you know-lots of hail dents! So in the shop it will go.

Grant and his friend were looking at their class picture and Grant said of someone's smile, "He's doing the cheddar, you know, the fancy kind." I laughed and enquired more..."He's smiling really big and nicely, the fancy kind of cheese."

Grant has paused in piano and is taking a break until the Fall. He has baseball several times a week and I didn't realize how hands on Mark and I have to be: dugout duty, concession stands, score keeper, practice helpers, snack provider, etc...

Backyard progress. They are thinking they will be done this weekend! I am loving every part of the changes, I think we will be very pleased and enjoy it immensely! Some more sneaks at the pergola and path and if you look real hard in the second one, you can see the corner of my cutting garden starting to grow.

Gracie loves books. She loves to look at them, especially on my lap.

And a couple more:

h.a.p.p.y

2009-04-14T19:00:00.001-05:00

Mark taught Grace how to blow (above pic.) last week. She's so cute with her lips puckered...just a few weeks to late to blow out her birthday candles...

We're finally on the mend of round- what feels like twenty fifth cold! Grace was feeling much better today and back to her happier self...

Gracie Claps

2009-04-14T07:30:00.001-05:00

Grace has been clapping for months now, but with one fist closed. This past week she figured out both hands open and we've been having lots of clapping! Yay! Mark claims responsibility for teaching her this and how to blow.

Macro Monday - a clover in his fingers

2009-04-13T07:00:00.001-05:00

Sunday Morn

2009-04-12T19:30:00.001-05:00

I wanted to get a quick Sunday picture this morning as I do every week, but quick was the key...Grant wasn't too happy about the above two shots for whatever reason and made me re-do them.

This was the shot Grant was happy with; That's a much better take, Mom.

And if you look closely you may notice some of the changes being made out back...it's almost finished!!

Sunday - peace

2009-04-12T06:00:00.001-05:00

I am teaching a lesson this Easter morning at church, the topic is peace.

Many people think of peace as the absence of war. But we can feel peace even in times of war, and we can lack peace even when no war is raging. The mere absence of conflict is not enough to bring peace to our hearts. Peace comes through..the Atonement of Jesus Christ.

I am grateful for feeling peace in my life.

Mine

2009-04-09T21:00:00.002-05:00

Baby Girl has a little tear because she has yet another cold.

Sunshine.

Did someone just see a rabbit hop by?

Happy Easter!

Grace in a field (and the winner)

2009-04-09T12:45:00.001-05:00

And the winner:
Cassanndre said...
beautiful flowers.
i've followed your blog for awhile. can't remember where i got the link from... some mutual friend in covington's crestwood ward :)

Cassanndre, please email me the address where to mail the prints!

Everyone, thanks for your comments!! And if anyone knows Jodi, the winner of the free photo session...have her contact me!

Housekeeping...and a Spring giveaway!

2009-04-07T14:30:00.001-05:00

I refer to my photography as a journey...taking me from one place to the next, evolving along the way. I enjoy this journey and continue to find my balance therein- I love photographing you! Lately I have been re-evaluating a few things including the time and personal craft involved in a photography session and post editing of images. I have revamped my packages a bit. Please visit my website for current rates.

For those of you already booked through June, or have recently contacted me about a session-my previous rates will still apply.

If you are interested in a session with me late summer and early Fall I am starting to fill dates and will take a limited amount of Saturday sessions. Please contact me if you have any questions or to book a session.

Now for the giveaway! I will be drawing a name (Thursday 12 noon) to receive 8x10 prints of the below Spring Picture Collection-just leave a comment.

Happy Spring!

**Would Jodi, the winner of my last giveaway please email me to schedule your photo session, I look forward to hearing from you.