Free Sessions for Children in Need

As a Junior in High school I was faced with the dreadful and very unexpected ordeal of having to battle for my life. Instead of spending my senior year of high school planning on colleges, senior pictures, fun activities and relishing in all that I'd worked for, I spent my year in the biggest fight of my life.

I can say proudly now that I am a survivor, that I won the battle for my life and that I am a stronger better person for all that I endured. I do wish that I had more photographs of those hard days though, something to look back on and remind me of how strong I am and how much I've made it through. 

My family struggled with my medical cost and as a result I never got to purchase a senior year book, senior photos or take any photographs of during my senior year. These memories were not captured and so I know the importance of capturing every moment, even the hard ones. 

I also understand the delicacy in which these types of matters require and am honored to offer my photography services for a wonderful cause. 

If you or someone you know is in need of free photography services due to dealing with an ill child please do not hesitate to contact me at any time. 

I wish you the best, many blessings and strength during these trying times. 

Dear Mom ... a little late Mother's Day letter

Dear Mom,

SO  many of my childhood memories are wrapped up in you. In your presence, in the every day kindness you lived as a mother. In breakfast and dinner, and in conversations of me being your oldest daughter and for so long my closest friend. 

 And although I never forget to say “I love you,” I often forget to share another heartfelt expression: “Thank you.” And to every one of the great and amazing women who essentially raised me, your fingerprints left the deepest impression –So today, it’s time for a “thank you” – a letter of appreciation for leaving your mark on my life in so many beautiful (sometimes odd and unexpected) ways:

Thank you for encouraging me to be beautiful-on the inside, and by doing so with your actions. I've learned little things from each of you that have left a mark on the woman I am today. The way Aunt Cindy would say a little prayer each time she passed some poor animal that had lost his life along the road. The way my mom would pick and up and take in almost every stray animal or person for that matter that she found along the way. The giving spirit in which you all live your lives, giving even in times when you have been in need- without a second thought about doing so. 

For the memory of buying lunchables for the homeless and being able to pass them out ourselves. Grandma who was always  there with a wise word and a soft shoulder. Someone I could call when I needed a strong word of wisdom. 

For all that you have all overcome  and the beautiful deep souls you are. For teaching me to always have my toe nails painted, to never leave the house without my face on, and that age only brings more beauty. You all make me not so scared to age. 

Thank you mom, for encouraging me to bite my tongue, turn the other cheek and offer grace in every circumstance. Thank you for trusting me with my life choices, this confidence has led me down a path of life that is my own, one I can be proud of. One of self assurance and awareness. For taking time to say my prayers at night and for the Bible stories that are forever engraved in the foundation of my spirituality. 

For giving me every benefit of the doubt when it came to getting my way. For being the "fun" mom who my friends loved to be around, but still being a parent. For never showing me how hard some of your days were and for sharing with me when I was wise enough to understand. 

For being there when I need someone to talk to- to vent to- to fall into. For being by my side at Christus Santa Rosa during the hardest moments of my life. For running down the hall when I was vomiting, for no other reason then to just be there, since there was nothing you could do. For enduring such a trial with your child and for helping me to understand that it would all be okay. 

To my aunt Cindy for letting me move in with her during my senior year. For letting me drive your car to work and for taking me to my radiation appointments every day, after you'd worked all night long. For getting me my first real job, and for trusting me with your girls. For being the second mom I needed. 

Mainly mom, grandma, aunts.. thank you for being the kind of women that we can be proud to love, to be a part of and for giving us all the ability to be strong, independent, beautiful women who will raise our children to be and do the same. 

Its a little bit late, but happy Mother's Day today, every single day and always. 

Thank you so very much. 

 for being a mother for being MY mother. 

Sophia's 4th birthday session.... my almost "big" girl.

Originally I wanted to travel for this session and go somewhere with some different textures, something urban perhaps. Or perhaps not, perhaps we'd go see a movie in a quaint little German town up the road from us, stop by HEB and grab some balloons and then let Sophia pic her own locations for photos. Which is exactly what we did this Mother's Day, what better way to spend the day than with the loves of my life, my hubby, my little girl and of course my camera at hand. 

My favorite shots are the ones that capture not only the beauty of her in a frame, but the sun- as if the light of the photo is her sweet little soul.

She could hardly stray from this fountain and sweet little yard of "nature props" we found on our stroll.

I've always found that since my child prefers to move, run, jump, touch everything in life... that if I want her to sit still, place her on something high that she can't jump off of. This was my magic trick to fixing her hair when she was a toddler. 

auhhh... the sun. 

My sweet.. no one knows how difficult my child is to photograph aside from the few photographers who have attempted to do so in her 4 years. 

Today she politely offered to "pose pretty" for mama.

And so, I have to say that I am a little sad to have completed her 4th birthday session. That soon she is going to officially be a 4 year old.. no longer a toddler and on her way to being a big girl,  going to kindergarten next year and every day closer to growing up. So for right now I will enjoy her as little as she is, as the little girl who still wants me to sing twinkle twinkle at night and have 1000 hugs and kisses from mommy and daddy before bed every night. I'll keep her like this for as long as time will allow. 

ZOO... first visit for this Summer!

This mama was determined to get her nearly 8 month pregnant booty out and into the sun for some fun this Saturday. 

And that is just what I did.. and boy was I tired that night- oh so very worth it. 

Sophia calls cotton candy, "pot and candy."  

We have decided that this is just too cute to correct. 

And after a nice long hot day.... we let her indulge and make a mess. 

I considered this Scarlett's first trip to the zoo. 

Sophia wanted to keep every animal she saw, but the Kangaroo was her all time favorite. She insisted that we get her 3 so that they can be friends and hop up and down the stairs in our home. 
Sure we'll get you one, when mama is able to have a Zebra. 

Scarlett Madelyn's Nursery Reveal... still a bit of work to do but this is my progress thus far.

I knew that I wanted something organic, original, and mostly white. Or, at least this is what I intended when I started to create the nursery for my second daughter, Scarlett... she'll be here in 5 weeks or less! Eeek.. 

This bed skirt, is a decoration from my baby shower that I wanted to find a way to incorporate into the room decor. I realized that I still needed a bed skirt and will eventually make one- but until I have time for that this one will do just fine. 

Plus it matches her lace and fabric hanging mobile. 

There is something sweet about her simple white crib. 

More decorations from  the baby shower and Sophia's birthday party that I wanted to incorporate. 

I knew I wanted to use white frames in her palate, and I also knew I wanted to paint something just for her.. and this is what I came up with. 

Sweet little feets. 

This poor mirror has been so many colors, I bet it hopes that white is its final color. I think it suits its style well. 

I still need to find the right knobs for her dresser. Ikea was the cheaper way to go, get something unbuilt, and unpainted and its about 1/2 the cost. 

Sophia's Princess Celebration