August 2015 ... Summer Memories, Faith, Family & Friends.

   As summer comes to a close and the kids are back in school, I find myself watching them grow up right before my eyes ... making their own life choices, reflecting, evaluating their own friendships, relationships ... holding those they love close and those they never want to lose even closer.

   I am so beyond blessed to have three amazing children ...

   Devon ~ My oldest a Senior now in Highschool and so hard for me to fathom that almost 18 years ago he was born!! I am so excited to watch him grow up into a man, pursuing his dreams to go onto college (hopefully locally), then onto serve his country like his father in hopes of becoming a commercial airlines pilot down the road.  At 17, I never knew what I wanted to be when I grew up & I am so beyond proud of my son who knows exactly what he wants! All while excelling in a sport he is passionate about, teaching himself the drums, guitar, started his own band plus his first part time jobs working at a paintball park & restaurant as a cook apprentice. I could not be more proud of the man he is becoming and his tender compassionate heart for those he loves.

   Savannah ~ My daughter is a ray of sunshine in our lives and started as Freshman this year overcoming some personal challenges & choices to continue her lifelong cheer dreams since she was a little Pop Warner Cheerleader and made the Varsity Cheer team as a Freshman.  All of her years of continued excellence at cheer coupled with major competitive Allstar Travel Cheer gave her the skills sets to be a leader in a sport she loves. I could not be more proud of the choices she makes, that she doesn't feel she needs those serious relationships at this point in her life to define who she is or to feel more accepted.  She is confident and resolute in her choices and her ability to be there for her friends, to show loyalty, and above all else I admire that in her everyday.  She is my savgirl who is not only beautiful, but an amazingly talented young lady with an amazing heart of gold!!

   And lastly Lil Dillon, my little itty bitty adorable huggable affectionate always there for me baby in the sky, my peanut pie, who is now 7 and in the second grade!! How can this be? To have had him at 40, so much later in life has taught me to savor every waking moment of their childhood. Reading them books at bedtime, tiny bare feetsies running through the house, nerf gun wars & always lots of laughter. He is my treasure in life, a true gift to me from heaven and there for me like nothing I could have ever imagined.  His heart is beyond huge, pure, filled with so much love & compassion for friends in our lives.  He never forgets a friend or an experience.  He checks on me everyday and says "how was your day mom?" OMG!! Who does that anymore lol.  There is not a day that passes that I can hear him around me or in another room in the house and he says "i love you so much mom".  Absolutely my sweet treasure from above.

   I hope to keep my blog up more often and share some family experiences and thoughts for those who love to blog and read them.  I am starting to plan and think about the next chapter and phase of my life and how photography will be such a huge part of my future and business. So grateful to those who support me through their kind comments about my work and photo sessions with your loved ones. I am truly honored and grateful that you continue to seek me out for amazing projects and on location shoots.  I recently had some close friends who moved to Arizona over 5yrs ago and asked me months ago to capture a special moment in their life (their 20th wedding anniversary (russ&diana love you guys) ) and this was literally the first session in years that I could not capture because we had a out of town annual family vacation planned. I was so disappointed I could not be there for them, but guess that's when you know, you truly love what you do and that your work & talent was missed so much. 

   As we head into fall, the preparations begin for photographing even more amazing cheer, soccer, wrestling sports days, school dances, senior portraits and prepping for my annual christmas card photoshoot/theme.  Happy Back to School Friends & Remember to Capture those Smiles, for one day those Moments will become Memories you will be soooo glad you have !!

   ~ m ~