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This was one of those RARE days where all the kids actually got along, were quiet and were enjoying something I suggested (quiet time) – if only they did this more often!

But I love how my guy wore his sun glasses all afternoon and wanted to read his baby brother a story. I love him!! I love them all!!

BACKSTORY:

As some of you know, my husband made the hard decision- like a lot of men have- to move out to ND to work so he could provide for his family. If you are not in this position or have a wife/ husband of someone serving in the military- it’s really hard to understand just how hard it is. We have 5 kiddos that range in ages 11 to 4 months old and each day I have to hear them ask if daddy is coming home yet… each day I sink into my pillow just wishing my husband was here to just HOLD me…. each day I think to myself how much I wish my hubby was here to just see the smiles the my little baby makes, the kisses my toddler gives me, the funny jokes my spunky 5 year old makes, the creative drawings my 9 year creates and just how beautiful my 11 year daughter is turning into.

My husband who is away from what I call CHAOS, is sitting in an overpriced 2 bedroom trailer with no furniture and sharing the house with 3 other guys- who are also away from their families. I am not there to make sure he has clean clothes, good hot meal to eat, or to make sure he is taking care of himself. I am not with him to cuddle at night and watch movies, listen to him sing, watch him be silly, make love to him or even have a little argument.

My husband made that decision to leave his family behind in the comfort of our own home so that we can continue to eat, have a home to live in, to have power and cars to drive. I personally know a handful of other moms that are trying to be strong each day as they too live without their loved ones- raising little kids alone and only listening to the sound of their husband voice by phone- if you are lucky and they have good service where they are!

As a surprise, my hubby came home for a few days- which is like winning the lottery. But unfortunately, it is not a permanent visit He has to return back to what I like to call the BLACK HOLE! I have begged, pleaded, and cried to get him to stay. I would LOVE to be able to have the luxury of being able to work my business so that he could actually AFFORD to work here in Sandpoint- HECK, I’ll even take him working in Spokane. I may not be able to snap my fingers and be able to become that yearly million photographer (like we all wish) but I can at least TRY to have him stay just a little longer so he can spend more time with his family.

Currently the business he is working for is STILL waiting for a contract to come in… which in turns leaves him with no job- which equals out to no paycheck… which equals out to him sitting in ND waiting while his family is up here CRAVING for him to just be here. So I have decided to do something CRAZY… seriously crazy. Call me desperate, call me insane… call me a bad business person.. I really honestly do not care at this moment. What you should call me is a wife and a mom that LOVES me husband and doesn’t want to see him leave- not yet. My tank is just not full yet. I need more time!

Ok – so here it is… are you ready (….gulp…..) For THIS weekend ONLY I am offering sessions and a CD of images completely on donation. Yup, that’s right.. Use your session now or later, just give me a call or email, and tell me how much you would like to pay.

To be a part of this CRAZY- INSANE special that SERIOUSLY will only happen this time- you must call or email by Sunday at 8pm.

For clients that have completed a session, you too can be a part of this special. Just call or email me and let me know what you would like to pay for your previous images. I know that there are a list of clients ( I love you) that have invested a good amount into their photos, and you are not forgotten. I will be sending you out something very special just for you!!

Why am I doing this?? Well basically…. God knows my heart and he knows my passion. He knows that I desire to be with my husband and he knows that my husband desires to be with his family. Maybe this will also inspire you too to pay it forward. Try it, for just one day, see what lives you can change

I saw this article… check it out

Oh man… I have received TWO email notices from my labs on canvas sales! This one is AMAZING here are the prices.

TODAY – Monday January 16th through Wednesday, January 18, we’re having a MEGA SUPER AWESOME WAREHOUSE SALE!

You can order from any session completed or order a place marker- which means you pre-pay for your canvas till you complete your session. There are only a limited amount of canvas sizes the company is offering- first come first served!!! I HIGHLY recommend you get one!! If you have been to my studio and seen the BIG wall canvas I have with the little boy in the hat (that is my son) that is a 30×40. I think personally, that is the BEST size for a home. Perfect size. Forget those tiny 8×10- treat yourself!!

Man, I feel like I have been away from here in… FOREVER. The holiday season really throws monkey wrenches into things!

My Thanksgiving was simple and wonderful. We had the BEST Rib Eye Roast- YUM. I could probably eat that meal ( Roast, potatoes, and green beans) about 3x a week

Christmas was also nice- simple… a little loud but perfect. My hubby was able to come home and spend some time with the family before he had to trek back to North Dakota for work. I was lucky enough to take a trip with him and spend another week with him over there. As much as it was so nice to spend some time with him…. I was so happy to be back home! I could not believe how many Idaho plates I saw, how flat and brown that place is and how many “MAN CAMPS” there are. I feel so bad for all the men that are out there supporting their families. They are working SO hard out there and most are living in not a very comfy place. The town he is in wasn’t horrible but really nothing spectacular. They do have a Wal-Mart lol. I feel very blessed to live where I do right now. People are so much nicer in our town, the scenery is just breathtaking and I have my friends here. Coming home seriously felt like putting on those nice old comfy sweats!

I miss my hubby like crazy- as well as the kids but I am so truly grateful and blessed to have my wonderful clients and my amazing friends!

Can you believe its 2012???!!!!  I think we are going to have an amazing year. I am so looking forward in meeting all these new babies that will be born this year. I am also looking forward in seeing all those babies that were born LAST YEAR for those 6months and Cake Smash Birthday photos… I am ready to have some photo fun!

If you have a little one that is between 6-9 months and would like to do the snow babies  session, lets get together and have some fun! Sessions are $150 and include 5 digital images!!

Again, I want to thank you all for such a wonderful year. You have been so supportive as I had a year of pregnancy and welcomed our last- amazing- baby. I really pray that I can continue to create beautiful images for you this year and years to come!!

God Bless!

It wasn’t very long ago… I was surfing facebook- my nemesis – and happened to check out a gal that friend-ed me. It was her profile picture that really caught my attention. She was beautiful, pregnant and had colorful balloons in her pic. After a short hello, we began chatting about our pregnancy, babies, photography and our other kids.. and within a few short days/ weeks- a great friendship seemed to blossom.

It was and still is nice to sit and chat about photography and our kids- knowing that the other person totally understands what they are going through.

We decided one day that we would meet up and play shop as we baby swapped to do photos. We both were having a hard time doing photos of our own baby- even with the help of others. We just figured if it went south during our meeting then at least we could sit and enjoy each others company as we stared at our lil ones

We set up a day for baby fun day and tried to see what we could do. Sadly, Jack, once again, didn’t give me much to work with… and he gave NOTHING to my friend. What a little stinker. Her little one, was almost as picky as mine- although we finally were able to get her to sleep for a few shots.

Here is our creations that we were able to capture. A huge thanks to Meshelle Photography for being such an amazing person!! I can’t wait to do this again.

A baby is cuddles and tickles on toes, the sweet scent of powder, a kiss on the nose!

I am doing the final countdown… minus a week- because that is how I roll Hubby says I can’t do that but I informed him that in fact, yes I can.. because I am the momma! LOL We technically have 7 weeks left till D- day (delivery day) but I am saying 6- to keep myself sane! I mean.. that week of delivery is all about doing those final preparations anyway.

Things are still going… I’m gaining more and more weight and I bring a smile to my families face when I try to get up from any seat. i realized that last night I must sound like the most attractive woman. I was grunting and panting and sweating… all from trying to find that comfortable position in bed. But I do have to tell you that I am so thankful for my pillows. I think I have a secret love affair with them. Soon, those pillows will be replaced with a tiny squishy newborn boy.

A friend/ client of mine made a comment today on her fb page about how she was enjoying with cool morning weather with a warm cup of coffee and her sweet little baby. My heart ached to feel that. I am getting so excited and so antsy for this baby to come. And apparently, today, I think he is too. I have been having some contractions all morning that come on strong and hit me hard, but leave just as quick. I just keep saying… ” 6 more weeks…6 more weeks”.

Next month (August) we are suppose to be moving into the house under the studio and getting rid of our trailer. As exciting as it MAY sound, I am just in a little bit of a panic mode. There is SO much to do- so many people that it involves and well…. since I have nothing better to do than to watch everything… I am getting more than antsy.. I am getting annoyed. Only because I am ready for a change and something to occupy my time for the next SIX WEEKS!  Hubby says that I need NOT to worry and he has it all under control- which I believe him.. but still there is so much to do- in such little time. His plan- he says- is while I am recovering in the hospital, he will be moving us down there in a newly set-up home for me and baby! Sounds wonderful, but I can’t help but to think of all the little details- one of which is the kids getting to and from school… and the renovating that needs to be done, windows to be placed and a kitchen to be COMPLETELY finished

But since I can not control THAT situation (UGH) the one thing that I can concentrate on is my business. I can not wait to come back!! I am so ready to play again and see you all again… and meet some new clients! IF things go as plan, HOPEFULLY the addition to the studio will be completed (YEAH) and EARLY October, I will be hosting an Open House- Meet and Greet of our new addition! It will be so wonderful to see the studio completed with the viewing and natural light room and for you all to meet little baby potato. I will be having registration open for Fall/Winter sessions and also a preview of new items that will be available. Let me just share how stinken CUTE they are and I can’t wait for you to see them!!

In September I will be doing a facebook giveaway with other vendors that celebrates in BOY stuff. As much as I just LOVE girly stuff, I need to bring some BLUE into the photo world LOL. So please keep a peek out on my facebook page for the list of vendors and the big giveaway! And even more exciting (for me) my newsletters are coming back! August 1 will be the first one back in its return. I will be announcing my coming back date from maternity leave and share a few bits and pieces of stuff

In my final note….. August will be my last shoot month till D- Day. If you are expecting or know someone who is, please make sure you contact me ASAP to schedule that session appointment. I hope to make August FUN and busy- help me pass the time peps!

…and for those who keep asking for a belly pic…. hopefully soon. I haven’t broke down to ask a friend yet and hubby has been too darn busy to do anything… so.. we will see if that baby bump image comes before September

Lots of love~ Enjoy your Sunday!

It’s summer time again.. and in this house it means 2 of my kiddos go down to Florida to see their other side of the family. As much as they enjoy it… I hate to admit it.. I hate it. I miss them so much. Each day I live in fear that something terrible is going to happen. I have to lean more on God each day during the summer. I know he will wrap them in his arms tight and watch over them, but as a mom… I can’t help but to think of the things that could happen to them.

But for as long as I can.. I will try to withheld the yucky images and thoughts and just gaze at the photos of my 2 oldest!!

A while back, I shared pics of my son, Matty… well FINALLY I was able to get my daughter dressed and out the door for her little mini photo shoot. Since the day she was born I LOVED photographing her. Not only is she herself just AMAZING, but she has these most incredible eyes. Her dad and I think she is just flat out BEAUTIFUL!!!

This year she turned *gulp* 11 and I think we have covered every topic that we can so far with her. Dad has warned her that with the coming school year he will make drop in visits to check on her and the boy status as well as have any conversations as needed with any… boys. He has also made it clear that WHEN the time comes for any BOYS- they will have an application to fill out as well as a test. LOL.. I love it! I am pretty sure I want to her be disgusted with boys till AFTER high school. But as a mom, looking at her, I know that it will not be soon till they start creeping around. She is an amazing girl- so loving and caring. So tender and kind. I am the LUCKIEST mom in the world to have her. And I am even MORE glad that she is my ONLY girl!!

So here is a sneak peek at my beautiful daughter.

*Lilly… I am so proud of you for who you have grown up to be so far. Dad and I love you with all our hearts and soul. Looking at these photos and watching you every day, it’s hard to believe that you are 11. At times its so hard to see that little girl and I miss her, but then I see the woman *gulp* you are slowly becoming and I love you even more. You are my everything!! I miss you already and can not wait till you come back home. Lots of loves, hugs and secret whispers!!! ~ Mom & Dad*

Yeah yeah.. I am a little late… but so was summer, so I am calling this my SPRING CLEANING post

A few days ago I headed up to the studio to do some light cleaning, but got sucked into deep cleaning. I decided that it was time to let go of some stuff that I just don’t use… so without further ado.. (did I spell that right??) Here is a list of some items that I NEED to get rid off.

Yeah… some reason i did not catch THIS big ‘ol totally NOT in focus pic.. excuse the crappy image

Not too sure on how I missed this easy focus, but you get the image

Dk wood frames- (1) 8×10, (2) 2 1/2x 3 1/2, (4) 4×6…… $10

Orange Peel Background

Click the link above to read more on OPB- they are VERY nice and easy to use!

A) single panel. This is a head shot I did with it as the background

B. 1 panel – RIGHT SIDE ONLY~ NOLA Doors

This set is from the freckle sale. One panel has a slight misprint/ color streak. Not too noticeable. You can EASILY remove any area either in PS or by posing.

If you would like to purchase and help me empty out the studio, please send me an email

If you would like anything to be shipped… of course shipping charges would be added

Hopefully here in a few weeks I will have more to clean. I know I have some large chairs that need to go!

Today was a pretty interesting day. I had an early morning counseling session that I debated on canceling this morning, but decided I just should go. Well I packed up the kids, drop off the little one at daycare and head to my appointment ONLY to find out when I got there that the front desk bumped me off the books. UGH. Here I am, trying to help get myself out of the prego angry mood I have been and this happens… After a few minutes of ” You have GOT to be kidding me“, I really just had to laugh.

Then when I got home today, a friend talked me into joining her for bible study. My first gut reaction is “No way!“. I feel WAY too dumb- uneducated-embarrassed- scared- to join a bunch of women to bible study. But once again, I figured that was more of a reason to attend. So I put on my big girl panties and joined the group. Not only was I made comfortable, but I actually learned a few things… Today’s Life Lesson

I have been more than struggling with the fact that I just can not work like I want to… or be a mom or a wife like I want to. Yesterday I was once again having some, what I call, strong contractions with a tummy ache. So I decided to give the doc a call and me and the kiddos headed up to L&D for a stress test and some other testing. Contractions were regular and pretty good sizes, but THANKFULLY not strong enough to have made my cervix change. The doc did a test called Fetal fibronectin- which basically is a swab of the cervix to see if you are producing any hormones to make the cervix change for labor…… the test came back negative- which is what we want at this stage. But we are scheduled to go back late this week for another ultrasound to double check that the cervix is not shortening.. but I have been advised to take it EASY. I don’t know about you, but I dont know how much more EASY I can do. It doesnt matter what I do these days- driving, folding laundry, sitting, breathing… it ALL brings on contractions. I am already so depressed on not being able to play with new babies or create beautiful images for clients. I find myself jealous over anyone at this moment that CAN actually do that. I want to play too!!

But… God is in control of  my life and this is Him telling me that THIS baby- THIS body is so much more precious than playing photographer/ business woman. I need to stop living in my sin {jealousy} and start living and feeling more of the fruit of the Spirit which includes: LOVE , JOY,  PEACE,  PATIENCE,  KINDNESS,  GOODNESS,  FAITHFULNESS,  GENTLENESS, and SELF-CONTROL.

He is reminding me daily, sometimes in strong words and sometimes not, but His plan for me is already decided.. I need to stop trying to decide what is best for ME. I need to listen more to HIM and sit in His glory for what He has given me… at each moment. I get caught up on my own feelings and emotions of what I want, that I am too stubborn or deaf to hear what He is really saying. But I struggle- because I am human. I am so scared of losing and never getting back this ONE thing that I really do love to do. Being a mom is wonderful and being a wife is wonderful, but, here comes the selfish me again, I feel that I am more than those 2 things. I want to do His work again through my photography. But  my life lesson is to not only actually HEAR what He is saying… but embrass it.

So I hope that all you wonderful people will be able to give me the patience I am needed to get through this moment of my life. Yes, this moment is difficult for me health wise and emotionally, but this baby is precious and is a great gift to us.

our little wee one at our 20 weeks ultrasound

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