I had the pleasure of photographing a really fun couple. Stephanie came this evening to pick up her pictures...(thank you Stephanie for meeting me at home.) This was a great wedding to kick off the season.




I watched this makeup artist do her thing, and let me tell ya, wow! I wish she could fit in my pocket, how nice would that be.





I love all my couples, the Moser's were so special though. They have the ability to stand in a room full of people and honestly let their love show.





The wedding was so much fun. Such a great family. I wonder if I could talk them into doing it again?

Ciao-
Melissa

Another week gone. I can't tell you where or when, but as some of you know I am getting ready for a BIG trip! I can say that I am so excited that I can hardly sit still. And here is a clue... it will take us 14 hours one way to get there.

So with all the excitement at home, work has been a delightful distraction. It was a full week of meeting people, some new, and some repeat clients. The children that I photographed this week were too cute for words. I never feel like I can say it enough, I HAVE THE BEST JOB EVER!!

What a day! This morning after dropping off the boys at school I had the chance to photograph one of God's miracles. The rainbow lasted for just a few moments but clearly I was at the right spot at the right time.



My morning continued and I met with several newcomers. I had lunch with a very sweet fellow photographer. (Mmmmm Cafe 35)

So, now a busy week is coming to a close. I had so many fun shoots this week.
Work doesn't really feel like work when you get to hang out with such nice people. And the babies, don't get me started. I really think there is something in the water here... how can there be this many cute babies in one area? I convinced myself 5 times this week that I wanted another baby too. I slowly handed the cuties back to their moms and went home to pout to my hubby, the muffler man.

He was quick to point out sleepless nights, diaper bags, heavy infant carriers, crying, baby food, baby poo, projectile vomit and screaming when you don't know whats wrong.

I agreed and went back to watching survivor. Don't tell the muffler man, but I still think it is worth all the bad for such a little bundle of good!

Oh Mother Nature, so many little girls!
It makes this mother of little boys heart ache.





This tiny blonde haired beauty was a gem!

When faced with a session like this one, all I can say is:

"I want one too!!."



Sweet Cherub faced little angel.



What mother doesn't spend the morning with such a cutie and not go home wishing for one of her own. I am only human.

Being the mom of boys is a joy. Figuring out a reward system has had its ups and downs, but I think I have come across a plan that works for us. This idea hit me one day while I perused the isles at our grocery store. I was stuck in front of the pretty bags of beans and marveled at the many varieties, I could just see how pretty they would be in jars... and then the idea hit me and it has worked. So now I will tell you how it goes.





I started with one bag of beans. The boys earn beans for doing chores. They earn beans for making their beds, brushing their teeth without being told, random acts of kindness, doing homework, picking up toys, you get the point. They each have their own jars to put their beans in. Beans can also be taken away. For example if Sidney pushes Zane I might take away 10 beans.... the catch...I will give those 10 beans to the victim.






At anytime the boys can trade in their beans for cold hard cash. At our house 100 beans equals five dollars. They have to sort the beans into groups of 10, 5, or 2s to count them out. As they count them we do different math facts using the beans. Sidney has been practicing multiplication facts with his beans, and Zane has learned to count by 2's to 100.

This has been a good thing to help at our house. If you have young ones it might help you too. Just be sure they don't stick the beans in their nose!

Dogs touch our lives in a way that only dog-lovers can understand. They are like our practice children. Some couples fall so head over heals for their dogs that they decide not to have children at all.



Today while I sit blogging our oldest dog Maggie is hanging in limbo. She had a stroke last night and has not re-covered. Maggie has been with us for eleven years, we can't imagine our home without her. Today may be her last day on earth but she will be in our hearts forever. I took these pictures of Maggie a few days ago, she wasn't sick then. I am so glad to have these and will cherish them always. It is a great reminder of how powerful photography can be. Photography captures a memory that we can share with the world forever.



I love these images, even Sid's chocolate milk mustache.

UPDATE: Maggie died one week after she began having strokes. We will miss her always.