nonchalant :)

what a happy surprise to be texted:
"hey!  I saw a paragraph about you and your kreatid [challenge]s in the 202 magazine!"
I'm not even cool enough to act nonchalant...nope, not in my dna. :)
of course I spazzed, read the article, gasped and shouted "I'm in a magazine!" :)
yup, totally nonchalant.

sondra barr (the editor in chief of http://www.202magazine.com) wrote:

picture this...
are you a mom and amateur photographer looking for a place to connect and be inspired by other creative types?  jen driesbach, a gilbert mom, wanted to create a forum where aspiring east valley photogs could share images, tips, and commentary.  enter at http://www.kreatid.blogspot.com, where each week jen posts a different photography challenge to get the conversation started.  from fresh takes on body parts (the clothed, modest types) to modern and whimsical snapshots, the entries showcase local talent in unusual ways.

yup, super cool, happy, not at all nonchalant moment today. :)

the gift of laughter. :)

I can honestly say I have not laughed harder or longer at one client's session.
seriously. :)
and if there was ever a gift of laughter...these two would have it.
the witty banter that the two of them kept up the entire session still makes me smile. :)
these two aren't just amusing, they are MY people.
I'm not related to them...we don't have the same blood...but I grew up with them.
they're from my home town.
they're from my roots.
they knew me when I had four inch glasses and still loved me...
my people. :)
after not having seen them for fifteen years,
it was an absolute pleasure to "get to" capture this season of life for them...
their boys have all grown up now, they're getting to travel...super fun, people. :)
my favorite part?  they're still the same people I knew and loved fifteen years ago.

[prelude]: emily ♥

alive

I saw this and smiled.
smiled because my good friend just asked me if I was still alive.
flu?  be gone.
today I am choosing to come back to the land of the living...
at least until it's nap time again. :)

oh and p.s. my husband is amazing.  he has taken care of the kids, done maddie's hair, made me ice packs and vacuumed for the last five days.  I love him and he makes me smile. :)

marry me. :)

these two seriously make me smile...
all american gorgeousness.  seriously. :)
throw in the uniqueness of firefighting + getting married on the ranch he grew up on?
yup, seriously huge smile.
and this girl?  you might remember her from her senior session a couple years ago...
she is dear to my heart...I love her heart for serving other people and to see her beauty radiate from the inside out...I am beyond excited to see her enter into this next chapter of life...she shines. :)

I couldn't get this song by train out of my head while I edited their engagements...
I simply cannot wait until august to capture their wedding!

love you two and can. not. wait. for august! :)