Good Morning

The Grands come to visit

We've had a great visit with our Neena and Pops.

We've really enjoyed having them here.  They bring us so much excitement, good food and cheer, but they did not bring their Florida weather this time.  No, nope, it snowed on Sunday morning.

Snow or shine, though, we had to see the cherry blossoms.  And even in the strangest picnic conditions, the blossoms are awe inspiring.

The monuments never disappoint.  It really is sacred ground.

And strong winds, cloudy skies, and blocked roads were not going to keep us from enjoying our brie and prosciutto, crackers, and chocolates under the magnificent blooms.

Thanks for coming to visit Neena and Pops!  It was a fantastic weekend.

Newborn Photo Shoot

Meet this little 5 day old.  She's perfect in every way.  A sweet spirit, gorgeous features, and a snuggle bug who loves her Mommy and Daddy.

I met her Mommy, Kristina, 6 years ago when she came to interview at Wears Valley Ranch, a Christian children's home where I worked and lived for a year.  It's a powerful ministry that I love dearly.  And as I left the Ranch, Kristina came to work in the same house as I did.  We share a strong bond that anyone who has lived at Wears Valley Ranch shares.  So this shoot was very special to me.

Every life is a gift from God.

Lots to say

We have a lot going on over here at our house.

This little girl in on the mend.

Neena and Pops are visiting. 

I'm editing a beautiful newborn family photo shoot from yesterday that is beautiful.  Did I say beautiful?  because I meant beautiful!  Here's the sweet new mom rocking her baby to sleep like a natural. More photos to come soon.

And I just awoke from a Sunday afternoon nap.  (Thanks Neena and Pops!)  I think I'm tired from all that's going on.

I hope you're having a peaceful Sunday as well.

8 stitches later

Eight stitches later, she's going to be okay.  What a warrior!

It was just a bizarre accident.  We were at a museum today and she fell and hit a step and gashed her sweet little head open.  My friend went running for some towels for the blood that spewed everywhere.  Eloise screamed at the top of her lungs "I'm scared!  I'm scared!"  Her little friend just stared with her mouth wide open.  And I wrapped Cordelia's coat around her head to try to stop the bleeding.

From there we quickly went into the museum office where the staff was incredibly helpful.  They called 911 for us and called Alex for me.  A police man came in fairly quickly and stared into her eyes and said he hoped she didn't pass out.  Thank God she didn't!  She is so strong.

So off in the ambulance we went.  Poor Alex didn't know what was going on and his heart was beating so fast until he met up with us.  The museum director forgot to tell him we were ok, he just told him we were in the ambulance.  

8 stitches and we're as good as new.  Or will be soon enough.

We love you, Cordelia!  You're the strongest (and smartest/sweetest/cutest) cookie we know.

Mother's Helper

I have a mother's helper so I'm hiding downstairs and being productive.

NOT!  No, no productivity here.

But I am having fun.

Monday Morning Inspiration

It's Monday morning which is the the most peaceful time around my house.  I only have my littlest with me.  It's a time for me to regroup from the weekend.  Do some major laundry.  Look at the week ahead.  And of course, blog.

My sister visited us for 5 days and it was splendid.  We went downtown to the butterfly garden and the carousel.  We enjoyed the animals at the zoo--especially the octopus and Gibbon monkeys.  We enjoyed a of outdoor time in beautiful Spring weather.  My sis went to a bridal shower and then church with us.  She consulted with me on my photo editing.  And we watched a lot of nonsense tv at night.  It was lovely and relaxing and we wish it was Spring Break forever and she could stay here longer.

And then, to top off the weekend, Alex and I had the distinct pleasure of dining with some of the most inspiring and encouraging Christian leaders.  For the past year and a half, we've treasured our time with our interim rector (which means senior pastor) who is also our overseeing bishop who is also the retired bishop of South Carolina and his wonderful wife.  Then, yesterday, the archbishop of the Southern Cone came to preach and teach at our church.  And he and his beautiful joined the clergy of the church for a nice dinner at the rectory.  (Anglicans/Episcopalians have bishops.)

And it was inspiring because this wonderful Chilean couple is leading a so many South Americans to Jesus.  They are planting churches like crazy.  They are leading the mission field.  I shared with them about my time in Bolivia.  I spoke some Spanish.  And asked them a lot of questions.  And yet to be in a such a gathering, it was not pretentious.  It was normal.  And bad jokes were told and people laughed and talked about movies.

I was inspired to continue to reach out to my neighbors.  To continue to be a missionary in my neighborhood and in my church.  A global perspective is so healthy.  I'm just a tiny tool in a giant project.

And to top off all this inspiration which is "beyond inspiring" which is what I told Alex this morning who is keeping a tally of how many times I say "beyond" because it's a little annoying and I agree... is the story of Anthony Robles.  The NCAA national champion for the 125 pound category Anthony Robles.  He is the best wrestler in our nation at that weight today and he was born with 1 leg.

It reminds me of a camp t-shirt I received in high school.  On the front is an image of a river winding through rocks and reeds.  On the back it says The impeded river is the one that sings.


I had no idea what that meant at 14 but I liked it because I loved canoeing at camp.  It's like the lyrics of Amazing Grace.  Twas grace that taught my heart to fear and grace my fears relieved.  As a teenager I thought about this phrase and didn't get it.

But now as a 29 year old, I'm starting to understand both of those more.  The impeded river is the one that sings.  Twas grace that taught my heart to fear and grace my fears relieved.

Congratulations to Anthony Robles.  You are an inspiration to me!

What a great way to begin a week.

A Newborn Family Photoshoot

Yesterday I had my second photo shoot of my "internship."  (That's what Alex calls it.)  I'm not sure what I loved more about my visit with this family, capturing this special period in their lives or meeting them as people.  Both were wonderful!

They have a 1 week old baby boy and twin 3 year old girls.  It's truly a family full of love!  I came home from the shoot and quickly went to work editing them after my girls were in bed.  I was full of anticipation, like opening a present, uploading the images and seeing what I got.  I think I have some pretty ones to share and can't wait to finish going through them all.

Enjoy!

Inspiration

My love for Mumford and Sons continues.  Eloise can carry a really nice tune and sings phrases of their songs all the time.  When they use the f-word, we just say "mess" so no need to worry there.  I can can no longer go without printing their lyrics here.  But where do I start?  


Let's start with track #1.


Sigh No More

Serve God love me and men

This is not the end

Live unbruised we are friends

And I'm sorry

I'm sorry

Sigh no more, no more

One foot in sea, one on shore

My heart was never pure

You know me

You know me

And man is a giddy thing

Oh man is a giddy thing

Oh man is a giddy thing

Oh man is a giddy thing

Love that will not betray you,

dismay you or enslave you

It will set you free

Be more like the man 

you were made to be.

There is a design,

An alignment to cry,

At my heart you see,

The beauty of love

as it was made to be

I've been lacking in inspiration lately when it comes to the blog.  What to write when our routine is becoming too predictable.  There isn't much to say when I'm just putting one foot in front of the other going through life.

But right now, my husband came home and then promptly took the children to our neighbor's house to see all their wild animals.  And I've been given a window of time to listen to M&S, upload some new photos, and tell you that I'm dreaming a lot about photography.  I'm reading some good books, developing and refining a vision, and hoping to take some gorgeous photos of many of you this Spring and Summer.  (I'm always confused as to whether Spring and Summer are supposed to be capitalized.  And I'm too lazy to look it up.  I always capitalize them because they play important roles in my life and I love the different seasons so much.  I'm a Christian.  Don't worry.  No mother earth worship here.  Just lovin' on the seasons.)

Serve God love me and men

This is not the end

Live unbruised we are friends

And I'm sorry

I'm sorry

Sigh no more, no more

One foot in sea, one on shore

My heart was never pure

You know me

You know me

And man is a giddy thing

Oh man is a giddy thing

Oh man is a giddy thing

Oh man is a giddy thing

Love that will not betray you,

dismay you or enslave you

It will set you free

Be more like the man 

you were made to be.

There is a design,

An alignment to cry,

At my heart you see,

The beauty of love

as it was made to be

It's Lent, you might know.  And it's such a great time to get back in touch with our divided natures.  The self that wants to do good but can't or doesn't.  And then to remember that blood was shed so that we can be freed by a pure love that does not enslave.  A love that frees us from the evil inside that ensnares and traps and destroys.

And that's inspiring to me.

I Heart Faces

This is our little buddy N.  I just love how the sunburst is framing his sweet face!  It leaves a magical aura that is perfectly suited for a child.

To see other great sunburst photos, check out I HEART FACES today.

Always keep our camera handy

This is what happens in the span of a minute.

So I always have my camera ready for when the headband is actually on her head.

Parenting is tiring

Starting at about 9:30am, Eloise starts asking when is Daddy coming home.  

And I say, you know when, you tell me when Dad is coming home.

I'm clearly not enthused by the repetitiveness of the question.  It's about 5 times a day and it's usually asked when she is not happy with something we're doing.  Being the mom with the children all day means I'm more often the bad cop.  I'm the meanie who makes my children eat food, put their shoes on, and take them to ballet class, swim lessons, play dates, park dates.  I know, I know.  Such a meanie.

But the irritation of the day washes away when he walks in the door.  

Eloise goes crazy and Cordelia is quick to follow.

And then I come running after them, slap a kiss on his cheek, give his neck a big snug, and then I sigh because reinforcements have arrived.

Photo thoughts

It's Sunday evening and we've had a great day.  Church in the morning and then another young adult lunch here at our house.  The menu: Chicken Spaghetti, Salad, veggie appetizers, brownies and coffee.  It was a fun time getting to know some new friends who have found our church.  The majority of the young adults sitting around the table said they checked out our website and thought it looked good to them and then came to our church.  So, what that tells me is that an up-to-date web presence is important to newcomers.  And then, no doubt, good food helps too.

I've been thinking a lot about my photography dreams.  Do I want to try to be professional?  Or, not?  If so, how do I get there?  What steps do I need to take next.  If not, what's holding me back and why?

Why have I fallen in love with photography in the past year?  Then I remembered, it actually started long before my grand purchase of my beloved Nikon D90.  I took two years of photography in high school and one course (the first course ever offered) at my college.  I've loved it for a while.

I love capturing an unsuspecting moment in ordinary life.  While I definitely want an image to be beautiful, I think a time and place is very important.

That is why this is the new favorite photo of my family.  We have some double chins going on.  We have a messy desk and a printer in the background and Alex and Eloise are out of focus.  BUT, I love this moment because it was Eloise's birthday.  It's a pretty photo in a special context.  We are in our home and on our couch.  Hopefully it will bring me back to that time and place when I look at it in the future.

That's one reason I love newborn photos taken on a the parent's bed or in their nursery.  It's in their home.  It's personal.  I love that.

And I want to do that more.  So, that's why I'm starting to practice on other children and family.  I've booked some upcoming shoots for this Spring and I'm giddy thinking about them.  If you want to book something or know someone who might, let me know.  Especially little newborn babies.  I'd love to capture some itty bitty ones.  It'll be a free service; it'll be mutually beneficial, I know. 

In other news, Alex and I are watching Les Miserables on PBS.  It's been my favorite musical since the 7th grade when I traveled to London and saw it.  Then in the 8th grade I nerded out and did a heavey duty extra credit report on the novel by Victor Hugo.  I did so much extra work for that English class, I got a perfect score that year in that class.  Nerd alert!?  Or Les Miserable fanatic? 

I have a photo of me and my 4 best friends in middle school standing outside the theater in London.  And then I have that same photo in that same spot of the same group of friends at the age of 18.  Truly a special and formative point in time.  It was such a memory.  And Les Miserables is such an incredible story.

I Heart Faces

Fix It Friday at I Heart Faces.  Dana Suggs took this great photo.  I love the young man's connection with the camera.  It's not forced.  He looks comfortable.  The colors of the chairs are really cool.  And the lighting is beautiful.

I didn't do much to the photo.  Using PSE-8, I adjusted some lighting, contrast, luminance, white balance in the Camera Raw mode.  Then, I sharpened the photo and used the CoffeeShop "Color Pop" vignette at a 22% opacity.  That's it!

"When you take a great photo, it doesn't need a lot of editing."  I've been repeating this to myself lately.  If I find that I'm spending too much time editing, I'm usually forcing it and it won't look nice and natural.  I toss the photo and try another one.

Before

After

A Revision

So yesterday night I said I was looking forward to doing "nothing" today, "nothing" except for what I wanted to do.

I had the best intentions to have an enjoyable day with my girls.  But we were struck with another stomach bug.  Same girl.  Same miserable state.  I think her fear of throwing up is now worse than actually throwing up.

And this is parenting.  Being flexible because when things go wrong and they need you, they need you big time.  So inside we stayed all day.  The best part of the day was talking with an old friend for over an hour and the worst part of the day is that I'm still wearing half my pajamas and feel gross all over.

This is my baby.  She is a good example of how things can change at a drop of a hat.

Sad Delia.

The next frame.

Happy Delia.

Chillaxing on the couch.

Sister photos are really hard to achieve.

The good news is that I think we are already on the mend.  This was more of a 12 hour bug.  I really love 12 hour bugs.

Sunday through Wednesday

Sundays through Wednesdays are always crammed packed and hectic for me.  I kick into get through the day mentality and always need my back cracked at the end of the night.

Then Thursdays come and there's nothing planned.  Nothing obligatory for me and the girls and it's a breath of fresh air.  This is when my inner introvert reveals herself to me.  After 4 days of face time with friends and teachers and people around town, I need a break.  A day of some quiet alone time (alone meaning me and the girls).  It doesn't mean I don't plan outings and play dates and do chores, it just means I don't have to if I don't want to.  And that feels incredibly nice.

I'm super excited about photographing some of you and your little ones this Spring and Summer.  All you local people, I'm serious.  I need guinea pigs.  I need you and your friends.

Alex is watching C-Span 3 and I find it incredibly boring.  Snoozer.  How many C-Spans are there?  He also just went out for a quick trip to Safeway for some Haagen-Dazs (that is a correct spelling) vanilla ice cream.  Oh, that's Heaven.  Oh, how I love my man.  And Oh, how I wish we didn't have such expensive taste.

I keep trying to get Cordelia to wear headbands but she won't.  They are super cute, though.

Eloise loves her sister but Cordelia doesn't like to be squeezed quite so tight.  And neither would I, really.  After being squeezed for a few days, it's nice to be let go.  And breathe.