More pictures!

So if it rains another day I might go crazy! We have had such nice weather it is hard to go back to the bad. I have such better days when the kids can be outside playing and getting their energy out.

No swine flu here! We thought for a moment because of the media that Jaden had it. And that we would single handedly take down the Valparaiso school system. But we didn't thankfully.

Not a lot going on. Just working and playing and hanging out with the kids. Took some pictures this week that I wanted to share.

Soren thought he looked so good in this outfit that he would wear it to school. Not long into the day the vest and the tie came off. When we asked him why he said "kids kept asking me where the funeral was." He even started to tear up. We asked him who said it and he said "this boy who was wearing cut off sweats and a pajama shirt." Needless to say we worked out that he shouldn't listen and wear whatever he wanted.

This week also in the post tribune I have a write up about me and what I do at Steiner. It was very exciting for me. It was a whole two paragraphs and I am pretty sure the words "very talented" were thrown around in there. Just had to toot my own horn for a minute.

This week is full of exciting things. Mothers day for one. hint hint Daniel. I get to shoot the cutest senior and a fun family. I love when my weeks are full like that.

New inspiration!

So just when I think I have lost my mojo I go out with my camera and realize it was there all along! I have things to work on-- like my confidence levels. I get so worried about what other people my think of me that I forget to experience things fully. But this week I took that camera out and just had some fun doing things that came out of my own little brain. And I love what came out! Most people like to step out of the box and do fun things.

So this little family that I got to work with was priceless! They were fun and willing. I also got one of my favorite subjects to come and pose some too! That means you Barb! I have actually asked Barb on occasion to act like a cat and she did it! She sees my vision.

Life sometimes takes a toll on me and my creative side suffers. I have take the advice from my friend Kim to put myself out there and take risks. I like living in my comfort zone where I know where I belong. How I am ever going to find other wonderful things if I don't try!

One little piece of my life is that Jaden a couple of days ago said that his girlfriends think he is "hot" and a really "cool dude!" He never ceases to amaze me! I know Carly is teaching him this stuff. But to hear a four year old say it could never be cuter.

We had a wonderful Easter. My parents came in and had a candlelit diner it was really wonderful. I tried really hard to emphasize the meaning for the day and bring down the Easter bunny angle. No big gifts just simple.

I also have found my new obsession. Last year on American Idol David Archuleta amazed me but this year Chris makes me want to replace him as my husband. Not to worry I go through that with every singer that I like. It started with Josh Groban. Daniel is used to it. He is replacing me with Pink so there!

Here is last picture but this is definitely one of my favorite! If you have not noticed I have finally found a tutorial that works for me to lean how to round photo corners.

http://www.photoshopessentials.com/photo-effects/rounded-corners/

My little one!

So my baby on April 1st turned four years old. He still seems like such the baby but he really is getting to be a big boy! He is such a joy to have in our home. He really brings us laughter and togetherness that we would not know without him. Today he came running down the hall when he got out of bed "here comes your chicken love!" I don't of course know why we say that to him but we all do! He is our "chicken love!"

So today I dolled him up and took him outside to take his four year old pictures. First warm day or I would have done it sooner! At first he wanted no part in it. I promised gifts candy and nothing helped.

This was just an example of the faces I was getting. I still love the picture but I could have been happy with a little more joy! So I decided I would do what I do with other kids I take pictures of and play games! This made all the difference. We played hide and seek and this became my favorite picture of the day.

I even got Daniel in on it and got some great shots of Daniel and Jaden together! Daniel is usually my assistant holding up reflectors and diffusers, but I do love it when I get put him in with the kids!

I know this is an overload of Jaden pictures but your birthday only comes once a year! I love this little guy more than words can express. Happy Birthday Jaden!

Spring has begun!

I have to say that I am so happy that warmer weather is here. I know it was only about 50 today but it feels great! I feel like I can get out and feel like a human again! The only thing that is bad is that the kids want to be out all the time too. Jaden is still a little young to be running around with the big kids so it makes me nervous!

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I am just spreading a little spring time love with these flowers. My whole kitchen table is full of them!

Have a wonderful weekend!

I feel like singin!

Okay so one of my favorite movies is the color purple. My favorite part is when one of the women say "I feel like singin!" That is what I feel like right now. My grass is turning green the kids can play outside and I feel better. I feel a whole new enthusiasm for things. I have decided to make my life easier I am going to enlist the help of people that know what they are doing. I had the feeling that if they learned how to do it so can I. Well I have also decided that somethings are not worth my time. I like to have someone occasionally do it for me. So I have found some storyboard actions. I am addicted. I went back and put pictures in them so I could see what they looked like. I loved this one!!

I have decided story boards are wonderful. You can print out so many images at once. I love the idea. I know that people have been doing it for a long while and I am behind on the curve--but it makes me "feel like singin!"

My life is about to get stupid crazy. Baseball and swimming start up and I get to take pictures at another wedding and have already started getting e-mails about spring pictures. Work is still busy! I do really enjoy my job even though it is sometimes stress full. I have big plans for the summer so the job makes that all possible.

I can't wait to see people outside again and playing with the kids at the park and sitting with a good book watching baseball. See what I mean "like singin!"