{Growing...} Dayton and Springfield Photographer

...like a weed! When we took Destin in for his check-up a couple of weeks ago, he had doubled his weight in a month.

Then the vet casually said, "His paws seem more proportionally bigger than his body compared to last time!"

Today was the first time he actually has seen a significant amount of snow on the ground...he is so cute to watch bounding in it and eating it. I thought I would share a picture of him from today (and one from the day we got him for comparison).

THEN:


TODAY!

Meet my newest muse...

...his name is Destin, and he is around 8 weeks old. As far as we know, he is half-lab and half-mastiff.

We found him during our bi-weekly trip to the Farmer's Market...one of the vendor's had him in their booth "advertising" for the Humane Society. Well, I took one look at him and told my family that I was pretty sure we found ourselves another dog. Sure enough, the rest of the fam agreed...the Humane Society approved us, and Destin has a new forever home!

We think he is gorgeous, and his demeanor is pretty sweet too. We are excited to have him!

I'm Baaaaaack!!

So, I am now back in the office and already working like a mad-woman! Here is what I am working on right now:

• Mike and Gretchen's Wedding
• Sarah's Senior Session
• Amber and Cody's Wedding - Sneak Peek
  
• H family Lifestyle/Maternity Session - Sneak Peek
• C family Lifestyle Session - Sneak Peek

I also have a maternity session, a lifestyle session, and a senior session this week...so keep an eye out for lots of fun posting in the next couple of weeks!

While you are waiting, though, I thought I would share a little bit from my vacation. These pictures are from a wonderful farm in Southwest Virginia. The owners are SO friendly, and truly love to put on a good time for their visitors. If you ever get to Riner, VA - be sure to check out Sinkland Farms!

Shout out: Dodd/Click Camera

In these economic times...it isn't often that we see the "big guys" doing something nice for the "little guys."

So, when a company goes out of its way like this one did...I have to say something about it!

As you all know, I am a volunteer photographer for NILMTDS. Occasionally, a situation comes up where I or another volunteer cannot make it to a session for a family. In those situations - at least in the Miami Valley NICU - the nurses can't bear to make the family leave with nothing...so they do their best to take some pictures for the family. SO much so, that they set up an entire bereavement continuing education course for their nurses, and invited me to come teach them some basics about newborn photography.

A while ago, I was there and noticed that their camera was...well, let's just say it was not quite up to par for taking good pictures (understatement of the year). So, I had this crazy idea to contact a local camera company and ask about a possible donation for these nurses to use.

Everyone I talked to said that there was "no way"...that the "economic times didn't allow for it"...blah blah blah.

Until I talked to CLICK/DODD camera. They not only donated a camera...but a top of the line camera.

It is nice to know that in this "dog eat dog" world...that their are still LOCAL companies that like to do generous things for the consumers in their area.

I already support them with my business. They have most everything you need, whether you are a mom-with-a-camera, an avid hobbyist, or a professional.

They also provide service that you just can't find at the bigger box stores.

So, if you need some camera stuff...please check them out:

http://www.doddcamera.com
http://www.clickcamera.com

Failure...

Found this today on another blog...it really spoke to me, and I wanted to share it!

The greatest gift...

I have the amazing blessing of serving with a volunteer organization called Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep. You can read more about them on my website or you can check them out for yourself at www.nowilaymedowntosleep.org

In summary, I volunteer as a bereavement photographer for families who lose a baby during or shortly after birth, or for families who lose a baby during a NICU stay.

It is the most difficult work that I do; I am incredibly demanding of myself for these sessions and incredibly protective of the work I do.

It is also the most amazing work that I do. I love capturing the memories of a bubbly wedding couple or the craziness of a toddler. But, my work with NILMDTS is a whole 'nother dimension.

One particular family really "got into my heart" recently. They come to my mind at least once a day, and I find myself praying for them. I visit their blog occasionally to see how they are doing; hoping to hear a good update.

It is supposed to be my gift to them; but in so many ways, it has been even more of a gift to me. I wouldn't trade it for anything in the world. Thankyou.

Some Fun!

Just playing around with my creative side a little bit!

New Dress & Best Friend

So, my little girl turned 2 last week, and her Granny D sent her several new outfits. Of course, having the extra X chromosome and all, she had to try one on for pictures right away.

And who can take pictures without their best friend, after all?!

A couple more...

Here are the last 2 from our bloom fest. The pink roses are a special find. When we moved into our house last year, there was a rose bush that was in the flower bed. We almost got rid of it, b/c the previous owner said they had planted it a while ago, but never got any blooms.

Well, we staked it, and just waited...and this year, it is gorgeous and FULL of beautiful, velvety dark pink flowers.

I am SOOOO glad we waited it out, and decided to see what would happen. It reminded me of all the people that "waited it out" during rough times in my life, and were blessed to see when God bloomed me into something of worth and beauty (or so my husband tells me! LOL).

In bloom

Well, my kids are SUPER stoked...the garden is starting to do its thing! In less than a week, all of our seeds have sprouted, we have harvested cilantro for the kitchen, and have tomatoes on our Roma and Yellow Pear plants. Hurrah!

Of course, I have to document all this on "film" and while I was at it, decided to explore our yard to find more beautiful blooms.

Here are a few of the things we found and enjoyed. Truly, nature is the handiwork of our Creator, and we can't help but be in Awe of Him for what we see and enjoy.

Gardening

So, this year, my 3 y.o. decided that he wanted to have a vegetable garden. He is a voracious "reader" and had come across a few book on vegetables and gardening that peaked his interest. Since he already had some experience with garden tools from helping me in my flower beds, and I figured it might increase his veggie intake if he grew some himself...we carved out a plot and planted some stuff.

We have 3 different types of tomatoes (Roma, Miniature Yellow Pear, and Cherry), Cilantro, Cantaloupe, Lettuce, Carrots, Squash, and Green Peppers. They are just in the beginning stages for now...no fruits yet...but he has faithfully checked everyday to see if anything has grown. We are hoping that the plants/seeds/and fruits can survive the ravages of the wilds in our yard...hopefully, the vols, moles, squirrels, rabbits, and other creatures will leave a few for us.

Here are a couple of plants from the day we planted...here's to good eating!

Amazing Women

The kids and I went to the Street Fair in our neighboring town yesterday; we had a blast. It was super hot, but it was so cool to see all the different people, music, and booths. While I was there, I had an epiphany of sorts (okay, that is probably melodramatic, but bear with me.)

There were all these amazing, strong, creative women who have started their own businesses. Most of them either personally make their wares, or they purchase them fair-trade from women in underdeveloped countries and sell them over here. Not only that, but a great majority of these women donate a portion of their profits to local or global ministries.

SO, I have decided that every couple of weeks or so, I want to interview one of these women. Find out a little about them, their business, their aspirations...you know, the fun stuff. So, stay tuned...