Free To Succeed

"Babe!" Oh my goodness. Come here! I want to go to this conference! It's only $49 if I'm one of the first 30 people to sign up! "Whatcha waitin' for girl?" And with those words and the burning up of my fingers on my keyboard, I booked my spot for the Free To Succeed Tour with David Jay and Jasmine Star. So let me begin by saying that if you are a photographer -no matter where you are in your photography walk, you MUST go to this conference. Next Paragraph..."If you make your business helping other people, you'll always have plenty of work." And those were the opening words of David Jay. I'm not just a girl with a camera that can take rockin' portraits! I am helping others do what they cannot. Hey, I can't work on a car, fix your air-conditioner, or sew. But what I can do is capture the moments in life that mean the world to you in an incredibly artistic, bold, moving way! And that is helping others. David Jay was so real and down to earth. He never once gave me the impression that he was "Mr. It" by his success. He was in fact very genuine and so desires to help others to be successful too with his knowledge and information. Next Paragraph...(this is so dumb...I can't press enter to start a new paragraph. And if I change my settings or navigate off of this page, I will lose my work above! Will look into that after this post. uuuuuhhh) Bring in the lovely Jasmine Star. With her high energy, speed-lightening words, and determination in full swing, she delivered the most incredible presentation I could've hoped for. She laughed, she cried, she said, "Oh no You Di-ent!" She made me feel very comfortable and in her "league." When she started by saying that she once sat where we were, well, that did it. My throat got all choked up and lumpy and tears filled my eyes. "This girl is real", I said to myself holding back the tears. She knows what it's like to desire to be the best that YOU can be. She knows what it's like to lack the many things that we long for and need. She's fabulous. She's a great leader. I don't want to say too much for the people that haven't heard this fabulous one-two punch yet but believe me, you will walk away from this meeting with fierce determination and mighty tools in hand to catapult you into the next level in your business. Thank you so much David Jay and Jasmine for encouraging, inspiring, and challenging me! Next Paragraph... OKKKK!!!! WHAT?!?!? I am so on the blog of Jasmine (well in a little spot about the size of my pinky nail.) Look at the group shot on the very far right...you'll see a little blue shirt and head with glasses) And for my BIG debut, I'm on Kenny Kim's blog! SCREEEEEEEEEAM!!! Kenny and I chatted last night and he's very kind not to mention a fabulous photographer! And he has the most gorgeous business cards! I love the photos Kenny! And now for a major HELLO to my new friend, Patricia Pentecost of Plumb Tree Studios!!!!! We had a blast last night! Thanks for the shots of me and Jasmine! Hey girl, I'm ready for "Photographer's Think Tank" We Will! WOOOOOOOOOOOO! Thanks for the ride to The House of Pies to meet my precious girls and hubby! MyRick, thank you for your support! I love you!

I call this: the close lip look.

What was I doing? What was I thinking?

Uuum. I don't know.

We had a blast taking these! WOOOOOOOO!!! Love ya Jasmine!

Pretty In Pink

We had an absolutely fun photo shoot Saturday! This is D and she is turning 9! When we shot this I knew it was going to be great but what I didn't notice was the 9 at the top of that pole! Hello McFly!?!? I know right? I pray before every photo shoot and God always allows me to capture the most amazing details. She looks like she's turning like 16 right? Her mom is unlike any other person I've ever me before. She is a major party planner. She is a giver. She is one of the most amazing women I know. And D's party is going to be the party of 2008! It's in September and I am squeely-excited about her Top Model par-tay. Heeeeey! Her mom has planned the event for over a year. Said she always does. There will be 12 girls. Each girl will receive a new outfit, a new pair of shoes, a gorgeous oval mirror that is metal-footed with their names written on them, beautiful shiny, silver tote bags filled to the top with goodies and more! Her living room will be transformed into a "closet" and decorated to a T. The girls will have designers to help them get dressed and ready -including hair! Okay, I don't want to say any more but you get the picture. There are a ton more surprises! WOW. I so wish I was 9 again!

Stuffed, Baptized, and Dusty's Lashes

My girls just made me the most wonderful plate of food served to me on a silver tray. They made me water served in my favorite footed glass...it's all texturey and I do loooove texture! My dinner was sliced strawberries with whipped cream on top (not cool whip), natural peanut butter with honey mixed in, these new Pepperidge Farm pretzel crackers that are divine, and cut up bananas. I am STUFFED! It was delicious and they spoil me all the time like this. Makes up for the funky lunch of a hot dog with Wolf Brand Chili that I had! YUM! This past weekend both of my neices were baptized at our church. It was wonderful! Afterwards we went to my sister-in-laws (the one that always keeps me in stitches) house to eat the best dirty rice ever! While there, I took some photos of T and Dusty per CJ's request. He is so fine! T looks radiant in her photos! Dusty's lashes make me envious. It's been a good week. I hope you've had one too so far.



P.S. I've just been invited to shoot the most awesome birthday party in September and it is going to be outrageously creative, decorated to a T, and serious fun for the girls who will be there! More details about this little "Top Model" BIG party coming soon!

I love them

I love this series. It reminds me of the olden days (that's what I used to say when I was little girl so it'll do now too). I can see an old town where every business is on one dusty street and horses kicking up dust as they stride by with the clipity clop of their hooves, snorting noses, and tinkering of their tack.

I stumbled across this quote yesterday and wanted to share it with you.

Successful people replace the words "wish", "should", and "try" with "I will."

Sometimes my writings are like a buffet...you get a little bit of everything!

Blessed Indeed

Good morning beautiful people. I pray all is well with you on this day. Last Friday was a tremendous day for us. We had an unexpected blessing come our way. We never saw it coming. It was a wonderful blessing indeed. Joe called MyRick and asked what we were doing that night and MyRick said "we don't have anything planned." And with those words were invited to meet Joe and Sheree at the Kemah Boardwalk. We arrived with excitement to see our friends and also for our girls to be with their friends. Instantly Bella and Adie squeeked with joy, held hands like little girls do and enjoyed the rest of the fun- filled, action packed, spoil us all evening! We were all hungry and so we decided to eat at the Chart House and it was incredible! Oh my goodness. My palette hasn't had food like that in, well, I can't remember when -if ever! Scrumptious was our food! Delectable. MMMMMMMM! See our meals below. Mine was the one with the aparagus plated neatly and artistically on the pastry crusted fish. The Creme Brulee was simply divine. We were there for 2 hours and enjoyed the company of our friends. It was a much needed get together with people of like precious faith and positive conversation. Joe and Sheree blessed us by paying for our meal (VERY EXPENSIVE MEAL) as well as a trip to the candy shop and the girls' arm bands for all of the cool rides! I am continually blown away by the goodness of the Lord. You just never know what He's up to. We are blessed to have such good friends. Thank you for thinking about us Joe and Sheree. Your kindness will never be forgotten.

EWWWWWWW! I want that calculator!

Hey, saw the shot and had to take it!

The bathroom at the Chart House was gorgeous!

Want A Good Laugh?

You need to go here if you need a good laugh today! The girls and I just laughed so hard our stomachs hurt!

Assuming Nothing

You know, the Lord is so so so very good to me. I have recently been praying and fasting. I say that not to boast or brag but to bring glory to God. Anyway it's not like I've been without for 7 days or anything! So don't even "assume" that! I've been giving up simple things which I happen to L-O-V-E LOVE! Anyway, I learn so much better when I pay attention and one way of getting my attention is giving up things that I truly LOVE and say Lord, you've got my attention so I'm all ears. One thing that I've prayed about is this: Lord, I don't know what I need. Other people may see what I need. It's much easier to see what others need right? But you Lord, You know what I need. Help me to see those needs. If I need to change an area or two or three or four...let's just start with one for now please sir. I mean Sir. And something cool happened after I prayed! He answered me! Yes, that is true folks. God answered my prayer and I live to tell about it.

So what was it that He showed me that I needed to change? DUN dun DUN dun DUN dun DUN dun DUN dun DUN dun DUN dun...dun duuuuuuuuuuuunnnnnn! That's the song that starts off like in Star Wars maybe? Nope. It's actually from 2001 A Space Oddyssey! Just looked it up! So you can go and listen to it here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cWnmCu3U09w I just love special effects! So back to the what I needed to change: I need to quit assuming things! I totally assumed two situations this week that were completely opposite, not-at-all what I assumed! They had me in more knots than a rope on a Naval ship! And my eyes were opened to that fact. No, I've not only assumed two things and now have had to go to rehab about it. I actually do it all the time. I find myself constantly confessin' on this here-uh blog -o'mine. But feel that what I learn maybe someone else can gain something from it too.
I am completely blown away by His goodness. I'm so very glad that He is willing to teach us and help us. Oh He loves us so! And I am now on my way to working on NOT assuming things or situations or thoughts or actions or lack of words or too many words or whatever my assuming may be about. Precious people, I leave you with this powerful quote: Assume nothing.

"Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. Philippians 4:6 (King James Version)

Philippians 4:6 (The Message)
Don't fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God's wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It's wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life.

For Manu

Pronounced: Ma-New.

Manu & Big Pop

Our session was for her 5 grandchildren on July 4th weekend. And then I received the email that sparked a photographing revolution/frenzy/party: Hi, Jamie: I am SO EXCITED. We just heard from our oldest son, who lives in North Carolina. He and his wife are also flying down here to be with us on the 4th. That means ALL OF OUR FAMILY WILL BE TOGETHER. That means WE WANT YOU TO TAKE FAMILY PHOTOS. PLEASE!! Yaaa! Did I say I was SO EXCITED? How can you tell? HA.Susan

The Day Of.
We walk inside and there sat in her most gorgeous living room (she has the most awesome red furniture!!!) THE WHOLE FAMILY! Boy, talk about makin' yer knees wabble. I was tempted to make the most scared/panic-e face that I could and tell everyone that I'd forgotten my camera. But chose not to as I wanted friends, not enemies during our time together. After meeting everyone we all headed out back for the group photos. Manu invited us (MyRick and the girls came with me) to stay and eat with them after the session and WOW! the food was delicious! Homemade burgers, cold Coca-Cola in the old fashioned bottles, fiesta dip, potato chips, watermelon, and a country atmosphere. What else could we have asked for? Everyone was a pleasure to be around. Manu and Big Pop have 4 sons. They're families are wonderful!!! All of the grandchildren were fun to be with! They were a treat to work with. I'm tellin' ya, they are Dazzling! See for yourself...

P.S.

I was literally smiling the WHOLE time I was going through these Susan. They just make me happy!

I love this one!

WHOA! L has some serious baby blues!

Strength is what comes to mind when I look at this.

T & M...My favorite of you!

See why I was smiling the whole time? LOVE this!

And here she is! Sweet Baby D! I couldn't believe how much she'd grown since I photographed her last. She is beautiful!!!

And man did she have fun on the tractor!

My favorite of Baby D and her Daddy.

B&K= Fabulouso!

G+W+K+B

*some of these look pixelated...don't know why. arg! but they do not reflect actual photo quality or beauty.

Little Drummer Boy

WOW!!! I saw this on another photographer's blog and had to share it with you! This little baby is AMAZING!! Nothing short of amazing.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7h0zNQ3ZUW0

Cutie Pie!

Cutie Wootie Pie!

Cutie Wootie Serious Werious Pie!

I love you bab-be doll!