e r i n j e n s e n | the blog | kansas city photographer

MY NEW PRETTY BLOG

2009-11-30T19:46:00.008-06:00

MY NEW PRETTY BLOG IS DONE! Change your feeds people. I am peace-in' out of good ol' blogger. Blogger has been good to me, but sometimes you have to say goodbye. So, come on and check out my new digs...

www.erinjensenblog.com

No Lies : Kansas City Photographer

2009-11-12T11:04:00.002-06:00

Okay folks. No lies here. I have received a few emails regarding my lack of blogging. I am still alive. I will resume blogging SO soon you won't be able to believe it! A new blog and new website are set to go live before the end of the month! Then, I will be back. I have so much to share: Mr. B is walking and talking, David is still my main squeeze and new sessions. Oh, the sessions!

Stay tuned for a link to my new, butt kickin', blog!

Peace Out Yo

2009-10-27T19:13:00.003-05:00

I am going to be out of pocket the rest of this week. Since you know me and my sick obsession with my iPhone you know you can always reach me by e-mail, ek_jensen@yahoo.com (ek (underscore) jensen (at) yahoo.com).

P.S. It is almost November. I love November. I am not sure why, but I just do!

That Husband of Mine

2009-10-26T11:30:00.006-05:00

Let me say. I am spoiled. This I know. I don't care though. Since I have been with David I am not sure that I have pumped my own gas, but maybe 3 times.

One day last week my car was almost out of gas. Then, David took my car on some errands. When, he came back I asked him if he happened to put gas in my car while he was out. He said no, but the empty light was no on yet. I rolled my eyes and forgot about it.

The next morning was Friday. I had and early doctor's appointment. By early I mean 10 a.m. For me this is early. As soon as I sat my buns in that driver's seat I remembered. Gas. Dang it! When I looked at the gauge. It said full. That husband of mine woke up extra early for work to go and put gas in my car.

Seriously? Am I really this blessed? It seems as though I am.

I hope all you readers are hanging in there with me. I know my postings have been coming few and far between. David and I have a lot going on in life these days. Stay tuned though. There is a new blog and website on the horizon. I am so excited to share it all with you soon!

Brianna : Anytime : Sneak Peek : Kansas City Photographer

2009-10-20T19:50:00.004-05:00

I couldn't help but share a quick favorite from my session tonight! Love this picture, her eyes and her!

1,095 Days and Counting

2009-10-12T17:00:00.004-05:00

David and I have been married for 3 years today. That is 1,095 days, 26,280 hours, 1,576,800 minutes, 94,608,000 seconds. I look at all these numbers I am reminded how times flies when you are having fun!

The picture above is by far not the best wedding photo David and I have. It wasn't even from our photographer. When, I was going through our wedding photo file in my computer I found this. I found the one. I have photo files from friends, family and our photographer. I looked though the time stamps for the very first photograph of us. This one was technically the first. This was the first photo as we walked out The Nauvoo Temple doors as a true union. Husband and wife. I have no idea who's camera it came out of and I am not sure I really care, but this one to me is the best.

Honestly, this was the best day of my life. Sappy, I know. Nonetheless, all too true. I am amazed at all the fun David and I have had and the inside jokes that keep us laughing. The past few months have been a reality check for David and I. A test of faith. A reminder that God has a plan for us that may not be our plan. David is the one that reminds me to roll with the punches. Shake it off. Keep movin'.

Here's to love! Happy Tuesday everyone!

Maci : Sneak Peek : Kansas City Children's Photographer

2009-10-05T21:02:00.004-05:00

Please look at this face...

Now, just try and tell me I don't have the best job in the world! Here is just a quick sneak peek of my evening with Maci and her Momma!

Brook : Anytime : Kansas City Photographer

2009-10-03T13:26:00.006-05:00

I have been asked more than once if I would pledge a sorority if I had it to do all over again. Sometimes, I think about the question for a second. However, it never fails that my answer is always YES. Being an Alpha Chi Omega helped me define my 4 years of college as being some of the best years of my life.

I am not going to lie. By the time my Senior Year at KSU rolled around I was pretty sick of chapter meetings, chanting AXO at every philanthropy under the sun and the general BS that can happen when 150 girls live in one house. That was by far out weighed by the amazing, lifelong friends I made.

Brook is one of those friends. Brook and I would stay up until all hours of the night talking about boys, playing Snood and doing laundry. Our beds were right next to each other in the sleeping dorm and she always gave me a ride to my 8:35 a.m. (bain of my existance) Macroeconomics class. I know it may sound cheesy, but AXO gave me sisters, like Brook, I would have never had otherwise!

Happy Birthday Brook-ie!!!

I am going to start off with my favorite...

Just in case you all were wondering how fun I really am on a shoot...

This next one is so Brook.

In cause you couldn't tell already, the light this particular evening was perfect.

Up next is my second... first... second... one of my favorites!

Happy Birthday again Brook! I hope you love your pictures!

Bus Full of Bullies

2009-10-03T12:43:00.009-05:00

As a kid I was not one for arguing or fighting. Not at home and certainly not at school. Besides *maybe* hitting my sister, Kyle, for stealing one of my many coveted My Little Ponies I had never hit anyone. Until that day. That day on the bus.

Every morning, when my Mom was already at work my Dad was the one that made us picture perfect for school. *If* my Dad got us ready in time we rode the bus to Walnut Grove Elementary School. Riding the bus in the morning was questionable. However, in the afternoon, when that 3:30 p.m. dismissal bell rang I knew to high tail it to Larry's Bus #52 to go home.

The bus ride home was by far not my favorite part of the day. I was tired. The kids were loud and the back of my brown legs always stuck to the synthetic leather seat. Not to mention the fact I was always perturbed at why this bus, that transported kids, had no seat belts.

I could never forget that I was brown on the bus. I was teased mercilessly. I am not sure when it started, but every afternoon... without fail I was reminded in the nastiest of ways. Black-y. Brownie. Afro-head. Curly top. Occasionally the N word would fly. One I couldn't take anymore. I had enough. A boy, Brett, called me an Oreo. He called me an Oreo. I was up and out of my synthetic leather, non-seat belted seat so fast I think I may have had lightning up my butt. I punched him. I balled up my fist as tight at I could and I punched him. I punched him once. As hard as I possibly could in the stomach. Larry's Bus #52 was never the same.

I can honestly say that now, looking back, the only thing that kept me from a major meltdown everyday of my Walnut Grove Elementary School life was knowing my Mom would be waiting for my siblings and me at the bus stop. Everyday. Monday though Friday. I knew she would waiting for us so we could get the mail and walk home together.

I only told his story because this week is Bully Prevention Week and bullies are real! I am sure almost everyone can remember a time they were bullied. It stinks! Being bullied can reshape how a child looks at themselves. It can make them feel less than they are. I hope that this week everyone with kids, grand kids, nieces, nephews, etc. will remember to talk to them about what bullying is and how they can make sure that they are not one!

*Please know that I am in NO way saying that violence is a good way to address those pesky bullies! When kids are pushed to their brink, however, they can act out of the ordinary. I mean I only fight when My Ponies need me!*

Lilly : 5 Days Young

2009-10-02T07:14:00.003-05:00

(sigh)... Don't you just love babies? I do. Seriously, every newborn session I do melts my heart into a bowl of jello. Their baby parts. The hands with the tiny nails. The toes that wiggle it the cutest of ways. The belly... the smell... how can you forget the smell... (sigh).

First off, Baby Lilly has a Big Sis. She is a stunner. Please pray for Lilly's Daddy. I hear that Daddies of girls have to work a lot of overtime.

This next is my ultimate favorite. Ever.

In case you couldn't tell yet. Big Sis can work those beautiful brown eyes!

Now, I know that newborns cannot "smile" officially yet. Whether a real smile or just gas. I will take what I can get.

Maybe this next one is my ultimate favorite. I don't know. I can't decide. All I know is baby appendages make me... (sigh).

I hope that these pictures of life's truest blessing helps you start your weekend off right!

I'm glad to be back. I have so much to share.

Happy Friday everyone!

2009-10-01T20:47:00.004-05:00

Mr. B has a secret. His Aunt Jenne had a baby. The baby's name is Lilly. Lilly has the cutest toes.

Boy does Mr. B know how to call it or what? More of Baby Lilly tomorrow!

I'll Be Back : Kansas City Photographer

2009-09-07T21:08:00.004-05:00

First, let me say thanks for the thoughtful comments and emails. My blog readers are the best. I am certain of it!

David and I are okay, but we have a lot to think about. I feel like the world has stopped, but when I look around I realize that it hasn't. We just wish that it had. While I will continue though my branding process (photog talk) I have stopped production on my new website and blog indefinitely. I need time to think.

I am giving myself until October 1. Then, it will be back to my usual blogging.

I am still working and booking sessions. I can be reached though my email ek [underscore] jensen [at] yahoo [dot] com (ek_jensen@yahoo.com). Should you have a session booked and need anything or you would like to reserve a session my email is the best way to reach me.

Julia, My German Schnitzel : Kansas City Boudoir Photographer

2009-09-03T08:32:00.001-05:00

We met in 8th Grade, at Harmony Middle School, in choir. We sat next to each other, in the back row, of the alto section. She had just moved to America with her family from Germany. I was new to the school since my parents' new house was just competed. I heard her ask for a rubber (eraser) one day I knew we were going to be fast friends! Through the break-ups, choir auditions, trips to Washington D.C and New York, family drama, crappy dorm roommates, sorority rush, fraternity parties and 15 years later we are still BFFs.

When I wanted to try something new and I knew just who to call first! Julia! I wanted a gal who was real. It was important for me to showcase a real woman. I wanted a gal who loved herself, her curves and knew she was it. I could have thought of no one, but her first.

Here is Gina doing her thing. So you know, Gina doing your make-up and hair equals ah-maz-in'.

I couldn't decided. Black and white or Color.

Those eyes...

I am a big fan of this series.

The killer smile in the next one is so Julia. Just in case you were wondering... my Mom is totally her dentist.

This last one is seriously (seriously) my favorite!

I know right? She is gorgeous! Sexy is always in... but if it was every out of style, this little schnitzel (What? She's German.) would be the one bringin' it back in. Way to rock it out Julia! You are beautiful!

FYI: I hope this helps shine some light on the common misconception that boudior photography is pornographic. It isn't. It is about women being themselves. Sexy. Embracing who they are and looking wonderful. Please let me know if you are interested in a boudior session.

Boudior sessions are great for brides to be, wives who want to spice things up for their honey and any gal who wants to see how beautiful they really are in case they are prone to forget.

I offer Boudior Sessions as well as Couture Boudior Sessions where Gina (a licensed cosmetologist) glams you up!

OOO (Out of Office)

2009-09-01T11:02:00.003-05:00

Hi everyone! I just wanted to pop in and say that I am taking the rest of the week off from blogging. David and I received some not so steller news regarding some heath concerns. The week we will be using for doctors appointments, follow ups and choices. Trust me... I would rather be blogging.

Please keep us in your prayers! I do have a few posts set post automatically. Feel free to leave some blog love!

Have a great week... without me... if that is possible.

Brighton + Tanner = Love : Utah Wedding Photographer

2009-08-29T14:09:00.017-05:00

Last weekend there were a few highlights. I had a wonderful stay in Park City, Utah. The breezes there were cool. Not full of humidity and wetness like here in Kansas. I woke up every morning to a beautiful view of the mountains and the 2002 Olympic Park. I had some great head shots of moi for my up coming custom website and blog. Lululemon was right down the street from my hotel.

However, the highlight was shooting this amazing couple. Brighton and Tanner were married in The Draper Temple on August 21, 2009. My friend Mollie was nice enough to let me tag along while I was in town. Sadly, I was unable to go to the reception because I had a flight to catch, but she said it was great.

Lets get to what you all came to see...

The Beautiful Bride

The Dapper Groom

I am not going to lie to you. This next one makes my heart melt. I love it.

Yep. Her eyes are that amazing in real life. Get a load of those lashes.

Fierce.

Mollie posed this and I love it.

I am not sure what they were laughing at, but I will take it.

My favorite series... ever! Can you say canvas in my studio?

Totally American Gothic, but cuter. Way cuter. Loves.

My favorite of the whole day. No joke. These two are smokin'.

Best wishes to you two! Marriage is such a blessing. Enjoy it.

Skeezball Genius

2009-08-27T19:47:00.004-05:00

Seriously. Does Spencer have a brain at all? I am sorry (Well, not really.) if you are a fan of Heidi and Spencer, but they totally make me gag. Tooooo blonde. Toooooo tan. Way tooooo dumb for me.

Just in case you are totally in the dark. Let me shed some light on just how big of a skeezball genius Spencer Pratt really is. His new bride recently posed in Playboy and this is what he had to say about her pictures, [The pictures are] beautiful art. Not, like, Picasso art - real beautiful art, you know what I'm saying?

One word. C-L-A-S-S-Y. Classy.

Totally Rad Totally Hooked Me Up

2009-08-25T16:12:00.009-05:00

Yes, Sir-ie Bob! Totally Rad TOTALLY hooked me up! This post, from Monday, scored me some pimpin' textures from Totally Rad. They are ultra new and ultra awesome. Trust me... I know. Can you tell that I am excited? Check it out...

My regular edit:

My regular edit with Totally Rad Textures:

Uh huh, just short of amazing. Just kidding. These things are amazing! Thanks Totally Rad! You seriously made my week!

Yeah Right

2009-08-25T08:44:00.002-05:00

I have heard a lot lately that social networking is a waste of time and that no one is doing it. Um... yeah right! This video just told me what I already knew. If you are not on Facebook, blogging or something you are the ones out of the loop. Get with it! (smile)

Dirty Me Up

2009-08-23T15:45:00.008-05:00

I know I have said it here more than once before, but I will say it again! Totally Rad Actions rock my world. Okay... maybe I over exaggerate. These actions might not rock my whole world (only one person can do that), but they totally rock my photos.

Totally Rad Actions are the ONLY actions that I use on my images. Period. No if, ands or buts about it! I can honestly say that they have single-handedly helped me hone in on my style. These babies allow me to do my thing behind the camera, then rock out my images into the photos you love.

Here is a before and after from the wedding I shot with Mollie this past weekend in Utah. The image on the left is SOOC (straight out of camera) and the right is after I have made it Totally Rad!

So, there you have it. If you are a photographer and you don't have these shame on you! Get 'em. They will totally live up to their name!

In case and of you photos live under a bridge, Totally Rad has some Textures coming out soon! I want them so badly. The preview looks amazing! I have seriously watched it about five times since it was posted. I cannot wait to Dirty Up my images with them... hopefully very soon!

Leavin' on a Jet Plain : Utah Wedding Photographer

2009-08-19T08:32:00.004-05:00

I am off to Utah today to shoot a wedding at The Draper Temple, in Utah, with my friend Mollie. My parents are already there and we are all staying in Park City! I am totally stoked. Especially since they are taking me to Ikea and have an extra suitcase I am fill with stuff. I have also been informed that there is a Lululemon very close to our hotel.

Since no post is complete without a picture. Here is Gina workin' her make-up magic for Julia's Couture Boudior Session a few weeks ago. Look forward to seeing Julia's Boudior Session! Peace out!

Pretty Positive

2009-08-16T14:46:00.002-05:00

I am so in love with this store! I am pretty sure (a.k.a. positive) that I am going to buy one... soon!

Bubbies Need Bras

2009-08-12T22:17:00.008-05:00

I know that this is SO totally random. I ask for your forgiveness in advance.

I look at a lot... okay... a TON of blogs a day. Mostly photography blogs. Mostly wedding photography blogs. Every time I see strapless bridesmaids dresses I cringe. Not because I am Molly Mormon and feel like they are not being modest. Spare me.

It is because in every bunch of strapless dress wearing bridesmaids there is that One. The One that thinks her bubbies (thanks Real Housewives of NJ) are perky enough to go without a bra in said strapless bridesmaid dress. I am going to be honest here. They are not that perky... and especially in a sea of strapless bra wearing bridesmaids in the same dress.

Please let this be a lesson learned!

Wordless Wednesday : Kansas City Boudior Photographer

2009-08-12T07:14:00.002-05:00

Empty Seats

2009-08-09T15:53:00.007-05:00

I am (crazy) scared of Ferris Wheels and I am quite frightened to ride them. In fact, I am terrified. It took a lot for me not to have a conniption fit riding for these images. The things we do for our businesses, right? Even though Ferris Wheels scare me, they intrigue me at the same time. They always have.

Especially the ones with empty seats. I was so excited when I starting backing up my images because I had forgotten that I took this shot:

Post processed with Totally Rad Actions. The frame is made by Paislee Press Designs. I am so excited to send this little baby off to print!

Sitting on Top of the World

2009-08-09T12:35:00.005-05:00

In the words of Audrey, Oh My. What a weekend this has been! Busy to say the least, but I am not sure that I would have it any other way! My Couples Casting Call was a success.

Gina, the Momma of these little cuties, got back to me first. So, she and her hubby Orin, went on a little ride with me!

My absolute favorite!

Not my usual black and white edit, but I love it all the same.

I just love how she is looking at him!

I am loving this smoky black and white right now!

I am glad that these little girls have not idea what is going on behind them!

I think the almost kiss is even better than a real kiss in photos.

Seriously? This image is so hot! Children avert your eyes.

So hot I could not decided between color and black and white! These two are too foxy for words right now!

We felt like we were sitting on top of the world riding this Ferris Wheel. In reality we only had a view of Gardner, Kansas. Yes, I said Gardner, Kansas. Yes, it is as small of a town as the name makes it sound.

Thanks again Orin and Gina! No couple as rocked a The Johnson County Fair or a Ferris Wheel quite like you!

CASTING CALL : COUPLE

2009-08-06T11:04:00.005-05:00

I am not going to lie to you all. Facebook has been down all morning and I think that I might hyperventalate! Facebook needs to get it together... for my sanity! In the words of TAMN, for rills.

I am also having a CASTING CALL for a few ideas that I have. I need a couple (engaged, dating, married... I don't care) who wants to have some fun! The session MUST be this evening (Thursday), Friday or Saturday evening. The couple who donates their time time will get a minimum of 5 (prob. more) edited images and a copyright printing release so they can print as many as they would like. Please let me know if you or someone you know is interested! You can facebook me at, www.facebook.com/erinphotographs or email me at ek_jensen@yahoo! Help me out here folks!

***Update: Couples Casting Call is closed! Thanks facebook for working! I have an awesome couple who is up the the challenge and quite a few more on the waitlist!***

Since a post is never as good without a picture. Here you go. My FAV couple image ever... to date!

Mr. B is Back

2009-08-04T18:33:00.008-05:00

Watch out ladies. Mr. B is back and in full affect! Men (consider this your warning) lock up your ladies because Braxton is a ladies' man on prowl. Well, he is on the crawl at least. Cut him some slack... he is only 1!

Yep, I told you Braxton turned one (in May). I figured that his 1 Year Young Session was better late than never. Right? We all though so at least. This past Saturday was the day. Armed with a new outfit we took this little man out on the town (slash park).

Look at those teeth. Eight in all!

Just for good measure here is my favorite image of Braxton, to date, in black and white. We call this his "squishy face". He does it all the time! So cute!

Shake Your Booty

2009-07-31T11:06:00.003-05:00

I just could not resist posting this. It has been going around the blog world. I finally watched it this morning and could not help but sway in my seat a little bit. Even Binx was shakin' it. I swear.

Bless Me For I Have Sinned

2009-07-29T22:11:00.003-05:00

Dear Calorie Gods,

Please forgive me. I have no idea how many calories I consumed eating this, but I know you do. Under no condition do I want the Calorie Spirit to make me aware of the amount of calories I actually ate. I will repent later.

Regretfully Yours,
Erin

Ganja Queen

2009-07-26T19:27:00.003-05:00

Since David has decided that he could not live with out ESPN, we now have cable again. Thanks to this turn of events I have been reaping the benefits of our On Demand options. Endless movies and, my favorite, documentaries.

One of my favorite movies is Brokedown Palace. Maybe you have seen it. Two unassuming girls travel overseas for a vacation. Fun in the Sun, if you will. However, the fun is never had. They are arrested for drug trafficing. Accused of being mules.

You hear of the stories. You watch the movies. You know that it is real, but you have never been able to put a face with the stories you hear. Until now. Meet Schapelle Corby. Schapelle as been labeled the Ganja Queen in Bali, Indonesia.

This documentary Ganja Queen was great! Real life at its scariest for this Australian. You will have to watch it and see if she is sentenced to execution or not. I give it 3.75 stars. Is .75 allowed in the rating scale? Oh, well. See it!

Love Equals

2009-07-23T18:24:00.003-05:00

Much to David's dismay. I am in love. In love with Lululemon! Can you say Dance Studio Pant II?

Box Cutters are Sharp

2009-07-21T21:36:00.003-05:00

Box cutters are sharp. Just ask David's thumb. Yep, you guessed it. David cut, or should I say fillet-ed his thumb at work today with a box cutter. Why he was cutting open a box when he has someone who's job it is to open all the boxes for him, I may never know.

In any affect, the doctor said that he was lucky. Barely missed needing stitches and causing real damage. He was glued back together (literally), wrapped up and sent on his way. How good is David? He went back to work and finished the day.

As, sympathy for his thumb (of course) we at dinner at Red Robin. I also felt the need to be puny with him and watch TV... all evening.

Please send happy healing vibes to David and his thumb!

*I have omitted a picture for you sake. Ick!*

And We're Off

2009-07-17T13:16:00.006-05:00

I know, I have been absent from blogging, but a birthday is a big thing you know? This is how big in fact.

The night before my birthday David and I were talking, pillow talk if you will (whatever that is). I said that I could not believe that is was already my birthday. My birthday means the end of Summer is near. Okay, I exaggerate. It really just means that I am one year older, by older I mean wiser. My birthday, in my mind, means Summer is almost over. I digress. Sorry. So, we were laying in bed. The conversation, pillow talk, went a bit like this...

I said, I cannot believe it is my birthday.
David says, Yeah, I cannot believe that you are turning 26. I crack up.
I tell David, Time must really fly when you are having fun because I am turning 27.
We laugh, hysterically.
He asks if I was joking.
I say, no. I am really turning 27. Then, I call him a cradle robber.
We laugh, hysterically... again.
Then, I told My Beloved, Time only stands still when you are 29. After 29 you just keep turning 29... over and over and over again.
David says, Note taken.
We laugh, hysterically... yet again and then fall asleep.

Yep friends. Eventful, huh? Really by birthday day was wonderful. Low key, balloons, an ice cream cake, gifts. Of course there were gifts and calls. One call was from Elias.

Um... seriously the last time that Elias called me on my birthday was 5 years ago. We met our very first day of college, Freshman year and have been E Squared ever sense. He is one of my favorite besties, but he was never good about that kind of thing. I just learned not to take it personally. I mean, I guess, it was okay that every one's world did not revolve around me. Anyway, he calls. Says, happy birthday and asks me what I am doing over the coming weekend. I think... I cannot think of anything super and say nothing. He says that I am coming to Chicago.

Folks I am in Chicago. Really doing nothing, but hanging out with my best bud. We have watched a marathon of 16 and Pregnant and are going to eat Chipotle. That is how we roll. We plan on rockin' it out at the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale.

So, until I get back, my favorite picture from my last trip with the other half of E Squared will have to do. Happy Friday

On this day...

2009-07-13T07:24:00.000-05:00

... a certain number of years ago I was born.

Happy Birthday to me!

Great Wolf Lodge

2009-07-12T21:36:00.005-05:00

I am pretty skeptical of anywhere that I have to wear contacts. Let alone a swimsuit. I love accessories. I love glasses. I used to love swimsuits. I consider my glasses my main accessory. Besides the fact that I cannot see without them, I love them. I have tons (to say the least) and I rotate through them depending on my outfit. I consider myself an accessory maven who was once skinny, and liked swimsuits.

So, when I acquired an opportunity to go to The Great Wolf Lodge this weekend I was less than enthusiastic. I mean come on. A big hotel. A big pool. Tons of kids. Noise. Ick. A trip to this place required me to put in contacts and dawn a swimsuit. Seriously, not excited. All I was thinking was, the things I do for my husband to have fun. Oh, was I wrong.

This place...

The red arrow is pointing at our table. Rock star people watching spot!

ROCKED! It was HUGE. There were a lot of people there, but you never would have known. David, Mom, Mr. B and I loved every minute of our time there! When we were not swimming or slidin' the people watching was superb. JFTR (just for the record), people watching is one of my most favorite activities.

Mr. B was cold, but was not having any part of not being in the water with this Uncle Dae-Dae. He loved it all! His favorite were the fountains that came out of the floor. He could not get enough. He was laughing non-stop, (trying) to talking to anyone that would listen. Not to mention that he was a total hit (with the ladies young and old) because he was laughing and splashing so hard.

See? Look at him! He would not sit still for one second. David tried about 50 times to get a pic of him. This was the best of the lot!

The pools were not to hot or too cold. The lifeguards were friendly. The food was yummy (thanks Mom). The place was SO clean.I totally give this place an A+ and we cannot wait to return. Infact, our next family staycation is already booked for the Fall !

Pictures thanks to the trusty iPhone. Don't leave home without one! Especially when you bring your point and shoot with no battery!

I Wish They Were Mine

2009-07-10T14:56:00.003-05:00

Really I just love the UPS delivery person. I feel like everyday is Christmas when that big brown truck stops in front of my house. Today when I left to meet a friend for lunch, I had totally forgotten that there would be a surprise coming. When I arrived home I saw the big boxes on our stoop and my heart nearly skipped a beat. Look at some of what UPS brought me today:

These are some of the prints I ordered earlier this week for a project that I am working. 20 x 30, standouts on metallic paper. Heaven! Check back to see where these beautiful new prints home is going to be!

P.S. I just told David that I need to order some stuff for our house now. His response? How much is this going to cost me? Bless his heart.

New Product : Client Proof Book

2009-07-08T16:26:00.005-05:00

I just wanted to share what, I think is a fun new thing that I am offering to all of my clients. Starting now, included in my current session fee, all of my clients will get this great book:

This book is what I am calling my Client Proof Book. This book is going to have every photo that I edit from your session with me. For keeps. Cool, huh?

Every book is 4 x 6 and bound with beautiful images from your session. This will apply for all sessions that are currently scheduled with me. If you are a client who has already had your session contact me if you would like one!

Because...

2009-07-06T16:40:00.005-05:00

Because our friends N and S have been on my mind lately. Because I was looking though my sessions for something unedited and new to me. Because I never post photos from sessions that have grain in them. Because love makes me happy. Just because.

In the Name of Love

2009-07-05T13:02:00.004-05:00

Everyone knows that my favorite blog to read is Jasmine Star's blog. Jasmine not only gives you a glimpse of her life with her husband JD and their dog Polo, but into her art. Recently she introduced us to her sister, Bianca, and Bianca's passion.

On her blog, Bianca describes herself as a speaker and teacher of the Bible who's greatest joy is giving a little glimpse of God to those who feel like they can no longer see Him. Amen to that! I don't know her, but her words, both spoken and written are amazing. I am not going to lie. I try and not read her blog for a week or more just for the spiritually experience I have when I can read them all at once.

Bianca also shares videos from her speaking engagements. This is one of my favorites. Seriously, amazing.

Check her out on her website and blog. Be prepared to be spiritually fed!

Yes Bianca and Jasmine, they look alike. They are identical twins.

America Rocks

2009-07-03T09:51:00.003-05:00

David and I are wishing all my eBFFs a fun filled Independence Day weekend. I know we are excited for David to have the extra time off! This weekend means it is my sister, Kyle's birthday and mine is just around the corner. Our birthdays are only 11 days a part.

Enjoy the weekend and try not to forget how blessed we as Americans truly are!

Since a post is never as good without a picture and I am in love with little Jillian:

Jilli Beans

2009-06-30T21:19:00.006-05:00

Jilli Beans is what everyone calls her. She just turned one and is the last of the Sweeney crew Jillian is just a little gem. She is patient and can climb like a little monkey on anything! Seriously though, this gal is the most mild tempered little one I have ever met.

Jillian just learned how to walk a couple of weeks ago and is on the move, but I managed to snap a few cute ones (if I do say so myself).

I don't usually crop my images much, but between those baby blues, that sweet pucker and Jillian's wispy red bangs I just had to get in close!

A-D-O-R-A-B-L-E.

I think that just about sums Jilli up. Adorable!

Beware

2009-06-29T21:54:00.008-05:00

I am going to go ahead and warn you now.

Audrey has a brother. His name is Kimbal. He is all boy. When you are around Kimbal you just cannot help but fall in love with him. Kimbal is such a cutie pie. He loves his Momma and protects his sisters just like a brother should. Kimbal is the best snuggle buddy and even asks, d-d-d-do you wanna sungggggle? Ladies lock up your daughters. This boy is going to be a heart breaker.

Consider this your warning:

Come on... he won't bite.

Has he sucked you into his cuteness yet? Yeah, I thought so!

On deck: Kimbal's little sista' Jillian.

Snow White is a Diva

2009-06-28T16:57:00.005-05:00

I didn't want to tell you all like this, but Snow White is a Diva. I also have to tell you something else. I love every second of it.

Little Miss Snow White (a.k.a. Gina's daughter Audrey) is all that and a bag of chips. She is the oldest of Gina's brood of 3 and as dramatic as Scarlett O'Hara in Gone with the Wind. Audrey also has the looks: big blue eyes, fair skin and blond locks that really just make your heart melt.

I have the pleasure of hangin' with Gina about once a week. Okay. Let me be real. I am at Gina's about 3 times a week. Audrey is such a little woman. She wants to be with the adults and is always interjecting her two cents. The crazy thing? She is usually right on the money! You can often find Audrey asking me for some gum, bossing (I mean directing) her sibling, Kimbal (2) and Jillian (1) on just what they need to be doing. Audrey has also coined the phrase, Oh My, because she says it all the time.

Above all of those a fore mentioned attributes she is a diva who loves lip gloss. And... she does all her own poses. No, seriously. I didn't pose her once. She did it all on her own! Just look:

Isn't she just stunning? Gina I hope that you are pleased with what you see so far! You all can also catch more of Audrey and her siblings on my facebook (www.facebook.com/erinphotographs) photo galleries.

Up next, Audrey's bro, Kimbal.

Show White Beauty

2009-06-27T13:41:00.003-05:00

I am almost positive that when Snow White was a little girl she looked like this:

I would like to state for the record... yes, her eyes really are that blue!

I could not decide if I liked the color or the black and white edit more. So, you get both.

This little one belongs to my friend Gina. She had me do a session with her kiddos yesterday. All I can said is this... she has siblings and they are just as crazy cute as she is! Gina says that they, get it from their Momma. Stay tuned for more!

For Sale

2009-06-24T21:26:00.005-05:00

We have all heard it. Probably a million times a day. This enonomy is a total bummer.
My Mom is an avid Kansas City Star reader. Her favorite section is the For Sale type section since she and my Dad are in the market for some land/slash maybe lake property. She found this site in this past Sunday's paper and we have had a lot of fun looking ever since. Please don't mistake us for reveling in others misfortune, but it is fun to look at what is out there.

This *little* beauty is our favorite thus far. David told my Mom if she and Dad purchased the house we would buy the boat to put in the boat slip!

In case the link doesn't work here it is: http://catesauction.com.

More J* Workshop Favorites

2009-06-22T16:18:00.009-05:00

This afternoon I was bored (and trying to delay the inevitable... laundry) and thought I would edit up a few more of my favorites from the Jasmine Star Workshop earlier this month.

These two models, who are married to each other and also former clients of Jasmine's, were some serious lookers! Gorgeous!

Jasmine Star : The Workshop

2009-06-21T11:22:00.007-05:00

I am nervous. I have only been shooting a year. I am cold. I totally should have worn jeans. This camera bag is really heavy. What if no one likes me. I totally should have stayed home. I have only been shooting a year. I am in way over my head here.

That is what was going through my head the morning of the Jasmine Star Workshop. I was pretty sure that I was going to vomit. Gross I know, but I am being for serious. My carpool buddy, Ayumi, and I were the first to arrive. This made me even more nervous. As soon as we walked into the room Jasmine and JD (her husband) greeted us with smiles and hugs. Ahhhhh, I started to breath again. She said that she remembered me (from the Free to Suceed Tour). Really? Maybe. Maybe not. Who cares.

I can safely tell you that was THE BEST workshop that I had ever been to! Bar none! Jasmine and JD (and her Mom even came to help too) pulled out all the stops. Fresh fruit, yummy drinks, snacks before lunch, delish' lunch and a crazy good dinner. Leave it to the chubby girly to give you the run down on the food! Did I mention the shoot?

The flowers, equaled amazing! Thanks Treasured Petal.

Tiffany's rockin' make-up and styling was executed so beautifully by Vivian Tran, of All Made Up.

I know that this next image is totally blown out, but I love it. Something about it made me fall in love with it.

Yeah. What can I say? Amazing models, styling, make-up, location... you name it they thought of it! I was thrilled when I saw that the clothes were not your typical bridal look and the flowers were like non I had ever seen. Totally unique!

The presentation on branding was excellent and exactly what I wanted to learn. Jasmine and JD really put amazing experience and workshop in the same sentence for me. I could not be more thankful for having the chance to shoot with J* and all of the other 18 incredible photographers! I even told David that I want to go again.

Why Does Custom Photography Cost More?

2009-06-17T15:30:00.000-05:00

I am asked this question all the of time. When, I saw this article on a few fellow photographers' blogs it said it all.

Why Does Custom Photography Cost More?
by Marianne Drenthe at http://http//www.professionalchildphotographer.com

The digital revolution has brought amazing flexibility and ability to control various factors during the image taking and making process. Photographers, the hobbyist, the professional, the amateur all benefit from this ability to manipulate pixels. However, with flexibility comes a price. Digital camera equipment is still considerably more expensive when you factor in its’ lifespan, the need for additional resources for processing those images, the time it takes to get a usable image and the effort that goes into creating a work of photographic art.

We all know that you can go to the local Walgreen’s and pay a $1.99 for a print - as a client you may wonder why you may pay upwards of $50, $70, $90 for a custom photography print. Photographers hear this statement every once in awhile:

“How in the world can you charge $60 for an 8×10 if it costs me less than $2 to print at x store?”

The truth of the matter is the answer to this question is multifaceted. Much of the cost of a photographic print produced by a professional photographer has a lot to do with the time, equipment costs, artistic vision and reputation of the photographer not to mention expertise and the usual costs of running a legitimate business.

The cost of TIME

Approaching it from a time standpoint, let’s imagine that you have hired a photographer who has work that you love. This photographer is traveling an hour to your destination to photograph your session. Here is an example of a time break down:

session prep time (30 mins - 1 hour, includes equipment and back up equipment checks + vehicle checks)
one hour travel time TO session
15-30 minutes prep time at client’s home
90 minutes-2 hours with client photographing subject
one hour travel time FROM session
30-45 minutes uploading time from digital cards from camera to computer
30-45 minutes time spent backing up the original images
2-5 hours editing time to present you with a diverse gallery of edited images
1 hour prep time getting ready for ordering
2-3 hours time with client for ordering images
1 hour sorting through and checking order
30 minutes-1 hour prep time for delivery
30 minutes-1 hour getting order shipped
any additional phone time or time needed for add on ordering, shipment issues, quality issues

In this example, the time spent per client can range from just under 13 hours to 19 hours - dependent on the photographer’s level of service. This is time dedicated only to ONE session. When the photographer charges $150-$300 for the photo shoot (aka SESSION FEE) you are not just paying for the two hours of session time, you are paying the photographer for 12-19 hours complete time for your session.

The COSTS of Maintaining a Custom Photography Business:

Regarding equipment costs, a good quality professional camera with a selection of good optical quality lenses and digital storage mediums and computer set up can run from $10,000-$30,000 costs dependent on the photographer. Even though you can purchase a really good quality digital SLR for about $2100 there are still other costs related to photography. A good lens for portrait photography can run from $900 to $2500. A dependable computer system with software loaded for business and creative usage can run $2500 to $8000 dependent on the photographer.

Then come lab costs for specialty products. A good photographer knows the lab is integral to their success. Photography labs dedicated to the professional photographer often cost more and offer a range of products that allows the custom photographer to continually offer new, innovative products for you, the discerning client.

Discussion other costs of running a photography business could take awhile so we’ll skip many of the intricate details. There is of course much more: including costs of running the business, taxes, studio rental/mortgage if the photographer has ownership of a dedicated studio, vehicular costs, costs of advertising/marketing, costs of sample pieces that the photographer will likely bring to your session, etc.

APPLES to ORANGES to BANANAS:

Often times clients will mention to their photographer that X studio in the mall/department store only charges $19.99 for an 8×10 “sheet” or they may mention other things related to discount photography chains. The fact is those discount chains make their money on volume, not on customized 1:1 service. In February 2007 leased photography retail space by a rather well known discount department store that started in Arkansas closed down 500 of their portrait studios across the nation? The reason is simple, you cannot make money on 99¢ “professional” prints if you do not sell enough of them. Interestingly enough - those same studios that offer the loss leader packages often charge much much more for their a la carte pricing (as high as $40-50 for an 8×10). The whole reason the big department stores began offering portrait services in the first place was to get you, the savvy consumer, in through their door so that you could spend more money with them in other departments. Your “PORTRAITS” are considered the “loss leader”.

Going to a chain studio, as a consumer, you don’t have the benefit of 1:1 attention for 2 hours at your home where your child is allowed to explore, play and be comfortable in their home environment, nor do you get the experience that many custom photographers are known for or the lovely captures of natural expressions. You simply get a bare bones, “SAY CHEESE” experience. Keep this in mind when selecting a photographer.

REPUTATION/EXPERTISE of the PHOTOGRAPHER:

Being in demand, being well known for quality work, having a good reputation often costs time on the photographer’s part. Their expertise comes at a cost, their time learning their craft and learning the intricacies of lighting and the commitment put forth on their end to create a persona about their business that oozes professionalism. A great number of photographers go a very long time from the time that they purchase their first good camera to making money at the business of photography. Many photographers, when first starting out, rush in thinking that the business will be easily profitable in no time, how expensive could it be to get a camera and use it to create their dream? They often neglect to factor in the cost of business, the cost of equipment, software, back ups, etc..

Being of sound reputation, a better professional photographer knows that they must always reinvest in their business to create the reputation of being top notch. To create good work good equipment, reliable equipment, back up equipment is a necessity. The photographer who desires to be known as better/best/unparalelled reputation-wise knows that the most important thing they can do for their business is reliability and dependability. This is how reputations get built. Good work often is a wonderful side product of building that good reputation.

I hope this (lengthy) article helps shed some light on WHY a custom photographer is a better choice for your family’s memories. The photographs that are produced as a result of the professionalism and dedication that your photographer has will be cherished for a lifetime (or more) and great thought and consideration should be placed into hiring who is right for your family’s most precious investment.

I hope this helps!

Kansas Dirt

2009-06-16T15:30:00.000-05:00

My Kansas State Alpha Chis out there may remember Chuck. Chuck was our cook at the Alpha Chi Omega house. Chuck was really no one's friend. Chuck was kinda, well for lack of a better phrase, A Grumpy Old Man. Chuck's food was good and his desserts were even better.

Mr. Grumpy used to make this dessert that we all just loved. He called it Kansas Dirt, appetizing I know. He would never tell us what was in it. Never. Even to the day we let him go... don't worry though, he became a greeter at Wal-mart (I am not joking), he would not tell us exactly what was in it. I never knew. Until I went to Nick and Stacy's.

While Nick and Stacy were putting me up, at their place in Los Angles, Stacy made a dessert. A dessert that was oddly familiar to my taste buds. Chuck's Kansas Dirt. Since Stacy is not a Grumpy Old Man like Chuck she gave me the recipe. Sweet Stacy.

Kansas Dirt:

Oreos or Graham Crackers for Crust
4 t. Butter
2 small boxes Instant Lemon Pudding
Powdered Sugar
1 Box (softened) Cream Cheese
Whip Cream Topping
Milk
9 x 13 pan

You can make a graham cracker crust or an Oreo crust. I choose Oreo every time *surprise, surprise*.

Crust: Grind about 10-12 Oreos in a food processor. Put about 4 T. to the side for later and put the rest in your 9 x 13 pan. Mix ground Oreos and 4 t. melted butter until all Oreos are wet. Then, press evenly, to cover the bottom of the pan. Do not worry about the sides. Place that in the fridge.

Mix: Cream cheese, 1 cup of Powdered Sugar and 1 cup of Whip Cream. Spread over Oreo crust. Be careful here. You do not want to tear up the crust so spread lightly.

Mix, in another bowl, the 2 small Lemon Pudding Boxes with 2 3/4 cups of milk. Spread that over your Cream Cheese layer in your 9 x 13 pan.

Use the remainder of your Whip Cream to spread over your pudding layer. Top with the Oreos you previously ground and set aside.

Refrigerate for a few hours and eat! I personally like to scoop mine with an ice cream scooper and serve in small dessert bowls.

Photog Prayers

2009-06-15T07:44:00.000-05:00

A few fellow photographers could use our prayers:

Amy Wenzel's husand, David, suffered a seizure and was rushed to the hospital. The doctors have found a mass in his brain. He has been referred to Mayo Clinic for treatment for a large calcified tumor in the left temporal lobe. You can read Amy's posts here and here. You can also read David's blog here to keep updated.

Cathy Crawley, from Australlia, could also use some sweet words to The Guy Upstairs. Her son, James, is missing. Yes, missing. I know that most of us cannot imagine what she and her family are going through right now. You can read what Cathy wrote on here blog here.

When, you keel down tonight please don't forget to ask for blessings for their families' too! God answers knee mail.

The Life of a Binx

2009-06-14T15:22:00.005-05:00

I have said it before, but I will say it again. I am not a morning person. While David is up with the Sun (seriously) I cannot seem to get up at a reasonable hour on a weekend to save my life. Luckily, I don't have to and I have Binx. She is a sleeper. Duh, she is my dog. Of course, she is a sleeper like her Momma.

Ever morning I wake up to this (No, not David he is already up. To see him I have to go find him somewhere in the house. Hopefully making me breakfast.):

A Binx Dog. This is Binx just waking from her sweet puppy slumber.

This is Binx telling me to get the flippin' camera out of her face.

This is Binx just starting to greet the morning Sun.

This is Binx stretching after being so rudely awakened. In this picture she is also begging me to take her to the groomer.

This is Binx realizing that if she is awake, and I am awake, it is time for her Nuggets (breakfast).

So, there you have it folks. The posh life of a Binx.

And yes, she does have her own bling. Why? Because she is phat like that! Don't judge her. It's mean.

Welcome to the World

2009-06-11T14:48:00.010-05:00

You and Ben really have NO idea how much you mean to David and I (insert my eyes tearing up here). You two are amazing people and amazing friends to us. More than that we consider the two of you (and the addition) our family! Good friends are hard to come by, but great ones like you two are the rarest of all!

Hang in there Momma! You are wonderful! You are doing a wonderful job!

That was part of an e-mail that I wrote to my Fresno Bestie (BFF) Anna yesterday. I had no intentions of sharing it on here, but I could think of no other way to describe this new Proud Papa (My husband's bestie and friend from way back in the day.) and Marvelous Momma that would even begin to do them justice. These two are amazing people who are spiritually in tune like no one I have ever known. You have heard that phrase, your lips to God's ears.

Anna was that for me. However, she doesn't know it. I had recently been married. I was so used to being a *me*, but now to everyone I was an *us*. I was loving life, but so lost when it came to what I wanted to be when I grew up. Then, we met. She turned me on to digi-scrapping and digital SLR photography and changed my life. Anna and I were born in the same year, same month even and less than 24 hours apart. She is everything that I am not: soft spoken and patient. Anne of Green Gables said it best, she is my bosom friend.

Well, since I was in Los Angles last week there was NO way that I could go to California and not see my bosom friend. Anna is the reason I ventured to Fresno, but Anna's bosom friend (of another kind) was the reason I took my camera out of the bag!

Please meet Katelynn:

This is Baby K's birth announcement:

All of these images were taken with my new 50mm 1.2. Yes, I am in love with it!

This heart melter was a dream model for her newborn session. I was prepared for her to be difficult, being 4 weeks already. However, after she was fed, she was asleep the whole time we curled, moved and ahhhh-ed over her. Hours later, when we were done, she was still asleep! She really is a dream to be around and a long awaited blessing for her parents. This baby seriously makes you want to go home and drop an egg.

Anna, thank you for giving me the honor of capturing these moments. I hope you like them! Katelynn, welcome to the world baby!

*Thanks Gina's sister for that drop an egg quote. It cracks me up everytime!*

Back to Life. Back to Reality.

2009-06-09T17:52:00.003-05:00

That song as been playing in my head since Sunday night. (For a fun flashback click here and get ready to jam!)

I feel like I am just now starting to get the hang of being back at home. I was in California for 8 days. The whole plan started with me going to Irvine, for the Jasmine Star Workshop. Then, it turned in to me going early so I could play with my friend Stacy. Then, that was the same week that David's brother was returning, from his 2 year mission serving for our Church. The arrival of his brother, compounded with me getting to eat In-and-Out was just too much for David. Of course, that meant that he would *need* to come meet me in California. That turned into David and I road trippin' (3 hours) from Los Angles to Fresno. Well, if I was going to Fresno there was no way that we could not see Ben and Anna. So, there you have it. The evolution (It may not be allowed in public schools, but here anything goes.) of a totally random vacation.

I had a great time with my friends, but I am sure whipped. You know that phrase, I need a vacation from my vacation? That is me right now. I do have photos from The Workshop and an amazing session with Katelynn, but for now (while I edit) this will have to tide you over.

Under the pier at Newport Beach. I love the beach.

November Moon

2009-06-08T15:45:00.002-05:00

I really tried not to give into the Twilight Phenomena. However, when I finally did I was completely hooked... FOR-EV-ER. New Moon was my favorite of all of the books and I cannot wait for this movie to be release in November.

Movie Trailers - Movies Blog

I know the advertisement in the beginning is really annoying, but the picture quality is much better than pulling it off you tube.

Because I Just Couldn't Resist

2009-06-05T20:21:00.002-05:00

Our friends had a baby. Isn't she adorable? Only 4 weeks old and already a stunner!

Please Excuse Me...

2009-06-03T15:17:00.001-05:00

while I'm on vacation!

Google. Not Just a Search Engine.

2009-05-26T18:12:00.005-05:00

I read a lot (and when I say a lot I mean just that), a lot of blogs everyday. I can catch up on friends, family, sexy people and my millions of photography blogs! I considered myself being quite good because I would just enter in the first letter of the blog address and my computer would bring up the rest. I would press enter and away I went into someone's Blogland.

At night I would just sit up wishing that there was just something that would help me keep up with my friends, family, sexy people and photographers I adore without so much effort. Um... who was I kidding... there is no such thing! Oh, boy was I wrong.

After location scouting with my friend and fellow photographer, Rebecca, the world of Google Reader was revealed to me. I am not sure that I have or will ever meet anyone as efficient or organized a Rebecca, but with Google Reader I can sure as heck try.

Above is a quick screen shot of my Google Reader. If you click it you can see it larger. On the right of the screen is all my hundreds of blogs. On top of that column is a button that says "subscribe". You click that, paste in the address, press enter and you are in business. Google Reader saves them all for you! The name of the blog appears in bold font with the number of new post in ( ) beside it when there is something new for you to read. The second you click it the blog post shows up in the center, words, pictures and all. Amazing! Google even puts blogs they think you might like to the left. You can lump you blogs in to categories like: friends, family, sexy people and photography for easier viewing. Did I say amazing?

In closing, Google Rocks! Thanks Rebecca! Go and get yourself Google Reader!

Birthday BBQ

2009-05-25T11:05:00.005-05:00

I know that I have been M.I.A. for most of this last week. I am not sure that I really have a good excuse why. I was busy cooking, planning, shopping, cleaning, packing and celebrating. Daisy turned 1 this past week and so did MR. B! Yep! Can you believe it? Braxton, our nephew, turned one!

Mr. B. is a ham anyway, but this week he had more attention than even he knew what to do with! Who even knew that it was possible? His actual birthday was on Wednesday. David and I called and sang to him and he loved it. My Mom said that while we were singing he was bopping up and down clapping. David and I could hear him trying to sing along. I would not see him, however, I know he was A-D-O-R-A-B-L-E (as usual). On Saturday was his actual shindig.

Now, people. As you know David and I do not have children of our own yet, but HOLY COW. Apparently this 1st birthday thing is a BIG deal. This Birthday BBQ was food mania and people were everywhere! After Mr. B ate his whole cake he started to go into a sugar coma and was ready for bed. This was my favorite moment of the day.

Yes, Braxton rocks a mohawk. Why? Because he's coo' like that! Party on!

Heavenly Noodles

2009-05-20T08:50:00.001-05:00

I made this last night. It was heaven! Enough said!

Note to God

2009-05-18T22:52:00.007-05:00

I remember years ago when Macie, my Father's Mother, would take us to Church with her some Sundays. Her church was not like mine. The people were a different color, darker like my Dad. The singing was different, louder. The music there was hypnotizing. Her congregation sang with a conviction that made you want to clap and praise Him.

Sometimes Macie would say that she was having a going to church moment. I never really got it until tonight. Tonight I watched a 17 year old sing this song, Note to God, on Oprah.

The whole time Charice was singing there was a woman right in the front row that made my heart happy. She was dressed in red and I know it was her Sunday's best. I could see that the song made her heart sing too. She was standing and singing. Even though she did not know the words, she sang. This woman had her hands up in the air, swaying with the beat of the song. I think that she was having a going to church moment with me.

Note To God

If I wrote a note to God
I would speak whats in my soul
I'd ask for all the hate to be swept away,
For love to overflow
If I wrote a note to God
I'd pour my heart out on each page
I'd ask for war to end
For peace to mend this world
I'd say, I'd say, I'd say

Give us the strength to make it through
Help us find love cause love is over due
And it looks like we haven't got a clue
Need some help from you
Grant us the faith to carry on
Give us hope when it seems all hope is gone
Cause it seems like so much is goin wrong
On this road we're on

If I wrote a note to God
I would say what on my mind
I'd ask for wisdom to let compassion rule this world
Until these times
If I wrote a note to God
I'd say please help us find our way
End all the bitterness, put some tenderness in our hearts
And I'd say, I'd say, I'd say

Give us the strength to make it through
Help us find love cause love is over due
And it looks like we haven't got a clue
Need some help from you
Grant us the faith to carry on
Give us hope when it seems all hope is gone
Cause it seems like so much is goin wrong
On this road we're on

No, no no no
We can't do this on our own
So

Give us the strength to make it through
Help us find love cause love is over due
And it looks like we haven't got a clue
Need some help from you
Grant us the faith to carry on
Give us hope when it seems all hope is gone
Cause it seems like so much is goin' wrong
On this road we're on

If I wrote a note to God

You can also see a better video here on Oprah's website.

My Kind of Town

2009-05-15T11:13:00.006-05:00

I have said it before, but I will say it again. Chicago is my kind of town. My Nenee has been taking me there since I was in 7th grade. Since then it has had a special place in my heart. Michigan Avenue for shopping, Navy Pier for the HUGE Ferris Wheel, boat tours on the lake and really just bummin' around doing nothing. Except for eating and people watching!

When, my bestie Elias and I were sophomores at Kansas State University My (our) Nenee took us both to Chicago for an adventure. The moment we landed Elias too was hooked. As soon as I went to college I knew that when I graduated I was to move to Chicago. For some reason I got cold feet (I am a Momma's girl) and decided to stay here in Kansas City. However, Elias forged on. As I gear up for another visit this Summer sometime I thought it was about time I shared a few pages from my last trip gallivanting around town with the other half of E Squared.

First, up was E Squared and The Bean at Millennium Park. The last few times I had been to Chicago we never made it to The Bean. So, this last time we finally did! Can you see me? Side note... the people watching there was fantastic!

On our way to somewhere we were waiting... and waiting... and waiting for the L. What do I do? Take out my camera of course. This pictures is my FAVORITE from the whole trip. Just whipped out the camera told Elias to stand in front of me while the train was passing. One snap of the shutter and perfection. The model isn't bad either!

This particular photograhy was post processed with the best--- Totally Rad Actions. The paper under the picture is a worn linen and the opacity of the photograph was brought down to about 50%-ish. In *real life* it looks worn and faded. I love it!

(Yes, I just noticed I forgot the s on days.) Now, this was really the highlight of the trip... pom fritz from Nordstrom Cafe. I think that we went there everyday I was there to partake it their goodness. Pom Fritz is just Nordstrom's fancy way of saying delish' french fries. Nordstrom is cool that way! I hope Elias doesn't kill me for posting these pics of him. Lucky for me... Elias didn't have a camera to shoot at me that day while I pigged out across the table.

*Most all of the elements and papers are Paislee Press Designs products and ideas were lifted from her CT team. Seriously, Paislee Press has the BEST digi-scrap products.*

So, Elias I can wait to forge through Chicago again... or maybe just through some Cold Stone on the couch while we catch up on our lives, gossip and memories! Hang in there and I'll see you soon!

Hummus Is Yummy

2009-05-12T21:51:00.005-05:00

I never thought that I was a huge fan of hummus. Then, three years ago I actually tried it... and LOVED it! The hummus at this place is amazing. I love hummus, but I do not love the price of buying it pre-made. So, when I saw a recipe on Pioneer Woman's Cooking Blog today I had to try it! Here is the recipe I used this afternoon:

Pioneer Woman’s Classic Hummus

Ingredients

3 14.5-ounce cans garbanzo beans, rinsed and drained
1/3 cup plus 1 tablespoon tahini
3-4 cloves garlic, chopped
Juice of 1/2 lemon
½ teaspoon ground cumin (may add more to taste)
3 to 5 tablespoons cold water
1 tablespoon olive oil
Salt to taste
Fresh basil or Italian parsley

Combine chickpeas with all ingredients, except water and olive oil, in a blender or food processor. Pulse until mixture becomes somewhat smooth and combined, but do not overmix. Add water as necessary to facilitate blending. At the end, add olive oil and pulse no more than three times, just to incorporate.

Pour mixture into a bowl and stir to ensure mixture is combined. Serve immediately or refrigerate for up to three days in the fridge.

FYI: I had to use a considerable amount more of water than the recipe states. Also, you need a crazy strong blender or a big food processor for this too. Otherwise, I would not even try it. Lastly, be prepared the tahini is a little on the costly side for a jar. I found my at Hy-vee and it was $7.48. David and I like to eat out hummus on flatbread. We toast it in the oven and then cut it like a pizza, in slices.

Sorry I have no pictures for you from my delish' hummus making today. My camera body is having its sensor cleaned (I am trying not to laugh at that) at Canon in California. You can check out Pioneer Woman's step-by-step pictures here.

You could also check out this. I am not kidding when I say I almost started licking my computer screen from the looks of its deliciousness!

P.S. I have no idea why the spacing is off. I will not be sad when I finally leave blogger this Summer.

Oh, Mama

2009-05-10T18:58:00.004-05:00

This is late. Better late than never, right?

First off... everyone says that their Mom is the BEST, but I know that you all are wrong (no disrespect because MY MOM IS THE ROCKIN'-IST. Yes, in my world rockin'-ist is a real word.

I love Mother's Day! Number one, my Mom rocks it out like non other. She not only owns and operates her own dental practice, runs a home and baby-sits her grandson 5 evenings a week, but she is just her. She cracks me up daily with her jokes and wooo-whooo-wooo-whooo every time she seats a crown. I love her because she loves, my husband, David like he was one of her own. (Even though she is glad that he isn't because incest is gross.) Most of all I love my Mom because she is amazes me with her kind heart. I don't think in that respect she is any different from other mothers of the world. Enduring heart break for, with and because of the things she loves and values the most... her children. I love my Mom because she rocks it out 7 days a week, taught me to love who I am and be who I want to be! Happy Mother's Day!

See I told you my Mom rocks... just take a gander that her rockin' 80s headband!

For all of you, like me, without kids, this post is for you. Tracy is my graphic designer. So, in here words, I just want to remind you to please remember to not only thank the “traditional” moms out there but all those “other mothers” that fill in the blanks. And not just on Mother's Day, but all year round!

You Know You're American When...

2009-05-05T21:56:00.002-05:00

... you have a REALLY bad day and the only thing that will soothe your frazzled nerves.. an order of McDonald's fries. I need therapy... and a personal trainer. There is just something about that salty, saturated fat goodness.

California Goodness

2009-05-04T22:21:00.006-05:00

Like I said in my last post... I am so (please let me stress SO) excited to go to California. There were a *few* things I forgot to mention as to why I am so SO excited: IN AND OUT BURGER, getting to see the mountains for the first time since the last time I was in California (last year), chattin' it up with my SIL (sister-in-law) Allyson in person, feeling the sand between toes at the beach, *hopefully* getting new headshots , having someone (Ben) for David to play video games with, the roadtrip from LA to Fresno with My Honey, a possible trip to IKEA. Did I mention In and Out Burger?

In honor if Anna's bun in the oven, who I get to capture while in Fresno, here are some of my favorite kiddo shots:

So, all my peeps with kids out there holla!

California, California

2009-05-03T21:34:00.004-05:00

Can you hear me singing? You know... that song. The theme song from The OC. California, California. California, California. Sorry. That is all that I know. That one word. Who cares though! The first week in June I am out of here! Good-bye Kansas... HELLO CALIFORNIA!

I had the chance to hear Jasmine Star speak on the Free to Succeed tour this past Summer. Not only is she an amazing photographer (one of my favorites), but an amazing speaker to boot. I knew that photography was *me* and what I wanted to do for-ev-er (imaging me saying that like I am that kid in the The Sandlot), but she helped me realize that what David had been telling me was true... I can do this! That brings me to this... I am going to California for her Workshop!!!

The timing for this could not be more perfect. I was just about to launch my new blogsite and decided to hold off. Jasmine's branding is amazing and I am sure that I will learn a few things that I can do and add to my stuff. Secondly, some of David and my besties are moving to L.A. in a few weeks and we get to see them. Next, David's brother Dane, will be coming home from his two year mission in Canada the same week. Since Fresno is not all that far, David will be meeting me in California later in the week to drive and see him. Last... my BFF Anna is having her baby in May and I will get to see her and photograph her little bundle of joy. Could this get better? NO!

So, here's to me (and David) hanging with Nick and Stacy, going to the the beach and NORDSTROM RACK, seeing Dane, giving Anna a HUGE hug and photographing her new baby and hopefully a possible trip to Disneyland and um... attending Jasmine Star's Workshop!

Since no post is worth you reading all that for it to have no picture... here's to this year's wedding season. These are some pages I did awhile back trying to put a spin on my own wedding photos. All layouts inspired by Paislee Press Designs creative team.

Oh, yeah before I forget. Please forgive me for not posting my latest sessions here. I am saving them for my new blogsite!

I'll Cover You

2009-04-27T09:15:00.000-05:00

I totally scraplifted this page from Janet Phillips because I am in love with it. I used the lyrics from one of my favorite songs from RENT! I had not heard this song in years and when it starting playing on my iTunes a few weeks ago while I was editing I was singin' my heart out!

I remember my college days RENTing-it-up (Yes, that is a real word... in my world.) with some of my best friends (who are still are my BFFs) Elias and Liz (HOLLLA!)! Oh, the days when my RENT was free (thanks Mom and Dad) and my life was carefree! Those were the days! Memories!

It's About Time

2009-04-22T07:08:00.000-05:00

It about flippin' time Disney got with the picture. America finally has its first bi-racial President and apparently Disney thinks its about time they make their first Black Princess in The Princess and the Frog. Which is to be released later this year.

Like little brown girls (Insert me jumping up and down, waving my hands and screaming here.) would not have LOVED this 20+ years ago? At least my (future) little brown girls will have Tiana to enjoy watching as a Disney Classic.

Now, if only Barbie would make dolls that would not have to crawl on all fours if she were a real woman... then we would be getting somewhere!

***Note: I will save you and email to me by saying... Please don't take my little brown girls comment to mean anything. We are not expecting.

Do You Know Your Neighbor?

2009-04-20T22:00:00.006-05:00

Go ahead and call me a downer now, but just rest assure yourself that I will keep this brief.

When I was a child (who and I kidding... even now) my Mom would not let me out of her sight. We could only play outside unless she or my Dad was watching us. We could not ride our bikes past the "man hole" (about 15 yards from our pervious house)... ever. My siblings and I were rarely allowed to sleep over at friends homes for this reason...

The map is linked. Sorry for the sub-par picture.

I went to this site, keyed in my address and zip code and that is what came up. 155 offenders and 11 that would not be mapped. So, total 166 sexual offenders within a stones throw from our home. If you click on the different colored boxes it will inform you of the persons age, exact address, conviction date, victim's age at time of crime and the convicted sex offenders picture.

I was always so annoyed with my parents when I could not go to the movies or the mall without them, but really how could I blame them?

Check out the site. Educate yourself and your kiddos! Be safe!

Paislee Press

2009-04-19T22:31:00.002-05:00

I am in love. I am in love with Paislee Press Designs. Last weekend David was nice enough to let me go Internet shopping (Not at Nordstrom. Frownsmile.), but for some scrapbooking kits. I picked up these digital frames and I am especially loving Photogenic:

I am not sure why I did not know about this great digital scrapbooking designer before, but now that I do I am making up for lost time.

A few of the above pages were lifted from some of her great design team layouts. I think that I have scrapped about 10 pages with this kit so far. It has so many possibilities since it is not gender specific. Plus, it has some great elements. If you have not checked out Paislee Press Designs go for it!

I still have my eye on this quick fill album.

Color Me Surprised

2009-04-16T07:08:00.000-05:00

David brought me home a thoughtful surprise yesterday evening...

Best. Husband. Ever. I love him. I love the flowers. I love any chance I have to use one of my favorite wedding gifts. Our Kate Spade vase from our dear friends The Hildebrands (Elias's family). Elias's sweet family gave me Kate Spade wine flutes with this same pattern for a college graduation gift. David and I used the flutes for our first toast as Mr. and Mrs. at our reception. Okay so now I love him, the flowers, Kate Spade and The Hildebrands.

I am sure you remember my post Goodbye Love, but just for a recap my husband and I had our cable service disconnected this past week. Really we had be going round and round with them, for literally years, about our poor service, picture and their lack of customer service in general.

And... just when I thought that customer service in this country was falling by the wayside every where, but Nordstom I was proven wrong. Some people hate to be proven wrong, but in instances like this it really makes me happy.

Most larger companies like AT&T, Hallmark etc... have people who scour the internet looking for thing (complaints) like this, and much to my surprise they found me. Anyway, I received a comment on the blog, from ComcastCares1, the same day my Goodbye Love post was published...

I am sorry to learn you discontinued service.

Also, if you decide to come back as a customer, please let me know. I will reach out to my contacts to make sure you get the discount/promos.

Or, if you are now interested in the discount/promos that are currently available, let me know. I will be happy to assist.

Regards,Mark Casem

Comcast Corp. National Customer Operations

We_Can_Help@cable.comcast.com

Crazy cool! Happy Thursday because it is my Friday!

On This Day

2009-04-15T07:14:00.004-05:00

On this day 3 years ago my now husband and I became engaged (insert ahhhhs here). Like I said before I knew from the moment I met him that we would be married. Nuts I know, but so true. Please don't get me wrong. I am not that flighty Mormon girl who falls in love with every guy that blinks her way, but with David I knew.

On April 15, 2006 David took me to the Loose Park Rose Garden and invited me to spend time and all eternity with him. I had a feeling that he was going to propose because we had been looking at rings, but I had no idea which one he ordered or when it was actually going to be ready. He knew that I wanted nothing to do with some big engagement scene. No hot air balloon rides, sky writing, jumbo tron proposal. Just us.

That is exactly what he did. Us in the garden, on what we now call our bench, in front of the fountain. There were people at the garden that day because it was beautiful outside, but I could only see and hear him. I had no idea anyone was even watching. I could see no further than him, on his knee, with my tear blurred vision.

I threw this page together with weekend with all my favorite scrapping stuff. Papers and most elements are from Heaven Sent by Amy Hutchinson. The font is by Fontoligy. Flower stems from Photogenic by Paislee Press, Buttons by Zoe Pearn. The stamp brush alpha is Schmoozy from Scrap Artist, but the best element of this page is my then engagement ring.

David says:
Memories of a perfect engagement: Free
Engagement Ring: He wishes it was free
Ring upgrades since: Priceless (or at least that he was he tells me as he grits through his teeth).

When this date comes around every year I start to welcome Spring with a smile!

Goodbye Love

2009-04-13T21:19:00.007-05:00

I am a reality TV junkie. Sick, I know. It started with The Real World 10+ years ago and has just snowballed from there. Our DVR is often full to the brim with shows like John and Kate + 8, Hell's Kitchen, American Idol, Nashville Star, Bad Girls Club, Real Housewives on Bravo, What Not to Wear, Celebrity Rehab and many... many more favorites.

David and I had been discussing pulling the plug on our cable for quite sometime. See, we live in a rather big city-ish place, but we live very far West. This far West the only cable you can get is Comcast Cable. (Unless you want dish. Then, you have that ugly thing on your house and it goes out when it rains.) Sounds fun right? No. Comcast for some reason is just about as sucky as it gets. Our reception was a mess, high definition and DVR fees were outrageous and our bill was sky high. Finally we decided who really needs it. We really enjoy veggin' out in front of the tube, but it was beginning to enable our ability to move our butts off of our couches.

So, we did the unthinkable... we nixed the cable. Now, we just have HD network channels (Don't worry. I am still able to tune into Gossip Girl.) and some other fun ones (Can you hear my sarcasm?) like PBS. Hollllla! I thought that we would really miss it, but it has been 4 days and we are doing well. Neither of us has complained or wished it back yet.

Without TV I have had a lot of time for more important things like playing with the dogs, working on our business and cleaning. I have yet to clean, but I am sure when I do it will be a sight to behold. Instead of watching TV or cleaning I have been devoting my time to scrapbooking...

Scraplift and spin from a Paislee Press Layout.

sick I know. I am so far behind on preserving our memories I am ashamed. I better get to work. In the meantime we shall see how long David can go without ESPN during baseball season. We might just have to turn it back on for his sake and turn it off during Cricket Season. When ever that is.

Sweet Surprises

2009-04-09T18:20:00.006-05:00

Sometimes the sweetest surprises come at the end of the hardest days. Now, I would never have believed that if someone would have said it to me at 4:29 p.m. this past Thursday. Last week was hard. David and my schedules were packed, Daisy was nuts and I think all the patients at work lost their minds at the same time. Not to mention the fact that we were feeling a bit under the weather at our house.

Our mail carrier is very punctual. 4:30 p.m. on the dot everyday except for Fridays, when the mail comes earlier. Most days it is the usual: junk mail, some bills and the beloved Nordstrom catalogs. I knew that I had not ordered anything that was to be delivered. My Accountant nixed the ordering of new shoes. (I knew that he would say no, but it never hurts to ask.) So... I was taken aback when our mail carrier rang the doorbell.

Upon opening the door we saw a sweet (I consider all packages to be sweet.) little package on our welcome mat that would not fit in our mailbox. Oh, goodie (I think I really did say this out loud.) something fun to end this terribly monotonous week...

... the sweetest little package filled the the brim. Goodies for David and I for Easter. My husband's Mom, who lives in Fresno, is a Mother indeed to think of us with this package and card. I know that people far away can sometimes be over looked and it was nice to know that she was thinking of us!

Our LONG weekend was a blast. I am always off on Fridays, but this past Friday, Good Friday David was off too. The weeks are so crazy sometimes extra time together is much needed and appreciated.

Fortunate One

2009-04-07T18:06:00.003-05:00

I have always had a thing for the fortunes out of fortune cookies. I don't know why, but even as a kid I would ask everyone if I could have theirs. With me being the (adorable) kid that I was of course everyone said yes to whatever I wanted and handed them over. Come to think of it not much has changed in that respect. Anyway...

When David and I set up my office I found, literally, a whole Ziploc bag full of them from over the years that I had been collecting them. I could not think of anything to do with them. Finally after everything else was set up: the desks, closet organized and curtains and shelves hung it came to me. Just put them on the wall:

I am not quite sure how many I have because they are jam packed in there with each other. There are probably hundreds, I would think. Sometimes when David and I are working in my office we get bored (Hard to imagine being bored while working.) and we read some of the fortunes.

This one caught my eye yesterday:

Wishing does not make a poor man rich.

When I read it I laughed. Yeah, I know wishing won't make us rich, but hard work will. That is probably why I was in bed and asleep by 9:30 p.m. last night. Damn that wishing not being more effective in securing my financial future.

Accounting 101

2009-04-05T20:21:00.004-05:00

I am a superb shopper. I have super shopping senses. I can smell a sale from miles away and hear Nordstrom calling my name from its exit off of 1-35. Amazing, I know. Nonetheless, true. Some of these super skills is what did me in.

Since before David and I were married I was some how deemed our Finance Chair (That was total sorority lingo. Almost makes me wanna Rush again. Um... NO.). Neither David nor myself knows exactly how this happened, but it did. I have been the one balancing the check books for our accounts (by balancing I mean checking the accounts online), paying bills and whatever else I was supposed to do (I am sure I did it). This has been going on for three years and I am tired. I have asked David numerous times if he would take it all over and he always declines. He laughs, says no and runs from me. Much to my chagrin this last time I asked him to be in charge (That gets men all the time. They love to be in charge.) he accepted. I almost fainted.

So, as of the first of this month I have been free. I know it sounds dumb, but I woke up on the first of April with a skip in my step. I was ready for the new regime. Thanks to our new financial Czar I have had time to devote to things that really matter. My mind is no longer muddled with passwords and the date the mortgage is due, but more important things...

... and I have given this important task a really important sounding name. I am the head of our family's Memory Perserving. This job is serious. I know that it doesn't sound as important as Super Shopper, but The Czar has assured me that this new job is very important and I am in charge of all Memory Perserving aspects of our household. I am still trying to figure out what he was talking about when he said (with a very serious face) that I am on a spending freeze. Ahhhh, I love being in charge (can you hear the sacasim). This passing of the reigns if going to be tough.

Nordstrom... call me.

Camping and Cobbler

2009-04-05T20:18:00.004-05:00

I am not sure that I am telling you something you don't already know about me, but in case you are new here, I am not one with the outdoors. When I say outdoors, I do mean just that. The (whole) Outdoors.

A couple of years ago someone asked me, Do you enjoy camping? This question gave my husband and I a bit of a chuckle inside because I think that I am quite transparent on this subject of The Outdoors. Of course I answered, No, and said that The Outdoors was just not for me. In response to my answer the person I was speaking to answered, Oh, yeah, I forgot. You like those rich girl vacations.

No, I did not make that story up. Nor, I am quite sure what a rich girl vacation is, but if it includes a pool, sunscreen or perhaps cabanas on a beach somewhere near the equator... count me in!

Case in point why I don't camp...
1. I am black. I am not sure we camp.
2. It is only April and I have had 3 mosquito bites already. Seriously people? Only in the Midwest!
3. And the only thing that sounds remotely fun about camping from the stories I have heard from, "Mr. Eagle Scout", David is not peeing in the woods or sleeping on a cot, but it is the home cooked food. Insert Peach Cobbler here.

Now, I am sure that you all know that I did not get this voluptuous figure by accident. I got it by eating things like fried chicken and collared greens. The black people I know don't camp, but we do eat. One of the things that we have in common with campers is Peach Cobbler. Mmmmmm mmmmmm good.

So, this weekend I had an idea. Lets pretend to camp. By pretend to camp I mean, lets eat. That is just what we did. After David and I took Daisy to the vet on Saturday we headed over to Mom and Dad's house to grill out. There we had the usually grilling foods: Omaha Steaks (delish'), hot dogs and cheeseburgers with the Fam. Mr. Eagle Scout and my contribution was Peach Cobbler.

I received this easy recipe from my friend Gina and everyone loved it!

Preheat oven to 400.

9 x 13 pan
3 large cans of sliced peaches
1 yellow cake mix box
Sugar
Cinnamon

Drain all the cans of peaches. Spread evenly into the 9 x 13 pan and sprinkle with sugar, to taste. Take the powdered Yellow Cake Mix (THE POWDER ONLY PEOPLE) and sprinkle the whole thing evenly over the peaches. Sprinkle with Cinnamon. Bake for about 20-30 minutes depending on how brown you would like the top. Serve with vanilla ice cream.

This stuff was so (expletive) good!

Since every post is better with a picture. Here is Mr. B with this Grammy:

To think that my sister's little man, Mr. B, turns one year old next month! My how time flies!

Homemade Homage

2009-04-01T20:38:00.004-05:00

I know that I mention the website Etsy a lot! For those of you not familiar with it. Etsy is a site who proclaims its self to be, your place to buy & sell all things handmade. Etsy totally lives up to what they say and I love it! I cannot say enough about it really. I am a person who loves things homemade. I would rather give or receive something homemade any day over a store bought item. If you are anything like that too this is the site for you. Here are a few of the cuties I am loving right now:

So, if you haven't shopped Etsy yet you are missing out BIG TIME!

Gossip Girl XOXO

2009-04-01T20:34:00.001-05:00

Before there was an Edward Cullen (Yes, there was a before.), there was a Chuck Bass (sigh)!

If I were an Upper East Side Prima Donna, and Chuck Bass was more than just a character on The CW's Gossip Girl, he would be mine. I also know one thing for sure. He would give me one of his signature Chuck Bass scarves, from J. Press. David on the other hand is a bit harder to convince that I *need* a Chuck Bass scarf.

To all of my fellow Gossip Girl lovers: I think that Chuck and Blair belong together. Since Chuck can't have me he shouldn't be alone.

HGTV Call Me

2009-03-31T20:55:00.012-05:00

I am not going to bore you or me with re-capping the last week and a half in detail that I have been absent. So, here is the quick version: David picked out a sectional for his *lounge* (a.k.a. finished basement), we purchased TWILIGHT (Yes, it deserves ALL CAPS) and YES I have watched it about 10 times, TAMN had her feti, Daisy was spayed, Mr. B learned to wave and when you say "no no" he shakes his head no (the cutest thing EVER... after Edward in TWILIGHT), I cut my hair, worked on my portfolio for my new blogsite (coming soon) NONSTOP, a custom made return address stamp was delivered and looks a bit like this (but with our names and address... duh!), David's sectional was delivered along with a few other things...

Yes, Internet. We finally agreed upon and purchased a bedroom set for our master bedroom. No, it was not planned, but I can be very persuasive, a business woman of sorts. Plus, I was going to be damned by the home decorating Gods should I have allowed the *lounge* to be furnished before our bedroom! Now I know why all the decorating magazines tell you to do your master bedroom first... otherwise it is last!

So, here is the rundown of the room (two and a half years in the making). I totally knew what *I* wanted (insert my vision here) from the start (Yes, two and a half years ago... I am a visionary.) and I was lucky that David didn't really care. All he said was, No, pink in this room, and I knew he was serious.

*Warning... read no further unless you are as into bargain home decor finds as I am!*

Accessories. This list is why David just hates when I say that... he knows it is trouble in any sense of the word. We found the chandelier 2 years ago at Lowe's and David installed it himself (so handy). The flowered fabric for the duvet I made we found at the fabric store, on the Plaza, two years ago too. I also made the large square pillows (Euro Pillows if your wanna get technical about the name) and the striped pillow in the front at the same time as the duvet. My mirror over my jewelry armoire I found at my parents house and spray painted. So, in Erin terms that means I took it off the wall and replaced it with something else. Good thing Mom is chill. The bedside tables (Target clearance. ROCK ON!) were exactly what I was looking for when we found them randomly last year. David has one too you just can't see it. The valances I made this past Saturday. Our personal favorites, the King and Queen (Which we painted black. Pun intended) chess pieces on top of the wardrobe along with the sheets and coverlet at the foot of the bed are from Home Goods. Can you say clearance? The four black frames with the mattes included, that I will eventually fill with photos of us, are Wal-Mart clearance. The paint is Ralph Lauren (best paint ever), Fade Seafoam, lightened a bit. Two sequin pillows, buy one get one free at Hobby Lobby. Lastly, since the bed is crazy high I took the antique step stool my aunt gave me from my office and put it on my side of the bed.

There are a few more things that I need to complete the *look* like a rug, new closet doors (I am having trouble deciding between frosted glass or mirror.), wood blinds or plantation shutters, and more accessories. What big decisions. However, I have been put on a strict spending freeze (no joke). Luckily for David (I mean us) the attached master bath is pretty much perfect and matches our style!

Decorating on a budget! HGTV do you need my phone number? I think I need my own show! Holla at cha' girl!

Yes...

2009-03-30T08:59:00.001-05:00

I am alive! I have a post for tonight! All I can say... HGTV will be calling me soon!

Seriously so...

2009-03-22T23:22:00.001-05:00

tired. Yard work, photography and a laid up dog. Oh my! Make it a great day... is that possible on a Monday?

Tip Off

2009-03-20T07:14:00.001-05:00

It is that time of year again. MARCH MADNESS, or so David tells me. In case you are new to my life here on the ol' blog, David is my husband. David loves sports. David loves to play sports and watch sports. Even though I have convinced myself that he only watches them (and pretends to like KU) just to drive me nuts. Really I could care less about college basketball, but this year I have decided to turn over a new leaf. I am going to pretend like I care about college basketball. In honour of my husband's love of this sports thing.

The last month or so has been kind of quiet around here. You know our crazy life: work, dogs and decorating. Anyway, I thought that it would be fun to actually participate in March Madness. No, not by playing, cheering or wishing that K-State (my Alma Mater and personal favorite) didn't suck so badly, but by filling out a bracket of our winning selections.

Just to get you in the (pretend) basketball spirit...

David at some age. Really who really cares... that mullet is sweet. Business in the front and party in the back! (By posting this I am fully aware of the fact he may ask for my ring back. However, the laugh that I just had when that puppy above flashed on my laptop screen... PRICELESS!)

I love Spring... basketball is in the air... Dick Vitale's voice is in my ears. Last, but not least Nick and Stacy... you're goin' down.

Bite Me

2009-03-19T07:14:00.000-05:00

I never thought that I had and unhealthy obsession with... Twilight (shhh, I don't want David to hear me), but *someone* around here keeps telling me otherwise. I mean, I enjoyed the books, and the movie. Apparently when I saw the commercial telling me that TWILIGHT THE MOVIE (shhhh, stop yelling) is going on sale THIS Saturday at Midnight I gasped a bit too loudly. So what if I told *someone* that I HAD to have it at Midnight? So what? What is the big deal? I want what I want... when I want it. This should be no surprise to *someone*.

Yeah... okay... I realize that this is a getting a little sick. I just figure that we will be up anyway... maybe even out already... why not swing by Wal-Mart and pick up a copy? So what if I looked up on www.twilightthemovie.com to see what stores near me were releasing it at Midnight? So what?

In case anyone was wondering...

New View

2009-03-18T07:14:00.000-05:00

When I sit down to work at my computer I love to look out my window. Now, there is something new in my view...

No, I do not store on lenses my window seat, but I look out the window so much I thought it only fitting for it to be in my view today!

Friends Forever

2009-03-17T07:14:00.002-05:00

Internet, you know how David and I love David our pets? Well, this video says it all.

I try not to post many videos, but this one was toooooo good to pass up. I promise, if you watch this you will not be sorry. WARNING: Water works are inevitable...

The story of Christian the Lion movie can be purchased, here, and the book, here.

Weekend Update

2009-03-16T07:14:00.001-05:00

I have nothing to terribly exciting to report today. My weekend was very low key. A few exciting (to me) things did happen, but this post would be so looooong if I got into them tonight. Those exciting (to me) things will be later this week.

Friday, I had a follow up appointment with the Doctor that did the surgery in my mouth last week. Everything is healing beautifully, she said, but was not looking exactly as we wanted. Since the Doctor had time and I didn't want to come back for another surgery she numbed me up and did it right then. This is good because it didn't give me another week to worry about going back, but bad because I looked SO cute... what a waste of a good outfit (if I do say so myself) and I had plans to meet a friend at Starbucks. So, having my mouth cut into yet again left my weekend (and David's) with much to be desired... to say the least.

This weekend was quite reminiscent of last weekend: sleep, sleep, sleep and scrapbooking. Here are some of the fruits of my labor. These three (I think that I did about 10 pages. I know... lame-o.) were my favorites from the weekend. Oddly enough, all of these pictures are from our trip to California last March when we met up with Ben and Anna at Disneyland.

Scraplift from Sweet Shoppe Gallery.

When I saw this picture I just cracked up. Technically this was my first photo session. It was with Anna and Anna's camera. I don't think that it is too bad for my first photo ever on an SLR.

I am not sure what it is about this one, but I love it.

Like I said before, my weekend was fascinating.

325i Miss You

2009-03-12T15:35:00.008-05:00

David and I miss our BMW (a single tear runs down my cheek). The steel blue loveliness, blacked out windows, sweet sound system and the purr of the engine was music to our ears. When our BMW was sold it was the end of an era. Out went my single days and in came a new car. Another 4 door car, but this one's backseat could lay down and got considerable better gas mileage. Descriptions that make BMW cringe.

Baron (Yes, I named him. No, our dog Baron was not named after the car, but a childhood dog of David's, Red Baron.) had been snubbed. Baron loved us. I loved him. He loved me even more when David came along and cleaned him more often than I did and took him for long rides on windy roads much faster than the law allowed.

While David and I miss Baron we still like to keep in touch with his family. We do this by ahhhhing at his sisters, brothers and cousins on the road... keeping his name alive. We also go to the Kansas City Auto Show every year to see what our Baron has lead BMW to produce next.

Wednesday night was exciting for us. Since we had been car shopping this was the perfect chance to see all the cars all in the same place. Plus, David and I, were taking Mr. B to his first car show. Braxton was in heaven and really showed us the little man he is. So, many people to gaulk at his adorable-cute-face and shiny paint covering some of the best (and worst) cars on the road kept him (and his Uncle) entertained for hours. Range Rovers, Cadallic Esclades, Ferrari Enzo and the Mercedes McLaren were among some of his favorites of course. We are helping to raise him right!

Before arrived at the auto show Braxton's Uncle Dae-Dae and Aunt E promised him one thing. A meeting with his future hot rod, and long lost cousin, the BMW M3. We looked high and low. The three of us checked the map. Nothing. They (BMW)said in the most disgusting of tones)) were not there. The nerve for them to think that they were above us. I was shocked and Braxton was totally beside himself. We thought Uncle Dae-Dae had lost it when he fell to his knees, arms toward the heavens, screaming, why, why me. I am not sure the 3 of us will ever recover.

As you can see Braxton soon pulled himself together when he and his Uncle found a replacement:

Thank you iPhone for you lovely (kinda, but not really) camera skills.

The Cadillac Esclade, at $84,785 before taxes and licencing. They have already begun to save their pennies.

Guess Who Came to Dinner

2009-03-11T07:14:00.006-05:00

David doesn't have the chance to see his family all to often. Usually about once or twice a year is all the more he sees them. He did have the chance to hang out with his sister, Robyn and her husband, Anthony this past September in Arizona while I was attending a photography workshop. However, before that it was this time last year after our Disneyland Trip with our friends, Ben and Anna.

So, it was quite a treat for David when he was able to invite his Dad and Grandma to dinner last weekend while they were in town for a wedding. It was a special treat too, because my parents were able to come over. My parents do not live too far away, but it seems like we are always at there house so they don't have much time to come to our house for a bite.

My Dad, David's Dad and David talked about weather (exciting I know) and cars while Mom and I listened to some of Grandma's stories. These are a few of the quick pictures I snapped before everyone scooted out the door:

With dinner I made some of these yummies:
Spicy Smoked Mozzarella Meatballs, Recipe courtesy of Giada De Laurentiis

1 small (6-ounce) onion, grated
1/2 cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley, plus 1/4 cup
2/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus 1/4 cup
1/3 cup Italian-style bread crumbs
1 large egg
2 tablespoons ketchup
3 garlic cloves, minced
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more for seasoning
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, plus more for seasoning
8 ounces ground beef
8 ounces ground veal
2 ounces smoked mozzarella cheese, cut into 16 (1/2-inch) cubes
1 pound bucatini or other long pasta

For the meatballs: Position an oven rack in the lower 1/3 of the oven. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

In a large bowl, combine the onion, 1/2 cup parsley, 2/3 cup Parmesan, bread crumbs, egg, ketchup, garlic, red pepper flakes, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Add the beef and veal. Using your hands, combine all ingredients gently but thoroughly. Shape the meat mixture into 16 (1 1/2-inch-diameter) meatballs and place on the prepared baking sheet. Make a hole in the center of each meatball and place a cube of mozzarella inside. Reform the meatball so that the mozzarella is completely covered with the meat mixture. Bake the meatballs for 15 minutes until cooked through.

I had made these one time before so I made a few changes the second time around. Since David and and I try to steer away from ground beef both times we have made this we used ground turkey. So, instead of 8 oz. of beef and 8 oz. of veal we used 16 oz. of ground turkey. Also, instead of 1/3 c. of Italian Seasoned bread crumb I substitued part of that for plain bread crumbs. We though that is had too much Italian seasoning the first time around. Other than that we made it just like the recepie says to. I know that I speak for David when I say that these are delish'!

How Good Days Become Great Days

2009-03-09T18:03:00.003-05:00

Some mornings you wake up and you know it is going to be a good day. Other mornings you wake up, you can't see the Sun through the clouds and you seriously don't want to get up. So, you push snooze about 5 times and inevitably end up late to work. This morning was a morning where both of these scenarios rang all too true.

Yes, I did push the snooze button, but 5 times? Well, 5 times is a bit of and understatement. To be honest I think that it was more like 7 times. Anyway, the day was good. Busy, phones ringing and lots of patients... that makes for a good day.

Do you what makes a good day great though? UPS! Yep, I am once again declaring my love for UPS!

So, remember that David had given me something for Christmas from Tiffany? Sadly my pendant's chain had broken in January. I finally got around to taking it to Tiffany on The Plaza in February. Well, I had totally forgotten over the past month that I had not heard back from Tiffany to tell me that it was ready. What a better day to be surprised than today?

Now you know how to make a good day great... UPS of course.

March Marches In

2009-03-09T07:14:00.001-05:00

It is crazy to me how life just seems to whiz by me. I know that I am here, participating and enjoying my life, but it just seems to go by much too fast. Just when I was used to the fact that it was February, March had to march right in and burst my bubble. I feel like last week was just Thanksgiving, yesterday was Christmas and now it is Spring. I am not sure where the time has gone.

Let's play a little game of catch up...

I am still keeping up with my 525,600 Minutes Project, a.k.a. photo-a-day project. I chose to put weeks 6 through 9 together on a two page spread as the month of February. It worked out perfectly because February started on a Sunday and ended on a Saturday.

In this lay-out all of the frames are by Katie Pertiet at Designer Digitals. It is actually a cluster of 9 frames, from her Photo Cluster No. 9 collection, that I cut and rearranged to make my cluster of 24. All of the papers and elements are from Amy Hutchinson's Heaven Sent Digital Kit. I have had this particular kit for quite sometime, but just recently I have been hooked and have been using it all the time. For example:

Scraplifted from Janet Phillips

Journaling Reads: At two days old this would be the last time we saw you so small and curly. Just 5 lbs. and already melting hearts.

This weekend just like the month of February was a blur. David and I originally had made plans to go out of town, but when an appointment opened up with one of my doctors we decided to stay home. On Friday morning I had some minor surgery. I have wanted to do some cosmetic dental work for quite sometime and the opportunity to get started began with this appointment. The surgery was the first step, something my Mom does not do, and then I am off to my Mom's dental chair to finish up. So, now I am on my way to a new smile... in about 6 to 10 weeks that is!

Really my weekend was spent sleeping, sleeping, recuperating, watching some TV and scrapbooking. Yeah, it was pretty much heaven for me (and David too. Since my talking was limited)!

Happy Monday!

Baby Boy

2009-03-03T20:17:00.007-06:00

Two weeks later I am still finding it hard to believe that my *little* brother is now 22! What? How did this happen to me? I remember the days when he would only respond to being called Sean-e-Poo. When we would introduce him to people as Sean, and he would quickly correct us to his real name, Sean-e-Poo. This story puts a smile on all of my family's faces because Sean would say this with so much disdain that we would even have the nerve to actually call him Sean that we thought he might burst into flames right in front of us.

This man who is now 6 foot 7 inches tall and on the Dean's List at UMKC is the same *little* brother who's collarbone was broken while playing London Bridges with his sisters... his wrist was fractured when his sisters convinced him he could too fly like Peter Pan... he need only to tie his coveted blanket around his neck, think happy thoughts and jump off the roof of our Fisher Price play house... who has broken his arm practicing his karate chops on my back... dislocated his pinkie finger during pee wee football resulting in surgery... and suffered a devastating accident in gym his freshman year in high school, resulting in two broken legs. Sean is our trooper and a boy would would never hear complain (no really, he didn't). There was nothing that a trip to Blockbuster and a dinner of his choice wouldn't cure.

Sean has the sweetest spirit. He is a Momma's Boy and not afraid to admit it. He is doted on by his sisters, Kyle and I, and his parents. Sean his rarely in a bad mood or says harsh words. He is a jokester with a contagions laugh that would make anyone smile.

Sometimes I miss the days when he would leave the house with nothing, but our kitchen spoons (for digging), a hammer and nails and come back to show us the fort he made on the empty lot next door. The days of Sean's little boy smells of cookies and dirt and a crooked pair of glasses are long gone and replaced with big cars, big wheels, contacts and the sweet smell of his manly cologne.

So, happy birthday to Sean. Thanks for including David and I in your life.

The top picture is Sean and our Momma on his birthday. Obviously the picture of a cake is his cake... just to spell it out for you. The final picture is Sean in his "S Money" necklace our Mom picked up for his at The Dollar Store. We were laughing so hard all night I am not sure that even one picture was in focus from his *Crab Leg Fiesta* we called a PAAAARTY!

Since I never posted my favorites from Sean's Senior Session I has a few months ago I thought I would go ahead and share some more of his handsomeness with you...

Read Your Local Papers

2009-03-02T17:48:00.009-06:00

Everyday my Mom reads the paper, like many of you I am sure. She is most interested in the local stories. Mom reads just about every inch of the thing every morning, but she especially likes to look for articles that include people she knows like her neighbors, patients and fellow Church members. Mom enjoys the funnies. That is what we call the cartoon/comic part in the FYI section of our local paper, The Kansas City Star. She always enjoys a good laugh when reading For Better or For Worse because the Dad is a Dentist, too.

When we were younger I can remember she would always share the funnies that aren't necessarily in the funny section of the paper. As we have grown older she does not usually read them to us, but instead hands over the article to one... watches them crack up... then she cracks up again watching the one who has just read it laugh their butt off. This repeats until the article has been passed to all of us... then we all laugh hysterically together. Well, I would be remiss not sharing last weeks funnies with you...

Death Ruled a Homicide
The death of Helmut Guttmann, 97, has been ruled a homicide. Gutmann dies of complication of a broken hip after he was reportedly pushed by former pro wrestling star Verne Gagne (click to see Verne in his hay day.)
Gagne, 83, reportedly threw Gutmann to the floor at a nursing home in Bloomington, Minn. Both me suffered from dementia. Gagne was a pro wrestler in the 1950s.

Upon first reading this my brother, Sean, and I both were in shock that a pro wrestler would go and throw a poor elderly man.. until we saw that Mr. Gagne (the pro wrestler) himself was elderly.

Really? Utah?
ABC News flash: Eight of the top 10 online porn-consuming states voted Republican in the 2008 presidental election.

There weren't huge differences between all the states, according to the review of two years of credit card data. But after adjusting for broadband Internet access between states-porn's a bandwidth hog-it turns out the biggest consumer, UTAH, averaged 5.47 adult content subscriptions per 1,000 home users. Montana was the least with 1.92 per 1,000.

Old-fashioned values came through: Churchgoers bought slightly less online on Sundays. States banning gay marriages had 11 percent more subscriber than states that don't.

I find this interesting... very interesting. That is all I am going to say.

THIS ONE IS THE BEST.....

KETTERING, Ohio — A Harrison Twp. woman faces child endangering charges after police said she admitted to breastfeeding her child and talking on a cell phone while driving, according to Kettering Police Officer Michael Burke.

A male motorist called the police department's non-emergency number to report that he had seen the woman breastfeeding and talking on a cell phone while driving, Burke said. The man reported that he also witnessed the woman driving a Honda minivan into the parking lot of a local school and saw some children get out of the van. The man then got the van's license plate number and called police.

"I tried to say something to her. She literally has the little girl on the steering wheel and I said, 'I can't believe you have that kid in your lap and she said, 'You want to pop your titty out and breastfeed this kid?' That's what she said to me. I'm like, 'You can feed your kid when you stop.' It's like wet out here. It's full of traffic. It's ridiculous. She's got like three other kids in the car."

When a police officer spoke to her, she admitted she breastfed her child and also told police that she does not deprive her child when the child is hungry, Burke said.

The officer took the information and presented it to the city prosecutor's office. That's when Genine Compton, 39, of Elm Grove in Harrison Twp., was charged with a first-degree misdemeanor of child endangering and minor misdemeanor for unlawfully restraining her child, which Burke believes was under 2.

When police were unsuccessful with serving Compton her ticket and a court summons at her home on Friday, Feb. 27, an officer went to the school where the witness saw her drop off the children on Thursday morning. The officer used the descriptions the witness gave to locate Compton at the school and serve the tickets and summons, Burke said. Compton was not arrested.

When asked why the tickets and summons couldn't be mailed, Burke said, "It's legal documents. We have to personally serve them to the defendant."

If convicted of the child endangering charge, Compton could face up to 180 days in jail and fined between $1,500 and $1,800, Burke said. If convicted of the unlawful restraint charge, Compton could be fined up to $150.

"Our issue is not the fact that this woman was breastfeeding in public," Burke said. He added that Compton would have been charged even if the child was just sitting on her lap. "Our issue is that she created the condition that placed her child's health and safety at risk."

Lord bless those children for being cursed with this Mother. I am not sure they have a chance.

This one was a goodie for more than one reason... 1. Breastfeeding while driving... a new sport perhaps? 2. She said titty. I have only really heard someone say that word about 3 times in my life... all three times I just about lost it I was laughing so hard. Then, to see it in quotes... in the paper... it was just too much for me to bare. 3. I think this Mom's choice of vocabulary says it all about her... classy. 4. I bet the teacher working in the carpool lane when this Mother dropped off her other kids at school saw waaaaay too much. 5. Ohio is one state that I have never visited and this doesn't make me want to anytime soon!

Now, as you can see the paper is not just to be informed with what is going on in the world: war, famine, President Obama raising taxes and crosswords.... No, it is much... MUCH... more...

I'm Baaaaaack

2009-03-01T19:47:00.009-06:00

Oh, Internet! I am back from my blogging hiatus and feelin' good! Boy did I miss you! Thanks for the e-mails checking on the hubby and I. We are fine I just needed a break. The sickness hit me hard, I think that my life finally caught up with me, and told me to slow down.

I have just been spending time with David, Daisy and bumming around the house. I have even been cooking... shhhhh, I don't want people to know that I actually do know how to cook. I have some yummy new recipes to share with you, but that is for another day.

Today I have come to enlighten you to the Seriously So Blessed world of TAMN:

My name is Tiffany/Amber/Megan/Nicole and I am married to Jordan/Jason/Wes/Taylor, and we have non-stop fun all the time and are LOVING married life! We are super busy, but we still love to make time for fun stuff and we just love being married and living our awesome lives. I LOVE crafts (especially Stampin' Up! and homemade jewelry) and he love sports. I went to hair school/teach second grade and now we are going to law/dental/business/medical school! So hard! But being in law/dental/business/medical school is really fun for me because there are tons of wives' clubs like bridge club, book club, walking club. Pretty awesome! Love you guys!

It took me a few of her posts to get her Utah Lingo, but when I did I was about to pee my Gs I was laughing so hard! TAMN is short for Tiffany/Amber/Megan/Nicole, the 4 most popular girls names in Utah and her husband is referred to as JJWT. Yes, you guessed, short for Jordan/Jason/Wes/Taylor, the 4 most popular boys names in Utah.

Photo taken from TAMN's Facebook

TAMN is the Mia Maid (here is a quick link on Wikipedia if you are not up on the Church Lingo) advisor in her Ward and gives the girls great lessons through text messaging, is on self-prescribed bed rest as she is pregnant with twins, never frowns, rather frown-smiles and her favorite words are feti (for her babies), for rills, what eves. TAMN is awesome. And even awesom-er because we don't even know who she is!

Check TAMN out if you are down for a righteous laugh and love poking fun at Church cliches. Otherwise get a sense of humor... and TAMN and I will pray for you!

These are some of my favorite posts, compliments of TAMN:
The Down-There Doc
If you lurve (love) it then you shoulda put a ring on it: Part I & Part II
Official Announcement
Historic Lurve (Please Keep in Mind this was posted on Inaguration Day.) Bless TAMN's heart!

If you lurve it then you shoulda put a ring on it!: part 1

Guys!!

Peace Out

2009-02-16T11:47:00.003-06:00

Okay well I am finally getting better... two weeks later! I just wanted to pop in to say HI and let you all know that I am taking the rest of the month off from this ol' blog! David and I have a TON going on this month with lots of changes. Plus, we are doing some more fun stuff to our house! I hope you all are doing well and hanging in there!

I will report back the first Monday in March!

The Sickness

2009-02-05T09:26:00.002-06:00

I know I have been gone. I am still gone. Please forgive me, but I am fighting a CRAZY cold.

My family apparently spends tooo much time togther because whatever this sickness is... it is swift and sucky. It started with Kyle and Mr. B and moved to Sean and my Dad. David was infected and missed some work last week and this weekend I was hit hard. I have missed 2 days of work and today I am leaving at lunch! Too top it all off my Mom is feeling the burn in her throat now. Yikes. The Sickness has taken hold.

The Sickness Symptoms: Sore throat, nasel congection, massive headache, slight fever, crazy cough and sneezing. I think this is just a common cold, but The Sickness is more fun to say!

Remember to wash your hands and drink lots of water people! Beware of The Sickness.

Baby Mania

2009-02-03T07:14:00.001-06:00

I have noticed something lately. Just about everyone I know is preggers! They are all just so cute that I cannot stand it. Well, I can, but you know what I mean! I think that there is something in the water... worldwide.

My friend Anna is one of those people who is preggers. I was so honored when she asked me if I would design her shower invitations. Of course I said yes! David and I just love Anna and Ben and are SO happy for them that they are getting to start their family.

This is what I came up with for Anna. Lucky for me I was able to work with my favorite color, PINK. Girl Power!

Anna's shower invites will be printed on a two sided pearl card stock paper. Yes, it will also have rounded corners. An extra girly touch I think!

Shameless Plug: Please keep me in mind for any of your invitation needs: birthday, anniversary, baby showers, weddings, graduations, etc... I make digital invitations (like the one above) and paper craft ones too!

Mr. B : 9 months

2009-02-02T07:14:00.003-06:00

My family and I are all finding it pretty hard to believe that Mr. B. is 9 months old already! He is growing SO that we are having trouble keeping up with the little rascal! This weekend David and I (okay, lets be honest here... David(What a gem!)) hauled my photography gear and baby session necessities over to my Mom's house for an impromptu session. Mr. B is so stinkin' cute that my job wasn't too difficult.

This shot is David and my favorite. We think that he looks a bit like he should be staring in A Bugs Life at this angle! I am in love with those eyes...

These two are a few more of my favorites.

Mr. B sure knows how to rock a mohawk.

You know me. I could not resist scrapping our favorite shot from Saturday.

Of course here is my PROJECT 525,600 MINUTES layout for week 5. I cannot believe that I am already into the fifth week of this project. Time is flying by. Reviewing the year like this so far has really been a blast!

Whelp! Happy Monday! Oh, and Internet, a big thanks to all of you Big Sweeties who left comments, sent emails and called regarding Baron! It really meant a lot to us!

DOMINO

2009-02-01T13:43:00.003-06:00

Domino is one of my favorite magazines ever! Yes, as you can tell I am serious! I just love this publication! Whitney is also one of my favorite friends ever! Yes, very serious, I know. A few weeks ago in the mail I received a note from Domino telling me that my very sweet and thoughtful friend, Whitney was giving me a years subscription as a gift. Hint: This is why it was on my Project 525,600 layout highlighted in week 3.

I think that Whitney has special powers and must have known that I needed a little pick me up! That particular day was pretty much crappy-to-the-max and her surprise was such a pick me up!

I am sad though. I was on my way to the Domino site this afternoon to surf for some home decor ideas (Yes, I am that lame! I save Pottery Barn magizines too!) and I saw a letter from the Editor! What? Domino is sadly not going to published anymore (tears)?!?!? Yep! Thank you to our craptastic economy they have had to cease all further issues of my favorite mag. Sorry Whit if I am the first to deliver you the bad news!

This happened to me with another mag that I subscribed to and the company, Creating Keepsakes, just changed my subscription to another publication similar to what I had be receiving. I guess that I should wait and see what happens because apparently Domino's last domino has fallen. Game over!

It's Not Perserverance... It's Love

2009-01-25T22:09:00.007-06:00

My Mom and Dad have told me many times that they were always amazed by perseverance. The two of them together and separately said that when I put my mind to something there is just no stopping me.

My Dad told me that when I was younger I would call at the beginning and end of every month to all of my "charges" (people I baby-sat for) to get them scheduled. Mom and Dad said that when I wanted something, I would always come to them to "make a deal" (Is this surprising? No!). When I wanted to take dance lessons I found a reputable studio, signed myself up for classes and merely told them when, where and how much it was going to cost. In college when I really wanted or needed something I knew just how to get it. I would drive the 2+ hours home (with my really cute puppy, Binx... that my Dad just couldn't resist) and ask in person. The phone was just so informal. Some how everything always worked out.

Now, as of late I had been doing this same exact thing in concern to our Big Sweetie, Baron. I would search online for solutions, call the doctors, arrange the appointments and then tell David how much this particular visit was going to cost. I would take off of work, along with David, to drive Baron across town to see what this doctor suggested we try. David and I would go to Costco after long exhausting days at work to stock up on the ingredients we would need for Baron's Doggie Stew. Some people would call this perseverance. We just call it love.

As I sit here trying to type this post I have a sad heart and vision blurred with emotions of loss. After speaking with our specialist late this week it was confirmed that Baron had exhausted all of his options for better health. While David and I as humans, are by nature selfish, we had to think of Baron. He was tired, sick, itchy, skinny and had lost his puppy zest. Keeping him here for us was beginning to wear too hard on him. So, once again we scheduled the appointment, made the arrangements and set our hearts aside. On Saturday morning Baron, with a tummy full of his favorite foods and treats, left us in hopes of setting his soul free from his ailments here on Earth.

David and I are making it, as My Nenee would say, but the last 24 hours have been a struggle. Our dogs are our family here at the house and to say that we love them would be and understatement indeed. We are blessed to have great family around us here for support, along with awesome friends to help us. David and I are also thankful for our wonderful Primary Veterinarian, Dr. Immethun. Baron's litter mate, Daisy, and his little sister, Binx, are a bit depressed and confused, but we know they will perk up sooner than we will! We will all miss our Big Sweetie!

Week 4 : My 525,600 Minutes... the only predictive thing I managed to complete this afternoon after Church this afternoon...