A New Spin

This weekend was my Alma-mater, Sugar-Salem High School's Homecoming. A few weeks prior to this event, my niece who is a senior was complaining about the last school dance pictures. They were taken in front of a green screen and when they got the pictures back she said it looked liked they were floating. So I said " get a group together and we'll snap some shots ." So here are a few of my favorite shots of the night. Umbrella, you ask? It was raining, if you look close you can see the drops on the bottom of her dress.



Can you believe this dress! When she got out of the car I nearly jumped for joy, I could not have picked a better color if I had tried!
Not to mention she was a dream to photograph. I love this picture, it reminds of an old movie. She looks like she waiting for a boat to come pick her up and take her to her country estate. (Ok, I know that sounds cheesey, but I can't help it)

This is my nephew Chris (doesn't he look handsome) and his date Jamie. I have been collecting vintage things here and there, and I think they all came together in this shoot. The umbrella is a vintage find from ebay and the suitcases are from two different antique shops

This is my GORGEOUS niece Jordyn! I love this picture it was nearly dark when her group got there. A wardrobe malfunction that was solved by offering a quick prayer, made them a little late. But after proofing this shot I didn't mind. The contrast between the dress and the water and the sky, (insert sigh). Fun Fun night and because it was to dark to really get some great shoots of Jordyn's group we will be doing this again saturday night. I can't wait!

P.S....

I love this man.

Affectionately, Theo

So Clay turned 6 on Aug 30th. How did he chose to celebrate the day I brought him into this world? Like any other red blooded American 6 year old boy would....with Star Wars! I think it was Star Wars the Clone Wars, but don't quote me on that. We had the entire theater to ourselves, the kids thought that was great. Derek and I took it as a bad sign. So I tried watching the movie through a six year old little boy's eyes. The best I could come up with was a six old little girl's eyes. Clay actually invited one little 6 year old girl to his party. I asked her how she liked the movie, she gave a little smile and said "I liked the popcorn". Couldn't have said it better myself! So I got a few pics of the kids striking their best Star Wars pose, (notice the one and only little girl, she's eating popcorn, hehehe) and proof that we did indeed have the the entire theater to ourselves.

After the movie we headed to the arcade where all the kids turned into greedy little ticket mongers. Only going after the easy win big pay off games. I had to laugh at the reaction when one of the machines would pay out. You would think they had won the Jackpot in Vegas. They would get so excited. Only to have their excitement dashed when they went to cash in there loot and find out 5000 tickets would get you an eraser or a tootsie roll. I actually heard one of the kids say as the girl handed him his prize of choice "What the heck"? But when all was said and done and I asked Clay, (Theo, as his father affectionately calls him) what his favorite part of his birthday was, he said, "Do I have to pick just one"?

Gaige and Clay at one of the Big Money No Whammy games. Notice the wad of tickets in Gaige's hand. Seriously that kid's greed knows no bounds. Grady below, also showing off his hard earned stash. And by hard, I mean pushing a button. Happy Day of your Birth Theo. Love ya little buddy!

Obsession....this week anyway

There here!
I'm one of those people who seems to have a new obsession
every six weeks.
Well my new obsession (that I'm happy to report has lasted for about 3 months)
Is anything vintage. I have been an avid Country Living Magazine reader for the past three years.
The pages filled with vintage and country furniture and fabric
has totally inspired me.
So I thought, I want to do my scrapbook/office all in vintage blues and reds and creams.
I've picked up a few small pieces here and there.
But when I saw these old cabinets on Ebay I had to have them!
We have a spot in our office were built in cabinets are supposed to go.
So I bought these cabinets for a whopping $20.00
No Lie!
Now I hoping we can some how get them to work in space they are intended for.
I'll keep you posted on the remodel.
Now that my kids are back in school. ( see previous post)
I will have time to totally refinish these.
But I do have to admit I love them they way they are!
And yes all the hardware is original. That alone is worth $20 bucks!

"Woo Who"

So I was looking back over my last couple of posts. They are mussy and sentimental!
Both of those things I am not. I don't know what got into me.
I am sarcastic and cynical.
Don't believe me?
Well read on.

For those of you who shed a few tears on the first day of school
this post is not for you, because you see, I am not one of those moms.
I look forward to the first day of school like my kids look forward to Christmas!
Don't get me wrong I enjoy summer, maybe a little to much.

( Hence the reason for my poor neglected blog)
I like having my kids home. I like the break in routine.

There isn't much I don't like about summer vacation.

And part of summer vacation is that it's over.

(almost Sadie doesn't go back until Sept.2nd)
So I got my kids up bright an early, dropped Gaige off to the fourth grade and Clay off to Kindy,
and I went to Wal-Mart where I saw many a mother with a smile on her face.
I even saw one I knew well who gave me a " Woo Who! "
My thoughts exactly.

I do however take my camera to document these times in my children's lives.
I'm not totally heartless.
I love the look on Gaige's face. He did not share in my enthusiasm.

The rest of the story....

Kim, I only had enough time to take 5 or 6 pics of each girl.
These two are my other favorites of Sadie.
Am I seriously old enough to have a daughter this old?
Wait....don't answer that!

When did this happen?

I was asked by Sadie's Beehive leader to take pictures of all the Young Women
This was job I was really excited about! Teenagers are great to shoot, there willing to try anything I ask them to.
So I started with the Laurels and worked my way down through the Beehives.
Sadie was the second to last girl before the night was done.
As I looked through me lens at her, my heart fluttered and my breath caught.
I was looking a young women !
Not a little girl .
This struck me so hard .
I look at this face all day everyday. But this face on this day, it was as if she changed right before my eyes.
Or maybe not?
I know time has changed her, especially in the last two years.
But I would look at her and see those rapid changes and think to myself
"Slow down, your just a little girl, this is all happening to fast"
So I have thought of her as a little girl inside this changing body wishing the outside and inside would reconcile.
And last night I think I got my wish.
Was I able to see her as the world sees her ?
Was I able to let go of the worry that is my constant companion when I am parenting her?
Or was able to look her how I should always look her?
This beautiful girl that has blessed my life in so many ways.
Who teaches through her example of Love, and Acceptance, and Patience.
I have had people tell me time and time again what an amazing spirit she has.
And I was lucky enough to see that literally radiate for her and change me.
I Love You Sadie!