for Him photography

Senior: Bailey

2009-11-12T13:39:00.000-08:00

These shots were taken a couple of weeks ago... we finally found a day without rain!!! :) I had so much fun with Bailey, she is so photogenic and really made the afternoon fun!
Bailey, thank you for choosing me to take your senior photos! I had a great time and can't wait for the winter shots! :)
Thought I'd start off with her laughing... :)

This was such a cool wall...

Obviously It's been way too long since I've blogged pictures... I didn't even post them my normal size! Hmmm, better work on that!

What's New?

2009-11-05T07:49:00.000-08:00

Yes, I know, it's been WAY TOOOO long since I've blogged. Quite a few things have been happening....
* There were days when I haven't touched the computer... which actually turned out to be nice! Cause really, this thing can suck away your time!
* I have been daily reminded and encouraged by the Word of God. I'm not going by my "feelings", I'm going by what the Word says. Because God cannot lie. So what He says takes first seat compared to what I feel.
* Nathan has his two bottom teeth! :)
* Nathan is getting back on track with a nap schedule, which I'm REALLY thankful for!
* I attended a Lori Nordstrom photography workshop two weeks ago and learned a lot!
* The house really needs cleaned.
* Jerod's new favorite drink is apple cinnamon and peppermint tea mixed with honey. :) It is really good!
* Nathan has his 9 month appointment tomorrow morning. After that we'll stop and see the doctor that delivered him because... 1. she is the best doctor ever 2. she'll want to squeeze Nathan's chubby cheeks 3. and because I'm pregnant! :)

The Moore Family

2009-10-14T13:25:00.000-07:00

Ah, I've been behind a bit on blogging... between making 10+ pies, a trip to Kansas City, Nathan cutting teeth and a lack of sleep... it's been busy! :0
Here is the Moore family! We took their pictures on really the last nice weekend! It's been so cold ever since! Their kids are just adorable!
Enjoy!

It's What's Inside The Package That Counts!

2009-10-07T12:42:00.000-07:00

A few weeks ago, it was Mariah and Bryce's birthdays! Bryce was kind enough to share her big red bow with Nathan! He was so interested in the wrapping paper that I've decided he's going to get a box with wrapping paper stuffed inside for Christmas!
Ok, I'm kidding. kind of.
Isn't he just the cutest little gift EVER??

Marissa: Sr. pics

2009-10-06T11:44:00.000-07:00

Now that fall is here, there is always a chance of rain during a photo shoot! I had scheduled Marissa's photos on a Saturday morning and even though it was cloudy, it turned out to be a beautiful morning! At the end of the shoot, a monarch butterfly made it's way over to Marissa, landing on her jeans, then on her hand, and even up to her head! It was the coolest thing!! One of those great things you just can't plan!
Marissa, I had such a great time taking your pictures! I'm so excited with the locations that we found! You are such a beautiful girl and wonderful to work with! Thanks for letting me have the chance to capture YOU! :)

Things I Enjoy: Canon 85 1.8 lens

2009-09-30T09:31:00.000-07:00

This lens has become my favorite right now! It's so crisp and I really like the shallow depth of field!

Photographing Weddings

2009-09-25T13:39:00.000-07:00

You know it's funny... it happened years ago, when I KNEW that I wanted to do photography full time. I intended to do families, children or seniors... it didn't matter to me, as long as I didn't do weddings!
I DID NOT want to be a wedding photographer! "Because you only have one shot at it. You can't go back and redo that day." This is true, but I used to think that when I didn't have as much confidence in my work. I also didn't want the hassle to deal with any of the "awful stories" that I've heard from other photographers.
But right now, I can honestly say that shooting weddings has become my favorite! There's just something about that day, the atmosphere, the emotions, the details...
I had the pleasure of helping my friend Elly of e photography do another wedding. The weather was perfect that day, the bride was stunning and the couple is so in love.

Brothers: Max and Seth

2009-09-22T15:32:00.000-07:00

So, I'm not trying to be biased, but these are two of the cutest boys and I had so much fun taking their pictures! They come from a great family whom I think are wonderful!
Little Max just turned one! I think it's a great idea to have photos of your little ones before they're not so little anymore! Seth did a great job making Max smile and laugh.... he acted like tarzan at one point and made me laugh so hard I cried! :)

Allison: Senior

2009-09-16T07:43:00.000-07:00

I'd gotten to know Allison when I worked with the 4-H youth while at the Madison County Extension office. I know she will do some amazing things in her future years!
I had such a great time taking photos of Allison! She is one of my first seniors and was so easy to work with, and very photogenic! We took these on a Saturday morning, finally a sunny day! :) At the end of the shoot, we were up by the Historical Society and happened to get a few in the old school house!
Enjoy!

Serving It's Purpose

2009-09-14T21:28:00.000-07:00

The other day I ran some material out to Jerod at the job site. On the way, my car hit this....

That's a lot of miles for one owner in 10 years!!

Janous Family

2009-09-10T10:58:00.000-07:00

When Jerod and I were in Texas, I had the pleasure of photographing my cousin, his beautiful wife and their little girl! We went out in the morning before the Texas sun got really hot! Have I mentioned how hot it was there?? It made Iowa feel like autumn when we got home!

Things I Enjoy: '65 Chevy

2009-09-03T07:52:00.000-07:00

I've had lot of fun this summer driving this truck! It's true that I've had my share of squealing tires, killing it at stop signs, making it buck, and stares from people. But thankfully, none of my passengers had to wear neck braces after riding with me! :)

But as much as I enjoy driving it, I also like to sit in the passenger seat. I like it when Jerod is behind the wheel and Nathan is in the car seat between us. Just crusin'.

Life. is. good.

Janous Family: Quick Peek

2009-08-31T12:20:00.000-07:00

The Farm is...

2009-08-28T13:46:00.000-07:00

... always my favorite place to go.
It's always peaceful. Always full of memories. The big trees swaying in the breeze and the kittens under your feet. Like a little piece of heaven.

He Tolerates It Well

2009-08-24T17:55:00.000-07:00

I hope he doesn't get tired of me taking pictures of him, cause it's not going to stop. Ever.

I'm Back!

2009-08-20T08:03:00.000-07:00

Sorry, I've been behind on blogging the past week.... we were in Texas and had a GREAT time!
More to come!

Kicken' Back

2009-08-10T11:24:00.000-07:00

Each Day of the Year

2009-08-10T11:20:00.001-07:00

I heard on the radio the other day that in the Bible, it says "Do not fear" 365 times.
That's one for each day of the year.

Sisters: Just For Fun

2009-08-07T11:56:00.000-07:00

And for today... here are pictures of both Mariah and Bryce. As sisters, I think they have such a great relationship with each other! They always know how to have fun!
This is the first picture I took that evening to test the light... after seeing it, I knew we were going to have fun!

This next series of photos really make me laugh!

Not all of my photos are always perfectly focused...

Bryce: Just For Fun

2009-08-06T19:16:00.000-07:00

Like I said yesterday, I had so much fun taking photos of Mariah and Bryce. Bryce really made me laugh, she needed no direction in posing! She told me she's been posing for years... which is true, I've seen pictures! :) Here she is...

Ok, this next picture made me laugh so hard! I asked Bryce to spin around, but with the boots she was wearing and with all the weeds, she kept tripping... and getting dizzy! Mariah had to jump in and show her how to spin! :) It still didn't work, so Bryce decided to just stand still and sway from side to side! :)

Mariah: Just For Fun

2009-08-04T11:10:00.000-07:00

A couple nights ago, I had the pleasure to photograph my 2 stepdaughters. I found a great location that was blooming with wild flowers and we went out in the evening to get some of that beautiful golden light! Mariah and Bryce are so much fun and I'm really excited with how these turned out!
Since I took so many pictures, I will post them over the next couple days. So for today, here is the lovely Mariah...
This is one of my favorites...

Something Pretty

2009-07-31T13:44:00.000-07:00

I was actually planning on blogging today about my recent trips (yes, I said trip-s) to the dentist, but I decided against it. And I won't say how many cavities I had either, because when I told my mom, she gave me a look that said, haven't you learned anything child??!!
The sounds that resembled Jerod's table saw, hammer drill and shop vac are finally drifting away from my memory. But last night, while the left side of my face was still numb, I attempted to eat a BLT. Because I was hungry! But little did I know during the second bite, I was also chewing on my bottom lip. Yeah, not pretty. So we're not going to go there! :)
Instead, I'm going to show you some pretty flowers that are blooming at the farm right now.Tiger Lilys, Phlox, Star Gazer Lilys, Queen Ann's Lace... more of a weed/wildflower, but I think it's pretty, and I can't remember the name of this one... does anyone know the name of it?

Cornfields

2009-07-30T12:25:00.000-07:00

When I took photography classes at DMACC a few years ago, I decided to enter a couple photos in the Iowa State Fair. Those pictures had to have a title. I took one similar to this shot below and named it "Stalkers".

We've had some really great cloudy days here lately, and this particular evening was beautiful!

Happy end of July!

Madison County Fair Highlights

2009-07-25T07:49:00.000-07:00

Last week I had the pleasure to help out with a few events at the Madison County Fair. One of the highlights was judging the younger kids projects in grades K-3. I saw some really neat things and tasted some really yummy food. I'm sure not all people would be up to trying brownies that a 7 year old made, but me?? I'm up for anything! :)
There was a really cute boy that baked some really good sweets! Chocolate chip banana bread, cookies and s'more brownies... YUM!!! He didn't talk much but had the CUTEST smile! When I asked him if he already tried a brownie, he smiled and nodded yes. I asked him if he wanted another one and nodded yes... his smile never left his face! So I handed him one and then I tried one and they were so good! All you do is layer a pan with whole graham crackers, prepare a brownie mix and pour over top. Bake as the box instructs and when they're done pull them out. Then sprinkle chocolate chips and marshmallows over the top and bake for just a few minutes more! They were so good that I've been craving them since I tried them. I was also craving chocolate chip banana bread, but made that the other day! :) (And it's already gone!) His brownies could have been made out of cement and I would have still thought he did a good job! Kids are so fun at that age and every one I visited with that day did an excellent job on their projects!
Another event I helped with was bottle calf judging! This is a favorite at the fair as parents grandparents, aunts and uncles come to watch their little ones. I especially like it because the kids say the cutest things! I asked one girl what her calves name was and she said "Darnit!" When I asked how she came up with that name, she said "Because my daddy said, 'Darnit, we have a bottle calf this year!' " I asked another girl if there was anything special about her calf that she wanted us to know about and she said, "I put glitter on his hooves." :) And another boy showed his calf Dead Red. The little boy came up with this calf's name because, "His mom's dead and he's red." Classic. Kids are so honest, aren't they?
One of the last events I helped with was herdsmanship judging. That's when you walk through the livestock barns and check for clean pens, water, isle's swept, etc. Each 4-H club gets judged as a group in each livestock division. Nathan came along for this one and so did the wonderful Marcy, who pushed him around. (Thanks Marcy!)
Oh, and I helped Beth with the cat show. We controlled ourselves and didn't laugh the whole time we were together! :) What can I say, I'm a cat person! Except for the large hissing ones...

46 Days Late

2009-07-22T10:48:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, out of the blue, I suddenly realized that my license had expired on my birthday... which was 46 days ago. I knew there was something about 30 days expired, but what about the other 16? Jerod said I should go get a new one that afternoon. My idea to wait until tomorrow for a better hair day was rejected... so we went.
The man who issued the licenses recognized me from helping at the bottle calf show this past Saturday. He had 3 kids enter calves and one of them was the little boy who named his calf Dead Red. Just saying that made me laugh out loud! I remembered his son and he has also won first place in his class! (More on that story later!) Anyways, while I was standing there to get my picture taken I was still half way laughing about that name. After my license was ready, Jerod wanted to see the picture. He thought it was good, I on the other hand, thought my name should read Gums or Teeth. Needless to say, my smile was pretty big!
Thanks Dead Red!

A Cubby Hole

2009-07-17T18:51:00.000-07:00

Sometimes it seems like it takes no time at all for an area in the house to become a mess. Our house has VERY limited storage space... this is one of the few cubby holes we have. I think little areas like this overflow quickly because it's not big enough. So what we need in our new house is LOTS of storage space... with doors, so I can hide it all! :)
before
after

The Start of a Lifetime

2009-07-15T18:52:00.000-07:00

I didn't think 3 years could go so fast! Happy anniversary Jerod, I love you!

Spring Horses

2009-07-12T14:08:00.000-07:00

I came across a new trick (edge burn) to use on my photos from my new favorite blog. It's located at this link if you'd like to use it as well. I tried it out on some photos that I took last spring at Hidden Acres. Let me know what you think!

A New Favorite

2009-07-08T07:36:00.000-07:00

Every morning I make a point to check other blogs. I learn some neat things and have got some inspiration from other photographers and friends. But I also have to watch the clock while doing this, because time tends to slip away quickly!
I came across a new favorite blog just a few days ago. The Pioneer Woman. This is one of the coolest blogs I've come across in a while! Ree discusses it all... cooking, photography, home and garden, homeschooling... it is a reflection of her life on the ranch with her husband and 4 children. I really like the way she writes, I laugh out loud at least once in each post! And the comments she receives... are AMAZING! She just put up a post this morning and there are already over 130 comments. But that's NOTHING compared to the 13,168 comments from this post that she put up yesterday! Really??!! This girls' got a lot of readers!
Be sure to stop by her blog, you just might learn something from this girl who is "Plowing through life in the country... one calf nut at a time." (Her words, not mine! :)

Pena Kids

2009-07-07T12:36:00.000-07:00

These kids were SO much fun to take pictures of! After I took was done, Nicholas took a few pictures of me, but I'll spare you all and just post photos of them! :)

Amber and Jonathan: Married (Part 1)

2009-07-02T18:58:00.000-07:00

As I mentioned, I had the chance to tag along with Jodi and Rodney Gehman to a wedding. This turned out to be one of the most beautiful weddings I've ever been to! The day was gorgeous along with the locations. The reception was held in an old barn and I wish I could have had a location like that for my wedding! Be sure to check here for some pics on the Gehman site.

This field was a beautiful location for shots!

More to come!

He Makes Me Smile

2009-06-29T18:51:00.000-07:00

You Know You're Tired When...

2009-06-25T18:53:00.000-07:00

You rock your child to sleep and fall asleep before they do.
You decided to take a quick nap while you're little one is sleeping. Ten minutes later you wake up to their cry, and have no idea what time or day it is and don't know where your baby is. (Yes, that really happened, don't worry I found him! :)
When your head hits the pillow each night, you're out within seconds.

But... it's so worth it!

Yay!

2009-06-24T10:52:00.000-07:00

For a while, the weather was cool and I was wondering if it was ever going to warm up! Well, warm up it did! We had a storm blow through last night and Hannah came over to wait it out before returning home after work. I'm glad she stopped by because Nathan gets bigger by the day it seems like!
While she was playing with Nathan, she told him that he's going to have a new cousin! YAY!!! I've been waiting for this day! I am SOOO excited for her and my brother! I know they will be wonderful parents!
Here is one of their engagement pictures I took of them in the summer of 2007...

Congratulations Ben and Hannah! I love you!

Paige and Jesse: Married

2009-06-19T14:18:00.000-07:00

Here are some photos from a wedding that I helped second shoot at in late May. Paige and Jesse got married at Hidden Acres Christian Camp in Dayton and it was a beautiful day!

Good Reads: Part 2

2009-06-17T08:49:00.000-07:00

I am very aware that when you give birth to a child, they do not come with an instruction book, titled "All About Me!"
A couple of weeks ago, Jerod and I went to Barnes and Noble in search of a baby book for some advice. Instead of getting the book I came for, I left with "The Duggars: 20 and Counting!" When I showed it to Jerod he said, get it... she's done it 18 times and she's a Christian.
I finished the book this past Monday night and will say that it was full of great advice. No, we don't plan on having 18 kids, but I have always been interested in how they do it! Really, my one child is a nap in a hammock under a shade tree compared to their crew!
One piece of advice that I thought was really great (and unusual for this day) is that they don't borrow money for anything. If they want something, they save up the money for it, ensuring that they don't go into debt. (This principle reminded me of book The Total Money Makeover by Dave Ramsey, but that's a whole nother post!) The Duggar family sticks to this principle from the verse in the Bible "Owe no man anything, but to love one another." -Romans 13:8 Great advice if you ask me!
I was really impressed how the kids are all so helpful to each other and to their parents. They do everything together, from cleaning the house, schoolwork, fixing meals to even building their 7,000 square foot house (which is paid for!)
This was a really great book to read since I didn't have to "think" so much! :) Scattered throughout the book are family recipes, interesting facts and answers to emails they have received. It was great to learn about a family that loves the Lord and each other!

Also, on Monday morning on the Today show, they announced that the oldest son and his wife are having a baby girl! I thought this was a creative idea.... cutting a cake and the inside frosting color tells you what you're going to have!
Later that night, I checked out Gabriel and Carlie's photography blog. They are a husband and wife team out of southern California. Check out their exciting video.... IT'S. THE. BEST! :)

Hole Shots

2009-06-14T12:27:00.000-07:00

On our way to church this morning we drove past the motor cross track that is only a couple miles from our house and saw that it was race day.
Jerod and his friend Scott used to race a few years back. So they're always up for catching a flight or riding their motorcycles across country to see a good race. 2 years ago I went with them and watched the race at Millville, Minnesota and I've been hooked ever since. I can sit and watch Dust To Glory over and over. So after church, of course we went to the race!
Nathan really wanted to take a nap after church, but we took him to the race instead! :) As we walked over, another group of riders were getting ready to go. Ok, if you've never been to a motor cross race, the hole shots are the BEST! I can't even describe the sound and smell, you just have to be there in person!! (Click here to get an idea) Nathan did cry on the first one, but after that he watched with the rest of us.

And if you're wondering if Nathan ever got his nap in, yes he did. :)

Like A First Day On The Job

2009-06-12T11:16:00.000-07:00

One thing I have always enjoyed about a new job is the learning process, simply because... well it's new! I have always been one to catch on pretty quickly by watching and learning from others or following the pace of what was done before me.
Now with a new photography business, things are a bit different. I don't have someone to follow or follow me like with my first waitress job. And since this is a new business, I'm starting from square one. There are no files one the computer showing me the best method of organizing photos and invoices and I don't yet have a speedy way of post processing. I'll be honest, I'm not THAT fond of sitting in front of a computer for hours! Which can definitely drag on the learning process.
But, I am bound and determined to get it!
So, if you're a photographer and have a great tip on what helped you learn the in and out's, I would really like to hear it! :)

The Raddest Photo Trip Ever

2009-06-10T10:19:00.000-07:00

Ok, so one of my favorite things to do is travel. Outside of the U.S. I've only been to Mexico, Canada and Brasil. I had the chance to go to Thailand in 2002 with a couple people I worked with, my friend Beth and our manager who is Thai. Beth and I were to go and help watch their kids. Long story short, we couldn't get off work at the same time so neither of us ended up going.
I came across Bobby Earle's blog a while ago and have since been reconnected with it when he left a comment here on my blog the other day. And then I saw this...
The Raddest Photo Trip Ever!
If you have a couple minutes, sit back and watch the video he and his beautiful wife Lindsay created from one of their trips! After showing this to Jerod and asking him if he wanted to go, his answer was YES!
Be sure to check out his blog too as he has posted pictures from a recent trip to Africa! Mo, I think you're going to like this! :)

Meet Bill

2009-06-09T08:21:00.000-07:00

As some of you know, Bob is no longer at the farm. But... meet Bill. He is the cutest little kitten and has pretty blue eyes! Hannah got him from one of the guys she works with. She always wanted an orange male cat!
Hey Jerod, maybe you could get me one as a late birthday gift?! Just an idea! ;)

29 years and 4 months

2009-06-06T06:36:00.000-07:00

It really is June isn't it?! With the year almost half gone, I'm reminded of how important it is to live each day to the fullest!
On Thursday, Nathan turned 4 months old! Jerod and I took him in for his 4 mo. appointment. He did a great job and the shots didn't even phase him. He was more interested in eating, which he does a lot of! :)
I didn't bring my camera with me, although I wish I did. There was one point when the nurse was measuring his head. Nathan was sitting on the table (with the help of dad), in just his diaper, belly hanging out, tape measure wrapped around his head, and eyes open WIDE! It was really cute!
Yesterday marked my 29th birthday! My Uncle Bill from Texas has the same birthday as me, and I feel blessed to be able to share such a special day with someone that I love and respect very much! (I won't say how old he is! :)
I also made sure to thank the Lord for all that He has done and where He has placed me. And thank you mom, and dad, for raising me and loving me, and Ben, for putting up with a sister like me! :) I love you! And to top it off, I enjoyed a piece of french silk pie with a pink candle, baked especially for me by Marie Callender!

I know my mom is looking for the pictures of Nathan... so here's one for you! On his 4 mo. birthday sitting in his dad's truck!

Learning From The Pros

2009-06-01T19:24:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I was blessed with the opportunity to shoot a wedding with Jodi and Rodney of Gehman Photography who are a husband and wife team based out of Kalona Iowa. They were the photographers for my brothers wedding in September '07 and they ROCK!
It was such an exciting experience to watch them in action. Jodi has some amazing vision when it comes to posing people and Rodney gets shots from angles that I wouldn't even think of! And they are super fast at switching out lenses. I was impressed! :) They are so inspiring and I am very thankful that I got the chance to learn from them!
I will post a few pictures from the wedding soon but for now go check out their website and blog. I highly recommend them to anyone!

Backlight and Flare

2009-05-28T13:06:00.000-07:00

Like I wrote about yesterday, I've been practicing a few things with my camera. I think backlight photos are beautiful and for a while, wasn't the best at achieving them. But like I said I've been practicing and here's a couple that I came up with.

This is one of my new favorite pictures of Jerod and Nathan.

(The tree shot doesn't contain the best composition, but I like the fact that I can still see detail in the tree without completely blowing out the leaves.)

And, just because every post is better with a picture of Nathan... here he is! :)

All three of these photos are SOOC so if anyone has any suggestions on how to make them better, please let me know! I'd love the advice!

Practice, Practice, Practice

2009-05-27T19:29:00.000-07:00

Out of all the information I've gathered from other professional photographers, one thing stays the same... practice!
The other night, Nathan and I were outside and I was messing around with the depth of field. (It's so nice having digital so I can see the results right away!) Here is what I came up with...
I used the 80 m lens, f/22. To me, the result is kind of a flat looking picture since you can see the detail on the sidewalk (which also needs to be swept!)
This next shot was also with the 80 m, but this time the f stop was 1.8, wide open. I think shooting wide open produces a creamier image. Jerod didn't like this one though because the middle flowers were out of focus. Can't please everyone right? :)
So, which shot do you like best?

Enjoy The Ride

2009-05-26T18:51:00.000-07:00

This past weekend, Jerod and I headed to one last graduation party. It's neat to see kids that you know finish this step of their lives.
Nathan has been a trooper too and has come along to them all. He did pretty good with all the people that wanted to hold him. But really, how can you NOT resist holding him??!! :)
On our way out to the graduation party this past Friday, I stopped for a moment and took it all in. Jerod and I in the '65 Chevy, with Nathan in the middle. Windows down and a nice warm breeze. It was a beautiful day. It was a moment that I realized once again, how thankful I am for the people I have in my life. Life is good, and I'm enjoying the ride.

AND, Nathan rolled over for the first time tonight! :)

The Best Sandals - Ever!

2009-05-25T18:07:00.000-07:00

Jerod and I went to Des Moines this afternoon and came across my favorite flip flops, ever! Havaianas! They just made an appearance in the states the past few years. The sandals I once thought I could only buy in Brasil are now for sale at your local Younkers (and Dillards.) Of course, the price is quite a bit higher here and the selection not nearly as good, but it's nice to know that when I need a new pair, I don't have to wait until the next time I go to Brasil to pick them up.
Here is the next pair I would like to get.... Brown Tops Metallic! :)

Sneak Peak

2009-05-21T12:57:00.000-07:00

This past Saturday was quite a day. Nathan and I helped teach a baby sitting class in the morning and the evening was full of graduation parties. In between that, I went to Hidden Acres and helped my good friend Elly of E Photography, photograph her sister-in-laws wedding. Even though it was windy in the morning, it turned out to be a beautiful day!

Here's a sneak peak!

Switching Modes

2009-05-19T05:46:00.000-07:00

It's almost been 4 months since my last day of work at Madison County Extension office. In these 4 months, there have been days when I've missed my job... the people I work with, the deadlines, the challenges, everything that goes with it. And at times, it even seems like a vacation compared to staying home and raising a child! :)
Early this month, the Lord brought it to my attention that I should volunteer to help out at the office. A lot has happened since I left in January. The office got a complete makeover, which is wonderful! But budget cuts have also been made that have affected jobs, which isn't so wonderful. So through all this, it's been a VERY BUSY 4 months for everyone at the office. Last week I went in a few hours to help get things organized for the new 4-H CYC that started yesterday. It felt good to help out and it was also a nice change of pace from being at home. I did bring Nathan with me and he did a good job at playing and napping! :)
While I was there, I realized that I am in the exact place where I'm supposed to be. I will admit, in these last few months, I've wondered if starting a photography business is the right step for me to take. It was nice to get that paycheck every two weeks. And I really enjoyed having a job where tasks were different every month. But I was also reminded that my job is not my provider, my God is! And really, are any two days with Nathan the same?? Hardly!
So I now see why the Lord put it on my heart to go in and help out... for two reasons...1. To show me that I am in the exact spot where I'm supposed to be right now and2. To be a blessing to others by volunteering my time.
I'm sure glad I didn't ignore Him by staying at home on the couch, watching t.v. and eating bon bons! :)

It Still Is

2009-05-15T07:39:00.000-07:00

I just came across this on Natalie Norton's blog, and I think the message to this is great... enjoy!

Joys of Being a Mom

2009-05-12T07:19:00.000-07:00

This past Sunday was such a fun day as a mom! Jerod got me the nicest cards, one from him and one from Nathan that he even signed himself... with a little help from dad! It's great to be a mom and I'm so thankful that I am!

On another note... it's a good thing Nathan likes to take baths... lately, he likes to pee all over when we change his diaper! :)

Choosing

2009-05-08T09:06:00.000-07:00

The other day I made a list of all the things I want to have finalized for the photography business. One of those items is finding a new printing lab. So I'm checking out a few printing labs before I make my final choice. Here are a few of the photos I sent in to have test prints made.

I should be receiving them back soon! Can't wait!

Good Reads: Part 1

2009-05-04T11:56:00.000-07:00

I have always enjoyed a good book. When I was younger I used to read under the covers with a flashlight while I was supposed to be sleeping! :) The past couple years, I haven't read as much as I used to or liked to. But that's about to change.
A couple weeks ago, I heard about a book called "Do Hard Things". It's written by 19 year old twin brothers, Alex and Brett Harris. I was able to borrow the book and ended up reading it pretty quickly. What impressed me was the things that these twins and other teens around the world are accomplishing at such a young age.
The book talks about doing 5 different kinds of hard things. 1. Hard things that take you outside your comfort zone.
2. Hard things that go beyond what's expected or required.
3. Hard things that are too big for you to do alone.
4. Hard things that don't pay off immediately.
5. Hard things that go against the crowd.

Even this book is geared towards teens, I really go a lot out of it. It really got me thinking about the hard things in my life, things that I want to do, but used to think they were too hard.
Jerod ended up buying the book the other day and now he's reading it. I think it will be a good gift also for some teens that are graduation from high school.

The New Blog!

2009-04-25T08:30:00.000-07:00

The new blog with BIGGER PICTURES has arrived! I've really enjoyed working with Nikki at Expressive Style Graphics! She has been so helpful and I recommend her to anyone! Thank you Nikki!

This post is a practice one to make sure I get everything right. :) So I thought I'd post a couple pictures of the Christ Statue in Rio de Janeiro since Jerod and I were there a year ago this month.

Enjoy!

Bob

2009-04-22T07:40:00.000-07:00

For those of you that know me well, you'd know that I LOVE my cat Bob! And if you know me REALLY well, you'd also know that Bob is actually my brother's cat, but I claim him as my own! :) Every time I go to the farm, Bob is the first one that I want to see. We've had Bob for about 8 years now. We've had a lot of different cats over the years, but he wins first place for the cat with the most personality! My dad used to say, "He's a cat that thinks he's a dog that wants to be a human." Yep, that's Bob.

Bob would follow you where ever you went. He would walk the pastures checking fence with my dad (the dog part of him), get between your feet when you're trying to do something, run up to you when he heard you pull in the driveway (again = dog), try to sneak in the house as often as he could, and he loved to be petted and held. Most of the time wanting all the attention on him, like a jealous child. :)

He has annoyed so many other cats over the years, they finally just learn to tolerate him. He loves to think that he's in control. For example, he will not let the Golden Retriever Emma, up on the deck when he is there. There are two sets of steps and both Emma and Bob would run from one to the other, with Bob hissing and displaying his claws, showing Emma who's boss! Bob can be such a nuisance at times, picking fights for no reason. But I love him anyway. We all do.

Hannah called me Friday last week and told me that Bob had been hit on the highway. We have lost a few cats to the blacktop and this time, unfortunately, Bob was no exception. :( It's just not going to be the same now going to the farm without Bob there.

Blessed To Be A Blessing

2009-04-16T07:44:00.000-07:00

I've been reminded lately to take time out for others. To put my desires aside and focus on someone else. Either by sending a card or taking the time to listen. Because really, our lives aren't about us are they?

So I've been thinking lately... what would people do if money wasn't an issue in their lives? Would you think that you had been blessed to be a blessing? Or would you hoard it all and full fill your desires and wants? Don't get me wrong, there's nothing wrong having desires... I think it's good to have vision! But would you be so focused on yourself that you forget about others? It's something to think about...

And because posts really ARE better with pictures... here is Nathan, posing AGAIN for my camera! :)

April 14

2009-04-14T20:23:00.000-07:00

Today, I am happy to say that it's my husbands birthday!! A year ago today, we were in Brasil and drinking shots of coffee after a huge buffet that was so good. (I can't remember what kind of coffee it was, but it's seriously like an espresso shot!) :)

This year, we spent the day like any other Tuesday, but made sure to enjoy time with each other and with our family. Balloons and cake will eventually disappear, but just know that my love for you won't. :) I love you so much Jerod! Happy Birthday!

Easter means...

2009-04-12T20:14:00.000-07:00

Easter is such a wonderful holiday in my book! Remembering that Jesus Christ went to the cross and died for YOU and for ME! The great thing is that He rose again... which is Easter day!

Jerod, myself and Nathan spent the morning at church and the afternoon with family. It was a great day! This evening I got on my wonderful friend Maureen's blog and saw that she spent Easter at THE EMPTY TOMB in Israel! Now, that would be a great way to celebrate Easter! :) Thanks for sharing Mo!

The Mail

2009-04-10T11:05:00.000-07:00

Have you ever gone to get the mail, glanced at it and then felt like putting it back in the mailbox? :)

Seafood, Suntans and a Banana Split

2009-04-04T04:23:00.000-07:00

There are always those moments that redefine our lives. For me, traveling to Brasil, my dad's death, and the pregnancy and birth of my son Nathan have had a large impact on how I view life and how I live. And now I would have to add going to the Branson Victory Campaign to that list.

I first heard about Kenneth and Gloria Copeland when I was younger but really started to listen to them when Jerod and I started dating and even more so right after my dad died. I know many people (Christians included) who don't like to listen to t.v. ministers or view them as the "name it and claim it" bunch. But I don't see them like that, I see them as taking the Bible for what it is and living life as it should be. If we're supposed to "Be Like Christ", then why are we sick in bed, worried about how we're supposed to get the bills paid and spend too much time wondering what to make for supper? And I know I am guilty of all.

During the 3 days of listening to Kenneth and Gloria last month, I prayed that the Lord would show me areas that I needed to change that might be putting a hold on His blessings for me. Very clearly, He showed me 2 things that I needed to do with our finances. One of those things was pay money to someone that I owed. Now, this individual had not been asking me for the money, nor do I think they even had expected its coming. But the Holy Spirit had been reminding me of it for some time (like for 2 1/2 years) but I hadn't followed through with it. So when Jerod and I arrived home, I sent the money off to that person. I also acted on the other thing that needed changing and when the time is right, I will share that story also.

Since I have obeyed, blessings have been coming in...

Jerod and I went out for lunch a couple weeks ago and we just happened to run into my Uncle and my cousins wife. I hadn't seen them for about a year now. It was a nice surprise to the day and Jerod and I joined them at their table. It was good to visit with them and they were glad to see Nathan. They finished before us and went on their way. When Jerod and I were ready to go, the waitress informed us that our bill had been taken care of. :) (Thank you Uncle Steve!)

A couple weekends ago, I found out there was free tanning for the weekend at the place I've gone to. So I went, wanting to get a little color added to this pasty skin that had only seen light from the computer screen this past summer! While I was waiting I signed up for their prizes, not know what they were. A week and a half after that, I got a phone call saying that I had won free tanning for a year!

One of my favorite foods is ice cream and I am so glad to know that Frosties opened yesterday!! :) For some reason I had been thinking about a banana split 2 weeks ago and how good it would taste. (Yes, I'm one of those that dreams about food!) Last Saturday, Jerod and I had a late supper after watching Mariah's dance competition. We ended up stopping at Culver's on the way home. They have some of the BEST ice cream and we decided to get some after our meal. Well while we're eating, one of the workers walks up to us and asked it we'd like a free banana split since they had made an extra one! Of course, I put my not-even-close-to-being-done hamburger down and dove into the split!

I'm thankful that I decided to obey the Lord this time instead of put it off. And I know that this is just the beginning of more blessings to come! And so I'm asking you, are there things that you know you should be doing but are not?

Perfectionism Leads To Procrastination

2009-03-28T05:30:00.000-07:00

I heard this from David Jay during the Free To Succeed tour stop in Kansas City last August. For me, this is so true, especially with this blog! I would prefer to have things perfect. I honestly don't even like my blog, I think the style of it is boring and that makes ME not even want to visit it! Somethings wrong with that picture, right?

So, it's time for a makeover! Nikki from Expressive Style Graphics is working on the new and improved for Him photography blog as I type! :) Be sure to stop back again soon to check it out!

Bella

2009-03-18T13:12:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was such a nice day, it really got me ready for spring and summer! I'm missing the warm weather! Maybe it's time to take a trip to Brasil again! :)

Here's Bella, she lives in Rio!

Today

2009-03-12T09:48:00.001-07:00

Quite a bit of time has gone by since my last post. The days are so much different here at home, but in a good way! Nathan is growing so fast! He was 5 weeks old yesterday! I told Jerod that if i was still at my old job, i would be going back to work in a week... I'm thankful that I don't have to leave Nathan and that I can stay home with him!

The first few weeks were spent getting caught up on rest! I know what they mean know when they say, "Sleep when your baby sleeps!" :) I'm at the point when I'm starting to get into a routine. Spending time with the Lord, working out and working on the photography business are all priorities that I want to keep up on.

Last week, Jerod and I went to Branson Missouri to hear Kenneth and Gloria Copeland andKeith Moore. We had such a good time, it was nice to get away for a while. The messages were just what we needed to hear also! And I also met some wonderful ladies in the nursing room of all places! :) It's neat to see other mothers interact with their babies! We were also blessed with 2 days with temps in the 80's! That really made me ready for spring! It's coming!!

Here's a picture of Nathan... I love his eyes!

Nathan Charles Bowman

2009-02-19T17:16:00.000-08:00

It's amazing how a little baby can put things in perspective, what's important and what's not...

Nathan Charles Bowman was born on February 4, 2009 at 1:24 p.m. Like the pregnancy, the delivery was wonderful and a blessing!! :) Since I was a week overdue, my doctor scheduled for me to come in that Wednesday morning at 7:30 a.m. The night before I hardly slept! They broke my water just before 8 a.m. and I started having contractions that I could feel around 11 a.m. By 1 p.m. I started pushing and at 1:24 he was born! :) Nathan weighed 8 lb. 13 oz. and it's amazing to think that he was inside me! God is so awesome!

Our new little addition to the family... Nathan Charles Bowman.

A happy dad with his new son!

Nathan one day old, getting ready to leave the hospital. The expression on his face cracks me up! :)

Sleeping at home!

Living Out Of A Bag

2009-02-02T08:31:00.000-08:00

Living out of a bag is never fun, but in this case I don't mind it so much. My bags to take to the hospital have been packed for a couple weeks now. Everything is in Jerod's truck except for the bag that contains the "bathroom items". This is the bag I unpack and repack each day.

This morning reminded me of Brasil. It was either the early morning coffee with Jerod or the sun pouring into the bathroom as I got ready for the day. When I lived in an apartment in Brasil, I had my own bathroom connected to my bedroom! I loved it! I also had a window in my shower, which is something you don't see here in the states. No, it wasn't a full size window, just big enough and at the height that I could look out to the sights and sounds of Rio waking up each morning. And I love sunlight, so for me, it was perfect!

When I arrived in Rio, I lived out of my suitcases for about a little over a month. All I had was a bed in the corner of my room until I purchased a wardrobe. Closets don't exist in Brasil as they are considered another room to be taxed on. At the time, living out of suitcases drove me crazy with clothes scattered everywhere! (Although my dad would probably ask why, since that's the way my bedroom looked all the time growing up! :) ) It's interesting how some things bother you at the time, when they're such small details that you should just blow off. That's why I'm enjoying this time of living out of a bag. I know it won't last forever, and really this may be my last day of doing it! So, with that being said, I'd better go repack the bag!

The apartment building I lived in while in Rio...

Testing...

2009-01-28T13:29:00.001-08:00

I'm working on putting a slide show up, but needed to test a photo on here first...

close, but not quite what i'm wanting...

D Day

2009-01-28T11:46:00.000-08:00

Well, today is the day that the baby is due! Only about half of the day is gone, so I still have some time to make it! :)

After this, I need to get back to my cleaning. And NO, I'm not "nesting" like everyone talks about, I'm getting caught up on some piles that have accumulated from the last couple weeks. It's not that I want to do this stuff today, it's more about not having to look at them any more! :)

I just had lunch with Jerod and his mom and dad. We were talking about gooseberry pie, I think it's time to make another one! That way I'll have room in the freezer for the new gooseberries this spring! YUM! I'm ready for spring and gooseberry picking at the farm, and of course, having Bob follow me around! :)

3 Years Ago Today...

2009-01-25T19:26:00.000-08:00

...I spent the day with my dad. We watched some t.v., I read to him and I worked on a blanket that I was crocheting. I remember it was a sunny day. My mom was there too.

Later, Ben and Hannah came over and so did Jerod. We were all there together, a husband and wife, their son and daughter and their soon to be spouses.

Just before 10:30 p.m. my dad got to meet Jesus face to face. That was a day that I will never forget. But now, three years later, it's easier to think about.

My dad is a great man. I'm excited for the day that i can see him again in heaven. He was one of my best friends, i talked to him about everything.

This picture is from Christmas 2004, i had bought my dad a new P&S digital camera. He had always enjoyed photography and had cameras, that helped get my interest in it at an early age.

I don't really know how to end this post, but this is something that i wanted to write about.

I love you dad!

Last Day

2009-01-24T08:18:00.000-08:00

Yesterday was my last day at work. In a way it felt strange, but it also felt good. I'm so excited for these next steps with the new baby in our family and the photography business!! About 2 weeks ago, it seemed like there was so much to do that I didn't know if it would all get done before i left. But everything on my list did get done, and i know that's because of the Lord. He literally made some of those days just stretch! There's no way else to describe it!

So here's to my new jobs! A mom, which should be any day now, and a photographer, which is a dream becoming reality!

Beware Of The Dream Killers

2009-01-21T04:21:00.000-08:00

The other night, Jerod and I watched a DVD by Cathy Duplantis called "Beware of the Dream Killers". She talked about the dreams that people have in their hearts that the Lord put there and how you can do nothing with them or you can cultivate them.

I've realized these past few weeks, when I tell people that I'm going to stay home with the baby and start a photography business, they don't have the same excitement that I do. Their eyes may get a little bigger and they'll say, "Oh." You can just see the doubt on their faces. It may be the way the economy appears or because it's photography, but I see the doubt is there for them. But after listening to Cathy speak, she reminded me that they may not be excited because my dream isn't THEIR dream. The Lord didn't put that dream in their heart, He put it in mine! They're not the ones that have talked to God about it, I have!! :) And so, I have peace and soooo much excitement about my dream! :)

Prego Pictures!

2009-01-14T14:49:00.000-08:00

Yesterday, my good friend Elly from e photography came over and took some pictures of me before the baby comes. (I'm due 2 weeks from today!) We had perfect lighting in the baby room and set up our own studio there! I'm really glad it worked out for her to come because the weather has been so cold the last few days! Here's one of my favorites (sooc).

Branding

2009-01-07T13:13:00.000-08:00

I've been thinking about branding a lot these past couple months and what I want to have as my logo. I was very set on a logo a couple of months ago. The more I thought about it though, I decided to change it.

Today I went to the community college I attended 10 years ago for graphic design. My old teacher was there and helped me put my new logo that I had on paper, onto the computer! I'm so excited about it. I'll be sharing it soon!

Baby Room Is Complete

2009-01-05T19:25:00.000-08:00

The baby room is done! Well, almost! :) All I have left is to decorate the walls, but that can get done any time. (Ok, and put a decent ceiling light in!) The main things such as painting and furniture moved in is done! And for that I am thankful! Because the doctor doesn't think I'll make it to my due date on the 28th! We'll see! Here are some pics of the room.

Happy New Year!

2008-12-31T18:40:00.000-08:00

It's already the last day of 2008!! Wow, much has gone on this past year, especially in these last couple weeks!

I'm so excited for 2009! I know the Lord has some great things in store. Tomorrow I plan on taking some time to write out goals for this new year! I'm really going to stretch myself and push myself to achieve them! I'll be blogging about them soon! Tomorrow, Hannah and I are also going to get the baby room painted and set up! I'll be sure to post some pictures of before and after!

Have a Happy New Year everyone! :)

Happy Birthday Jesus!

2008-12-25T20:49:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas everyone! I hope you all had a wonderful day with family and friends! It's so good to remember the real reason for the season. Jesus is the best gift of all!

This Blog

2008-12-24T05:54:00.000-08:00

Everytime I get on this blog to post something, i'm reminded of how much i really don't like it. It's the whole layout that I don't like, it just seems so boring! But in a way, it's really good for me to get on here and see that because each time I do, it's a reminder of the things that I DO like and the way that I want it to look!

Soon, I'll be working with Nikki at Expressive Style Graphics to revamp this blog! Great things are in store!

At Large

2008-12-17T17:49:00.001-08:00

Today is one of those days where i just feel large! It could be because i'm extra tired or that i did so much today. Whatever the reason, i just feel extra big! :) But it's all for a good cause! Here is a picture of me a few weeks ago at the baby shower that Hannah had for me!

Beautiful Day!

2008-12-15T19:15:00.000-08:00

Today was beautiful, despite the below zero temperatures! Actually, this whole weekend was great! Much progress was made on the girls bedroom downstairs, the painting is almost complete. Just a few "special" touches on 2 walls and that part will be done!

Yesterday we went to Des Moines and I got to pick up my new Canon 5D Mark II!! I am SOOO excited!!! I feel so blessed to actually have one in my hands. Especially when i think back to where i was just a few months ago. When I wanted to do photography so badly, but just hadn't made up my mind to do it yet!

This morning, Jerod and I had another baby doctor apt and ultrasound. The baby weighs 5 pounds 2 ounces now! That's amazing that they can tell that! It was a little bit camera shy though and wouldn't turn it's head around. But we got to see the heart and spine... it's amazing how God puts us together!

I am so thankful for so many things! :)

Answered Prayer: Canon 5D Mark II

2008-12-13T12:12:00.000-08:00

On December 5th, Christian Photo in Des Moines was having Canon Days. I took the day off of work and met Elly and we both headed over there. I really wanted to see the new Canon 5D and also shoot with a couple of lenses to see which ones I'd really like to have. Well, I loved the camera and had them put my name down on the waiting list... added to the others. A few days later, I contacted Samys Camera in CA to see if I could get a camera body quicker. I was told that they already had a shipment come in, sold out and those on the waiting list probably wouldn't see theirs until Feb. or March 2009. So I decided to pray and believe that I would have one by the end of January. Why? Because the baby is due then and I wanted to give my mom my Rebel to take on her trip to Israel in early February.

It's easy to trust in the Lord in the good times, but your faith is tested in the hard times. This past week there were a few things that were bothering me. I prayed about them and the Lord answered both of those prayers, one Friday and the other one this morning. There's one more prayer that's in the process of being answered. It's kind of a big one, but I remember that I have a big God! So as I was thinking about this about 2 hours ago, and reminding myself that "...my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus", the phone rang. It was Christian Photo calling to say they received a 5D this morning in and they were wondering if I wanted it. Eight days after I looked at it. It just amazes me how much the Lord looks out for us. He knows the desires of our hearts! I have been believing and sowing for a new camera and now it's here! Thank you Jesus! And to top it all off, there is a very dear individual who is purchasing it for me! Wow. God is good!

Comments

2008-12-10T18:17:00.000-08:00

Lately, I've been hearing all sorts of comments...

"You're due in 2 months?! You're not very big!"

"Maybe you should switch to bud light to get rid of that belly!"

"You can't even tell you're pregnant until you turn to the side!"

"You're starting to waddle a lot more."

Comments that bring a smile to my face and comments that I choose to ignore. But I think some of the best comments of all are the ones that I'm receiving on my blog! Maureen, Mary and Candice have been huge inspirations to me! Maureen really pushed me to get this going and post more often and I'm so thankful to her for that! She is such a dear friend to me and I just love her! I've never met Mary or Candice, but they are such an inspiration to me! It just amazes me that these great photographers would WANT to check my blog, read it and leave a comment!!! That really gives me the desire to keep posting! Thank you ladies! I never knew leaving a comment on someone's blog would be such an inspiration!

Odd Hours

2008-12-06T03:55:00.000-08:00

When I was younger and grew up on the farm, I could sleep through anything! Like the night our neighbors barn burned down, or when storms came through and thunder would rattle the old windows around my bed. I've always been able to sleep really well and i see that as a blessing. But lately, I've noticed that I awake at strange hours. Sometimes I'm not sure why and other times it's because i feel the need to pray.

The morning of Black Friday, I awoke at 2:20 a.m. because I had to use the bathroom! I think the baby is using my bladder as a pillow! :) I tried to go back asleep but couldn't so i thought i should make good use of that time! So I went shopping! :) This morning I awoke at 4:15 a.m. as Jerod got ready to go deer hunting. So instead of going back to sleep, I got on the computer to check out other photographers blogs. I'm looking for some great photo ideas for shoes. You see my wonderful friend Elly is getting married on the 20th and has asked me to take pictures. And since it's a winter wedding she's not going to be wearing just any shoes, no, she'll be wearing some big furry boots! We found them yesterday with her mother-in-law to be at ALDO and they are so FUN!!! I can't wait!

Yesterday I also got to hold the new Canon 5D Mark ll in my hands and shoot with it and I.LOVE.IT!!!!

Note To Self...

2008-12-03T18:33:00.000-08:00

When you wear giant hoop earrings in the winter, don't stand outside in 17 degree weather to talk to someone. They feel like huge icicles against your neck!

Little One

2008-12-03T16:27:00.000-08:00

Monday, Jerod and I had another baby doctor appointment! The most amazing thing is getting to hear the heartbeat! I love it! The baby has a really fast one too, I'm still thinking it's a boy! Here's some pictures of our little one! :) They're kind of small but the top left is the baby's face looking at us, the two dark circles are the eyes, there is a little hand next to it's chin; Top right is the baby's head, looking up; Bottom right is the hand and Bottom left is a foot! :)

Thankful

2008-11-28T15:37:00.001-08:00

There are many things that I am thankful for...

November 26th was my mom and dad's anniversary. 31 years. Although my dad is not able to be here and share the day with my mom, I have no doubt that they will catch up when they see each other again!

Yesterday, we spent Thanksgiving at Jerod's mom and dad's house and my mom was able to join us. Even though I only live about 20 minutes from her, sometimes it seems like it's been too long since the last time we got together. I am very thankful for my relationship with Jesus Christ, this house to live in, for the baby on the way, for my family and for my mom. I love you mom.

Breakfast With Cafe Classico

2008-11-26T09:07:00.000-08:00

This morning I woke up CRAVING homemade hash browns, scrambled egg whites and turkey bacon!! So I went to work. Jerod got home from the gym and wanted coffee. Brasilian coffee sounds good he said. But you won't let me have any. Early on in my pregnancy I heard that it's not good to drink coffee, along with many other things that you shouldn't do. Which is why I told him he couldn't drink all the Brasilian coffee without me. But as the months have gone on, I don't see the big deal of having a cup of coffee every now and then.

So we brewed a pot of Sendas Cafe Classico! And YUM, it was SOOOO good! We have less than half a bag left, so we'll need to plan a trip back to Brasil soon to get more! :) And of course to soak up some sun, eat some fejaoada, visit old friends.....

A Shoebox

2008-11-22T14:12:00.000-08:00

This morning I went to Des Moines to take a baby class that the hospital offers. On the way home I stopped at Walmart to get some groceries. Cereal, pie crust (still haven't found a recipe i like), carrots and toilet paper were a few of the items, along with a toothbrush for the shoebox. I saw a package of 4 and decided to get the package of 2. After all the groceries were in my cart, I made my way to the children's clothing section. Not knowing if I was going to buy for a boy or girl this year, I thought I would see what I could find. Each year, our church participates in Operation Christmas Child through Samaritan's Purse. Jerod and I have done it for a couple years and it's something I really enjoy. When my good friend Maureen was in Africa, she actually got to help deliver a shipment of boxes to hundreds of children. She posted the video on her blog and it brings tears to my eyes every time I watch it.

I came across some boys t-shirts and noticed that they were Christian shirts with Bible verses on them. I found one that I really liked and put it in the cart. So it looks like I'll be buying for a boy between the ages of 10-14. And then I became stumped and couldn't think of anything else to get. Boys here in the states that age most likely have interests in things that I could not fit into a shoebox. So I prayed and asked the Lord what I should get. After all, He knows the exact child this box will go to. And then a cool thing started to happen. Really cool. When you quit rationalizing things and just listen to the Lord's voice. I got a box of Uno cards and the Lord told me that someone would come to his house and teach him how to play. I walked buy an isle full of candles and knew I should turn down there but I kept walking. What would a boy want a candle for? It's not for him, it's for his mother. So I turned back around and got a candle. It was really interesting picking out what scent too. I didn't get the spice type candles because I have a feeling those will be familiar smells in their county. So I got a cherry one. I thought it was interesting that I would put something in the box for the boys mother, but the Lord showed me that the boy is the man of the house. He doesn't have a father living with them and he has 2 younger siblings. He's not a selfish boy and he would be glad to share with his family.

I kind of walking aimlessly, without knowing what I was looking for but knowing that the Lord would make it clear to me. I picked up a word search book and continued down another isle. Not seeing anything for a child I thought, Why did we go down this isle? For you. At the very end I found a 2009 planner that I had been wanting. :) Then I came across what I was looking for, crayons for the younger ones. I went back to the toothbrush isle and replaced the ones I got for the pack of 4. I found a few other small things and as I payed for the items, I felt really good about what I had purchased.

You know you can make your own don't you? This time it was the cashiers voice talking about my pie crust that she was holding. Yes I know, I said. But I haven't found a recipe that I like yet. I walked outside to the first real snow of the season. It was beautiful! It was also beautiful how the Lord made things clear to me, but also that I listened. Sometimes I get too caught up in other things that I miss it. Miss the blessing that He's trying to tell me and I don't want to do that. I don't want to miss any more candles.

All Things That Sparkle

2008-11-19T16:22:00.000-08:00

Christmas gets closer by the hour! Jerod and I went to Target the other day and I was instantly attracted to everything that sparkles in the Christmas isles! I'm not quite sure what it is about the jewels and glitter, but it's like I have a radar for it!

But even better than plastic glittery ornaments... is going to Josephs before that to get my ring cleaned. I found the best gift that Jerod could give me for Christmas!!! A ring with diamonds circling a red rudy (to wear in the winter) and one with an emerald (to wear in the summer)! They would look similar to this ring from Tiffany & Co. just with a round stone and not square. I think I may be waiting a little longer than a month and a half for these gifts though! :) Boy, do they sparkle!!!

Not Enough

2008-11-13T13:08:00.003-08:00

The one thing that i love about Jasmine Star's blog is that she posts so frequently and also that she's real. I told myself that i was going to blog more often, like 5 times a week at least. Because i haven't been doing it enough. I visited another photographers blog a few minutes ago and not much had changed since the last time I looked at it, about 10 days ago... and because of that, i don't check it as much either. But with Jasmine's i check it daily. And then I got to thinking that i don't have anything interesting to write about or any fabulous photos to post. Do people really want to know about my days at work, coming home for an hour and then back to work for a night meeting? I wouldn't think so. So i got on J*'s old blog to see what she wrote about when she was just starting out. And many of her posts don't have photos either, but she was real. And spoke the truth. I think that's what i like the most. So here i go...

I've been putting together a few ideas for the business. I started making a list of all the things that i would like to have and use for photography. Everything ranging from lenses, a new camera, lightening equipment, what print lab to go through, everything! I was thinking about this about an hour ago and got stumped. Or a little overwhelmed if you will. There really is so much to think about and invest in. Sometimes it seems confusing and other times i think i'm getting it. When i make a decision i tend to really think about it. Like it were my last meal. Just ask Jerod when we go out to eat. But then again, i don't want to think so much about this stuff that i put it off either. Sometimes i have a tendency to postpone something if i don't understand it. I learned that about myself at a previous job. I don't often ask for help. But i think that maybe i should this time.

Building A Bedroom

2008-11-08T13:21:00.000-08:00

After a busy week at work, i'm very glad that it's the weekend... even though it means more work! This morning Jerod and i got up early to work on the basement. With a new baby on the way, we need another bedroom! Our house is small, but cozy. Jerod and his dad just cut a hole out of the basement wall for the new window. Before that, he and i cleaned and rearranged the whole basement, covering everything with plastic so it doesn't get too dusty while the bedroom is being built. I'm not too fond of making work harder than it has to be, like cleaning everything 50 times. :) But everything is one step closer to a new little one in the house! And all the work and hours and dust is worth it!

Day Off!

2008-10-31T04:20:00.000-07:00

Yeah! I'm so happy to have a day off today! Monday night is a big night coming up at work with an awards banquet to prepare for... so I've been working extra this week to make sure that I can still take of today. I had a lot of catching up to do this week too, I was out almost all last week due to bronchitis and lack of sleep from coughing in the night! But I am much better now and ready for a day to myself. Although it always seems to work out that when I have a day off, I try to pack as many things into it as possible! Like a haircut, picking up my new glasses, adding more items on the baby registries, dropping off items at Goodwill, meeting either my mom or Jerod for lunch, depending on where I'm at at that time, cleaning out the basement, balancing the checkbook, paying bills and helping Jody set up tables for tomorrow. And I hope to have all these things done by 5 p.m. Ok, so maybe this day off isn't really about relaxing and taking some time for myself. :)

Fall is here for sure. We had some strong winds this past Sunday, up to 70 mph. Most of the leaves are gone from our tree out front, but here are some pictures of the colors of fall.

Baby's Got Her Blue Jeans On!!

2008-10-21T16:35:00.000-07:00

I'm going into my 7th month of pregnancy and was pleased to experience the fact that i can still fit into my favorite pair of old jeans! They're old and worn and just how i like them. Although i can't get the zipper all the way up, because of the little bowling ball in front of me, but other than that, they fit fine! Jerod threatened to throw them away because they have some holes in the legs, but they're so soft and comfy i can't part with them! :) So instead of embarrassing him in public, i'll just wear them at home! :)

Giving Around The World

2008-10-19T10:18:00.000-07:00

I knew it was about time to get the Samaritan's Purse catalog in the mail and it came this past Friday! I love looking at it and seeing how we can give to the needy around the world. When I was in Brasil, my heart really went out to the hurting children who had no homes, were making an income by selling drugs or prostitution and those that just needed loved. This is one of my passions. I know that some how the Lord will use For Him Photography to help those around the world. Here are a few of my favorites from their site...

Gift #15, Clothing for those in need, $25

Gift #30, Hot Meals, $7

Gift #3, Give An Orphan a Month of Loving Care, $35

Gift #8, Rescue a child from bondage and abuse, $75

Baby Stuff!!

2008-10-16T13:22:00.000-07:00

The other day i went with my sister-in-law Hannah to look at baby supplies at Babies R Us! She's got a lot of friends with kids, so it was nice to have her give me insight on items! :) I found a stroller and car seat that i like, for some reason i thought this would be the hardest to find! Here they are, i plan on registering for them! :) They match each other and are charcoal grey with silver cubes on them... the Chicco series!

Tag - You're It!

2008-10-14T16:50:00.000-07:00

So, I've been tagged by my friend Maureen!! I've got to share 7 random or weird facts about myself! This ought to be fun!

1. I have a cat named Bob (ok, it's really my brother's cat) that thinks he's a dog and wants to be a human. I love him!!!

2. I'd really like to get my hair cut differently, but most days I'm too afraid to even though I know it will grow back!

3. The only things I've craved since being pregnant are fresh fruits and veggies and soups!

4. I've lived in over 7 different cities/towns including Rio de Janeiro Brasil.

5. I LOVE the change of the seasons! Everything from the spring rains to fresh flowers to colored leaves to blankets of snow!

6. The person who has had the biggest influence on my life would be my dad. I learned so much from him.

7. When I'm at work with Beth, I tend to sing out loud and LOUDLY too! :)

I actually only have one blog to tag! J*, you're it! :)

Fall family session

2008-10-07T16:14:00.000-07:00

This past Sunday, i had the chance to photograph Jerod's cousin Jody and her family! It's such a pretty time of the year now, with the leaves changing color! :) Here is a photo from the session, i'll post more soon!! **Straight out of the camera shot.**

Eye Opener

2008-10-02T18:29:00.000-07:00

Last night Jerod and i has supper with some great friends from Brasil that were back in town. Jeff and Diane are missionaries in Rio and have been there for a few years now. Jerod and i met them for the first time when we were in Brasil in April and stayed a few extra days at their home. We all instantly got along and they are so much fun to be around!!

After supper we walked through the mall and my eyes were once opened again. Diane had received a pair of Keen sandals in exchange for a pair of Brasilian Haviannas. (Which are THE best flip flops in the world!) So, in Brasil, these little flips can cost anywhere from $6 - $35 American dollars. Diane's sandals were pretty nice so they were on the higher. The mall had a Scheels inside so we went in to find out how much these Keens were. When we went down the escilator, Jeff looked in front of him at the racks of cloths and sporting goods and said, "Do we really need all this?" Now i had to remember that they've been in Brasil for a while and anytime you come back into the states, even if it's your home country, you will have culture shock. His statement got me thinking and remembering what it's like in other countries. The luxuries we have here are endless but yet so often taken for granted and people are left with wanting more.

We found the Keens and they were exactly $95. Diane had been blessed! But really, she had been blessed regardless of what the price was.

One of my favorite pictures i took in Brasil was of this little old ladies feet. I could tell a lot about her by her feet. And my eyes were opened again.

Decisions

2008-09-20T14:09:00.001-07:00

It seems like there are so many decisions to be made lately...

Jerod and I went to the first doctor appointment yesterday for our new baby! The location we went to doesn't do ultrasounds, we'll get one next week, but we were able to hear the baby's heart beat! It was amazing! I didn't expect to tear up when i heard that but i did. :) Because of this little addition (or maybe two, still hoping for twins!) we need a bigger house! As Mariah said, "I think we outgrew it before we moved in!" I think she's right! Moving all my stuff in after we got married 2 years ago was a task, but then cleaning out the farm house because mom moved was a whole nother project. There are many things that i have now of my dads, and some you don't know what to do with but you know you're not ready to part with them. So our basement is full and we need more than 2 bedrooms! But, we are believing and praying for a new home! God will make it clear to us for our next steps! :)

My next decision has to do with the photography business. With limited money at the moment, it's critical that i wise decisions on what it's spent on. But i think i'm going to go ahead and get the Totally Rad Actions. I really like some of the things you can do with them on photos and it would save time, which i like. i see they are having a sale until tomorrow, so i need to get that done.

My logo is still in the process. i've firmly decided on what to use, no second thoughts on that. the next step is getting my idea in my head onto the computer screen. i've been in contact with my old graphic art teacher from college and she's given me some great insight. so i'm going to use what i know and what i've learned and get started at it.

i also need to make the decision to post more. this is hard for me to do. could be because i'm on the computer most of the day at work, so when i come home i don't want to get on it again, i'd rather be outside. or it could be because i was never much for keeping a diary or journaling, so this comes difficult to me. but whatever the reason, i need to do a better job at it! because i know, the blogs that i check and don't post for a while, i tend to overlook the next time! and i don't want people to do that with mine!

So, it's time to act on some decisions.

Homework

2008-09-01T09:15:00.000-07:00

Once I got out of school, I didn't think I would ever see homework again! Boy was I wrong! :) When I left the Free To Succeed workshop, Jasmine Star sent me home with homework! She and DJ did such a great job that night speaking! It was so worth the trip down to Kansas City and I am so thankful that I attended while my photography business is still in the making! Because of the things I learned, I can make sure that I do them right the first time!

So back to the homework, J* discussed the importance of branding and finding out who you are. It reminded me of some assignment that I had in English class with Mr. Waldron. :) So I've been thinking about branding the past few weeks and importance of it. Starbucks has a brand that is known all over the world. The same goes for the photography industry. J* just rebranded her image and it looks great! Same idea, with just a different twist.

The other morning as I was getting ready for my day, I was praying and talking to the Lord about what brand should be used for the for Him photography business. And instantly, it came to me. It's so perfect and as soon as it came to me I though, "of course!" God is cool! I won't be saying what it is yet, right now I'm working on colors for it, but once it's ready, I'll be sure to let you all know! So I guess I could say that my homework is almost completed! :)

Here are some pictures from the night of the workshop!

ok, for some reason an ERROR keeps showing up when i try to load the pictures. And since i don't feel like being in front of the computer much today, i'll have to try again some other time!

Finding Paul in KC!!!!

2008-08-21T12:33:00.000-07:00

This is THE sign!!!

Finally, the correct Roe Ave.!!! Attempt #2 on Thrusday!

The right street for the right QT, with Shell cadycorner...

The wrong Roe from atempt #1 on Wednesday...

The wrong QT sign that was visited on Wednesday afternoon!!!!

THE RIGHT QT!!! But no Paul!

Ok, so i've really been following DJ's blog and the videos they post about finding the "little people" to win $500 showit cash! I really want to win this, but had to head back home to Iowa so i sent my friend Scott on the mission for me! He left work yesterday to go to QT on Roe, arriving and not seeing Paul in sight! So i sent in my comment under the Paul video saying that we didn't find it. i noticed that DJ said, for Denver, that the person might not be there, just be the first to post a video! So i called Scott back today and told him to head back there. He didn't have a video camera with him and wouldn't be able to video tape it until tomorrow after work. But he was on the road heading back to his office so he said he'd stop by the QT again and take pictures and send them to me. He sent the pictures and i noticed that it was the WRONG QT SIGN!!! (See pics above!) This QT logo was at the top with the gas prices underneath. i got on the phone with him and told him it was off of 435/50. He said his A.D.D. must of kicked in (his words, not mine) because he went to I-35 instead of 435!!!!

He happened to be on the road again between meetings and said that he would try to find the right QT. i looked up the QT headquarters in KC on the internet, called them and got the address and phone number for the QT on Roe. Then i mapquested it, sent it to Scott and then googled the QT, zooming in on the store through the video cam to make sure it was the right one! It was!!!! Scott arrived in 20 min. and called me saying that it was the right one, but Paul wasn't there. However, the duct tape is still there, proof we were in the right spot this time!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So DJ, i'm asking (and possibly begging) if someone random (like the landscaping guy) came up and took Paul down and no one claims that they found him, could you find it in your big heart to accept this effort?!!?? :)

Free To Succeed Tour

2008-08-14T19:01:00.000-07:00

Monday I'll be going to Kansas City and I'm really excited! I'll be listening to 2 top photographers, David Jay and Jasmine Star! Both of them are such an inspiration!

I CAN'T WAIT!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :)

Today

2008-08-05T17:40:00.000-07:00

Ok, so now that I know that Maureen is officially the only one who checks my blog :) I better post today, even though I don't have much to write about!

Today I took all the 4-H exhibits up to the State Fair from our county. This is always a hectic day up there, I ended up staying and helping until noon. After that I entered my home made bread in the open class division. The only reason that I did it is because first place was $200 and I'm saving for a new 5D. The class was called American Family Heirloom Bread. I entered my grandma's bread that was actually featured in the same magazine in 1952. That was pretty cool! But points were only awarded 10% on story. There were 22 entries and many good ones to choose from! I didn't place though, but that's ok...really this was only my second time that I've ever baked bread! I'll keep practicing though, maybe next year! :)

After that I went to the a store to pick up tools that my husband had worked on. We will never go back there, enough said!