Kids, kids, kids and more kids

I’m still here, but all of a sudden it feels like my free time has melted away like the snow (if we lived somewhere that had snow) now that spring has arrived!!!  My days are filled with children and tons of pictures…but I can’t show those to you because it is with my day job at the school portrait company.  And I’ve been taking photos of the rockin’ children’s department at church showing off the cool staff and even cooler kids!  We serve about 1,000 kids a weekend at my church…I guess it is what you call a big church.  BUT, I can’t show you those pictures either.  Oh, and there was the super cool family that I took photos of on Saturday…  SIGH.  Soon and very soon, you will see some fresh, cute faces on here.  Meanwhile…  here is an artsy photo I took at one of the schools with my iphone.  I think I might have to head back there with my real camera some day!

Friday’s thoughts

In case you have not figured out by now:  I don’t blog on a consistent, linear, regular or predictable pattern.  I am quite random and I blog when the mood hits. However, that does not mean I’m not taking photos… In fact, today I took over 700 photos.  Say what!  Yes, that is right 700 photos of kids for their spring photo (I work with a school portrait company).  I have the honor of getting kids to hold their head in just the right spot and making them smile a genuine smile for you parents and grandparents out there.  Today one of my coworkers threw a stuffed animal at my head to try and make a kid smile. He came with tears, we got him to a frown and then when Barney hit my head he busted into a great smile.  Good thing for shutter release cables!!!  Needless to say, my job is fun and challenging at the same time!  Way more challenging than my family photo sessions!!!

On another note, I have also been busy working on a project that you will hear about soon, so stay tuned for that.

Current weather about three hours ago:

Rain, please go away for just one Saturday so I can stop re-scheduling a photo shoot!!!

White Christmas in Orange County

Who says you can’t have a white Christmas in Orange County!?  You just have to get creative!  :)  Enjoy.

random iPhone pics from my travels

The last few weeks have been crazy busy with lots of good stuff!  Needless to say, I have not been faithful to update the blog with all the cool pictures of the kids I love, but I will soon!  I promise!  For now I thought I would post some iphone pics since they are oh, so handy.

You might remember Andrea from the beach photos here.  She is still so full of joy and fun and she has the best facial expressions!

I LOVE driving!  Even the grapevine was beautiful to me.

Sometimes you just need a little bit of open road in front of you!  And every road trip is different.

LOVE this kid!  (And his mom.)  Do you remember Caleb?  Click here to see him about a year ago.

And his new baby sister.  She has grown a lot since the last time I’ve seen her.  I love her too!  Can we say super cute!

The drive home was gorgeous too!

I managed to catch a few Southern California sunsets before I hit the road again.

My friend Esther and I (in St. Louis, MO).  It has been two and a half years since I’ve seen her.  Read the story here and here.

Driving in the rain in St. Louis!

Real photos and the full stories coming up soon!

Happy Birthday Andrea – Mt. Rainier Photos

Happy Birthday Andrea!!!  I hope it is a beautiful day and a wonderful year!!!  Check your mail for these photos from your favorite mountain that you will get to visit again one day!!!  Thanks for being such an awesome friend!!!

Missing the winter in Alaska – favorite photo

I heard it started snowing today in Fairbanks, Alaska.  Here in Orange County we have a high of 87 with some nice Santa Ana dryness.  Sigh.  I miss the winter weather.  Here is one of my favorite winter photos from Alaska (and yes, of course the Jeep is in there!).  This was the first snow of the winter and it was a good one.

I love…

What do you love to do?  How long has it been since you have done that?

I love being with people, being active, being outdoors, exploring new things, breathing, soaking it in, pushing my body a little harder than normal, taking pictures, putting the camera away, being fully there, experiencing the adventure, looking all around me, blazing a trail, climbing over rocks, up to the top of the waterfall, making my own path.

Those are all things that make me happy, that stir my spirit, that make me alive.  It is too easy to get stuck in the work/task mode and put off time for ourselves. Reality is: Life is short, we are not promised tomorrow and if you take the time to refresh yourself you will enjoy life more!  I invite you to remember, to recall those things that bring life and joy to you (and then go do those things)!  Leave me a comment.  I’d love to know what makes you come alive.

A few snaps from the weekend before I put my camera away and just climbed!!! Thanks Chanelle for picking a great hike!