*{Dear Lord}*

Oh God, as I bring my subject into focus and prepare to make each portrait, never let me forget that I'm creating treasures for some family, a keepsake for loved ones. Make me sensitive to the qualities and virtues of others, that I may draw out into the light the beautiful radiant belongings of their hearts.

Help me to be an artist, collecting the beauty of every soul, the glow of youth, the gentleness, the laughter or tears of each life that is precious in Thy sight. Deeper than a means of livelihood, give me the perspective to see my photographer's art as a service to others, making life richer and more memorable.

And, dear Lord, between the lights and shadows, the ups and downs and the rolling years, keep me from getting out of focus or off center, so that my life and work may be framed with dignity and colored with contentment ...

AMEN
Author Unknown
This prayer is just so true...
m

*{Pumpkins}*

Yesterday we all had a blast out at Tate Farms. It was honestly the best farm I've ever been to for "pumpkin patch" purposes! The girls had a blast jumping in the hay jump, the cotton jump and swinging on tires hanging from cranes. I wish I could show pics, but I didn't haul my big camera around with me yesterday! But I took these pics when we got home and were carving pumpkins. So here are some pics of my little pumpkins.

Enjoy the rest of your Sunday...and GO CHARGERS!!!

*{iMix}*

Here are some old ones (with the exception of a new take on an old song) for you...some fun rock songs from my iPod...even a couple classic Power Ballads!

Enjoy the mix and most importantly...enjoy your weekend! Off to the pumpkin patch...

(Sidenote: #4...makes me want to get up and dance around...and #6, probably my favorite Power Ballad ever!!! Sometimes it makes me wish my name was Amanda...JUST KIDDING MOM!!)

And coming up this week...I am *so* going to the New Kids on the Block concert in Atlanta! Yes, I am driving like 4 hours to see the group that defined my childhood. You know you were all Blockheads too!! I can't wait!!! :)

Okay, now I am really out of here...have a great weekend!

*{W Magazine}*

A must see...I have been *waiting* for this issue to come out with the photos Brad Pitt took of Angelina. And all I have to say is they are *GORGEOUS*. Of course she is a beauty, but Brad Pitt took some *great* shots. He shot it all with old film that is hard to locate now-a-days. Absolutely amazing images...I'm sort of hoping Brad will offer a workshop! Anyone want to go with?! :) Wouldn't that be a sell-out...

And I loved the layout of it...lots of blank white space around the images...very museum-esqe! Anywho...loved it and if you have a chance to peek, check it out! On newstands now!

*{Published}*

I was like a kid in the candy store when this recently showed up in my mailbox! Awhile back I did a fabulous "author photo" shoot in Tacoma for the amazing Michelle Cuthrell, author and person extraordinaire! She wrote a memoir about her experience as a young mom-to-be enduring the heartache of a spouse being deployed to Iraq and then his extension overseas. It was a great read and had me laughing out loud in many parts...and it hit home for me so much having endured the same thing.

So I was so excited to see the book (Behind the Blue-Star Banner) in print with the photo that *I*...little old me...took on the back cover for her "About the Author" info! Is it wrong that I don't want to take this out of the packaging?!

So here are a couple of pics of my fun exciting news!

The book...



My image...

*{FOUR}*

Just a cute email I received from a friend...and thought you may enjoy...

4 places that I go over and over:
*the grocery store
*Target
*Barnes and Noble
*gymnastics class for the kiddos

4 people that email me regularly:
*mama
*Cousin Lisa
*clients
*Erin L

4 of my favorite places to eat:
*Spaghetti Factory
*PF Changs
*Dukes in Waikiki
*The Melting Pot (if you have never gone...GO)

4 places I'd rather be right now:
*Hawaii
*Venice
*Starbucks
*Disneyland

4 people I think will reply:
*yea, I'm not even going there!

4 shows I watch:
*Greys Anatomy
*The Unit
*Fox News
*Lipstick Jungle

Have a fantastic Monday...more fun news tomorrow!
m

*{Matilda Jane Clothing}*

This weekend I had a little bit of fun! I ran over to the amazing studio of Heather Bookout and experienced my first Matilda Jane Clothing trunk show! Okay...now I've had the link on my blog for awhile of what cool clothing it is. However, when you see the clothing in person, it is even 10 TIMES BETTER! *Oh my*...their clothing is amazing. I wanted to buy it all up! But I resisted and limited myself to one outfit per kiddo.

However, I am dying to host a trunk show of my own! Maybe in Cali?? I'm telling you...even if you just get one outfit for your kiddo for school pictures or family pictures, you won't be disappointed. Now I am just waiting for my order to arrive! I will definitely have to share some pics of my munchkins rockin' their Matilda Jane when it arrives!

Anyways, go check out the goods on the Matilda Jane site. You are sure to love them!
m

*{My Peep}*

Where do I begin about this session?! This past weekend I had a blast visiting a couple of friends in Tennessee and we had SO MUCH FUN! We all lived in Louisiana together about four years ago, and this visit was well overdue! While up there, I grabbed my best bud Jenny so we could do a quick mini-session of her and her little ones...who are entirely too precious for their own good! Just wait, you'll see!

I just love this girl so much~ Jenny, you are *amazing*. You have a heart like none other. I feel so blessed to have you in my life and look up to you in so many ways. You are an amazing woman, incredible role model, and phenomenal mother. The world is a better place because you are in it.

Okay...enough of the "mushies"...here are some photos you and the kiddos rocked...











{{HUGS}}
m

*{Tag...You're It}*

Okay...I've been tagged by my friend Erin M. So here we go... :)

The rules:
1. Post the rules on your blog.
2. List six random things about yourself.
3. Tag six people at the end of the post.

Six random things about me:
1. I *heart* thunderstorms. There is one going on outside right now. And for those that know me, you know I get all giddy and excited about these things. I have missed them so much and haven't had a "good" thunderstorm in 4 years (since we lived in Louisiana). So this is just too much fun. The kiddos are in PJ's and we are having a storm party!

2. I went to private school from K through 7th grade and loved it. A matter of fact, when I think about my childhood I always think about my elementary classmates. I always wonder where they went, what they do, etc. I think they should have elementary class reunions instead of high school...I could care less about high school!

3. I *hate* assembling things or setting things up (electronics, etc.). HATE IT! It kills my husband because I will get something cool, and I have no problem with it sitting in the box for a couple days until I feel in the mood to deal with it...just like my new printer! And Christmas, oh Lord help me! That all falls on the lap of my husband. And when he wasn't here last Christmas, every toy I bought was "no assembly required". No joke! What makes me laugh is I have A LOT of patience, but when it comes to assembling things, I just can't handle it!

4. I'm from Southern California...and I say that in broad terms because we really did live in many places throughout Southern California. I was primarily in San Diego County and then we moved up to Temecula when I was in high school.

5. I wish I was Sydney Bristow. Okay, laugh all you want, but for those of you that watched Alias, or was addicted to the show, know what I am talking about. The whole thought of working for the CIA, going on secret missions, and kicking some butt is exhilarating...but only under one condition...if I was invincible! I have too much to live for and would want to make sure I was back "for the next episode"! LOVED that show...and I miss it so much.

6. I would LOVE to have the experience of living in a loft one day. I just think the thought of having a huge spread out loft with exposed brick and duct work would be awesome! Have you ever seen the movie "Because I Said So" with Diane Keaton and Mandy Moore? Okay, Mandy Moore's house in the movie...A DREAM! LOVE IT!!!

Six Tagged People:
1. Annie
2. J.Lowe
3. Abbie
4. Cheryl
5. Erin L.

Okay...now back to my thunderstorm!
m

*{It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...}*

Okay, well it may not look or feel like Christmas outside yet. But can you all believe it is October already?! OH MY!!! And believe it or not, I have already had clients inquiring about and purchasing images for Christmas cards this year! All I have to say is "high-five" to those of you already working on Christmas cards.

SO...Here is the scoop. You may purchase any single FULL QUALITY JPEG image from your session for only $100. Which is honestly a steal! The price of me printing Christmas cards for you would run much more than that...and the fact that you can go print as many prints/posters/mugs/mouse pads/ornaments/ties, etc that you'd like for Christmas cards and gifts...that alone is empowerment!

So take advantage of it and be ahead of the game this year!

If you are interested, drop me an email and an image is yours to do what you want with for $100...then you can go print those Christmas cards wherever you'd like!

Blessings,
m

*{A *good* laugh}*

Okay...ready for a great laugh!! I am in a bit of a comical mood today. I found a site called Yearbook Yourself. It is absolutely hysterical! You upload a photo and it shows you what you would look like in yearbook photos from different eras...so drumroll please. Here are my yearbook photos from 1952 on!

Michelle circa 1952

Michelle's yearbook photo 1958

Michelle in 1966...age of aquarius!

And I had to show you the one from 1976...my good 'ole birth year. What is absolutely hysterical about this photo is if you go back to my elementary school pictures...I think my 3rd grade picture looks EXACTLY like this, doesn't it mom?! :)

And 1984...can you say, "Aquanet?!"

Go try the site...it is super simple, free, and absolutely hysterical!
Have a great day!
m