Portfolio - What Portfolio?

ME, IN YOUR PORTFOLIO?

SURE!!

As all of you know I'm totally into the photography thing and people are constantly asking me to see my portfolio. What portfolio?

I have tons of photographs that I have taken! I mean by bugging my friends and family to death I have acquired photographs from some of the finest events (nothing being off limits) - like family gatherings (and arguments), pre-surgery pictures (no makeup), labor and delivery pictures (no pain meds), quiet times in front of the TV (in flannel pj's), playing in the yard (mud fights), driving down the road (eating - mustard on face), sitting on the potty (reading), mowing the lawn (zoning out), working on the cars (smashed finger shot), washing dishes (sprayer broke), putting on makeup (1/2 face), etc., etc., etc. You name it, I've probably shot it. But with that said, I hate to admit that those special photographs aren't what I would call good portfolio photographs.

Surprise, that's where you all come in! I am in desperate need of volunteers to have their photographs taken (FREE) for use in my portfolio. I would like to take 10-20 shots each of the following:

1. Mother and her daughters, and Mother and sons (1 younger and 1 older - generational)
2. Father and sons, Father and daughters (1 younger and 1 older - generational)
3. A family (2 large and 2 small)
4. Sisters ( 9 and under, pre-teen, teen, older)
5. Brothers (9 and under, pre-teen, teen, older)
6. Brothers and Sisters together (9 and under, pre-teen, teen, older)
7. Couples - 20ish, 30ish, 40ish, and older
8. Pregnancy
9. Newborn
10. Women (all ages) Men (all ages)

(The good news is I have plenty of senior, engagement, bridal and wedding pictures)

So ladies, if you are interested or know someone who might be interested, please give me a call (829-6660) so we can set up a time. I will also give you a copy of all the pictures on a disk.

P.S. - Begging doesn't look good on me!! But I can if I need too!!

Baby Shower for Jessica

Hey ladies I just wanted to remind you all that Jessica Peters baby shower is this Sunday afternoon. I hope you all received your invitations and are planning on attending. Erica, since I didn't have you address I gave your invitation to Sheri and Jamal so they could get it to you. And if we missed anyone else, please forgive us. We want all of you to join us.

We will having the shower in our yard. Julie has worked very hard getting everything ready with decorations, party favors and such, and Rhonda Rose and Kim Peters are bring lots of snacks and treats. Bring your kiddos and they can run and play while we celebrate the upcoming birth of Jessica and Kane Peters first baby.

Look forward to seeing you this Sunday.

We Speak Your Name

This has been a week where everything feels like it is a little off kilter. I know that probably sounds weird, but I don't seem to be able to shake this crazy feeling. Nothing is wrong really except for this uneasyness in my being. Is anyone else feeling the same thing? I have prayed about it all week and the word I keep hearing is "Don't you trust Me?" Of course I trust you Lord from the very depths of my soul so why this feeling? Then I just heard this song and and it was such a great reminder that I wanted to share it with you all.

Lily

This angelic looking darling is my 2 (almost 3yr old) granddaughter Lily. She belongs to my son Tim and fantastic daughter-in-law Summer. They have been so blessed to have Emily as their babysitter all summer, but with school starting back up, Emily will not be able to babysit any longer. We are all so sad about that.

Tim and Summer are in the process of looking for a new sitter. They just need a sitter one day a week (any day) from 7:30 - 3:30. If you are interested or know someone who might be interested, please let me know and I will put you in touch with them.

Now who could turn down a face like that?

Pics from the Picnic

Let the picnic begin

Jason eating

What kind of pie is this? Sure is pretty!

Let's eat! Like Father like Son!

Jeff waiting for a game of washers

Surveying the situation

Loving the snow cone

Is this guy a little hottie or what?

Not that I notice things like that!

Right!

Pam and the girls

Billy doing Billy stuff

The Chefs

Lily snow-cone girl

Don showing off his onion

Cherith Pie Judge

It all looks so good?
Where do I begin?

Jennifer and Tony ready to eat

David and the beans

(Sounds like a book title)

Pie Taster Terry

Little Red Face Sweetie

This years picnic was great! It was totally organized , which I really liked. Cyndi did and excellant job running everything - James, Sam and whom ever else cooked did a fantastic job -and there was no better people to be with.

A Song from God

Don't you just love it when you wake up with a song playing in your head? I believe it's God's way of saying good morning and telling me how much He truly loves me. And today His song is reminding me that He is all I need.



He truly loves me.

Mid Life Crisis

Do women suffer from mid-life crisis? I hope so, because I feel like I am in full blown mid-life crisis mode! So, please bear with me while I ramble on for a little while after all I'm having a mid life crisis ( I think).

I have had a full time job since I was 16 years old. The only time I have taken off work in the past 37 years was for things like giving birth to my children, injury from a wreck and a couple of surgeries. But basically I have had a full time job for 37 years. It has always been my hearts desire to not have to work, but being a single mother for the first 16 years made that impossible.

Then when Doug and I married I never ever entertained the idea of not working since we were starting from scratch, raising 5 kids, paying rent, utilities, enoumous child support to his ex (even though we had the boys), buying food for an army, etc., etc., etc. Not working wasn't an option. But during the past 15 years God has been so faithful to bless us coming in and going out. We raised 5 fantastic and successful kids, paid off the all of our debts (except a few medical bills which will soon be gone), we own our home, own our cars, have savings/retirement accounts and have established two very successful side businesses for both of us.

So, for the first time in many years, the idea of not working didn't seem so far fetched. I/(we) made up my/(our) mind(s) and I was finally going to retire after Jordan graduated high school. But a couple of months before graduation I had that wonderful heart attack. Immediately I knew that retiring wasn't going to an option any longer because I had to have the health insurance. (can you say Spirit of Fear?) Six months passed and I had to replace my knee (see I knew I needed to keep that job with health insurance). One year passed and I blew out my other knee (good thing I didn't quit my job, after all I knew I was going to need that health insurance)

Long story short - We are now at 2+ years since deciding to retire. (and not doing it) During the past two years God has told me numerous times to retire, Doug has told me numerous times to retire, and my family and friends have encouraged me numerous times to retire. (also yesterday God revealed to me what I would be doing when I retire) Anyway, last night at WOW when asked what our fear was I told the ladies at my table my biggest fear was being so busy doing everything that I feel God wants me to do that I miss what God really wants me to do. 1st question - Does that sound crazy to anyone besides me? 2nd question - By not retiring am I missing what God wants me to do? and 3rd - If retiring is my hearts desire, my God has told me to do it, my husband agrees to it, and my family and friends encourage it , then why am I still working?

I have never been indecisive before, so why now? Why is this so hard? Why can't I just step out and do it? Why am I making this so difficult? Please tell me I'm just having a mid-life crisis. Please!

Cardboard Testimonies

I Have To Believe

I finished reading "The Shack" last night. I have never had a book impact me the way this book has - my heart broke, I was angry, I was sad, I was confused, I was embarrassed, I was excited, I was amused, I was ashamed, I was in awe, I was relieved, my eyes were opened, the locked doors of my heart were opened, I was healed, my soul has been refreshed and for the first time in my life I totally believe God has always loved. Through it all He always loved me. And all this time, it was so simple. I just have to believe. And I do!!!

Thanks Fran for sharing "The Shack".

Where I Am At Today

Memories

WOW! In a couple of months I will have been a partner with KLF for 11 years. Like most of you it has probably been a mixture of blessings, growing, hurts, healings, forgiveness, and restoration. But most of all it has been the best time of my life with people that I love most in this world. And as I was cleaning out my computer this morning I came across some great memories from the past 11 years so I thought I would share some of them with you .

Brandi, Gail, Pam & Brenda at Bride of Christ -WOW

Church Events Winter Baptism

Hallelujah Night

Princess Party

Cole and Cherith at a wedding Fran & Monica at WOW Christmas Party

Rachel and Brandi at WOW Christmas Party
Everlasting Seed Co. events

You see, thanks to all of you and your kiddos I have so many great memories. I just love this family that God has put me in. I so look forward to the next 11 years. Thanks for all the great memories .

Catching Up

I have been on my sweet sister for a long time about not keeping her blog up so finally she posted an update. Good Girl! But turn about is fair play and this past week she informed me that I needed to update my blog as well, so here goes - this is what I have been up to since February:

Making graduation announcements - updating company web photos - shooting company ribbon cutting ceremony - tax season - soccer - new employee photos - designed new business cards - gift certificates for 3 fund raisers - BFW practice - birthday parties (4) - engagement shots - senior shots - family shots - baby shots - BFW - more senior shots - wedding invitations - graduation party invitations - children's shots - party shots - rehearsal, bridal brunch, wedding and reception shots - more senior shots - decorated and catered wedding and party - more senior shots - finished tax season - booked 25 weddings - was offered a school district's spring picture gig - finished life group for the season - and hired a housekeeper. So you see, things have been pretty slow for me, how about you?

PS - God has been moving mightily, but I'm still sorting it all out and will write about it later - BFW was wonderful, actually better than wonderful and I am still sorting it out - I am totally excited that we are having WOW again - and did I mention I hired a housekeeper? Thank God!!!!