I am so honored and lucky to be the official ‘unofficial’ school photographer for my son’s elementary school.  This is my 3rd year doing this.  I get to photograph the school events and the day-to-day activities of the kids and then share them with the school and the parents.  I’ve been thanked time and time again for what I do, but honestly, it’s me who must thank them.  I’ve tried explaining to everyone just how much joy it brings me to be able to do this, but no amount of explanation will ever be able to convey what I feel for the kids, school and staff.  All I can do is show them through my photography.

Every year for the past 3 years there has been a school musical involving all grades that is so big the performance has to be held off campus at a theater.  Practices are held 2-3 times a week at school and I show up for everyone of them so I can try to catch with my camera the joy these children are feeling.  If I’m having a bad day, these kids make my day better.  If I’m already having a good day, these kids make my day great!  Everyday I fall a little bit more and more in love with them.  What a joy.  What a gift.  Truly, I am blessed. 

Find more of Best Shot Monday over at Tracey’s.

It’s been 37 days since I last posted on my blog and I don’t think anyone really noticed, but I don’t mind.  I think with Facebook being such a big part of my day-to-day life, people just expect to find out everything there.  I needed to take a break and turn my attention to other things (some great, some not-so-great) for a bit, but I’m back now. 

I want my first returning post to be in honor of Melody’s (the founder of SOOC Saturday) return as well.  I’ve missed her and I’m so glad she’s back.  It will be good to get back into the groove of things…it’s good to be home.  Have a great weekend everyone. 

I’m amazed at the speed that 2009 came and went.  Another decade gone.  Wow.  Honestly, 2009 wasn’t a bad year for me.  There were definitely some bumps along the way, but we got through them.  Though 2009 wasn’t all that bad, I still want 2010 to be even better and I don’t see why it can’t be!

Ali Edwards has asked us to choose our word for the year.  The words above are some of my favorite.  Seeing them all together like that makes them seem even that more powerful.  I’m going to make all of those words my words for this year, but my #1 word this year is BELIEVE.  That word holds so much promise.  Even as a child, weren’t we told to believe? Believe in fairy tales, Santa Claus and a host of other things?  Now that I have kids, I find myself using the word believe with them quite often:  If you believe in yourself, you can do anything you want. 

My mind has been racing the past couple of months.  I’ve gotten some great, new opportunities and met some fantastic people that have most definitely inspired me.  I want to do more this year.  I’ve got some ideas brewing about photography and creating and inspiring and teaching; about bringing together a group of creative women to share and inspire along with me.  It’s still in my head, but I believe I can make it happen.  I believe that I have my own superpowers and that I can achieve what I want. 

What about you? What word do you choose for the new year?  If you’re having trouble coming up with a word, Ali Edwards has an extensive list of words to choose from.  Whatever word you choose, I hope for you that 2010 will be as fantastic as I believe 2010 will be for me.  Now go make a great year!

This has been a sick household (mostly me) for about 3 1/2 weeks now but we’re finally on the mend.  Only yesterday did we get our Christmas tree, five days before Christmas.  I have to admit I wasn’t motivated, especially after being sick for so long and still being fatigued.  However, now that it’s up and decorated, I’m really glad.  The mood has lifted and it really is starting to feel like Christmas now.  Tomorrow we are going to Disney on Ice and nothing says Christmas like a Disney production.  It’s exactly what I need right now, too.  If I don’t post again until after the holiday, may your Christmas holiday be a blessed one. 

Stop by Tracey’s to see more of Best Shot Monday.

1.) Getting a shot of my son and his BFF without them knowing.  Friday’s at recess the school brings out the sound system and plays music for the kids to dance to.  Owen always says he’s not interested but on this day, I caught him!

2.) An Eggnog Latte from Starbucks.  Simply divine!

3.)  Hot Chocolate on a stick!  How ingenius is that? And you can make it yourself.  What a great gift idea!

4.) Speaking of gifts, and I’m still shopping, check out these Mommy Calling cards/Business cards.  Custom made for you and come in a cute little tin.  I am SO getting these!

5.) This awesome, handmade affirmation mobile.  I want this, too.  Hmmm…I wonder how many Christmas gifts I’m allowed to buy for myself?!

6.) These perfect vinyl chalkboard decals.  I want them on the wall above my desk for all my ramblings!

7.) Actually, anything from Off the Wall Expressions, the website that sells the chalkboard decals.  They’ve got some pretty cool stuff for your walls.

8.)  If I had my dream office/creative space, I would most definitely paint a wall with this water-based, dry erase wall paint.  Imagine having a whole wall to scribble your ideas on or to write messages on for all to see?  Right now they have a “Lil’ Bit” kit that will cover a 3 sq. ft. area for $15, usually $29.95.  It can be applied to anything you can paint – drywall, plaster, chalkboard, whiteboard, tables, bikes, garden gnomes, small ceramic cats. Just prep and prime the surface before you start.  It will be as smooth as the surface you paint.

9.) This gorgeous 4×4 hand painted canvas by my girl Anne Carmack, an incredible artist, writer and photographer.  I can picture this sitting right on my desk where I could look at it everyday!

10.) And finally, this Eskimo proverb: May you have warmth in your igloo, oil in your lamp and peace in your heart. 

What makes you happy? Do share!

Stop by Tracey’s for more of Best Shot Monday

(Thanks to Tracey for inviting me on board as a regular contributor for Shutter Sisters.  It feels like I’ve come home.)

 My Xbox playin’, iTouch totin’ 13 yr. old son came to me and asked if we could make gingerbread men.  Once I closed my slack-jawed mouth and stopped staring at him like he was an alien invading my son’s body, I told him we could if he agreed that I could photograph it.  I was sure he would say no.  Since he’s become an official teenager, my camera does nothing but irritate him now and I’m not allowed to take his picture, but he agreed.  And the reason you see his picture here on my blog was because he agreed to that, too! 

The night was definitely full of surprises and you know what? We had a great time.  I don’t know who had more flour on them: my sons, myself or my camera!  What a great way to ring in the holiday season.  Oh, and Tracey? Please don’t be mad, but my holiday card photo has been shot, edited and printed.  Yep, cards are done, my friend! 

Stop by Tracey’s for more of Best Shot Monday…and to find out why she might be mad at me….!

Thanksgiving is over and, according to my son, Christmas time has officially started.  At his insistence, I brought out the box of decorations.  Honestly, I wasn’t in the mood.  I was tired, full and just wanted to curl up on the couch and watch a movie, but just to make him go away  to make him happy, I did what he asked.  I watched him open that box excitedly and pull out each and every ornament like it was the first time he had ever seen them. 

The T.V. never went on but instead I listened to my son tell me stories of what he remembered from past Christmases and what he liked about that ornament or this ornament.  After that, he curled up next to me on the couch and told me everything that was on his Christmas list which, of course, changed numerous times. 

Christmas is especially difficult for me.  My family has dwindled drastically.  I no longer have a brother, a dad, a grandpa, uncles or cousins, all taken away by disease.  I have my grandma and my mother, thank God, but they are also ill and I fear this will be my last Christmas with them. 

And so it has begun.  I will rejoice in the magic of the holiday. I will let my son’s magic of the holiday pour over me and take me through to the new year.  I will be thankful for another year with my mother and grandmother.  I will be thankful for the friends who share their strength and their hearts with me this Christmas season.  Life is good, and that’s all that matters. 

I can tell you, with 100% certainty, it’s much more stressful for the parent than the photographer when it comes to photographing their children.  Every parent wants the perfect portrait showing their well-behaved, perfect children.  I can also tell you with 100% certainty that all children at some point in the shoot will not cooperate, be it in the beginning, half way through and sometimes not at all.  And you know what?  That’s absolutely fine with me.  In fact, that’s when I love to photograph them the most.  I assure the parents that I will get that perfect shot and I do because I let the kids just be themselves.  Otherwise, how would I have gotten that great shot of the feuding sisters above?  And honestly, I always end up liking those shots better! 

A child can only be ‘perfect’ for so long before cutting loose.  Sometimes I’ll even have them act silly first before trying to get them to sit still for the camera.  That’s what I did with these boys.  I let them be silly for 3 or 4 shots if they agreed to then sit still for me.  They agreed and I got these 2 great shots.  What’s not to love about that?!

Today I savor imperfections.  Tracey wants to know and so do I: What are you savoring today?

Stop by Tracey’s for more of Best Shot Mondays

1)  My new camera bag.  I love, love, love it! I saw it, I ordered it and I got it.  Oh, and did I mention I love it?!

2) Having a long, leisurely lunch with an old friend which I get to do tomorrow.  Yay!

3) The book Kirtsy Takes a Bow, a book by women for women. 

4) This awesome video put together by the beautiful and wonderful Katherine Center in regards to the new Kirtsy book.  Watch it because seriously? Chicks rule. 

5) Random acts of kindness and websites that promote random acts of kindness.  And with bracelets, no less.  And yes, because I know you’re thinking it, I will be purchasing them. 

6) The postcard crossing project known as Postcrossing.  What a great idea this is.  You sign up to receive random postcards that can come from anywhere on the globe and you also send them.  How cool is that?!

7) Farrell’s Ice Cream Parlor!!  They’ve reopened after being closed for many years and I’m so excited!  I have many fond memories of going there as a child and I can’t wait to take my kids there, too. 

8.) Doing some intentional acts of kindness with the help of a kit.  These cards are perfect and would make a great holiday gift, too. 

9) These guys who do the funniest and best version ever of The 12 Days of Christmas.  Yes, I’m already listening to Christmas music. 

10) And fnally, You are a child of the universe,
no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

What makes you happy? Do share!